Marc K. Blackburn
Reviews By Author
British Ironclads, 1860-1875: HMS Warrior and the Royal Navy's "Black Battlefleet"Published: October 15, 2018 Osprey’s newest addition to the New Vanguard series tackles one of the revolutions in naval construction and warfare – the ironclad. In one of the slimmer editions of this series, this volume follows the tried and true formula of the series. Using a mix of original artwork and contemporary illustrations, the author examines the origins, armor, ordnance, propulsion and crew accommodations on… more |
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Avro Shackelton AEW.2Published: January 24, 2021 For the last several years, Airfix has transformed itself. They have been releasing a plethora of new kits that are heads and tails above the kits that we all put together as kids and young adults. The Avro Shackleton under review is further evidence of Airfix moving forward into the 21st Century. In 2015, Airfix released the Avro Shackleton MR.2. In 2017, Airfix released the Avro Shackelton… more |
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M1A2 Abrams SEP V2 TUSK IIPublished: February 28, 2018 Academy has released an update of their previously released M1A1 kit with the release of a SEP V2/TUSK II kit. Based largely on the M1A2 kit (no. 13298) released in 2016, this version provides some updates. Whereas the previous kit provided three different variants, this kit provides two. They appear to be same vehicle, one with the TUSK add-ons and the other with them removed. The only other… more |
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Mapping Naval Warfare; A Visual History of Conflict at SeaPublished: January 2, 2018 For anyone who enjoys scale modeling or is a military history buff, Osprey Publishing is a familiar company. They are a prolific publisher of a wide-range of works related to the entire chronological spectrum of military history – from ancient Greece and Rome to contemporary events and weapon systems. Recently they have expanded their line into what can only be described as coffee table books… more |
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R.O. K. Army K2 "Black Panther"Published: November 25, 2017 I have heard for the last several years that we live in a golden age of modeling due to the huge array of subjects now hitting the shelves of hobby shops. Academy continues this trend with the release of the Main Battle Tank of the South Korean Army. An indigenous design that is an evolution of the K1. Both vehicles bear a passing resemblance to the American M1 Abrams, though they are smaller… more |
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Russian AT-T Artillery Prime MoverPublished: July 3, 2017 The KitJoining Trumpeter’s growing fleet of prime movers, this kit is their latest addition. The AT-T is a tracked vehicle, sharing the same components as a T-54. The kit and markings are for one vehicle. The color call out sheet shows this as a parade vehicle, white rims and markings of the Soviet flag. I chose to make it a grubbier vehicle with the Soviet red star (ironically… more |
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Russian AT-S Artillery Prime MoverPublished: May 26, 2017 Trumpeter continues to produce a wide range of interesting and wide ranging Russian subjects. While the box says that this is the Russian AT-S Tractor, in fact, this is a two-in-one kit. Also included with the prime mover is the Soviet ML-20 152 mm howitzer Mod 1937. As with most Trumpeter kits, the box is sturdy and the sprues are individually packaged and the more fragile parts are wrapped… more |
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Russian AT-T Artillery Prime MoverPublished: May 25, 2017 Joining Trumpeters growing fleet of prime movers, this kit is their latest addition. The AT-T is a tracked vehicle, sharing the same components as a T-54. The kit and markings are for one vehicle. Molded in the now customary grey Trumpeter plastic, there are ten sprues in the kit of which three are the tracks and two are the rubber road wheels. It includes one fret of PE, clear parts and one… more |
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Bomber Command Gift SetPublished: January 16, 2017 Airfix has a long tradition of packaging kits into gift sets. This tradition continues with the release of the Bomber Command Gift Set. As you can see from the box, profits go to an RAF charity. They have blended their ground support set with a Lancaster Bomber, making for a Bomber Command gift set. I have had the opportunity over the past several years to review the newer kits that Airfix is… more |
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Russian Light AA Gun SetPublished: November 13, 2016 Meng Models exploded on the scene several years ago and has since built a reputation for interesting subjects and well-designed kits. With the release of a Russian Light Anti-Aircraft gun set, I am sure that their star continues to rise for the scale modeling community. You get four weapons – ZPU-1, ZPU-2. ZPU-4, and ZU-23-2 as well as several of their Chinese equivalents. As part of Meng’s… more |