The Topdrawings series specializes in line-drawings of a given subject in each booklet. The 84^th installment in this series is devoted to the always popular M2/M3/M4 Armored Personnel Carrier Half-Track.

This booklet has 4-View for the M2 (early, mid, late production), M2A1 (early and late), M3 (early and late), plus color profiles of M2A1, M3, M4A1 (4-view color), and even an M9 in French Service.

The booklet also includes a brief description on the overall history of the AFV and each line drawing has an explanation as to what was modified from the previous block series.

If you are looking for detailed drawings of the M2/3/4 half-track, this book is your destination.

Highly recommended.

I would like to thank Kagero Publishers and IPMS/USA for the review sample.

The Aircraft

The Republic P-47 was one of two very successful fighters flown by USAAF pilots and were built at Farmingdale, Long Island in New York State. Until the P-51 came along, there wasn’t a more successful American escort aircraft and tactical bomber than the P-47.

I’ve been a fan of the P-47 ever since I found a copy of Robert S. Johnson’s “Thunderbolt!” in my high school library. This kit contains markings for 4 aircraft, and I decided to do Walker “Bud” Mahurin’s razorback. Bud was the first American pilot to become a double ace in Europe (10 victories) and wound up with 19.75 victories. He was shot down over France in May of 1944, rescued by the Resistance, and returned to Britain. Because of his knowledge of the French Resistance, he was transferred to the Philippines, where he shot down a Japanese bomber. Later he flew fighters in Korea, where he got 3.5 MiG-15s, making him the only fighter ace with victories in Europe, the Pacific, and Korea.

The Hobby Boss 1/48^th scale kit of the MiG-17 series are THE kits of this fighter plane. The kit does have good detail but like anything, it can be improved upon. Included in this photo etch set are some major upgrades.

Packaged in the typical Eduard resealable package with card stock support. This pre-painted single nickel-plated photo etch fret features some prominent upgrades.

Most of the parts are designed for use in the cockpit. The biggest being the instrument panel. The instrument panel is a two-part affair with the instrument faces having glass like faces and over that is the visible panel with its various switches and buttons. On top of that there is a HUD for the gunsight. It is a single piece of photo etch that replaces the kit clear plastic part. Sidewall details are also provided.