Archives: Kit Reviews
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HobbyBoss 1/48 scale F-80 Shooting Star
HobbyBoss’ first release of the Shooting Star as a plastic model kit is their 1/48 scale F-80A. Six sprues of gray plastic feature incredibly petite engraved panel lines for 1/48 scale. However, the plastic’s grainy texture requires extra work for a natural-metal finish.
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Airfix 1/72 scale Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-8
Airfix’s all-new Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-8 plastic scale model kit has beautiful recessed panel lines, excellent detail, options for a posable rudder, open or closed canopy, and retracted or extended landing gear. Add-on parts indicate other variants of Germany’s frontline World War II fighter may also be forthcoming from Airfix. Two canopies are supplied, the “blown”…
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Trumpeter A-6A Intruder, Minicraft PBM-5 Mariner, Academy Panzer 35(t), Revell Original Mini Cooper, and Eduard Bf 109E-7 Trop
Five new plastic model kits reviewed
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Tarangus 1/72 scale Saab J 29A/B Tunnan
The J 29 is Tarangus’ first effort plastic model kit in 1/72 scale. The Swedish company chose to offer the A/B version which lacks the “sawtooth” leading-edge wing extension found on later aircraft. Molded in soft gray plastic, the parts display fine panel lines and surface detail. Resin parts add detail to the cockpit and…
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Airfix 1/72 scale Hawker Typhoon IB
Although the Hawker Typhoon IB may never win any contests for good looks, the newly tooled Airfix 1/72 scale plastic model kit is a real beauty. Typical for Airfix these days, it’s molded in soft, blue-gray plastic with excellent detail throughout. Panel lines are recessed and a little heavy, but better than some earlier Airfix…
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AZ Model 1/72 scale Boeing P-26 Peashooter
Following its success with the P-12 army and F4B navy biplane fighters, Boeing developed the classic P-26 monoplane pursuit plane. For 1/72 scale model builders, this new kit from the Czech Republic’s AZ Model provides an alternative to the old Revell and limited-run Pavla P-26s. AZ Model’s 1/72 scale plastic kit is molded in soft,…
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Roden 1/144 scale Douglas C-47 Skytrain
Roden has made fans of 1/144 scale happy by releasing a plastic model kit of one of the classic aircraft of all time — the Douglas C-47. Markings are included for one invasion-striped, post-D-Day aircraft. While there are only 39 parts, all the necessary details are there, including competently designed engines with cylinder detail, main…
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Dragon 1/35 scale Type 95 “Ha-Go”
Dragon continues its new Japanese World War II series with the release of the 1/35 scale Type 95 “Ha-Go” plastic model kit. The kit features posable hatches, turret interior, DS tracks, photoetched-metal optional parts, and markings for four vehicles. The first thing to do is decide on the paint scheme and markings. Road wheels and…
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Trumpeter 1/200 scale “Bismarck”
The biggest battleship Germany ever built, Bismarck struck fear into the Allied powers of World War II even before it sailed for the Atlantic’s shipping lanes. Ironically, outdated British Swordfish torpedo bombers spelled the beginning of the end for the pride of the Kriegsmarine — but the debate of whether the Bismarck was ultimately sunk…
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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…