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Back to basics appeal with a Challenger SRT8.

Keith’s Picks for the Month

Airfix has released its 1/72 “Dogfight Doubles” BristolBeaufighter TF.X and Focke-Wulf Fw190A-8 (#A50171). TheBeaufighter was initially conceived as a twin engine heavy fighter,but also served as a night fighter, attack aircraft, and torpedo

bomber. The Fw-190 was a radial engine fighter introduced inAugust of 1941 and was considered by many to be the best fighterof the Luftwaffe. This kit commemorates the “Black Friday” raidon the Narvik class destroyer Z-33 in a Norwegian fiord inFebruary 1945. Thirty-one Beaufighters pressed the attack whileescorted by a force of P-51 Mustang fighters. Flying through thenarrow fiord, the allied force was subjected to concentrated anti-aircraft fire and attacked by twelve Fw190s. With little room tomaneuver, nine Beaufighters and one Mustang were shot downwith only minor damage done to Z-33 during the attack.

The box contains the Beaufighter kit, composed of five

sprues of plastic parts, and the Fw190 kit, with four sprues ofparts, and a multi-part display stand, as well as two tubes ofcement, ten plastic containers of Humbrol paints and two paintbrushes. Options for each aircraft include lowered or raised land-ing gear, which the raised gear configuration would be perfect forthe included display stand. To allow for the inflight display, thereare pilots/crew figures included for both aircraft. The kit includesa full weapons load for the Beaufighter, although the intendedload is specific to the “Black Friday” raid.

The kit also includes illustrated instructions, with full-colorpainting and decal placement guides for each aircraft, as well asdecals for all of the aircraft that participated in the battle.

Dragon has released a 1/35 Pz.Bef.Wg.IV Ausf.Jw/Zimmerit (DRA-6823). The Panzer IV was the only tank man-ufactured for the complete duration of World War II. Starting out

The 1/72 Airfix Dogfight Doubles contains two kits. One is a Focke-Wulf Fw-190A-8 fighter and the second is a Bristol Beaufighter TF.Xconfigured as it appeared during the “Black Friday raid on a Narvikclass Destroyer in a Norwegian fiord during February of 1945.

Dragon has released a 1/35 Pz.Bef.WgIV Ausf.J w/Zimmerit. ThePanzer IV was the only tank produced for the duration of WWII.Produced late in the war, when materials were scarce, the Ausf.J isactually a downgrade of previously manufactured Panzer tanks.

MODEL KIT REPORTKeith Pruitt

as infantry support tank, the Panzer IV was the only operationaltank that Germany had in its inventory that could mount thelarger guns needed to penetrate newer Allied tanks. The Ausf. Jmodel was the last version of the Panzer manufactured. Due tolate war scarcity of materials, it was actually a downgraded ver-sion of the Ausf. H with simplified construction and a handcranked, rather than electrically powered, turret. The commandversion carried additional radios, transformers, antennae, and anauxiliary generator all of which contributed to a reduced ammu-nition load.

The kit is composed of the lower hull, upper hull, turret,twenty-five sprues of plastic parts, one set of Dragon Styrenetracks, and a fret of photoetched metal detail parts. Severalsprues include the newly tooled parts necessary to create thiscommand version. A prominent feature of this kit is the verticalsurfaces with molded zimmerit, a paste used by Germany toprevent magnetic mines from adhering to the tank surfaces. TheDragon Styrene tracks can be painted with any model paint andcan be glued together with regular plastic cement which simpli-fies the building process. The photoetched metal parts greatlyadd to the detail and scale appearance.

The kit comes with illustrated instructions, including thepainting and decal placement guides, as well as decals for onevehicle.

Hasegawa has released its 1/48 A6M2b Zero FighterType 21 with Air-to-Air Bombs(#HSGS7411). One of the mostfamous fighter planes of World War II, the A6M2b version ofthe Zero was the model that spearheaded the opening successesacross the Pacific, including Pearl Harbor. The Type 21 2b ver-sion included folding wing tips and arresting hooks that wereneeded for carrier operations. The use of air-to-air bombsagainst Allied bomber planes was first reported in May 1942,with the intent to move forward of the formation and dropthese weapons to impact the enemy bombers flying at a loweraltitude. This was an appealing option, as the bombers at highaltitude could often outpace Japanese fighters. The bombs were

designed with tail fins that caused the bomb to rotate in the air,activating the arming mechanism. At detonation, the bombwould scatter phosphorous pellets in a pattern about 75 yards indiameter. Although these weapons were used sporadically, thereis no confirmation that any allied aircraft were destroyed by one.

The kit contains eight sprues of plastic parts, seven in lightgray and one in clear. The cockpit is well detailed with raisedand distinct ribbing and controls molded into the sidewalls. Theseat has circular marks depicting open lightening holes. Thereflecting gunsight is a clear part, so painting the metal sectionsand leaving the glass panel clear adds realism, which the gaugesfor the instrument panel are represented with a decal. A separateengine is composed of four parts. A drop tank is included formounting at the centerline underneath the model, and the spe-cial “Air-to-Air” bombs are attached to special mountings undereach wing lateral to the landing gear bays. The canopy can beattached in the open or closed position.

The kit comes with illustrated instructions, with paintingand decal placement guides, as well as decals for two differentaircraft of the 381 Naval Flying Group from May of 1944.

Moebius Models has released a 1/25 scale 1971Ford Ranger XLT Pickup (#1208). The Ford F-Series Pickuptrucks have been the best-selling vehicle in the US for 43 years,including the fifth generation produced from 1967 to 1972.This bodystyle featured sharper lines, a larger cab, and extendedengine options. In 1970, Ranger XLT was added as the top trimlevel.

The 1971 Ford Ranger XLT kit from Moebius is com-prised of an extensive number of parts molded in light grey,

The Ford F-series pickup has been the best selling truck in its class for43 consecutive years.The Moebius kit of the 1971 Ranger XLTincludes an extensive number of parts along with an accurate 390cubic inch V8 engine and a detailed chassis.

Hasegawa’s 1/48 A6M2b Zero Fighter Type 21 depicts the variant thatcarried air-to-air bombs for use against allied bomber formations. Thekit is complete with the air-to-air bombs and decals for two differentaircraft.

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transparent red and clear, with chrome plated parts and softvinyl tires. Moebius includes everything needed to replicate theXLT long bed version, complete with an accurate 390 cubicinch V8 engine and detailed chassis. The kit features manychrome details, including body trim and badges, side mirrors,and optional wheels. The engine compartment is highlighted byseparate parts for the brake system master cylinder, windshieldwasher bottle, battery, and jack. The interior and truck bed arealso detailed with multiple panels, and both the hood and tail-gate parts feature the Ford stamped logos.

The kit comes with illustrated instructions, with paintingand decal placement guides, as well as decals that include thesimulated wood panel for the tailgate. The painting guideincludes factory color paint information for both interior andexterior standard, deluxe, and combination two-tone colorschemes.

Revell has released its 1/25 Foose 2013 Challenger SRT8(#85-4398). With a “back-to-basics” appeal, the 2013 DodgeChallenger SRT8 delivers straight ahead performance andthrowback styling. SRT is the acronym for the Chrysler Streetand Racing Technology group. The SRT8 version of the 2013Challenger is equipped with an adaptive suspension and a mas-sive Hemi V-8 engine. With a four second time for zero to sixtymiles per hour, the standard features of the car coupled withFoose Design treatment produce a jaw dropping version of themodern Challenger.

The 1/25 Foose 2013 Challenger SRT8 uses Revells new

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The Revell Foose 2013 Challenger SRT8 is targeted towards the lessexperienced modeler and features simple assembly with few toolsneeded. The Foose custom parts include low profile tires as well as adetailed Hemi engine and decals for even more styling.

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skill level system, which is based on glue, tools, optional paint,and three or more hours of assembly time. Targeted toward mod-elers 10-12 years old, the kit contains 45 parts molded in black,metallic charcoal, transparent red and clear, with chrome platedparts and soft vinyl tires. The kit features a Chip Foose inspiredpre-painted body in a two-tone metallic green and black colorscheme.

The Foose custom parts include low profile wheels and tire,with metal axles, as well as a detail Hemi engine. The kit is char-acterized by quality details and simple assembly with few toolsand additional supplies needed.

The kit contains illustrated instructions, with painting anddecal placement guides, and colorful decals for even more stylingfrom Foose Design.

Trumpeter has released a 1/48 EKA-3B Skywarrior(#02872). The Douglas A-3 Skywarrior was designed for serviceas a carrier based strategic bomber for the US Navy. Enteringservice in 1956, it was the heaviest operational aircraft to operatefrom aircraft carriers. The EKA-3B variant operated in dual roles as both an electroniccountermeasures aircraft and as an airborne refueling tanker. Itscapabilities included acting as an electronic warfare platform, as atactical air reconnaissance platform, and as a high capacity aerialrefueling tanker.

The kit is molded in gray plastic and contains 16 sprues offinely detailed parts and two sprues of clear parts for the canopyand instrument panel, photoetched metal detail parts, and vinyl

tires. The kit features raised detail and engraved panel lines, nicelydetailed three-seat cockpit, detailed landing gear and gearbays,radar, electronic warfare systems with four seats and interior, refu-eling probe with winch, and detailed engines. Options includeseparately molded control surfaces for positional placement, raisedor lowered position slats and flaps, and extended or folded wingsand vertical fin.

The kit comes with illustrated instructions, with paintingand decal placement guides, as well as decals for one aircraft fromthe VAQ-130 “Zappers” squadron from the USS Midway. HM

The Douglas A-3 Skywarrior was designed for use by the U.S. Navyas a carrier based bomber. The Trumpeter 1/48 version is extremelydetailed, containing 16 sprues of plastic parts, photoetched metaldetail parts and vinyl tires for a realistic look when on display.