Andy Taylor
Reviews By Author
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Aviation Modelling International (Revised) – July 2024Published:
Aviation Modelling International is an aircraft modeling magazine produced by Phoenix Scale Publications, hailing from Great Britain. According to the Phoenix Scale Publications website,
The reader gets a lot of information and inspiration within its 68 pages for the cover price £5.99 ($9.99 from Sprue Brothers Models), postage will almost double that price. There is a digital version available which drops the price down to £4.99 for a single… more |
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Decades of Rebellion, Volume 1: Mexican Military Aviation in the Rebellions of the 1920sPublished:
The authors begin the book with the following introduction,
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WW2 Vehicles - Through the Lens, Volume 3Published:
This landscaped, hardback book is the third in a new series of books by renowned and prolific photograph collector and author Tom Cockle, published through PeKo Publishing of Hungary. This volume continues its proven formula of amazing photographs, many previously unpublished, of armored and soft skin vehicles in depots, in the field and post combat. Each page reveals more surprises than the previous. The first volume in this series was reviewed here: WW2 Vehicles Through the Lens Vol.1. Volume 3 consists of the following six parts:
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Tank Crew of the Armed Forces of UkrainePublished:
ICM continues to announce new models despite the ongoing Russian initiated war in Ukraine. While most subjects released by ICM are welcome, the current conflict subjects are even more relevant and timely. This Ukrainian tank crew is no exception. Reference the ICM website -
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Panzer IV Medium Tank German Army and Waffen-SS, Last Battles in the West, 1945Published:
TankCraft 43, Panzer IV Medium Tank, German Army and Waffen-SS Last battles in the West, 1945, breaks the Panzer IV’s (Panzerkampfwagen, abbreviated as Pzkpfw, also known as the Sonderkraftfahrzeug 161) long service life into the final struggles in 1945 in the Western Front. Older and newer Pzkpfw fought side by side as the Allied ring closed in on Germany. This 64-page book is outlined in the familiar TankCraft format and is loaded with incredible black and white photographs, color illustrations, supporting text and detailed captions, modelling references and a bibliography in the following chapters:
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JagdTiger Heavy Tank Destroyer, German Army Western Front, 1945Published:
TankCraft 42, JagdTiger Heavy Tank Destroyer, German Army Western Front, 1945, details the short life of the heaviest armored vehicle to fight in World War II. Weighing in at about 73 tons, it was a massive vehicle built around the “heavy assault gun” designed for the Panzerkampfwagen (Pz.Kpfw.) VIII Maus – the 12.8 cm Kw.K. L/55 (Kw.K. – Kampfwagen Kanone – Fighting vehicle gun).This book outlines the development of the Jagdtiger from concept in 1942 to first combat in January 1945 through the end of the war. Despite shortages, aerial attacks and the war going against Germany, over 80 of these vehicles were produced (actual number is unknown and is debatable as details were scarce at the end of the war). This 64-page book is outlined in the familiar TankCraft format and… more |
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T-34/85 Photoetch SetPublished:
Hauler continues expanding its impressive 1/48 PE catalog. This set is a new tool for Tamiya’s 2021 Russian Medium Tank T-34-85 kit and comes on three frets (A: 2”x2.75” (fenders), B: 2” x 2.75” (boxes, buckles, tie downs, etc), and C: 1.125” x 2” (grills). Hauler is well known for its detail and this set does not disappoint. This set is designed to give the 1/48 Tamiya T-34/85 scale thickness details and take the plastic kit to the next level. None of the parts are solely for the T-34/85, it could also work for the earlier T-34/76 and any other T-34 variants. The photos show the scope and detail of the PE included. Fret A replaces the kit fenders to scale thickness, and this is worth the price alone, plus the PE bends are easy, have positive attachment points and really… more |
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German Main Battle Tank Leopard 2A7V + Detail Gun BarrelPublished:
BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) – this is a great kit at a great value! This is not a Tamiya tank model of our past – this is a new approach for a company often referred to as “shake and bake” for its ease of construction. Tamiya models are known for their effortless assembly but are soft on details. This kit is a fantastic introduction to what is hopefully a whole new line of tank models. The detail is superb, the assembly is straightforward, and I asked myself a few times if I was building another model company’s tank. The model comes with PE parts, clear parts, masks, and two of their superb new figures for the Commander and Loader (complete with decals for their ranks, name badges, and beret insignia). This kit also came with the Leopard 2A7V Metal Barrel (Item No. 12694, available… more |
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German Machine Gun Team Set – Mid WWIIPublished:
This is the second set of new release Tamiya German figures I have reviewed, and I am even more amazed. My first review was the Germany Infantry Set (Late WWII). Forget any memories of the Tamiya figures of the past! To reiterate the review from a year ago, to say I am impressed would be an understatement – especially at the price for five figures in dynamic poses with great facial expressions. Upon opening the sturdy top opening Tamiya box, you are greeted with four sprues, a well-appointed decal sheet (including shoulder and collar insignia, breast Eagle,… more |
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The Soviet War in Afghanistan 1979-1989Published:
The Soviet War in Afghanistan 1979–1989 is a part of Helion and Company’s Asia@War series, No. 50 (HEL 1820). This is not a typical @War series book and is not easy to read due to the author’s incredible research and presentation of facts. It is not written in a narrative format, nor does he shy away from the reality of war and the atrocities this particular war was known. In a rare departure from the almost 200 books in the @War series, an Editorial Note is included before the Introduction. It is so uncommon that a part of the note is highlighted here to put this book in perspective.
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