Kagero TopDrawings #71 Macchi MC.202

The TopDrawings series of books are smaller books that supply line drawings in a couple of scales along with some colour profiles and other drawings. This is book 71 in the series.

This book is about the Macchi MC.202 and variants. There are many 1/32, 1/48 and 1/72 line drawings of the various models inside. There’s a set of masks for the 1/72 Hasegawa kit that should also work for the more recent Hobby 2000 kits since they’re a reboxing of the Hasegawa kit. There are also 10 colour profiles in the centre of the book and the rear cover and 2 A2 double-sided sets of 1/24 diagrams.

The book info…

• Authors: Alessandro Cardasco, Camillo Cardasco
• format A4
• pages 28
• 2 A2 inserts
• masking sheet included

The book starts off with a short overview of the development of the aircraft. Then it gets straight into the 1/32 drawings with the original design of the prototype. It goes through the different variants and outlines the changes to each version. Then we get eight colour plates fo a variety of aircraft. Next up are non-scale drawings of various external and internal parts of the aircraft.

Towards the back of the book, we move to the 1/72 views and each view has grey shaded areas that show the changes from the previous version. These changes are also described in the text.

The colour profiles are nice and large and the descriptions are informative. They are of interesting aircraft too.

If you want to do something a bit different with your Macchi MC.202 then this is a perfect book for you to get your external details just right. The 1/32 scale drawings give lots of extra detail down to individual rivets.

This book is available direct from the publisher here for about US$25.50.

Paul Tosney – Editor
ModelBuilder International
Scifiantasy
HobbyLink International
Hoblylink International Shop
eBay Store
Inextension

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

HobbyBoss Sep 2019 Releases

1:48 P-47D Thunderbolt Fighter ITEM No.: 85811

1:35 PLA 59 Medium Tank ITEM No.: 84539

1:35 Russian KrAZ-260B Tracktor with CHMZAP-9990 ITEM No.: 85523

Paul Tosney – Editor

ModelBuilder International
Scifiantasy
HobbyLink International
Hoblylink International Shop
eBay Store
Inextension

Iliad Design 1/72 Naval T-Birds Decal Sheet

This decal sheet is numbered 72012 and arrived from Iliad decals in a stout cardboard envelope. This decal sheet is a reprint and was originally released in 2014. They obviously sold well and are still in demand. The subjects of this sheet are:

• TV-2 NAS Glenview
• TV-2 drone controller, GMGRU-1, 1959
• TV-2, Marine Air Squadron 32
• TV-2, Naval Air Training Unit, NAS Glynco, Georgia
• TV-2 US Marines, MCAS El Toro, 1961

The set contains just the aircraft specific decals and one set of stencils that can be used on aircraft 2, 4 and 5. Other than that you will have to use the stencils from the kit you’re using. You have all the stars and bars etc to make all 5 aircraft though – if you have 5 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 painting scheme used and any idiosyncrasies of the individual aircraft. All the colours used on the aircraft are named. On the reverse side of the sheet are top views of the 5 aircraft showing decal placement on the top and bottom of the aircraft.

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 diverse range of aircraft to build with many colourful options.

If you want to build one of these then the T-33 from Platz, reviewed here, would be a good choice.

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 1/72 Naval T-Birds.

Many thanks to Iliad Design for the review sample.

Paul Tosney – Editor
ModelBuilder International
Scifiantasy
HobbyLink International
Hoblylink International Shop
eBay Store
Inextension

• 
• 
• 

Kagero Famous Airplanes #10 Albatross D.III/D.V

History of the Fokker D.VII

The Albatros D.III was a biplane fighter aircraft used by the Imperial German Army Air Service (Luftstreitkräfte) during World War I. A modified licence model was built by Oeffag for the Austro-Hungarian Air Service (Luftfahrtruppen). The D.III was flown by many top German aces, including Wilhelm Frankl, Erich Löwenhardt, Manfred von Richthofen, Karl Emil Schäfer, Ernst Udet, and Kurt Wolff, and Austro-Hungarian ones, like Godwin von Brumowski. It was the preeminent fighter during the period of German aerial dominance known as “Bloody April” 1917.

The Albatros D.V was a fighter aircraft built by the Albatros Flugzeugwerke and used by the Luftstreitkräfte (Imperial German Air Service) during World War I. The D.V was the final development of the Albatros D.I family and the last Albatros fighter to see operational service. Despite its well-known shortcomings and general obsolescence, approximately 900 D.V and 1,612 D.Va aircraft were built before production halted in April 1918. The D.Va continued in operational service until the end of the war.

The contents list to this book shows 4 parts, but I could actually describe it in more parts.

• p4 History & Development
• p15 Albatorss D.III Construction
• p19 Albatross in combat
• p21 In the Polish Air Force
• p25 COlours & Designation
• p32 Build #1 of Eduard 1/48 Albatros D.III
• p44 Build #2 of WIngnut Wings’ 1/32 Albatros D.V
• p66 Build #3 of WIngnut Wings’ 1/32 Albatros D.Va
• p82 Colour Profiles

From the publisher’s website:

• Albatros D.III/D.V Aces’ fighter
• Tomasz J. Kowalski, Wojciech Fajga, Vitor Costa, Damian Majsak
• ISBN: 978-83-65437-95-2
• A4 format
• pages 92
• 54 archival photos
• about 180 colorful photos
• 2 sheets of archival drawings
• 11 color profiles

The Albatros D.III, often called „De-drei”, is a neat single-seat biplane fighter armed with two guns firing through the propeller. It goes up like a balloon and at full throttle it reaches 170 kilometers per hour.

This book is a perfect book for a modeler. There are 3 complete in-depth build articles written in English and Polish with a lot more info than you would find in a modeling magazine or online article. The articles are well written and in depth with very good photographs. On top of that, you get a pretty complete history of the aircraft including details of how it was constructed and the colours used on the production line. Then it’s finally wrapped up with some colour profiles. The only downside is that the English translation is a little odd in places throughout the book. You can still understand what thjey’re saying but the grammar is someitimes a little odd. Everything you might need to build the Albatros or any other biplane, is here!

This book is available direct from the publisher here for about US$12.50.

Paul Tosney – Editor
ModelBuilder International
Scifiantasy
HobbyLink International
eBay Store
Inextension

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

MiniArt July 2018 Releases

M3 LEE LATE PROD.
35214
Scale: 1:35
HIGHLY DETAILED MODEL
WORKABLE T41 TRACKS INCLUDED
ALL HATCHES CAN BE POSED OPEN & CLOSED
PHOTO-ETCHED PARTS INCLUDED
CLEAR PARTS INCLUDED
DECAL SHEET FOR 8 VARIANTS

GRANT Mk.I
35276
Scale: 1:35
HIGHLY DETAILED MODEL
WORKABLE WE210 TRACKS INCLUDED
ALL HATCHES CAN BE POSED OPEN & CLOSED
PHOTO-ETCHED PARTS INCLUDED
CLEAR PARTS INCLUDED
DECAL SHEET FOR 8 VARIANTS

GERMAN ROCKETS 28cm WK Spr & 32cm WK FLAMM
35316
Scale: 1:35
UNASSEMBLED PLASTIC MODEL KIT
BOX CONTAINS GERMAN ROCKET GRENADES WITH WOODEN CRATES AND DECALS

U.S. FUEL DRUMS 55 GALS.
35592
Scale: 1:35
Box contains 6x U.S. 55 gal. fuel drums plus decals

GERMAN GAS STATION 1930-40s
35598
Scale: 1:35
Unassembled Plastic Model Kit
Car & Building Not Included
Kit contains PE Parts, Decals & Paper Posters

T-34/85 SEA STAR WHEELS SET
37033
Scale: 1:35
Unassembled Plastic Model Kit
The Kit Contains Road Wheels, Sprockets and Idler Wheels.

KMT-7 MID TYPE MINE-ROLLER
37045
Scale: 1:35
HIGHLY DETAILED MODEL
CHAIN INCLUDED
COMPATIBLE WITH TANKS SERIES:
T-55, T-62, T-64, T-72, T-80, T-90, BMR-1, BMR-2, BMR-3.

ACCESSORIES FOR BUILDINGS (re-released)
35585
Scale: 1:35
This kit contains unassembled and unpainted house accessories.

Paul Tosney – Editor
ModelBuilder International
Scifiantasy
HobbyLink International
Hoblylink International Shop
eBay Store
Inextension

Hasegawa Sept 2019 Releases

Mitsubishi A6M1
Scale … 1: 48
part number … … 09840
part number … 83
model total length … 178.5 mm
model full width … 250 mm

Decal (marking)
Prototype No. 1 “Co-AM-1” 1939
Prototype No. 2 “CO-AM-2” 1939

Focke Wolf Ta154V-3 Mosquito
Scale … 1: 72
part number … … CP15

F-111G Aard Burk “Australian Air Force”
Scale … 1: 72
part number … … 02314
part number … 155
model total length … 320 mm
model full width … 296 mm

Decal (marking)
The 82nd Attack Air Force Sixth Flight Squadron “272” (Ambley base: 2002)
The 82nd Attack Air Force Sixth Flight Squadron 60th Anniversary Painting Machine “274” (1999)

F-86D Saber Dog “US Air Force”
Scale … one seventy-two
part number ……… BP5

F-15J Eagle “305SQ 40th Anniversary” w / High Detail Nozzle Parts
Scale … 1: 72
part number … … 02312
number of parts … 80
model full length … 267 mm
model full width … 179 mm

With super high detail 3D printing nozzle parts! (Closed state) × 2

Decal (marking)
JASDF 5th Air Corps 305th Squadron Unit 40th Anniversary Painting Machine “876” (Nittahara Base: March 2019)

F / A-18E Super Hornet “VFA-14 Top Hatter’s CAG
Scale … 1: 72
part number … … 02309
number of parts  … 118
model total length … 255mm
model full width … 184 mm

Decal (marking)
14th Battle Attack Squadron “Top Hatters” CAG aircraft “NG200” (2019), equipped with USN aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis

Space Shuttle Orbiter & Boeing 747
Scale … 1: 200
part number … … 10680
part number … 92

In 2011, the Space Shuttle Orbiter, a major contributor to human space development, was retired and the Space Shuttle, unable to fly on its own, was mainly from the landed regional base to
the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the upper part of the B747. It was transported in a fixed state.
The B747 is a special aircraft belonging to NASA, and was also used to support gliding tests in the atmosphere during space shuttle development.
The kit includes a connector for fixing, a stabilizer added to the horizontal tail end of the B747, and a nozzle protection cover for the space shuttle.
It is a selective expression at the time of the transporter and glide test.

Additional plastic parts
Shuttle mounting post attached to upper part of B747 fuselage
Horizontal tail stabilizer
Shuttle booster nozzle cover
Pitot tube for enterprise

Decal (marking)
[Space Shuttle Orbiter] Discovery / Enterprise (Aircraft for Glide Flight Test) / Colombia / Challenger / Atlantis / Endeavor
[Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier] NASA New Logo “N911NA” “N905NA” / NASA Old Logo “905” (Former American Airlines Color) / NASA Old Logo “911”

Kawanishi H8 K1 2 type large flying boat 11 type “second Pearl Harbor attack”
Scale … 1: 72
part number … … 02311
number of parts … 299
model full length … 407mm
model full width … 528 mm

Reproduce the figure of the second attack on Pearl Harbor (Operation K: March 4-5, 1942). “Y-71” “Y-72” of the Yokohama Naval Air Corps carried out the second Pearl Harbor attack operation by
receiving refueling by submarines at the relay point taking advantage of the range of the aircraft.  The two units reached their targets, dropped bombs and returned safely.

Decal (marking)
The second prototype Yokohama Navy Airline Corps belonging model “Y-71” Hitoshi Hashizuge
The 4th increase trial manufacture Yokohama Navy Air Corps belonging machine “Y-72”

Kawasaki Ki 45 Kai Double-seat Double-seat fighter Butcher Dragon D-type “Flight 53 squadron”
Scale … 1: 72
part number … … 02310
part number … 77
model total length … 150mm
model full width … 209 mm

Reproduce the aircraft of the slaughtering dragon unit that shot down B-29 many in the night air defense battle!

Decal (marking)
Flight 53rd squadron 3rd squadron belonging aircraft “65” (Matsudo Airfield: February, 1945)
Flight 53rd Squadron 3rd Squadron Affiliation aircraft “59” (Matsudo Airfield: February, 1945)

P-2H (P2V-7) Neptune “Marine Self Defense Force”
Scale … 1: 72
part number … … 01902
part number … 117
model total length … 392 mm
model full width … 410 mm

Decal (marking)
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force 3rd Air Corps belonging aircraft “4660” “4658” Atsugi base
Maritime Self-Defense Force 4th Air Corps belonging aircraft “4655” Hachinohe base

Japanese Navy Destroyer Hayami (Yukumo Type) Full Hull Special
Scale … 1: 700
part number … … CH124
model total length … 170.5 mm

Newly developed ship bottom parts, reproduce the full-hull. A luxurious edition that comes with etching + wooden base + aluminum name plate!
Wooden parts
Display stand

Aluminum parts
Nameplate

Additional plastic parts
Ship bottom parts etc

Etching parts
Bridge roof with window frame, chimney rain protection grid, ventilation net, handrail etc

Product Specifications
The 32nd Destroyer Sqn (1943/1944)

Paul Tosney – Editor
ModelBuilder International
Scifiantasy
HobbyLink International
Hoblylink International Shop
eBay Store
Inextension

DESTINED TO BECOME ANOTHER MUST-HAVE on the bookshelves of scale model makers, this new title is written by SMN contributor Mat Irvine.
Read more »

Nuts & Bolts Vol.27 2 cm Flakvierling 38

Even as the Flak 30 was entering service, the Luftwaffe and Heer (army) branches of the Wehrmacht had doubts about its effectiveness, given the ever-increasing speeds of low-altitude fighter-bombers and attack aircraft.

The 20 mm weapons had always had weak development perspectives, often being reconfigured or redesigned just enough to allow the weapons to find use. Indeed, it came as a surprise when Rheinmetall introduced the 2 cm Flakvierling 38, which improved the weapon just enough to make it competitive once again. The term Vierling literally translates to “quadruplet” and refers to the four 20 mm autocannon constituting the design.

The Flakvierling weapon consisted of quad-mounted 2 cm Flak 38 AA guns with collapsing seats, folding handles, and ammunition racks. The mount had a triangular base with a jack at each leg for leveling the gun. The tracker traversed and elevated the mount manually using two handwheels. When raised, the weapon measured 307 cm (10 feet 1 inch) high.

Each of the four mounted guns had a separate magazine that held only 20 rounds. This meant that a maximum combined rate of fire of 1,400 rounds per minute was reduced practically to 800 rounds per minute for combat use – which would still require that an emptied magazine be replaced every six seconds, on each of the four guns. This is the attainable rate of fire; the sustained rate of fire is significantly lower due to rapid heat buildup and barrel erosion.

The gun was fired by a set of two pedals — each of which fired two diametrically opposite barrels — in either semi-automatic or fully automatic mode. The effective vertical range was 2,200 metres. It was also used just as effectively against ground targets as it was against low-flying aircraft.

From the publisher’s website:

In Nuts & Bolts Vol. 25 (Flakpanzer IV) we only provided a brief summary of the 2 cm Flakvierling 38 as the armament of the Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind. During research, we were surprised by the technical complexity of this weapon, and therefore, from our initial studies, it was apparent that this important weapons system deserved its own in-depth Nuts & Bolts. For the first time in recorded literature, an extensive technical description of the gun is given with highlights on the sights used with the gun, as most of the constructional changes of the gun are directly related to the sights. Also, the service history of the Flakvierling is described with organizational schemes and historical photos showing the gun from 1940 to the War’s end, together with a comprehensive review and example of the models available at this time:

• by Detlev Terlisten
• published on May 15, 2011
• softcover
• german & English texts
• 160 pages
• 336 photos (169 historic, 18 models, 149 modern)
• 65 blueprints
• 12 camouflage schemes, tactical markings, table of organization (KStN)
• Available for €29.90 from the Nuts & Bolts website.

The texts are in English and German with the English texts on the left of the page and the German on the right. All images and photographs have captions in both languages. The English translation is excellent. Now, let’s take a look at the book to see what we get.

The various sections of the book are:

• Development, page 2
• technical description page 5
• Technical data page 14
• trailers page 17
• camouflage page 20
• in service page 22
• modeling page 27
• acknowledgments page 32
• bibliography page 33
• contemporary photos page 34
• drawings page 74
• color profiles page 93
• preserved guns and components, page 97
• modeling page 157

The book starts with the reasons for the development of the weapon form the single barrel Flak 38. There’s a good overview of the development of the weapon and the changes made as production progressed during the war. The different sights used are also covered in depth and the differences between them. Ammunition and the carrying trailers are also covered.

The crew and what each member did is described along with the weapon’s organization in the Army and Luftwaffe units.

There’s a complete list of all the kits and aftermarket parts available for the Flakvierling, along with notes on each kit giving which gunsight is included and other details.

Then after the bibliography, there are the 169 contemporary photos that cover all the different variants of the flakvierling from the early versions to the end of the war. Then follows the 65 1/35 scale line drawings of every variant, including trailers and some larger-scale close-ups of the gunsights. Next follows the 12 color camouflage scheme profiles based on black and white images from the contemporary photos section of the book. Lastly, we come to 149 modern color photos of weapons in museums. These photos show all the parts of the weapon you never normally get to see.

Conclusion
Overall this is a definitive reference for the Flakvierling and its variations. There is a wealth of information and photographs that will cover all your modeling needs and it will most likely be the only book you will ever need on this topic.

I have bought several books direct from the publisher at Nuts & Bolts.

Paul Tosney – Editor
ModelBuilder International
Scifiantasy
HobbyLink International
Hoblylink International Shop
eBay Store
Inextension

• 

Flyhawk 1/700 HMS Lively 1941

HMS Lively was an L-class destroyer of the Royal Navy. She served during the Second World War, and was sunk in the Mediterranean in an air attack on 11 May 1942.

Commissioned in 1941, she was briefly active in home waters, sailing in the North Sea, but was soon reassigned to the Mediterranean, where she was active as part of the Mediterranean Fleet, and Force K, based at Malta. Lively took part in escorting several convoys to and from the island, as well as intercepting enemy supply convoys to North Africa. She took part in the First and Second Battles of Sirte, and was damaged on a number of occasions in air and surface attacks. She was eventually sunk off Tobruk in May 1942 while trying to intercept an enemy convoy. Despite a wartime career lasting less than a year since her commissioning, she won five battle honours: Atlantic 1941, Mediterranean 1941, Malta Convoys 1941-2, Libya 1942, and Sirte 1942.

More  information available about her here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Lively_(G40)

As far as I can tell no one has ever done a kit of HMS Lively before.

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 decal sheet is in a bag with the brass barrels. In the box we have:

• 1 long, colour instruction sheet.
• 8 Brass barrels
• 1 small decal sheet
• 206 approx plastic parts on 14 sprues
• 6 separate larger parts

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 7 steps and the instructions are clear and colour coded where needed to aid in showing what goes where.

1. Assembly of the hull with an option for waterline or full hull.
2. Assemble the 4 main turrets and replace the plastic barrels with the brass ones. Add the forward main turret and some other small parts on the focsle.
3. Assemble the bridge
4. Add the bridge and main superstructure to the hull.
5. Assemble the main mast.
6. Assemble pom poms, ships boats and funnel and all them and some other parts amidships.
7. Add the aft 2 turrets, torpedo tubes, depth charges and other small parts to the aft of the ship.

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, G40, G63, G87 and G74 and a couple of royal ensigns. (G63 is HMS Gurkha, G87 is HMS Lance and G74 is HMS Legion.)

The best price I can see for this kit is on HobbyEasy for $25.50. You can also buy the PE and 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 PE parts available in the upgrade set. Secondly, it’s the first time anyone has done a plastic 1/700 HMS Lively, 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
ModelBuilder International
Scifiantasy
HobbyLink International
Hoblylink International Shop
eBay Store
Inextension

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

New Kits from Clear Prop

Clear Prop is a new company from the Ukraine that has released its first 3 kits and has another kit in 2 scales coming soon.

Their products can be seen and purchased on their website: https://clearpropmodels.com and they have a Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Clearpropmodels/

They have an interesting idea about 3 different levels of complexity in their kits, a little like Eduard with their Weekend, Profipack etc boxings.
They came to the conclusion that for experienced modelers it is necessary to create kits which include all additional parts in order to create a model that will replicate the original as much as possible. Such kits have been called “EXPERT” and include plastic, resin, and PE parts. The other types of kits will be “ADVANCED” and “STARTER” options, which will remove the resin and PE which will allow for a lower cost of the kit for the consumer.

The first three models available are:

Gloster E28/39 Pioneer Expert kit in 1/72:

This kit is designed for experienced modelers. It is fully equipped with various accessories that will help you to improve the final result – to create a copy of this aircraft that will repeat the original as much as possible.

There are 2 versions of model assembling:
1) with the opened cowling and engine inside or
2) without the engine, which can be displayed on the special service stand.

Markings are provided for all possible schemes.

Colored and detailed assembly manual will make the assembly process easy and enjoyable. And the box will serve as an excellent organizer which will be handy during the assembly process.

plastic parts – 91
resin parts – 18
photoetched parts – 39
brass parts – 1

Tu-143 Reys Advanced kit in 1/72:

This kit is designed for advanced modelers. It is fully equipped with various accessories that will help you to improve the final result – to create a copy of this unmanned reconnaissance aircraft that will repeat the original as much as possible.

There are 3 versions of model assembling:
1) in flight with a JATO booster on display stand;
2) on the chassis;
3) on the transporting cart
In any of these three options, you can use either the nose equipped with the film cameras or TV
cameras payload of your choice.

Markings are provided for four different schemes.

Colored and detailed assembly guide will allow you to build this elegant model in one breath and decorate your exposition.

plastic parts – 55
photoetched parts – 5
brass parts – 1

A5M2b Claude early version Expert kit in 1/72:

This kit is designed for experienced modelers. It is fully equipped with various accessories (resin, PE and brass parts) that will help you to improve the final result – to create a copy of this aircraft that will repeat the original as much as possible.

There are 2 versions of model assembling:
1) with the opened cooling gills using resin parts or
2) with the closed cooling gills using plastic parts.

Markings are provided for four different schemes.
A colored and detailed assembly manual will make the assembly process easy and enjoyable. And the box will serve as an excellent organizer which will be handy during the assembly process.

plastic parts – 92
resin parts – 33
photoetched parts – 60
brass parts – 2

I’ve added extensive images of the 3 kits to the gallery at the bottom of the article.

Next month, two more kits will be released – Ki-51 Sonia in 1/72 and 1/144.

Paul Tosney – Editor
ModelBuilder International
Scifiantasy
HobbyLink International
Hoblylink International Shop
eBay Store
Inextension

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Kagero TopDrawings #68 Curtiss P-40

The TopDrawings series of books are smaller books that supply line drawings in 1/72 and 1/48 along with some colour profiles and other drawings.

This book is about the Curtiss P-40 B, C, D, E, and variants. There are many 1/48 and 1/72 line drawings of the various models inside. There are also 6 colour profiles in the centre of the book and the rear cover and an A4 colour poster.

The book info…

• Author: Mariusz Łukasik
• ISBN 978-83-66148-18-5
• 28 pages
• drawings sheets A4
• poster A4
• 6 color profiles
• Matte coated paper
• Format (sizes): A4 (210×297 mm)
• Booklet binding

There is no masking foil in this book

The book starts off with a short overview of the development of the aircraft and the different versions. Then it gets straight into the 1/48 drawings with the original design of the prototype. It goes through the different variants and outlines the changes to each version. It also covers the Tomahawk and Kittyhawk. Most of the views are port side views, but there are also starboard views and views from above and below along with partial views of interesting parts. Wing and fuselage profiles are also shown. Towards the back of the view, we move to the 1/72 views and each view has grey shaded areas that show the changes from the previous version. These changes are also described in the text.

The colour profiles are nice and large and the descriptions are informative. They are of interesting aircraft too. The colour poster is of a P-40B in combat over Pearl Harbor on Dec 7, 1941.

If you want to do something a bit different with your P-40 then this is a perfect book for you to get your external details just right.

This book is available direct from the publisher here for about US$21.30.

Paul Tosney – Editor
ModelBuilder International
Scifiantasy
HobbyLink International
Hoblylink International Shop
eBay Store
Inextension

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Trumpeter Aug 2019 Releases

MAZ-537G Late Production type with ChMZAP-9990 semi-trailer
Item No.: 01065 Scale: 1:35

PHL-03 Multiple Launch Rocket System
Item No.: 01069 Scale: 1:35

Russian 5V28 of 5P72 Launcher SAM-5 “Gammon”
Item No.: 09550 Scale: 1:35

Russian BREM-1 Armoured Recovery Vehicle
Item No.: 09553 Scale: 1:35

HMS Kent
Item No.: 05352 Scale: 1:350

Paul Tosney – Editor
ModelBuilder International
Scifiantasy
HobbyLink International
Hoblylink International Shop
eBay Store
Inextension

Iliad Design 1/48 Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog Decal Sheet

This decal sheet is numbered 48035 and arrived from Iliad decals in a stout cardboard envelope. The subjects of this sheet are:

• O-1A Kansas Army National Guard, 1968
• L-19 11th Army Aviation Sqn, Pakistani Army
• L-19 South Korean Navy, early 1960s
• O-1A US Army Reserve
• L-19 203rd Recon Airplane Company, An Khe, South Vietnam, 1968
• L-19 Hoantai, Japan, 1652-54

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 6 aircraft though – if you have 6 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. All the colours used on the aircraft are named. On the reverse side of the sheet are top views of the 6 aircraft showing decal placement on the top and bottom of the aircraft.

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 diverse range of aircraft to build with a couple of colourful non-green options.

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 Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog.

Many thanks to Iliad Design for the review sample.

Paul Tosney – Editor
ModelBuilder International
Scifiantasy
HobbyLink International
Hoblylink International Shop
eBay Store
Inextension

HobbyBoss Aug 2019 Releases

1:48 Russian Yak-28PP Brewer-E ITEM No.: 81768

1:35 German 12.8cm FLAK 40 ITEM No.: 84545

Paul Tosney – Editor

ModelBuilder International
Scifiantasy
HobbyLink International
Hoblylink International Shop
eBay Store
Inextension

AN INVASION OF SCI-FI AND SPACE MODELS LANDED at last Sunday's Smallspace 8 2019 event. Here are some more pictures we took at the show.
Read more »

Summer 2019 Giveaway

To enter the draw make a comment below the YouTube video.

You must be a subscriber to our YouTube Channel.

Paul Tosney – Editor
ModelBuilder International
Scifiantasy
HobbyLink International
Hoblylink International Shop
eBay Store
Inextension

Eduard July 2019 Releases

Tempest Mk. V 1/48

Royal Class edition kit of British WWII fighter aircraft Tempest Mk.V in 1/48 scale.
plastic parts: Eduard
No. of decal options: 14
decals: Cartograf
PE parts: yes, pre-painted,
painting mask: yes,
resin parts: yes, undercarriage wheels, exhaust stacks, the cable cutter/shock absorber for TT.5 version
extra: a pictorial book that covers Tempest Mk.V service

F6F-3 1/72

ProfiPACK edition kit of US WWII fighter plane F6F-3 in 1/72 scale.
plastic parts: Eduard
No. of decal options: 5
decals: Eduard
PE parts: yes, pre-painted
painting mask: yes
resin parts: no

Legion Condor 1/32

Limited Edition kit of German WWII fighter aircraft Bf 109E in 1/32 scale.

The kit is focused on Bf 109Es that participated in Spanish Civil War.
plastic parts: Eduard
No. of decal options: 5
decals: Cartograf
PE parts: yes, pre-painted
painting mask: yes
resin parts: no

Bf 108 1/48

Weekend edition kit of German WWII aircraft Bf 108 in 1/48 scale.
plastic parts: Eduard
No. of decal options: 2
decals: Eduard
PE parts: no
painting mask:no
resin parts: no

Paul Tosney – Editor

ModelBuilder International
Scifiantasy
HobbyLink International
eBay Store
Inextension

 THE SKILLS AND CRAFTSMANSHIP of miniature makers were in generous supply at today's Smallspace 8 show. Here are just a few of the entries on display.
Read more »

Kagero TopDrawings #70 Petlyakov Pe-2

The TopDrawings series of books are smaller books that supply line drawings in 1/72 and 1/48 along with some colour profiles and other drawings.

In this book, you also get a set of masks in 1/72 for the HobbyBoss kit and in 1/48 for the Zvezda kit. There are also 2 double-sided pull-out drawings on B2 sized paper, that’s about double the size of A4/legal paper. There are also 7 colour profiles in the centre of the book and the rear cover.

The book has…

• Oleg Pomoshnikov
• ISBN 978-83-66148-20-8
• 20 pages
• drawings sheets A4
• drawings sheets B2
• color profiles
• mask foil
• Matte coated paper
• Format (sizes): A4 (210×297 mm)
• Booklet binding

The book starts off with a short overview of the development of the aircraft and the different versions. Then it gets straight into the drawings with the original design for a high altitude fighter before continuing with regular Pe-2 models. You also get drawings of some internal components such as the undercarriage legs and bays as well as the different canopies employed. Different engines are covered as well as the trainer version and the Pe-3.

If you want to do something a bit different with your Pe-2 then this is a perfect book for you to get your external details just right.

This book is available direct from the publisher here for about US$21.60.

Paul Tosney – Editor
ModelBuilder International
Scifiantasy
HobbyLink International
Hoblylink International Shop
eBay Store
Inextension

VeryFire 1/700 German H-Class Hutten

The H class was a series of battleship designs for Nazi Germany’s Kriegsmarine, which were intended to fulfill the requirements of Plan Z in the late 1930s and early 1940s. The first variation, “H-39,” called for six ships to be built, essentially as enlarged Bismarck-class battleships with 40.6 cm (16.0 in) guns. The initial H-39 design was improved with the H-41, H-42, H-43 and H-044 designs that increased armament calibre and displacement to a staggering 131,000 tons and 20″ guns of the H-44.

Due to the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, none of the ships were ever completed; only the first two of the “H-39” ships were laid down. What work that had been accomplished was halted; the assembled steel remained on the slipway until November 1941, when the Oberkommando der Marine ordered it be sent for scrap and used for other purposes. Contracts for the other four “H-39″ type ships had been awarded, but no work was begun on any of them before they were canceled. None of the subsequent designs progressed further than the planning stages.

The H-39 class, the subject of this kit, would have been armed with 4 twin 16″ turrets and 12 5.9” guns. The top speed would have been 30 knots and displacement 56,444 tons.

The H-39 class has been done once before in 1/700 by NNT in resin but I think that kit is going to be hard to find and pretty expensive. This is the first 1/700 H-39 in plastic.

The box is a standard top opening box but it’s sturdier than most boxes and seems to be made of thin corrugated cardboard. Things inside the box are bagged in thick polythene. Everything is well protected and nothing can move around inside the box and overall the packaging is excellent.

The box contains:

• 8 sprues of varying sizes holding 316 parts approx
• 6 larger parts
• 1 PE sheet holding 36 parts approx
• 1 small decal sheet
• Black and white paper instruction booklet of 8 pages
• 1 colour sheet for the painting guide and decal placement

The instructions are in a booklet of 8 pages of full-size black and white text and images. The build is on 6 of the pages and after the cover, the first page is a sprue layout and explanations of the symbols used in the build to indicate options, PE bends etc. The steps of the builds are not numbered at all but that doesn’t detract from them. The 6 pages cover:

• Page 1. Assembling the main, secondary and 105mm turrets. Assemble the 2 Ar 196. Add the main deck to the upper hull and add the lower hull if you want to build a full hull ship. Add the rudders and propellers if you are using the lower hull.
• Page 2. Add small details to the forward half of the ship. Build smaller AA guns and add them, and other small parts to the large central superstructure part.
• Page 3. Assemble all the assemblies that build the main part of the superstructure including the 2 funnels.
• Page 4. Start pulling the assemblies from page 3 together and fitting them to the large central superstructure part from page 2.
• Page 5. Add all the remaining parts to the central superstructure.
• Page 6. For the superstructure and main and secondary armament to the hull along with the Ar 196.

The paints are called out in Mr. Hobby, Victoriam and AK INteractive. The colour chart gives you a couple of options as to how she might have been painted, and both are basically copies of schemes employed on the Bismarck so they’re both reasonable choices for a ship that was never built

The decals sheet contains decals for both the ship and the aircraft and looks to be good quality with a minimal backing sheet.

This kit is currently available at HLI for $60.00 with free shipping and that’s as good a price as you will find. There’s a coupon code at the end of the video to get 10% off at HLI for one month after the publish date of this article.

Overall it’s a kit that should do well as firstly it’s a kit not done in plastic before. The alternative in resin is expensive and hard to find. The kit has almost 350 parts which give it a good level of detail for a 1/700 kit of this size. The detail on the plastic parts is good and it’s another good release from VeryFire.

Paul Tosney – Editor
ModelBuilder International
Scifiantasy
HobbyLink International
Hoblylink International Shop
eBay Store
Inextension