Keith Gervasi
Reviews By Author
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P-51B Mustang Deluxe SetPublished:
History(From the ArmaHobby web site) The P-51B/C was armed with four 12,7 mm wing-mounted machine guns, while under-wing pylons allowed it carry 250- and 500-pound bombs, as well as aluminum or paper fuel tanks with a capacity of 75 and 108 gallons, respectively. The P-51B/C versions of the Mustang entered service in the European Theatre of Operations towards the end of 1943, and went on to play a key role in breaking down the resistance of the Luftwaffe’s fighter arm – the Jagdverbände – throughout 1944. They were also used in the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations and in the Burma and China campaigns. Apart from providing escort cover, Mustangs flew ground support missions and were actively involved in combating the V-1 rockets. From mid-1944, they were gradually… more |
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Ki-84 Special Attack UnitsPublished:
HistoryThe Ki-84 Hayate (Code name Frank) was born in early 1942 as a replacement for the Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa (Oscar). The first flight was in March 1943 with the first deliveries were made in April. The Ki-84 was a fast (427 mph), highly maneuverable, heavily armed (Two 20 mm & two 12.7 mm or four 20 mm OR two 20 mm & two 30 mm guns) and armored (armor protecting the pilot and self sealing fuel tanks) fighter. In the hands of a capable pilot it could hold it’s own against any allied fighter. It’s first combat was in the skies over China with it’s first major operational involvement being the Battle of Leyte in 1944. Around 3500 were eventually built and even though it was designed as a fighter it also performed the duties of a fighter bomber and Kamikaze. … more |
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South Pacific Air War: Volume 5 - 'Crisis in Papua Sept-Dec 1942'Published:
Volume Five of this series chronicles aerial warfare primarily in the New Guinea theatre in the critical period between September and December 1942. It can be read alone or as a continuation of the previous four volumes which span the first nine months of the Pacific War. By early September the strategic picture in the theatre had changed markedly within just six weeks. From their new Buna beachhead the Japanese Army commenced a Papuan mountain campaign which threatened the Allied bastion of Port Moresby. Meanwhile the battle for Guadalcanal was raging, with the outcome of the wider Pacific War in the balance. Against this background a strengthened US Fifth Air Force took the fight to the IJA with direct air support. While this was being conducted by P-39s, P-40Es, A-… more |
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WWII Wehrmacht Infantry SetPublished:
This set includes 10 different German WWII figures in Wehrmacht uniforms of the Mid-WWII period. Upon opening the box will find a folded two-sided instruction sheet and two bags of grey injected plastic parts. 2 sprues (Y) are the same and contain the accessories while Sprue Z contains the figures and the bases. The plastic is very cleanly molded, and the details are crisp. The standing figures are made up of 4 parts (a body plus separate arms and a head) or 5 parts (a body minus one leg plus separate arms, head and the leg due to the figure in a walking pose). The sitting/kneeling figures are all made up of 5 parts (upper torso with two legs w/lower torso, arms, and head). Sprue Y has all of the accessories and there are lots of them. There are two of the Y sprues and on each one you… more |
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Convair B-36D/F/H/J PeacemakerPublished:
History(From the instructions) In 1946, one of the most massive aircraft in the history of aviation came into being, the Convair B-36 Peacemaker strategic heavy bomber. For the next 10 years it became the principal weapon threatening retaliation in the event of a new world conflict, startling the imagination even today with its extremely large size. This was the instrument which was to deliver the deadly nuclear weapon as deep as possible into the territory of a potential adversary, which for the United States, soon after the end of World War II, meant the Soviet Union. As early as 1947, after testing, series production of the B-36A and B-36B versions began, which started their military service in 1949. Even for such a powerful country as the United States, building… more |
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Images of War - United States Navy DestroyersPublished:
The Author: Michael Green is the author of numerous acclaimed books in the Images of War series. OverviewThis classic Images of War book traces the key role played by destroyers of the United States Navy since the first order for 16 in 1898. Prior to the USA’s entry into the First World War a further 63 destroyers were commissioned, and due to the U-boat threat, 267 more were authorized by Congress once hostilities were joined. Between 1932 and Pearl Harbor, ten new classes totaling 169 destroyers came into service. During the war years American shipyards turned out a further 334 vessels. Of the three classes, the 175 Fletcher-class were judged the most successful. The Cold War years saw the development of seven more classes. More recently 82 of the… more |
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Fiat Br. 20Published:
HistoryThe BR 20 "Cicogna" low wing medium bomber was developed by the Italian aircraft manufacturer Fiat during the 1930’s. It entered service in 1936 and was characterized by its metal frame and retractable landing gear. Modern and fast for the period, it was deployed by the “Aviazione Legionaria” and had its baptism of fire in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. In September 1940, the “Corpo Aereo Italiano”, consisting of the 13th and 43rd “Stormo da Bombardamento” were similarly equipped with the BR-20. The “Stormi” were stationed in Belgium and supported the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain. Despite operational comparisons with modern R.A.F. fighters that exposed the BR-20’s limits, it was used for the duration of WW2 on various fronts by several Regia Aeronautica… more |
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Pacific Profiles, Volume Two: Japanese Army Bombers, Transports & Misc. Types, New Guinea & The Solomons 1942-1944Published:
The Author: Michael Claringbould spent his formative years in Papua New Guinea in the 1960s, where he became fascinated by the many WWII aircraft wrecks which still lie around the country. He has served overseas as an Australian diplomat including South East Asia and throughout the South Pacific where he had the fortune to return to Papua New Guinea for 3 years starting in 2003. Mr. Claringbould has authored & illustrated various books (at least 15) on Pacific War aviation. His history of the Tainan Naval Air Group in New Guinea ‘Eagles of the Southern Sky’ received worldwide acclaim as the first English-language history of a Japanese fighter unit, which was also translated into Japanese. This book covers 9 Sentai’s plus HQ, Recon, Transport & Liaison units and where… more |
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1955 Chevy Stake TruckPublished:
HistoryFrom the kit instructions: Combining passenger car styling with rugged, versatile and dependable truck performance, the Chevrolet Two-ton Stake Model represented the ultimate in commercial vehicle design. One of the most popular models in the famous “task Force” series of 1955, it was seen on the highways and byways across America, hauling loads of all descriptions with the greatest ease and efficiency. Whether it was a load of grain from the local feed store, lumber for the new house down the street, or a gang of kids headed for summer camp, the model 6409 was equal to the task. It was normally powered by a 123-horsepower loadmaster engine, but could on request have the super powerful Jobmaster engine installed, which delivered 140 HP. Both of those engines… more |
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PZL.23 KARAŚ IIPublished:
This book is a compilation of 4-view color profiles, scale plans and photographic details of the PZL.23 Karaś II featuring scale plans in 1/72 and 1/48 scales plus drawings from wartime technical manuals and also photographs of the details. Book is available in the two marking variants
The book: The MMP ‘Single’ book series are short but very well-done books on the subject they cover. This book covering the PZL. 23B has just 24 pages but they are full of nice interior & exterior detail pictures (over 50), 1/72 & 1/48 line drawings and a 1/48 color profile. As I have picked up the nice IBG Models 1/72 PZL.23 kit this… more |