Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
January 12, 2024
Company
Special Hobby
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$11.79

The M1A1 2.36-inch AT Rocket Launcher (aka ‘Bazooka’) is a smooth-bore, breech-loading, electrically operated shoulder weapon of the ‘open’ steel tube type. It is fired from the shoulder in either standing, kneeling, sitting, or prone position. The Rocket Launcher is used to launch high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) rockets against tanks, armored vehicles, pillboxes, and other emplacements. The ammunition consists of rockets capable of penetrating heavy armor at angles of impact up to 30 degrees. The weapon itself can be aimed up to distances of 300 yards. The Rocket Launcher has a maximum range of 700 yards. The M1A1 improved upon the M1 with less weight, more simplified and reliable design, improved electrical system and removal of a forward hand grip.

Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
January 12, 2024
Company
Special Hobby
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$16.69

The M1917 Browning is a crew-served, belt-fed, water-cooled heavy machine gun used by the United States armed forces in World War I and World War II, through the Korean War (National Guard and Reserve units had them in their inventory through the 1970s). It was also employed by over a dozen foreign militaries. The M1917 had a long life and modelers have a plethora of options for a model of this ubiquitous machine gun in 1/35 scale.

Special Hobby hit it out of the park with this mixed media kit. A bulk of the parts are 3D printed resin with a PE fret. The kit comes with the machine gun, gun cradle (with traverse and elevation mechanism), tripod, water condensing can, and two sets of ammo cans (wooden WWI and steel WWII) – one closed and one opened. The modeler will have to source a wire piece for the cradle and flexible wire/rubber for the cooling water tube.

Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
January 10, 2024
Company
ICM
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$113.00

ICM has provided this great new release for review, in 1/48 scale model of the Ki-21-Ib Sally Japanese Heavy Bomber from the early years of WWII. The Sally first flew in late 1936 and went into production in 1938 with both Mitsubishi who designed it and Nakajima. This version is the second production version and was widely used over China and for bomber crew training in Japan.

  • Six light gray sprues
  • One clear sprue
  • One decal sheet
  • One instruction guide

The detail quality is excellent in every way with this kit.

The assembly is quick and easy.

The assembly starts with left hand side of the main fuselage. There are few ejector pin marks that should be filled/cleaned up on both halves of the fuselage.

Review Author
James Kelley
Published on
January 8, 2024
Company
ICM
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$24.00

History

In WWII, German Medics were called Sanitäter, or Sani for short. In Wehrmacht, the direct medical care for wounded soldiers on the battlefield was provided by medics who were part of platoons, companies, and battalions. They could be distinguished from ordinary infantrymen by their special medical pouches, additional water flasks, patches, and armbands. They were also able to evacuate the wounded to first aid stations or collection points. Infantry companies also included non-commissioned officers of the medical service, and at the battalion level, a military doctor (Assistenz or Oberarzt) was responsible for centralized medical care. However, it was not possible to carry out serious medical operations in the battalion; this was the responsibility of the divisional medical service, which could also include sanitary convoys that were engaged in the centralized transportation of the wounded.

Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
January 8, 2024
Company
Green Stuff World
MSRP
$3.95

Green Stuff World (GSW) is a company based out of Spain. It is specialized in the design and production of tools, paints, and other types of resources for modeling, crafts, and wargames. GSW has provided IPMS-USA two (2) bottles of textured acrylic paint for review.

In the Bottle

The paint is packaged in a 30 ml bottle and comes in Fluorescent Red and Fluorescent Blue. Inside the paint has a consistency of thick paste with granules mixed in to give it texture. It is water based and can be thinned if needed.