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Book Author(s)
Andrew Thomas
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
August 12, 2016
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$23.00

Osprey Publishing just released the latest installment in the Aircraft of the Aces series: “Spitfire Aces of the Channel Front 1941-1943”.

Typical of the Aircraft of the Aces series, this book is profusely illustrated with period (B&W) pictures, both of the airplanes and their pilots, plus 36 selected color profiles. The book also has many first hand narratives describing individual combats while keeping them in the overall context of the strategic situation.

The book is split into 5 main chapters, as follows

  • Defense to Offence
  • Leaning into Europe
  • Greatest Air Battles
  • The Endless Offensive
  • Preparing for Invasion

The first chapter is very brief and describes the general strategy of “Rhubarbs”, “Rodeos”, “Circuses” and the organization of “Wings” which would typically have a strength of 3 to 4 squadrons

Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
August 11, 2016
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$10.95

The fourth kit in Eduard’s FW 190A-8 series is the Fw 190A-8/R11 nightfighter variant. In an effort to fight the RAF’s night bombing campaign, the Luftwaffe searched for ways to increase the number and effectiveness of it nightfighter forces. The long term solution was the development of dedicated nightfighters such as the He 219 Uhu, but as new aircraft development was a slow process even wartime, it was forced to look for short term solutions as well. One solution was the FW 190A-8/R11 where four FuG 218 antennas were installed on the wings of the Fw 190A-8 along with flame dampeners along the fuselage sides and blast deflectors for the guns.

Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
August 11, 2016
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$10.95

The third kit in Eduard’s FW 190A-8 series is the Fw 190A-8/R2 “Sturmbock” variant. As the American daylight bombing raids became larger and more frequent the Luftwaffe searched for ways to increase the effectiveness of their daytime fighters in bringing down the B-24s and B-17s without drastically increasing their vulnerability to American escort fighters. Focke Wulf’s solution was to add additional armor to key areas of the Fw 190 and to up-gun it. The result was the Fw 190A-8/R2 which had extra armor around the engine, the ammunition boxes in the wings and along the sides of the cockpit. In addition the side panels of the windscreen were beefed up with extra panels of glass and large side panels of toughened glass were installed on the outside of the main canopy. The R2 also had the outer 20mm cannons in the wings replaced with 30mm cannons – giving the Sturmbock a hefty punch.

Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
August 11, 2016
Company
Twobobs Aviation Graphics
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$12.00

Two Bobs has released a decal sheet covering an anniversary scheme for the “Wild Weasel” squadrons, currently flying F-16s. The markings include a very prominent weasel carrying a lightning bolt in the rudder.

The instruction sheet (printed in full color) includes color call-outs in: FS standard, Testors, Humbrol, Gunze and Xtracrylics. This makes finding the right paint color a breeze.

The decal sheet is printed by Microscale and it looks thin, glossy and it is in perfect register. Likely the color density will be excellent too. As a “bonus” stencils are provided for AIM-9X, AIM-120, AGM-88, plus ALQ-184 ECM and AN/AAQ-33 targeting pods

A word of caution which hopefully will minimize confusion: the instruction sheet lists a 1/48th Tamiya for this decal set. That is a typo. The size of the decals is clearly for a 1/32nd scale model.

Highly recommended. You will have an astonishing looking Wild Weasel F-16C.

Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
August 11, 2016
Company
Kinetic Model Kits
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$55.00

Kinetic Models has provided all new molds for the Super Etendard in 1/48 scale. Upon opening the box you find 5 sprues, one clear sprue and a small PE fret (HUD and some external details). Two of sprues are devoted to an array of weapons and underwings stores.

Plastic is the typical light grey from Kinetic, with good surface detail, fine and crisp recessed detail and no flash.

Construction starts with the cockpit, air ducts and engine face, plus wheel bay (both nose and fuselage ones). There are no surprises with those subassemblies, but make sure every part is properly cleaned and square as assembling all those components could throw the fuselage alignment off. There are internal alignment points for the air ducts and fuselage wheel bay, but not for the nose wheel bay.