The book was originally printed in German and published by Vaerlagshaus Wurzburg GmbH & Co. in 1977. There was a revised edition in 2009 and this new edition published, and I suspect translated by Greenhill Books. The book is divided into 10 chapters and starting with the formation of the unit in 1940 and it ends with their last battle in South-Eastern Front in 1944-45.

I was impressed by the numerous photos in the book. You will find candid shots, action shots as well as the different equipment used by the unit. The book is basically a unit story and takes you through the many battles in which the unit was involved from its formation to its end. It will, also introduce you to some of their personnel and awards.

The book reads like a “unit story” and that is what its basically is; throughout the book you are introduced to the unit challenges during the battle and the outcome of those battles and many of the members of the unit.

Scale Aircraft Conversions is a name well known for their replacement white metal landing gear for many different scales and kits. This set provides replacement for the Modelsvit 1/48 XP-55. Besides the landing gear you are also given a white metal nosewheel gear bay roof which will no doubt aide in preventing the model from tail sitting or at least reduce the amount of added nose weight required.

These are drop fit replacements for the kit plastic landing gear and are also stronger.

I have used many of these sets on my tricycle landing gear builds. The extra strength of these is extremely helpful especially when a large amount of nose weight is required. They are always well molded and easy to use. CA glue is required, and I have used every type of model paint from acrylics to lacquer with no problems.

Monogram’s 1/48th scale Kingfisher has been around a while and it is a fun kit to build. Yellow Wings continues in its traditions of making markings for planes between 1930 and 1942 with this release for the venerable Kingfisher. This release covers two planes on “USN Inshore Patrol”. These were planes used for patrolling for U-boats right of the coast of the US. There are two planes represented: