We’ve had the Testors O-2A Skymaster for many years but with the release of the ICM O-2A we get a modern tooled version of this aircraft.

Inside of an 8.5 x 11 ziplock baggie are three pages of double-sided, high quality paper instructions printed in full color. The instructions are full of useful information including loadouts and color callouts. There are 11 USAF/VNAF O-2As and three O-2Bs. The colors range from all black, to grey and white to camouflaged O-2Bs. Included in the decals and instructions are markings for three O-2B aircraft, straight off the shelf Cessnas fitted with loudspeakers and leaflets. True there isn’t a kit or conversion yet but there are decals for those so inclined. I thought that was a nice touch plus they are colorful. That will be my next one.

Introduction

With a mid-engined configuration, sturdy tricycle landing gear, and nose-mounted 37 mm cannon, the Bell P-39 was a thoughtful and innovative design. However, the plane lacked the all-out performance of some other key fighters available to Allied fliers (e.g., Spitfire, Hellcat, Mustang), particularly at altitude. Largely rejected by British and American combat squadrons, the Airacobra was much better received in the Soviet Union, where the Red Air Force successfully deployed large quantities of the type against the Luftwaffe. This new entry in the Legends of Warfare series features detailed photographic coverage of all variants of the Airacobra, including prototypes, trainer versions, production models C through Q, and the P-400

Contents

This publication is broken down into chapters as follows:

One advantage of white metal over styrene plastic is strength. Metal parts will not warp under the weight of a built model regardless of the size of the aircraft, no matter how many years it stands on display. Another advantage of white metal is the way it holds up under "working" conditions (drilling, scoring, sanding, etc.), as it is much denser than styrene plastic and has a much higher melting point. Being quite malleable, it can be bent without the fear of breaking & a useful characteristic when it comes to final alignment "tweeking". Note: SAC white metal contains no lead.

This set is ideal for adding extra strength to your 1:35 scale Border Models Messerschmitt Bf-109G aircraft models’ landing gear. This set contains 7 nicely-cast white metal parts to enhance your project. As white metal is soft, one of the main gear axles in my sample was bent. Easy enough to correct.

The story of the Normandie (later, Normandie-Niemen) Escadrilles makes for fascinating reading. Originally recruited by DeGaulle himself, these French pilots flew for the Soviets in Soviet-made aircraft at more than typical risk to themselves. The Germans saw this development as a breach of the French Vichy government’s surrender agreement and made it a policy to execute any French pilots downed in their territory. In addition, family and relatives of the downed pilots were arrested back in France and sent to concentration camps, where few survived.

Despite this threat, the small French unit would wind up with over 30 confirmed aces and a total of 273 enemy aircraft downed by war’s end, making them the second highest scoring aerial unit in the Soviet Union. In addition, no Russian bomber under escort by them was ever lost to enemy action.

A new tooled kit from Tamiya. It is the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II in 1/72nd scale. This is one of those “Must Buy” kind of kits.

In the Box

Out of the box, this kit has gray sprues labeled A-B, C-D and are connected by a single sprue frame. There are two (2) F sprues for ordnance and wheels. The upper fuselage-wing is on sprue G and the lower fuselage-wing is on sprue G2. A clear sprue labeled E has the canopy, EOTS cover fairing, and lights.

A pilot figure is included, and ordnance includes two (2) AIM-9X Sidewinder Missiles and four (4) GBU-12 Paveway II Bombs.

A large decal sheet is provided for three (3) schemes: USAF 34th FS, 388th FW (June 2022), JASDF 301st FS, 3rd Wing (September 2022), JASDF 302 FS, 3rd Wing (September 2022). For this review I chose to do the JASDF 301st FS.