Mike Van Schoonhoven
Reviews By Author
|
Model Art Modeling Magazine, #880, November 2013Published:
In the Novembers issue of Model Art they start as usual with the special feature. This months special feature is on weathering techniques and painting of aircraft. The article starts of with Tamiya's beautiful 1/32 F4U-1 Corsair. With this model they incorporate post shading, exhaust staining and fuel stains. The next model is the Hasegawa 1/48th A6M2b Type 21 "Junyo Fighter group". This aircraft was originally finished in IJN gray but then was over sprayed with one of the greens that Japan used during the war leaving a blotchy finish. They show you how to achieve this in this section. Next up is the Tamiya 1/48 Spitfire Mk.1. This section covers chipping, masking and some general weathering. Zvezda Yak-3 1/48th is used next. This section deals with general weathering and details of… more |
|
M1 Abrams 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 prototype to the final production variant. Experimental or "one-off" variants can also be included. Our first In Action book was printed in 1971". The M-1 Abrams was designed to fight multiple Communist manned tanks in the forests of Europe. Even though the "Abrams" has been in combat, it has been limited to desert warfare. The M-1 was designed to be technologically superior and to provide the crew the best protection possible. During the M-1's career it has gone through many upgrades and modifications, both in technology, armor and armaments. David Doyle has… more |
|
Bf109E Instrument Panel MaskPublished:
When Eduard released the Bf109E Instrument they also released a mask to go along with it. Unfortunately the only way to purchase this mask is through Eduard's store and you have to be a member of the Bunny Fighter Club. Now when it comes to masking a model you could take and make your own mask with one of the many medias available, or you can purchase a ready to use mask for that specific model and cut your masking time in about half. The mask for the Instrument panel helps in several difficult areas. One of the areas that the really comes in handy is for some of the raised details on the instrument panel that have to be painted. Another very helpful part of the mask is for molded on bolt heads. It makes painting these a breeze. You can follow the link above for a better idea… more |
|
Model Art Modeling Magazine, #49, Autumn 2013, 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. This special ship model edition focuses on the "Chitose Japanese Navy seaplane carrier type". This issue starts off with detail drawings of the IJN seaplane carrier Mizuho. They cover such items as the anchor, vents, cleats, portholes and the trim over them, armament, linoleum decks and how they were secured, and armament – very valuable information for modelers. Next is a one-page article on new items that are coming out. The main feature follows. This consists of sixty-six pages on the Chitose Japanese Navy seaplane carrier type. Several different models are used for this… more |
|
USS Alabama, Squadron at SeaPublished:
The Squadron at Sea titles cover specific ships by using photos of the vessel and its equipment from the very beginning of its life all the way through the end of its career. These titles are written about both civilian and military vessels, while the On Deck series is devoted solely to warships. The USS Alabama is a South Dakota-class battleship, and construction was begun in February, 1940. The build took over two years until commissioning. Even though the Alabama took part in some of the most famous battles of the Pacific during the war, she only lost five crewman and none to enemy action. After the war, Alabama was mothballed until 1964 when she was moved to her present home in Mobile Bay as a museum. David Doyle does an excellent job covering this… more |
|
Flex-I-File BrushesPublished:
Flex-I-File is a company that produces many tools for modelers. They are known for their saws, sanding products, and the touch and flow applicator. These brushes are new product that they have released. These brushes are handmade in Germany. Some real nice features of the brushes are the long, well balanced handle for the comfort of handling, and the triangular handles that prevent them from rolling off your workbench. For my review, I was provided with the four- and five-brush sets, but the brushes can also be purchased individually from the Flex-I-File website. So, how do you review a paintbrush? Well, you paint with it! Included in my review photos… more |
|
Model Art Modeling Magazine, #878, October 2013Published:
The feature article in October's issue covers modeling MBT's. The article starts off with the Tamiya 1/35th JGSDF Type 10. There are actually two more sections in this article that cover the Type 10. One is a build that was featured on Tamiya Live, and then a walk around. The other models used in the feature are the Xact 1/35th T-80U, Cyber-Hobby M48A3, Meng 1/35th AMX-30B, Tamiya M1A2 SEP TUSK II, Tamiya JGSDF Type 90, and Perfect Scale Modellbau 1/35th Leopard 1 Fruhe Baulose. Following the feature are several short monthly run articles. One appears to feature a kit of 1/700th Russian Cruiser (had difficulty trying to get a translation). Next is modeling the JASDF. They finish up modeling the Hasegawa 1/72nd Mitsubishi F-1. The last of the monthly series is IJA/N Airplane… more |
|
Model Art Modeling Magazine, #877, 1/700th Scale Ship Model Database 2Published:
This is one of Model Art Modeling Magazine’s special editions. The text is mainly in Japanese with some English subtitles. One plus about these magazines is the high quality of the photographs and the models that are used. Are you a fan of 1/700th scale IJN waterline models? Are you looking for that one particular kit? Well, you may be in luck with this special issue released by Model Art Magazine. This covers the rest of the ships not covered in the first issue. The ships in this issue are: Aircraft Carriers built between 1919 - 1930, Aircraft Carriers built between 1934 - 1944, Auxiliary Aircraft Carriers, Heavy Cruisers, Destroyers built between 1919 - 1927, Destroyers regulated by naval treaty, Destroyers built after 1936, and Submarines. One additional… more |
|
Military Miniatures in Review No.58Published:
Military Miniatures in Review is an armor-based magazine that has been around for many years. While this is not the first issue that I have been exposed to, it has been a while since I had picked up a copy. One of the first things that I noticed about this magazine is its construction. It has very thick front and back covers with the pages being bound together with glue. All of the photographs are in color and very sharp and clear. One note of interest is they way that the articles are written. They are written as if the person writing them is talking to you, a somewhat different approach from many of the magazines that I read. This issue starts off with fourteen pages of new products coming to the market, followed by seven articles. The articles are Meng’s… more |
|
A-10 Warthog Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions is an aftermarket company that makes replacement white metal landing gear. According to their website they try to fix any inaccuracies in kit parts or to provide additional support due to the weight of the kit. They provide replacement landing gear for scales from 1/24th to 1/144th scale. The pieces included in this set are the two main landing (MLG), two MLG retraction struts, nose gear, nose gear retraction struts, and the nose gear door linkage. The SAC parts compare well with the kit parts. The fit of the SAC parts is as good as, if not better than, the kit parts. Another advantage with these replacement parts is the material that they are made of. The white metal will allow you to make adjustments more easily; with the plastic kit parts,… more |