Reviews

Book Author(s)
N/A
Review Author
Jeff Leiby
Published on
Company
Kagero Publishing
MSRP
$15.00

Bottom line up front: The title states this is a reference for the Curtiss P-40B/C, but actually, it is a reference for the P-40E with a few photos and color plates for the P-40B/C. The accompanying decals are for a P-40B/C.

The soft-cover booklet is 1-1/2” x 11-3/4” with 24 pages. There are ten black & white aircraft photos, twelve detail photos, six color profiles, a four-view color profile for the aircraft covered in the decals, and twenty-two line drawings of P-40Es and Kittyhawk IAs. The price on the Kagero website is Euro 12.95.

The decals cover a single P-40B/C in both 1/72 and 1/48th scale. They are in good register, the colors are solid and crisp, and the carrier film is thin.

Book Author(s)
Krzysztof Dabrowski
Review Author
Tomasz Menert
Published on
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

From the publisher’s website:

Nearly forty years have passed since the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant - the most severe nuclear accident in history and one of the gravest man-made disasters ever recorded. Countless books, documentaries, and films have examined the catastrophe and its aftermath. Yet, despite this abundance of material, a crucial aspect of the story has remained largely overlooked in English-language accounts: the immense contribution of Soviet aviation to the response effort.

In the shadow of the “liquidators” who manually cleared radioactive debris, thousands of aviators - especially helicopter crews - risked their lives flying repeated missions into the deadly plume above Reactor No. 4. Their work was vital in containing the fallout, delivering personnel and equipment, and monitoring radiation in conditions no aircraft had ever been designed to endure. Their story has never received the recognition it deserves.

Book Author(s)
N/A
Review Author
Jason Boggans
Published on
Company
Gaahleri
Scale
N/A
MSRP
$109.99

Packaging

Inside the handsome packaging is delivered the Gaahleri Mobius-TG Premium Series Airbrush complete with a 0.5mm needle and both fan cap and round cap as well as a large capacity 2-3 oz gravity fluid cup. The reverse of the package gives a complete teardown of the brush showing the full disassembly procedure and parts naming.

The packaging also provides some basic details about the airbrush and it’s intended use, i.e. it is intended for Medium to Extra wide spray pattern, and is part of Gaahleri’s Premium series (other series include Classic, Advanced, Ace and Supreme).

Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
Company
Gaahleri
Scale
N/A
MSRP
$41.99

The IPMS/USA recently began receiving items for review from Gaahleri. The company is relatively new and first introduced airbrushes and has since expanded into the production of their own line of paints. Kaleido ColorWorks is their premium sub-brand of water-based paints, which are developed with RapidAir Technology. In addition to all the individual colors, Gaahleri also has sets of paints available for consumers.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$22.95

Once again, IPMS/USA expresses our thanks to Ross at Scale Aircraft Conversions for providing one of his metal gear sets to use and review! This is a basic metal upgrade for Kotare’s magnificent Bf-109K. What does the SAC gear bring to the fight? Two main gears with the torque links installed, and the extended stroke tail wheel assembly. Three parts guaranteed to take care of your investment in Kotare’s excellent work.

The Kotare design allows you to install the gear at the end of your build, which is a perfect solution, and the metal gear will add resilience in case of shelf rash. This set is well worth the extra bit of cash to enhance your model!

Review Author
Jason Boggans
Published on
Company
Gaahleri
Scale
N/A
MSRP
$34.97

Packaging

The Gaahleri conversion kit for the Mobius-TG Premium Series comes well-packed in a small hanger box for the needle, which contains a foam insert containing the secured needle. The packaging indicates the needle size and SKU on a sticker on the rear of the packaging. The cap and nozzle are both contained in sturdy blister packs that are also suitable for hanging. Each component is labeled with the Gaahleri SKU and component size for the 0.3mm cap and nozzle.

The Components

The components are well packaged and come with no damage or irregularity. Once removed from the packaging, the process of applying the conversion began.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1:48
MSRP
$22.95

This set provides a sound basis for replacing the more delicate parts of the complex Jaguar’s landing gear. Designed for the newly-released Airfix kit, it addresses an area on the model where a bit more strength is appropriate.

Made up of nine cast metal parts, these bits are flexible enough for initial installation, while work-hardening if required for additional stiffness, such as the offset nose strut axle and bow. Brass is nice, but I find it rather unforgiving where alignment is concerned… to each his/her own.

Review Author
Michael Reeves
Published on
Company
Gaahleri
MSRP
$71.98

Gaahleri is a company that burst onto the North America scene first back in 2023 with a new line of airbrushes that quickly became very popular among modelers and artists. I received a Gaahleri Mobius this past Christmas, and it has quickly become my new go-to airbrush. When I found out they were releasing the new Kaleido Colorworks paint line, I had to jump on the chance to check them out.

What’s Inside the Box

The set I am reviewing here is the 24 Mecha Colors set and features vibrant colors, as well as bottles of thinner and cleaner. The box is a lift-off and inside everything is well protected with foam inserts. The paints are water-based acrylics and are factory pre-thinned for immediate use. According to their documentation, the paints are powered by RapidAir™ Technology, which addresses common water-based paint issues, such as beading, uneven coverage, and sagging, by applying in a smooth, sheet-like layer. The set includes the following colors:

Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
Company
AOA Decals
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$23.50

AOA Decals has provided the IPMS/USA Review Corps with a wonderful decal set for Vietnam War-era markings for the US Marine Corps F-4B/F-4J Phantom. This is part one of a two-part set you can purchase from AOA Decals for the Phantom (72-014 & 72-015).

This 1/72 decal sheet covers six USMC F-4 Phantom squadrons during the Vietnam War:

Book Author(s)
Charles C. Roberts
Review Author
Chris Martin
Published on
Company
Casemate Publishers
MSRP
$39.95

Background

From Review Insert

The formation of the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division was inspired by Finland's success during the Soviet Union's invasion in 1939, where Finnish ski troops effectively used winter terrain to overcome Soviet armored divisions. Recognizing the strategic value of such a unit, Charles Minot "Minnie" Dole, founder of the National Ski Patrol, lobbied for a similar division in the U.S. Army. His efforts eventually led to the formation of specialized mountain warfare troops. In 1941, the War Department authorized the formation of experimental ski patrols, and by 1942, the 8Zth Mountain Infantry was created. Recruited primarily from skilled skiers, this unit was stationed at Camp Hale in Colorado. The 10th Light Division (Alpine) was formed in 1943. Later renamed the 10th Mountain Division in 1944, it became a critical component of U.S. mountain and winter warfare capability.