A PREQUEL TO Grease, one of the most successful musicals of all time, has been recently announced. So this 1:25 scale kit of one of the cars featured in the movie looks to be to be a well-timed release.
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Iliad Design 1/48 Mig-21F-13 Decal Sheet

This decal sheet is numbered 48034 and arrived from Iliad decals in a stout cardboard envelope. The subjects of this sheet are:

• Shenyang J-7 (MiG 21F-13). Legend reads “Long live Chairman Mao.”
• MiG 21F-13, Iraqi AF, 1966.
• Avia S-106 (MiG 21F-13), Syrian AF, 1973.
• MiG 21F-13, Albanian AF.
• MiG 21F-13, United Arab Republic AF, Six Day War, 1967.
• Avia S-106, Czech AF, 1964.
• MiG 21F-13, North Korean AF.

The set contains just the aircraft specific decals and you would use any stencils from the kit you’re using. You will be able to make all 7 aircraft though – if you have 7 kits available!

The contents of this set are:

• 1 double-sided colour sheet of instructions
• 1 21 cm x 14 cm decal sheet

The instructions are clear and simple and give all the extra details you’re going to need to get your build right. The port side views of each aircraft have details against each of them letting you know details about the camouflage scheme used and any idiosyncrasies of the individual aircraft. On the reverse side of the sheet are top views of the 7 aircraft showing camouflage schemes on the top and the colours used on the undersides. All the colours used on the aircraft are named.

The decal sheet, as you can see in the photographs and the video, are perfectly in register, well detailed and the colours look good too. The backing film is minimal to non-existent except in places where it is needed to line text up. Iliad has chosen a good set of colourful aircraft to build.

This set is available for $12.00 from Iliad Design’s site.

Conclusion:
This is a very nice decal set with some attractive options for any 1/48 Mig-21F-13.

Many thanks to Iliad Design for the review sample.

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Review: AJM Models 1/700 HMS Ark Royal 1915-18

History

HMS Ark Royal was the first ship designed and built as a seaplane carrier. She was purchased by the Royal Navy in 1914 shortly after her keel had been laid and was modified to carry seaplanes. In the First World War, Ark Royal participated in the Gallipoli Campaign in early 1915, with her aircraft conducting aerial reconnaissance and observation missions. In January 1918, several of her aircraft unsuccessfully attacked the German battlecruiser SMS Goeben when she sortied from the Dardanelles.

After the end of the war, Ark Royal mostly served as an aircraft transport and depot ship. She was recommissioned in 1930 to serve as a training ship, for seaplane pilots and to evaluate aircraft catapult operations and techniques. She was renamed HMS Pegasus in 1934, freeing the name for the aircraft carrier ordered that year.

Assigned to the Home Fleet at the beginning of WW2, she took on tasks as an aircraft transport, in addition to her training duties, until she was temporarily modified to serve as the prototype fighter catapult ship in late 1940. In early 1944 she became a barracks ship and she was sold in late 1946 and sold again in 1949 for scrap.

Kit History

I can’t find any record of anyone doing this HMS Ark Royal in any scale before.

Inside the box:

• 153 resin parts plus a solid resin hull
• 1 PE sheet with about 300 parts
• 6 small PE sheets with 84 parts
• 1 decal sheet
• 4 sheets of double-sided paper giving
  • 1 colour page of parts layout and painting guide
  • 7 pages of build instructions over 73 steps
• decals for ship and seaplanes

The box is a top opening cardboard box and all the parts inside are bagged and wrapped in bubble wrap. The smaller resin parts are tightly packed in 2 small resealable bags so they can’t be damaged. The packaging is very good.

The resin parts are very nicely detailed and some of the smaller parts are just that, very small. Care will be needed when removing the smaller parts from the pour stubs.

The PE frets are made from very thin PE and again, some of the parts are very fine and will need care. The level of detail made possible by the PE is very high and will make for an excellent model. For example, the AD1 Seaplane has 20 PE parts.

Instructions

The instructions are good and lay things out well. With there being 73 steps to the build you can see that each step is pretty small with just a few parts to be added. The first page of the 8 pages on paper is a parts layout so you can find the parts you need. It’s handily laid out starting with 1 at the top left to the highest numbered parts at bottom right. There’s a painting guide on this page too.

The other 7 pages cover the 73 build steps with a painting guide for the seaplanes on the last page too. PE parts are numbered inside a square box and resin parts are numbered inside a rounded box. Each step is nicely drawn and labeled and it seems clear what is needed. There is also a full page rigging diagram too. You will need to read the instructions carefully to work out a good build sequence for yourself.

Paint & Decals

The colours are called out in Life Colour paints and also named. The 2 colour images of the completed kit answer any questions you might have. There are 3 or 4 colour views of each aircraft to get those painted correctly too.

The decals are on 8 small sheets of which 6 are for the aircraft and 2 for the ship.

Conclusion
This kit is not for beginners with the large decal sheets to apply over the wings and a few little things that will need some experience. That being said you will end up with a very nice little kit. There are nice details on the parts and colourful decal options to choose from.

Many thanks to AJM Models for supplying a review sample.

The kit is available from our online store here.

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Hasegawa June 2019 Releases

Boeing 747-400 “The Demonstrator”
Scale … 1: 200
part number … 60
model full length … 350 mm
model full width … 324 mm
2019 is 50 years from the 747 first flight! Reproduction of the 747-400 Demons trainer, which was called “High-tech Jumbo” and was active in the 90’s .

F-4EJ Kai Super Phantom “302 SQ F-4 Final Year 2019”
Scale … 1: 48
part number … 132
model total length … 402mm
model full width … 244 mm
302SQ F-4 Retirement commemorative color is reproduced in 1/48 scale!
Decal (marking)
JASDF Seventh Air Corps 302th Flight Squadrant F-4 retirement paint painting machine “428” (Beiri Base 2018-2019)

F-4N Phantom II “Jolly Rogers VF-84”
Scale … 1: 72

Japanese Navy Carrier Carrier Akagi Full Hull Version
Scale … 1: 700
part number … 222
model total length … 372.5 mm
model full width … 60mm

Add the newly developed ship bottom parts and reproduce the full hull condition!
The basic ship bottom parts are integrally molded! The girder parts are inserted inside, and the parts around the bilge keel and screw are separate parts.
Wooden display base and aluminum name plate are included!
By incorporating the “Akagi Detail Up Parts Set (Model No .: 30036)” released simultaneously,
it is possible to make it into a full-detailed Akagi.

Kawasaki T-4 “Air Self-Defense Force
Scale … 1: 48

Japanese Navy Destroyer Yukuun & Fuun (Yukumo type) & Asakumo (Aoshio type) “Kisuka Island withdrawal operation”
Scale … 1: 700
Successfully completed withdrawal of all the Kisuka Island garrison
“Yukmo“, “Fuun“, “Ashio” 3 ships set that participated in the “Kisuka Island withdrawal operation” (Operation No. 2) called a miracle operation !

Additional plastic parts
Special-type freighter
Mount with slope

J-35F Draken
Scale … 1: 72

Kyushu J7W2-S Local Fighter Shinken Kai “Night Fighter”
Scale … 1: 48

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Decals from the book “Mit der Kamera an der Front’

This sheet contains decals for 8 Bf 109E and Bf 109F aircraft from Vol 1 of the ‘Mit der Kamera an der Front’ recently published by Luftfahrtverlag-Start. We reviewed the book here.

Luftfahrtverlag-Start occasionally does limited run decal sheets of aircraft, and submarines, from their publications. Usually, the print run is 500 copies, and once they’re out of stock, that’s it. The decal sheet is printed by Cartograph.

The decal sheet uses crosses and balkenkreuz from the kit you’re using and adds to it the items you will need to model the aircraft. The instructions show you where the emblems are to be placed and also gives you the colours used in the paint scheme of the aircraft. The camouflage schemes are all the standard ones. There is also a small black and white image of the aircraft in question taken from the book. Theatre bands, such as yellow for Russia, are shown in the image given of the aircraft. The decals will work on any manufacturer’s kit.

The decals cover:

• Bf 109 E-7, Grey 15, Calais-Marck, Aug 1940
• Bf 109 E-7, Grey 2, Calais-Marck, Mar 1941
• Bf 109 E-7, Grey 5, Greece, May 1941
• Bf 109 E-7, Brown 3, Russia, Jul 1941
• Bf 109 E-7, Black 3, Rumania, Aug 1941
• Bf 109 E-7, Chevron 3, Rumania, Aug 1941
• Bf 109 E-7,  Black 1, Rumania, Sept 1941
• Bf 109 E-7, White 9, Russia, Dec 1941
• Bf 109 E-7, Grey 5, Russia, Dec 1941
• Bf 109 E-7, Double chevron, Russia, Dec 1941
• Bf 109 F-4, Double Chevron Jun 1941, Major Gollob
• Bf 109 F-4, Double Chevron Jun 1941, Major Gollob

The quality of the decals themselves is very good, as you would expect from Cartograph. The whites look good and the other colours are vibrant.

Conclusion
The decal sheet is highly recommended and will allow you to build some unique aircraft that you won’t see anywhere else.

The decals cost 19,50 Euro + shipping. If you buy the book and the decal together, it´s only 17,50 Euro – and you get free shipping.
The decals are available on their website on this page.

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Review: Mirage-Hobby 1/48 Halberstadt CL.IV

History

The Halberstadt CL.IV was a German ground attack aircraft of World War I.

The CL.IV was designed as a replacement for the CL.II. As the CL.II had proven to be particularly effective in the ground support role, the focus of an improved version was to create a specific ground attack aircraft.

The new CL.IV featured a shorter, strengthened fuselage and a horizontal stabilizer of greater span. These changes gave the CL.IV much greater maneuverability than its predecessor. After tests were completed of the prototype in April 1918, at least 450 were ordered from Halberstadt, and an additional 250 aircraft from a subcontractor, LFG (Roland), as Halberstadt CL.IV(Rol).

The Halberstadt CL.IV was one of the most effective ground attack aircraft of World War I, relying on its good maneuverability to avoid ground fire. It appeared on the Western Front towards the end of the German offensives in 1918. Flights of four to six aircraft flew close support missions, at an altitude of less than one hundred feet, suppressing enemy infantry and artillery fire just ahead of the advancing German troops. After these late German offensives stalled, Halberstadt CL.IVs were used to disrupt advancing Allied offensives by striking at enemy troop assembly points and night sorties were also made against Allied airfields.

Kit History

Realistically, Mirage-Hobby has the market cornered in 1/48 Halberstadt CLs. They released a CL.II and CL.IV in 2012 and the only other kits of a CL.IV are from Tom’s Modelworks and Karaya. Mirage-Hobby reboxed the kit in 2013 with different decals and this boxing is from 2016 and contains new sprues for the early production shorter fuselage version.

Inside the box:

• 8 sprues with 202 parts of which 71 are not used.
• 1 PE sheet with about 78 parts
• 1 decal sheet
• 3 pages of colour painting instructions
• 1 page of background info
• 8 pages of black & white building instructions over 50 steps

The box is a top opening cardboard box and all the sprues inside are in a single plastic bag. The PE fret and decals are in resealable bags on the top of the box.

The plastic parts look good although the sprue attachment points look a little large on some of the smaller parts. You might need to take extra care in removing those parts. The level of surface detail is very good, especially on the wings. There is some detail inside the fuselage and also a few ejector pin marks although I think they will be impossible to see in the built kit. The engine is its own little 15 part kit and the detail on the parts looks good. You may well need to pin the lower wings though, there doesn’t seem to be much to hold them in place. The detail on the machine guns is exquisite and you can probably get away with not using the supplied PE parts. The PE parts look good and will add a fair bit of detail. One of the PE parts is a template for cutting holes in the engine cover, depending what decal option you decide to do.

Instructions

The instructions are pretty straight forward and lay things out well. With there being 50 steps to the build you can see that each step is pretty small with just a few parts to be added. You will also end up with about 70 parts for the spares box as this kit is a development of the earlier CL.IV kit with new sprues.

I’m not going to go through all 50 steps in a bulleted list, but the general scheme is to first build the engine and cockpit before trapping both between the fuselage halves. Then you add small parts to the fuselage before adding the tail. You get to add some decals to the mid-upper wing section, then build the undercarriage before working on the lower wing. The join for the lower wing looks like it might need pining. Due to the decals, the wings will need special attention. You also get a guide as to where the wing tension cables go.

Paint & Decals

I can see the Vallejo paint numbering system is used throughout the build to identify colours, but there isn’t a list of exactly what those colours are anywhere. It’s not a big deal to look them up online, but it’s just a little unusual to not see them named or the fact that it’s using the Vallejo numbering system other than a little note that they recommend using Vallejo paints..

You get 3 colourful decal options:

• Halberstadt CL.IV (H.F.W.), (kurzrumpf, first production batch); Pilot Lt d.Res. Ferdinand Schulz; Herrsgruppe Rupprecht – 17th Army / Schlachtgruppe „A” (Schlasta 1, 8,10,14), Schlschtstaffel 10. The battle of Saint-Mihiel, September 1918.
• Halberstadt CL.IV (H.F.W.), C.4637/18, „2” „BRÜNHILDE”. Pilot Gef. Karl Prim; Herrsgruppe Rupprecht – 17 Army / Schlachtgruppe „S” (Schlasta 9, 11, 27b), Schlschtstaffel 27b. The battle of Cambrai, October 1918.
• Halberstadt CL.IV (H.F.W.) „2” „TONI / SABINE”; Herrsgruppe Gallwitz – 5 Army / Schlachtgruppe „2” (Schlasta 3, 13, 19, 26b, 29b), Schlschtstaffel 26b. The defence struggles, Mosel area, October 1918.

The decals are mentioned in a few places as you have to decal the tops and bottoms of the wings and the tail elevators in the lozenge pattern decals supplied. Some experience with large decals would be useful!

Conclusion
This kit is not for beginners with the large decal sheets to apply over the wings and a few little things that will need some experience. That being said you will end up with a very nice little kit. There are nice details on the parts and colourful decal options to choose from.

Many thanks to Mirage-Hobby for supplying a review sample.

The kit is available from their online store for about $48.00

Paul Tosney – Editor
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Italeri Apr 2019 Releases

1/24 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL GULLWING
Fully detailed interiors – Fully detailed engine – Steerable wheels – Rubber tyres – Openable doors – Openable hood and trunk – 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

1/35 LEOPARD 2A6
UPGRADED MOULDS – NEW GLUABLE RUBBER TRUCKS – SUPER DECALS FOR 4 VERSIONS – COLOR INSTRUCTIONS SHEET

The Leopard 2 was developed in the ’70s to satisfy the specific need of the West German Army to have a new modern and efficient Main Battle Tank able to replace the Leopard 1. It is armed with a 120 mm gun and, thanks to its V-12 twin-turbo diesel engine, it is able to reach the maximum speed of 68 Km/h. It entered service in 1979 but, continuously improved in technology, armament and armour, it is still today considered one of the best Main Battle Tank in the World. The Leopard 2 A6, in detail, is a definite improvement compared to the first versions. Armed with a 120mm Rheinmetall L / 55 smoothbore gun, it is equipped with a modern third generation composite protections. The turret shape and the mantlet profile are developed to minimize the impact of enemy hits and anti-tank weapons.

1/48 P-40 E/K KITTYHAWK
SUPER DECALS SHEET FOR 2 VERSIONS – COLOR INSTRUCTION SHEET

Based on the design of the previous single-seat radial engine fighter Curtiss P-36, the Curtiss P-40 has become one of the most famous and used aircraft of the Second World War. Between 1941 and 1944 he also played a key role in many operational theaters from North Africa to Italy, from China to the South Pacific. Characterized by a very robust and reliable aerodynamic structure, the Curtiss P-40 was equipped with an Allison V-12 engine, capable of delivering more than 1,150 HP. Thanks to it, the Curtiss P-40 was able to reach the speed of 580 Km / h. It served as air superiority fighter and fighter bomber. One of the most successful version was the P-40E. Used by U.S. fighter squadrons and, as Kittyhawk , by Commonwealth Air Forces, the P-40E was heavily armed with six 12.7 mm. M2 Browning machine guns installed in the wings. Furthermore, thanks to its under wings hardpoints, able to carry nearly 900 Kg. of bombs, it was also able to satisfy close air support duties.

1/72 AV-8A HARRIER
SUPER DECALS SHEET FOR 2 VERSIONS – COLOR INSTRUCTION SHEET

The Harrier is probably the most famous aircraft with vertical/short takeoff and landing capabilities of military History. Designed and developed by the British manufacturer Hawker Siddeley in the sixties, it was largely used, in its various versions, by British Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. The United State Marine Corps showed a significant interest in the aircraft that could be the ideal answer the operating needs. The single-seat AV-8A was specifically developed for the USMC and entered service in 1971, in the Marines’ attack squadrons. The AV-8A was able to operate from the ground bases and from the converted amphibious assault ships. The AV-8A could successfully perform close support, ground attack and air defence duties. It was very appreciate by USMC in fact the AV-8A was fully integrated with the other landing vehicles and helicopters during the Amphibious assault operations.

1/72 F/A-18 HORNET Swiss Air Force – Royal Australian Air Force
SUPER DECALS SHEET FOR 2 VERSIONS – COLOR INSTRUCTION SHEET

The twin-engine supersonic multirole fighter F/A-18 Hornet has been developed to offer an extraordinary flexibility and versatility. It can perform air superiority, ground attack, close support and reconnaissance duties. Thanks to its flexibility, the F/A-18 has been adopted by several Air Forces becoming a relevant commercial success. It is used, in its various configurations, by US Navy, US Marine Corps, Australian, Canadian, Spanish and Swiss Air Forces. More in detail, 26 single seater F/A-18 and 7 twin seater, equipping 3 squadrons, are currently used by Swiss Air Force. The Hornets of Fliegerstaffel 17‚ the backbone of the Swiss air defense system operating from the Payerne airfield, are recognizable by the eye-catching hawk decoration on the tail, the emblem of the squadron.

1/72 SHERMAN – WoT – Easy to Build
A new line in scale 1:72 easy to assemble complete with stand base, in-game Bonus code (PC version), Invitation code (PC version) and stickers for customizations

The bonus code is only valid for the European and American game server

The M4 Sherman medium tank was the primary tank used by the United States during World War II. It was the first and most basic production version of the Sherman line and also the most commonly-produced U.S. tank of WWII. It essentially formed the backbone of U.S armoured forces at that time.

As many as 49,234 vehicles were produced.

The Sherman evolved from the M3 Medium Tank, retaining a lot from this previous design. However, the M4’s design introduced a fully-traversable turret in combination with a 75mm gun.

To facilitate production, the Sherman tank family was modified into a perplexing array of variants – from the basic M4 through to the famous “Easy Eight”.

Shermans first saw combat with British forces in North Africa in late 1942, against the Panzer III and Panzer IV. They would then go on to be used on all fronts until the war’s end.

The tank was easy to produce en masse and quite reliable. A lack of firepower and narrow tracks, which often caused it to get stuck on muddy terrain, were its main weaknesses.

1/72 T-34/85 – WoT – Easy to Build
A new line in scale 1:72 easy to assemble complete with stand base, in-game Bonus code (PC version), Invitation code (PC version) and stickers for customizations

The bonus code is only valid for the European and American game server

Arguably the best medium tank of World War II, the T-34-85 was a crucial factor in the outcome of the conflict. Over 35,000 were produced, meaning that it also came to represent, from a Soviet standpoint, the supremacy of socialist industry over capitalism.

It was the antithesis of German over-engineering. Designers favoured simple solutions that used fewer resources. It was therefore available in greater numbers – a telling factor as Axis forces were pushed out of the Soviet Union and back to Berlin.

The T-34-85 was an up-gunned version of the T-34 tank which carried a 76mm gun that was insufficient at dealing with tanks like the Tiger and Panther. A new turret allowed the installation of an 85mm gun that was capable of penetrating German armour with greater ease. This tank also represented the first proper mass production of a sloped-hull design which meant that the armour could afford to be thinner while still providing the same effective protection. Coupled with sloping on the turret, the survivability of the tank compared to the original T-34 design was much better.

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Trumpeter May 2019 Releases

German Panther G – Late version
Item No.: 00929 Scale: 1:16

72V6E4 Combat Vehicle of 96K6 Pantsir -S1 ADMGS
Item No.: 01060 Scale: 1:35

Russian S-300V 9A82 SAM
Item No.: 09518 Scale: 1:35

HMS TYPE 23 Frigate – Montrose(F236)
Item No.: 06720 Scale: 1:700

Soviet Tu-22K Blinder-B Bomber
Item No.: 01695 Scale: 1:72

Avro Vulcan B.MK 2
Item No.: 03931 Scale: 1:144

 

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U-Boot im Focus 16

As always, the issue was packed very well; wrapped in paper and then inside a cardboard envelope. The magazine is printed on 50 high-quality glossy pages and all the text is in both German and English and the quality of the English translation is excellent. The photographs are all good quality and never before published.

The magazine starts as usual with an editorial from the editor. Here Axel tells us that the next 2 issues of U-boot im Focus will concentrate Type IXC submarines to coincide with Revell’s release of a 1/72 IXC (Kit number 05133). The next item, as usual, is the reader’s forum, where additional information is published for previous issues.

Next we get into the content of the magazine itself. The subjects of the various topics are

• 50 pages with 66 photos – thereof 10 in colour, 1 coloured document, 1 coloured conning tower front views, 3 coloured emblems, 2 coloured maps, Readers Forum
• Boat in Focus: Photo Supplement – Operations by U-481 in the Gulf of Finland
• Unusual: Signs for smokers and “fresh air-catchers”
• Photos with a Story: U-995 Then and Now – How original is the museum boat in Laboe?
• Scenery: Coastal Convoy
• Boat in Focus: U-393 – The Experimental Boat of Testing Group Sultan
• Unusual: A Submariner Takes a Bath at Sea
• Documents: A Submariner’s Role Card
• Color Photos: Italian Submarine Flying the Reich War Flag
• as well as several photos of U-387, U-19, U-576, U-37, U-168 and further pieces of information

Another great bunch of previously unseen photos, with excellent commentaries.

If you’re interested in the Kriegsmarine at all, then this magazine is of special interest to you and highly recommended.

The best way to get these is via the subscriptions that are available here. The publisher now offers free shipping within Germany and shipping has decreased for some other countries too.

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HobbyBoss May 2019 Releases

1:72 JASDF T-4 Trainer ITEM No.: 87266

1:32 B-24D Liberator ITEM No.: 83212

1:35 German SPG Crew ITEM No.: 84402 (Image not available)

1:35 German Tropical Panzer Crew ITEM No.: 84409 (Image not available)

1:35 German Infantry Set Vol.1 (Early) ITEM No.: 84413 (Image not available)

Paul Tosney – Editor

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Iliad Design 1/48 Mig-19 J-6 Decal Sheet

This decal sheet is numbered 48005a, similar to the 48005 of the initial release of this 1/48 decal sheet, which makes sense since it is a reprint of that sheet, with an upgrade. This second edition of the sheet has 2 extra aircraft on it and so now has 1 Mig-19S  and 6 Shenyang J-6 instead of the 5 Shenyang J-6 of the first edition. The first edition has been out of print for a while and no one has stock anymore. It was popular and sold out everywhere.

The decal set arrived from Iliad decals in a stout cardboard envelope. The subjects of this sheet are:

• Shenyang J-6, 26 Sqn., Pakistan Air Force
• Shenyang J-6, Egyptian Air Force, 1983
• Shenyang J-6, Pakistan Air Force, retirement ceremony
• MiG-19S, Soviet aerobatic display team in the late 1950s and early ‘60s
• Shenyang J-6, Albanian Air Force
• Shenyang J-6, 925th Fighter Regiment, Vietnamese People’s Air Force, 1972
• Shenyang J-6, Chinese PLAAF

The set contains just the aircraft specific decals and you would use any stencils from the kit you’re using. You will be able to make all 7 aircraft though – if you have 7 kits available!

The contents of this set are:

• 1 double-sided colour sheet of instructions
• 1 21 cm x 14 cm decal sheet

The instructions are clear and simple and give all the extra details you’re going to need to get your build right. The port side views of each aircraft have details against each of them letting you know details about the camouflage scheme used and any idiosyncrasies of the individual aircraft. On the reverse side of the sheet are top views of the 7 aircraft showing camouflage schemes on the top and the colours used on the undersides. All the colours used on the aircraft are named.

The decal sheet, as you can see in the photographs and the video, are perfectly in register, well detailed and the colours look good too. The backing film is minimal to non-existent except in places where it is needed to line text up. Iliad has chosen a good set of colourful aircraft to build.

This set is available for $12.00 from Iliad Design’s site.

Conclusion:
This is a very nice decal set with some attractive options for any 1/48 Mig-19 or Shenyang J-6.

Many thanks to Iliad Design for the review sample.

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ONCE UPON A TIME my school-age model-maker gang used to meet up each Saturday morning, then go pack-hunting for the latest model kit.
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Eduard Apr 2019 Releases

Fw 190A-8 JGr.10 1/48
ProfiPACK edition kit of German WWII fighter aircraft Fw 190A-8 in 1/48 scale.

• Decals and resin parts for an aircraft equipped with a WGr.21 rocket launcher as BFC bonus.
• plastic parts: Eduard
• No. of decal options: 5+1
• decals: Eduard
• PE parts: yes, pre-painted,
• painting mask: yes,
• resin parts: yes, WGr.21 rocket launcher

Bf 109E-4 Balthasar 1/48
Weekend edition kit of German WWII fighter aircraft Bf 109E-4 in 1/48 scale.

Decals for an aircraft flown by Wilhelm Balthasar as BFC bonus.

• plastic parts: Eduard
• No. of decal options: 2
• decals: Eduard
• PE parts: no
• painting mask:no
• resin parts: no

Tornado F.3 ADV RAF 25th anniversary 1/48
Limited Edition kit of british jet aircraft Tornado F.3 ADV in 1/48 scale.

Decals for “25 years of Tornado” aircraft as a BFC bonus.

• plastic parts: Revell
• No. of decal options: 5+1
• decals: Cartograf
• PE parts: yes, pre-painted
• painting mask: yes
• resin parts: yes, ejection seats, undercarriage wheels

Bf 109E-4 1/48
Weekend edition kit of German WWII fighter aircraft Bf 109E-4 in 1/48 scale. 

• plastic parts: Eduard
• No. of decal options: 2
• decals: Eduard
• PE parts: no
• painting mask:no
• resin parts: no

Tornado F.3 ADV 1/48
Limited Edition kit of British jet aircraft Tornado F.3 ADV in 1/48 scale.

• plastic parts: Revell
• No. of decal options: 5
• decals: Cartograf
• PE parts: yes, pre-painted
• painting mask: yes
• resin parts: yes, ejection seats, undercarriage wheels

Spitfire HF Mk. VIII 1/72

ProfiPACK edition kit of British WWII fighter aircraft Spitfire HF Mk.VIII in 1/72 scale.

The kit is focused on aircraft with pointed wings.

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

Fw 190A-8 1/48

ProfiPACK edition kit of German WWII fighter aircraft Fw 190A-8 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

Spitfire HF Mk. VIII Skalski 1/72

ProfiPACK edition kit of British WWII fighter aircraft Spitfire HF Mk.VIII in 1/72 scale.

The kit is focused on aircraft with pointed wings. Decals for an aircraft flown by Stanislaw Skalski as BFC bonus.

• plastic parts: Eduard
• No. of decal options: 5+1
• decals: Eduard
• PE parts: yes, pre-painted
• painting mask: yes
• resin parts: no

Paul Tosney – Editor
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Review: Italeri 1/35 T-34/85

History

Soviet firing tests against a captured Tiger I heavy tank in April 1943 showed that the T-34’s 76 mm gun could not penetrate the front of the Tiger I at all, and the side only at the very close range. A Soviet 85 mm anti-aircraft gun, the 52-K, was found capable of doing the job, and so derivatives of it were developed for tanks. The resulting tank gun could penetrate the side armour of the Tiger I from a distance of 800 meters and the turret side from a distance of 600 meters. It was still not enough to match the Tiger, as a Tiger could destroy the T-34 from a distance of 1,500 to 2,000 meters, but it was a noticeable improvement.

The Soviet command made the decision to retool the factories to produce an improved version of the T-34. Its turret ring was enlarged from 1,425 mm (56 in) to 1,600 mm (63 in), allowing a larger turret to be fitted and thus the larger 85 mm gun. This was a larger three-man turret, with radio) and observation cupola in the roof. Now the tank commander needed only to command, leaving the operation of the gun to the gunner and the loader. This made the turret, overall, a bigger target (due to the three-man crew and bigger gun), but more resistant to enemy fire. The ammunition load shrank from around 90-100 to 55-60 shells, but the projectiles were 50% heavier (9 kg) and were much better in the anti-armour role.

Production of the T-34-85 began in February 1944. The improved T-34-85 became the standard Soviet medium tank, with an uninterrupted production run until the end of the war.

The T-34-85 gave the Red Army a tank with better armour and mobility than the German Panzer IV tank and StuG III assault gun. While it could not match the armour or weapons of the heavier Panther and Tiger tanks, its improved firepower made it much more effective than earlier models, and overall it was more cost-effective than the heaviest German tanks.

The Laotian Army retired its T-34s in early 2019 and sold them all to Russia, where they will be used for public displays and museum exhibits.

History in Plastic

There have been a lot of kits of the T-34/85 – almost 50 boxings in fact. However, the kits done by Dragon (1997), Zvezda (1993), Maquette (1996), Academy (2015) and AFV Club (2009) account for almost all. Italeri’s previous T-34/85 kits were re-boxings of the Zvezda kit. This is Italeri’s first set of T-34/85 moulds.

The Kit

In the instructions and online the kit is described as “T-34/85 Zavod 183 Mod. 1944” The bit after the T34/85 is the factory the tank was built in. This kit is made from 100% New Moulds, has 2 types of tracks and has a full interior.

The box is a standard top opening box and it’s pretty full so nothing can move around. Inside the box we have:

• 6 Sprues containing 389 parts
• 1 PE fret with 27 parts
• 1 decal sheet
• 2 wires
• 1 instruction booklet (20 pages)

Everything is packaged well but the decal sheet wasn’t in a bag in my box, which I thought a little odd. The decal sheet is in perfect condition though so it seems to work. The box is pretty full so I think it’s held in place.

Instructions & Build

The build instructions cover 15 pages and 25 steps. The diagrams are nice and big and clearly labeled and laid out. Very nice! The 4 decal options are shown on 2 pages with left, front and back views of each tank. Three are overall Russian green and the 4th has a base of Russian green with winter whitewash applied but worn off in many places.

The detail on the kit parts is very nice. The turret has a cast texture to it and the attachment points are sensibly sized. There’s no flash, as you would expect from a 100% new kit. The detail on the engine and gearbox are very nice and it would be a shame to hide them. It looks like you don’t get the complete engine, just the top, and ends. You can’t see the sides or the main body of it anyway so you”re not actually missing out. They have designed it so you can leave various hatches open so you can sow the engine and transmission.

You get 2 options for the tracks, rubber band tracks, and link and length tracks. Choose whichever one works for you! 

The interior of the turret and the hull are fully detailed but I’m not sure how much of it you will see with the turret in place, even with the hatches open. You can always remove the turret from time to time to see it though. If you leave the driver’s hatch open you can see into the fully detailed front of the hull, although I’m not sure how much you would see. It’s definitely a kit to build with all the hatches open, that’s for sure.

The photoetch is used for the big grill above the engine and a few small parts. The largest part is only needed if you build the kit with the rear engine compartment cover in the open position. This once again confirms that this kit was designed to be built with all the hatches open to view the full interior.

Painting & Decals

The painting instructions are nice and clear although for T-34s it’s usually a simple overall Russian green and these 4 options are no exception. However, one does have a winter whitewash applied that is worn off in several places. The paints are identified by name, FS number and using the Italeri Acrylic range. You get one small decal sheet with decals for each option plus some stencils.

• T-34/85, 10, 9th Guards Tank Corps/2nd Guards Tank Army, Berlin, April 1945
• T-34/85, 64th Guards Tank Brigade/1st Guards Tank Army, Pomerania, Feb 1945
• T-34/85, 44th Guards Tank Brigade, Yugoslavia, Spring 1945
• T-34/85, 242, Polish Army, July 1945

Conclusion

Overall it’s a nicely detailed kit with good surface texture on the cast parts. Giving you the choice of tracks is a good move – not everyone wants to deal with link and length tracks. The parts count is not crazy high for a kit with a full interior so it will appeal to people who want a full interior but don’t want to deal with 800 parts. Italeri have designed a very nice kit here that should appeal to a lot of people.

The kit is available for about $50 from online retailers.

Paul Tosney – Editor
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Hasegawa May  2019 Releases

OH-6D / 500MD “Land Self Defense Force / Taiwan Air Force”
Scale … 1: 48
part number … … 07474
release date … around 10 May 2019
Additional plastic parts

• For Taiwan Air Force 500MD ASW: Smoke Marker, MAD (Magnetic Detector), Torpedo Parts

Resin parts

• For Ground Self Defense Force OH-6D: Light, FLIR, antenna parts, etc.

Decal (marking)

• OH-6D: Ground Self-Defense Force 10th Flight Corps Akeno Air Festival Commemorative Paint Machine “JG-1289” (Akino Station: November 2018)
• 500MD ASW: Taiwan Air Force

F-15J Eagle “Komatsu Special 2018” w / High Detail Nozzle Parts
Scale … 1: 72
part number … … 02299
release date … around 10 May 2019

The design with the motif of the dragon rose is attractive! We reproduce dragon camouflage F-15 of 303SQ. With super high detail 3D printing nozzle parts! (Open state) x 2

Decal (marking)

• Japan Air Self Defense Force Sixth Air Corps The 303rd Squadron Komatsu Base Air Festival commemorative paint machine “885” (Komatsu base: September 2018)

RF-4E Phantom II “The 501st Squadron Shark Teeth
Scale … 1: 72
part number … … 00772
release date … about May 17, 2019
Reproduce the tactical reconnaissance aircraft!

Decal (marking)

• Air Self-Defense Force Reconnaissance Air Corps 501st Squadron “908” “904” “912”

P-8A Poseidon “VP-8 The Flying Tigers”
Scale … 1: 200
part number … … 10830
release date … about May 19, 2019
Reproduce the VP-8 affiliation that drew “Tiger’s face” on the vertical tail!
“LC007” and “LC759” depict tiger illustrations of different designs.

Decal (marking)

• US Navy 8th Patriotic Squadron (VP-8) “The Flying Tigers” aircraft “LC007” (Kadena Base: March 2018)
• US Navy 8th Patriotic Squadron (VP-8) “The Flying Tigers” Affiliated Flight Captain (CO) “LC759” (Kadena Base: October 2017)

Heinkel He 111 Z-2 “Zwilling” w / Bv 246 Hagelkorun
Scale … 1: 72
part number … … 02305
release date … about May 24, 2019
Aircraft equipped with 2 glide bombs!

Additional plastic parts

• Bv246 glide bomb parts (x 2)

Resin parts

• Rack for Bv 246 equipment and mounting support parts (× 2)

Decal (marking)

• 2 options TBN

Maritime Self-Defense Force escort ship Abukuma “hyper detail”
Scale … 1: 700
part number … … 30061
release date … about May 26, 2019
With the addition of new etchings, the creation of in-depth details!
Etching parts

• Currently under development: Handrails, masts, radars, etc. are planned.

Options

• DE-229
• DE-230

Mitsubishi G3M2 / G3M3 96-type land attack aircraft 22 type / 23
Scale … 1: 72
part number … … CP9
release date … around May 26, 2019
Reproduce the armed strengthening type with a 7.7mm machine gun on the torso side!

Decal (marking)

• Mihoro Air Force Unit 1st Air Force Unit 7 Unit 7 Team
• Motoyama Air Corps

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Mit der Kamera an der Front

Als Kriegsberichter bei der I.(J)/LG 2 und dem JG 77

As usual, the book came from the publishers in Germany in a sturdy cardboard parcel and also wrapped in plastic.

The contents of the book are:

• Author: Axel Urbanke
• ISBN: 978-3-941437-40-1
• Pages: 240
• Photos: 54 colour– and 170 B/W-photos
• Illustrations::
  • 13 coloured mashine profiles
  • 14 coloured maps

• 25 x 28,5 cm large-format, Hard cover plus dust jacket

The specialist literature includes extensive and well-illustrated publications about many German Jagdgeschwader and Jagdgruppen; however, one Gruppe which in terms of photos has been in a deep sleep for a long time is I.(J)/LG 2. Despite the fact that fighter pilots who later became well known, men like Ihlefeld, Geißhardt, Marseille, Harder, Strakeljahn and Kemethmüller, flew their first operational sorties and scored their first victories with the unit, the photographic material available to those with an interest in the unit is limited.

Now, however, with Volume 3 in our Photographed by Soldiers series we can offer all fighter enthusiasts unique photo material. The foundation of this book is a collection of color slides in the estate of a former war reporter who accompanied I.(J)/LG 2 from the Channel in 1941, through the Balkans to Russia. He was with the unit in Russia in 1942 when it was renamed I./JG 77. With JG 77, in the summer of 1942 he took the last photos showing the commander of the Geschwader, Maj. Gollob, and his aircraft. The color images provide completely new and unexpected information about camouflage schemes, Staffel colors and emblems. To provide a complete picture of I.(J)/LG 2’s operational history, the color images are supplemented by impressive and never before seen black-and-white photos from the estates of various pilots and technicians who served with the Gruppe.

The book is published in German / English.

Table of contents for this issue:

• Formation, Poland campaign, missions in defence of Germany, November 1938 to May 9, 1940
• The western campaign, 10th of May to 23 June 1940
• Operations against England, 23rd of June 1942 30 March 1941
• Balkan campaign and operations in support of the invasion of Crete, 30th of March to 21 June 1941
• Russian campaign and defensive operations in Romania, 22nd of June 1941 to 6th of January 1942
• Maj Gordon Mac Gollob. In the Crimea from May to July 1942

This book is a unique photo journal of a Luftwaffe fighter unit using previously unpublished black-and-white and colour photographs. the colour photographs have never been seen in print before and allow some corrections to be made to the colours thought to be used on some aircraft. The captions for the photographs are excellent and give a good description of what we’re seeing in each image. There is also text that gives the background story as the unit moves around western Europe, down to the Balkans and finally up to southern Russia.

Highly recommended for both modellers and Luftwaffe enthusiasts.
If you’re going to buy a copy, do it soon as once they’re gone, they don’t get republished very often.

The book is available from the publisher for €64,00. (about USD$72.65 at today’s exchange rate)

Paul Tosney – Editor
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THIS 1:25 SCALE CHEVROLET IMPALA is one of the Revell California Wheels collection. It can also be used to make the custom Impala that starred in the 1973 movie American Graffiti, directed by George Lucas, also famed for his Star Wars and Indiana Jones sagas.
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The Sulaco is named after a fictional town in Joseph Conrad’s novel Nostromo, which is also the name of the ship from the original Alien. A number of other names in the franchise are based on Conrad’s work as well. Some scholarly research into the symbolism of the Alien franchise […]

The kit is a 2015 “Konrad” release from Wave Corp. The “Konrad” is 1/20 scale and from their Maschinen Kreiger line. I have fallen in love with the series, and have about 6 kits in the works!