This book is typical of the excellent Naval Fighters series, of which this is number ninety-one. Ginter books are well known to modelers and aircraft historians alike. They provide an excellent reference source for both common and obscure Naval and USAF aircraft. All are packed with photos, drawings, and details needed by modelers, and this volume does not disappoint.

This book covers the last model and upgrade to the F2H design. The book starts out with a basic summation of the changes made to the aircraft to create the F2H-3/4. The next 22 pages consist of detail photos and drawings of all the nooks and crannies modelers crave. Coverage then begins of every squadron in the USN and USMC that used the Big Banjo, totaling 123 pages. There is also an 11-page section covering the Banshee in Canadian use. The book concludes in the usual way with a summary and short review of all available model kits of the F2H-3/4.

History Brief

The Chrysler 300 was so named for its awesome 300 HP FirePower 90 degree V8 Hemi; the name “Hemi” is short for its unique “hemispherical combustion chamber” design. This powerful engine featured dual 4-barrel carburetors, high performance camshafts mated to stiff valve springs, solid lifters, special manifolds and forged crankshaft. Then this bad boy was mated to a modified two-speed “PowerFlite” fully automatic torque converter transmission, sporting Goodyear Special Safety Super Cushion four-ply tires, heavy-duty shocks and leaf springs, front stabilizer bar and brakes. All were above the standard for its time, not to mention a 150-mph speedometer and enlarged dual exhausts. The C300 had the beautiful body styling of a sports coupe and came in three factory color options. In short, the 300 was nothing like Detroit had seen before, with a base price of $4,055 and power steering not standard equipment, it was the first true Muscle Car.

Available directly from L’Arsenal USA or L’Arsenal Models.

I would like to thank Tony Bunch and Jacques Druel for this review sample, and IPMS for allowing me to review it.

As a fan of the Armee de L’Air and the Aeronavale, I was happy to receive something new to hang from my Rafale models. L’Arsenal, more familiar to ship modelers, also offers a good number of aircraft details through their Aero line of products. The AREOS Reco NG pod is their latest offering in 1/48. To be honest though, I had to do a little research since I was not familiar with the AREOS pod. It is just now being fielded – the Armee de L’air having ordered twelve pods for it Rafale B and C fighters, and the Aeronavale eight for its Rafale M. The debut role for the pod was during the NATO intervention in the skies of Libya.

History

The Sd.Kfz.6 Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen was designed by Bussing-Nag and Mercedes Benz as a prime mover for the German army – one of a number of half-track designs. The unit was produced during the 1930’s. The Sd.Kfz.6 had a five ton pulling force, capable of pulling off the road. It was built from 1935 to 1943 in several versions. In 1942, production ceased, and the Sd.Kfz.11 took its place, as this unit was cheaper and easier to manufacture. The pioneer version had a passenger body of up to 15 soldiers. This vehicle weighed 9 tons and was powered by a 6 cylinder 115 php Maybach NL54 engine, with a maximum speed of 50 km per hour.

Items in the Box

The model is made from injection-molded plastic, tan in color, with thirteen good presentation instructions, decal sheet and clear window and lens sheet, and a photo-etch sheet.

This is a somewhat interesting and slightly odd choice by Eduard. Washingtonia filifera is native to the Western US, and doesn’t really reside outside the region except for cultivated landscaping. It is primarily found around spring-fed oases in the low desert of Colorado, hot springs of Nevada, and rivers within Arizona and California. It has also been found in Florida and the Virgin Islands as well, most likely from transplants used as ornamental trees. The full tree can grow up to 60 feet in height, with shorter examples being seen in gardens and younger plants. A distinguishing characteristic are the long white fibrous threads that are between the segments of the leaflets. On adult trees, dead fronds stay attached to the tree and drop, forming a skirt around the trunk that can extend the entire height of the tree if left wild. These trees are also very long-living, with examples living between 80 to 250 years!