Paul Bradley
Reviews By Author
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Sea Fury (Early) and (Late) Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) provides resin and white metal parts for scale model aircraft, most of which are drop-in landing gear replacements. Their standard packaging is a card-backed blister pack that should protect the parts, though one gear leg in one set was slightly bent went I opened the package. The superb DBMK 1/32 Sea Fury kit was released earlier in 2026 and these sets from SAC are direct copies of that kit’s landing gear, including the main gear legs and various attached and associated parts. The early set, 32199, depicts the original Sea Fury landing gear that featured the Hawker standard landing gear leg, while the late leg, as depicted in set 32198, had an extra oleo section to better cope with shearing forces in cross-wind landings, and to help damp bouncing… more |
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HAF & IRIAF F-4E/RF-4E Phantom Collection #2Published:
The McDonnel Douglas F-4 Phantom II needs no introduction. With over 5,000 airframes built, and many being exported, including to the two countries covered by this decal sheet, Greece and Iran. The Hellenic Air Force (Polemikí Aeroporía) began using the planes in 1974 and has some Peace Icarus 2000 upgraded Phantoms still in service, while the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) may still have a few in service – their status is currently unknown due to the current issues the country is facing. Taiwanese modeling company DXM Decals has released a set of 1/48 decals for six airframes, including two Hellenic Air Force F-4Es, plus two Iranian F-4Es and two Iranian RF-4Es. The decal set comprises two sheets, one standard-sized decal sheet is packed with images comprising what… more |
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IAF & ROKAF F-4E Phantom Collection #1Published:
The McDonnel Douglas F-4 Phantom II needs no introduction. Over 5,000 airframes were built, and many were exported, including to the two countries covered by this decal sheet, Israel and South Korea. The IAF began operating the Phantom in 1968 in the wake of the 1967 Six-Day War, finally retiring the fleet in 2004. South Korea’s Republic of Korea Air Force was a Phantom operator from 1969 until their retirement in June 2024. Taiwanese modeling company DXM Decals has released a set of 1/48 decals for five airframes, including three Israeli Air Force F-4Es, plus two Republic of Korea (South Korea) Air Force F-4Es. The decal set comprises two sheets, one standard-sized decal sheet is packed with images comprising what appears to be two complete sets of stencils, plus a half-sheet… more |
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RF-4E JASDF 501 Squadron Final Year 2020Published:
In 2020, the JASDF celebrated the final year of service for the RF-4E, which had entered service in 1961, with a specially marked airframe, serial 57-6907. Taiwanese modeling company, DXM Models, has released a set of 1/48 decals for this airframe and has kindly sent IPMS/USA a sample. This set included two sheets of decals, one for the stenciling and standard markings, while the second is devoted exclusively to the special markings applied to the airframe. A full colour instruction leaflet includes comprehensive decal placement and painting guides for top, bottom and both sides. Colour callouts are in Mr. Color, Humbrol and FS standard where applicable. The decals are printed for DXM by Cartograf, which ensures quality. The colours are strong, even the tiniest of… more |
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JASDF F-4EJ and F-4EJ Kai ADTW "Thank you Phantom"Published:
The JASDF operated a special unit for Phantom testing from it’s earliest service days in 1971. The F-4EJ ADTW (Air Development and Test Wing) was the first and last operator of the F-4EJ in Japan until it's disbanding in 2021. Based at Gifu AB, the ADTW tested new technologies and weapon systems for the JASDF. Throughout the Phantom's service, the ADTW evaluated F-4EJ variants including the improved Kai version. Taiwanese modelling company, DXM Decals, has released a set of 1/48 decals for three airframes, including two F-4Ejs and one F-4EJ Kai. The single standard-sized decal sheet is packed with images, including all the decals required for the three options that include a farewell scheme, and a full set of stencils. A full colour instruction leaflet includes… more |
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JASDF F-15J 306SQ Special Marking "Maverick"Published:
In September 2022, in a surprise move, the Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) revealed a new special markings scheme for one of its aggressor F-15J Eagles of the 306 Hikotai based at Komatsu AB. In conjunction with Paramount Pictures as publicity for the then-new Top Gun: Maverick movie, the service had painted up one of their Eagles as Top Gun instructor ‘Maverick’ Mitchell’s personal F/A-18E, specially for a forthcoming Air Festival at the airbase. A bit of a non-sequitur, but it looks good! |
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Avro Vulcan - Cold War Aircraft in ScalePublished:
This is the first in what is promised to be a new series of aircraft modeling guides, and the chosen subject is the incomparable Avro Vulcan, the best known of Britain’s Cold War “V-Bombers.” Designed for nuclear deterrence but made famous at the end of its career for the “Black Buck” missions against the Argentine invaders in the Falklands War. Author Geoff Coughlin is well known in British aviation modeling circles and is the founder of the scalemodellingnow.com website. A well-established author and aviation historian, he starts the book with a good but necessarily brief history of the type’s development and service, I think that this would have benefited from being longer, but size restrictions clearly came into play. This is followed by a profusely illustrated section… more |
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WWII British Armoured Vehicles Acrylic Paint SetPublished:
Another in ICM’s range of paint sets, this time for use with any WWII British armoured vehicles. The set contains the following 12ml paint pots from their range of generic colours; I have listed what I believe to be their intended uses:
The back of the box has a couple of drawings showing suggested uses for each color. The Camo pattern on the Churchill is like nothing I have seen before on a British tank, though it’s quite possible it… more |
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Air Power and the Arab World, 1909-1955, Volume 12: Palestine War, 12 July - 14 October 1948Published:
Air Power and the Arab World, 1909–1955 Volume 12: Palestine War, 12 July - 14 October 1948 (Middle East @ War #67) continues the story of the men and machines of the first half-century of military aviation in the Arab world, focusing this time on the critical period between 12 July and 14 October 1948 — from the final days of the ‘Ten Days’ fighting through the Second UN Truce. While part of an ongoing series, this volume also stands alone as a history of the period covered. The book focuses on day-to-day events on the ground, in the air, and at sea during this hard-fought phase, belying its title, but it is even more useful for that, as it puts Arab air power, such as it was, into the context of the overall war. In doing so, the authors have accessed previously unpublished Arab… more |
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North Africa, 1942: The Turning PointPublished:
1942 was a pivotal year in WWII in North Africa. The year started with the British on the back foot and the Germans on the offensive, but ended with the positions being reversed as Montgomery’s Alamein Offensive in October ground it’s way towards final victory on the continent. The back-and-forth war between the British on one side and the Germans and Italians on the other in 1940-1 had been exhausting for both sides. But boosted by fresh supplies and materials, Rommel launched an offensive in January 1942, which saw the Axis forces on the Libya–Egypt border. For the next few months, Rommel’s forces were in the ascendancy, and he was at the height of his military power. His military masterpiece at the battle of Gazala in late May and early June resulted in a major victory for the… more |