Mushroom Model Publications (MMP Books) Boeing B-17 Fortress in RAF Coastal Command Service [Second, Revised Edition] by Robert M. Stitt

This softbound book is 224 pages and includes a wealth of information for the aircraft enthusiast or model builder.

The back cover reads “Rejected as a bomber by the RAF, the B-17 was used extensively as a long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft by Coastal Command. This book tells the fascination story of these operations, a vital but often overlooked part of the fight against the U-Boats. All the aircraft involved are listed, and the tedious but essential work of their crews described, including some epic encounters with enemy submarines. Fully illustrated with many wartime photographs and scale plans of the airframe modifications.” This is a great summary of what this fantastic book is all about.

This SAC product provides parts to replace the kit-supplied landing gear in the Kinetic kit of the M-346. The SAC parts in this review sample are without any noticeable flash or mold seam lines.

Of significance is the fact that the SAC gear strut locating pins are of the same shape and size as the locating pins on the Kinetic kit. This is, of course, important so that proper fit and alignment can be easily achieved when using the SAC gear.

Nowadays, when we think of cutting-edge aviation technology, things like stealth materials, satellite guidance and pilotless flying come to mind. But what was the cutting edge one hundred years ago, at the dawn of aviation? How about hinged ailerons, or steel tubing, or cantilevered wings? For better or worse, warfare spurs innovation, and by the time of the Great War, the needs of the conflicting Great Powers for the decisive weapon, coupled with the cutthroat nature of industrial competition, spurred aviation innovation at an astounding pace.

Master Box Models is proving time and time again to be at the cutting edge of figure modeling – providing the modeler with figures and figure sets that would normally only be seen in the expensive garage manufacturing field. They’ve created post-apocalyptic sets, fantasy sets and science fiction sets -- all of them innovative and surprising.

This latest figure comes from their science fiction series At the Edge of the Universe, and features a future crew member earning her keep in a futuristic arena of death. Parselen, otherwise know as the “master of two blades” wears mostly traditional gladiatorial garb including a simplified take on a Mirmillon helm. The only modern touch on her that I could discern was the use of very contemporary footwear rather than sandals.

And now for something completely different! UGears contacted us and offered to send a number of kits; I believe this is the first review of the group. UGears is a Ukrainian company started in 2015, and UB LLC are their US Distributor. Their extensive product line is well worth taking a look at if you’re a fan.