The Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR (which stands for American Club Racer) is the latest Viper from the Dodge Boys built for hard core street and race enthusiasts. The ACR comes equiped fron the factory with a built for racing aluminum 8.4 litre V10 rated at 600 horse power. Additionally it comes equipped with Brembo discs brakes all around the size of pizza pans; creature comforts include a 310 watt 7 speaker sound system and a 220 MPH speedometer…all for a MSRP of $110,055. This Viper ACR is no longer in production but it is certain to be a collector’s item in the future.
Volume 26, No.5 of Windsock Worldwide is further proof that Albatross Productions churns out some of the best WW I publications to be found anywhere. This issue of Windsock’s bi-monthly magazine delivers a substantial amount of exclusives for WW I aircraft model builders and historians. The cover photos provide a look of two of them: A full size flying replica of a Fokker Dr .1 and the framework of an incredibly detailed 1/16 scale Sopwith Camel.
Introduction
The Valentine tank was designed by Vickers-Armstrong as a private venture and was offered to the British War Department in 1938. Production for the Valentine started in 1939 with an initial order for 250 tanks. Eventually more than 8,000 Valentines in 11 different marks as well as various purpose-built types were produced, accounting for approximately 25% of British wartime tank production. Over the length of the war it was produced in several variants including the Archer ATG with a 17pdr and the Bishop SPG with the 25pdr. The Valentine saw service on several fronts including North Africa, Italy, NWE and the Far East.
One item that is the curse of all figure painters is that molded insignias and badges on the figures are way out of scale. They are usually raised and if in scale, they would stick out about an inch or more. Now, Authentic Decals has produced a set of decals for modern US soldiers with insignia, rank and regiment badges. With this release one would think that their prayers were answered. Unfortunately they were not with this set.
I realize that the modern US soldier does not have the colorful badges and insignia that were seen in WW II, but these are all monochromatic. Not only that, they are too small for 1/35 scale. I would also note that the regiment badges seem to be out of register.
There is only one set of each rank so if you screw up one, you will have to change the rank of the figure. The decals are so small that it is hard to distinguish one from another. They are numbered on the decal sheet, but there is no other reference as to which one is which.
First, thanks to Pavla for first producing and then providing this kit to IPMS/USA for review; your excellent products continue to amaze me!
This is an extremely simple kit; yet it has complexity in the fact that it is a limited production item and therefore has ejection pin towers for cleanup. Fortunately these are all on the inside of the kit parts… it also has extremely small photoetch; be forewarned if you are an old guy like me. The overall presentation is excellent; I had little or no issues with getting things in place. The instructions are basic diagrams, showing where everything is supposed to go. I caused a minor problem in that the rear cockpit needed to be installed a bit higher than I installed it, as there are no locating pins or rails. The kit contains a runner of parts, one Photoetch fret, two excellent clear canopies, and a decal sheet with optional Luftwaffe and Soviet “captured aircraft” markings.