Review Author
Walt Fink
Published on
October 24, 2021
Company
Sweet Aviation Model Div.
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$14.50

Sweet's 1/144 scale Zero is molded in light gray plastic and features beautifully-done recessed panel lines typically seen on much larger kits. (See photo #1) Dare I say "exquisite"? That was my overall impression of the finesse and crispness of all the parts. Two complete kits are included in the box, with seven choices of markings given on the Cartograf decals. This kit was a big step (in a smallish sense) for me. I had never built a Sweet kit before, and don't know much about Japanese subjects other than airliners.

Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
September 28, 2010
Company
Kagero Publishing
MSRP
$12.00

The twenty-seventh issue of Super Model Magazine from the Polish company Kagero appears to be the second issue released in 2010. In conducting my research for this review, the magazine seems to be available only from the publisher, as I found no distributors. I would compare this all-color, glossy-paged magazine with Fine Scale Modeler, as it is a mix of kit reviews, build-ups, and new product releases. The magazine is printed in a size A4-format. (I only know this because of another magazine the I frequently purchase for reference photographs is the same size.) It is 11 3/4inches by 8 1/4 inches and is printed in Polish. English words only show up in the kit description in the articles, as well as the kit manufacturers. Topics for this issue include aircraft, armor, automobiles and figures. The majority of the emphasis is on aircraft.

Book Author(s)
Brad Elward
Review Author
Ed Kinney
Published on
September 29, 2010
Company
Specialty Press
MSRP
$29.95

This hard cover 160 page book covers the Grumman “Bridge and Iron Works” first Jet Cat from the inception through its final days as drones or 2 place trainers. Text takes you from the early days with an interesting read accompanied by over 300 illustrations, including color, black and white and line drawings. It contains complete dates on the F9F production numbers including carrier deployments and squadron histories. This historic aircraft was to become the forerunner of the fantastic F-14 Tomcat, the last of a great line of aircraft from the good folks in Bethpage.

If the author's name seems familiar to you, it’s because he has specialized in Naval topics since the 1990’s. In addition to individual books on the A-4, F/A-18, and F-4 Phantom versus Mig engagements in Vietnam, he is a regular writer for International Aircraft Review. I’ve found his work to be enjoyable and this release is no different.

Book Author(s)
Steve Ginter
Review Author
Ed Kinney
Published on
September 30, 2010
Company
Ginter Books
MSRP
$44.95

Soft cover, 192 pages of black and white detail drawings and photographs covering both of these aircraft and their varying roles in Naval as well as civil service.

This book starts by covering the aircraft’s beginnings with the predecessor Lockheed (Electra) 10s, (Electra Junior) 12s and (Super Electra) 14s, and segues on to its wartime role as a patrol bomber used not only in England, but in the U.S. Navy as well.

Review Author
Stephen Bierce
Published on
September 30, 2010
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$10.00

I admit to being a little confused when I requested this assignment; I was expecting something else. Still, these are very welcome components as I have two 1/72 scale Spitfire Mark Vs in my “to-build” pile.

The Spitfire was among the earliest production fighter aircraft to adopt 20mm cannon as armament, and the “B” arrangement for the cannon was introduced in the Mark I and Mark II models that fought the Battle of Britain. While the success of the armament was spotty at that time, it became standard on the Mark VB...and the same guns were also used on the initial production Seafire. The earliest Mark VC Spitfires also used this pattern of gun barrels before going to the “beefier” barrels as standard (parts that Master also offers separately). So these parts are compatible with more then the Spitfire VB.

Book Author(s)
Peter Muller and Wolfgang Zimmerman
Review Author
Don Barry
Published on
September 30, 2010
Company
Casemate Publishers
MSRP
$69.00

This is the first of a two-volume set detailing the history, tactical development, and use of the various marks of the Sturmgeschutz III, commonly referred to as the StuG III. Volume 1 is predominately text. Volume 2 is mostly photographic in content.

This book offers a wealth of data for modelers, as well as those more interested in the technical aspects of this weapons system. Chapters include: background, technical development, series production, design variants A thru G, the factories involved in production, and combat records and troop reports.

There is a full developmental section, where the evolution of tactics is examined. Due to the requirements of the conflict, a weapon developed to support the infantry with mobile heavy firepower, evolved into a premier tank killer and improvised tank replacement. A howitzer-armed version, the Sturmhaubitze, was introduced to remedy this, with limited success mostly due to the limited numbers produced.