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Book Author(s)
Haagen Klaus and Bert Kinzey
Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Detail & Scale, Inc.
MSRP
$19.99

Detail and Scale is an iconic brand in the aircraft modeling world. Bert Kinzey and friends have been putting out top quality aircraft books for decades and this latest release covering the F/A-18E & F/A-18F Super Hornet and the EA-18G Growler is no exception. Also, this is version two as the original was released back in the early 2000’s. The book is available in two formats- traditional book and electronic e-book. This review covers the paperback version. Let’s dive in and see why these books are meant for both aircraft enthusiasts and modelers.

Let’s start with the table of contents:

Review Author
Bob LaBouy
Published on
Company
Meng Model
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$83.50

Background

‘The new German tanks were the headache of ordinary Sherman tanks. The mass production of the M26 Pershing was still some time away. The M4A3E2, a special Sherman variant nicknamed “Jumbo” was thus born. It received much thicker chassis and turret armor on the basis of M4A3. It could withstand the shot of large caliber German tank guns and anti-tank guns. Later, it was refitted the 76mm main gun and had better anti-armor capability. In the end of December 1944, a “Jumbo” tank of the 4th Armored Division under the command of Patton led a unit of U.S. soldiers to break the German Siege of Bastogne and joined forces with the 101st Airborne Division. This operation reversed the situation of the Battle of the Bulge.

Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Hauler Brengun
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$17.00

Brengun has released a great accessory to add to a WWII Royal Navy Aircraft carrier diorama. This a tractor used in the later part of WWII on aircraft carrier to move aircraft around the deck.

In the box is;

  • 15 x light grey resin parts
  • 1 decal sheet
  • 1 instruction sheet

The resin is well molded with very little flash and great detail. The only issue I found was the two larger parts have large resin parts to be removed which has to be done very carefully. Also, the review kit had one of the two part 5’s missing which I made a scratch one up.

Construction

First is the construction is the main body and the control parts, steering wheel, levers and pedals. Be careful installing the pedals as they are tightly spaced. I also drilled out the holes for the parts to be installed easier.

Review Author
Mark Costello
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$99.99

ICM is a Ukrainian manufacturer and this kit is a 1/24 scale model of the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, the first patented production motorized automobile. The kit is all new for January of 2020.

Kit

The kit comes packaged in a sturdy box that once the liftoff lid is removed, reveals another foldup lid on the box bottom. There is 1 bag consisting of 4 sprues of grey plastic parts, 77 in total. There is also a cardboard envelope containing a sheet of 12 brass photoetch parts for the wheel spokes and chains with sprockets. There are no decals or clear parts needed for this vehicle. Also included in the box is a printed copy of part of the patent application from 1886. It is printed on heavy cardstock and is weathered to look old.

Book Author(s)
Leroy Thompson
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$22.00

Osprey Publishing has been providing books for enthusiasts since 1968 and since then it has grown, evolved and taken on new challenges until it stands today as one of the most successful examples of niche publishing around.

Leroy Thompson trained and advised military and police special operations units around the world, focusing especially on the tactical use of firearms. He has had over 50 books published and more recent titles include The Hostage Rescue Manual, The Counterinsurgency Manual and Secret Techniques of the Elite Forces. He has also had various firearms books published including Great Combat Handguns, and appeared as a weapons expert on documentaries for Discovery, National Geographic and the BBC. He lives in Missouri, USA.