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Book Author(s)
Ron Mackay
Review Author
Paul Mahoney
Published on
Company
Squadron Signal Publications
MSRP
$18.95

One of the newest titles in Squadron’s Walk Around series is the Heinkel He-111. As with other titles in this series, this softcover book is in a “landscape” format and features loads of detail photos of all aspects of the He-111.

Similar to other books in this series, there is a one-page introduction covering a brief history of the aircraft, and a short discussion of the few remaining airframes. This is followed by about 88 pages of detail photos and accompanying descriptive text. All the photos are very crisp and clear, covering about ¼ of a page each. Most of these are photos of museum aircraft, but there are several WW2-era photos that show some clear details.

The bulk of museum aircraft photos are of a He-111P-2 in the Gardermoen Museum in Oslo, which has been fully restored to its original configuration. Photos of almost any possible detail area (both inside and out) a modeler would want are provided.

Review Author
Keenan Chittester
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$11.50

If you are not familiar with the Master Model name, you need to be. They are a Polish company that produces wonderful brass detail parts that have to be seen to be believed. This particular set contains two Breda 7.7mm machine guns that are made up of a gun barrel and a cooling jacket. The detail is exquisite, and the jacket fits snugly over the barrel. This type of machine gun was used in early WWII Italian aircraft.

Review Author
Perry Downen
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$79.95

The MiG-21 Fishbed followed the series of jets that began with the MiG-15. It possessed the same characteristics as its predecessors. It was small, agile, and fast. Its maximum speed was 1,385 mph, range was 981 miles, and service ceiling was 62,335 ft. It was also a simple aircraft, making it reliable and easy to maintain. These attributes combined to make the MiG-21 the most-produced supersonic aircraft in aviation history with over 11,400 manufactured worldwide. It has seen service in over 45 countries across Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. Some countries are still flying the MiG-21. Many variants were produced between 1959, when it was first introduced, and 1985, when production ended. The subject of this review is the MiG-21MF/MFN – "M" for "modernized", "F" for "upgraded engines", and "N" is the Czech Air Force designation for MiG-21MF upgraded with NATO standard avionics.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$30.00

Eduard’s latest release for the Revell 1/48 PV-1 is a complete cockpit set which includes two frets. One of the frets is colorized and contains a new instrument panel and backing, seat belts, and lots of placards, panel faces, and levers for the cockpit. The second fret is standard metal with details for the gun turret, bottom gun, and other cockpit details, and is beautifully relief-etched.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$33.00

So how do you upgrade Revell’s beautiful new PV-1 Ventura? Well, one of the areas on the kit that isn’t bad but could use some love is the wheel wells and landing gear doors. Eduard has come out with two very nice PE sheets in this set to upgrade the kit.

The frets address the main gear wells with replacement parts, added sidewall detail, and improved bulkheads. There are added covers and hooks not present in the kit, and all is relief-etched for a great look. One excellent thing they did was to have the main piece slide over the kit’s normal attachment points for the landing gear so you are still attaching the plastic to plastic for a nice, firm grip. One other point to note is that there is very little sanding or part removal to do. For the wheel wells, I only needed to remove the side bulkheads and a little relief on the front of the wells.