What's New

Review Author
Chris Vandegrift
Published on
Company
Trumpeter
Scale
1/350
MSRP
$349.99

Intro

I was excited to see the upcoming launch of Trumpeter’s USS Midway and jumped at the chance to do this review. The DKM H-Class was a terrific ship to build - if the Midway is as good as that, or better, this will be an enjoyable build for sure. As I got into the build the 3 characteristics of Trumpeter’s ship kits that I think set them apart from others showed up right away: first sprue gate locations are strategically placed so that whenever possible they are on a surface not visible in profile thus requiring no sanding, second the PE is very forgiving with a distinct “snick” when cutting the PE from the fret along with a softness that allows it to be re-bent at least once without breaking, and third a level of detail on even the smallest part that requires a macro-lens to get a clear picture of it. I had a few thoughts on how to break up the build for review. In the end it feels like 3 distinct build sessions.

Review Author
Chris Bryan
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$49.99

The ICM FWD WW1 Ammunition truck Type B, is another one of the unsung heroes of transportation from the Great war. ICM has chosen to give us the opportunity to add that vehicle to our collections . Upon receiving the kit I tore into it with great excitement , this has been on my hit list of builds . For the purposes of review the accompanying paint set for the vehicle was in the box and will be a separate review. Opening the box, I was not surprised to see it was packaged in the traditional ICM format of ta top box art cover with the contents in a top opening white box which I have found is extremely sturdy and survives shipping well. The first bit to be examined was the instructions, they are a center staple magazine format comprising 24 pages with 110 individual steps followed by 3 different color and marking templates. 110 steps at first seems excessive , it is actually done to clarify the process a bit better and is actually well done.

Review Author
Paul Dunham
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1:32
MSRP
$79.49

ICM first issued a Gloster Gladiator in 2019 and a Sea Gladiator in 2020. For 2024 the Sea Gladiator has been issued again with a set of three Royal Navy figures included. Except for the figures and the box art, this new kit is the same as the 2020 Sea Gladiator kit. The kit includes six trees of grey plastic parts, one tree of clear parts, decals, and instructions.

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$34.00

This is a reissue of the Brengun Extra 300L with new markings and sporting a four-bladed prop. Introduced in 1988, Walter Extras' creation is a mainstay in the aerobatic training and competition world. Regular readers of this site will recognize this subject had been done before by me a few years ago (see Extra 300L/330LC published May 3, 2022). This time around I was provided the base kit. Brengun does make a PE set, vacuform canopy, and canopy masks for this kit. There are separate reviews for each on this site.

Book Author(s)
Haagen Klaus & Bert Kinzey
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
Detail & Scale, Inc.
MSRP
$21.99

Detail & Scale has already published two books on the P-38, back in the 1990’s. These books have been long out of print but this is not just a re-issue but rather a revision and update to the original books, including pictures never seen before of the restored P-38F “Glacier Girl” and the scale model section includes details and recommendations for the more modern P-38 kits that became available since the publication of the original edition.

The P-38 traces its lineage to Clarence “Kelly” Johnson and it was a revolutionary aircraft from its time, given its size, speed, and climb rate.

For each mark indicated below, there is a brief chapter explaining the details from previous marks, period pictures (some in color, most in B&W) and excellent line drawings.

Book Author(s)
Jean Paul Pallud
Review Author
Bob LaBouy
Published on
Company
Pen & Sword
MSRP
$52.05

Hope you understand if this review contains some insight into the After The Battle standard presentations. These books, of which there are now over 86 issues (and this number does not count the WWI, Military, Aviation, Maritime or Ancient History books), take a photographic trip through the battles or campaigns named (e.g. Arnhem, Bastogne, Omaha Beach). These publications take great pains to compare the war time photographs to modern day images of the same location, which in most cases still stand today. Most of the titles are available as eBooks, Audiobooks, DVDs, and the original magazines.

Review Author
Steven J. Corvi
Published on
Company
Detail & Wonder
Scale
1:48
MSRP
$35.56

Packaging and Product

The sample review I received came in nicely packed black box with labeling and full instructions. It was also well packed in foam to prevent damage. There are five (5) 3D printed parts in assembly cages, six [6] 3D printed parts of the wheel hubs and three (3) resin poured wheels, and a bag containing a metal rod and tube. The printed resolution of the landing gear is tight and very detailed! There are a few tiny details throughout the entire 3D print and some careful painting and contrast weathering will make them come to life!

Review Author
Steven J. Corvi
Published on
Company
Fab Scale
Scale
1:48
MSRP
$23.34

These F/A-18E/F/ [F 414] Exhaust Nozzles (for the Meng Kit primarily) are a recent release by the Chinese manufacturer Fab Scale. Fab Scale’s online presence is hard to find with the provided QR codes stating that the site can’t be reached. The same is for the supplier, Warspite Model Company. These are nice drop-fit replacements for the exhaust on the Meng kit and I suspect it would also fit the Hasegawa kit.

The sturdy box protects the three pieces, each in their own protective Ziplock pouch. There are no instructions included but since this is a rather simple assembly, it is not detrimental. The box art [line drawings] shows the arrangement of the three parts. I removed the 3D supports with a hobby knife, which was easy, and after a quick clean up the parts were ready for painting.

Book Author(s)
Lechosław Musiałkowski Illustrator: Andrej M. Olejniczak
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$25.00

MMP was founded in 1996 by Roger Wallsgrove, to publish "Mushroom Model Magazine". This quarterly modelling magazine was developed from "Mushroom Monthly”, a club newsletter which ran from 1985 to 1995, achieving a world-wide reputation for quality articles, fearless and honest reviews, and a great sense of humor.From 1997 the magazine was produced in collaboration with Robert Peczkowski and Artur Juszczak (Stratus), which meant a big leap in print quality and design. MMP expanded into book publication in 1999, and since then we have built up a list of books on aircraft and aviation, naval, military vehicles, and military history.

Book Author(s)
Luigi Toiati
Review Author
Michael A. Turco
Published on
Company
Pen and Sword Books Ltd
MSRP
$59.95

“The History of Science Fiction and Its Toy Figurines” by author Luigi Toiati is a substantial and weighty hardback of 528 glossy pages with 470 pictures (See Photo 1). Although it may feel like one, the author claims in the Forward that it is not an encyclopedia or boring treatise or catalogue, but instead the reader should “consider it a promenade through sci-fi and the toy figurines linked to the subject.” And while the author doesn’t necessarily agree with those science fiction (SF) authorities he cites who trace the origins of the genre back to the ancient times of the Bible, Hinduism, Plato, or Lucian of Samosata (a 2nd-century Syrian satirist and rhetorician), his review of the aforesaid genealogy is extensive and at times tedious.