Review Topic: Aircraft
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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…
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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.