I had been kicking around the idea of purchasing some sets of white metal landing gear from Scale Aircraft Conversions for a while to go with some of the kits that I have in my stash. The idea of being able to put a heavier model on sturdy gear is very appealing to me. So when the opportunity presented itself, I figured that I would give it a shot.

What you get with the replacement landing gear is one full set of main landing gear (right and left) and a tail wheel produced in white metal.

This special issue of Model Art Modeling Magazine has two features that cover the genealogy of Japanese submarine depot ships and the history of Japanese escort vessels. There are two other smaller articles included. One is titled “Lets make the Special naval review of the Imperial Japanese Navy on Japanese Imperial reign 2600 ceremony,” and an article titled “Revell Archives.”

In the first feature, “Genealogy of Japanese Submarine Depot Ships,” there are several articles that cover the available model kits of these vessels. Also included are period photos and line drawings of these ships with what seems to be a description or history (here’s where the lack on my part of being able to read Japanese to know exactly what this section deals with). The last part of the feature is a conversion of Hasegawa’s 1/350 Hikawa-Maru to the Auxiliary Submarine Depot Ship Heian-Maru. This section finishes out with a poster of what appears to the Submarine Depot Ship Taigei.

History

The Sonderkraftfahrzeng 8 was a German half-track that saw wide spread use during World War II. Its prime purpose was to tow heavy guns. Approximately 4,000 units were built between 1938 and 1945. It fought in many campaigns, mainly Eastern Front, North Africa, Normandy, and many more.