Brian R. Baker
Reviews By Author
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Ilyushin Il-2 SturmovikPublished: July 5, 2013 HistoryThe Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmovik has the distinction of being produced in the largest numbers of any combat aircraft anywhere in the world, and its developmental history is well known to most modelers and historians. Conceived in 1938 as an armored, close support and anti-tank aircraft, its designers wanted the plane to be a two-seater with a rearward firing machine gun for… more |
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Kawasaki Ki-45 Kai Hei Toryu (Nick)Published: June 27, 2013 HistoryThe Kawasaki Ki-45 was the first attempt by Japanese manufacturers to provide the JAAF with a modern twin-engine fighter. The original specification was issued to Nakajima, Mitsubishi, and Kawasaki in 1937, but the first two soon withdrew from the project, Kawasaki continued into 1939 with the completion of the Ki-45 prototype. This proved to be inadequate in many respects,… more |
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Brewster F2A-1 BuffaloPublished: June 18, 2013 HistoryThe Brewster F2A Buffalo series of single-engine fighters has long been maligned by aviation writers and historians, although its combat career varied widely because of the meager performance, training levels of its pilots, and the quality of the opposition. In the hands of the Finns, the airplane was highly successful, managing to score against Spitfires, Hurricanes, and… more |
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Messerschmitt Bf-110E Gun BarrelsPublished: May 24, 2013 Quickboost has produced a set of resin gun barrels to replace the nose armament for the Eduard Bf-110E kit. The only real differences between the kit and replacement parts are that the resin part is one piece, whereas the kit parts need to be glued together, and the gun barrels are drilled out, allowing for more realism. Once installed, the gun barrels are barely visible, although the drilled… more |
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Junkers JU-87D-3 StukaPublished: May 23, 2013 HistoryWhen Ernst Udet brought back two Curtiss Hawk biplanes to Germany in the middle thirties after witnessing dive bombing demonstrations by US Navy pilots, he started a trend that resulted in the development of dive bombing aircraft for the Luftwaffe that eventually resulted in the development of the Junkers JU-87. Capable of nearly vertical dives retarded by very effective dive… more |
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Messerschmitt Bf-110E Landing GearPublished: May 23, 2013 This is a set of white metal landing gear struts for the Eduard 1/72nd scale Bf-110E kit. The unit consists of two main gear legs, which are identical to those in the kit, two different sized tail wheels, and two sets of bracing struts. I think the smaller tail wheel would fit a Bf-109 quite nicely. No instructions were provided. There were attachment tabs on the main gear, but none for the… more |
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Messerschmitt Bf-110E Exhaust StacksPublished: May 23, 2013 This is a set of resin exhaust stacks for the new Eduard Bf-110E kit. The advantage in using these units is that they are drilled out, whereas the kit parts are not. They fit perfectly, and were a welcome addition to my model. They are to be installed after painting the basic structure, allowing for such detailing and weathering as you desire. These are worth getting to upgrade your model.… more |
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Ilyushin IL-2 Type 3MPublished: May 20, 2013 The Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmovik is perhaps one of the most famous aircraft of World War II, especially since more IL-2’s were produced, 36,163, than any other military combat aircraft of this era. Appearing in numerous versions, including single and two seaters, the IL-2 was probably the best close support and anti-tank aircraft used during the war. Any serious modeler should be aware of this… more |
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Fokker D.XXI Aces of World War 2Published: May 17, 2013 The Fokker D.XXI single seat fighter was developed in the late thirties to replace the Fokker biplane fighters serving with the Dutch Army Aviation Branch. Although used in relatively small numbers by the Dutch, and quickly overwhelmed by the Luftwaffe during the German invasion, the type was also adopted by the Danes, but its major operational use was with the Finnish Air Force in the Winter… more |
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Macchi C.200 SaettaPublished: May 13, 2013 HistoryThe Macchi C.200 had its origins in a series of Schneider Cup seaplane racers designed by Mario Castoldi during the early thirties. The prototype C.200 first flew in 1937, and was an all-metal, low wing, radial powered monoplane possessing extremely clean lines. Its main drawbacks were its low powered 870 hp. Fiat A.74 engine and its meager armament, two fuselage mounted 12.7… more |