Way back in the 1960’s, McDonnell Aircraft had a winner with their F-4B Phantom II and it enjoyed a long production run in several versions. The plastic model manufacturers kept pace releasing and re-releasing many of these versions. Fine Molds is the latest modeling company to offer a line of F-4’s including several JASDF machines as well as the F-4E, F-4D, and F-4J. The F-4C is one of their latest releases and it is a winner.

Cozmic Scale Models has created a set of Raptor Pilots in 32nd scale that can be used to “crew” a Battlestar Galactica Raptor. There are two sets of the Raptor pilot figures, one with the crew wearing their flight helmets, and the set being reviewed, not wearing their helmets. The helmets are, however included in this set. It is not intended to have these two figures wearing their headgear, and in fact, the helmets cannot be placed on the figures unless some surgery is done to the helmets. No worries, though. There is a set of these figures, with helmets being worn, if that is your interest.

If you are a fan of obscure World War II armor, especially light tanks that were in numbers large enough to only fill two French tank battalions at the outbreak of war, then you are in luck. Furthermore, if you enjoy beutepanzers (German for “captured tanks”), then this is a kit for you. If you are running out of display space, then this model is for you.

Platz Hobby produces several kits in 1/144 scale (currently 394 to be exact), and I was fortunate enough to receive this two-plane kit for review. In addition to the parts for two aircraft, there are markings for four different planes included. Construction was quick, and the detail is very good for this scale. Modelers familiar with working with small parts should not have issues building this release, and I would highly recommend it.

There have been many releases of the F6F in its variants over the years, so I probably do not need to mention much more on the history of a plane that had over 10,000 copies released during WWII. The dash 5K planes featured in this release were used following WWII as drones, drone controllers, and to tow targets. The final combat missions seen by these planes were as radio-controlled air-to-ground guided weapons used in Korea against well defended targets in the North.

Henry Ford’s Model T revolutionized America. It’s low price and simple mechanics made it affordable and practical for ordinary people to own a car. The flexibility of the Model T’s platform also spawned a host of other applications that allowed businesses and municipalities to make the switch from horse-drawn vehicles as well.

This kit shows a prime example of that flexibility. While the Model T fire truck may not have been capable of supplying all equipment needed to fight a major fire, it did provide a means of getting some basic firefighting equipment to the scene much more quickly, buying critical minutes in emergency situations.

ICM has been releasing a host of Model T subjects in both 1/24 and 1/35 scale in recent years. Again, the Model T’s basic platform allows them to spawn multiple kits off of a core set of tooling, and the result is a bonanza for the hobby.