Book Author(s)
Dr. Stephen Rookes & Polydore Stevens (BAF)
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
June 25, 2023
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

This is the second volume of the Belgian Military Forces in Belgium. The first book, “Belgian Military Forces in the Congo, Volume 1: The Force Publique, 1885-1960”, covered the events of Belgium’s 75 years in their Congo colony, leading to the official withdrawal of Belgian forces. Volume 2 picks up in 1964 after the newly independent Republic of the Congo-Kinshasa’s (later renamed Democratic Republic of the Congo-DRC) brief, bright future was overcome with internal factions, and the independence movement spreading through Africa (with several backed by Marxist forces). While Belgium wanted to remain hands-off, it quickly became apparent that they needed to step in to protect Belgian and Congolese interests.

Book Author(s)
Ian Baxter
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
June 25, 2023
Company
Pen & Sword
MSRP
$26.95

Ian Baxter is a prolific author and has an impressive collection of photographs, many previously unpublished. The book follows the familiar Images of War format with brief introductions for each chapter followed by a lot of photographs to tell the story. While a plethora of books have been written about German armor, Ian’s latest book focuses on Germany’s allies Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria, their armor, and German armor in their formations.

The Armour of Hitler's Allies in Action, 1943–1945, is composed of an introduction, four chapters and two appendixes:

  • Chapter One: Joining the Axis Powers
  • Chapter Two: Romania, 1943-44
  • Chapter Three: Bulgaria, 1944
  • Chapter Four: Hungary, 1943-45
  • Appendix One: Order of Battle
  • Appendix Two: Tanks used by the Axis Powers

Book Author(s)
Alan Ranger
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
June 26, 2023
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$25.00

Alan Ranger is a former British Royal Engineer, collector of World War II militaria and original period photographs, and prolific author. Alan started his publishing days with Model Art of Japan, this is his 29th book in the Camera On series (he already has another three in production), typically focusing on weapon systems and vehicles. The beauty of this book is the photos were taken by German soldiers during their wartime service, not typically posed and polished propaganda shots.

Book Author(s)
Dr. David Nicolle, Air Vice Marshal Gabr Ali Gabr
Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
June 27, 2023
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

Historical Background

This book is part of a series of detailed accounts of the developments of Arab air forces in the Middle East, concentrating mainly on the World War II era. One of the authors was a postwar pilot in the Egyptian Air Force, and the other was a PhD in Middle East History. The authors have divided the book into four major sections, the Anglo-Iraq War (May, 1941), Rebuilding the Royal Iraqi Air Force (1941-1942), the Development of the Royal Egyptian Air Force (1941-1945), and Local Involvement in Air Operations in Other Arab Lands, (1941-1942.

Book Author(s)
Authors: Bojan Dimitrijevic
Illustrators: David Bocquelet, Tom Cooper, and Peter Penev
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
June 27, 2023
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

Helion is a UK based company that produces books on many aspects of Military History from the Late Medieval period through to the present day. Helion was established in 1996, and since then they have published over 1,200 books, with 100 or more new titles coming out every year, for readers around the world.

Review Author
Michael A. Turco
Published on
June 28, 2023
Company
Hobby Boss
Scale
1/350
MSRP
$309.99

This Report 3 covers the completion of the build from Steps 49 through 64.

As stated in the previous two reports, the fit of plastic parts was excellent. Issues encountered involved the handling and attachment of small plastic and thin PE parts, particularly where there is little if any gluing surface, and with lack of detail in the instructions. None of the issues are deal killers. Each can be handled if you are aware of them in advance and plan accordingly.

Parts and Photoetch Issues

Overall, the thinness of the PE caused some headaches, as it was easy to damage or bend some parts out of shape in the routine handling and cutting of the parts off the sheets.

Examples