For some time now, I have been wanting to check out a Kagero publication. I see them for sale at the IPMS shows from time to time and I can’t believe I waited this long to get my hands on a copy. The only Aircraft Carrier I have in my stash is the Akagi so I thought this a fitting edition to start with. First of all, I have to say I was gob smacked at the quality of the print. The book is softbound, and contains amazing color images on a full color, gloss A4 sized paper.

The book is the fourth and final volume in the Kagero Monographs series on the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. It was written by Tomasz Szlagor and Leszek A. Wieliczko, and is published by Kagero. It is part of Kagero’s Monographs series, each dedicated to a specific aircraft type, offering a thorough look at its development, variants, combat history, and modeling resources.

Originally released in 2010, this softcover edition comprises approximately 92 pages. Some sources cite 96 pages and mention 128 photographs, so slight variations may exist between editions. The text is presented in both English and Polish, with a large-format paperback layout featuring numerous black-and-white and color photographs.

I have been using UMM razor saws for years to cut resin and plastic with great results. Since I build larger resin figures, sometimes the fine blades and smaller saw blades take a while to cut through. Also, with the blade being sandwiched in the middle, you have a limited depth to cut. The new ultimate razor saw addresses many of these issues. First, it is a double-edged blade with course on one side and fine on the other so you have options. Second, with the blade being attached on one side, you have much more depth.

One feature that is very cool is that the blade is attached by an allen wrench and that is attached to the handle, easy to remove and use and then stow back so no looking for the wrench.

For a trial, I had some T Facto Godzilla fins I was working on and the attachment points were beefy. They cut off perfectly. Once off, I needed to remove the stub and again, perfect. I must also say, the handle is very comfortable and gives a great grip.

Kagero's Super Drawings in 3D version was released in 2020. Kagero Top Drawings are geared for model builders in a more affordable and benchtop-useful format.

Another excellent pictorial book with large line drawings in color and B&W of an obscure subject - the most numerous class of post-war destroyers until the US Navy Arleigh Burke class, all started post-WW2. Project 30bis served as the backbone of Soviet fleet destroyers until the 1960s. This publication is designed for modelers, including scratch-builders, for any scale desired. The accuracy and number of views of the entire ship, ship sections, and ship fittings (even down to fairleads and bollards) are stunning, as usual. Even the colors appear to be accurate. This issue shows the class (named Smelyi class in Russia) as originally built - keep in mind there were many variations throughout a long time of service in Soviet and other navies.

A pleasant memory for me. Military Aircraft of the 1950s is a combination/reprint of four Ian Allan books released during the Cold War. I had the Jane’s equivalent growing up. A hardbound book with 306 pages of data, each page with multiple photographs of iconic military aircraft.

The first section covers British Military aircraft (including helicopters), the next section covers U.S. and Canadian fixed-wing aircraft. The next section covers “Continental” (European) aircraft. and the last section is dedicated to helicopters, which is interesting as the first two sections also have helicopters in them.

The biggest benefit for a modeler is the three-view drawings of each plane. These photographs provided an additional source of data on wing and engine placement (and landing gear for fixed gear aircraft).

While black and white photos are not overly useful as a paint guide, markings on the aircraft can be used for decal placement