Bill O'Malley
Reviews By Author
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Ford GT: Then and NowPublished:
Veloce Publishing’s mission is to “provide books of the highest quality in terms of content, accuracy, presentation, subject range and reader satisfaction to discerning automotive enthusiasts around the world.” Ford GT: Then and Now fulfills this mission with a book full of large, clear, high quality photos printed on nice, semi-gloss paper. Ford GT: Then and Now is a photographic history of the Ford GT, starting with the Lola forerunners to the original Ford GT MK I race car in 1964, and continues with the Ford MK II, through the MK IV and J car. The book was first published in June 2006 and this edition is a reprint from June 2017. Unfortunately, the book does not cover the third generation Ford GT currently raced by the Ford racing team in the IMSA… more |
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Atlas of the European Campaign 1944-45Published:
IntroductionThis impressive volume is a beautifully bound book over an inch and a half thick, with 127 beautiful map illustrations and descriptive narratives. The maps are based on Osprey’s Campaign Series of books and describe the Allied European Campaign in 1944 and 1945. The maps focus almost entirely on land campaigns rather than air or naval campaigns. Osprey has also produced a separate volume, the Atlas of Eastern Front, 1941 to 1945, that covers the war between Germany and the Soviet Union. AuthorProlific author Steven J. Zaloga has written 138 books for Osprey. Zaloga received his BA in History from Union College and his MA from Columbia University. He has worked as an analyst in the aerospace industry for over two decades, covering missile… more |
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Soviet Heavy Tank T-100Published:
OKB Grigorov, is a Bulgarian scale model designer and manufacturer established in 2003. Their stated goal is to provide quality models and accessories with the maximum amount of details. OKB manufactures resin AFV, ships, and accessories. From Wikipedia: The T-100 was a Soviet twin-turreted heavy tank prototype, designed in 1938–39 as a possible replacement for the T-35. The T-100 was originally conceived with three turrets and was eventually built with two. The prototype T-100 tank was briefly tested without success alongside other designs in the Soviet invasion of Finland in 1939. It was never put into production due to the archaic design concept, poor mobility, and the availability of a far superior alternative, the KV series. OKB’s T-100 kit comes packed in a sturdy… more |
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T-55 Mod. 1963 Interior Kit, Part 2Published:
IntroductionThis is part 2 of the review of MiniArt’s T-55 Mod. 1963 Interior Kit, including assembly of the turret, tracks, fenders, and the remainder of the kit. Part 1 of this review included the engine, suspension, hull assembly, hull side panels, and rear deck panels. This kit is one of MiniArt’s T-55 variants and follows their earlier series of T-44/54 Russian tank kits. Following their previous versions, this kit is first released with full interior detailing. MiniArt has also announced an IDF Tiran version of the T-55, and a T-55A Late Mod. 1965… more |
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Panzer DNAPublished:
This book, published by AMMO by Mig Jimenez SL, is a guide to the subject of colors and markings of German military vehicles and units. The books stated attempt is to bring order to the complex and partly unknown topics, and to provide clarity to all of the information available on the Internet. The book is divided into chapters that deal with the main themes separately Chapter 1: The BallenkreuzDescribes the beginnings, evolution, implementation, and use of the straight-armed cross used on almost all German vehicles. Colored illustrations of variations in the cross and black & white photographs are used to illustrate examples. Chapter 2: Composition of Military UnitsExplains the tactical symbols and hierarchy of military units. A color chart… more |
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T-55 Mod. 1963 Interior Kit, Part 1Published:
IntroductionThis is part 1 of the review of MiniArt’s T-55 Mod. 1963 Interior Kit. Part 2 will complete the assembly of the turret, tracks, fenders, and the remainder of the kit. This kit is the first of MiniArt’s T-55 variants and follows their earlier series of T-44/54 Russian tank kits. Following their previous versions, this kit is first released with full interior detailing. MiniArt has also announced a soon to be released IDF Tiran version of the T-55, and a T-55A Late Mod. 1965. With over 1200 parts, this is an extremely well-detailed kit that is best suited for patient, experienced modelers. MiniArt provides full interior details of the hull, turret, and engine. The drivers' compartment provides some detail, but not as complex as the other areas.… more |
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The 101st Airborne in Normandy, June 1944Published:
SummaryThis book is a photo essay of the 101st Airborne in Normandy from D-Day through early July 1944. The first of Casemate’s Illustrated series, the book has many black-and-white and color photographs, colored vehicle profiles, color photos of key participants, and colored maps. Written descriptions of the 101st units and movements accompany the many photos. The text is fairly brief, and is not meant to be a complete written description of the activities of the 101st. Most of the information is contained in photographs, captions, and more detailed “In profile” articles. The Book’s Chapters:
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Jeannin Stahltaube Landing Gear & Wire Supts. (WNW)Published:
Scale Aircraft Conversions produces white metal replacement parts for kit details such as landing gear. This set provides metal landing gear, plow brake, upper & lower cable support struts, and outside wing cable supports for the WingNut Wings 1/32 Jeannin Stahltube plastic kit. These detail parts come in a 2 1/2”x 3 1/2”x 1” blister pack containing eight sprues with 12 parts. Parts include the main landing gear, plow brake, and the upper and lower struts and turnbuckles for the wing rigging cables. Some of the parts were slightly bent coming out of the package, but one of the advantages of metal castings is their ability to be bent back into shape. The detail on the metal parts slightly softer than the comparable kit plastic parts, although still good. There is some… more |
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Osprey Early US Armor - Armored Cars 1915-40Published:
This informative and well-illustrated book covers early US armor from steam-powered units in the late 1800s, early armored cars used in pursuit of Pancho Villa, and armored cars in action during the Great War. Armored cars were abandoned prior to World War II in favor of more lightly armored scout cars and half-track cars that would see extensive use in World War II. Prolific author Steven J. Zaloga has worked as an analyst in the aerospace industry for over three decades, covering missile systems and the international arms trade, and has served with the Institute for Defense Analyses. He is the author of numerous books on military technology and military history, with an accent on the US Army in World War II as well as Russia and the former Soviet Union. Illustrator Felipe… more |
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Sd.Kfz. 2 Kleines Kettenkraftrad Typ HK 101Published:
Background on the vehicle is provided in English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, and Russian. Colors are called out in Italeri acrylic paint numbers and some in RAL numbers. Detail color references are included in the various assembly steps. Diagrams of each of the sprues are included, which is important as the parts are not numbered on the sprues themselves. The sprue letter is only called out on the diagram, not the actual sprue. Identifying the correct part will require referring to the sprue diagrams to see the number and where it’s located on which sprue. I made copies of the sprue diagrams to tape up in front of my workbench for quick reference. I also added tape tabs to the sprues with the sprue number to make it easier to find the right sprue. Hull Assembly… more |