Andy Taylor
Reviews By Author
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Frontkämpfer - Wehrmacht Photo Albums from the FrontPublished:
The author, Jeff D. Eberle, started collecting authentic photographs and albums from World War II. “Sourced from veterans, auction houses, rummage sales, and antique shops”, he accumulated thousands of photographs. The author’s focus over 30 years ago was the Eastern Front, although he also has the Western Europe, Battle of Britain, North Africa, Norway, the Balkans, and the war at sea present in mostly chronological order. A collection of over 400 of these photographs are presented in this magnificent book. The photographs and their captions are the focus of the book except for the three pages of commonly used terms and a page and a half introduction. This photographic reference book is composed of the following sections:
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Photoetch Set for SPz Marder 1A3 (Revell Kit)Published:
Hauler is well known for its detail and this set created for the Bundeswehr Schütze panzer (SPz) Marder 1A3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle is no exception. This 40-piece PE set, on a fret measuring 2.25”x 1.25, packs detail into an older kit to bring it to the next level. If you want a Bundeswehr (or Chilean) Marder in 1/72 scale, this is the only injection plastic kit on the market, currently in its fourth boxing in 2020 (the original mold dates to 1999). This is a fiddly and fragile set of PE for a small model in 1/72 scale. Some of the PE really doesn’t add much to the hull (the handrails are quite well molded and require cutting to replace the parts with PE that… more |
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Model Building and Super Detailing - Detailing Techniques Including 3D PrintingPublished:
This is the third (of four) in this TrainCraft series. The other volumes are:
These intensive, informative, and well photographed books are written by David Ashwood (the Vice Charmain) with the Market Deeping MRC (Model Railroad Club), now located in Essendine, near Peterborough, England. As a plastic scale modeler, I was pleasantly surprised that this is a book focused on model railroads. As most of us modelers are open-minded, I wanted to know what I could learn from another fun hobby I shared as a lad; I was not disappointed. David Ashwood is a gifted author who is easy to follow, although… more |
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US Tank ToolsPublished:
Hauler is well known for its detail and this set does not disappoint. This set is designed to give 1/72 US armor (and soft skins) the next level with resin tools and PE tool clamps to replace the preponderance of molded on tools on vehicles in this scale. In 1/72 scale, this is a small detail set, with the PE fret coming in at 0.75” x 1”. There are seven tools (pick, axe, sledgehammer, tanker bar, tank track adjusting wrench, handle, and shovel) with associated clamps and tie downs. The tie downs are tiny and can easily be sacrificed to the carpet monster. Fortunately, Hauler has you covered with a spare of each of the tool clamps (Parts nos. 1-5) and ten spare tool tie downs. The tank track adjusting wrench is not referenced in the instructions, but quick research indicates it… more |
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The German Siege of Leningrad, 1941–1944Published:
From the About the Author section,
In short, Ian Baxter is a respected historian and an author I actively seek out for his insight and amazing photographs for World War II. This book continues its amazing legacy, does not disappoint, and is worth the price for the photographs alone. Following the familiar Pen & Sword… more |
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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 |