A rebox kit from Platz/Dragon for the EA-6B Prowler in 1/144th scale. For 2022, it comes with new decal markings for VAQ-136 Gauntlets and VAQ-137 Rooks and two (2) kits are provided in the box.

In the Box

This boxing has two (2) complete kits. My sample came with 3 sprues (A, B, F). When comparing the sprue count against the instruction sheet, sprue E was missing (which has extra ordnances). Referencing Scalemates.com, the molds were created in 1994. The plastic is molded in light gray and the sprues are wrapped in clear bags. Parts count is over 61 pieces but only 43 are necessary for this review. There is some flash on the clear parts but minor sanding will remove the excess plastic easily.

Instructions are color printed on a single sheet folded over. Assembly is illustrated in 2 steps.

Decals represent markings for:

TankArt 3 Modern Armor was first released in 2014 (T-62M1 on the cover). Is this book simply a republished book and is it worth buying this edition (AMX-30B on the cover)? If you already have this book, then this second edition is 64 pages longer (from 224 to 288 pages), added a Technique Proficiency chapter, expanded, and updated sections on hair spray chipping, oil paint rendering (OPR), and pigment applications.

TankArt 3 Modern Armor is not only a “how-to”, but it is also a “why” on how to use the highly visual artistic approach to modeling. This book is magical in its sequence from good builds to the painting, to hyper detailing using modern and time-tested techniques. Where this book excels is the progression with each step, letting the modeler peek behind the magician’s cape.

The book is presented logically, composing the following ten chapters:

With the recent demise of some of our favorite scale modeling publications, the stars have aligned for Andy Evans and David Francis and their mag designers Jonathan Phillips and Andy Folds. As a result, they were able to team up and put together Phoenix Scale Publications to the benefit of those of us in the scale modeling hobby. Their excellent Phoenix Scale Modelling and Phoenix Aviation Modelling magazines became available earlier this year.

Aviation modelers will also benefit from their outstanding reference book series, which includes their Airmark series as well as their Red Series, White Series and Blue Series of aircraft reference books.

The subject of this review is the Real to Replica Blue Series #3 – The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. This soft cover 8.25” X 11.5” booklet contains 96 pages of background and development, color reference photos accompanied by reference commentary for each picture, along with a color profile artwork section.