Frank Landrus
Reviews By Author
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
Spitfire in SwedenPublished:
Mikael Forslund was born on June 7, 1960 and currently lives in Falun, Sweden. He has worked as a press photographer since 1978 both as a freelancer and as a staff photographer and currently uses Nikon cameras. He has authored over twenty books with his latest book on Spitfire in Sweden celebrating the 80th anniversary of the first flight of the aircraft type on March 5, 1936. His other books include Torpedflyget i Sverige (1998), P-35A, AT-12, and P-66 in Swedish Service as J 9, B 6, and J 10 (2008), Gloster Gladiator and Hawker Hart: In Combat with the Swedish Voluntary Wing F19, Finland 1940 (2009), Saab J 21 / J 21R (2010), Glosterflygpan I Svensk Tjanst: Gloster Aircraft in Sweden Service (2012), Caproni Ca 313 R.P.B./S: B 16A - S16… more |
|
Polish Aircraft (1939) Instrument PanelsPublished:
Dariusz Karnas is a skilled modeller and amateur aviation historian. He lives in Przemyśl, Poland. He has authored or contributed colour plates and / or scale drawings for over one hundred publications. These include MMP’s Polish Wings, Scale Plans, and Inside series as well as books in the MMP Yellow series: Fieseler 156 Storch 1938-1945 (2012) and Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-15 (2004). You can find Dariusz Karnas on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/people/Dariusz-Karnas/100008987326348 . This is the third volume of the “Inside” series of books featuring the instrument panels of various Polish WWII aircraft. MMP Books previously released Vol 1 which covered the Bf-109F-4, Bf-110E, Fi-156 Storch, Fw-190A-… more |
|
Convair B-58 Hustler Pitot TubePublished:
This Master Model set provides a machined brass pitot tube that is superior to what can be produced in an injected plastic kit. This part is specific to the Hobbycraft / Academy series of B-58 Hustler kits (HC1260, HC1261, A4442, A12619) that was initially released in 2001. Notable is the re-sealable packaging that Master Model uses that makes the part easy to review and then stuff it back into the package securely. You will want to be careful handling the metal pitot tube as its small size makes it an easy sacrifice to the carpet monster. You will need to create a hole in the nose to mount the pitot tube. The directions call for a 0.5 mm bit (~#77) for the nose. You will want to be very careful to center your drill bit on both your x-axis and y-axis of the pitot tube.… more |
|
Tales from the Apocalypse - The CookPublished:
The Cook is the lead-off figure in Gecco’s second series and follows the three figures in series one in their Tales From the Apocalypse that I believe are sculpted by Shojiro Kasai. This second series creates Scene 2: Day 1, 1:27 pm at the Diner, and goes with two other figures: a waitress named Cindy who is the sister of the heroine in the first series, and a nameless biker. This figure, the Cook, was attempting to rescue his daughter from a horde of zombies only to find out Cindy had already been infected. In his shock and horror, Cindy ripped into his neck infecting her father. At full zombified rage, the Cook, now wields his heavy frying pan against all comers. The figure packaging is extremely well done. The outer over is portrayed as a heavily used VHS rental movie along… more |
|
Colt Single-Action RevolversPublished:
Martin Pegler graduated from University College (London) with a Medieval and Modern History BA and a Museum Studies MA. Martin spent twenty years as the Senior Curator of Firearms at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds. He is an aficionado of historic firearms and thoroughly enjoys shooting them. In his spare time he runs motorcycle tours out of the Somme Historical Center of the battlefield. He has authored many books on military firearms and has been prolific in contributing to magazines and television shows. His books include: The Military Sniper Since 1914 (2001), Firearms in the American West 1700-1900 (2002), Out of Nowhere: A History of the Military Sniper (2004), The Lee-Enfield Rifle (2012), The Vickers-Maxim Machine Gun (2013),… more |
|
Milk Bottles and Wooden CratesPublished:
MiniArt has released a nice set that would look great in your WWII dioramas. MiniArt provides twelve trees representing the crates composed of five parts per tree. The crates appear to be molded in tan soft styrene as the parts are somewhat flexible and are easily cut. The twelve trees for the milk bottles contain ten clear milk bottles out of a clear styrene. The clear plastic seems to be a bit harder than the styrene for the crates. The waterslide decals provided offer markings for English US/Britain), French, and German milk companies for both the crates and the bottles. Packaging is quite nice with the finished product depicted on the top of the box and the contents / instructions / paint guide on the back of the box. The total parts count is 180 parts. I would recommend that you… more |