Don Norton
Reviews By Author
|
M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer Walk AroundPublished:
The Tank Destroyers were a short-lived branch of the U.S. Army in World War II, based around a theory that tank destroyers would be dedicated to fighting enemy tanks, freeing our tanks for infantry support. Furthermore, half the Tank Destroyer force would consist of towed anti tank guns. Gradually, the towed guns were replaced by self propelled vehicles, such as the M10, M36, and finally, the M18. All of these vehicles handled themselves quite well against German armor, as well as serving as support vehicles for infantry, but their weak link was the open turret which exposed the crew to small arms fire, shell bursts, and grenades. In the end, the tank destroyer program was cancelled, with standard U.S. tanks assuming the tank vs. tank role. M18s soldiered on in other armies, some… more |
|
U.S. Marines, Peleliu, 1944Published:
On September 15, 1944, the U.S. 1st Marine Division began the assault on the island of Peleliu in the Palau Islands. What was expected to be a four-day battle turned into a two-month slug-fest as marines tried to root out the dug-in Japanese troops. This battle would prove to be, proportionally, the bloodiest battle the Marines would fight in WW II, made even worse by the fact the island had little strategic value. Eight marines would receive the Medal of Honor for actions on Peleliu, five of them posthumously. This Dragon release depicts four marines from that battle, although they could represent marines from any of the late war fighting. There is a wounded marine being tended by a U.S. Navy corpsman, a kneeling officer, and a running figure with a Browning Automatic Rifle (… more |
|
German Rucksacks, WW IIPublished:
Modelers of German WW II vehicles and figures will find this latest effort from Plus Model of interest. Packed nicely in the new, sturdy plastic packaging are nine resin pieces of German rucksacks, packs, and field gear. German troops were originally issued a back pack (Tornister) with a flap made of unshaven calf-skin. There were loops on the sides and top for straps to attach the great coat. Plus model has included one of these packs with a rolled up great coat in this set. The tornister was not sufficient for mountain troops, who were required to carry more gear, so rucksacks based on civilian designs were issued. During the course of the war, these came in a variety of designs, with two or three outside pockets, with or without integral shoulder… more |
|
Dog HousePublished:
We never know what surprises Plus Model will spring on us. This little gem is one of those fun details that modelers will want to work into a diorama somehow. Plus Model has introduced a sturdier packaging system, and all the pieces are well protected by a hard plastic shell. The kit contains 3 parts in gray resin, and 14 laser cut pieces on two sheets of thin hardwood, and it builds up into a doghouse with dog. The resin pieces are a nicely detailed German Shepherd-type dog. I had to fill in some gaps around the neck and tail. The doghouse has a framework of slightly heavier wood and lighter wood for the floor, sides, and roof. Begin by cutting the wood parts out – use a very sharp knife or a saw. I broke a couple of the narrow braces, but these were easy fixes. Keep the… more |
|
Aeroscouts in VietnamPublished:
When I heard Squadron was releasing this book, I just had to get my hands on a copy. During my time serving Uncle Sam, I was in an Air Cavalry unit in Vietnam, the 7/17th Air Cavalry, to be exact. The Aeroscouts were the bravest, toughest, scariest, craziest bad-asses in the unit, going out and picking fights with the North Vietnamese Army on a day-to-day basis. Getting shot out of the sky, then dusting themselves off and going back out to do it again the next day. I wanted to read about them! Wayne Mutza has written several books on aviation, helicopters, and firefighting, and is well known to modelers through his work for Squadron/Signal and Schiffer Books. Mutza was also an Aeroscout during the Vietnam War, and gives us a good feel for what it was like to strap on an OH-6A “… more |
|
Soviet Military ServicewomenPublished:
The Soviet Army of World War II included over 800,000 women. Initially, they were used in administrative and support roles, but by mid-war they had assumed roles as snipers, combat pilots, and tankers. 89 of them would receive the highest military honor, the Hero of the Soviet Union. This kit depicts women during the early stage of the war and provides all the fixings for a mini-diorama. Included are four figures: an angry male NCO, a standing female NCO, a seated female, and a female standing and holding a samovar. There are a pile of useful extras: a table, a bench, two poles holding a wash line of women’s lingerie, a portable record player, and the samovar. A samovar is a type of urn used in Russia to heat water for tea. The coals are placed inside a pipe that heats… more |
|
U.S. Tent StovePublished:
Here’s another unusual subject from our friends at Plus Model. This kit features an M1941 U.S. tent stove and various accessories. The box contains 11 grey resin parts, a small length of fine wire, and a fret of photo etched brass with 3 parts. There is also a simple instruction sheet. I found no pinholes or imperfections on any of the parts. The M1941 Tent Stove was a light, portable unit that could be fueled with wood or coal, and an accessory kit could be added allowing it to use liquid fuel such as kerosene or diesel. It was used in large tents and bunkers and was very popular with the troops. Even today, these stoves are offered on web sites and at surplus stores to outdoorsmen who use them in cabins. First order of business is to remove the parts from the resin… more |
|
Table and SeatPublished:
Plus Model has made a living providing us with little odds and ends of resin to liven up our modeling projects, and this is just such an item. From their Easy Line, the six pieces in the poly bag require minimum work. Molded in gray resin are a table top, 4 legs, and a 3-legged stool. The table is like a kitchen table, with drawers for utensils. It would seem a better choice for a seat would be kitchen chairs, but these are available as a separate kit. The stool in my sample had all three legs bent over, like someone had taken the stool out of the mold and popped it right in the bag. Looked like a spider that had been stepped on. This would be my first challenge, and after sawing off the resin plug from the stool top, I held the stool under some hot water from the tap. Like a… more |
|
WW II German Staff PersonnelPublished:
Upon opening the box, you are greeted by the sight of one tan plastic sprue with 29 flash free parts. Past experience with ICM kits has shown them to be rather basic, compared to, say, Dragon figures, but that is not the case here. There is excellent facial and hand detail, and very fine seam details on the uniforms. These are nice figures, representing a German General, his aide, a female staff assistant, and enlisted man driver. The General is a Generalmajor, equivalent to our one-star Brigadier General. He wears a pre-war tunic with slash lower pockets, a style of uniform no longer issued, but generals, who have a certain amount of leeway in their dress, often wore them as a sign of long service. The general has the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross worn at his throat… more |
|
The BazookaPublished:
The bazooka was a weapon born of dire need. When World War II began, the U.S. Infantry had nothing to fight armor except the anemic 37mm anti-tank gun. Two U.S. Army officers, thinking outside the box, developed a rocket-powered weapon that was portable and able to defeat most armor of the time. Officially called a rocket launcher, it became known by the men who would use it as a stovepipe, or a bazooka, because of its resemblance to a musical instrument used by comedian Bob Burns. The M1 Bazooka was first used by U.S. troops during Operation Torch in North Africa. Crates of the new weapon were rushed to the ships heading out for the invasion with no manuals or instructors. Officers who found the crates in the ship’s hold taught themselves how to use the weapon and held classes… more |