Review Topic: Aircraft
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Trumpeter and Wolfpack T-38A Talons, Tamiya Nashorn, Revell Germany Type IXC U-boat, and photoetched-metal detail sets from Paragrafix
FSM reviews four new kits and photoetched-metal details
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Zvezda 1/48 scale Sukhoi Su-2
Designed as a reconnaissance and ground-attack aircraft, the Sukhoi Su-2 first flew in 1937. No match for German fighters, it was withdrawn from frontline duty in 1942. Zvezda’s newly tooled kit is molded in light gray, soft styrene with recessed panel lines and rivets (mostly on the wings, since the real aircraft had aluminum wings…
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G.W.H. 1/48 scale McDonnel-Douglas F-15B/D Eagle
Great Wall Hobbies’ release of the F-15B/D was exciting — I am a huge fan of the Eagle! Since we haven’t had a newly molded Eagle in some time, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this kit to see how it stacked up with older molds by Hasegawa and Academy. Tightly packed in…
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BPK 1/72 scale Boeing 737-200
Injection-molded models of 1/72 scale airliners are rare, so BPK’s new 737-200 releases are welcome additions indeed. BPK’s model is more accurate and better detailed than the old ’60s-era Aurora and Monogram kits.
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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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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.