Building models since the age of 7, I’ve become known for my Bf-109s and helicopters. I currently run Werner’s Wings. I was previously the ‘star’ of the Master Class Model Building Video series. I’ve been published numerous times on various website, including Hyperscale and ARC. My work has been in FSM and Great Scale Modeling 2001, as well as, numerous other model magazines. I’m a published author with my Squadron/Signal Walkaround book on the Kiowa Warrior. My models have continuously won many regional and national awards. My unique model photography gives my models instant recognition for their historical perspective.

I’m a retired from the Army after 21 years of flying Cobras and Kiowa Warriors, including tours in Iraq, Bosnia, Korea, and Germany. I’m also a retired Flight Officer for the Baltimore City Police and flew their helicopters chasing bad guys. I’m currently flying Cobras and Hueys with the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation.

I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart, Yvonne, for 42 years. Our daughters have blessed us with six grandchildren. My passions continue to be his family, friends, helicopters, models and airplanes, especially the Bf-109 and my beloved AH-1 Cobra. My motto has always been - MODELING IS FUN!

IPMS Number
26266

Reviews By Author

Box Art

Mistel 1

Published:
Company: ICM

The Mistel concept was born in the 1930's, but came into use as a weapon in the waning months of the war. It consisted of a control plane, a war weary Bf-109 or a FW-190, mounted on top of a Ju-88 variant. In the Mistel 1 configuration, it was a Bf-109F and a Ju-88A. When mounted with a 1800 or 2000 lb bomb nose it could destroy bridges and other key targets. There were at least three variants of the shaped nose charge. It was used operationally to prevent the Russians from crossing the Oder and against the Western Allies as well. It was grossly overweight for the Ju-88 landing gear and tires. Because of this it had to operate from improved airstrips and was still subject to blowing out the tires and destroying both airframes before takeoff. Even when it could get off the ground,… more

Cover

Focke-Wulf FW-190 - The Latter Years: Prototype to the Fall of Germany

Published:
Book Author(s): Chris Goss
Company: Casemate Publishers

The FW-190, or Butcher Bird, is quite a fascinating aircraft, fast, robust and extremely versatile. This aircraft served from its development in 1941 right through the end of the war. It continued to evolve from just a fighter to a ground attack and a night fighter. It seemed to develop over the war from short and stubby to sleek and sexy in the form of the D-9 and Ta-152. This book concentrates on the short nosed radial engine versions from the V-1 prototype to the A-9 and S-8.

Printed on 7.4 x 9.6 in square softbound binding, this book features 190 (how apropos) black and white illustrations on 192 pages of quality paper stock. This is the second volume on the FW-190 in the Air War Archive series of books. It is an image-based volume with many brand new and beautifully… more

Package

AH-1G Cobra (Late Production)

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Company: ICM

When ICM released their 1/32nd scale AH-1G series of models there was an outcry from US modelers, why in this scale? Helicopters are not like other aircraft where there are ‘preferred scales. Airplanes typically are sold in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32nd scale. Helicopters come in a more varied scale assortment. The common thought is that they are more akin to armored vehicles so they have been molded in 1/35th instead of the common 1/32nd scale so you could take advantage of armor figures and accessories. European manufacturers, namely Revell-Germany, have released helicopters in 1/32nd but they are not as common as the 1/35th offerings. So, US helicopter modelers reached out in forums and said that we prefer 1/35thmore

Box Art

US Helicopter Pilots (1960s-1970s)

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Company: ICM

ICM has produced some stellar helicopter kits, but the thing for me is finally we have good Vietnam era figures for helicopters. This is their first set of 1/35th scale, having made the change from 1/32nd to a more common 1/35th scale helicopters.

Packaged in a sturdy cardboard side opening box with a card stock covering, this set includes two sprues of light grey plastic that show no signs of flash or mis-molding. There are 41 parts molded with good detail. Four figures are included, along with four flight helmets. The instruction sheet is full color and shows you what the figure should look like when finished. It also has references to ICM paints. I did paint the figures mostly with the ICM paints which performed well, but I didn’t have all the colors needed in the set.… more

Package

AH-1W/T+ Cobra

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Company: Red Fox Studio

The MRC/Academy AH-1W and AH-1T+ are the only kits available of these versions of the Cobra in this scale. Like all Cobras, the interior is very visible through the big canopy. The kit cockpit cries out for detail and Red Fox answers.

Red Fox Studios has designed an instrument panel set for these kits. It comes in a small baggie with a hard paper backing. The actual parts are protected in a separate Ziplock. The parts are slightly different than some other 3D Acrylic parts. Red Fox 3D acrylic renderings are on a metal backing with the raised acrylic over that. The parts come off the protective backing quite easily. All you’ll have to do is remove the molded-on detail and add the Red Fox parts with superglue or PVA. No further modifications are necessary.

The set… more

Package Cover

AH-1G Cobra

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Company: Red Fox Studio

The new ICM/Special Hobbies AH-1G Cobra kit is well overdue. With its release the AH-1G Cobra has come into the new millennium. One of the nice features of the ICM/SH kit is the five-piece canopy that will allow you to pose the canopy doors open and view the interior. Even closed up the canopy is very clear and you’ll be able to see the interior very well.

Red Fox Studios has designed an instrument panel set for these kits. It comes in a small baggie with a hard paper backing. The actual parts are protected in a separate Ziplock. Red Fox 3D acrylic renderings are on a metal backing with the raised acrylic over that. The parts come off the protective backing quite easily. All you’ll have to do is remove the molded-on detail and add the Red Fox parts after dipping them in water.… more

Package

Reggiane Re 2000 (Special Hobby Kit)

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Company: Brengun

Brengun continues to put out multi-media kits for various manufacturers. This particular set is designed for the Special Hobbies Re 2000 in 1/48th scale.

Packaged in a resealable package with heavy card stock backing to protect the photoetch, the set includes one fret of nickel-plated photoetch and one clear acetate film. The photoetch fret includes seatbelts, instrument panels, interior parts, and landing gear doors. The acetate will need some white added to the rear of the film, prior to adding it to the PE part.

The additional detail will add to the look of the cockpit and the landing gear covers. The instrument panels will just require some paint and dry brushing to bring out the detail. The PE landing gear cover is more to scale than the kit plastic part. All the… more

Product

Mi-24D Internal Additional Fuel Tank

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Company: Hauler Brengun

The Mi-24 Hind is a formidable attack helicopter, but unlike the Western attack helicopters, there is a crew compartment in the back. If you want to show something a little different you can add things in there. This set is designed for just that.

Contained in a blister pack are six resin pieces, perfectly cast in a dark grey resin, along with a small decal sheet. The tank is held in place by two support struts and two supports and has one fuel line. Instructions are on a small sheet of paper printed in black and white. The instructions are easy to understand that there is a photo of the actual tank mounted inside of a real helicopter. With the tank painted yellow it will stick out quite prominently.

This is a great option to add to your Hind that will make it stand out… more

Product

Piper L-4 Grasshopper

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Company: Iliad Design

With the release of the Special Hobbies and Sabre Kits, the Piper L-4 kits the market cried out for some marking options. Iliad Designs answered the call with their L-4 offering.

Enclosed in a 6 x 9 Ziploc baggie, are an instruction sheet and one sheet of decals. The instructions are in full color on both sides for SIX colorful options. They are just not the plain-jane OD over Neutral Grey, although there are four, but there is also a silver doped one and one in sand camouflaged. For those looking for something different, there is one French aircraft and one with D-Day stripes with a French fin flash. How about a US Navy one? Yup, Iliad has you covered. The side views are on the front and the plan views are on the back. A little bit of the history of each aircraft is covered on… more

Box Art

Vietnam USAF Airfield

Published:
Company: ICM

Boxing up multiple kits into a single boxing and offering a discount is not a new concept, however, it has yet to be as effective as what ICM currently offers in their product range. This offering offers two great aircraft and a set of figures to compliment them. A diorama waiting to be put together.

As there are three kits in this boxing, the O-2A Skymaster and the OV-10A Bronco along with USAF Personnel in Vietnam, I’ll offer three reviews in one as well.

Pilots & Technicians

First off, the personnel. This single sprue contains the parts for five figures found on a USAF flight line.

Finding figures in 1/48th scale for Vietnam is a pretty hard chore. Whether you want to depict USAF or Army helicopter pilots your choices in the past have been… more