Pablo Bauleo
Reviews By Author
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References for Modelers – Vought F4U CorsairPublished:
Kagero has started a new series known as “References for Modelers”. This issue is devoted to the Vought F4U Corsair. I should clarify the book is devoted to the earlier marks of the Corsair, i.e. all the “dash one” versions, including F4U-1, F4U-1A, F4U-1C, F4U-1D, FG-1D and F4U-1P. The references include a few period pictures (black and white) plus line drawings in 1/48 scale showing mainly side views, with a few front/back or top views. There is also a series of line drawing in 1/72 which show the evolution across the marks and highlights the differences between each one of them -sort of a ‘cheat sheet’ on how to tell them apart. There are also a dozen color profiles, mostly in US Navy service plus the booklet includes a small decal sheet (in 1/48 and 1/72) for a… more |
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Chance Vought F4U Corsair – Vol.IIPublished:
Kagero continues to expand its line of Monographs, this installment being devoted to the F4U Corsair. It is the second volume covering the Corsair and this book in particular covers from the “-1D” to the “-7” marks. Earlier versions of the Corsair are covered in volume I. The book is profusely illustrated with black and white pictures of all the above marks, mostly in US Navy service. There are a handful of pictures in French and Honduran service and references to its service in New Zealand, Salvadoran and Argentinean and Royal Navy Service. The narrative (both English and Polish) has a good balance of description of historical missions, opinions of the pilots that flew the aircraft and technical details. There is good coverage of the service in WW2 - with US Navy, Marines… more |
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The Republic P-47 ThunderboltPublished:
Valiant Wings Publishing continues to expand its “Airframe and Miniature” series. This installment, number 25 in the series, is devoted to the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. The book is divided into the following sections: Airframe Chapters
Miniature Chapters
Appendixes
The first section of the book (… more |
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A-10A Thunderbolt IIPublished:
MMP Books continues to expand its “Colour and Scale” series, this time with an installment on the Fairchild A-10A Thunderbolt II. This booklet has 5 pages of line drawings for the Thunderbolt II in 1/72 scale, providing side views (both port and starboard) top view, bottom view and side-view without the wing or rudder obstructing the fuselage profile. In addition to the scale drawings, there are 8 pages of full-color profiles and, in some cases, also top and bottom views. The book covers camouflage schemes from the late ‘70s (early production) to the ‘90s… more |
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Cool Camo T-BirdsPublished:
Illiad Design has recently released an aftermarket decal set covering the T-33. This decal sheet covers a total of 5 aircraft, and you are provided with enough markings as to be able to model all of them. You are still expected to use the stencils provided with the kit. You have your choice of
They are an amazing selection of markings. I particularly liked the T-33 in SEA camo with shark… more |
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War in Ukraine Volume 6: The Air War February-March 2022Published:
Casemate Publishing is distributing Helion & Company’s 6th installment of their series “War in Ukraine”. This series is part of their “Europe at War” collection. “War in Ukraine” covers all aspects of the current conflict in Ukraine, like air warfare, drone warfare, armored vehicles or specific battles. This book is focused on the opening moves of air warfare in Mar-April of 2022. Taking into consideration that the conflict is still underway, the authors disclose that several of their sources are video captures, online publications and other social media sources. It should be taken into consideration that some of those sources could be impacted by the “fog of war”, either by accident or intentionally (i.e., misinformation campaigns, counter-intelligence campaigns,… more |
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Messerschmitt Bf 109G – Finnish Air ForcePublished:
MMP Books continues to expand its Colour & Scale series, this time with an issue devoted to the Messerschmitt Bf 109G in Finnish Service. At 16 pages long, the book is brief (rather a booklet) but it is very useful and packed with information. The first seven pages include line drawings of the Bf109G in 1/72 and 1/48 scale. I am not completely sure, but I would say that all the drawings are for the “G-6”, one of the most popular “109”s, which was used by several air forces, making the drawings of value beyond the Finnish Air Force The next eight pages have ful- color profiles for selected airframes, including: MT-415, MT-435, MT-451, MT-445, MT-455, MT-423, MT-426, MT-456, MT-437, MT-458, MT-231 (the lone G-2 in the book), MT-449, MT-431 and MT-453. All the G-6… more |
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Caudron-Renault CR. 714 Cyclone - Single No. 50Published:
The Single Series from Mushroom Model Publications focuses on a specific airframe, sometimes even down to a specific modification or variant of an airframe. This booklet includes line drawings of the Caudron CR.714 in both 1/72 and 1/48 scale and includes some drawings (probably from a technical manual) of the engine mount, and a very complete walkaround set of pictures in black and white of the real airplane (probably in a museum while being restored). There is a selection of period (WW2-era) photographs, and there are also a handful of computer-generated full-color graphics showing the cockpit as well as a 3-view color profile that is very attractive. The Caudron CR.714 is a relatively obscure aircraft and this book was released just in time to support the recent release of the… more |
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P-51B BirdcagePublished:
Eduard continues to expand its P-51 Mustang line, this time releasing the P-51B “Birdcage” in the Profipack box. In the box you get 7 plastic sprues (one clear), canopy masks, PE fret and a set of decal sheets with 6 possible camouflages, three of them in natural metal finish and 3 on camouflage finish of Olive Drab and Neutral Grey. All the options are in American markings. Early in the construction phase you need to decide which version of the model you are going to build, as there are differences in the equipment located behind the pilot seat. To be honest, if you change your mind after you assembled the cockpit, it will be hard to tell you have the “wrong” equipment behind the pilot seat. The cockpit and radiator are two models on its own and what a gem they… more |
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Hurricane Mk IIb TropPublished:
Arma Hobby continues to expand its Hawker Hurricane line, this time releasing the MkIIb (Hurribomber) with Tropical filter. In the box you get 4 plastic sprues (one clear), canopy masks and a decal sheet with 3 possible camouflages: two on Temperate Land Scheme and one Desert Scheme. The Temperate Land Scheme aircraft were deployed in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and the Soviet Union. The aircraft deployed in the Soviet Union, at some point served with a white distemper on the wings (I’ve found a YouTube video showing period footage of that aircraft in the Mursmank area with the camouflage as shown in the instructions). Construction starts with the wheel well and continues with the cockpit seat. Then you are guided to “sandwich” the wheel well between the upper and lower wing parts and to… more |