Archives: Kit Reviews
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Hasegawa 1/32 scale Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden Kai “George”
The Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden Kai (Violet Lightning Modified, Allied reporting name “George”) was one of the primary Japanese Navy fighters at the end of World War. Strangely, its origins can be traced back to a floatplane fighter design (Kawanishi’s N1K1 Kyofu, or Mighty Wind). This all-new N1K2-J finally provides a modern alternative to the ancient…
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Minicraft 1-144 scale Boeing KC-135E
Having built three of Minicraft’s outstanding DC-8s, I have been looking forward to its newly tooled KC-135E — and now I can say Minicraft did not disappoint. Quality and finesse really set this kit apart. It’s a fairly simple build. Parts are molded in light gray plastic with finely engraved panel lines that look really…
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FlyHawk 1/700 scale SMS Derfflinger 1916
The FlyHawk 1/700 scale SMS Derfflinger plastic model ship kit comprises a waterline hull base, 10 gray styrene sprues, and one fret of photoetched metal. The molding is clean with no flash and no sink marks. The 10-step instructions are printed front and back on a single page with several six-color sections for photoetched metal,…
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Airfix 1/48 scale BAE Warrior tank
This is a review of the Airfix 1/48 scale BAE Warrior plastic model tank kit.
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Airfix 1/72 scale English Electric Lightning F.2A
Airfix’s new 1/72 scale tool of the iconic Lightning F.2A features beautiful detail, options for posable flaps, canopy, and speed brakes, and the inclusion of closed gear doors (though no display stand is supplied). An optional intake cover and pilot figure are included, as well as weighted tires and other small-but-welcome touches.
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Airfix 1/72 scale de Havilland DH.82a Tiger Moth
During World War II, the ubiquitous de Havilland Tiger Moth was to Royal Air Force pilots what the Stearman PT-17 was to American airmen — almost all fledgling pilots flew it during their initial training. Airfix has released a little gem of a plastic model kit with its 1/72 scale Tiger Moth. Molded in Airfix’s…
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Eduard 1/72 scale MiG-15bis
Eduard’s 1/23 scale MiG-15bis (second) plastic model kit features optional photoetched-metal interior pieces, masks for the clear parts, a posable canopy, and optional parts for some of the variants. There are markings for five aircraft: Cuban, East German, Egyptian, and two Soviet. In the cockpit, you have a choice of plastic pieces and decals or…
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Zvezda 1/72 scale Topol SS-25 “Sickle” mobile ICBM TEL
This is a review of the Zvezda 1/72 scale Topol SS-25 “Sickle” plastic model mobile ICBM TEL kit.
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Merit International 1/35 scale M19 Tank Transporter
Merit International has made a splash with the M19 as its first 1/35 scale plastic model release. It’s a big model: 698 plastic parts molded in dark yellow, with clear-styrene lights and windows. There are also 37 vinyl tires, two photoetched-metal frets, and a piece of string for the winch cable. Flash and knockout marks…
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Moebius Models 1/6 scale “Lost in Space” Robot B9
Aurora issued a 1/11 scale model of B9 in the 1960s that was reissued by Polar Lights in the ’90s. Now, Moebius Models has produced a 1/6 scale plastic model kit of B9. The kit is molded in gray and clear plastic with dark gray vinyl for the arms and legs, which can be built…