Andy Taylor
Reviews By Author
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Polish Land Forces K2GFPublished:
The South Korean K2 Black Panther MBT (Main Battle Tank), produced by Hyundai Rotem, was designed to meet the Republic of Korea’s Army requirement for a three-dimensional, high speed maneuver, based on network-centric warfare. The first tanks were available in 2014. While this at first looks like a shrunken down M1 Abrams, it is a new tank design unto itself. This state-of-the-art tank features an autoloader with a sophisticated 120mm main gun system (to include smart top-attack munitions), Automatic Target Detection and Tracking System (ATDTS), network-centric warfare capabilities and operability, and both active and passive protection systems. What makes the tank unique is South Korea’s ability to rapidly produce the K2 for domestic and export use. Turkey was the first nation… more |
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Allied Forces in Blitzkrieg Europe, 1939–1940 British, French, Belgian, Dutch and Polish ForcesPublished:
I was excited to review a Pen & Sword book on allied forces during the Blitzkrieg, thinking it would be part of the amazing Images of War series. When I received "Allied Forces in Blitzkrieg Europe, 1939–1940; British, French, Belgian, Dutch and Polish Forces", I was a little surprised to find out that it is part of their Painting Wargaming Figures series. Author Andy Singleton gives a brief overview of the allied forces, then delves into painting the figures of the five major allied armies facing the German blitzkrieg. Since I want to become a (much) better figure painter, this book really spoke to me. It provides a fascinating and remarkable insight into painting early WWII wargaming figures (15mm, 20mm and 28mm). The author gives a concise,… more |
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The Military and Police Forces of the Gulf States Volume 4: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar 1921-1980Published:
The Military and Police Forces of the Gulf States Volume 4: Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar 1921-1980 is the fourth in the series. The previous three volumes are:
This volume covers three Gulf Arab states.… more |
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Military Modelcraft International - August 2023Published:
Military Modelcraft International is a military modeling magazine produced by Guideline Publications and hails from Great Britain. According to the Military Modelcraft International Magazine website,
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USA Modern Gear Set #2Published:
I jumped at the chance to review the Value Gear USA Modern Gear Set #2 as I am a huge fan of Value Gear, its amazing sets, and its owner (and producer, shipper, sales, customer service, and everything else to make a company work guy), Steve Munsell (also known as one of the nicest guys in our hobby). To best set the stage for this review, here is Value Gear's Goal from their website:
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M10 Achilles Stowage – British/Commonwealth SetPublished:
I jumped at the chance to review the Value Gear M10-ACH as I am a huge fan of Value Gear, its amazing sets, and its owner (and producer, shipper, sales, customer service, and everything else to make a company work guy), Steve Munsell (also known as one of the nicest guys in our hobby). To best set the stage for this review, here is Value Gear's Goal from their website:
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Fantasy Figures International Issue 21, Summer 2023Published:
Fantasy Figures International is a figures, fantasy and Sci-Fi modeling magazine produced four times a year by Guideline Publications out of the United Kingdom. The cover price is £5.99 ($15 in the US), with an annual subscription or £20. Digital editions are available for £3.99 per issue or £11.99 for an annual subscription. In this era of increased publishing and shipping prices, digital editions are a viable option, especially for those modelers who don’t want a physical copy to read. From the Guideline Publications website:
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Phoenix Scale Modelling International – July/August 2023Published:
Phoenix Scale Modelling International is a multi-interest modeling magazine hailing from Great Britain. While its cover price is reasonable (equivalent to $6.55 for the £5.99 price), postage will almost double that price. There is a digital version available which drops the price down to £4.99 for a single issue, or £19.99 for an annual subscription. The July/August 2023 issue of Phoenix Scale Modeller International is divided into six general interest, color coded sections:
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North American A-5/RA-5 VigilantePublished:
From the Phoenix Scale Publications website, “Phoenix Scale Publications is a partnership of four people who have worked in the modelling and aviation press for many years and have come together to produce two brand-new, high-quality modelling titles and a new book series – for modellers, by modellers – with each partner bringing their own unique talents.” This Air Profile Book is authored by Andy Evans, who, during his 40-year career has been involved with five aviation and modelling magazines, as well as an author of numerous articles. His accomplishments include over 60 aviation and modelling books to his name. The North American Aviation (NAA) A-5 and RA-5C Vigilante were US Navy carrier-based supersonic bombers (that provided a nuclear strike capability) and… more |
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The Second World War Illustrated - The Fifth YearPublished:
Perhaps the best introduction for this book comes from the book’s online description, “The Second World War Illustrated: 1944 follows the author's visual tour of the war by means of painstakingly researched and digitally restored pictures from the period of the key battlefields and events of the period from September 1943 to the late summer of 1944. This year marked a defining change in the balance of the war; by its end the Axis powers were in serious trouble on all their fronts.” This is the fifth book in Jack Holroyd’s Second World War Illustrated series. The previous four books in the Second World War Illustrated series were previously competently and eloquently reviewed by three members of IPMS Review Corps:
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