The Bristol Beaufort torpedo bomber was developed for the RAF in 1938 using the experience gained from the Blenheim light bomber. Seeing service from 1940 with RAF Coastal Command, the type saw action across the World’s oceans, but most notably in the Channel and Mediterranean, as a torpedo bomber, conventional bomber and mine layer, until replaced in frontline service by the derivative Beaufighter from 1942. At least 1,180 were built in the UK and Australia.

This is the first time a conventional IM kit of the Beaufort has been produced in 1/48 and that it comes from the remarkably resilient Ukrainian ICM firm is especially noteworthy – that they can produce and distribute new kits when their country is under threat of destruction is quite amazing!

A Brief Introduction of the Book

This book contains 80 pages, including many great (144) black & white photographs, nine color pages of colored profile drawings and three colored maps. The color drawings illustrate a few vehicles (both ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam) and PAVN (People’s Army of Vietnam), several uniforms and aircraft from this lengthy conflict.

Armed Forces of the English-Speaking Caribbean: The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago is authored by Dr. Sanjay Badri-Maharaj, who received his MA and PhD from the Department of War Studies, Kings College London (his thesis was on India’s nuclear weapons program). Dr. Sanjay Badri-Maharaj has written two books - The Armageddon Factor: Nuclear Weapons in the India-Pakistan Context (2000) and Indian Nuclear Strategy: Confronting the Potential Nuclear Threat from both Pakistan and China (2018). What makes him qualified to write a book of this title? He also served as a consultant to the Trinidad Ministry of National Security.

Two Bobs Aviation Graphics is one of leaders in aviation decals with an impressive variety in 1/32, 1/48 and 1/72 scale. This latest release has very colorful markings used by VAQ-137 and VAQ-138 and has markings for two aircraft, one for each unit.

There are two sheets are printed perfectly without any print register errors. The small markings are very fine and easy to read. All the markings are included from unit markings down to the stencils and walkways. Stencils and other markings are included on a smaller second sheet insert and you should not need the kit decals for your build. There is one (front and back) color instructions sheet that clearly show placement of markings for both subjects. The instructions indicate the correct FS paint colors and cross reference to AK, Hataka, Mr. Color and Mr. Paints. The color layouts for each aircraft and easy to distinguish where each color is applied.

The OV-10 Bronco is a very popular subject for modelers in all variants. The aircraft first flew in 1965 and performed it role very well up into retirement. With these aircrafts unique capabilities, the aircraft has been getting the attention of the US military and a second career may happen. For modelers, there are only a few options available in 1/72 scale and detail can be very vintage or lacking all together. Quick boost comes to the rescue for the OV-10D with a very nice outboard weapons pylon set.