As usual, I look to Wikipedia for some insight into the operation of Wild Weasels (as well as the entire F-4 family of aircraft), at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_F-4_Phantom_II
This is my second Arma Hobby kit to build, and I continue to be impressed. The detail – from the cockpit to the panel lines and access hatches – is tremendous. In fact, for 1/72 scale, it is almost a case of over-engineering! It took me about as long to build the cockpit and close the fuselage as it did to finish, paint and weather the aircraft!
The box and instructions include colored art for four different aircraft, accompanied by nicely printed decals that performed well. Because of some of the differences between the aircraft depicted in the decals, and the fact that many of the sprues are evidently intended to allow the building of other P-39 versions, I would recommend after you select your aircraft, run through the instructions carefully and determine which parts to include. There are places where you are required to fill in some engraved access hatches and inlets for the depicted N version, if you want to be technically accurate.
The Northrop F-5 is a compact, highly agile fighter jet developed some 60 years ago. The aircraft’s quality is demonstrated by the fact that six decades later it is still in active service in many air forces in both the original F-5A and updated F-5E forms.
This latest book of the ‘Duke Hawkins’ series – number 28 -- features a complete portrait of the F-5E. With 128 pages and over 320 color photos, there is great detail of both in- and outside: every part of the fuselage, wings, landing gear, vertical and horizontal tails. It also contains some high-quality and spectacular action photographs from aircraft in service with the US Navy, US Marines, Swiss AF, Taiwan and Brazil. There is also coverage of the Iranian Sa'eqeh, which is an F-5 modified with twin vertical tails.
Mortons Media Group was established in the 19th century and has been producing book-length publications since the early 2000s. The company established a dedicated books division in 2019 and Mortons Books has already earned a reputation for publishing high-quality titles by authors who are true experts in their field. For the best reads on rail, aviation, nostalgia and history, look no further. This book is part of their imprint: Tempest Books addresses all aspects of aviation history are covered in authoritative detail. The aviators and aircraft of the Second World War are profiled by our titles alongside more modern fighters, bombers, reconnaissance aircraft and transports. 'Secret projects' and experimental designs are also an important part of the Tempest Books portfolio.
This book presents 104 color profiles of 8th Air Force P-47 B, C and D razorbacks. Profiles contain aircraft of the 4th, 56th, 78th, 352nd. 353rd, 355th, 359th, 361st, 495th fighter groups and 5th Rescue squadron are all within these pages. All are beautifully reproduced in color with many great schemes to be modeled. This is a great companion for building the new Dora Wings P-47B/C kit that has been just released.
Each profile caption contains a brief description of the colors and markings used on the aircraft as well as a brief history of actions and each airframe’s ultimate fate.
This is a fantastic color profile book that is worthy of the reference collection of any P-47, 8th AF or WWII aviation fan or modeler. Highly recommended to all!
Our thanks to Casemate Publishing for the review copy and my thanks to IPMS/USA for the review opportunity
Originating from a USMC requirement for a close support aircraft, The OV10-A, a North American Aviation design, won a production contract in 1964. Performance highlights included short takeoff using a high-lift wing configuration and trailing beam landing gear to allow rough field operations. The central boom could hold paratroopers while sponsons carried 4 machine guns and hard points for weapons and a fuel tank. The operational version had 10 feet added to the wingspan. The cockpit canopy featured bulged side panels to allow downward vision to the pilot and observer. These aircraft were used in the Forward Air Control (FAC) role in Southeast Asia all the way through the war in Iraq. In 1995 the last Broncos were retired by the USMC.
The Fairey Barracuda will never win any aircraft beauty contests, but it proved to be a capable and long serving aircraft. Serving the British, it’s commonwealth, and a couple of foreign countries as well. The aircraft served until the early 1950s with some still existing into the early 1960s. Today, no intact example exists, but the Fleet Air Arm Museum is working to restore/build one out of a couple of recovered wrecks.
The book is divided into 5 sections. First is the introduction containing a short history not only of operational use, but also the development of the air frame. The second, but labeled first section, is full of technical drawings as well as under-construction photos. The second section contains many drawings depicting the prototype as well as production and proposed variants. Section three has many color profiles of Barracudas in service, as well as two rare color pictures.
This sheet from Twobobs provides markings for three F-16s. The first two depict special markings applied for the 70th and 75th anniversaries of supersonic flight. The third subject is the colorful Blue, White, and Orange NF-16D Vista.
The decal sheet is printed by Cartograf and packaged in Twobob’s typical 6x9 inch bag. The primary sheet has the main markings and stencils. The second smaller sheet has walkway lines and IFR receptacle decals sized for the Kinetic kit. There are enough walkway lines for one model.
The main sheet includes markings for and stencils for all three subjects. The colors and artwork look dead-on accurate compared to the reference photos I found of these aircraft.
The instruction sheet provides four views for each subject, a paint diagram, and notes on the specifics of each airframe.
WOW, I’ve always loved the Platz kits and was I surprised to find 2 kits in the box! Initially, I was thinking about what a hard choice it would be to decide on wheels up or down. Not with this kit :D So, I love the box art for the 40th Anniversary livery and decided that had to be the in-flight version and the low-vis aircraft would be parked.
Two things stand out, the way parts are designed to fit together and the detail. Engraved panel lines were clear everywhere except the nose of both aircraft. Some sanding and a fine scriber will clear this up. Parts are practically a snap fit I noted. A unique element in a kit this small is that both retracted and extended gear doors. No cutting and trimming to get a set to fit. And the ordnance! Wait till you check out the detail on those little sidewinders.
The A3 Skywarrior was originally designed to be a bomber capable of carrying 10,000 pounds of bombs or a nuclear bomb. It holds the distinction of being the largest aircraft to routinely operate on and off of aircraft carriers.
This book has a brief developmental history of the major A-3 variants, starting with the prototype aircraft. It includes 73 photographs, of which all but a comparatively few are of the aircraft and variants. A small section has some interesting detail shots of the aircraft that modelers will find useful.
One very unique feature is the “Modelers Walk Around”. This nifty little two-page article within the book covers some of the lumps and bumps of several versions. Also included is a review of a build-up of the Trumpeter 1/48 scale ERA-3B kit.
Overall, I found this book to be an informative guide to the A-3, especially from a modeler’s perspective. Many thanks to Phoenix Scale Publications for my review sample.
