Background

A Ram Air Turbine (RAT) is commonly found on modern aircraft – both military and civilian -- and is used only in emergency situations. In the event of the loss of primary and auxiliary power sources, the RAT will be deployed to power vital systems of the aircraft such as flight controls, hydraulics, and instrumentation.

The AIRES Ram Air Turbine featured in this review is designed for the 1/48 Tamiya F-4B Phantom II. For review purposes, I used a spare fuselage of this kit.

In terms of the practicality of using this accessory with your Tamiya F-4B Phantom II build, you would want to use it if your intention is to pose the plane in maintenance mode. This is due to the fact that the RAT would only be opened up for maintenance purposes while the plane is on the ground (or if there is an in-flight emergency).

The Motoscafo Da Turismo, also known as "Barchino" was an explosive carrying motor boat used by the Decima MAs (10th. Light Flotilla) as a special assault craft during World War II. This craft served in both in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Approximately 20 crafts of this type were built during the war. The boats were designed as a "one-way" mission against enemy vessels. The Barchino would explode once it impacted the side of the enemy vessel, as the warhead was strapped to its hull and thus denoted. The operator, in theory, would jump the vessel prior to hitting the enemy vessel. Because in some cases the mission being extremely risky, it was implied that the pilot would not return. The vessel would carry 330 kg. (728 lbs.) Warhead and the warhead would be detonated by a water pressure fuse. This type of attack was used successfully against the HMS York at Suda Bay, Crete. The ship was sunk.

it’s a good time for fans of reference books. Since the collapse of the Iron Curtain, many former Soviet Pact countries are flooding the market with detailed new sources aimed right at the modeling community. This volume focuses on the Mig 15 in service with the Polish Air Force. Each of the seven variants, which are defined by foreign or domestic manufacture, are covered. The first two sections cover the Soviet manufactured Migs, the Mig 15 and Mig 15bis (improved). In between the end of the Soviet built examples and the Polish built series were the S102s manufactured in Czechoslovakia. The Migs built in Poland were part of the Lim series which translated meant “License Fighter”. In all, four Lim series were built.