Reviews of products for scale aircraft models.

Book Author(s)
Károly Magó
Review Author
Paul Mahoney
Published on
Company
KLP Publishing
MSRP
$25.00

KLP Publishing is based in Australia producing digital guidebooks aimed specifically at the modeler. This is #4 in the “Modellers Monograph Series” and covers the camouflage painting/schemes of the Royal Hungarian Air Force from inception (post WW1) to 1945.

The e-book consists of 417 pages, with a color “cover” and loads of photos of aircraft, source documents and aircraft relics. In addition to the 200+ photos, there are 46 color profiles with very detailed explanations of the individual paint schemes.The author,Károly Magó, served with the Helicopter Defense Forces in Hungary and currently works at the Szolnok Aviation Museum doing restoration and research.He is also involved in search and recovery of aircraft wrecks within Hungary. Finally, it is worth noting that he is a modeler, and is Head Judge of the Moson Model show.

Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
N/A
MSRP
$12.99

This is a paint set primarily meant for Civil Aviation on the 1930-50’s. I decided to use a 1/450 scala Heller DC-10 paint mule I had on my bench to use the paints on. Then I used each paint to see its finish and application. All the painting I did was with the Airbrush. These paints would also need to be thinned if brush painting.

The paints are best thinned with the ICM thinner, which I did not have, so I tried the following –

Book Author(s)
Nicolas Deboeck
Review Author
Bill O'Malley
Published on
Company
HMH Publications
MSRP
$42.00

From the Back Cover

The A-10 was specifically developed as a close air support aircraft, and a replacement for the A1 Skyraider. The intended mission of the A-10 decided the looks of the aircraft: the forward fuselage was built around the avenger gun, while the cockpit was placed in a titanium armored tub. The engines were placed high on top of the fuselage and the wings equipped with a lot of pylons in order to take a huge weapons load. Some have suggested several times to retire the almost 50 year old jet, but soldiers on the ground have repeated that it is a lifesaver.

This is the 30th book in the Duke Hawkins series of aircraft Photobooks from HMH publications. The book includes very high-quality photos of almost every detail of the May 10. Unfortunately, few photos are included of the GAU-8 Avenger gun.

Book Author(s)
Various
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Cross & Cockade International
MSRP
$50.00

Cross & Cockade International is a non-profit UK based group known as the First World War Aviation Historical Society that publishes their journal four times a year. Issues are available as printed as well as digital copies (or both).They also provide a free newsletter (sign up on their website) and occasionally publish WWI themed books like the Sopwith Dolphin monograph I reviewed earlier for IPMS USA. This Journal is the sister of the US Journal, Over The Front.

Book Author(s)
Andy Evans
Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
Company
Guideline Publications
MSRP
$25.00

This is the latest release in the Warpaint series of aircraft books from Guideline Publishers. The format follows the other titles in this series and includes 156 pages of color and B/W photos, color side views and line drawings in 1/72 scale. Although this volume is dominated by pictures, there is a history of the F-1s development and operational history of all the operators who used this aircraft. The book is current including a description of an F-1 flying for Draken International that crashed earlier this year right here in Las Vegas.

Book Author(s)
Richard Caruana
Review Author
Bob LaBouy
Published on
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$25.00

This is another colorful book (in a larger series) by the well-known aviation artist, Richard J Caruana. I recommend that you review one or more of the biographical sketches of Mr. Caruana, who was born and resides in Malta. The well-known artist has the distinction (amongst other aspects of his life) having published a 15-volume history of the Italian Air Force, numerous Scale Aviation Modeling, Scale Models, and Osprey books (amongst others), and has designed 89 stamps for the country of Malta.

This Bookazine Collection: 2 is richly packed with 48 pages of full-color illustrations and the inside cover B&W drawings of the Hawker Hart and Hawker Siddeley Harrier in 1/72nd scale.

Book Author(s)
Artur Juszczak
Review Author
Tomasz Menert
Published on
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$22.00

The PZL (Państwowe Zakłady Lotnicze) State Aviation Works were established in 1928 with the main purpose of producing military aircraft of their own design and development. One of the characteristics of the PZL fighter aircraft was the gull-shaped wing which was later known as the Polish wing. The first design developed by the Works was the PZL P.1 which was also the first all-metal aircraft construction in Poland. This development was followed by the PZL P.6 and then the PZL P.7 airplanes. In 1931 the prototype of the PZL P.11 was tested and flown. Several versions of the PZL P.11 were developed: P.11a, P.11b, P.11c, and P.11f. Romania acquired the license for the P.11b but built the P.11f. The PZL P.11 and PZL P.7 were engaged in air combat against the German Luftwaffe in September 1939. Many surviving PZL P.11 aircraft were evacuated to Romania after the Soviet Union attacked Poland on September 17, 1939.

Review Author
Ben Morton
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$23.00

This Mistelproject was one of the last glide bomb developments submitted to the RLM before the end of WWII. Arado, working with Rheinmetall-Borsig, designed a simple glide bomb that could be powered or unpowered, and carried beneath the Arado 234 or Heinkel 162. The purpose of this flying bomb, which could be guided by remote control or a target guidance system, was to attack targets such as ships or large fixed objectives.

Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
Company
Arma Hobby
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$74.00

Arma Hobby has released a new 1/48th scale Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk IIc, and it is a great addition to the other 1/48th Hurricanes variants currently available.

In The Box

The kit box is a side open box with all the contents sitting in a sturdier tray cardboard box. The sprues are enclosed in a single plastic bag. In one corner of the box, the 3D parts are wrapped and attached to eliminate any transit movement.

The injected plastic hardness is on the medium side. The recessed and raised molded details are outstanding. It is very evident Arma Hobby put a lot of research into the making of their kits and it shows on the surface detail. The clear parts are thin and with no distortion and it has options for an open or closed canopy.

The 3D parts are tightly nested on a single print and includes the aft belly fuselage, tail-hook, pilot seat (with harnesses), exhaust tubes, and cannons.

Book Author(s)
John Kim
Review Author
Fred Bachofner
Published on
Company
KLP Publishing
MSRP
$12.00

KLP Publishing (Scale Modelling Guide Books) is an Australian publisher that specialises in modelling guides of specific topics and in PDF format. Publisher Kevin Futter has a clear vision for this. In short, the publisher does not want to have the limitation of real printed books, including unsaleable stocks,limited circulation against costs, limitation in pages also with regard to the costs. He certainly has a point.

You do not have these limitations with the PDF format, even the resolution of photos can be increased in a PDF so people can use PC or IPad to “blowup” interesting photos ideal for details, especially in modelling,