Shot Down and on The Run

Published: October 24, 2017
Book Author(s): Graham Pitchfork
Company: Osprey Publishing

Osprey Publishing has recently released a very interesting book covering the history of RAF and Commonwealth aircrews shot down behind enemy lines and their escape stories.

The book is neatly organized in the following chapters

• The Escape and Evasion Organization
• North-West Europe
• Middle East and Mediterranean
• The Far East

The first chapter describes the whole organization (MI-9) being setup in the early years of the war charged with establishing escape routes and networks for any personal behind enemy lines (not only for aircrews). In addition of setting up escape routes, this organization was in charge to develop escape aides, tools and supplies, which were part of an ‘escape kit’ provided to armed personnel. Some of… more

Curtiss P-40 B/C British Version Browning .303 and Pitot Tube

Published: September 27, 2017
Company: Master Model

Master Model from Poland specializes in turned brass aftermarket details. In recent releases, they have added small resin pieces and also small photo-etch parts making them be a multi-media aftermarket supplier.

This particular set is devoted to the 1/48 P-40 fans, which I know many of us are. The set provides you with PE sighting rings (4x), sighting bead, pitot tube and pitot tip (resin), .303 cal browning cooling jackets (x4) and blasting tubes (x2). The blasting tubes can be installed with either a straight edge or with a tapered edge at the business end of the tube.

The pitot tube tip shape and the shape of the cooling jacket make this set appropriate for the P-40B/C in British service.

As you can see from the pictures the detail of the parts is superb.… more

Curtiss P-40 B/C - US version - Browning .30 cal and US Type Pitot Tube

Published: September 25, 2017
Company: Master Model

Master Model from Poland specializes in turned brass aftermarket details. In recent releases, they have added small resin pieces and small photo-etch parts making them a multi-media aftermarket supplier.

This particular set is devoted to the 1/48 P-40 fans, which many of us are. The set provides PE sighting rings (4x), sighting bead, pitot tube and pitot tip (resin), .30 cal browning cooling jackets (x4), and blasting tubes (x2). The blasting tubes can be installed with either a straight edge or with a tapered edge at the business end of the tube.

The pitot tube tip shape and the cooling jackets make this set appropriate for the P-40B/C in US service.

As you can see from the pictures the detail of the parts is superb. Well defined features and in scale. Please… more

Tornado IDS 60th Anniversary 311 GV RSV Special Colors

Published: February 3, 2020
Company: Italeri

In recent years Italeri has been re-releasing their models with decals for special camouflages or retirement schemes. And I kind of like that. It is a way to get access to kits that otherwise is difficult to get and also to find special decal sheets as part of a regular box.

Italeri’s Tornado has been around for quite some time and the molds hold well. There is no flash anywhere to be found in the review copy and all the surface detail is very sharp and well defined. Panel lines are recessed and well defined. Cockpit detail is raised and will accept dry-brushing really well.

Opening the box you find 3 main sprues, a clear one and a small sprue with a couple of special drop tanks. One of the sprues includes some weapons, which are not applicable to this version of the… more

F-4J Phantom "VF-84 Jolly Rogers" Super Detail Limited Edition

Published: August 21, 2017
Company: Hasegawa

Hasegawa has re-released their -J Phantom II as a “Super Detail” edition with markings from VF-84 “Jolly Rogers”. That skull and bones sure look great on the rudder. And you are even provided with a skull and bones patch to add to your own jacket!

The box has 8 grey sprues, one clear sprue (for a total of 132 pieces) and a photoetch fret, white metal parts and plastic rubber tires, plus one short run of a plastic rubber “hose”, for detailing.

Assembly is pretty straightforward starting with the cockpit. Appropriate raised detail is provided in the side consoles and instrument panel to accept dry-brushing. Overall, the detail in the cockpit is simple, but acceptable under a closed canopy. Note that this being a Navy model it has the blanking plate on the right side of… more

Warship 2017

Published: January 22, 2022
Company: Bloomsbury Publishing

The Battleship series is a yearly publication which includes historical research topics related to naval warfare. The Editor is John Jordan and each yearly edition has multiple authors.

The 2017 edition includes

• The Japanese battleship Kawachi and Seitsu, by Kathrin Milanovich. This paper describes the unusual configuration of these battleships in which the caliber of the 12-inch gun varied by the turret.
• The British armor plate pool agreement of 1903, by David Boursnell, describes some unusual business agreements which likely led to price fixing.
• From Danton to Courbet, by John Jordan, tells the story of the early 1900 French battleship and the British influence on French designs.
• DDL: The… more

Bae Hawk All Variants

Published: July 10, 2017
Company: Scale Aircraft Conversions

Scale Aircraft Conversions specializes in white metal replacement parts. Its line of replacement landing gear has been expanded to include a set for the 1/48 Bae Hawk and it can be used with all variants of that kit.

The set includes 7 parts with the following breakdown two main landing gear struts, plus actuator arms for the above and a tail wheel. The parts are finely molded in white metal. These parts are drop-in replacements for the plastic parts.

I should say that these parts are more than just drop-in replacements. Some of the white metal parts actually comprise the equivalent of a few plastic parts, so you get an easier job of assembling the landing gear as you have fewer parts to deal with. In addition, you don’t have to deal with cleaning seam lines.

IAR-80 Metal Landing Gear

Published: July 10, 2017
Company: Scale Aircraft Conversions

Scale Aircraft Conversions specializes in white metal replacement parts. Its line of replacement landing gear has been expanded to include a set for the 1/48 Hobbyboss IAR-80.

The set includes 5 parts with the following breakdown: two main landing gear struts plus actuator arms for the above and a tail skid. The parts are finely molded in white metal. These parts are drop-in replacements for the plastic parts.

I should say that these parts are more than just drop-in replacements. Many of the white metal parts actually comprise the equivalent of a few plastic parts, so you get an easier job of assembling the landing gear as you have fewer parts to deal with.

Note that in this particular set, you will have to bend “open” the wheel fork for the main landing gear… more

Macchi 202

Published: June 29, 2017
Company: Scale Aircraft Conversions

Scale Aircraft Conversions specializes in white metal replacement parts. Its line of replacement landing gear has been expanded to include a set for the 1/48 Hasegawa Mc 202 (also Eduard “Folgore”), and at least for the main landing gear, it can be used with the Hasegawa/Italeri Mc.205 “Veltro” as well. Perhaps the tail wheel, but I’m not sure.

The set includes 5 parts with the following breakdown: two main landing gear struts, actuator arms, and a tail wheel. The parts are finely molded in white metal. These parts are drop-in replacements for the plastic parts.

I should say that these parts are more than just drop-in replacements. Some of the white metal part would be comprised by the equivalent of several plastic parts, so you have an easier job of assembling the… more

F-8E Crusader "Shin Kazama"

Published: June 29, 2017
Company: Hasegawa

Hasegawa has re-released his 1/48 F-8E Crusader, this time with the markings of “Shin Kazama”, the lead character of a Japanese TV show called “Area 88” (You can find out about the TV show online)

Make no mistake, the markings provided in the box might be for Manga-fan characters, but the plastic in the box is the same than in any other of the Hasegawa releases and that is great news!

You get a total of 14 sprues (one clear) plus 3 small sprues of polycaps. Despite the high number of sprues, the total number of parts is about 120 parts, making the build to be reasonable engaging, while not overwhelming.

This kit has been around for 15 or so years and it has been re-boxed many times. Despite that, there is no flash anywhere, it has exquisite surface detail and… more