The lead article of this issue, and the cover feature, focuses on a spectacular diorama by Frank Bazin, which he calls Hill 112. It’s a historical vignette of a moment in time. It depicts the British thrust of July 10, 1944 in their vain attempt to break the German hold on Caen, a month after the Allies landed in France. Bazin’s diorama captures the intensity of the immediate aftermath of the British bombardment and is what all modelers should strive for in a diorama. His article focuses on three components of the diorama - the enhancements and weathering of the Tamiya Tiger I, the exquisite scratch built figures which populate the scene, and the foliage that dominates the hill top.
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Every now and then a product comes along that represents a giant leap forward for the modeler. This is one of those products. Aires has released the Wheelliant Weighted Wheels set for Tamiya’s F-14A Tomcat in 1/32 scale
The product is packaged in a clear plastic bag that allows one to view all of the parts prior to purchase. The package contains parts for all four tires, both the main gear tires and nose wheel tires. Also included are the rims, or wheels, for all four tires. A length of copper wire is also included. This wire can be bent and added to the main struts to simulate pneumatic lines.
This bi-monthly publication provides an excellent resource for WWI aviation enthusiasts. The publication is an 8x12 softbound magazine and usually averages about 30 to 34 pages. Each issue features a particular aircraft modeling project. In this issue there are two featured articles.
Lance Krieg’s “Modelling Master Class”. Part 3 covers detailing the “Cockpit”. The text is accompanied with excellent images that illustrate the techniques discussed within the article. This series of articles will cover additional topics in the next few issues providing a very valuable resource to the modeler.
The second of the two featured articles is entitled, “Rolands in Russia”. Author Marat Khairulin, translated by Sergey Vlasenko. Accompanied by a large number of original images, this article provides a brief history of some captured Rolands and their use and eventual fate while in Russian hands.
Eduard’s FW-190s are some of my favorite models. One ‘nitpicky’ thing is that you have to cut open the wing root gun covers so that the kit parts will fit in a closed position. Sometimes this results in a less than perfect fit, depending on how well you cut them. Well you don’t have to do it anymore. Loon Models provides the two covers with the trailing edges suitably thinned so you no longer have to cut into the wings. This will make that whole process so much simpler and ensure a perfect fit.
Molded in light yellow resin that is blemish free these are easy additions to the kit.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to Loon Models for the review copy. Tell them IPMS/USA sent you. Note: Loon Models is the “house-brand” for Roll Models, Inc.
Recommended Kit: Trumpeter
I have read many reviews about Trumpeter’s C-47 kit and, although they range from good to great, most reviews seem to pick up on the errors where the rudder and the cowlings are concerned. This review will cover Quickboost’s corrected cowlings as compared with the kits cowlings.