Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
July 6, 2018
Company
Tamiya
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$124.00

When Tamiya released its 1/48 scale F-14A, it was made the new standard in F-14 kits and from the layout, it seemed like the F-14D would be coming and now, it has arrived. First, it’s gorgeous as far as plastic, general engraving, etc. and that should not surprise anyone. Most of the parts for the F-14A are still in the box and won’t be used. The kit comes with four marking options:

  • VF-02 "Bounty Hunters", CAG Plane, May 2003, USS Constellation
  • VF-213 "Black Lions", CAG plane, March 2006, USS Theodore Roosevelt
  • VF-11 "Red Rippers", CAG Plane, 1995, USS Carl Vinson
  • VF-101 "Grim Reapers", September 2004

Some great markings and plenty of aftermarket decals options also. I went through the instructions and compared them to the F-14A instructions and here’s a list of changes/upgrades:

Review Author
Blaine Singleton
Published on
July 6, 2018
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$12.95

Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) produces white metal replacement parts for kits in a variety of scales. Some of their landing gear sets are for a variety of kits and some sets are designed for a specific model. The sets are designed to support the weight of a specific model without warping that can sometimes be seen with kit styrene landing gear supporting a model’s nose weight.

This landing gear set is for either the Wolfpack, Italeri and Testors 1/72 scale model T-45 Goshawk. I had to add a good amount of weight in the nose to get the model to rest on its nose gear and the gear supported the weight without any problems. The aircraft with all the weight in the nose is quite steady sitting on the SAC gear set.

The parts were well cast and had no flash or other areas that needed to be sanded. The gear set had a good amount of detail molded into them. The kit comes with front strut, two main landing gear struts and two support bars for the main gear set.

Book Author(s)
Richard Marmo
Review Author
Phil Peterson
Published on
February 3, 2020
Company
Scale Publications
MSRP
$15.95

The F-16 is another fighter on my all time favorite aircraft list for not only it’s performance but also, it’s use by many countries around the world (yes, I love small air forces). The Montana Air National Guard received the Fighting Falcon to replace the 106s and they looked good with the C M Russell skull on the tail while I lived in Great Falls. Then I moved to Salt Lake City and was just south to the home of the 16 at Hill AFB so I have seen them in the air and close up many times.

Richard Marmo once again gathers a bunch of great shots of this bird in it’s many forms and puts them together on one CD.

The disc is in HTML format and while it does require an internet browser to open you do not need an internet connection.

Richard has collected almost 900 photos on this CD. These are from Lockheed Martin, the US Air Force and other parties and while some have been seen before there are many are new to me.

Review Author
Ron Verburg
Published on
July 4, 2018
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$29.95

History

The Bell P-39 Airacobra was one of the principal American fighter aircraft in service when the United States entered World War II. The P-39 was used by the Soviet Air Force and scored the highest number of individual kills attributed to any U.S. fighter type in the Eastern European theatre. Other major users of the type included the Free French, the Royal Air Force, the United States Army Air Forces and the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force. Designed by Bell Aircraft, it had an innovative layout, with the engine installed in the center fuselage, behind the pilot, and driving a tractor propeller via a long shaft. It was also the first fighter fitted with a tricycle undercarriage. Although its mid-engine placement was innovative, the P-39 design was handicapped by the absence of an efficient turbo-supercharger, preventing it from performing high-altitude work.

Book Author(s)
Compiled and Edited by: Stephen Bull
Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
July 4, 2018
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$15.00

With the centennial anniversary of the end of the “war to end all wars” approaching on November 11, Stephen Bull adds this new pocket manual to the list of Osprey publications covering this period. This new book, which is compiled using excerpts from the German Army as well as from the intelligence sections of the British and American armies, describes German tactics throughout the war. It is an interesting read on a fascinating period in history as the militaries of the world were developing new weapons and tactics at an incredible rate.

Book Author(s)
Alexander Ludeke
Review Author
Michael Novosad
Published on
July 4, 2018
Company
Casemate Publishers
MSRP
$17.95

About the Author

Historian and author Alexander Lüdeke's main interests are the military and the history of technology. He has an extensive image library, which includes numerous illustrations, a selection of which can be found in this Fact File.

Overview

A great upheaval in tank construction took place in the 1970s, as new combat techniques, helicopters, weaponry and new types of ammunition reduced the value of a conventional combat battalion. Nevertheless, complete new developments are rare and in this book, Alexander Lüdeke looks at the most important developments that have taken place since 1970.

Book Author(s)
Richard Marmo
Review Author
Phil Peterson
Published on
January 9, 2022
Company
Scale Publications
MSRP
$15.95

The P-38 is one of my all time favorite aircraft. From participating in the first US kill against a German aircraft (a FW-200 Condor along with a couple of P-40s) to the mission to Get Yamamoto (a good book) to flying over the beaches of Normandy on D-Day and every other front during the war the Lightning did what no other US fighter could do, come home after losing and engine. The Fork-Tailed Devil was flown by the top two US Aces of all time and you can find some pictures of Bong’s Marge and many others in this nice collection.

Richard Marmo has gathered a bunch of great shots of the Lightning in it’s many forms and put them together on one CD.

The disc is in HTML format and while it does require an internet browser to open you do not need an internet connection.

Review Author
Rob Booth
Published on
November 12, 2020
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.95

Chances are, if you model aircraft in any of the major scales you are well familiar with Eduard. Their product range varies from simple photoetched enhancement frets to multi-media kits, conversion sets, and accessories which are amongst the finest in the hobby. Their products may be purchased online through www.eduard.com. I have built a few of their kits and have used many of their accessories over the years. I am even a card-carrying member of the Bunny Fighter Club, which provided me a carrot-themed 1/48 Mig-21 and allows me a modest discount when buying direct. Check the website, and it will make sense.

Book Author(s)
Lechosław Musiałkowski
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
June 30, 2018
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$25.00

Lechosław Musiałkowski has written two additional books for MMP: Polish Wings 19: Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-17 & Polish Versions (2015) along with Bomber Aircraft of 305 Squadron(2014). In addition, he has authored numerous monographs in Polish (Wydawnictwo Ministerstwa Obrony Narodowej series), covering the B-25 Mitchell, Catalina, C-47, Boston (Havoc), etc.

A native of Krakow Poland, Janusz Swiatlon is an aviation history enthusiast and military modeler. He has retired from the Polish military after serving with the 6th Airborne Brigade. He has a long history of being published as an illustrator and author for many magazines and books from publishing houses as Osprey, Kagero, AF Editores, Chevron, and Mushroom Model Publications.

Review Author
Paul Mahoney
Published on
June 30, 2018
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$13.95

A newer addition to Scale Aircraft Conversions ever-expanding line of metal landing gear is this set for the Airfix 1/48 scale Supermarine Walrus.

Like most of SAC’s sets, this is meant as a drop-fit replacement for the kit’s plastic landing gear. The set comprises of both main gear legs and the tailwheel (with accompanying fairing). All are made of sturdy, white metal.

I could see no appreciable difference in the detail between the kit items and those in this set. They look to be almost exactly the same. If anything, I believe the SAC details were a bit softer than the kit items.

I will say the SAC gear is considerably stronger than the kit plastic. The Walrus is a big and somewhat hefty model, so the additional strength might come in handy. I haven’t heard of any issues with the Airfix landing gear, but that is really the only advantage over the plastic parts that I can see in this set.