Historical & Reference Notes

From ICM's own description:

Illiad Design has recently released an aftermarket decal set covering the T-33.

This decal sheet covers a total of 5 aircraft, and you are provided with enough markings as to be able to model all of them. You are still expected to use the stencils provided with the kit. You have your choice of

• T-33A in American markings in a very attractive SEA camo
• T-33A (the instructions call it a T-22A) from Pakistan in an overall grey-green
• CT-133 RCAF markings in Dark Sea Gray/Dark Green over PRU Blue with a Snoopy drawing in the fin
• T-33 in Luftwaffe in RAL 6014, 7012 and 7001
• CT-133 in wraparound gray and green in low viz Canadian markings.

They are an amazing selection of markings. I particularly liked the T-33 in SEA camo with shark teeth. The instruction sheet says it was the only T-33 to receive SEA camouflage.

This book tells the story of the development, aircraft specification and service history of the F-35 and all its variations.

The book is lavishly illustrated with photographs and line drawings, many of which are stunning, and I have not seen anywhere before.

The history covers all areas from concept and development to meet the needs of the modern air forces. It shows the various prototypes and programs that directly lead to the F-35.

The chapters on the engines were very interesting and provided a lot of information.

The various chapters on the various operators give insight into the variations for the air forces modifications for their missions. This gives great insights and how they incorporated them into their existing squadrons.

I highly recommend this book as it gives as many details as available on the F-35 in the public domain. Thank you to IPMS USA and Pen and Sword for allowing me to review this great book.

Box Art / Packaging

HobbyBoss present a 100% new tooled German Panzerjagerwagen in 1/72^nd scale in their normal rigid top opener box. The contents are well packed and protected with additional foam wrapping on sprues which contain delicate parts. The condition of the contents as delivered were excellent with no parts off sprue, no broken parts and nothing warped due to inadequate packing.

The kit itself depicts the rail mounted Panzer IV which was generally mounted on a BP 44 armored train and would normally be seen mounted with the dozer blade in forward position. Technically the only part of the Panzer IV used here was the turret as the casemate it was paired to was not a Panzer IV chassis but was specifically designed for the BP 44 train.

The Kit

The kit is comprised of 6 sprues in total, Sprue A x 2, which contains all the parts for the railroad base.

The Sd.Kfz.251 half-track armored personnel carrier was the primary-armored transport vehicle of the German Wehrmacht. It was developed by the company Hanomag in 1938, based on the artillery tractor Sd.Kfz.11, with serial production starting in the summer of the following year. The Sd.Kfz.251 armored personnel carriers were produced in four main variants—Ausf. A, B, C, and D—and there were 23 different versions for various army needs, differentiated by their armament and equipment. The 251/1 variant was the standard transport vehicle for the German motorized infantry, capable of carrying one squad of soldiers. These combat vehicles were in service with the German Army throughout World War II and were used in all theaters of combat, with a total of 15,252 units produced in various series and modifications. Among other armored personnel carriers produced during World War II, they were second only to the American M3 in terms of quantity.