M61A1 Vulcan 20mm Rotary Cannon

Published: December 11, 2012
Company: Master Model

The word Vulcan conjures different images for different people. If you are into Roman mythology, you think of the God of Fire. If you like the show Star Trek, Vulcan is that red planet Spock calls home. But if you are in the US military or build models of those vehicles, Vulcan is the 20mm Gatling gun that is so deadly on the battlefield.

First used in 1959, the M61 has adorned most of… more

Israel’s Front Line Armor

Published: December 5, 2012
Book Author(s): Ofer Zidon
Company: Wizard Publications (Israel)

There’s Merkavas and Pumas and Magachs, oh my.

I have been a fan of the Israeli military for many years but have concentrated my interest on the 1967 and 1973 wars. Their ingenuity regarding their armor and aircraft make them more interesting than German Panzers, in my opinion.

This is the first book in a new series by Wizard Publications (Israel) on IDF Armor. Wizard has done… more

Thunderbird 1

Published: November 19, 2012
Company: Aoshima

5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

This countdown started each episodes of the British Supermarionation show Thunderbirds. I remember watching this and other Gerry Anderson shows when I was a wee lad. I, of course, watched them for the very cool models.

Thunderbird 1 was always first on the scene to check out what rescue equipment Thunderbird 2 would need to haul in. It was piloted by… more

Long Range Desert Group Patrol Car

Published: September 17, 2012
Company: Dragon Models

I have always loved reading about the LRDG and SAS during the North African campaign during WWII. Their ability to make long treks across the desert, attack the enemy at their bases, and return was just amazing.

Finally, a kit has been released in 1/72nd scale of the LRDG’s main mode of transportation, the Chevrolet Model 1533X2 30 cwt 4x2 truck. So let’s take a look at it.

With… more

Swordfish Mk.1 Exhaust

Published: August 19, 2012
Company: Quickboost

Quickboost continues to release replacement parts for new kits as they come out, this time it is updated exhausts for the new Airfix Swordfish.

A quick comparison between the kit part and the resin parts show the new items have more of an oval exhaust point where the kit piece looks more round.

You get 2 exhausts in the set which can be helpful if you have one of the older… more

RCAF Sunderlands Decals - Canadians in Coastal Command #2

Published: August 19, 2012
Company: Aviaeology

The Sunderland is one of my favorite flying boats. There is something about the Flying Porcupine that just makes me go cool. I even got a chance to see one at Fantasy of Flight during the Nationals even though it had been converted to a passenger version.

This new sheet by Aviaeology covers markings for 3 of the Mk.III versions as operated by the RCAF in Coastal Command. All 3 aircraft… more

Bofors Anti-Aircraft Gun Crew

Published: August 17, 2012
Company: Bronco Models

Since I had picked up Bronco’s lovely little 40mm Bofors gun, I jumped at the chance to review the separate Gun Crew set. Unfortunately for me, they are dressed in more European Theatre uniforms (and possibly early war) while I plan to make my gun one based on Malta, so hopefully Bronco will do a Middle Eastern uniformed crew set in the near future.

That said, let’s take a look in the… more

Aircraft of the AURI Decals

Published: August 17, 2012
Company: Dutch Decal

This new sheet from Dutch Decal highlights several US- and English-built aircraft used by the Indonesians during the ‘50s. The included history talks about Opeartion “Haik,” which centered on clandestine US operations in Indonesia in 1958.

Decals are provided for a very interesting set of aircraft: B-25 Mitchell, P-51D/K, C-47B, Piper L-4, Auster, Catalina, and B-26B Invader, with the… more

F3D Skyknight In Action

Published: August 5, 2012
Book Author(s): Alan Carey
Company: Squadron Products

While it’s not the sleekest, fastest, or prettiest of jets, I love the Skyknight. Part of the reason is I love nightfighters (and not just because the paint scheme is easy), and this was one of the last birds to fit that title. Part of it is it flew during the Korean and Vietnam wars, two eras of history that interest me. And part of it is that it is the only US jet to fly in both conflicts.… more

Green Lantern

Published: August 2, 2012
Company: Moebius Models

Moebius has been making a name for itself with repops of some old Aurora figure kits mixed in with new kits in the same style. Green Lantern is one of the latter. This 18 piece kit represents him in flying mode, holding down a robot using the power of his ring. The pose is very dynamic. For those of you who don’t follow Green Lantern (got to admit I am one of these), this version represents… more