Reviews of products for scale aircraft models.

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.50

This is a companion detail set for the Brengun Extra 330L kit#BRP48007. A full review of that kit is posted elsewhere on this site. The base kit will build up into a nice model but I can't imagine building it without this set.

There are so many details included such as seat belts, instrument panels, aileron assist paddles and aerobatic sight frames that the model doesn’t look complete without them.

In addition to the PE parts, there is a small acetate sheet that includes instruments that get trapped behind the PE parts and an inspection window that goes over a cutout under the horizontal stabilizer. Simply put, if you want to build this model, order this set at the same time.

Thank you to Brengun for the sample of another unique subject and to IPMS for sending it my way.

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$5.00

This masking set is useful for either the kits injected canopy or the optional vacuform part (item #BRL48157). It consists of four sections that go on easily and fit as expected. A simple, cheap time saver. Thank you Brengun for this sample and IPMS for sending it to me.

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$35.00

Designed by German aerobatic pilot Walter Extra in 1988, the Extra 300 started life as an unlimited aerobatic platform with a shoulder mounted wing that made landing interesting because the runway wasn’t visible during touch down. In 1995 the Extra 300L was introduced and has become the most numerous of the Extras manufactured to date. Learning lessons from previous versions the L (for low wing), mounted the wing lower on the fuselage to improve the view for both pilot and student. This is a purpose-built machine that is capable of exceeding the average pilot’s physical abilities. Designed to withstand the stress of 10 positive and 10 negative Gs and roll up to 400 degrees per second, the Extra is right at home in the worlds of unlimited aerobatics. They can be seen in airshows, aerobatic competitions and air racing like the now defunct Red Bull air races.

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$13.95

The SAC website says they replicate plastic kit parts in white metal and correct inaccurate or missing details if needed. That is the case in this set for the 1/48 Airfix Tiger Moth kit. The main landing gear on the Moth has two forward facing struts connecting the main gear to the fuselage. Airfix does provide those in the kit. They are not part of this set. It also has two smaller struts facing rearward. Airfix didn’t include those in the kit but SAC has. A tail skid replacement rounds out this offering. I recommend this set for anyone wishing to build an accurate Tiger Moth.

Thank you to SAC for the offering the sample for review and to IPMS for sharing that sample with me.

Book Author(s)
Philippe Saintes
Review Author
James Kelley
Published on
Company
Pen & Sword
MSRP
$39.95

This book provides an overview of the victory markings painted on the fins and rudders of the planes of the German day fighter and night fighter aircraft between 1939 and 1945. It demonstrates how these were applied in reality through the profiles of nineteen pilots, including some of the most emblematic pilots of the Luftwaffe: Hans Troitzsch, Johannes Gentzen, Frank Liesendahl, Wilhelm Balthasar, Otto Bertram, Joachim Müncheberg, Karl-Heinz Koch, Kurt “Kuddel” Ubben, Felix-Maria Brandis, “Fiffi” Stahlschmidt, Franz-Josef Beerenbrock, Heinrich Setz, Walter “Gulle" Oesau, Max-Hellmuth Ostermann, Heinrich Bartels, "Fritz" Dinger, Martin Drewes, Egmont zur Lippe-Weissenfeld and Ludwig Meister.

Chapters include:

Book Author(s)
Clive J. M. Ellis
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Key Publishing Ltd
MSRP
$24.95

The emergence of colorized photos has been controversial amongst historians and certainly modelers. The practice has come a long way and as the technology gets more advanced even better results will prove difficult for people to tell the difference.

The latest book from Key Books embraces the colorization process and I have to say the results are pretty good. Set in the Battle of Britain starting in July 1940 through the end of October, this paperback book brings to life the black and white photos from that era. Colorization was done by Ghermán Mihály, with the help of author Clive J. M. Ellis to ensure the colors were as accurate as possible based off of current color research. This colorization really gives you a feel for the actual events. A word of caution, this technology is only as good as the artist. Different interpretations of colors are possible, but it looks like Ghermán got it correct.

Book Author(s)
Dan Hagedorn
Review Author
Hub Plott
Published on
Company
Key Publishing Ltd
MSRP
$24.95

Everyone has heard of the AVG also know as the Flying Tigers and their exploits in WWII, but did you know that there was another AVG that served in Colombia in 1932? This book is their story.

In the early 1930s there was a border skirmish between Colombia and Peru when the latter invaded a very remote section of Columbia. So remote in fact that it was only accessible by floatplane or boats and thus there was a delay in the Colombian government finding out the Peru had invaded. Due to the remoteness of this area airpower was going to be the primary force to contest Peru.

Colombia’s air force was largely under the control of the German Airline that operated in the nation as little had been done by Germany to train locals in and on the aircraft. Also, the aircraft in use were largely of German manufacture which helped Germany maintain this control.

Book Author(s)
Nikolay Yakubovich
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Guideline Publications
MSRP
$35.00

Guideline Publications Guideline Publications is the UK's leading publisher of modelling and hobby-related magazines. With a world-class portfolio of titles and an international Social Media presence, Guideline Publications has a dedicated readership that is constantly expanding into new areas.

Nikolay Yakubovich is an aviation engineer and aviation historian in Russia. He has written at least seventeen monographs focusing on Russian aircraft since 2001. These include a Russian hardcover monograph on the Tupolev Tu-16, published on January 1, 2001 all the way to 2019’s Guideline Warpaint 124 on the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17. Publishers include Wydawnictwo Militaria, Tseyhgauz, Eksmo Yauza, and of course, Guideline.

Book Author(s)
Dr. David Nicolle & Air Vice Marshal Gabr Ali Gabr
Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

Historical Background

This book is part of a series explaining the historical developments of military and civil aviation in the Arab World. This includes Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, Libya, Egypt, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Iran. After the end of World War I, these regions were in the process of moving from European colonial rule to independence, with Britain and France in decline, while Germany and Italy were attempting to increase their influence. At the same time, aviation was slowly improving, and the Middle Eastern areas were developing more sophisticated aviation facilities. The British were probably the most involved in colonial developments, while France and Spain were in decline.

Book Author(s)
Richard A. Franks
Review Author
Andrew Manriquez
Published on
Company
Valiant Wings Publishing
MSRP
$32.67

The Airframe and Miniature series by Valiant Publications gives the modeler and the enthusiast the most information and details you will find about a given subject.

When you first open the book, you will see the table of contents, then the preface. The preface goes over a brief history of P-51s from the B model up to the K model. There are also lists of USAAF and RAF squadrons that operated P-51s during and after WWII. The preface concludes with a run-down of which countries used the aircraft, how they were acquired and, their operational life.

Chapter one is the evolution of the P-51 from the XP-51D to the P-51K-20-NT. Each version of the P-51 has about a paragraph of information on the differences between models and a side profile.

Chapter two is about the evolution of the Photoreconnaissance, trainers, and projected production versions. With the same layout of chapter one.