ON THE SHELF
AIRCRAFT KITSView more reviews online:www.airfi xmodelworld.com 109AIRSHOW SPECIAL
JASDF F-15J Eagle 303sq
‘Fighting Dragon’
By: Platz
Item no: AC-28 Price: US$36.54
Web: http://www.platz-hobby.com
Platz has re-released its splendid
1/72 F-15 with markings for one of the
Japanese Air Self-Defense Force’s
visually stunning ‘special’ schemes,
namely the 303rd Squadron’s
‘Fighting Dragon’ as seen at the
2018 Komatsu Airshow. Parts are
unchanged from previous iterations,
so there’s a full complement of
air-to-air missiles (four AAM-4 and
AAM-4 apiece) and drop tanks,
plus a well-appointed cockpit, full-
length air intake and engine nozzles
— all contained on seven styrene
runners. A magnetic unit badge is
also included. However, despite all
the excellent detail on the styrene
and logical assembly sequences,
the markings are the undisputed
highlight, as they provide all the
artwork trim in ten large decals,
plus the usual myriad stencils that
adorn Japanese F-15s. Just a single
airframe is supplied, 72-8885,
but there is also an option for this
aircraft as a standard line machine.RWD-8 DWL in Palestine
(Israeli Service)
By: IBG Models Item no: 72527
Price: €6.50 Web: http://www.ibg.com.plIBG’s RWD-8s are absolute gems;
they capture the appearance
of this 1930s trainer perfectly
while being easy to assemble and
offering attractive liveries. This
boxing presents the RWD-DWL-
manufactured machine (others
offer PWS-built airframes) as
operated in Palestine and supplies
three-runners-worth of finely
moulded parts. Cockpit detail is
generally pleasing, with decals forthe instrument panels. Fuselage/
wing surfaces are replicated
faithfully, with restrained
scalloping to represent a fabric-
covered airframe, although ribbing
on the horizontal and vertical
stabilisers appeared slightly
heavy. Markings are provided for
four aircraft, clad in a striking
Doped Aluminium/Red livery:- SP-BLL, Palestine 1937
- VQ-PAK, kibbutz Afikim, Jordan
Valley, 1938 - VQ-PAG, kibbutz Afikim, Jordan
Valley, 1938 - VQ-PAG, kibbutz Revivim, Negev
Desert, 1938
OLD, BUT BRILLIANT
POLISH PARASOL
AV-8A Harrier
By: Italeri
Item no: 1410 Price: £17.50
Web: http://www.hobbyco.netArguably, Esci’s first-generation
1/72 Harriers (now being
re-packaged by Italeri) are the
reason there are so few kits of the
type, such is their quality – despite
their age. The parts for its AV-8A
remain unchanged, being supplied
on seven styrene runners, and
feature fine engraved panel lines,
with a convincing representation
of the large ‘bell-mouth’ air
intakes. There's an option for anopen/closed canopy but as with
most recent Italeri releases, the
highlight is the decal sheet, and
here there are markings for US
Marine Corps, and Spanish and
Thai Navy machines.- AV-8A, 159250/2/WF, VMA-513,
Yuma, Arizona, 1976 - AV-8A, 158390/07/CG, VMA-231,
Cherry Point, North Carolina,
1 976 - AV-8S/VA-1 Matador, 01-814/14,
8a Escadrilla, Spanish Navy,
Rota, Spain, 1980 - AV-8A, 16176/3108/8, HTMS
Chakri Naruebet, Royal Thai
Navy, 1998
1/72 1/72GREAT VALUE DORA
German Fw 190D-9
By: Waltersons Item no: 12
Price: £6.99 Web: http://www.hobbyco.netDesigned with wargamers in mind,
the re-released Forces of Valor
kits are also ideal for modellers of
any skill level. The large locating
pins in its long-nosed Fw 190D
mean it’s possible to assemble this
without glue, and there’s even a
well-appointed engine that can be
displayed. The kit comes on four
styrene runners – coloured to matchRLM 65 Lichtblau (although late-war
Fw 190Ds had RLM 76 undersides)- plus a separate one-piece canopy.
The latter is rather thick, so is
probably best left closed. Exterior
panels and rivets are represented
with engraved lines and rounded
depressions, and although heavy in
places will appear convincing with
a primer coat. Just a single scheme
is included, for what is probably Maj
Gerhard Barkhorn’s airframe:
< – + –, JG 6, Sorau, Germany,
February 1945
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