Aircraft reviews
FLYING IRON
The re-release of Airfix’s 1/48 Gloster Javelin has been awaited eagerly by modellers; it is a direct reissue comprising nine styrene runners packed with crisply moulded parts.
FRENCH FIGHTER
Eduard’s 1/48 Nieuport 17 has been updated with the inclusion of photo-etched (PE) metal enhancements plus a pre-cut painting mask in this ProfiPACK Edition.
HIGH-BACK RETURN
Here’s a welcome return for Brengun’s 1/72 early-model Yakovlev Yak-1, this time provided with markings for the ‘mounts’ of four Soviet aces.
COLOURFUL SUPER BUGS
Modellers seeking a budget-level 1/48 F/A-18E Super Hornet may wish to consider Italeri’s re-released version.
SPITS FROM DOWN UNDER
Modellers who missed out on Eduard’s limited edition ‘Aussie Eight’ dual-combo boxings of its 1/48 Spitfire Mk.VIII will appreciate this Weekend Edition , as it contains two of that offering's schemes.
RECORD-BREAKER
Special Hobby appears to be working gradually through the X-15 airframes with its 1/32 releases, with this fourth boxing portraying the second machine late in the test programme with a white finish.
REPACKAGED STEALTH
Revell has re-boxed Italeri’s 1/72 F-35A – depicting the conventional take-off and landing variant of this stealth multirole aircraft.
UP-ENGINED GLADIATOR
The second large-scale Gladiator offering from ICM adds a new runner F to the standard components, allowing the later Mk.II variant (with its three-bladed propeller and changed instrument panel) to be built.
GULL-WINGED EXPORT
Although a Polish design, PZL’s P.11 entered service with the Romanian Air Force before its home country’s air arm, and IBG has released a 1/72 offering representing these exported aircraft, which were designated P.11b.
ALLISON-ENGINED PONY
Brengun has added new wings plus a resin dorsal intake to KP’s 1/72 P-51 Mustang, for an early Mk.Ia airframe.