Michael Novosad
Reviews By Author
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Euro Decals Supermarine Spitfires Over MaltaPublished:
This latest sheet from Euro Decals is one that should please a lot of modelers. It contains nine different markings options for Spitfires that operated over Malta. The majority of them are Spitfire Vc with a few Vband a Mk.IX thrown in the mix. Each of the options provides an interesting camouflage scheme with many of them being quite non-standard with others more appropriate for Seafires. All of the Mk.V options have a sand filter so you’ll have to choose a kit that includes this feature. Option one is coded SN*A and was with 243 Squadron in 1942. It is dark Mediterranean blue on the upper surface with azure blue on the underside and an identification blue spinner. Next is 3*M as seen on the USS Wasp during 1942. This one is in deck blue and intermediat blue over azure… more |
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Ju-88P-1 Tank BusterPublished:
Brief HistoryFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Junkers Ju 88 is a German World War II Luftwaffe twin-engine multirole combat aircraft. Junkers Aircraft and Motor Works (JFM) designed the plane in the mid-1930s as a so-called Schnellbomber ("fast bomber") that would be too fast for fighters of its era to intercept. It suffered from technical problems during its development and early operational periods but became one of the most versatile combat aircraft of the war. Like a number of other Luftwaffe bombers, it served as a bomber, dive bomber, night fighter, torpedo bomber, reconnaissance aircraft, heavy fighter and at the end of the war, as a flying bomb. Despite a protracted development, it became one of the Luftwaffe's most important aircraft. The… more |
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Gotha Go 244B-2 German World War II Transport AircraftPublished:
Brief History - From WikipediaThe Go 244 was the powered version of the Gotha Go 242 military glider transport. Studies for powered versions of the Go 242 began early in the design of the glider, with one early proposal being for modification to allow a single Argus As 10C engine to be temporarily attached to the nose of the glider to allow recovery back to base after use. This idea was rejected, but the alternative of a permanently powered twin-engine version was taken forward. Three Go 242s were modified as prototypes of the powered Go 244, fitted with varying surplus radial engines. The first prototype, the Go 244 V1 was powered by two 660 hp (490 kW) BMW 132, while the second prototype had 700 hp (520 kW) Gnome-Rhône 14Ms — and the third 750 hp (560 kW) Shvetsov M-25… more |
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KOZAK-2 Ukrainian MRAP-class Armored Vehicle and Combat Vehicles Acrylic Paints SetPublished:
Brief History - from WikipediaThe first Kozak vehicle (also known as Kozak-1) first appeared on August 24, 2009 at the Independence Day of Ukraine military parade in Kyiv. Only two vehicles were manufactured prior to March 2014. The third vehicle (also known as "Kozak-2014") was built in November 2014 and was intended to be a proof of concept to address a growing requirement for a mobile MRAP. In March 2015 the vehicle was armed with the NSV machine gun. Another variant, the Kozak-2, was built in 2015 and armed with an anti-tank guided missile system. In May 2015 the vehicle appeared at the 169th Training Centre. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry conducted comparative tests of 11 armored vehicles from various manufacturers in early 2016, but only three… more |
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Aviation Modeling International, July 2023Published:
RegularsPages 6-7 The Newsstand. Here this publications previews new model kits and accessories. The paragraphs are short and are accompanied with color images of the subject matter. Pages 8-10 Czech News. New releases from Airmastr and Planet Models/Special Hobby are featured with the primary focus on the latter's 1/72 and /48 scale kits of the HESA Shahid 136/Geran suicide drones. Color images included. AZ Model, Valom, Eduard and Kovozavody Prostejov (KP) offerings are also featured. Pages 12-13 In The Box. The Infinity Models 1/32 Aichi D3A1 Val is featured with a two page spread including some images of the kit contents plus information on Infinity aftermarket accessories for the kit. Pages 14-18… more |
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SDKFZ 234/1 and 234/2 Heavy Armoured CarsPublished:
From the WebsiteExperience in the Polish and French campaigns had convinced the German high command of the value of fast-moving, armed reconnaissance vehicles. But it was realised that many of the early designs were too lightly-armed and development of a heavy eight-wheeled prototype resulted in the Sdkfz 234 series of armoured cars, the first of which entered service in late 1943. Built by the firm of Büssing-NAG, these sturdy and reliable vehicles were gradually up-armed and served in the infantry support role and eventually as tank killers, largely as the result of Hitler's desperation to arm as many vehicles as possible with anti-tank weapons. Drawing on official documentation and unit histories Dennis investigates the formations that operated these vehicles and uses… more |
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F-16 Fighting FalconPublished:
IntroductionSleek, futuristic and deadly – the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon was born from the crucible of the air war over Vietnam and the need for cheaper, simpler and more maneuverable fighter aircraft with which to combat the many thousands of Soviet-bloc supplied aircraft sold around the world. Back in the early 1970s the F-16 was the pinnacle of modern design, integrating a powerful turbofan engine and offering unrivaled maneuverability – thanks to its relaxed static stability and fly-by-wire system with computer control. Today’s F-16 Viper is light years away from the simple, lightweight point defense fighter first envisaged, but it has evolved and matured into the finest and most exported fourth-generation combat aircraft around the world. This is its story… more |
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P-39 Airacobra, Bell Fighter in World War IIPublished:
IntroductionWith a mid-engined configuration, sturdy tricycle landing gear, and nose-mounted 37 mm cannon, the Bell P-39 was a thoughtful and innovative design. However, the plane lacked the all-out performance of some other key fighters available to Allied fliers (e.g., Spitfire, Hellcat, Mustang), particularly at altitude. Largely rejected by British and American combat squadrons, the Airacobra was much better received in the Soviet Union, where the Red Air Force successfully deployed large quantities of the type against the Luftwaffe. This new entry in the Legends of Warfare series features detailed photographic coverage of all variants of the Airacobra, including prototypes, trainer versions, production models C through Q, and the P-400 ContentsThis… more |
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M1114 Up-Armored HA Tactical Vehicle Sagged Wheel SetPublished:
BackgroundThe High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV; colloquial: Humvee) is a family of light, four-wheel drive, military trucks and utility vehicles produced by AM General. It has largely supplanted the roles previously performed by the original jeep, and others such as the Vietnam War-era M151 jeep, the M561 "Gama Goat", their M718A1 and M792 ambulance versions, the Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle, and other light trucks. Primarily used by the United States military, it is also used by numerous other countries and organizations and even in civilian adaptations. The Humvee saw widespread use in the Gulf War of 1991, where it navigated the treacherous desert terrain; this usage helped to inspire civilian Hummer versions. The vehicle's original unarmored design… more |
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US M1240A1 Sagged Wheel SetPublished:
Base Model Background - From WikipediaThe Oshkosh M-ATV is a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle developed by the Oshkosh Corporation for the MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) program. Intended to replace M1114 HMMWVs (Humvee), it is designed to provide the same levels of protection as the larger and heavier previous MRAPs, but with improved mobility. Base Model - Ryefield ModelsNormally I prefer to build 1/48th scale aircraft, but will occasionally build 1/35th scale military vehicles. I saw an article on the M1240A1 M-ATV on line and was taken with the detail and the appearance of the vehicle itself. In searching for models I found that Panda and Rye Field Models both offered versions of the vehicle. I especially liked the Rye Field Models… more |