Book Author(s)
Dilip Sarkar, MBE
Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
October 1, 2021
Company
Pen & Sword
MSRP
$39.95

Historical Background

Air Vice-Marshal Johnnie Johnson, CB,CBE, DSO & Two Bars, DFC & Bar, DL, the highest scoring Royal Air Force pilot of World War II, had a diverse and very interesting background, as he was able to infiltrate the ranks of the RAF, which tended to favor the admission of the upper classes. Johnson was very middle class, and achieved his position through his quality as a man, not his position in British society. There have been a number of books written about Johnson’s life and career, but this book takes a different approach, consisting entirely of photos taken of him or of the people he associated with, and sometimes even of the airplanes he flew. These are captioned, giving explanations of what was going on, and who was involved. Johnson comes through as a very human character, someone you would like to associate with if you had the chance.

Book Author(s)
Barrett Tillman
Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
October 2, 2021
Company
Nautical and Aviation Publishing Company of America
MSRP
$17.95

Background

During the last part of the nineteen thirties, the U.S. Navy was in the process of replacing its biplanes with higher performing monoplanes. The Curtiss SBC “Helldiver” dive bomber was being replaced by the Vought Sikorsky SB2U “Vindicator”, and the Martin T4M’s were being replaced by the Douglas TBD-1 “Devastator” monoplanes. Grumman’s last biplane, the F3F-2, was just entering service when the decision was made to equip Navy fighter squadrons with monoplanes. The first monoplane, the Brewster F2A-1, later known as the Buffalo, was entering service when Grumman’s biplane competitor, the F4F-1, was redesigned, becoming the XF4F-2 Wildcat monoplane. The F4F-2 proved to be a much better airplane, and the production model, the F4F-3, was produced in quantity, with the F2A-1 taking a back seat, although quite a few were issued to Marine Corps units.

Book Author(s)
Damien Majsak
Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
October 3, 2021
Company
Kagero Publishing
MSRP
$27.95

Historical Background

The Focke Wulf FW-190 was produced in very large numbers during World War II, and was used by Luftwaffe and other German allies until the end of the war. Since the aircraft probably exhibited a wider variety of camouflage schemes and markings than any other World War II fighter, it has become a favorite of modelers throughout the world, and over 100 kits have been produced of this aircraft in 1/72 scale alone, not to mention 1/48/ 1/32, and 1/144 scales. This issue only covers the FW-190A-2 through FW-190A-9, and does not include any of the prototypes or the FW-190D-9 or TA-152 series.

Book Author(s)
Peter Mujzer
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
October 4, 2021
Company
Kagero Publishing
MSRP
$26.95

While Kagero has an established reputation for quality books that modelers appreciate and use on their reference shelves, they have recently upped their game with the new introduction of the inCombat series. Number 08 in the series is History of the 40/43M ZrÍnyi Assault Howitzer. As a fan of obscure armored vehicles, this book had a timely arrival, especially as I am in the process of painting Bronco Models’ Hungarian 44.M ‘Zrinyi’ I 75mm Assault Gun (the differences between the variants are clearly spelled out in this detailed book).

Review Author
Blaine Singleton
Published on
October 4, 2021
Company
Hauler
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$11.39

Hauler is known as a supplier of high-quality detail parts for aircraft, as well as other subjects. Once painted the fuel barrels provide a very nice addition to any diorama.

Package Contents

2 sets of resin containing the fuel barrels, with each set containing 6 barrels.

Instructions

The barrels are molded in resin and there are no instructions contained or needed in the kit.

Painting

The first thing I did was to wash the resin barrels in soapy water to remove any residue that may be on the pieces.

I decided for ease of handling that I would leave the barrels on their resin sprue.

I started painting the barrels by first applying Stynlreyz, light gray. I then decided that I would “paint” the barrels with AK weathering pencils.

Book Author(s)
Dariusz Paduch
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
October 4, 2021
Company
Kagero Publishing
MSRP
$28.95

Based in Central Europe Kagero Publishing House is the biggest publisher and exporter of English-written publications about military history, releasing nearly 60 titles every year. Kagero was founded in 1995, and began by delivering military titles in Polish. Their success led Kagero to start releasing books in English in 1998. Authors from Poland, Canada, USA, Australia and Great Britain, who were invited to write for Kagero, gave a beginning to a new range of products, which have put them in a position of one of the most recognized publishers on the market. Kagero has released more than 550 publications. Kagero is managed by Damian Majsak and his wife Joanna.

Visit Kagero On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/casematepub

Review Author
Michael Novosad
Published on
October 4, 2021
Company
Phase Hanger
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$10.00

Provider Background

From the website - Mike Reeves has been an aircraft nut his entire life. It all started when he was a kid growing up in Phoenix, Arizona watching the Blue Angels flying their A-4 Skyhawks practicing for their air shows at Deer Valley Airport from the roof of his house after school. When he got to meet the Blues pilots he was hooked and his love of military aircraft began. He served in the USAF and spent a lot of time in and around fighter jets both in the CONUS and abroad in Germany.

His love of the hobby began at a very young age when he would watch his dad and brother build models at the kitchen table at their home in Michigan. His dad and brother built cars and trucks but Mike always wanted to build airplanes. His first model was a Revell 1/72 Blue Angels F-4 Diamond set! Testors tube glue and sloppy paint work started the journey through the hobby that continues today.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
October 4, 2021
Company
Foxbot
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$20.60

Russian aircraft are really starting to take-off. Pun intended. With the release of new kits out of the Ukraine we are seeing an influx of well-engineered kits from Zvezda and AMK. One thing that always struck me as ‘cool’ about VVS aircraft was the slogans painted on the sides of them. American aircraft had pinup nose art, but the patriotic slogans of the Russian aircraft have always resonated with me. The problem is what do you do when you find one that you like. Usually, you have to go to the bland ones instead or whatever is in the box. Not anymore. Thanks to Foxbot you now have options.

Review Author
Bob LaBouy
Published on
October 4, 2021
Company
Tamiya
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$12.49

Tamiya’s Product Description

“This Detail-Up set can be used for Item 61114, 61118, and 61122. The set is very useful to give more detail to your model Tamiya F-14 model kits

  • A stainless-steel alpha probe on the radome facilitates further rigidity and realism. (2pcs. included)
  • Photo-etched parts are included to depict seatbelts and rear-view mirrors.
  • Includes two types of seatbelts to depict the F-14A and F-14D (two for each).

This is Tamiya’s simple add-on kit for the recently issued F-14A Late Model Tomcat.”

Book Author(s)
Dariusz Paduch
Review Author
Hub Plott
Published on
January 28, 2022
Company
Kagero Publishing
MSRP
$33.95

This is volume 75 in the monograph series. The book follows the usual monograph format. Included along with 1/48 drawings bound into the volume is a separate 2-sided page of 1/32 drawings.

The first 16 pages of the book discuss the A5M’s predecessors such as the Nakajima A1N2, Mitsubishi 1MF10 and its immediate predecessor; the Ka-14. The bulk of the book is dedicated to production and combat usage of the A5M, most of which was in China. Assigned the Allied code name “Claude” with “Sandy” reserved for the inverted gull wing version that never went into production. At the time of Pearl Harbor 193 A5Ms were in service. Most of these in rear units. The Claude stayed in service with operational units until April of 1942 with some air defense units using them until near the end of 1943.