43 articles · 2.3K karma · 11 friends · active 1 day, 4 hours ago

I’ve been building models since 2021. I'm currently interested in military aircraft, space, ships and missiles.

When I’m not at the bench, I’m jogging, reading, doing science, or hanging with my family.

My iModeler posts can be found, usually with a bit more detail, at my blog.

Eduard Spitfire Mk.IXc

The 1/72-scale Eduard Spitfire Mk.IXc is a phenomenon. This is my first Eduard kit, so I’d like to give my impressions. As I think is generally understood, Eduard kits are of high-quality: excellent detail, well-molded and engineered, [...]

The Toss Up: First Soviet Jets, MiG-9 and Yak-15

On April 24, 1946, both the MiG-9 and Yak-15 were ready to become the USSR's first jet aircraft. The MiG-9 flew first, allegedly on account of a lucky coin toss. Both jets made use of salvaged German engines; while the MiG-9 was a new [...]

Tamiya A6M2b Zero Fighter

Trigger Warning! This model represents a historical impossibility, so if that kind of thing upsets you, cease and desist at once! This is the 1/72-scale Tamiya A6M2b Zero with DEAD Design Models canopy masks. Decal options are for three [...]

SSModels USS Northampton (CA-26)

The USS Northampton was a United States heavy cruiser commissioned in 1930. The lead ship in her class, she served during World War II until hit by two torpedos and sunk during the Battle of Tassaforanga in December, 1942. Safely away [...]

Testors YF-23

In 1981, the US Air Force initiated the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program to seek a next-generation fighter to replace the F-15 and better compete with the Russian SU-27 and MiG-29. Requirements included low observability, short [...]

RealSpace Mariner 9

NASA's Mariner program had the goal of studying the inner planets: Mercury, Venus, and Mars, through a series of robotic space probes. Between 1962 and 1973, ten Mariner missions were attempted: though three failed, the others performed [...]

Anigrand Bell XHSL-1

To satisfy a US Navy requirement for an anti-submarine warfare helicopter, Bell’s Model 61 first flew in March 1953. It was a tandem rotor design, and the first helicopter specifically designed for this role. The name XHSL indicated the [...]

Atlantis Nike Hercules

The MIM-14 Nike Hercules was a United States surface-to-air missile (SAM) serving in the anti-aircraft and (ostensibly) anti-ballistic missile (ABM) role from 1958 until it was phased out in the 1980's in favor of the Patriot missile [...]

RealSpace Atlas V

The Atlas V is the last of the Atlas family of launch vehicles, produced by the Lockheed Martin-Boeing collaboration United Launch Alliance (ULA). After 99 successful launches out of 99 attempts, it is slated for replacement by ULA's [...]

Hasegawa TBF-1C Avenger

This is the 1/72-scale Hasegawa TBF/TBM 1-C Avenger from 1995. It's a quality kit: good surface detail and nice fit. My son built the Academy kit alongside me, and my impressions are that the Hasegawa has more detail in places, like [...]