“The Spy Who Loved Me”. What does a classic James Bond film have to do with the Hunting-Percival Pembroke, Prince, and Sea Prince? The Pembroke was used as a spy plane.

The latest title in the Warpaint Series focuses on the Pembroke, Prince, and Sea Prince and provides a thorough look at this British, high-wing utility aircraft. The text is organized by headings, starting with a brief history of Hunting-Percival and then moving into the development of each type, foreign users, demobilized aircraft and aircraft for sale, and finally a survivors listing. Each section provides an in-depth look at each variant as well as the units that operated each type.

For those of us who model aircraft in the one true scale of 1/144, it is no secret that some details, particularly when it comes to cockpits, can be nonexistent at this scale. Most are often just a space with the occasional seat and maybe a control column included with the kit. Often that cockpit area isn't even there and is 'blank over' by the manufacturer. Just part and parcel for this scale.

Brengun has and continues to produce some lovely small-scale(144th) aircraft kits. They have also been in the habit of producing some after-market photo-etched/resin detail kits to address the lack of detail in those kits. Such is the case with the model accessories set (#144167) for their Me-309 aircraft kit(s).

The model kits are the Me-309V1/V4 (#144015) and the Me-309V4 (#144014), both in resin. These are neat, well-molded kits for an aircraft that has been largely overlooked by other mainstream manufacturers.

Pig Models is a model company based in Taiwan. It was established in 2016 with a commitment to providing interesting model kits. I first became aware of the company with their release of their 1/1 scale German Tiger II 8.8cm Pzgr.39/43 (APCBC-HE) L71 Shell Replica [Kit # 1-002]. They have also released 1/1 scale variants, 8.8cm Pzgr.39 (APCBC) L/56 Shell Replica [Kit # 1-001] and 8.8cm Sprgr. 43 (HE) kwk43 L71 Shell Replica [Kit# 1-004]. Since then, Pig Models has released over a dozen unique and interesting kits.

I have a Flyhawk SBD in the stash and it’s near the top of my build list but for the moment is on hold. I thought this wonderful panel replacement from Yahu Models would fit the bill. The panel replacement set comes with photoetch replacement for the pilot’s instrument panel and what I believe is an accessory for the cockpit. Yahu doesn’t indicate where it is used.

Assembly is straightforward. Carefully remove the photoetch parts with a sharp hobby blade on a firm hard surface to avoid bending the metal parts. Once removed, the parts are ready to rock in the cockpit.

These two A6M decal sets from Lifelike continue the series of markings for the A6M Zero provided by earlier sets 48061 and 48062. Part 3 (48063) contains markings for 14 aircraft: 2 Type 11s; 7 Type 21s; 4 Type 52s and 1 A6M2-N Rufe. The specific aircraft include: