Review Topic: Military
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Meng 1/72 scale Convair F-102A
Meng surprised me with its brand-new 1/72 scale Convair F-102A plastic model kit. What pleased me is that Meng recognized there were two wing designs, and I was thrilled with the two-part clear canopy. The cockpit detail is good; the tub comes with the special “two-fisted” control stick and a mount for the open canopy.
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Academy 1/35 U.S. Army RQ-7B UAV
Academy has released a 1/35 scale U.S. Army RQ-7B UAV plastic model kit. Inside the box, there there aren’t a lot of parts — no clear parts, no photoetched metal or resin. But sometimes less is more. Included are the RQ-7B, two figures, and a display stand — everything you need to make a diorama…
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Airfix 1/72 scale P-51D
Airfix’s all-new P-51D Mustang plastic-model kit includes optional parts for raised or lowered flaps and extended or retracted gear. Posable items include the rudder, canopy, and radiator belly-scoop-outlet door. Airfix omitted a few details in the kit’s beautiful scribing — the elevator mass balances and the dzus fasteners along the length of the upper cowling…
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Cyber-hobby 1/72 scale Sea King HC.4
It’s been a long time coming, but it’s great to see a 1/72 scale plastic kit of the Westland Sea King HC.4, characterized by its longer fuselage. Cyber-hobby covers the commando transport with an all-new kit. Inside the box, you will find five sprues of injection-molded parts and a fret of photoetched metal with three…
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Meng Models Merkava Mk.IIID
FSM reviews the 1/35 scale plastic armor kit Meng Model’s 1/35 scale Merkava Mk.IIID plastic model kit is molded in gray-green plastic. The parts show good detail, with crisp recessed lines, sharp bolts (especially around the add-on armor), and well-textured mold seams. The stowage rack rails and grab handles are scale thin.
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AFV Club 1/35 scale M42 Duster
AFV Club’s 1/35 scale M42 Duster is the first all-new plastic model kit of this subject since Tamiya’s release in the early ’70s. Cleanly molded in dark-olive plastic, it features turned-metal gun barrels, metal recoil springs, vinyl one-piece tracks, and photoetched-metal gunsights.
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Platz 1/72 scale T-33 Shooting Star
Platz’s 1/72 scale T-33 Shooting Star plastic model kit has interesting features, such as a split fuselage, detailed interior, and markings for five Japanese air force aircraft.
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HK Models 1/32 B-25 Mitchell
HK Models has done a fine job reproducing the B-25 Mitchell in a 1/32 scale plastic model kit. It is injection-molded in medium gray plastic and loaded with details from four 70-part engines, a complete bomb bay with six 500-pound bombs, and .50-caliber guns with separately molded barrels.
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MiniArt 1/35 scale GAZ-AAA
We review MiniArt’s 1/35 scale GAZ-AAA plastic model kit. Molded in gray plastic, it features excellent detail. Thin, clear parts are provided for the windows and headlights. There is also a small photoetched-metal fret and decal sheet for six different vehicles.
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Italeri 1/48 scale Hawker Hurricane Mk.I
Italeri’s 1/48 scale Hawker Hurrican Mk.I plastic model kit comprises 97 gray and 12 clear injection-molded sytrene parts, eight photoetched-metal parts, and a comprehensive decal sheet for six different schemes. There is also a nice reference booklet.