3D Hand Grab Bender

Published: September 16, 2013
Company: UMM-USA

Once, I heard that a “modeler can only be as good as his tools”. While I think some modelers can be better than their tools, I know that in my case my tools are the best I can get, which is why I try to get the best tools I can.

This arrow-head shaped tool is extremely handy to create “hand grabs” (for an armor vehicle, an aircraft canopy, or maybe a ship ladder) which will all have the… more

Tiger

Published: September 10, 2013
Book Author(s): Thomas Anderson
Company: Osprey Publishing

Osprey Publishing has a series known as “General Military” which has one-off books on different topics. This one is dedicated to the Tiger tank, although reading the book also provides a good insight on armored vehicle operations, as it includes descriptions of how the Tiger tanks worked together with Panzer III and half-track armored carrier personnel.

The book is divided into nine… more

Pz.Kpfw.38(t) Variations in Action

Published: September 8, 2013
Book Author(s): Charles Kliment
Company: Squadron Signal Publications

The Panzer 38 was probably one of the best designs for light tanks at the outbreak of World War II. It was originally designed by a Czech team, and the Germans took over production after the occupation of Czechoslovakia and pressed the tank into German service. They also extensively modified the basic chassis into many other armored fighting vehicles.

The book is profusely illustrated… more

F-4EJ Kai "8SQ Panthers"

Published: July 29, 2013
Company: Hasegawa

Hasegawa has re-released their “J” mark (Japanese) F-4EJ Phantom II. And that is a great thing, as this model is a pleasure to assemble. The box has 8 grey sprues, one clear sprue (for a total of 132 pieces), and a very large decal sheet with markings for five 8SQ aircrafts, including stencils for one airframe.

Regarding the stencils – they are the proper color. These airplanes were “… more

Bf-110 vs. Lancaster 1942-1945

Published: July 22, 2013
Book Author(s): Robert Forczyk
Company: Osprey Publishing

The Duel series from Osprey Publishing has been expanded to include a volume devoted to the aerial night fighting campaign between the Bf-110 and the Lancaster during WWII.

Most of the previous titles have been devoted to similar classes of airplanes, armor, or ships. However, this title is different in the sense that it’s a fighter versus a bomber (disparate classes of aircraft), and… more

Italian Self-Propelled Guns Semoventi M 41 & M 42

Published: July 16, 2013
Book Author(s): Daniele Guglielmi
Company: Casemate Publishers

Italian armored equipment has never received the level of coverage than armored equipment from other countries has gotten. This book is part of recent efforts to correct that historical trend.

The book has 3 main sections: the walk-around of three preserved self-propelled units (two M 41 and one M 42), a section with line drawings, and a brief historical summary, with period photos.… more

Messerschmitt Bf-110 Landing Gear

Published: July 2, 2013
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 venerable Bf-110 from Revell/Monogram.

This set is one of the more elaborated sets from SAC I’ve seen. It includes three main parts – two landing gear struts and a two-part tail wheel, plus 3 “frames” with the rest of the delicate… more

Messerschmitt Bf 109F

Published: June 25, 2013
Book Author(s): Robert Michulec
Company: Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books

Mushroom Model Publications has released the latest installment of their Yellow Series titled Messerschmitt Bf 109F. Like all the other books in the series, it is printed in glossy paper and lavishly illustrated with period b&w photographs, color profiles, and color pictures of restored aircraft. Also of note is also the fact they have included 3D computer-generated images of… more

Vampire Landing Gear

Published: June 18, 2013
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 Trumpeter Vampire.

The set includes 4 parts, two landing gear struts and a two part nose wheel, finely molded in white metal. These parts are drop-in replacements for the plastic parts.

You can see from the pictures the parts are… more

Spitfire Mk. I/Vb Landing Gear

Published: June 18, 2013
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 Tamiya 1/48 Spitfire Mk.I/Vb.

The set includes 3 parts, two landing gear struts and tail wheel, finely molded in white metal. These parts are drop-in replacements for the plastic parts.

You can see from the pictures the parts… more