Dick Montgomery
Reviews By Author
|
Russian Maxim Machine Gun (1910)Published:
The PartsThe parts are secured in a small plastic bag with two stickers applied. The first of those stickers matches the product number “35674”. The second sticker might represent the number of part sprues, “2”, or it might be an “inspector” number. Sprue “A” has 14 parts and Sprue “B” has 19 parts, with a total of 33 parts making up the machine gun and wheeled carriage. All parts are clearly marked with an I.D. number that is an alphanumeric combination. For example, the gunner’s seat is on sprue B and is part #16 on that sprue. On the kit instructions the gunner’s seat is identified as “B16”. This makes part identification very simple, very easy, and very clear. AssemblyTwo options are presented for final display. One can assemble the model limbered up… more |
|
British WWII Reflector GunsightPublished:
There are components for six gun sights. Each gun sight consists of 4 parts, two metal brackets, the clear reflector, and the gun sight base. The gun sight base is a single piece, molded in gray plastic. The two metal brackets are photo etched, and are identified as Part 1 and Part 2. These PE parts do not require any bending or forming. Just clip a Part 1 and a Part 2 from the PE sheet and attach them to the plastic gun sight base as depicted on the QB instructions. The gun sight base is identified as Part 3 on the plans. Quickboost provides a highly detailed gunsight that can be used in any British aircraft equipped with a reflector sight. The gun sight is fairly easy to assemble, taking only a few minutes, but one must exercise caution since the parts are very small. The… more |
|
North American P-51D MustangPublished:
Written by Pobert Peczkowski, with color illustrations by Teodor Liviu Morosanu, this book focuses on the “D” model of the ubiquitous P-51 Mustang. For such a small book, 6 ½ by 9 inches, it packs a powerful punch in its 152 pages of intense coverage of the Mustang. There are 32 pages of black and white images which cover the development of the “D” and “K” models of the Mustang. A full-color section of 120 pages provides a great deal of “detail” for the modeler who wishes to “up their game” on a Mustang project. Drawings and illustrations are included, and add that extra value that modelers seek when selecting research material. Bound within the publication are 3-view plans of the “D” in 1/72nd scale, with 1/48th and 1/32nd plans, on folded paper inserted in the book.… more |
|
The De Havilland Mosquito: A Comprehensive Guide for the ModellerPublished:
This offering is a revised and re-printed version of the previously released Modellers Datafile #1. The initial Modellers Datafile #1 contained excellent historical and scale modelling content, and that content is included in this new edition. The new release has been expanded to 176 pages and “included the additional model builds and in-box previews covering the significant new toolings that have appeared in the fifteen years since to series began, along with an updated list of currently available kits, accessories and decals”. “When the first Datafile was published back in 1998 it was quite rightly regarded as the definitive book on modelling one of the most enduring and iconic aircraft of WWII.” This publication is the perfect companion and reference for a modeller wishing… more |
|
Mitsubishi A6M Zero FighterPublished:
Model Art is known for high quality magazines, with excellent photographs that guide the modeler through some impressive builds. This publication continues that tradition. This publication focuses on one of Japan’s best known aircraft from World War II, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero. It is important to note that the publication is presented in Japanese. English-speakers will have no trouble relying upon the excellent maps and images in order to enjoy the book. And, enjoy you will! The book begins with an outstanding illustration of a Zero, banking into a turn, by artist Y. Sakaida. He successfully captures the beauty and power of the Zero in this effort, and this illustration sets the tone for the publication. In the following 30 pages, the images show various Zero ‘… more |
|
Messerschmitt Bf-109E, The Blitzkrieg FighterPublished:
Bf-109E is the most recent addition in Kagero’s Monographs Special series. The Casemate information sheet that accompanied the book states that, “This new book gives not only a thorough insight in the development, variants, technical features and camouflage of the “Emil”, but also an excellent overview of the aircraft’s service with the Luftwaffe.” True words! Modelers vary in their focus for information regarding a subject being modeled, and this publication addresses most, if not all, of those areas of interest. The text begins with comprehensive coverage of the Bf-109E variants. Detailed black and white images show the characteristics and design differences which separate one “Emil” variant from the next. In these 34 pages, the modeler will find… more |
|
Speed Hunter Graphics Decals for the F-4C & F-4DPublished:
Speed Hunter Graphics is a new decal source and is a division of the well-known and respected Reid Air Publications business. IPMS is very pleased to be able to review the Premiere Decal offerings from Speed Hunter in 1/48th scale, that being the markings for the F-4C and F-4D, reviewed here. There are two sets of decals for the F-4C and F-4D identified by the item numbers 48001 and 48002. Set # 1, item # 48001 has markings for a number of aircraft including:
|
|
The Paint Guide for Figures of World War TwoPublished:
A few modelers, including myself, will suggest that the genre of modeling that most resembles “fine art” is Figure Painting. The process of painting a figure seems to be confusing and difficult, requiring the knowledge and artistic ability of a Rembrandt, while at the same time possessing the mechanical ability of a Da Vinci. This book does not deny that artist ability is important, but it gives hope to those of us whose best figure drawings look like a collection of sticks, and whose best figure-painting efforts are rather 2-dimensional and quite devoid of life or realism. Originally written in French, and then translated by Kent Brazeau, the text requires some concentration and flexibility in interpretation of the English version. This is especially true of those readers who… more |
|
A-1 Skyraider Pylons for Underwing StoresPublished:
The A-1 Skyraider was known for its ability to carry a “world of hurt” on its underwing pylons. Quickboost has provided a set of pylons for the Tamiya kit that significantly enhance the appearance of an already well-detailed kit. Specifically, the QB parts replace the pylons provided by the Tamiya kit. Quickboost provides an illustration that clearly indicates the Tamiya kit parts that are replaced by the QB items. QB realizes that some of the parts they provide are very delicate and need additional support in order to arrive on the modeler’s workbench in one piece. QB parts # 5 (sway braces) appear, at first glance, to have “flash” on them. Upon closer inspection you will identify that “flash” as extra support material, protecting the arms of the sway brace. It is not… more |
|
A-1 Skyraider Boot Cockpit Sliding Enclosure SystemPublished:
Quickboost provides a very large array of aftermarket detail parts, uniformly outstanding in quality and fidelity to detail and scale. This QB product is just one of several that can be used to detail the Tamiya A-1H kit. Tamiya provides a rather simple part in their A-1H kit ( # 61058) that represents the Boot Enclosure in its stowed position. The Tamiya part in question is Part A6 which is added to the airframe in step 11 in the Tamiya instructions. In a side-by-side comparison of part A6 and the QB Boot, the boot has the proper length and width and matches the length of part A6, or that bit of A6 in question. All that is necessary is to clip off the “hood” area of A6 and replace it with the QB part. In under a minute one can improve the appearance of the… more |