P-51 Mustang Part 2: XP-51B through P-51C

Published: July 10, 2025
Book Author(s): Bert Kenzey and Haagen Klaus
Company: Detail & Scale, Inc.

Detail & Scale Aviation publications have set the standard for aircraft reference books since 1978. This Paperback publication is 102 pages with B&W and full color, close up detail and “in action” images. Some of these books are also offered in Apple and Kindle digital versions.

The book starts out with the developmental & operational history of the Packard-Merlin powered Mustangs. This section has plenty of photos along with five-view drawings indicating features of the B & C model Mustangs and detailed aircraft measurements. This section is followed by Mustang variants to include P-51B, C, F-6C and Mustang III.

The next sections start off with a gallery of early Merlin mustangs with a mix of B&W and color photos.

After all the exterior pictures… more

P-40 B/C Tomahawk Instrument Panel

Published: December 5, 2024
Company: Yahu Models

Founded in 2013, Yahu Models' expertise goes back more than 20 years in producing photo etch and utilizing screen printing. Most of their current product line consists of aircraft instrument panels.

This product comes in a clear bag containing an instrument panel, a photo etch (PE) fret for the two sidewalls raised objects, and a clear sheet is provided for instrument faces. I am really impressed at how sharply the detail is represented. The instrument panel is thin brass with raised instrument features in full color and the background color (black) is not shiny and looks just as it would in an actual aircraft. On the photo etch fret, details are full color and very crisp. Instructions are just one page and give the basic information on where to locate each item. The instructions… more

Landing Gears for F-14D

Published: April 23, 2024
Company: Detail & Wonder

Overview

Detail & Wonder (D&W) is a new company that specializes in highly detailed 3D printed landing gear. The gear set comes in a sturdy box with parts secured in custom cut foam. A real nice color instruction booklet. There are four 3D printed groups, four cast wheels and six metal rods. Each landing gear section is printed with support and a “cage” protecting the delicate looking gear. The booklet gives details on how to trim the supports and what order to trim the supports.

Product Details

Starting with the nose gear, you get eight separate 3D printed parts, two resin cast tires, steel rod for strength and a metal tube that represents the oleo strut. My solution would be to polish the oleo strut which will save you from having to paint the strut. The… more

MQ-1C UAV

Published: April 5, 2024
Company: Clear Prop

Aircraft and History

The MQ-1C, known as “Grey Eagle” is a medium-sized Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Based on the MQ-1 “Predator”, the Grey Eagle is a slightly larger airframe and two additional hardpoints (total of 4) for weapons. The engine was upgraded to aheavy fuel piston engine capable of running jet A compared to aviation gasoline used in the Predator. The primary user for the Grey Eagle is the US Army where the Predator was primarily flown by the USAF and now the US Border protection and CIA operate the Predator..

Kit

Clear Prop is a relatively new model company that specializes in unique subjects not covered by other traditional model companies. The MQ-1C is quite unique, and as far as I know, this is the only injection molded kit available. Packaged in… more

HH/MH-60J/T "The Guardian" Decal Set

Published: January 1, 2024
Company: Werners Wings

Werner’s Wings has been around for some time and is known primarily for rotary wing subjects offering resin, 3D printed details and decals in 1/32, 1/35, 1/48 and 1/72nd scale. Their attention to detail rivals all other resin and decal companies on the market and that can be attributed to the owner, Floyd Werner, who retired from the US Army as a Cobra attack helicopter pilot and continues flying the Cobra with the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation. Thanks to Floyd’s personal experience with rotary aircraft and his connections in the aviation community, reference material he uses can be trusted to be the most authentic.

This decal set comes with one large decal sheet and a smaller sheet covering individual aircraft profiles and comprehensive stencils. This decal set is nicely… more

Boeing F-15 E/K/SG Strike Eagle

Published: June 24, 2023
Book Author(s): Duke Hawkins
Company: HMH Publications

HMH publications is a relatively new company that produces specialized military aircraft books. This publication is 196 pages with 450+ full-color close-up detail and in action images.

The book starts out with the different versions of the Strike Eagle and then breaks down each section into particular areas of detail. In the upper right corner of each page, the area of detail is clearly defined which is perfect when thumbing through looking for each area of detail. Each image is extremely crisp showing amazing detail and perfect lighting conditions. Attention to specific areas usually hidden from many “walk around” photos are shown in this book.

A vast majority of the photographs cover RAF Lakenheath F-15E aircraft in extreme detail however other Strike Eagle versions… more

Lebanese Civil War volume 3: Moving to war, 4-7 June 1982

Published: June 8, 2023
Book Author(s): Tom Cooper & Efim Sandler
Company: Helion & Company

Helion & Company publishing produces specialized military history books. Part of the “Middle East at War” series, Lebanese Civil War, volume 3 (third of a five part series) book covers a short period from 4 to 7 June 1982 known as the “Moving to war”. The publication is 96 pages of full color, black & white photographs, diagrams as well as artist illustrations.

The book starts out with abbreviations that will be found in the following pages and a map of Lebanon showing the control zones. Text and illustrations are laid out in chronological order covering all the groups on both sides of the conflict.

Each section goes into deep detail on the environment starting with a countdown to war with “Lebanonization”, , “Operation Pines” and the “Rise of Hezbollah” which… more

OV-10D Bronco Wing Pylons

Published: January 16, 2023
Company: Quickboost

The OV-10 Bronco is a very popular subject for modelers in all variants. The aircraft first flew in 1965 and performed it role very well up into retirement. With these aircrafts unique capabilities, the aircraft has been getting the attention of the US military and a second career may happen. For modelers, there are only a few options available in 1/72 scale and detail can be very vintage or lacking all together. Quick boost comes to the rescue for the OV-10D with a very nice outboard weapons pylon set.

Packaged in plastic wrap, there are finely cast pylons that is scribes with fine panel lines and weapons sway braces included. The Academy outboard pylon, that the Quickboost pylon replaces, has a missile launch rail molded on their pylon which will limit the modeler to only… more

TER-9A Triple Ejector Rack for the F-16

Published: January 16, 2023
Company: Brengun

The TER-9R is a triple ejector rack that has aerodynamic features designed for high-speed flight. This pylon is commonly carried on the F-16 however this pylon may be seen on other aircraft like the A-10.

Brengun produces a wide range of unique resin and photo-etch accessories in 1/32, 1/48, 1/72 as well as 1/144. Packaged in a resealable bag, this pylon set is cast with zero flash with prominent pour block on the mating surface to the stores pylon. Hasegawa and Kinetic kits include this TER-9R however I have not seen this pylon in Tamiya boxings.

Using Hasegawa’s TER for comparison, this set has superior details than what the kit offers. The number of additional details and engraved panel lines is remarkable compared to what is offered from injection molded parts can… more

EA-18G Rooks and Jackets

Published: January 16, 2023
Company: Twobobs Aviation Graphics

Two Bobs Aviation Graphics is one of leaders in aviation decals with an impressive variety in 1/32, 1/48 and 1/72 scale. This latest release has very colorful markings used by VAQ-137 and VAQ-138 and has markings for two aircraft, one for each unit.

There are two sheets are printed perfectly without any print register errors. The small markings are very fine and easy to read. All the markings are included from unit markings down to the stencils and walkways. Stencils and other markings are included on a smaller second sheet insert and you should not need the kit decals for your build. There is one (front and back) color instructions sheet that clearly show placement of markings for both subjects. The instructions indicate the correct FS paint colors and cross reference to AK,… more