Kagero has issued a series of “References for Modelers”, each focusing on a specific subject. In this case, the P-51B Mustang. The format consists of color artwork, photos, and line drawings in two scales. A bonus decal sheet is included, along with color artwork in the centerfold showing their placement. Up front, the book explains that most of the photos have appeared elsewhere, but this series presents them differently. They have been enlarged enough to show details lost in smaller formats. Two great examples appear on pages four and five, one showing a close-up of the equipment behind the pilot’s seat and the other a nice view of bazooka tubes on a P-51 in China.

The X-15 stands in a unique position in the annals of aviation history as one of the most ambitious projects to ever explore the envelope of aerial performance. Flying a total of 199 missions in only three aircraft, it broke every record in the 1960’s, with a top speed of 4,520 miles an hour (Mach 6.7) and an altitude record of 102, 100 feet – records for a manned aircraft that remain unbroken to this day.

Both aircraft and engine were developed in the mid-1950s but weren’t operational until 1959. Made from a number of heat-resistant alloys and the most advanced developments of its day, the original version used a set of two rockets similar to the Bell X-1 rocket, each with four ventura and delivering 16,000 pounds of thrust. In time, the XLR99 rocket became available, delivering a whopping 57,000 pounds of thrust.

The UMM three-piece (3 pc) bending handle set are molded in black cured resin for use in bending Photoetch brass, copper, aluminum and other malleable metal sheet. It is intended to avoid scratching the part or bending jig.

These three handles are 90 mm long, 10 mm diameter and are tapered on one end in widths of 4, 5 and 6 mm. The narrow tips allow a specific feature or segment to be bent without disturbing surrounding areas not being bent. The ergonomic handle of each handle is 10 mm diameter with an rounded end opposite the tapered tip. The basic shape of these handles are similar to other UMM hand-held tools such as their earlier reviewed Shanked Reamer ( https://reviews.ipmsusa.org/review/micro-pyramid-shanked-reamer-rm-25mm ).