Unboxing

This kit has 3 sprues. Though the kit is small in size, it is LOADED with parts! I love how the parts were organized across the sprues. It was very easy to find what you needed. Each sprue was dedicated to the element of the model you were working on so there was no back and forth. Sprue A was the motorcycle itself. Sprue B was the sidecar. Sprue C was the figures. A neat little feature was the road signs on the side of the box that you cut out and form the traffic post. Much easier way to do this than a decal set-up.

Assembly

The detail on this model is very good! For something so small, I was impressed with the attention to detail that Tamiya gave to this. The instructions had very clear and detailed pictures which were easy to follow. This was my first ever motorcycle kit and it was a very enjoyable process.

ICM continues to announce new models despite the ongoing Russian initiated war in Ukraine. While most subjects released by ICM are welcome, the current conflict subjects are even more relevant and timely. This Ukrainian tank crew is no exception.

Reference the ICM website -

TankCraft 42, JagdTiger Heavy Tank Destroyer, German Army Western Front, 1945, details the short life of the heaviest armored vehicle to fight in World War II. Weighing in at about 73 tons, it was a massive vehicle built around the “heavy assault gun” designed for the Panzerkampfwagen (Pz.Kpfw.) VIII Maus – the 12.8 cm Kw.K. L/55 (Kw.K. – Kampfwagen Kanone – Fighting vehicle gun).This book outlines the development of the Jagdtiger from concept in 1942 to first combat in January 1945 through the end of the war. Despite shortages, aerial attacks and the war going against Germany, over 80 of these vehicles were produced (actual number is unknown and is debatable as details were scarce at the end of the war).

This 64-page book is outlined in the familiar TankCraft format and is loaded with incredible black and white photographs, color illustrations, supporting text and detailed captions, modeling references and a bibliography in the following chapters:

The Challenger I was a British main battle tank (MBT) used by the British Army from 1983 to 2001 and was succeeded by the Challenger II. It saw action during the Gulf War and in the former Yugoslavia.

Author Richard King is a former British Army tanker and is well versed in the subject. He outlines the rather sketchy and draw-out development process for the tank, its tortured introduction into service and its eventual excellent service and combat record. The vicissitudes of British armed forces procurement are painstakingly detailed, and the average soldier’s distain for bureaucracy, officialdom and rank are evident in his humourous tales. Indeed, the British sense of humour in adversity is oft-displayed and is a memorable part of the story. Keep an eye open for characters such as Lay-by Lil, Rupert, and Wolfgang the Bratty Man.

Atlantis Models has, for a while now, been re-releasing various manufacturers older kits. As the new puryeor of some of the older Aurora, Revell, Monogram and Lindberg molds these kits really are tugging at the ole nostalgia thread for many of us.

One of these offerings is a collection of warships from the mid to late 1940's to the 1950's: U.S. Combat Task Force Fleet. This kit began life as a Renwall kit in the late 1950's. It has been passed around a bit (Pyro to Life Like to Lindberg) and now finds itself among the multitude of offerings from Atlantis Models.

The kit consists of twelve warships. There is an aircraft carrier, a fast battleship, severalcruisers and destroyers as well as a few auxillary ships. One more modern-era ship is represented by the SSB(N)

Patrick Henry, a fleet ballistic missile submarine. Or, 'Boomer' to fans of Tom Clancys writings.

The complete list is: U.S.S. Washington - battleship