Greg Wise
Reviews By Author
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SAS 1/4 Ton 4x4 Patrol Commander’s CarPublished:
The ProductThe kit arrived in Dragon’s standard smaller box common for a kit of this size. All the parts were well protected in the typical Dragon poly bags. Also included was the standard instruction sheet, a photo-etch fret and a small decal sheet. The kit features 2 crew figures, newly tooled condenser w/modified engine grille, Vickers K machine guns, jerrycans w/photo-etch details and photo-etch sand channels. The BuildStarting at step one; Building up optional tires. Steps two and three; Chassis, suspension, drive-train and exhaust system. Steps four, five and six included building up the engine and radiator along with adding a lot of the major body part items. Steps seven and eight cover more parts for the interior of the jeep. The last steps, nine thru… more |
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CMP Mk1 Otter Light Recon CarPublished:
History BriefThe Otter Light Reconnaissance Car was developed by General Motors Canada to meet the demand for a light armored car. The design followed the layout of the British Humber Mark III LRC. The Otter was based on the Chevrolet C15 Canadian Military Pattern truck chassis and used many standard GM components. The armament consisted of a hull-mounted Boys anti-tank rifle and a Bren light machine gun in a small open-topped turret. Although it used a more powerful engine than the Humber, it was larger and heavier; overall performance was less than the Humber but still acceptable. Between 1942 and 1945, 1761 units were produced in Oshawa, Ontario, although fewer than 1,000 were delivered overseas. The Otter served with Canadian units in the Italian Campaign and Northwest… more |
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AH-64A “Gray Camo 2003”- Limited EditionPublished:
History Brief: This is a “Special Edition” version of the AH-64 as seen during the Iraqi War in 2003. The aircraft was named after the North American Indian nation, the Apache from the southern Great Plains and beyond. Originally manufactured by Hughes Helicopters(1975-1984), then by McDonnell Douglas(1984-1997) and Boeing(1997-present), it was first flown on 30 September 1975, entered service with the US Army in April 1986, and is still on active duty today. The AH-64A features a 4-blade main rotor powered by twin turbine engines, a tandem cockpit, nose mounted sensor suite, upgraded electronic missile equipment system, and a state of the art 30mm (1.2 in) M230 Chain Gun weapon system. When compared to its contemporaries, the Apache is hands-down and by far the… more |
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Soviet T-26 Light Infantry Tank Model 1931Published:
History BriefThe T-26 tank was a Soviet light infantry tank, and was a development of the British Vickers 6-ton tank. Many consider it to be one of the most successful tank designs of the 1930’s. With more than 11,000 made, it was the most produced tank of its period. The T-26 Served in many conflicts of the 1930’s and was used during World War 2. The tank served with the armies of Turkey, China, and Spain. In addition, the Finnish, German, Romanian, and Hungarian armies used captured T-26s. The ProductThe kit is 100% all-new tooling and consists of over 988 parts. It comes packaged in a very sturdy corrugated box featuring an interesting illustration of T-26s parading across a stream. The bulk of the plastic is molded in dark green while the… more |
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T-24 Medium TankPublished:
History BriefThe T-34 was a Soviet medium tank built in 1931. Only twenty four tanks were completed. None of these tanks would ever see combat; instead, they were used as training aids or in other capacities. This was the first tank produced at the KhPZ factory in Ukraine. The same factory was later responsible for the amazingT-34 and T-54 Soviet tanks. The T-24 was a well-armored tank for its time; its main armament was a 45mm gun. In addition, there were four ball-mount 7.62mm DT machine guns, one located in the top turret, two more in the main turret, and one in the hull. The T-24’s problematic engine and transmission ruined any future hope to put the tank in service. However, the suspension system was a success and was used in the Soviet Union’s first purposely-… more |
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USS Greeneville, SSN-772Published:
History BriefOur subject is a Los Angeles Class submarine, the USS Greeneville, SSN-772. It was named after the city of Greeneville, Tennessee, home of President Andrew Johnson, and is the only US Navy ship to have borne that name. She was ordered on 14 December 1988 with the contract going to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia. Her keel was laid 28 February 1992, she was launched 17 September 1994, and commissioned on 16 February 1996. The Greeneville had a few bumps and mishaps early in her career but is still serving proudly today. Our model features an ASDS Advance SEAL Delivery System. It is basically a midget submarine that rides piggyback on larger submarines and is primarily used for covert and clandestine operations by the… more |
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HMS Dreadnought – 1907Published:
History BriefMay, 1905 – HMS Dreadnought approved for construction. Entered into service December, 1907, and served as the flagship of the British Royal Navy’s Home Fleet until 1912. March, 18, 1916, during the First World War, the HMS Dreadnought sank the German submarine U-29 in the North Sea. By 1918, the Dreadnought was assigned patrol duty of the Thames estuary. She was then transferred to the Reserve in 1919 and finally demolished in 1921. The ProductKit features 2-piece full hull, internal strengthening bulkheads, separately molded bilge keel, engraved deck plank texture, finely molded fittings, well detailed ships boats, hollow tip main battery gun barrels, 12pdr rapid fire guns, filigree masts and yardarms, display stand with nameplates, metal chains… more |
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ATTACK! 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry, 89th Regiment, Pennsylvania VolunteersPublished:
Three riders on horseback, swords drawn with the colors flying, charging into battle. All sculpted by A. Gagarin, and Master Box has added another fine set of figures to an already impressive list. Molded in a light tan color, the semi-soft plastic is flash-free and needs only minor clean up. The set features three mounted figures on the attack with full combat gear. Each horse and figure has around 15-20 parts that fit nicely and is well balanced. Bottom line, I highly recommend this to any modeler or Civil War buff. My thanks to Dragon Models USA and Master Box for the kit, and IPMS for the opportunity to review another fine product. |
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Supermarine Seafang F.MK.32Published:
History BriefThe Seafang was essentially a Spiteful redesigned for the Royal Navy carrier use. Two prototype Seafang MK.32s were ordered on March 12, 1945, followed by an order for 150 Seafang MK.31s on 7 May 1945. To expedite entry into service, the interim Mk.31 was ordered, which was a navalised Spiteful with a tail hook, allowing the MK.32 to be developed. The Mk32 featured a contra-rotating propeller (eliminating engine torque), power folding outer wing tips, and a proper arrester hook. The ProductKit features very nice engraved panel lines, weak cockpit details, nice gear bays, reconnaissance camera, optional position flaps and wing tips, working prop, and 3 decal options. My sample was flash-free and well packaged in a sturdy box. Also included is a… more |
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Where Are the Damned Roads?Published:
The ProductPackaged in an end-opening lightweight cardstock box, you will find one tan colored sprue, four light gray parts sprues, and one clear parts sprue, five vinyl tires, one decal sheet, and one large fold out instruction sheet. All the parts were well protected and packaged in clear poly-bags. The parts are well appointed, feature fine detailing and appropriate seat and boot canvas textures. I found only minor flashing. The clear parts are crystal clear and are not overly thick. The vinyl tires are beautify done and have only minor flashing. Some figures are custom-made for this car but could easily be adjusted to other models. History BriefGerman military car, type 170V, first appeared in military service in 1937. The car had advanced elements of… more |