Originally commissioned in 1946 as an Oregon-class heavy cruiser, USS Albany (CA-123) was converted to the world’s first guided missile cruiser between 1958 and 1962 and redesignated CG-10. She served in various roles until her decommissioning in 1980, when she was sold for scrap.

CyberHobby’s 1/700 rendition of CA-10 is a beauty! Seven sprues of exquisitely molded gray styrene, plus the 2-piece waterline hull and stand base greet the modeler upon initial opening of the box. To sweeten the deal, CyberHobby tosses in a fret of well-executed PE detail for superstructure railings, search radar, and other delicate items. A small, well-printed, but jam-packed, decal sheet round things out.

During the Vietnam War, it became apparent that the tactics used by American pilots were not working well. An effort was made to analyze all US vs. MiG engagements, which became known as the Red Baron reports. The study recommended that Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT) was needed and, further, that the Air Force needed to give its fighter pilots realistic training with enemy aircraft or realistic substitutes. Aggressor squadrons were formed, assembled and put to use training and flying T-38s and F-5s to provide the Air Force fighter pilots DACT training. The Navy also formed TOPGUN as an Adversary training squadron to do this same training. The last part of the Red Baron recommendations did come about with the acquisition of MiG assets and American pilots to fly them in realistic training with CONSTANT PEG. The American pilots flew as members of the 4477th Test & Evaluation Flight and became known as the Red Eagles.

I’ve loved the looks of the I.A.R.80 since the LTD model came out. There is something about the look of the airplane that makes it look like the Hughes racer. It is sleek and sexy and relatively unknown in the western world.

Prior to this book, there have been very few references available on the I.A.R.80. There was a book published in Rumanian, and later French, I.A.R.80 – The History of an Unknown Fighter, which is very good. I have a copy and the photos make it worth the price of admission. However, I can’t read it. This book by noted Rumanian aviation historian, Radu Brinzan, fixes that.

When Eduard started their "Brassin" series of detail parts, they really raised the bar for aftermarket detail manufacturers. Burner cans and exhausts, regardless of the scale, have always been an area that was badly in need of assistance, even with kits like Tamiya's F-4J Phantom. That seam down the middle of tubular structures has always been a modeler's nightmare. Eduard's Brassin series has done a fantastic job of taking care of that problem and has taken even resin casting to a new level.

Thanks to Gary Newman of Squadron/Signal Publications and to IPMS/USA for giving me the opportunity to review this delightful overview of one of the standard airliners flying today. The book is written by Robert W. Tidwell and is lavishly illustrated with wonderful examples of 737s around the world. Each page has one or more color photos, superb Don Greer renderings, line drawings by Melinda Turnage, or aircraft version specs. I reviewed the softcover edition. The photography is excellent throughout and they are all color. The “At the Gate” series concentrates on commercial or private aircraft and is similar to the “Walk Around” series, also by Squadron/Signal.