Julien

Very impressed by this kit

P-51 B/C Mustang (70038) 1:72 ARMA Hobby Expert Set Originally developed to fulfil a British requirement for new fighter aircraft, the unmistakable North American P-51 Mustang famously went from drawing board to first flight in just 178 days. It went on to become one of the most famous and successful aircraft of the Second World War. Transformed by the addition of Rolls Royce’s legendary Merlin engine, the Mustang went from strength to strength and was eventually developed into several variants. Even though the D model is the most recognised the earlier models were still great aircraft. The B & C were the first to use the Merlin engine which gave better performance over 15000 ft. They were known in RAF service as the Mustang III. The B models were built at Inglewood and the C models which were identical were built in Dallas. The RAF decided that the original hinged canopy did not offer enough visibility for operations and the British corporation R Malcolm & Co designed a sliding bulged canopy for the aircraft which then became known as the Malcom Hood. The search for better all round visibility would lead to the later P-51D, however some pilots are said to have preferred the Malcom hooded P-51B/D than the later P-51D as it was lighter and had better handling, one of the downsides was only 4 guns as opposed to the D's six. Exiting the B/C in an emergency was also said to be easier than the D. The Kit This is a new tool kit from ARMA Hobby which seems to have garnered good reviews. It really also was time we had a new tool B/C in 1/72. The kit arrives on two main sprues, a clear sprue, a sheet of PE and canopy masks (not shown). The quality of the parts is first rate, all surfaces feature fine engraved panel lines, there is a great deal of moulded in detail in the fuselage and main wheel wells. There are two choices of tail featuring the small fillet tail, and the one with no fillet. Bombs and two types of drop tanks are provided for the wings. Due to the different options being provided from the kit its worth while checking the instructions for these before starting work. Construction starts in the cockpit. The frame for the seat is added to the floor and the seat is fitted. Belts are provided as PE with decals on top. The fuel tank is fitted behind the seat with the radios going on top. Two of the decal options dont have this tank and that is also shown in the instructions. The control column is added in front of the seat and then the instrument panel and its coaming are built up. Instruments are provided as decals. Work then moves to the inside of the fuselage parts with more decals being added. If the Recon version is to be made then holes for the cameras need to be made. The main radiator is made up and this can be installed in the right fuselage half, along with additional controls and the tail wheel parts. More parts are also fitted into the left fuselage half. Once done the tail wheel and cockpit can be installed and the fuselage closed up. Moving onto the wings the wing spar part is installed along with parts for the wheel well. These are added into upper wing, and the two wing parts can be assembled. The separate flaps can then be installed. The wings can then be mated to the fuselage. At the rear of the fuselage the tail and sailplanes can be added, a finless and filleted tails are provided for the different decal options. The main landing gear can then be made up and fitted. At the front the chin intake, propeller and exhaust are added. Different plates/vents are provided for the lower engine cowl. For the spine different antennas are also provided for the different options. Different canopies are provided for the model. If the normal canopy is to be opened then the modeler has the option for this. A slightly larger Malcom hood is supplied for the slid back option. Lastly bombs or drop tanks can be fitted to the wings as needed. Markings There are printed by Techmod so should pose no problems. 7 marking option are provided for the kit; P-51B "Ding Hao" Major Howard, 356th Fighter Sqn, 354th Fighter Group, Boxted UK, April 1944 F-6C "Azel/Boomerang" 162nd Recon Sqn, 10th Photographic Recon Group, Chalgrove, UK 1944 Mustang III, CV-C 3 Sqn RAAF, Cervia, Italy, 1945 Mustang III, "Barbra Jurek" F-C-F KH516, Captain Mencel DFC, 309 Sqn (Polish) RAF, April 1945 P-51C "Evalina" 1st Lt Strawbridge, 26th Fighter Sqn, 51st Fighter Group, China 1945 P-51C "My Pal Snookie" Lt Pawlak, 282nd Fighter Sqn, 363rd Fighter Group, France, July 1944 Option 5 but captured by the Japanese after landing due to technical failure, Japan 1945 Conclusion It is great to see this important aircraft being kitted by a new manufacturer. The kit seems to have been very well received by modellers. Very Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Not this sheet, but they have http://www.iliad-design.com/decals/72NavalTBirds.html

T-33 More Naval T-Birds 1:48 Iliad Design (48040) As well as use by the USAF and various overseas air arms the T-33 was used by the US Navy, US Marine Corps; and the Royal Canadian Navy. Illiad seem to like to bring us different schemes for the T-33 and this is no exception. There are two USMC, one USN, and one RCN aircraft on the sheet 4 different aircraft can be built from the sheet; T-33B 141547 Marine Corps HQ, Washington DC. Overall Light Gull Grey. T-33 Silver Star VU32, RCN from HMCS Shearwater 1961. Overall NMF with large areas of Fluro Orange/Red. TV-2 Marine Air Sqn 32. Overall NMF with unusual fuselage insignia. T-33B 139014 US Navy VX-4 "The Evaluators" Pt Mugu NAS, overall Light Gull Grey with the Sqns usual Blue stripes. The decals look excellent, well printed, colour dense and with minimal carrier film. Conclusion These decals will enable the modeller to make a lesser represented user of the T-33. Highly Recommended. Review sample courtesy of

T-38C Heritage Schemes 1:48 Iliad Designs (48039) There has recently in the USAF been a whole host of special schemes, and in particular Unit Heritage Schemes. This new sheet from Iliad brings us schemes recently seen on T-38C Talons. 5 different aircraft can be built from the sheet; 50th Flying Training Sqn Columbus AFB. In recognition of the 50th Pursuit Sqn from 1941. Olive Green over Grey. 90th FTS Sheppard AFB, In recognition of the P-47s used by the 90the Pursuit Group WWII. Dark Green over grey. 469th FTS Sheppard AFB. In recognition of a Vietnam era Phantom. SEA Colours. 586th FTS Hollman AFB. In recognition 586 Bomb Group B-26. Dark Green over Grey with invasion stripes. 49th TFS Columbus AFB. In recognition of the 49th FIS P-38 Lightnings. Gloss black over Grey. S/n 1730 Guatemalan Air Force. The decals look excellent, well printed, colour dense and with minimal carrier film. Conclusion These decals will enable the modeller to do something different from the normal schemes. Highly Recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Well the old mould certainly had its issues and was a "challenging" build to say the least, and needed some aftermarket help along the away, plus its getting harder to find these days. A new tool of anything is welcome, Airfix think its worth the investment so we should applaud that. Julien

It got missed, its there now

Dont forget Greg

Soviet Six Wheel Army Truck with Shelter (35002) 1:35 ICM Via H G Hannants Ltd Even though not mentioned the truck is a KamAZ-4310. This was an all wheel driver truck produced by Kamaz between 1981 and 1995. Following 1995 production switched to the similar looking but more powerful the KamAZ-43114. Trucks may not command the same attention as other Army vehicles such as Tanks but they are the life blood of any Army delivering personnel and supplies, as well as many specialised roles involving the fitting of specialised bodies to the standard chassis. The K4320D shelter body could serve a number of purposes from the installation of communications equipment though to mobile workshops. The Kit This is a re-boxing of ICM's 2016 kit with the addition of parts for the shelter body. Construction begins by building up the truck chassis. The two side rails are joined by cross members and mounting brackets for various components. The first of these are the rear is a chassis mounted winch. In the centre goes a transfer box. The front leaf springs are moulded to the rails but the rear ones need building up and fitting to the chassis. To the front of the chassis the bumper is added. Next up a full engine and gearbox is provided. This is a small model in itself. The Engine can then be fitted, and to the front of this the radiator assembly is added. The exhaust system is then fitted. Next up the rear axles are built up and added to the chassis. Transfer shafts join these to each other, and the main transfer box. Suspension dampers can then be fitted once the axles are in place. The same procedures are then followed for the single front axle, though with steering components being added as well. A bump plate it then fitted to the underside in front of this axle. Brackets are added to the outside of the chassis for the fuel tanks, air tanks; and battery box. The front mud guards are then also fitted. The wheels and their rubber tyres can now be assembled and fitted to the model. A spare is provided and a carrier for this needs to be built up and added to the chassis. Next up it time for the cab to be built up. The floor pan get the drivers foot controls and a hand brake. Three seats are then constructed and added to the floor pan, these are followed by the rear bulkhead and the cab sides. An underside part is then added containing the rest of the mud guard area. The dash is then assembled and added to the cab front. This is attached to the main body of the cab and then the steering column and wheel can be put in. The roof is then added along with the side doors. To finish of the cab windscreen wipers are added to the front and engine intake pipe to the rear. The rear mounted shelter body now needs to be built up. The two sides are added to the base, followed by the ends; then the roof is added. The rear and side doors are then put in place. Underneath the body the mounting rails are built up and added. Various openings are sealed with hatches and the mudguards are fitted to the body. External lockers, lights, stowage boxes and a rear mounted generator are added along with a ladder to access these. Now the completed cab and body units can be fixed to the chassis finishing the model off. The cab if wanted can be in the raised/tilted position. Markings Markings are provided for 2 generic Russian vehicles in overall green, and one in a later green/grey/black camo scheme. No information is given on these. Conclusion Trucks are often overlooked but this is a great model from ICM. Highly recommended. Available in the UK from importers H G Hannants Ltd. Review sample courtesy of

Yes this is an English language forum, please remember that.

Interesting to see how this stacks up against the HobbyBoss kit. The detail in some places is finer, but you get a lot more plastic in the HB kit including much more for the wings, and a couple of extra decal options. Julien

Right two things here; 1. Lets keep potentially libelous comments and accusations out of the forum in total. 2. This is a Revell thread so lets keep Airfix out of it.

Every kit is as good as you make it, I have built a couple of the HB Sabres and TBH they look alright when made up. Also dont forget the Fujimi RF-86F this is basically an F-40 kit with the RF bits in it.

I to was hoping Academy would do a decent kit in 1.72 as their 1.48 kit is excellent. Sadly no

Top notch Dennis as always. That has to be the grubbiest F-106 ive seen!

why the can of worms?

I would have thought you would have a picture if it was! you certainly helped me out with a couple of 106 pictures Julien

My postie said when he is off no one is covering his round. Before christmas they were told to make parcels a priority and other mail just sat. Hence why I was still getting cards after the holidays. Thye also did not hire any christmas temps locally.

For the 9 probably a new release like Airfix did with the 1/48 kit. As I said I doubt you will see a 10. MPM already had the other marks toolded so was easier for them to do a 10. I would never say never but dont think we will see a Mark III or IV from Airfix any time soon. For the 8 and 9 a least they had the basic CAD data already from the 1.48 kits. Lets hope this one is a good seller.

This is not the buy and sell area so stop asking here then

PR.9 quite easily, they did this with the 1/48 kit. The PR.10 was something of a hybrid aircraft. With the wings of the Mk.III, the tail of the Mk.IV, Fuselage of the Mk.8 and nose from the PR.9. So will take a great deal more work so cant see them doing that.

Rather than damn Airfix for only doing one new tool 1.72 aircraft, let thank them for it eh!

Hasegawa did an F-40 but with no slats, you have to get a resin conversion if you wanted to drop the slats, or use the wing from the Monogram Dog, Nice to have this in fit form.

1280 max, and about 800 in the vertical is good.