Book Author(s)
Martin Smisek
Illustrators: David Bocquelet and Tom Cooper; photo credits to the author, DoD, and Aero Vodochody
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
November 22, 2023
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

This is the fourth book in Martin Smisek’s Czechoslovak Arms Exports to the Middle East series. The previous three volumes were previously competently and eloquently reviewed by Paul R. Brown of the IPMS/USA Review Corps:

Review Author
Gino Dykstra
Published on
November 22, 2023
Company
ICM
Scale
1:35
MSRP
$30.99

ICM continues to model the Chernobyl disaster and its side effects, and this is the sixth set in that series.

Backstory

Unlike the previous, more generic versions of various first responders and/or victims, this is a specific set dealing with a very specific set of men. Here’s the story:

In 1986, the Number 4 reactor at Chernobyl in the Ukraine exploded, heralding one of the worst nuclear accidents in history. More than 500,000 personnel were mobilized to contain the disaster. The total cost of the effort exceeded roughly $68 billion dollars overall. Completion of the cleanup will still not be complete until around 2065 and with the current war going on, is likely to take much longer than that.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
November 21, 2023
Company
Platz
Scale
1:48
MSRP
$37.24

I opted to try this kit knowing full well it was Italeri plastic with Cartograph decals and Platz boxing - with their instructions.

The box has a great image of a real F-18G on the front When you open the box you find gray plastic with clear for the canopy and taxi lights. Cartograph decals (yay!) and a very well-laid-out instruction manual from Platz. (yay!) The Italeri plastic was the negative.

I purposefully did not read any reviews on the model from either company before beginning. This will be a simple review.

Book Author(s)
Various
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
November 21, 2023
Company
Cross & Cockade International
MSRP
$10.00

The Great War Aviation Historical Society is a non-profit UK-based group that publishes the Cross & Cockade International journal four times a year. Issues are available in printed or digital formats. They also provide a free newsletter (sign up on their website) and occasionally publish WWI themed books like the “Sopwith Dolphin” monograph, which I reviewed earlier for IPMS/USA. Cross & Cockade International is the sister of the US journal Over the Front.

Book Author(s)
Hughes Wenkin & Christian Dujarbin
Review Author
Orlando Reyes
Published on
November 19, 2023
Company
Pen & Sword
MSRP
$34.95

The book covers the history of the SS Panzer Battalion 501 in the Battle of The Bulge (Ardennes for the Germans). The book is divided into 5 chapters with an Introduction, Conclusion, Notes and Bibliography at the end of the book. Each chapter in turn is divided into individual sections dealing with specific points. The book contains a total of 169 pages, 191 black and white photos, 7 maps and 1 order of battle table. The unit was attached to the 1st. SS Panzer Division Liebstandart Adolph Hitler (LSSAH) another unit of was the 12th. Panzer Division. The goal of the unit was to reach the port of Antwerp and thus divide the Allied units in two. The unit personnel were very experienced. One of the biggest problems the unit had was the great deal of maintenance and mechanical problems that plagued the unit.

Review Author
Doug Hamilton
Published on
November 18, 2023
Company
AFV Club
Scale
1/350
MSRP
$38.50

Initially developed by the British and used heavily by US Forces, the Landing Craft Tank, or LCT was developed to give amphibious landings the added punch of armor early in an operation. Over 950 MK 6s were eventually built by the US and used any time an amphib operation needed to put ashore tanks. Both the Korean and Viet Nam wars saw LCT’s in action. With a displacement of 284 short tons, with a LOA of 119” and a beam of 32’ 8” these work horses had an incredible draft of 3’ 4” at the bow allowing them to put their cargo right on the beach. Powered by 3 225 HP Gray Marine diesel engines and three shafts delivered a maximum speed of 7 knots with a range of 700 nautical miles. The capacity was rated at 150 short tons of personal and cargo which included tanks, trucks, and towed artillery. The LCT’s protected themselves with two single mount 20MM Anti-aircraft guns and had a crew of 12.

Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
November 18, 2023
Company
ICM
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$26.00

From the ICM website -

The modern Special Operations Forces (SOF) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were created in 2016 on the basis of existing units and subunits, most of which already had some combat experience. As of the summer of 2023, the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces are based on two special purpose regiments – a special purpose maritime center, a special operations center and several other units. Their main tasks include in-depth reconnaissance, combat raids behind enemy lines, search and evacuation of captives or hostages, and anti-terrorist activities.

Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
November 18, 2023
Company
ICM
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$13.00

ICM has provided this very midget Submarine for review, in 1/72 scale of the U-boat Type ‘Molch’. The Molch was a single seat ultra small submarine developed for costal operations. With serial production starting in July 1944 with around 393 were produced in the Bremen. They operated mainly in the Mediterranean and North Sea completing round 140 missions.

  • One Light grey Sprue
  • One Clear Sprue
  • Small Decal sheet
  • Instructions

The detail quality is excellent.

The Assembly is quick and easy.

Review Author
Ben Morton
Published on
November 17, 2023
Company
Green Stuff World
Scale
28mm, 32mm, 54mm
MSRP
$9.50

I am familiar with Green Stuff World but was unaware that they branched out into water-slide decals. They have done so with a varied selection of after-market sets that will help you with your next project. (In particular are the three different sets of graffiti art!)

This review concerns itself with their Pin-Up Girls decal set. There are two sheets in the package with twelve different 'girls' depicted along with roundels that could be used separately or as background for the ladies. German and Japanese 'kill markings' are included along with stars and assorted shark-faced bombs.

Each decal, thoughtfully provided in left- and right-hand versions, is printed in three different scales (28mm / 1/58, 32mm/ 1/54, and 54mm/1/32). They are, however, more than adaptable to just about any scale. Color definition and detail is excellent with minimal carrier film.