Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
February 10, 2020
Company
Revell, Inc.
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$38.00

Less than two years after treating the modeling world to a state-of-the-art 1/48 scale Ventura PV-1, Revell has released a second version of the Ventura…the type ordered by the RAF in early 1940. According to Revell’s website there are 142 parts, but I counted 143. A number of them are common with the PV-1 kit, but a number of additional ones necessary to replicate the unique details of the RAF Mk.I and Mk.II are included. Twenty-one parts are molded in clear plastic. They are crystal clear and thin enough that interior details are easily viewed. All of the others are molded in a medium gray. As with the PV-1 kit, all parts are well molded with no flash or severe ejection pin marks to deal with. Recessed details are delicately engraved and a few raised details are nicely represented. Fortunately rivet detail is limited to a few conspicuous ones on the top of the fuselage and around fuel tank caps on the wing tops.

Review Author
Tim Hortman
Published on
January 31, 2015
Company
Moebius Models
Scale
1/4105
MSRP
$19.99

Moebius Models continues to add to their excellent line of Battlestar Galactica kits. This time with a detail set for the Galactica. This set is designed to be used with the Moebius Models kit #915 1/4105 Battlestar Galactica

Included in this set are three sprues of detailed rail guns, two photo-etched museum windows, and an enhanced decal sheet.

Because there is some minor surgery required to make these parts work, Moebius recommends this set for the more experienced modeler. However, I don’t think this set will be difficult to use for anyone with a little modeling skill.

Review Author
David Wrinkle
Published on
February 1, 2015
Company
Hasegawa
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$54.00

I will not hide the fact I enjoy watching Japanese anime and the original “Last Exile” anime is one of my favorites. (No kidding). It represents a wonderful fusion of Sci-fi and the golden age of flight. The show centers around the orphaned brother & sister pair of Lavie Head and Claus Valcaat and their fathers old Vanship. Claus and Lavie work as commercial pilots who deliver messages, cargo and whatnot up until they are dragged into a war. The series is available to watch for free on Hulu.com and can be viewed in either the original Japanese (with subtitles) or it is also available dubbed in English.

Review Author
Dan Mackay
Published on
February 1, 2015
Company
AZ Model
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$17.99

The AH-1G Huey Cobra was delivered to units in 1967, and was first used in combat during the Tet offensive in 1968. The Cobra was used for fire support, escort for transport helicopters, aerial rocket artillery, and in hunter killer teams in conjunction with Hughes OH-6s. Bell built 1,116 AH-1Gs between 1967 and 1973; 300 were lost in combat during the Vietnam conflict. The US Marine Corps used the AH-1G, as well as foreign countries such as Israel and Spain. Israel started to receive their Cobras in 1970, and they were active during the 1973 conflict with Israel’s Arab neighbors. Spain took delivery of their Cobras in 1968, and they were used by both the Spanish Army and Navy.

Review Author
Perry Downen
Published on
February 1, 2015
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$6.50

The twin-engine Avro Manchester was used heavily during the first months of World War II. However, it was underpowered and not very reliable, and it fell short of the RAF’s expectation. The Avro engineers got busy and replaced the Manchester’s two 24-cylinder X-block Vultures with four V-12 Rolls-Royce Merlin engines. To accommodate the two extra engines, the Manchester’s wing span was increased. In turn, this caused problems with the airframe, so they enlarged the fuselage and redesigned the tail. Thus was born the Lancaster. It became an instant success, even though its defensive armament was somewhat light, consisting of eight .303 Browning machine guns.

Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
February 1, 2015
Company
Werners Wings
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$16.00

Werner’s Wings is an aftermarket company own by the well-known modeler Floyd Werner. A former US Army helicopter pilot, the majority of his products and detail sets relate to rotary wing aircraft, however, he also has some fixed-wing products (Bf 109s!) and instructional DVDs.

This 1/35 scale decal sheet is dedicated to the helicopters of the 160th Special Operations Aircraft Regiment, covering their operations in Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

The decal sheet includes markings for 20 helicopters including the A/MH-6, MH-60, MH-47, and some special decals for the inside of Chinooks.

The instruction sheet is printed in full color, and each profile has a short description on the location and history of the airframe, if available.

Book Author(s)
Steve Snyder
Review Author
Ron Verburg
Published on
February 1, 2015
Company
Sea Breeze Publishing
MSRP
$27.95

From the dust cover -

“Shot Down” is no ordinary memoir of World War II. It reveals the hopes, dreams and fears of a remarkable group of men and people that loved, cared and hid them after their plane was knocked out of the sky over French/Belgian boarder.

Review

WOW what a read! I highly recommend this book to broaden your knowledge of air missions over Europe during WWII!

This book is a memoir of Steve Snyder’s father, Howard Snyder. Howard was the pilot in command of the B-17 Susan Ruthand along with the nine other members of his crew flew missions over Europe while attached to 306th Bomb Group.

Book Author(s)
Robert Jackson
Review Author
Hub Plott
Published on
February 1, 2015
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$18.95

Messerschmitt Bf 109 A–D Series is the third book in the Air Vanguard series I have had the pleasure to review. The Messerschmitt Bf-109 is the Luftwaffe’s most storied fighter of WWII, yet much less has been published on the A-D models. This book covers these early models from development through their use in combat.

Review Author
Tim Hortman
Published on
February 1, 2015
Company
DXM Decals
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$18.50

DXM, or Double Excellent Model, is relatively new to the world of decals. The company is from Taiwan and is offering a growing line of decals for the aircraft modeler. Take a few minutes and check out their website as they offer a wide range of modern aircraft schemes and different markings, including many JASDF schemes.

Today’s review covers their excellent 1/48 scale F-14B Tomcat sheet for VF-103 Jolly Rogers.

The decal sheet comes in a sealed plastic sleeve and includes a large decal sheet, along with a smaller one for the US star-and-bars roundels, and a second smaller sheet for formation lights. The decals themselves are printed by Cartograf and are of their usual excellent quality. All decals are in excellent register, and there is no extra film to trim.

Markings are included for four aircraft:

Review Author
Tim Hortman
Published on
February 1, 2015
Company
DXM Decals
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$20.00

DXM, or Double Excellent Model, is from Taiwan and is offering a growing line of decals for the aircraft modeler. Take a few minutes and check out their website as they offer a wide range of modern aircraft schemes and different markings, including many other JASDF schemes.

Today’s review is on their excellent 1/48 scale JASDF F-4EJ Kai 301st SQ 40th Anniversary decal set.

The decal sheet comes in a sealed plastic sleeve and includes a single large decal sheet and full-color direction flyer.

Markings are included for a single aircraft: 77-8398, F-4EJ Kai Super Phantom II, JASDF 301st Squadron’s 40th Anniversary Scheme.

A bit of internet searching tells me that this airframe was painted in this scheme in October 2013. The 301st Squadron has been flying the F-4EJ Phantom since its inception in 1973 and has been flying the upgraded F-4EJ Kai since 1991.