Meng Models has released yet another great kit. Having built four of their kits now, I cannot say enough good things about them. One of their latest offerings is this great Mansyu Ki-98 Ground Attack fighter. Similar to their first aircraft release, the Katsuodori, the Ki-98 is another Japanese WWII prototype. This one, however, never made it past the wood mock up.

Subject

The Ki-98 was a Japanese prototype high-altitude ground attack fighter. The design has been rumored to be based on a cross between the Shinden fighter and the American P-38 Lightning. The twin-boom, single-seat fighter used a rear-mounted pusher engine, allowing the nose to house two 20mm cannons and a 37mm cannon. The prototype was destroyed prior to Japan’s surrender to Allied forces.

The anticipation of Neil Dunridge's new book A-10 Thunderbolt II 21st Century Warthog was very high among modelers and enthusiasts alike. They certainly were not disappointed. From the eye-opening front cover to the awesome back cover, the author documents the A-10's present life at home and in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The author presents his material in chapters – each chapter a unit flying the A-10. The chapters include seven active U. S. Air Force units, three Air Force Reserve units, six Air National Guard units, and a chapter on the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center.

History

We are all familiar with the success stories of British World War II aircraft. but the author of this work examines the careers of some of the types that either didn’t make it to the production line or were never intended for service use. The author has made a life study of British aviation history, having worked in the industry for many years, and he has published numerous articles and books on the subject.

The Kit

This 1/48th scale kit offers two vehicles for the price of one (both are available as single kits, too). Airfix has released several kits of vehicles, troops, and helicopters deployed to Afghanistan. Both vehicles are derived from the Land Rover Defender. The Snatch is a patrol vehicle with supplementary armor, “suitable for armored patrols in potentially hostile environments.” The WMIK serves as a Special Forces vehicle. Unlike its brother, the cab is replaced with a roll bar and is open to the air. The models are shipped in one plastic bag so several of the WMIK parts were damaged during shipping. Most of them could be repaired. It would be nice if Airfix could do a better job protecting parts during shipping. There are four sprues in light blue plastic (two for each vehicle), one sprue of clear parts, and a sheet of decals. There are two full-color exterior paint call outs for Humbrol paints. There is a total of 190 parts: WMIK – 89, Snatch – 101.

Bronco continues to release interesting subjects from the People’s Liberation Army. From the kit, “The PTL-02 wheeled assault gun system was based on the ZSL-92 wheeled armored vehicle, integrated with matured weapon technologies including the Type 86 100mm towed anti-tank gun and the Type 88 MBT. The vehicle was designed to engage armored vehicles, bunkers, fortifications, and other stationary or moved targets. The PTL-02 has been fielded along with the ZSL-92 IFV and ZSL-92A APC in the PLA rapid reaction wheeled mechanized infantry troops. The PTL-02 is powered by a BF8L413F 4-stroke, 8-cylinder, turbo-charged, air-cooled diesel engine with a standard power of 320hp. The vehicle uses a mechanical gear box, with 9 forward gears and 1 reverse. Power assisted steering, independent suspension, and central inflating system are fitted as standard. However, the PTL-02 lacks the two rear propellers found on the ZSL-92, which suggests that the gun system is not amphibious.”