AMW125, April 2021

WELCOME TO AMW125 | APRIL 2021

The April 2021 issue of Airfix Model World (AMW125) is here and you can read the full issue in page-turning PDF format or as individual features re-edited to suit the digital world. Indulge in the latest inspirational build features, browse new releases in the News and Reviews, discover the secrets of scale modelling through our step by step guides and much more.

AMW125, April 2021

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DAZZLING DELTA

Syhart is known for its meticulous approach on its decals, and this three-sheet package for a 2017 Rafale C display aircraft is no exception, as it also provides two sheets of vinyl pre-cut self-adhesive paint masks to assist in recreating its striking livery.

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JUMP JET LIVERIES

With the arrival of Kinetic’s 1/48 Harrier GR.1/3 kit, alternative schemes will be desirable and Xtradecal’s collection of early RAF airframes is ideal for this offering plus any other quarter-scale representation of the type.

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SMALL-SCALE IMPERIAL

Here’s a great way to add refinement to Bandai’s gorgeous 1/14500 scale Imperial Star Destroyer, courtesy of Greenstrawberry’s bespoke decal set.

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MULTI-TONED FIGHTER STRIPS

If recreating a five-colour lozenge on World War One biplanes wasn’t challenging enough, the addition of slightly different tone ribbing and edging strips can be just too much, so Eduard’s pre-printed versions for its splendid Fokker D.VII will be welcomed.

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NORTH OR SOUTH AMERICA?

Brazilian firm LPS Hobby has produced a range of aftermarket decals for 1/72 Curtiss P-36 Hawks (also known as the Hawk-75), and this pair of schemes includes an example operated by the company’s home country.

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SOVIET STARS

Begemot’s two-sheet collection of post-1955 Soviet Air Force national insignia is a superb resource for depicting Cold War aircraft from this country as it provides decals plus information about the placement and size of the revised motifs.

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MARKSMAN TEAM

Part of Greenstrawberry’s Recon Unit – Robot series, this two-figure set comprises a sniper and scout trooper.

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'PHINAL PHLOURISH'

The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) is renowned for its colourful ‘specials’, and the retirement of the F-4 Phantom in 2020 resulted in some of the most eye-catching schemes yet seen.

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STUDENTS AND MOPED

This five-figure set, which also features a moped, can be used either on its own or as part of a scene with the firm’s same-scale cars.

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EUROPEAN TRAVEL

Polish firm Martola has replicated the livery worn by three of the Embraer E195LRs operated by its home country’s flag-carrier: LOT Polish Airlines.

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GRADIENT RACER

Modellers seeking an alternative livery for Beemax or NuNu 1/24 Porsche 935 K3 kits may wish to consider these markings from Decalcas, which cater for the stunning dark-light blue gradient livery of the Wera Weissberg team’s 1981 Le Mans entry.

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GEORGIOU'S COMMAND

Greenstrawberry has done it again. The upgrade for the Polar Lights USS Shenzhou, captained by Philippa Georgiou in CBS Studios’ Discovery series, is both stunning and comprehensive.

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LIASON DIALS

Mirage Hobby’s 1/48 replica of the Lublin R-XIII – a Polish army co-operation and liaison aircraft – is the recipient of this delicate enhancement from Yahu Models: a pre-painted and preassembled instrument panel.

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'FIVE-WET' SUPERBUG

Modellers wanting to build an air refuelling-configured (known as ‘five-wet’) Super Hornet will find Brengun’s resin set ideal, as it provides four 480 US gal drop tanks and a centreline Air Refuelling System pod.

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BUCKLE UP!

Here’s a quick and easy upgrade for ICM’s recent CR.42, in the form of pre-painted photo-etched metal seatbelts for the pilot’s seat.

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BRICK POWER

Modellers wanting to open panels on Airfix’s recent 1/72 Buccaneer will find CMK’s splendid engine set ideal, as it allows a section of the port engine to be displayed.

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FRESCO FRIPPERY

Shelf Oddity’s neat upgrade package for the Platz/F-Toys 1/144 MiG-17 dual-combo kit comes as a single photo-etched (PE) brass fret with sufficient parts for both models.

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SMOOTH FOOTING

Modellers with any 1/48 Focke-Wulf Fw 190 kit depicting the A-6 variant onwards may wish to consider BarracudaCast’s resin mainwheels as a simple but effective upgrade to the model’s undercarriage.

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FLYING SWALLOW COVERS

Here’s a neat solution for decorating any of Hasegawa’s 1/32 Kawasaki Ki-61-I Hien (flying swallow) kits: Dead Design’s pre-cut mask set for the undercarriage apertures and wing walkways.

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FIT FOR A BEAU'

Revell’s recently re-tooled Beaufighter gets an easy-to-add makeover, courtesy of Eduard’s Löök series, with a 3D-printed pre-coloured resin instrument panel and harnesses for the pilot and observer seats.

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'SANDY' SPINNER

Designed to replace the inaccurate component in Trumpeter’s large-scale Skyraider kit, this beautifully cast resin set has six parts: four separate blades, a propeller hub and a regulator disk.

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WARHAWK UPGRADE

Modellers with Special Hobby’s 1/72 Curtiss P-40K Warhawk kits will appreciate this two-fret photoetched brass package from Eduard, which caters specifically for these offerings.

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THIRD-GENERATION EXIT

The Advanced Concept Ejection Seat (ACES) II is used in many modern US Air Force military jets, so Kits-World’s 1/48 3D-printed decals will be a boon for enhancing these fittings.

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MINES, WITH SPIKES!

Anchored ‘spiky’ sea mines are the staple crop of many a ship or submarine-themed film and this delightful 3D-printed product from SSN Modellbau provides 50 items, all mounted on mine cars with side-fitted ballast/anchor units.

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EASY GROUNDWORK

Producing realistic diorama settings can be time-consuming and messy, but Reality in Scale’s Landscape mats offer a quick and easy solution for a realistic groundwork.

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RADAR HUNTERS

Ideal for any 1/32 F/A-18, EA-18G, F-16C, Tornado ECR or F-4G Phantom II kit, Eduard’s resin and photo-etched brass weapons set provides sufficient parts for two six-piece missiles and their adapter/launch rails.

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LATIN INTERIOR HUES

AMMO-MIG has added Regia Aeronautica colours to its range of acrylic paint aircraft cockpit sets, supplying four common tones in its standard 17ml dropper-style bottles.

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STARFIGHTER 'BANG' SEAT

Here’s an extensive upgrade for Kinetic’s 1/48 Lockheed F-104 Starfighter kits in the form of Eduard’s Martin-Baker Mk.7 ejection seat.

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FULCRUM FITTINGS

Zvezda’s 1/72 MiG-29SMT is the recipient of this photoetched metal set from Eduard.

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MARITIME PATROL VOLCANO

Developed under the codename ‘Hohentwiel’, an extinct volcano in south Germany, the FuG 200 radar was used on several Luftwaffe aircraft types as a maritime patrol system.