Reviews of products for scale aircraft models.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
HAD Models
Scale
1:48
MSRP
$19.24

Thanks to HAD (based in Budapest, Hungary) for sending IPMS/USA this decal sheet. This was the first time I have used their products and I was impressed. When I went to their website, I noticed the Digital Camo products as well. The web site lists many different decal sets for other aircraft and is worth visiting.

The decals I volunteered to work are for the popular “Good Golly Miss Molly” VF-111 CAG F-14A (Late). The set contains a basic sheet with the specialized markings, as well as a correction sheet - for a rescue arrow and white blocks (no lettering) for the Ejection warning triangles.

Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$12.97

For anyone hardy enough to tackle a WWII Fiat G.50 fighter plane in 1/144 scale, this PE set is for you. Measuring in at 1 ¼”x 1 9/16”, there are extra PE details for the cockpit (including the seat), engine and landing gear; there is also a small piece of film to be used on the interior of the cockpit door. This PE set is made for the Italian G.50, specifically the Mark I Models kits (of which there are three).

As this PE set is for an Italian fighter plane, it could also be described as “piccino”, “minuscolo”, or “minuto”, no matter how it is described, it is tiny and the whole fret could be lost in a deep shag carpet. To really appreciate the detail, take a look at the completed PE in the model on the Brengun webpage (https://www.brengun.cz/e-shop/1-144-accessories-19/fiat-g-50-(mark-i-ki…).

Book Author(s)
MATTHEW WILLIS
Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
Company
Mortons Books
MSRP
$22.50

Historical Background

World War II is probably the most covered subject of publishers of material intended for modelers and historians, and this book fills a gap that has been left unfilled for a long time. Most publications seem to be of purely military aircraft, but this one is unusual in that it provides the development and combat history of an airplane that was originally designed as a long range airliner, but was later converted to various military roles, including reconnaissance, bombing, torpedo attacks, and military transport roles.

Book Author(s)
Dr David Nicolle and Air Vice Marshal Gabr Ali Gabr
Review Author
Orlando Reyes
Published on
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

This is book #59 of the Middle East at War series and Volume 9 of The Air Power and the Arab World, 1909-1955 series. The book covers only the years between 1946 through 1948. The book contains 10 sections/chapters, as well as an Introduction, a Bibliography and small bio of the two authors.

The first four chapters are dedicated to the air forces of Egypt, Syria, Iran as well several other small air forces from smaller Arab countries. The other chapters deal with the Palestine situation, the Arab Militaries of 1947, the situation of the Arab World during 1947-1948, and Egypt's mobilization, the Iranian preparations, Syria's heroes/Volunteers, the Royal Egyptian Air Force (REAF), and extends from the end of WWII through 1946. The chapter touches on the problems and challenges of the emerging Air Force. In addition, the chapter provides a roster of the aircrafts used by the REAF.

Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$25.00

Brief Description of Product

This kit includes three quite well done 1/72 scale kits of three biplanes which were historically very important during the nineteen-thirties. Each kit includes an extensive instruction sheet, several color and marking choices, and adequate decals. The aircraft included are (1) Japanese Army Kawasaki Ki-10 Biplane Fighter, code named Perry by the Allies; (2) German Luftwaffe Heinkel HE-51A Fighter Biplane, used before the outbreak of World War II, and especially in the Civil War in Spain, and (3) the Polikarpov PO-2/U-2 Training Biplane, produced in enormous numbers in the Soviet Union up to the end of World War II, and which was used for pilot training and various combat roles, some involving the use of women pilots in combat.

Book Author(s)
Michael John Claringbould
Review Author
James Kelley
Published on
Company
Avonmore Books
MSRP
$36.95

The ongoing Pacific Profiles series presents the most accurate WWII profiles of aircraft which served throughout Australia, New Guinea and the South Pacific. This Volume 11 covers the P-40 Warhawk series, which served with a dozen USAAF Fifth and Thirteenth Air Force fighter and reconnaissance squadrons, service units, combat replacement pools and other miscellaneous units.

Most profiles are presented for the first time, alongside markings derivations, including squadron heraldry and codes. Frequent airframe reassignments between units resulted in wide-ranging and oft-changing unit markings and nose art. Until now there has been a paucity of material about several units, particularly those in the Thirteenth Air Force. This volume also rectifies past mistakes which continue to be perpetrated, especially those representing the early Australian theater.

Review Author
Greg Kittinger
Published on
Company
Arma Hobby
Scale
1:72
MSRP
$28.35

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.

Book Author(s)
Robert Pied & Nicolas Deboeck
Review Author
Paul Bradley
Published on
Company
HMH Publications
MSRP
$36.00

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.

Book Author(s)
Ronny Bar
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Mortons Books
MSRP
$60.00

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.