The book is volume 34 of Helion & Company’s Middle East @ War series and, as noted in the title, is the second volume of its coverage of Czechoslovak Arms Exports to the Middle East focusing on arms exports to Syria between 1948 and 1989.

Starting in the mid-1950’s and continuing up to the collapse of the Eastern Bloc in 1989, Syria was one of the prime customers of the Czech arm industries, particularly as successive coups resulting in Syrian politics becoming dominated by leftists and communists over the years. Initial deliveries were Panzer IV’s and StuG III’s manufactured or overhauled in Czechoslovakian factories, but as Soviet influence grew in Syria, Syrian began requesting more modern equipment or equipment of Soviet origin and in ever increasing quantities, often playing the Soviet Union against Czechoslovakia to see who they could get the better deal from.

The book presents Operation Zitadelle-Operation Citadel- from the German side. This was the German offensive operation in July 1943 against the Soviet forces in the Kursk salient during World War II in the Eastern Front. This operation basically started the Battle of Kursk. It is considered as the biggest tank battle that has ever taken place.

Thank you Bill & Phil for all you do for the Reviewers!

The set is part of a new line of 3D printed 1/35 scale accessories. The Luftschutz helmet set contains two 3D printed helmets, one decal sheet and photo etch straps.

The helmets are exceedingly well detailed and show no evidence of being 3D printed, i.e., print lines, support fingers, etc. The helmet surface is smooth as glass and requires no sanding.

The decal sheet provides markings for four variations: German Luftschutz, Prague Uprising 1945—two versions, and the Warsaw Uprising 1944.

Assembly was very easy. To begin, I primed the surface with Tamiya Fine Surface Primer. Next, I painted a base coat of Mission Models anthracite paint. When dry, I clear coated the helmets. I painted the interior webbing using light brown/leather paint.