This bimonthly magazine is a must for modelers (and aviation enthusiasts) interested in World War One aircraft. The magazine is published by Albatros Productions Ltd. in the UK, who also publish the great line of Windsock Datafiles and Specials.

The headline article in this issue covers an overview of various reproductions of actual World War One Aircraft. These include the OEF D.III, built in Austria, and the RAF RE8, the Albatros D.Va, the Fokker E.V, the RAF FE2b, and the Sopwith Pup, all built in New Zealand. Lots of great color photos of the aircraft are shown, including some valuable detail shots.

The next major article covers the scratchbuild of a 1/72 scale model of the Dornier RS.III Giant Flying Boat. This is a big, complex model with lots of rigging and struts, but the article does a great job of explaining how everything was done.

Here’s another of those little add-ons that can really make your project look good. It’s just one part, but with very little fiddling you can replace the kit part with a really good looking brass part. Airfix, Hasegawa, Heller, and Zvezda all have 1/72 MiG-23s, but I’ve only built the Hasegawa Flogger. Twice. Once as DDR (East German) and one Czech.

After I pulled the DDR plane off the shelf and washed all that dust off of it, I checked the pitot. I had replaced the Hasegawa plastic pitot with part of a straight pin, much more durable than the plastic part.

It was the work of only a few minutes to pull out the pin, ream the hole slightly, and insert the new pitot. It fits nicely, and with just a dot of CA, it stays in place.

After an application of flat black, the new pitot really looks good. I might say it looks sharp, as the point really is sharp. Be careful handling the plane, as you can puncture yourself with the new pitot.

This 48 page booklet is the answer to a maiden/builder’s prayers! There are ten parts to the book that cover all that the casual to dedicated builder can desire.

1. A survey of all the parts in the box.
2. A D.Va “quick” build for those not so inclined, to an in-depth build for those who are.
3. Step-by-step instructions accompanied by a plethora of very useful photographs.
4. A “walk around” section of photos of the actual aircraft.
5. A “décor” part with 12 alternate color schemes! However, decals are not provided in the kit for any of these.

Part 7 has info for what I would call super-detailing. Again, great photos accompany it with adequate instructions.

Part 9, Decals and Accessories, provides all the material needed for that super-detailing! I’ve already purchased the Pheon decals and the RB Productions rigging turnbuckles!

Eagle Editions has followed their earlier release of Ju-87B/R markings with a very nice set that gives you the option of three German or one Italian aircraft.

All four aircraft are from the 1941 period and finished in RLM 65 under surfaces with the RLM 70/71 upper surface splinter scheme.

History Brief

The most common fighter used by the Italian Regia Aeronautica during World War 2 was the Macchi MC.200, over 1150 being built in various versions. From the Mediterranean area and North Africa to Russia, the MC.200 saw action on all the main fronts. Based on the Fiat G-50 all-metal construction design, it was powered by the A-74 RC 38, a twin row 14 cylinder air-cooled radial engine. The engine produced 840 HP and was mated to a 3-bladed propeller, tightly packaged in its cowling, giving it distinctively bulged rocker covers. The Saetta was well liked by pilots for its maneuverability and rugged construction; however, the Saetta, when compared to its counterparts, was underpowered, outgunned, and outdated. These shortcomings were addressed with the next generations, the MC.202 and MC.205