(Editor's note: This kit is from Dragon's "Smart Kit" line)

History and Performance

During their early offensive operation during WWII the Germans were faced with several river crossings. Taking bridges intact was always a goal, and when that was not available bridging units were brought to the front. The Wehrmacht did not have any true means of amphibious crossings on hand during the war. The Landwasserschlepper was the initial solution to the river crossed challenge.

The Landwasserschlepper was a large amphibious vehicle that carried troops or cargo internally. Several experiments were made with a barge that connected two of these vehicles together. The concept was eventually discarded mid-war as something that was no longer affordable. The vehicle modeled here is the prototype of the armored version.

The Kit

The kit is molded in the grey plastic typical of the current Dragon line.

At the end of World War II Admiral Chester Nimitz ordered the formation of the Blue Angels flight demonstration team to showcase Naval Aviation. In June 1946 the Blue Angles flew their first show with the Grumman F6F Hellcat. In 1986 they completed their 40th anniversary season when the team transitioned from the McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk II to the F/A-18 Hornet. The main difference between the Blue Angles F/A-18 and their combat brethren is the removal of the weapons systems and the addition of the smoke generator system. The system consists of a tube on the left engine that injects paraffin based oil into the exhaust. The oil produces a white smoke making it easier for spectators to follow the maneuvers.

The Ju 88 is one of my all-time favorite aircraft. I especially like the night fighter variants. I recently picked up the new limited edition Hasegawa Ju 88G-6 "Berlin Radar" version and received this latest Eduard zoom set at the same time. This zoom set features the now standard color photo photoetch with self-adhesive backing for some of the photoetch. The instructions are very clear and easy to follow; Eduard has this down to an art. All the colors are in perfect register and have a glossy sheen.