IPMS LogoInternational Plastic Modelers' Society / USA

IPMS LogoInternational Plastic Modelers' Society / USA

IPMS LogoIPMS/USA

IPMS LogoIPMS/USA

Economy Kits or Production Rejects?

Forums - Mon, 03/04/2024 - 22:22
I recently purchased two Atlantis re-issue kits at a local Ollies Discount store: B-24 Pacific Raider 1:92 Scale B-25 Doolittle Raider 1:64 Scale Neither has the Revell clear plastic stand yet I find a photo of the B-25 kit Atlantis Models B-25 Doolittle Raider 1:64 Scale Model Kit New in Box | eBay showing the same box art but with a stand and decals on the displayed kit are for the version I see in stores 1/64 Atlantis Re Pop B-25 Mitchell WW2 US Bomber Plastic Model Kit NEW 216 | eBay However, price in store was $12.99 each not the retail price I see on kits with different box art in the few hobby shops still remaining in Northern Illinois. Question: Are the kits being sold at the discount store production rejects? As the decal sheet does not include a decal for the stand, I must presume Atlantis issues some "economy priced" kits. Nothing else is missing for completion of the kits.

1/72 ESCI Malta Matilda

Forums - Mon, 03/04/2024 - 14:33
This is a kit that dates from the 70's but is remarkably good, rivaling the current crop of Trumpeter and Dragon kits. I've done this scheme in 1/35th and 1/48th but needed one for my Braille Scale collection. The kit comes with no interior, which is odd as their Valentine of the same era had a driver's position, turret basket and basic interior detail. The driver's visor can be posed open or closed, but if open there's nothing there, not even a driver figure. Ditto for the loader's hatch. At least you get a commander figure to fill an open cupola. I built a box inside the driver's position and painted it black to hide the fact that there's nothing in there except the driver figure that I adapted from the spares' box. The loader is from the ESCI 25 pdr. kit with modifications to get him to sit right on the turret top. I added the wall segment to illustrate why the vehicles were painted this way. It's actually a section of a Matchbox kit's diorama base. I make no claim to fame in painting small scale figures. I just can't get the hang of it. But to be fair, the detail on figures from this era wasn't exactly "crisp".

Preview: Special Hobby & CMK kits for March

The Modelling News - Mon, 03/04/2024 - 07:20
Special Hobby & Planet Model's latest kits for March look like they have plenty of detail & great colour choices. We have picked the most interesting to show you in our preview...Read on... »
Categories: News

New P-47D Thunderbolt “Bubbletop” vacuformed canopies are available from Brengun for the 1/144th scale Platz/Eduard kit.There are two (2) canopies in the package. There are no instructions, but the product is self-explanatory.The clear vacuformed...

Landing Page Reviews - Mon, 03/04/2024 - 00:00

New P-47D Thunderbolt “Bubbletop” vacuformed canopies are available from Brengun for the 1/144th scale Platz/Eduard kit.

There are two (2) canopies in the package. There are no instructions, but the product is self-explanatory.

The clear vacuformed plastic is thin and has very good clarity with very little distortion when looking through it.

Upon closer inspection of the canopies, there is a difference in the moldings. One is for an open canopy since there is a space gap between the windscreen and canopy. The other has no space thus making it a closed canopy installation.

Care must be taken when dealing with vacuformed parts. A new blade in your hobby knife will be a must when trimming away the canopy from the rest of the plastic. Light sanding will also be needed to smooth the rough edges.

New P-47D Thunderbolt “Razorback” vacuformed canopies are available from Brengun for the 1/144th scale Platz/Eduard kit.There are two (2) canopies in the package. There are no instructions, but the product is self-explanatory.The clear vacuformed...

Landing Page Reviews - Mon, 03/04/2024 - 00:00

New P-47D Thunderbolt “Razorback” vacuformed canopies are available from Brengun for the 1/144th scale Platz/Eduard kit.

There are two (2) canopies in the package. There are no instructions, but the product is self-explanatory.

The clear vacuformed plastic is thin and has very good clarity with very little distortion when looking through it.

Upon closer inspection of the canopies, there is a difference in the moldings. One is for an open canopy since there is a space gap between the windscreen and canopy. The other has no spacing thus making it a closed canopy installation.

Care must be taken when dealing with vacuformed parts. A new blade in you hobby knife will be a must when trimming away the canopy from the rest of the plastic. Light sanding will also be needed to smooth the rough edges.

Casemate Publishing is distributing a Helion & Company published book on the topic of Italian Soft-Skinned Vehicles of the Second War World. The publication has two volumes. This review covers Volume 2.The book is broken down in the following...

Landing Page Reviews - Sun, 03/03/2024 - 00:00

Casemate Publishing is distributing a Helion & Company published book on the topic of Italian Soft-Skinned Vehicles of the Second War World. The publication has two volumes. This review covers Volume 2.

The book is broken down in the following sections

  • Medium and Heavy Trucks
  • Artillery Tractors
  • Special Purpose Vehicles
  • Trailers

Plus three appendices:

  • Camouflage and Markings
  • Italian Vehicles Manufacturers
  • Vehicles produced in Italy while under German Control (1943-45)

While information on the Italian Navy, Italian Air Force and Italian Armored Units is not that difficult to come by, information on their soft-skinned/support/ancillary vehicles is harder to find. But this publication fills that gap well.

The David vs. Goliath nature of the inception and survival of Israel in the Middle East provides an element of fascination to those interested in military history, especially the air war component. Israel came into existence at a time when technology...

Landing Page Reviews - Sun, 03/03/2024 - 00:00

The David vs. Goliath nature of the inception and survival of Israel in the Middle East provides an element of fascination to those interested in military history, especially the air war component. Israel came into existence at a time when technology was taking giant leaps forward, but due to mixed support of the birth of the small nation, restrictions and embargoes played heavily into the Israeli Defense Force’s ability to build up its air arm. In this alone it battled great odds to piece together a hodge-podge of aircraft in their early years, but understanding the value that air warfare brought to them in their tenuous geographic and political situation, they continued to spend significant resources to develop a competent air force.

TOYOTA 1/50 TOW TRUCK in 1/48 !

Forums - Sat, 03/02/2024 - 09:54
HI ! This is another project I have done in the past ,using an die cast model , If you like to view the WIP on this one, I have set up an Google page for it, just follow this link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/z5sxqCbME4JyGW9L7 Enjoy ! Jmarc

WWII GERMAN Anti-aircraft BARGE in 1/48

Forums - Sat, 03/02/2024 - 09:51
HI ! Here another project I have done in the past , using VERLIDEN gun and various modified figures from my spare box .. If you like to view the WIP on this project ,I have set up an Google page for it , just follow the link : https://photos.app.goo.gl/ht1kVVUNgiYp8Ajd7 Enjoy ! Jmarc