The Kit

This 1/48th scale kit offers two vehicles for the price of one (both are available as single kits, too). Airfix has released several kits of vehicles, troops, and helicopters deployed to Afghanistan. Both vehicles are derived from the Land Rover Defender. The Snatch is a patrol vehicle with supplementary armor, “suitable for armored patrols in potentially hostile environments.” The WMIK serves as a Special Forces vehicle. Unlike its brother, the cab is replaced with a roll bar and is open to the air. The models are shipped in one plastic bag so several of the WMIK parts were damaged during shipping. Most of them could be repaired. It would be nice if Airfix could do a better job protecting parts during shipping. There are four sprues in light blue plastic (two for each vehicle), one sprue of clear parts, and a sheet of decals. There are two full-color exterior paint call outs for Humbrol paints. There is a total of 190 parts: WMIK – 89, Snatch – 101.

Bronco continues to release interesting subjects from the People’s Liberation Army. From the kit, “The PTL-02 wheeled assault gun system was based on the ZSL-92 wheeled armored vehicle, integrated with matured weapon technologies including the Type 86 100mm towed anti-tank gun and the Type 88 MBT. The vehicle was designed to engage armored vehicles, bunkers, fortifications, and other stationary or moved targets. The PTL-02 has been fielded along with the ZSL-92 IFV and ZSL-92A APC in the PLA rapid reaction wheeled mechanized infantry troops. The PTL-02 is powered by a BF8L413F 4-stroke, 8-cylinder, turbo-charged, air-cooled diesel engine with a standard power of 320hp. The vehicle uses a mechanical gear box, with 9 forward gears and 1 reverse. Power assisted steering, independent suspension, and central inflating system are fitted as standard. However, the PTL-02 lacks the two rear propellers found on the ZSL-92, which suggests that the gun system is not amphibious.”

This book is number 13 in the Classic Warbirds softcover series. As the title From D-Day to Berlin indicates, it covers the European Theater from mid 1944 to the post-war occupation. It is basically a reprint of book No. 5 – From D-Day to Victory! Fighters in Europe 1944-'45 with some added material.

The book is formatted into nine chapters covering various aspects of the air war as described by the individuals involved at the time. While most of the material involves New Zealand and Australian personnel, their stories are just as exciting as any others. Many of these stories are told in the first person, which makes for exciting reading.