Review Topic: Aircraft
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Airfix 1/72 scale Avro Lancaster B.III (Special) The Dambusters
The Airfix 1/72 scale Avro Lancaster B.III (Special) The Dambusters plastic model kit is jampacked with 266 parts molded in blue-gray plastic. Seventy years ago last May, Royal Air Force Lancasters from No. 617 Squadron flew the famous raid against the hydroelectric dams in Germany’s Ruhr Valley. Operation Chastise was conducted to disrupt electrical power…
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Eduard 1/48 scale Spitfire Mk.IXc late version
Eduard produces one of the most accurate 1/48 scale Spitfire Mk.IXc late version plastic model kits ever.
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Trumpeter 1/32 scale A-1D (AD-4) Skyraider
In a large box full of plastic, Trumpeter’s Skyraider is packed with loads of detail. The engine alone has more parts than many 1/72 kits. The landing gear and cockpit also feature prominently on the list of detailed subassemblies. While detail color callouts are sparse, ample online references will help with painting.
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Tamiya 1/32 scale Corsair
Having set a high standard with its 1/32 scale P-51D, Tamiya had a lot to live up to with its new F4U-1. However, if anything, the new 1/32 scale Corsair plastic model kit exceeds the Mustang in fidelity and ease of assembly.
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Revell Germany 1/144 scale Tornado ECR TigerMeet 2011
There have been plastic model kits of the Tornado in all the popular scales, including previous releases by Revell Germany in 1/144 scale. Even though this kit is not new, the decals are — all 100-plus of them. The kit’s decals are for a flamboyant Tornado ECR from TigerMeet 2011, covered in tiger stripes.
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Zvezda Disney “Planes” 1/100 scale Dusty Crophopper
There are 16 parts in Zvezda’s Disney “Planes” Dusty Crophopper snap-together plastic kit, and they are mostly detailed and nicely molded. Since the parts are pretty small, I built with only the pieces I needed for that step, rather than sanding and fitting all of the parts like I normally do. I followed the instructions,…
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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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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…