Perry Downen
Reviews By Author
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F-105, F-106, BAE Hawk Pitot TubesPublished:
One of the last things I add to an aircraft model before calling it complete is the pitot tube. It's too easy to break off otherwise. If it didn't have such an important function and was not so noticeable on the aircraft, I think I'd leave it off. A French engineer named Henri Pitot invented the pitot tube in the 18th century. It was a device to measure pressure and determine the velocity of a fluid flowing past it. It has since been modified and significantly improved to determine the airspeed of an aircraft. Today's sophisticated pitot tube measures the air pressure as the aircraft "flows" through the air. We have three 1/48-scale pitot tubes from Master Models to review. They are for: the Republic F-105, the Convair F-106, and the BAE Hawk T.1. Each one is a small… more |
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He-111 Kampfgeschwader in the WestPublished:
Although ostensibly designed to be a civil airliner, the military potential of the He-111 was of greater importance to Germany in the mid-1930s. Of the several prototypes built by Heinkel, the second and fourth were configured as civil versions to carry 10 passengers and mail. The first and third were configured as the military versions. While Lufthansa took delivery of six aircraft, development continued on the military version, with deliveries made to the first operational squadron in May, 1937. This aircraft went on to become the primary medium bomber of the Luftwaffe during the early stages of WWII. Before WWII ended, more than 7,500 He-111s were built. Author/artist John Weal's book, He-111 Kampfgeschwader in the West, is number 91 in Osprey's Combat Aircraft… more |
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1956 Chevy Del RayPublished:
HistoryFrom 1953 to 1957, Chevrolet had three full-sized automobiles it was selling to the public – the bottom of the line 150, the mid-range 210, and the top of the line Bel Air. The 210 model was Chevrolet's bestseller up until 1955. It offered the widest choice of body styles in 1953, including a convertible, Sport Coupe hardtop, two- and four-door sedans, and a station wagon. However, in 1954, the 210 convertible and hardtop were dropped and a deluxe model called the Del Ray Club Coupe was introduced. This model came factory-equipped with interior furnishings found on higher-end models like the Bel Air. Drivers could enjoy upgrades such as padded vinyl seats, a lighted glove compartment, two door armrests, and carpeted floorboards. The cost of the Del Ray was now… more |
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B-29 Superfortress Walk AroundPublished:
The B-29 has always had a special place in my memory. Shortly after WWII, I was a kid growing up at the end of the Dobbins AFB runway in Marietta, Georgia. Adjacent to Dobbins was the “Bomber Plant”. Later I discovered that the “Bomber Plant” was really a government aircraft factory run by Bell Aircraft Company and specifically designed to build Boeing’s B-29 Superfortress. I can still see those giant aircraft taking off and landing over our house. Soon, Bell stopped building the B-29s and the Air Force closed the plant. The only reminder left behind was a B-29 on static display at Larry Bell Park. That aircraft got plenty of use by the kids playing under and around its huge bulk. Years later I met a gentleman who flew as a navigator on the B-29 and who became my father… more |
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Warships of the Anglo-Dutch Wars 1652-74Published:
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Dutch and the English were both great maritime nations. Their trade routes were far reaching and their trading companies rich and powerful. It was inevitable that a conflict would arise between them. In a series of three wars called the Anglo-Dutch Wars, the two countries fought for naval supremacy and for control of the seas and trading rights. A little political intrigue was mixed in just to make it interesting. The first war, caused by commercial rivalry, took place from 1652-1654 during the time of English parliamentary and military rule by Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector. Cromwell eventually decided that the two Puritan nations should be allies instead of antagonists and opened negotiations for peace. The second and third wars… more |
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The Lions of Carentan - Fallschirmjager Regiment 6, 1943-1945Published:
This wonderfully documented book covers the history of one of Germany's largest paratrooper regiments – the Fallschirmjager Regiment 6, FJ.Rgt.6. Originally published in German in 2007, the book has been translated into English by Mara Taylor and released in the United States by Casemate Publishing in 2011. Following a short Preface, Chapter 1, The Initial Organization, begins with the unit's formation on February 13, 1943 under the command of Major Egon Liebach, an experienced paratrooper and troop leader. The focus of Major Liebach's training was field exercises and close combat. In addition, advanced training was provided in combat parachute and glider deployment. As it turned out, they acted more as ground troops than as a parachute assault unit. In fact, their nickname,… more |
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P-39 Airacobra Seat with Safety BeltsPublished:
Thanks to Quickboost for this review sample and thanks to IPMS/USA for allowing me to review it. This little gem easily exceeds the quality and detail of the seats found in the older P-39 kits. I wanted to look at Quickboost's offering compared to one of the newer P-39 kits. The kit I used for comparison has a seat with fine detail and very little, if any, clean-up. The particular kit I used also comes with photo-etched seat belts. Quickboost's seat is cast in gray resin and is free of flash or casting bubbles. The casting has great detail with sharp edges, great buckle detail, and even some stitching can be seen on some areas of the straps. Speaking of the straps, these lay across the seat naturally with a relaxed drape to them. However, the shoulder straps appear to… more |
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A-4E Skyhawk "VMA-211 Wake Island Avengers"Published:
I would like to express my sincere thanks to Platz for providing this kit to IPMS/USA and to them for allowing me to review it. The A-4 Skyhawk originated as a private venture design under a team headed by Ed Heinman. When the US Navy began looking for a replacement for the AD Skyraider Douglas Aircraft presented their new design. The Skyhawk went on to be one of the most successful post-WWII aircraft to serve the US Navy. A total of 2,960 A-4s were built in many variations and they flew in the service of as many as ten countries. The models built for this review represent the US Marine Corps Squadron VMA-211, “Wake Island Avengers”. VMA-211 was established on July 1, 1941, however, the squadron can trace it linage back through VMF-2, VF-8M, and VF-4M when it was… more |
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USAAC Curtiss P-36/P-36A DecalsPublished:
A big thank you goes to Yellow-Wings Decals for this review sample and IPMS/USA for allowing me to review it. Aircraft design and development was changing rapidly in the 1930s. As the dark clouds of war were beginning to form in Europe, the effort to improve military aircraft quickened. A new era of low wing monoplanes with retractable landing gear and enclosed cockpits was dawning. The British Hurricane was ordered into production in June 1936 and the Messerschmitt 109 made its public debut during the 1936 Berlin Olympics. At the same time American's front line fighter was the open cockpit, fixed gear, wire-braced P-26. It would remain so until 1938 when America finally entered the new era with the Curtiss P-36A Hawk. The P-36A was one of American's first new… more |
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USAAC Boeing P-26A PeashooterPublished:
I would like to thank Yellow-Wings Decals for this review sample and IPMS/USA for allowing me to review it. The U.S. military had some of the most colorful aircraft ever prior to WWII. There were bands of bright colors on the fuselage and chevrons on the upper wings to identify section leaders. The rudders had red, white, and blue stripes. Bright tail colors were added to identify squadrons or assigned carriers. The national insignia was a large blue roundel surrounding a white star with a red roundel in the center. Added to all this were the orange-yellow wings and horizontal stabilizers. The color schemes could not get more garish. But, they did. Enter the Boeing P-26. Designed and built by Boeing in the early 1930s the P-26 was the first all-metal monoplane… more |