Whenever “Kursk” is mentioned, my thoughts turn to the massive tank battles that took place between the German and Soviet armies in July/August 1943. This book reminds us above that battlefield, a fierce air campaign was also taking place. After their disastrous defeat at Stalingrad in February 1943, the German High Command believed the Soviets, despite their victory, had been gravely wounded and unable to replace lost men and equipment. Thus, they planned a large summer offensive aimed at a narrow front near the town of Kursk, located about 250 miles south of Moscow. The code name for this plan was “Zitadelle.”

Punch & die sets are one of those tools that you don’t think too much about until one day when you need it. Then once you have one, you wonder how you ever did without it. Roll Models now offers the familiar Waldron set containing a punch guide and six punches in the following sizes:

.160”, .120”, .089”, .081”, .059”, and .039”

Quickboost is striving mightily to make enough sets for a modeler to make a perfect Spitfire Mk.IX, if that is possible. The latest by their own definition is a 1/72 scale engine cover with radiator. What you actually have is the lower engine cover with carburetor intake. The part is perfectly cast in Quickboost fine grain resin and it only took me a few minutes using a razor saw, snips and a sanding block to remove the casting gate.