The T-34 series of tanks together with the M4 Sherman series are THE most important tanks of the Second World War from the Allied point of view. The Panther tank, perhaps the most influential tank of WW2 from the German perspective was a direct result of German forces running smack bang into the T-34/76 on the Eastern Front, and the demand for German industry to provide a counter to it. In turn the T-34 needed to be upgraded once the Germans introduced more thickly armored tanks such as the Panther and the Tiger, and thus was born the T-34/85, an upgrading of the T-34 series from its original 76mm main gun, to a more lethal 85mm gun.

Meng has done something comparatively new to accompany their outstanding Porsche-turreted King Tiger model in 1/35^th scale, offering a separately-available decal sheet for the zimmerit coating found on so many of these monsters at this stage of the Second World War.

The decal sheet is certainly comprehensive – providing 3-dimensionally printed decals for literally every surface that might have had this coating on the real beast. All parts show a remarkable fidelity to the surface they’re supposed to cover and have virtually no film to interfere with the edges. On complicated areas, such as the rear of the hull and turret, multiple decals simplify getting around surface detail. All tool attachment points and other such extrusions are also left free of film to facilitate gluing.

Master Models has released another great set, this I a barrel and muzzle set for the German Mk. 103 30mm cannon used in WWII. It was used primarily for “tank-busting” but could be used in air to air situation also. It was used on the following planes:

• Fw 190F-8 - Two, 1 in the gun pod under each wing
• Hs 129B-2 - One in the pod under the fuselage in the front part
• Me 410B-6/R3 - Pair in the nose
• Ho 229 V3 - Pair in the nose
• Do.335 A-1 - Single center-mounted cannon through the prop hub
• Do.335 A-0 - Single center-mounted cannon through the prop hub

The Henschel HS-129 was the primary user and already having the great Hasegawa kit, I jumped at the chance to review the set.

Mikro Mir has come on the scene from Ukraine, releasing a lot of new naval kits and some aircraft. I had earlier reviewed their new CAD designed model of the British 1/144 Holland Class Submarine. It was a pleasure to build, so I quickly signed up for this kit. I was wary of the Bilek release of the Yak-23 and was looking for Mikro Mir’s approach to the subject. Well, Mikro Mir had a hand in this kit, but the basic aircraft is the Bilek kit (4 sprues) with an extra sprue of details, new PE, new decals and set of masks from Mikro Mir. The Mikro Mir sprue includes a full engine (but no tailpipe!), wing tanks and simplified landing gear.

This book is published by Kagero and is distributed in North America by Casemate Publishers. “The Hapsburg’s Wings 1914” is authored by Professor, Senior Doctor Lecturer Andrzej Olejko.

As one would expect, the focus of North American WWI historians, students, authors, artists, and modelers is on the Western Front. Ask a Canadian to name a WWI Ace and they will respond with “Billy Bishop”. Ask an American and they will quickly name Eddie Rickenbacker. Other names will be put forward. Certainly, on this list, will be George Guynemer, Albert Ball, Andrew Beauchamp Proctor and Mick Mannock.

Ask, then, for the respondent to focus on German Aces. Of course, the first name that will come up is Manfred Von Richthofen followed quickly by Max Immelmann.