John Ratzenberger
Reviews By Author
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17pdr Self-Propelled Gun "Archer"Published: September 19, 2021 BackgroundI'm sure, no matter what you model in WW2, you've heard of the British 17-pounder, most notably in the Sherman “Firefly’'. Well, there was also a towed version – however, it wasn't the most mobile piece, so the British looked for a way to create an SP gun. Fortunately, they avoided cloning the Bishop and instead came up with a new design based on the existing Valentine… more |
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Hughes H-4 Hercules "Spruce Goose"Published: June 1, 2022 BackgroundI'll not spend much time here. Google for "Jane Russell", when you're done reading that, click any link to "Howard Hughes", and when done with that click the link to the "Hughes H-4 Hercules" to find out all you need to know about this aircraft. I will add that SWMBO and I had a trip planned that would allow her to go to a big quilt show in Sisters, OR, and allow… more |
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Industrial Building Sections - Module DesignPublished: July 5, 2011 I don't do dioramas -- it's the lack of the creative and artistic genes. But having seen other reviews of these MiniArt diorama kits, I had to see one for myself. The very first thing I did is go to the MiniArt website and go through both the Assembly Guide and the Painting Guide. The Assembly Guide is excellent even if you are familiar with vac-form kits as there are some differences… more |
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Early Canadian Military Aircraft Vol. 1Published: October 19, 2021 The full title of this book is: Early Canadian Military Aircraft, Acquisitions, Dispositions, Color Schemes & Markings: Volume 1, Aircraft taken on strength through 1920 with credits to the authors above and also illustrations by Andrew Tattersall (aircraft) and Terry Higgins (maps). This is the first volume of an intended series which will cover all Canadian military aircraft… more |
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Gloster GREBE and GAMECOCKPublished: June 6, 2011 Might as well get this over with right now - THE BEST MUSHROOM BOOK I HAVE READ!!!! OK, I'll admit it - the Silver Wings era is my favorite, and in that, the Gamecock is high on my list - so I'm a bit prejudiced. But this book is much more than I expected - it is very well written, very well organized, and very well illustrated. The Grebe and Gamecock are 1920's aircraft; built in small… more |
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HMS Campbeltown 'St Nazaire' Operation Chariot, 26 March 1942Published: May 11, 2011 BackgroundI don't know why we need fictional action movies -- there are more than enough tales of derring-do in the real world and in my book Operation CHARIOT, the raid on St Nazaire, is right up there near the top. The British were ever concerned about the various German battleships, battle-cruisers, etc., and numerous air raids were flown to sink or cripple them in port,… more |
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Vital Storm Early Hurricanes Collection Part 1 and Part 2Published: May 10, 2011 Aviaeology did a series of 1/32 decals for Zotz -- they released under their own name the 1/24, 1/48, and 1/72 versions. Of the 16 total aircraft in the original super set for Zotz, 7 have been released in 1/24 scale in these two sets. More may be coming, depending on how these sell. Here are the decals from the two kits, Airfix #14002 and Trumpeter #02414, both Mk.I Hurricanes. Both… more |
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AFVs in Irish Service Since 1922Published: May 6, 2011 I am a Rolls Royce Armored Car mega-fan, so I pleaded for this book when it showed on the review list. Also, my real name is Sean O'Ratzenberger …. The book covers wheeled and tracked armored fighting vehicles used by the armed forces of the Republic of Ireland from independence to the present day. It, of necessity, starts before then, in 1916, and works forward through the civil war as… more |
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Generic WW2 RAF Instrument Dial Decals and Hawker Hurricane Mk.1 Instrument Panel Decals (Revised)Published: March 4, 2022 Airscale Decals is evidently new, at least within the last year, and their website shows plans for numerous waterslide decals of instrument dials and panels for various 24th and 32nd scale aircraft, Allied and Luftwaffe. I note that placards and data plates are scheduled for future release. I don't do 24th scale, but happened to have a couple Hurricanes around, well, because one can never have… more |
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Barrel of a Gun: A War Correspondent's Misspent Moments in CombatPublished: February 13, 2011 This book has nothing to do with models or modeling. If you are into modeling that part of the world, you might find a useful picture of a vehicle or aircraft. The author, Al J. Venter, is a South African war correspondent who has covered Africa and the Mideast for 40-some years He has about 20 books to his credit, a few of which are on diving. I have read none of them, so this was a… more |