Dick Montgomery
Reviews By Author
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Ship Plans No. 1 - Japanese Destroyer MinekazePublished:
MMP has published Ship Plans No.1 featuring the Japanese Destroyer Minekaze. This publication consists of a number of fold-out line drawings of the Minekaze in 1/350th scale, 1/200th scale, and 1/700th scale. The line drawings show the vessel as configured in 1920, 1939, and 1944. Much detail is shown including railings, rigging, armament, depth charge racks, antennas, and utility boats. There is little text beyond captions for some of the drawings. This publication will prove extremely useful to ship modelers who favor IJN subjects. Also, it should be noted that this publication is identified as “No 1”, promising more publications in this series. In North America Casemate serves as the distributor for MMP, and in Australia the distributor is Platypus… more |
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German Aircraft Instrument Panels Vol. 2Published:
This is the second volume of the “Inside” series of books featuring the instrument panels of various German WWII aircraft. MMP Books previously released Vol 1 which covered the Bf-109F-4, Bf-110E, Fi-156 Storch, Fw-190A-3, Hs-123, and the Ju-88A-4. This second volume covers the Bf-109E, Me-262A, Ju-87A, He-111, Hs-126 and the Do-17. A special treat awaits the reader. The panel for the Bf-109E-4 is provided, full size, as a poster! In North America, Casemate is the distributor for MMP. As in the previous volume, there are two characteristics that make this book very useful to modelers. First, the entire instrument panel for each of the six aircraft featured is provided in full color. Secondly, every single instrument seen in the panel illustration is also… more |
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"Hawa" Vol 1: Centenary Datafile 168Published:
Centenary Datafile 168 is the first in a set of Datafiles that cover the Hannover CI.II/CI.IV/CI.IIIA series of aircraft. The history of the “Hawa” is presented in this issue, supplemented with 50+ period photos and six pages of technical drawings in 1/72nd and 1/48th by Mick Davis. Included within is a discussion on the very unique and interesting geometry of the “Hawa” as well as some historical documentation in the form of the Aeronautical Engineering report on 13199/18 including notes and sketches. Modelers will find the entire publication filled with excellent detail resources, but the AE report includes some awesome sketches and drawing which can assist the modeler in adding detail to a model. Some excellent full color artwork by Ronny Bar are presented on the… more |
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Windsock World War Centenary Vol.31, No.2Published:
Windsock World War Centenary Summer 2015 is the second edition of Volume 31. This edition’s cove story features the Sopwith Pup. The main feature is a detailed build log for the Wingnut Wings Sopwith Pup. Rob Partridge is the builder and his article provides detailed descriptions and images of how to go about assembling the WNW kit. If you’ve never built a WNW kit then the Pup is an excellent starting point, and this issue will come in very handy. Later in the publication one will find a page featuring three color illustrations of some Pups. Interesting markings, to say the least. A few pages following, a Pup Portfolio is presented containing a number of images of N6205, a Pup flown by Flt Com J.S.T. Fall, No. 3 Naval RNAS. The images were taken by James Fahey of this airworthy Pup.… more |
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2016 CalendarPublished:
Cross & Cockade, International (CCI) is best known for its excellent assortment of books and publications covering “The Great War” in the air. The artwork in these publications is of the highest caliber and the writing is superb. CCI also provides calendars and IPMS has just received the 2016 version of this annual calendar. Each page features artwork by a list of artists who produce inspiring views of a moment in time. Certainly, the artists should be identified, and WWI aficionados will most certainly recognize their names. In alphabetical order:
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JigPublished:
While this jig is sold by Vertigo-Miniatures on the web, the review item was supplied by Unique Model Miniatures, so a big shout-out to Jon of UMM! Some Assembly RequiredThis Vertigo-Miniatures jig requires assembly, and that is just a bit ironic since it will be of considerable help to the hobbyist during the assembly process of one’s latest modeling project. Assembly is straight-forward requiring a little super glue and about 10 minutes of one’s time. The instructions provide a parts list and a couple of diagrams which identify parts and illustrate how they are attached. Just follow the instructions and it’s a very simple process. There are a few points about assembly that one should note. There appear to be three (3) parts identified as #2… more |
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Camouflage & Markings: The Battle for Britain-RAF May to Dec, 1940Published:
I am a “History of the Battle of Britain” enthusiast, and as an offshoot of that enthusiasm I am a follower of all things “RAF”. When given the opportunity to review Guidelines Publications new “Camo & Markings” book I jumped at the chance. As an enthusiast of the “historical aspect”, I found this publication to be superb. As a scale modeler I found this book to be an excellent reference for colors and markings of the RAF. You will not be disappointed! To begin, you will note that the title of this book is, “The Battle For Britain” and not the more common, “The Battle of Britain”. The author provides a narrative in which he summarizes the main political, economic, and social history of the time, explaining a revisionist view that the aerial combat we call the “… more |
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BAE Sea Harrier FRS.1Published:
I don’t usually build aircraft which do not have propellers but I like Airfix models and I like the Harrier. It’s an incredible bit of engineering that allows a jet to hover like a helicopter! So, when Hornby-Airfix provided this kit as a review sample to IPMS/USA, I jumped (no pun on the phrase Jump-Jet intended) at the opportunity build an Airfix Harrier. This kit has a long history. According to the Airfix Tribute Forum the kit was first released as # 9 05101 in 1983 and remained in production to 1985. It was reissued as kit # 05101 from 1986 through 2007. Revised sprues were added to update the model in 1988 in kit # 05102, and then again in 1997 for kit 06100. The release being reviewed, kit # A05101, was released in 2012. The kit does show its age in certain aspects and… more |
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Mitsubishi A6M ZeroPublished:
Considered by many to be the most famous aircraft used by the Japanese in World War II, the Zero is the subject of hundreds of books. And yet, with all of the information already available on the A6M this book, illustrated and authored by Artur Juszczak will make an excellent addition to your research library. The advertising literature for this publication indicates that drawings and data have been pulled from original technical manuals, with dimensional details and images gathered from surviving airframes located in museums. These pictures and details cover the aircraft inside and out. I found that the advertising for this book was quite accurate. The images are outstanding and will prove very helpful to the modeler, showing interior and exterior colors, color… more |
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Panzer Colours of the III ReichPublished:
Mushroom Model Publications has published another it its “Spotlight On” series, this book featuring German armor color schemes from 1918 to 1944. Written and illustrated by Thierry Vallet this offering traces the evolution of panzer colors and camouflage from pre-war through the end of WWII. Each page features a large profile illustration of a piece of armor, in full color with a “color square” identifying the color, or colors, along with an RAL color number. The publication will provide a very quick and excellent reference for the colors involved, while the profile illustrations depict the camouflage patterns or painting patterns very nicely. This is a publication of high quality and is recommended for those interested in German WWII armor. Whether you be an armor… more |