Signal was a propaganda publication by the German Wehrmacht stylized after Life magazine and published from 1940–1945. It was aimed at those in occupied, neutral, and allied countries, but it was never sold in Germany itself. Published in almost 30 languages, it was even available in the USA until December 1941! The magazine was kept under the control of the army and thus was independent of the Nazi Propaganda Ministry. This did not prevent it from being a propaganda laden publication. While it chronicled the conditions faced in combat by Germany and her allies, it also had a strong political message advocating for a “united Europe” under the “New Order” and for supporting the fight against the communists—even highlighting those former enemy combatants that chose to fight for the Nazis!

To start, my thanks to Aires for providing IPMS/USA with this figure to review! One of six in this review series, each shows a passion and dedication Aires have to providing the finest resin products. We appreciate your support, with the usual nod to IPMS/USA leadership for allowing me to review these figures.

Produced under the Aerobonus branch of Aires, this 1/48 scale figure is a Russian pilot sitting in a KS-4 ejection seat. The pilot, consisting of a torso in the seat, two separate arms, and a separate head/helmet, can be assembled in many ways. As designed, the head is supposed to be looking left, the right arm and hand are positioned for a grip on the control column, and the left arm is where the throttle would be. Also included with each set are painting instructions in color!

Thanks to Aires for providing IPMS USA this wheel well set to review… We appreciate your support, and thanks to IPMS USA leadership for allowing me to review this item.

OK, so does the Hobbyboss P-51D kit require a new wheel well? I’d say yes, due to the low cost and relative accuracy of the kit. In the photos you can see the side-by-side comparison, of which I say “There is no comparison”.

There will be modifications required on this kit even if you don’t have AMS.

The Aires item makes a difference! If you have the Hobbyboss kit, buy this upgrade! There is nothing else to say here…

Thanks again to Aires for providing this review package to IPMS USA!

Background

On July 25, 1909 Louis Bleriot assembled a tiny monoplane of his own design on a farm in Les Baraques, France. Weighing in at 500 lbs. and powered by a 25 HP Anzani three cylinder motorcycle engine, the airplane was the picture of utility. Still limping from a recent crash (one of many Bleriot had) he climbed into the monoplane after a short warm up flight and set out across the English Channel. 37 ½ minutes later flying at speeds up to 42 mph per hour at an altitude of 260 feet, Bleriot spotted the white cliffs of Dover and threaded his way through a gap in them to crash land on English soil. His goal in accomplishing this feat was not the prize money that totaled 20,000 dollars, but Bleriot wanted to sell airplanes and did he ever. As a result of the fame gained from the channel crossing, Bleriot would go on to build about 250 model XIs.

Furball Aero-Designs latest sheet is for the Hobbyboss 1/48 A-6A/B Intruders. This sheet has 15 different aircraft. The Intruders included are Vietnam era aircraft. Inside the package, there are 2 color back and front sheets with profiles for each of the 15 planes and includes color call outs and decal placement. A third full size sheet shows decal placement on the wing tops and the back shows a very detailed stores loading. A final single sized sheet shows stencil placement with color call outs also. You get two HUGE decal sheets with all the needed markings, numbers, wing walks and national insignia. There is also a very small sheet which has the wing markings for two aircraft. The decals are printed by Cartograf and from my previous experience with Cartograf and Furball, they are superb in application and opacity.

There are marking included for the following aircraft: