Reviews

Book Author(s)
Steven J. Zaloga, Illustrators: Alan Gilliland, Johnny Shumate
Review Author
Mike Lamm
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$20.00

Osprey’s Duel series is a well-established line of books covering some of the more famous weapons that have faced each other in combat. The series started just over 9 years ago with the P-51 versus the FW-190, with this installment, Bazooka versus Panzer being one of their latest releases.

The books begins with a history of the U.S. Army’s development of the M1 Rocket Launcher, popularly called the “bazooka” by its developers and soldiers, due to its resemblance to 1930’s comedian Bob Burn’s musical instrument. The author explains how the weapon was rushed through development and testing, and sent them to the troops in North Africa without much explanation, or any training.

Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$20.00

Background

Denmark was Saab’s first export customer for the Draken, designated 35XD by Saab. The Danes used a slightly different nomenclature with F-35 representing the attack version, RF-35 the reconnaissance version, and TF-35 the training version. Denmark initially ordered 20 F-35, 20 RF-35, and 6 TF-35 Drakens, with another five additional TF-35 Drakens pieced together after the Draken production line had shut down and switched to Viggen production. The Danish Draken had a 40% increase in internal fuel capacity and had its fuselage and wings beefed up to allow a maximum of 10,000 pounds of ordinance to be carried on nine beefed-up pylons. Externally, the Danish Drakens can be spotted by the larger ordinance pylons and an arrester hook. The Draken had always been designed to have an arrester hook installed, but it was never installed on any Draken but the 35XD. The Danish Drakens also carried two 30mm cannons.

Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/2256
MSRP
$44.95

This is a re-issue of a first released a few years ago by Revell Germany.

This is a kit of a Republic Star Destroyer from the Clone wars era of the Star Wars saga.

In the box is:

  • 4 x light grey sprues
  • 1 Upper Hull Section
  • 1 Lower Hull Section
  • 1 Decal sheet
  • 1 Instruction booklet

All the sprues are extremely well molded and great detail; the instruction booklet is easy to follow and well-illustrated.

Construction

Stage 1, 2 and 3 is the construction of the ships upper super structure and is very detailed. I decided to paint each sub assembly as I built the kit. I used a light grey spray can primer and this was a perfect match for the paint finish I wanted for the ship.

Review Author
Chris Gibson
Published on
Company
Zoukei-Mura
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$185.00

Big Finish

So we are finally to the point of paint, decals and final assembly. I started out with applying the paint masks for the canopies. The paint masks seem to fit very well and are applied easily. I started the painting by covering the entire fuselage with Model Master Metallics non buffing Aluminum. I do this for two reasons, 1) to find any defects in the fuselage and take care of them before final paint, and 2) because I like to have an aluminum base to all my aircraft that once painted when I do weathering I can chip away the final color to reveal the aluminum underneath and it looks more realistic.

Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Cross & Cockade International
MSRP
$33.00

The latest journal of Cross & Cockade International - Winter 2016, features a tinted photograph of a winter scene with FK3 B9547 and other machines of 15 TS at Spittlegate. The rear cover features color profiles by Arvo@arvoart.com of four 45 Squadron Camels. If you check out the web site link above, you can get additional sample pics of the current issue.

Cross & Cockade International is a non-profit UK based group known as the First World War Aviation Historical Society that publishes their journal four times a year. They also provide 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.

Book Author(s)
David Doyle
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Squadron Signal Publications
MSRP
$19.95

David Doyle’s latest book continues to expand on Squadron Signal’s long standing In Action series that initiated back in 1971. This is a considerable expansion over Squadron’s Armor In Action number 36 that covered US Tank Destroyers (M3, M6, M10, M36, and M18 Hellcat). This edition focuses on the M10 and adds considerably to the material provided in that edition.

Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$5.50

Aires Quickboost has released a replacement for the Eduard series of 1/72 MiG-15 kits that replaces the kit air intake with a resin air intake. There are no instructions but this is a replacement for the kit part.

Quickboost has molded the air intake in light tan resin with no apparent bubbles. The Quickboost air intake is supplied on its own resin sprue with a thin resin attachment to the air intake. On my example there is some excess resin on the indents where the intake splitter fits that will have to be removed for the splitter to fit properly.

Although most paints will adhere to resin alone, I would recommend that you wash this part to remove any remaining mold release and prime it first. This part will need to be installed with your favorite CA (super glue) or epoxy, as the normal plastic glues or solvents will not react with the resin.

Book Author(s)
Steve Bond
Review Author
Timothy Gidcumb
Published on
Company
Casemate Publishers
MSRP
$39.95

From the Publisher: Grub Street is proud to present Meteor Boys, the latest title in its ever-popular Boys series. As Britain's first jet fighter, the Gloster Meteor has had a remarkably varied and lengthy life. But whilst many books have focused on its development and service history, the time has come to hear the personal experiences of its air and ground crews. By interviewing over thirty veterans, author and Meteor veteran Steve Bond has written an incredibly detailed insight into this iconic aircraft, which is supported by anecdotes and accounts from those who knew it best. One example is Alan McDonald who described the Meteor as ‘a bit unforgiving if you got it wrong, as many pilots found out to their cost, especially on one engine, but I must admit I got to like it very much - it was a great adrenaline rush.' Alongside these entertaining anecdotes are details of the Meteor's origins and developments.

Book Author(s)
David Doyle
Review Author
Timothy Gidcumb
Published on
Company
Squadron Signal Publications
MSRP
$19.95

From the Author: The Douglas A-20 Havoc was a light bomber, attack, and intruder aircraft of World War II. Used by the American Army Air Forces, nearly one-third of the aircraft served with the Soviet military. In fact the Soviet air forces had more A-20s than the USAAF while many other A-20s fought with the RAF. Illustrated with 192 vintage photographs and detailed line drawings.

David Doyle continues to impressive with the latest In Action book on the A-20 Havoc. This is the third book in the In Action series on the A-20, Jim Mesko authored the first (#56) and second (#144). David has done a great job with this installment and has expanded on the other 2 editions.

This book tells the story of the A-20 Havoc developed out of the DB-7 series of light bombers. A-20s, Havocs, & DB-7s saw action in almost every major theatre of operation during WWII. Used as a light bomber, ground strafer & nightfighter.

Book Author(s)
David Doyle
Review Author
Timothy Gidcumb
Published on
Company
Squadron Signal Publications
MSRP
$19.95

From the Author: Born from encounters with capable Communist aircraft during the Korean War, the F-104 took shape on Lockheed's drawing boards in late 1952. Engineered by a team led by famed designer Kelly Johnson the aircraft, dubbed the Starfighter, first flew on 4 March 1954. Known variously as a 'missile with a man in it' and 'an engine with wings' the Starfighter soon captioned many speed and altitude records, some of which stand today. Through over 160 vintage photos, including more than 60 color shots augmented by color profiles and numerous line drawings, this new 80-page volume chronicles the remarkable 50-year military career of this aircraft, which was used by no less than 15 nations.