I know what you’re thinking, does the world need another P-51 Mustang model? In the case of the ARMA P-51B kit the answer is YES! If you love the Mustang like I do, you must build one of these kits. ARMA has created detail fidelity in this scale that I’ve not seen in scales much larger. The cockpit is a model in itself and includes decals for all the placards. Capping it are standard canopy and Malcom hoods that allow open or closed positions and the rails for Malcolm hood are included, a feature no P-51B model I'm aware of has ever done.

Decals options are provided for four aircraft including “Old Crow” one of Clarence “Bud” Andersons early Mustangs. One additional scheme is provided in the instructions for Captain John Pugh's “Geronimo”, with a checked nose that was later removed. Two frames of grey plastic hold all the parts of the kit.

Historical Background

This book provides an in depth account of developments in aviation by the Royal Air Force from 1918, the end of World War I, until about 1939, the beginning of World War II. At the war’s end, the British had the world’s largest air force, and the immediate postwar period saw the breakup of the RAF, with most of the aircraft being disposed of, and government taxing policies regarding aircraft producers preventing companies from developing more modern aircraft. In short, technological development was discouraged, and some producers eventually just went out of business, while others produced aircraft at a very slow pace. The result was that some aircraft built during the Great War, as it was called, served on many years thereafter, some surviving even until the early thirties.

This is Volume 15 of the Historic Military Aircraft Series from the Publishers of FlyPast Magazine. The book is divided into 10 chapters with an introduction and glossary at the end of the book. The Introduction deals mainly with a short story of the Junkers Company. This include the pioneering work of the company into development of the all metal airplane, the inter-war success and finally how the company was seized and became completely owned by the NAZI Party. The company was fully amalgamated, finally in 1936. Chapter one touches on the development of the JU-88. The early idea was that the JU-88 would be that of an offensive aircraft, but the early vision of the designers wa changed due to an airplane crash in which the supporter of the fast offensive aircraft was killed in a plane crash. The person most influential in the many changes of the JU-88 was Ernst Udet. He was a firm believer of the tactical air force for close support.

The 1/32nd scale modeling world was happily surprised when Infinity Models came out with two versions of the SB2C Helldiver. It is a huge model and there are resin after market sets for the bomb bay, wing folds, weapons plus photoetch. The kit can get very heavy, very quickly. The kit landing gear are simple albeit beefy plastic parts. What to do so your Helldiver isn't sitting on the ground?

Scale Aircraft Conversions to the rescue with a full white metal landing gear set. The set is 19 metal parts and will need some cleaning but is a direct replacement for the main gear AND that fragile rear leg too. The set could also be used to rescue you from a lost or missing part but with the weight of the kit, this is really needed

Highly recommended to pretty much required. My thanks to SAC for the opportunity to review it.

When Eduard followed up with a 1/32nd scale version of their wonderful 1/48th scale Bf-108, modelers were excited to get a larger version of this plane and several versions have been issued. Looking at the kit, one thing noted is the scale thinness of the main landing gear legs. There is also the potential added weight of some photoetch and resin.

Scale Aircraft Conversions can give you an alternative to the kit parts with replacement parts in white metal for the main gear legs and the tail also. The parts are direct replacement after a little clean up and can either replace the kit parts for added strength or, as I have had happen, save the kit when you break a part and need a replacement.

Another great set from Scale Aircraft Conversions. Definitely recommended.

My thanks to SAC for the chance to review it and IPMS USA to get more information to modelers everywhere.