Author: John Plzak
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Amusing Hobby 1/35 scale Object 279 Soviet heavy tank
The Amusing Hobby 1/35 scale Object 279 Soviet heavy tank plastic kit comprises more than 1,500 parts (most for the running gear), perhaps based on the belief that if two parts is good, four or six is better. Two small photoetched-metal sheets provide details for the hull and turret along with straps for the external…
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Hasegawa 1/20 scale Ma.K. Lum-168 Camel
Thirty years ago, Kow Yokoyama, Hiroshi Ichimura, and Kunitaka Imai created a monthly series for Hobby Japan magazine featuring 1/20 scale scratchbuilt models. The series chronicled the conflict between the Strahl Democratic Republic (SDR) and mercenaries hired by the colonists of a repopulated Earth in the 29th century. Titled “SF3D,” the series ran for three…
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Zvezda 1/35 scale Tiger I Ausf E
Zvezda has expanded its range of military vehicles with a brand-new 1/35 scale plastic model kit of the Tiger I Ausf E (early production). Early-production Tigers are distinguished by the “dustbin” commander’s cupola, s-mine launchers on the hull, headlights mounted on the hull top, and Feifel air cleaners on the rear. Zvezda even caught the…
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Xact Scale Models 1/35 scale T-80U Russian main battle tank
John Plzak reviews the Xact Scale Models 1/35 scale T-80U Russian main battle tank plastic model kit: “Molded in a gray-green plastic, the kit features superb detail. The one-piece vinyl tracks join with standard modeling cement; they even have hollow guide teeth. There are two small sheets of photoetched metal providing parts for the front…
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Italeri 1/35 scale PT-109
Italeri has revamped its 1/35 scale model of the Elco 80′ PT boat to reissue the kit as the famous PT-109. The kit features a one-piece hull, and several new sprues to backdate the kit to the earlier PT-103-class boat. Just before its last mission, the crew of PT-109 had lashed a 37mm cannon to…
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Meng 1/35 scale A39 Tortoise
When you open the box to the Meng 1/35 scale Tortoise A39 plastic model kit, you realize how big this beast is. Amazingly, through the magic of slide molding, the fighting compartment is molded as one piece with excellent cast texture on all sides. Only the rear plates are separate moldings. The kit features individual-link…
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Hasegawa 1/48 scale Voyager
Hasegawa has released a 1/48 scale plastic model of Voyager as the probes become man’s first interstellar spacecraft. The kit is well-molded in white, black, and gold-plated plastic. Novices could easily build it unpainted and still get an acceptable likeness. While it is not a snap-together model, with the parts’ large, strong locating pins, you…
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Tamiya 1/35 scale Elefant
Tamiya has released a brand-new 1/35 scale plastic model kit of the Elefant. Typical of Tamiya’s kits, it features excellent detail molded in tan plastic. The upper fighting compartment is a single, beautifully formed piece, and the styrene link-and-length tracks definitely live up to Tamiya’s standards. In addition to the instruction booklet, Tamiya includes a…
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MiniArt 1/35 scale GAZ-AAA
We review MiniArt’s 1/35 scale GAZ-AAA plastic model kit. Molded in gray plastic, it features excellent detail. Thin, clear parts are provided for the windows and headlights. There is also a small photoetched-metal fret and decal sheet for six different vehicles.
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AFV Club 1/35 scale Schwere Panzerspähwagen SdKfz 231 (8-Rad)
AFV Club’s 1/35 scale Schwere Panzerspähwagen SdKfz 231 (8-Rad) plastic scale model features hatches and storage bins that can be posed open or closed. The wheels may be posed, too. Interior detail is good, but the engine is represented only by its lower half.