Academy has released an update of their previously released M1A1 kit with the release of a SEP V2/TUSK II kit. Based largely on the M1A2 kit (no. 13298) released in 2016, this version provides some updates. Whereas the previous kit provided three different variants, this kit provides two. They appear to be same vehicle, one with the TUSK add-ons and the other with them removed. The only other difference between the two vehicles is the paint scheme, one is desert sand and the other largely in NATO green. For this build, I prefer the cleaner lines of the traditional Abrams, so I am going to focus on the SEP V2 variant rather than the TUSK.

The Promo on the Osprey website states, “In 1940, the strategically vital island of Malta was Britain's last toehold in the central Mediterranean, wreaking havoc among Axis shipping. Launching an air campaign to knock Malta out of the war, first Italy and then Germany sought to force a surrender or reduce the defenses enough to allow an invasion. Drawing on original documents, multilingual aviation analyst Ryan Noppen explains how technical and tactical problems caused the original Italian air campaign of 1940-41 to fail, and then how the German intervention came close to knocking Malta out of the war. Using stunning full colour artwork, this fascinating book explains why the attempt by the Axis powers to take the British colony of Malta ultimately failed.”

Battle of Britain 1940: The Luftwaffe’s “Eagle Attack” is a new title in a new series called Air Campaign. The author is Doug Dildy, a USAF Academy graduate and former USAF Colonel. He has a Degree in history and a Master’s Degree in Political Science. The art work and illustration are superbly done by Graham Turner.

This book is a detailed account of the Luftwaffe’s Operation “Adlerangriff”. It details the Luftwaffe and RAF’s capabilities, objectives, equipment, strategies, and changes made throughout the campaign, through to its ultimate failure.

Following the introduction chapter is a chronological flow by date of the battle with summaries of directives, commands and actions.

Master Models’ Spandau product consists of a beautifully etched and rolled set of cooling jackets, 2 exquisitely machined barrels, two tiny muzzles, and a sheet of 3 pairs of photo etched jacket ends – the front incorporating a ring sight, the rear having a bracket. MM considerately includes a spare set of these, which, amazingly, I did not have to use – no sacrifices to the carpet gods this time.

I’m currently building the Eduard DV, which includes PE parts for the Spandau. I think that you will agree with me that while Eduard’s photoetched parts are excellent, the incorporation of the machined brass parts in the MM set really adds to the appearance of the finished weapon.

The A-37A/B (sometimes referred to as an OA-37A/B) was developed from Cessna’s T-37B trainer. With upgraded engines and eight hardpoints for ordinance, the original concept for the A-37A was ground support of troops. The A-37B had provisions for air-to-air refueling, and the ability to carry slightly more ordinance.

Aires has come up with an excellent replacement for Monogram’s kit cockpit. This kit has resin, printed film, and photo-etched (PE) parts The details in the Aires kit’s ejection seats alone make this kit worth it, but when you add in the instrument panel, Aires’ aftermarket kit really makes the Monogram kit come alive.

One nice feature of the Aires kit is that four control sticks are provided when only two are required. This nice touch gives you some spares in case one column is lost or broken.