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Book Author(s)
David R. Higgins
Review Author
Marc K. Blackburn
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$17.95

Osprey’s series “Duel” is adding another title - King Tiger vs. IS-2. As with previous publications, the book focuses on the design, development, and capabilities of these two well-known vehicles that debuted in the last eighteen months of the war in Europe. While the book does not offer much in terms of reference material for building the penultimate King Tiger or IS-2, it provides the necessary context for understanding the origins and development of these vehicles and how they performed on the field of battle.

Review Author
Michael Novosad
Published on
Company
Master Box Ltd
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$33.99

History and Performance

The Type 170V made its first appearance as a military vehicle in 1937. The frame was made from a tubular X-shape, with independent front and rear suspension. The car was powered by a 38 hp, four-cylinder engine. A total of 86,615 170V cars were built by 1942, and it was the most popular “civilian“ vehicle used by the Wehrmacht.

The vehicle was also built after the war by Daimler-Benz in a diesel-powered version. It proved to be very popular based on its proven wartime experience. With some research, the modeler may be able to depict a post-war vehicle with this base kit.

Master Box Ltd originates in the Ukraine. This is my first build by this manufacturer.

Kit Review

Instructions

The instruction sheet is an oversized fold-out map style, with instructions on both sides.

Review Author
Andy Renshaw
Published on
Company
Great Wall Hobby
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$90.95

I’ve always been interested in self propelled flak guns, whether on a truck or tracked vehicle. Maybe it’s the interesting combination of equipment that makes some very unique looking vehicles. For several years I had the old Italeri sWS kit hanging out in the closet, along with some various details with the idea of building it someday. Lo and behold a new company, Great Wall Hobby, comes on the scene with all-new tool sWS. I hedged my bets and figured they would eventfully release some of the self-propelled flak halftracks based on the sWS. Sure enough, I didn’t have to wait long!

Review Author
Robert Folden
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$47.95

The EF-2000A Typhoon, otherwise known as the Eurofighter Typhoon, the one of the latest generations of advanced technology fighters. Since its debut, several kits have been released, including the Revell and Trumpeter 1/32 scale kits. While I have not yet seen the Revell kit, the Trumpeter version is a great kit, but sadly is lacking in the pilot’s office. Once again, Aires to the rescue! Aires has released a great cockpit set for the Typhoon. While the set is designed for the Revell kit, I found it also fits great in the Trumpeter kit. The set is cast resin with a high level of detail, and few, if any, casting defects. The set also includes a set of flexible cast oxygen hoses, a clear cast HUD glass, and a fret of photo-etched metal parts.

Review Author
Robert Folden
Published on
Company
Pegasus Hobbies
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$12.95

Pegasus Hobbies is a small model company that, while geared mostly towards war gaming, has produced some very nice models over the past few years. I’ve built a few of their models, so when their new Panzer 38T came up for review, I jumped at the opportunity.

The Pegasus Hobbies Panzer 38T kit actually contains two full kits. Each tank comes in 27 pieces on 4 sprues. Since the model is aimed at gaming, construction is very simple, with the entire suspension, road wheels and sprockets, and tracks molded as a single piece. Detail throughout the model is crisp, and while it may be a bit over sized, this helps later with weathering. The only real downfall to the molding is that the main and machine guns are solid and need to have the ends drilled. [Not the hardest task, yet the machine guns do take a steady hand to drill]. Additionally, there are no decals included in the kit.