Archives: Kit Reviews
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Grand Models T-6A Texan II
FineScale Modeler reviews the 1/72 scale plastic model aircraft kit. The parts breakdown is similar: one-piece fuselage and one-piece wing. Differences are: metal weight cast into the nose that keeps the nose wheel grounded, and separate ailerons, rudder, and elevator. The well-detailed resin parts have minor flash on most mold-parting lines. The pour stubs on…
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Eduard Spitfire Mk.IXc (late)
FineScale Modeler reviews the 1/72 scale plastic model aircraft kit. Options include: open or closed canopy, posable ailerons, narrow- and broad-chord rudders, large and small belly tanks, a choice of stores, and six marking options. The instructions include four-view color painting and marking illustrations plus a separate page for stencil placement. With PE parts, the…
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Tanmodel RF-84 Thunderflash
FineScale Modeler reviews the 1/48 scale plastic model aircraft kit. The instruction manual features CAD illustrations rather than black-and-white drawings. Large, red arrows indicate part placement, but the locations are sometimes vague, especially for parts without locators.
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AMK MiG-31 Foxhound
FineScale Modeler reviews the 1/48 scale plastic model aircraft kit. The kit arrives in a sturdy, tightly packed box, and it’s obvious that a lot of thought went into the engineering and production of this kit. Parts breakdown addresses alignment issues: The one-piece upper wing establishes the anhedral; the vertical tails and lower strakes are…
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Takom AMX-13/75
FineScale Modeler reviews the 1/35 scale plastic model armor kit. The chassis build was straightforward without major issues, but the photo-etch for the screens did not leave enough frame for gluing. So I spread the super glue thinly, then painted the hull bottom and sides.
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Tamiya AMX-13
FineScale Modeler reviews the 1/35 scale plastic model armor kit. Molded in tan plastic, the kit features excellent detail. The single-piece tracks are molded in flexible plastic. Only one piece of photo-etch is included, a grille for the hull intake. A half figure is provided for the commander’s hatch, but there are no clear parts…
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Revell Germany Embraer 195
FineScale Modeler reviews the 1/144 scale plastic model airliner kit. Typical of Revell Germany airliners, the fuselage windows are open but no clear inserts are provided. It’s up to you to apply decal windows or use Microscale Kristal Klear or another window maker. The GE CF34 engines comprise eight parts. I appreciate that the front…
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Tamiya’s M10, Hasegawa’s big Zero, AFV Club’s M60A2, & Eduard’s Nieuport 11
FSM reviews four new plastic scale model kits.
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Academy’s M1A2 Abrams, Eduard’s “Rise of the Bubbletops”, Dragon’s big Scharnhorst, & Roden’s VC10
FSM reviews four new plastic scale model kits and accessories.
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Airfix Westland Sea King HC4
FineScale Modeler reviews the 1/72 scale plastic model aircraft kit. Airfix’s new Sea King HC4 is a real beauty! The 133 parts, molded in the now-familiar soft blue-gray plastic, show crisp, recessed panel lines and little flash. Optional parts allow for the aircraft to be built flight-ready or with the rotor and tail folded. The…