Italeri July 2019 Releases

1/12 RENAULT RE 20 Turbo
Unique model in terms of technology and accuracy, consists of over 500 pieces with partial screws assembly

Steerable wheels – Working suspension – Highly detailed engine – Removable cowling – Slick rubber tyres.

In 1977 the French car manufacturer Renault made its debut in the Formula 1 world championship with a dedicated racing team that introduced important innovations in the world of competition. The F1 Renault team took part in the world championship in the 1980 season with the Renault RE20 powered by a turbocharged V6 Renault Gordini EF1 engine capable of delivering 520 HP. The team was completely French as the team of pilots composed by Jean-Pierre Jabouille, with the racing number 15 and René Arnoux with the racing number 16.

During the season the team obtained three victories in Brazil, South Africa and Austria GP. The Renault 20 series was modified and improved but in 1981 season, after the first five races, it was replaced by the 30 series with a redesigned chassis.

1/48 Bf 110 C/D
SUPER DECALS FOR 5 VERSIONS – COLOR INSTRUCTIONS SHEET

Together with the fighter Messerschmitt Bf 109 and the dive bomber Junkers Ju-87 Stuka the Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstörer is considered one of the symbols of the Luftwaffe during the Second World War. The Bf 110 was a twin-engine heavy fighter and fighter-bomber and was widely used by the German Air Force during the war in various versions to perform different operative tasks: fighter-bomber, interceptor, night-fighter, reconnaissance and anti-ship aircraft. Thanks to its two Daimler-Benz DB 601 engines, the Messerschmitt Bf 110 was able to reach the max speed of 560 Km/h. In detail the C and D versions were used on all fronts since the early stages of the war. They were heavily armed with two 20 mm cannons, four 7.92 MG 17 machine guns and one MG 15 as rear defensive armament. Further more under the wings the Bf 110 could carry bombs or additional fuel tanks to increase the operating range.

1/35 VK 4501(P) TIGER FERDINAND
NEW GLUEABLE RUBBER TRUCKS – COLOR INSTRUCTIONS SHEET

The German Army, during the Second World War, expressed the specific need to have available a heavy tank, characterized by an high protective armor and armed with a high velocity gun able to defeat every kind of enemy tank. Ferdinand Porsche, to meet the request, developed the heavy tank VK 4501 (P) prototype. The tank introduced several innovative solutions for the time but not enough reliable. In fact, during the testing, the tank highlighted some weaknesses in the driving system and in the engine that didn’t permit to go ahead with the mass production. The German Army preferred the Henschel prototype, the VK 4501 (H), which became the development base for the famous and lethal Tiger I. However, from the first production batch of the VK 4501 (P) Porsche released other versions as the new heavy Jagdpanzer “Ferdinand“ that mounted the longer 88 mm. gun.

1/72 SH-3D Sea King Apollo Recovery
SUPER DECALS FOR 3 VERSIONS – COLOR INSTRUCTIONS SHEET

The twin-engine helicopter SH-3 Sea King, developed and produced by the American company Sikorsky Aircraft, entered service in the ‘60s and it was widely used for years by the U.S. Navy to carry out numerous tasks and operational activities. It’s main role of Anti-submariner warfare (ASW) helicopter was flanked by transportation and Search and Rescue (SAR) missions. Thanks to its design based on a sturdy structure, the folding main rotor blades and the tail section, the Sea King was the ideal solution to be used in naval-orientated operations and to be used on-board of the U.S. Navy ships. Furthermore the Sea King was the first helicopter to have amphibious capabilities. It could load a wide variety of armament as torpedoes, depth charges and anti-ship missiles. The SH-3 Sea King was also produced under license in Japan, in United Kingdom and in Italy. Among the most interesting version the Sea King S.A.R. that recovered the crew of the lunar mission “Apollo” in 1969.

1/24 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SL GULLWING
Chromed parts – Color Instuctions sheet

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL was produced in 1954 by the German car manufacturer and it’s a masterpiece on four-wheels for design, elegance and luxury. The 300 SL, where the acronym stands for Sport Leicht, (Sport Light), adopted innovative solutions for the time. The Mercedes 2 door coupe had a tubular frame, a front 2.996 cc longitudinal engine connected to a 4-speed transmission and the rear drive. The maximum speed of 300 SL was 260 Km/h (162 mph). The real strength of the car, however, was in its innovative design and the adoption of the characteristic and eye-catching Gull-wing doors. Even today the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is an icon of design and style of the period ant it is a real icon for collectors and fans

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Kagero Mini TopColors #40 Pacific Lightnings Pt 1

The mini TopCcolors series of books are smaller books with decal sheets. You can equally think of them as decal sheets with high-quality instructions. Considering you also get the decals in 3 scales it’s incredibly good value too.

You get large images of 8 aircraft and a decal sheet for all of them in each of 1/72, 1/48 and 1/35 scales.

The book has…

• 16 pages
• format (sizes): (205×275 mm)
• decal sheet
• booklet binding
• Authors: Maciej Góralczyk, Andrzej Sadło
• ISBN 978-83-62878-88-8

Two decal sheets with 1:72, 1:48 and 1:32 individual markings for 8 P-38 Lightnings with sexy nose art. The decal sheets were printed by Cartograf. Each painting scheme is depicted on beautifully drawn 4-view colour profiles and described in the 18-page guidebook with English and Polish text. The authors selected the following aircraft:

• – P-38G-15-LO; s/n 43-2384, coded ‘I’ of 80th FS / 8th FG, Dobodura, New Guinea, autumn 1943,
• – P-38E-LO; s/n 41-2221, ‘Spirit of 76′, coded ’76’, flown by 2nd Lt. John S. Mackey of 54th FS / 343rd FG, Attu, Aleutian Islands, winter of 1943/1944,
• – P-38L-5-LO, s/n 44-27132, ‘Ready Maid’, coded ‘M’, flown by Capt. Phil McLain of 36th FS / 8th FG, San Jose, Mindoro, the Philippines, spring 1945,
• – P-38L-5-LO, probably s/n 44-25133, ‘Peck’s Bad Girl’, coded ‘V’, flown by 2nd Lt. Charles I. Peck of 36th FS / 8th FG, San Jose, Mindoro, the Philippines, spring 1945,
• – P-38L-5-LO; s/n 44-26302, ‘Hazel’, coded ‘413’, flown by 1st Lt. Warren E. ‘Whip’ Whipple of 44th FS / 18th FG, the Philippines, summer 1945,
• – P-38L-5-LO, s/n unknown, ‘Glamour Puss II’, coded ‘L’, flown by 1st Lt. Chester L. Schachterle of 80th FS / 8th FG, Ie Shima, Ryukyu Islands, August 1945,
• – P-38L-5-LO, probably s/n 44-25161, ‘Wishful Thinking’, coded ‘N’, flown by Lt. Royce H. Hendrickson of 36th FS / 8th FG, Ie Shima, Ryukyu Islands, August 1945,
• – P-38L-5-LO, s/n 44-26412, ‘Shady’s Lady’, coded ‘P’, flown by 1st Lt. William R. Pruner of 80th FS / 8th FG, Ie Shima, Ryukyu Islands, August 1945.

If you want to do something a bit different with your P-38 then this is a perfect book decal combo for you.

This book is available direct from the publisher here for about US$16.00.

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HOBBY BOUNTIES OF SINGAPORE continues with its annual Airfix-linked model competition. In 2019, its online presence was boosted by the dedicated Airfix Cup website.Read more »

Kagero TopDrawings #66 FW190 S, F & G

This book supplies 7 profiles and detailed line drawings in 1/48 and 1/72 of the Fw190 S, F and G models. You also get a set of painting masks for the 1/48 and 1/72 Eduard kits.

After a brief introduction to the F and G ground attack models and the S model dual trainer, you move onto the scale drawings. The drawings cover several different variants of these models and show the location of panel lines, rivets, and many other details. There are also close up views of parts of different aircraft as well as weapons, ordinance, and profiles of the fuselage and wings. There are views from port, starboard, above and below. At the end of the book is a handy page that shows you the changes from version to version. You also get an A4 poster of an Fw190 A-6 in flight.

Here are the different versions that are covered:

• S
  • -5, -8
• F
  • -3, -8, -9, -8/R1, -8/U1,
• G
  • -2, -3, -4, -8

The book details…

• Author Maciej Noszczak
• format A4
• pages 18
• Paint masks – 1/48 & 1/72
• A4 poster

If you plan on doing any modifications to the external appearance of your aircraft then this book will be essential. It will allow you to get the panel lines and access hatches in the right places. There are lots of details in the diagrams and they will be essential in getting a truly accurate aircraft.

This book is available direct from the publisher here for about US$21.45.

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THIS WEEK SEES THE OFFICIAL release of the 1:24 scale Airfix Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat, a fighter aircraft that was instrumental to victory in the Pacific Theatre of World War II.
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Ammo 1/72 T-54B Mid Production

The T-54 and T-55 tanks are a series of Soviet main battle tanks introduced in the years following the Second World War. The first T-54 prototype was completed by the end of 1945. Initial production was halted and curtailed as many problems were uncovered. The T-54B was designed in 1955. It was fitted with a new 100 mm gun with a 2-plane stabilizer. It entered production in 1957. Modern ammunition was developed for it, dramatically enhancing the performance of the gun to keep it competitive with NATO armour developments.

During the Vietnam War, the North Vietnamese PAVN used T-54s, along with its Chinese-built copy, extensively against the South Vietnamese and allied US forces. At the very end of the Vietnam War on the 30 April 1975, an NVA T-54 tank smashed through the main gate of the South Vietnamese Presidential Palace in their capital city of Saigon at the conclusion of North Vietnam’s conquest of South Vietnam. This widely-seen image has come to be regarded by many as perhaps the defining moment of the end of the bloody 20-year-long conflict in Vietnam,

Interestingly I can only find one previous 1/72 T-54B and that was done by Trumpeter in 2008. The new Ammo kit is over twice the parts count.

The kit comes in an end opening with all the sprues bagged. The small PE fret and decal sheet are attached to a piece of card and in their own bag too. Inside the box we have:

• 1colour instruction booklet.
• 1 small decal sheet
• 174 plastic parts
• 3 PE parts

The level of detail in this kit is very good. Attachment points are small and ejector pin marks are out of the way. There is lots of fine detail on the parts and the sprues are clearly numbered using cut out letters. Have a look at the images, you will see what I mean. No more searching around a sprue to see what number it is. The tank is built in 18 steps and the instructions are clear.

The steps are:

1. Attaching nose plate to lower hull.
2. Attaching the road wheels to the lower hull
3. Ammo has supplied a couple of jigs for building most of the link and length tracks. That’s a nice touch and should help people get the pay of the tracks right.
4. Add the almost complete tracks you made in step 3 to the lower hull.
5. Add the last part of the tracks to the lower hull.
6. Add the lights to the upper hull and add the PE light guard around them.
7. Add a PE piece around the radiators grills and some other small parts to the upper rear hull.
8. Make the storage boxes. Ammo has done things a little differently here. The sides of the storage boxes are one long piece you fold around into a rectangle and then add the lid.
9. Add the stowage boxes you made in step 8 to the upper hull along with the exhaust and a few other parts.
10. Add fuel tanks to the right-hand mudguard along with a couple of spare track links.
11. Put the upper hull onto the lower hull
12. Add the aft hull plate and then add 2 fuel tanks to it and rear mudguards and a couple of other small pieces.
13. Add pipework to the rear fuel tanks.
14. Add towing hooks to the rear of the hull
15. Add AA gun and other small parts to the left front and top of the turret.
16. Add small parts to the rear and right front of the turret.
17. The main gun is molded in one p[ices with a hollow end and it added to the turret.
18. Add the IR searchlight to the turret and put the turret on the lower hull.

There are 10 painting schemes in total, 8 in the booklet and 2 others on the back of the box. Four others are also duplicated on the back of the box. Colors are all called out using the Ammo paint range. You get left, right, top, front and rear views of the options in the booklet and just right side views of the 2 extras on the bottom of the box. There is extra information about weathering, painting, and decals – a lot more than you normally see in a set of instructions.

Conclusion
This is a popular subject and it’s the most detailed kit available in this scale. I like the new idea about getting the tracks assembled and the storage boxes. Instructions are better than most with extra hints about things such as decals and weathering. It should do well and it’s highly recommended.

I bought my kit from Ammo for $21.00 plus shipping and I think that’s the only place selling it right now.

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Hasegawa Aug 2019 Releases

TA-4J Skyhawk
Scale … 1: 48
part number … … PT43
release date … August 04, 2019

F-35 Lightning II (Type B) “Air Self-Defense Force”
Scale … 1: 72
part number … … 02291
release date … August 04, 2019

Display stand that can reproduce the flight condition is attached.
Japan Air Self-Defense Force Flight Development Experiment Team (ADTW) affiliation aircraft Gifu base (assuming painting & marking)

Kawasaki T-4 “Air Park 20th Anniversary
Scale … 1: 48
part number … … 07477 o
release date … August 04, 2019
part number … 117
model total length … 258mm
model full width … 207 mm

Decal (marking)
Air Self Defense Force 1st Air Force 31st Education Squadron Air-Park 20th Anniversary Painting Machine “803”

F-4EJ Kai Super Phantom “302 SQ F-4 Final Year 2019 (Black Phantom)
Scale … 1: 48
part number … … 07476
release date … August 9, 2019
part number … 132
model total length … 402mm
model full width … 244 mm

Decal (marking)
JASDF Seventh Air Corps 302th Squadron F-4 retirement commemorative paint machine “399” (Hyakuri Base 2018-2019)

S2F-1 (S-2A) Tracker “The Maritime Self-Defense Force 51st Air Corps
Scale … 1: 72
part number … … 02266
release date … August 9, 2019
part number … 60
model total length … 178.5 mm
model full width … 292mm

The Maritime Self-Defense Force deployed a tracker in 1957 and named it “Ohtaka” and used it as an anti-submarine patrol aircraft for a land base.
The kit consists of parts that are movable on the lower surface of the fuselage.

Decal (marking)
S2F-1: Maritime Self-Defense Force 51st Aircraft Squad “4159” (Shimousato Base)
S-2A: US Navy

Mosquito B Mk. IV
Scale … 1: 72
part number … … CP17
release date … around August 25, 2019

Hurricane Mk. IIC
Scale … 1: 48
part number … … JT51
release date … August 25, 2019

MIG 25 RBT Fox Bat “World Fox Bat”
Scale … 1: 72
part number … … 02308
release date … August 30, 2019
part number … 139
model total length … 315mm
model full width … 189 mm

Set the marking of Indian Air Force / Ukraine Air Force!
※ The parts of the kit will be made by ICM.

Decal (marking)
Mig 25 RB: Indian Air Force No. 102 Squadron Affiliation “KP 354”
Mig 25 RBT: Ukrainian Air Force Affiliation “Blue 73”

F-4B / N Phantom II w / One Piece Canopy
Scale … 1: 48
part number … … PT10
release date … around August 30, 2019

SR-71A Black Bird “ICHIBAN”
Scale … 1: 72
part number … … 01943
release date … around August 30, 2019

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THERE ARE PLENTY OF BATMOBILES available, but this 1:24 scale metal and plastic version from Jada is well worth a close look.

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Kagero Super Drawings in 3D #69 HMS Prince of Wales

The first thing you notice about this book is the plans. It’s a big piece of double-sided paper with drawings on both sides. On one side are the port, starboard and overhead views in 1/350 scale. On the other side are views of various parts of the ship in larger scales, such as turrets, weapons, radars, and other items onboard the ship. Once inside the book, you start with 7 pages of an overview of the ship from its conception to its sinking.

The images themselves cover the whole of the superstructure of the ship from bow to stern including the rudder and propellers. The approx 150 images show lots of detail of the ship.

The book details…

• Author Carlo Cestra
• format A4
• pages 93
• Plans A1, double-sided.
• 150 images

This book will allow you to get all sorts of small details correct. You will be able to get the rigging correct, know the exact demarcations for the paint scheme to name just 2 things. If you’re building any scale HMS Prince of Wales then this book will be a great help.

This book is available direct from the publisher here for about US$34.00.

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Kagero TopDrawings #73 F4U Corsair

This book supplies a number of colour profiles and detailed line drawings in 1/48 and 1/72 of the F4U covering the 1A, 1C, 1D and 1P versions and the equivalent Royal Navy Mk I through IV versions. There are 2 large sets of plans for the 1/48 drawings that are on 2 separate pieces of large paper. These double-sided plans cover the F4U-1D and the Mk IV and also have part images of the differences in the wings for the 1C version.

The book details…

• Author Maciej Noszczak
• format A4
• pages 20
• Plans A3
• A4 poster

If you plan on doing any modifications to the external appearance of your Corsair then this book will be essential. It will allow you to get the panel lines and access hatches in the right places. There are lots of details in the diagrams and the pullout plans are a very good idea.

This book is available direct from the publisher here for about US$15.00.

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Italeri June 2019 Releases

1/24 Mercedes-Benz ACTROS MP4 Giga Space
SUPER DECALS SHEET – COLOR INSTRUCTIONS SHEET – NEW CHROMED PARTS

Actros is the commercial name for Mercedes-Benz heavy truck range. The Actros range has been introduced in 1995 and quickly achieved a significant commercial success as a suitable solution to perform long-distance haulage and heavy-duties haulage. The New Actros, introduced on the market in 2012, is the most update and innovative expression of the heavy truck Mercedes family. It is characterised by an advanced and modern design and the adoption of new Euro 5 and Euro 6 engines. The vehicle configuration has been designed and developed to guarantee the highest operational efficiency minimising the running costs. Among the several configurations available it is particularly interesting the long-haul high-roof cabin version, design to offer the highest standard of comfort on board for two drivers. The Actros is also a good starting base to create fantastic ShowTrucks with liveries and graphics characterized by a high visual impact that are real masterpieces on wheels.

1/72 WAR THUNDER – JU 88 A-4
The box contains:

One model kit – Colored Sprues – Reference Guide – Color Instuctions sheet – Stand bases – Glue –

Bonus Code (PC/Mac Version): Thach’s F2-A1 Buffalo (Rank 1, USA Premium Fighter); He-112B (Rank 1, Germany Premium Fighter) – 7 days of premium account – Italeri Decal

The Junkers Ju 88 was Germany’s first purpose-built Schnellbomber aircraft, developed during the mid 1930s. Although the Schnellbomber concept would quickly be proven as flawed, the Ju 88 remained instrumental to the successes of the early German Blitzkrieg campaign and, thanks to its versatility, remained in service with the Luftwaffe until the very end of WW2. In fact, the Ju 88 became the most produced German twin-engine aircraft of the time, serving a multitude of roles throughout its service life.

1/48 BYE-BYE MIRAGE F1
UPGRADED MOULDS – SUPER DECALS FOR 3 VERSIONS – COLOR INSTRUCTIONS SHEET

The Mirage F1 was developed by the French aircraft manufacturer Dassault to equip the French Air Force (Armée de l’air) squadrons with a modern multi-role fighter. The Mirage F1 entered service at the beginning of the seventies and was characterized by a shoulder-mounted swept wing and the adoption of the Snecma Atar turbojet engine giving the aircraft a max speed of Mach 2,2. During the years, several versions of the F1 were produced and most of them dedicated to export. For instance the Mirage F1 CR was set to perform aerial reconnaissance tasks adopting internal equipment and external pods. The Mirage F1 CT was the ground attack version and was developed to replace the old Mirage IIIE. It was improved with more modern avionics and ground targets identification and tracking systems.

1/35 M4A1 SHERMAN with U.S. infantry
CONTAINS 10 FIGURES – NEW GLUEABLE RUBBER TRUCKS – SUPER DECALS FOR 3 VERSIONS – COLOR INSTRUCTIONS SHEET

The M4 Sherman medium tank was the primary tank used by the United States during World War II. It has been produced in a significant number of units and it formed the backbone of United Stated armoured forces during at those time. It has been produced in several variants and versions. The first version to be produced on wide scale was the Sherman M4A1 characterised by the rounded edges of the fully casted upper hull. Even the turret had a rounded appearance. The Sherman would entered combat in armoured corps of United States Army in 1942 during the first months of the war. It was armed with the 75 mm gun that was replaced in the latest A1 version with the high-speed 76 mm gun. Thanks to its Continental R975 gasoline engine the tank was able to obtain good performances on all type of terrains. However the most important strength of the tank was its project. The Sherman was reliable, cheap and easy to produce in great numbers.

1/24 FIAT 500 (2007)
COLOR INSTRUCTIONS SHEET – CHROMED PARTS

In 2007, the Fiat Group presented the successor to the most iconic car of Italian automotive production: the Fiat 500. The new model features a distinctive design and interesting retro-style as modern reinterpretation of the “classic” Fiat 500 launched on the market in 1957. Thanks to its unique design, the adoption of the most innovative technological and safety solutions, the Fiat 500 is positioned on the market as a premium city car, accessible but at the same time exclusive. The wide range of versions and accessories enhance the possibility for the customer to personalize the car and make it unique. From its release on the market the car adopted several engines from the twin-cylinder petrol 895cc “Twinair” to the four-cylinder diesel 1,248 cc “Multijet”

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Flyhawk 1/72 Renault FT 75 BS

The Renault FT tank was deployed in 1918 with both machine gun and 37mm cannon armament. It was recognized at the time that a larger gun was needed to attack fortified positions. It was decided that a vehicle should be developed on the chassis of the Renault FT with a 75mm Blockhaus Schneider (BS) gun mounted. The 75mm BS was originally a short-range fortress gun. Although the 75mm BS gun had a short effective range, its small dimensions, light weight and high rates of fire made it attractive as a support gun on FT tanks.

Two different prototypes were built.  The first design was rejected but the second prototype was a straightforward conversion of a standard FT tank replacing the turret with a fixed superstructure.

This vehicle was accepted as the Renault FT 75 BS and some 600 were ordered in mid-May 1918. The first production FT 75 BS was completed in late July 1918. However, there were delays in production and only 11 75 BS vehicles were delivered before the Armistice in November 1918 and, as far as is known, none saw action. After the Armistice, the orders were cut back severely and only another 29 were delivered in 1919.

Postwar service
Many of the FT 75 BS were shipped to French units in North Africa and Syria after WW1. A few saw some action in the French colonies in skirmish campaigns against rebellious tribesmen. Two FT 75 BS were found by the Allies in Tunisia in 1942 after Operation Torch, the invasion of Vichy held North Africa.

There has been one resin kit of this version of the FT17 produced by Modell Trans Modellbau in 2014, although they names it the FT-17 BS which doesn’t seem to be right. Other than that resin kit this is the only 1/72 kit of this subject.

The kit comes with a top opening box and it is quite sturdy. The box contains 2 kits and all the sprues are bagged. The small PE fret and decal sheet are attached to a piece of card and in their own bag too. Inside the box we have:

• 1colour instruction sheet.
• 1 small decal sheet
• 52 parts per kit for 108 in total
• 17 PE parts on 1 fret per kit for 34 in total

The level of detail in this kit is up to Flyhawk’s usual exceptional standards. Attachment points are small and ejector pin marks are out of the way. There is lots of fine detail on the parts The tank is built in 8 steps and the instructions are clear.

The steps are:

1. Assemble the main part of the hull and remove a few small pieces of plastic and add the first of the PE.
2. Assemble the left-hand running gear including track.
3. Assemble the right-hand running gear including track.
4. Add the running gear and ditching device to the main hull.
5. Adding a storage box to the left-hand side of the hull.
6. Adding exhaust and shovel to the right-hand side of the hull.
7. Assemble the 75mm gun and the armored superstructure it goes into
8. Add the gun and armored superstructure to the hull.

The color scheme is shown in color and the paints are called out by name and Mr. Hobby, Tamiya ranges. You get left, front and rear views of the 2 decal options.

The best price I can see for this box is on eBay for about $16.00 including shipping.

Conclusion
This is a well-detailed kit of a relatively obscure vehicle and so should be of interest to 1/72 scale WW1 and WW2 modellers. It’s also really good value at $16.00 for 2 kits and that includes a few pieces of PE too.

Many thanks to Flyhawk for sending along the kit for review.

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Trumpeter July 2019 Releases

Flakpanther w/8.8cm Flakrakete Rheintochter I
Item No.: 09532 Scale: 1:35

Russian 9A53 Uragan-1M MLRS (Tornado-s)
Item No.: 01068 Scale: 1:35

Russian 72V6E4 Combat Unit of 96K6 Pantsir -S1 ADMGS(w/RLM SOC S-band Radar)
Item No.: 01061 Scale: 1:35

Russian T-80UK MBT
Item No.: 09578 Scale: 1:35

Russian BMD-4 Airborne Fighting Vehicle
Item No.: 09557 Scale: 1:35

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HobbyBoss July 2019 Releases

1:144 Chinese KJ-200 ITEM No.: 83903

1:35 German Panzer Grenadiers Vol.1 ITEM No.: 84404

1:35 German SPG Crew Vol.2 ITEM No.: 84407

1:35 GERMAN INFANTRY-Taking a rest ITEM No.: 84420

1:35 Leopard C1A1 (Canadian MBT) ITEM No.: 84502

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THE REVELL STORY is an excellent book that provides in-depth reading about one of the modelling world's most famous names.
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Eduard June 2019 Releases

Spad XIII early 1/48
Cat.No.: 8197

ProfiPACK edition kit of French WWI fighter biplane SPAD XIII in 1/48 scale.

The kit is focused on early built aircraft with rounded wingtips.

plastic parts: Eduard
No. of decal options: 4
decals: Eduard
PE parts: yes, pre-painted
painting mask: yes
resin parts: no

Fw 190A-8/ R2 1/48
Cat.No.: 82145

ProfiPACK edition kit of German WWII fighter aircraft Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-8/R2 in 1/48 scale.

plastic parts: Eduard
No. of decal options: 5
decals: Eduard
PE parts: yes, pre-painted
painting mask: yes
resin parts: no

Superbug 1/48
Cat.No.: 11129

Limited Edition kit of US jet aircraft F/A-18E aircraft in 1/48 scale.
plastic parts: Hasegawa
No. of decal options: 5
decals: Cartograf
PE parts: yes, pre-painted
painting mask: yes
resin parts: yes, seat, undercarriage wheels

Spitfire HF Mk. VIII 1/48
Cat.No.: 84132

Weekend edition kit of British WWII fighter aircraft Spitfire Mk. VIII in 1/48 scale.

The kit is focused on aircraft with pointed wingtips / enlarged wingspan.
plastic parts: Eduard
No. of decal options: 2
decals: Eduard
PE parts: no
painting mask:no
resin parts: no

Fw 190D-9 1/144
Cat.No.: 4461

Super 44 edition kit of German WWII fighter aircraft Fw 190D-9 in 1/144 scale.
plastic parts: Platz
No. of decal options: 4
decals: Eduard
PE parts: no
painting mask: yes
resin parts: no

Paul Tosney – Editor

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Kagero SMI Library #9 Grumman F6F Hellcat vol. I

Each of the SMI Library series of books is about 100 pages long and packed with contemporary photos.

This book starts with 15 pages in Polish and Engish, interspersed with photos, that briefly describes the development and use of the Hellcat, specifically the F6F-3 and F6F-5 and their variants. Since the -3 and -5 variants account for almost all Hellcat’s I’m not sure what Vol 2 will contain.

The 135 B&W images in the book are all very good and well captioned and they show plenty of detail. The 5 colour photos of modern Hellcats are good and there are 17 images that show you the decal placement for the decal sheet that comes with the book. The decals are in the usual 3 scales for aircraft, 1/35, 1/48 and 1/72. The decals are by Cartograph so are going to behave as you’d expect. You get options for the 3 aircraft covered in the 17 images. My only criticism is that it’s tough to see the placement of the stencils. Other than that, they’re perfect.

The book has…

• 96 pages
• 135 photos
• 5 color photos
• 4 color profiles (17 images)
• Authors: Tomasz Szlagor, Leszek A. Wieliczko
• ISBN 978-83-62878-89-5

Grumman F6F Hellcat was one of the best fighter aircraft of the World War Two era and the most effective fighter of the US Navy. There is no doubt that Hellcats won complete air superiority for the Americans over the vast areas of the Pacific, largely contributing to the victory over Japan. Volume One presents this legendary fighter in its first year of operational service – from the combat debut over Marcus Island and the Solomons in August 1943 until the end of the Marianas operation in late summer 1944. By then Hellcats participated, among others, in air strikes on Rabaul, Wake, Kwajalein and Truk, and supported the invasion of Tarawa in Gilbert Islands. The culmination of the Hellcats’ first year of service with the US Navy came about during the Marianas invasion in June 1944, when they took part in the First Battle of Philippine Sea. This largest aerial and naval battle in the Pacific to date broke the backbone of the Japanese Navy, and the Hellcats won such a tremendous victory in the air that the battle was aptly nicknamed the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot.

Throughout the war the only foreign user of Hellcats was Great Britain, receiving first aircraft in March 1943. Until late 1944 the Royal Navy Hellcats operated mainly in northern European waters and in the Mediterranean, participating in several air strikes on German battleship Tirpitz moored in Norwegian fiords, supporting Allied landings in Normandy and southern France, and joining operations in the Aegean Sea.

If you want to do something a bit different with your Hellcat kit and have plenty of photo references into the bargain then this is a perfect book decal combo for you.

This book is available direct from the publisher here for about US$13.00.

Paul Tosney – Editor
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Kagero Mini TopColors #39 Captured Panzers in Allied Service

The mini Topcolos series of books are smaller books with decal sheets. You get large images of 16 vehicles and a decal sheet for all of them in each of 1/72, 1/48 and 1/35 scales. Looking at the price of this book you might want to think of it as a decal sheet with an instruction booklet rather than the usual sheet of paper. Considering you also get the decals in 3 scales it’s incredibly good value too.

The book has…

• 16 pages
• format (sizes): (205×275 mm)
• decal sheet
• booklet binding
• Authors: Marek Jaszczołt, Arkadiusz Wróbel
• ISBN 978-83-62878-89-5

You get a big decal sheet with 1:72, 1:48 and 1:35 markings for no less than 16 German armored fighting vehicles captured by Allied troops and used against their former owners. The decal sheet was printed by Cartograf. Each painting scheme is depicted on a beautifully drawn colour profile and described in the 18-page guidebook with English and Polish text. The authors selected the following vehicles:

• Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. F of the 1st Ranger Battalion, Tunisia, spring 1943,
• Sd.Kfz. 222 of No. 2 ACC, North Africa, 1943,
• Jagdpanzer 38(t) „Chwat”, Warsaw, Poland, August 1944,
• Pz.Kpfw. V Panther Ausf. A of 1er bataillon AS de l’Ain, Méximieux, France, September 1944,
• 15cm Panzerwerfer 42 auf Selbstfahrlafette Sd.Kfz. 4/1 of 1er G.M.R., Saint-Nazaire area, France, October 1944,
• Pz.Kpfw. V Panther Ausf. G of the 145th Regiment RAC, Italy, 1944/1945,
• Pz.Kpfw. V Panther Ausf. G of the 4th Battalion Coldstream Guards, the Netherlands, winter 1944/1945,
• Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. H/J of l’Escadron Autonome de Chars Besnier, Saint-Nazaire area, France, February-March 1945,
• Sd.Kfz. 251/8 Ausf. D of an unidentified U.S. Army unit, Germany, 1945,
• Pz.Kpfw. V Panther Ausf. G of the 366th Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment, Hungary, March 1945.
• Panzerbefehlswagen Panther Ausf. G of l’Escadron Autonome de Chars Besnier, Saint-Nazaire area, France, March-May 1945,
• Sd.Kfz. 251/7 Ausf. D of the 153rd Field Regiment RA, Guards Armoured Division, Germany, 1945,
• Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausf. D “Řevnice 5”, Prague area, Czech Territory, May 1945,
• Sd.Kfz. 250 Ausf. A, Prague, Czech Territory, May 1945,
• Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G of the 5th Independent Self-Propelled Artillery Squadron, 6th Infantry Division, Poland, May 1945,
• Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. J of the 5th Independent Self-Propelled Artillery Squadron, 6th Infantry Division, Poland, May 1945.

If you want to do something a bit different with your German armour kit then this is a perfect book decal combo for you.

This book is available direct from the publisher here for about US$11.00.

Paul Tosney – Editor
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Flyhawk 1/700 HMS Kelly 1940

HMS Kelly was a K-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy and flotilla leader of her class. She served through the early years of the Second World War; in Home Waters, off Norway, and in the Mediterranean. Throughout her service, Kelly was commanded by Lord Louis Mountbatten. She was lost in action in 1941 during the Battle of Crete.

HMS Kelly was not the luckiest of ships. She was commissioned on Aug 23, 1939, and was soon back in dry dock for a month-long repair due to storm damage.
On the afternoon of 14 December 1939, Kelly struck a mine and sustained damage to her hull assisting the tanker Atheltemplar which had earlier struck a mine laid by German destroyers off the Tyne Estuary. Kelly was taken in tow by a tug and returned to the Tyne. She was towed to Hawthorn Leslie’s yard for repairs, which took just a little over three months. Two days after her return to service she collided with HMS Gurkha and was back in dry dock for 8 weeks.

On the night 9 May/10 May 1940, during the Battle of Norway, Kelly was torpedoed amidships by the German E-boat S 31. Severely damaged, she was taken under tow and for four days she was attacked by E-boats and bombers as she struggled back to port at three knots. The Navy Controller wrote that she survived “not only by the good seamanship of the officers and men but also on account of the excellent workmanship which ensured the watertightness of the other compartments. A single defective rivet might have finished her.” She was repaired and returned to service.

She was not fit for active service until December 1940. Her bad luck had seen her on active service for less than two weeks over the previous 14 months. After working up trials she was sent to the Mediterranean. On 23 May, during the evacuation of Crete, she was bombed and sunk, with half her crew killed.

More  information available about her here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Kelly_(F01)

There have been 3 boxings of HMS Kelly by Matchbox (1980), Revell (2013) and White Ensign in resin. These are the only kids of the K-class I am aware of. It would not take much for Flyhawk to also release J and N-class destroyers as they were so similar to the K-class and are very poorly represented in any scale.

The kit comes with a top opening box and it is quite sturdy. The outside of the box has images of their planned HMS Agincourt and Scharnhorst kits. All the sprues are bagged and the larger items are in a bag of their own. The hull and deck parts are wrapped in foam and secured with elastic bands. The small PE fret and decal sheet are attached to a piece of card and in their own bag too. Inside the box we have:

• 1 long, colour instruction sheet plus a small addendum to the instructions on a separate piece of paper.
• 1 small decal sheet
• 189 approx plastic parts on 12 sprues
• 10 separate larger parts
• 2 PE parts on 1 fret

The level of detail in this kit is up to Flyhawk’s usual exceptional standards. The sprues with the finer parts have raised edges so the delicate parts are off the table when the sprue is laid down. Attachment points are small and ejector pin marks are out of the way. There is lots of fine detail on the parts The ship is built in 9 steps and the instructions are clear and colour coded where needed to aid in showing what goes where.

The colour scheme is shown in colour and the paints are called out by name and Mr. Hobby, Tamiya and WEM colour ranges. The views are clear and it will be easy to paint her from the information given. The small decal sheet has the ships pennant numbers, G61, F61, F85 and G85 and a couple of royal ensigns. (85 is HMS Jupiter and 61 is HMS Javelin, so there may well be a J-Class kit not far away.).

The best price I can see for this kit is on eBay for $25.99 including shipping. Another $7 will get you the Deluxe Edition with brass barrels and more PE. You can also buy the PE and barrels separately as well as a masking set.

Conclusion
This kit should do well for a couple of reasons. Firstly it’s an excellent kit in its own right with an impressive level of detail on the 200+ parts of the basic kit and even more detail when you use the 100+ PE parts of the deluxe kit. Secondly, it’s the first time anyone has done a plastic 1/700 HMS Lance, so that will make it very popular among builders of WW2 Royal Navy kits.

Many thanks to Flyhawk for sending along the kit for review.

Paul Tosney – Editor
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HobbyBoss June 2019 Releases

1:72 Kanonen und Flakwagen ITEM No.: 82925

1:35 Pz.Kpfw.VI Sd.Kfz.182 Tiger II (Henschel Feb-1945 Production) ITEM No.: 84532

Paul Tosney – Editor

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