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Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
Company
Arma Hobby
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$49.95

By 1943, the US Navy had committed itself to an ambitious carrier building program, including not only the full-size Essex class carriers, but also a lot more smaller escort/jeep carriers. The escort carriers were envisioned to be equipped with a composite squadron comprised of Wildcat fighters and Avenger torpedo aircraft. As Grumman had ceased building both types of aircraft in order to concentrate on building F6F Hellcats, license production of Wildcats was transferred to General Motors, resulting in the FM-1 and FM-2 aircraft. The FM-1 was essentially a four gun F4F-4 Wildcat, while the FM-2 featured a more powerful engine, resulting in more engine torque necessitating the installation of a taller vertical tail on the FM-2 (which is accurately depicted on the FM-2 kit).

Book Author(s)
Dariusz Karnas Arthur Juszczak
Review Author
Blaine Singleton
Published on
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$11.99

The book compiles the 4-view color profiles, scale plans and photo details of the single variant of the Republic P-47C-5. Scale plans are in 1/72 & 1/48 scale, plus drawings from wartime technical manuals. Also included are photos of the details in B&W and color.

For any person wishing to build the P-47C model, this book would be a great resource. There are 3 view drawings showing the fuselage formers, wing rib size and location, panel lines on the aircraft and rivet lines. There are technical drawings for the construction of landing gear, cockpit layout and dashboard instrument locations to name a few. This book can be used to give extra detail your model’s cockpit. One page focuses on the area of the cockpit containing map pocket storage and other pocket storage areas.

Book Author(s)
Sander Peeters
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

The country of Suriname is located on the northeast coast of South America, bordered by Guyana in the west, Brazil to the south, Guyana in the east and Atlantic Ocean to the north, located slightly north of the equator. Suriname is a country of rich natural resources, and the south is sparsely populated with dense rainforests and savannah. The highest peak is 1,280 meters above sea level. Its history dates to the first Arawaks in 7,000-8,000 BC. The Caribs, another Amerindian tribe, invaded in 1,100 AD and drove the Arawaks from their settlements. The war was still ongoing when the first European settlers arrived with the Dutch in 1613. The British and Dutch fought two wars, the result of which was the Treat of Breda in 1667 was the Dutch got to keep Suriname, and the British kept the former Dutch Colony of New Holland. The British renamed it New York.

Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
Hauler
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$13.48

While the Sturmgeschütz III was Germany's most-produced fully tracked armoured fighting vehicle during World War II, the Sturmgeschütz IV was its very closely related brother in the later part of the war. The Sturmgeschütz IV was the result of Krupp’s effort to meet the requirement for another assault gun variant.

For those modelers wishing to add more detail to their braille scale Stug IVs, Czech photo etch (PE) manufacturer Hauler produces an outstanding set for the popular Revell Sturmgeschütz IV kit. Manufactured by Jan Sobotka, this package comes with one fret (4 1/8” x 2 3/16”) that will bring your Sturmgeschütz IV to the next level.

Book Author(s)
Richard A Franks
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Valiant Wings Publishing
MSRP
$35.24

This is the 20th book in the Airframe and Miniature Series. This book covers the Lancaster and its predecessor the Manchester. This is part one of a series on the Lancaster and covers the Wartime Service. These books cover the development of the Aircraft, detailed walk around pictures, profiles and covers model kits and accessories to build them.

I found this book a fountain of information and rare pictures of the development of the Lancaster and the Manchester. The Profile pictures are a particular favorite and awesome source for modelling. Also, the in-detail section covering the interior etc. is perfect for the Border Models 1/32 scale kit.

The chapter on the different model builds and kits are of great interest and will provide a good resource when modelling these two tanks.

Book Author(s)
Venner F. Milewski Jr
Review Author
Dana Mathes
Published on
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$52.00

Venner Milewski Jr. has undertaken the monumental task in cataloging each and every US Navy vessel commissioned since 1883, the year congressional funding was approved for America’s first four steel warships. His encyclopedic work is titled Fighting Ships of the U.S. Navy 1883-2019. Milewski Jr.’s compilation provides the physical details of each ship, its specifications, propulsion, armament, etc. as well as the important milestones of its service life. Most of the articles include at least one, and sometimes as many as four high quality photographs of the vessel described. To date, four multi-part volumes have been published, with each part focused on a specific time period. Volume One addressed aircraft carriers while Volume Two covered battleships and New Navy monitors. Volume Three depicts cruisers and command ships.

Review Author
Phillip Cavender
Published on
Company
Hauler
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$7.11

Introduction and Build

Based in the Czech Republic, Hauler Brengun specializes in resin accessories and model kits in scales ranging from 1/32nd scale to 1/160th scale for armor and aircraft model builders. Additional items available include photoetch, an array of diorama objects and razor saws. For a complete listing of the products, their color catalog can be found at hauler.cz

The six resin 1/35th scale oil cans arrive in a 3-inch x 5-1/2-inch clear package attached to a casting block. Included in the package is a small sheet of decals for banding on each can. It is printed as Oel 5L (Oil 5 Litre). The detail is good given the size. All six cans are cast the same, with each having a swivel-carrying handle and spout cast on the top. Bands are located on the sides giving the appearance of actual WWII German oil cans.

Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
Tamiya
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$16.50

These are not the Tamiya figures of the past! The out of scale, chunky plastic bobs have been replaced with well detailed figures that look the part. I was surprised at the time it took to construct the figures as the bodies are multi-part affairs, with separate heads and headgear, weapons, and gear, to make it easier to paint and detail. A bonus is the decal sheet for the uniforms and Panzerfausts (in both the carry and ready to fire position). To say I am impressed would be an understatement – especially at the price for five figures.

Upon opening the usual sturdy Tamiya box, you are greeted with three sprues, decal sheet, instructions, and a Tech Tips flyer. The details are well molded and crisp. The uniforms have indentations for the gear and weapons, so they are not just hanging next to the uniform, they look more realistically that the figure is wearing his uniform and combat gear.

There are five Wehrmacht late WWII figures, listed by Tamiya as:

Book Author(s)
Duke Hawkins
Review Author
David Horn
Published on
Company
HMH Publications
MSRP
$44.00

HMH publications is a relatively new company that produces specialized military aircraft books. This publication is 196 pages with 450+ full-color close-up detail and in action images.

The book starts out with the different versions of the Strike Eagle and then breaks down each section into particular areas of detail. In the upper right corner of each page, the area of detail is clearly defined which is perfect when thumbing through looking for each area of detail. Each image is extremely crisp showing amazing detail and perfect lighting conditions. Attention to specific areas usually hidden from many “walk around” photos are shown in this book.

Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
Hauler
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$13.68

For those modelers wishing to add more detail to their braille scale armor, Czech photo etch (PE) manufacturer Hauler produces an outstanding set for the popular Dragon Challenger 2 kit. Manufactured by Jan Sobotka, this package comes with two frets (9/16”x1 7/8” and 2 ¼”x2”) and will bring your Challenger 2 (FV4034, also abbreviated as the CR2) to the next level.

Set HLH72127 has additional detail for the turret, machine gun (seven parts), prominent fuel barrel straps, exhaust covers, excruciatingly small grab handles, and other miscellaneous parts not adequately captured in plastic. If you like extra detail in small scale, this eye and finger dexterity test fits the bill. The PE is closer to scale size than its plastic brethren and will make the model stand out.