Book Author(s)
Ralph Riccio, Mario Pieri, Daniele
Guglielmi
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
March 3, 2024
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$59.95

Casemate Publishing is distributing a Helion & Company published book on the topic of Italian Soft-Skinned Vehicles of the Second War World. The publication has two volumes. This review covers Volume 2.

The book is broken down in the following sections

  • Medium and Heavy Trucks
  • Artillery Tractors
  • Special Purpose Vehicles
  • Trailers

Plus three appendices:

  • Camouflage and Markings
  • Italian Vehicles Manufacturers
  • Vehicles produced in Italy while under German Control (1943-45)

While information on the Italian Navy, Italian Air Force and Italian Armored Units is not that difficult to come by, information on their soft-skinned/support/ancillary vehicles is harder to find. But this publication fills that gap well.

Book Author(s)
Tom Cooper
Review Author
Mr. Greg Kittinger
Published on
March 3, 2024
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

The David vs. Goliath nature of the inception and survival of Israel in the Middle East provides an element of fascination to those interested in military history, especially the air war component. Israel came into existence at a time when technology was taking giant leaps forward, but due to mixed support of the birth of the small nation, restrictions and embargoes played heavily into the Israeli Defense Force’s ability to build up its air arm. In this alone it battled great odds to piece together a hodge-podge of aircraft in their early years, but understanding the value that air warfare brought to them in their tenuous geographic and political situation, they continued to spend significant resources to develop a competent air force.

Book Author(s)
John Rodgaard
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
February 24, 2024
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

Helion is a UK-based company that produces books on many aspects of Military History from the Late Medieval period through to the present day. Helion was established in 1996, and since then they have published over 1,200 books, with 100 or more new titles coming out every year, for readers around the world.

Book Author(s)
Wen Jiang Chung
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
February 23, 2024
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

This is the fourth book in the War in Ukraine series (currently at five volumes). The first two volumes were reviewed by Orlando Reyes of the IPMS/USA Review Corps:

Review Author
Doug Cole
Published on
February 21, 2024
Company
Italeri USA
Scale
1:12
MSRP
$142.66

The McLaren MP4/2C is a legendary Formula 1 racing car that debuted in the 1986 season. Designed by Gordon Murray, the MP4/2C was highly successful. The car featured an aerodynamic design and innovative technical advancements.

Powered by a turbocharged TAG Porsche engine combined with the car's lightweight construction and advanced aerodynamics, it was hailed as a marvel of engineering, pushing the boundaries of Formula 1 racing.

The talented McLaren team, led by the exceptional Alain Prost, enjoyed a remarkable 1986 season. Prost's stellar performance not only secured him the drivers' championship but also clinched the Constructors' Championship for McLaren. The MP4/2C's outstanding performance and reliability were pivotal factors in the team's triumphant campaign that year.

Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
February 20, 2024
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$21.43

A new resin detail set from Brengun to add or replace 1/48 scale LAU-115 & LAU-127 missile rail launchers for all the variants of the F/A-18 Hornet, Super Hornet, and Growler.

In The Box

There are six (6) resin-poured parts. Two (2) are of the LAU-115 rail launcher with ECP-422 jettison adapters molded in plus two mounting shackles. The other four (4) are the LAU-127 rail launcher. They are designed to be used to launch the AIM-9 Sidewinder or AIM-120 AMRAAM missile. Paper instructions are printed on one side and very well illustrated.

Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
February 20, 2024
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$18.95

This set is designed to provide replacement parts for Zvezda’s Pe-8 bomber kit. The package includes two complete sets of main gear struts and actuators and a new single-piece casting of the tailwheel fork assembly.

As with most of SAC’s landing gear sets, the metal main gear struts and actuator parts are intended to be one-for-one replacements for the kit parts. The parts are well cast, however, in my sample, one of the strut assemblies that hold the main gear wheels was misaligned (see photo), fortunately, as the white metal is easily manipulated, I was able to straighten it up with no issues.

SAC elected to cast the tailwheel fork as a single piece rather than as two parts as Zvezda did. I think this was a great decision as it eliminates the joint where the two kit parts meet, which could become a weak point over time.

Book Author(s)
Michał A. Piegzik
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
February 20, 2024
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

“In far Alaska’s icy spray, I stand beside my binnacle
And scan the waters through the fog for fear some rocky pinnacle
Projecting from unfathomed depths may break my hull asunder
And place my name upon the list of those who made a blunder
Volcanic peaks beneath the waves are likely any morning
To smash my ships to tiny bits without the slightest warning
I dread the toll from reef and shoal that rip off keel and rudder
And send our bones to Davey Jones – the prospect
makes me shudder
The Bering Sea is not for me nor my fleet headquarters
In mortal dread I look ahead in wild Aleutian waters
Where hidden reefs and williwaws and terrifying critters
Unnerve me quite with woeful fright and give me fits and jitters.”

Review Author
Steve Zajac
Published on
February 19, 2024
Company
AMMO by Mig Jimenez
Scale
N/A
MSRP
$35.78

A new release from Ammo, the Atom metallic paint set contains 12 bottles (see list below) consisting of nine well-known metallic colors used in virtually all military and civilian scale model subjects, as well as red, green and blue metallic colors. The paints are water-based acrylics, non-toxic and odorless, and can be air brushed or brush painted. Each 20ml plastic bottle has a snap lid and contains a mixing ball. Of note, there are eight different Atom sets on the Ammo website. The Ammo acrylic thinner comes in a 60 ml snap lid plastic bottle.