Chuck Bush
Reviews By Author
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Gama Goat Detail In ActionPublished:
David Doyle has produced a fine reference on the M561 Gama Goat. This is just in time for us to use to super detail the latest offering from Tamiya. The front and back covers feature the excellent art of Don Greer. The book begins with coverage of the Meili Metrac and the Clark Flex-Trac. There are pictures of both these vehicles undergoing field testing. The Gama Goat was designed by Roger Gamaunt and licensed to Chance Vought who proposed it to the military in 1961. It was rejected. By 1963 a contract was awarded. The vehicle was tested in Thailand, but was never used in Vietnam. It saw action in Grenada. This volume is full of great action and detail photography. There are plenty of color shots of the engine, transmission, hitch, and even of a vehicle turned on its… more |
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Soviet ML-20 152mm Howitzer Mod 1937 (Standard)Published:
The model consists of 9 sprues of dark yellow plastic, 2 frets of PE, 6 vinyl tires, and a metal barrel. There are no decals. The instructions are clearly drawn for the most part, and consist of twelve pages with thirteen steps, plus a parts map. There is also a color profile sheet. The molding is crisp and free of flash, pin marks, and sink marks. The model is very well detailed and engineered, and the fit is extremely good throughout, except for the PE brackets for the splinter shield (more below). The model consists of the gun and a towing limber. The gun may be built in the firing or towing position. The instructions call out options between the two. The towing arms on the gun can be left movable if you so desire. A metal barrel is provided for about… more |
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Soviet Komintern Artillery TractorPublished:
The model consists of 8 grey sprues, 10 brown sprues (indi track links), 1 clear sprue, and a small decal sheet containing 4 small dials for the dashboard. The bottom hull, hood/grill, and main cab come as individual parts. The instructions are clearly drawn and consist of eight pages with eight steps, plus a parts map. There is also a color profile sheet. The molding is crisp and free of flash, pin marks, and sink marks. The model is very well detailed and engineered, and the fit is extremely good throughout. The cab has steering levers, gearshift, and hand brake. However, they are on the left hand side and should be on the right. (Thanks to Ian Sadler for showing me drawings from the manuals). Some modelers may want to fix this. The cab doors are separate… more |
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Henschel 33 D1 Kfz.72 WWII German Radio Communications TruckPublished:
There is very little online about the Henschel 33D1 Kfz. 72. I did find a few black and white pictures, but my own library added nothing. The kit comprises 7 sprues in yellow plastic, one of clear plastic, a small decal sheet, and a 13 page instruction sheet. The instruction sheet has a two-paragraph background, a color chart (Model Master), a parts map (showing unused parts), 34 steps of construction, and color and marking profiles for two trucks. The instructions are very well drawn and mostly clear, with some painting call outs. Construction begins with the engine, which is very nicely done, and then progresses to the frame and suspension. This is where the problems started for me. The plastic used is a bit on the brittle side. Some of the sprue attachment points are… more |
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VsKfz 617 MinenraumerPublished:
The VsKfz 617 Minenraumer is the first entry in Meng’s Stegosaurus series. The VsKfz 617 never got out of the prototype phase. The first one was completed in 1942, jointly designed by Alkett, Krupp, and Daimler-Benz. Only the vehicle captured by the Russians survives today. The model comes in a sturdy box with all sprues individually bagged. The hull top and bottom are in a separate compartment, as is the turret. The track parts are in two plastic trays, keeping everything neat. The instructions comprise a 14 page booklet with a color drawing of a minenraumer on the front. The first page has a discussion of the unclear history of the vehicle. Page 3 through 12 contain the 19 step instructions, all very clearly drawn, with no step being too busy or… more |
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M26 Dragon Wagon Walk AroundPublished:
David Doyle has given us another excellent walk around publication. This one covers the M26 Dragon Wagon tank transporter, used by the United States Army during World War II. Those of us who have the Ampersand Publishing Dragon Wagon book, by David and Pat Stansell, will find 80 pages of new pictures with cover art by Don Greer. This book is filled with captioned color pictures of expertly restored vehicles. The tractor portion of the Dragon Wagon is an M26 or M26A1 tractor. The trailer portion is the M15 or M15A2 Tank-Recovery Semi-Trailer. Together they become the M26 Dragon Wagon. The M26 tractor is the hard top version seen in the Tamiya kit. It had an armored cab, so that it could be “buttoned up” when under fire, but it was heavy and hard on the power train, and… more |
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Staghound Mk. III Armoured CarPublished:
The Staghound Armoured Car was produced in America for the British Army and other Allied forces. It first went into action in Italy in 1943. The Staghound Mk. III had a modified Crusader turret with an Ordnance QF 75 mm gun. The bow machine gun was not fitted. It was supplied to some British armoured car regiments during 1944. I have seen the number produced listed as 37 and as 100. Bronco Models has released this vehicle as their first 1:48 scale kit. The kit consists of 5 sprues of dark yellow plastic parts, one of clear plastic, a small photo etched fret, a length of nylon string, a small decal sheet for 2 vehicles, and a 15 page, 22 step construction booklet. All the parts and the decal sheet are in plastic bags. My first impression on looking in the box is…break out… more |
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UH-60 Medevac InteriorPublished:
The UH-60 Blackhawk is America’s current work horse helicopter. One of its most important roles is as a Medevac helicopter. When I was an Independent Duty Medic in Korea in 1987 I was supported by the Army Blackhawks. The kit is molded in molded in resin. Molding is very good, detail is crisp and clean. I found only 2 small bubbles to be filled. Pour blocks are small and the parts can be removed with no damage in a short time.The kit includes the carousel, 4 litter pans and a panel for the ceiling of the cabin with the rotating arm molded on. The carousel can be made to rotate so it can be shown in loading or in flight position. The rotating arm is molded in the inflight position. However, when installed in the helicopter kit, that is hard to see. The instructions are a single… more |
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American Fire Apparatus, Vol. 2 - Aerial EquipmentPublished:
Wayne Mutza has written his second book on American Fire Apparatus aimed at the scale modeler. This volume covers Aerial Equipment and, from Don Greer’s paintings on the front and back covers to the more than 300 color and black and white images inside, it is a feast for the eye. The introduction explains that by the late 1800s the increase in multi-story buildings brought on the organization of the first Hook and Ladder Companies. They arrived at the blaze carrying multiple ladders and pike poles, or “hooks”, for pulling down walls and ceilings. American LaFrance purchased the patent for a wagon-mounted ladder raised by a worm gear and fitted with a tiller seat from Daniel D. Hayes of the San Francisco Fire Department. The Hayes Aerial went into production in 1881. … more |
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The Seaplane YearsPublished:
Tim Mason had a forty year flying/Royal Air Force career. Since his retirement he has written three books on the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment. The Seaplane Years is the third of those books. (Editor's note: The book is subtitled - A history of the Marine & Armament Experimental Establishment, 1920 - 1924, and Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment, 1924 - 1956) The book opens with an interdiction by Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire, followed by an Introduction and Acknowledgements. The first three chapters cover the three facilities used for testing from 1920 to 1956. Of special interest to modelers will be some of the pictures found here. There are a few good diorama ideas tucked into this part of the book. The meat of this book… more |