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Book Author(s)
Dariusz Grzywacz
Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
August 12, 2016
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$5.20

Mushroom Models Publications is now offering a coloring (or colouring) book featuring classic fighters. The book is a soft-cover book with 31 pages. Each fighter is covered in two pages. The first page has the usual data that aircraft fans will recognize. A chart showing the characteristics of the aircraft, performance numbers, and armament are provided in chart form. A description of the aircraft is also provided, usually covered in a couple of sentences.

The second page features a large illustration of the fighter, with black outlines showing national markings, fuselage code numbers, and aircraft features such as landing gear, canopy framing, navigation light covers, and a spinning prop.

The Classic Fighters featured are:

Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
February 3, 2020
Company
Academy Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$30.00

Academy has re-issued their 1/72nd F/A-18C this time as a “Special Edition with limited availability” featuring a striking decal set –printed by Cartograf- to show the aircraft “300” from VFA-82 “Marauders” known as “Aflac” for obvious reasons.

When opening the box you find 4 grey sprues, one for the main fuselage parts, another for the wings and tail area, plus a duplicate sprue which comprises mainly the underwing stores. There is also a single clear sprue, for the canopy that can be posed either closed or open.

The sprues are molded very cleanly and there is no flash anywhere to be found. The recessed panel lines are sharp and thin. There is also delicate rivet detail in the different access panels.

The instructions are very clear and easy to follow; with a total of 16 steps (some have a few substeps). Color callouts are shown through the overall construction for all subassemblies and minor parts.

Book Author(s)
Thomas McKelvey Cleaver
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
August 12, 2016
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$28.00

Originally envisioned as a movie by Thomas McKelvey Cleaver, The Frozen Chosen has been released as a book about the First Marine Division and the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir. This new book relies heavily on a series of interviews conducted by Cleaver with survivors of the battle resulting from a 1989 reunion of “The Frozen Chosen”. The release online by the US Marine Corps Historical division of the Korean War Project, along with recently released from Korea, Russia, and China finally spurred Thomas McKelvey Cleaver to finish this book.

Book Author(s)
David Doyle
Review Author
Hub Plott
Published on
August 12, 2016
Company
Squadron Signal Publications
MSRP
$19.95

The In Action series should be familiar to all. David Doyle continues his update of this series this time focusing on the iconic P-51 Mustang, a plane many would say was the best of the war.

The book begins with the NA-73X prototype designed to help supply Britain in the early part of WWII. The USAAC would only allow North American to export the planes if they provided 2 at no cost to the Army for evaluation. These two became the XP-51 one of which survives today with the EAA in Wisconsin.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
August 12, 2016
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$16.95

Product provided by: Ross, CEO of SAC

The metal gear company strikes again! Thanks to Ross at SAC for sending us another of your expansive line of metal landing gear, and thanks also to IPMS USA leadership for sending it to me.

This is becoming a theme; a SAC upgrade to the basic kit plastic! The set consists of 5 parts: Two main struts and side braces, two main strut drag braces, and a one-piece tail wheel fork.

The FLY models Hurricane is a magnificent bit of modeling fun. It is limited issue, short run-design, with resin, plastic that (for the most part) fits with precision (no alignment pins), only needing a bit of practiced hand to construct. I had a few areas requiring putty, but really must rave about one part: the main gear wheel well. This is a fantastic bit of resin, and once prepared and painted, makes a great foundation for the SAC main gear.