Review Author
Dan Brown
Published on
July 14, 2023
Company
Trumpeter
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$249.99

The F-35 Lightning II is an American single-seat multi-role aircraft developed through the Joint Strike Fighter program. The F-35C is the third airframe from this program to enter operational service. It was specifically designed to fill the role of a carrier-operated long range stealth strike fighter. It differs from the other previous variants by having larger wings for slower landing speeds and increased payloads, folding outer wings, a catapult capable twin-wheel nose gear, and a stronger tail hook for arrested landings. The F-35C entered service in August of 2021, with the first squadron of F-35Cs from VFA-147 on the carrier USS Carl Vinson.

Book Author(s)
Author: Dariusz Karnas, Illustrator: Andrzej M. Olejniczak
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
July 15, 2023
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$11.99

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. MMPBooks are distributed in North America by Casemate Publications.

Book Author(s)
Adam Jońca
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
July 15, 2023
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$11.99

This is the seventh book in the MMP Books Single Vehicle Series (as it is a Polish company, it isn’t surprising that three books are dedicated to Polish vehicles, 7TP single and twin-turret and Vickers E), two vehicles operated by Polish forces (SU-76M and T-72M1), and Type 5 Ha- Gō). The Single Vehicle series are short books, between 24 and 28 pages, and focus on that vehicle. This is not a book for someone wanting to read about the operational history, employment, etc. as the writing is limited to well detailed captions.

Book Author(s)
Editorial Staff
Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
July 15, 2023
Company
Cross & Cockade International
MSRP
$42.00

First, I must express sincere appreciation to the editors of Cross and Cockade; IPMS USA sincerely appreciate your provision of a great read.

I decided since I am closet WWI interest-type individual, (when Stationed in Germany I visited Verdun at least 10 times…) I might as well do some reading on “The Great War”.

The society itself has developed a large following (based on people who know more than I) and is considered “the go-to place” to research details on WWI aviation. They are set up with memberships, not storefront operations. Their website also has a plethora of books and resources for research.

From their website:

“Welcome to the web site of The Great War Aviation Society!

Review Author
Michael Novosad
Published on
July 15, 2023
Company
DEF Model
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$15.99

Background

The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV; colloquial: Humvee) is a family of light, four-wheel drive, military trucks and utility vehicles produced by AM General. It has largely supplanted the roles previously performed by the original jeep, and others such as the Vietnam War-era M151 jeep, the M561 "Gama Goat", their M718A1 and M792 ambulance versions, the Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle, and other light trucks. Primarily used by the United States military, it is also used by numerous other countries and organizations and even in civilian adaptations. The Humvee saw widespread use in the Gulf War of 1991, where it navigated the treacherous desert terrain; this usage helped to inspire civilian Hummer versions. The vehicle's original unarmored design was later seen to be inadequate. The vehicle was found to be particularly vulnerable to improvised explosive devices in the Iraq War. The U.S.

Review Author
Jim Stepanek
Published on
July 15, 2023
Company
Italeri
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$61.89

This is a review of the Iltaleri 3666 VW Golf Polizel model kit

Engine

Very basic engine. While engraved beautifully, this is very little additional details so the engine was put together and installed with no further detailing done.

Interior

Interior is wonderfully engraved. I had some issue fitting the separate side panels onto the chassis. Decals in the kit supplied the dashboard decals.

Body

Body was crisp and clean with no flash. I used Tru-Color metallic burgundy over black primer base and coated with 2 part urethane clear. Not being a fan of stock or box builds, I omitted the bumpers and rolled the front & rear pans and filled the stock taillight panels. Aftermarket taillights were installed.

Review Author
Rick Reinert
Published on
July 15, 2023
Company
Zoukei-Mura
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$130.00

Bottom Line Up Front

This is a new tooling of the Bf-109 G14 from Zoukei-Mura introduced in 2022. As with the two other Zoukei-Mura kits I have built (J2M3 and DO-335), this kit is really designed to have all of the panels opened. Especially those around the engine. With the panels opened up, you don’t need to worry about gaps and alignments. If you build the model with these panels closed, you will have to address the gaps, because they can be significant. If you want to build a 109 in this scale with the panels closed, you are better off with the Hasegawa kit. The Revell kit also has the ability to open up the engine bay and is less expensive. This kit is very detailed and you should take your time in building (or assembling) it. It builds up into a nicely detailed rendition of a 109.

Book Author(s)
Mig Jimenez
Review Author
Peter Bucher
Published on
July 15, 2023
Company
AMMO by Mig Jimenez
MSRP
$18.99

The Mig Solution Book “How to Weather German trains” is book number 01 and is a soft bound magazine style offering step-by-step tutorials explaining how to apply the different colors and effects to German train cars and a locomotive. The book is 64 pages in full color with photographs on almost every page and is available in four languages.

The first section of the book is a description of products of all paints and materials that Mig offers to be used during the weather and paint processes explained in the book, ending with a full page of icons that are used throughout the book. The Icons are used to describe or explain what the builder is to do during each various step such as paint, washes, wait for a certain amount of time to let paint dry, airbrush paint ratios etc. I recommend that you make a copy of the page for reference so that you do not have to keep flipping back and forth in the book to look up the meanings of the icons.

Book Author(s)
Mig Jimenez
Review Author
Peter Bucher
Published on
July 15, 2023
Company
AMMO by Mig Jimenez
MSRP
$18.99

The Mig Solution Book “How to Modern Russian Tanks” is book number 07 and is a soft bound magazine style offering. The book is 68 pages in full color with photographs on almost every page and is available in four languages.

The first section of the book is a description of products of all paints and materials that Mig offers to be used during the weather and paint processes explained in the book, ending with a full page of icons that are used throughout the book. The Icons are used to describe or explain what the builder is to do during each various step such as paint, washes, wait for a certain amount of time to let paint dry, airbrush paint ratios etc. I recommend that you make a copy of the page for reference so that you do not have to keep flipping back and forth in the book to look up the meanings of the icons.

The book is well illustrated and shows the weathering for a Russian tank in steps as follows.

Review Author
Peter Bucher
Published on
July 16, 2023
Company
AMMO by Mig Jimenez
Scale
n/a
MSRP
$16.18

I received the Mig Ammo Dio Drybrush Paint Rust Color set. The Clear plastic container contained four bottles of what Mig refers to as Dio Drybrush paint. The four colors represented the various stages of rust from a dark brown old rust color to a light orange fresh new rust color. Upon opening the paint, I found they are thick and creamy and not a thin liquid like the average paint. No shaking or stirring was needed to prepare them.

When using the paint, they did dry brush and cover very well. If you are familiar with the slap chop method of dry brush painting, they are perfect for that style of dry brushing which uses a wet heavier style of dry brushing.

Cleaning up was very easy because they are acrylic-based and not enamel or lacquer-based paint.