This is number 27 in MMP’s Spotlight On series and covers the Grumman F6F Hellcat. There is a brief introduction/history of the F6F. Then the book goes right into its purpose, the many beautiful color profiles of Grumman Iron Works stalwart!

Starting with early dash 3 markings in blue gray over light gray with the round US insignia minus the red center. Then moving on to the tri-color scheme and late war glossy sea blue and concluding with the Fleet Air Arm Hellcat Mk. I in Extra dark sea Grey, Dark Slate Grey, and Sky. Each has been thoroughly researched and meticulously replicated by the artist.

If you’re a fan of the Hellcat or color profiles, then this book and series were made for you! Highly recommended to modelers for the many interesting schemes and to anyone with an interest in aviation history! My thanks to Casemate for the review copy and to IPMS/USA for the review opportunity!

When ICM announced and started showing drawings of a new CH-54A Tarhe (more commonly called a skycrane), people were excited and then realized, it was in large, glorious 1/35 scale too. When the opportunity to review it came up, I begged for it and was lucky enough to get the opportunity.

Inside the box are 14 sprues of grey plastic and one sprue of clear. Decals are also included. The sprues are well done as there are multiples of sprue H. This is the one with wheels, and engine parts and there are four total which includes some spares. Sprue J are the rotor blades and there are three with two blades each. One of the first things to notice is the very petit and well-done rivets. This helicopter was not built for speed but strength and there are hundreds of rivets all duplicated very well. The clear parts are very thin and clear. Overall, we have 534 parts to assemble with some options mentioned below. By the way, both markings are for Vietnam War variants.

MMP was founded in 1996 by Roger Wallsgrove, to publish "Mushroom Model Magazine". This quarterly modelling magazine was developed from "Mushroom Monthly”, a club newsletter which ran from 1985 to 1995, achieving a world-wide reputation for quality articles, fearless and honest reviews, and a great sense of humor. From 1997 the magazine was produced in collaboration with Robert Peczkowski and Artur Juszczak (Stratus), which meant a big leap in print quality and design. MMP expanded into book publication in 1999, and since then they have built up a list of books on aircraft and aviation, naval, military vehicles, and military history. MMP Books are distributed in North America by Casemate Publications.

This book covers South and Southwest pacific P-38s, broken down by squadron and has 23 chapters. In addition to basic P-38 Markings and unusual Lightnings, the following squadrons are covered: 8th PRS, 17th FS,39th FS, 6th NFS,8th PRS, 12th FS, 17thPRS, 25th PRS, 9th FS,26thPRS, 35thFS, 36th FS, 44th FS, 80th FS, 339th FS, 418th NFS, 419th NFS, 421st NFS, 431st FS, 432nd FS, 433rd FS and the Fifth Fighter Command HQ.

There is an overview of the issues getting the P-38 into combat use. Each squadron chapter covers markings, losses, kills, personnel, and many other subjects. With kills, these are noted then a comparison with known Japanese losses and squadron claims is made.

“To call the relationship between India and Pakistan of the early 21st Century “fraught” would be an understatement. Much of this was attributed to religious differences – India being 78-80 percent Hindu and Pakistan being well over 95 percent Muslim – and to differences over the ‘ownership’ of the Kashmir region. However, this was not only simplistic: it was almost entirely wrong; indeed, insulting to the huge Indian-Muslim population, which has been steadfastly loyal to the Indian Republic and its secular Constitution (despite occasional concerns over the attitude of ruling political parties), and thus, an integral part of India’s society.”

The author continues,