Book Author(s)
Leroy Thompson
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
May 3, 2020
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$22.00

Osprey Publishing has been providing books for enthusiasts since 1968 and since then it has grown, evolved and taken on new challenges until it stands today as one of the most successful examples of niche publishing around.

Leroy Thompson trained and advised military and police special operations units around the world, focusing especially on the tactical use of firearms. He has had over 50 books published and more recent titles include The Hostage Rescue Manual, The Counterinsurgency Manual and Secret Techniques of the Elite Forces. He has also had various firearms books published including Great Combat Handguns, and appeared as a weapons expert on documentaries for Discovery, National Geographic and the BBC. He lives in Missouri, USA.

Book Author(s)
Krzysztof Wolowski
Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
May 2, 2020
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$29.00

This book is one of MMP’s Spotlight series and deals with the Me 163 Komet.

The book begins with a brief two-page history of the development and deployment of the Me 163.

The bulk of the book consists of 40 color plates illustrating many of the color schemes used on the Me 163 with a couple of plates for the DFS 194 development aircraft and the Me 263. The Me 163A test aircraft and many of the Me 163B prototypes were painted in overall RLM 76. Several of the plates show different prototype configurations and some of the aircraft have dark red anti-corrosive paint patches on them evidencing either repairs or places where the paint has worn through to the underlying primer. The plates also include Me 163B V41 in overall RLM 23 Red flown by Maj. Wolfgang Spate.

Book Author(s)
Justo Miranda
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
May 2, 2020
Company
Fonthill Media
MSRP
$45.00

Fonthill Media has released the latest book from Justo Miranda, covering the “Panic Fighters” of World War Two. The definition of a panic fighter relates to designs that were rushed into service, due to the high likelihood of being attacked by a larger, more powerful country (hence the “Enemy at the Gates” title).

In this book there are three countries listed as “Aggressors”: Germany, the Soviet Union and Japan. Almost all the other countries are the ones that react with some sort of ‘panic fighter’ design/prototype. Each reacting country has its own chapter with a description of their military situation and a description of the different airframes in their air forces.

Given that most of these airplanes were designs, or even conceptual designs, some of the drawings are speculative (clearly listed when that is the case) or based on educated guesses.

Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
May 2, 2020
Company
Hauler Brengun
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$13.50

This is Brengun has released 1/72 US 300gal Fuel Tank mainly used on US Navy aircraft. These were commonly used on A-6 Intruders, AV-8B Harriers, A-7 Corsairs, A-1 Akyraider and S-3 Vikings to name a few.

In the box is:

  • 4 x light grey resin main body of the fuel tank
  • 3 x light grey resin tail unit
  • 1 photoetch sheet of the tail fins
  • 1 light grey resin mounting part
  • 1 instruction sheet

In the review copy the resin mounting parts were missing and I have two Photo etch sheets rather than one. The kits still build nicely without the mounting parts.

The resin is well molded with very little flash and are well detailed. The resin parts are to allow you to make the four versions of the fuel tank used on the aircraft.

Construction

First is the removal of the parts from Resin. You should be careful removing the main fuel tank as these are easy to damage.

Review Author
Bill O'Malley
Published on
May 2, 2020
Company
AFV Club
MSRP
$85.00

Background (Wikipedia)

The Husky VMMD (vehicle-mounted mine detection) family of vehicles are blast-survivable, mission-configurable, wheeled platforms employed by specialized route clearance teams operating in high-explosive threat areas. The Mk. III is the modern single-occupant Husky model. The platform is integrated with pulse induction metal detector panels and overpass tires that enable operators to regulate tire air pressure in order to reduce the risk of detonating. As with all Husky platforms, the Mk. III has been engineered in a unique modular, frangible configuration. In the event of a mine or improvised explosive device detonation, vehicle components break apart in a predictable fashion, reducing damage to the platform and occupants, as well as facilitating fast in-field repairs.