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Synopsis per back cover: The Eighty Years War began as a limited rebellion of Dutchmen seeking religious tolerance from their Spanish overlords, but it quickly escalated into one of the longest wars in European history. Spain’s failed invasion of 1599 and the mutinies that followed convinced Dutch leaders that they should go on the offensive, and the following campaign pitted the sons of two famous leaders against each other: Maurice of Nassau and Albert of Hapsburg. One led an unproved new model army, the other Spain’s “unbeatable” tericos; each commanded well over 15,000 men.

Eduard Models has re-released their P-400 (actually P-39/P-400 family if you consider all the parts in the sprues) this time in the Profipack boxing, which includes several finishing options, photo-etch upgrades and pre-cut masks.

I’ve believe this model dates to the year 2000. Despite being 20-yr old at time of writing this review, the molds hold really well. There is no flash anywhere and the panel lines are sharp and well defined. Eduard knows how to keep its technology in such way that their products are consistent over time.

I had the opportunity to review this kit with the P-400 Look set (reviewed independently) so the interior that you will see is from that set.

This model (like most) starts with the interior. Given the “car door” design of the P-400, plus the “bubble canopy” it is a good idea to spend some time making sure you get things to look as nice as you can. Either using the Profipack PE or the Look set you will get a top notch interior.

Aircraft and History

The Grumman E-2C Hawkeye is an airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft whose mission is similar to the USAF E-3 AWACS but it is much smaller in size and focuses on naval fleet defense. Compact in size, the Hawkeye is a twin engine (powered by the same engines used on the C-130), high wing aircraft that can operate from an aircraft carrier. Operated with a crew of five; pilot, copilot, radar officer, combat info officer, and aircraft control officer, the crew becomes the “eye” of the fleet.

Aviation Collectables Company is a multi-faceted company that produces aviation related books, prints and novelties. The C-130J Super Hercules book, many of their publications, covers nearly every detail from overall photos, open panels, interior photos and notes for scale modelers. The publication is in full color high resolution photographs as well as artist renderings. This subject covers the C-130J Super Hercules that is operated by the Italian Air Force. The book is split into two languages with typically half the page in Italian and the other half English.

History

This book provides a complete history of the Grumman F6F Hellcat, the U.S. Navy’s most successful fighter plane of World War II. The prototypes were developed during 1941 and 1942, and after extensive testing,finally entered service with Navy carrier-based units during 1943. Hellcat pilots were credited with more enemy aircraft destroyed than any other Navy aircraft, and at the end of the war, the type was phased out of front-line service because of the appearance of its successor, the F8F Bearcat, the F4U Corsair, and later by jet fighters. Hellcats were used by reserve units until the early fifties, and were also used as drones and drone control aircraft, resulting is some of the most colorful aircraft in the Navy. The F6F, unlike many other World War II aircraft, did not have a civilian career, except for a few flying today as warbirds.