Book Author(s)
Bert Kinzey & Chris Sakal
Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
June 18, 2021
Company
Detail & Scale, Inc.
MSRP
$19.99

History

This book provides a complete history of the Grumman F6F Hellcat, the U.S. Navy’s most successful fighter plane of World War II. The prototypes were developed during 1941 and 1942, and after extensive testing,finally entered service with Navy carrier-based units during 1943. Hellcat pilots were credited with more enemy aircraft destroyed than any other Navy aircraft, and at the end of the war, the type was phased out of front-line service because of the appearance of its successor, the F8F Bearcat, the F4U Corsair, and later by jet fighters. Hellcats were used by reserve units until the early fifties, and were also used as drones and drone control aircraft, resulting is some of the most colorful aircraft in the Navy. The F6F, unlike many other World War II aircraft, did not have a civilian career, except for a few flying today as warbirds.

Book Author(s)
Dariusz Karnas & Karolina Holda
Review Author
Paul Mahoney
Published on
June 11, 2020
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$11.99

This edition of MMP’s “Single” covers the Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2, and anyone familiar with this series will know the format. For those who are not, these are very “to the point” booklets, homing in on a particular variant of an aircraft.

Book Author(s)
Paperback, A4 (8.3 x 11.7 inches) size, 64 pages color
Review Author
David Horn
Published on
June 10, 2020
Company
Casemate Publishers
MSRP
$24.95

Aviation Collectables Company is a multi-faceted company that produces aviation related books, prints and novelties. The C-130J Super Hercules book, many of their publications, covers nearly every detail from overall photos, open panels, interior photos and notes for scale modelers. The publication is in full color high resolution photographs as well as artist renderings. This subject covers the C-130J Super Hercules that is operated by the Italian Air Force. The book is split into two languages with typically half the page in Italian and the other half English.

Review Author
Ben Morton
Published on
June 10, 2020
Company
Tiger Werke
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$20.00

Kit Made For: Suitable for WWII to Vietnam eras

"Resin accessories for the scale modeling enthusiast". That is the tag line from Tiger Werke's website. Tiger Werke is a 'new to me' manufacturer of resin accessories primarily geared toward the armor modeler in all of us. Although I should mention that Tiger Werke has been around since 2014 and has recently been acquired by Phil Cavender

With apologies to Phil (et al), I stole this next bit from their website. Under this new ownership, they have the exclusive right to manufacture and distribute Tiger Werke’s complete line of 1/35th scale resin items. Included in Tiger Werke’s line are paved and cobblestone street sections, building fronts, roadside shrines, fountains, and AFV Wedgies.

Additional items also include the manufacturer of various stowage and accessory sets for Allied, German and British vehicles. With the purchase of Tiger Werke, several items not previously distributed will be made available.

Review Author
David Horn
Published on
June 11, 2020
Company
Kinetic Model Kits
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$94.00

Aircraft and History

The Grumman E-2C Hawkeye is an airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft whose mission is similar to the USAF E-3 AWACS but it is much smaller in size and focuses on naval fleet defense. Compact in size, the Hawkeye is a twin engine (powered by the same engines used on the C-130), high wing aircraft that can operate from an aircraft carrier. Operated with a crew of five; pilot, copilot, radar officer, combat info officer, and aircraft control officer, the crew becomes the “eye” of the fleet.

Review Author
Bob LaBouy
Published on
June 11, 2020
Company
Tiger Werke
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$25.00

Summary

This is a review of a base which is made of finely molded piece of medium grey resin base. I thoroughly enjoyed working with this diorama base. Unlike many of the bases I have previously worked with, the Tiger Werke base is (a) reasonably priced, (b) lays flat on the table without having to be sanded or otherwise manipulated, (c) takes a variety of paints and or primers (I used an acrylic by Mission Models, though I also tested a small patch with both Alclad’s Lacquer and their Aqua Clear Gloss—both of which worked very well), (d) finished up with a patch work mosaic pattern of what to my mind resembles a cobblestone pattern and (e) used a number of Vallejo Model colors to paint the individual tile pieces. I suspect there is a multitude of cobblestone designs or patterns available, all the way from what I tried to represent to dusty or very dirty street scenes (see color and pattern notes below).

Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
June 12, 2020
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$39.95

Eduard Models has re-released their P-400 (actually P-39/P-400 family if you consider all the parts in the sprues) this time in the Profipack boxing, which includes several finishing options, photo-etch upgrades and pre-cut masks.

I’ve believe this model dates to the year 2000. Despite being 20-yr old at time of writing this review, the molds hold really well. There is no flash anywhere and the panel lines are sharp and well defined. Eduard knows how to keep its technology in such way that their products are consistent over time.

I had the opportunity to review this kit with the P-400 Look set (reviewed independently) so the interior that you will see is from that set.

This model (like most) starts with the interior. Given the “car door” design of the P-400, plus the “bubble canopy” it is a good idea to spend some time making sure you get things to look as nice as you can. Either using the Profipack PE or the Look set you will get a top notch interior.

Review Author
Will Kuhrt
Published on
June 13, 2020
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$11.36

The PBJ-1H is U.S. Navy variant of the B-25 which was operated by the U.S. Marine Corps as a ground attacker. This aircraft is a powerful ground strafing machine and due to the weapons package built-in, it can be viewed as a gunship.

This accessory is not identified for use on one specific manufacture’s kit. The PBJ-1H in 1/72 scale is or has been produced by Hasegawa, Dragon Models & Matchbox.

Assembly is straightforward as there are only two components. The resin cast is feather-light and has very crisp detail and is flash free. To begin, I washed the cast using a mild solution of water and dish detergent. Next, I sawed the cast in half to gain easier access to each of the two components. After each piece was removed, I gently sanded smoothed the sawed surfaces and then adjoined both pieces using CA. The completed assembly was primed and painted with Tamiya Sky Gray.

Book Author(s)
Bouko De Groot; Illustrated by Peter Dennis
Review Author
Will Kuhrt
Published on
June 13, 2020
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$24.00

Thank you Bill & Phil for all you do for the Reviewers!

Synopsis per back cover: The Eighty Years War began as a limited rebellion of Dutchmen seeking religious tolerance from their Spanish overlords, but it quickly escalated into one of the longest wars in European history. Spain’s failed invasion of 1599 and the mutinies that followed convinced Dutch leaders that they should go on the offensive, and the following campaign pitted the sons of two famous leaders against each other: Maurice of Nassau and Albert of Hapsburg. One led an unproved new model army, the other Spain’s “unbeatable” tericos; each commanded well over 15,000 men.

Review Author
Will Kuhrt
Published on
January 4, 2021
Company
ICM
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$59.99

Thank you to Bill and to Phil for all the work you do!

Kit

ICM Holding, a Ukrainian-based company known for outstanding quality, has produced a very nice new-mold German halftrack. The main armored personnel carrier of the German Wehrmacht, the Sd.Kfz. 251, built by the company Hanomag, was used to transport motorized infantry. The armored personnel carriers were in service with the German army throughout the Second World War and were used in all theaters. This modification, the Sd.Kfz.251/6 Aufs.A., was produced in 1939-1940.