Brian R. Baker
Reviews By Author
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The Empire Strikes South; Japan’s War Against Northern Australia, 1942-1945.Published:
HistoryThe book deals with the Japanese attacks on various bases and towns in Northern Australia during World War II. After the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Japanese had apparently decided not to try to invade Northern Australia, as they were having too hard a time in the islands to the north. They did carry out a series of air attacks against Australian targets through 1944, using Navy and Army aircraft in substantial numbers. The book details every attack, telling what aircraft and people were involved, the effect of the raids, and the losses and casualties. The Allied side is also discussed in detail, showing the effect radar had on interception, and the limited success of the Allied Spitfires and P-40’s against the Japanese Nell, Betty, and Helen bombers, and also… more |
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Kawanishi H8K1 Type 2, 11/12 Beaching Gear (Has)Published:
HistoryThe Japanese Kawanishi H8K1 flying boat, code named Emily by the Allies, was one of the best long range flying boats in its class during World War II. It is surprising that only one kit of this plane in 1/72 scale has been issued, by Hasegawa. This kit dates back to at least 1967, as I remember buying the kit then and wondering when I would have enough space to store and display the model once built. As a result I never built it although I have two in my stash, and after seeing this replacement unit, I have decided to do it in the near future. The original kit parts are somewhat simplified, with a single strut and a couple of lumps coming out of it. The SAC conversion kit replaces these with two small but very detailed struts. There is also a unit for the… more |
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The Marmo Method Modelbuilding Guide #7; Curtiss C-46a Commando Photo GalleryPublished:
The PublicationThis publication is a follow up from the author’s Guide #6, Building the Williams Bros. Curtiss C-46A Commando in 1/72 Scale. To get the complete information, it will be necessary to obtain a copy of both publications. This publication gives a brief statement on the development of the C-46A, and the fact that the Williams Bros. kit is the only one available in 1/72 scale, that is, if you can find one. The author has collected a large selection of period photos of the C-46A in production and in service with the U.S.A.A.A.F. Although the photos are all in black and white, and there is no color information presented, the photos provide enough information for you to build any number of models of the C-46A. These are only in USAAF markings. There is no… more |
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Fairey Swordfish, Mk. I, II, III, IV, FloatplanePublished:
HistoryThe Fairey Swordfish was an aircraft that, although appearing to be obsolete at the outbreak of World War II, achieved a combat record far in excess of what anyone expected. A large biplane, the type was used as a torpedo bomber, reconnaissance aircraft, anti-submarine type, and trainer by Commonwealth air forces and navies. Later versions were equipped with floats for catapult launching from warships, and the type routinely operated from Royal Navy carriers. In 1943, the type was equipped with radar, and mounted rockets under the wings for use against enemy warships and submarines. As long as they operated in areas where few enemy fighters were present, they could be very effective. The BookThe book provides a set of drawings for all of the major… more |
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Polikarpov PO-2 Soviet Light Night BomberPublished:
HistoryThe Polikarpov U-2, later PO-2, was designed as a light training biplane, and first appeared in 1928. It was a two seat, of mainly wooden construction, training aircraft similar in many respects to most late twenties biplanes, and had all of the characteristics required for a military trainer, including rugged construction, a low powered but reliable powerplant, and excellent flying characteristics. It so impressed Soviet authorities that it was produced in very large numbers, over 30,000 being completed by Russian and foreign factories and maintenance units between 1928 and 1953, and the last ones weren’t built in Poland until 1959. The PO-2 served mainly as a primary trainer at first, but eventually was pressed into service as a crop duster, military liaison… more |
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Fokker D.VII Landing GearPublished:
This is a cast white metal conversion set for the Eduard, or actually any, 1/72 scale Fokker D.VII kit. The package I received contained four airfoil shaped spreader assemblies for the landing gear, and two sets each of the landing gear struts and tailskids. Not having an Eduard kit available, I used an old Revell Fokker D.VII, and the unit fitted nicely. The spreader bar unit was a little roughly cast, but it was easy to sand it down to where is looked good. Not having an Eduard kit, I’m not sure why the unit needed replacement, as there isn’t really much to the gear, just the spreader and the two supporting “V” struts. The struts fit easily into the notches on the bar, but they need a little cleaning up, as there are two molding lines on each set of struts. My D.VII… more |
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F6F Hellcat, In Detail & ScalePublished:
HistoryThis book provides a complete history of the Grumman F6F Hellcat, the U.S. Navy’s most successful fighter plane of World War II. The prototypes were developed during 1941 and 1942, and after extensive testing,finally entered service with Navy carrier-based units during 1943. Hellcat pilots were credited with more enemy aircraft destroyed than any other Navy aircraft, and at the end of the war, the type was phased out of front-line service because of the appearance of its successor, the F8F Bearcat, the F4U Corsair, and later by jet fighters. Hellcats were used by reserve units until the early fifties, and were also used as drones and drone control aircraft, resulting is some of the most colorful aircraft in the Navy. The F6F, unlike many other World War II aircraft,… more |
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Yakovlev YAK-1 “ACES” with AccessoriesPublished:
HistoryThe Yakovlev Yak-1 series design work began in the late thirties, with the first flight taking place in 1939. Production started in the same year, and by 1941, these planes were beginning to be issued to Soviet Air Force fighter squadrons. The type went through a considerable amount of development, resulting in the Yak-7, Yak-9 and later the Yak-3. At first designated I-26, the Yak-1 was later redesignated Yak-1 in honor of its designer, and during its service life was upgraded in several ways, including replacing the faired-in canopy with a version allowing the pilot to see directly behind him. Some units modified their aircraft, using what was known as the Shinkarenkov Modification, which was later incorporated into all Yak production aircraft. The Yak-1 was the… more |
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Spitfires Over BerlinPublished:
HistoryThis book covers the air war over Germany during the last year of World War II. With the Americans and British closing in on the Third Reich from the west, and the Soviets moving in from the east, the Germans had worked themselves into an impossible situation, and it seems that many of them were as much interested in preparing as comfortable a defeat as possible by avoiding as much contact with the Russians as they could, as they were in preserving their lives and way of life as much as possible. In no way was this truer than in the air. It had to have been obvious to nearly everyone concerned that time was running out, and that even though newer, high-tech weaponry was slowly becoming available, the end was near. The ground forces were moving relentlessly towards the… more |
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Vought Sikorsky VS-300Published:
The Kit and AssemblyThe kit consists of 23 gray resin parts, 3 injection molded plastic rotor blades, and two sheets of photo etch metal, altogether containing approximately 50 parts, of varying size and complexity. None of the parts is named, but most are identifiable. One thing to remember is that this is not a kit designed for beginners, and wondered while I was assembling the kit whether it was really intended for experienced modelers. There are a LOT of parts to this kit, especially considering its size, and you will have to be very careful cutting the PE parts off of the sheet, as they will do their best to escape. Some are so small that if some reason they should become lost, they will be gone forever. Use of a magnifying glass is highly recommended, both for assembly… more |