Andy Taylor
Reviews By Author
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Carnation Revolution Volume 2: Coup in Portugal, April 1974Published:
Carnation Revolution Volume 2: Coup in Portugal, April 1974 is a part of Helion and Company’s Europe@War series, No. 39 (HEL 11844). This is the third book about Portuguese forces that I have read, authored by José Augusto Matos (he co-authored Sanctuary Lost, Portugal’s Air War for Guinea 1961-1974, Volume 1, with Matthew M. Hurley, reviewed, and the first volume by authors José Augusto Matos and Zelia Oliveira. For those who have not read Volume 1, or the previous review, a recap is necessary as the title states, this book is the second volume of this coup that re-shaped Portugal’s future and starts where the first volume leaves off. The Carnation Revolution occurred on 25 April 1974 and was… more |
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"War has no Gender" Servicewomen of the Armed Forces of UkrainePublished:
“As of October 2023, there were almost 43 thousand female servicemen in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Ukraine has one of the highest rates of women in the armed forces among the armies of the world, including NATO armies. In the past, women primarily served in auxiliary positions such as doctors, signalmen, or cooks. However, with the onset of full-scale hostilities in February 2022, more and more women have taken on combat roles such as driving combat vehicles, operating grenade launchers, machine guns, snipers, and drones. Many women also serve as commanders of combat vehicles, units, and reconnaissance groups. Lieutenant General Serhiy Naiev, the Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, emphasizes, “What unites them all is that they are true Ukrainian women who… more |
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U.S. Howitzer M8-Hedgerow CutterPublished:
Hauler is well known for its detail sets to accompany new releases. The hedgerow cutter for Tamiya’s 1/48 M8 Howitzer Motor Carrier is no exception. This easy, five-piece PE set (the fret measures 1.25”x 1”) adds great detail with minimal effort (great for PE neophytes such as me). That is not to belay the extra detail that this accessory adds to your M8 to break through the Norman bocage. The bends are easy 90o angles, one per piece. Assembly is simply cut the piece out, sand, bend, and glue (or solder), and can be complete in a few minutes. One of the best aspects of PE is that it can be “damaged” and/or have manufacturing deficiencies built into it; something that is much harder to do in other mediums. This is an easy-to-use PE that adds another level of… more |
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U.S. Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 Photoetch Detail SetPublished:
This Hauler detail set will take the Tamiya 1/48 US Howitzer Motor Carrier (HMC) to the next level. The 3” x 5.55”x1” deep box is chock full of two PE frets (2.5”x2” with Parts Nos. 1-30, and 1.5” x 1.5” containing Parts Nos. 1-6 for grills, baskets, and tool clamps) and four resin plugs with Parts Nos. 1-25. The parts arrived safely, with the exception of the two M1 carbines (Part No. 24) that were either short shot or broken in transit. While the base Tamiya kit is great out of the box, there is always room for more detail, and this Hauler kit does not disappoint, especially in the interior as this is an open top combat vehicle. The fourteen step instructions are detailed and adequate for any modeler with a few detail sets that have crossed their bench. The key to success… more |
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U.S. Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 - Grills and BasketPublished:
Hauler continues to produce high detail PE sets for mainstream models. The U.S. Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 - Grills and Basket set complements the recent Tamiya 1/48 M8 HMC. Tamiya kits are known for their ease of building and detail. There are some tradeoffs that come with that philosophy, particularly with engine screens and lightweight metal baskets. This PE set fills that void and takes the Tamiya kit to the next level. This PE set contains four engine screens, the rear turret basket and, not mentioned in the packaging or instructions, 24 tool straps (Part Nos. 6), all in a small 1.5” x 1.5” fret. The only bends required are simple 90o angles for the basket (the tool clamps take a bit more effort but have the strap and buckle assembly that really is crisp).… more |
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Hurricane Mk IIC "Jubilee"Published:
Arma Hobby has produced this kit for its tenth anniversary. Following the successes of its previous 1/48 scale Hurricanes (Mk IIc, Mk IIb, and now a Sea Hurricane Mk IIc), this “Anniversary Special Edition” Mk IIc comes with new parts. The Hurricane Mk IIc differs from the Mk IIb with the armament being four 20mm Hispano cannons instead of twelve .303 Browning machine guns. From the Arma Hobby Website:
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F-104G J-79 Exhaust NozzlesPublished:
These J-79 Exhaust Nozzles (for the Kinetic Kit No. 48083 primarily, and K48090 and K48093, and most likely any F-104 Starfighter that utilized the J-79 General Electric axial-flow turbojet engine) are a recent release by Chinese manufacturer Fab Scale. Fab Scale’s online presence is hard to find with the provided QR codes stating that the site can’t be reached). The same is for the supplier, Warspite Model Company. It is a shame as this three-piece exhaust nozzle set is exquisite! The sturdy box protects the three pieces, each in their own protective Ziplock pouch. The instructions are the box art which shows the arrangement of the three parts. Removal of the 3D supports with a razor saw is easy and, after a quick wash, ready for assembly. The photos show the amazing… more |
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War in Ukraine, Volume 4: Main Battle Tanks of Russia and Ukraine, 2014-2023 — Soviet Legacy and Post-Soviet Russian MBTsPublished:
This is the fourth book in the War in Ukraine series (currently at five volumes). The first two volumes were reviewed by Orlando Reyes of the IPMS/USA Review Corps:
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Into the Endless Mist Volume 1: The Aleutian Campaign, June-August 1942Published:
“In far Alaska’s icy spray, I stand beside my binnacle |
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Carnation Revolution Volume 1: The Road to the Coup that Changed Portugal, 1974Published:
This is the second book about Portuguese forces that I have read, authored by José Augusto Matos (he co-authored Sanctuary Lost, Portugal’s Air War for Guinea 1961-1974, Volume 1, with Matthew M. Hurley). Having read both books, I now better understand the author’s style and attention to detail. This is Zelia Oliveira’s first book in the series. As the title states, this book is the road to the Portuguese Coup of 1974 and covers primarily the period from 1961 to 12 March 1974 in amazing detail (there are… more |