Each issue of SAM follows a basic design and format. There are usually two Feature Articles, an Aviation in Profile piece, and a series of Compact Build Reviews. In this issue, the first Feature Article is by Marco Preto, who builds and reviews Meng’s Me-410B-2/U4 in 1/48th scale. This article is a must-read for anyone who is going to tackle the Meng kit, a kit that Mr. Preto highly recommends. Along with an outstanding set of images showing Marco’s kit in progress (and completed), he also provides a list of paints and weathering supplies that he used to the outstanding results one sees in the article.

The second Feature Article, on the Supermarine Attacker, was written by Assistant Editor Karl Robinson. Karl’s article highlights the paint selections he made to produce this tail dragger. Karl also indicates that the incredible results he obtained on the panel lines and seams were accomplished with MIG Productions Neutral Wash.

Many, many thanks to Mr. Hideyuki Shigeta for honoring me with the privilege of building the Super Wing Series He-219 Uhu (Eagle Owl) model kit for public review as an IPMS Reviewer Corps representative. I am deeply appreciative of the trust and confidence shown in me by both Mr. Shigeta and the IPMS Reviewer staff.

The Heinkel 219 Uhu was a highly effective but under-used Luftwaffe night fighter with a variety of innovations including obliquely firing guns and the first operational ejection seats. An excellent summary of the Uhu’s history may be found on the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s webpage, along with restoration photographs of the Uhu in the Museum’s collection.

One of the criticisms I've read about the 1/72 scale Airfix Spitfire Mk.22 is the cannons are not quite the right shape or length. Apart from this deficiency, the Airfix Spitfire is an excellent kit and a great value for your money.

If you want to improve this model's looks and accuracy, however, Quickboost has a remedy. Their replacement resin cannons are drop-ins for the original kit pieces. Based on photos I saw, they capture the shape and size of the real thing. The kit's outboard cannons are too short, both barrels seem too bulbous, and both have an out of scale extension on the tip. Also, the resin replacements have no seam lines to eliminate – a definite plus, since the kit parts have large sprue gates. Smoothing out these sprue attachment points presents the possibility of deforming the circular barrels. Overall, the Quickboost cannon barrels look more refined and in scale. Check out the photos to see what I mean.