What's New

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$9.95

More goodies from Eduard for the Revell 1/48 PV-1. In this review, we'll look at the Brassin wheels. Each set consists of two perfectly cast resin wheels with one hub molded in and a diamond tread. The second hub is separate. Also included is a PE fret with brake lines and covers if you need them for the outboard hub. A mask set is also included.

Removing the wheel from the hub takes a bit of time as the pour stub wraps around 20% of the tire. The treads need to be engraved once the removal is complete. The rest of the installation was a breeze and they take paint well. I used the covers, as my version had them mounted. The set replaces the main wheels only. And they are much better that the kit wheels (see the shot I included) with much better tread design and accuracy.

These are great and dress an already excellent kit nicely with better detail for a good price. Recommended. My thanks to Eduard and IPMS/USA for the chance to review them.

Review Author
Charles Landrum
Published on
Company
MiniArt
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$72.00

MiniArt has been prodigious in producing accessories for armor dioramas. Though I am primarily a ship and aircraft modeler, I couldn’t help but notice the endless stream of new releases in vehicles, buildings, and figures. So when this kit came up for review, I decided to take the plunge and try a new genre. I used to be a model RR enthusiast, so this was not my first building kit, but it certainly was the biggest in scale and size. What I did not realize until I received the kit is that it is one large vacuum formed model project.

Review Author
Mike Van Schoonhoven
Published on
Company
Plusmodel
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$4.40

The M-60 machine gun began development in the late 1940’s. The U.S. Army adopted the M-60 in 1957, and it is still widely used today within the U.S. armed forces.

In the Easy Line / Plusmodel kit, you get enough pieces to make two complete guns. The parts in the kit are of a well-mastered resin with a malleable photo etch brass.

There was minimal flash on the resin, with small manageable pour stubs that connect the resin pieces blocks. Some care will be needed as I got a little heavy-handed and broke off the charging handle. Not a big deal, as it is an easy fix. I used Gator glue to attach the photo etch to the resin with good results.

Upon completion, this is a good miniature representation of the M-60 machine gun and would make a great addition to any diorama from Vietnam to present day. I highly recommend this kit.

I would like to thank Plusmodel and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review this little gem of a kit.

Review Author
Fred Wilms
Published on
Company
Plusmodel
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$4.40

Items in the box: The model is made from cast resin, gray in color. The plans are one sheet.

Construction: The build is very basic – six pieces all told, two cans. four handles, assembled per sketch. (As the label says, EASY line.)

Finish: I used gray spray auto primer for the cans and ModelMaster brown for the top of one can.

Conclusion: The parts went together well. The kit build can be done by any model builder with minimum experience. Care must be taken, as the handles are tiny.

I would like to thank IPMS/USA and Plusmodels for allowing me to build and review this kit.

Review Author
Marc K. Blackburn
Published on
Company
Tamiya
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$29.00

In a surprise offering, one of Tamiya’s newest models is the Simca 5 Staff Car (German Army). Henri Theodore Pigozzi, an Italian-born Frenchman, founded a car company that had a close relationship to Fiat. The Simca 5 was the French version of the best seller, the Fiat 500. Production figures (65,000 manufactured from 1936 until the fall of France), indicate that this was a very popular car. Once French industry was absorbed by the German war machine, small scale production continued until 1944. In typical German fashion, given their dearth of staff cars, the Wehrmacht adapted many of these diminutive automobiles as staff cars.

Review Author
Jack Kennedy
Published on
Company
Platz
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$29.00
  • Platz T-33A JASDF Trainer, stock no. AC-6, $29.00
  • Platz T-33A US Bicentennial Trainer, stock no. AC-8, $29.00
  • Eduard T-33 cockpit set, SA, color, stock no. 73409, $29.95

This is going to be a strange review in that I am reviewing two of the same kit but with different markings. In addition, I will be reviewing the Eduard photo-etch cockpit detail set.

Let me begin with the T-33A. This is one terrific kit. I have built a few T-33s by different manufacturers, but this is the best, in my humble opinion. When I refer to any parts in the kit, I am addressing both kits.

The instructions are in both English and Japanese. They are well thought out and very clear. Colors are referred to by their FS numbers. There are 58 grey plastic parts and one clear.

Book Author(s)
Nico Braas and Srecko Bradic
Review Author
Walt Fink
Published on
Company
Lanasta
MSRP
$20.65

This Dutch publication from Violaero by authors Nico Braas and Srecko Bradic is chock-full of photos and detail drawings of Martin’s PBM in all its variants. They managed to pack a lot of good information into its 48 pages, with several photos which were new to me – and I’m a real Mariner fan.

Book Author(s)
Thierry Dekker (translated from French by Neil Page)
Review Author
Paul Mahoney
Published on
Company
Landscape Publications
MSRP
$35.50

This is the first in a new series of books by Landscape Publications. The series is built around highly-detailed profiles, with supporting text and photos. This particular volume is broken down into two sections: Insignia & Nose Art (featuring American Indian artwork & emblems), and Hangar Special (featuring P-47s of the 19th Fighter Squadron on Saipan).

This publication seems to fall somewhere between a book and an extremely high-quality magazine. I say this because the subjects in the two sections are completely different, and are presented as though they are separate articles in a magazine. The unifying feature is the profile artwork (hence the title). I assume future volumes will have a similar format, and it is possible they will each have the same two sections.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$8.50

When this item came up for review, I did a little research and found early P-61's didn't have a connection for the external fuel tanks (but they were soon added). Those thirsty engines needed more fuel for ferrying and long range runs, sond to accommodate that, they came up with a fuel tank with an aerodynamic fairing behind it that fit where the turret would ultimately end up. Great Wall's first release of the Black Widow is a perfect selection for Quickboost’s latest release, an external fuel tank. The set consists of two parts, a tank insert and the fairing behind it. Installation is simplicity itself. The main tank fits right into the hole which is blanked off normally. The aerodynamic fairing needs its flash sanded off and to be glued in place and, if you want, a fuel line could be added.

This is a great add-on for early P-61's. It is easy, simple, and adds interest to the kit. Recommended. My thanks to Quickboost and IPMS/USA for the review sample.

Book Author(s)
Compiled by Neil Robinson and Illustrated by Peter Scott
Review Author
Michael Novosad
Published on
Company
AIRfile Publications
MSRP
$28.50

History

Operation Torch (initially called Operation Gymnast) was the British-American invasion of French North Africa, specifically Morocco and Algeria, in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942. Operation Torch was the first Allied amphibious operation of the war

The Allies planned an Anglo-American invasion of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, territory controlled by the Vichy French government. With those nations under Allied control, the Allies could carry out a pincer operation against Axis forces in North Africa. The Vichy French had around 125,000 soldiers in the territories as well as coastal artillery, 210 operational but out-of-date tanks, and about 500 aircraft, half of which were Dewoitine D.520 fighters. In addition there was a strong force of German and Italian military forces available.