Review Author
Roger Carrano
Published on
November 13, 2010
Company
Dragon Models
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$99.95

Part 1. First Look

Before I get onto reviewing this model, I would like to give a little background information about this aircraft.

The Messerschmitt Bf110 served in the Luftwaffe throughout WWII. Even though it wasn’t very popular with the German pilots at that time it was developed into a successful night fighter, in spite of its poor handling characteristics. Later on it was found that it would make a great night-fighter and then became the backbone of the German Luftwaffe night fighter wing of WWII. Some of these units were formed as early as 1940.

In August/September 1943, Bf110 aircraft shot down over 2700 RAF bombers. Also, in just one night without fighter cover, these aircraft destroyed at least 120 RAF bombers. The Bf110D was a long-range heavy fighter and/or fighter-bomber, while the improved and up-armored Bf110E was designed primarily as a fighter-bomber.

Review Author
Fred Amos
Published on
November 13, 2010
Company
Hasegawa
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$48.00

The Nakajima Ki-27 “Nate” was a successful low-wing monoplane, all metal fighter design used by the Empire of Japan throughout World War II. Conceived of as a private venture design by the Nakajima Corporation, the Ki-27 was soon debuted and accepted by the Japanese Army. It was the equivalent of the Navy A5M.

If I recall correctly, when Hasegawa first produced this kit it was Kit # 001, so that leads me to believe the Ki-27 was the first 1/48 kit produced by Hasegawa. I could be wrong so don’t quote me on it.

Book Author(s)
Thomas J. Kowalski
Review Author
Charles Landrum
Published on
November 12, 2010
Company
Kagero Publishing
MSRP
$27.99

I am tempted to re-title this book "Albatros D.I - D.Va: Legendary Polish Fighter" because it really takes a more Eastern European perspective on this iconic family of aircraft. This is refreshing because too often books on WWI German aircraft present a Western Front perspective. The Eastern Front was a different theater with differing imperatives, challenges and solutions. Complicating the war effort was the polyglot force that made up the Austrian-Hungarian military forces, of which Poland was a part.

The book takes a narrative approach to the subject, being more about the stories than technical specifications while still including the latter. It covers all of the Albatros fighters including: D.1, D.II, D.III, D.III Oeffag, D.V, D.Va, Dr.II and W.4. But the emphasis really is on the most successful aircraft - the D.III (including the Oeffag built version) and the D.V. The chapter organization is as follows:

Book Author(s)
Mark Stille, Illustrated by Howard Gerrard
Review Author
Ken Williams
Published on
November 10, 2010
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$19.95

Contents

  • Origins of the campaign
  • Chronology
  • Opposing commanders
  • Opposing fleets
  • Opposing plans
  • The battle of Midway
  • The aftermath
  • Further reading
  • Index

Mark Stille has written a masterful work in this latest of Osprey’s offerings on the famous battle of Midway. The original book, now available in paperback, was written by Mark Healy. Published in 1994, the original was titled the same as Stille’s work. However, it cannot match this latest version in the areas of concise analysis and excellent illustrations.

Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
November 9, 2010
Company
Polar Lights
Scale
1/87
MSRP
$27.99

For fans of the “Psycho” movies that starred Anthony Hopkins as “Norman Bates”, this kit will bring back some fond or not so fond memories. This kit arrived just as my favorite time of year started, as I decorate for Halloween like no other holiday. I was also fortunate enough to have one of the movie channels recently run “Psycho”, “Psycho II”, and “Psycho III”, which provided good references for how to paint the house. When first released, this was a new kit made by Polar Lights, and it does a nice job of capturing the look and feel of the Bates mansion of the original “Psycho” movies (the remake with Vince Vaughn has a completely different house).