IPMS/USA Reviews Website

Texaco Bug US Refueling Vehicle

Review Author

Chris Vandegrift

Published on

May 13, 2023

Company

Hauler

Scale

1/120

MSRP

$25.54

History

Back in 1935 Texaco was thinking of the future. Commissioned to help market the company it is believed there were 6 Doodlebugs produced. Coincidentally it was the smooth streamlined look of it that drew me in and motivated me to build this for my 1st IPMS review. It was only 6’ tall, carried 1500 gallons of fuel, and featured a unique compound curved glass windshield. I think you would be hard pressed to find a car in the 30’s with this kind of silhouette, let alone a heavy tanker truck.

The Kit

Hauler packages the Texaco Bug in a stiff little box, perfect to protect the delicate parts inside. The resin is crisply detailed, especially for the size of the Texaco Bug in 1/120th scale. There were a few small pinholes that required a very fine application of filler prior to painting. A real bonus is the stick-shift and steering wheel on the PE fret that give the interior some interest as there is plenty of glass to see through into the cab.

Boeing B-17, Flight Craft 27

Book Author(s)

Ben Skipper

Review Author

Chris Gibson

Published on

May 11, 2023

Company

Pen & Sword

MSRP

$28.95

This is one book in a line of military aircraft books from Pen and Sword in the Flight Craft series #27 Boeing B17. Now there have probably been hundreds of books published on the Boeing B17, many of which I have read. This is the first one I have read that incorporates design and development, camouflage and markings, in service and in action, B17 variants, with modeling the B17 and showcase models. This book seems to be aimed at the modeler who wants to incorporate more detail into his modeling.

The first half of the book gives a useful overview of the real thing with the design and development, to in-service and in-action, and detail of some B17 special variants. The book takes you from the first Model 299 through the B17G and all variants. The camouflage and marking section has 24 illustrated color profiles that show how varied the paint schemes and markings were of B17s, including the aircraft captured by the Germans and Japanese.

Travis Air Force Based USAF’S Transport Superbase in action

Book Author(s)

Scott Cuong Tran & Nick Tran

Review Author

Rod Lees

Published on

May 11, 2023

Company

Key Publishing Ltd

MSRP

$24.95

First, thanks very much to Casemate Publishing for providing IPMS USA a copy of this well formatted and image-rich minigraph. We appreciate the opportunity to review this book!

Travis AFB almost 30 years ago, (’93-‘]96) was one of my frequent TDY locations while overseeing the KC-10 fleet as the KC-10 Maintenance Chief for Air Mobility Command. Lots of great memories in working that place, and the people are still doing a fantastic job as the West Coast hub for Air Mobility Command.

Black Sunday – When Weather Claimed the US Fifth Air Force

Book Author(s)

Michael John Claringbould

Review Author

Andy Taylor

Published on

May 11, 2023

Company

Avonmore Books

MSRP

$44.95

“There were lots of ways to get killed in the Southwest Pacific and weather was one of our worst hazards.” – Lightning Pilot Leroy Ross.

Author Michael John Claringbould begins his book with the following first paragraph of the Preface,

“The day of Sunday 16 April 1944 marks the biggest non-combat loss the USAAF incurred in any theater in World War II. After a delayed morning departure more than three hundred Fifth Air Force aircraft departed to attack Japanese airfields and installations at Hollandia in Dutch New Guinea. Not one aircraft was lost to enemy action, but over three dozen were lost to a vicious weather front. The date quickly became known as Black Sunday within the Fifth Air Force.”

US M1240A1 Sagged Wheel Set

Review Author

Michael Novosad

Published on

May 11, 2023

Company

DEF Model

Scale

1:35

MSRP

$19.95

Base Model Background - From Wikipedia

The Oshkosh M-ATV is a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle developed by the Oshkosh Corporation for the MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) program. Intended to replace M1114 HMMWVs (Humvee), it is designed to provide the same levels of protection as the larger and heavier previous MRAPs, but with improved mobility.

Base Model - Ryefield Models

Normally I prefer to build 1/48th scale aircraft, but will occasionally build 1/35th scale military vehicles. I saw an article on the M1240A1 M-ATV on line and was taken with the detail and the appearance of the vehicle itself. In searching for models I found that Panda and Rye Field Models both offered versions of the vehicle. I especially liked the Rye Field Models RFMRM5032 version as that offered the option for an open hood, revealing the nicely detailed engine compartment, as well as a full interior. I ended up ordering the kit on line.