Book Author(s)
Thierry Vallet
Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
May 3, 2015
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$29.00

Mushroom Model Publications has published another it its “Spotlight On” series, this book featuring German armor color schemes from 1918 to 1944. Written and illustrated by Thierry Vallet this offering traces the evolution of panzer colors and camouflage from pre-war through the end of WWII. Each page features a large profile illustration of a piece of armor, in full color with a “color square” identifying the color, or colors, along with an RAL color number.

The publication will provide a very quick and excellent reference for the colors involved, while the profile illustrations depict the camouflage patterns or painting patterns very nicely.

This is a publication of high quality and is recommended for those interested in German WWII armor. Whether you be an armor newbie or a more experienced builder you’ll find this book helpful and entertaining. Thanks to Mushroom Model Publications for this excellent review sample.

Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
May 4, 2015
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$8.50

Quickboost has added a set of exhaust stacks to their line aftermarket parts for the new 1/32 scale Revell Spitfire Mk.II. The Quickboost set provides a pair of exhausts that feature detail that closely matches the kit-supplied parts. These parts accurately depict the flattened shape of the openings in the first two exhausts in each stack and the circular opening of the last one.

The Revell kit provides exhausts with open ends, however, they are comprised of four parts, and the modeler must clean flash from the openings of each exhaust port prior to assembly.

Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
May 4, 2015
Company
Dragon Models
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$76.00

Dragon Models has released a new boxing of their Hummel self-propelled artillery. This is the Hummel Wespe, with the 10.5 cm gun (instead of the typical 15 cm). The smaller gun meant extra rounds could be carried in the vehicle.

This kit is based on the excellent Dragon Hummel kit, with new sprues for the smaller gun, a modified fighting compartment, and new racks for the extra ammo.

The hull and running gear is based on the Panzer IV, with an excellent level of detail. The road wheels are of the rubber rim style. I was pleasantly surprised to see all the rivets, access panels, and overall surface detail of the hull and front armor pieces. It does look “like the part”. The tracks are of the DS kind and have good detail as well.

Review Author
Mark Costello
Published on
May 6, 2015
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$17.00

Hobby Boss released a 1/48 scale kit of the Blohm & Voss Bv 141 reconnaissance plane last year. The Bv 141 greenhouse canopy is comprised of many separate panels that require a lot of masking in order to paint the frames. Eduard has come to the rescue with a mask set for this kit. This set includes all the masks needed for all the clear parts on the kit as well as masks for the wheels.

This is the first time I have used Eduard masks for masking canopies and I have to say I am very impressed. The pre-cut masks fit all of the openings perfectly and in just over an hour I was finished masking all the clear parts. If I would have done this manually with tape, it would have easily taken me at least 5-6 times that long to do the same thing. For the round, machine gun window on the top of the canopy, you have to use either liquid mask or tape to fill in the center section as the Eduard set only provides the outline area.

Review Author
Mark Costello
Published on
May 7, 2015
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$26.99

Hobby Boss released a 1/48 scale kit of the Blohm & Voss Bv 141 reconnaissance plane last year. Eduard has released this detail set for the kit.

The detail set comprises of 2 frets of metal parts, one with pre-painted instrument panels, consoles and seat belts, the other fret is unpainted brass. The unpainted sheet contains main landing gear doors, ammo racks, walkway area for the wing and other small details.

Review Author
Andrew Birkbeck
Published on
February 3, 2020
Company
Tamiya
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$29.00

During the early 1930’s, the nation of Czechoslovakia was a leading European arms manufacturer, whose armaments industry was dominated by the giant Skoda conglomerate. In 1933-34, Skoda produced what became known as the LT vz.35 light tank, and this was accepted into the Czech Army, becoming its main tank. However, the tank suffered from numerous flaws, and was much disliked by its crews. Enter the firm of CKD, a conglomeration of various engineering firms, one of whose acquisitions was the Praga Works, makers of trucks/passenger vehicles/tractors. Praga decided to go into the tank building business, selling its products both to the Czech Army, and a number of export markets. With the poor experience with the LT vs.35 in their minds, as well as the need for rearmament due to the rise of Nazi Germany on its border, the Czech military looked around for a new tank design. Praga offered up its TNH design, which proved very reliable and certainly better than anything Skoda had to offer.

Review Author
Tom Moon
Published on
May 7, 2015
Company
Hasegawa
Scale
1/12
MSRP
$62.99

After winning the 1988 WGP500 for Yamaha, Eddie Lawson jumped ship and went to ride for Honda. Despite extremely stiff competition at events all over the world, Eddie Lawson's finishes were consistently in the top two, with four first place finishes. With all his wins combined, Eddie won the 1989 Grand Prix Championships for the Rothmans-Kanemoto-Honda team, making him the only rider in history to win two consecutive championships with two different teams..

Book Author(s)
David R. Higgins, Richard Chasemore (illustrator)
Review Author
Marc K. Blackburn
Published on
May 8, 2015
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$18.95

In the modeling community, Osprey Publishing is well-known. I doubt that there is a modeler in this group who does not have something from Osprey in their bookshelves. They have several ongoing series that tackle a variety of topics, including the ‘Duel’ series. As the title suggests, each book concentrates on two similar pieces of equipment and how they stack up against each other. The sixty-sixth volume of the duel series tackles the opening campaign of the Second World War – the fall of Poland in the early fall of 1939. The author of the volume is David R. Higgins and the illustrator of the color plates is Richard Chasemore. At 80 pages of text, this is a fairly standard length for this series.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
May 9, 2015
Company
Hauler
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$8.50

Brengun has produced a detail set of modern US Navy Wheel Chocks. With all the 1/32 scale kit out there, these would make a great display item. The set consists of 8 nicely cast resin pieces. Four of these are the blocks, two are the rails and the last two are two tiny locks for the rails. The tread patterns and lines on the blocks is very well defined. The rails include the toothed pattern used to lock the chocks in place just like the real item. The lock are very small so caution will be needed.

Preparation of the set requires removal from the casting blocks. The large pieces are a snap. Be careful removing the rails. The resin is strong. I used a photoetch razor saw and slowly worked it off with no issues but patience is needed. Same goes for the locks. Due to the casting process, you will need a little clean up on the channel where the rail passes through. I used a sharp knife and micro file and it cleaned right up.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
May 9, 2015
Company
Gator Masks
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$15.00

Kenny Loup and Gator Masks and More have been around for a while supplying masking sets for ships and planes as well as Gator Grip Glues. For this review, we are looking at a masking set for U-453 in 1/72 scale for Revell’s excellent U-boat kit. U-453 was on active duty from 1941 to 1944 when it was sunk. The boat served in the Mediterranean Sea and carried a unique camouflage scheme that went with that locations. The ship had splotches of darker gray (Dunkelgrau52) which were hard edged along with an inverted V on the conning tower.

Inside the package you’ll find a long (over 3 feet) of precut vinyl masks, a picture of U-453 and instructions. The vinyl material is yellow and cut precisely to the blotches needed and the inverted “V” on the tower. There are masks for both sides. The profile drawing exactly matches the cut outs and the instructions give all the needed guidance plus contact info if there are questions. You can see by the pictures the size of the masks.