The Sd.Kfz 251/17 was one of Germany’s first attempts to provide air cover for their armored columns in the beginning stages of WW2. Unlike so many of their later AA units, this was not as much of an ad-hoc design, being modified specifically for this role with fold-down sides affording suitable footing for both the gun and the gunners. Germany would not provide another specialty design like this until the advent of the Mobelwagen, Wirbelwind and others much later. I’ve always had a soft spot for these machines, so was delighted to get a chance at this lovely kit.

Like the original, Dragon’s model provides parts not only for the AA refit, but also for a command Funkwagen based on the same chassis. As a result, you not only get a lovely 20mm gun on a pedestal, but a host of detailed radio sets which should prove quite useful if you don’t elect to build this version. In addition, of course, you get the usual plethora of spare parts Dragon always provides.

Originally published in 2009 as a single volume, this book has now been republished as Volume 1 of a multi-volume set. The author has had access to previously unpublished information regarding Japanese Army and Navy aircraft designs during World War II and has put together a very interesting look at what could have been.

The book is a hardbound volume with a nice dust jacket cover that has color illustrations of several of the designs discussed in the book. The book is printed on glossy paper which helps the many illustrations and color photographs to stand out. It includes not only color illustrations of the each design, often in hypothetical squadron markings, based on squadrons that actually existed during the war, but also includes numerous color photographs of surviving airframes, many of which are in a sad state of repairs while awaiting restoration.

Master-Model offers modelers three different sets of turned metal parts that can be used in place of the Special Hobby kit’s plastic parts to add extra detail to models of the Fairey Firefly. These sets are available in both 1:72 and 1:48 scale. This set (AM-48-097) provides parts to assemble crisply detailed 1:48 scale Hispano 20mm cannon in short fairings for the Fairey Firefly.

The Master-Model parts are designed to replace the injection molded ones in Special Hobby kits without significant surgery. Since the kits already have holes on the wings’ leading edge to install the injection-molded parts, the Master-Model barrels should literally drop in place instead. (Although the size of the holes may need to be increased to 1.5mm diameter to accept the plug on the end of the fairings).