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Book Author(s)
Eduardo Manuel & Gil Martinez
Review Author
Hub Plott
Published on
Company
Kagero Publishing
MSRP
$24.95

This book covers the Fiat G.55 from WWII to its post war service. At first glance the book is reminiscent of the Ali d’Italia series being roughly the same size and length but with the entire printed portion in English.

The first 62 pages of this book covers the development and use in combat of the G.55 by both the regia Aeronautica, ANR and the Luftwaffe. An interesting story of the one G.55 to appear in British markings is also covered. This aircraft was flown by a defector who also was transporting an escaping OSS agent out.

One of the best sections in my opinion covers the post war use of the G.55. The post war Italian AF as well as those of Syria, Egypt and Argentina all used the G.55 and this is the first English language volume I have seen that has detailed this service. For the modeler this provides many interesting schemes to go along with those of its WWII service.

Review Author
Jarrod Booth
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/144, 72, 48, 32
MSRP
$9.99

ICM has fast become a leader in the field of plastic models. These stands represent some of their latest releases. The black plastic set was preceded by a clear stand edition – A001.

This was a simple set and included six parts for assembling three black stands of different sizes for aircraft models. The stands could be used for the followed scales:

  • 1/144
  • 1/72
  • 1/48
  • 1/32

1/24 scale aircraft would be too large and heavy to be supported by the largest stand.

ICM’s packaging was superb with a colorful box top and a strong lid type box containing the parts and instruction sheet.

Review Author
Jarrod Booth
Published on
Company
Italeri
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$107.99

Having previously built Italeri’s Iveco Hi-Way 40th Anniversary and the Mercedes-Benz Actros MP4 Giga Space, I had a pretty good idea of what was in front of me building this truck.

All the parts sprues were presented in the same organized fashion, and like the Iveco Hi-Way, the Scania R730 included a fantastic chrome adhesive sticker sheet on top of the gorgeous decal sheet. Italeri mentioned that the chrome plastic sprues were newly tooled, but they were identical to those found in the Iveco kit mentioned above, except for the addition of the sun visor and exhaust pipe panel.

Review Author
Eric Christianson
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$39.99

Kiev-based ICM is back again with a new offering in its Einheits-PKW (“Uniform all-terrain passenger car”) line – this time with the light Anti-Aircraft version. This highly detailed and diminutive subject sports twin MG-34 machine guns and crew seat in place of the two rear seats.

History

Officially introduced at the end of February 1938, the Truppenluftschutzkraftwagen – “Air Raid Vehicle” - (Kfz. 4) had four doors and a spare wheel mounted at the rear of the car body like the Kfz. 1 & 3.

The units which were allowed to have Kfz 4’s had only one vehicle, each. A light tripod for each gun was stored at the rear. With the tripods, the MG 34’s could be used outside of the vehicle. Even though the guns were able to be fired in any direction from the vehicle, the practical effect of this weapon during combat was questionable.

Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
Company
Croco Models
Scale
1/72 and 1/48
MSRP
$5.00

Historical Background

Latvia, a small Baltic republic, developed an air force in the twenties, and adopted a striking insignia of a red swastika ( no relation to the German version) on a white circular background. Aircraft operated with this insignia in place up until the outbreak of World War II, Many of their aircraft were imported from Britain, including Hawker Hinds, Bristol Bulldogs, and Gloster Gladiators. In 1940, Latvia was invaded by the Soviet Union, and all surviving Latvian military aircraft were captured by the Russians. Any aircraft that remained were later probably destroyed by the Germans.

Book Author(s)
Tony Wilson
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Casemate UK
MSRP
$19.99

This book covers the story of the development of one of Britain most famous Cold war fighters The English Electric Lightning. I become fascinated by this beautiful Cold War Icon when I was a child, and this was the front-line fighter for the RAF. The book is a incredibly deep dive into the design and development from the very beginning of the idea of a two engine cold war fighter plane.

The book is in two sections

Book Author(s)
Dariusz Karnas
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$11.99

With the release of the Zvezda Mi-24V/VP and P there was a need for a reference that could cover the rivet patterns. Enter MMP Books Scale Plans series. In particular, this book which is No.67 in the series highlights the Mi-24D/V Hind.

Book Author(s)
Ben Skipper
Review Author
Bob LaBouy
Published on
Company
Pen & Sword
MSRP
$24.95

Contents

  • Introduction - 1
  • Design & Development - 3
  • Humvee in Detail - 19
  • In Service & In Action - 25
  • Humvee Variants - 29
  • Camouflage & Markings - 33
  • Model Showcase - 41
  • Modelling Products - 53

This is my second review of one of the Land Craft series books (the prior one covering the Land Rover and it’s many uses. This is the sixth in the series called “Land Craft”. As I read and reviewed the earlier book, this book covering HUMVEE no less rewarding in its comprehensive coverage of this ubiquitous vehicles. While I have seen a great many HUMVEEs I had no idea about the total numbers in service with Army (120,000) and the Marine Corps (20,000). These are very heavy, with the base weight of approximately 5,200 pounds, and the many other versions even heavier.

Book Author(s)
David Grummitt
Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Pen and Sword Books Ltd
MSRP
$28.95

Tankcraft is series of books from Pen and Sword covering specific vehicles in a concise format and also covering the models associated with that specific vehicle also. This latest volume covers the Leopard 2 and notes that it’s NATO’s first line of defense and covers the years 1979-2020.

The table of contents gives a good look at the way the book is laid out:

Book Author(s)
Craig Moore
Review Author
James Kelley
Published on
Company
Fonthill Media
MSRP
$32.00

American Panther Tanks: An Examination of the Five Surviving Panzer V Tanks Including the Rare Panther II might be considered as a strange title for a book; however, there are five Second World War examples in the US. It is believed that fourteen captured Panzer V Panther tanks were shipped to the United States after hostilities ended in 1945. Most were cut-up and scrapped after being used for testing and target practice on live firing ranges. The Panzer V Ausf.A Panther tank at the American Heritage Museum, Hudson, Massachusetts, near Boston, has been completely restored to an extremely high standard. The other four Panther tanks are at Fort Benning, Columbus, Georgia, under the care of the U.S. Army Armor and Cavalry Collection (U.S. AACC). They are awaiting their turn to be restored. The first four chapters briefly cover the development and production of the Panzer V Panther tank from the first version, the Ausf.D, to the second version, the Ausf.A.