Aircraft and History

The B-52 is probably one of the most iconic aircraft of all times and the longest serving aircraft in the US Air Force inventory. Designed to carry nuclear weapons during the cold war as a nuclear deterrent, the capabilities have changed since it took to the skies. The first flight of a B-52 was in April 1952 which the cockpit on the first two aircraft was a tandem arrangement similar to the B-47. That design was changed to a conventional side by side seating arrangement on all production aircraft. The first B-52H made its maiden flight in July 1960 and the final B-52H manufactured in October 1962 ending after an eight year production run. The most obvious difference on the B-52H is use of turbofan engines (TF-33) instead of the J-57 turbojet. Upgrades continue to bring new life to the airframe and capabilities but the youngest airframe is 59 years old at the time of this review.

This is volume five in the special series. Warpaint books are well known to the modeler and historian alike and this book follows the same pattern as others in the series. The book is divided into 15 different chapters. Beginning with design and a look under the skin the first two chapters cover the development of the Mustang from prototype to P-51H as well as a look at structure and various difference between the models such as engine, armament, and other components.

The next nine chapters cover the Mustang in WWII, from its beginnings with the RAF and its use in North Africa through all major Army Air Force use. The US Air forces covered are the 8^th (longest chapter at 16 pages. Followed by the 12^th,15^th,7^th,5^th,10^th, and 14^th in that order. Each AF chapter gives and overview of the AF and its fighter squadrons and their combat deployments and uses.

This is a review of four of the new Acrylic Filters from AMMO by MIG Jimenez.

• A.MIG-0802 Night Black 15ml
• A.MIG-0816 Sand 15ml
• A.MIG-0821 Sand Grey 15ml
• A.MIG-0828 Rust 15ml

These filters are produced using a innovative formulation, the Acrylic Filters can be reworked or eliminated simply and easily with water during the extended dry time, each filter will dry completely in 24 hours. The filters can also be applied by airbrush. The range consists of 30 colors currently. The filters can even be mixed with each another or tinted with other AMMO acrylics. The acrylic filters can be diluted and cleaned with water.

I used all the filters on some finished and in-build kits and the effects and application were awesome. The effect once applied is subtle and is very easy to use. I can see me getting a lot more of these.

From the Publisher

A comprehensive account of the development of American aircraft carriers up to and during World War II.

This extensively illustrated volume tells the dramatic yet successful story of US aircraft carriers in World War II by class, ranging from early pre-war designs to escort carriers built from destroyer hulls, to the gigantic fleet carriers serving as the predecessors of modern-day super carriers.

Besides covering the famous great carrier battles in the Pacific, this book also tells of the equally important actions of US flat tops hunting and destroying German U-boats in the Atlantic, making an enormous contribution to the elimination of the U-boat dangers and the safe arrival of transatlantic supplies, so desperately needed for the launch of D-Day.

The Jackal 1 is a new kit from the prolific model company, Hobby Boss in 1/35 scale. It is a unique vehicle from the United Kingdom and deployed to Afghanistan. For those of you unfamiliar with the vehicle, here’s a short description from Hobby Boss, “The British Army has added a category of vehicle to the armored vehicle fleet called the tactical support vehicle (TSV). 400 TSVs were ordered in October 2008 as part of the $700m protected patrol vehicles package. The new TSVs will be used to accompany patrols, and to transport supplies such as ammunition and water.