The RP Toolz, RP-Roll Rolling Set, is a heavy-duty tool made for rolling and bending metal to make barrels, tubes, and loops out of brass, aluminum, and copper.

Constructed of heavy duty aluminum and stainless steel, this rolling set has a solid heavy feel to it. The aluminum base is machined for a close fit of the stainless steel rods. Each fits well in its assigned slot and they are clearly numbered for size.

In testing different material with the set, I found that obviously the thinner the material, the easier it was to shape. I had decent success with a .016 brass strip in making a loop, however the smaller diameter I tried to go, the more force was required. I will take a moment here to remind of the importance of reading the instructions… In my first attempts I used the diameter stainless steel rod that was in the slot, this was not correct. The instructions say to use the next diameter rod down. Upon doing so, I had more success.

Designed in 1936 and entering service in 1938, the Japanese Ki-21 or Type 97 Heavy Bomber, would go on to see service in the war with China as well as World War II. The Ki-21-la was the first version of the aircraft and suffered from a lack of armament and self-sealing fuel tanks. These issues were later addressed in the Ki-21-lb variant.

ICM has produced a high quality scale model of this aircraft in 1/48 scale for those interested in Japanese WW2 bombers. Consisting of six light gray sprues and one clear sprue with very nice, finely recessed detail throughout. Builders should be aware that the plastic used is typical of newer molds and is slightly soft.

Valiant Wings’ Airframe Detail series reaches number 12, with the Bristol Bulldog featured in this volume. The interwar period saw rapid development of airframes and engines and in the mid-twenties, the RAF found its service fighters were quickly becoming obsolete. Enter the Bristol Bulldog, which was an advance on what was then available, but, as a two-gun biplane, itself became obsolescent within a few years. Nevertheless, the type was widely exported and did see combat in the late 1930’s.