Mike Van Schoonhoven
Reviews By Author
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Model Art Modeling Magazine, #876, September 2013Published:
The feature article of September’s issue covers some of battleships of the Pacific during the Second World War. They use the Hasegawa 1/450th Yamato (there are actually two builds of this particular model by two builders), Fujimi 1/700 Kirishima, Pit Road 1/700 USS North Carolina 1944, Dragon 1/700 USS Pennsylvania 1944, and the HP Models HP 1/700 USS Tennessee 1944 as representatives of some of the vessels that were used by the Allies and Axis. Each model is beautifully built and accompanied with color photographs during the build and b&w in-action photos. This article encompasses thirty six pages of this issue. Next up are a few small articles. The first is titled "Combined fleet organization course." This features the Aoshima 1/700 Fuso Class IJN Battleship Yamashiro. The… more |
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M3 Gun Motor Carriage Detail In ActionPublished:
The Squadron Detail In Action series was started in 1971. This series covers the development, testing, and production of aircraft, armored vehicles, and ships. The focus of this book is on the M3 Gun Motor Carriage. At the beginning of World War Two, the United States realized the need for an effective antitank weapon. Through this need, the Military used the M3 halftrack as the base and married it to the M1897A4 75mm gun to create the M3 Gun Motor Carriage. In October, 1941, the first production contract began. By October, 1944, the Gun Motor Carriage was considered obsolete by the U.S. Army. During its career many of these units were used by Great Britain and U.S. Marines well into 1945. The author, David Doyle, does an excellent job of using photographs and… more |
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Bf-109E Instrument PanelPublished:
The Bf-109E instrument panel is the second instrument panel released by Eduard, the first being the Bf-110 panel. The kit consists of eighty five plastic parts on two grey-colored sprues, one clear sprue, two photo etch frets (one colored), and one decal sheet. The construction sequence starts off with the Revi C/12D gunsight. Let me tell you, this is a kit in itself. The build is pretty straightforward. You just have to pay attention to the instructions. I put one PE piece on upside down and had to remove it and reattach it. Next, you move on to the instrument panel itself. The Bf-109 had an upper and lower panel, and construction starts on the upper panel. Again, construction is uncomplicated. If you built the Bf-110’s panel, you will recall that the dial decals were… more |
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The GMC CCKW Truck in US ServicePublished:
This is the second book to be released by Squadron Signal Publications under the "Historical Reference" series. As explained in the front of the book, this series is written by using in-depth research of primary documents, giving a very detailed look at the subject matter. It appears that there may other books in the works covering aircraft and vessels. As I have said before, in my opinion this book is like a Walk Around or In Action series book on steroids. The book starts with the origins of the CCKW. This began in 1928 when the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps started developing its standard fleet. What came from this were two 2-1/2 ton 6x6 vehicles. One of the interesting names involved in its development is a major player – John D. Hertz. Yes, of the rental… more |
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Model Art Modeling Magazine, #874, August 2013Published:
The August issue starts off with "Model Art New Item Special Information". They cover a multitude of new kits that have just hit the market or are getting ready to. Some of the kits mentioned are the Tamiya 1/32 F4U-1, Wingnut Wings 1/32 AEG G.IV, Wolfpack 1/48 T-38A, Meng 1/35 T-90A, and Takoma 1/16 Renault FT. The feature article focuses on IJA aircraft and different techniques that can be used to replicate realism in your models. This article consists of forty pages. A few of the techniques shown are replicating fabric covering, chipped paint, and oil leaks. Of note is one reference picture of wing tip lenses. There is some debate on whether the lenses are green or blue. This is a color photograph and the lens is blue. Next up is a couple of small articles. One… more |
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The Complete DUKW Historical ReferencePublished:
This is the first book to be released by Squadron Signal Publications in their Historical Reference series. As explained in the front of the book, this series is written by using in depth research of primary documents, giving a very detailed look at the subject matter. It appears that there may other books in the works covering aircraft and vessels. In my opinion this book is like a Walkaround or an In Action series book on steroids. To me, this book starts off in an unusual manner. It starts by covering the people and the committee who were involved in the development of the DUKW and not the actual vehicle. This really helps give a good understanding both to how this vehicle was developed and the background of the people involved. Doyle then takes… more |
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C-17 Globemaster III In ActionPublished:
The Squadron In Action series was started in 1971. This series covers the development, testing, and production of aircraft, armored vehicles, and ships. The focus of this book is on the C-17 Globemaster III. In 1968, the USAF was looking for a replacement of the C-130. They wanted a medium transport that could carry 67 percent more cargo with STOL capabilities. Two companies stepped up with two designs – Boeing with the YC-14 and McDonnell Douglas with the YC-15. McDonnell Douglas was eventually awarded the contract and thus the C-17A was born. Bill Norton does a great job covering the development and production of this aircraft through current use and users. The book consists of eighty pages and two hundred and twenty color photographs of the Globemaster III in… more |
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Model Art Modeling Magazine, #871 – 1/700th Scale Ship Model Database 1Published:
This is one of Model Art Modeling Magazine’s special editions. The text is mainly in Japanese with some English subtitles throughout. One benefit to these magazines is the high quality of the photographs and the models that are used. This special issue covers 1/700th scale ships of the IJN, almost all of which are waterline versions. The first article is about Tamiya and their Water Line Series. They use several pictures of the actual models, brochures that came in the kits, period photos, and even a nice picture of Mr. Tamiya himself. Next is another short article that features some beautifully built models. Unfortunately, due to the text being Japanese, I cannot say for sure what the article is about. The main bulk of the magazine consists of… more |
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Model Art Modeling Magazine, #48, Summer 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 "Fleet Defenders.” They use examples from both World War II and modern-day, with a high focus on the IJN and the JMSDF. The issue starts off with a section called “Only Ships – New Items.” They devote three pages to this with a multitude of color photos showing all the new ship models and aftermarket that is coming out on the market. Model Art dedicates just over 100 of the following pages to covering the "Fleet Defenders." It covers the IJN and JMSDF with the exception of including the USS San Diego (CL-53) Light Cruiser. The… more |
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Model Art Modeling Magazine, #872, July 2013Published:
Model Art Modeling Magazine is a Japanese publication that is released monthly. The text is mainly in Japanese with some English subtitles throughout. One benefit of these magazines is the high quality of the photographs and the models that are used. This month’s issue is geared toward the Formula 1 fans, but the issue starts off with a report from the 2013 Shizuoka Hobby Show. This is covered in four pages packed with color photographs. Some models of note – Tamiya’s 1/32nd F4U-1 and Minicraft’s 1/72nd PBM-5/5A are just a few of the examples. The Formula 1 article is covered in over fifty one pages. The largest focus of the article is on the John Player Special cars. They use models of these cars along with tips on building them, captured in black and white and… more |