Bill O'Malley
Reviews By Author
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Soviet Ball Tank "Sharotank"Published:
The normally super-realistic folks at MiniArt have loosened their imagination and wandered into the hypothetical with the first kit in their new What If...? Series, the Soviet Ball Tank "Sharotank". Possibly based on the Kugelpanzer, that Wikipedia describes as : "The Kugelpanzer (lit. "spherical tank") is a one-man tank built by Germany during World War II. It was captured by the Soviets in Manchuria and is on display in the Kubinka Tank Museum. There is no record of it ever having been used in combat". MiniArt has a video on their website about the Sharotank, and cleverly inserts their kit model into period photos (or are they real?) showing the Sharotank after capture by the Soviets… more |
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Railway Modeling - Painting Realistic TrainsPublished:
This book illustrates how to liven pre-painted toy-like train kits by painting and adding weathering such as dust, dirt, grime, and other dirt effects. The book also shows how to create worn effects like rust, chipping, worn wood, spilled fuel, and burn damage. Various modeling techniques are illustrated with step-by-step photos of paints and other products to apply weathering and wear effects to train cars. Example work of five different modelers are included:
The book has 14 chapters 8 to 14 pages long, each illustrating a different train car or diorama setting and how various weathering effects are achieved:
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Fallschirmjäger: German Paratroopers 1937-1941Published:
This is a pictorial book that uses photos to illustrate the history of the Fallschirmjäger during the pre-war and early war years. Each chapter includes brief text that chronicles the history of the Fallschirmjäger campaigns, but the story is mostly told in photos and their captions. Black & white photos illustrate the exploits of the paratroopers, and the publisher says many of the photos are rare or not previously published. The photos are low contrast and not too sharp, consistent with wartime photos. Illustrations are provided to illustrate events that don’t have photos. German Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers) were considered elite troops and regularly engaged in front line combat during the Second World War. Their campaigns such as the fighting in Scandinavia, the taking… more |
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Lois & Co. Monowheel Mk.IPublished:
Monowheel Background (from the instructions)Lois & Co. was a British industrial combine, a group of businesses manufacturing military and sporting bicycles, motorcycles, iron castings, machine tools, and hard chrome process. It was founded by Spencer Lois, who had a passion for new innovative ideas, in the city of Birmingham. Motor bicycles were added to bicycle products in 1910. The Lois & Co. Monowheel Mk.I was exhibited at the 1913 Olympia Show, London for the 1914 season. In November 1916 Lois & Co. launched their first military monowheel after a big contract with the British Ministry of Armaments. The British Army version was armed with a Lewis machine gun mounted on a side swing arm. The ability of the monowheel to overcome trenches along… more |
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REP 1912 FloatsPublished:
Omega’s REP 1912 Floats is a full resin kit of an aircraft designed by Robert Esnault-Pelterie. This is a difficult kit and should only be attempted by modelers experienced working with resin kits and shaping parts to get a proper fit. Background (from Wikipedia)Robert Albert Charles Esnault-Pelterie (R.E.P.) was a French aircraft designer and spaceflight theorist. He is referred to as one of the founders of modern rocketry and astronautics. The Vickers R.E.P. Type Monoplane was based upon his designs and marked the beginning of aircraft production at the later Vickers Limited. In 1912 Esnault-Pelterie introduced the REP Type N and in 1914 the REP Parasol monoplane. He was the inventor of the "joystick" flight control and was the first to equip his aircraft with… more |
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Tracks & WheelsPublished:
Tracks & Wheels is part of AK Interactive’s Learning Series of books that are profusely illustrated how-to guides that include step-by-step instructions on how to assemble, paint, and weather kits. Other titles in the learning series include:
Tracks & Wheels includes in-progress photos and descriptive text explaining each of the steps in assembling, painting, and weathering kit track & wheel subassemblies. The techniques are demonstrated using photos and text by artists and expert modelers. The photos are very clear and explain each progressive step in… more |
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Steam Traction on the RoadPublished:
Steam Traction on the Road is a historical description of the development of steam power and the engineers and manufacturers that created steam vehicles. The book includes a nice description of the people that designed steam vehicles in addition to the steam engines themselves. The book’s focus is on steam engines in England, but also includes some mentions of steam vehicles in America and other countries. The AuthorAnthony Burton has been a professional writer and broadcaster for over forty years, during which time he has largely concentrated on the history of industry and transport. His books include The Canal Builders, recently reprinted in its fifth edition, and The Railway Builders. He has written a biography of the great steam pioneer Richard… more |
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Kriegsmarine Searchlight SetPublished:
Background(from The Battleship Bismarck, By Stefan Draminski German battleships and heavy cruisers were equipped with seven searchlights for illumination at night or in poor visibility conditions. They were produced by Siemens-Schuckertwerke and had a diameter of 1500 mm. Three signal lamps were also provided: one on either side of the admiral’s bridge, and one on a platform at the base of the mainmast. Veteran Models Searchlight Set provides seven 1540 mm searchlights and three signal lamps, both with transparent plastic lenses. The kit includes extremely finely cast resin parts with amazing detail, and a small photoetch fret, also with amazing detail. The resin pieces are exquisitely cast with virtually no imperfections. There is some minor flash… more |
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Kriegsmarine Fire Control SetPublished:
BackgroundGerman battleships and heavy cruisers were equipped with three armored fire-control posts (in the conning tower, on the foretop, and on top of the aft superstructure. Target selectors around the foretop selected air targets. Each of the selectors, called ZAGs, worked in conjunction with one of the Directors for targeting. Veteran Models Fire Control Set provides 4 - ZAG Light Flak Directors, 4 - Zielsäule C/38 S Night Directors, plus 8 - 1540mm Search Light Directors. The resin pieces are exquisitely cast with extremely fine detail, and virtually no imperfections. There is some very minor flash on the parts, but no bubbles or voids. The eyepieces even have recessed ends! The small photoetch fret provides hand wheels for the Light Controllers and Night… more |
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Kriegsmarine Observation Equipment SetPublished:
BackgroundFor directing the 38cm and 15cm guns, Bismarck was equipped with three armored fire control posts (in the conning tower, on the foretop, and on top of the aft superstructure. The main and aft control posts were equipped with 10.5m rangefinders, while the front control post received a 7m rangefinder. Each station was also equipped with optical target givers (Zielgeber C/38 S), two pieces in the aft post and three each in the fore and main posts. Binocular columns were also probably placed in the fire control posts. Veteran Models provides a diagram of the Bismarck showing possible locations for the equipment. The Battleship Bismarck By Stefan Draminski Veteran Models KitVeteran Models Kriegsmarine Observation Equipment set provides 12 DF 10 x 80… more |