Revel 1/72 Arado Ar 234

This is the review of an old build: Arado Ar 234 in 1/72 by Revell.

The Arado Ar 234 was the first jet bomber ever built. With its speed, it didn't required defensive equipment, and was used as bomber and reconaissense. It could be powered by 2 Jumo 004 or 4 BMW 003. It never was built in numbers high enough to be decisive, but it showed its potencial.

This Revell model kit is actualy a reboxing of a Frog model from the mid seventies. The most interesting fact is that you'd wish to get several of them, as you can build 2/3 different versions.

I've let the V1 appart from the model and made it in the B2 version. It has raised panel lines, and it doesn't have that much detail on landing gear wells.

Cockpit detail is sparce, but it can be improved with some scratch build parts.

Appart from that, keep in mind that it is an old model, and that the one in these pics were built as a kid, so its not up to the very best of the model itself.

The fact is that there aren't many Ar234 models out there... And this one, even if it isn't a state of the art model, it has a lot of potencial to become a very nice model, of an astonishing airplane. Its becoming rare, so if you do find one, get it.

Revell 1/72 Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

This is the review of the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt in 1/72 from Revell

The P-47 was know as "jug", because it looked like a "jug of milk" of its time. Nevertheless, it as a heavy, but tough fighter, and together with its complicated but effective turbocharger, was fast and effective. Although not as nimble and elegand as the P-51, it had a great carrer and a good service sheet.

Portugal received about 50 of these, as a transition for the incoming F-84.

The model kit is good, with nice recessed panel lines, and easy to build.

The only problem is to fit the engine cowling, and some sanding may be required.

The landing gear has nice detail, as well as the cockpit. 
  

With not so much effort, it can become a very good looking P-47.


It is trully a fast build, with no big problems. I think its good to see that Revell still knows how to do model kits. I do recomend it.

Revell 1/144 Airbus A340 TAP

This is the review of the Airbus A340-300 in 1/144 from Revell

The A340 has been developed together with the A330, with the main difference being the number of engines. In fact, its development was sketch at the same time of the A300, and they share a common ground. Its 4 engines allow it to have power to haul heavy weights over very long distances and it was manufactured with 4 lengths.

About the model kit, like the real one, it shares a lot of common parts with its brother A330. Main difference is the 4 engines similar to the A320 series.

Its construction can be called peacefull, no big unfitting problems were found, except for the cockpit window, as it is tricky to fit in the right place.

Landing gear wells are very well made, and landing gear itself was marvelous!

The decals that I've purchased were a little bit thick, they do not let the details to be visible...

But in the end it does become a nice bird, and if you are into scratch building, you can use it as a solid start of point to do the larger -500 or -600 versions.

Although it is becoming harder to find it at an afordable price, there is a trick: you may get an A330, which Revell decided to re-print, get 2 models of the "right version" of the A320, the ones that brings 2 pair of different engines, and you'll only need to make the center landing gear. Everything else is in there to make 3 airplanes. Nevertheless, it is a very nice model, good to stand near its "brothers".

Hasegawa 1/72 Curtiss SOC-3 Seagull

This is the review of the SOC-3 Seagull in 1/72 from Hasegawa.

The SOC-3 Seagull was a Scout/Observer carrier based airplane. It was launched by a catapult, and then it could scout for enemy battleships and aid the artillery on hitting its target. Built and used in the early thirties, was retired early in the WW2. However, as its sucessor was a failure, it had to be re-introduced in a hurry, and saw service accross many ships until the end of the war.

Hasegawa is well known as a quality model maker, even from the early days. In fact, most of its detail is adequate, with recessed panel lines. Cockpit has low detail level, but lets not forget that this is a model from early seventies.

But it is a solid work base, its easy to add some extra details, like the seatbelts, small levers. Its not empty. The "landing gear" is nice.

However, you should not criticise the model quality just for the pics I'm showing. This model is old, and I've started building it when it was almost new... And like every kid that starts, attaching "thingys" that are supported by struts, it is a nightmare...

In fact, it was only finished recently, and had to scratch build all of the struts... The original ones have a nice quality, but they were so broken and incomplete, that hey had to be replaced.

And so was the prop.

But this was one of my early models, and most of it survived and could be fixed, which shows that despite its age, it was state of the art at its time.

And there still are a couple of models being sold, and I've used its original decals, which were still surprisingly good! So, if you do find one of these, and are fond of the shinny metal airplanes, get it. Only the cockpit may require some upgrade, but its not that hard.

Airfix 1/72 Hawker Typhoon (new mould)

This is the review of the Hawker Typhoon IB in 1/72 from Airfix.

The Hawker Typhoon was meant to be the replacement of the Hawker Hurricane, with a more powerfull engine, better armour, faster. However, its thick wing made it a disappointment as a high altitude interceptor... Although it was improved, the design modifications were such that it was renamed Hawker Tempest, because it was a new and different airplane. However, even if it had carbon monoxide contamination in the cockpit from the engine, which forced the pilots to be allways on pressurised oxygen, and a fragile tail, the typhoon did found its role as a ground attack airplane.

Airfix did came a long way, and this new mould model is astonishing. Perfect amount of detail, for a very low price. Unbeatable!

Cockpit detail is perfect, even if we cant see that much. Landing gear wells details is superb!

The oil radiator is well moulded, and its air exit flap can be movable. All recessed panel lines details.

I have had some problems with my airbrush and with the matt clear coat, the snowy powder effect, but that was due to air compressor contamination with water... After a thorough cleaning, no more problems. My fault...

And those are the final remarks: it is an easy model to build, everything fits, no probelms, no complications, and in the end you'll get a very nice piece of history! Just hope that they take this and make extra parts to give us a new hawker tempest...