Frank Landrus
Reviews By Author
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Saab SK 37E Stör-ViggenPublished:
The Saab 37 Viggen was an aircraft ahead of its time. Its designers used an unorthodox construction which enabled the plane to meet all requirements which had been laid on it and in some parameters even surpass them. The Swedish Air Force ordered several various versions of the Viggen jet fighter, its basic design formed a universal platform which, using specialized equipment, enabled the plane to be used for different roles. The first prototype machine took off for its maiden flight on 8 February 1967 with E. Dalström at the controls. The aircraft was powered by a Volvo RM8 turbofan, a license-built variant of the Pratt & Whitney JT8D with an afterburner and thrust reverser which, in addition to the double-delta wing design, enhanced the plane’s performance the takeoffs and… more |
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Superguns 1854-1991: Extreme Artillery From the Paris Gun and the V-3 to Iraq's Project BabylonPublished:
Steven J. Zaloga was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts to John and Muriel Zaloga on February 1, 1952. Steven earned his undergraduate degree cum laude in history at Union College and his Masters’ degree in history from Columbia University. He obtained a Certificate in International Affairs from the graduate program of the University of Cracow. He has worked in the aerospace industry for some twenty years as an analyst specializing in missiles, precision-guided munitions, and unarmed aerial vehicles. Steven has served with a federal think tank, Defense Analyses. He was the writer-director for The Discovery Channel's "Firepower" series from 1987 to 1992. He has authored many books on military technology, especially in armored warfare. Steven is a noted scale armor modeler and is a member… more |
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The Sterling Submachine GunPublished:
Matthew Moss is a British author and historian specializing in small arms development, military history, and current defense affairs. Matthew has degrees from the Universities of Liverpool and Chester and has contributed to publications in both the United States and the United Kingdom. He runs the website Historical Firearms, a blog that explores the history, development, and use of firearms. He co-founded the Armourer’s Bench (or on Facebook) with Vic Tuff a multi-media exploration of historic small arms. Matthew has contributed to a number of print and online publications including magazines such as Small Arms Review, Popular… more |
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Jogging Some Miles. TyraPublished:
Master Box Ltd, out of the Ukraine, has been a leader in 1/35 figures for a while. They expanded into 1/24 female and fantasy figures in 2016, starting with their first series of six female figures representing the World War II era. This current series, Dangerous Curves, is ideal for modern automotive or truck vignettes and dioramas. Tyra is the latest edition following eight previous kits. I’m sure there will be more on their way. The kit comes in a standard end-opening box. Pulling out the parts, you will first see that the box is probably three times too large, but in return, you get a nice painting on the cover by V. Petelin, and instructions on the back with color callouts in Vallejo, Lifecolor, Tamiya, and Mastercolor. I will note that the plastic figure sculpted by A.… more |
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Mike (Beach Boy) BarringtonPublished:
Master Box Ltd, out of the Ukraine, has been a leader in 1/35 figures for a while. They expanded into 1/24 female and fantasy figures in 2016, starting with their first series of six female figures representing the World War II era. This current series, Truckers, is ideal for modern Class-8 truck vignettes and dioramas. Mike (Beach Boy) Barrington is part of the first six kits in this series with more on their way. The kit comes in a standard end opening box. Pulling out the parts, you will first see that the box is probably three times too large, but in return you get a nice painting on the cover by V. Petelin, and instructions on the back with color callouts in Vallejo, Lifecolor, Tamiya, and Mr. Color. I will note that the plastic figure sculpted by A. Gagarin is not… more |
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Cross & Cockade International Autumn 2018 Volume 49/3Published:
The latest journal of Cross & Cockade International - Autumn 2018, features a front cover photograph of Jean Chaput in front of his Nieuport 11, N940. This color 1916 photograph was based on the Autochrome technology developed by the brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière. The inside rear cover features color illustrations by Juanita Franzl of Lt. Dawson’s and Lt N. E. Williams’ Ship’s Camels. The outside rear cover features color illustrations by David Méchin of Jean Chaput’s aircraft. If you check out the web site link above, you can get additional sample pics of the current issue. Cross & Cockade International is a non-profit UK based group known as the First World War Aviation Historical Society that publishes their journal four times a year. They also provide a free… more |
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Rogožarski IK-3Published:
Kagero's latest in their Monographs Special Edition in 3D series is the Rogožarski IK-3. This edition is in their standard 8.5" x 11.875" format hardbound publication that is 184 pages (excluding covers). This volume starts with 72 pages of historical text followed by 28 pages of black and white line drawings in 1/72 and 1/48. Up next are 72 pages of color 3D illustrations describing every part of the aircraft, from cockpit to engine. There is also a double sided insert sheet full of line drawings (~16.4" x 23.0") that starts with profiles at 1/32 scale and includes scrap details. I counted 89 color 3D illustrations, 22 color profiles, along with 21 tables. There are 125 period black and white photographs dedicated to the 80th anniversary of this obscure fighter's first flight… more |
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CN7: The Inside Story of Donald Campbell’s Last Land Speed Record CarPublished:
This is a reprint of the original edition first published in 2010 in Veloce’s Classic Reprint Series. The author’s biography is available on the Veloce website above and is as follows: “Donald Stevens was born in the East End of London, but grew up in Haywards Heath, the Sussex market town to which he was evacuated in 1939. In his early teenage years he became fascinated by aeroplanes and other machines, and on leaving school began training as a mechanical engineer. At 19, he joined the newly-formed design consultancy Norris Brothers Ltd as its first employee and became a member of the design team for Donald Campbell’s Bluebird hydroplane (K7). Following National Service in the RAF, Donald became project coordinator for the design and construction of the Bluebird car. This is his first… more |
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The Complete History of U.S. Cruise MissilesPublished:
Bill Yenne has written more than three-dozen books on historical topics, as well as several novels. He has contributed to encyclopedias of both world wars, and has been featured in documentaries on the History Channel, the National Geographic Channel, the Smithsonian Channel, and ARD German Television. The Wall Street Journal notes that Yenne writes "with a cinematic vividness," and Gen. Wesley Clark, former Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, called Yenne's recent biography of Alexander the Great, the "best yet." Yenne's books have been included in Amazon's "100 Best Books of the Year." Specialty Press was founded in the 1980s as an aviation book publisher. In addition to publishing, over the years it has been the US distributor for many US and UK publishers such as AIRTime,… more |
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Kitty (Princess) JamesPublished:
Master Box Ltd, out of the the Ukraine, has been a leader in 1/35 figures for a while. They expanded into 1/24 female and fantasy figures in 2016, starting with their first series of six female figures representing the World War II era. This current series, Truckers, is ideal for modern Class 8 truck vignettes and dioramas. Kitty (Princess) James is part of six kits in this series. The kit comes in a standard end opening box. Pulling out the parts, you will first see that the box is probably three times too large, but in return you get a nice painting on the cover by V. Petelin, and instructions on the back with color callouts in Vallejo, Lifecolor, and Mr Color. I will note that the plastic figure sculpted by A. Gagarin is not identical to the cover paining, but it is close.… more |