Reviews

Review Author
Tomasz Menert
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
N/A
MSRP
$12.99

In the Box

The ICM Afrika Korps acrylic paint set contains six bottles, 12 ml each. The paints are water-based. The box contains these paints:

  • Middle Stone (1060)
  • Offwhite (1028)
  • Leather Brown (1053)
  • German Field Grey (1070)
  • Silver (1024)
  • Green Ochre (1059)

Application and Experience

The following instructions on how to use the paints can be found on the side of the box:

Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
Iliad Design
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.00

Illiad Design has recently released an aftermarket decal set covering the T-33.

This decal sheet covers a total of 5 aircraft, and you are provided with enough markings as to be able to model all of them. You are still expected to use the stencils provided with the kit. You have your choice of

  • T-33A in American markings in a very attractive SEA camo
  • T-33A (the instructions call it a T-22A) from Pakistan in an overall grey-green
  • CT-133 RCAF markings in Dark Sea Gray/Dark Green over PRU Blue with a Snoopy drawing in the fin
  • T-33 in Luftwaffe in RAL 6014, 7012 and 7001
  • CT-133 in wraparound gray and green in low viz Canadian markings.

They are an amazing selection of markings. I particularly liked the T-33 in SEA camo with shark teeth. The instruction sheet says it was the only T-33 to receive SEA camouflage.

Book Author(s)
Managing Editor: Mick Davis
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
The Great War Aviation Society
MSRP
$93.00

The non-profit UK based group known as the Great War Aviation Society publishes A new magazine, Contact!, is now available in both print and digital download. The first two issues of Contact! Are available for a free digital download on their website. Their journal, Cross & Cockade International, is also published four times a year. Issues are available in English as printed [Softbound, A4 (8.27” x 11.69”), 72 pages [Including Covers] as well as digital copies (or both). The Society also provides a free newsletter (sign up on their website) and occasionally publish WWI themed books like the Sopwith Dolphin monograph I reviewed earlier for IPMS USA. This Journal is the sister of the US Journal, Over The Front. The Great War Aviation Society also hosts a lecture series available through Zoom. If interested, you will need to register early as the call is limited in attendance.

Book Author(s)
Gerald Keijsper
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Pen & Sword
MSRP
$79.95

This book tells the story of the development, aircraft specification and service history of the F-35 and all its variations.

The book is lavishly illustrated with photographs and line drawings, many of which are stunning, and I have not seen anywhere before.

The history covers all areas from concept and development to meet the needs of the modern air forces. It shows the various prototypes and programs that directly lead to the F-35.

The chapters on the engines were very interesting and provided a lot of information.

The various chapters on the various operators give insight into the variations for the air forces modifications for their missions. This gives great insights and how they incorporated them into their existing squadrons.

I highly recommend this book as it gives as many details as available on the F-35 in the public domain. Thank you to IPMS USA and Pen and Sword for allowing me to review this great book.

Review Author
Bob LaBouy
Published on
Company
Trumpeter
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$102.99

The AH-1W Super Cobra was the US Marines’ attack helicopter. Designed and developed by Bell, it entered service with the US Marine Corps (USMC), Marines have been flying the AH-1W Super Cobra since 1986. The last AH-1W was delivered in 1998. and was retired in October 2020 after 34 years of service. The AH-1Z Viper, which is also manufactured by Bell Textron, replaced the Super Cobra. It is also a brand new tooled kit in 2025.

The Super Cobra was the first attack helicopter to qualify both the Sidewinder air-to-air missile and the Sidearm anti-radiation missile. Both missiles can use the same LAU-7 rail launcher. Sidearm has a range of more than 15km. AIM-9L Sidewinder is an all-aspect, short-range, air-to-air missile has a range of 15km.

Review Author
Jason Boggans
Published on
Company
Hobby Boss
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$46.99

Box Art / Packaging

HobbyBoss present a 100% new tooled German Panzerjagerwagen in 1/72nd scale in their normal rigid top opener box. The contents are well packed and protected with additional foam wrapping on sprues which contain delicate parts. The condition of the contents as delivered were excellent with no parts off sprue, no broken parts and nothing warped due to inadequate packing.

The kit itself depicts the rail mounted Panzer IV which was generally mounted on a BP 44 armored train and would normally be seen mounted with the dozer blade in forward position. Technically the only part of the Panzer IV used here was the turret as the casemate it was paired to was not a Panzer IV chassis but was specifically designed for the BP 44 train.

The Kit

The kit is comprised of 6 sprues in total, Sprue A x 2, which contains all the parts for the railroad base.

Book Author(s)
Mick Davis
Paul R Hare
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Cross & Cockade International
MSRP
$93.00

The non-profit UK-based group known as the Great War Aviation Society publishes their journal, Cross & Cockade International, four times a year. Issues are available in English as printed [Softbound, A4 (8.27” x 11.69”), 80 pages plus centerfold] as well as digital copies (or both). A new magazine, Contact!, is now available in both print and digital download. The Society also provides a free newsletter (sign up on their website) and occasionally publishes WWI-themed books like the Sopwith Dolphin monograph I reviewed earlier for IPMS USA. This journal is the sister of the US Journal, Over The Front. The Great War Aviation Society also hosts a lecture series available through Zoom. If interested, you will need to register early as the call is limited in attendance.

Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$75.99

The Sd.Kfz.251 half-track armored personnel carrier was the primary-armored transport vehicle of the German Wehrmacht. It was developed by the company Hanomag in 1938, based on the artillery tractor Sd.Kfz.11, with serial production starting in the summer of the following year. The Sd.Kfz.251 armored personnel carriers were produced in four main variants—Ausf. A, B, C, and D—and there were 23 different versions for various army needs, differentiated by their armament and equipment. The 251/1 variant was the standard transport vehicle for the German motorized infantry, capable of carrying one squad of soldiers. These combat vehicles were in service with the German Army throughout World War II and were used in all theaters of combat, with a total of 15,252 units produced in various series and modifications. Among other armored personnel carriers produced during World War II, they were second only to the American M3 in terms of quantity.

Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
Company
Academy Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$74.00

Academy has released a re-boxing of their 1/48 scale F-4J Phantom II, this time with markings for VMFA-333 “Fighting Shamrocks” and VMFA-232 “Red Devils”. The first boxing of the Academy “J” variant was in 2014, and this re-boxing was produced in 2024.

In the Box

The kit is enclosed in a sturdy box and each sprue is enclosed in its own plastic bag, except for the ones that are doubled up, primarily the ordnance. The sprues are injected in three colors (gray, white, and black) and one clear sprue for the windscreen, canopy, and light parts.

Book Author(s)
Richard A Rinaldi
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

Being combat-ready for operations is our highest priority. The British Army is ever vigilant, always ready and steadfast in its commitment to the defense of the UK and its citizens. The Army on One Page - British Army website

This book covers the British Army after the Cold War and Operations Telic (Iraq, 2003-2011) and Herrick (Afghanistan, 2001-2014) as it transitioned from large, armored formations designed to fight on the plains of western Europe to the counterinsurgency operations that consumed the western world’s military from 2001 to the mid-2010s. The British Army, like its American counterpart, has been struggling against the peace dividends and counter-insurgency requirements to become smaller and more lethal in heavy warfighting against a peer enemy.