After a near decade long hiatus, the Detail and Scale series is back up and producing modeler focused references for some of our favorite aircraft subjects. In this volume, number 13 in the new series, the authors follow up volume 12 by completing their examination of the FJ Fury series of Naval fighter aircraft. The book opens with an introduction to Burt Kinzey and Richard “Rock” Roszak. I found these bios helpful since I missed collecting the original series having taken a modeling hiatus of my own. A recap of volume one backfills what the reader missed if they don’t have volume 12. The focus of this volume is primarily the FJ-4 and FJ-4B with brief coverage of the FJ-4F. A history of development and employment of each type follows. Color profiles done by Mr. Roszak highlight colors and markings of various units and a complete list of the unit assignments is included.

Here we are with one more of SAC’s white metal replacement to improve the longevity of the models we slavishly spend so much time and cash on. In the case of the new-tool 2019 release Vulcan, it’s a LARGE model and the metal replacement is a good idea.

How do I know this? Wellllll, back in 1984, around May, I had purchased the then-new Airfix Vulcan in 1/72 scale as my first acquisition while stationed at RAF Mildenhall. I bought the kit at a housewares store on the high street. What a concept, model kits for sale EVERYWHERE back then it seems. I took a year to build it due to a lot of reasons, but in the end I had a great model. And the gear wheels and tires kept breaking off. Particularly when I moved and boxed up my built up kits.

I know this because I still have this same model baking in the garage, in it’s Xtracolor Grays and greens, and I noticed there were some missing bits over time, much of it the landing gear.

The growing number of 3D printed kits is a boon to the hobby. We are now getting 3D printed kits of subjects that are not economically viable in styrene and for subjects long ignored by the big manufactures. But, new technologies bring new problems. Removing the 3D printed parts from the support structures and rafts can be a bit of work and as I have discovered the resin will quickly dull your expensive sprue cutter! CMK from the Czech Republic comes to the rescue with a new razor saw handle with a triangular blade that is perfect for dealing with these supports.

For fans of the Dornier 335 Pfeil (Arrow), this book will be an important addition to your library with a combination of 1/72, 1/48, and 1/32 scale line drawings and color plates. Modelers will find the details provided in the drawings as valuable references, and aviation enthusiasts will also find particulars such as the cross-sectional views interesting. I would highly recommend this recent release from Kagero as an addition to your library.

The book’s title, Burma Victory 1944-1945, is a little misleading as the first, very detailed chapter delves into the Japanese blitzkrieg beginning in December 1941 through 1942. The Japanese victories in China, the Dutch East Indies, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaya and the Philippines set the stage for this book on a long forgotten and neglected theater of World War II. The author does an amazing job describing the harsh, varied terrain, weather and combatants and how the Allies regrouped and learned to fight the previously invincible Japanese military as they made their furthest incursion west.