Reviews: On the shelf

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ON THE SHELF

Keep up to date with the latest and most comprehensive round up of new model, accessory, decal and book releases from Airfix Model World. Whether you are looking for aircraft, military, figures, auto or maritime kits or that specific set of decals you will find it here. Plus you can use our search feature to look for specific suppliers, scales or types of model.

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GUSTAV'S GUNS

Having identified an error with Revell’s 1/32 Bf 109G kits, whereby the machine gun troughs are too close together on the upper cowling, BarracudaCast has stepped forward with a simple one-piece replacement panel.

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STORMING WHEELS

With Special Hobby having just released a newly tooled 1/32 Whirlwind (see next month’s issue for an in-depth build), it’s no surprise that sister firm CMK has issued a series of upgrade packages, with the first being a set of beautifully cast wheels.

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AIRBORNE JAMMER

Suitable for Tornado GR.1/4 kits by Revell or Italeri, Eduard’s Sky Shadow pod is a four-piece resin ensemble, but seems to suffer from a similar issue to the firm’s BOZ-107 in that it appears to be the wrong size.

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BUSYING A BEAST

Fly’s 1/72 Ilyushin Il-10 – also known by the NATO callsign ‘Beast’ – was tooled as recently as 2017, but still benefits from photo-etched metal upgrades such as those provided by Brengun’s package.

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PAINT PROTECTION

Complex canopies, such as those found on the P-40 series of fighters can be a time-consuming task to cover in preparation for painting, so Special Hobby’s own-brand products will be a boon for those with the firm’s Kittyhawks and Warhawks.

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ON-DECK DETAILING

Invented by the Greek scientist Archimedes, the windlass is a piece of equipment used for lifting heavy objects – such as the anchor on a ship – and steam-powered examples as fitted on Royal Navy vessels are the subject of Black Cat’s 3D-printed set.

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FISHBED 'OFFICE'

Modellers wanting to upgrade the appearance of their Eduard 1/48 MiG-21PF cockpits without the hassle of doing the actual painting will find the firm’s Löök-series products useful, as they provide pre-formed and coloured consoles and radar display.

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JUNGLE FOLIAGE

While intended to furnish dioramas and scenes, Reality in Scale’s 1/35 palm tree is arguably just as suitable as the centrepiece of a model, such is its superbly convincing appearance.

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VIPER BOOTS

Here’s a quick and simple upgrade to any 1/72 F-16C/D from Block 40 onwards in the shape of replacement resin wheels.

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LUFTWAFFE FLOAT

Revell’s recent 1/72 Junkers Ju 88 is widely regarded as among the best representations of the type in the scale, but for those seeking extra detailing, CMK’s resin lifeboat set may be of interest.

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LONG-RANGE HEAT-SEEKERS

Modellers wanting to add long-range heat-seeking missiles to their Flanker or Fulcrum models will find Eduard’s Alamo-Bs ideal.

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TONKA CHAFF

The arrival of Italeri’s big-scale Tornado GR,4 has prompted a slew of aftermarket accessories, such as Eduard’s BOZ-107 chaff/flare dispenser pod.

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CANVAS COLOURS

Paint manufacturer LifeColor is well-known for its sets of thoroughly researched hues, with this addition to its range covering Italian uniforms as worn during World War One.

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FLYING FORTRESS FASCIA

Hong Kong Models’ 1/48 Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress receives Eduard’s SPACE treatment with this 3D decal and photo-etched steel combo suggested for the -F variant offerings.

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B-WING COVERS

Modellers looking for a masking set for their Bandai B-Wings may wish to consider Greenstrawberry’s pre-cut vinyl set.

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UNDER PRESSURE

A common sight in many automotive and engineering workshops, there have been surprisingly few releases of gas bottles as accessories, so PlusModel’s four-piece set will no doubt be welcomed by diorama builders.

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FOXBAT FINESSE

Eduard’s photo-etched metal update for ICM’s MiG-25 Foxbat comprises two frets, one of which is plain and the other pre-painted – the latter is predominantly focussed on cockpit additions, while the former provides a mix of internal and external upgrades.

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LIGHTING THE WAY

Among munition types, flares receive little attention from accessory manufacturers when compared with standard ‘iron’ bombs, so Brengun’s pair of 1/48 M26 Flares will make for a different look to a model.

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DEVILLISH DIALS

This pre-assembled and pre-painted instrument panel set is designed to fit Tamiya’s recently tooled P-38F/G.

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KEEPING IN TOUCH

Although these super-detailed radio transmitter and receiver units are stated as being for either the Tamiya or Revell Mosquito kits, they would also be suitable for types such as the Lancaster, Beaufighter and Blenheim.

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FIRE FROM ABOVE

Ideal for a late RAF Tornado GR.4 or Project Centurion Typhoon FGR.4, Eduard’s Brimstone set supplies enough parts for two full ‘weapons’, with each unit having a three-piece triple launcher rail and three Brimstone missiles.

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ARMOURED UPGRADE

Revell’s delightful 1/72 StuG IV receives an armour upgrade in the form of photo-etched brass Schürzen plates, the associated mounting framework and spare track link brackets for the glacis and transmission covers.

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THE TWIRLY BIT

Modellers wanting to add a little extra refinement to their Special Hobby Bf 109E kits may be interested in this neat resin upgrade for the propeller and spinner, which are designed as drop-in replacements for the styrene parts.

VINTAGE SPARROWHAWK Review Premium

VINTAGE SPARROWHAWK

Airfix has yet again re-released its late-1960s 1/72 Savoia S.79… and it’s the perfect subject for a ‘restoration’ project, says CHRIS CLIFFORD

BUMPER 1/48 SPITFIRE PACKAGE Review Premium

BUMPER 1/48 SPITFIRE PACKAGE

Eduard has reworked its praiseworthy 1/48 Spitfire Mk.I/II parts to form a stunning American-themed Limited Edition Dual Combo – so you can build early or late Mk.Vb airframes and a Mk.Vc.

MAGNIFICIENT ‘MULE’ Review Premium

MAGNIFICENT ‘MULE’

In 2012 ICM released a 1/72 Polikarpov U-2/Po-2. But down the line the firm new it could do better, so re-tooled the type last year. Here we review the second boxing of this fresh run. And it's a cracker!

HOLLYWOOD MUSCLE CARS Review Premium

HOLLYWOOD MUSCLE CARS

Are you a film fan and car modeller? If so, check out CHRIS CLIFFORD's focus on Revell's Fast & Furious branded kits in 1/24 and 1/25 scales.

‘SEA SABRE’ RE-ISSUE Review Premium

‘SEA SABRE’ RE-ISSUE

Italeri has re-issued yet another old ESCI tooling, the 1/48 FJ-2/-3 Fury. But accuracy is an issue as CHRIS CLIFFORD explains.

TWO-DAY FISHBED? Review Premium

TWO-DAY FISHBED?

Eduard’s generally excellent 1/48 MiG-21 parts have made their way into a new Weekend Edition boxing. CHRIS CLIFFORD reviews the contents.

MIXED FORTUNES AT ESTORIL Review Premium

MIXED FORTUNES AT ESTORIL

UPGRADED/EXPANDED: NuNu’s 1/20 McLaren MP4/2C is a stunning package for F1 modellers. Here, CHRIS CLIFFORD expands on our original review, with parts photos, and narrative on the kit’s bespoke Detail-Up set.