Jim Pearsall
Reviews By Author
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DH 100 Vampire Mk IPublished:
The AircraftThe Vampire certainly qualifies as an “early jet”, being second oldest to the Meteor in RAF service. The Vampire’s twin-boom layout was a result of the low power of the early jet engines. The shorter the tail pipe, the more power the engine could deliver. The Vampire’s original mission was strictly as an interceptor, with only the 4x 20 mm Hispano cannon as armament. The Vampires had no power assist for the controls, no radar, and no vices. It was fondly referred to as the “aerial kiddie car” by post-war pilots, implying that anyone could fly it. This may explain why the Vampire was exported extensively. The export list includes: Austria, Australia, Burma, Ceylon, Canada, Chile, Congo, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, India, Indonesia, Iraq,… more |
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Tornado F3 111 Squadron Anniversary SetPublished:
This kit provides aircraft and markings for two Tornado F.3s, in markings for 111 Squadron’s 90th anniversary, 1917 – 2007. The AircraftThe Tornado F.3 is called the ADV by the other operators of the type: Italy and the Royal Saudi AF. It has 80% parts commonality with the attack/recce versions of the Tornado. For the RAF the mission is long endurance combat air patrol. 111 Squadron has flown Bristol Scouts, F.2Bs, S.E.5s, Nieuport 17s, 23s and 24s, Snipes, Siskins, Bulldogs Gauntlets, Hurricanes, Spitfires 1, 2, 5, and 9, Meteors, Hunters, Lightings, Phantoms, and Tornados. They are scheduled to transition to the Eurofighter Typhoon in 2010. The KitOf course you get two of everything. Actually you get more than two; more on this later.… more |
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P-40 B/C WarhawkPublished:
The CompanyI became aware of Kami di Korokoro several months back when I was surfing through the HLJ site and happened to find that there was a 1/144 model of the TSR.2 available in Japan. I had to have it. It was cheap, and I bought it. The TSR.2 is paper. One of those projects I’ll get to some day. I also got this all-resin 1/144 P-40 from HobbyLink Japan. The KitThere’s really not much to this kit as far as parts go. There’s the fuselage/wing/stabilizers and the canopy, propeller, main gear, tail wheel and the doors. Decals for an AVG P-40B and a USAAF P-40C of the 97th Pursuit Group are provided. ConstructionThe intricate part of the project is getting the small parts off the mold carriers and the sprues. The leading and… more |
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Modeler’s Datafile 16: The Hawker HunterPublished:
Thanks to SAM Publications and Paul Bradley for the review copy. During the IPMS National Convention in Columbus, I bought the Modeler’s Datafiles 12, 13 and 14, on the F-4 Phantom. I was impressed with these books, and I’m impressed with this one too. This book has all the information a modeler needs to build a Hawker Hunter, including a kit listing, a decal listing and an accessory/conversion listing. I find I spend a lot of time looking for info on aircraft I build, and this book will save me on research next time I build a Hunter. The table of contents is as follows:
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SH-60F and HH-60H (1+1)Published:
The US Navy had a winner in the SH-3 Sea King. But like all good things, the Sea King became obsolete, and the Navy had to find a replacement. The answer was that the US Army was looking for a replacement for their UH-1 Iroquois (Huey). Robert McNamara would have been so proud, as the Army and Navy chose the same basic helicopter, Sikorski’s S-70, which became the Army’s UH-60 Blackhawk and, because the Navy’s just, well, different, the SH-60, HH-60 and MH-60 for the elder service. The Navy version has the tail wheel moved forward, and doubled. This allows the tail on the ship-based helos to be folded, saving deck space. Navy missions include surface warfare, undersea warfare, anti-submarine warfare, SEAL insertion, replenishment, troop landings, search & rescue and Medevac… more |