Model builders who have plans to build Tamiya’s 1/48 Dewoitine D.520, Pacific Coast Models’ 1/32 Hawker Hurricane Mk.1 or Hobby Boss’ 1/32 Spitfire Mk. Vb should obtain a copy of Kagero’s SUPER MODEL INTERNATIONAL, No.3. before they remove many parts from the sprues. That’s because number 3 in this series devotes the whole issue to building and finishing these three models. Expert model builders Tomasz Chacewicz, Michał Rosiak and Tomek Wajnkaim combine their rather impressive skills to show what can be achieved with these three kits.

The 80 pages (including cover) of this all-color issue are divided into three sections in which each of these builders share how they created their respective masterpieces from these three kits in a modicum of text and a lot of photos…each one a high quality image that adds much to the value of each builder’s instructive chapter.

Chacewicz kicks things off with 26 pages devoted to building and finishing the Dewoitine. Because of the simplicity and overall quality of the kit, he provides guidance about how to add rivets to the exterior with a home made riveting tool and simple steps for super-detailing the cockpit, then focuses on his painting and weathering techniques. His techniques are thoroughly described and the finished product is stunning.

Rosiak then takes his turn in the next 16 pages, showing how he built and finished the PCM Hurricane Mk.1. He seems less pleased with the kit than Chacewicz is with the Dewoitine, but doesn’t let his opinion of the kit keep him from turning it into an outstanding model of the RAF’s Battle of Britain workhorse. Rosiak’s painting and weathering techniques involve a variety of products including something from Tamiya, Gunze, Alclad, Pactra, and MIG Productions. Photos of tools and finishing materials are also included to aid the reader. The resulting model is a work of art…three-dimensional art.

Then Wajnkaim steps into the limelight to deal with Hobby Boss’ Spitfire Mk.Vb. After two introductory paragraphs about the historical significance of the subject, he describes the kit as less than perfect with simplified details and suffering from shape errors when compared to Tamiya’s excellent 1/32 Spitfire kits. He says: “One can either spend a lot of time on corrections or concentrate on painting the kit well, I was satisfied with the second option.” He then proceeds to finish what can only be described as an outstanding OOB model of a Spitfire Mk.Vb. Wainkaim‘s brief bio on the back cover describes him as a graphic artist and designer…something he demonstrates quite well in his chapter. His Hobby Boss Spitfire Mk.V may have some shape errors, but they almost go unnoticed when one views the finished model.

Separating each of these chapters throughout the book are two-page spreads where the publisher shamelessly advertises a number of Topcolors editions that model builders will find of value if tackling any of these subjects. I can’t really fault Kagero for reminding readers what other relevant references they offer…and, come to think of it, I probably will need to add them to my library.

I believe it is fair to say that modelers who intend to build the Dewoitine D.520, Hawker Hurricane Mk.1 or Spitfire Mk.Vb from the featured kits or from any kit in any scale will find this issue to be of value when painting and weathering these aircraft. It also may serve as a source of inspiration when you need help keeping the creative juices flowing as the current workbench project is doing it’s best to thwart them.

This publication is highly recommended. My thanks to IPMS/USA and Casemate Publishing for the opportunity to review number 3 in this series of book.