I really enjoy using the aircraft specific titles that Sam Publications puts out because of the amount of research, detail, and sections that are aimed at the model builder. I had been wondering about the Hataka paint line and how they compare to other paints. When I saw that this new series was done with HobbyZone and Hataka paints and that it had the same great look as other Sam Publications books. I just had to have it.

This first book of the series focuses on the aircraft of the Vietnam War, specifically the fighters and attack aircraft.

The Aircraft Modeling Guide is divided into 21 sections. They are:

The Tamiya 1/48th scale model of the F-14D recently introduced is a fantastic kit following the earlier release of the -A version. The parts are chrisply molded and loaded with detail typial of Tamiya kits. This kit includes a printed sheet of masking material that must be individually cut out by the builder for the canopy clear areas.

Also included in the Tamiya masking sheet are masks for the engine inlet throats that are not included with the Eduard masks. If the Eduard masks are used for the canopy, portions of the Tamiya mask still has a place in the build.

Kagero's latest in their Monographs Special Edition in 3D series is the Rogožarski IK-3. This edition is in their standard 8.5" x 11.875" format hardbound publication that is 184 pages (excluding covers). This volume starts with 72 pages of historical text followed by 28 pages of black and white line drawings in 1/72 and 1/48. Up next are 72 pages of color 3D illustrations describing every part of the aircraft, from cockpit to engine. There is also a double sided insert sheet full of line drawings (~16.4" x 23.0") that starts with profiles at 1/32 scale and includes scrap details. I counted 89 color 3D illustrations, 22 color profiles, along with 21 tables. There are 125 period black and white photographs dedicated to the 80th anniversary of this obscure fighter's first flight.

Quickboost is part of Aires and is aptly named in that it gives a “quick boost” to your models with drop in replacements. The parts in this set represent the exhaust shrouds on the sides of both engines. The set is as usual, simple to use. Remove from the pour stubs and clean as needed.

Comparing the kit parts and the Quickboost set shows where the resin replacements shine. The exhaust shrouds are meant to be hollow tubes. Quickboost nicely represents this with excellent hollowed-out ends and the kit does not. There are several pictures showing this and the effect is noticeable once installed. And installation could not be easier- they have the notch built in to make sure they are installed correctly, and they drop into place.

Highly recommended to all fans of the Pe-2. They make the kit look better, are simple to install, and are very reasonably priced.

My thanks to Aires/Quickboost for the set and to IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review it

Decal Sheet Contents

There are three sheets of decals included in this package: the larger of the three has the roundels and fin flash along with aircraft codes. The mid-size sheet has additional aircraft codes and numbers, while the third and smallest sheet has individual pilot nose art. There are decals to model at least two of 10 photo-documented subjects, based on carefully interpreted graphic reconstructions. Additional models built will require the modeler to provide roundels and fin flash.

The decal sheets include marking from the three squadrons: 71 Squadron, four aircraft, 121 Squadron, four aircraft, and 133 Squadron two aircraft. Six 8 1/2" by 11" pages of black and white instructions are included with the decals, along with a link to the supplier is provided from which full color instructions may be obtained and home printed. The black and white is more than adequate, but the color version is spectacular.