What's New

Review Author
Rick Bellanger
Published on
Company
Zoukei-Mura
MSRP
$59.00

This is Zoukei-mura’s third publication for their SWS model kit range, this one concerning their excellent 1/32 A-1H model. As I write, I can’t recall any other similar publication from a kit manufacturer to complement their kits. The book is broken down into 4 chapters, with a foreword and an afterword section. The photos are some of the best I have ever seen in any publication and I am going to say I've never seen them displayed in any other book. Their quality and crispness is by far a step above many other publications.

The text is 50-50 Japanese and English. At first it was a little hard to read but, after a few minutes there was no problem.

Also included is a very nice decal sheet with data and stencils (only in the first edition for this book).

The Forward

The Forward section deals with the company’s concept to come up with a "Dream Wing" for their "Super Wing Series."

Review Author
Walt Fink
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$24.95

1955 was a milestone year for Chevrolet, with the introduction of an OHV V-8 and all-new styling, and a new wagon in the line – the Nomad 2-door hardtop. The follow-on 1956 Nomad had styling and trim more closely allied with the other cars in the Chevy line and had more pizzazz than the ’55, too.

Revell has re-issued the 1997 Monogram kit in its 2’n1 series, featuring additional customizing parts – wheels, chrome valve covers, alternator, low-profile tires, larger disc brakes, and chassis/suspension parts for the custom build, along with a nice decal sheet with lots of trim and flames.

Review Author
Michael Novosad
Published on
Company
Academy Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$65.00

History

The Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker-C is a two-seat, twin-engine, multi-role fighter for all-weather, air-to-air, and air-to-surface deep interdiction missions, developed by Russia's Sukhoi Aviation Corporation. The Su-30 started out as an internal development project in the Sukhoi Su-27 family. The design plan was revamped and the name was made official by the Russian Defense Ministry in 1996.

While the original Su-27 had good range, it still did not have sufficient range for the Soviet Air Defense Forces, which needed to cover the vast expanse of the Soviet Union. The development began in 1986 on the Su-27PU, an improved-capability variant of the Su-27 capable of serving as a long-range interceptor or airborne command post. The two-seat Su-27UB combat trainer was selected as the basis for the Su-27PU, because it had the performance of a single-seat Su-27 and long-range missions require two crew members.

Review Author
Jim Pearsall
Published on
Company
Kagero Publishing
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$11.00

These decals are first-rate from several perspectives.

First of all, they’re very well researched, and Kagero seems to have gone out of their way to do subjects which aren’t common among decal makers.

Second, the instructions are head and shoulders above anything I’ve seen as far as color instructions, decal placement instructions, and decal application instructions.

Third, the decals are by Cartograf of Italy, and they are the industry standard for color, registration and ease of application.

First, the subjects:

Review Author
Jim Pearsall
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$6.95

History

The F-6D was a standard P-51D Mustang that was converted to photo-reconnaissance after completion. 126 P-51Ds built at Inglewood, California were converted to F-6Ds. The conversion consisted of 3 major items:

  1. An oblique camera mounted in the side of the fuselage.
  2. A vertical camera mounted in the bottom of the fuselage.
  3. A radio direction finder with an added loop antenna on the rear fuselage.

After I received the QuickBoost F-6 conversion, I decided I would like to build a famous aircraft, if possible. In my search through the internet, I found a very interesting, if little known, Photo Mustang.

Book Author(s)
Aaron Skinner
Review Author
Dave Koukol
Published on
Company
Kalmbach Publishing Company
MSRP
$21.95

For decades, Kalmbach Publishing has given us FineScale Modeler Magazine – a virtual staple for thousands of modelers worldwide. Over the years, we’ve seen hundreds of outstanding “how to” articles in FSM designed to share fundamental and advanced modeling techniques. Often times, these “essentials” are relegated to shelves and boxes for later reference, and many times their subject matter spans multiple issues, slimming the odds of finding all applicable information years later. What could be better than compiling all of those golden nuggets of modeling know-how into a series of books for quick and easy reference to the modeler?

Review Author
Howie Belkin
Published on
Company
Dragon Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$17.95

FINALLY, a new, state of the art 1/72 Churchill!! The Churchill was the second most produced British tank ever, following the Valentine. This Mk. IV was the most produced version. Designated the A22 Infantry Tank, Vauxhall began delivery to units in June, 1941, after an extraordinarily short development. It served in Dieppe and Tunisia, and then virtually all European theatres of WWII including Russia, and post-war soldiered on in Korea and later with several countries. I believe Airfix had the first small scale Churchill kit in 1/76, released in the early 1960s. ESCI (later Italeri) released a 1/72 Mk. III, with latter releases having link and length tracks (the others mentioned here have single length vinyl tracks of varying quality). Hasegawa released a Mk. I in 1/72. Matchbox released a 1/76 AVRE complete with SBG Assault Bridge. Cromwell has several resin 1/76 Churchill versions. If I missed any, I’m sure they are as dated as these are.

Book Author(s)
David Doyle
Review Author
Dave Koukol
Published on
Company
Squadron Signal Publications
MSRP
$18.95

Best known as the world’s first atomic bomber, the B-29 Superfortress was arguably the most advanced aircraft to see combat operations in World War II, and was the only American heavy bomber of the era to see combat during the Korean War.

Review Author
Dave Koukol
Camden Koukol
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$16.99

A throwback to the ’64 original design, the 2010 Mustang captures the classic lines of the original “pony car” in contemporary form and is the subject of Revell’s recent SnapTite series release. As with their ’63 Corvette (reviewed previously), the 2010 Mustang is a beautifully engineered kit for novice and veteran modelers, alike. Once again, at the hands of 6-year old Camden, this review sample went together flawlessly in exactly an hour shortly after being discovered on our doorstep.

The kit consists of 9 sprues (3 black, 2 goldenrod, 2 chrome, 1 clear, and 1 transparent red), the goldenrod-colored body, black interior tub and chassis, 4 vinyl tires, steel axles, 4 self-tapping screws, and a sheet of peel-and-stick decals. Surface detail is both raised and recessed, as appropriate, and appears to lend itself well to those who wish actually to paint the finished product.