Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
January 23, 2023
Company
Arma Hobby
Scale
1:72
MSRP
$28.00

I know what you’re thinking, does the world need another P-51 Mustang model? In the case of the ARMA P-51B kit the answer is YES! If you love the Mustang like I do, you must build one of these kits. ARMA has created detail fidelity in this scale that I’ve not seen in scales much larger. The cockpit is a model in itself and includes decals for all the placards. Capping it are standard canopy and Malcom hoods that allow open or closed positions and the rails for Malcolm hood are included, a feature no P-51B model I'm aware of has ever done.

Decals options are provided for four aircraft including “Old Crow” one of Clarence “Bud” Andersons early Mustangs. One additional scheme is provided in the instructions for Captain John Pugh's “Geronimo”, with a checked nose that was later removed. Two frames of grey plastic hold all the parts of the kit.

Review Author
Eric Christianson
Published on
January 23, 2023
Company
Vargas Scale Models
Scale
1:35
MSRP
$84.50

Vargas Models, a prolific maker of extraordinary resin, 3-D printed, limited-run armor models is back with another unusual subject; the Fiat 2000 Carro Armata or ‘heavy tank’. The Fiat 2000 was Italy’s first tank ever developed, with the first prototype displayed in mid-1917, and the final production prototype unveiled the following year.

The FIAT 2000 was a substantial vehicle, of comparable dimensions to the British Mark V tanks, and weighing 40 tons as compared to the Mark V's 28 tons, making it ‘technically’ the heaviest tank of World War I, although it never saw combat.

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
January 23, 2023
Company
Beemax Model Kits

This set provides upgrades to the Porsche 935 K2 78 LM kit # BX24025 from Beemax. It includes a steel fret of metal parts including screens, wing and air deflectors, window straps and clips, seat belt hardware, brake rotor faces, fuel and oil flaps, windshield wiper and panel hold down pins. A strip of fabric for seat harnesses and turned metal ferules for jack connector and antenna, complete with antenna wire, round out the package.

Book Author(s)
David Doyle
Review Author
Hub Plott
Published on
January 23, 2023
Company
David Doyle Books
MSRP
$19.99

David Doyle is well known to historians and modelers alike, with over 200 books to his credit. His Legends of Warfare series covers many of the important machines used in warfare. This latest volume is for the Northrup P-61 Black Widow. The P-61 was the first US purpose designed night fighter. Comparison in size to a medium bomber and with its twin-boom design the P-61 was a very distinctive design and popular with aviation enthusiasts and modelers alike. Monogram Models often said it was their very best selling 1/48 scale model. Hopefully soon the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum will have their P-61 back in the air.

The book is broken down into seven chapters. Chapter one covers the XP and YP-61, Chapter two covers the P-61A, Chapter three the “B” model. Chapter four the “C” model. Chapter five covers the XP-62D. Chapter six covers the XP-61E. The final chapter covers the F-15A Reporter.

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
January 23, 2023
Company
Beemax Model Kits
MSRP
$32.00

A presence on the racing scene from 1976 to 1981 when FIA rules changes finished their run, the Porsche 935 series of race cars won about a third of the all the races they entered. This car, a 935 K2 series fielded by the Porsche-Kremer racing team ran the 1978 Le Mans race finishing 25th. Kremer would go on to win Le Mans in 1979 with a 935 K3. These cars were powered by flat six 3 to 3.3 liter twin turbo charged engines producing over 700 hp. Based on the 911 body, numerous aerodynamic improvements made these cars serious contenders.

The Beemax kit is a reissue of a Platz kit. The parts are molded in black, white, clear and chrome. Masks are provided for the glass as are rubber tires and mesh for the rear wing vents. Two styles of wheels are provided as are the brake vent disks used by many 935s. Three decal sheets, detailed instructions and a color decal guide round out the kit. Quality of the parts are top notch as is the fit of the parts.