Edward Hampshire graduated from the University of Oxford in 1998 with a BA in History. He completed his Masters in War Studies / Naval History at King’s College in London in 2002 with a dissertation on the British Naval intervention in the Baltic, 1918-1920. Edward completed his Ph.D. in War Studies/ Naval History in 2009., with a thesis on British naval equipment of the 1960s. His focus is Cold War era navies and British defence policy since WWII. Dr. Hampshire has taught at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and has worked at the National Archives. He has been featured on television and radio, including the BBC, ITV, ABC, and NBC. Dr. Hampshire's previous book was published in 2013, East of Suez to the Eastern Atlantic, British Naval Policy 1964-70. He also co-authored British Intelligence: Secrets, Spies and Sources, published in 2008. Osprey published Soviet Cold War Guided Missile Cruisers (New Vanguard 242) in 2017.
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Prior to the First World War, U.S. Marine units were generally small and specialized, primarily naval base guard units or ship based detachments. In the decade leading up to The Great War, these smaller units were combined as needed to form provisional regimental sized units for specific missions, and disbanded when those missions were completed. Fourteen Marine regiments were raised during World War I, but by the eve of World War II, only seven understrength regiments remained. By the end of the war, the Marines had established six divisions comprising 18 infantry regiments, in addition to numerous specialized outfits that were created, disbanded, or merged into other Marine Corps units.
Aires has produced a set of resin flying control surfaces parts for the Wingsy Kits A5M2b Claude. The resin replacements are a simple drop-in for the kit’s plastic parts. The supplied items include two ailerons, two horizontal stabilizers and one vertical stabilizer. The tail plane parts will require modification of the horizontal stabilizer to accept the new resin parts.
An evaluation of the parts (see photos) indicates a replacement of superior detail that will provide not only better detailing, but control posable surfaces compared to those supplied with the kit. The parts are cast using Aires fine, rigid, grey resin with no signs of any bubbles or flash clean-up necessary. The ribbing detailing appears the slightest bit proud to me, but nothing that a couple of swipes with some fine sandpaper won’t address.
Quickboost has produced a set of resin exhaust parts for the Wingsy Kits A5M2b Claude. The resin replacements are a simple drop-in for the kit’s plastic parts. The supplied items include two replacement manifolds with exhaust pipes.
A side by side evaluation (see photos) with the kit parts indicates a replacement of superior detail that will provide a more accurate exhaust system than those supplied with the kit (particularly if posing the engine area exposed). The parts are cast in fine, semi-rigid grey resin with no signs of any bubbles or flash clean-up necessary.
As with any resin parts, be sure to wash thoroughly and rinse of any mold release before priming (a must for any/all resin). Use your favorite metallic paint to create a well-rendered exhaust for your Claude.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to the IPMS Reviewer Corps and Quickboost for the opportunity to review this item.
Coastalkits from the UK has produced a line of model display bases in various designs, shapes and scales from grass airfields to modern hardscapes. This particular design is a rectangular replica of typical concrete hangar floor and photo backdrop of a hangar wall and bi-parting door. The dimensions are 420mm X 297mm X 420mm (about 12 X 16-1/2 inches) and is suitable for small to medium sized 1/48 scale aircraft.