Andy Taylor
Reviews By Author
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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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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 |