This book in the Orange Series from MMP describes the Italian WWII Macchi C.202 Folgore, or MC.202. This is the expanded second edition of this title, and contains some new information not in the first printing.

The MC.202 is probably the most famous and recognizable Italian fighter of WWII. The aircraft was used in combat from its introduction in 1941 through the end of hostilities. It served with the Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica) and also with the German Luftwaffe, as well as a few other countries. This book mainly deals with the fighter in Italian service but does include a small section on the aircraft’s use with other countries.

This is a special issue from Model Art Magazine that deals specifically with the JASDF (Japanese Air Self-Defense Force). The magazine is broken in to three sections. It is printed in Japanese with some English subtitles.

The first section shows off some wonderfully built models and several aircraft walkarounds of the JASDF. Model Art really did a great job covering this area. They dedicated ninety pages of this issue to this section.

The next area that is covered is the aircraft and weaponry of the JASDF. Again, Model Art really did a wonderful job here. Each subject is represented with one color photograph and a small description in Japanese text.

The last section deals with models, decals, and aftermarket parts that are available representing the JASDF. Model Art dedicated fourteen pages to this. It is truly amazing the amount of material that is out there for the modeler.

Well, Scale Aircraft Conversions has done it again. The have been very prolific in the past couple of years and this new release is no disappointment. It is for the 1/72 Revell Hawker Hunter.

I realize that the Hunter is a small aircraft for a modern jet, but I didn’t realize that the landing gear would be that small. I have about 10 1/72 Hunters that I can use this landing gear on.

As usual, the SAC landing gear is just beautiful. All the fine detail is there, even down to the brake lines. I know a light wash of a dark grey over them will pop out all this fine detail. I plan on getting many more sets for the Hunters that I have. It will be a vast improvement over some of the kit landing gears.

I would highly recommend this set for the Hawker Hunter and all of the SAC landing gear sets. You won’t be disappointed.

I wish to thank Scale Aircraft Conversions and Steve Collins at IPMS/USA for giving me this set to review.

Being a Naval Aviation fan, I am always on the lookout for new markings and schemes. One of the more interesting schemes to come out in the last few years is the digital camouflage scheme work by the CAG of VFA-137, “The Kestrels”. I have always liked VFA-137 schemes (maybe it is the groups nickname, the Flying Buttcheeks) and some of their markings have been produced in 1/48th scale by several different manufacturers. The Kestrels are based at NAS Lemoore in California and started flying F-18A’s and have transitioned all the way to the new F-18E’s.

DXM Decals has produced one of the ultimate set of decals for the F-18E in that it replicates the digital camouflage scheme perfectly with decals.

To follow up with the initial review of the decals, here is the completed model with the Vintage Flyer decals applied. As was stated in the initial review, most decals consist of either two or three layers. I did not need to coat the decals with Future or any other sealer as this was already done by Vintage Flyer. Be sure to cut the decals out close to the design to minimize carrier film.

The first decals down were the white backgrounds. These went on the model well but did not seem to snuggle into the panel lines, even after applying decal solvents. Be sure to follow the instructions on which decals go next. In some cases, like the windows, the black decals go next, but that’s not the case with the registration decals.