Jeff Leiby
Reviews By Author
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Multi-Aircraft Series #2, SBD-2, F3F-2, P-40, SB2U-2Published:
I had a love-hate relationship with this set of decals. This is my first experience using decals from Yellow-Wings, and also from the new Microscale printing process. The colors are excellent and in perfect register, the film around the edges is minimal, they are exceptionally thin and they cover aircraft from my favorite era. However, the thinness lead to issues with the long and thin decals. Additionally, the smallest decals required a perfectly smooth service to be moved about easily, an important issue on a small model like a 1/72 F3F-2. I ended up purchasing a second set of decals to fix several issues; severely torn decals and a set of wing chevrons that were not sufficiently opaque. The DecalsThis 1/72 multi-aircraft decal set is the second from Yellow-Wings… more |
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Alesia 52 BC: The final struggle for GaulPublished:
BackgroundAs described on the Osprey Publishing website, “In 52 BC Caesar’s continued strategy of annihilation had engendered a spirit of desperation, which detonated into a revolt of Gallic tribes under the leadership of the charismatic young Arvernian noble Vercingetorix. Major engagements were fought at Noviodunum, Avaricum, and Gergovia, with the last action being the most serious reverse that Caesar faced in the whole of the Gallic War. However, Vercingetorix soon realized that he was unable to match the Romans in pitched battle. Taking advantage of the tribesmen’s superior knowledge of their home territory, Vercingetorix began a canny policy of small war and defensive maneuvers, which gravely hampered Caesar’s movements by cutting off his supplies. For Caesar it was to… more |
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Carlson’s Raiders Makin Island 1942Published:
BackgroundThe 1st Marine Division landed on Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942 to stop further Japanese expansion. On August 17–18, 1942, the US Marine Corps’ 2nd Raider Battalion conducted an amphibious raid on the Japanese-occupied Makin Island in the South Pacific. This operation was intended to divert Japanese reinforcements bound for Guadalcanal, over 1,000 miles to the southwest. The Raiders were to destroy the seaplane base and radio station, take prisoners, and collect intelligence. The Raiders suffered heavy causalities and even left some Marines behind, but the raid was an invaluable test of the innovative training and tactics employed by the Raiders, and a crucial boost to national morale at this difficult stage in the war. Contents
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Hungarian 75mm Assault Gun 44.M ‘Zrinyi’ IPublished:
The KitThe Zrinyi I was an attempt to convert the successful Zrinyi II, 105mm howitzer-equipped assault gun into an anti-tank weapon. The Hungarians replaced the howitzer with the German made Pak 40, 75mm anti-tank gun. Since the Germans were willing to provide STU-III/IV SP anti-tank guns it was decided not to go beyond the single prototype. You will find the following inside the box:
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M1114 Up-Armoured Vehicle with XM153Published:
The KitThis is Bronco Models’ version of the M1114 HMMWV. This version includes the XM153 CROWS mount. Included in the top-opening box are:
The kit contains over 400 plastic and PE parts, of which 41 are not used. The detail, in typical Bronco fashion, is outstanding. There was no flash and only a couple mold marks to clean up. The kit provides optional parts for an M2 .50 cal HMG, an M249 LMG, and a Mk-19 AGL, any of which be mounted in the CROWS mount. Bronco has provided the gunner’s station to mount in the left rear seat, a… more |
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Vickers Mark VIb Light Tank Update SetPublished:
The KitThis is the Eduard photo etch set for the Vulcan Models Vickers Mk VIb. Included are 93 parts, only two of which replace photo etch parts that are included in the Vulcan kit. The set includes 21 parts that add detail to essentially bare walls within the driver’s compartment. Where there had been just a seat, the floor, and three walls, you can have a nicely detailed interior, missing only a driver. The remaining 72 parts replace plastic parts, including the fenders, air intake, smoke launcher mounts, spot light mount, rear stowage basket, antennae mounts, and numerous parts for the gun mount. Detail parts for the fire extinguisher, tool rack, and muffler mount are also included. All of the parts but two supplement the photo etch that is provided in the… more |
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M-ATV (MRAP – All Terrain Vehicle)Published:
The KitThis is Kinetic Models’ first armor kit, a 1/35 replica of the M-ATV (MRAP-All Terrain Vehicle). The M-ATV was first developed by Oshkosh in 2009 in response to the U.S. Military’s urgent request for a HUMMV replacement. It was designed to provide an equal level of protection as larger MRAPs, yet possess extreme mobility and durability to meet the treacherous terrain conditions in Afghanistan. Included in the top-opening box are 11 tan plastic sprues, 1 sprue with clear parts, 1 PE fret, 1 sprue of vinyl parts, 5 vinyl tires, 1 small decal sheet, and a 32-page instruction sheet that includes a sprue map, painting guide,30 building steps, decal guide, and two pages of black & white detail photos. The kit contains over 500 parts, of which just a few suspension… more |
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Special Operations Patrol VehiclesPublished:
Modern special operation forces made their first appearance during the Second World War and have been involved in every major and many minor conflicts since. The current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, with wide open spaces and heavily armed insurgents, have seen the employment of a large variety of special operations patrol vehicles. These vehicles allow the special operators to cover long distances rapidly while carrying the weapons necessary to confront a wide range of targets. This book, number 179 in the New Vanguard series published by Osprey Publishing, describes the development and employment of special operation vehicles utilized in Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM, the rise of the MRAP, and the future of SOF patrol vehicles. Vehicles from the USA, Canada,… more |
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Vietnam Gun TrucksPublished:
Military Police units have the mission, among many others, to provide armed escort to supply convoys in a combat zone. During the Vietnam War there were never enough military police combat support units to accomplish this mission. Commanders of truck companies in the 8th Transportation Group began to arm and armor 2-1/2 ton and 5 ton cargo trucks to provide convoy security. The 8th Trans Group became the major user of gun trucks during the war. This book, number 184 in the New Vanguard series published by Osprey Publishing, describes the development and employment of gun trucks during the last half of the Vietnam War. The first half of the volume describes the U.S. Army motor transport units deployed in South Vietnam, the Army convoy system itself, and the threat the convoys… more |
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The Tank Spotter's GuidePublished:
Osprey Publishing, in cooperation with The Tank Museum, has published a guide of “the 40 most iconic tanks of the 20thcentury.” Each of the tanks covered in the guide receives three pages that include a one page history, an extensive list of specifications, two full color drawings and detailed descriptions of each drawing. Much of the histories will already be known to students of armor, but I did find bits about the covered vehicles that are new to me. The full color drawings are exceptional and show the tanks in a used condition with many covered in crew gear and other equipment. The majority are side profiles, however there are many views from the front or rear quarter. The lists of specifications are fairly extensive for the size of the book and are useful for… more |