Introduction

The aim of this innovative new series is to provide modelmakers and tank enthusiasts with a new standard of primarily visual reference of both full-size tanks and their scale models. Each book will contain detailed technical information imparted through drawings and photographs while the meticulously researched full-color profiles will provide a complete reference for paint schemes and markings, in addition every volume of TankCraft series will feature summaries of design histories and operational careers, and reviews of available kits. Each book is devoted to an iconic tank type – chosen for its popularity as a modelling subject – and the series will provide coverage across a range of different criteria, showcasing the best of the world’s tank types and providing invaluable insight and guidance for modelmakers.

Introduction

'General Leclerc' was the nom de guerreadopted by the Gaullist officer Philippe de Hautcloque, to protect his family in occupied France. He became France's foremost fighting commander, and his armored division (the '2e DB') its most famous formation. Starting as a small scratch force of mostly African troops organised and led by Leclerc in French Equatorial Africa, it achieved early success raiding Italian and German positions in co-operation with Britain's Long Range Desert Group. Following the Allied victory in North Africa it was expanded and reorganised as a US Army-style armoured division, with American tanks and other armoured vehicles. Shipped to the UK, in spring 1944, it was assigned to Patton's US Third Army, landing in time for the Normandy breakout and being given the honour of liberating Paris in August 1944.

When Eduard released its 1/72 MiG-21MF kit last summer it also released several resin and photo-etch sets to go with it. One of the sets is a package of resin wheels. The set provides two sets of main wheels (one with solid wheel covers, the other with spoked wheel covers) and two nose wheels. The instructions note that the solid wheel covers were seldom used on the MF version of the MiG-21, so check your references to see which type the aircraft you are modeling has. I used the spoked set and I have put the other set aside on the assumption that the MiG-21MF is just the first of a MiG-21 series by Eduard, therefore it will come in handy later on.

This is another resin set that Eduard released to upgrade its new MiG-21MF kit. The set provides the five base pylons for the MiG-21, two for each wing and one for the centerline station. The pylons are drop-in replacements for the kit parts and require the same holes to be drilled out as the kit pylons do, so no additional work is required to use them.

In reviewing the kit’s instruction sheet, it states that for the outer pylons, there is a difference between the ones used when weapons are mounted and the one used when fuel tanks are mounted on the outer wing stations. The set does not say whether the set’s outer pylons (parts R4 and R5) are weapons or fuel tank pylons, so I checked the instructions for Eduard’s R-3S missiles and pylons set (#672 18). This set also lists parts R4 and R5 as being used for the outside pylons to which the missile rails are attached, therefore I assume that the ones included in set 672 184 are also weapons pylons, not fuel tank pylons.

I have been buying Squadron/Signal In Action books since they first hit the market back in 1971. They have always been an affordable way to get info regarding the subject that is helpful for the model builder and historian.

This is the third issue devoted to the F-15 Eagle. I did get the first version which was number 24 but it is buried in the library someplace so this review will not be a comparison. Aren’t you all lucky.

David Doyle had done almost 100 books for Squadron continues the success of the series with a very informative and covers the full history of the Eagle from development through the Strike Eagle. The book follows the tried and true style of the In Action series with a small bit of written info followed by tons of pictures with great descriptions. Interspersed among the pages are some line drawings showing either side views of the versions or details such as the ejection seat.