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Review Author
Perry Downen
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$12.95

The Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmovik was a ground-attack aircraft produced by the Soviet Union in the Second World War. Soviet sources give the number produced as over 36,000. It is regarded as the most formidable aircraft of WWII and best ground attack aircraft of all.

The aircraft’s engine, cockpit, radiators, and fuel tanks were protected by a steel “tub “designed to be an integral part of the load-bearing frame. This design made it ideal for its low-level ground attack and anti-tank roles.

The Il-2m3 (Type 3) version was introduced in 1943 in the battle of Stalingrad. It was so successful that the Soviets produced this version more than all the others. It was armed with two 23-mm Vya cannons and two 7.62-mm ShKAS machine guns in the wings. The rear gunner operated a 12.7-mm UBT machine gun. It could carry various combinations of rockets and bombs.

Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$12.99

Aires has added a set of 1/32 Spitfire resin wheels/tires (with paint masks) to their continually growing line of detail parts. Although labeled for Mk.IX Spitfires, these wheels are appropriate replacements for those found on most marks. The set features the early four-spoke wheels with typical smooth tires. They easily will fit the new Tamiya kits as well as the PCH kits and the earlier offerings from Hasegawa and Revell. Detail is exquisite…the hubs even exhibit the recessed valve stem and the tires have a realistic flat bottom with just the hint of a bulge. All appears to be spot on, as our friends in the UK might say.

Book Author(s)
Dennis R. Jenkins and Don Pyeatt
Review Author
Adam Reiff
Published on
Company
Specialty Press
MSRP
$32.95

When I was given the opportunity to review this book, I thought back to a time when I was growing up in Ohio. Our family lived near Fairborn, Ohio which is home to the U.S. Air Force Museum. My father served in the Air Force and would often take our family to the museum. The one exhibit that always captured my attention was the B-36 on display inside the museum. Having read through “Cold War Peacemaker…” I have certainly have gained in knowledge about the history, design, and use of this mighty aircraft.

Don Pyeatt and Dennis R. Jenkins have done an admirable job in describing for readers the history of the B-36. There are also throughout the 240 pages, both color and black & white photographs of both the exterior and interior of this historic jet. This is something I believe would be of value to most modelers. The book also describes the changes the B-36 brought to Fort Worth, Texas.

Book Author(s)
Matt Swan
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
Swanny's Models
MSRP
$39.95

Matt Swan keeps providing us with more modeling blessing on the 4th installment of his instructional series. The scope of this set is water dioramas and salt chipping technique. The subject is a 1/48 Tamiya Rufe and a nice beach scene, including everything you can imagine, even scale fish in the water!

Towards the end of his 3rd set, Matt shows how to build some simple bases to display your model. This time he goes into town showing step-by-step how to create a base, a sandy beach, foliage and more importantly: water. That is not all, as he will build a Japanese float-plane and show how to replicate paint chips using the ‘salt chipping’ technique.

Before showing how to build a diorama, Matt devotes some time to cover the tools and materials needed to build a diorama, including where you can get most of them and some comments regarding the cost of them.