The Stuka - one of the most notorious aircraft for World War II. Hasegawa gives us a kit of the R-2 version used in Libya during the North African campaign in mid-1941. The R version was an extended range B model that increased the planes range from 600km (372 miles) to 1530km (950miles) with the added fuel tanks on the wings.

There are 118 of light gray plastic and seven clear plastic parts on six sprues in this “Limited Edition” kit. We get a large decal sheet with markings for two aircraft used in North Africa. The instruction sheet is logically laid out on four sheets with two addition sheets being the black and white color / decal schemes. An interesting note is that on the box top and instruction sheet, the swastika is shown as a diamond on the tail, I guess they don’t want to offend anyone. I did have a few scratches on the clear parts, since they were not in a protective bag.

The J-11B (NATO code name Flanker B+) is a Chinese version of the Sukhoi Su-27SK. The first 100 J-11A aircraft were built under license from Sukhoi. After those were completed, the license was suspended. Soon thereafter, the Chinese announced they had developed a multi-role version known as the J-11B.

History

First introduced in 1979, “Bigfoot” started the monster truck craze that is still going strong today. Created and owned by Bob Chandler as a promotional billboard for his 4X4 truck accessory business, Bigfoot #1 was based on a Ford F-250 4X4. The real innovation came when Chandler built the first 4X4X4, which is a four wheel vehicle with four-wheel-drive and four-wheel-steering. Bigfoot pioneered the art of car crushing, now a common part of any monster truck event. While fans might take pride in the particular brand of their favorite monster truck, the only thing these trucks have in common with the brands they represent are the body shells cast to look like a Ford, Chevy or Dodge/Ram. These are in fact specially designed and built race trucks. Think funny car (a truck in this case) with a blown engine mounted in a sub frame designed with suspension travel that allows for driving over a van and you’ve got it. Twenty one Bigfoots have been built.

True Details has created a 1/32 scale resin F-104G Avionics Bay that is designed to be a simple addition to Hasegawa’s kit. Simply clean up the casting block, paint and install. The detail is well defined, and will add just what is needed to this model. I have not checked to see if this set would work on the new Italeri F-104G/S, but in my opinion it probably would, however, you’ll want to check the fit yourself if you have one.

In the end, very nicely done, and a full score for True Details.

Thanks very much to our great supporters at Squadron for providing us yet another simple resin upgrade for our AMS (Advanced Modeler Syndrome). IPMS/USA appreciates the opportunity to review your products!

This is the third book in the French Wings series and it continues to provide an interesting and informative look at some of the less famous French aircraft of the pre-WWII and WWII period. All three aircraft in this book were used in the observation and reconnaissance role by the French military. The book gives you information about both the process by which they were acquired and their actual operational use. In addition to the aircraft used by France, their use by China, Peru and Venezuela are also discussed.