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Book Author(s)
Mike Guardia
Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
Company
Magnum Books
MSRP
$17.95

Mike Guardia is a veteran of the United States Army and the author of a number of military history books. His most recent book, Skybreak takes a look at the operations of the 58th Fighter Squadron of the United States Air Force during Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in the fall of 1990, the 58th Fighter Squadron was one of the many USAF units deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield – the coalition effort to deter further aggression by Iraq – and eventually Operation Desert Storm, the coalition campaign to forcefully remove Iraqi forces from Kuwait.

Flying the newest version of the F-15C Eagle, the 58th was tasked with protecting coalition aircraft from interference by Iraqi Air Force aircraft. During the air campaign the F-15s of the 58th downed 16 Iraqi aircraft ranging from MiG-29s to Su-22s without a loss.

Review Author
Tom Choy
Published on
Company
Hobby Boss
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$74.99

Notes: Missiles not included, only canisters. Instructions are vague on stencil placement. This kit would make a great introduction to armor kits.

First deployed by the Soviet Union in 1979, the S-300 (NATO reporting name: SA-10 Grumble) is a Russian long-range surface to air missile system designed to counter aircraft and cruise missiles. Over the years, the system had evolved to intercept ballistic missiles as well. Regarded as one of the most potent anti-aircraft missile systems currently fielded, it is mostly used in Russia, Asia, and Eastern Europe, though it is also in use by three NATO members: Bulgaria, Greece and Slovakia. In 2007, the S-400 (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler), an evolved version was introduced. The S-300 system is basically the Russian answer to the US Patriot missile system.

Book Author(s)
Linda Rios Bromley
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.94

Helion is a UK based company that produces books on many aspects of Military History from the Late Medieval period through to the present day. Helion was established in 1996, and since then they have published almost 1,200 books, with 100 or more new titles coming out every year, for readers around the world.

A native Texan, Linda was born in Del Rio. Linda retired from the U. S. Government in 1997, after being employed in various occupations during her 33 years Civil Service career, in which she worked in various locations, including the Laughlin AFB, Charleston Naval Base, USAF HQ Europe, Wiesbaden, Germany, NASA, and the Internal Revenue Service in Houston. She has previously written Flight of the Dragon, detailing the story of Chang-di ‘Robin’ Yeh, a Taiwanese U-2 pilot, and Remembering the Dragon Lady, first-person memoirs of many of the pilots, specialists and family members who supported the early US spy-plane projects.

Review Author
Paul Bradley
Published on
Company
Guideline Publications
MSRP
$22.00

Auster Aircraft started in 1938 as Taylorcraft Aeroplanes (England) license building the eponymous US manufacturer’s light aircraft. During WWII, the company built over 1,600 high-wing Taylorcraft Auster air observation aircraft for the British armed forces, and in 1946, changed their name to Auster Aircraft. Based at Rearsby Aerodrome in Leicestershire, the company continued to develop incrementally the basic high-wing monoplane design, eventually building a total of over 3,800 aircraft for both military and civilian usage worldwide. Auster Aircraft was bought out by the new BEAGLE company in 1960.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$5.45

One other little detail Brengun does well is VACFORM canopies for their models. In this case, you get two types of canopy closed or open.

Use a REALLY new #11 blade, ceramic since the old style won’t do anything but bend. Use your favorite cementing method. I use blue-light clear cement, it works great and doesn’t cloud the plastic.

I painted the canopy with acrylic, and then used a toothpick to clean up the old man brush painting squiggles… it worked great. and the new canopy was better than the two-scale feet thick model original, the better to show off the detail I could not paint into place.

Brush painting the model seemed best (for me) and I didn’t have too many problems. Glosscoat, decals, and install the prop and spinner.

Highly recommended for future surgeons, and Brengun once again succeeds! Thanks again Brengun for the review items!