Review Author
Joe Koenig
Published on
December 5, 2010
Company
Tamiya
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$61.95

They say that there are only two things in life that are certain, death and taxes. I’d like to add a third: the precision fit of a Tamiya kit. Not that this model is perfect, but it sure was a pleasure to build. After building several other brands, I forgot just how nice a Tamiya kit goes together.

When the box is opened, one is greeted by 264 parts, 213 in green styrene, 17 in gray (for the figures), 8 in clear, 10 large and 8 small poly caps, 7 photo etched metal parts, and one length of steel chain. The parts are beautifully molded with no sink marks, excepting for the usual molding seams and punch-out marks. These are mostly unseen once assembled.

In steps 1-3, the lower inner hull is built. Details are crisp with no fit issues whatsoever. I was a little concerned at first, since the usual tub is not there. But I was amazed by how well it all went together. It was spot-on and I needed no filler anywhere!

Book Author(s)
John Lambert and Les Brown
Review Author
Mike Kellner
Published on
December 4, 2010
Company
Seaforth Publishing
MSRP
$40.00

A large book at 8-1/2 by 12-inches, Allied Torpedo Boats is a hardbound ShipCraft Special of 128 pages by Seaforth Publishing and Classic Warship Publishing, which has produced this work, composed of 9 sections.

Book Author(s)
Michael E. Haskew
Review Author
Chuck Bush
Published on
December 4, 2010
Company
Amber Books
MSRP
$34.95

Postwar Armored Fighting Vehicles 1945-Present is a vehicle identification guide covering the post WWII era to present day. The book consists of 192 pages, which include 40 photographs and 200 color profile drawings. Each drawing has a paragraph with a general description of the vehicle and where, when, and by whom it was used. There is also a specifications box listing: Crew, Weight, Length, Width, Height, Engine, Speed, Range, Armament, and Radio.

The book is arranged chronologically and chapters include:

Review Author
Bill Schwarz
Published on
December 1, 2010
Company
Encore by Squadron
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$19.99

Editor’s note: “Luft ‘46” are hypothetical Luftwaffe aircraft which may have been available had the war continued into 1946 and beyond. They are broad-brush extrapolations and probably not connected to reality.

This is an in-box review of this hypothetical German fighter from Encore.

First up is the box with great artwork on the front. It shows pictures of the model with alternate paint schemes on the back. Encore has been doing a lot lately, and this kit shows it! The instruction sheet is well done, and it is both informative and easy to follow. It shows potential pitfalls during the build, though I do not anticipate any.

While the plastic is nicely scribed 9 of the 16 pieces are not used. Those used are complemented by additional parts made in cream-colored resin, including pulse jet engines; cockpit; nose-guns, tail surfaces, and ailerons. There are 21 resin parts in all, as well as your choice of a vacuformed or an injection plastic canopy.

Review Author
Bill Schwarz
Published on
December 1, 2010
Company
Pavla Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$14.95

This is an in-the-box look as well as a little building info. The I-207 was a neat little fighter that never became of anything. I think there were only 3 made. They had good performance for the day but were already being outclassed by other designs. The instruction sheet gives you a brief history as well. The kit is a re-pop from AZ. It's the same as one I built several years ago, but this time Pavla has done it justice in the form of 6 resin pieces, a new decal sheet from Tally-Ho, as well as a neat Vac windscreen! Nice job guys!