Dan Mackay
Reviews By Author
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AH-1G Huey Cobra "International"Published:
The AH-1G Huey Cobra was delivered to units in 1967, and was first used in combat during the Tet offensive in 1968. The Cobra was used for fire support, escort for transport helicopters, aerial rocket artillery, and in hunter killer teams in conjunction with Hughes OH-6s. Bell built 1,116 AH-1Gs between 1967 and 1973; 300 were lost in combat during the Vietnam conflict. The US Marine Corps used the AH-1G, as well as foreign countries such as Israel and Spain. Israel started to receive their Cobras in 1970, and they were active during the 1973 conflict with Israel’s Arab neighbors. Spain took delivery of their Cobras in 1968, and they were used by both the Spanish Army and Navy. In AZmodel’s 1/72 scale kit of the AH-1G, you get 61 parts in light brown plastic, one in clear… more |
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Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.3Published:
Airfix’s 1/72 Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.3 represents an important version of this aircraft, as recounted on the side of the box: “Developed in the 1960s as the first truly successful V/STOL combat aircraft, the Hawker Siddeley Harrier proved a revelation upon entering service in its earliest from, the GR.1. However, some improvements could be made and this came in the GR.3, which featured better sensor in the nose and tail, as well as a more powerful version of the Rolls Royce Pegasus engine. The GR.3 was the first of the Harrier variants to see combat, joining Operation Corporate, the re-taking of the Falkland Islands, engaging Argentinian Forces in ground attack missions. Replaced by the GR.5 Harrier II, the GR.3 proved itself to be a capable and successful aircraft.” You… more |
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5.5 cm Zwilling FlakpanzerPublished:
At the beginning of World War two the German Army had little need for dedicated mobile AA defence as the Luftwaffe enjoyed air superiorty. However after a short while it became more important for mobile AA defence as the Army realized that the Luftwaffe could not always provide a protective umbrella. A quick solution was to convert soft skin and half-track vehicles to provide this mobile AA defence, but it was also soon realized that many of these conversions left the crews exposed. It was then decided to mount more effective mobile AA platforms that would have fully enclosed turrets to protect the crews and improve overall survivability in the face of ever increasing Allied air supremacy. The Panther medium tank chassis was ideal for these future mobile AA defences, the 5.5 cm… more |
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Hermes A1 US Test RocketPublished:
After World War II US Army intelligence gathered data and components from the German Wasserfall program. Based on this information General Electric constructed the Hermes A1 rocket which was almost identical to the Wasserfall with the exception of the mid-body fins. Five Hermes A1 rockets were successfully launched at White Sands proving grounds between May 1950 and April 1951. The Brengun Hermes A1 is molded in medium grey soft plastic with a small photo-etch fret. Flash is minimal the kit offers recessed panel lines however some of these panel lines are partially filled in and will require re-scribing. There is a slight pebbly texture to the plastic typical of many short run plastic kits; a session of sanding with fine sand paper fixes this issue. A couple of the trolley… more |
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Messerschmitt Bf-110G-2Published:
Eduard continues downsizing their 1/48 Bf-110 family to 1/72 with their latest G-2. I have wanted a G series forever, as the Italeri and Frog renditions leave a lot to be desired. You get a total of 194 parts in dark gray plastic, clear plastic, and etch. You also get canopy masks to make painting the frames easier. There are four decal options. The moldings are flash free and the panel lines are recessed and finely done. Some parts won’t be used and some are offered in both plastic and etch, so you will have bits left over for the spares box or perhaps to help dress-up other Bf-110s you have in your stash. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. I started with the cockpit as usual; there are plenty of details out of the box, no need to add anything. Construction was… more |
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Messerschmitt Bf-110C/DPublished:
Eduard has masterfully downsized their 1/48 Bf-110 family to my favorite scale of 1/72. I have waited a long time for an accurate 110 in 1/72, and from what I see in the box Eduard has delivered. You get a total of 171 parts in familiar light olive plastic, clear plastic, and etch. You also get canopy masks to make life easier when painting the frames. There are five decal options. The moldings are flash-free and the panel lines are recessed and finely cast. Some parts won’t be used in this boxing and some are rendered in both plastic and etch, so you will have bits left over for the spare box or perhaps to help dress-up other Bf-110s you have in your stash. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. Starting with the cockpit reveals plenty of details out of the box, with… more |
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American Aces Against the KamikazePublished:
From the Philippines to Okinawa, the unthinkable Kamikaze generated surprise and fear across the US Pacific fleet that outweighed the actual combat effectiveness of these Special Attack units. The new title in the Osprey aces series focuses on the Navy, Marine, and USAAF commands that confronted this new threat. The IJN and IJA lost some 900 aircraft in these mass attacks. 91 pilots from the Navy, Marines and USAAF became aces during these campaigns (most aces were from the Navy). Edward M Young walks you through the development and first use of the Special Attack units right up to VE day. The Navy’s response and tactics to counter this new threat is very well chronicled. Each ace is covered with his individual tallies and the circumstances of each victory. Vice-Admiral… more |
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IJN Zuikaku Carrier Deck SectionPublished:
I was extremely pleased to be given the chance to review Eduard’s new Zuikaku carrier deck section. I have a few IJN aircraft and this deck section really helps to display them at shows. You get a section of pre-painted deck, and all you have to do is remove it from the etch carrier tree and you ready to place your favorite IJN plane on it. The deck section is good to go as is or you can mount it on a base like I did (mine came from Michael’s craft store for a couple of bucks). There is also deck sections for the Zuikaku with an elevator, and similar ones for the Akagi available as well from Eduard. I used a Hasegawa Zero to show off the deck – see pictures below. Purist will recognize that my Zero is from the Hiryu, not the Zuikaku. Oh, well, it’s the only A6M2 I have built at… more |
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Sd.Kfz.263 Funkspahwagen (8-rad)Published:
The Sd.Kfz. 263 Funkspahwagen (8-rad) is part of Dragon’s 1/72 “Armor Pro” series. You get 91 medium gray hard plastic parts on five sprue trees with minimal flash. The instructions are very well illustrated with six sequences of assembly and painting guides for 5 marking options. The detail is exceptional and is consistent with other armor kits in this range. The decals are in perfect register and allow you to customize the license plates numbers. I started by assembling the lower hull to the upper hull. This was followed by attaching the front and back upper hull plates. Mr. Surfacer was used to fill the slight gaps. I then attached all the smaller bits such as headlights, tools, roll bars, and license plate holders. Next, I assembled the fenders as per assembly step #3. I… more |
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IJN Aircraft Seatbelts SetsPublished:
I am presently working on the new Airfix A6M2 Zero right now; the Fine Molds 1/72 IJN seatbelt set came just in time for me to incorporate them into the cockpit. This new seatbelt set comes four in the package, molded in ABS plastic, and can be formed to the contours of the seat. Be very careful when bending these belts as they can be broken easily, I used brass rod of various diameters to bend the belts. I started by using a larger diameter rod first and gently rolled the belt around it, using progressively smaller diameter rods until I got the desired bend. Once the belts are bent as desired, they keep their shape. I used superglue to fix the belts to the seat with no problems. The detail is in 3D when compared photo-etch and very crisp and highly detailed. I painted my belts… more |