Review Author
Luke R. Bucci, PhD
Published on
October 14, 2010
Company
Model Art
MSRP
$18.00

ModelArt special subject magazines are really softbound reference books on a particular subject. ModelArt Autumn 2010 No. 37 is entirely devoted to ships. No. 37 is the fourth part of detailed coverage of WW2 Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) destroyers. This issue covers the Akizuki, Shimakaze, Matsu and Tachibana classes, all commissioned after the start of the Pacific War. Patrol boat conversions from 1940 onwards of the obsolescent Minekaze class are also covered, as are some new kits of modern warships. This issue is designed for modelers of IJN destroyers of these classes. Each class shows which kits and scales are available, and builds different ships in each class to show the variations and modifications during wartime use. Corrections to current kits to make accurate depictions are also shown. Best of all, line drawings show the exact, anatomically-correct look (fit) of particular ships at a particular date.

Review Author
Luke R. Bucci, PhD
Published on
October 14, 2010
Company
Model Art
MSRP
$12.00

Publisher: Model Art Co., Ltd, 1-12-30, 1Chome, Kudankita Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0073 Japan

Thanks to Model Art and Dragon Models - USA for the review copy.

Model Art No. 804, September 2010 issue features new armor model kits, which take up the first 52 pages of this issue. The focus is on WW2 German armor on the Eastern front, and includes some Russian armor as well. Oddly, the Table of Contents is on page 10 after the feature on a Russian BT-7 tank build. After that, you get kit and diorama features on German Figures, Cyber-Hobby’s Tiger I in snow camouflage, Cyber Hobby’s Sd.Kfz.165 Hummel diorama, a Dragon Elefant with Zimmerit, Trumpeter’s German 21cm Morser 18 artillery piece, and lastly, Tamiya’s 3 ton 4X2 Cargo truck diorama.

Book Author(s)
Jake Melampy
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
October 14, 2010
Company
Reid Air Publications
MSRP
$42.95

This book covers the F-16 in its use as a platform for weapon testing, flight training, and for adversary training. The book covers different wings and squadrons, including details of the syllabus that pilots undertake as part of their training, or the day-to-day operations of different weapon test units. Be aware that not every picture has a caption, but rather that a group of pictures depicting different aspects are described in an accompanying paragraph.

Among different squadrons and wings featured in the book are the weapons school at Nellis, Nevada; the Aggressor squadrons –including those beautiful Arctic camouflaged Vipers-, the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke, Arizona and some training squadrons from different Air National Guards wings.

Review Author
Ed Kinney
Published on
October 14, 2010
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$8.95

Recently released by Quickboost, Intake covers in 1/32nd scale for the Tamiya kit are now available. Beautifully cast, just cut off the moldings, paint red and apply the supplied “remove before flight decals”.

This product is recommended.

Thanks to Quickboost for the review item.

Review Author
Ed Kinney
Published on
October 14, 2010
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$8.95

Beautifully cast as “plug in” replacements for the kit parts these parts are ready to use. Designed for the Tamiya A6M-2 Zero.

Many thanks to Quickboost/Aires for the review samples. Visit them on their website at www.quickboost.net for this and many other fine products.

This item is highly recommended.

Review Author
Jim Pearsall
Published on
October 14, 2010
Company
AModel
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$28.95

The Aircraft

The Vampire certainly qualifies as an “early jet”, being second oldest to the Meteor in RAF service. The Vampire’s twin-boom layout was a result of the low power of the early jet engines. The shorter the tail pipe, the more power the engine could deliver. The Vampire’s original mission was strictly as an interceptor, with only the 4x 20 mm Hispano cannon as armament.

Review Author
Chris Durden
Published on
July 11, 2022
Company
Italeri
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$58.95

Italeri has been releasing more Italian WWII subjects in both 1/72 and 1/48 scales over the past several years, with mixed success. Several were excellent kits such as the CR.42 and the SM.82 while others, like the most recent Re.2002, were poorly received by some modelers. The recent release of the MC.200 has drawn some negative pre-release publicity as well as comparisons to the well done PCM kit released earlier. Being a sucker for anything in splotchy camouflage, I jumped at the opportunity to try the kit for myself, and found a solid effort with good points and some bad points as well.

Book Author(s)
Andy Pearson
Review Author
Hub Plott
Published on
October 14, 2010
Company
Happy Medium Press
MSRP
$23.10

Let’s take a journey, a journey into the mind of a scratchbuilder. Not just any scratchbuilder, not one who takes an actual object that existed and builds a replica from scratch. But one who gives three dimensional shape and form to an idea in a novel or a picture in his head. Author Andy Pearson is just such a modeler. He is regularly featured in Sci-Fi and Fantasy Modeller magazine.

In this book’s eleven chapters; Andy will show you how to take an image in your mind or a book and give it form and substance. Each chapter is a walk through the building of project. From futuristic construction equipment, cybernetic whale, a cross sectional far away planet’s seascape, space ships and much more, Andy takes you on the journey from idea to model.

Review Author
Jay Mesawitz
Published on
October 1, 2021
Company
Fujimi
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$31.00

The Toyota Prius has made its way from a government incentive driven experiment to a very successful mainstream product offering. As such it really deserves to be noticed for its place in history. The Prius body styling and the kit subject matter in general, however, may only appeal to the Prius enthusiast.

The Fujimi kit represents the 2009 model year of the 3rd generation Prius and is an all new kit. White, clear and chrome trees are all individually bagged. Also included are soft rubber tires, a small decal sheet and window masks. Part count is just over 80 pieces and the build up is fairly simple. The result is a curbside model with no open elements.