Michael Reeves
Reviews By Author
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Osprey - US Soldier vs. Arikakorps Soldier - Tunisia 1943Published:
From the Publisher’s Website:Operation Torch, launched on 8 November 1942, landed Anglo-American forces in Vichy-controlled Morocco and Algeria to create a second front against the Axis forces in North Africa, catching Rommel's German and Italian forces in the claws of a giant pincer. The US Army was powerfully well-armored and equipped, but fresh to wa, and it showed. Organization suffered from a surfeit of peacetime theories and training was insufficient and ill-applied. Despite such failings the US GIs and their commanders learned very quickly, adapting to German tactics and the realities of mechanized warfare. The Axis forces in North Africa were seasoned by years of fighting against increasingly powerful British and Commonwealth forces, and were led… more |
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34/85 Zavod 183 Mod. 44Published:
IntroductionYou can’t enter a discussion of World War II tanks that made an impact on the course of the war without the T-34 coming up somewhere along the line. While it was a surprise to the Soviets to see their “allies” attacking, the grit and determination of Soviet industry did not leave the attacks unanswered. While it may not be as aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, the design of the sloped frontal armor, rough weld lines, and wide tracks to accommodate Mother Russia’s terrible winters made it more than able to be up to the task of staving off German armor. Starting out with the 76mm cannon to fight off the Panzer III’s and IV’s of the time, the advances in design allowed for a new turret to house the much more powerful 85mm long barrel gun- which was more than a… more |
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Before the Birth of the MBT - Western Tank Development 1945-1959Published:
According to the Kagero website, this book is the first in a short series looking at the major developments of battle tanks by Western nations in the years following the end of the Second World War up through to the present day. This volume is a good mix of B&W images, design sketches, as well as a color photo section and selection of color profiles. There is no real order of chapters the book follows. After a brief introduction paragraph, the overall majority of the book just delves into a general overview of the “Iron Trinity”- Firepower, Protection, and Mobility. The book then shifts into how late war versions of the Sherman, including the Easy Eight, were primarily used for training and continued to be used up until the time of the start of the Korean War. During this… more |
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M1296 Stryker Dragoon IFVPublished:
IntroductionThe Stryker has been in service with the US military nigh on fifteen years and up until now, it was at best simply able to provide defense against enemy infantry with its .50 caliber machine gun. In its newest iteration, the M1296 Stryker Dragoon IFV, it has been upgunned to a 30mm version of the 25mm Bushmaster gun used in the Bradley vehicles. While no match for heavy armor, it is capable of keeping enemy APCs occupied so the main battle tanks can duel unhindered. Panda Hobby’s recent release of this newly revised version of the Stryker proves to be a decent mix of beautiful fit with some over-engineered assemblies to make one feel challenged during the build. Match that with an occasional error in the instructions and you’ll feel the need for care and… more |
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Images of War - M2/M3 BradleyPublished:
Here is another great addition to Pen & Sword’s Images of War series. In the past, the series had focused on specific battles and campaigns. The shift to specific vehicles is a welcome shift and this book does not let down one’s expectations. The book starts out by pointing out the evolution from the M113, the original evolution from the M113, the original armored personnel carrier to the Bradley, named after the famous and well-loved general from WWII, Omar Bradley. The manufacturer of the M113, FMC, developed two vehicles- the XM765 and the XM763 which would eventually morph into the M2/M3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle. The new vehicle began its service in 1981 and variants continue to serve to this day. A total of 2,300 M2s and M3s were eventually produced. Text is… more |
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Pacific Thunder - The US Navy’s Central Pacific Campaign, August 1943 - October 1944Published:
IntroductionThis book is a fascinating account of the Central Pacific campaign and one of the most stunning comebacks in naval history when in 14 months the US Navy went from the jaws of defeat at Pearl Harbor to the brink of victory in the Pacific. The book’s emphasis is on carrier operations and on the air groups of the various fighters and dive and torpedo bombers that were instrumental in sending the Japanese fleet to its watery grave and ensure an end to the Pacific Theater of Operations. The chapters include:
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Roman Legionary Versus Carthaginian WarriorPublished:
HistorySecond Punic War 217-206 BC The peace that followed the First Punic War was shallow and fractious, with the resumption of hostilities in 218 BC- sparked by Carthaginian expansion in Iberia- seeing Rome suffer some of the worst defeats in its entire history. The Carthaginian army was a composite affair, primarily made up of a number of levies from Africa and around the Mediterranean, augmented by mercenaries and allies, and these troops crushed the Roman heavy-infantry maniples in a series of battles across Southern Europe. Improvements made to Rome’s military, however, would see Roman revenge visited on Hannibal in full measure by Scipio, who would beat the Carthagians at their own game and bring the legions to the gates of Carthage itself. In this study, the… more |
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IDF Sho’t Kal Gimel Type II - Operation Peace for Galilee 1982Published:
They say first impressions really do define a relationship- and when I first received this kit and opened it up to see the vast amount of plastic inside, I knew this would be a long term commitment. One thing to note is the mix of gates from the older Centurion kit, mixed along with newer gates with the newer features of this specific Sho’t Kal kit like the explosive reactive armor (ERA). This led to some challenges during the build as the older Centurion parts trees had their labels raised in very small letters along the sides of the gates.- although the location varied. Sometimes it was on the edge and other times it was towards the middle. The newer trees had their labels as newer kits do - outside with a dedicated square label that is very easy to read. In the end, I used some… more |
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Guerrilla Nightmare: Luftwaffe Stukas at War Against Tito’s Partisans in Yugoslavia, 1941-1945Published:
In most World War II publications, there is very little mention of the events surrounding the war activities occurring in the area in and around Yugoslavia. While the Luftwaffe did not have a dedicated permanent base, they were effective against the partisans that comprised the Communist-led resistance in occupied Yugoslavia led by Marshal Josip Broz Tito. For five long years, the Stuka units in Yugoslavia battled the partisans, considered by many to be Europe’s most effective anti-Axis resistance movement in the war. The book is arranged into twelve chapters which chronologically covers the various operations during the war. Coverage starts during the initial stages of the battles with Operation Marita in April of 1941. German, Italian, and Hungarian air forces banded together… more |
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Tru-Color Weathering Paint SetPublished:
Tru-Color Paint was formed in 2008 by Rick Galazzo and Scott Cohen, both of whom come from extensive backgrounds in formulating paint on the commercial scale. They set out on their own to develop this paint line of solvent based paint by reformulating the old Accupaint formulation to flow better and give a more glossy appearance after drying. They currently offer over 600 colors offered with more to follow. Sets and single bottles are available and include lines for railroad, automotive, and military aircraft and armament lines. The specific set I tested was specifically for weathering and include a sample of their masking frisket papers as well as the following colors in 1 oz. bottles:
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