IPMS Number
45869

Reviews By Author

Box Art

Soviet D-30 122mm Howitzer – Early Version

Published: December 4, 2012
Company: Trumpeter

History / Background

The Soviet D-30 (122mm howitzer) entered service with the Russian Army in 1963 as a replacement for the M-30 and M-1942 artillery pieces. Nearly fifty years on, the D-30 is still in active service in over fifty armies today, including the Afghans under supervision of US forces. Unlike a conventional artillery piece that utilizes two trail legs the D-30 uses three… more

Parts Package

Fw-189 Wheels and Paint Masks

Published: December 3, 2012
Company: Aires Hobby Models

A relatively new company on the modeling scene, Great Wall has released a handful of kits to date and, with reference to this review, they have two variants of the FW-189, an A1 and an A2, along with a third ski-equipped A1 version. Aires has stepped up to the plate and has released a resin wheel set (with paint mask) for the trio of kits. Typically, I buy a resin wheel set for a single reason… more

Box Art

The Black Widow

Published: April 8, 2012
Company: Moebius Models

I want to start the review by saying this is my first journey outside my comfort zone of building aircraft, so keep that in the back of your mind. What may be very obvious to the hard core figure modeler may not be to me. Anyway, the Moebius figure is a wonderful representation of Scarlett Johansson, AKA “The Black Widow," as she appeared in the Iron Man 2 movie. The kit is touted as… more

Box Art

Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b Late

Published: September 14, 2021
Company: Wingnut Wings, Ltd

History

The FE.2b "FEE" (Royal Aircraft Factory / Farman Experimental 2b) was produced as a two-seat fighter/reconnaissance aircraft. The FE.2b arrived on the Western Front late 1915/early 1916, when 20 Squadron took possession of the FE.2b. The "FEE" was liked by its pilots and contributed in the RFC's battle to counter the Fokker scourge. The FE.2b continued to fly daylight… more

Cover

Polish Spitfires - Book with Decals

Published: July 4, 2020
Book Author(s): Maciej Goralczyk & Janusz Swiation
Company: Kagero Publishing

I will not hide the fact I've always been a huge fan of the Supermarine Spitfire and specifically the Merlin-engined marks. Kagero has released volume #27 in the Topcolors series and this one certainly does not disappoint. This publication is dedicated to Polish Spitfires, specifically to eight machines ranging from a Mk I to a Mk XVI.

What your money buys you is a stunning publication… more

Parts Packaging

Hurricane De Havilland Propeller and Tool

Published: December 15, 2011
Company: Quickboost

I've always been fond of the Supermarine Spitfire with its elegant design, but I certainly don't discount the role played by the Hawker Hurricane in defense of Britain in her hour of need. The Hurricane was far easier and quicker to produce than the Spitfire and made a very stable gun platform. Like the Spitfire, the early Hurricanes were originally equipped with a fixed pitch wooden propeller… more

Box Art

N1K2-J Shiden-Kai

Published: November 13, 2011
Company: Platz

Although not mentioned on the box, the Shiden-Kai was known by the Allies as "GEORGE". The SHIDEN (Violet Lightning) - KAI (Variant or Improvement) was essentially a redesign/conversion to a land-based fighter from the floatplane N1K Kyōfū, codename "REX". The Shiden-Kai entered service in early 1944 and, in the hands of an able pilot, could easily compete with the Corsair or Hellcat… more

Book cover

GLOSTER GLADIATOR, Vol. 2 - The Survivors in Detail

Published: September 22, 2011
Book Author(s): Alex Crawford, Illustrated by Chris Sandham-Bailey
Company: Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books

I've always been a fan of the Gladiator and certainly in my eyes she is still one of the best looking biplane fighters ever produced. When I saw the chance to give this book a read and review I jumped on it. I'm very glad that I did. My initial flip through of the book left me speechless. The publication is printed on thick paper stock and is wrapped in a beautiful glossy cover complete with a… more

Packaging

McCudden S.E.5a Conversion Set

Published: April 17, 2011
Company: True Details

Description

3 resin parts, decal sheet and a decal / paint guide to convert the stock Wingnut Wings SE5a 'Hisso' kit to James McCudden's B4863. Included with the conversion are the shortened exhaust stacks and a replacement cockpit deck representative of McCudden's aircraft. As an added bonus you get 8 resin parts used to construct a 1/32 scale figure of McCudden.

Inspection… more