Reviews of products for scale aircraft models.
Book Author(s)
Chris Gibson
Published on
Company
Hikoki Publications
MSRP
$49.95
Occasionally, you need to get out of your comfort zone and see what else is out there. I was intrigued to read about the Royal Air Force’s reconnaissance and support projects as I didn’t know much about them. When the 336-page, hardcover book arrived, I questioned why I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and figured I could skim the pages. Wow, I was wrong and ended up reading every single word and devoured the book. Author Chris Gibson is an amazing writer, who writes from a position of knowledge born of passion and engages the writer with his great story telling ability.
Initially I had an issue with the title of the book, as it lends itself to self-pity and relegation to a subordinate role. As I mentioned above, the author didn’t have this problem and explained the title right away,
Published on
Company
Hobby Boss
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$83.00
Historical and Reference Notes
As you delve into this project, you should really become familiar with the basic U-2 story from its origins in 1953 all the way to its usage in 2025 – that’s over 72 years.
I recommend Wikipedia’s history, which I warn you, is extensive: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_U-2
US Air Force: https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104560/u-2stu-2s/
Several terrific YouTube videos (each of contain U-2S a/c):
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$19.00
Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) has provided the IPMS reviewer corps a set of 1/48th scale metal landing gear for Arma Hobby’s P-39 Airacobra kits. These parts are drop-in replacements and provide a more robust landing gear set given its metal properties.
In The Package
The metal pieces are packaged in a clear blister package with cardboard backing. There are no instructions.
Review Process
The metal landing gear set is used as a drop-in replacement for parts A13, A20, A21, and B66. You will need to use plastic kit parts A33 (nose strut) and B48 (oleo torsion arms) to complete the landing gear assembly.
The metal used is malleable and has some give to allow for any minor bending that may be needed since there is some slight deformation when coming out of the molds. Also, seam lines will need to be cleaned up before painting, just like the plastic kit parts.
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$8.50
Aires has provided the Reviewer Corps with a resin replacement set of USAF/VNAF A-1H/J Skyraider wheels in 1/72nd scale. USAF/VNAF Skyraider wheels used stamped steel rims which are different than the spoked US Navy version. This resin set will allow a more accurate build of a USAF/VNAF Skyraider.
In the Package and Product Notes
The sample review came in a plastic bag with paper instructions and vinyl paint mask. The instructions detail the use of the vinyl masks. For the Hasegawa kit, these are replacements for parts C10 & C11 (wheel & rim).
There are two (2) wheels from the traditional pour moldings for these resin replacements (not 3D generated). The quality is excellent, and the rim edges are pronounced for those who prefer to paint the rubber part of the wheel.
Review Process
I started by giving the resin part a warm soapy bath to remove any release agent. Then I cut away the flash at the base.
Book Author(s)
Leonid Krylov
Yuriy Tepsurkaev
Yuriy Tepsurkaev
Published on
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$49.99
Another offering in the Asia @ War Series.
A very interesting book. We see the Korean Air War through the eyes of Soviet Aviators sent to get combat experience in jet fighters. The first couple of pages were rough. I felt like I was reading a 1980’s era Soviet Propaganda piece. The authors quickly left that track and started a very good overview of the events leading up to Russia’s involvement, and an unknown (to me) discussion on China warning the United States prior to entering the war.
The B-29’s were initially engaged by prop-driven aircraft and were able to successfully defend themselves. This led to over confidence on the part of the Air Force leadership, and a belief that the bombers could defend themselves from fighters.
Book Author(s)
Andy Evans
Published on
Company
Guideline Publications
MSRP
$39.00
Guideline Publications Guideline Publications is the UK's leading publisher of modeling and hobby-related magazines. With a world-class portfolio of titles and an international Social Media presence, Guideline Publications has a dedicated readership that is constantly expanding into new areas. This English language book, Grumman A-6 Intruder & EA-6B Prowler, is authored by Andy Evans with scale drawings by Sam Pearson. The latest in Guideline’s Warpaint series, 146, was published in January 2025. A digital edition will soon be available. The latest on Guideline’s publications can be found on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/guidelinepub/
Published on
Company
Yahu Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$6.99
Yahu Models has provided the IPMS reviewer corps with a 1/72nd scale instrument panel for Amra Hobby’s P-39D/P-400 Airacobra. This set also includes photo-etch (PE) detail for the side doors.
In the Package
The instrument panel (IP) detail set is enclosed in a plastic bag with one (1) photoetched (PE) IP already assembled and two (2) PE etched sheets for other cockpit areas and the side doors. The parts come packaged in an individual Ziploc bag and cardboard.
Conclusion
Overall, this is a nice detail set to upgrade Arma Hobby’s P-39D/P-400 Airacobra instrument panel. The close-up picture shows off the minute detail printed on the PE parts and the fidelity at such a small size is amazing.
I want to thank Yahu Models for providing the P-39D/P-400 Airacobra instrument panel set and IPMS/USA for allowing me the opportunity to review.
Highly recommend!
Book Author(s)
Jean Paul Pallud
Published on
Company
Pen & Sword
MSRP
$34.95
The origin of Pen & Sword Books is closely linked with its sister company, the Barnsley Chronicle; one of the UK's oldest provincial newspapers, established in 1858, and one of the few weeklies still in private ownership. The first books published by the company were in response to public demand following a series of articles published in the newspaper: Dark Peak Aircraft Wrecks told the story of crash sites in the Dark Peak area of the Peak District National Park, and a further weekly feature on the history of two Kitchener battalions, known as the "Barnsley Pals", aroused a thirst for more information. Following on from the success of those books, several local history paperbacks were produced along with a series of battlefield guidebooks. Battleground Europe proved immediately successful, and the company made the decision to launch a book publishing arm of the group.
Book Author(s)
Dariusz Karnas, Karolina Holda
Published on
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$11.99
MMP Books continues to expand its Colour & Scale series, this time with an issue devoted to the Messerschmitt Bf 109G in Finnish Service. At 16 pages long, the book is brief (rather a booklet) but it is very useful and packed with information.
The first seven pages include line drawings of the Bf109G in 1/72 and 1/48 scale. I am not completely sure, but I would say that all the drawings are for the “G-6”, one of the most popular “109”s, which was used by several air forces, making the drawings of value beyond the Finnish Air Force
The next eight pages have ful- color profiles for selected airframes, including: MT-415, MT-435, MT-451, MT-445, MT-455, MT-423, MT-426, MT-456, MT-437, MT-458, MT-231 (the lone G-2 in the book), MT-449, MT-431 and MT-453.
All the G-6 airframes are in typical RLM 74/75/76 with Eastern Front markings while the G-2 has an unusual 74/76 camouflage. None of the aircraft feature the “Warpaint” Finnish scheme of Green/Black/Light Blue.