Key publishing specializes in books covering aviation, transport history and sport. This book is a fairly compact, paperback full color book. There are two primary sections, U.S. Customs and Border protection in the first section and U.S Coast Guard in part two. In each section are two chapters further breaking down into further sub groups.

Most of the aircraft featured are currently use with each organization but a few notable aircraft that have been retired are covered. With each aircraft covered, detailed information on the aircraft, capabilities and missions performed are discussed. Locations for each group is also covered along with a thorough description of each air station. I did not realize how large of a variety of aircraft the Dept of Homeland security operated and the unique marking on some of the aircraft. Aircraft from UAV’s, small fixed wing aircraft (Cessna 206) up to the C-130 is all covered.

Phoenix Scale Publications is a new publishing company in the world of scale models but the team is made up of several veterans of the business. They have released two modeling magazines, one on all types of models and this one which is just on the aviation side of builds. They also have released several aviation modeling books.

Do we need another scale modeling magazine about aircraft? The more the merrier I say but Phoenix has put together a quality product that covers a lot in its 82 high quality, glossy pages.

The first quarter of the book covers news and what’s new information starting with the Newsstand and the Czech News. In The Box looks at what comes in one kit in detail and then we have Accessories, Decals and Bookshelf. The end of the magazine has a section providing news from IPMS (UK).

For modelers, in the one true scale (1/144), Brengun has added an especially useful photo-etched set of WWII armor tools to their catalog. Associated with the U.S., that label shouldn't prohibit anyone for using them in any setting where appropriate.

The small, metal sprue contains four examples each of the following:

• shovel
• starter crank
• pickax handle
• pickax head
• sledgehammer
• axe
• hex wrench
• two styles of pry bar.

Quite the variety. The choice by Brengun to 'etch' the pick as two parts is a bit curious. Maybe a test of ones skill level? Then again, spares were sometimes stowed separately. Owing to the diminutive size of these tools, removing the parts from their attachment points may be problematic. Caution and a new hobby knife blade are recommended.

Marmo’s Model Building Guides

Richard Marmo publishes model building guides for specific kits that provide greater insight than is usually included in the kit’s basic instructions. Richard uses photographs plus thorough written descriptions of his actual build to aid the modeler step-by-step building the kit. Richard‘s writing style is very informative and often includes humorous advice on how to avoid the pitfalls of model building. His written narratives go into much more detail than can be provided in the basic kit instructions. The photographs are high quality and because they are in a digital format can be zoomed in to magnify detail. This is particularly useful when a kit has many small parts like the one reviewed here. The guides provide additional tips on modeling techniques, tools, and materials, to expand the modeler’s knowledge. At four bucks each these model building guides are a must have for modelers.

I first discovered this publisher and series at an IPMS Nats a few years ago. As the title says, they specialize in WW2 Pacific aircraft, and do an excellent job covering some lesser-known subjects.

This is a softcover publication, with 120 pages in a nice, high-quality semi-gloss finish and a stiff outer cover. Publishing quality is first-rate, as is the content itself.

The introduction to the book describes the author’s intent, which is primarily to detail and clarify the various markings of Airacobras in the South and Southwest Pacific theater. This contains a brief explanation of the deployment of the type, and some explanations as to the differences between the various models of the P-39, as well as the P-400. The author is very concise and clear in spelling this all out. This is immediately followed by tables showing the various bases used by the squadrons flying the Airacobra in this region, as well as a brief glossary.