15 cm sIG 33 Schweres Infanteriegeschutz 33 – Camera On

Published: February 28, 2022
Book Author(s): Alan Ranger
Company: Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books

This is a thin book with only 72 pages but they are very high quality pictures of the German World War two Heavy Infantry Gun. This was the largest gun that as classified as an Infantry Gun. They were mainly horse drawn during the early part of the war.

I found this book fascinating and will be return to this book just to review the awesome photos which cover the gun in operation, at rest and in motion.

I recommend this book to everyone who likes artillery and military equipment.

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

Russian Heavy Tank KV-2

Published: February 20, 2022
Company: Tamiya

Tamiya has produced a new KV-2 kit based on the new tooled KV-1 from a couple of years ago with new tooled KV-2 Turret.

In the box is:

• 7 x dark green sprues
• 1 clear sprue
• 1 small decal sheet
• polycaps
• string for cables
• 1 instruction booklet
• 1 color guide booklet (in color)

The kit consists of 7 main sprues, the sprues are extremely well molded with great detail; the decals allow you to finish the tank with 2 markings to choose from.

Construction

First is the construction of the lower hull, suspension and road wheels etc. These are stages 1 through 10. The build, as with all Tamiya kits, is seamless and no issues. All the parts go together extremely well

Stage 11 is… more

Kagero Top Drawing 1173 The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet

Published: February 7, 2022
Book Author(s): Marek Rys
Company: Kagero Publishing

The book provides great detail drawings of the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet. This was the first Rocket powered fighter used by German Air Force in WWII.

I found the drawings in this book to be fascinating and very detailed, ideal for any modeler as reference materials.

Along with the many outline drawings (in 1/48 & 1/72 scales in the main pages) there is also very nice profile drawings. There are loose scale drawings in 1/32 scale. The drawings cover many versions of the aircraft.

I recommend this book to everyone with an interest in the armor and a must for modelers.

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

PACV Hovercraft (U.S. Army)

Published: January 9, 2022
Company: Croco Models

Croco Models from Latvia produces some very interesting and unusual kits and this one is another great additional to their line up.

The Kit is resin

Included is:

• 67 resin parts
• One Photo Etch Sheet
• One Decal sheet
• One instruction sheet

The resin casing detail quality is great; The parts are very delicate parts that need careful removal from the resin bases. Some arrived broken so I would suggest improving the packaging.The instructions need a lot of experience to work with to get a great model as they are not very clear. The assembly is good but needs a lot of patience, pre-fitting and time to the build going together correctly. There were a few gaps that needed filling. The PE sheet has some parts that are not… more

The Steam Engines of World War II in Europe

Published: November 7, 2021
Book Author(s): Philip Horton
Company: Mortons Books

This book covers the steam trains used during World War II. The train was am very important tool during the war to move equipment, men, supplies critical to the war efforts on all sides bit Axis and Allied. The book shows the evolution of the different most popular trains used by Germany, Britain, and America.

The book goes into incredible detail on the steam engines including where they were used. Also, it shows where examples are currently persevered. The images are a great reference for anyone interested trains.

The chapter three about the development of the British steam engines was my personal favorite and the images are awesome.

At the back of the book is a great series of tables with all the train reference numbers and details which a lot of information… more

SH-60B Seahawk Correction set for Kitty Hawk

Published: November 7, 2021
Company: Phase Hanger

Phase Hangar resin provides a very nice correction set for the Kitty Hawk SH-60B Sea Hawk which I built a few months ago for an IPMS USA review, I really wish I had this set back then as it adds some nice additions to the kit.

The set comes with

• 1 x Operator’s Console in Light Grey Resin
• 1 x VCR in Light Grey Resin
• 1 x RAST Probe in Light Grey Resin
• 1 x RWR Fairing in Light Grey Resin
• One leaflet that informs you to go to the Phase Hangar website for the instructions

I did have an issue when I went to the website for the instructions as they were not available when I first looked, but once I e-mailed them, they replied very quickly and sent them to me. They are now back on the website as I did check. Great… more

British Policemen

Published: October 7, 2021
Company: ICM

ICM has released kit of a British Policeman in the standard on the beat uniform.

In the box is:

• 2 x light grey sprues
• 1 stand base
• 1 black sprue
• 1 instruction sheets
• 1 box art print

Construction

The construction of the figure is very easy and they assemble very well. You do need to do a little filling here and there during the assembly.

The Base is a nice touch and has optional ground finishes to choose from.

Painting was easy, although I did not use all the reference colors as shown on in the instructions. I did use all Tamiya paints with the shoes and helmet strap being done using Semi Gloss black, the main uniform was Rubber black as this is closer to the uniform color at this… more

German Tank Destroyers

Published: September 12, 2021
Book Author(s): Pierre Tiquet
Company: Casemate UK

The book goes into details of the German Tank Destroyers used in World War Two.

The contents are:

• Timeline of Events
• Introduction; Panzerjager in the Heer and the Waffen SS
• The Panzerjager Ente, Marder II and Marder III
• Jagdpanzers – The Dicker Max and the Super Emil
• The Horniesse / Nashorn
• The Hetzer
• The Elephant
• The Jagdpanzer IV/70
• Afterword

The different tank destroyers are fully defined, and their evolution described in the various chapters in this book. The different types, strengths, and weakness are also covered. The book includes the actions there were used in in great detail and helps make this book a great read and reference material

I found this book… more

Acrylic Filters

Published: September 5, 2021
Company: AMMO by Mig Jimenez

This is a review of four of the new Acrylic Filters from AMMO by MIG Jimenez.

• A.MIG-0802 Night Black 15ml
• A.MIG-0816 Sand 15ml
• A.MIG-0821 Sand Grey 15ml
• A.MIG-0828 Rust 15ml

These filters are produced using a innovative formulation, the Acrylic Filters can be reworked or eliminated simply and easily with water during the extended dry time, each filter will dry completely in 24 hours. The filters can also be applied by airbrush. The range consists of 30 colors currently. The filters can even be mixed with each another or tinted with other AMMO acrylics. The acrylic filters can be diluted and cleaned with water.

I used all the filters on some finished and in-build kits and the effects and application were awesome. The… more

English Electric Lightning Genesis and Projects

Published: January 25, 2022
Book Author(s): Tony Wilson
Company: Casemate UK

This book covers the story of the development of one of Britain most famous Cold war fighters The English Electric Lightning. I become fascinated by this beautiful Cold War Icon when I was a child, and this was the front-line fighter for the RAF. The book is a incredibly deep dive into the design and development from the very beginning of the idea of a two engine cold war fighter plane.

The book is in two sections

• Section 1 - Lightning Genesis
  • Chapter 1 - Origin and Initial Concepts
  • Chapter 2 - The procurement process and Environment
  • Chapter 3 - Configuration Development
  • Chapter 4 - Weapon Systems Development
• Section 2 - Lightning Projects
  • Chapter 5 - What might have been (P6 &… more