Rob Benson
Reviews By Author
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The Rice Paddy Navy: U.S. Sailors Undercover in Mainland ChinaPublished: March 7, 2013 Thank you to John Tintera of Osprey Publishing and the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me the opportunity to review this very intriguing aspect of U. S. Navy history. Author Linda Kush is a superb writer, bringing an excellent balance of engaging stories to historical facts. The Rice Paddy Navy is the unofficial name for the 3,000 or so USN sailors, officers, Marines, and a few other… more |
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The Pointblank Directive: Three Generals and the Untold Story of the Daring Plan that Saved D-DayPublished: March 3, 2013 Thank you to Bruce Herke of Osprey Publishing and the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me the opportunity to review this in-depth and sobering history of the Army Air Corps’ operational role in the D-Day invasion. Author L. Douglas Keeney provides compelling descriptions of the challenges, dangers, and slim survival odds of European air operations. Keeney starts the bulk of his novel-… more |
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USS Massachusetts On DeckPublished: December 27, 2012 Thank you to Gary Newman of Squadron Signal Publications and the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me the opportunity to review this excellent photographic tour aboard the USS Massachusetts in Battleship Cove, Fall River, MA. There is a wealth of detail contained in an astonishing number of color photos, all with great descriptive captions. The book contains no drawings or layouts of BB-… more |
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Sopwith CamelPublished: December 9, 2012 Thank you to Bruce Herke of Osprey Publishing and the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me the opportunity to review this delightful description of the Sopwith Camel. This was a very enjoyable and informative read. I reviewed the book through the eyes of a rank novice (something I seem to be good at) when it comes to World War I aviation. I suspect many of us may have first heard of the Camel… more |
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Gun Barrels for pre-‘42 Lexington and SaratogaPublished: October 11, 2012 Thank you to Iwona and Piotr Czerkasow of Master Model and all those at IPMS Reviewer-OPS for providing me an opportunity to examine and apply some delightful parts for improving a ship model kit. Model Master’s recent addition to their Sea Master Series is very welcome. The aftermarket world is indeed enhanced with the products Master Model offers. While no kit is specifically… more |
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Curtiss F11-C/BFC-2 Goshawk Update SetPublished: August 20, 2012 Initial ImpressionsThis upgrade and conversion set addresses inaccuracies in the venerable Lindberg kit No. 72544, the Curtiss Goshawk, and allows a conversion to a BFC-2 or a correction to the F11-C. The Lindberg kit is still widely available, although it is out of production. The parts are cast in light gray resin and include a replacement engine, one-piece cowling,… more |
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Italeri Acrylic Paint: Red, Yellow, and Gloss Clear CoatPublished: August 14, 2012 Packaging and Initial ImpressionThe paints are contained in 20 ml plastic poly bottles with flip caps. The clear gloss is contained in a 35 ml plastic bottle with a flip cap. The bottles are clearly labeled with simple instructions of “shake well” and “for airbrush dilute properly”. My sample bottles tended to spit paint a bit when “flipping” the cap open, but that may be a… more |
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Carrier Deck EquipmentPublished: August 14, 2012 The kit subject addresses a generally under-represented set of modern USN aircraft carrier details. While there is an abundance of aftermarket aircraft available for 1:350 carriers, with the exception of some resin offerings there is very little available for the ubiquitous utility vehicles that populate carrier decks. This under-representation has been lessened by MRC with the release of a… more |
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PV-1 Replacement ExhaustsPublished: July 5, 2012 Thank you, Lone Star Models, for providing a very timely improvement to an excellent recent kit release. Thank you IPMS/USA Reviewer Corps for once again allowing me to evaluate a cool new product! This product replaces the Revell PV-1 exhaust pipes. The Revell PV-1 kit exhaust pipes seem a little thick-walled and awkward looking. The Lone Star exhausts are a direct replacement of… more |
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PV-1 Diamond Pattern Wheels with HubsPublished: July 5, 2012 Thank you, Lone Star Models, for providing a very timely improvement to an excellent recent kit release. Thank you IPMS/USA Reviewer Corps for once again allowing me to evaluate a cool new product! This product replaces the Revell PV-1 main mount tires and wheels. The product is cast in tan resin, with no mold parting seam lines to be removed. This eliminated the need to rescribe the… more |