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British Light Cruisers

British Light Cruisers Volume 2 - Town, Colony and Later Classes
Book Author(s)
Les Brown
Review Author
Paul Bradley
Published on
Company
Seaforth Publishing
MSRP
$28.95

This latest title in the excellent ShipCraft series of ship modelling books focuses on the British WWII Town, and Colony Classes and post-War Tiger-class cruisers. Authored by well-respected British naval historian and modeler, Les Brown, this 64-page monograph features 60 b&w period photos, many color photos mainly of model, some very nice color profiles illustrating WWII camouflage schemes, and some plans.

The book follows on from Brown’s earlier volume on British 6-in cruisers from the 1930s onwards and concentrates on the later wartime classes with triple-gun turrets of the Town-, Colony-. and Tiger-class, the latter of which were laid down in wartime but not completed until well afterwards and which take the story of British big-gun cruisers to it’s end in the 1970’s. One of the ships, the famous HMS Belfast, still survives as a museum ship.

Cover

Aviation Modelling International (Revised) – July 2024
Book Author(s)
David Francis, Andy Evans, Andy Folds, Jon Philipps, The Senior Partners, Phoenix Scale Publications, LLP
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
Phoenix Scale Publications
MSRP
$9.99

Aviation Modelling International is an aircraft modeling magazine produced by Phoenix Scale Publications, hailing from Great Britain. According to the Phoenix Scale Publications website,

Phoenix Scale Publications is a partnership of four people who have worked in the modelling and aviation press for many years and have come together to produce two brand-new, high-quality modelling titles and a new book series – for modellers, by modellers - with each partner bringing their own unique talents.

The reader gets a lot of information and inspiration within its 68 pages for the cover price £5.99 ($9.99 from Sprue Brothers Models), postage will almost double that price. There is a digital version available which drops the price down to £4.99 for a single issue, or £23.99 for an annual subscription.

The July 2024 issue of Aviation Modelling International contains the following Regulars articles:

Cover

The McDonnell Douglas FG.1, FGR.2 and F-4J(UK) Phantom, British Versions
Book Author(s)
Andy Evans
Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Phoenix Scale Publications
MSRP
$21.99

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom is probably one of the most iconic aircraft of all time. Originally developed for the U.S. Navy, the F-4 found it’s way to the Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force. This highly capable aircraft went on to become the most produced American supersonic aircraft in history. Due to its capabilities, the F-4 also served with the air forces in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Packaged product

War for the Malvinas/Falklands, Part 1
Review Author
Fred Bachofner
Published on
Company
Aztec Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$21.00

Following a long-standing dispute over the sovereignty of the Malvinas / Falkland Islands, war officially broke out 42 years ago on 2nd April 1982 when Argentine forces invaded the Islands. In response the British sent a task force to counter the invasion and fight to recapture the territory. The battle that followed was a challenge for both sides. For the British, the challenge was deploying a force so far from home with limited land platforms to supply the effort. For the Argentineans, despite occupying the Islands, only one airfield out of the three (Stanley) was paved but it still wasn't long enough to operate the fast jets from, so they had to carry out their attacks from the Argentine mainland