This tome is the latest in the Yellow series of aircraft monographs. Originally in a smaller format, ~6.3” by 9.3”, the Yellow series seems to have migrated to the “Big Yellow” series in a new larger A4 (~8.25” x 11.625”) size. Lately, it seems that the “Big Yellow” series has become just the Yellow series, but has retained the larger A4 format.

In the Box

Instructions

The instruction booklet was divided into four pages of clearly marked parts and their construction sequence. Illustrations for the parts and their construction sequence were very clear and crisp. The instructions contained 10 separate steps to complete the model. My instruction book was missing step seven but that appeared to be the step when the wing is attached to the fuselage.

Included with the instructions is a drawing for paint and decal applications for either of two aircraft. One version was in natural metal finish and the other was in German camo markings.

Clear Plastic

Supplied was one piece of vacuum formed plastic with two canopies molded into it.

Canopy Mask

For painting the canopy I used my own masks cut from Tamiya tape.

Sooner or later, every aircraft modeler builds the iconic WWII Luftwaffe Bf-109. You can find them in every scale from 1/144 to 1/24, and in every version from prototype to A, to K-14, and sub-variants from post-WWII. It is probably one of the top five most popular aircraft modeling subjects ever kitted.

To that point, there were 31 examples of the Bf-109 entered in 1/48 Single Engine Prop, at this summer’s 2019 ‘Nooga Nats! Obviously, they garnered their own subcategory split. I felt a bit sorry for, but also somewhat envious of Rich Van Zandt’s judging team as they laboriously examined all 31 examples. They were all outstanding … some were just slightly better than others. They checked that distinct splayed gear stance for consistent alignment. They checked wing and stabilizer alignments. They checked canopies and interiors. They checked finishes. They counted rivets … just kidding. In the end, they chose the best three. 10% of the total number entered of the type!

This is volume four in the Single series. This is a thin book with no text other than photo captions. The book contains very nice 1/72 and 1/48 scale drawings, B&W photos of various details and pages from the manuals showing different systems. There are also three-color photos of cockpit details.

One page that should prove extremely useful to the model builder is the diagram on page 20. Showing which wing areas were natural metal which areas had two coats of filler those with one coat of filler and then sprayed with silver paint and the areas of silver paint only. There is also a beautiful rendition of the instrument panel and an index to its layout. The book concludes with three pages of color drawings of P-51D 44-14292 “Man O War”.

First, thanks to Glenn for providing IPMS USA with this kit, and IPMS leadership for passing it on to me.

Kitty Hawk’s new UH-1N has obvious ties with the recently released UH-1W from the same firm. The “Whiskey” has four-bladed main and tail rotors along with scabbed on antenna and systems, giving it a purposeful, definitely non-aerodynamic look, along with weaponry fit for a short, hot firefight. The kit also draws on the recently released UH-1D/H from Kittyhawk, as many of the sprue trees are from that kit as well. The UH-1N (November) however, was originally developed under Bell’s auspices of the natural improvement of a helicopter in overwater and hot, low-density air environments, whereby two-engines are better than one. The “November” has proven longevity and is still in operation almost 47 years since inception. It is the legacy of the original “Huey” line from the 1960’s… and morphed into the Whiskey and other commercial variants.