The Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LAGG-3 was an important fighter aircraft for the Soviet Air Force at the time of the German "Barbarossa" invasion in 1941, and a technological parallel to the British Hawker Hurricane, French Dewoitine D.520, and the American Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk of the time. With a mostly wooden construction and a relatively powerful engine and adequate firepower, it held the line while giving the Russians time to develop more advanced combat machines to fight the Luftwaffe.

This model kit is part of Zvezda's "Art of Tactic" wargame model series, which also includes ground vehicles and figures as game pieces. In that role, this kit is engineered more for ease of assembly and sturdiness than surface detail, although it does quite well in that regard for the size and scale.

Eduard offers modelers a single fret photo etch detail set for the Special Hobby 1/32 Ki-27 kit. Set #32 864 provides parts for adding detail to the engine and the cockpit. The set includes a total of 42 pre-painted parts either to add something not in the kit, to replace some kit parts, and/or to enhance the ones that will be used. This set features Eduard’s self-adhesive backing to make installation easier.

Wingnut Wings has released yet another decal set with multiple marking options for their Albatros D.Va kit. Oh…so many Albatros schemes…so little time!

There are two sheets in this set. These decals, like all of the others from Wingnut Wings, are packaged in zip-lock sleeves along with a comprehensive full-color 4-page instruction booklet that includes application instructions, aircraft profiles, top and bottom wing plan views, historical information, and a number of period photos of each of the aircraft covered by the decal sheets. This set exhibits the same high level of quality as all of the other products marketed by Wingnut Wings.

Since the F4U is one of many of my favorite World War II aircraft, I had to add this one to my collection. I recently purchased one of the latest publications that Squadron Signal did on the F4U Corsair, In Action series number SS1220. Both books complement each other extremely well. The Walk Around series number SS5565 of this aircraft isn’t disappointing in the least bit. It’s perfect for the modeler who wants to detail the Corsair to the utmost. It’s filled with color pictures of every nook and cranny that the photographer can see, eighty pages worth, and no black and white pictures. The only two quarter-page illustrations found are of the three canopy designs and two cowling designs that the Corsair went through.

Recommendation – Most High

And yet another issue (Aug/Sept 2011) is here and, as it states at the top of their cover page, “Showcasing the very best in Scale Aircraft Modeling”. In my opinion, this is most likely the finest collection of some of the finest models built by some of the finest modelers…oh well, I’m sure you’re getting the picture by now.

This issues’ cover sports the Academy 1/72nd French Navy F-8 Crusader by Francois Regis-Binder, and to say that it’s spectacular just doesn’t get it! In addition to the article, there are several pages of 1:1 Crusader detail photos that will be a welcome addition to your research stash. Also in this issue are the following: