Gino Dykstra
Reviews By Author
WW1 Italian Infantry in ArmorPublished: December 11, 2022 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… more |
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Westland Whirlwind F Mk.1 Landing Gear (SH)Published: December 3, 2022 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… more |
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P-40E/F/M/N War Hawk Landing GearPublished: December 3, 2022 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… more |
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Gloster Gladiator J-8 L.G & W. StrutsPublished: December 3, 2022 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… more |
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American Civil War Confederate Infantry Set #2Published: October 29, 2022 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… more |
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Brewster Body Shield – US InfantryPublished: October 17, 2022 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… more |
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Model T 1914 Fire Truck with CrewPublished: July 9, 2022 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,… more |
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American Fire Truck Crew (1910s)Published: July 9, 2022 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… more |
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Laffly V15T WWII French Artillery Towing VehiclePublished: June 14, 2022 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… more |
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Wars and Soldiers in the Early Reign of Louis XIV: Volume 4 – The Armies of Spain 1660-1687Published: March 28, 2022 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… more |