Frank Landrus
Reviews By Author
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Model Art Vessel Model Special No. 63, 2017 SpringPublished:
Model Art Issue 63 is typical of other Model Art magazines in that it is written entirely in Japanese, with occasional English words, usually in article titles or in captions. The Vessel Model Special is a quarterly issue that focuses on naval subjects. Each issue leads off with either short articles on a finished build or an in depth step-by-step ‘how to’ on the build and painting. The finished model photographs are of high quality in brightness, color, and depth of focus. Advertising comprises the inside covers (and back cover) along with another four pages showing what is available and new, always useful for building up that wish list. I counted 537 photos and drawings (mostly in color) along with eighteen 1/700 scale drawings. You will find throughout this journal, period… more |
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Cross & Cockade International Spring 2017 Volume 48/1Published:
The latest journal of Cross & Cockade International - Spring 2017, features a photograph of a single bay Sopwith 2FR2 Bulldog. The rear cover features three color profiles of aircraft in the Castellorizo, and the Loss of HMS Ben-my-Chree article. 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 newsletter (sign up on their website) and occasionally publish WWI themed books like the Sopwith Dolphin monograph I reviewed earlier for IPMS USA. This Journal is the sister of the US Journal, Over The Front. … more |
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Mi-24 (Hind D/E) - JakB-12.7 machine gun and DUAS probePublished:
A feature that you can quickly notice on the Mil-24 Hind is the complicated DUAS Probe. Although Monogram made a valiant effort in molding the Mil-24 DUAS Probe with its four separate vanes and the JakB-12.7 four barrel machine gun, the limits of the injection molding process come into play. This Master Model set provides a quantum leap over any previous attempt to portray the Hind DUAS Probe and the JakB-12.7 machine gun. The kits available for this set include the original new tool Monogram 1987 release (kit 5819), that has also been released by Revell (kits 4462, 85-5856, and 4942), and Mini Hobby Models (kit 10; 2004). Master also offers this set in 1/72 and 1/35 should you desire. Notable is the re-sealable packaging that Master Model uses that makes the parts easy to… more |
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Dutch Armies of the 80 Years’ War 1568–1648 (1): InfantryPublished:
This is the first of two volumes with the second volume due out later this year that will cover the Cavalry, Artillery, and Engineers. Bouko de Groot was inspired to write these two volumes since there is a notable absence of any English language titles about the 80 years’ war. I counted 37 black and white photographs or illustrations. There are also thirty six color illustrations. Additionally, there is a map depicting the 125 battles during the eighty years’ war. Military History has always fascinated Bouko de Groot. He earned a BA in Art History and an MA in Egyptology from Leiden University. Bouko de Groot served in the Dutch Army and has authored a number of academic, popular scientific and business journalistic articles. He spent at least eight years working in Shanghai… more |
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Westland Scout & WaspPublished:
Warpaint’s latest is their standard A4 format softbound publication in 52 pages (including covers) on the Westland Scout and Wasp helicopters. The book is split into two, with the first half dedicated to the Westland Scout and the second to the Westland Wasp. I counted 122 color photographs and 19 black and white pictures, along with 32 of Richard J. Caruana’s color profiles. Richard J. Caruana also contributes the four 1/48 line drawings. Adrian M. Balch graduated from Swindon College in 1969 and began working as an assistant publicity manager for a metallurgist company, where he produced brochures and edited the company’s magazine. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1971 and served for 22 years as an Air Traffic Controller around the world. His interest in aviation photography… more |
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MiG-31 Pitot TubePublished:
A feature that you can quickly notice on modern Russian aircraft is the complicated nose pitot tube. Although AMK made a valiant effort in molding the MiG-31 pitot tube with its four separate vanes, the limits of the injection molding process come into play. Notable is the superb re-sealable packaging that Master Model uses that makes the parts easy to review and then stuff back into the package securely until final assembly. The resin vane section is secured in a high density foam block that is backed with some sort of adhesive tape to minimize the resin vanes from being moved around, or crushed for that matter. You will want to be careful handling the metal and resin parts as their small size makes them an easy sacrifice to the carpet monster. The resin part is especially… more |
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A-1 Skyraider 20mm Cannon Barrels and Pitot TubePublished:
This Master Model set provides a quantum leap over the respective parts in the eighties era ESCI, Matchbox, Monogram, and even the nineties era Tamiya series of 1/48 kits. This set is specifically for 20mm cannon barrels without flash hiders. If you are looking for a set with flash hiders, Master, again, is to your rescue as they have released their set 48-128 that features the four 20mm cannon barrels with flash hiders. As it is, this set gives you two muzzle versions of the 20mm cannon barrels sported by the Douglas Skyraider. Kit list includes: ESCI AD-6 (4040) new tool released in 1979, ESCI A-1H (4045), ESCI A-1H (4075), Italeri A-1H (2628), Italeri AD-4 (2697), Matchbox AD-5 (PK-651) new tool released in 1980, Matchbox AD-5 (40651), Revell AD-5 (85-5327), Monogram A-1H (5419) new… more |
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Panzer 38(t) vs BT-7: Barbarossa 1941Published:
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 at 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 of… more |
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Wave Off! A History of LSOs and Ship-Board LandingsPublished:
Robert R. “Boom” Powell grew up in Long Island, New York, the son of a World War II B-24 Liberator navigator who later became known as a comic book artist (Sheena, Mr. Mystic, Tales From the Crypt, etc.). He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania on an ROTC scholarship before going to Naval flight training. He flew Douglas A-4 Skyhawks in Vietnam and later as an instructor pilot in the Skyhawk. Robert transitioned to the RA-5C Vigilante and ended up as an adversary pilot based at NAS Oceana. He also spent time as an LSO for an RA-5C training squadron for three years. Robert retired as a Commander and transitioned to civilian life flying Boeing 747s for Pan American. He remains an active flier today and often flies WWI replicas at the Virginia Beach Military Aviation Museum. It… more |
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Early US Armor Tanks 1916-40Published:
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 at 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 of… more |