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Book Author(s)
Kyösti Partonen
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$62.00

One of the latest in Mushroom Model Publications’ White Series, Finnish Jet Colours follows up three earlier volumes in Finnish camouflage and markings (2014’s Finnish Fighter Colours 1939-1945 Volume 1, 2015’s Finnish Fighter Colours 1939-1945 Volume 2, and 2018’s Finnish Bomber Colours 1939-1945). MMP is calling this book part of their "Rainbow Series." I'm guessing that refers to their large format camouflage and markings set of books in their "White" series that have addressed Bulgaria, Finland, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, and Sweden. This series seems to share a commonality of discussing the specific topic of the evolution of a countries' evolution in markings. To that end, this book utilizes many previously un-published pictures and focuses in on individual aircraft to supplement with superb color illustrations.

Review Author
Bill O'Malley
Published on
Company
Veteran Models
Scale
1/200
MSRP
$34.94

Background

(from The Battleship Bismarck, By Stefan Draminski

German battleships and heavy cruisers were equipped with seven searchlights for illumination at night or in poor visibility conditions. They were produced by Siemens-Schuckertwerke and had a diameter of 1500 mm. Three signal lamps were also provided: one on either side of the admiral’s bridge, and one on a platform at the base of the mainmast.

Veteran Models Searchlight Set provides seven 1540 mm searchlights and three signal lamps, both with transparent plastic lenses. The kit includes extremely finely cast resin parts with amazing detail, and a small photoetch fret, also with amazing detail. The resin pieces are exquisitely cast with virtually no imperfections. There is some minor flash on the parts, but no bubbles or voids. Some of the resin and photoetch pieces are extremely small and delicate.

Book Author(s)
Matt Cook
Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
Company
Veloce Publishing
MSRP
$25.00

It’s nice when a product delivers what it promises as this book does. As the title implies this is a buyer’s roadmap to purchasing a fifth generation (2005 to 2014) Ford Mustang also known as the S-197 bodied cars. Mustang fans were thrilled when this body style was reveled in 2004 because it harkened back to the sharp angular lines of 1965-67 Mustangs that established the “Ponycar” paradigm. The 2011 model year was especially anticipated as it marked the return of the 5.0 liter V8. As the proud owner of a 2013 Mustang GT as well as a lifelong fan of this iconic car, I was intrigued by what this book offers.

Review Author
Damon Blair
Published on
Company
Academy Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$29.00

The Boeing (formerly McDonnel-Douglas) F/A-18C is an improved version of McDonnel-Douglas’ F/A-18A, which in itself was developed from the Northrop YF-17 lightweight fighter prototype.

Academy’s 1/72 F/A-18C is a faithful reproduction of the actual aircraft, although the details in the cockpit and the gear wells is sparse. The fit is generally excellent, with several seams, notably around the intakes (parts B16 and B17). Be careful when assembling the sides of the fuselage (parts B1 and B2), as it is very easy to misalign these parts. One other tricky assembly is the main landing gears, as each main gear leg has a smaller actuating cylinder that needs to be installed at the same time, and the best way to do this is to dry fit both pieces and once the alignment is correct, apply glue.

Review Author
Charles Landrum
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/350
MSRP
$18.99

I would like to thank Master Model for this review sample.

Master Model continues to “turn” out metal details for the ship modeler and this one is indispensable. For anyone who has tried to work with tall thin masts made of plastic in small scale, the mast either end up being too thick so they don’t bend or too flexible if they are to scale. The solution is either wood or metal for thin masts that don’t bend, but the trick is achieving the required taper with this material. If you are not a machinist, skilled at turning wood or brass, Master Model comes to the rescue.

I was surprised to find when I opened the package that the rather long masts were put into a bag too small to hold them. This was noticeable when I removed the display card. The result was that the taller main mast was bent 90 degrees and the bag itself was not sealed. I was able to gently bend the mast straight using smooth jawed pliers. I hope this was a packaging anomaly.