Review Author
John Noack
Published on
May 17, 2020
Company
UGears
MSRP
$29.90

This is my second review of a UGears wooden kit. The “U” refers to the fact that these unusual products are engineered and manufactured in the Ukraine. Each kit is precisely – and I do mean precisely – laser cut and etched from fine plywood. This particular kit contains two sheets consisting of 189 parts, along with peripherals such as rubber bands (for the drive mechanism) and toothpicks (used to anchor a number of the subassemblies together). A small stick of wax, for lubricating moving parts, is also included. More on that later.

Book Author(s)
Peter Samsonov
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
May 17, 2020
Company
Casemate UK
MSRP
$19.99

This book sets out to explain how the Soviets came to develop what has become arguably World War two’s most revolutionary tank design.

I have always been intrigued by the history and development of the T-34 as it helped greatly in changing the fate of Russia on the Second World War. This book goes in to incredible details and reasons behind its design and history. There is so much information included that I had not seen before. The pictures are also a great resource and will be invaluable when researching the T-34. There also a few Profile pictures are a particular favorite and great source for modeling.

I was impressed at the amount of information and history found in the pages of this extremely enjoyable book. The pictures along are worth the cost of the book. I will find this book indispensable in my library of reference books.

Review Author
Bob LaBouy
Published on
June 10, 2021
Company
Mission Models
MSRP
$5.75

Introduction

There is a wealth of information on the web regarding the various colors commonly used by the US Army (and Marine Corps) in the US Mobility Equipment Research & Design Command, commonly known as MERDEC camouflage patterns. I recommend these basic URL’s for your research. I have also attached two images of vehicles painted in MERDEC schemes to better illustrate these camouflage patterns.

Review Author
John Noack
Published on
January 4, 2021
Company
ICM
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$53.99

And now for something different – for this reviewer at least. I’ve always been intrigued with the bright brasswork of early automobiles and the combination of dark green paint and brass trim caught my eye when perusing the list of review items.

The kit arrives in a very sturdy cardboard box with separate cover in full color. Each tree is carefully wrapped, clear parts and rubber tires are packaged separately, and a very nice gloss printed instruction manual is included.

Construction is relatively straightforward, I deviated from some of the sequences to facilitate painting and avoid knocking off some of the smaller bits. The 10hp Renault engine is nicely detailed but I ran into problems attaching the exhaust pipe. Part of this is due to somewhat obscure illustration and compounding this was the fact that the pipe itself was broken during assembly. Let’s chalk that one up to builder error.

Book Author(s)
Robert Doepp
Review Author
Phillip Cavender
Published on
May 17, 2020
Company
AFV Modeller
MSRP
$35.00

The Book

Robert Doepp and AFV Modeller Publications capture for its readers a comprehensive detailed construction of a BMW R75 in 1:9th scale. Inspiration for this 112-page softbound book, “BMW R75 Escaping from the Falaise Pocket” comes from a rare black and white WWII image found in, Pallud, Jean-Paul. Ruckmarsch! The German Retreat from Normandy: Then and Now. Battle of Britain Internat., 2007. The German wartime image depicts a crew of 4 German paratroopers retreating on a BMW R75 with a sidecar attached.

Before this undertaking, several model magazines have showcased Robert Doepp’s work including Tamiya Model Magazine, Model Time, Dioramag and Steel Art. As well as being a contributor to several magazines, he has won numerous awards.