The latest issue in MMP’s ever-expanding “Yellow” series is specifically dedicated to the North American A-36A Apache.

The first 47 (out of 128) pages of this book are a mixture of text and photos describing the development and combat experiences of the A-36. The first few chapters cover the design and development of the A-36. The following chapters are each dedicated to an individual combat theater in which the “Apache” was deployed. Usage in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and the Far East are covered. 2 pages are specifically dedicated to a history of the only A-36 ace, Captain Michael Russo. After this, there is a brief discussion of the British evaluation (and subsequent rejection) of the aircraft. The final portion of this section is a technical description of the A-36A-1-NA which includes several photos and technical drawings from the official Technical Manual for the aircraft.

Aviaeology has re-released their Sunderland decals in 1/48 as “Updated and Expanded.” This package contains a single standard size decal sheet with markings for three aircraft and national markings for one.

All three aircraft are Sunderland GR.III models and are as follows:

1. EK591: Aircraft 2*U of 422 Squadron RAF Coastal Command, Castle Archdale, Ireland early-mid 1944
2. DD859: Aircraft 3*G of 423 Squadron RCAF, RAF Coastal Command, Castle Archdale, Ireland August 1943
3. ML825: Aircraft AB*D of 423 Squadron RCAF, RAF Coastal Command, Castle Archdale, Ireland September 1944

Included with the decals is a very well done, four-page set of directions which includes the decal placement guide, color callouts, and some historical data for each aircraft included. All three of the aircraft included with this decal sheet are responsible for sinking German U-Boats in WWII.

This excellent decal sheet contains markings for five aircraft – all Canadian-built Mosquitoes! Included in the package are one standard size decal sheet and a double-sided full color directions page which includes some brief historical data and individual aircraft information.

Aircraft included are:

• DHC Mosquito B.XX “New Glasgow” KB162
• Mosquito B.VIII (KB315) “The Spook” US Markings & serial number
• DHC Mosquito B.XX KB195
• Mosquito F.B.26 KA406 as the 1,000th Mosquito built by deHavilland Canada
• Mosquito F.B.26 (FB1) purchased by the Chinese in 1948

The decals are well done, and printed in perfect register.

I highly recommend this decal sheet to anyone looking to build a Mosquito that is a little different than the rest. Iliad Design has done a great job of picking some unique aircraft that will look great on the contest table or in your display case.

This is the second of three reviews of the new Eduard 1/144 MiG-21s.
The aircraft here is the MiG-21bis, the last variant of the later MiGs.

The MiG-21 in its various forms has been around for a really long time, entering service in 1959, and it’s still in service. The early versions are considered second generation fighters, but the newer versions, such as the MF, SMT and bis are third generation. That big added hump on the fuselage and upgraded avionics/electronics bring the MiG-21 into the third generation.

The Kit

You get two of every part, with an extra canopy for each one. You also get a pair of Eduard masks for the kit(s). Four different MiGs could be built from the decals included – Finnish, Polish Navy (!), Bulgarian, and Hungarian. I chose the Finnish one, as this one interested me when the Finns bought them.

History

The book relates the part of the air war in Southeast Asia between the U.S. Army Air Forces and the Japanese fighter-interceptor squadrons. The author begins with an account of bomber development, with the emphasis on unescorted heavy bombers relying on heavy defensive armament and concentrated in close tactical formations. When the war began, it was discovered that this didn’t work too well against Luftwaffe fighters, and only slightly better against more lightly armed Japanese fighters. The Japanese Army, on the other hand, developed fighters whose prime attributes involved light weight and extreme maneuverability. This meant inadequate armament, and no protection for the pilot or vital aircraft systems. At least the Ki-43 had two .50 cal. guns, as opposed to the pair of .30 cal. guns on the earlier Ki-27.