Chris Gibson’s latest book on British aviation projects examines the post-war genesis of the RAF's maritime patrol aircraft. Starting with the British affection for its flying boats of 1945, Chris Gibson chronicles the switchback path that led to the Shackleton and ultimately the Nimrod. As a bonus for underwater target fans, Chris Gibson provides intrepid commentary on the aerial systems developed to counter the threat from Soviet submarines.

To seek and destroy Soviet submarines, Shackletons and Nimrods carried many advanced weapons and sensors, but also played a role in saving lives at sea. Then, after forty years' service, the Nimrods were withdrawn without replacement after one of the most expensive procurement disasters.

Following in the path of Chris Gibson’s previous books, this tome presents hundreds of illustrations, photographs, and artwork. Chris must have really enjoyed the research as there are many projects depicted I was previously unaware of.

Thanks to Piotr at Master-models for providing these fantastic metal flash hiders to improve our Nocturnal Hellcats, and thanks to our IPMS leaders for sending these my way!

The Eduard Hellcats are still the best out there in my opinion, and Master details provide late-model covered .50 caliber gun barrel tips with flash hiders, which directly replace the kit plastic parts…

As you can see on the “before” picture, the kit-provided gun barrels are a bit lacking in the flash-hider department. Adequate but not quite there…

Developed as a Sidewinder for the U.S. Air Force, the AIM-9E was based on the U.S. Navy AIM-9B, but with some enhancements, based on early combat challenges of the B- model. The cooling for the detector used Peltier thermoelectric cooling, and the forward canards were changed. Ford produced 5000 of the missiles from re-purposed AIM-9B missiles. The AIM-9E measured 9 feet, 10 inches long, 22 inches across the rear fins, had a diameter of 5 inches, and weighed in at 164 pounds. The AIM-9E is credited with aerial victories over six MiG-21 aircraft during the Vietnam War being launched from F-4D and E Phantom II’s of the US Air force.

With the ever growing number of 1/32 scale rigged aircraft kits on the market, Eduard now offers a generic photo-etched set of 1/32 scale flying wires and stretchers (AKA Turnbuckles). Metal flying wires are a logical and much desired aftermarket detail set for model builders wishing to accurately replicate the metal wires used on most Allied aircraft built after 1915/16. Unlike the majority of other p/e sets cataloged by Eduard, a specific aircraft type (or kit) is not specified. Instead, the fret includes 33 anchoring rings, wires of differing lengths with a stretcher near one end and others including stretchers with tabs that may be used as attachment points to fit a variety of aircraft (see the photo of the fret below). Model builders will need to determine if this set fits their needs. I say ‘fits’ because the wires themselves are provided in only two lengths…2 1/14” and 5 1/8”.

By 1916, the little Nieuport 11, also known to the French Militaire by its initials BB (which the French pronounced bébé), had succeeded in putting an end to the Fokker Scourge and therefore gaining the respect of ally and foe alike. A higher horsepower version, known as the Nieuport 17 followed and built on that legacy, becoming the preferred mount for many of the Allies’ first generation Aces. But subsequent efforts to continually improve upon Nieuport’s basic Vee-strutter design fell short of expectations with the introduction of the 24, 24bis and later the 27. Failing to match the performance of a new generation of fighters, these Nieuport designs generated little enthusiasm among French pilots who instead looked forward to flying the much-desired new SPAD. Unfortunately, SPAD production could not match demand and there was a war to fight so the new Nieuport fighters began arriving at the front in early 1917.