Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
February 10, 2024
Company
ICM
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$108.00

When ICM released their 1/32nd scale AH-1G series of models there was an outcry from US modelers, why in this scale? Helicopters are not like other aircraft where there are ‘preferred scales. Airplanes typically are sold in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32nd scale. Helicopters come in a more varied scale assortment. The common thought is that they are more akin to armored vehicles so they have been molded in 1/35th instead of the common 1/32nd scale so you could take advantage of armor figures and accessories. European manufacturers, namely Revell-Germany, have released helicopters in 1/32nd but they are not as common as the 1/35th offerings. So, US helicopter modelers reached out in forums and said that we prefer 1/35th scale. ICM listened and decided to downscale their offering to the more common helicopter scale for the US market of 1/35th scale.

Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
February 10, 2024
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$10.39

A new resin detail set from Brengun to add or replace 1/72nd scale 150 gallon drop tanks for the USN/USMC aircraft for WWII/Korea era.

In The Box

There are two resin poured drop tanks and a photoetched brass sheet inside the packaging. Paper instruction is printed on one side and very well illustrated.

Review Process

The process starts out by cutting away the pour stubs from the drop tanks. This was done with a seam scrapper and hobby knife. Once separated, I wet sanded the attached areas to reduce any airborne resin dust. Next, I washed both drop tanks in a bath of warm water with dishwash soap and used an old toothbrush to scrub away any mold release agent that may be left on the surface.

Book Author(s)
Ian Baxter
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
February 10, 2024
Company
Casemate Publishers
MSRP
$28.95

Founded in 2001, Casemate is a major specialist publisher and book distributor in the North American market. Casemate offers print and digital books to the public and to libraries through a variety of channels, platforms, and vendors, as well as traditional and online retailers.Casemate has grown to become the leading publisher in the fields of military history, defense studies, and military science in the USA. Casemate has a burgeoning publishing list covering subjects as diverse as Roman History and today's current conflicts. This series, Casemate Illustrated Specials is focused on offering focused text and detailed photographs and illustrations into the weapons, equipment, and machinery of war.

Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
February 10, 2024
Company
Hauler
Scale
1:72
MSRP
$9.40

Tools are ubiquitous with armored vehicles, especially tanks. For those braille scale modelers who wish to have separate tools and brackets, this is the set for you for to replace the molded-on tools that come on a majority of the German armor models.

The tools are very tiny and well detailed.The instructions are simple, which is great as this set is an eye exam and will test your patience as you assemble the PE. Fortunately, Hauler recognizes the very real carpet monster and provides extra PE parts.Once assembled, the following PE parts become spares:

  • No 1. Straps - 8
  • No. 2. Axe Head Bracket -1
  • No. 3. Square Shovel Bracket - 1
  • No. 4. Bracket - 2 (not used)
  • No. 5. Wire Cutter bracket - 1
  • No. 6. Round tip shovel bracket – 1

Book Author(s)
Linda Rios Bromley
Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
February 9, 2024
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

In a follow-up to the Bay of Pigs' attempt to oust Fidel Castro from power in Cuba came the events leading to the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. This 37th book in the Helion & Company Latin America at War series provides daily insights into the identification, escalation, and resolution that took place from January 1961 through December 1962. The author, Linda Rios Bromley, takes the reader into meeting rooms, briefings, and events that took place during one of the most critical events of the post-WW2 world during the 20th century.