The second of eighteen different designs for an assault tank to break through enemy defensive lines. The designs were completed by May 15, 1943. No prototypes were built, but the project helped to set the stage for another heavy assault tank, the A39 Tortoise.

The kit comes in a sturdy flip top box with the computer created illustration of the model on the top. The parts come in several bags to keep everything, more or less, protected when shipped.

MMP continues its “Single” series of books with no. 18, the Lockheed P-38G-15-LO Lightning. As you can see by the title, this is a very specific version of this plane and this book only covers that variant. There is no coverage of the H or J version of the P-38, just the one listed. This is also one of the versions covered in the new Tamiya 1/48^th P-38.

Let’s look in the book- it is only contains 24 pages but they are packed with scale line drawings in 1/72^nd scale with plan views and cross sections for the main fuselage as well as the tail booms. This is followed by operations photos in several WWII theaters of operation. There are detail drawings of the cockpit bays, landing gear, boarding ladder and engines. Exploded views of most parts are included so the reader can see how things go together. There are plenty of details so that a scratch builder or detailer has plenty to work with for landing gear and cockpit.

MMP was founded in 1996 by Roger Wallsgrove, to publish "Mushroom Model Magazine". This quarterly modelling magazine was developed from "Mushroom Monthly”, a club newsletter which ran from 1985 to 1995, achieving a world-wide reputation for quality articles, fearless and honest reviews, and a great sense of humor. From 1997 the magazine was produced in collaboration with Robert Peczkowski and Artur Juszczak (Stratus), which meant a big leap in print quality and design. MMP expanded into book publication in 1999, and since then they have built up a list of books on aircraft and aviation, naval, military vehicles, and military history. MMP Books are distributed in North America by Casemate Publications.

History

The Lockheed T-33A, a two seat variant of the original Lockheed P/F-80 “Shooting Star” is perhaps one of the best known non-combat aircraft used by the U.S. Air Forces, along with the Navy, Marine Corps, and many foreign air forces. First developed in 1947, the prototype was a converted F-80C fighter with a two seat cockpit and deleted armament. First designated TF-80C, production began in 1949, and the type remained in production until 1959. Navy versions were called TV-2, and later T-33B. Nearly 6,000 were produced, and the type was also used by many foreign air forces, and was also built under license in Canada and Japan. They have since been replaced by the Northrop T-38 series, but many civilian licensed T-33’s are flown by wealthy warbird enthusiasts, and they are occasionally to be seen at civilian fly-ins throughout the country. In addition, many T-33’s were assigned to Air National Guard units in the U.S.

This book is from the Men, Battles, and Weapons series. It has 10 chapters after a timeline and introduction. The book is profusely illustrated including a few rare color photos.

Chapter one covers the Polish Campaign and the Phony war as well as early success by Galland and Pingle. Chapter two covers the war in the west. Chapter three by far the book’s largest at 21 pages covers the war over England in 1940. Chapter 4 is the lead up to Barbarossa. Chapter 5 covers the Barbarossa campaign and the 5046 claimed Luftwaffe victories between 6/22 and 9/30/1941. Chapter 6 covers the 1941 battles in Africa. Chapter 7 returns us to over the English Channel in 1941 with the last 3 chapters covering the Eastern front, over the West and the Mediterranean respectively. The book concludes with an afterward where there is discussion of the concentration on victories, promotions and honors, then the usual glossary, bibliography and index.