Review Topic: Aircraft
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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…
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AZ Model 1/72 scale Boeing P-26 Peashooter
Following its success with the P-12 army and F4B navy biplane fighters, Boeing developed the classic P-26 monoplane pursuit plane. For 1/72 scale model builders, this new kit from the Czech Republic’s AZ Model provides an alternative to the old Revell and limited-run Pavla P-26s. AZ Model’s 1/72 scale plastic kit is molded in soft,…
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Roden 1/144 scale Douglas C-47 Skytrain
Roden has made fans of 1/144 scale happy by releasing a plastic model kit of one of the classic aircraft of all time — the Douglas C-47. Markings are included for one invasion-striped, post-D-Day aircraft. While there are only 39 parts, all the necessary details are there, including competently designed engines with cylinder detail, main…
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Zvezda 1/48 scale Yak-3
Zvezda’a Yak-3 is the first all-new 1/48 scale plastic model kit of this aircraft in more than 15 years. The parts are cleanly molded in neutral gray plastic. The kit provides parts for the cowling to be closed or open with complete engine detail. Along with parts that the kit supplies to pose the plane…
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Trumpeter 1/48 scale MiG-21F Fishbed
To my knowledge, Trumpeter’s new MiG-21F-13 is the first up-to-date early version of this MiG in 1/48 scale. The kit parts are cleanly molded in light gray plastic. Prominent features include vinyl tires, engine details, and a satisfying selection of bombs, rocket pods, missiles, and drop tanks.
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Platz 1/144 scale C-46D Commando
One of the prime postwar users of the C-46D Commando was Japan, which explains the motivation for the newest 1/144 scale plastic model kit from Platz. The kit is broken down logically into a reasonable number of parts, and the molding is first-class. A simple cockpit is included, along with detailed landing gear and gear…
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Meng Models 1/48 scale Me 410B-2/U4
Meng Models’ first 1/48 scale aircraft kit kicks off the “Longiceps” series, the latest in a curiously dinosaur-named group of kit collections. Your hard-earned dollars will reward you with a sturdy package of crisply molded plastic, photoetched-metal pieces, a 23-page instruction book, and gorgeous decals printed by Cartograf.
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HobbyBoss 1/32 scale P-61B Black Widow
The first 1/32 scale P-61 Black Widow in injection-molded plastic comes to us from HobbyBoss — and it is a massive undertaking! Nearly 19″ long, with a wingspan of 25″, it is huge. More than 700 parts are crammed into the big box. Two frets of photoetched metal spice up the detail; a vinyl fret…