Book Author(s)
David Campbell; Illustrator: Peter Dennis
Review Author
Marc K. Blackburn
Published on
December 1, 2018
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$19.00

Israeli Paratroopers, 1954-2016 is one of the latest offerings of a long running Osprey series that examines elite forces from around the world. The elite series follows a certain formula; something that Osprey is very good at. Each volume covers origins, a short chronology, organization and various operations that fall within the time span of the book. As with many Osprey publications, this one includes historic and contemporary photographs, and a series of plates that feature the uniforms, equipment, and lengthy captions that touch upon the history about the paratroopers. I am surprised that the Israeli paratroopers have not been covered until now. Regardless, this is a handy one volume history.

Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
December 1, 2018
Company
Pen and Sword Books Ltd
MSRP
$24.95

Pen and Sword has released a new book on their series “Images of War”. This book is focused on Axis Armored Fighting Vehicles during War World Two.

The book is divided on 4 main chapters

  • Reconnaissance Vehicles
  • Assault Guns
  • Tank Destroyers
  • Miscellaneous;

All chapters have a well-researched introduction to the type of vehicle being described –in the chapter- including development, main roles, tactics (including historical narratives and in some cases representative combat action for the vehicle type), plus sub-sections devoted for specific vehicles (of vehicle family) being described.

Book Author(s)
Andy Evans
Review Author
Mike Hinderliter
Published on
December 1, 2018
Company
SAM Publications
MSRP
$12.75

I really enjoy using the aircraft specific titles that Sam Publications puts out because of the amount of research, detail, and sections that are aimed at the model builder. I had been wondering about the Hataka paint line and how they compare to other paints. When I saw that this new series was done with HobbyZone and Hataka paints and that it had the same great look as other Sam Publications books. I just had to have it.

This first book of the series focuses on the aircraft of the Vietnam War, specifically the fighters and attack aircraft.

The Aircraft Modeling Guide is divided into 21 sections. They are:

Book Author(s)
Dennis Oliver
Review Author
Mike Lamm
Published on
January 20, 2022
Company
Pen and Sword Books Ltd
MSRP
$22.95

Pen and Sword Books’ latest release in their Tank Craft series details the Pzkpfw VI Tiger 1 Heavy Tank. This series of books is designed to provide model builders and tank enthusiasts a detailed visual reference of the actual tanks featured, as well as their scale model equivalents. This book focuses specifically on the Tiger I tanks deployed to the southern front for the North Africa campaign through the retreat and withdrawal into Sicily and up Italy until the end of hostilities in May 1945.

Review Author
Rob Booth
Published on
December 4, 2018
Company
CMK
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$4.30

CMK has produced a very nicely detailed resin replacement seat with molded on harnesses for the 1/72 Special Hobby Kittyhawk kits. The supplied items include nicely detailed harnesses and seat belt restraints. Although made for the Special Hobby Kittyhawk kits, the seat should be adaptable to any of the 1/72 P-40/Kittyhawk kits currently on the market. I dry-fitted to my Airfix Kittyhawk example (see photos).

Be sure to wash the parts in soapy water to remove mold release agents and prime prior to using your favorite modeling paints.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to the IPMS Reviewer Corps and CMK for the opportunity to review this item.

Book Author(s)
João Paulo Zeitoun Moralez
Review Author
Rob Booth
Published on
December 4, 2018
Company
Casemate Publishers
MSRP
$29.95

In my stash are a couple of Hobby Boss 1/48 EMB-314 Super Tucanos. These aircraft are used by several nations as the primary and advanced trainer platforms, as well as light attack and CAS roles for their Air Force pilots. Among those air forces are those from For the modeler it represents a blank canvas for a multitude of colorful camouflage and markings. For that reason, I was eager to review this excellent reference paperback offered by Casemate Publishers.

This 80-page paperback follow-up to the EMB-312 series by the same publisher provides the modeler with a fully-packed and detailed reference book on the type. The reader will learn about the conception and development of the Super Tucano and the differences from the earlier 312 series, along with a short detailing of the Tucano’s run at JPATS for the US.

Review Author
Gregory Hansel
Published on
February 3, 2020
Company
Hasegawa
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$47.95

Introduction

This kit was initially issued in 1983. I first bought a copy from the BX at Sheppard AFB, TX in 1988, mine was the TWR Sports edition and is still in my stash!! I was always a bit nervous about the chrome trim on the body and getting it right, but it turns out I didn’t need to worry, Hasegawa did a great job molding this kit and it was not difficult to get a good result. This kit has held up exceptionally well for being 35 years old. The plastic is crisp and flash free and the fit is what you would expect from this company…..excellent!

Review Author
Bob LaBouy
Published on
February 3, 2020
Company
AFV Club
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$68.00

History and this Kit

The Magach tank was produced and based on both the M48, and with the Magach 6B on M60 tank hulls. I took this review assignment because of my interest in the M60 Patton tanks. Having built several over the last few years and AFV’s M60A1 kit #35060 and Takom’s M60A1 with the Explosive Reactive Armor, I was equally up for the challenge of the Magach 6B. This latest version of the Magach 6B has mostly aspects that we modelers can’t see: the British 105mm gun and 750hp diesel engine. As the M60 tanks were modified into the Magach 6 series the most noticeable difference is the explosive reactive armor panels surrounding the turret and the frontal hull area, and the addition of a M2 50 cal. and two 30 cal. machine guns on the turret.

Review Author
Doug Hamilton
Published on
February 10, 2020
Company
MikroMir
Scale
1/350
MSRP
$26.95

The Soviet Foxtrot class submarine, known as Project 641, was a diesel-electric powered attack submarine. First commissioned in 1971, they served until 1994 with Soviet and satellite operators. This particular boat first saw service with the Soviet Navy. When the Soviet Union broke up, this boat was in port in Ukraine. The fledgling Ukrainian Navy seized it, becoming the first, and only submarine in Ukraine service. Upon the Russian takeover of the Ukrainian State, the boat reverted to Soviet control. Interesting stuff indeed, and I still can’t pronounce the name!!

Review Author
Gino Dykstra
Published on
December 28, 2021
Company
Master Box Ltd
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$18.99

For some time Master Box has been exploring an up-to-now largely ignored area in the mainstream modeling fraternity - science fiction figures - through their "Spaceport - At the Edge of the Universe - Strange Company’s Adventures" series. Up until now, the action centered mainly around a rogue’s gallery of characters in a sleazy cantina somewhere on the fringes of the law and known space. Laurie adds an interesting potential element of additional trouble as she is one of two new figures who are clearly intent on raiding the cantina, although I do find myself wondering who her target might be.

As with most of the figures in this range, she comes on a single gray sprue with a limited number of parts. Assembly is quite straight-forward with only a little filling needed around the shoulders. I chose to lower her arms slightly to offer a better view of her face. That really is an AWFULLY big gun!