Review Author
Kurt Hollenbach
Published on
October 12, 2023
Company
Twobobs Aviation Graphics
Scale
1:48
MSRP
$16.00

This sheet from Twobobs provides markings for three F-16s. The first two depict special markings applied for the 70th and 75th anniversaries of supersonic flight. The third subject is the colorful Blue, White, and Orange NF-16D Vista.

The decal sheet is printed by Cartograf and packaged in Twobob’s typical 6x9 inch bag. The primary sheet has the main markings and stencils. The second smaller sheet has walkway lines and IFR receptacle decals sized for the Kinetic kit. There are enough walkway lines for one model.

The main sheet includes markings for and stencils for all three subjects. The colors and artwork look dead-on accurate compared to the reference photos I found of these aircraft.

The instruction sheet provides four views for each subject, a paint diagram, and notes on the specifics of each airframe.

Book Author(s)
Athol Yates and Cliff Lord
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
October 11, 2023
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

The Military and Police Forces of the Gulf States Volume 4: Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar 1921-1980 is the fourth in the series. The previous three volumes are:

This volume covers three Gulf Arab states. While small in physical size, they have become an economic and security center of the Middle East.

Book Author(s)
Leo Marriott
Review Author
Blaine Singleton
Published on
October 10, 2023
Company
Pen and Sword Books Ltd
MSRP
$28.95

Overview

In this highly-illustrated second volume of his history of US Naval Aviation, Leo Marriott takes the reader through the extraordinary developments in design and capability that transformed American aircraft and aircraft carriers after the Second World War. He describes the succession of conflicts in which they were deployed. Increasingly advanced jets replaced propeller-driven aircraft, and nuclear-powered carriers allowed the US Navy to project American military power across the world. As the many remarkable photographs in this book show, wherever naval aviation was involved, it played a crucial role, especially in the Korea and Vietnam wars.

Book Author(s)
Philip Jowett
Review Author
Gino Dykstra
Published on
October 10, 2023
Company
Casemate Publishers
MSRP
$28.95

Before World War 1, Finland had been part of Russia. However, during the Russian Civil War that followed, Finland was largely dominated by the non-Soviet White Russians, who successfully broke away from Russian to become their own independent country. This situation was to rankle Stalin, who still regarded the territories of Finland as belonging to his country.

Three months after the outbreak of World War 2, The Soviet Union invaded Finland. Having already made territorial demands of Finland and emboldened by their participation in Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland, 600,000 Soviet troops crossed the common border with Finland on November 30, 1939, probably assuming such an invasion would be a cakewalk against such a comparatively weak opponent. Some argue that their aim was the ultimate annexation of the entirety of Finland. However, despite the massive flood of invaders, most Soviet troops were ill-equipped and often barely trained.

Review Author
Chris Vandegrift
Published on
October 10, 2023
Company
Platz
Scale
1:144
MSRP
$19.35

Intro

WOW, I’ve always loved the Platz kits and was I surprised to find 2 kits in the box! Initially, I was thinking about what a hard choice it would be to decide on wheels up or down. Not with this kit :D So, I love the box art for the 40th Anniversary livery and decided that had to be the in-flight version and the low-vis aircraft would be parked.

The Kit

Two things stand out, the way parts are designed to fit together and the detail. Engraved panel lines were clear everywhere except the nose of both aircraft. Some sanding and a fine scriber will clear this up. Parts are practically a snap fit I noted. A unique element in a kit this small is that both retracted and extended gear doors. No cutting and trimming to get a set to fit. And the ordnance! Wait till you check out the detail on those little sidewinders.