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Book Author(s)
Jack Holroyd
Review Author
Bill O'Malley
Published on
Company
Pen & Sword
MSRP
$21.94

This series by Pen & Sword features photographs from each year of the Second World War. This first volume includes photographs and illustrations of the first year, 1939 to 1940, and covers the contributing factors that led to the outbreak of hostilities. The book includes 750 images and photographs in a picture strip or collage style. It’s a quick, convenient, visual history of the first year of World War II. The text is in sidebars or captions for the photos and is easy to read. The text and photos are in chronological order as events unfolded

The book is packed with photos on each page like a collage, and includes captions describing the events and people in the photographs. Maps and illustrations of military movements, reproductions of posters, newspapers, and other historical documents are also included. The images are mostly black and white, but there is a 32-page section of color photos and images in the center of the book.

Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$15.95

Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) offers an extensive range of replacement landing gear parts for a wide variety of kits. I have some experience using SAC items to replace kit parts and I’ve found that the SAC items add strength to the model without sacrificing any of the detail found on the original parts.

This gear set is designed to be used on the Trumpeter Fairey Firefly kit. The SAC product includes seven parts.

Review Author
Michael Reeves
Published on
Company
RB Productions
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$17.00

I must admit, I am normally against ordering aftermarket products unless I am building a specific piece for a commission build or wanting to recreate a specific aircraft belonging to a specific pilot. I am usually content to stick with what’s in the box and adapt as needed. However, when I saw this set was available and was looking up the schemes, I jumped at the chance for something out of the ordinary. This particular set is available in the three major scales of 1/72, 1/48, and 1/32.

Included in the zip-locked bag are schemes for four Italy-based 15th AF aces as follows:

Review Author
Michael Novosad
Published on
Company
New Ware
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$9.09

Company Background

New Ware is a company in the Czech Republic that is well know to spacecraft modelers. They were new to me. I looked into their website and the text is a mix of English and Czech, and it is noted that Russian, German and Italian are also spoken. They offer kabuki-type masks for many of the popular scales from 1/24 down to the diminuative 1/144, plus eggplanes.

Their on-line catalog is broken down by scale, with a further breakdown for model kit manufacturer. Each mask description for the kit noted with details for the contents such as all clear parts, interior (when offered), other clear parts and wheels.

Review Author
David Horn
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$6.42

Brengun produces a wide range of unique resin and photo-etch accessories in 1/32, 1/48, 1/72 as well as 1/144. This wheel set is cast with zero flash with prominent pour blocks up half the wheels. The finish is slightly textured but realistic and raised lettering is not visible however in this scale, reading the lettering should not be an issue to most modelers. The tread is not that deep but visible and realistic to 1/144 scale.

These wheels are for the “legacy” hornets which differ from the “Super Hornets”. Each tire has a slight expanded section for weight on wheels. Depending on your kit, the hub may need to be opened up or drilling the hub deeper to attach to your landing gear. Brake calipers are clearly visible on the main wheels however the outboard features, holes and rim fasteners are a little blended and not that crisp compared to larger scales.