AFV Valentine Mk.III w/Rotatrailer

Published: July 12, 2017
Company: AFV Club

Introduction

I won’t go into the history of the Valentine Tank because each modeler, I’m sure, does his own research before beginning the build. But, what I found interesting was the different opinions as to how the Valentine got its name. One reference implies that the name came from the middle name of Sir John Carden, the designer of the A9 and A10 which were prototypes of the… more

Luzon 1945 The Final Liberation of the Philippines

Published: May 17, 2017
Book Author(s): Clayton K.S. Chun; Illustrations: Giuseppe Rava
Company: Osprey Publishing

Note: This book is also available in two other formats, eBook (Pub) and eBook (PDF) both priced at $12.99

Mention the phrase Luzon 1945 and what immediately comes to mind is Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s pledge to return to the Philippines after his defeat in 1942.

Osprey Publishing in their Military History Series and Clayton K.S. Chun, along with illustrations by Giuseppe Rava,… more

Nagmachon Early Heavy APC Israel Defense Forces

Published: February 19, 2017
Company: Tiger Model

Introduction

The Nagmachon was developed from the Nagmashot which was based upon the British Centurion hull. Initially this APC was used as a counter-insurgency platform and for urban warfare. The Nagmachon is a heavily armed fighting vehicle fielded by the IDF. It contains three armoured shields on the roof containing vision blocks of armoured glass to protect the soldiers firing 7.… more

10.5cm StuH.42 Ausf.E/F

Published: December 15, 2016
Company: Dragon Models

Introduction

The StuH.42 (Sturmhaubitze 42, Sd.Kfz 142/2), was used to support armor and infantry. They were fitted with a 10.5cmStuH.42 L/28 howitzer offering greater destructive firepower than the StuG III that had a 7.5cm StuK 40 L/43 cannon. The 10.5cm StuH was modified to be electrically fired and fitted with a… more

US Navy Ships vs Kamikazes 1944–45

Published: November 20, 2016
Book Author(s): Mark Stille
Company: Osprey Publishing

Note: This book is also available in two other formats, eBook (Pub) and eBook (PDF).

Osprey Publishing in their Duel Series and Mark Stille, along with illustrations by Jim Laurier, have published an excellent book on US Navy Ships vs Kamikazes 1944–45. Mark Stille, a retired US Navy Commander., has a BA in history and a MA from the Ward College.

What you get is a softcover… more

Polikarpov I-16 Type 24

Published: October 23, 2016
Company: Academy Models

The Polikarpov I-16 was the world’s first single-winged fighter plane with retractable landing gears designed by Nikolai Polikarpov and Dmitri Grigorovich while in prison. Service trials of the I-16 began in 1934. Several variants were produced until the Type 24 was brought into service. The Type 24 contained four7.62mm… more

LAV-25 Piranha

Published: August 28, 2016
Company: Italeri

This kit by Italeri is a new release for 2016. The LAV-25 was developed in the 1980’s in response to the LAV program which was started during the late 1970’s. After several companies submitted their plans, General Motors of Canada was selected as the manufacturer for the Army and the Marine Corp. Later the Army withdrew their plans due to funding issues. The Marine Corp continued and… more

Pz.Kpfw.V Panther Ausf. G Late

Published: July 15, 2016
Company: Italeri

This kit by Italeri is a rebox of their 2012 Pz. Kpfw. V Panther Ausf. G kit # 6493 with the addition of upgraded moulds, photo-etch fret and new gluable rubber tracks as stated on their website. Let me preface my review by stating that as modelers we do not always follow the instructions step by step. We tend to skip around completing steps in advance while letting previous steps dry or bond… more

ERA-3B Skywarrior, Part 3

Published: May 27, 2016
Company: Trumpeter

This is the third and final installment, “Full Build,” of Trumpeter’s Douglas ERA-3B 1/48^th scale variant to be released by Trumpeter in 2016. The plane depicts the US Navy, VAQ-33 ‘Firebirds’, ERA-3B, 104/GD BuNo. 146447. The ERA-3B variant was converted from the RA-3B variant as an electronic aggressor aircraft serving with the VAQ-33 and VAQ-34.

This was a full model… more

ERA-3B Skywarrior, Part 2

Published: May 7, 2016
Company: Trumpeter

This is the second installment, “Full Build,” of Trumpeter’s Douglas ERA-3B 1/48^th scale variant to be released by Trumpeter in 2016. This plane represents the US Navy, VAQ-33 ‘Firebirds’, ERA-3B, 104/GD BuNo. 146447. The ERA-3B variant was converted from the RA-3B variant as an electronic aggressor aircraft serving with the VAQ-33 and VAQ-34. This variant follows Trumpeter’s… more