Kagero’s The Russian Battleship Marat is one of the latest in their Super Drawings in 3D series. This edition is in their standard 8.25” x 11.75” format softbound publication that is 68 pages (excluding covers). This volume starts off with seven and a half pages of historical text followed by 61 pages of color 3D illustrations. There is also a Centerfold full of line drawings (~26.6” x 19.0”) that starts with profiles at 1/350^th scale and goes up to 1/50^th scale for the details. I counted 117 color 3D illustrations along with one table. There are no current nor period photographs.

Contents Description

This PE set includes a small PE fret with all of the pilot's instrument panel and side panels along with the rear cockpit (radar operator's position) many panel faces. A pair of rudder pedals is also included. A three-page set of instructions is included that locate each panel face and indicate where the raised detail included on the kit parts must be removed. The PE parts do not include adhesive on the backside, and therefore the modeler must carefully glue each part in place.

I took the plastic kit parts as indicated on the instructions and removed the raised details with a micro-chisel and sanded the rough surfaces with a medium grit sanding pad. Once the surfaces were smoothed, I washed the parts in warm water and a mild detergent, scrubbing the surfaces and nooks and crannies with an old toothbrush. After rinsing the parts I allowed them to thoroughly dry.

Contents Description

This three-piece PE set includes a small PE fret with all of the pilot's instrument panel and side panels along with the rear cockpit (radar operator's position) many panel faces, plus two frets for parts for the wheel wells and miscellaneous exterior details. A pair of rudder pedals is also included. A four-page set of instructions is included that locate each panel face and indicate where the raised detail included with the kit must be removed. The instrument panels PE parts do not include adhesive on the backside, and therefore the modeler must carefully glue each part in place.

First things first: a hearty “Thank you” to Brengun for providing IPMS USA this little gem for review. We cannot function as well without our manufacturers support, and we sincerely appreciate Brengun’s provision of items to review. Thanks also to John and Phil for finding and distributing these items.

This set provides minor detail work for the Trumpeter TU-160. Big kit. Big. Particularly if the wings are in the parked and ready to take off position with flaps and slats out. Makes a B-1 look like an F-15 when parked next to a “Bone”. The engines are massive, the jet carries a lot, and the White Swan is impressive from any angle.

Fonthill Media’s Axis Suicide Squads – German and Japanese Secret Projects of the Second World War by Justo Miranda.

Author Justo Miranda has multiple books & publications out on Luftwaffe ‘paper-projects’ and late war designs. He is a tech drawer and Spanish Air Force Museum advisor.

This hardbound book is 224 pages and includes information on both actual aircraft used, and many “paper projects”.

The cover flap reads “This book details the designs of all German and Japanese aircraft, examining the suicide bombers and aerial rammers deployed as desperate measures to counter the Allied advance. Axis Suicide Squads is an in-depth history of the tragic necessity for such drastic countermeasures; it contains comprehensive technical information relating to each machine and detailed, hand-drawn diagrams depicting the mechanics of how the aircraft functioned.” This is a great summary of what this book is all about.