Greg Wise
Reviews By Author
|
AC-47 Gunship Interior S. A.Published:
The ProductThe set is made up of two frets: one brass and one tin printed self-adhesive. First let’s look at the brass one, it mainly supports the mini-guns and ammo boxes with just a few parts for the cockpit and forward cabin pieces. Next the printed tin fret, it’s loaded with radio faces, console panels, and the instruments panel. It also has a complete set of seat harnesses and assorted placards. My sample arrived in perfect condition and included an easy to understand fold out instruction sheet. The BuildStarting in the forward sections; cockpit and radio room. First the kit parts require a little plastic removal and land scrapping. The new radio faces and instruments panel fit perfectly as did the rest of the smaller items The hardest items to… more |
|
AC-47 Gunship Exterior PhotoetchPublished:
The ProductI love brass, it complements plastic models so well that I use it on almost all my builds. This set covers several deficiencies specific to the Gunship version found in the old but excellent Monogram/Revell AC-47 plus minor generic items. Set includes upgrades for; the tailwheel bay, window vents for the mini-guns, gas-caps, main landing bulkheads and access panels, engine ignition harness, oil cooler screens, prop governors, exhaust pipe embellishments, brake lines, new main landing gear cross braces, tail cap off plate, several smaller panels, lots of antennas and a very cool boarding ladder. The BuildThis is a great set and some minor plastic modifications were needed but nothing major. The set is so easy to use the hardest part of the… more |
|
AC-47 Gunship Landing FlapsPublished:
The ProductNothing beats Eduard’s brass, like the slogan says “Best Brass Around” and I’m a believer. The large sheet of shinny brass photo-etch is a work of art and could be matted, framed and hung on the wall as such. My sample arrived in pristine condition with a comprehensive fold out instruction sheet. The BuildThe set is well designed but the work required is tedious straightforward bending and folding delicate parts. However you must keep in mind the small bass fold connections will work-harden and break if you overwork them with adjustments. Each flap assembly is made up of a flap-bay and the flap itself. There are two inboard and two outboard flap assemblies. They’re held in the open position with small brass linkages. Extreme care is required… more |
|
Horton Ho 229 Spirit of ThuringiaPublished:
The German war machine produced some of the world’s most advanced aircraft designs from World War 2. The Luftwaffe's wonder weapons, when compared to their contemporaries, were clearly years ahead of their time. The Horten Ho 229 is the poster child of these machines and has always fascinated me. I’m always looking for modeling reference material on cutting edge German weaponry of the era and this publication fills in a lot of empty blanks. The book covers the story of the young Horton Brothers and the people who influenced them in their early years and during the war. The authors have compiled in great detail the most thorough technical study, complete development summary and operational record of the Horten Ho 229. Even though it was a promising design, throughout it’s operational… more |
|
Aichi B7A2 Attack Bomber Ryusei Kai (Grace) "Rollout"Published:
History BriefGiven the codename "Grace" by the Allies, the Aichi B7A Ryusei was a large and powerful single engine, two-seat carrier-borne torpedo-dive bomber. It was produced by Aichi Kokuki KK for the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during the Second World War. The B7A first flew as a prototype in May 1942, but problems with the experimental NK9C Homare engine and airframe issues delayed the type and it didn’t enter into production until two years later in May 1944. Despite the plane's weight and size, it displayed fighter-like handling and performance, it even outperformed the A6M Zero which was in service at the time. Not only was it was a fast, agile and highly maneuverable machine it could also carry a single 800 kg bomb, two 250 kg bombs or six 60 kg bombs… more |
|
Aichi B7A2 Attack Bomber Ryusei Kai (Grace)Published:
History BriefGiven the codename "Grace" by the Allies, the Aichi B7A Ryusei was a large and powerful single engine, two-seat carrier-borne torpedo-dive bomber. It was produced by Aichi Kokuki KK for the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during the Second World War. The B7A first flew as a prototype in May 1942, but problems with the experimental NK9C Homare engine and airframe issues delayed the type and it didn’t enter into production until two years later in May 1944. Despite the plane's weight and size, it displayed fighter-like handling and performance, it even outperformed the A6M Zero which was in service at the time. Not only was it was a fast, agile and highly maneuverable machine, it could also carry a single 800 kg bomb, two 250 kg bombs or six 60 kg bombs at once… more |
|
Aussie Eight - Spitfire Mk. VIII in Australian Service, Dual ComboPublished:
History BriefThe Mk VIII was the follow-up of the Mk VII without the pressurized cabin and differed little from it’s Mk VII sibling. All Mk VIII Spitfires were built solely by Supermarine. A few early production models had extended wingtips, but the majority had the standard version. There are three sub-variants; the LF Mk VIII for low altitude, the F Mk VIII for medium altitude and HF Mk VIII for high altitude. Each was powered respectively by the Merlin 66, Merlin 63 and Merlin 70 engines. The Mk VIII served almost exclusively overseas in the Mediterranean, with both the Desert Air Force and the USAAF, in the Pacific with the Royal Australian Air Force and with the RAF in the China-Burma-India theater. After the Mk IX and Mk V, the Mk VIII was the third most… more |
|
Yak-1bPublished:
History BriefThe Yakovlev Yak-1 was a single-seat monoplane with a composite structure and wooden wings. It was extremely maneuverable, fast and well armed plus it was reliable and easy to maintain. The Yak-1 was truly the epitome of a World War II Soviet fighter aircraft. The Yak-1b featured a new bubble canopy with lowered rear fuselage, increased armor, ShKAS machine guns replaced with a single 12.7 mm (0.5 in) Berezin UBS, electrical and pneumatic firing of the weapons instead of the mechanical system, new control stick based on the Messerschmitt Bf 109 design, new gunsight, airtight fuselage, retractable tailwheel, improved engine cooling, and a Klimov M-105PF engine with better low-altitude performance. The "b" was an unofficial designation. After October 1942, all Yak… more |
|
Kawasaki Ki61-I Tei Type 3 Fighter Hien (Tony) and Type 95 Small Sedan Kurogane 4Wd (Model 3) “244Th Flight Regiment” w/FigurePublished:
History BriefThe Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien ("flying swallow") is a Japanese World War II fighter aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force. Built to compete with the P-40 Warhawk, the Ki-61-I was the first Japanese fighter to feature a liquid-cooled inline V engine. It was also the only mass-produced Japanese fighter of the war to use a liquid-cooled inline V engine. The first encounter reports claimed Ki-61s were Messerschmitt Bf 109s: further reports claimed that the new aircraft was an Italian design, which led to the Allied reporting name of "Tony", assigned by the United States War Department. The Japanese Army designation was "Army Type 3 Fighter”. Over 3,000 Ki-61s were produced. Initial prototypes saw action over Yokohama during the Halsey-Doolittle Raid on 18… more |
|
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IPublished:
History BriefThe Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I fixed its place in history during the Battle of Britain. The RAF pilots known as 'The Few' proved the Spitfire’s ability. Fighting alongside the Hurricane they overcame the struggles of the Battle of Britain over southern England and the English Channel during the summer of 1940. Powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin V12, the Supermarine Spitfire was capable of speeds of over 360mph. Noted for remarkable maneuverability that allowed it to turn inside an opponent, the spitfire made it an excellent dog-fighter and it was the interceptor of choice for Fighter Command. Accordingly, RJ Mitchell's design is a time-tested aviation masterpiece, famous and beautiful too, first flying in 1936 and by 1940 it had become the envy of the world's air… more |