Manufactured in the Czech Republic Special Hobby produces a number of high-quality scale model kits. This one is in 1/48 scale of the Israeli SMB-2 Sa’ar (Storm in Hebrew) Super Mystere used by the IDF seeing action in the 1973 Yom Kippur conflict. Originally produced by Dussault, and upgraded to carry the Pratt and Whitney J 52 engine that also powered the A-4 Skyhawk. This extended the already worn-out airframes, increasing their performance and survivability in the process. They were retired from front line service in 1973.

First off, apologies to Fred Medel at Tamiya America for a long-delayed review. I’ve been busy building models for retired veterans and/or their family members and this one took a back seat.

That being said, wow, what a kit. Incredibly complex, but the fit is a modeler’s dream. As Dave Morrissette said when building its big brother in 1/48, many of the parts seem to “click” into place. In fact, the only serious fit problem I had probably resulted from too thick a layer of paint rather than any issues with the kit itself.

Jon Diamond, MD, is a U.S.-based kidney specialist enthusiastic about World War II history. An avid collector of historical photographs, he has authored several titles in Pen and Sword's Images of War series, including Stilwell and the Chindits, War in the South Pacific, Invasion of Sicily, Invasion of the Italian Mainland: Salerno to Gustav Line, 1943–1944,Onto Rome 1944: Anzio and Victory at Cassino, and Beyond Rome to the Alps: Across the Arno and Gothic Line, 1944–1945. His works also include Op Plunder: The Rhine River Crossing.

Book Specifics

With over 220 black-and-white images, Normandy Beyond The Beaches is the latest offering from Pen and Sword, published in December 2024. This 209-page book measures 6.75 by 9.5 inches and includes an introduction, six chapters, an epilogue, and a bibliography.

Following the Allied advance into eastern France and Belgium in August and September 1944, logistical support for the advancing armies was compromised by the need to rely on the Mulberry Harbour built off the Normandy beaches in the days following D-Day. Invasion planners had counted on being able to use one of the larger Normandy ports, such as Cherbourg, to alleviate the supply chain issues, but the Germans had done such a thorough job of demolishing that port that it wasn’t brought into productive use until late 1944 and in any case was even further from the Front. The top Allied commanders therefore put some emphasis on trying to capture ports further east. Their focus fell on Le Havre and Boulogne, two large pre-War ports. However, both were declared to be “Festung” (Fortresses) by Hitler, who demanded they be defended to the last man. Their capture is one of the forgotten stories of the Normandy Campaign.

Arma Hobby has released a new 1/72^nd scale diorama base representing a WWII US Navy or Royal Navy escort carrier deck. The molded plastic has great recessed detail; all you need to do is apply the paint.

In the Box

The base is made from injected light gray styrene and the molded detail quality is very fine for 1/72^nd scale. The size is 6 X 6 inches (152 X 152 cm). It is encased in a one-piece fold-out cardboard envelope-style packaging.

The front side of the box has some color photos of what a finished carrier deck might look like. The back and side of the box have a QR code and website that will take you to Arma Hobby’s webpage for free 3D files for wheel chocks, bomb carts, and arrestor cable mounts. This is a nice benefit for those who have access to 3D printers.