Archives: Kit Reviews
-
Zvezda King Tiger
FineScale Modeler reviews the 1/35 scale plastic model armor kit. The iconic German King Tiger has been a mainstay of many model company catalogs. Now, Zvezda joins the crowd with a Henschel turret version in 1/35 scale. Molded in dark yellow plastic, the kit includes a sheet of nylon mesh for the engine screens and…
-
Roden Bristol 175 Britannia
FineScale Modeler reviews the 1/144 scale plastic model aircraft kit Crews affectionately called the Britannia (and its Canadian cousin, the CL-44) “The Whispering Giant.” Roden has done Bristol’s airliner proud. Featuring engraved detail, the kit’s gray parts look good generally, but molding consistency is a stumbling block.
-
ModelCollect E-75 heavy tank
FineScale Modeler reviews the 1/72 scale plastic model armor kit. Proposed in 1942 and accepted in 1943, the E series of tanks was Germany’s attempt to standardize armor production. Six different chassis weight classes were proposed and used many standardized parts to simplify manufacturing and maintenance.
-
Merit International USS John F. Kennedy
FineScale Modeler reviews the 1/350 scale plastic model ship kit. Commissioned in 1968, USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), originally conceived as a nuclear-powered ship, became the last conventionally powered carrier in the U.S. Navy. A variant of the Kitty Hawk-class, it was 17′ shorter.
-
Meng A7V
FineScale Modeler reviews Meng’s 1/35 scale plastic model tank kit. Meng’s new A7V is a masterpiece with terrific detail on the tan plastic parts. The hull armor has rivets, bolts, and panel lines. Ejector-pin marks are inevitable but minimal on these parts, especially those where both sides will be visible.
-
Academy T-34/85
FineScale Modeler reviews Academy’s 1/35 scale plastic model tank kit. Academy’s all-new T-34/85 is the first complete kit with the turret style that has been called the No. 112 “composite,” or “hard-edged.” Cleanly molded in dark green plastic, it features link-and-length track, two styles of turrets, two versions of the commander’s cupola, photoetched-metal parts, external fuel…
-
Bandai “Star Wars” Snowspeeder
FineScale Modeler reviews Bandai’s 1/48 scale plastic model science-fiction kit. Bandai recently acquired a “Star Wars” license and has been aggressively releasing kits in 1/72 and 1/48 scales. Typical of Bandai’s Gundam and Starblazers kits, the speeder is molded in colors to match the filming miniatures.
-
Zvezda BMPT “Terminator”
FineScale Modeler reviews Zvezda’s 1/35 scale plastic model tank kit. Molded in gray plastic, the kit features link-and-length tracks; the chassis comes from Zvezda’s T-90 kit. Clear parts are provided for the headlights, periscopes, and sensors. Two sizes of white plastic mesh are provided to detail the engine grates and rear barrier.
