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Review Author
Ben Morton
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$18.84

Brengun has an extensive line of 1/144th accessories (engine starter carts, boarding ladders, etc.) as well as resin construction kits (US/German staff cars, aircraft, V-1, etc.) in their catalog. Most if not all of these 1/144th scale construction kits come with photo etch details and appropriate decals. One of Brengun's newer offerings is a 1/144 scale resin BTR-60 Soviet Armored Personnel Carrier.

The kit is cast in light gray resin and is accompanied by a fret of photoetch (grab handles, rear view mirror brackets, etc.) and a decal sheet with markings for either a Czechoslovakian, Polish, East German, or Soviet vehicle. The decal sheet also has six complete numeral sets in two sizes.

Review Author
Gino Dykstra
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$22.98

ICM has made something of a name for itself in recent years by releasing some of the nicest WW1 figure sets available on the market. Along with infantry figures, they have started releasing machine gun sets with crew, which is certainly an appropriate addendum to their WW1 line.

Their excellent MG08 is actually available with two separate crews – one appropriate to its World War I use and another for its later utilization during World War II. Although tasked with providing information on the WW2 version, I actually had both in my kit collection, so could make some comparisons.

Book Author(s)
Lennart Westberg, Petter Kjellander, Geir Brenden
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Casemate Publishers
MSRP
$79.95

The book is big and looks great from the moment you hold it. The first of two volumes, the book delves into great detail of the development, service, and full history of the III (Germanic) SS Panzerkorps, from its formation to the Autumn of 1944.

This unit was made up of various nationalities of Germanic volunteers. It was an elite unit that fought in many engagements from Croatia to Leningrad and, as will be told in volume two, it was one of the final defending units of Berlin.

I found this book so informative and full of facts and details I was never aware of.

The book is full of amazing photos of the men, machines and battles of this unit through the history of WWII. These would be great as reference for any modeler or historian.

I was amazed at the amount of information and history found in the pages of this extremely enjoyable book. The pictures alone are worth the cost of the book. I will find this book indispensable in my library.

Book Author(s)
Dariusz Karnas & Artur Juszczak
Review Author
Paul Mahoney
Published on
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$11.99

This was the first time I have had a chance to read/review one of MMP’s “Single” series books. The idea behind these books (more like booklets) seems to be to get right to the point and show scale plan views, photos, profiles, etc. This volume covers the Polish WW2-era fighter PZL P.11a, predecessor to the more numerous PZL P.11c.

Book Author(s)
Leo Marriott
Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
Company
Casemate Publishers
MSRP
$26.95

History

This book covers the development of bombers from the beginning of World War II, showing how the advances in technology resulted in better performing aircraft, especially due to more powerful reciprocating engines and the introduction of jet power plants. The earliest development of jet engines occurred in Germany, and they were the first to introduce operational jet fighters and bombers towards the end of the war, although they did not appear in sufficient numbers to make any difference in the outcome. However, the British and Americans also developed jet fighters, and the end of the war, and subsequent occupation of German facilities by advancing American, British, and Soviet forces resulted in a tremendous transfer of German technology to the Allied Powers, the result being an acceleration of the development of jet fighters and bombers in the U.S., Britain, and the Soviet Union.