Thank you to Bert Kinzey and Rock Roszak for bringing back a tremendous resource for the modeler, this time in digital format. Thank you to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me to test out this new and exciting method of researching the F9F Cougar.

Overview

This review of an exciting new format of a familiar product will take three parts; 1) content coverage, 2) how effective and useful the digital e-book format is from a modeler’s perspective, and 3) evaluation of a kit using the modeler’s section. I certainly would expect the first question a reader would ask is, "Why do I want an e-book format?" I like reading through traditional books as much as anyone else, with the page-by-page discovery of storyline or new information. I also have tons of books in my library, mostly residing on stoic-looking bookshelves. This new publication format provides many advantages for the modeler, with few disadvantages, as described below.

Background

By the spring of 1942, the Germany realized it needed a half-tracked cargo hauling vehicle for use on the Eastern Front to replace earlier 3- and 5-ton tractors. Büssing-NAG was chosen as the developer, with initial production commencing in December of 1943. Production started with unarmored cabins, but eventually gave way to an armored cabin and engine compartment. By war’s end only 820 examples of all variants had been produced.

The Kit

Bronco’s latest rendition of the sWS general cargo is of the early soft-skinned variety, and is exquisitely reproduced throughout. Crisply molded, with 11 tan sprue trees, 2 brown, and 1 large and 1 small clear tree, the kit is packed with detail – including full engine, suspension, cargo bed, and cabin. Tracks are of individual link design, and the cabin and cargo covers are molded in clear. A single fret of photoetch metal detail is included, as well a single sheet of crisp and well-registered decals.

Master Models has started to issue static dischargers in all scale and types. As a bit of background, static dischargers or static wicks are used on aircraft to allow the continuous satisfactory operation of onboard navigation and radio communication systems during precipitation (p-static) conditions. if you look at any plane, they have these on the back of the wings, tails and horizontal stabs.

This particular set is made for Sukhoi jets and in 1/32 scale. This would fit Su-27 and Su-7 for example. The set contains 14 pieces of very small (7mm or so) almost hair thin machined brass. As you can see in the picture, even the end is cupped out. Installation involves drilling out the appropriate spot and gluing the part on. To demonstrate, I used a Trumpeter Su-27 and you can see by the comparison, it is NO comparison. The Master Model parts are a world better, more accurate and look all around better.