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Buccaneer S.2C Cockpit & Port Engine sets (For Airfix kit) 1:72 CMK by Special Hobby The new tool Blackburn Buccaneer from Airfix was most welcome. Now CMK have a couple of sets to help improve the kit if you want. The It arrive in the usual yellow and clear bubble, with header card folded over and instructions within. They’re a range of drop-in replacements for kit parts, offering an almost instant upgrade to detail in areas that modellers usually like to concentrate focus. Cockpit set (7449) This is a complete new cockpit for the kit. As well as the main tub there are two Mk.6 ejection seats complete with PE handles, a new cockpit coaming with the gunsight, new sidewalls and instrument panels. Also included is the main rear bulkhead for the cockpit. All of the parts look crisp. This set should greatly increase the kit cockpit. Highly recommended.` Port Engine set (7450) This is a new set to install and have visible the port engine, As well as the engine there are the internal walls of the engine bay as well Recommended if you want to open this area up. Review sample courtesy of

A-20 Havoc/Boston Dinghy (Q72376 for Special Hobby) 1:72 CMK by Special Hobby The Special Hobby A-20 Havoc has been around since 2007 in various forms, with parts added along the way to create different versions in various operators' schemes. What’s common to many but not all is the prominent ditching survival pack behind the cockpit, which is all wrapped in a great big dinghy that auto-inflates at first sign of water, which is the theme of this upgrade set. It arrives in the usual Quick & Easy green themed package, with the resin held in a small poly bag with header card folded over and instructions within. They’re a range of drop-in replacements for kit parts, offering an almost instant upgrade to detail in areas that modellers usually like to concentrate focus. The pack is attached to a casting block along one edge, and should be easy to remove, then drop it into place after the usual scrub in warm soapy water and some painting. The creasing of the fabric and the gear in the centre of the pack is better than could be achieved with styrene moulding (bear in mind that the real thing is only 17mm across), so with sympathetic painting it should increase the visual interest in that prominent area, especially in an open cockpit. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

RF-84F Thunderflash Ejection Seat (Q48268) 1:48 CMK by Special Hobby We reviewed the Tanmodel kit when it arrived here, and then when CMK’s raft of detail sets came out soon after, we reviewed those here too. I found a couple of sets that had become side-tracked due to the workshop’s state of turmoil, so this one is a little late, but still available from Special Hobby, so it gets reviewed! It arrives in the usual Quick & Easy green themed package, with the resin held in a small poly bag with header card folded over and instructions within. They’re a range of drop-in replacements for kit parts, offering an almost instant upgrade to detail in areas that modellers usually like to concentrate focus. The seat is extremely well-detailed with moulded-in seatbelts included. You will need to provide some wire to make up a top pull-handle that initiates ejection, and a drawing has been provided to assist you in shaping the wire, as well as showing you how it is painted in yellow and black stripes. If you’re a bit cack-handed with a paintbrush, you could always use a black fineline marker pen to ink over the yellow painted wire. In the cramped cockpits of fighters, the addition of a detailed seat is often enough for many modellers to increase the visual interest in that area. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

F-14A & F-14D Wheels (Q72377 & Q72378 for Academy) 1:72 CMK Quick & Easy by Special Hobby Academy’s recent F-14A in 1:72 could always use new detail. What kit couldn’t? The quickest way to improve kit detail is to replace the kit wheels with resin ones that add detail, obviate seam hiding and usually giving the modeller a better representation of any tread patterns on the tyres. You might also get manufacturer’s name, raised tyre stencils and additional hub detail into the bargain, depending on what’s there on the real thing. With these two sets you get all the above in resin, including two main wheels and twin nose gear wheels, all on their own casting block that are quick & easy to remove. A little wash in warm soapy water, and they are a drop-in (quick & easy?) replacement to the kit parts. They arrive in the normal Quick & Easy packaging, consisting of a header card with the parts held between that and the outer plastic bag, held closed by a staple, and with instructions on the other side of the green paper as you can see in the above photo. The brake and hub front detail is exceptional at this scale, and would be best painted carefully with an airbrush to preserve the detail by avoiding flooding it with thick layers of paint. Q72377 for Academy F-14A Q72378 for Academy F-14D Conclusion You can’t beat resin wheels to quicky & easily improve your models, and these have such flimsy attachment points that there will be almost no clean-up, other than a quick rinse in warm soapy water. It’s also a Tomcat, and if you like F-14s in 1:72, this is a great way to improve your model without breaking the bank. How many times did I say "quick & easy" in this review? Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

DH.82 Tiger Moth Resin Updates (for Airfix) 1:48 CMK by Special Hobby Airfix’s new kit of the Tiger Moth in 1:48 has proved very popular, selling out at Airfix soon after release, but still available from their distributers. Aftermarket was inevitable, and here is a large handful from CMK, Special Hobby’s resin division. As usual with CMK's resin sets, they arrive in the familiar clear vacformed box that has a hanger cut-out, with the resin parts safely inside, and the instructions sandwiched between the header card at the rear. Decals and Photo-Etch (PE) when included are separated from the resin parts by a clear piece of acetate to prevent scratching and damage during transit. Cockpit Correction Set (4407) This comprehensive set requires no adaptation of the kit and contains 32 resin parts, plus a set of PE parts and decals for the instrument panel. A colour diagram shows the correct painting and decaling of the instrument panels, then the resin cockpit floor is detailed with resin and PE parts, plus a central raised section and rudder pedals, plus crew seats with belts. The sidewalls are similarly detailed with more parts, and wire from your own stock is added according to instructions, after which the new cockpit can be put into the fuselage and finished off with the protective leather bumpers at the front of the instructor and student’s coamings. Painting guidance is shown in colour throughout the instructions using colour names rather than numbers from a specific brand. Control Surfaces (4408) This set of fifteen resin parts includes all the flying surfaces, requiring only the ailerons to be removed from the wings with a razor saw, to be replaced by the resin parts and the small resin actuators. The tail is a drop-in replacement with separate fins, elevators and ridder parts, plus tiny triangular attachment arms for the actuators on each surface. Luggage Box (4409) Requiring a cut-out of the door on the fuselage, this three-part set includes a bay that extends the full width of the fuselage, a soft bag, and a replacement door for the area cut away. You will need to check your references for the correct colour for the bay, as there are no call-outs in the instructions. Exterior Set (4410) This four-part set includes a new highly detailed top cowling, plus a ribbed fuel tank with some exquisite detail, filler cap and vent, all of which is a straight forward drop-in replacement improvement to realism. Main Wheels & Tail Skid (4411) The kit wheels are each single parts, but have a mould seam to clean up, which is where these resin wheels come in, as well as offering a choice of two styles of hub on the inner face, and three on the outer. They’re a drop-in replacements, as is the rear skid that is moulded in a tougher black resin to resist breakage or bending over time. Main Wheels & Tail Wheel (4413) The kit wheels are each single parts, but have a mould seam to clean up, which is where these resin wheels come in, as well as offering a choice of two styles of hub on the inner face, and three on the outer. They’re a drop-in replacement, as is the tiny rear wheel that is moulded in a tougher black resin to resist breakage or bending over time. Cockpit Entry Hatches (4412) These are replacement parts for the kit hatches, which although they are reasonably thin for styrene moulding, they appear quite clumsy and thick by comparison to these wafer-thin resin ones. There are four hatches in total, all attached tenuously to their pour blocks, facilitating easy removal with a sharp blade. They’re drop-in replacements, so once removed and cleaned up, there’s nothing more to it. Conclusion You can pick and choose the areas of interest that you want to detail to suit your needs, budget and skillset. As you can see, the detail is sublime. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

F-5A Recon Lightning Conversion Set (4399 for Tamiya) 1:48 CMK by Special Hobby The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a fast aircraft, and when stripped of unnecessary weight and combat equipment it was faster still. Lockheed developed the F-4 as a reconnaissance airframe with a new nose to house the cameras where the guns had been, plus the necessary controls and avionics to perform the task. The F-5A was a P-38G conversion, with 181 airframes made. The Set This set arrives in one of CMK’s yellow card boxes, with six grey resin parts on four casting blocks, seven clear resin parts for the camera windows, a sheet of decals and even some masks for the camera windows. The two largest parts make up the new nose, which entails cutting a small section from the two fuselage nacelle parts, which are shown on the accompanying instructions. Before gluing the new nose in place, the window apertures should be de-flashed and the crystal-clear resin windows glued in place, then the nose cone added. Later in the build a small antenna is fitted to a pit on the upper nose behind the faired over gun troughs. Inside the cockpit is a new more rounded control yoke, and an instrument to fit inside the centre cockpit. Another yoke is included on the casting block, but this is unused. Markings There were only 20 of the type made, with two on the decal sheet. F-5A 4213965 "Shark", 12th PRS, Florennes, Belgium 1944 F-5A, Groupe de Reconnaissance 11/33 "Saviie" , white 80 maned Jeane, Sardinia 1944 The decals are well-printed with good register, sharpness and colour density, and you will need to complete the decals with the kit supplied stencils, as this set includes only the national markings and individualisations. Conclusion An interesting set that will fill a gap in the market that will either be missed by Tamiya, or arrive sometime before the heat-death of the universe knowing their glacial release schedule. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

F-104G/J & S Starfighter Ejection Seat (Q48369 & Q48370 for Kinetic) 1:48 CMK by Special Hobby Kinetic’s new Starfighter kit is part of their new and growing range, and has been well-received as it’s a while since we’ve had a new tooled kit in this scale. The new Luftwaffe G that we reviewed here used the Martin-Baker seat, but other marks used the factory-fitted C-2 seat, and Special Hobby are cognisant of that fact. As usual with CMK's resin sets, they arrive in the familiar clear vacformed box, with the resin parts safely inside, and the instructions sandwiched between the header card at the rear. Decals and Photo-Etch (PE) when included is separated from the resin parts by a clear piece of acetate to prevent scratching and damage during transit. F-104G/J Starfighter Seat (C-2) (Q48369) A single resin part that needs cutting from its pouring stub and fitting with a wire ejection handle between the pilot’s knees as shown in the instructions, for which you’ll need to source from your own supplies before painting and installation. F-104G/S Starfighter Seat (M-B Q Mk.7) (Q48370) Again a single resin part that needs grab handles in between the pilot’s knees and a double-loop at the top of the headbox, this seat has the revised fibreglass para-pack either side of the seat frame that was requested by the Luftwaffe after concerns over the original seat were raised. Conclusion Two exquisitely detailed ejection seats that will be a big help to the detail of any 1:48 Starfighter cockpit, although it is designed to fit the new Kinetic kit. Remember to have some fine wire on hand for the ejection initiator handles, and you’ll be good to go. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Heinkel He.162A Update Sets (for Special Hobby/Dragon) 1:72 CMK by Special Hobby The He.162 was the winner of the VolksJäger contest in the defence of the Reich once the war had turned against the Nazis. Special Hobby have a new tool kit on the books and have now released a small gaggle of upgrade parts for the detail enthusiast, broken down into three sets, plus another to update the older Dragon kit in the same scale. The two sets of wheels and the ejection seat are in the green-backed and bagged Quick & Easy series, while the two main sets for engine, gun bays and figures are in the usual yellow clamshell packs, all with instructions pinned to the rear. Wheels (Special Hobby Q72362 & Dragon Q72368) These two sets for their respective kits contain three wheel parts on a single casting block, with the mating point attaching to the slightly flattened contact patches. The sets are of course patterned to their kits, so select the one for you. BMW 003 Jet Engine (7443 for Special Hobby) This set contains six resin parts on their own casting blocks, complete with a fully detailed engine in two parts with two cowling parts plus intake lip and exhaust cowling, with the colour call-outs shown in the various instruction steps, and requiring a tiny piece of wire to portray the DF loop on top of the engine cowling. When complete, it drops into place on the upper fuselage of the model in place of the kit assembly. Gun Bays (7444 for Special Hobby) This set involves no cutting of the model, as Special Hobby have included the gun bay covers in the kit for the modeller to glue closed. This set fills that gap with six resin parts, two of those are the bays, two more for the MG 151/20 that inhabit each side of the nose, and two final parts provide in-scale bay doors with internal details to finish off. Ejection Seat (Q72361) The rudimentary ejection seat in the 162 was a simple affair with none of the crew-comforts we see in modern seats, and at 1:72 it’s a little thing. It is mounted on a casting block that needs cutting off, then the PE belts and additional seat parts in the shape of the foot-rests and hand-holds are attached, hopefully protecting the pilot from flail injuries in the event of an emergency ejection, providing the pilot didn’t lose grip. Three Pilot Figures (F72365) There are three pilots in the box, each in a different form of dress and pose. One is wearing a greatcoat and cap, looking skyward, the second is dressed ready to fly with helmet and parachute strapped to his back, adjusting his gloves. The final figure is dressed in typical pilot garb when off-duty, with breeches, leather jacket, knee-length boots and officer’s cap, doing a creditable impression of Adolf Galland from certain angles. You can use them individually or as a group, and they would be equally appropriate for any WWII German aircraft. Conclusion These sets take a modern kit and fill it with detail that will set it apart from the base kit, and give lots of scope for dioramas into the bargain. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Hawker Hunter Resin Upgrades (for Airfix) 1:48 CMK by Special Hobby Airfix have a growing range of new tool Hunter kits in 1:48, which has pleased many, myself included. CMK have produced a series of sets for these kits individually so that the modeller can choose which areas they would like to upgrade and which to leave stock. We have four of these sets to review today, each of which arrives in a clearvac bubble pack with resin parts within and a header card that is folded over and stapled, trapping the instructions and parts within. Martin Baker Mk.2 Ejection Seat (Q48357) This set is part of the Quick & Easy line and contains just one resin part, the ejection seat that simply needs removing from its casting block with a razor saw, and a quick wash in warm soapy water to ensure the paint adheres well. The seatbelts are all moulded-in with excellent detail throughout, and it will provide a seriously good focal point for the cramped cockpit of the Hunter. Hunter F.6 Flaps (4389) This set contains two large resin parts and a sheet of Photo-Etch (PE) that requires a little cutting of the kit wings, thinning of edges, as well as moving the hinge cut-outs by first filling them and then cutting out new ones, as they are slightly out of position on the kit, all of which is documented in the instructions. The bay roof is made up from PE with additional parts fixed to the main skin. These are glued into the kit’s thinned upper wings, then the resin flaps with PE detail parts are fitted to the periphery, with some paint clearly interspersed with the building portion. Hunter F.6A/FGA.9 Flaps (4390) Almost identical to the above, this set has a curved cut-out in the outboard end of the flap to accommodate large fuel tanks under the wings. Hunter F.58A Flaps (4402) Another variation on the sets above, this one has a slightly smaller cut-out in the outboard end of the flap to accommodate fuel tanks under the wings. Conclusion Another set of extremely well-detailed resin upgrades from Special Hobby’s CMK line that will make your model shine just that little bit brighter. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Reggiane Re.2000 Resin Upgrades (for Special Hobby) 1:48 CMK by Special Hobby We reviewed the new kit from Special Hobby here in July, and they’ve also created these extra detail sets in resin for those that would like to take the level of detail up a bit. These sets from CMK’s Quick & Easy line arrive in small poly bags with a stiff green header card and a set of instructions behind the resin parts, with the top flipped over and stapled closed to keep the parts from running away. We have four sets in for review that give a boost to small areas hither and yon. Main Wheels (Q48371) Two drop-in replacements for the kit wheels, attached to their casting blocks at the bottom where a slight flat-spot is moulded to portray the weight of the aircraft on its tyres. Detail is excellent with Pirelli brand name and tyre specification on the sidewalls, and other than sanding smooth the contact patch, they just need a little wash in warm water to aid paint adhesion, and a dab of super glue to attach them to the kit axle. Tailwheel with Strengthened Leg (Q48372) This is another straight-forward replacement for the kit parts, made in a tough black resin, and consisting of four parts. The tyre slips between the two arms of the yoke, which slides into a pivot that is heavily riveted, and has a bracing arm that reaches forward to the next frame, which in this case is the forward bulkhead of the tail-wheel bay, then the rest of the bay encloses the whole replacement assembly before being trapped within the fuselage at closure time. Exhausts (Q48373) There are just two parts in this set that replace the soft kit exhausts and adds more detail around them, fixing to the underside of the trailing edge of the engine cowling. They have fine lips and a deep recess to give a hollow appearance to the real thing. Headrest (Q48374) This two-part set replaces the simplified kit headrest with a highly detailed resin one, that is supplied with a separate rear to allow easy reaming out of the flashed-over lightening holes, and a hollow frame just like the real one. A huge improvement over the kit part. Review sample courtesy of

F-104 Starfighter Resin Updates (for Kinetic) 1:48 CMK by Special Hobby We’ve just reviewed the new boxing of Kinetic’s F-104G/TF-104G in 1:48 right here, and CMK have been johnny-on-the-spot and produced these new resin sets for the kit, which actually arrived before the kit. We’ve got three of them so far, and each one arrives in a clear blister pack with a yellow header card and instructions behind the parts. Photo-Etch (PE) parts are secured behind a piece of clear acetate to protect them from damage during transit. F-104G/J Electronics Box (4400) Suitable for the single-seat fighter only due to the different contours of the fuselage around the nose of the two-seater, this set provides six resin parts to create the electronics bay on the starboard underside of the nose next to the nose gear bay. Firstly, the panel that is to be removed is marked in red on the instructions, with the bay shell fitted into the aperture with some fettling to get it snug and well-placed. The bay has detail in one half and an insert completing the details, then a pair of edge-inserts fitted to the top of the bay, and the new open panel in scale-thickness resin is attached to the bottom lip with a stay included for the front corner. F-104 Starfighter Engine (4401) This set allows opening the engine bay in the belly of the aircraft, which straddles the two fuselage halves and will mean removal of two sections, one from each half, marked in red in the instructions. The underbelly strake must also be cut in half carefully, retaining both halves for later. Inside the fuselage are placed two internal skins for the area, then the engine insert can be installed during the fuselage closing process. Two ribs are placed in the front and rear of the bay that hide the thickness of the fuselage, then a new highly detailed in-scale bay door is fitted out with the front half of the kit strake, while the rear section is glued to the kit on the centreline. A resin stay is included to hold the bay open to the correct angle. Detail to the engine insert is superb as can be seen below. F-104G/J Port Side Cannon Installation (4405) This set will require the removal of the gun bay panels on the port side, as shown in red on the instructions, then inserting the bay from behind. The resin breech mechanism is fitted with six resin barrels held at the front by a PE spacer and a perforated muzzle, and it is noted that the barrels have closed muzzles, and could be replaced by some ultra-fine tubing from Albion Alloys for example. PE edges to the bay with etched holes for the fasteners are supplied and fitted around the major edges, then the two bay doors are glued in place as per the instructions, with a small stay holding the aft section to the correct angle. Conclusion These sets offer a simple upgrade path for the detail aficionado without requiring extensive modifications, and should be relatively easy for your average modeller. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Phantom FG.1 Cockpit Set (for Airfix Kit) 1:72 CMK by Special Hobby The new tool from Airfix is very welcome, Here from CMK we get a complete new cockpit for the FG.1. There is the main cockpit tub, front and back sets, instruments consoles, and side consoles; as well as the cockpit interior sides. PE setbelts and firing handles are supplied for the ejection seats. Also supplied are the front coaming and a film for the instrument panel/. The instructions dont mention much surgery is needed for the kit but im sure some will be needed. Lastly there is new part for the underside to attach the nose wheel leg as this is moulded into the bottom of the kit cockpit. Review sample courtesy of

F-4A-1 Recon Lightning Conversion Set (4398 for Tamiya) 1:48 CMK by Special Hobby The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a fast aircraft, and when stripped of unnecessary weight and combat equipment it was faster still. Lockheed developed the F-4 as a reconnaissance airframe with a new nose to house the cameras where the guns had been, plus the necessary controls and avionics to perform the task. The F-4A was a P-38F conversion, with only 20 airframes made, and was later replaced by the F-5, which was based on the improved P-38G with several hundred of various updated versions made. The Set This set arrives in one of CMK’s yellow card boxes, with six grey resin parts on four casting blocks, four clear resin parts for the camera windows, a sheet of decals and even some masks for the camera windows. The two largest parts make up the new nose, which entails cutting a small section from the two fuselage nacelle parts, which are shown in green on the accompanying instructions. Before gluing the new nose in place, the window apertures should be de-flashed and the crystal-clear resin windows glued in place, then the nose cone added. Later in the build a small antenna is fitted to a pit on the upper nose behind the faired over gun troughs. Inside the cockpit is a new more rounded control yoke, and an instrument to fit inside the coaming. Another yoke is included on the casting block, but this is unused. Markings There were only 20 of the type made, with two on the decal sheet. F-4A-1-LO RAAF service with No.1 Sqn PRU RAAF at Coomalie Creek in the Northern Territory of Australia, where it stayed from February to December 1943 until it belly-landed at Batchelor, Northern Territory. The pilot escaped from the aircraft, but it was heavily damaged by fire, with the decision made to render it to parts by the repair unit. F-4A-1 Sn.41-2156 “Limping Lizzie” 8th Photo Recon Squadron, 6th PRG, 5th AF, Port Moresby, 1943. It was worn out and probably scrapped sometime in 1944. The decals are well-printed with good register, sharpness and colour density, and you will need to complete the decals with the kit supplied stencils, as this set includes only the national markings and individualisations. Conclusion An interesting set that will fill a gap in the market that will either be missed by Tamiya, or arrive sometime before the heat-death of the universe knowing their glacial release schedule. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

A-4B/Q Undercarriage Set (for Airfix Kit) 1:72 CMK by Special Hobby The new tool a few years back now from Airfix was very welcome, it gives you a sense of how good the kit is that there is not much aftermarket for kit out there. This set even though it says Undercarriage set is really the undercarriage bays. You get both main gear bays and the nose bay; as well as all the gear aby door. Given the layout of the airfix kit some major surgery will be required to use all these. All the parts are very well cast. Review sample courtesy of

B-25C/D Dinghy Pack (for Airfix Kit) 1:72 CMK by Special Hobby The new tool from Airfix is very welcome, The dinghy pack on the B-25 is housed in a prominent position on the top of the fuselage for easy access when ditching and this set provides the stowage space for the pack, the pack itself and the cover. It will make a nice addition to an aircraft displayed on the ground. All of the parts are very well cast with minimal clean up being needed. Review sample courtesy of

Reggiane Re.2005 Update Sets (for Special Hobby) 1:48 CMK by Special Hobby Special Hobby’s new 2020 release of what many consider the pinnacle of WWII Italian fighter design is a good-looking kit, but here comes a bunch of resin to make it even better. All the sets are from CMK’s Quick & Easy line in green header packs stapled together in a little bag and brief instructions that due to their simple nature are little more than diagrams of where to cut the resin away from the parts. All the set are drop-in replacements for the kit parts to improve detail with as little effort as practical, and once they are removed from their casting blocks they just slot right in there after a brief wash in warm (not hot) soapy water. Furthermore, removal of the parts is made easier thanks to the clever design of the casting blocks that minimise the contact points with the parts. Main Wheels (Q48344) Two wheels moulded on separate casting blocks that attach to the parts on the flat-spot where the wheels simulate the weight of the airframe with bulged sidewalls and flattened tread that is sensibly under-stated. Once cut from their blocks and flattened they are attached to the gear legs and doors with smooth surfaces and no annoying seams to hide. Detail of course excellent, with fine circumferential ribs and lightening holes/vents around the edge of the hub. Tailwheel with Strengthened Leg (Q48365) This set has four parts, three of which are in a stronger black resin that makes up the leg, riveted brace and the yoke that holds the wheel in place, which is moulded in the usual grey resin. This assembly is then trapped inside the kit bay parts as illustrated in the instructions (step 7 in the kit), for your ease. Supercharger Intake (Q48366) The intake that leads to the supercharger mechanism is reminiscent of the one seen on the Bf.109 and others, having a longer intake, with a fine lip and deep intake giving a very realistic look to the part. It requires just one cut to remove the casting block and fits into the socket on the side of the fuselage. Exhausts (Q48367) This set has four parts, two of which are the slots and heat deflectors around the exhausts, into which the beautifully crisp hollow 5-stub exhausts are fitted, with the two subassemblies fitted into the sides of the nose once complete. The lips of the exhausts are fine and deep enough to accept a black spot-wash once painted to give the impression of even greater depth. Conclusion A fine set of incremental detail improvements for this new kit that will improve the look immensely in whatever combination you choose, with small prices for each set. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Pz.38(t) Ausf.E/F Engine (3142) 1:35 CMK by Special Hobby This set is patterned for the 2019 Tamiya kit, and is designed to detail the entire engine bay with a few small adjustments to the base kit that involves some removal of plastic, which is shown in the first step of the instructions, and when the rear bulkhead needs a hole cutting in it. The set arrives in a small yellow cardboard box with a number of pictures of the set built up within the Tamiya kit, which shows off the detail to great effect. Inside is a bag of parts split into four heat-sealed sections to protect the parts from damage during transit. The part count is high, as is the detail that is present on the parts, and the way in which they go together, with every detail shown in the 3D isometric instructions. Construction begins with the main engine block, then the bay is detailed within the confines of the kit parts, after which the engine is inserted and surrounded by the radiator with its surround and cooling fan. Various ancillary parts are inserted into the remaining space, and hoses join the areas together while the exhaust takes away all the gases. The main space complete, with the instructions giving you helpful colour callouts along the way, it is time to install the inspection hatches, top grille and the rear armoured panel that encloses the radiator fan, removing small parts of the kit as you go. Propping the hatches open will allow the viewer to see the detail from the sides, with finishing plates added to the undersides of the kit hatch parts. Conclusion It’s a hugely detailed set and will look great when painted and fitted into the kit. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

PT-109 Fast Patrol Boat Upgrades (for Revell) 1:72 CMK by Special Hobby Revell’s old PT boat moulds are a bit long in the tooth now, and could do with a lift in terms of detail. That’s what these sets from CMK are all about. They arrive in a small blister pack with card back that also holds the instructions and the resin parts within. Mk.6 Depth Charges x2 (N72035) Consisting of two depth charges and two racks, they simply require some short lengths of wire to tie them down, as shown in the diagrams. Boat Deck Set (N72036) Another simple set that includes a smoke generator with its lashings to hold it on deck, and a set of five deck funnels that are made up of the open intake hoods that mate to the long tubular stand-offs along a convenient seamline. Conclusion Some nicely detailed resin parts that will drop into position in place of the more agricultural kit parts, doing good work to bring the model into the modern era. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

So, I've decided to give this a go... I will build "red-tail" from the box art, with lots of resin and PE upgrades from CMK (airbrakes, thrust reverser, RAT, cockpit set, mask set). And even more aftermarket, originally meant for the Heller kit - exterior and interior PE (will only use a few exterior pieces- I have the wrong set, for AJ37 interior), Master pitots and a tail+drop tank upgrade. The Maestro set on the left is very low quality resin, the drop tanks, particularly the fins, are atrocious. Kits parts are much better. In fact, the only usable "pieces" from this set will probably be the chaff & flare dispensers and the rear RWR "bump" on the exhaust part that I plan to cannibalize. Speaking of chaff and flare dispensers... could anyone point me to some pictures of a JA37 with these on? Google failed me... The CMK sets are very nice, but due to poor packaging, many smaller pieces were flailing around in the bags, I am happy nothing is seriously damaged. I think I will display the thrust reverser fully closed and airbrakes open for this model. Altough I guess I would need a pilot figure then, as it is hard to imagine the brakes are on and reverser closed when the jet is powered down. 🤣 More to follow...

Spitfire Mk.XIV Bubble Canopy Cockpit (4397 for Airfix) 1:48 CMK by Special Hobby This newly tooled Griffon engined Spit from Airfix is fresh off the blocks and here’s a super-detailed resin cockpit from CMK that will give it a lift in that department. Arriving in their standard bubble-pack with card rear, the set contains 21 resin parts, a small sheet of Photo-Etch (PE) brass, and a slip of printed clear acetate. The instruction sheet is folded up inside and a small rectangle of clear plastic helps to protect the parts from damage. It's a complete drop-in replacement for the kit tub and builds up in a similar manner, but with the benefits of using resin instead of styrene, with its ability to capture more detail. It begins with the cockpit floor, which removes the seam that’s present in the kit version and adds more detail. To that the rudder pedals and their actuators are installed, then three fuselage frames with the rear side walls having grooves to accept them. The front frame has the seat attachment frame added, plus the head armour with more armour sandwiched between the seat and frame in the next step. The kit’s control column is topped with a new grip, and a full set of detailed seatbelts are included on the PE fret, which you’ll have to paint yourself. The seat is quite exposed at this stage, which is rectified by building up the instrument panel and frame complete with film instruments that should be painted white on the rear, the PE panel, and another double layer for the centre panel that stands slightly proud. The compass is installed in the footwell, and then the completed panel is sited on the floor and held in the correct place by the forward side walls, which also have grooves to assist with location. The access door is separate, and a gunsight is glued to the top of the panel, with a front bulkhead closing off the footwell. Providing you have painted it all, you should now be able to slot it into the model with minimal effort, but it’s always worth test fitting these things anyway. Conclusion Highly detailed resin usually beats styrene, and this set is no exception. With the door open you should be able to see your handiwork, making it all worthwhile. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

MD-3 Ground Power Unit (8058) 1:48 CMK by Special Hobby Powered by a 180-hp six-cylinder engine, this unit generated 28-volt DC 1500 amp, 115/220-volt AC power (I had to look this up!), it was used to power US aircraft on the ground in the 60s and 70s. This set from CMK arrives in a small card box and includes twelve resin parts on seven casting blocks, a small decal sheet, a fret of Photo-Etch (PE) brass, plus the instruction sheet in colour. Casting is finely detailed and without bubbles, with sensibly placed attachment points to minimise work in removing them. Construction begins with the large monobloc bodyshell, under which the suspension parts and short steering axle mechanism are added. The single-part wheels and tyres are fixed to the rear axle, and either side of the front steering axle, in the recess that allows them to turn under impulse from the towing bar. A gaggle of small PE brackets and vents are added, with three large grilles on the side and two more on the rear, plus more little PE parts along the way. The towing hook and arm are added to the front axle with two damper springs, and at either end of the starboard side (if you were sat on top facing the front) a PE hook is installed, ready for the cabling to attach to the aircraft, which you must supply yourself from 0.5mm wire in 60mm lengths. Markings The instructions show the unit painted in yellow, with a red warning around the exhaust grilles and the towing hook. Around the edges are pale grey markers, and various stencils cover portions of the sides and top. Some were painted green later, so check your references. Conclusion This shouldn’t take long to build, and will look great next to a suitable aircraft once you’ve beaten it up a little and weathered it suitably as befits its role and lack of care from its operators. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

AJ/SK/SH-37 Viggen Control Surfaces (Q72355 for Tarangus) 1:72 CMK by Special Hobby If you’ve got a Tarangus or Special Hobby Viggen in 1:72 and want to mobilise the flying surfaces to add a bit of visual interest, here’s the easy way to do it. This set contains all four flying surfaces for the delta wings, which you’ll need to remove from the kit wings before replacing them with the resin parts. Handily the starboard wings are marked with a double bar on the casting block, although that’s going to be thrown away before fitting, but common sense should carry you through along with the knowledge that the actuator fairings face down. A simple set that will give your model a more candid look with minimal effort. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Viggen Ground Crew (F48360) 1:48 CMK by Special Hobby There must still be a fair few of the ESCI Viggens in 1:48 knocking about, but the newly tooled Tarangus and Special Hobby kits are the intended subject to have this small figure set clambering around under. Arriving in a small blister box with the instructions hidden behind the header card, you get two figures made from five parts of grey resin. The standing figure just needs an arm added to his left side, while the crouching figure needs an arm and head adding to make the most of the detail. The standing figure is wearing ear-defenders and is waving the pilot on, while the crouching figure wears a patrol cap and has a bag slung over his shoulder, with one hand reaching out as if he was under a wing checking something. Conclusion Casting a sculpting are both good, and the arms have keyed lugs to make for a secure attachment. Your Viggen diorama will be improved by adding these guys to give a human scale to the model. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Tempest Napier Sabre Engine (4393 for Eduard) 1:48 CMK by Special Hobby Eduard’s new Tempest is hardly light on detail, but the cowling is moulded closed with no engine within. The Sabre is a huge lump with a H-shaped block and sleeve-valves in order to produce up to 2,000hp, it was shoe-horned into the Tempest’s fuselage with little room to spare. This set from CMK is a resin upgrade to the kit with 54 detailed parts on 15 casting blocks in grey resin, and arrives in a yellow-themed blister pack with header card and instructions within. The kit will need to be adjusted with your finest razor saw to remove the cowling from the exhaust stacks upwards, and back to the firewall joint, as shown in the instructions. The main part of the upper engine is supplied in one large piece of resin to which the ancillary parts are added, then the firewall, supports and some more ancillaries are glued in place, including some delicate hoses, tiny catches/levers (with spares supplied) and just a little extra 0.3mm and 0.5mm wire from your own supplies needed, which is pointed out in blue. The exhausts are fitted individually on each side, and the thick cowling panels you removed earlier are replaced with highly detailed and more scale accurate new parts to be placed around the airframe on the wings or ground. You should note that the underside of the engine isn’t depicted, just from the exhausts up for light maintenance. There is another set that includes the tanks between the firewall and instrument panel if you feel like removing more panels. No colour call-outs are given during construction, but if you google “Napier Sabre Engine” you’ll be able to find plenty of images to help you out, with a choice of green or shades of grey to black for the block seeming to be your main choices. Conclusion The detail in this set is phenomenal, and with sympathetic painting it should look superb on your finished model. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Hawker Hunter F.6 Wheels (4392 for Airfix) 1:48 CMK from Special Hobby With Airfix’s new kit now on the market and readily available, CMK have created a set of highly detailed wheels for this much-loved aircraft to improve on what’s in the kit box. Arriving in a yellow-themed blister pack held together with a single staple, it contains three wheels including nose wheel and two main wheels, each on their own individual casting block that is attached to the wheel by the slightly flattened contact patch that gives the model the impression of weight, without looking like the erks haven’t put enough air in the tyres. The main wheels have detailed bolts on the front hub and a flatter rear with hole for the axle, which will need a little deepening to attach to the kit. The nose wheel has six spokes on each side, and all three have circumferential tread on their rolling surface, with the supporting webs carefully located so as not to disrupt or damage the tread pattern, which is great planning. The main attachment point will be under the wheel, so it just needs cutting off and sanding smooth so that the wheel stands up squarely without any gaps underneath. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of