The CBU-97 is an unguided cluster bomb unit used by the US Air Force. The CBU-97 weighs around 1,000 lbs. and consists of a munition dispenser which contains ten BLU-108 sub-munitions. Each BLU-108 is an independent unit with its own sensors and projectiles which are designed to kill armored or soft skinned vehicles by attacking from above where the armor/skin is thinnest, or non-existent. The CBU-97 can be carried by all of the USAF’s current fighters and bombers.

Growing up during the Cold War which encompassed the red scare and fight against global communism, photos and information on aviation in the USSR was pretty skimpy! A short video of a plane flying over a parade in Red Square or a few grainy, slightly out of focus black and white photos Were all there was. A little bit more was available on export models as they were used by Soviet Client states and thanks to the September 6, 1976 defection of Viktor Belenko flying his Mig-25 to Japan a bit more was available on that aircraft.

Since the fall of the Iron Curtain and communism much more information is readily available to the modeler and aviation historian on Russian aviation designs and tactics. The authors are the go to folks for this information. I have had the pleasure of reviewing several of their books and like past volumes, this one does not disappoint!

Many already know that Scale Aircraft Conversions has been pumping out replacement, white metal landing gear sets for some few years now. I believe that this endeavor (Scale Aircraft Conversions) began as a way to provide you, dear modeler, with a sturdier option than what was being supplied by the kit manufacturer. While kit supplied landing gear and struts may have been to scale they were sometimes unable to handle the actually weight of the completed model.

To help solve that issue, Scale Aircraft Conversions has an extensive line of landing gear sets for an extensive number of kits. Adding to that line is a new one designed for the Eduard's series of MiG-21's in 1/144th scale. Scale Aircraft Conversions includes two complete sets of landing gear with this offering. Which is a good thing as there are two complete kits in Eduard's boxing of the 1/144th scale MiG-21.

Eduard Models continue to expand its Brassin line, this time with a drop-in replacement part for their excellent Spitfire Mk IX line: the top cowling.

The part itself is molded in resin and very small casting pours, making removal of the part trivial. The part itself shows no bubbles and exquisite fine detail, down to the rivets.

The plastic parts are not bad at all, however, they have a seam line that needs to be puttied and sanded to make it disappear. The resin part does not have any seam line and it is ready to be installed.

Note that the resin part fits excellently the width of the fuselage nose. However, when removed from the pouring stab it is slightly longer than the rest of the fuselage, perhaps by 1/32 of an inch.

It was very simple to sand it to fit of the surrounding plastic parts. Moreover, the sanding marks will be hidden by the propeller spinner.

Recommended to modelers of all skill levels.

The Me 262 Schwalbe (Swallow) was the first operational jet fighter. Design and testing of the first German jet engine was well underway even before World War II started. Due to problems encountered with new materials needed, fatigue and German High Command intervention and delays, the aircraft did not see operational flying until April 1944. The Me 262 was highly maneuverable and faster than any other aircraft of the time, but continued to suffer from engine problems. Many aircraft were lost to engine problems or mishandling.

Me 262B-1/U-1 was a two seat trainer converted into a night fighter, with the addition of a FuG 218 Neptune radar. This was an eight-dipole antenna array mounted on the nose of the aircraft.