Introduction

Round 2 Models continues re-releasing older kits with their latest release of a true classic Lindberg’s Winnie Mae. The Lockheed Vega was a true master piece of aviation engineering. The Vega was designed by Jack Northrop and Gerrard Vultee in 1926. The 27 foot long Vega was constructed of a molded plywood fuselage and a single spar wooden wing, which was a radical design and lacked the familiar wing struts. The Vega first flew on July 4th, 1927 and quickly became the favorite of many veteran pilots. The Vega was also used by several business firms and airlines, having flown with 47 different commercial airlines. In the late twenty’s and early thirty’s the Vega was constantly setting speed records. This prompted an early advertising slogan, “It takes a Lockheed to beat a Lockheed”. The Vega was faster than many of the fighter planes of the day and notched 34 separate world speed records.

Osprey Publishing continues to expand the Aircraft of the Aces series with the installment of P-38 Lighting Aces 1942-43.

This book is well researched and has plenty of black and white pictures, including several images of aircrafts with very decorative nose-art or ‘teeth’ in the engine cowlings. All of the depicted aircraft have the Olive Drab over Neutral Gray camouflage scheme.

The book is divided in the following sections:

• Introduction
• Lockheed’s Hot Rod
• Get Yamamoto!
• New Guinea – The fighter pilot’s war
• Twin-Tailed Dragons of the CBI
• Mediterranean Action
• The Mighty Eight

Each section is virtually an independent monograph and the book could be read in any order.

What a wonderful and fun kit to work with. There was very little, if any, flash on the parts.

Engine

The little 4 cylinder engine comes with some speed parts and goes together extremely well. I decided to install a small block Ford V8. Surprisingly enough, it fit right in.

Chassis

The chassis features nice detail and crisp engraving. Exhaust is a separate piece as are the front & rear suspension systems. The front suspension has several tiny parts to be glued together and are very fragile. Once installed on the chassis, the front suspension is strong.