Plastic Models

Academy 1/48 F-22A Raptor by Jon Hergenrother: " Instead of the usual left/right fuselage halves, Academy molded the fuselage and wings together in top and bottom halves, eliminating wing-to-fuselage seams and any wing alignment issues."

21^st Century Stuka by Al Jones: "21st Century's Stuka builds into a big, fearsome model. The Stuka, the face of Germany's World War II dive-bombing attack, is always popular with modelers. Now, 21st Century Toys joins the fray with a 1:32-scale Ju-87B/R. It's a simple kit that builds into a large, impressive model."

AFV Club 1/35 leFH 18 105mm Howitzer by Roger Green "Upon opening the box, one is amazed at the intricate, small pieces and great care that has gone into the design of this kit."

Airfix 1/48 Canberra by Aaron Skinner: "Molded in light gray plastic, the parts feature engraved panel lines which are heavier than necessary, but are cleanly cut."

Airfix 1/48 Hi-Tech Spitfire by Walt Moore: "All of the white metal parts were duplicates of the plastic; the metal prop and spinner are DeHavilland, the plastic is Rotol!"

Aoshima Nissan Skyline GT-R by Mark Melchiori: "The chassis has some of the suspension, exhaust and the bottom half of the engine molded in place. Separate parts that complete the suspensions and exhaust system are well done, especially the brakes."

Bronco 1/35 SdKfz 221 by Jim Zeske: "Bronco's kit is the first SdKfz 221 in 1:35 scale, and it reflects modern quality standards with clean, flash-free moldings

CMD sd. Kfz 251/22 Conversion by Phil Novak: "To reproduce the Sd. Kfz. 251/22 in 1/35 scale, I used the CMD conversion set mounted to the Tamiya Sd. Kfz. 251 kit."

Czech Master 1/32 F-80C Shooting Star by Al Jones: "Problems began with joining the inner intake pieces to the lower wing panel, and the lower wing panel to the fuselage

DML 1/35 Brummbar by Phil Novak: "The main thing that upset me was the one-piece transmission access panel: The hatches for the brake drums and the hinges are molded directly on the hull."

DML 1/35 Jagdpanzer 38(t) "Hetzer" by Phil Novak: "Fine detail is a little soggy, however, and I was not pleased with parts such as the jack, which comes molded in one piece - brackets and all."

Dragon Models 1/6 Action Figures by Phil Novak: "The uniforms have every detail that was on the real thing, and even the belt buckle has lettering that is completely legible."

Dragon Warbird Replicas by Mark Savage: "Dragon puts out some of the finest die-cast World War II aircraft on the market. Two of its latest examples, the F4F FM-2 Wildcat and the P-47D-40 Thunderbolt continue that tradition."

Friul Model Tracks by Phil Novak: "Then without separating the links, I push the wire into the pivot pin, and finally clip the excess to get the pin flush with the hole. Repeat about 200 more times."

Fujimi Mini Cooper by Aaron Skinner: "The chassis includes oil-pan and transmission detail that is mostly hidden when the front suspension is attached."

Hasegawa 1/48 F4J "Showtime" Phantom by Jack Hollander: "The one qualm I have about it is that the cockpit interior is a bit on the sparse side."

Hobby Boss Hurricane by Kevan Vosler: "The first thing that hits you is that this isn't packaged like the typical model kit, primarily because the parts breakdown isn't like a typical model kit. The bulk of the box's volume is occupied by a black, vacuum formed retaining piece that the kit sprues and main components are secured in until you're ready to use them."

Hobby Boss Mi8 "Hip-C" by Aaron Skinner: "The sequence of the unnumbered steps on the single sheet of instructions is a little hard to follow."

Hobby Boss Mig 17 by Al Jones: "The box art features a North Vietnamese MiG-17F, Red 2011, one of three aircraft (the other two are Soviet and East German) for which markings are provided on a six-color Cartograf decal sheet."

Land-Wasser- Schlepper by John Plzak: "Complex molding techniques have allowed Hobby Boss to mold the hull in one piece, as well as the deck and cabin."

Hornet 1/35 resin replacement heads by Phil Novak "They come with every type of headgear imaginable, from German caps to modern Soviet Tanker helmets."

Mig Productions Hover Tank by Tim Kidwell: "Unfortunately, the instructions, while required, aren't as helpful as they could be in assembling the hover tank; they mostly show where the parts go on an already assembled model.

Moebius BSG Colonial Viper by Aaron Skinner: "The Viper Mk.II hits all the right design cues three engines, triangular wing arrangement, long nose but it's been updated with wing sweep and more curves."

Moebius Conan the Barbarian by Tim Kidwell: "Modelers should take the time to inspect the pieces, cleaning up imperfections around the faces, hands and feet."

Moebius Models Flying Sub by John Plzak: "Because I had already installed the nose piece on the lower hull, I had to modify the front window pieces so they would fit."

Moebius Iron Man by Mark Hembree: "While the hero of the Paramount Pictures/Marvel Entertainment movie "Iron Man" is military industrialist and genius inventor Tony Stark, the hero of Moebius Models' kit is Stark's Mk. III armored suit, in which the inventor-turned-crusader battles globe-threatening bad guys."

Moebius Lost in Space Chariot by Mark Hembree: "All of the styrene pieces are comprised of the same material as the clear top (with some parts impregnated with pigment) and it acts like it - brittle, prone to stress marks and resistant to paint and glue.

Moebius The Mummy by Aaron Skinner: " I was super-impressed with the mummy's head, which is a dead ringer (no pun intended!) for Karloff."

Model Kasten Workable Track Links by Phil Novak: "When finished the track links move like the real track, therefore giving you model tracks that behave like the real thing."

Model Power 1/72 Wright Flyer by Greg Voss "The model comes with a tiny plastic stand that has the plane's name, scale and the location of the first flight on it. The plane itself has a 63/4-inch wingspan, and the main wings are die-cast, along with the vertical stabilizer and front wings."

Monarch Model Nosferatu by Craig Johnson: "Monarch Model's 1:8-scale Nosferatu is its first installment in a line of styrene models following in the footsteps of the classic Aurora kits. It should be emphasized, however, that this kit is made from all-new tooling and is not just a repop"

Pegaso 54mm Gladiators by Phil Novak "Generally speaking I model subjects from the Second World War, but sometimes it's good to get away from all the World War II stuff. For me, that is where Gladiators come into play"

Pegasus Hobbies Apollo 27 by Mark Hembree: "The retro- looking rocket ship brings to mind the 1952 Collier's "Man Will Conquer Space Soon" series, with its Wernher von Braun-inspired illustrations of circular space stations, big- finned moon shuttles, and other futuristic visions."

Pegasus Hobbies Galaxy Quest NSEA Protector by Aaron Skinner: Although the kit is not advertised as a snap-together model, most of the parts feature large locating pins that securely lock joins."

Pegasus Hobbies Hurricane by Aaron Skinner: "Pegasus got what mattered right with this kit: awesome price point; substantial detail; and a kit with correct shapes, including the bias of the vertical stabilizer, a feature missed in other kits."

Pegasus Hobby Martian War Machine by Aaron Skinner: "Molded in translucent ivory plastic as well as clear, clear green, and clear red, the 18 kit parts capture the lines of the original ship well."

Revell Germany de Havilland Mosquito by Aaron Skinner: "Revell Germany's Mossie bomber swells the ranks of available kits of the famous plane."

Revell/Monogram 1956 Chevy DelRay by Mark Melchiari: "The body is the star of this kit, capturing the look of the Del Ray well. Separate parts on the chrome tree represent almost all of the exterior chrome pieces, with only the side trim molded onto the body."

Revell Monogram 1/39 1903 Wright Flyer by Tom Conte "To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' historic flight, Revell-Monogram reissued its model of the Kitty Hawk, the 1903 Wright Flyer."

Revell Datsun 240Z by Mark Melchiori "Revell has taken this opportunity to re-release its '70s era 240Z kit, to capitalize on the new found nostalgia for the Z. The kit is molded in white plastic, with clear and chrome plated parts. The parts are molded well; however, there are some rather heavy mold lines on some, especially the body. Special care must be taken when removing these as they are quite close to some body emblems."

Revell F84 by Nathaniel Heard: "At first glance, the kit's instructions seemed confusing, and I thought certain steps, such as the wing assembly, were a bit crowded and hard to understand as they pertain to the smaller pieces. I recommend customers read the instructions several times."

Revell's Vader TIE Fighter: "It's astounding how the Star Wars movie franchise still captures the imagination more than three decades after its initial release."

Starlight Model Rocket Hyperon, F-32 Avenger by Tim Kidwell and Jim Haught: "Those familiar with model rockets won't be surprised by the contents of Starlight Model Rocket's Hyperon's package: a balsa nosecone and laser-cut fins, cardboard body tube, shock cord, a chrome Mylar streamer, string, sticker decal and assembly instructions."

Tamiya 1/48 Avro Lancaster by Tim Foti: I was disappointed with the poor fit of the engine nacelle halves, the engine covers, and their fit to the wing, taking a lot of time to fill and blend the seams."

Tamiya 1/48 Do335A Pfiel by Phil Novak: "The kit's very crisp molding makes it a pleasure to build, and produces a fine replica of this odd bird."

Tamiya 1/35 Hummer by Brian Cavet "This is another gem of a kit from Tamiya. It has no tricky spots in the assembly and is very well detailed."

Tamiya Porsche 956 by Matthew Usher: "The model's rear bodywork can be removed to reveal everything behind the cockpit, including the engine, transaxle, turbochargers, and the rear suspension."

Tamiya 1/35 JS2 by Aaron Skinner: "You can choose from vinyl or link-and-length tracks. The latter has a bottom run as well as short, slightly curved lengths for the front and rear. Two forms for the top lengths allow builders to easily model the appropriate sag. Very nice!"

Tamiya 1/35 Marder III by Phil Novak " The molding is crisp in the usual Tamiya style, and the detail is incredible."

Tamiya 1/35 Sd. Kfz. 9 Famo by Phil Novak: "The coupler is another testament to Tamiya's model making wizardry because it is completely workable, allowing for a wide variety of diorama possibilities. "

Revell RSX Type-S by Andy Lilienthal: "The body is molded in white styrene and has options for front and rear bumpers, side skirts, spoilers, seats, stereo equipment, wheels and air intakes."

Tamiya 1/35 T-55A by Brian Cavet: "Tamiya's kit of the T-55 is a real gem, no surprise there! I can honestly say this is their finest kit yet (till the next release anyway)! The only thing I added was a set of Friul Model metal tracks."

Trumpeter's 1/350 USS Lexington by Robert Faber: "Trumpeter Models has captured the carrier in a 1:350 rendition that's more than 30 inches long when completed. The kit allows for waterline or full-hull construction."

Testors 1972 Ford Mustang Mach I by Gregg Voss: "The cars around the Milwaukee neighborhood where I grew up in the 1970s were much like those at today's classic car shows. The teenage guys who lived nearby, and all their friends, had the "baddest" muscle cars, and us kids who were relegated to bicycles dreamed of owning one someday."

Testors Quick Build Dodge Viper & Saleen S7 by Bill and Jim Haught : "With minimal parts count and press-fit assembly, these kits are intended to introduce children ages 8 and up to model kit building, with "assembly time of less than 15 minutes" as stated on the packaging."

Verlinden PzKpfw IV Interior by Phil Novak: "The hardest part on the whole kit is trying to mate the turret basket with the inside of the turret ring."

Verlinden Wespe Driver's Compartment by Phil Novak: "I managed to get a copy of Wespe reference by Tomas Jentz, which was very nicely done. And after studying the book, I noticed that there were a number of things that were botched by Verlinden."

Warriors Resin Figures by Phil Novak: "These beautifully cast figures have amazing facial features, and uniforms that include the minutest details."

Zvezda 1/72 Fort by Chuck Theidel: "The assembled sections are held in place by poly tabs so you can disassemble and expand the fortress to suit your needs."