Allan Murrell
Reviews By Author
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Baggage CartsPublished:
Hauler has provided another addition to their great Diorama releases. This is two Baggage Carts (Wire Mesh Containers) for use anywhere. They are like ones used at Airports, Train stations, in factories etc. The detail quality is great; The parts are very delicate parts that need careful removal and added to the assembly. You can build two complete assemblies with this kit. The kit contains One Photo etch sheet, eight resin wheels and an instruction sheet. The Assembly is quick and easy with no real issues, as long as you are experienced with Photo Etch parts. The final part is painting which is free for you to do as you please. I chose a medium grey as used at most post war airports around Europe. Thanks go to Hauler for providing this kit to… more |
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Douglas D-558: D-558-1 Skystreak and D-558-2 SkyrocketPublished:
This is the 12th book in the X Planes Series and covers the Douglas D-558-1 Skystreak plus the D-558-2 Skyrocket. The book covers the full development of the Skystreak and Skyrocket and the history of the testing and progress they made. The book chapters are:
There are lots of great images in the book which has 80 pages. The development stages and aircraft variations are very well done. Every detail and stages is covered in great depth. What I found very interesting is the amount of information from the human side and… more |
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Scale Ruler MMR 35Published:
Masterpiece Models has provided a useful tool – a 1/35 scale ruler. This is one of a series that also includes 1/72, 1/48, and 1/32 scale. These cover all the major model kit scales. They are made from acrylic sheet, 6 inches long, 1/16th thick, and laser engraved. This is a very useful tool when modelling and can be used for checking part are too scale, for scratch building kit parts, and diorama parts. The ruler is clear which also makes it easier to use and see what your measuring. I will now source the other rulers in the series as I can see so many uses for these. Thanks go to Masterpiece Models for providing this tool for review and IPMS USA for allowing me to review it. |
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Fokker F27 FriendshipPublished:
Italeri have re-released this 1991 kit with new decals the decal options include three airlines - Air UK (1985) Canyon Eagle Airlines 1998 and Schreiner Airways (1966). The twin-engine Fokker F-27 was designed during the fifties by the Dutch Aircraft Manufacturer to provide a successor to the old DC-3 that were still in service since the second world war. It was a great commercial success for airlines and military use. In the box is:
The kit consists of 4 main sprues, very well molded with very little flash but a few large ejector pin marks on some parts. I decided that I would build… more |
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Chieftain British Cold War Main Battle TankPublished:
This is another book in the Tank Craft series which details tanks and also covers model kits and accessories to build the tanks covered in the book. This book covers the Chieftain a British Cold War main battle tank. The Chieftain was designed in the late 1950’s as the replacement for the successful Centurion tank. It was believed to be the best tank in service with the NATO allies during the 1960’s and 70’s. I found this book contains so much detailed information and pictures of the Chieftain and its variants. The Profile pictures are a particular favorite and has given me a few great ideas of the color schemes for when I build my Takom and Tamiya Kits. It covers the use of the tank during the Iran- Iraq war and the Gulf war. The chapters on the different model… more |
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Atlas of the Blitzkrieg 1939-1941Published:
This book impresses from the moment you see it, it’s a beautifully bound and printed on very high quality paper! The book is a series of very well detailed maps of the German Blitzkrieg campaigns of the early part of World War two. The book is split up by each battle front and has detailed maps showing forces locations and make up on all sides. The maps are awesome and the best quality I have seen in a long time. They are not too complicated but give all the information you need to see what the situation was at each point during the campaigns. The descriptions of the campaigns and each chapter provide a great overview. The book chapters are:
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A Detailed History of RAF Manston 1931-40 Arise to ProtectPublished:
The book is part two of a two book history of RAF Manston, which became one of the busiest Airfields in the UK during WWII. The airbase was built-up during the pre-war days to be one, if not the most important airbases to the RAF. The airbase was a very successful technical training center for the RAF during the years leading up to WWII and the details of this are covered extremely well in this book. The book goes into great detail about many of the officers and commanders stationed throughout the station during this period. There was even Air Races held here in the early 1930’s. Even the famous Sir Alan Cobham exhibited his flying skills here. The book covers many of the aircraft that were operated from here, some I was not even aware of and had to look up. The aces… more |
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UmbrellaPublished:
Hauler has provided another addition to the great Diorama releases. This is two great Umbrellas for use anywhere. The detail quality is great; The parts are very delicate parts that need careful removal and added to the assembly. You have to provide your own wire to make the handle and center post, which I think Hauler could have included. The Assembly is quick and easy. Please be careful cutting the vacuum formed Umbrellas. The final part is painting which is free for you to do as you please. Thanks go to Hauler for providing this kit to review and IPMS USA for allowing me to review it for them |
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Images of War - M36/M36B1 Tank DestroyerPublished:
This book provides great detail drawings of the American M36/M36B1 Tank Destroyer. The US idea when going into WWII was to use tanks to support infantry and use Tank Destroyers against enemy tanks. I found the photos and information in this book to be fascinating and many of the photos are ones not available anywhere else. The photos range from in production shots, in action and knocked out ones. All variations are covered in the photos and you see a lot of in action shots with the tank customized by each crew. Along with the many photos from WWII there are great workarounds pictures full of fantastic details. These are indispensable for any modeler building this tank destroyer. You see so much detail in the walk around pictures which will make adding additional… more |
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Tempest Mk.V Upgrade SetPublished:
Eduard has released a photoetch upgrade set for its new tooled Tempest Mk.V which in its self is a great kit. This upgrade set is a single large Photo etch sheet. In the box is:
ConstructionThe first area of the upgrade is for is the engine intake, the set provides the mesh for all four surfaces of the Intake and make a big difference with the look once complete. Next are parts for the two main landing gear bays, in four stages. The first stage is simple. On stage to you have to remove the location pins of part E68 and E69 from the original kit to allow then to fit. Also at stage two it refers to part E39 which should actually be part E32. I would also suggest that the parts 19… more |