Brengun, based in the Czech Republic, is known for producing a range of photo-etched and resin accessories for airplane models. They also produce a small number of 1/72nd and 1/144th aircraft model sets. One of their latest airplane kits is the North American A-36 Apache.

The A-36 Apache was a dive bomber version of the P-51 Mustang. It was based on the fuselage of the P-51A, but with completely redesigned wings strengthened to support the added stress of dive bombing. Also, to aid in dive-bombing, rectangular slats were added to the upper and lower parts of the wings. Approximately 500 bombers served in units in the Mediterranean Theater and the China Burma Theater.

The Mitsubishi ‘Zero’ fighter was Japan’s premiere fighter at the beginning of World War II. By the time the A6M7 Type 62 appeared, the airplane had been outclassed by American fighters and in the waning months of the war, they were used in Kamikaze attacks primarily against U.S. Navy ships.

Hasegawa has done an excellent job of reproducing this aircraft. There are plenty of details provided, and nice touches such as the tape over the rivets on the fabric flight controls are there. The kit comes with a total of 147 pieces molded in a light grey and clear plastic. The fit of the parts is excellent, and I needed just a minimum of filler putty on several joints.

My father, a retired career pilot and Colonel in the USAF, passes along a magazine he receives each month as a member of the Air Force Association. Several years ago, an article in one issue titled “Life on the Pine Tree Line” captivated me. The article details daily activities at a remote DEW-line radar site on Resolution Island, in far North Newfoundland, back in the 50s and 60s. In particular, photos of an H-21 Shawnee or “Flying Banana” as it is more commonly referred to in Artic Red conspicuity markings, caught my eye. Other aircraft and vehicles documented in the photos included a C-123, a TWA “Connie”, various cargo trucks and vehicles, and a small WWII utility vehicle known as a “Weasel”. Visions of a winter diorama scene began to take shape.