Review Author
Michael Reeves
Published on
February 19, 2024
Company
ICM
Scale
1:35
MSRP
$65.00

Based on the original 2014 Lastkraftwagen 3,5 t AHN German Army Truck kit, this kit adds a field kitchen and loads of accessories to kit it out. Field kitchens were used to provide hot meals to Wehrmacht soldiers in the field- either directly into the soldiers’ pots or into special large thermoses for delivery to units a bit farther away. They were often pulled by horses or towed behind vehicles- but this particular version was served out of the back of the truck. Soldiers’ humor gave the field kitchens the name ‘Gulaschkanone’ (‘Goulash Cannon’) for what was often served out of them.

The kit comes in ICM’s typical box art cover that slips over the front closing hinged cardboard box. Inside are nine sprues of gray styrene, a clear sprue, seven vinyl tires, and a decal sheet featuring two schemes and labels for the kitchen equipment and supplies.

Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
February 18, 2024
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$13.50

A new photoetched detail set from Brengun to add WWII 1/48th gunsights to your German machine guns.

In the Package

There is one sheet of photoetched (PE) brass that includes four (4) different styles of gunsights. Paper instructions are printed on one side and very well illustrated.

In the instructions, the style of gunsights is noted with the German term “Visiereinrichtung” which translates to “sighting device” in English. The gunsights noted are:

  • Visiereinrichtung VL266 for: MG15, MG17, MG131 machine guns
  • Visiereinrichtung VL41 for: MG-FF machine gun
  • Visiereinrichtung VE22 for: MG81, MG81Z machine guns
  • Visiereinrichtung 15 for: MG15 machine gun

Conclusions

This is a nice PE set from Brengun that will add that extra eye-catching detail on your WWII German machine guns. For planes/bombers that have an extra gunner station(s) or for any 1/48th scale diorama or figure.

Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
February 18, 2024
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$26.20

A new resin detail set from Brengun to add or replace 1/48th scale USN 150 gallon drop tanks for the A-4 Skyhawk.

In the Box

There are four (4) resin poured parts, two are of the tanks and the other two are of the tail and mounting shackles (supporting rings). A photoetched (PE) brass sheet includes tail fins. Paper instructions are printed on one side and very well illustrated.

Review Process

The process starts out by cutting away the pour stubs from the drop tanks. This was done with a seam scrapper and hobby knife. Once detached, I wet sanded the surface to reduce any airborne resin dust. Next, I washed the resin parts in a bath of warm water with dishwash soap and used an old toothbrush to scrub away any remaining mold release agent.

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
February 17, 2024
Company
Special Hobby
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$22.75

The Republic F-84F was an attempt to increase the performance of the already proven straight wing F-84 versions. Although it had sleek lines and looked like a fighter, it was plagued by the same problem most aircraft of the era had, a lack of powerful jet engine technology. Despite its short comings, the Thunderstreak was pressed into service with the USAF and numerous NATO countries mainly as a stop gap till better aircraft replaced it.

Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
February 17, 2024
Company
Twobobs Aviation Graphics
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$18.00

New decals of the F-16A/B Vipers of the Caribbean in 1/48th scale is available from TwoBobs Aviation Graphics. Markings are for the 156 FG/FW (1992-1997) based out of Muniz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico.

In The Package

There are two (2) decal sheets provided. One is for the F-16A version with the colorful 50th Anniversary tail markings. The second sheet has tail ID markings with F-16B stencils along with wing and engine stenciling. They are printed by Cartograf and have minimal excess clear film around the edges.

Overall, this has markings for 20 aircraft with stencils to do two (2) complete aircraft.

The colors are brilliant, and the registry is perfect. There are also two (2) 11” X 17” color marking guides to help you locate the decals for each airplane. This also includes painting guides for AK, Hataka, Mr. Color, and Mr. Paint.

Recommended kits for this decal set are:

Book Author(s)
Richard A. Franks
Illustrators: Richard J. Caruana, Wojciech Sankowski, and Jerry Boucher
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
February 17, 2024
Company
Valiant Wings Publishing
MSRP
$60.00

Valiant Wings Publishing was founded in 2010 under the guidance of Richard A. Franks and Mark Peacock. Valiant Wings has released several series of primarily airplane monographs [Airframe & Miniature, Airframe Album and Airframe Detail series] with the first Airframe Album dedicated to the Heinkel He 219 ‘Uhu’ released in 2012.

Review Author
Mr. Greg Kittinger
Published on
February 17, 2024
Company
ICM
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$34.95

The modeling community waited for many years for an update to the Revell or MPM offerings of the Ki-21 Sally, and ICM has delivered in spades, creating several variants and boxings of the Japanese heavy bomber. Whereas I paid around $250 for a Revell boxing, and a bit less for the MPM boxing, the Sally is now available from ICM at affordable prices and with quality moldings.

Whereas the Revell offering contained raised panel lines and rivet detail, and built into a respectable kit, and the MPM offering contained somewhat updated molds but poor canopy fit, the ICM kit is in line with the latest high-quality injection molded expectations. There is plenty of interior details (more than will be clearly visible), the exterior has nicely engraved panel lines, the glass components are crisply molded and very clear, and the fit is impeccable!

Book Author(s)
Matthew M. Hurley & Jose Augusto Matos
Review Author
Mr. Greg Kittinger
Published on
February 17, 2024
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

When it comes to the military history of Africa, it is a checkerboard of a multitude of generally smaller conflicts precipitated by a host of issues, from civil war to ethnic tensions to the demise of colonialism. Having an interest in military history, especially air warfare, I am intrigued by what lies hidden from my knowledge of the people, equipment, motivations, strategies, and the shaping of the history of this continent.

The Africa@War series divides this vast topic into bite-sized, localized fare that brings all of these nuances of the movement of history to light. This title brings to light the erosion of Portugal’s colonial hold on Portuguese Guinea, and the role of air warfare in the conflict.

Book Author(s)
Ralph Ricco, Mario Pier and Danielle Guglielmi
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
February 16, 2024
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$59.95

The book was written by Ralph Ricco, Mario Pier and Danielle Guglielmi and is the first volume in a series on an area not covered very well before.

This volume covers military vehicles from 1920’s until the end of WW2 within the types of Motorcycles, Cars, and Light Trucks. The book has so many great pictures and technical drawings. The details covered are very in-depth even including tire types and treads.

Every vehicle is covered as to its development and service history, technical description, and full specifications. There are also a few color profile pictures in the center of the book.

There are so many vehicles that I was not aware of and gives a lot of ideas for kits for the future.

I must admit I was amazed at the content of the photos.

I highly recommend this book!

Thanks go to Helion & Company for providing this book to review and IPMS USA for allowing me to review it for them.

Review Author
Bob LaBouy
Published on
February 16, 2024
Company
ICM
Scale
1:35
MSRP
$65.00

A Very Brief History the Krankenpanzerwagen

The Krankenpanzerwagen is another lesser-known version of the Sd.Kfz. 251 and as such a lightly armored semi-tracked vehicle—in plain English, it’s an ambulance.

From the manufacturer’s webpage, this is how ICM describes this vehicle:

Sd.Kfz.251/8 Ausf.A WWII German Ambulance