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Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
Company
Amigo Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$14.95

This set is designed to be used with Modelsvit’s Ye-152 experimental aircraft. The set consists of 5 resin parts providing the portion of the exhaust section of the engine aft of the rear compressor blades. Cast in a light grey resin, the parts exhibit exquisite detail, however, other than the flame-holder for the afterburner and the actual nozzle part, all the details are on the inside of the exhaust tube and are finely rendered.

The resin used by Amigo Models is of a medium hardness that is comparable to the injected plastic used in Airfix’s new kits which makes it easy to cut, but not so fragile as to collapse or shatter when cut. I use fine razor saw to separate the parts from the pour stubs and a medium grit (400) sanding stick to clean up the cut edges. I then soaked the parts in Simple Green to remove any mold release agent.

Book Author(s)
Piotr Butowski
Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
Company
Harpia Publishing
MSRP
$39.95

This is Piotr Butowski’s fourth book for Harpia Publishing on the Russian Air Force. The first two books focused on the aircraft and helicopters currently used by the Russian Air Force and the third book focused on Russia’s air-launched weapons. The focus of this volume is on the structure of the Russia military aviation, with commentary on its possible future.

The book is divided into three chapters with several appendices. Chapter One discusses the evolution of the Russian Air Force’s current structure. Chapter Two delves into the different layers of this structure starting with the upper levels and moving on down through to individual units and air bases. Chapter Three discusses the Air Force’s acquisition strategy and the author’s concerns for the future.

Book Author(s)
Dave Hooper
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Guideline Publications
MSRP
$26.99

Author Dave Hooper is the founder of the IPMS Great War Special Interest Group and a long-standing contributor to aviation modelling journals. His comprehensive knowledge and attention to detail is well known.

Book Author(s)
Andy Evans
Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
SAM Publications
MSRP
$30.37

Right off the bat, let me tell you that I am a fan of this SAM series of books. They provide everything a modeler needs for a knowledge of the plane covered and in tis case, it is the F/A-18 A/B/C/D Hornet. The books is 192 pages of soft back goodness with excellent pictures and illustrations.

The table of contents has the following:

Review Author
David Horn
Published on
Company
HGW Models
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$8.99

Rivets on models have been limited to just two choices, “positive” (raised) and “negative” (embossed) styles, that is if they are represented at all. They both have their advantages and disadvantages but nearly all builds you will need to add rivet detail. In nearly all cases, the method to add rivet detail is to emboss or dimple the surface which is complete opposite of what the rivet looks like in real life. If your approach is to represent a raised rivet, adding raised features can be a challenge. HGW Models now offers an ingenious method to add reality to rivets but note that is will take a little practice to get the right effect.

Book Author(s)
Robert Forsyth
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$24.00

This is another great book in the Osprey Combat Aircraft Series. It covers the development of the 210 and the later 410 aircraft. These were designed to replace the classic Me 110 aircraft.

It was in 1937 that the idea and development started on a replacement for the Me 110 Zerstorer (Destroyer) which itself was just entering service. The new design would have to full fill the role of Destroyer and dive bomber.

The development stages and aircraft variations are very well done including all issues with the Me 210 which was not the success Messerschmitt was hoping for. This was due to a lack of sufficient flight-testing, the Me 210 suffered from bad reputation in respect to its flight characteristics and weak undercarriage. Every detail and stages are covered in great depth. What I found very interesting is the amount of information from the different issues and production locations etc.

Book Author(s)
David Doyle
Review Author
Michael Reeves
Published on
Company
David Doyle Books
MSRP
$19.99

Whether I am reviewing his armor books as now, or his aircraft books, like my previous review on the SBD, I am always finding David Doyle’s books to be tremendous additions to the reference bookshelf. I find myself referring to them numerous times, whether for my own projects or to check on something for friends asking advice. The best advice, of course, is to buy themselves their own copy of the book…and this Legends of Warfare volume on the Tigers is no exception.

The book is not the end all or be all purchase that you’ll never need anything else to buy for the library. It is, however, a good place to start for someone transitioning to armor modeling for the first time, or just looking to build one of the various offerings of Tiger kits available. WWII buffs in general will thoroughly enjoy looking through the texts and various photos. Enough babbling…what’s inside Mike?

Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Hauler
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$6.50

Hauler has provided another addition to the great diorama releases. This is a 1/48 scale U.S. Army field safe from WWII.

Included is:

  • three resin parts
  • photoetch sheet
  • instruction sheet

The detail quality is great; The parts are very delicate parts that need careful removal from the resign bases.

The assembly is quick and easy. Please be careful with the photoetch interior parts as they need to be assembled as tightly as possible to slide into the safe opening.

The final part is painting.

Thanks go to Hualer for providing this kit to review and IPMS USA for allowing me to review it for them

Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Hauler
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$10.50

Hauler has provided another addition to the great Diorama releases. This is a 1/48 Scale U.S. Safe from Pre - WWII period.

Included is:

  • 13 resin parts
  • photoetch sheet
  • small decal sheet
  • instruction sheet

The detail quality is great; The parts are very delicate parts that need careful removal from the resign bases. I did manage to lose the small resin safe handle. So I had to make one myself

The Assembly is quick and easy.

Please be careful with the Photo etch interior parts as they need to be assembled as tightly as possible to slide into the safe opening.

Next is the painting then adding the decals. The Decals did tend to roll up and were hard to place due to this. The addition of the gold bars were a nice touch.

Thanks go to Hauler for providing this kit to review and IPMS USA for allowing me to review it for them