Mr. Hobby Procon Boy LWA Trigger Type Double Action Airbrush Review

I like my Paasche VL airbrush a lot. But, I have been using my Iwata top loader so much that I can't deal with the VL's siphon style bottom paint feeding anymore. So much wasted paint and time to clean up. I almost drilled a hole in the top of my VL thinking I could retrofit it. I even tried using it upside down. It doesn't take much to inspire a google search, so here we are.

"New" Hobby Plug

This can be a problem. If only there was a product out there that could resolve this issue. Behold, HOBBY PLUG!

This is a real product for real modelers. If you need MORE kits, YOU NEED Hobby Plug! Contact me at basementleader@gmail.com and I'll set you up. This product is currently 9.99 USD (shipping not included) and comes as x2 resin parts, x1 synthetic hair section, x1 folded full page ad which all is packaged in a sturdy white carton. ORDER YOURS TODAY. Quantities limited.

"Good Smile Company" Corners market on 1/150 Scale Soviet Soyuz and Erector

Good Smile 1/150 Soyuz Launch Vehicle and Transporter Model Kit Review

Great artwork of missile and erector. Relax.

Apparently humans in the west don’t care about the Soviet Space program. There is little awareness, few kits or reference. I used to be one of these people, but that changed a few years ago when my interest in things Soviet expanded to include space vehicles. They were so weird, like mechanical insects. I didn’t know what end was supposed to be the front or where the occupants sat. And yet, I could tell you what the weld seams look like on a 43’ hexagonal T-34 turret. Yes, sad, in so many ways.

A very nice unboxing experience.

So, I bought a few books (there are only a few) and started to figure this thing out. There are only a few kits out there and all the plastic ones have issues (or conversely, all the modelers of these kits have issues). Mostly they are inaccurate (the kits not the modelers). New Ware makes a resin 1/144 R7 in several flavors as ICBM, Gagarin’s ship or a later Soyuz. The New Ware one is the most accurate, but as a resin kit is expensive and tricky to build. I recall cursing a lot. Aligning the strap-ons and shackles is no simple task. 

Earlier this year I discovered this kit by “Good Smile”:

Fresh from the factory.

This is an odd kit, definitely seems to have been made as a result of losing a bet. It has that Japanese gift ware provenance, I was half expecting to find an anime version of a Russian cosmonaut (cosmonaughty?) holding an empty bottle of vodka while sitting on a super deformed transforming AK-47. But alas, no. Only rocket bits inside.

Nice pics but the words no good for me.

The instructions are flashy and in Japanese. Here's an experiment, I'll take my device and google translate the caption under the left most pic of the rocket launch:

The rising Soyuz rocket. The injection of the auxiliary engine for posture control is visible next to the main engine injection. The white part of the lower part of the fuselage is frost stretched over the surface of the fuselage by low temperature liquid fuel. Where to mount a Soyuz manned spaceship on Allocet. All preparatory work is designed to be done sideways. Difficult screen The truss that is visible on the left and right of the upper part hangs the rocket at the first stage middle part. This truss is a pendulum structure that closes only when the weight of Soyuz is applied. It opens automatically when the rocket leaves the floor.

Pretty much nails it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_(rocket_family)

For the haters their are many things in this kit made just for them. Raised panel lines, monolithic parts of complex assemblies and railings that scale out to be 12 inches in diameter. For the rest of us there is a rendition of not only beautiful Soviet rocket, but also the transporter that delivers it to the launch iris. While a bit clunky (especially the 1/150th scale part) this is a nice kit. It will build up to be a spectacular model of a little understood part of Earth's spacial exploration history. Yes my dream is to build my own R7 in 1/72nd scale safely cradled in it's erector. Oh gosh, the dog is barking or something is on fire or I'm late for something, SO GOTTA GO. Enjoy!

Here is the rest of the plastic:

Rocket and erector.

Decals and foil "stickers" for bare metal on rockets.

All the sprues in their multi-colored glory.

Base.

Green parts.

Detail.

More sprueage.

Detail.

More.

...and more.

The truss thingie between stages.

OMG...even more.

Booster details.

Truck details.

Orange details.

Tupolev Tu-95 & Tu-142: A Quick Look at the New Book

I just got this off Amazon, this not a proper review, but a peek inside for those of you who love this aircraft. It was around $50 and its got around 550 pages and weighs a lot. 

This one probably won't be around long, so if your into this kinda thing...you know what to do.

Tamiya Modeler's Knife Pro 74098 Review

This is a thing of pure beauty. This handle, essentially the banal holder of your blade and the most basic tool for the building of the models. I bought this on a whim. I have used X-Acto branded handles from the dawn of time ranging from the classic all-metal to the newer plastic versions.

Once I hefted the Tamiya one the old X-Acto ones are now scrap.

Here are the two side by side. Conan would definitely use the bigger one. The overall aesthetic is a lot nicer...it's like giving yourself permission to do this thing for real.

The blade mandible is larger. This gives the tool a nice feel. It's heavier and well balanced. The wider knurled collar is easier to unscrew, making it easier to swap out the blades. (I typically use pliers on the X-Acto ones). The blade is gripped differently, the two jaws with slots cinch it in place.

The solid rear handle. By screwing it in, it pulls the collar to tighten the spring loaded jaws. 

Comes with cover and 3 pairs of extra blades. Highly recommended. Does the hat make the man?

Here is the actual product, I got mine from Amazon for $17.23. It makes me feel like Conan and a concert violinist combined. Building models. Yup.

Bandai Perfect Grade 1/72 Millennium Falcon Review

I found myself at NYCC last week. I've been to a lot of events, and yes these things are amazing, but I'm getting old and after a while the noise starts to sound like a thousand invisible air horns. After Gen Con last year, I said no more. BUT, I had to go for "work"...

So here we are. I made myself enjoy it.

This is me ENJOYING it. Look closely, I am almost smiling.

I planned on not buying anything. Not pictured above are the PO-ZU shoes I bought. I justified this by saying they were shoes. I got Finn's, they are all white. My wife has some issues with this.

In the box is the Falcon. The excitement broke my spirit to the tune of $400 bucks. I waited in two lines for 45 minutes just to get in the tiny Bandai store. There is no "shopping". You move through like an animal in an abattoir. Before your hit by a friendly electrified baton you point at your purchase and the nice girl at the register scans your credit card before your body hits the carpet. I LOVE BANDAI!!

I have this thing now, so let's review it:

This is a big kit. A box in a box in a box. Just so you know, I am already a "Bandait", meaning that I buy their kits sight unseen, because they are better than Tamiya. DO NOT SEND ME HATE MAIL.

Here is all 36 sprues. $400 divided by 36 equals $11.11 per sprue. Given that Disney/Lucas charges Bandai 20% for the licence, this is probably about right. Some of the parts are large, this doesn't include the frills such as the lights and PE.

Unlike Laura P., this thing is staying in plastic. What if I want to resell? Bandai always gets the detail.

More sprueage. 

All of the piping is separate and secured in a box to keep it all fresh during shipping.

Here is the PE and masking. Decals of all the "red wine" panels on sheet (reversed).

Here is the light module. Engines, landing, ramp and cockpit.

This is the frosted light piping for the engines. These are pretty thick.

Another gratuitous sprue shot.

So, this is an expensive kit, but probably the best Falcon period. I have not test fitted this, but I am sure it will slide together like clockwork. When I bought it I wasn't sure if I was completely happy. After a few days, my happiness is complete.

Here are my nit pics: There are lights, but no sound. The new Andromeda has sound. The painting guide is a bit skimpy. Should be more call outs, like those Wingnut kits.

Hey, I know how to make my nit pics go away. SEND ME A REVIEW SAMPLE and poof they are gone.

Keep up the good work Bandai!