ICM has produced a fine decal set specifically to be used with ICM kit no. 48281, B-26-50 Invader. The decal set includes markings for four aircraft, the most notable of which is B-26B-61-DL “The 7th Chadwick” piloted by Lt. Col. R. Fourtney, CO of the 13th BC 3rd BG in Korea of Spring, 1953. Other markings are included for B-26C-30-DT “Marth Ann” of the 3rd BG, B-26B-55-DL of the 95th BS, 17th BW and B-26C-45-DT of the 3rd BG.

Reviewer’s Comments

Each of the four options are intended for black-painted aircraft. A double-sided, full-color instruction guide is provided. Only side views of the aircraft are given. Placement markings are fairly understandable; however, cross-referencing is recommended.

The paints were provided by Tru-Color Paint. https://trucolorpaint.com/

This is a combined review of the 1/48 Italeri Mirage F.1 “Bye-Bye Mirage” and a selection of Tru-Color paints provided for the build review.

When you open the box you find a total of 5 sprues (one clear) with many parts marked as “not for use” -weapons for the most part. The overall look of the plastic parts is good. No flash, smooth surface, finely recessed panel lines and the transparent parts are free of scratches. You also get an excellent decal sheet with markings for 3 airplanes, all of them in the retirement scheme of the Mirage F.1

Brengun Models is a scale model and detailing parts manufacturer located in the Czech Republic. Their lines include limited production run multi-media kits and exquisitely detailed photo-etched, turned brass and white metal replacement parts for aircraft in the most commonly produced scales.

Brengun has produced a photoetched brass exterior detailing set for the already very nicely detailed 1/32 Hasegawa Fw-190 D-9 kit. The set is packaged in a sealed-fold clear plastic sleeve. There are three plates of photoetch included. Plate one includes wing root plates, main gear cover components and some of the cowling components. Plate two includes the rear canopy cover plate, opposite main gear cover components; underwing cannon access plates, canopy framing and braces, wheel well plates and other main gear bits. Plate three consists of miscellaneous exterior cover plates and hatch covers, main cowling support, and canopy frames.

The Douglas SBD-1 Dauntless publication was released on Nov 15, 2019, so it’s a new addition to the “Single” series published by MMP. This publication, by Dariusz Karnas and Artur Juszczak contains a series of excellent profile illustrations in both 1/72^nd and 1/48^th scales. Panel lines, access hatches, and other surface detail are clearly visible. For those who wish to add some internal detail to a model, or just wonder what might be inside the aircraft frame, pages 7 and 8 have some “cut-away” illustrations that reveal a considerable amount of detail.

The black & white photographs, pp 10-15, will be very helpful to those who are interested in markings placement, and the appearance of surface detail such as navigation lights, alerion actuators, and the like.

Pages 16 through 19 feature photographs of some cockpit detail and engine detail. Some fantastic profile illustrations complete the book.

This is another book in the Osprey collection, this one covering the Eight Air Force’s campaign against Germany in 1943.

The story of the Eight’s campaign also covers accounts and the counter measures the Germans took to thwart the Eight’s aircraft and tactics. Comparisons are made between the Eight’s aircraft vs German counter parts and specific alterations to aircraft made by both sides to stop their enemy.

One aircraft developed by the Eight’s engineers was the YB-40. Essentially being a B-17 upgraded with more machine guns and more ammo to act as a gunship escort for the bomber formations prior to long range fighter escorts.

Another section of the book follows the development of the droppable external fuel tanks to extend the range of a P-47 for bomber escort, and how they were initially banned from use by Eight’s command.