Michael Reeves
Reviews By Author
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The Weathering Magazine Issue 33: "Burned Out"Published:
The AMMO by Mig Jimenez series of The Weathering Magazine issues address all modeling genres and focus on painting and weathering techniques for scale models and figures centered on their products. Including great photos accompanied by thorough step-by-step processes in each article, they give builders of any skill level the chance to recreate these effects and build their skills in doing so. Each issue focuses on a specific theme and this time around we look at the effects of fire and explosive forces on the pieces. After an introduction by editor Sergiusz Pęczek , the articles open with "Ukrainian Rebel" by Kreangkrai Paoiinda. He takes the Trumpeter 1/72 T-72B Mod 1990 MBT and with some aftermarket parts and AMMO´s products recreates anti-tank explosive side hull damage. The… more |
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The Red Baron, A Photographic Album of The First World War's Greatest AcePublished:
There is probably no more well-known figure from the Great War, or more written about or discussed, than the infamous Red Baron- Manfred von Richthofen. The original ringmaster of the Flying Circus, his record stands for itself and no plane from that war stands out more from historians down to watchers of Snoopy and his antics in his Sopwith doghouse. This thin book at 157 pages is filled with excellent clear photographs of von Richthofen from his childhood up through his career to his bitter end over enemy lines. More on that later. Going from the table of contents, it doesn't seem like there is much inside with only two chapters and then some appendices, but these two chapters take up the first 127 pages of the book. After a brief introduction, the author details the events… more |
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How to Paint 4BO Green VehiclesPublished:
AMMO by Mig Jimenez have been creating helpful products that can be used in any genre of modeling to recreate weathering and finishing effects that can take one’s model to the next level. In this case, you get a Solution Book that gives you guidance in how to paint 4BO schemes for your Soviet tanks or vehicles. A separately sold Solution Box contains this book as well as the featured products referenced within. The book text is in 4 languages making it accessible to just about anyone- English, Spanish, French, and German. It is easy to follow, no matter what your skill level and the products are quite easy to use. The book opens with a section that features the description and instructions for use of all of the featured products- primers, acrylic colors, washes, streaking… more |
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Field ToiletPublished:
HistoryIf you were born in the last century at any time, you probably remember an older relative- perhaps a grandparent or older aunt who had an outhouse in the backyard. At the very least-- maybe a campsite or campground anyways. I frequented the one in my grandfather´s backyard as it was much easier than having to take off my shoes to go in the house and back then, I never wanted to come in. ICM has provided a relatively straightforward kit of the standard field toilet, although to be sure- one would probably only see these in more permanent set-ups. Most of the time these were set up over a hold in the ground with no wooden floor- but this is a dolled up version to be sure. The KitInside the durable cardboard box is just one sprue that contains the… more |
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IDF Puma CEVPublished:
HistoryUsing the hull from a Sho’t (itself a modified Centurion), the Puma CEV is a heavily armored combat engineering vehicle and armored personnel carrier used by the IDF since the 1990´s. With a top speed of 45 km/h, the Puma can carry a crew of up to eight people. It has a variety of uses including mine clearing equipment (including the Carpet system) and bridging capabilities. It is armed with three 7.62mm FN MAG machine guns, smoke grenade launchers, and a 60mm mortar. The KitInside the durable cardboard box are seventeen olive green sprues, four brown sprues with individual track links, an upper and lower hull, two clear sprues, 24 vinyl tires, a PE fret, and a nicely detailed decal sheet. The kit only features one scheme that uses only two of the… more |
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Tanks of the Second World WarPublished:
The title of this book might be a bit misleading but I am not complaining. The brunt of the book is definitely on tanks from WWII, but there are extensive chapters that focus on the evolution of the tank from WWI on through the development of Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) in the post-war age. The breakdown of the book´s sections are as follows:
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BM-13-16 on W.O.T. 8 ChassisPublished:
HistoryThe BM-13-16 was the most numerous example of rocket artillery in the Red Army’s arsenal during WWII. The system included 8 rail guides holding 16 RS-132 rockets. It was a formidable weapon that struck terror in the hearts of anyone on the receiving end. The system was often installed on the chassis of trucks delivered to the USSR under Lend-Lease. In this ICM release, the chassis belongs to the British Fordson W.O.T. 8 4x4. The KitInside the durable cardboard box are twelve dark green styrene runners, one clear runner, one PE fret, and five vinyl tires. There are no decals included in the kit, which is a shame as it would have been nice to at least have some for the instrument panel dials. There is only one scheme offered in the kit for a Russia… more |
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Allied Armour 1939-1945 British and American Tanks at WarPublished:
There are numerous accounts of the various armoured campaigns that defined the major fronts of WWII from the perspectives of all sides involved. Some are exhaustive accounts filled with places, dates, and names that can be excruciating at times to read with the extensive details. Books by Anthony Tucker-Jones usually are a bit easier to decipher and can be enjoyable without getting too much into the minutiae. This book is a good example of this- to the point of being a bit watered down perhaps. The book looks at the entirety of the war from the Allied view-- with the book covering American, British and Commonwealth, and French armor forces and that is no small feat. The book begins with a brief synopsis of the period following WWI where most were trying to figure out where… more |
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South African Armoured Vehicles - A History of Innovation and ExcellencePublished:
From the publisher’s website: During the Cold War, Africa became a prime location for proxy wars between the East and the West. Against the backdrop of a steep rise in liberation movements backed by Eastern Bloc communist countries such as Cuba and the Soviet Union, southern Africa saw one of the most intense wars ever fought on the continent... South African Armour: A history of necessity and innovation, takes an in-depth look at 13 iconic South African armoured vehicles. The development of each vehicle is rolled out in the form of a breakdown of their main features, layout and design, equipment, capabilities, variants and service experiences. Illustrated by over 100 photographs and more than two dozen custom-drawn colour profiles, this volume provides an… more |
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T-34 - An Illustrated History of Stalin’s Greatest TankPublished:
The T-34 is known to just about anyone with knowledge of WWII battles and the Eastern Front in particular. While it had some teething issues, it was an unpleasant surprise to the Germans who came against it and the KV series of tanks. It quickly became apparent that the typical early Panzers were outmatched and outgunned. This led to development of the Tiger and the Panther, which derived much of its design from experiences with the T-34. This new book from Greenhill Books gives an excellent account of the design, development, and battlefield performance of this workhorse of the Red Army. After a foreword called Stalin’s Saviour by Anthony Tucker-Jones, we delve right in. What’s InsideThis is a comprehensive guide to the T-34 in all its glory and it charts the… more |