Assembly
Lockheed P-38J "Lightning"
Gear
Aussie Eight - Spitfire Mk. VIII in Australian Service, Dual Combo
Crouching figure rear
WW1 Italian Infantry in Armor
Opposite view
IDF M109A2 Rochev
Canopy
Mitsubishi F-15J Eagle 40th Anniversary Special Marking
Curb Side
Batmobile
Aoshima's Ki-46
Ki-46III, Command/Recon Plane Hyakushiki (Dinah)
Bottom
A-25A-5-CS Shrike
Rear
French Light Tank R35
Top View
F-4J Phantom - Base Kit Construction, Part 1
Completed Models with Figures
60/54cm Morser Karl w/Munitionspanzer IV Limited Edition
Aft port quarter
Battlestar Galactica (TOS) Cylon Raider – 35th Anniversary Edition
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Front cover

Attack on Pearl Harbor: Strategy, Combat, Myths, Deceptions
Book Author(s)
Alan D. Zimm
Review Author
Tom Moon
Published on
July 4, 2020
Company
Casemate Publishers
MSRP
$32.95

The book is divided into 13 chapters with and introduction and 5 appendixes:

Appendixes

  1. Tabulation of Second Wave Dive-Bomber Attacks
  2. Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Japanese Terms
  3. Ships in Pearl Harbor and Vicinity
  4. The Perfect Attack
  5. Acknowledgments

This book is best described by as an analysis of the Japanese Pearl Harbor air raid on an operational and tactical level, using operational research methods and combat models developed at the US Naval War College.

Each chapter reviews what and how the Japanese military planners and the top commanders thought the primary goals were to be and how to accomplish those goals, filtered thru the mindset, doctrine and personal traits of the Japanese people involved.

Kitset packaging

Spitfire Mk.IX Cockpit
Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
October 19, 2021
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$40.00

As nice as the Tamiya 1/32 Spitfire Mk.IX kit is, Aires wants to make it better. They now offer a cockpit set that is intended to improve the detail in that portion of the kit. The detail is crisp, delicate and very well rendered. This set does not include a photo-etch fret. All parts are resin…typical Aires resin…gray and smooth. The parts come on either single or shared casting blocks and can be removed with a sharp #11 blade, sanding stick and/or razor saw blade. Although the resin has a degree of flexibility, care always should be exercised when removing the delicate small parts from the casting blocks as they are prone to break if handled with a heavy hand. There is a little thin flash on some parts (like the fuselage bulkheads and the oxygen hose) so a little clean up is required, but there are no discernable pinholes to worry about.

Box Art

MiG 21 MF Polish Air Force
Review Author
Tracy Palmer
Published on
July 31, 2011
Company
Academy Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$39.95

Bottom Line

A great MIG-21 build for any level modeler. Some challenges around the cockpit canopy fitting. Decals photo-etch, and resin add to the necessary level of modeling experience needed to complete the kit. If you add photo etch or resin, be prepared for a longer and more complicated build. This kit is highly recommended.

Kitset packaging

A5M2 Claude interior S.A. Photoetch Set
Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
July 29, 2011
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$19.95

Eduard offers two photo-etch detail sets for the Special Hobby 1/32 A5M2b kit. Zoom set #33 070 is the one to get if you just want to focus on enhancing the detail in the cockpit. The set includes a total of 42 pre-painted parts that replace some kit parts and/or add detail to ones that will be used. The kit’s plastic instrument panel is replaced with five very impressively detailed components that are sandwiched together to simulate the panel’s relief and then enhanced with brackets, machine gun supports and gun charging handles. Photo-etched rudder pedals are provided to replace the less-detailed ones in the kit and to detail the kit’s rudimentary rudder bar, pre-painted seat belts replace the un-painted ones in the kit, multi-part throttle quadrant and prop pitch levers replace kit parts and a radio panel face, control box fascias, levers, knobs and numerous small bits are included to perk up the sidewalls.

Box Art

P-47N Thunderbolt
Review Author
John Lyons
Published on
July 24, 2011
Company
Revell, Inc.
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$21.95

Short History

The P-47N - the last variant produced - was initially developed to escort B-29 bombers during air raids over Japan. The most distinguishing feature of the "N" variant was its in-wing 50-gallon (190-liter) fuel tanks, which extended the aircraft's range by 2,000 miles (3,200 km).

What’s in the Box

This looks like a reissue kit, the copyright marks on the underside of the wing show a 1997 date. The parts are separately packaged, the spurs are molded in grey styrene.

Length: 9-1/8" Wingspan: 10-3/4" Parts: 105

Kit features recessed panel lines, a detailed radial engine, a detailed cockpit, weighted tires, complete under wing stores, a detailed pilot and markings to recreate P-47Ns flown by pilots Lt. Oscar Perdomo and Lt. Col. Ollie O. Simpson.

Building the Kit