Gino Dykstra
Reviews By Author
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WW1 Italian Infantry in ArmorPublished:
During the bloodbath that was World War 1, several nations took a shot at providing additional armor protection to at least some of their troops, with quite a range of results. Often the armor was simply too awkward and bulky (think America’s Brewster armor) or too thin to afford any real protection or simply too expensive. Perhaps the Italians were most interested in such protection, as their battles in the Alps against the Austro-Hungarian army had rapidly devolved into hand-to-hand trench warfare of the nastiest sort. In consequence, Italy equipped several special units (often referred to as “suicide squads”) with various types of additional armor for just that kind of close-in combat. ICM has provided a set of figures in one of the more common types, comprising a… more |
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Westland Whirlwind F Mk.1 Landing Gear (SH)Published:
Scale Aircraft Conversions has made a name for itself by providing metal replacements for some of the more fragile parts of aircraft models in a range of scales, these mostly being landing gear and other assorted paraphernalia. This set is no exception, offering direct replacement parts for both the elaborate main gear and tail gear. Made in the usual cleanly cast white metal, this set includes 11 parts and all are direct replacements for the plastic items in the kit, making for far sturdier gear than the kit provides, and being metal, they can also be gently adjusted to accommodate any slight inconsistencies in the model. The tail wheel is particularly welcome as the kit item is somewhat fragile and prone to breakage. All in all, this set is easily cleaned up and… more |
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P-40E/F/M/N War Hawk Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions continues to carve its own particular niche in the modeling market by providing metal replacements for some of the more fragile parts of aircraft models in a range of scales, these mostly being landing gear and other assorted paraphernalia. This set is no exception, offering direct replacement parts for both the main and tail landing gear, as well as the aerial mast, for any of the 1/32nd scale P-40s offered by Trumpeter. Made in the typical cleanly cast white metal, this set includes 12 parts and all are direct replacements for the plastic items in the kit, providing sturdy gear well able to support the model, and being metal, can also be gently adjusted to accommodate any slight inconsistencies in the model. The aerial mast and tail gear are… more |
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Gloster Gladiator J-8 L.G & W. StrutsPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions has made a name for itself by providing metal replacements for some of the more fragile parts of aircraft models in a range of scales, these mostly being landing gear and other assorted paraphernalia. This set is no exception, offering direct replacement parts for both the main and tail landing gear, as well as all struts between the wings. All parts are suitable for any of the ICM configurations or the Revell issue of this model. Made in the cleanly cast white metal, this set includes 11 parts and all are direct replacements for the plastic items in the kit, providing sturdy gear well able to support the model, and being metal, can also be gently adjusted to accommodate any slight inconsistencies in the model. The is particularly welcome as the kit… more |
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American Civil War Confederate Infantry Set #2Published:
ICM continues its dedication to the American Civil War with two additional sets, this review covering one of them. With these new sets, you can now model an actual direct clash between opposing forces, this kit being paired with #35023 American Civil War Union Infantry Set #2. As you can guess, these two sets would make for a very dramatic diorama. The set I’m reviewing consists of the usual four full figures along with two sprues of their excellent Civil War equipment. Two of the molded figures are in the relatively standard formal Confederate uniforms of gray and light blue, while the other two represent the far less formal attire of the typical rebel from the later stages of that war. All four figures go together with a minimum of fuss, and if carefully assembled, filling or… more |
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Brewster Body Shield – US InfantryPublished:
ICM continues its unique line of World War 1 related figure sets, and this one has to be unique in this regard, as it depicts equipment that never actually saw combat. The set provides four figures wearing the infamous Brewster Body Shield, designed by Dr. Guy. Brewster, capable of withstanding a hail of bullets from the standard .303 round of the time. Unfortunately, it was otherwise virtually impractical, as it weighed 40 pounds and restricted both vision and movement severely. The user could not turn his head, could not drop to the ground (and hope to get back up again), could barely reach his ammo belt under the unit, and was completely unprotected from the rear. Although studied by the U.S. Army at the time, it was never adopted for actual combat operations, although it might have… more |
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Model T 1914 Fire Truck with CrewPublished:
Firefighting has a long and noble history in the United States, dating back to the 17th century following the burning of Boston in 1631. The first volunteer fire company was established by Benjamin Franklin in 1736 in Philadelphia, and became a model for other colonial cities to follow. 1853 saw the establishment of the first professional fire department in Cincinnati, and thus the modern, fully-paid and professional firefighting force was created. Originally, most firefighting equipment was horse drawn, but the advent of cheap, readily available gasoline-driven vehicles changed that. Enter the ubiquitous Model T, a simple, robust and affordable machine capable of carrying at least rudimentary firefighting equipment and personnel to emergency locations quickly and easily.… more |
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American Fire Truck Crew (1910s)Published:
Despite the war, ICM in the Ukraine continues to create new and innovative kits for the avid figure modeler. This set, which depicts American firemen from the turn of the last century, is a case in point. Professional firefighting units organized along paramilitary lines first came on the scene around the 1850s, and by the 1900s were equipped in what is now considered classic firefighter uniforms, with their distinctive headgear and rubberized coats and boots. This set represents the more common types of clothing, including both the long and short coats as well as the heavy canvas pants. The figures come on a single sprue with two sprues hosting their fire axes and three-part helmets. Basic construction of these figures is relatively straight-forward, with the long coats being… more |
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Laffly V15T WWII French Artillery Towing VehiclePublished:
Laffley was a French vehicle manufacturer known for innovative engineering. In 1938 they developed the first prototype for a light military towing vehicle with an advanced transmission and unique suspension system employing “bumper” wheels on both the front and center of the chassis to aid in cross-country travel. Despite its advanced systems, only about 200 were built before the Fall of France, most of them never being employed in combat. However, the Wehrmacht was impressed with the design and impounded the majority of them to serve as light utility and radio transport. Only about four vehicles still exist. ICM has produced a nicely detailed kit of this interesting machine, which features 6 sprues of detailed parts, clear parts, vinyl main wheels (although the bumper wheels… more |
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Wars and Soldiers in the Early Reign of Louis XIV: Volume 4 – The Armies of Spain 1660-1687Published:
By the middle of the 17th century Spain held the largest empire the world had ever known – with territory spanning most of the New World to Italy and beyond. And yet, in an all-to-familiar tale, the enormous expense of maintaining such a long reach was prohibitive, and was quickly bankrupting the country. In addition, wealth was becoming concentrated into fewer and fewer hands, with nobility in one guise or another owning roughly 95% of all land in Spain. The monarchy was so strapped for funds that less than 20% of all taxes actually made it into the national treasury, most going to banks for loan debt, further enriching the elite at the expense of the nation. France at the time was in an expansionist mood, dreaming of its own empire. Consequently, Louis XIV (the Sun King) and… more |