The CBU-105 Cluster Bomb Dispenser was an improved version of the unguided CBU-97. The primary change was the including of a GPS system and tail fins to more accurately place the weapon. This also allows the interior bombs, BLU-108 submunitions to rain down and destroy tanks, antiaircraft and more.

Eduard has produced a wonderfully detailed set of six resin cast CBU-105 bomb in this release. The set is cast in the standard Eduard gray resin. Prep work involved cutting the fins and the front bomb off the casting blocks, sanding smooth and then gluing together. One note, make sure you glue the rear fins on in the correct orientation- the drawings are excellent so follow them! I fixed any seams with putty smooth with lacquer thinner. This was then primed with Alclad gray primer.

The Aircraft

The Heinkel 162 series was a last-ditch effort by the RLM to stop the destruction of Germany’s industries, transportation system and energy distribution by Allied bombing. The project began in September of 1944, with the prototypes first flown in December.

The He-162A versions were mostly wood construction, with the single turbojet engine. It ended up being the fastest jet fighter flown during WW2. The wood construction turned out to be highly problematical, as the glue used was not compatible with the wood, and the second prototype flight ended with one aileron coming apart, and the aircraft crashed, killing the pilot.

The He-162A also suffered from weakness in the horizontal and vertical stabilizers on the tail. The He-162D’s V tail was supposed to solve this problem.

There were also stability problems with the He-162A, which the forward-swept wings might have taken care of.

The latest journal of Cross & Cockade International - Summer 2017, features a photograph of a captured Albatros G’56 being run up. The inside and outside rear cover features seven color profiles by David Méchin of aircraft in the Early Aviation in the Rising Sun article by David Méchin. If you check out the web site link above, you can get additional sample pics of the current issue.

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 for an annual subscription of $35.35. 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.

David Doyle’s latest book continues to expand on Squadron Signal’s long standing In Action series that initiated back in 1971. This is a completely updated and expanded edition over Squadron’s earlier Aircraft In Action number 60, a 50-pager on the Skyraider by Jim Sullivan that was published in 1983.

Coming in under budget, on schedule and underway the McDonnell Douglas F/A -18 E/F have replaced 4 separate aircraft for the US Navy. The Super Hornet has more powerful engines and can carry war weapons further then the previous Legacy Hornets. Congress was quick to approve the new Hornet which is an advanced derivative of the existing Hornet.

Revell has recently re-released both versions of the new modern Super Hornet. The version I chose to model is a specially decorated version of the Super Hornet from VX-23 “Salty Dogs” (Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23) NAS Pax River, Maryland. Sporting very bright blue diamond stripe with red and white checks down the spine and bright blue vertical stabilizers, this is remarkably attractive aircraft. The second airframe on the decal sheet is A CAG bird from VFA-32 the Fighting Swordsman's from Navel Air Station Oceania, Virginia Beach Virginia.