The Author: Michael Green is the author of numerous acclaimed books in the Images of War series.

Overview

This classic Images of War book traces the key role played by destroyers of the United States Navy since the first order for 16 in 1898. Prior to the USA’s entry into the First World War a further 63 destroyers were commissioned, and due to the U-boat threat, 267 more were authorized by Congress once hostilities were joined.

Between 1932 and Pearl Harbor, ten new classes totaling 169 destroyers came into service. During the war years American shipyards turned out a further 334 vessels. Of the three classes, the 175 Fletcher-class were judged the most successful.

The Cold War years saw the development of seven more classes. More recently 82 of the stealth shaped Arleigh Burke class have been ordered but the futuristic Zumwalt-class program has been curtailed for cost reasons.

AMMO by Mig Jimenez have been creating helpful products that can be used in any genre of modeling to recreate weathering and finishing effects that can take one’s model to the next level. In this case, you get a Solution Book that gives you guidance in how to paint 4BO schemes for your Soviet tanks or vehicles. A separately sold Solution Box contains this book as well as the featured products referenced within. The book text is in 4 languages making it accessible to just about anyone- English, Spanish, French, and German. It is easy to follow, no matter what your skill level and the products are quite easy to use.

The Arado Ar68F kit by Roden is one of two version that they produce, the other being the “E” version. The bulk of both kits are the same with the exception of the sprue containing the cowling parts, since the E and F used different engines. The kit contains around 100 nicely molded parts in a medium gray plastic plus a clear plastic windscreen. There are no photo-etch or resin parts. Instructions are provided in black and white on 8 pages in 15 steps. There is also a separate two-sided sheet with two of the color schemes shown in color. Decals are provided for three marking options, all of which are very different from each other. A standard RLM70/71/65 option is included, along with an overall red machine with a white lightning bolt/arrow running the length of the fuselage and a white skull and crossbones on the vertical tail.

Danger Close Dioramics is a relative newcomer to the area of diorama accessories, but they seem to be expanding their offerings at a good pace. The subject of this review in their Buddha Temple in 1/53th, which features a statue, base with steps, background wall and 1 side wall. DCD also includes several strips of bamboo-like plastic that can be used to enhance the scene if one wishes.

All resin parts are molded in a fairly dark gray ono-porous material which, although not bubble-free, is still relatively clean. All items in this set were clearly cast from open-face molds, so that back sides are not particularly pristine, with some overfill as well as some underfill with a certain amount of resin “cupping” along the edges. This does mean, however, that there are no casting blocks to remove.

MMP Books continues its series of “Colours of…” Eastern European Air Forces. This time the Yugoslav Air Force before and up to World War 2. The second volume covers the period mainly the mid-1930’s until April 1941. Volume 1 has been reviewed previously.

In particular this book covers the following airframes