F-105, F-106, BAE Hawk Pitot Tubes

Published: April 10, 2012
Company: Master Model

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… more

He-111 Kampfgeschwader in the West

Published: April 2, 2012
Book Author(s): John Weal
Company: Osprey Publishing

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,… more

1956 Chevy Del Ray

Published: September 14, 2021
Company: Revell, Inc.

History

From 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.… more

B-29 Superfortress Walk Around

Published: March 19, 2012
Book Author(s): Dennis M. Savage, Col., U.S. Army (Ret.)
Company: Squadron Signal Publications

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… more

Warships of the Anglo-Dutch Wars 1652-74

Published: January 11, 2012
Book Author(s): Angus Konstam
Company: Osprey Publishing

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… more

The Lions of Carentan - Fallschirmjager Regiment 6, 1943-1945

Published: November 22, 2011
Book Author(s): Volker Griesser
Company: Casemate Publishers

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… more

P-39 Airacobra Seat with Safety Belts

Published: September 24, 2021
Company: Quickboost

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… more

A-4E Skyhawk "VMA-211 Wake Island Avengers"

Published: October 3, 2011
Company: Platz

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… more

USAAC Curtiss P-36/P-36A Decals

Published: September 15, 2011
Company: Yellow-Wings Decals

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.… more

USAAC Boeing P-26A Peashooter

Published: September 12, 2011
Company: Yellow-Wings Decals

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… more