Archive for the 'Previews' Category

1/48 Hobby Boss F-14B Tomcat

Posted on September 29, 2011 in Military and Previews. 0 Comments

Kit Info
Manufacturer: Hobby Boss
Scale: 1/48
Media: Injection
Parts: 490+

The Subject
In 1987, the Grumman F-14A received its first major upgrade in the form of the F-14A+. The original TF30 engines were replaced with the F110, which provided a significant increase in performance, range and reliability. With these new engines, the F-14A+ could take off from the carrier deck without afterburner. The other major upgrade was internal, with the installation of the ALR-67 Radar Homing and Warning (RHAW) system.

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1/72 Hasegawa F-16A/ADF ‘Italian Air Force Special’ Combo

Posted on March 7, 2011 in Military and Previews. 0 Comments

Kit Info
Manufacturer: Hasegawa
Scale: 1/72
Media: Injection
Parts: 150 (75 x 2)
Price: IDR 308,000 (est. USD 35)

The Subject
The Lockheed Martin (was General Dynamics) F-16 Fighting Falcon is one of the most produced combat aircraft in the world today. Originally designed as lightweight day fighter, it has evolved into an all-weather multirole aircraft.

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1/72 Morr Models VF-1 Atmospheric Booster

Posted on July 20, 2010 in Mecha and Previews. 0 Comments

Kit Info
Manufacturer: Morr Models
Scale: 1/72
Media: Resin
Parts: 39
Price: USD 104.95

The Subject
The atmospheric booster was an optional attachment to send VF-1 Valkyries into space orbit. The booster is discarded once the Valkyrie reaches space. Advances in technology will eventually enable future variable fighters to reach orbit unassisted and render this equipment obselete.

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1/100 Akohobby RGM-79L GM Light Armor Conversion

Posted on September 6, 2009 in Gunpla and Previews. 0 Comments

Kit Info
Manufacturer: Akohobby
Scale: 1/100
Media: Resin
Parts: 49 + 30 Metal parts
Price: USD49.00

The Subject
The RGM-79L GM Light Armor was developed for hit-and-run raids and serves as a fast attack unit for the Federation Forces. It mounts the minimum amount of armor giving it better acceleration and maneuverability. Most notable about this variant is the lack of armor on the shoulders and ankles.

The GM Light Armor carries a beam gun that’s similar to the RX-78-2 Gundam. It is more powerful than the GM’s standard beam spray gun but holds less shots. Many former pilots turned mobile suit pilots favor the GM Light Armor due to its similarity with fighter aircraft.

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1/100 Akohobby RMS-154 Refined Barzam Conversion

Posted on August 8, 2009 in Gunpla and Previews. 0 Comments

Kit Info
Manufacturer: Akohobby
Scale: 1/100
Media: Injection
Parts: 60
Price: USD16.50

The Subject
The RMS-154 Barzam is a mass production mobile suit based on the RX-178 Gundam Mk. II. It was introduced in UC 0088 but was not a successful design and was only produced in limited numbers.

The Refined Barzam is a variant of the RMS-154 which appears as a bridge between the Barzam and the Gundam Mk. II. It is armed with the weapons from the Gundam Mk. II, with the exception of the addition of a grenade launcher for the beam rifle. It also mounts the Gundam Mk. II’s backpack and shield.

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1/72 Hasegawa F/A-18C ‘Chippy Ho History’

Posted on June 10, 2009 in Military and Previews. 0 Comments

Kit Info
Manufacturer: Hasegawa
Scale: 1/72
Media: Injection
Parts: 285 (95 x3)
Price: IDR520,000 (est. USD53)

The Subject
The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to attack both ground and aerial targets. Its primary missions are fighter escort, fleet air defense, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), interdiction, close air support and reconnaissance. Its versatility and reliability have proven it to be a valuable carrier asset.

VFA-195 Dambusters is an F/A-18C Hornet squadron stationed at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. It is 1 of 9 squadrons in Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) that provides power projection for the United States. The squadron earned the nickname Dambusters on May 1, 1951 after its aircraft successfully destroyed the heavily defended Hwa Chon Dam in North Korea. It has seen service since World War II and has been involved with almost every major US military operation since.

The squadron currently flies off USS George Washington (CVN-73). ‘Chippy Ho’ is the squadron motto.

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1/48 MAW Decals Late Lot Hornet Nose

Posted on December 20, 2008 in Military and Previews. 0 Comments

Kit Info
Manufacturer: MAW Decals
Scale: 1/48
Media: Resin
Parts: 6
Price: US$17.99

The Subject
The F/A-18 Hornet has been in service with the US Navy and US Marines for more than 2 decades. Through the years, its capabilities have been refined and upgraded to meet with new mission requirements.

Most of these upgrades are software-related and internal changes. However, once in awhile, modifications involve external changes. One of these is the integration of AIFF antennae. These involve adding 5 blades (commonly called ‘bird slicers’) on the nose, between the canopy and the gun. Late Block Hornets were all duly modified.

The 1/48 Hasegawa F/A-18 Hornet is touted as the best Hornet kit in the market and has been since it has been released. However, out of the box, it renders an early production Hornet. One would have to scratchbuild the AFF antenna. MAW Decals has come along however, to offer a resin version.

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1/100 RGM-79SC GM Sniper Custom Conversion

Posted on July 7, 2008 in Gunpla and Previews. 0 Comments

Kit Info
Manufacturer: Akohobby
Scale: 1/100
Media: Plastic Injection
Parts: 44
Price: SGD22.90

The Subject
The RGM-79SC GM Sniper Custom was developed for the ace pilots of the Federation. Performance and capability was upgraded from the standard GM to the levels of the RX-78-2 Gundam operating out of the White Base during the One Year War.

Generator output was increased for the added load the long-range beam sniper rifle produced. The beam saber was repositioned to the forearm for close combat. Additional racks were added for optional weapons and to increase the mobility, the GM Sniper Custom was upgraded with a mass of additional thrusters and verniers. Less than 50 Sniper Customs were built. Each was specifically tailored for its pilot so no two were configured the same way.

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