Dave Morrissette
Reviews By Author
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Combat Edge-War Fighters in Detail: US Navy and Marine Corps EA-6B ProwlerPublished:
This second book in the new Combat Edge series from SAM Publications deals with the US Navy and Marine Corps EA-6B Prowler. The book has a beautiful cover shot in glossy relief of a Prowler coming right at you. The book covers the history and development of the Prowler, its operational history as well as a walk around and beautiful color profiles. Lastly, there are three unbelievable builds of the Prowler. More on these later. The chapters included in the book are:
Each chapter is lavishly illustrated and starts with the development or the EA-… more |
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Big Scale Hogs - A-10 DecalsPublished:
Speed Hunter Graphics is a part of the Reid Air Publications family and that means Jake Melampy whose owner as wells as chief cook and bottle washer. That’s a great thing for all of us who love the wonderful A-10 Thunderbolt II. I have had a love affair with this plane since I first saw one fly in an air show here in Cleve. Anything but sleek, it is a workmanlike flying tank whose appearance may be different but it also the last thing you would ever want to see if you are in an armored vehicle on the wrong side and it’s the best thing to see if you are looking for close air support. Enough of the love fest, Speed Hunter has released a set for the Trumpeter 1/32nd A-10. This is a massive set with decals for fourteen planes. There are enough decals in the set for two complete… more |
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F-16C WA WA WA Nellis VipersPublished:
Twobobs always makes great decals and when this scheme popped up on the review list and included and arctic scheme aggressor, I knew I wanted to review it and build and F-16 in those colors. Inside the package are markings for two 1/48th scale F-16’s from 57th Wing at Nellis AFB. This group continues making aggressor schemes to mimic the newest schemes from our potential adversaries. In this case, the two schemes involved are the Arctic scheme with light gray/medium gray/very dark gray in bands around the jet for the first scheme and the second is the splinter scheme in blues and gray. Both jets are really nice looking but I wanted to focus on the Arctic bandit scheme. But before I use them, let’s look at what you get in the package- decals for both planes printed by Microscale… more |
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The Modern SLUF Guide - The A-7 Corsair II ExposedPublished:
For those of you who love aircraft and their details, Reid Air Publications is the gold standard for reference. This series of books is a glorious full color run through some of the greatest planes in the US armory. The latest book reviewed here covers the A-7 II Corsair, commonly called the SLUF (short little ugly fella or some derivative!). This is an in-depth photo journal of the plane from top to bottom and front to back. It covers variants including A-7 D-H, TA-7C, TA-7H, A-7K as well as all the needed under wing ordnance. Looking at the general chapter headings will give you a good start to the depth this book has:
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DOGS OF WAR Part 2 US Army/USMC/VNAF O-1 Bird Dogs in the Vietnam WarPublished:
AOA Decals specializes in Navy and Marine Corps subjects from the Vietnam era. They have branched out slightly with the first sheet for Roden’s lovely O-1 Bird Dog by adding Army/ USAF planes. Part 2 continues and goes back to the USMC and adds markings in for additional Army and VNAF planes also. Let’s take a dive into Part 2. Part 2 of the 1/32nd Bird Dog coverage includes thirteen marking options for various O-1 A/G/E Bird Dogs from the Vietnam War:
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Streamline Dreams - Ten Amazing Unbuilt Automobile Designs, 1916-1939Published:
Illustrator and automotive enthusiast Jarek Zichek has gone digging deeply into the history of automobiles. Instead of ones that actually were built, he focused on concept streamlined automobiles. While not a complete survey of every car made, Mr. Zichek narrowed his focus to pre-WWII and to cars which had at least a fragmentary plan view. The majority of the 3D models generated are based on patent drawings and there are inconsistencies throughout some of the drawings so research and interpretation had to fill in some of the missing gaps. The main body of the book consists of eight cars with reviews of the drawings that were used to generate the 3D models. Each car has multiple views as well as dimensions of the cars. Different color schemes are included especially if the car… more |
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Dallachy Strike Wing Beaufighters… 144, 455, and 489 SqnsPublished:
Aviaeology is very well known for their extensively researched decals covering a gamut of Canadian WWII subjects. This set continues that fine tradition by covering 1/48th scale Beaufighter Type TF.X’s from RAF Dallachy. RAF Dallachy is a closed air base located north of Edinburgh, Scotland on the North Sea. It was home to the RAF in WWII where it was used to harass and sink enemy shipping. The three squadrons covered in this set are Canadian (No. 144), Australian (No. 455) and New Zealand (No. 489) all flying the Beaufighter. The decal sheet covers 16 aircraft from these squadrons with markings for all planes but only National markings for one complete plane. Let’s take a look in the package. There are four separate decals sheets included. Two are standard size and include… more |
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Vietnamese SPADS Part 2 VNAF AD-6/A-1H Skyraiders in the Vietnam WarPublished:
AOA Decals specializes in top quality, thoroughly researched decal sheets from the Vietnam War era. This is wonderful with all the new kit releases, as there are now more options for markings. Inside the package, there are full color profiles and notes about all eleven sets of markings, and two large colorful decal sheets printed by Cartograf. The sheet covers South Vietnamese Air Force AD-6/A1-H Skyraiders in 1/32 scale, with the recommended kit being Trumpeter or Zoukei-Mura. Detail and notes abound in the set, including notes on each specific plane, its color and markings, and any specifics about the plane. In fact, two of the markings represent Skyraiders that were retrofitted with the Yankee extraction system. The time frame involved is from the early 1960’s to 1970. Minimal… more |
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Soviet Fighter Pilot with Seat for I-153Published:
Aerobonus and Aires continue their excellent pilot releases with this 1/48th scale Soviet fighter pilot for the ICM I-153. The set comes in four parts: the head, body molded to the seat, and two arms. Casting is flawless with crisp detail and no air bubbles or imperfections. Assembly is straightforward for the arms and head, cutting them easily from the pour block. The seat and body are not difficult but here’s a trick. Remove the head and arms and cut the pour block back to give access to the legs. Slowly trim them loose with a sharp knife and multiple score cuts or gently with a saw. Once done, cut the seat free and you and lightly sand the few seam lines and glue on the arms. I kept the head separate for painting. I used a slight dab of filler on the arms and a… more |
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A-1 Skyraider - 20mm Cannon Barrels and Pitot TubePublished:
Master Models out of Poland has issued several sets of parts for the many Skyraider kits and in all scales. This set includes replacement pitot tube and multiple option gun barrels without flash hiders for the family of 1/32 Skyraider’s. In this case, I will be giving it a test run on my Zoukei Mura kit. Inside the package, you will find one excellent pitot tube for the tail and twelve beautiful machined brass parts for the guns which include 4 main barrels and two different sets of muzzles which will allow you to replicate the guns you need. All muzzles have hollow ends to replicate the gun openings. The pictures below show the increased detail of the pitot tube. It is much finer and stronger that the kit part with no seam. The installation will be simple, just glue in… more |