Archives: Kit Reviews
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Zvezda 1/144 scale Tu-134
Being a big fan of Russian airliners, I was really excited to hear Zvezda was releasing a newly tooled 1/144 scale Tu 134 plastic model kit. The gray styrene molding includes a sturdy display stand. Surface detail is outstanding, with finely engraved panel lines that are among the best I have ever seen. Unlike some…
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FSM Workshop Insights, featuring Kyle Nelson
Modeler Kyle Nelson talks to FSM about his 2012 AMPS entry
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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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Sword 1/72 scale Harrier Mk.2/2A-TAV-8A
Sword’s new 1/72 scale Harrier I Mk.2/2A-TAV-8A plastic model kit is a welcome addition to fill a weak spot in the hobby market. The fuselage (except for alternate two-piece nose cones) is molded in halves. Optional short and tall vertical fins are also provided, as are a pair of Aden gun pods for the aircraft’s…
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Airfix 1/72 scale P-51D
Airfix’s all-new P-51D Mustang plastic-model kit includes optional parts for raised or lowered flaps and extended or retracted gear. Posable items include the rudder, canopy, and radiator belly-scoop-outlet door. Airfix omitted a few details in the kit’s beautiful scribing — the elevator mass balances and the dzus fasteners along the length of the upper cowling…
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Hasegawa 1/200 scale Boeing 787-8
Hasegawa has released a newly tooled 787-8 Dreamliner plastic model kit in its infrequent 1/200 scale series of airliners. Hasegawa’s Dreamliner may not have many parts (67), but it doesn’t lack detail where it counts. There are no cabin or cockpit windows included, but these are ably covered on the decal sheet. Only one scheme…
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Cyber-hobby 1/72 scale Sea King HC.4
It’s been a long time coming, but it’s great to see a 1/72 scale plastic kit of the Westland Sea King HC.4, characterized by its longer fuselage. Cyber-hobby covers the commando transport with an all-new kit. Inside the box, you will find five sprues of injection-molded parts and a fret of photoetched metal with three…
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Trumpeter 1/48 scale Supermarine Attacker F.1
This is a review of the Trumpeter 1/48 scale Supermarine Attack F.1. Trumpeter has developed a recognizable style. The box top has nice art showing one of the two aircraft included on the decal sheet. Surface detail is delicate, precise, and well-done. The instructions are concise and well-drawn, but they do not offer any color…
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Trumpeter 1/35 scale Italian Puma 4 x 4 AFV
This is a review of the Trumpeter 1/35 scale Italian Puma 4 x 4 AFV plastic model kit. Opening the box, I was delighted to see just nine sprues of parts, two frets of photoetched brass, four vinyl tires, and a nice decal sheet. Surface detail is well-molded throughout. Instructions are presented in 12 steps…
