Mike Van Schoonhoven
Reviews By Author
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US Flamethrower Tanks of World War IIPublished:
The idea of flamethrower tanks came about towards the end of WWI. Even though the US Army was not really sure if this was a platform that they wanted to pursue they still had the Chemical Warfare Service (CWS) work on its development. For most of the interwar years there was not much development as this type of weapon was actually considered a failure. There was a renewed interest at the outbreak of World War II based on reports of German and Italian tank mounted flamethrowers. The real need for the flamethrower tank came from the Pacific campaign. There the usefulness of routing out the enemy from fortified positions on the islands become a backbone operation for the flamethrower tank. Thus also saving countless lives of soldiers. The US Army flamethrower tank was used sparingly in… more |
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Kawasaki C-1 Combo (2 Kits) Limited EditionPublished:
The Kawasaki C-1 began development in 1966 to replace the JASDF C-46 fleet. It went into service in 1974, and is still serving today. Before we start, I’ll let you know that this is not a motorcycle kit. It is an aircraft. I am sorry to disappoint, but just wanted to clear the air before I went any farther. This kit includes two complete aircraft, consisting of four sprues per plane, for a total of eight sprues in the box. On the decal sheet there are enough markings that you can build any two out 25 airframes. You will need to check your references as the instructions call out one airframe in three different schemes. One of the decal options is for a 50th anniversary of the JASDF scheme. The parts are molded in a light grey plastic. I cut the two fuselage parts… more |
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Easy Line German Antitank MinesPublished:
The mines come packaged in a clear cellophane with a cardboard insert to help protect them. They are produced in grey resin. The level of detail is nice with a minimal amount of clean-up required The set comes with eight mines and decals. Care will be needed when you remove the pour stubs. The reason for this is the handles on the mines are very delicate. I had a few that were broke when I received the package. You could also replace them with brass wire to give them added strength. This set would make a great addition to a diorama with German pioneers, or just added to a vehicle as cargo. I would like to thank PlusModel and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review this kit. |
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Soviet Infantry Weapons and EquipmentPublished:
MiniArt is a Ukraine company that was established in 2001 and released their first kit in 2003. They are well known for their Diorama series, but the have released many armored vehicles, figure sets and accessory sets over the past several years. This set comes in an end-opening cardboard box and it contains four sprues of parts molded in a light gray plastic. The molding is clean with no flash, but there are a few minor mold lines that will need to be removed on some of the parts. The attachment points on the parts to the sprue have been well thought out even though some are on the large side. This should make clean up easy. These pieces have a high degree of detail even though some are relatively small. What comes in the kit is as follows:
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Jagdpanther 3DPublished:
HistoryAs quoted from the introduction in the book "Self-propelled tank destroyers constituted an essential component of the Third Reich’s armored arm. Vehicles, which were especially useful in defensive warfare, in which the German army found itself after losing strategic initiative on the Eastern Front in the summer 1943 and following the Allied landing in Italy and France, with time began to effectively compete in armored sub-units with classic tanks. One of the largest vehicles of that type was Jagdpanther Sd.Kfz. 173, based on the chassis of the famous Panther tank". The BookThe book starts off with the origins of design, production, technical description, combat use and where the survivors are currently located. There are… more |
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PBY Catalina In ActionPublished:
As quoted from Squadron/Signal Publications, "In Action books, despite the title of the genre, are books that trace the development of a single type of aircraft, armored vehicle, or ship from the prototype to the final production variant. Experimental or "one-off" variants can also be included. Our first In Action book was printed in 1971.” Author David Doyle has come through with another wonderfully written book. This time he takes on the Consolidated PBY "Catalina." This aircraft was not always known as the "Catalina," in fact it started off as Consolidated Model 28 in 1932. It wasn't until 1940 when the British received the PBY-5 that the name “Catalina” came about. The book starts off with an introduction that covers the history, variations and… more |
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Nakajima Ki-84 HayatePublished:
HistoryAs quoted from the introduction in the book "The Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate, known as "Frank" in allied jargon, was one of the best IJAAF (Imperial Japanese Army Air Force) fighters during the final year of the Pacific war. Featuring an enclosed cockpit and retractable landing gear, this all-metal cantilever low-wing monoplane of an elegant body was the successor of the previous Nakajima fighters - Ki-43 Hayabusa and Ki-44 Soki. The Ki-84 proved it's value fighting in China and the Philippines, although the highest number of these machines were lost there, too. When in the hands of an experienced pilot, it was a good match for the best of Allied fighter aircraft. After the war a small number of Ki-84s served with the Chinese air forces, taking part in the civil war of 1945… more |
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Model Art - Air Model Special No. 03: Air War Over Vietnam 2, U.S. Air Force Aircraft Part 1Published:
Model Art has done it again. Back in April 2013 they released Air War over Vietnam, U.S. Navy Aircraft Part 1. This Model Art Modeling Magazine special edition, Air War Over Vietnam 2, U.S. Air Force Aircraft Part 1, is the follow up and they have made some changes to the layout from the excellent first issue. The text is mainly in Japanese with some English subtitles throughout. One excellent feature of these magazines is the high quality of the photographs and the models that are used. The issue starts off with a “New Kit Selection” article. It features the Hasegawa 1/16 Sopwith Camel F.1 and the Tamiya 1/72 Mitsubishi A6M3 "Zero Fighter". The main feature is next. This consists of eighty seven pages packed full of models, period photos (color and black and white),… more |
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A-20G Gun BarrelsPublished:
ProductThe gun barrels come packaged in the typical clear cellophane and cardboard insert that Quickboost has become known for. The parts are cast in a light gray resin and feature nice details for the cooling jackets and muzzle. The parts are designed to be used on the Italeri release of the old AMT/Ertl A-20G, which means they can be used on the AMT/Ertl kit if that's in your stash. ApplicationWhen compared to the barrels supplied in the kit, I really feel that it would be a no brainer to use these wonderful barrels. The installation of these barrels require no cutting or modifying the kit parts. Pretty much glue them in and its done. Quickboost provides a quality upgrade for minimal price. I would like to thank Aires - Quickboost and IPMS/USA… more |
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USS Essex LHD-2Published:
HistoryThe USS Essex was commissioned in October 1992 and is currently serving in the USN. LHD stands for "Landing Helicopter Dock". This vessel has the ability to launch helicopters along with Harriers and Ospreys. The one thing that makes these vessels unique is the ability to also launch AAVP, LCAC and LCU's from the well deck. The KitHobby Boss provides the kit in a sturdy cardboard box that is stuffed full of plastic. There are twenty nine sprues of plastic, three photo etch frets, two decal sheets a twelve page instruction sheet a two page color paint guide. One note about the color guide, they list Mr. Hobby, Vallejo, Model Master, Tamiya and Humbrol paints. There is one mistake where they call for XF-58 olive green which is supposed to be the deck… more |