IPMS Number
34786

Reviews By Author

Parts Packaging

He-162B Salamander Armament and Details Set

Published: September 20, 2012
Company: Master Model

This is the seventh item that I have reviewed from Master Model, a Polish company that specializes in brass detail parts, typically in the form of gun barrels, antennas, and pitot tubes. This new 72nd scale release is designed for the Heinkel He-162 Salamander, and replaces the kit supplied forward pitot tube and gun barrels, and also provides a nose gear position indicator. No kit is… more

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Neubau-Fahrzeug Nr.2

Published: September 14, 2012
Company: Dragon Models

I will start this review by stating that the new Dragon release of the German Neubau-Fahrzeug is a well-engineered, fun to build kit that goes together nicely to produce a very realistic replica of the “new construction vehicle”. My assembly time was short as there were no fit issues, and I probably spent more time researching this vehicle than anything else, but more on that later. The slide… more

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Tony Nancy’s “22 Jr.” Dragster/Roadster

Published: August 16, 2012
Company: Revell, Inc.

If, as a builder, you are interested in nostalgia, or are fascinated by early organized drag racing, then Revell has come through for you with the re-release of this classic Tony Nancy set of dragsters. First released in 1963, and with the date still showing up in the moldings, this kit represents the dragster and roadster that won the Competition Eliminator (the ’23 “T” Roadster) and Best… more

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The Me 262 Stormbird From the Pilots Who Flew, Fought, and Survived It

Published: August 15, 2012
Book Author(s): Colin D. Heaton and Anne-Marie Lewis (forewords by Jorg Czypionka and Barrett Tillman)
Company: Zenith Press

Although I must admit that my all-time favorite aircraft will always be the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, right next to it in second place is the legendary Messerschmitt 262 Stormbird (also known as the Schwalbe {Swallow}). In my stash of unbuilt kits are several boxes containing various versions of the plane, and yes, there may a double or two present. I have seen and photographed the Me 262 that is… more

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Russian Borei Class K550 “Alexander Nevskiy”

Published: August 10, 2012
Company: Bronco Models

Named after the Russian saint Alexander Nevskiy, the second ballistic submarine in the Borei-class is just now entering service after several delays during her construction, which began when the keel was laid in March of 2004. Although there were budgetary issues that hampered completion, there are also reports of issues regarding the missiles that were to be carried aboard the new class of… more

Cover

Naval Aces of World War 1, Part 2

Published: August 10, 2012
Book Author(s): Jon Guttman (Illustrated by Harry Dempsey)
Company: Osprey Publishing

In this new offering from Osprey Publishing, author Jon Guttman writes about the pilots who flew with the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS), as well as those who flew against them. As a former carrier sailor, my interest in naval aviation quickly drew my interest for this review. The pilots who flew during the “Great War” also hold a special fascination for me, as this new technology was being… more

Parts Package

F-14A Tomcat Landing Gear

Published: August 10, 2012
Company: Scale Aircraft Conversions

The F-14 Tomcat will likely be the greatest fleet defender known by my generation. Although retired now, the F-14 was ready from the start to carry an array of weapons including the AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-54 Phoenix (the ultimate missile of the US arsenal, which is also now retired), various bombs, and an internal 20mm Vulcan cannon. The 64 foot, 1.5 inch long wings could be… more

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Littoral Combat Ships LCS-2 & LCS-4 Aerials, Masts, and Gun Barrel

Published: May 24, 2012
Company: Master Model

As a little something different, I am going to begin this review with a story relating to my introduction to the USS Independence LCS-2. Over Thanksgiving week in 2010, my family and I were traveling to Virginia Beach to spend the holiday with my in-laws (no jokes here, they really are great people). When we first arrived in the Hampton Roads area, we stopped at my favorite hobby shop in the… more

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He 162A-2 Landing Gear

Published: May 24, 2012
Company: Scale Aircraft Conversions

First flown in December of 1944, the Heinkel He 162 Volksjager (people’s fighter) was known as the “ninety day wonder” as it went from an Air Ministry requirement to prototype in a mere three months. Like the other jet fighters of the day, it relied upon the BMW 003 turbojet engine, which was highly demanded as the Second World War drew to a close. The plane was 29 feet 8 inches in length, had… more

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F-5E Tiger II Gun Bay

Published: May 24, 2012
Company: Aires Hobby Models

Being that this detail set is denoting the gun bay of an F-5E Tiger II, I will begin with a little history of the M39A2 cannon, which is represented in this set. This weapon was developed by the Springfield Armory in the late 1940’s, and was based upon the German Mauser MG 213. The design was a five-shot revolver firing 20mm by 102mm projectiles at a rate of 1500 rounds per minute at a… more