When I opened the box I was amazed at how many parts there were. It reminded me of the days when Dragon would include an entire sprue to provide 1 or 2 parts there are 11 yes 11 parts sprues in this kit. HEre is the breakdown of the entire kits contents.

• 11-Grey Sprues
• 2-DS Sprues
• 1-Set of DS Tracks
• 1-Small Sprue with two DS Polycaps
• 2 Clear Parts Sprues
• 1-Sheet of Photo Etch Parts
• 1-Metal Tow Cable
• Decals
• Instructions

Background

The term Magach is short for Merkevet Giborei Hayil whish is literally Chariot of War Heroes. The Magach 1 is based on the M-48A1 and the MAgach2 is based is the M48A2C. a portion of the Israeli Magach 1 tanks were captured from Jordanian forces during the six day war. I have chosen to model a Jordanian M48A1 in Jordanian national markings

This kit by Italeri is a new release for 2016. The LAV-25 was developed in the 1980’s in response to the LAV program which was started during the late 1970’s. After several companies submitted their plans, General Motors of Canada was selected as the manufacturer for the Army and the Marine Corp. Later the Army withdrew their plans due to funding issues. The Marine Corp continued and eventually six variants of the LAV-25 were procured. This kit represents one of those variants: The LAV-25 with the 25mm M242 Bushmaster Automatic cannon. The LAV-25 I will be constructing represents the vehicle named “Croaker” from Charlie Company, 2^nd LAI Battalion during Operation Desert Storm as seen in D'Angina, James, and Henry Morshead. LAV-25: The Marine Corps' Light Armored Vehicle. Botley, Oxford: Osprey, 2011. Print. Decals are provided for this version in the kit.

Master Model has released three new gun barrel sets for the P-38 Lightning, one of my favorite aircraft. This one is listed as the early version with 4 x .50 cal. Brownings, with drilled cooling jackets & early and late 20mm cannon tips. These are mostly seen on early versions of the plane but the instructions have photos of some later birds sporting the drilled cooling jackets, so check your references.

The detail is beautiful with drilled out jackets and barrel ends. The early 20mm also has some additional detail.

Construction depends on which kit you are using. Many have separate barrels so these are just simple replacements. Other kits (like the Hobby Boss) will need to have the original barrels cut off and holes drilled for the barrels. Either way the detail on these is much better than any of the kit guns.

I don’t think the Focke Wulf 190 needs much introduction, so I’ll keep it short. When introduced in 1941, much to the surprise of the RAF, the fighter design was found to have excellent maneuverability, while being rugged and well-armed. The design went thru a number of changes, with the FW-190A-8 version becoming the most produced model. The FW-190A8/R2 was noted for its increased firepower, with 20mm cannons being replaced with 30mm ones, and increased survivability due to additional armor in and around the cockpit.

Master Model has released three new gun barrel sets for the P-38 Lightning, a plane I love. This one is listed as the late version with 4 x .50 cal Brownings with covered cooling jackets & late 20mm cannon tips. These are mostly seen on J and L versions but pays to check your references.

The detail is beautiful with drilled out barrel ends.

Construction depends on which kit you are using. Many have separate barrels so these are just simple replacements. Other kits (like the Hobby Boss) you will need to cut off the original barrels and drill holes to put the barrels in. Either way the detail on these is much better than any of the kit guns I have.

The instruction sheet shows a few period pictures of P-38 noses and a top view drawing showing the differing barrel lengths for the .50s.

Thanks to Master Model and IPMS/USA for the review kit.