The Henschel Hs123 was developed from a 1933 requirement for a dive bomber by the then-emerging Luftwaffe. This aircraft was fairly advanced for its day, featuring an all-metal construction powered by a 725 horsepower BMW 132A radial engine. This gave the Hs 123 a 200 mph top speed. Its sesquiplane design made it extremely maneuverable and its twin 7.92 mm machine guns gave it some teeth as well. Although many regard this as one of the best biplane fighters of World War 2, the Luftwaffe considered it mostly as a stop-gap measure until the Ju 87 Stuka could be put into full production.

This was a kit I had been looking forward to and even had it in my shopping cart of one of the online retailers. So, I was pleasantly surprised to see this kit in the list of available review items. In my opinion, this is a really cool-looking aircraft. Unfortunately, according to the history on the first page of the instructions, it was a disappointment. It was originally designed as an interceptor, but was later modified for the fighter-bomber role. Only 60 were actually produced.

The 85 plastic parts come on three sprues. There are also 60 resin parts and 18 photo-etch parts. There is also a piece of film for the instrument panel. The parts were nicely molded with good panel lines and detail. Unfortunately, many of the smaller parts required extra cleanup because the sprue attachment points were heavy and ran into the part.

Kagero has started a new series known as “References for Modelers”. This issue is devoted to the Nakajima Ki-43 I/II.

The booklet discloses that a lot of the material published in it, has already been published before in other publications of the same editorial. In my humble opinion, that is not an issue, as sometimes the modeler only needs a few references, and this book provides them all.

The references include several period pictures (black and white), some of which are of captured aircraft. Some of the pictures are similar to a “walk-around” type of image, as they show details of the engine, landing gear, air scoops, etc.

There is a handful of color profiles (and 4-view in some cases) for aircraft in Japanese Army service.

Casemate Publishing is distributing a book from MMP Books (Poland) which includes work from Karolina Holda, Artur Juszczak, Richard Caruana, Dariusz Karnas, Slawomir Zajaczkowski and Teodor Liviu Morosanu.

The book has a brief introduction to the events of May-June of 1940 and quickly progresses towards a comprehensive selection of color profiles of the different aircraft that were utilized during the Battle of France.

Among the aircraft featured are MS.406, D.520, Curtis H-75A, CR.714, MB.152, FK.58, Potez 631, Hawker Hurricane MK. I, Gloster Gladiator, Bf 109 E (both in German and Swiss colors), Bf 110, BF 108, CR.42, and G.50.

After the color profiles there is a page that includes color chips for French, British, German and Italian air forces.

Finally, there is a section of large print of instrument panels for the Bf.109E, Renault CR.714, Hurricane Mk.I, Dewoitine D.520 and Curtiss H-75.

Super Model International, published by Kagero, is a series of modeling magazines that focus on three to five build articles per issue. The magazines feature large high-quality photos, limited advertising and focus on the building, painting and or weathering process.

Issue number three has three build articles:

• 1/48 Tamiya D.520
• 1/32 Pacific Coast Models Hurricane Mk.1
• 1/32 Hobby Boss Spitfire Mk.Vb

There are three authors in this issue and a brief bio of each is presented on the back cover of the magazine.