Finished Aircraft Reviews – page4

“Before opening the box, the excellent art work conveys what a serious bit of kit this is with its full load of Gatling mini guns, unguided rockets and hellfire missiles. On opening the box there are 7 sprues, one of parts for the ‘L’ version that are not required for the DAP build, all of which show what a detailed thoughtful build this is.
I decided when I saw the film segments showing the in-flight moments that I would try to show how ‘full’ a busy cockpit looks with the aircrew and their flight gear and the various levers ,cables etc encroaching into the available space. Almost claustrophobic!” David Smith, Reviewer
Read the full review here.

“This really is one of the best Revell models I have built to date – no, cancel that, it IS the best one to date. There is so much modelling in the box and so much fun and enjoyment that I can’t help but feel pleased with the end result and I’m sure that you will to. ” Geoff Coughlin, Reviewer – May 2011
Read the full review here.

“This has been an eagerly awaited kit for some time now and the wait has definitely been worth it. There are some issues with the kit, the main ones being the red plastic and those ejector seats but for under £20 you can’t really complain. I’m sure later releases will be in a far more palatable grey plastic and I’m also sure resin seats or for that matter whole cockpits will be available in the very near future.

As an out of the box build though this is a really nice kit that has no real vices and can be easily made by the novice modeller but is also a great starting point for those who want to do more to it. I have got to highly recommended it even in this red plastic guise and I will be building another but I will wait for the resin cockpit before I do my next one.” Dave Coward, Reviewer March 2010
Read the full review here.

Tom will take you through his conversion build below to help you create a more realistic-looking Hawk, which features dropped flaps. “This article is not intended as a complete build article; rather, it is my approach to showing the model with dropped flaps. This is an option which is not given in the box and, at the time of writing, there were no after market sets available.” Tom Potter, Reviewer August 2011
Read the full review here.

“The model itself is a good build that threw in a few small challenges along the way – not least working in such a small scale, although the model does come out at a nice when complete. The raised detail is easy to minimise to a more realistic scale thickness and, in truth I should have done more on that score on the rear half of the fuselage, but it’s still acceptable. The parts fit is generally good – just some odd alignment with that main gear/door arrangement. The decals are superb and seeing one of these finished in that amazing Qatar AF scheme would be awesome. I enjoyed it and the end result makes into a good replica of the real RAF C-17 Globemaster.” Geoff Coughlin, Reviewer – September 2011
Read the full review here.

“My first review for Scale Modelling Now; I have this year dived into the world of 1:32 scale and simply love the attention to detail that manufacturers offer us in this scale. I have previously built models by Tamiya and Trumpeter also in 1:32nd scale; however, this will be my first Revell kit. I am sure you are all aware that this is the eagerly anticipated reply to the Trumpeter kit released earlier this year, which (from previous reviews) lacked detail and accuracy compared to the real aircraft. Revell have included in the kit an option to remove the engine including a static trolley to depict the airframe being maintained. The airframe also includes a detailed airbrake and the option to extend the In Flight Refuelling probe (IFR) should you wish to do so….” James Vaitkevicius, Reviewer
Read the full review here.

“For the money this is a reasonable kit and does build into a nice looking ‘Mossie’. However, taking into account the problems with the undercarriage and the spinners, I much prefer the Tamiya version even if it is considerably more expensive.” Tom Potter, Reviewer – September 2010
Read the full review here.

This is a very well produced kit with some very nice detail. It doesn’t go over the top with the detail making things too complicated when building but what is presented is just about right for this scale. When finished the kit is suitably sized to be impressive and really does stand out. The paint schemes offer the modeller a straightforward splinter camouflage or if you are up for a challenge a ‘swiggle’ camouflage if you dare!! The only down side with the kit as far as I was concerned were the decals. These were thick and had a lot of carrier film but there is no aftermarket alternative that I could find so you will have to live with them. March 2010
Read the full review here.

This is an interesting little kit which with some extra care builds into an accurate model of the iconic and final biplane fighter of the RAF. It will appeal to modellers of a range of abilities; those who wish to build it as a basic “no frills” model for their collection or those who want to indulge in some extra detailing to produce an authentic looking model. March 2010
Read the full review here.

“After 55 hours of work, the Cicogna was finally finished, and I can’t say that it was one of my more enjoyable builds. Nothing fitted, the parts were pretty rough and every stage of the assembly had some sort of problem which meant it took about twice as long as I expected it to. On the other hand there is a certain satisfaction in wrestling a recalcitrant kit into submission, overcoming the numerous obstacles placed in your path, and finding your own solutions. I was pleased with the paint job, even though it’s probably not that accurate, as it was my first attempt at freehand mottling. Hopefully its psychedelic effect will take the eye away from the fact that the yellow engine cowlings refused to go on straight, and ended up peering outwards like Marty Feldman.” Dean Large, Reviewer March 2010
Read the full review here.

“These little P-40s are great kits, being of limited run they are a bit of a challenge in areas; however with some old fashioned modelling skills they will turn out fine. In fact I would go as far to say they would be an ideal first limited run project for the novice.” Jamie Haggo, Reviewer June 2011
Read the full review here.

Feature Article by Alex Kontiveis
(Whole article: 158 images, 82 A4 pages, 3,681 word
This is an extraordinary build and we have the ‘full monty’ here in your SMN. Alex’s work is simply out of the top drawer and you can use this huge, detail build as the basis for any of your Lancaster model projects. It has taken a long time to bring you the whole thing and as it is so vast I have broken Alex’s build down into 7 consecutive parts, each downloadable as a separate PDF – it would have been simply too big to retain as one document.

So our sincere thanks to Alex for his kind permission in allowing SMN to run the whole build and once again – you won’t find this project in anything like this detail in any other scale model magazine. Editor, Geoff. March 2010
Read the full review here.

“Something long awaited by Lancaster fans is now, at long last, available again in 1/48 scale.

In addition to the original parts you also get extra engine cowlings to build an aircraft without exhaust flame dampers. Tamiya also includes new needle bladed propellers and smooth tread tyres. All tyres are now provided as bulged items. Also provided are parts for a twin .50” machine gun installation in the rear turret, including a new transparency. You also get four crew figures plus one ground crew figure. There is also a completely new decal sheet with options for four aircraft.” Tom Potter, Reviewer December 2009
Read the full review here.

“What can I say other than these kits, whilst not cheap for a 72nd kit, offer the ultimate modelling experience. Suitable for children and beginners right through to the expert, they produce a fantastic result. If you’re a bit infected with advanced modeller syndrome, then they offer a good canvass for the person who wants to add that little bit extra. ” Jamie Haggo, Reviewer March 2010
Read the full review here.

“My plan here is to show how to build the FB MK.VI out of the box with a few, what I consider to be essentials, but nothing that will break the bank. These extras are the Eduard Zoom etched set and a set of weighted wheels. The kit can be built up in as a series of sub assemblies that are brought together later on. The starting point, in accordance with the instructions, is the wings and nacelles…” Dave Coward, Reviewer
Read the full review here.

“Well, this is a no brainer. I know I keep praising this model but I have trouble imagining how a kit can get much better. So much choice of weapons and propellers, open or closed cowl flaps there’s even three gun sights. The fit is near perfect.
To be honest I don’t think I would worry if I’d suggested this as a kit for the first time builder, all you have to do is follow the instructions, (there, I’ve said it again) and the kit almost builds itself.
I have to give it 10/10. It’s been a joy to build, no fiddling and precise fit of parts.” Paul Kirsopp, Reviewer March 2010
Read the full review here.

“This is a lovely kit to build and really looks nice in the 1:48 collection. If you have yet to dip your toes into the wonderful world of 1:48 then go and get this kit, you will not be disappointed.” Graham Thompson, Reviewer March 2010
Read the full review here.

“The wartime engines were largely black, I am informed, so I used the Alclad gloss undercoat and gave it a light coat and then a heavier one. The wires and magneto were picked out with a silver marker pen and acrylics. I chipped the cam covers then sprayed Tamiya Smoke (X-19) to dull it all down a bit. Using the new Mig oil and grease stain mix and adding some rust colour from an oil tube (Abteilung) I spayed the bulkhead all over and the lower part of the engine. This gives a good oily and “hot” feel to the whole thing. Then it was back to the paint brush to pick out more specific areas than needed an oilier look.” Julian Seddon, Reviewer January 2010
Read the full review here.

“This is without doubt the best kit I have ever made. As I hope I have shown it can make a fantastic model straight out of the box but it also has the possibilities of being super-detailed by those inclined that way. My lasting thoughts on the kit are I want another one and when are they going to bring out a motorized Mk II with real Merlin engine sounds – I’m drooling already!!” Dave Coward, Reviewer
Read the full review here.

“There is a separate white decal sheet with squadron codes and roundel underlays. Ignore the fin flash and roundels, they are not required. I applied them to AN-V although given overnight to set, they became a major problem when I applied the finishing roundel/fin flash. The whites crazed due to the Micro-Sol application to pull the whites down to arranging the decals which cost me an evening to rectify….” Brian Keates, Reviewer June 2010
Read the full review here.

“The kit out of the box is an absolute triumph of engineering and although it is expensive my personal opinion is it is worth every penny. I built the Mk IX previously for the magazine and always said I wanted to go to town on this kit and with all the aftermarket parts now available and the Montex masks I couldn’t resist this Mk VIII. The kit goes together flawlessly and is a pleasure to build but the extras just make the difference. If you can only afford the kit you won’t be disappointed but if you can get the extras that I used go for it – the result is just stunning – I just can’t believe how kits have come on in the last couple of years – they now truly are miniature engineering feats and this kit is the pinnacle of this industry, well for now anyway!!” Dave Coward, Reviewer March 2010
Read the full review here.

“This is one of Tamiya`s older kits but it is still probably the best representation of a F-117A in this scale. The detail is a little vague in areas but the aftermarket provides plenty of options to improve this. The main challenge of this kit is painting it and how to make a black finish both interesting and realistic and hopefully I’ve managed to achieve this. This is a model of a technological milestone in aircraft development and a must for any modeller’s collection of modern jets.” Dave Coward, reviewer March 2010
Read the full review here.