Tail detail

1/48 Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-2 "Barbarossa" Limited Edition

Left front low

P-47D Thunderbolt "Razorback"

Close-up of aft cargo deck showing cables for spars from thin brass rod

IJN Mamiya Kanmusu

Left front view

EA-18G VAQ-135 Black Ravens Limited Edition

Finished Left Rear

P-51 Mustang 1a

In Progress

P-61 Black Widow and True Details Wheels

14

Russian Medium Tank T-34/85

Gun from above

Russian AT-T Artillery Prime Mover

Floatation Cages

Battleship USS Missouri BB-63, Part 2

Finish

Mitsubishi A6M3/3a ZERO FIGHTER Model 22 (ZEKE)

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Product Picture

Bachem Ba.349 Natter
Review Author
Jim Pearsall
Published on
June 26, 2016
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$11.40

The Aircraft

The Bachem Ba 349 “Natter” was another of those last-ditch attempts by the Axis powers to stave off defeat. The Japanese had the MXY7 “Okha” which was supposed to stop the US fleets off Japan. The Natter was supposed to shoot down the fleets of bombers which were reducing the cities of the Reich to rubble on a daily basis.

Product Picture

Windsock Centenary Special: The Last Flight of the L31
Book Author(s)
Ray Rimmell; Illustrator: Ronny Bar
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
June 26, 2016
Company
Albatros Productions, Ltd.
MSRP
$13.38

Ray Rimell is releasing a limited edition volume (1,000 individually numbered and signed copies) of the ‘true story of the Potters Bar Zeppelin’. A companion volume on ‘The Last Flight of the L31’ is being released simultaneously. The cover features a painting by Ray Rimell depicting 2/Lt. Wulstan Joseph Tempest firing into the hull of L31 on the night of October 1, 1916. Ronny Bar contributes a large color side profile of Tempest’s RAF Be2c 4577. I counted 56 photographs (including eleven in color) and a scale drawing of a ‘R’ Class Zeppelin 1916 of which L31 was the second example.

Product Picture

Scale Model Handbook: Diorama Modelling 1

Book Author(s)
Various
Review Author
Paul Mahoney
Published on
June 26, 2016
Company
Mr. Black Publications
MSRP
$49.95

This is the first in a series of diorama modelling handbooks to be published by Mr. Black Publications (the second has also been released). Mr. Black is a relatively new, European-based company specializing in modeling ‘how-to’ books and modeling-related history books. On their website they also offer a small selection of vignette bases and some pro-built models.

This handbook is in the standard European A4 (roughly 8 ½” x 11”) format, and is printed on very high quality, thick matte paper. There are over 400 photos between the covers.

The contents comprise of 9 articles, each written by a different author, explaining the construction and detailing of vignette-style dioramas. The emphasis is on figure-related dioramas, and the contents are as follows:

Boxart

1/48 Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-2 "Barbarossa" Limited Edition
Review Author
Greg Wise
Published on
June 26, 2016
Company
Hasegawa
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$42.99

History Brief

Operation Barbarossa, the famous German invasion of the Soviet Union, was the most titanic clash of arms in all history. The forces arrayed on each side numbered in the millions. The territory captured stretched from the Polish border to the doorstep of Moscow. Everywhere, the Luftwaffe roared overhead. The losses inflicted by the Bf 109 and its compatriots gave Germany total tactical air superiority and very nearly handed Hitler a victory in Russia.

Photoetch fret

F-4C Upgrade Set
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
June 26, 2016
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$32.95

Whether you have the Academy or the Eduard F-4C (same kit actually) there are little things that can be added to make it an even better kit. Eduard is known for its quality photoetch.

There are two brass frets are included in this set. One fret of photoetch is primarily the cockpit sill and canopy framing.

The second, larger one is an extensive upgrade for the landing gear wheel wells and doors. This is something that Academy probably should have done better, but the photoetch parts are easy to add and upgrade the area. The wheel wells are busied up to a more realistic look. Every door on the landing gear is treated to realistic pattern thanks to the PE. There are some parts for the drop tanks, missiles and bombs as well.

The fit of all the parts that I used were perfect for their application. The canopy frame required some minor bending but it added the missing detail to the canopy when posed open. The wheel wells reproduce the pattern in the wheel well.