Mike Van Schoonhoven
Reviews By Author
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Model Art Modeling Magazine, #884, January 2014Published:
Model Art Magazine is a monthly magazine that covers aircraft, armor, ships and car modeling. Model Art started releasing magazines in 1966 and has evolved from there over the past forty six years. The January issue starts off with a couple of small features. The first is the "New Item Special". The first is Fine Molds new release of a 25mm gun in a single, double and triple configuration, next is the Tomy Tec 1/144th F-15 S/MTD and YF-15A and last is the Trumpeter 1/35th Russian Tank Destroyer object 704. Look for these products to be released soon. Next is Mr. Hobby is releasing a new water based acrylic based paint and last is a 1/32 scale metal desktop Bf109F cutaway. We then come to the IJA/N Airplane Illustrated article. This is another monthly feature. This also… more |
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F4U Corsair 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." In the mid to late thirty's the U.S. Navy was looking for a new high speed, high altitude fighter. Chance Vought brought their design to the competition, the XF4U-1. The Navy was impressed with the design and Vought started on the prototype. During one of the flight tests the XF4U-1 reached a speed of 405 mph and this impressed the Navy enough to order it into production and thus was the beginning for one of the most famous fighter aircraft… more |
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Fortress Rabaul (The Battle for the Southwest Pacific, January 1942 - April 1943)Published:
Rabaul? How many have heard of it? How about the significance it played in WWII in the South Pacific? Now, what if I mention these actions: Guadalcanal, The Slot, Battle of Bismarck Sea, the Battle of the Coral Sea, or the shoot down of Admiral Yamamoto, just to mention a few. Do these sound familiar? I bet they do. One major connecter to them all. Rabaul. Having an interest in military history during WWII, I was familiar with many of the actions above but I had not heard of Rabaul prior to reading this book. Now I understand the importance of this island. In this book author Bruce Gamble takes you on very detailed and documented journey of this seemingly remote island and the significance it played during the battle of the Pacific during the early… more |
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Model Art Modelling Magazine, #50, 2013 Winter - Special Ship Model EditionPublished:
This is Model Art Magazine’s special quarterly issue that focuses on naval subjects. As with the regular Model Art Magazine this is printed in Japanese with some English subtitles. The feature article in the Winter 2013 Special Ship Model Edition covers the Battle of Savo Island. The issue starts off though with some new releases that will be hitting model benches soon. The Battle of Savo Island was the first major naval battle of the Guadalcanal campaign. Model Art devotes ninety-two pages to this battle with period photos, charts, line drawings, one fold out full color drawing of the IJN Heavy cruiser Chokai in action at Savo Island and of course models. The models are the biggest part of the article. They range from full build articles to photos of completed models… more |
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British Paratrooper vs FallschirmjägerPublished:
Paratroopers have been regarded as elite group of soldiers since their inception. Generally the requirements and physical demands were higher and many of the missions that were assigned to them were high risk, thus the elite status. In this book the author takes a comparative look at the British Paratrooper vs. the German Fallschirmjager in the Mediterranean 1942-43. The book starts off with a organizational look at the two units. The requirements for soldiers that wanted to join these units is explained along with the operational tactics used by each. There are three operations covered where these two units were engaged with each other. Two of the operations were in North Africa and one in Italy. There is an excellent narrative that describes each action along with period… more |
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Model Art Modeling Magazine, #882, December 2013Published:
The December issue of Model Art starts off with a short article covering some of the new releases at the 2013 All Japan Plamodel Hobby Show. I will try to give some of the highlights of the releases that will be hitting our stashes soon. For the aircraft builders, here is a few examples of what you should see soon. Hobby Boss 1/48 P-38L-5-LO due spring 2014, Trumpeter 1/48 T-38 release date TBA, Fine Molds 1/48 Fine Molds Mitsubishi Ka-14 (A5M prototype) due Dec. 2013, Tomytec 1/700 Launch Complex 39 pad A due Dec. 2013, 1/48 Kittyhawk Mig-25 due Oct. 2013, 1/32 Wingnut Wings Salmson 2-A2 release TBA, 1/48 Avant Garde Aero L-29 Delfin release TBA and the 1/48 Avant Garde CM.170 Fouga Magister. A couple new releases for the car guys. Aoshima 1/24 Lamboghini Murcielago LP… more |
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German Rucksacks WW IPublished:
The rucksacks come in a clear plastic cardboard backed package. There is also a piece of foam to help keep the pieces from moving around. They parts are in gray resin with very nice details. Included in the package are five rucksacks, two folded tarps, one entrenching tool w/cover, three canteens, two bread bags, two bread bags and canteens molded together, five mess kits, two grenade bags, two helmets ( Model 1918 and Pickelhaube) and one wood chest. The level of detail is high on the pieces. One thing I noticed on my sample is Plusmodel tried to replicate some wire pieces on the mess kits, this makes it very delicate and several of my examples were missing it. It would be an easy fix to replace it with fine wire. With the renewed interest in WWI and kit manufactures… more |
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General Dynamics F-111 AardvarkPublished:
The F-111 was originally designed for use by the USAF and the USN, and was meant to be a money saving measure by then Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. This one platform for multi-service use was not well received. One of the biggest problems that both services had was weight. The Navy also wanted it for use with the Phoenix missile. The issues that the USN had with the "Vark" just became to numerous and another famous aircraft was created, the F-14. Even though the F-111 started out on a rocky road, it would eventually turn a corner through the hard work of the developers & the crews and become one most important aircraft of the Vietnam War and several modern day operations. Australia was the only other country to use the F-111 and had originally intended them to… more |
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Mosquito Oil RadiatorsPublished:
ProductThe oil radiators come packaged in the typical clear cellophane and a cardboard insert that Quickboost has become known for. The parts are cast in a light gray resin and are very sharp features. The parts are designed to be used on any of the excellent Tamiya 1/72nd Mosquitos. ApplicationWhen removing the parts from the pour block, use care as the resin is very thin. Don't worry about getting the part cleaned up real good at this point, you can do that once it is attached to the model to give it some extra support. Next you will need to trim the kit part. There is several raised straight lines that will have to be removed (see photo). Once they are removed and the area is smoothed out you attach the resin. I used Gator grip glue to attach the parts… more |
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Sukhoi Su-25 FrogfootPublished:
The Su-25 made its maiden flight in 1975. Within five years it saw its first combat in Afghanistan. The Su-25 proved to be a durable airplane during the campaign in Afghanistan. The Su-25 can be found in both a single and two seat configuration. Of the 25 countries that have used the Frogfoot, it is still operated by 19 today. With modifications and upgrades, the Frogfoot is slated to remain in service until at least 2020. This book takes a comprehensive look at the Su-25 Frogfoot from its design and development, the different variants, ordinance, modifications, and upgrades. There is also a section in the book that covers the use of the Frogfoot in combat. This book is clearly written with an excellent use of photographs and captions. The digital artwork is really… more |