A big “thanks” to the distributors Casemate Publishing for providing IPMS USA this compact encyclopedia of the first fully-supersonic fighter in Europe with the United States Air Force. We fully appreciate your support!

This book is not to be overlooked by anyone who has even a fleeting interest in “Hun” operations in Europe. It is a definitive work in that the time period addressed was one of Cold war operations before USAFE congealed into the large force on the continent and UK most of those associate with the 1970-90 time period. Libya was a major training location for F-100 operations, and as the aircraft were phased out to be replaced with more modern tools of aerial warfare, so too were the continually changing political fields of potential conflict.

General

I rarely build 1/72 armor now, but this is a kit of the M60A1, which I commanded while serving in the US Army. I never operated this version, but it will add another variant to my collection. Academy has produced a 1/72 version of their previous 1/35 USMC M60A1 MBT as deployed by the USMC in DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM in 1990/91. The sprues are arranged differently than their 1/35 version of the same vehicle. It is very nicely detailed, there was no flash, mold seams were minimal and easily removed as the plastic is easy to sand. Parts fit, with a few exceptions, such as the road wheel arms to the underside of the hull, is excellent and very little filling was required. Filling large gaps in the lower hull above the final drives and the underside of the fender mounted sponson boxes (see photo #15) was necessary.

Hauler is well known for its detail and this set does not disappoint. This set is designed to give 1/72 US armor (and soft skins) the next level with resin tools and PE tool clamps to replace the preponderance of molded on tools on vehicles in this scale.

In 1/72 scale, this is a small detail set, with the PE fret coming in at 0.75” x 1”. There are seven tools (pick, axe, sledgehammer, tanker bar, tank track adjusting wrench, handle, and shovel) with associated clamps and tie downs. The tie downs are tiny and can easily be sacrificed to the carpet monster. Fortunately, Hauler has you covered with a spare of each of the tool clamps (Parts nos. 1-5) and ten spare tool tie downs. The tank track adjusting wrench is not referenced in the instructions, but quick research indicates it is secured by two tie downs.

I’ll be honest, I never expected a Great War balloon kit and boy was I surprised to see this kit up for review. The kit consists of a small sprue of polystyrene parts, a left and right balloon halve (polystyrene), a sheet of photoetch balloon basket lines and a decal sheet. Oh, the best part for those of you how enjoy making dioramas, the kit includes a set of 40 each 3D printed figures in various poses. Wow! You will probably need to take advantage included polystyrene model stand.

Construction is very straight-forward beginning with the two balloon halves. I found the molding very well done and the fit was very good as well. The plastic of the two balloon halves is quite thick, but I think that helps in the grand scheme of things. Even with the great fit, it will be necessary to a little work seam joint. A little extra attention will be necessary at both ends of the balloon where there appears to be extra panels to strengthen the fabric panel seams.

Detail and Wonder has issued a replacement and highly detailed landing gear set for Tamiya’s 1/48^th F-14A. The set includes a complete set of wheels, both main and nose along with separate hubs. a bag of metal supports and three 3D Printed landing gear- left, right and nose gear.