Tinplate Toy Cars of the 1950's & 1960's from Japan "The Collectors Guide"

Published: September 19, 2017
Book Author(s): Andrew Ralston
Company: Veloce Publishing

This book is a general collector’s guide to classic Tinplate toy cars from the 50’s and 60’s made in Japan. It covers cars from a classic era of tinplate toy cars and covers all the major companies and countries they were sold in. The book shows the most known and collectables of the time period. The book has great pictures and lots of detailed information. This book brought lots of memories back to me as a kid getting a few of the cars shown in the book as birthday and or Christmas gifts from my family. The book may have a limited audience but I for one loved it!

I recommend this book to everyone with an interest in tinplate cars from Japan and also all those who, like me, was a kid during the 50’s or 60’s.

Thanks to Veloce Publishing for providing this book to review… more

Crane Ruger H-3D

Published: August 22, 2017
Company: Plusmodel

This is another great unusual subject from Plus Models which is a super addition to a diorama of any sort.

This resin kit of the Ruger H-3D Crane (Engine hoist) used in all types of maintenance shops Military or civil. The kit is very easy to build as long as you watch the instruction details carefully.

In the box is:

• 31 resin parts
• 1 small photoetch sheet
• 1 metal chain
• 1 brass wire
• 1 instruction sheet

All the parts are all very well detailed with only a few bubble mark defects.

Construction

The build is a little difficult and fiddley at times. I found an issue in the build with a few air bubbles that needed filling. Also a few of the part numbers were missed from the instructions,… more

Diecast Toy Cars of the 1950s & 1960s "The Collectors Guide"

Published: August 22, 2017
Book Author(s): Andrew Ralston
Company: Veloce Publishing

The book is a general collectors guide to classic Diecast toy cars. It covers cars from a classic era of toy cars and covers all the major companies and countries where they were made. The book shows the most known and collectables of the time period. The book has great pictures and lots of detailed information. This book brought lots of memories back to me as a kid getting many of the cars shown in the book as Birthday and or Christmas gifts from my family. The book may have a limited audience but I for one loved it!

I recommend this book to everyone with an interest in Diecast cars and also all those who, like me, was a kid during the 60’s or 50’s.

Thanks go to Veloce Publishing for providing this book to review and IPMS USA for allowing me to review it for them

Clarktor Towing Tractor

Published: July 10, 2017
Company: Videoaviation

This resin kits is of the standard US Tow Tractor used on airfields from the beginning of WWII to the 1950’s. This is such a nice addition to any airfield diorama. The kit represents the factory basic version as delivered these were customized a lot so you can modify it to suit any reference material you have. The kit is very easy to build as long as you watch the instruction details carefully.

In the box is:

• 35 resin parts
• 1 plastic rod
• 1 instruction booklet

All the parts are all very well details with no defects. Once the parts are removed from the base parts they are extremely well molded with no flash or bubbles.

Construction

The build is very easy and is made up of 12 steps. I had no issues with the build… more

"Canadian Corps Soldiers versus Royal Bavarian Soldiers" - Combat 25

Published: June 28, 2017
Book Author(s): Stephen Bull; Illustrator: Adam Hook
Company: Osprey Publishing

This book tells the story of the Canadian Corps during 1917 when it battled against the distinguished Royal Bavarian Army. These battles started at Vimy Ridge through to Passchendaele.

The book is very nicely illustrated with great photos and many illustrations commissioned for the book. The details of the combat action, preparations, and the outcomes are very well written and help you understand the period and hardships of these battles. The book contains many extracts from personal diaries and reports from the time by commanders and foot soldier’s alike. I learned a lot from this book and look forward to more from this series from Osprey.

I recommend this book to everyone with an interest in WWI. It has some wonderful pictures that are great for modeler’s as well for… more

B-17 E/F Exterior Set

Published: June 16, 2017
Company: Eduard

This is a photoetch exterior set to for the Hong Kong Models B-17 E/F. This set consists of one photoetch sheet and adds detail to mainly the wings.

In the packet is

• 1 photoetch sheet
• 1 instruction sheet

Summary

This is a nice simple set for adding additional detail to the wings mainly and some to the fuselage. The parts are very easy to install and add details not included in the kit.

Thanks go to Eduard for providing this set to review and IPMS USA for allowing me to review it for them.

History of the Panzerwaffe - Volume 2 1942-45

Published: June 16, 2017
Book Author(s): Thomas Anderson
Company: Osprey Publishing

The book goes into fantastic detail on the subject of the Panzerwaffe between 1942 and the end of the war in 1945. The great German military war machine was founded on the Panzer and this book shows in great depth the units, their function and the reports written at the time on the designs and short comings of different panzers. I found the pictures in this book fascinating and I can say these were all new to me! The book kept my attention from beginning to end with the most informative way to tell all the facts and history of the Panzerwaffe. When I was only halfway through, I had already ordered the first book in the series as these are a must have for anyone with a love for tanks!

I recommend this book to everyone with an interest in the Panzerwaffe, and tanks generally.… more

B-17 E/F Waist Section PE Set

Published: June 11, 2017
Company: Eduard

This is a photoetch waist section set to for the Hong Kong Models B-17 E/F Kit number 01E04a. This set with two photoetch sheets one of which is colored. These sheets add a lot of detail to the waist gunner’s area of the fuselage in the B-17. These parts really add some great additional details to a great kit.

In the packet is:

• 1 colored photoetch sheet
• 1 photoetch sheet
• 1 instruction sheet

Summary

This is another wonderful set for a kit that is great to begin with; these parts are an great details.

I did find one minor issue with the set - the parts 40, 8a, 8b, 11 and 66 show them being a symmetrical assembly but in fact there is only one location.

Please note that the gun barrels shown are from… more

B-17 E/F Radio Compartment PE Set

Published: June 9, 2017
Company: Eduard

This is a photoetch radio compartment set to for the Hong Kong Models B-17 E/F Kit number 01E04a. This set with two photoetch sheets one of which is colored. These sheets add a lot of detail to the radio compartment of the B-17. These parts really add some great additional details to a great kit.

In the packet is:

• 1 colored photoetch sheet
• 1 photoetch Sheet
• 1 instruction sheet

Summary

This is a fantastic set for a kit that is great to begin with; these parts are an awesome addition.

I did find a few minor issues with the set.

The part 32 handle needs something behind it to make it sit correctly on the door. There is some additional detail removal needed from kit part Aa17 on the top left corner to allow… more

North American X-15

Published: June 6, 2017
Book Author(s): Peter E, Davies
Company: Osprey Publishing

This book goes into great detail of what I consider the best X-Plane of them all, the X-15. This X-plane was the last of the Manned Rocket planes, it went beyond Mach 6, and if the project had continued, would I am sure have passed Mach 7. The X-15 reached the edge of space at 380,000 feet altitude. The project was the first by North American, as they won the contract over Bell and Douglas, who had until this been the main developers of the X-Planes.

There is a lot to the story of the X-15, and this book goes into a lot of detail in an informative and entertaining way. The book draws you in and keeps your attention. I read the book in one sitting and enjoyed it greatly. The book covers all the issues and problems, alongside the great steps forward, the X-15 helped achieve, and… more