The Air & Space Novelties Hanger Museum

UFOs and aliens are real! I know, I’ve seen them. You will too if you purchase Lemax’s The Air & Space Novelties Hanger Museum!

With its multiple UFOs and aliens, moving circular figure platform that looks like desert sand, lots of eerie lights and out-of-this-world soundtrack and narration it’s one wacky Area 51 type structure that is really out there!

The main building of the set-up looks like its made of corrugated steel with rivets-a typical steel structure. On the front of it is a large complex name sign. The curved roof and has another sign as does the back of the building. A red wind sock and a small black chimney along with a large spotlight complete the roof.

To the left of the building to the rear is a billboard with the words A Flying Disc and smaller text and a face of a woman screaming.

She is looking up to a large red dome flying saucer stuck on the billboard.

Three smaller silver with blue domes saucers are suspended from wires. The entire assemble rotates when the display is turned on. All of the lights on the buildings also light up as well as the interior of hazmat tent/building. A ghostly silhouette of an alien’s face shows through the tent wall.

To the left of the main building is a large open hanger door attached to the main building in a wooden frame. Another light is on top of it. The billboard base sits behind the door assembly as well as a huge green cactus and a fallen barrel.

On the perimeter of the display base are various desert plants, animal skulls, lights, and some small equipment.

On the front of the large hanger building are two sliding doors that are shut. Do not enter tape seals the doors shut. Several barrels, a plant, a cooler, a bucket and mop sit on the ground and a window and two posters are on its front entrance wall.

From the side hanger door to the open flaps of the hazmat tent a runway groove circles round and goes in the building.

On the runway groove are several aliens in space suits carry or pushing equipment. Turning on the display causes the aliens to enter and exit the tent and building. In front of the hazmat tent is a spacesuit, several wooden crates, air tanks and a large hose.

An air recirculating box with a silver hose is attached to the right side of the tent.

Behind the tent is the flight tower. It extends above the main building.

Its top has five large panes of window glass surrounded by a blue railing. On top of the tower is an alien, an antenna and a scanning disk. Inside the tower room is another alien standing in the middle surrounded by a wraparound control panel with various buttons. Flashing lights are on the upper part of the tower roof as are lights on the main building.

There are also barricades in front of the main building sitting on the black tarmac and tiled entryway.

Behind the hazmat building and on the tower is a black ladder with an alien climbing it, a cactus, and a large boulder outcropping.

It’s a pretty and amazing Spooky Town set-up that looks awesome with the lights out and with the soundtrack blaring and the various objects moving under the lights.

Like all of Lemax's product the Hanger Museum comes packed in a sealed cardboard box.  Inside the product box is securely shut with its flip lid and tabs. The box is decorated with images of the Museum Hanger and the display is protected by heavy card board and accessories and power cord by tissue paper.

Proverbs 30:5 - Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

The Rocky River Grist Mill

What plays music, has lots of colorful lights and running water with boats and aquatic life?

If you guessed Lemax’s The Rocky River Grist Mill then you’d be right. What a miniature set-up! So realistic!

I’d like to do something a little bit different this time around in writing my review about the Grist Mill than I have done on previous Lemax products.

I’m not going to concentrate on describing each and every piece of the set but more of the overall look, nostalgia and memories.

Like all of Lemax’s products the The Rocky River Grist Mill shipped in a heavy-duty cardboard box sealed with tape. The inner product box with its wraparound photos of the Grist Mill has a flip lid with tabs. The Grist Mill itself is packed in a form-fitted cardboard sheath and secured with a Velcro strap.

Additional small pieces and the power cord are wrapped in tissue paper.

My wife’s family is from Tennessee. When we go to visit her relatives in Tennessee and the Carolinas it’s not uncommon to see similar buildings such as Lemax’s Grist Mill. Many of the things I’ll mention about the mill I’ve seen in person and close-up.

There is something quiet, peaceful and down-homey about the Grist Mill. It’s exudes a feeling of coming home to a simpler time when life was at a slower pace and holiday and family traditions meant something. None of the hustle and bustle of today’s society.

People actually took time to appreciate what they had, their surroundings and most of all the holiday season.

Lemax’s Rocky River Grist Mill display is cradled in a semi-circular stones white enclosure with a few of the stones showing through their true natural color.

Set about two inches up the Grist Mill cluster of buildings surround a sunken area that can be filled with water and once the display is turned on the water circulates through a small hose and pump to a water trough that cascades down to a red and brown water wheel that turns with the flow..

A small dock extends out into the small pond. On the dock is a boy with his fishing tackle and pole hoping to catch some fish. A dog sits at the end of the dock close to packing crates. 

Boy does that bring back memories to when I was a small boy and often fished off a similar dock, floppy hat, overalls and all.

Just to right of the boy is a fully-decorated Christmas tree sitting on a board walk that has a small cottage on it.

The single door building has two windows and several signs both on its front and roof. All advertise the Grist Mill and supplies. It is beautifully painted with its green high-pitch roof, creamy side slats, chimney and eave lights and large spotlights. Inside lights also shine.

The building butts up against the water slew that has a large wooden crate on it. Behind it is a mountain peak which is snow-capped.

Back to the pond. Encircling the pond is a small bridge and railed walkway with two people on it. Ducks and raccoons line the shore. Several white ducks on wires that keep them stationery and on top of the water and two small rowboats, one is empty and one with a fisherman. They float on the water and are held stationary by the clever use of strings held in place by magnets magnetized to metal at the bottom of the pond.

Starting on the left of pond a large lit Christmas tree that cradles up against a high, vertical Grist Mill building with a pitched roof, eave lights, a window casing, a capped chimney, a small side room with a window, a sign and a Christmas wreath. 

The slim building is attached to the large main building by a red roof, multi-color walkway which is also decorated with a Christmas wreath.

Man, I can almost smell the pine and feel the chill in the air.

The main building is capped by a small wraparound porch with eaves and porch lights, a tall chimney, a Christmas wreath and a snow covered roof. The water flew and water wheel attached to the building.

All over the display are various rock and wood walls, stairs, decks, signs, lights and plenty of snow. It is a very quaint and peaceful setting and if you turn up the volume a very special Christmas song plays!

My wife is absolutely crazy about it and can hardly wait to put it on display during the Christmas season. I can think of no better compliment.

Psalms 55:22 - Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Spooky Town Creepy Pumpkin Patch

There’s scary and then there’s REALLY scary! Get ready for chills and shivers with Lemax’s Spooky Town Creepy Pumpkin Patch Michael’s Exclusive.

You read right. The only place you can get Lemax’s Spooky Town Creepy Pumpkin Patch is at Michael’s. When it comes out you better be one of the first in line or (poof!) they’re gone!

You’ll need three AA batteries (not included) or a power cord (sold separately) to light up this monstrosity. Pumpkins have never looked more frightening!

The Creepy Pumpkin Patch comes in a unique full-view, clear-plastic, front box panel so buyers can see the entire set-up. Photos of the Pumpkin Patch are on both sides of the box. It also features full-color logos, text, etc.

Shipped in a sealed, heavy cardboard box the Pumpkin Patch display box also is protected by a three-sided, corrugated cardboard container with special seal strips that must be cut in order to remove the Pumpkin Patch.

As I mentioned earlier the Pumpkin Patch has lots of lights. Here’s what they are: five extended pole lights (four white, one purple), nine interior lights behind windows, through missing roof shingles and a roof spotlight. They vary in color from green, purple and white. They look awesome in the dark!

The Creepy Pumpkin Patch building sits on a dirt and grass platform.

Several figures are included. They are three skeleton dogs, a skeleton sitting on the stairs, a skeleton looking out a window, rats in an upper window and on the steps, two spiders on the steps with one on a wall, a zombie dressed in a tan jacket, white shirt, red ties, blue pants, and brown shoes holding a pumpkin over his head, a large pumpkin head scarecrow, a zombie holding a pumpkin, a zombie holding a small pumpkin and a skeleton dog on a leash, a pumpkin headed person leaning out an upper window, two skulls in an upper window, a pumpkin head skeleton leaning out the upper most window, 21 pumpkins alone or in groups scattered over the house and a crow on the roof.

Starting on the left side of the mansion there are three small brown wooden barrels and one large wooden barrel with a silver steel pipe coming out of its top entering a two-pane widows with a brown wooden casing.

The left side of high-pitched roof building with painted vertical wooden slats with a brown horizontal divider between the upper and lower floors. A rickety windmill tower of brown wood with a nine-blade, metal weather van tops the steep roof with broken brown wooden shingles.

The back of building is plain with a large black panel where the light controls are hidden and the battery compartment is housed. The power switch is on the right side of the building.

The front of mansion left to right includes gabled, high-pitch rood with a large and small hole in the roof where an eerie green light shows through. A small, four-side, brick peak with a metal roof has cascading pumpkins sitting upon it. A small craggy tree sits behind the peak.

Next to it on the crest of the roof is a small room attachment with two, black-trim, four windows and a partial cast iron fence. attached to the main crest of the roof. On the other side is another roof attachment with a cast iron fence. Next to it is another small craggy tree and the round point roof with a small awing and opening that a ladder than extends all the way to the base of building.

On the lower left is another small pitch roof attachment with a small window and wood trim. Sitting on the window sill are four bottles and a sign below them that reads CIDER. A striated patch of light brown hay extends out from the small building attachment. 

In the middle of building is a large, gaping mouth pumpkin with jagged teeth and green glowing eyes. Inside the pumpkin’s mouth is a set of stairs leading up the main entrance with hay on both sides a stepped in porch with pumpkin decorations and four sets of lite up eyes. Above the alcove is a CREEPY PUMPKIN PATCH sign, a open hay loaf door with hay on each side and a peaked roof horn.

To the right of the front is a small PUMPKIN PATCH THIS WAY sign with a black arrow. Standing next to it is the aforementioned scarecrow and a stacked hay bail. inset area with an open wooden door with the IF YOU DARE sign. A large bat spans the area above the door way to the alcove. 

Above the bat is a HAUNTED BARN sign in orange and above the sign is an open hay loaf with two doors of wood with a wood casing and above that is another opening. The roof to the barn opening is patchy with several holes where light emits from.

The far right tower sits partially inside the side of the house and green foliage creeping up its side.

It a very complicated and well executed miniature set of interconnected rooms and buildings. Color application is first rate with no rough edges or uneven lines. The sculpt is amazing with various textures, lots of detail and extremely well executed. All the elements fit perfectly together into a very creepy assembly.

The whole set up looks especially spooky when the lights are out. Trick or Treaters are sure to get a kick out of it when seen through my front window on Halloween night.

Of the three Halloween sets Lemax sent me this is my favorite.  It really captures the essence of Halloween with its spooky shadows and creatures and haunted house setting.

My daughter stopped over the other day and saw it and said, "I want to set it up at my house for Halloween!'  Of course, how could I say no?

Psalms 55:22 - Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Teddy Bear Factory

Can you believe it?! It’s June already! Before you know it July 4^th, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here!

Time sure does fly past fast when you’re an old coot like myself. But, at least I’m a kid at heart. Especially when it comes to Christmas. Celebrating Christ's birth, a Christmas tree, decorations, gifts and the holiday spirit make it all worth while.

Also, getting to see Lemax’s Christmas display sets let’s me know that Christmas is truly here.

As I mentioned before in my first Lemax review the company was kind enough to add me to their reviewers’ list. Several of Lemax’s products arrived. The Teddy Bear Factory is one of them.

The factory comes as one piece in a colorful flip-lid box decorated with images of the factory. Inside the factory is housed in a form-fitted, cardboard container consisting of three parts, No shifting around or bumping with this container! A power cord that attaches to the back of the factory comes in a separate Styrofoam bag and is secured with a plastic coated wire. Instructions are included.

When the factory arrived at my house it was also sealed in a heavy-duty, cardboard box sealed with tape and filled with popcorn packing. Lemax is very particular, careful and thorough when it comes to protecting their products.

As I mentioned earlier a power cord comes with the Teddy Bear Factory. It attaches to the back of the Factory and once connected to power it’s the push of a red button to light up the factory’s triple gold lights, twin porch lights and the interior of the gazebo. It really look awesome at night.

It’s perfect for displaying with Lemax’s other Christmas scenes on a table, fireplace mantle or in a window for others to see.

Being a Christian I’d love to get some of Lemax’s Nativity and Biblical scenes and figures. They look amazing.

The Teddy Bear Factor scene consists of two small buildings connected by a silver-fluted tunnel between them. A separate gazebo comes with five full-length windows that light from the interior. 

A hazy, muted light is made possible by the light, cotton-like stuffing in the gazebo. The gazebo has a five-side green with tan and red trimming roof, a Teddy Bear Factory sign on its front window and the base that are also five-sided that has a green banister red side and decorated with oversize buttons of a variety of colors.

The left building of the scene has a snow-covered roof with the upper second roof shingles of green showing through. Twin Teddy Bears sit on the peak of the roof, front and back. A circular green chimney with a red strip sits on the back of the roof.

The snow cover opposing roof has a Teddy Bear sitting on its peak to the left.

The upper, face front second floor is trimmed in tan and green with red wood slats. Silver and gold, over-sized, engaged gears are attached to the red slats.

In front of facing wall is a Teddy Bear Factory sign in red letters, twin red hearts and small brown Teddy Bear image, The sign is trimmed in light blue. On the left of the sign is a brown wooden drum decorated in yellow and on the right a drum decorated in red.

The bottom floor facing forward has a large picture window with two Teddy Bears inside against a gear background. It has yellow and blue oversize buttons and yellow roof supports. There are a green floor mat and a two-step, gray cobblestone combination that leads up to the window.

On one side of the steps is a Factory Hours sign and on the other side is a small brown basket filled with red, blue and yellow Christmas tree decorations.

The two interconnected buildings and gazebo sit on a stone base consisting of large gray blocks and brown and gray cobblestones with a light yellow backgrounds. Snow partially covers the stone base.

The left side of the first building has two green, six panel windows, with gray upper stone casings, and red frames. A circular red and stone frame, four panel window is above them.

Four yellow roof support beams, green and brown wooden corner braces and a brown barrel with a pant finish the left side ensemble.

The back of the building also supports two green, multi-pane windows, similar braces and the dark gray roof shingles show through the snow.

The right side of the building is a plain light brown with the fluted silver tunnel in its lower part.

The second Welcome building to the right has a three-step set of stairs capped by two large faux flames.

The door consisted of light and dark brown panels, diamond shaped accents, gold hinges and door knob assembly. The entire door casing is a light brown wood.

On both sides of the door are old-fashioned lamps in black and gold. A Welcome awing of gray is over the front entrance. Three Teddy Bears sit on the top of the awning. Above them is one of the gold lights I mentioned earlier.

The casing below the roof line is painted in tan, green with red accents and decorated with oversize buttons in a variety of colors. On the overlapping roof line a large Teddy Bear sits waving its right hand. 

Above him is another gold light. He rests against the upper floor wall of green and tan and trimmed in red. A small black chimney stack extends from the roof and twin Teddy Bears sit on the front and back roof peak.

Side extended roof gabbles with red, four-panel windows trimmed in brown extend out front each side of the upper roof. The left side of the building consists of red wood slats with the fluted metal tunnel attached to it.

The back of the building consists of red wood horizontal slats, a single six-panel green window trimmed in brown and a detailed upper floor of tan trimmed in red and green wooden planks-very Norwegian. The plug in with on and off button is on the lower left.

The right wall is also of red slats and has a small silver tube attaching it to the gazebo.

The entire Teddy Bear Factory ensemble is adorable with excellent sculpt and assembly, crisp and tight paint application along with a clever use of lights. It really sparkles when lit up. I know my grandkids with be delighted when they see it.

It's really hard to describe just how adorable the Teddy Bear Factory is. I suggest you visit a Michael’s or other store that carries the Lemax’s line of figures and settings and see for yourself. I guarantee once you do so you’re bound to buy a few and then a few more and then even more.

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Spooky Town The House Of Shadows

Each year about a month or so before Halloween I like to visit my local Michael's store to check out the various Halloween decorations they have for sale.

The first place I go is to the front of the store where Lemax has its Halloween themed display of spooky houses, characters and the like.

The Lemax display is easy to spot. Lots of small lights, animated figures and the like can't help but draw my attention. I love watching the various actions and movements of each piece. The superb sculpture work, clean and bright colors and comical and spooky characters are so much fun to watch.  

No matter how many times I return to Michael's during the Halloween holiday I can always spot something new on the Lemax spooky scenes.

This year Lemax added my blog to their reviewer's list and provided me with three of their Halloween products for review. I am excited to share my review of the first one of them.

First up is Lemax's Spooky Town The House Of Shadows and boy is it spooky. It certainly lives up to its name.

Before I get into the House Of Shadows itself I'd like to talk about the packaging it comes in.

As a former graphic designer, Vice President of Marketing and high school teacher of commercial art, graphic design and drawing I can’t help but be impressed by Lemax’s incredible packaging not only for The House Of Shadows but all of its holiday products.

As I mentioned earlier I am privileged enough to be on Lemax’s reviewers’ list and they were kind enough to send many of their holiday sets.

As to the shipping box itself. It is completely sealed with tape. The box is made of heavy cardboard. Inside the product box is snug in place courtesy of packing peanuts and bubble packing. There is no way the product box or its contents are going to be damaged.

The product box itself has a large, flip-lid with three sides.  The cardboard box is all in black save for a full-color illustration of The House Of Shadows setup.

The Lemax and Spooky Town logos decorate the side of the flaps and a built-in plastic handle makes carrying then entire package easy and safe.

Side flaps slide into the main body of the box while two top tabs secure the lid.

Inside the house itself is packed in a Styrofoam box in two pieces which are held together with a Velcro strap. The house is wrapped in tissue paper as are all the separate set pieces, including the power cord and expansion cable.

Small boxes contain all the smaller components of the set. Each box has black line drawing of the components in their individual boxes. Additional clear plastic wrap and paper stuffing are also used to pad out boxes providing additional protection.

A full instruction sheet comes in several languages along with a special postage card insert. Nicely done.

It’s obvious Lemax takes special pride in its products and extra care when it comes to shipping and packaging.

Let’s talk about the house.

Standing approximately 10-inches tall the house features some the nicest miniature sculpting I’ve ever seen. That goes along with its superb paint application.

The house appears to be an old two-story Victorian mansion with a steeply pitched roof, library/bell tower with a five-side bell-shaped roof covered in brown wood shingles. Large windows encircle the tower. Each window has the silhouette of a ghost in it. The ghostly figures show up when the display is lit as do other window figures all over the house. The inner light ebbs and flows giving the house an eerie pulsating glow.

The first story of the tower also has a wraparound wooden shingle roof with only one window. Below that are upper base panels in gray, white and black accents.

The entire house rests on a cobble stone base of light brown. The house consists mostly of dirty gray and white horizontal wooden slats. Black metal lights extend out from the first story of the tower and on the opposite side of the house gabble.

Sections of the house are also sheathed with off-brown bricks, wood and stone trim and decorated gabble and roof pitch wooden carvings reminiscent of Norwegian homes.

The back of the house is mostly plain with wood, stone and wooden roof shingles. The power cord plug-in to the house is just below the eight-panel window on the right rear. A single switch turns on the house lights.

The entire house rests on a base painted to look like grass and soil. On the left side of the house is a craggy gray tree with no leaves, a stone planter with a green leafy plant, an orange scooter with black handles and a stone birdbath with water and a black bird.

The entire house looks slightly dilapidated with wood patches, faded colors and some holes in the stone-ridged roof with its crows nest (with crows) and intermittent sides and extrusions.

The roof has several holes in it. The overall look of the house is shabby and creepy.

The front of the house has a wooden pole with metal mailbox, two steps and porch with two-gray posts and handrails with a large black metal canon ball on the lower step. The door is blood red with a BEWARE! sign on it.

The right of the front has a room extension with a large picture window. Above it is another large window with a small multi-colored porch wrapped in front of it. A gray stone bench with a blackbird and craggy tree to the left of it sets in front of the lower bay window.

The right side of the hose has a boarded up window in the extended room addition, A boarded up window in the lower main building with a bare tree in front of it and an upper window that is open with white sheet blowing out from it as does a sheet on the left side of the house through its upper four-pane window.

Included with the house are several figures. All are stagnant on squared-off bases in different colors.

A woman with blond hair carrying a black purse steps back from a creepy ghost in all white advancing toward her. the woman’s cloths consist of a red skirt, light blue blouse and brown knee boots. The woman’s expression of fear is easy to see.

Another white ghost attacks a man dressed in gray trousers, black belt with silver belt buckle, dark brown shoes, a white shirt and dark brown jacket.

A white ghost in a blue jacket looks to be attempting to scare a black cat. On the ground is a silver chain and a red book entitled How To Scare.

A wooden sign with the words KEEP OUT! is surrounded by four creepy orange pumpkins and a human skull and bones on a grass and dirt base. On the top of the sign a large black and white vulture waits for its next victim.

Two large black craggy trees are also included, A large black succulent tree with lights and a pole stand with a full moon that lights up are also included.

Additional figures and props can be purchased separately.

A master switch turns the house, tree and moon lights. Separate switches allow each to be turned off independently. It’s an easy set-up.

The house and its accessories looks especially spooky when you turn out the lights What a delightful display to show-off when the Halloween season comes around. Well done Lemax!

I know my family (especially my grandkids) are sure to get a kick out of this spooky display.

2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

H-16 Transporter with Collectible Trading Card

Imagine a massive transporter helicopter undergoing testing by the United States Air Force and Army with the aim to put it into full production.

There was only one problem-the second test of the prototype resulted in a crash.

If successful the H-16 Transporter Helicopter would have had the distinction of being the world’s largest aircraft of its type.

It weighted twice as much as any helicopter in service and if produced would have been a long-range rescue helicopter with a huge load capacity.

It would have carried 40 troops, 32 patients or 3 Jeeps. The fuselage measured close to 78 feet long with a combined rotor span of a 134 feet and gross weight of 15 tons.

The second test aircraft crashed killing two passengers-the project was canceled.

The H-16 had a faster cruising speed than any other helicopter in service. It had a gross weight in excess of 15 tons.

Measuring 1/96 Scale the Atlantis Model Co.’s H-16 Transporter Helicopter model kit recreates the legendary helicopter in perfect detail.

Seven part trees come in the set with an additional pivoting swivel display base. Parts are gun-metal gray and clear.

At 9.75 inches long the H-16 model kit is ideal for a Level 2 model kit maker.

Made in U.S.A. the kit comes in a sturdy slip-lid box decorated with a H-16 painting on its top and three sides.

Model pieces are easily identified using the numbers on the part trees that correspond to the easy-to-understand assembly instructions sheet.

All parts are sharp and crisp with no rough edges or gaps and with very little flashing to trim the model kits fits together easily and snugly with no gaps.

I recommend using tweezers or a stand pup multi-clamp stand to glue pieces together.  Carefully apply glue until it is slightly tacky and then carefully press pieces together.

Don't use too much glue to avoid oozing and clean-up.  Take you time, never rush when making a model kit.

Included with the model kit are pilots, movable double rotors, a cargo bay that opens and the box art is perfect for framing.

A full sheet of decals is included as is a special trading card.

Both novice model kit makers and those with more advanced model-making skills are sure to enjoy assembling this model.

A short history of H-16 is included on one of the box’s side panels as well as in the instructions sheet. A side panel paint guide is also included.

Search on the internet for color reference photos for correct paint application.  The model's box painting is also a perfect color reference.

With a bit of patience, some glue, paint and decals the H-16 Transporter model kit is sure to be a welcome addition to any model-maker’s collection.

Atlantis Models Co. is preserving the past while building for the future.

Philippians 4:6-7 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Northrop F-89D Scorpion

I am no professional model kit maker by a long shot. I enjoy model kits but when it comes to assembling them I am all thumbs. Trust me when I say I need all the help I can get-it is most appreciated.

Recently Atlantis Toy and Hobby, Inc. sent me a review sample of the company’s Northrop F-89D Scorpion 1/77 Scale interceptor jet.

I opened the model kit box decorated with a full-color painting of two F-89D aircraft in flight )one of which was firing its rockets) on it cover. Awesome action!

Once opened the box I took a quick look at the assembly instructions and was pleasantly surprised at how comprehensive and easy-to-follow the instructions were. 

Even a novice like myself can follow and easily pick out parts using the labeled numbered directions.

Atlantis also sent its full-color model kit catalog that showcases a wide variety of model kits ranging from aircraft, automobiles, military vehicles and much more.

Inside the box are two part bags. One holds the aircraft model parts on several part trees. Parts are easily detached with very little flashing cleanup and the second bag contains the transparent globe stand and pedestal.

Aircraft parts include pylon tanks, rocket pods, landing gear, a pilot and radar operator, a clear canopy and other easily identifiable parts.

Parts fit together snugly with minimal glue application. Paint application is smooth and the decal sheet provides easily removed decals once wet-even for a klutz like me.

On one of the box sides is a paint guide, a short history of the aircraft and several smaller color photos of the aircraft on the other three sides.

The Northrop F-89 Scorpion was the first jet-powered, all-weather, twin-engined interceptor aircraft armed with air-to-air nuclear weapons using unguided Genie rockets.

Made in America the model kit is for model makers 14 years and old and older with a 2 Skill Level.

It’s a impressive model kit, with dead-on accuracy of historical details, easy-to-understand instructions, a helpful paint guide and once assembled it displays securely on its swivel display stand.

Overall it’s a great model kit of high quality. Atlantis’s slogan, “Preserving The Past While Building The Future!" is well-suited to its American made model kits.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Visible V-8 Engine

I can’t believe Revell Model Kits sent it to me to review! It’s like a dream come true.

As a kid one of my best friends had Revell’s Visible V-8 Engine model kit. I thought it was so cool!

Imagine assembling a model kit that is clear so you can see its inner workings. You can see the engine operate!

A stand comes with the engine along with a hand crank that lets you operate the engine manually. A simple turn of the crank and the crankshaft, pistons and values move!

I always wanted one from the first time I saw it and now I have one. Who says wishes don’t come true?

There are 11 part trees in gray, white, black and clear. The color designations allow modelers to easily assemble the entire engine using the instructions and coinciding numbers listed on the parts.

A screwdriver, hex nuts, short and long round head screws, a fan belt, vinyl tubing and a coiled spring are also included.

The HUGE model kit comes in a heavy duty cardboard box with a full color photo of the engine on its lid. Side panels show photos of various parts of the engine along with specs.

Other features include a rubber fan belt that operates the generator, pulleys and fan. The fuel pump has a operating activator and a clear fuel bowl, the distributor and coil wires assemble in actual firing order and a starter and solenoid mount on a flywheel housing. 

It moves and operates like an actual V-8 engine and you can see it all courtesy of the clear engine parts!

Model makers ages 13 years old and older with Level 5 experience are graded to assemble the model. Glue is required as well as the ability to assemble parts with screws. Paint is optional.

At 1:4 Scale the engine measures 12 inches long. I can’t wait to see it work!

I never was much of a mechanic, unlike my older brothers. I wish I knew more about engines. The Visible V-8 Engine model kit will help me understand the complexity of an internal combustion, gas powered engine.

I may have my grandson help me put it together. What a great way to learn things together!

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." — John 3:14-15

007 Goldfinger Aston Martin DB5

I am a child of the 1950 and 1960s.

As a preteen the very first James Bond movie I saw was Goldfinger starring Sean Connery as James Bond.

While I enjoyed the whole movie the part I loved the most was when James Bond’s car is introduced: the Aston Martin DB5,

With its many gadgets, among them an ejector seat, twin machine guns, a tracking device, bullet proof rear shied, rotating license plate, smoke and oil emitters and other amazing augmentations I was totally blown away.

Revell’s 1:24 Scale 007 Goldfinger Aston Martin DB5 model kit is recommended for those 10 years old and older. No painting or gluing is required. The new Easy-Click System makes putting together the 122 part model kit fast, easy and fun.

Follow the directions and before you know it you’re finished and ready to display James Bond's iconic automobile-one of the most recognizable and famous cars in the world.

The body chassis comes in one piece with additional parts  contained within clear plastic bags. They include tires, clear pieces such as a windshield. windows, etc.), chrome parts-including bumpers, several interior and exterior bags and a decal sheet.

Assembly is a breeze. No fuss, no muss!

Just look at the details-from the custom interior with its special gadgets to the weapons, deterrents and other goodies (including the tire slashing extenders) and much much more. 

In no time at all you’ll be done and then you can proudly display your super spy car with gadgets deployed or hidden.

Modelers and James Bond fans are sure to love this kit. Display the model with your other James Bond memorabilia or just for fun pretend you're Bond and let your imagination run wild.

Parts are easily detached from the part trees with a snipper or Xacto and need minimal trimming or cleanup. The model fits snugly together with no unsightly mismatched parts or rough edges.

James Bond would be proud!

"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." — Romans 10:9

Republic Thunderstreak “Thunderbirds” F-84F

Back in the 1950s jet aircraft were still relatively new. Barely a decade had passed since World War II and jet technology was in its infancy.

Most commercial flights were still using prop aircraft. The military was the chief user of jet aircraft. Early jet fighters and transports seem clumsy and clunky as compared to modern jet aircraft. And yet there is something fascinating about their design, shape, and capabilities.

As a kid growing up in the early Jet Age I was fascinated by the new military aircraft. That was a time when the sound barrier was broken, radical new air-frame designs were tested-along with new engines, cockpit designs and instrumentation and the early stages of the space program.

Pioneering engineering and endless possibilities abound. The sky was the limit!

Monogram’s 1:48 Scale Republic Thunderstreak “Thunderbirds” F-84F  U.S. Air Force jet is a marvel of a miniature and highly detailed recreation of the aircraft.

Designed for modelers over the age of 12 years old it requires a Level 4 expertise in model making. Paint, glue and decal application is needed.

The model box cover spotlights the F-84F with the jet front and center with three other aircraft flying in formation behind it. Side panels include photo and specs.

I happen to live close to an airbase and jets of all sorts fly overhead on missions and training flights. They never cease to amaze me.

Like all model kits time is important. Don’t waste it. Take your time, carefully follow the instructions and never (NEVER!) detach more parts from the part trees than you need to complete one assemble stage.

Instructions, decals and five plastic wrapped part trees are included. Assembly is easy if you follow the instructions and match part numbers on the pages with the part numbers on the part trees.

The F-84F model kit has a huge decal sheet with lots of decals. Any painting should be done before the aircraft model is complete and decals added when the plane is assembled. Again, take it easy, slow and meticulous.

Pay particular attention to the landing gear, extra tanks, weapons and cockpit. A pilot is even included.

Put it all together and take flight as you add this stunning new aircraft model to your collection.

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" — Micah 6:8

71 Mach 1 Mustang 007 Diamonds Are Forever

Back in 1971 the producers of the James Bond films found themselves in a dilemma. Their last Bond film: On Her Majesty’s’ Secret Service, had not performed as well as they had liked, mainly because the actor they chose to replace Sean Connery did not work out.

Producers practically begged Sean Connery to reprise his role as Bond. He agreed, at a hefty price.

Diamonds Are Forever saw Connery back as Bond and the movie was huge success.

Bond’s new car in the film was a 71 Mach 1 Mustang. It captivated audiences and served to modernize and Americanize the new Bond film.

The one scene I remember in the movie with the Mach 1 is when Bond maneuvered it down a narrow alley on two wheels. 

 But due to an editorial mix-up when the car emerged on the other end of the alley was on the opposite two wheels-going from left to right.

The 1:25 Scale Revell 71 Mach 1 Mustang 007 Diamonds Are Forever model kit box features a scene from the movie where Bond was being chased through the streets of Los Vegas by the police at night. Box side panels feature additional Mach 1 photos, complete specs and a short description of the scene from the movie.

The model kit is rated for 12-year-olds and up and at a Level 4 modeling skill. Paint, glue and decal application are necessary.

The plastic kit box contains the body chassis (with tires) in a clear plastic bag. Other plastic bags contain various car parts in solid white, chrome and clear plastic.

Parts can be removed from the trees using a model snip or Xacto blade. Minimal flashing and attachment point cleanup is needed.

Parts are engineered to fit snugly together with no gaps, mismatches or rough edges. Tooling is top notch with clean contact surfaces and insertion points.

Once completed the model kits measures almost 7 1/2 inches. One hundred and twenty-one parts are in the box.

All toll there are 11-part trees, the chassis and tires, instructions and decals.

The model is easily assembled if you follow the numbered parts in the instructions. Snip out only the parts necessary for each step of assembly.

Although not as recognizable as the James Bond Aston Martin DB5 the Mach 1 Mustang is still a formidable car well suited to accommodate James Bond and his lovely ladies.

Marvel at the engine via the car’s opening hood, light and bumper assemblies, interior details and the fully detailed undercarriage with exhaust, suspension, engine underside, wheels and tires.

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." — 2 Timothy 1:7