Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
February 4, 2023
Company
Kinetic Model Kits
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$39.99

Kinetic Models is expanding its line of F-104 Starfighters. Having released the late markings already (-G, -J, -S, including some trainers) they are adding to their line the early variants: -A and -C.

The kit arrives in a large sturdy box (where you can comfortably keep the model in between sessions while you are working on it) with a total of 4 sprues -one molded in clear- and a small photoetch fret. There is a brand-new sprue for the fuselage and the wings. Two of the sprues have already been released as part of their latter markings boxings. This means you get extra parts, like ejection seats, a radar set and a few other details for the spare box.

Book Author(s)
Darren Poole
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
February 4, 2023
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

This is the first of a two-book series on the American counterinsurgency against the Viet Cong. Hunting the Viet Cong - The Counterinsurgency Campaign in South Vietnam, 1961-1963, Vol 1-The Strategic Hamlet Programme covers the early American involvement in Vietnam before Americans were officially committed as combat troops, serving as advisors to South Vietnam.

Dr Darren Poole teaches military history at the University of Chester and University Centre, Shrewsbury, United Kingdom. Dr Poole has degrees in Geography, Education, History and Military History with over 20 years of experience. Dr Poole’s dissertation focused on the Vietnamese Strategic Hamlet Programme, and his research is evident with over nine pages of bibliography and nine pages of footnotes. The main point that sticks out is his focus on researching the “’unheard voices’ of conflict. These include, for example, the peasants caught in a cross-fire in South Vietnam and the view of the Viet Cong themselves.”

Book Author(s)
Peter Mujzer
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
February 1, 2023
Company
Kagero Publishing
MSRP
$26.95

Casemate Publishers has released a book on the Hungarian Armored Car Csaba 39/40M.

The book is organized as follows.

  • Introduction
  • Straussler and his designs
  • Design and development of the Csaba armored car
  • Production
  • Armored car units, organization
  • Operational History
  • Camouflage and Markings
  • Bibliography

The flow of the book is chronological by the nature of how it was written, starting with the design of the vehicle by Nicholas Straussler (while living in the United Kingdom) and quickly moves on the production, units organization and operational history with the Hungarian Army.

There are some color profiles which highlight the different camouflage schemes used by the Hungarian Army during the early years of World War 2, plus all the different national markings used in the pre-Barbarossa era..

Book Author(s)
Przemyslaw Skulski
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
February 1, 2023
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$11.95

Casemate Publishers is the distributor of MMP Books and they have started a new line on their series “Single”. This new line is focused on vehicles and the first installment of the series cover the self-propelled artillery SU-76M, a mainstay of the Soviet Army during World War 2.

As all the books in the “Single” series, it is devoted to a unique subject. The book has some period pictures of the SU-76M in service during World War 2 and it has an extensive walk-around style section, including detail images of the running gear, gun, hull, fighting compartment, etc.

The book also includes a 3-view line drawing in 1/35 scale and some color profiles as well.

Recommended.

I would like to thank Casemate Publishers and IPMS/USA for the review sample.

Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
February 1, 2023
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$11.58

Brengun continues to expand its line of accessories this time with a resin set for the air-to-air refueling system known as the “Buddy Tank”. This set represent the “Buddy Tank” used in A-1, A-4, A-6, A-7, and S-3 airplanes. Given that some of those airplanes were exported, this ordinance was also exported to many countries.

This set is cast in grey resin, free of bubbles and surface imperfections. There are a total of 12 parts, some of which are small and delicate.

The cast plugs are of reasonable size and the attachment points are minuscule for all the small parts, only the two larger part (which represent the fuel tank) have medium to large attachment points.

Review Author
Mike Kellner
Published on
February 1, 2023
Company
HK Models Co

The Douglas built A-20 havoc first flew on October 26, 1938.  Designed by Jack Northrop and Ed. Heinemann, Douglas produced over 7000 of them, making it the most produced light bomber.

Originally ordered by the French, the American Army Air Corps quickly caught on and placed an order three months later.  Nearly half of the production run went to the Soviet Union under the Lend-Lease Act.  Many feel it was one of the most versatile combat aircraft of the war, being in service from before the war, all the way through to the end, serving in nearly every theater and utilized by most Allied nations.  Its roles included bombing, ground attack, strafing, torpedo attack, photo recon, night intruder, and interceptor.

Book Author(s)
Michael Ware
Review Author
James Kelley
Published on
January 31, 2023
Company
Pen and Sword Books Ltd
MSRP
$31.22

Many enthusiasts dream of finding a Bugatti or a Bentley in a barn or a long disused building. In reality, such finds are more likely to be an Austin 7, Ford Popular or a Mini. This book is stuffed with these so called “barn finds”. The author has tried to find out the background to the abandonment and the previous history of the “as found” car when it was in regular use. Why was it put away and apparently forgotten?

Book Author(s)
Andy Evans
Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
January 31, 2023
Company
Phoenix Scale Publications
MSRP
$13.62

Phoenix Scale Publications is a partnership of four people that have many years in the modeling world. They produce magazines (Scale Modeling and Aviation Modeling), Books (Red, Blue, White and Airmark series). The books are dedicated to specific planes and for this review, we look at the Airmark in Profile and in Scale series No.4, the North American A-5/RA-5 Vigilante.

The contents of the book show the layout:

Review Author
Ben Morton
Published on
January 31, 2023
Company
ICM
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$18.99

This is a great kit! If you typically model in 1/72nd scale this will make a fine addition to a diorama or vignette involving any mid 1950's to current scenes. Assembly is straight forward with minimal effort, paints up nice and more than looks the part of an airfield mobile electric truck. You may wish to buy several copies....

This release from ICM Holding of an airfield mobile electric truck, the APA-50M, is a welcome addition to their 1/72nd line of soft skinned vehicles. Detail has not been sacrificed but it has been simplified. (No complete engine, for instance.) The engine (lower portion only), air tanks, power take-off, drive shafts, suspension and axles are all individual parts. Which is where assembly begins.

Book Author(s)
Cliff Lord and David Birtles
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
January 31, 2023
Company
Helion & Company

Cliff Lord served in Britain’s Royal Signals during the 1960s as a cipher operator in England, Germany and on active service in Aden and the East Aden Protectorate. After the Army, Cliff worked in Paris for the Washington Post and later moved to New Zealand working as a computer operator, a communications network controller for Air New Zealand, and Team Leader International Operations for the Southern Cross fiber optics trans-pacific cable before retiring. He is Honorary Historian for Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals. Cliff has written nine books on military history and insignia.