Mike Van Schoonhoven
Reviews By Author
|
Model Art Modeling Magazine, #866, April 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 attractive feature of these magazines is the high quality of the photographs and the models that are used. In this month’s issue, the feature article covers dealing with aftermarket parts (resin and photo etch), and then they show the application to actual models. They cover everything from removing PE from the fret, bending PE, and cleaning resin. This article covers approximately the first quarter of the magazine. The next article is the continuing series on building a JASDF T-28B. This month they cover the wings and landing gear. The April new kit review covers the following kits: GWH 1/48 Mig-29 Late… more |
|
Model Art Modeling Magazine, #865, Special Ship Model Edition – IJN Warships Scalemodel AlbumPublished:
This is Model Art Magazine’s Imperial Japanese Navy Warships Scalemodel Album. As with the regular Model Art Magazine, this is printed in Japanese with some English subtitles. This special issue is chock-full of photographs of built scale models. It features ten magnificently built scale models. Some of them are a Yamato in 1/350th, Nagato in 1/350th, and Akagi in 1/350th, as a few examples. Each ship has several pages dedicated to it with a multitude of color photographs for each. After the main gallery, there is a section devoted to some of the build notes of each model. These are highlighted with black and white photos of the models during their construction. While the price may seem a little steep for a photo album of built models, if you… more |
|
P-40E Warhawk "Prisoner of War"Published:
HistoryWhat more can be said about the P-40? The P-40 was made famous by the AVG “Flying Tigers”, but was utilized by almost all of the American allies during World War II. The Warhawk was also used in almost every theater of operation during the war. Every county involved during the war evaluated captured aircraft in some form or another, even with pressing them into service due to the lack of spare parts, such as the example of his kit. KitThis is a Limited Edition kit from Hasegawa, and compliments the rest of Hasegawa’s P-40 line. The kit is produced in light grey plastic. It features recessed panel lines with a minimum of flash. As with most aircraft kits, you start with the cockpit. When complete, you have a nice representation of a P… more |
|
Model Art Auto Modeling, #863, February 2013Published:
Auto Modeling is a quarterly release from Model Art Magazine. The magazine is chock full of pictures of builds in progress, line drawings, and photos of the actual cars themselves. This issue focuses on F1 series racing from the 60’s. Included are several articles written about the champion machines of this time period. Also included is what appears to be an article about the drivers from this time period. Unfortunately for most of us, the article is in Japanese. Included is a new kit review article. These show the actual model under construction to completion. As with the rest of the issue, this is accompanied with a multitude of photos. In this issue, they cover one motorcycle, two cars, and some type of racing spaceship. Even though the… more |
|
Model Art Modeling Magazine, #865, March 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 attractive feature about these magazines is the high quality of the photographs and the models that are used. The March issue of Model Art Magazine is slightly different from their normal monthly issues. This issue consists of new kit reviews. They review a little bit of every type of kit to encompass all modelers. For instance, they review the Italeri 1/72nd scale Sunderland Mk. I and the Trumpeter 1/48th scale A3D Skywarrior as an example of some of the aircraft that were reviewed. For the AFV folks, there is a review of the Meng 1/35th scale A39 Tortoise and the Cyber Hobby 1/35th Super Heavy Tank out of… more |
|
USS Texas – Squadron at SeaPublished:
HistoryThe USS Texas was commissioned 12 March 1914. The USS Texas served in both World Wars and many other conflicts during her service in the United States Navy. Her first call to action was immediately following her commissioning, when she was stationed of the coast of Vera Cruz, Mexico as a show of force. During World War I, the USS Texas’ main duty was convoy escort. In 1919, there was even a movie shot on the Texas starring Chester Conklin. In 1925, the USS Texas was brought in for modernization. This was completed in 1926. After this time and up to the beginning of World War II, the Texas spent time operating in both the Atlantic and the Pacific. During World War II, the Texas spent a majority of her service off the coast of North America, again… more |
|
French Village StreetPublished:
MiniArt is a Ukraine company that was established in 2001 and released their first kit in 2003. They have released many of these diorama series kits over the years. Upon opening the box, you will find several vacuum formed sheets that make up the base and the structures, with a couple sprues of injection molded parts and sheet of posters. This has been the norm for MiniArt in their “Diorama Series” kits. This was the first vacuum formed kit that I have ever worked on, so there was a learning curve for me. If you have never worked with a vacuum formed kit, this is a great starter kit for you to practice on. MiniArt also provides step by step instructions on how to assemble their kits at https… more |
|
Model Art Modeling Magazine, #862, February 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 selling point about these magazines is the high quality of the photographs and the models that are used. In the February issue, it seems that the Model Art staff has changed their format slightly from previous issues. The reason that I say this is that the issue starts off with a couple of short articles before you get to the table of contents. These articles consist of a new item special section which shows several new release kits that are on the way to the shelves. You then have the Tamiya 1/20th scale Redbull Racing Renault RB6, followed by an article on the JMSDF Hyuga-class Helicopter Destroyer by… more |
|
USS Ingersoll vs Delta III SSBNPublished:
HistoryThe USS Ingersoll was Spruance-class destroyer commissioned in April, 1980. During her short career, the Ingersoll was involved in a collision with a Pakistani oil tanker in the Straits of Malacca. Even though the Ingersoll was one of the newest ships in class, it was one of the first decommissioned. The Ingersoll was sunk as a target in July, 2003. The Delta III class Russian submarine was first commissioned in December, 1976. There were a total of fourteen produced. As of 2008, six Delta IIIs were active. The model in the box seems to be just a generic representation of the Delta III submarine verse a specific vessel. The KitsThe Ingersoll kit appears to have been a combination of kits that Dragon had produced. Included in the kit were a… more |
|
S-3 Viking In ActionPublished:
Lockheed was awarded the contract for development of the S-3 Viking in August, 1969. The S-3 started being delivered to squadrons in 1974 as a replacement for the S-2G. The phase-out of the Viking began in late 2003, with the last Viking squadron VS-22 disestablished in January, 2009. Squadron/MMD printed their first In Action series book in 1971. This one follows in the long line of its predecessors. The book covers the S-3 Viking from development through the disestablishment of the last Viking squadron. There is a great mix of color and black and white photos, along with plenty of good captions. In addition, included are pages of colored drawings. I highly recommend this to fans of ASW or Naval aircraft. Squadron again has done a great job with printing of this… more |