Aircraft reviews
VIOLET LIGHTNING
Here’s another double delight from Platz, in the form of its two-kit 1/144 Kawanishi N1K-J Shinden-Kai (violet lightning – modified) package, also known by the Allied callsign ‘George’.
NEW ENGINE OPTION
Having first tooled a 1/144 Airbus A321 in 1999, Revell has followed the type’s development with a completely re-tooled A321neo – featuring two New Engine Options (hence the acronym) plus wingtip ‘sharklets’ to improve fuel efficiency.
TOOTHY DELTAS
Syhart has a well-deserved reputation for releasing eye-catching and attractive schemes and its latest set, for two Mirage IIIE airframes with commemorative markings for the 70th anniversary of EC 2/4 ‘La Fayette’ and the squadron’s Sitting Bull insignia, is another fine example.
DEMONIC FELINES
Platz’s F6F-3 Hellcat is a neat two-kit offering, with each comprising four styrene runners.
VIETNAM WAR DUO
The latest Dogfight Double Gift Set offers a MiG-17F and A-4B plus a two-position stand, nine pots of acrylic paint, two brushes and a tube of Poly Cement.
THREE'S A CROWD...
Kinetic’s 1/48 Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) Nesher is truly a ‘2-in-1’ product with parts to create both an ‘S’ single-seat and ‘T’ twin-position model.
ALL-NEW NARROWBODY
Russia’s new Ikrut MC-21-300 narrowbody airliner is the subject of this 1/144 release from compatriot firm Zvezda – albeit in the guise of the first testing/prototype airframe.
STYRENE SAILPLANE
As unpowered flight is a popular hobby and an important part of many pilot-training programmes, it’s surprising there are few kits depicting gliders; however, offerings such as Brengun’s new-tool 1/48 DG Flugzeugbau DG-1000S are addressing this gap.
LYING DOWN ON THE JOB
Released initially under the MPM label in 2013, Special Hobby’s lovely Prone Meteor is back.
LUFTWAFFE CASUALTIES
Released to celebrate 80 years since the Battle of Britain, Italeri’s 1/72 Heinkel He 111H contains beautiful Cartograf-printed markings for five schemes, but disappointingly, the styrene contents date back to 1976.