This is the second volume of Into the Endless Mist, The Aleutian Campaign. The first volume, Into the Endless Mist Volume 1: The Aleutian Campaign, June-August 1942, was reviewed previously. This book picks up right where the first volume left off. While good, a map of the Aleutians theater of operations present in Volume 1, would have benefitted from being included in this volume. A good introduction to this book is summarized by a letter from General Marshall to Private Allen, dated 17 December 1942, stated...
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Founded in 2013, Yahu Models' expertise goes back more than 20 years in producing photo etch and utilizing screen printing. Most of their current product line consists of aircraft instrument panels.
This product comes in a clear bag containing an instrument panel, a photo etch (PE) fret for the two sidewalls raised objects, and a clear sheet is provided for instrument faces. I am really impressed at how sharply the detail is represented. The instrument panel is thin brass with raised instrument features in full color and the background color (black) is not shiny and looks just as it would in an actual aircraft. On the photo etch fret, details are full color and very crisp. Instructions are just one page and give the basic information on where to locate each item. The instructions do not indicate preparation of the kit panels, but it is obvious what needs to be done.
Another P-51 Mustang joins the continuing parade of new releases of this subject. This one from KP is advertised as a “new tool” for 2024 on the box top. I’ve had my share of challenges building KP kits, so I went into this build with high hopes. They get high marks for presentation.
You can tell when you are holding this tool that you are handling a quality tool. The blade is elliptical in shape and VERY sharp. It is protected by a flexible tip. The whole tool measures 5 inches in length with the blade making up 2mm of that.
The tool comes in a small vinyl pouch which protects the tool and you. The handle is plastic and feels good in the hand. The blade is made up of hardened steel with an elliptical shaped tip. It is good for cutting and scraping. Other possible uses are removing pin marks, making grooved lines, etching a louver into plastic, creating small vents, opening small intakes, etc. For figure modelers, this tool is great for sculpting folds into clothing. I’m sure there are other uses that I didn’t think of.
Instructions
The 20-page instruction manual is presented in Eduard’s usual manner, on heavy gauge glossy paper, and begins with a thorough history of this aircraft. Care must be taken to ensure all the different options, based on the scheme you choose, are completed. The steps are often very “busy”, and it would behoove the modeler to read things three or four times before committing to cement.
Decals
The decal sheet, covering options for seven aircraft, is generous, to say the least. All markings are in perfect register. A separate, smaller decal sheet is provided for the myriad of data stenciling. The carrier film disappears under a coat of Micro-Sol, but as is now widely known, this film can be carefully peeled off once dried. I have not had much success with that technique, and I do not recommend it. Having said that, even the “Red Tulip” decal on the nose responded well to Micro-Sol.