Ginter Books’ latest book covering the Curtiss XP-55 “Ascender” is an in-depth look at one of the more oddball aircraft designed for the USAAF during the Second World War.

The book consists of 72 pages printed on glossy, good-quality stock, bound in a soft cover made of heavier stock. Front and back covers have beautiful color pictures, and almost every page inside has either multiple black and white photos or drawings.

The author has previously published a book on the 1940 fighter competition that took place in the US, and some of that research comprises the early section of this book. The XP-55 was a direct result of that competition, and several pages describe the process and innovations it generated.

The Pocket Manual is a compilation of various Air Ministry pamphlets, publications and manuals on the De Havilland Mosquito.

The book starts with the design specifications and related documents. This is followed by the pilot notes in chapter 2 and the operations and tactical publications. This last section details aspects of operating the night bomber version, strategic bomber version, pathfinding and even the Sea Mosquito. The book concludes with 105SQ operations record books.

This is an interesting look at various period publications to aid in operating and maintaining the Mosquito. There is good information for the historian, pilot and some nice detailed period cockpit photos with instrumentation callouts. If the Mosquito interests you, you will find this book to your liking

Our thanks to Osprey Publishing for the review copy and my thanks to IPMS/USA for the review opportunity

Revell has re-released a fine kit that’s sure to be a hit. It is the 1980 Dodge Ramcharger. A person can go really wild with this kit if they’re willing to change things around a bit.

Engine

The engine is pretty basic and the kit offers no options and no chrome. I installed ignition wires, throttle linkage, and a fuel line with filter.

Interior

The interior is just a simple tub design with molded side panel engraving is really lacking in detail. The kit does have a rear seat that I decided to leave out to carry the spare tire.

Body

The body was straight although the bumpers and grill didn’t fit perfectly into final assembly so it was necessary to do a bit of tweaking. The sunroof is molded into the kit body part. To change things up a bit, on the side and rear kit glass, I used some peach tinted acetate. HOK cinnamon pearl and cocoa pearl adorn the boyd.

The Polikarpov I-16 was the world’s first single-winged fighter plane with retractable landing gears designed by Nikolai Polikarpov and Dmitri Grigorovich while in prison. Service trials of the I-16 began in 1934. Several variants were produced until the Type 24 was brought into service. The Type 24 contained four7.62mm × 54mmR ShKAS machine guns (two located in the wings and two in the fuselage). Landing flaps were added replacing drooping ailerons. Tailwheel added and starboard side cockpit door were also added. The Type 24 was powered by a Shvetsov M-63 radial engine with 1,100 hp at 2,300 rpm for takeoff. The Polikarpov was produced from 1934-1942 with a total 8644 built. An interesting note is that there are only six airworthy I-16 Type 24s in service today.

I have always loved the look and lines of the Westland Lysander so when given the chance, I didn’t hesitate to build the profipack kit from Eduard. To be honest I have the older Gavia boxing in my stash but it doesn’t contain all the little extras that Eduard has added over and above the original boxing of the Gavia kit in 2001. From reading reviews of the Gavia boxing there was small issue in the original tool that involved the location of the alignment holes for the wing strut attachment points. On the recommendation of a friend, I compared the molding of Eduard’s Lysander to the original boxing and Eduard have retooled the lower wing pieces to relocate the alignment holes to the correct position. Go team! The rest of the box o’ parts were top notch and included the great Eduard instruction sheet, color painting guide, decals for five different aircraft, pre-painted photoetch, kabuki masks and of course the polystyrene parts.