After going out of business after decades of serving modelers needs, Squadron Hobbies has been resurrected like a phoenix from the ashes. Since being purchased by Brandon Lowe, the company has moved from Texas to Georgia, and is quickly reestablishing itself as one of the best mail order hobby shops around. In addition to a growing selecting of model kits, Squadron is also getting back into the production of accessories, including decals.

Scale Aircraft Conversions has made a name for itself by providing metal replacements for some of the more fragile parts of aircraft models in a range of scales, these mostly being landing gear and other assorted paraphernalia. This set is no exception, offering direct replacement parts for both the elaborate main gear and tail gear.

Made in the usual cleanly cast white metal, this set includes 11 parts and all are direct replacements for the plastic items in the kit, making for far sturdier gear than the kit provides, and being metal, they can also be gently adjusted to accommodate any slight inconsistencies in the model. The tail wheel is particularly welcome as the kit item is somewhat fragile and prone to breakage.

All in all, this set is easily cleaned up and requires no cutting or trimming of the kit itself. Simply installed, they also add a certain “heft” to the finished item. I recommend this set without hesitation.

Hauler continues their excellent detail sets for various small scale model kits. Such is the case with this photo etched set for Revell's M1A1 with mine plow (kit# 7213). While this is PE set is for an older kit (released in 2009) from Revell, this exterior detail set provides just the just the right amount of exterior detail to enhance that kit.

Included with this photo etched set are:

Publisher’s Notes:

Since we launched our first edition in August 1973, After the Battle has traveled around the globe and has covered hundreds of battles — over 750 at the last count – and taken thousands of photographs, covering major operations down to individual exploits. Selecting a cross-section of just a few from the stories that we have covered has not been easy, but we hope that you will find some of your favourites within the pages of this volume, covering the Best of After the Battle.”

The Yakovlev series are considered by many the best of the Soviet fighters of WWII. It was the equal of its opponents and generally carried a mixed cannon/machine gun armament. Yakovlev believed he could fit the recently developed NS 37 cannon to make the YAK 9 a tank killer. Designated the Yak9T for tyazhelowoonuzhenny or “heavily armed”, fitting of this weapon required some changes to the standard Yak 9. The cockpit was moved back about a foot and structural integrity was increased. Surprisingly, these changes didn’t reduce the aircrafts performance. This cannon was supplemented by a single 12.7mm machine gun. Both guns were housed in the engine cowling. Introduced during the battle of Kursk in 1943, the Yak9T became a favorite with the pilots who flew it. It was found that higher speeds and limited shots made for better shooting as the cannons recoil could quickly spoil the pilot’s ability to aim and damage the aircraft!