Scott Hollingshead
Reviews By Author
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Hitler’s Miracle Weapons, Secret Nuclear Weapons of the Third Reich and Their Carrier Systems Volume 1: The Luftwaffe and KriegsmarinePublished:
"Hitler’s Miracle Weapons: Secret Nuclear Weapons of the Third Reich and Their Carrier Systems, Volume 1: The Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine" is a meticulously researched exploration into one of history’s most intriguing and chilling periods. Authored by historian Friedrich Georg, this volume delves deeply into the development and deployment of secret nuclear weapons by Nazi Germany during World War II. First published in 2003, this review copy was released as a new edition in December 2024. The book provides an exhaustive examination of the Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine’s involvement in the Third Reich’s nuclear ambitions, presenting a wealth of previously unpublished documents, photographs, and firsthand accounts. Color illustrations of aircraft, weapons, submarines, and an atomic… more |
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Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning IIPublished:
OverviewFollowing their release of the F-35A in 2022 and the F-35B in 2023, Tamiya has completed the trident of 1/48 scale Lightning II model kits with their release of the F-35C late last year. I found the engineering of this kit to be phenomenal with all parts fitting just as one would want. The 78 steps for the construction are spread across the 34-page instruction manual, and steps typically contain no more than six individual parts, which keep the building process simplified. While the number of parts and number of decals required more time than some builds, the joy of the construction always made the time pass quickly. I would highly recommend this kit to any modeler with some experience looking to add the US Navy variant of the Lightning II to their collection. … more |
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Fokker Dr.1 Instrument PanelPublished:
Yahu has been producing photoetched instrument panels for models in Poland since 2013, for those who may not be familiar with the company. One of their latest releases is this 1/32 scale instrument set for the Fokker Dr.1 triplane from Meng. While the Dr.1 did not have a panel of instruments, there were individual instruments mounted within and outside the cockpit. Modelers with some experience with photoetched parts should have no issues using this set with their triplane. Packaged in a small plastic bag, this set contains a single fret with six instrument faces along with separate bezels, two aircraft placards, and a face plate for the propeller. As this set is intended for the Meng kit, the instruments have been numbered to match the decals provided by Meng.The placards,… more |
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Fw-189C/V-6Published:
Recently released by the folks at ICM is the Focke-Wolf Fw-189C/V-6 in 1/72 scale. The kit received my attention due to the unique shape of the cockpit as well as the resemblance to the American P-38. The kit builds with relative ease, but I would recommend it to modelers with experience in dealing with smaller parts. The real aircraft came from the experience gained by the Luftwaffe during the Spanish Civil War as a needed attack aircraft. Powered by two Argus As410A-1 engines, each providing 465 hp, the plane had a service ceiling of 6800km (4225 feet) and a maximum speed of 368 km/h (228 mph). The plane carried two 20mm cannons and up to six 7.92mm machine guns as well as up to four bombs. While the plane tested well in 1940, the Henschel Hs-129A would be selected for… more |
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ATZ-5-43203 Fuel Bowser of the Armed Forces of UkrainePublished:
Released in the last quarter of 2023, ICM has added new decals to their 1/72 scale fuel bowser that is currently being used by the armed forces of Ukraine. The kit builds up easily for the most part but is recommended for modelers with some experience adding small parts. The provided decals make easy work of adding a modern digital camouflage pattern to your vehicle, which certainly made the build more enjoyable for this review. The vehicle itself is tied to the Ural-4320 trucks produced in the late 1970’s and have been used in roles from transporting troops and cargo to towing as well as carrying fuel. More recent uses include mobile communication stations, mobile radar, and rocket launchers, to name a few. The 6x6 design allows the vehicles to operate cross-country if needed,… more |
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Pigs, Missiles and the CIA; Volume 2: Kennedy, Khrushchev, Castro and the Cuban Missile Crisis 1962Published:
In a follow-up to the Bay of Pigs' attempt to oust Fidel Castro from power in Cuba came the events leading to the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. This 37th book in the Helion & Company Latin America at War series provides daily insights into the identification, escalation, and resolution that took place from January 1961 through December 1962. The author, Linda Rios Bromley, takes the reader into meeting rooms, briefings, and events that took place during one of the most critical events of the post-WW2 world during the 20th century. For this review, I was provided with the paperback edition of this book, but it is also available in a digital format for those who prefer reading books on electronic devices. The book consists of nine sections titled "… more |
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Helmet and Dress Sewing MarkingsPublished:
For aircraft modelers of the 1/48 scale Tomcat, the folks at HADMODELS have recently released decals for the often-overlooked helmet and flight suit markings worn by the pilots and RIOs (Radar Intercept Officers) of the F-14. The set that I reviewed include helmet markings and patches for VF-2 (Bounty Hunters), VF-31 (Tomcatters), VF-101 (Grim Reapers), as well as the IRIAF (who still fly the F-14). The decals are produced by Cartograph, so they will not present a challenge to most modelers. The decal sheet itself provides markings for two helmets for each squadron and the VF-101 marking can be used on up to four helmets. There are also the famous F-14 triangular and circular sleeve patches for each of the squadrons, name patches, shoulder rank patches, additional circular… more |
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Post War Essex Class CV MarkingsPublished:
For ship modelers, specifically aircraft carrier enthusiasts, with an interest in post-WW2 Essex-class ships, Starfighter Decals has released a two-sheet set to improve your models. The set provides decals for use on 17 of the Essex-class carriers as well as for the three Midway-class carriers. In addition to the flight deck and hull numbers, flight deck stripes, elevator safety lines, island safety reminders, and ship names are provided. The sheets measure approximately five inches by eight inches (126mm by 200mm) and are printed by Microscale. While I am not currently building an Essex-class aircraft carrier, I have the Dragon 1/700 scale USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) for service during the Korean War (kit 7063, released in 2007). As the kit includes early US Navy jets, these… more |
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KFK KriegsfischkutterPublished:
ICM is known for their production of detailed kits of various genres of military and civilian subjects. Even with the current events taking place in their home country Ukraine, the company continues to provide new offerings for modelers of nearly any interest. One of their latest releases is this 1/144 scale Kriegsfischkutter. I appreciated the detail available as well as the relatively compact size of the completed model. Modelers with some experience handling very small parts should enjoy this representation of a unique subject. Beginning in 1941, the German Navy (Kriegsmarine) began developing fishing trawlers for various uses in the coastal waters near their occupied lands. These boats were manufactured by different companies in Germany as well as Sweden. They could be… more |
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SdKfz. 2 KettenkradPublished:
Zoukei-Mura is a name recognizable to many aircraft modelers, mostly for their incredibly detailed 1/32 and 1/48 scale planes. Their first offering in the armor genre, or Super Weapons Series, was the 1/32 scale Kleines Kettenkraftrad (typically shortened to just Kettenkrad). This kit includes markings for use of the vehicle by the Luftwaffe to tow planes in the later stages of WWII and will look great alongside any of the 1/32 scale German aircraft offerings from Zoukei-Mura. The idea of a tracked motorcycle was conceived by Heinrich Kniep in 1939 as a vehicle that could move small loads over rugged landscapes and first entered service in 1941. Produced by NSU Werke initially, Stӧwer Werke would later add to the construction of over 8,000 of these vehicles by 1945. While one… more |