Book Author(s)
Kelly Devries & Niccolo Capponi
Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
September 13, 2018
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$24.00

This publication is available in three formats, all of which are available on the Osprey Publishing website. The paperback version, 9781472831286, is listed at $24.00. The eBook (ePub), # 9781472831279 is listed at $19.20, as is the eBook (PDF), # 9781472831262. An offer of a substantial savings exists for the reader who wishes to buy both the print version and either of the electronic versions. The discount is 25% off!

This publication identifies the causes of the battle at Campaldino, the economic, social, political and religious issues that defined the conditions in northern Italy in the late 1280’s. In addition, the book addresses the impact that the battle had on a well-known poet of the time, that being Dante. The authors indicate that Dante’s "Devine Comedy" can be viewed as framing Dante’s description of pain and suffering in "Devine Comedy".

Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
September 13, 2018
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$4.65

Brengun continues to expand its line of accessories this time with the FuG-220 Lichtenstein SN2 antenna set for Luftwaffe Night Fighters.

The fret includes 4 sets of dual antenna dipoles, including the dipole braces/frame and a set of re-enforcements to connect the brace with the nose (applicable for the Ju-88).

This particular antenna set is appropriate for any 1/48 Ju-88C/R/G, Me-110G, He-219 or Ta-154V15. It should be noted that for the Me-110 and He-219 you will need to slightly modify the parts, only using the antenna dipoles.

The fret design is very smart, locating all the attachment points at the end of the dipoles, making removal from the fret simple and preventing the dipoles or the dipole braces from having any minor blur that would need to be removed.

Review Author
Mike Lamm
Published on
September 14, 2018
Company
OKB Grigorov
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$59.00

OKB Grigorov is a small model company based in Bulgaria that you may not be too familiar with. The company focuses primarily on AFVs, tanks, and naval ships in 1/72, 1/350 and 1/700 scales, and they have an extensive list of products available. They produce full resin kits with photo-etch enhancements, as well as resin, photo-etch, and white metal conversion pieces for other models. More recently, they began producing some plastic AFV kits.

Book Author(s)
David Doyle
Review Author
Luke R. Bucci, PhD
Published on
February 10, 2020
Company
David Doyle Books
MSRP
$19.99

David Doyle has written over 100 books, mostly on military subjects, including a Squadron At Sea book about the North Carolina from 2011. This book is one of the Legends of Warfare – Naval series for Schiffer Publishing, a well-researched history and photo album of America’s first “modern” battleship – USS North Carolina, BB-55. Since the North Carolina is a museum ship anchored off Wilmington, North Carolina, most of the book is a color photo tour of the ship inside and out. This book is an excellent resource for modelers of the North Carolina and of WWII US Navy common fittings.

Book Author(s)
Norm Mort
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
September 16, 2018
Company
Veloce Publishing
MSRP
$29.95

Veloce Publishing continues expanding its line “Those were the days…” this time with a book devoted to the American Woodies. While the book title says “1928-1953”, it does provide some history prior to those years, going all the way back to 1886.

The first chapter describes the origin of the woodies or “station wagon”, a sort of railway station shuttle to your vacation hotel. The second chapter describes how Ford led the way on making the Woodies popular and the last two chapters covers the immediate pre-WWII years and the immediate post-WWII years.

The book is not meant to be a detailed recount of every “Woodie” out there, nor a source of detailed information for a restorer. It is more of a gallery of pictures, some details and stories leading to how the Woodies became an icon of the ’40 and’50s. You will find Fords, Hudson, Chryslers, Studebaker, Crosley and more.

Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
September 16, 2018
Company
Meng Model
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$14.99

This is a Zimmerit Decal set for the Meng Model Sd.Kfz. 182 King Turret (Porsche Turret) kit TS-037.

The set contains one sheet of textured decals and one instruction sheet.

Zimmerit was widely used on the early King Tigers. These decals will make adding the Zimmerit a lot easier.

The decals are printed onto one sheet with the patterns in relief. Individual decals are supplied for all the various areas of front, Sides and rear armor. The turret has the most decals to ensure all the areas are covered properly.

The textured pattern is very nicely raised on the decals and looks very good once applied.

It is highly recommended to primer coat under the contoured areas especially.

Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
September 16, 2018
Company
Meng Model
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$54.99

This is a new version of the King Tiger following up on the release of the Henschel version last year. My first impression was wow what a very well detailed kit. I did review this kit with the addition of the Interior set SPS-062 and Zimmerit Set SPS-060 so the picture will include parts not included in this kit. You can see my reviews of these on this site also. The set is very impressive with the amount of parts and detail included. The parts that would be cast metal on the real tank are well detailed and defined.

The kit contains

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
September 16, 2018
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$9.95

The Airfix Stuka is an impressive kit but there is room for improvement. One area that would benefit from aftermarket is the seats. In short, they lack the seatbelts and shoulder harnesses needed to bring this kit out of the ordinary.

Packaged in the typical Eduard resealable packaging with a cardboard stiffener inside is a single pre-painted fret. The cardboard helps prevent bending during storage. The single fret is beautifully represented with ‘shading’ and silver buckles. Since they are thin steel, they are beautifully detailed and bend easily without losing their paint. There are shoulder harnesses for the front seat and lap belts and straps for the other two seats.

The seatbelts are easy enough to add and when seen through the canopy glazing will make a dramatic change to your cockpit. This set is another great example of Eduard’s craft at its finest.

Highly recommended

Book Author(s)
Romain Cansiere and Ed Gilbert
Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
September 18, 2018
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$24.00

Illustrated by Graham Turner, and authored by Romain Cansiere and Ed Gilbert, this publication is available in two versions. The paperback version, # 9781472824967, is priced at $24.00, and the eBook (PDF) version, # 9781472824943, is priced at $19.20. Osprey offers 25% off if both versions are purchased.

Mr. Turner has illustrated a number of publications for Osprey and specializes in the medieval period. His work with scenes of battle highlight the uniforms and weaponry of the battle and of the historical age, are exquisite in detail, and add drama to the publication. Figure painters and modelers will find the artwork of great value.

Ed Gilbert has authored books for Osprey’s Warrior Series, Battle Orders Series and Campaign Series. Romain Cansiere concentrates on the history of the US Marine Corps. He has co-authored an award-winning book entitled, “Tanks in Hell-A Marine Corps Tank Company on Tarawa.

Book Author(s)
David Fletcher, Steven J. Zaloga
Review Author
Bill O'Malley
Published on
September 24, 2018
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$30.00

This book describes the design, development, and operational history of US-made tanks in British service in World War II. The British were initially reluctant to endorse the American-made tanks as they felt they were inferior to British developed tanks. The British eventually appreciated the simplicity of American designed tanks and modified them to meet British needs. The Lend Lease program allowed Britain to obtain American tanks in adequate numbers to take pressure off of the British manufacturers. By the end of World War II the British tank regiments were equipped with more Sherman tanks than any other type.