Michael Novosad
Reviews By Author
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Division Leclerc Column & Free French 2nd Armored Div, 1940-46Published:
Introduction'General Leclerc' was the nom de guerreadopted by the Gaullist officer Philippe de Hautcloque, to protect his family in occupied France. He became France's foremost fighting commander, and his armored division (the '2e DB') its most famous formation. Starting as a small scratch force of mostly African troops organised and led by Leclerc in French Equatorial Africa, it achieved early success raiding Italian and German positions in co-operation with Britain's Long Range Desert Group. Following the Allied victory in North Africa it was expanded and reorganised as a US Army-style armoured division, with American tanks and other armoured vehicles. Shipped to the UK, in spring 1944, it was assigned to Patton's US Third Army, landing in time for the Normandy breakout… more |
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Brimstone w/AGML III RackPublished:
History and Background (thanks to WikiPedia)Brimstone is an air-launched ground attack missile developed by MBDA for Britain's Royal Air Force. It was originally intended for "fire and forget" use against mass formations of enemy armour, using a millimetric wave (mmW) active radar homing seeker to ensure accuracy even against moving targets. Experience in Afghanistan led to the addition of laser guidance in the dual-mode Brimstone missile, allowing a "spotter" to pick out specific targets when friendly forces or civilians were in the area. The tandem shaped charge warhead is much more effective against modern tanks than older similar weapons such as the AGM-65G Maverick, while the small blast area minimises collateral damage. Three Brimstones are carried on a launcher that… more |
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German StuG IV Sd.Kfz.167 Ver. EarlyPublished:
Brief HistoryThe Sturmgeschütz IV (StuG IV) (Sd.Kfz. 167), was a World War II German assault gun variant of the Panzer IV used in the latter part of the war. It was identical in role and concept to the highly successful StuG III assault gun variant of the Panzer III. Both StuG models were given an exclusively tank destroyer role in German formations and tactical planning in the last two years of the war, greatly augmenting the capability of the dwindling tank force available to the German army on the Eastern and Western fronts. From December 1943 to May 1945, Krupp built 1,108 StuG IVs and converted an additional 31 from battle-damaged Panzer IV hulls. While the number is smaller than the 10,000+ StuG III, the StuG IV supplemented and fought along with StuG III… more |
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F-14D Cockpit PhotoetchPublished:
The Tamiya 1/48th scale model of the F-14D recently introduced is a fantastic kit following the earlier release of the -A version. The parts are crisply molded and loaded with detail typical of Tamiya kits. However. some of us are never quite satisfied and wish to raise the detail bar a little higher, while some of us have difficulty staying within the lines when painting fine kit detail such as found in cockpits and instrument panels. Contents DescriptionThis small pre-painted fret includes parts to replace the front and rear instrument panels, the side consols, and various sidewall instrument panels. The set includes two pages of instructions that show the kit raised surface detail that must be removed and the placement of the photo-etched parts. It sounds simple… more |
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F-14D Seat BeltsPublished:
The Tamiya 1/48th scale model of the F-14D recently introduced is a fantastic kit following the previous release of the -A version. The parts are chrisply molded and loaded with detail that will certainly stand by itself. As with some kit manufacturers photoetch seat belts and harnesses are not included in the package. However, the kit does include a comprehensive decal sheets that includes decals that represent seat belts. Modelers have used water slide decals seat belts in their builds with satisfactory, two dimensional results. Others have carefully cut the decals with the backer paper in place and fixed them on the seats with white glue, which offers a more realistic, three dimensional results. The Eduard set is by far and above a more realist solution. Contents… more |
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F-14D Canopy MaskPublished:
The Tamiya 1/48th scale model of the F-14D recently introduced is a fantastic kit following the earlier release of the -A version. The parts are chrisply molded and loaded with detail typial of Tamiya kits. This kit includes a printed sheet of masking material that must be individually cut out by the builder for the canopy clear areas. Also included in the Tamiya masking sheet are masks for the engine inlet throats that are not included with the Eduard masks. If the Eduard masks are used for the canopy, portions of the Tamiya mask still has a place in the build. Contents DescriptionThe Eduard set of masks is provided in two small sheets and includes wheel masks, plus masks for the interior and exterior of the canopy. An interior mask for the windscreen is… more |
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Eagle Squadron Spitfire Vb DecalsPublished:
Decal Sheet ContentsThere are three sheets of decals included in this package: the larger of the three has the roundels and fin flash along with aircraft codes. The mid-size sheet has additional aircraft codes and numbers, while the third and smallest sheet has individual pilot nose art. There are decals to model at least two of 10 photo-documented subjects, based on carefully interpreted graphic reconstructions. Additional models built will require the modeler to provide roundels and fin flash. The decal sheets include marking from the three squadrons: 71 Squadron, four aircraft, 121 Squadron, four aircraft, and 133 Squadron two aircraft. Six 8 1/2" by 11" pages of black and white instructions are included with the decals, along with a link to the supplier is… more |
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Yak-28PP BrewerPublished:
Brief HistoryThe Yakovlev Yak-28 is a swept wing, turbojet-powered combat aircraft used by the Soviet Union. Produced initially as a tactical bomber, it was also manufactured in reconnaissance, electronic warfare, interception, and trainer versions, known by the NATO reporting names Brewer, Firebar, and Maestro respectively. Based on the Yak-129 prototype first flown on 5 March 1958, it began to enter service in 1960. The Yak-28 was first seen by the West at the Tushino air show in 1961. Western analysts initially believed it to be a fighter rather than an attack aircraft—and a continuation of the Yak-25M --and it was designated "Flashlight". After its actual role was realized, the Yak-28 bomber series was redesignated "Brewer". The Yak-28 had a large mid-… more |
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Modern Chinese Warplanes Chinese Naval Aviation-Aircraft and UnitsPublished:
From the WebsiteChina's rising political ambitions have been accompanied by a demonstration of military presence in its area of influence. The Chinese navy and its naval air arm are playing an increasing role in achieving this goal. This comprehensive directory provides an extensively illustrated, in-depth analysis and overview of the Chinese naval aviation branch China’s economic development has been matched by rising political ambitions and the aim of returning the country to a central role in regional and global affairs. It is therefore considered vital for China to demonstrate military presence in its area of influence. Within the past decade, China’s military has undergone some of the most profound reforms and improvements since its establishment. The Chinese… more |
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F-4J/S Phantom Exhaust MaskPublished:
Company BackgroundNew Ware is a company in the Czech Republic that is well known to spacecraft modelers. They were new to me. I looked into their website and the text is a mix of English and Czech, and it is noted that Russian, German and Italian are also spoken. They offer kabuki-type masks for many of the popular scales from 1/24 down to the diminutive 1/144, plus eggplanes. Their on-line catalog is broken down by scale, with a further breakdown for model kit manufacturer. Each mask description for the kit noted with detail the contents such as all clear parts, interior (when offered), other clear parts and wheels. Contents DescriptionThe Zoukei Mura F-4J/S Phantom kit exhausts are fairly well detailed with the exterior surfaces molded with… more |