Bob LaBouy
Reviews By Author
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Tank Wrecks of the Western Front 1940-1945Published:
Table of Contents
Other related titles in the Images of War series by Anthon Tucker-Jones This fine book is yet another in Pen and Sword Military Images of War series of publications. In this book, Mr. Tucker-Jones traces the use and deployment of both Allied and Axis armor through the wrecks left on the… more |
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Tempest Mk. V Landing GearPublished:
This white metal landing gear set was specifically designed as the replacement for the latest 2019 Eduard model of the Tempest Mk.V. There are now two such kits as single kits and dual kit ‘Royal Class’ boxing affording the modeler to build several of the Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC). The SAC gear provides the modeler with a replacement while metal landing gear set, including the main gear and the rear tail strut. One great advantage of the SAC metal gear is their ability to be bent where necessary to more accurately sit on the gear. My first task was to remove the visible seam lines, using small sanding sticks and no. 11 blade scalpel. I then primed each piece, using my standby Mission Model black primer, which allows me to easily see where I might have missed when… more |
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Battle of Berlin 1943-1944Published:
This fine book is yet another in Osprey’s Air Campaign series. It concerns itself with the massive bombing efforts over Germany in late 1943 through 1944. The author provides an excellent overview it’s chronology, including the daylight bombing raids over Berlin, Hanover, Peenemünde, Hamburg, Magdeburg, Stettin, Leipzig, Augsburg and numerous other targets. Of particular interest is the outline the leadership and organization of both allied offensive and the German defensive forces—both in terms of the array of aircraft, bases and the defensive guns and equipment utilized by both axis and allies. In the author’s campaign, there are clearly defined outlines dealing with many of the main air battles, including two of primary interest: The Berlin raids over the 22nd… more |
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Meng Leopard 2 A7+Published:
A Very Brief History of the LeopardDuring the late 60’s Germany began to plan for new primary main battle tank which would replace the M48 Patton tanks purchased from the US (in service through 1993). Early designs were grouped around the initial concept called the MBT-70, though it never got past the initial design with only a wooden hull constructed. For several years numerous prototypes were designed leading to the Leopard I design in 1965, which used a German built 105mm Royal Ordnance gun. These tanks continued in use through 2003 and included 4744 main battle tanks. In the early 1970’s additional development work began with the German Defense Ministry and the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH (known as KMW) leading to the development of the second series of the… more |
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IDF M60A1 Magach 6BPublished:
History and this KitThe Magach tank was produced and based on both the M48, and with the Magach 6B on M60 tank hulls. I took this review assignment because of my interest in the M60 Patton tanks. Having built several over the last few years and AFV’s M60A1 kit #35060 and Takom’s M60A1 with the Explosive Reactive Armor, I was equally up for the challenge of the Magach 6B. This latest version of the Magach 6B has mostly aspects that we modelers can’t see: the British 105mm gun and 750hp diesel engine. As the M60 tanks were modified into the Magach 6 series the most noticeable difference is the explosive reactive armor panels surrounding the turret and the frontal hull area, and the addition of a M2 50 cal. and two 30 cal. machine guns on the turret. The Build… more |
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Operation Linebacker II 1972Published:
In his organization of this book, Mr. Michel provides a logical approach to this ‘air campaign.’ The Table of Contents provides for the basic outline:
During his introduction, I was surprised to read the author’s comments about an earlier book I had read and prior to this point considered to be the basic groundwork for this air war over Vietnam; Linebacker II: A View From the Rock. He calls this early recounting of the Linebacker II operations “an inaccurate and self-aggrandizing memoir.” In this book, the author… more |
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F-102A & F-106 DecalsPublished:
Fündekals provided these five sample sheets for my review. Each sheet provides numerous decals. The F-102A sheets each provide either five or six sets of individual markings. In the case of the Stencil sheet at least one complete set of markings (many of which I used in completion of my F-102A model, and in the Stars and Bars sheets, numerous national insignia. Sheets Reviewed
The BuildI decided to build a Monogram F-102A in order to at least try these decals. I have long come to the personal conclusion that review comments not… more |
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Chance Vought F4U CorsairPublished:
This is a very handy reference publication for modelers. In this booklet by Maciej Noszczak, there are 20 pages of beautiful line drawings, side view color plates and photos of the XF4U-1 prototype. There is little in the way of text, aside from a long paragraph detailing the basic developmental stages for the Corsair family of aircraft. The line drawings are highly detailed (including one full page inserted and removable page). The line drawings are prepared in 1/48th scale while the color plates are done in a larger unspecified scale. However, these color plates provide a number of valuable color references in both two-tone grey over white, solid dark grey, and the ever popular intermediate blue and dark blue over white schemes. Though far from an expert on… more |
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P-40N with CMK Add-On PartsPublished:
The AircraftThe P-40N was in several respects the final and some would say the definitive P-40 Warhawk or the Kittyhawk Mk. IV. The most distinguishing feature was the extended canopy, which provided the pilot with a much better view from within the canopy. While it can’t be seen from the exterior, this model of the P-40N was powered by the Allison V-1710-87 engine. The KitThis kit was a pleasure to build and estimated to take only 20 hours to complete, appears to match the published dimensions in all respects, and provides an attractive addition to the Warhawk or Kittyhawk family of kits (not counting the CMK after-market items noted below). The BuildThe basic kit has a pretty low level of difficulty and would be pretty straight-forward… more |
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Charlie Company’s Journey Home: The Forgotten Impact on the Wives of Vietnam VeteransPublished:
I found this book to be a compelling read on several levels. It is written about the lives of women who were involved with and or married to the men who served with Charlie Company, 4thof the 47thInfantry, 9thInfantry Division, stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. It is certainly a book full of statistics, averages and other data to provide the reader with a great deal of insight into what life was like for the very few wives already married when their husbands were preparing to go into combat in Vietnam in early 1967. As a nation, we seemed to overlook the terrible toll—mentally and physically, that the women who stay home pay. There was a great deal of irony in this book for me personally: I graduated from the University of Washington in early 1967 and planned for several… more |