Reviews of products for scale aircraft models.

Book Author(s)
Ronny Bar
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Mortons Books
MSRP
$45.00

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, part of their imprint Tempest Books, addresses all aspects of aviation history 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.

Review Author
Steven J. Corvi
Published on
Company
Arma Hobby
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$41.00

What is in the Box

  • 3 gray injection molded plastic sprues
  • 1 clear sprue
  • 1 set of pre-cut masks
  • 1 decal sheet with 3 markings options
  • 1 instruction book

Construction

The Arma 1/48 Hurricane IIC starts with an unconventional build sequence, wings first, which was like their 1/72 kit. The parts are cleanly molded with crisp detail and accurate scribing. There was no flash, the parts are molded with no sink marks, and what few ejector pin marks I did see were all in areas that were not visible on the model. There is an errata in the kit to change the fit of the wing. It is minor but something to be aware of. Also, there is an error on the ejector ports for the 20mm cannons. One must be filled while another has to move in the same area. This is up to the individual modeler to make an absolutely accurate Hurricane.

Book Author(s)
Tony Buttler
Review Author
Paul Bradley
Published on
Company
Key Publishing Ltd
MSRP
$22.00

Although designed as a fighter to replace the Hawker Hurricane, the Typhoon found fame as a ground attack aircraft and as a rocket-firing tank buster. In this small, mainly photographic volume, acclaimed British author Tony Buttler concisely outlines the development and career of this charismatic aircraft from its inception at the start of World War II to its service demise in 1946. A short span for sure, but the impact of the Typhoon was, as Buttler explains, outstanding.

Many of the photos have been seen before, but the author is also able to draw on the archives of Aeroplane magazine, now owned by Key Publishing, to add some depth with photos that perhaps have not been published since the war. The quality of the images is mostly very good, and reproduction is excellent. Most images are black and white, though there are some period colour images too.

A nice feature is a short chapter featuring the recollections of a former Typhoon pilot with some of his photos.

Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$10.85

This Mk. 77 is an unguided incendiary weapon used by the U S military. The Mk. 77 uses a fuel gel mixture that is similar to napalm, with similar effects when dropped. The Mk. 77 was used in Operation Desert Storm to destroy oil/fuel filled trenches and obstacles created by the Iraqis.

The set includes parts for two complete cannisters, each comprised of a tapered nose section, a barrel shaped center section and a tapered tail section. While the nose and tail sections are similar, they are not identical. The set also includes three different types of fuses for each cannister, and the instructions illustrate some of the fuse combinations available.

Book Author(s)
Dr. David Nicolle & Air Vice Marshal Gabr Ali Gabr
Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

Historical Background

This book is a part of a series of detailed historical studies of the development of military aviation in the Arab World starting with the era of European colonization in the Middle Thirties, the events leading up to the outbreak of World War II, the conflict itself, and the decline of colonization after the end of the war. The major colonial power was, of course, Great Britain, with France, Spain, and Italy playing minor roles in the story. Of course, Germany attempted to establish control in North Africa during this period, but they, along with the Italians, were removed by the end of World War II. One other factor that many people are unaware of is the presence of small groups of various European nationalities living in Arabic countries, although their influence on events was usually negligible.

Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
Company
Zoukei-Mura
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$22.00

Zoukei-Mura is a name recognizable to many aircraft modelers, mostly for their incredibly detailed 1/32 and 1/48 scale planes. Their first offering in the armor genre, or Super Weapons Series, was the 1/32 scale Kleines Kettenkraftrad (typically shortened to just Kettenkrad). This kit includes markings for use of the vehicle by the Luftwaffe to tow planes in the later stages of WWII and will look great alongside any of the 1/32 scale German aircraft offerings from Zoukei-Mura.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Red Fox Studio
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$12.00

The new ICM/Special Hobbies AH-1G Cobra kit is well overdue. With its release the AH-1G Cobra has come into the new millennium. One of the nice features of the ICM/SH kit is the five-piece canopy that will allow you to pose the canopy doors open and view the interior. Even closed up the canopy is very clear and you’ll be able to see the interior very well.

Red Fox Studios has designed an instrument panel set for these kits. It comes in a small baggie with a hard paper backing. The actual parts are protected in a separate Ziplock. Red Fox 3D acrylic renderings are on a metal backing with the raised acrylic over that. The parts come off the protective backing quite easily. All you’ll have to do is remove the molded-on detail and add the Red Fox parts after dipping them in water. No further modifications are necessary.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$12.00

Brengun continues to put out multi-media kits for various manufacturers. This particular set is designed for the Special Hobbies Re 2000 in 1/48th scale.

Packaged in a resealable package with heavy card stock backing to protect the photoetch, the set includes one fret of nickel-plated photoetch and one clear acetate film. The photoetch fret includes seatbelts, instrument panels, interior parts, and landing gear doors. The acetate will need some white added to the rear of the film, prior to adding it to the PE part.

The additional detail will add to the look of the cockpit and the landing gear covers. The instrument panels will just require some paint and dry brushing to bring out the detail. The PE landing gear cover is more to scale than the kit plastic part. All the other interior parts, especially the seatbelt and harnesses will add visual interest to the cockpit. Just be careful bending, and painting will bring it to life.

Book Author(s)
Luca Canossa and Tom Cooper
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

Three Western Air Corridors to Berlin were established after the Yalta (February 1945) and Potsdam (July 1945) Conferences and formalized on 31 December 1945. The three corridors were 20 English miles wide, from Hamburg, Hannover and Frankfurt-am-Main to Berlin, terminating in Gatow, Tegel and Templehof Airfields, West Berlin. The final mission was flown on 29 September 1990, just a few days before formal German unification and the disappearance of the Air Corridors. The Berlin Air Route Traffic Control Centre was finally closed on 31 December 31, 1994. In between those dates is a fascinating, and very overlooked, history of over 10,000 clandestine reconnaissance flight operations against both the Soviets and East Germans in the heart of the Cold War.

The author, Kevin Wright, states, in the final chapter (Chapter 8 – An Outstanding Achievement),