The first of two volumes covering the French armor of World War II, this title looks at the infantry and battle tanks that faced the onslaught of the German Blitzkrieg in 1940. Many of the French tanks were intended as replacements for the World War I-era Renault FT, and various modernization efforts throughout the inter-war years had given rise to a number of new infantry tanks, including the Renault R35 and R40, FCM 36, and the Hotchkiss H35 and H39. Alongside these developments was a separate family of battle tanks, starting with the Renault D1, D2, and, finally, the best-known French tank of the campaign – the Char B1 bis. French Tanks of World War II (1) offers a background to the design and development of these tank types, and an evaluation of their performance in the Battle of France.

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First off, I would like to thank both Caracal Models and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review these decals.

Caracal Models has released their second set of decals for the Wolfpack 1/48 T-38A Talon. As you will see in my review for the Trumpeter T-38A, they can also be used on Trumpeter’s version with no modification. This sheet of decals includes nine separate options for the T-38A Talon.

Aerobonus has branched out from their long line of US Vietnam-era pilots and air crew figures to produce this standing Sea Harrier pilot figure from the 1982 Falklands War. The figure’s flight suit and survival vest fully duplicate the gear typically worn by Royal Navy Harrier pilots (and probably the RAF pilots flying GR1s off HMS Hermes, as well), including the oxygen mask attached to the vest, the Mae West around his neck, and the knee-pad clear pockets on the pilot’s legs. The head and arms are molded separately to allow for some variation in the pose. One hand holds a map, chart, or some other paperwork.