Reviews of products for scale miscellaneous models.

Book Author(s)
Linda Kush
Review Author
Rob Benson
Published on
March 7, 2013
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$24.95

Thank you to John Tintera of Osprey Publishing and the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me the opportunity to review this very intriguing aspect of U. S. Navy history. Author Linda Kush is a superb writer, bringing an excellent balance of engaging stories to historical facts.

The Rice Paddy Navy is the unofficial name for the 3,000 or so USN sailors, officers, Marines, and a few other branch members detailed to the Sino-American Cooperative Organization, also known as SACO. Author Kush’s father was a SACO veteran, and this is the first description of this little known operation since the memoirs of the commanding officer, Captain Milton “Mary” Miles, were published in 1967.

Review Author
Mike Van Schoonhoven
Published on
March 7, 2013
Company
Model Art
MSRP
$13.50

Model Art Modeling Magazine is a Japanese publication that is released monthly. The text is mainly in Japanese with some English subtitles throughout. One attractive feature about these magazines is the high quality of the photographs and the models that are used.

The March issue of Model Art Magazine is slightly different from their normal monthly issues. This issue consists of new kit reviews. They review a little bit of every type of kit to encompass all modelers. For instance, they review the Italeri 1/72nd scale Sunderland Mk. I and the Trumpeter 1/48th scale A3D Skywarrior as an example of some of the aircraft that were reviewed. For the AFV folks, there is a review of the Meng 1/35th scale A39 Tortoise and the Cyber Hobby 1/35th Super Heavy Tank out of the 4 AFV kits that were reviewed in this issue. For the ship folks, there are two reviews, and one review for the car guys – a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-27.

Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
February 6, 2013
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/4
MSRP
$29.95

Should you be looking for a little something different to build, I would like to point you in the direction of this one-quarter scale instrument panel that is being offered as a Limited Edition release by the folks at Eduard. The kit assembles with relative ease, and is a good representation of the instrument panel used in the Messerschmitt Bf-110C variant, although the variant is only mentioned once on the side of the box. The needles used in the various gauges are the only tricky items to handle during construction, so this would be a good item for modelers fourteen and up, as the box recommends.

Book Author(s)
Rob Broom
Review Author
Mike Hinderliter
Published on
February 2, 2013
Company
Scarab Miniatures
MSRP
$49.95

I started war gaming when I was in high school because I was always interested in military history. I’ve also wondered about the “what if” scenarios of different battles. My interest in the subject just stayed with me through college and even into the Navy. I remember while I was at the anti-submarine warfare base in San Diego, California, my barracks room mates and I used to push our bunks out of the way and play General Quarters, metal warships and all. So when they wanted someone to review the War and Conquest rules book, I just had to jump at the chance to do it.

Book Author(s)
Christopher Matthew
Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
January 7, 2013
Company
Casemate Publishers
MSRP
$32.95

Have you ever struggled over a problem or edited your own writing, only to have someone look at it and see the thing that you couldn’t find or solve in seconds? That’s how I felt reading this book. The Greeks dominated the fourth and fifth century BC battlefields with the Phalanx form of warfare, which combined the use of specially armed and armored soldiers (or Hoplites) in specialized formations. As the title implies, the author has taken a fresh look at old evidence of ancient Greek writers and artists and coupled that with modern research, primarily in the form of re-enactors who put on the Panopy, (or armor) and the weapons – in this case, the thrusting spear of the Greek solders – and tests his theories of methods and tactics. In the process, some interesting and groundbreaking developments emerge that shed new light on just what the ancient writers meant and how much artistic license was used in creating the vase paintings we envision when we think of this period of history.

Review Author
Eric Christianson
Published on
January 2, 2013
Company
Xuron Corporation
MSRP
$23.99

Xuron has released another pair of high-quality clippers from their line of consumer products used by modelers. The extra-long, ultra-sharp tips cut through PE like butter without bending or twisting it. The ergonomically shaped handles offer superb control and stability, as well as comfort. A return spring brings the tool back to the open position after each cut.

First and foremost, these are scissors, not clippers. The shearing point comes mid-way between the two blades, just like a pair of scissors. What this means is that they are excellent at cutting PE parts off the sprues, but they do not cut them flush against one edge, as Xuron’s excellent sprue cutters do with plastic. I was hoping that the company had come up with a way for me to snip off PE parts without having to sand the edges where the tiny metal nubs might remain, but that's just personal preference on my part.

Review Author
Mike Van Schoonhoven
Published on
December 28, 2012
Company
Model Art
MSRP
$13.50

Model Art Modeling Magazine is a Japanese publication that is released monthly. The text is mainly in Japanese with some English subtitles throughout. One feature of these magazines is the high quality of the photographs and the models that are used.

The feature article in this months issue showcases the IDF (Israel Defense Force). They use a multitude of well-built models, photographs, and drawings to represent the aircraft and armor that the IDF use.

There are two short articles following the IDF’s. One pertains to Republic of China destroyers that were American at one point, the DDG-995 USS Scott and DDG-994 USS Callaghan. This is followed by a quick preview of Model Art Modeling Magazines JASDF (Japanese Air Self-Defense Force).

Review Author
Ed Kinney
Published on
December 27, 2012
Company
Alclad II
MSRP
$69.99
  • Accurate airbrush ( ALC 9200 ) $ 69.99
  • Precise airbrush ( ALC 9220 ) $ 79.99

Alclad II has brought to market two styles of airbrushes manufactured by one of the well known airbrush suppliers. The brushes bear the Alclad II trademark. There are two models available, both single action with internal mix. These are offered as complete sets that include the following:

  • Airbrush
  • Braided Hose
  • Flush-mount color cup
  • Adapter for bottles of Alclad II 1 oz bottles**
  • Protective cap for airbrush nozzle

**This is a major time saver in that all that is necessary is to shake the color to be applied, screw on the adaptor cap, and spray. (All Alclad II products are pre-thinned and ready to spray.) Easy cleanup as well by simply shooting lacquer thinner through the brushes.

Review Author
Mike Van Schoonhoven
Published on
December 27, 2012
Company
Model Art
MSRP
$13.50

Model Art Modeling Magazine is a Japanese publication that is published monthly. The text is mainly in Japanese with some English subtitles throughout. One feature about these magazines is the high quality of the photographs and the models that are used.

In the December issue of Model Art, they start out with a modeler’s how-to guide. In this section they cover how to replicate wood on WWI aircraft, accenting panel lines (washes), and shading.

The next article covers the 2012 All Japan Plamodel Hobby Show. While there does not seem to be much coverage on built models, they do several pages of new releases. To modelers, it looks like 2013 will be another banner year for new kits in all genres.

Following that is a comparison review of six different Tony fighters in 1/72nd scale. They compare Fine Molds, Hasegawa and RS Models kits.