Bill O'Malley
Reviews By Author
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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 |
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British Army Husky TSVPublished:
BackgroundFrom Meng's Website - High altitude, large temperature difference, dry weather, broken stones and snow, Afghanistan has the harshest natural environment for ground weapons and soldiers. In response, the shrewd British has chosen a special light-weight vehicle for their famous and professional army. The vehicle was derived from the heavy pickup trucks of the U.S. company Navistar. It can be transported by the C-130. It has better cross-country capability than normal wheeled vehicles and can be easily modified. The British Army named this vehicle after the working dog Husky in the Polar regions. Meng's KitThe 320 plastic parts are molded in dark yellow and have nice crisp detail. There is no flash, but mold seams are evident on all of the parts.… more |
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Rome at WarPublished:
This book chronicles the Roman soldiers and generals that shaped the Roman Empire by wars and conquests, from expansion, to its decline and fall. Color photos, maps, and photos illustrate the disciplined and highly trained army that conquered a vast empire comprising the known world. Four sections of the book describe the development and wars of the Roman army:
A chronology of Roman Empire wars and empires, and an index of significant warriors and battles are also provided. The chronological organization of the book nicely portrays the training and tactics developed for the Roman soldier, and also… more |
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Jeffery Quad Ammunition TruckPublished:
Kit ManufacturerThis is a high quality resin kit of the Jeffrey Quad 4 wheel drive truck produced by Lukgraph Models from Krakow, Poland. Lukgraph’s focus is on British and American aviation in the years between WWI and WWII. Lukgraph also produces the Jeffery-Poplavko armored car, and Nash-Quad Artillery truck in 1/35 scale; and the Nash-Quad Truck, and Nash-Quad Ammunition Truck in 1/48 scale. Lukgraph also makes a number of WWI aircraft kits in both 1/48 and 1/32 scales. The kits are available direct from Lukgraph, Victory Models, or KitLinx in the U.S., and several European suppliers. The review sample was ordered direct from Lukgraph and included a nice personalized photo of a completed kit. The cost of the kit is $84.83 plus $11.31… more |
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Tiger Shark Show RodPublished:
BackgroundFrom KustomRama: "The Car Craft Dream Rod was designed by the staff of Car Craft Magazine in 1961 and built in 1963. The car was completely custom made and got its power from a 289 Ford engine. In 1966 the Dream Rod was sold to the International Show Car Association, which commissioned a substantial revision to the car's styling, called the Tiger Shark. New alterations on the car included a hood scoop, the side roof scoops were closed, the trunk lid was eliminated, the rear was stretched 6 inches, the rear window, grille opening, and front fenders were also modified, and the roof clad in vinyl. The fenders followed the nose's shape and enclosed the Dream Rod's wheel wells. The… more |