Archives: Kit Reviews
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Tamiya 1/35 scale Toyota AB Phaeton
FineScale Modeler reviews Tamiya’s 1/35 scale Toyota AB Phaeton plastic car model kit. Toyota is well known today for its luxury and value cars. But few people know that during World War II the company produced vehicles for the Imperial Japanese Army.
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Zvezda 1/35 scale Panther Ausf D
FineScale Modeler reviews the Zvezda 1/35 scale Panther Ausf D plastic model tank kit. Developed in response to the Soviet T-34, the Panther offered the best combination of firepower, protection, and mobility of any German tank in World War II. Its Achilles heel was its reliability and complexity compared with the T-34 and M4 Sherman.
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Revell Germany 1/72 scale F4U-1A Corsair
Revell Germany’s 1/72 scale F4U-1A Corsair plastic model kit has some unique features: A separate upper forward section to its three-piece fuselage eliminates the usual pesky middle seam through the fuel-tank filler. Separate oil-cooler intakes and gun ports eliminate seams through their centers as well. The wingtips are separate parts, suggesting a future reissue as…
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Takom 1/35 scale Mark IV “Male” heavy battle tank
FineScale Modeler reviews the Takom 1/35 scale Mark IV “Male” World War I heavy battle tank plastic model kit. With the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I in 2014, model companies have produced several early tank models. But none has been as eagerly awaited as a new British Mark IV tank. Takom…
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AMK 1/48 scale L-29 Delfin
A new 1/48 scale jet kit manufacturer on the modeling scene is AvantGarde Model Kits (AMK) of China. Having been fortunate enough to see several Aero L-29 Delfíns fly at Oshkosh AirVenture in recent years, and having an interest in Soviet/Warsaw Pact-era aircraft, I was keen to see AMK’s kit.
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Hasegawa 1/72 scale F-35A Lightning II
Hasegawa’s F-35A Lightning II plastic model is the latest 1/72 scale release of that airplane on the market, after the Italeri and Academy kits. With detail typical of Hasegawa’s recent models, the kit features exquisite recessed surface detail molded in light gray plastic, decal options for two U.S. Air Force test aircraft, a nicely detailed…
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Meng 1/35 scale M2A3 Bradley BUSK III
While there have been several fine Bradley kits over the years, Meng has released a superb 1/35 scale plastic model kit of the M2A3 with BUSK III armor. It features not only excellent exterior details but a complete interior, too.
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AFV Club 1/35 scale M24 Chaffee
AFV Club has released a 1/35 scale Korean War-era M24 Chaffee plastic model tank. The kit has posable hatches, a metal barrel with recoil feature, and vinyl one-piece tracks with metal pins. Markings are supplied for four vehicles.
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ICM Dornier 1/48 scale Do 215B-4
The ICM 1/48 scale Dornier Do 215B-4 plastic model airplane kit comes in a large, bright blue, top-opening box with artwork depicting one of the planes for which decals are included. The box sides have profiles of the same aircraft. Gray and clear sprues are bagged separately. In addition to the 20-page instruction booklet, a…
