Contents
modeller military illustrated
ISSUE No.029 September 2013
42
4
NEWS
6
LAST OF THE LINE Part One
What’s happening in modelling and aviation
Hasegawa + Grey Matter Aviation’s 1:32 scale Ha-1112 Buchon conversion by Brett Green
18 FRENCH STRIPES
Kitty Hawk Models’ 1:48 scale Mirage F.1B by Kamil Feliks Sztarbala
26 NSW SCALE MODEL EXPO 2013 Australian Model Show Report
30 PREVIEW
Airfix 1:72 scale Lancaster “Dam Busters”
34 BLACK STALLION ABOVE IRAQ
18
Academy 1:48 MH-53E Sea Dragon by Jeroen Veen.
40 BOOK PREVIEW
How to Build… Revell ‘s1:32 Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6
42 PAIN AND ELEGANCE
Amodel’s 1:32 Nieuport 16C by Leo Stevenson.
46 PREVIEW
Tamiya 1:32 scale F4U-1 Birdcage Corsair
48 A CURE FOR THE MODELLING BLUES
Tamiya’s 1:48 scale P-51B Mustang by Dave Aungst.
54 GOLDILOCKS’ CHOICE Part Two
34
The Editor paints and finishes Monogram’s 1:48 scale Heinkel He 111 H-4/6
62 PREVIEW
Airfix 1:72 Hawker Typhoon Mk.IB
65 NEXT ISSUES
What’s coming up in the next issues of Military Illustrated Modeller
66 TAILPIECE
Kitty Hawk 1:48 scale JAS-39A/C Gripen
48
Aircraft Edition
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News REVELL 1:32 JUNKERS JU 88 A-4 Out Now Revell has released the second in its Junkers Ju 88 family, the A-4 variant.
T
he kit includes all the parts needed for this variant including extended wing tips, revised tail surfaces and canopy / gondola. Features include separate control surfaces and four bombs – 2 x 250 kg and 2 x 500 kg. Markings for two Luftwaffe aircraft are included: • Junkers Ju 88A-4 of 4./KG54; Catania, Sicily; April 1943 • Junkers Ju 88A-4 of 3./Kü.Fl.Gr. 506 Leeuwarden, Netherland; April 1942 On the same subject but in a different scale, Revell has also just released a 1:72 scale Junkers Ju 88 C-6Z / N Night Fighter with FuG 202 “Lichtenstein” radar. Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit www.revell.eu
HUMBROL ENAMEL WASHES
THE EAGLE SQUADRON HAS LANDED!
O H
umbrol has released a new range of Enamel Washes as a way to enhance your models to the next level. These will allow the modeler to add effects such as grime, dust, rust and many more to those areas exposed to the elements and general day to day wear and tear. Designed for a wide range of modelling subjects such as armour, vehicles, planes, figures, buildings, locos, wagons, Humbrol Enamel Washes can be mixed together to create additional shades to achieve desired effects. The Washes may be applied over enamel or acrylic paints, but always make sure that you test before applying to your model. • Application: Brush. Always ensure that the painted surface has fully dried before applying Humbrol Enamel Washes. • Drying Time: 20 mins - Drying times may vary with additional thinners. • How to Clean: Use Humbrol Enamel Thinners to clean and thin the wash (if required). Thanks to Hornby Hobbies Limited for the information and images www.hornby.com
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n Thursday 16 May, the aircraft of the Eagle Squadron were lined up together on the airfield at IWM Duxford for the first time. The Eagle Squadron opened the flying display at the Spring Air Show on Sunday 26 May. It flew in four-ship formation, in pairs and also in an evocative display alongside B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B. The aircraft, Hawker Hurricane AE977 G-CGTK, Supermarine Spitfire MkIa AR213 G-AIST, Republic P-47G Thunderbolt G-CDVX and P-51C Mustang Princess Elizabeth N487FS have not been seen together in the UK before. P-51C Mustang Princess Elizabeth was shipped over from the USA specifically to take part in the Eagle Squadron display, while the Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire have received new paint schemes especially for the display, honouring particular American pilots whose inspiring wartime stories stand the test of time. Paul Bonhomme, a Red Bull Air Race pilot and veteran of over 700 air show flights in historic aircraft, flew the Hawker Hurricane before landing it next to the Spitfire, Mustang and Thunderbolt on IWM Duxford’s historic airfield. Of the Hawker Hurricane, Paul said: “The Hurricane is light and incredibly manoeuvrable to fly. It turns very quickly but it was very slow as a combat aircraft, it didn’t have the legs. It’s an important piece of 1920s and 1930s heritage and incredibly impressive for what it achieved during the 1940s.” This year, IWM Duxford commemorated the 70th anniversary of the American air forces arriving at RAF Duxford during the Second World War. The Spring Air Show took place exactly 70 years to the day after King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited RAF Duxford to welcome the 78th Fighter Group of the United States Army Air Forces to Great Britain. Of the importance of commemorating this anniversary, Paul Bonhomme said: “ In the same way that the memories of RAF Duxford are important, it is vital to remember the bravery of the young people who stuck their necks out in the support of world freedom, to ensure that we are here doing what we do today.” For further information go to www.iwm.org.uk
Military Illustrated Modeller - September 2013
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FEATURE ARTICLE Grey Matter Aviation 1:32 Ha-1112 Buchon Conversion • Item No. GMAVK3201
END OF THE LINE The Spanish Ha-1112 Buchon was the last in the famous line of Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters. The Editor builds Grey Matter Aviation’s 1:32 scale conversion, based on Hasegawa’s Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6.
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Part One – Construction and Conversion
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T
he Hispano Aviación HA-1109 and HA-1112 were license built versions of the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G, developed in Spain during and after the Second World War. Germany supplied 25 partial Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2 airframes and some technical drawings to Spain in 1942, but they could not provide DaimlerBenz DB 605 engines, propellers, instruments or weapons due to their own dire needs. As a result, this Spanish version was fitted with the 1,300 hp Hispano-Suiza 12Z-89 engine, which first flew at Barcelona in 1944. The first HA-1109-J1L fitted with a German VDM propeller made its maiden flight on 2 March 1945 at Seville. The other twenty-four airframes were flown during 1947-9 with Escher-Wyss propellers, but never became operational. A further version with an improved installation for the Hispano-Suiza 12Z-17 engine appeared in May 1951 as the HA-1112-K1L. Fitted with a three bladed DH Hydromatic propeller, it was nicknamed
Tripala ("three blades"). Its armament consisted of one or two 12.7mm Breda machine guns and Pilatus 80mm rocket eight-pack. The Hispano engine was an upright V12 in contrast to the inverted V12 Daimler-Benz DB 601 & 605 engines used in the Bf 109. However, being of compact design, it fitted the airframe of the Bf 109 well. Although 200 units were planned, only 65 were ever built. The HA-1112-M1L Buchón (Pouter), which translates roughly from Spanish to “big throat”, was the final variant of this line. It first flew 29 March 1954. The 1112-M1L was equipped with the 1,600 hp Rolls-Royce Merlin 500-45 engine and Rotol propeller, both purchased as surplus from the UK. This engine had a deep chin intake that altered the lines of the Bf 109's airframe significantly. The Ha-1112 was effectively an improvised assembly of outdated components for the specific purpose of controlling Spanish colonial territories
in Africa where a higher level of technology was unnecessary, and moreover not available in isolated Spain at the time. Its armament consisted of two 20 mm HispanoSuiza 404/408 cannons and two racks of four Oerlikon or Pilatus 80 mm rockets. It remained in service until 27 December 1965. HA-1112-M1Ls remained in flying condition until the mid-1960s. This made them available for theatrical use, masquerading as Bf 109 Es and Gs in movies like Battle of Britain, Der Stern von Afrika, Memphis Belle, and The Tuskegee Airmen. Remarkably, Buchons also played the Bf 109's opposition, the Hawker Hurricane, in one scene in Battle of Britain. The HA-1112 also flew alongside the CASA 2.111 bombers, which were a Spanish-built copy of the Heinkel He 111German bomber, in the Battle of Britain movie. They had the same engines, the Rolls Royce Merlin 500.*
* Historical background adapted from Wikipdedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispano_Aviación_HA-1112
Aircraft Edition
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FEATURE ARTICLE Grey Matter Aviation 1:32 Ha-1112 Buchon Conversion • Item No. GMAVK3201
Grey Matter Aviation released their 1:32 scale Ha-112 Buchon conversion in 2012.
The new 20mm Hispano cannon fairings.
REHEATING LEFTOVERS
I built Revell’s brand new 1:32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 about a month ago. This is a really nice kit with accurate outlines, very crisp surface features and excellent detail, especially in the cockpit and wheel wells. It also allows the modeller to build either an early version with the short tail and framed canopy, or a late version with the clear “Erla” canopy and tall tail. The Revell kit is superior to the older Hasegawa offering in all of these areas, but it does suffer from a few shortcomings including undernourished cowl bulges and poorly shaped propeller blades. I therefore robbed a Hasegawa 1:32 scale Bf 109 G-6 of its propeller blades and cowl bulges to improve the Revell kit. This was all very well for the Revell project, but what was I going to do with my cannibalised Hasegawa kit? The answer was actually right in front of me. I had two 1:32 scale conversions – a Grey Matter Aviation Ha-1112 Buchon that I bought in 2012, and an old ARBA 1:32 Avia S-199. Neither of these would need the Hasegawa cowl bulges or propeller blades, so I could make the best use of my 90% leftover kit. Werner’s Wings is due to release an all-new multimedia 1:32 scale Avia S-199 conversion in the near future, so I decided to build the Ha-1112 Buchon.
GREY MATTER’S BUCHON
Grey Matter Aviation’s 1:32 scale Ha-1112 Buchon comprises 41 parts in perfectly cast pale grey resin, a photo-etched fret and two decal sheets. Detail is excellent, and the recessed panel lines are crisp, fine and consistent. Casting blocks and strips are also kept to an absolute minimum. In fact, the big nose casting is totally free from any casting encumbrances, and is almost ready to use straight from the box.
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The main casting is the solid one-piece nose. This is a heavy The detail and casting of all the parts is excellent. chunk of resin!
Detail parts include new propeller blades, individual exhaust stacks, replacement instrument panel, avionics box and gun sight.
Eight rockets and their rails are also supplied by Grey Matter.
My only criticism of the entire conversion is that the “chin” appears to be a bit too shallow. The resin nose does not quite capture the deep curve that lent the real aircraft its nickname, “big throat”. The instructions are excellent. They are printed in full colour on six double-sided sheets with photos of the model under construction and detailed text descriptions.
SURGERY TIME
I decided to get the major surgery on the Hasegawa donor kit out of the way first. To start, I scored the kit’s panel lines at the rear of the engine cowling lightly and repeatedly with a sharp hobby knife. The extension of the panel line on the wing root was then cut with a razor saw, and the nose reinforcement was snipped through using a set of sprue cutters. The nose was now simply snapped off. The top of the gun cowl was then cut off with a razor saw. The cuts were cleaned up with a sanding stick. I test-fitted the nose against the fuselage halves, and the result was very encouraging. Preparing the wings is the most challenging aspect of this conversion. Grey Matter supplies resin inserts for the new 20mm Hispano cannon fairings and hatches. This requires a rectangle of plastic to be carefully removed from the top and bottom of both wings. The instructions provide precise dimensions and photos of the exact areas to be cut out. The best advise I can offer here is, measure twice and cut once! I drew the cutting lines onto the wings. Dymo tape was stuck onto the wings as a cutting guide. This keeps the cut lines nice and straight, and also protects the surrounding plastic from slippage. The lines were repeatedly scored until they were eventually cut through. Test fitting confirmed that the cannon inserts
Some large and small details are on the photo-etched fret ranging from the wing fences down to individual cowling latches. The main decal sheet contains the colourful roundels plus individual markings for two aircraft. Ample Spanish stencil markings are included too.
Hasegawa’s 1:32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 was originally released in 2001, and has stood the test of time.
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I decided to get the surgery out of the way first. The panel lines at the rear of the engine cowling were scored lightly and repeatedly with a sharp hobby knife.’
The extension of the panel line on the wing root was cut with a razor saw. The nose reinforcement was snipped through using a set of sprue cutters.
The nose could now be snapped cleanly off. The top of the gun cowl was then cut off with a razor saw.
Initial test fitting of the resin nose parts was very encouraging.
Attention now moved to the trickier task of cutting The fit of the resin insert was almost perfect on the a section of each wing to fit the new Hispano cannon bottom of the port wing. The resin part is only testfairings. I marked out the dimensions as quoted fitted here – no glue yet. in the instructions, and used self-adhesive Dymo labelling tape as a guide for my knife.
The locating holes for the upper wing bulges were drilled through at this stage too.
The circular wheel well openings must be squared off. This is called out in both the kit and the conversion instructions.
A few gaps were present, particularly on the upper surfaces. These were filled with a mixture of super glue and talcum powder, then sanded flat.
The plastic below the photo-etched shell ejection port was drilled out to represent the chute.
When all the wing surgery was complete, the resin inserts were secured to the wing using slow-setting thick super glue.
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FEATURE ARTICLE Grey Matter Aviation 1:32 Ha-1112 Buchon Conversion • Item No. GMAVK3201
MDC’s gorgeous 1:32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 cockpit was used for this project.
The sidewalls are spectacularly detailed.
The raised cockpit sidewall detail from the inside of the fuselage halves was ground away using a cutting wheel fitted to my new Dremel motor tool.
fitted very well on the bottom wing halves but was less than perfect on top. Even so, the fit was pretty good, so I assembled the wings and glued the resin Hispano inserts in place. The instructions suggested that any gaps should be filled with “non-shrinking filler or a talcum powder / cyanoacrylate mix”. I had heard of this powder and super glue filler idea before, but had never actually tried it. When I have used super glue as a filler on its own, I have always had trouble as the dried glue is much harder than the surrounding plastic. I therefore decided to try this alterative filler. I tapped out some Johnson’s Baby Powder onto a disposable paper pallet and squeezed a blob of thick, slow setting super glue next to it. The powder and glue were mixed with a toothpick until it reached a smooth consistency and a milky translucency. The toothpick was All the cockpit components were sprayed Tamiya Acrylic XF-63 German Grey then weathered with paler and darker mixtures of grey.
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Photo-etched harness straps are included, but I had other plans for this area.
MDC’s resin sidewalls were test-fitted, marked and finally glued to the fuselage interior.
used to drag the mixture along the gap between the resin part and the plastic of the wing. After about five minutes, I sanded the excess down to the level of the surrounding plastic. I was really happy with this homemade filler. It did not shrink when applied, and its sanding characteristics seem to be similar to polystyrene plastic – i.e. not too hard. It took scribing well too. I can see myself using this filling method more often in the future. Grey Matter supplies a photo-etched shell ejector fairing that is designed to be glued behind the Hispano cannon on the bottom of each wing. Before gluing this in place, I drilled out the bottom I have cleverly managed to fit the of the wing starboard rudder underneath pedal backwards! the shell ejection opening. This
The MDC photo-etched rudder pedals and Grey Matter Spanish avionics box were glued onto the cockpit floor.
represents the hollow ejector chute. The wheel bulges were fitted to the tops of the wings after the locating holes were drilled through the top of the wheel wells. I intentionally used a little more glue than usual. I pushed the bulges onto the wings, squeezing excess glue from under the bulges. Tamiya Extra Thin Liquid Cement was used to smooth the extra glue around the base of the bulges. The cement border was sanded when it had fully set, resulting in a smooth transition between the wings and the bulges. At this stage, the wings were sprayed with grey primer to check for any lumps, bumps or gaps. A final round of filling, sanding and scribing was followed by a second coat of primer to confirm that all was now well. The photo-etched wing fences were positioned on the wings. They were secured with a bead of super glue applied carefully on each side of the fence using a fine piece of copper wire as the applicator.
Subtle dry-brushing was applied with a clean square-tipped brush in progressively paler shades of grey.
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Detail parts were now painted with Vallejo acrylics using good quality fine brushes – a 00 brush for most of the parts and a 10/0 brush for the finest details.
I sourced a few cockpit placard decals from Airscale’s WWII Luftwaffe Cockpit Placard decal sheet, Item No. AS32SCH.
Following the final flat coat, metallic parts were painted with Vallejo Gold and Oily Steel, and the clear fuel line inspection tube was glued in place.
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FEATURE ARTICLE Grey Matter Aviation 1:32 Ha-1112 Buchon Conversion • Item No. GMAVK3201
Grey Matter Aviation supplies a replacement Spanish instrument panel in resin and photo-etch.
The photo-etched parts were secured with Future floor polish. This allows the parts to be adjusted after they have been initially placed.
Grey Matter also provides the instrument dial decals. A second set is also provided in case of mishaps.
The completed wings were now set aside while the rest of the kit was assembled.
UPDATING THE FRONT OFFICE
I used a few components from MDC’s beautiful 1:32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 cockpit set in my Revell 1:32 scale Bf 109 G-6 last month including the seat pan, instrument panel and control column. This meant that I had most of the resin cockpit available to use on my Buchon. The absence of the instrument panel was not a problem as Grey Matter Aviation supplies the unique Spanish panel with their conversion. A resin avionics box is also provided, which replaces the cannon breech cover between the rudder pedals.
The instrument panel, painted and dry-brushed.
The instrument decals in place, and Future floor polish applied by brush to each of the lenses.
The kit’s seat pan was thinned at the edges and used with MDC’s resin parts, and the kit’s plastic control column was used too. I ground off the raised sidewall detail moulded to Hasegawa’s fuselage interior, and glued the resin MDC sidewalls in place. After receiving a grey primer coat, all the cockpit components were sprayed Tamiya Acrylic XF-63 German Grey. The dark grey cockpit parts were weathered using the following steps: Step 1. Fine streaks and mottles were sprayed using Tamiya XF-24 Dark Grey. This is noticeably paler than the base coat of XF-63 German Grey. Step 2. Sparing streaks and spots sprayed in a darker shade – in this case heavily thinned XF-69
NATO Black. Step 3. Subtle dry-brushing was applied with a clean square-tipped brush in progressively paler shades of grey. Step 4. The outlines of some of the more obvious natural shadow areas and crevices were painted in a dark mix using an 00 brush. Detail parts were now painted with Vallejo acrylics using good quality fine brushes – a 00 brush for most of the parts and a 10/0 brush for the finest details. Tiny buttons and breakers / fuses were touched with the end of a toothpick that was dipped in Vallejo Foundation White acrylic paint. The detailed and weathered cockpit components then received two glossy coats of Future floor polish.
Detail painting is complete on the cockpit tub.
Chipping was added with the tip of a silver Prismacolor pencil.
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Grey Matter’s dial decals were applied to their unique Spanish resin and photo-etched instrument panel. I also sourced a few cockpit placard decals from Airscale’s WWII Luftwaffe Cockpit Placard decal sheet, Item No. AS32SCH. The decals were applied over the gloss Future; then a coat of Solvaset decal setting solution was brushed over the dials and placards to help then conform to the surface. All the cockpit elements now received a coat of Testor’s Flat Clear Lacquer. When dry, the instrument dials were coated with Future floor polish to represent glass lenses.
HGW from the Czech Republic offers a range of pre-cut micro-fibre harness sets, including this one for 1:32 scale Luftwaffe fighters
STRAP HAPPY
The jewel in my cockpit’s crown is a set of micro textile harness straps from HGW. Their detail and authenticity is unsurpassed. The texture, stitching detail, printed serial numbers and photo-etched parts all combine to deliver the best scale harness straps that I have ever had the pleasure of using. This new range of harness straps is die-cut, making preparation faster. Once the textile straps are removed from their backing frame, they should be tightly scrunched and rolled between the fingertips to soften the fabric. HGW’s instructions suggest a multi-step weathering method starting with a gloss coat, followed by an oil wash and flat coat, but I was far too impatient to devote all that time to this task. I wanted to see results fast! Instead, I thinned some brown acrylic paint and applied the watery mix by brush to the untreated fabric of the straps. I was pretty happy with the results. It still takes time, a sharp eye (in my case including an optivsor), steady hands and two sets of tweezers to thread the straps through the tiny slots in the metal hardware, but the effort is more than worthwhile. The straps were fixed to the seat with super glue, then the cockpit sub-assemblies were glued together.
The detail and authenticity of the harness set is truly remarkable.
The lap belts were pressed into the seat pan before the shoulder straps were added.
The lap straps were glued to the side of the seat.
HGW’s harness is the jewel in the cockpit’s crown.
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FEATURE ARTICLE Grey Matter Aviation 1:32 Ha-1112 Buchon Conversion • Item No. GMAVK3201
The tail sections were glued to the central fuselage halves before the fuselage halves were joined.
The fuselage halves were glued together and taped while the cement set.
The nose was super-glued to the front of the fuselage before the cockpit floor was installed.
The extra time was well worthwhile – when glued in place the fit was almost perfect.
The top cowl piece was test fitted before the mating surface on the kit fuselage was trimmed slightly and sanded for the best possible fit. I also test-fitted the windscreen at this stage.
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Now the cockpit tub was inserted through the bottom of the fuselage. The kit’s wing spar box was also super-glued in place.
The conversion’s instructions suggest that the fit of the lower resin panel might be improved if the four locating holes are elongated. I did this with a sharp hobby knife.
BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER
Once again, the fit here was remarkably good.
The wing was primed to check for lumps or steps, then the photoetched wing fences were carefully attached with super glue.
The wings slid onto the spars, butting up nicely at the top of the wing roots.
With the cockpit complete, the nose parts prepared and the wings ready, it was time to bring all the components together. First, the fuselage halves were joined. Hasegawa’s fuselage is split into the main halves and separate halves for the tail. I have found that the best way to align the vertical panel lines is to glue the tail section to each fuselage half before the fuselage is glued together. It is far easier to deal with small gaps at the top or bottom centreline than it is to repair steps or gaps on the sides of the fuselage. The cockpit tub was not fitted yet – the fuselage halves, each with the tail section fitted, were simply glued together. Next, the large nose casting was glued to the front of the fuselage halves, one side at a time. Once the glue had dried, I test fitted the resin top cowl piece. The fit was not perfect, so I trimmed and sanded the plastic until alignment was improved. The top cowl piece was then secured with super glue. At this stage, the cockpit tub was inserted through the bottom of the fuselage and glued in place. The kit’s wing spar box was also superglued onto the bottom of the cockpit, and the four locating holes were elongated per the suggestion in the instructions. As a result, with a little fiddling, the lower fuselage panel lined up almost perfectly with the nose and fuselage. The instructions advise that the forward wing spar locating rib (located inside the wings) can be removed to improve the alignment of the wing leading edge to the fuselage. I was indeed having alignment problems with the port wing, but I noticed the construction tip too late to make the change before the wing halves were joined. Luckily, I could still get into the wing with my hobby knife from the opening at the wing root to slice off this raised locating rib. Once the rib was gone, the port wing lined up perfectly. The wings slid onto the spars, butting up nicely at the top of the wing roots. Tamiya masking tape was stretched from wingtip to wingtip to set the correct dihedral. Unfortunately, the lower wing root join was not quite so tidy. However, these were the only significant gaps on the whole model. The gaps were again filled with a mix of super glue and talcum powder. The unneeded filler caps on the starboard side of the spine were also filled with the super glue
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FEATURE ARTICLE Grey Matter Aviation 1:32 Ha-1112 Buchon Conversion • Item No. GMAVK3201
and talcum powder mixture. Now I was on the home stretch. The rudder, tailplanes and flaps were all fitted without incident. Grey Matter supplies tiny photo-etched cowl latches for the nose. Fortunately, spares are provided! The latches were settled into their recesses using Future floor polish as the adhesive. The hollow resin exhaust stacks are supplied as individual parts. They are handed left and right, so take care not to mix them up. I found it quite tricky to align these perfectly. In fact, the starboard side is somewhat less than perfect. The stacks also appeared unnaturally droopy when fitted, but they seem to look much more natural after the model is painted.
The lower wing root join was not quite so tidy. However, these were the only significant gaps on the whole model.
INTERMISSION
Grey Matter Aviation’s 1:32 scale Ha-1112 Buchon is a very high quality product in terms of quality and detail, and it was a pleasure to work with. Fit is extremely good if you take plenty of time to test fit and trim before committing to glue. The subject matter is fantastic too, with an interesting range of finishes available. If you are looking to stretch your modelling skills with a high quality conversion, this would be a good place to start. Now that I have done the hard conversion yards, it is time for the reward – painting and weathering! •
NEXT TIME Next time Brett paints and finishes this fascinating hybrid
The gaps were filled with a mix of super glue and talcum powder.
The unneeded filler caps on the starboard side of the spine were filled with the super glue and talcum powder mixture.
The individual exhaust stacks proved a bit tricky to line up. The tiny photoetched cowl latches were fixed in place using Future floor polish as the adhesive.
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MODELSPEC: Hasegawa 1:32 Messerschmitt Bf109 G-6. Kit No. ST-17 Grey Matter Aviation 1:32 Ha-1112 Buchon Conversion. Item No. GMAVK3201 Accessories Used: MDC: Item No. CV32003 – Bf 109 G-6 Cockpit Detail Set; CV32004 – Bf 109 Smooth Tyres HGW Item No. 132502: Luftwaffe Fighters Late Harness (Laser Precut Microtextile Belts) Airscale: Item No. AS32 SCH – WW2 Luftwaffe Cockpit Placards.
The spinner was missing from my conversion, so I borrowed one from Pacific Coast Models’ 1:32 scale Spitfire Mk.IXc as a temporary replacement.
Materials Used: Albion Alloys SFT1 telescoping brass rod and tube, EZ Line Tools and Modelling Products Used: Dremel Motor Tool, Tamiya masking tape (various widths), Dymo Tape (as a guide for scribing), Tamiya Extra Thin Cement, Revell Contacta Cement, Selley’s Super Glue, Tamiya Surfacer, Zip Kicker (super glue accelerator), Tamiya Masking Tape, Blu-Tack, Irwin Clamps Paints and Finishing Products Used:
The kit flaps were cemented in dropped configuration.
Next time, Brett describes the painting and finishing of this fascinating hybrid.
Cockpit Interior Paints Tamiya Acrylics: XF-1 Flat Black; XF-24 Dark Grey; XF-66 German Grey. Vallejo Model Color Acrylics: 70801 Brass; 847 Dark Sand; 70862 Black Grey; 70865 Oily Steel; 70877 Goldbrown; 919 Foundation White; 70950 Black; 70953 Flat Yellow; 70957 Flat Red; 963 Medium Blue Vallejo Panzer Aces Acrylics: 301 Light Rust; 337 Highlight Ger. (Black) Exterior Paints Tamiya Spray Cans: Fine White Primer; AS-5 Light Blue (Luftwaffe); AS-12 Bare Metal Silver; TS-14 Black; TS-34 Camel Yellow; TS-49 Bright Red. Aeromaster Enamels: 9042 U.S. Green 42; 9111 Dk. Green. Tamiya Acrylics: X-25 Clear Green; X-27 Clear Red; XF-1 Flat Black; XF-24 Dark Grey; XF-63 German Grey; XF-64 Red Brown. Gunze Acrylics: H28 Metal Black; H65 RLM 70 Black Green; H68 RLM 74 Dark Grey; H69 RLM 75 Grey; H70 RLM 02 Grey; H417 RLM 76 Light Blue; H308 Grey FS 36375. Future Floor Polish Testor’s Model Master Clear Flat Lacquer Solvaset Decal Setting Solution Availability: Grey Matter Aviation conversions and accessories are available from their website www.greymatterfigures.com
Aircraft Edition
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FEATURE ARTICLE: Kitty Hawk Models 1:48 Mirage F.1B. • Kit No. K48034
FRENCH STRIPES
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Kamil Feliks Sztarbała builds the new 1:48 scale Mirage F.1B from Kitty Hawk Models.
E
ven though ESCI’s 1/48 Mirage F.1 kit is still around in an Italeri boxing, it does not meet current standards. I was therefore very pleased when Kitty Hawk Models recently released a modern 1:48 scale miniature of one of the most elegant jet aircraft ever flown. Surprisingly, the Chinese manufacturer decided to launch its Mirage family with a two-seat combatcapable trainer, the F.1B. However, the breakdown of parts suggests that single-seat variants will hit the market in the future. The kit itself makes an excellent first impression. The quantity and quality of parts are amazing. They are perfectly moulded and their fit is good as well. Initial assembly reveals that the model captures the shape of original aircraft quite nicely, although the canopy still seems to be a bit too high, despite it being revised after the CAD drawings shown in the announcements had been criticised. It is worth noting that the kit contains two large sprues with a plethora of various external weapons, but we won’t use most of them if we choose any of the marking schemes offered by the manufacturer.
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FEATURE ARTICLE: Kitty Hawk Models 1:48 Mirage F.1B. • Kit No. K48034
ASSEMBLY
The seat belts don’t resemble the original design too well. What’s more, they seem to be mismatched to various types of seats in the instructions.
I began by completing the cockpit. Most of photo-etched parts included in the kit are dedicated to this area.
When the cockpit was ready, I primed it with Mr.Color C8 Silver.
Once it dried, I applied a coat of Satin Black. The edges and some areas were highlighted with Mr.Color C40 German Grey.
The whole sub-assembly fitted the forward fuselage halves perfectly. After gluing them together, I made some paint chips by scratching the black layer to reveal silver undercoat, here and there.
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Details were brought out by applying AK-Interactive’s AK075 Wash for NATO camo vehicles and drybrushing their edges with Off White acrylic paint from Vallejo.
Like other Kitty Hawk releases, the Mirage kit includes a simplified engine, which is not worthy of being shown. Anyway, this time the designer didn’t offer such a possibility…
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The nose is attached to the rear fuselage with a click-fit system. It doesn’t provide a reliable joint, but thanks to the design and engineering, we don’t have to use any clamps to glue these sections properly.
…as the engine is completely hidden inside the rear fuselage.
No problems appeared during further stages of assembly. It is worth noting that part numbers aren’t confused in the instructions, as in the case of the Jaguar A kit.
The wings consist of quite a number of parts, but they go together pretty well.
I decided to mount the landing gear and some other details…
…before I mated the wings with fuselage. Again, putty and sandpaper were not required.
The exhaust nozzle is cleverly designed. To reproduce the appearance of original, it is divided into four parts. Unlike the other Kitty Hawk kits, this time the nozzle comprises only styrene elements.
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25/07/2013 09:43
FEATURE ARTICLE: Kitty Hawk Models 1:48 Mirage F.1B. • Kit No. K48034
Generally, I must say that the assembly of this model was a real pleasure. Since I’ve chosen a commemorative paint scheme, I didn’t need to put together too many external stores. Pretty soon, the kit was ready for painting.
“The kit itself makes an excellent first impression. The quantity and quality of parts are amazing.” Of course, many parts and sections were left separate in order to make the next stage a lot easier.
PAINTING AND WEATHERING Usually, I tend to avoid the marking options offered in the kits if there is a replacement available, but I found the commemorative scheme with invasion stripes particularly attractive. Although the D-Day stripes are offered on the decal sheet, I thought that applying them would be more troublesome than painting the stripes with the help of simple masks.
I almost always start painting aircraft models by priming them in silver. Naturally, I did this with the Mirage, but this time, I left the area of the invasion stripes untouched, bearing in mind they will be repeatedly masked. Paint does not adhere well to the silver priming coat, so it was likely that I would damage the paint layer while placing and removing the masking tape.
I have to confess that I found a photo showing the underside of the plane at the end of painting stage proving that the D-Day stripes were also painted on the under surfaces of wings. Better late than never I suppose, especially since it seems that the person who designed the painting guide and decals didn’t see that picture… •
Next, I airbrushed a silver priming coat over the underside.
Once I masked the canopy, I coated its frames with interior black paint.
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The areas that had to receive the invasion markings required heavier pre-shading.
The white surfaces were masked with pieces of Tamiya tape. This allowed me to coat the rest of the kit with Mr. Color C8 Silver.
Afterwards, I applied a few transparent layers of Gloss White. I let this dry well before proceeding further.
Tamiya tape and masking fluid from Wamod were used to secure the silver under surfaces of the aircraft as well as the ventral tank. To get the effect of a weathered silver surface on the underside, I sprayed some transparent smudges and lines with the base paint and Hobby Color H18 Steel.
My next step was to pre-shade the upper surfaces. The panel lines and various details were darkened with Flat Black, whilst the rivet lines and some particular panels were highlighted with strongly diluted Gloss White.
Now I could airbrush a few transparent layers of Mr. Color C72 Intermediate Blue.
Further masking was time-consuming…
Once I’d painted the nose and anti-glare panel black, I could remove the masking tape from white surfaces. I also added the missing white stripes to the underside of wings.
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FEATURE ARTICLE: Kitty Hawk Models 1:48 Mirage F.1B. • Kit No. K48034
I then airbrushed the kit with gloss varnish and applied the decals. The latter required a lot of Microscale setting solution, and a few hours to conform to the recesses of the model surface.
…but after less than five minutes of airbrushing, the black stripes were ready.
I could now finally fit all the parts I had painted separately, and spray the whole kit with matt varnish. Since the decals were matt, I had to spray another layer of the clear gloss coat over the kit. Once it had dried, I did the wash. Firstly, I applied AK-Interactive’s AK075 Wash for NATO camo vehicles on the silver underside. The excess enamel was soon removed with cotton buds, slightly dampened with white spirit.
The exhaust nozzle was base-coated with Hobby Color H18 Steel and discoloured using pastels from Tamiya’s Weathering Master Set D.
The markings on the tail add to the overall striking appearance of this scheme.
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The blue upper surfaces were washed with AK-Interactive’s AK070 Brown Blue Wash for Panzer Grey Vehicles. It is not only good for German armoured fighting vehicles…
A survey of the photos of the real aircraft revealed that the weathering should be rather subtle. The distinctive dirt on the fuselage sides, around the cockpit, was imitated with AK-Interactive’s AK082 Engine Grime. I airbrushed a mist of the enamel over the relevant areas and rolled a cotton bud dampened with white spirit over them.
Grease stains and spills were brush painted with AK-Interactive’s AK084 Engine Oil, and AK075 Wash for NATO camo vehicles. Both enamels were mixed with each other in different ratios and applied to the surface previously dampened with white spirit.
The lower surface with weapons and finishing touches in place.
25/07/2013 09:43
MODELSPEC An overall view of the completed model.
Kitty Hawk Models 1:48 Mirage F.1B.
Kit No. K48034
Paints and Weathering Products Used: • Tamiya acrylic enamels • Wamod Masking Fluid • Mr.Hobby’s Mr.Color and Hobby Color paints • AK-Interactive’s: AK082 Engine Grime; AK084 Engine Oil; AK075 Wash for NATO camo vehicles • MIG Productions Black Smoke pigment • Tamiya Weathering Master Set D Enjoyable build; good fit; fine surface detail; a welcome 21st Century quality kit of this attractive aircraft. Simplified engine not worth displaying (and can’t be anyway!) RATING: 8.5 out of 10 Kitty Hawk Models are available from Hannants www.hannants.co.uk
Despite the high number of parts, the build was a pleasure.
“I found a photo showing the underside of the plane at the end of painting stage proving that the D-Day stripes were also painted on the under surfaces of wings. Better late than never I suppose…”
Kitty Hawk’s kit is a welcome update from the old and now well out-of-date ESCI / Italeri offering.
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FEATURE ARTICLE: Kitty Hawk Models 1:48 Mirage F.1B. • Kit No. K48034
NSW SCALE MODEL EXPO 2013
The Editor heads south of Sydney to visit the 2013 NSW Scale Model Competition and Expo.
I
visited the 2013 NSW Scale Model Competition and Expo on the first weekend of May this year, hosted as usual by the Illawarra Plastic Modellers Association. The two-day competition is open to all modellers, whether club members or not, and is held in a large and bright Community Centre in Koonawarra, south of Wollongong and about 100km south of Sydney. The Expo was well attended and the standard of competition entries was very high, with a good variety of subject matter and scales, including aircraft, armour, ships, submarines, figures, cars and more. This was easily the biggest turnout of models in competition that I have seen in the ten years or more that the show has been running. The NSW Scale Model Expo traditionally encourages younger models to participate and this year was no exception, with an impressive standard of junior models in competition. It was nice to see displays of models and militaria in addition to the kits in competition. More than a dozen traders were also on hand; and the swap and sell tables upstairs were as busy as always. •
In addition to the competition, many fine models could be seen in the display area.
Eduard’s 1:48 scale MiG-21 bis
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An impressive 1:72 scale Supermarine Walrus and scratch built HMAS Sydney Catapult. This in-progress model was on display at the show.
The venerable 1:72 scale Airfix Short Stirling in competition.
Hasegawa’s 1:72 scale F-111, wings swept and looking fast!
Academy’s 1:72 scale Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina.
Hasegawa’s 1:72 scale F/A-18 making chase.
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An attractive scheme for Italeri’s Douglas B-26K Invader.
A Tamiya Birdcage Corsair, but not the new 1:32 scale kit! This is the 1:48 scale release.
This is the Rareplanes vacform 1:72 scale Meteor Mk.8 in RAAF markings.
Tamiya 1:48 scale P-47D Thunderbolt.
A nice clean build and early conversion of Tamiya’s 1:48 scale Beaufighter. Note the horizontal tail planes.
Revell’s recent 1:48 scale PV-1 Ventura made an appearance in New Zealand markings.
Hasegawa’s 1:48 scale F4F Phanton II in a crisp grey Bundesluftwaffe finish.
Another 1:48 scale Phantom, but this time a US Navy F-4J from Revell.
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SHOW REPORT: NSW SCALE MODEL EXPO 2013
This 1:32 scale Trumpeter Messerschmitt Me 262 featured a wild camouflage scheme.
A lovely late-mark F-16 in Greek low-viz colours.
The old ESCI 1:48 scale Lockheed S-3B Viking still scrubs up nicely.
A number of impressive airliner models were also at the show.
Hasegawa’s 1:32 scale Curtiss P-40M in Kiwi livery.
Trumpeter’s big 1:32 scale A-10 Warthog.
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Above: Nice effects on the water!
Left: The Spacecraft category included this impressive recovery scene with a suspended Sea King helicopter.
Remarkable finesse in Eduard’s 1:144 scale Spitfire Mk.IX…
Classic Airframes’ 1:48 scale Westland Whirlwind.
…and Sweet 1:144 scale Bf 109 F
Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-3 in 1:48 scale. Tamiya’s kit.
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Aircraft Edition
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KIT PREVIEW: Airfix 1:72 scale Avro Lancaster B.III (Special). The Dambusters. • Kit No. A09007
LANCASTER SPECIAL Mark Davies takes a detailed look at the allnew Airfix 1:72 scale Lancaster B.III “The Dambusters” release, and compares it to its main competition from Revell and Hasegawa.
T
he brand new Airfix 1:72 scale Dambusters Lancaster comes in a top-opening box with attractive artwork. The sprues are enclosed in a single heat-sealed plastic bag, with the clear parts further protected in their own smaller bag. The decals and instructions come loose in the box. The multi-lingual instructions do not have a parts map, which given the large number of optional parts would have been useful. Surely, providing a parts map is not a great ask, nor particularly expensive in these days of CAD. The main parts are on six light grey sprues with a single clear sprue. One of the grey sprues is dedicated to the Dambuster version. I expect that in the B.I/III boxing that this sprue is replaced by one with a more conventional payload.
THE KIT
The parts are moulded in a slightly soft plastic that has a nice feel to it. There is some evidence of fine flash in places like the propeller blades, which is not so good. It has reasonably fine recessed panel lines, although not as good as Hasegawa’s or Revell’s. Pleasingly, the wing panel lines are based on panel skins and not rivet lines, so the wings do not share the patchwork quilt appearance of its Japanese and German competitors. This advantage balances out some of the downside to having deeper and wider surface detail compared to the
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Revell’s 1:72 scale Lancaster built by Brett Green. The oversized main wheels and intakes are quite obvious from this angle.
Hasegawa and Revel kits. I did notice that the panel lines on the wings look wider at first glance than they actually are. This is because the plastic surface has a minutely pebbled finish (common with many kits, as it eases the release of parts by reducing mould suction associated with a perfectly smooth finish), other than a very narrow smooth surface finish either side of the recessed panel lines. These smooth strips either side of the panel line stand out against the pebbled surface making the unpainted line appear wider. The sprue gates are reasonably fine. There are some quite fine parts; and these are some of the best I have seen in a new tool Airfix kit, conceding little if anything in refinement compared to other brands like Hasegawa. The clear canopy parts are thin with good clarity. Airfix’s tool makers have managed to leave a few prominent ejector pin marks that will need cleaning up, as will sink marks in a few areas. The bomb doors on my sample were a little warped, but should straighten out with some hot water treatment. The kit is engineered in a slightly unusual way compared to most Lancaster kits because the wings must accept both in-line and radial engine options. Theses differ in the way the nacelles blend with the wing, and so Airfix has cutouts in the wing leading edges to allow for this. The other
unusual aspect is the way the two wing spars, having been inserted through the fuselage, then have the wheel well interiors attached directly to them. This then requires that the wings be assembled around the wheel wells and onto the spars. All well and good, except that one of the benefits of building WW2 British heavies is that you can usually assemble the wings separately from the fuselage to aid dealing with seams and enable the wings and fuselage to be painted and decaled separately from each other. All is not lost however, as you can assemble the spars and wheel well structure as per the instructions, then simply cut through the spars adjacent to the wheel well to enable these to be assembled with the wings separately. More than enough spar will be left to slide the wings onto later after painting. The rearmost part of the fuselage adjacent to the elevators is catered for by an insert to allow for slight variances depending on the model of tailturret fitted. Having covered the more unusual aspects of this kit, normal service will now resume with a look at the cockpit. Airfix provide a reasonably fine and realistic interior. There is of course a cockpit floor formed by the forward section of the bomb-bay, with the raised pilot’s area as a separate part, and a quite nicely done pilot’s seat (no harness detail
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The Airfix Lancaster fuselage.
The side windows appear to be too deep and panel line detail is quite prominent.
Lovely detail on the roof of the bomb bay.
Shackles are included, even though they are theoretically not for use on this version.
The modeller is offered the choice of either shielded…
Main wheels are weighted and very well detailed.
though). The navigator has his table, complete with a decaled map, partial bulkhead, chair and a device that mounts on the end of the table. I think this item may be associated with H2S equipped aircraft, and if so, should be left off a Dambuster model. There is a flight-engineer’s folding seat and instrument panel represented by a decal, as is the pilot’s panel. The decals in both cases are coloured, but still use white outlines for the instrument bezels. This might have been okay in 1981 with Airfix’s second Lancaster tooling (the 1958 version used a paper cut-out from the instructions), but over 30 years on I would like to see well detailed moulded instruments on the panels, with the decals as an option. The Pilot’s instrument panel includes a throttle box and there are rudder pedals to attach to it as well. The cockpit side walls, including in the bomb-aimer’s area, have integrally moulded detail. There is also a conventional bomb-sight that the instructions fail to tell the builder to leave out, as this was not used in the Dams Raid. Overall, the cockpit as supplied will look quite adequate with a seat harness or two added. There are a number of small fuselage windows to add; which some later Lancasters had blanked off. I am quite sure that Airfix has made theirs too deep compared to photos of the real thing, and are also after comparison with the Hasegawa and Revell kits. This is a minor problem however. Small clear inserts rarely fit perfectly due to their angled sides that are needed to release them from the mould, and so frequently require filling around their circumference. Once filled and sanded to fully blend in with the fuselage, the windows can be polished up and simply have a suitably
Undercarriage bays are also well detailed.
shallower area masked off to ensure that they appear the right size after painting. The bomb-bay interior is nicely detailed, and includes the sidewalls in this area, as well as finely moulded bomb crutches not used with this version. The instructions direct that holes be opened up in the floor as these are associated with the Dambuster option. There is also the choice of a blanking pate or Vickers K “scare-gun” to fit where the FN 64 ventral turret would otherwise mount (no doubt supplied with the Mk II sprues). The instructions guide which of the two decal options the gun applies to, but check your references if you are modelling other 617 Sqn aircraft. Airfix supply a clear transparency to insert in the rear fuselage’s underside to represent the three signalling lights. I have read one on-line build log that the bombbay bulkheads need some gentle trimming if the fuselage halves are to close neatly. The wings include nicely detailed flaps that can be modelled raised or lowered, with two different inboard nacelle end-caps to suit raised or lowered flaps. In fact, on the real plane, the full size end-cap fitted to the flap partially disappears inside the open end of the engine nacelle, but the way the kit simulates this at least serves to set the flap angle. Slightly less pleasing is the slightly sagged fabric effect on the ailerons; why some tool makers insist on representing fabric covered control surfaces this way I do not know. Take a look at a real example and they would see that the fabric is drum-tight with rib-tapes indicating the location of the structure beneath. In 1:72-scale there should be at most just a hint of the tape reinforcement outlining the structure beneath. Airfix’s ailerons really need to filled and
Control surfaces are supplied separately.
…or unshielded exhausts.
The sprue for the Upkeep mine and its trolley.
smoothed out, with perhaps decal strip rib-tapes, to appear more authentic. On the plus side, as I have already mentioned, Airfix’s recessed panel lines are restricted to representing panel skins rather than occurring on every rivet line. So, despite being perhaps a little deep, they are at least restrained in frequency. There are no clear parts for wingtip lights, something more noticeable than the under-fuselage signalling lights that are supplied! At least some fine aileron actuators are provided, and there are cable-cutters on the leading edges. The engine nacelles are well done, and I think capture the seemingly simple but actually quite subtle lines of the real plane well. I would go so far as to say they see the best representation of these that I have seen in 1:72nd scale. The carburettor air intakes are moulded solid, and will benefit from being opened up; and if appropriate, you could add PE mesh intake-guards by Brengun. The propellers for the Dambuster option are the pointed type; both these plus the wider paddle blade type are supplied. I am not sure if the pointed type’s chord may appear just a little under-nourished. The spinners however look pretty good to me. The main wheel wells are very nicely detailed, and come close to rivalling a CMK resin set that I used to dress up some Hasegawa Lancaster wings on my CMR York conversion. The open wing rib truss arrangement either side deep in the well will benefit from being blanked off with reddish-brown card to represent the fuel tanks, rather than being able to look through framework to see wing skins. The undercarriage is captured well, and the main wheels have the widely-used in wartime smooth
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KIT PREVIEW: Airfix 1:72 scale Avro Lancaster B.III (Special). The Dambusters. • Kit No. A09007
Profile of the engine nacelles from the three kits.
Wide variations in shape between the interrupter cam collars.
Dihedral of the three kits’ wings are dramatically different. Airfix looks about right straight from the box.
The overall dimensions of all three modern Lancaster kits are quite close.
tread tyres. I may as well mention the tail-wheel here. It is a two-piece wheel and tyre to enable the anti-shimmy dual ridge to be moulded, and this fits to a separate and nicely done tail leg and fork. The separate horizontal stabilisers, elevators, fins and rudders take care of the tail, along with mass balances for the rudders. There is a small optional section of fuselage just ahead of the tail turret to fit (the choice cover different rear turret options in future releases), although I would be inclined to fit this whilst the fuselage halves are still separated. The gun turrets are well done, with sufficient representation of their internal structure to satisfy most modellers I suspect, given what will be visible. The injected .303 machine gun barrels are pretty good given moulding limitations. However, Quickboost or Master replacements will add some real scale finesse here. All glazing is nice and clear with quite fine framing. The main canopy looks good. All that is left in terms of standard Lancaster bits area some pitos, a DF loop and the like. Dambusters flew without the mid-upper turret and its collar that served as a cam for the gun interrupters. Airfix supplies the turret blanking plate fitted in its place. Also supplied are the bomb-bay fairing fore and aft of the Upkeep Mine (the bouncing bomb) and its v-shaped trunnions. I could not help but notice that these are set at a different angle to the old Airfix Lancaster Dambuster kit, and also to Hasegawa’s (no doubt to Revell’s too). I have seen a few diagrams, plans and detail sketches of the Upkeep mounting, but cannot attribute a degree of accuracy to any of them. Unfortunately, I have yet to see a clear period photo of the arrangement either. As a result I have no have no idea as to which kit is correct. Perhaps, given that Airfix have changed theirs from their earlier Dambuster release, we can assume more accurate information has come to light than was available to them in 1980. Airfix also supply the hydraulic motor and chain drive used to spin
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Revell’s intakes and main wheels are both oversized.
Tail Surface comparison.
the bomb, and of course the weapon itself. The chain is reasonably fine, but possibly just a tad thick compared to photos. Unlike the earlier Airfix Dambuster, this one has a smooth casing without the wooden planking attached to some Upkeep mines. The spotlights used to fix altitude when flying low over water are also included. A nice addition with this kit is a bomb-trailer to carry the Upkeep mine. This appears to be well executed, with weighted tyres befitting its load. The kit gives the impression that it will build well with few hassles; but bear in mind the warning about errors and omissions that others have already found in the instructions.
A Comparison with the Competition
As I have already stated, Airfix does not yet equal Hasegawa or Revell in terms of recessed panel line finesse, but the surface detail of this new tool Lancaster is tolerable. On the plus side, Airfix has fewer panel lines represented on the wings compared to the other two brands. Moulding quality is about equal across all three brands, with equal levels of finely moulded small parts. I like the texture of Airfix’s plastic more than the more brittle type used by the other two. In terms of interior detail, cockpit, turrets, wheel wells, etc; Airfix and Revell are about equal, with Hasegawa well behind both. Both Airfix and Revell offer a dropped flap option, whereas Hasegawa does not. So far Revell has only offered a standard B.I/III and Dambuster option; whereas Hasegawa has covered these, Tallboy, Grand Slam, lifeboat carrier, and post war options. However, with a Mk.II already announced, Airfix looks set to sweep the field in due course. Looking at outlines and shapes it was clear that all three brands were in close agreement on the fuselage. I matched the Revell and Hasegawa fuselages to their Airfix opposite, aligning from where the bomb-aimer’s glazing attaches. Airfix and Revell did not quite agree on where the
windscreen started, and Hasegawa differed a little in where the bomb-bay finished. Overall, Airfix was a little longer than Revell and a little shorter than Hasegawa. As mentioned earlier, Airfix’s small side windows are much larger than both the others, and I feel are incorrectly so. However this is easy to fix. There is considerable variation in the mid-upper turret interrupter collar across all three brands. I think that Airfix is best and Revell worst overall here, but Hasegawa’s sharp aft taper is pretty bad too. Where they all fail is to have a wide enough and flat enough cam-track for the gun-interrupter followers to ride around. Photos of the real thing show this to be a distinct flat surface of an even width; as you would expect give that its surface is traced by followers traveling in a circle. Lancaster wings are a pretty basic shape, so I was not expecting too much variation between brands. None agree exactly on the engine datum, and Airfix has its engines a bit wider out from the fuselage than the other two, not by miles, but there is a noticeable difference. I used the inboard aileron edge as an alignment point because the three kits differ in the way they fit to the fuselage, with Hasegawa having extra length to insert inside the fuselage. I already knew that the Revell kit was lacking dihedral in outer wing sections, but I am now seriously beginning to wonder if Hasegawa has too much (the thought had previously crossed my mind when using Hasegawa’s wings for my York conversion). I placed all three wings on glass (which was covered with black card for photography purposes) with their flat horizontal inboard sections weighted down on the glass. I then measured the height of each wingtip above the glass, with these results: • 7-mm for Revell, • 14-mm for Airfix, and • 20-mm for Hasegawa.
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Markings for two aircraft are supplied. Hasegawa’s interior detail falls behind both Revell and Airfix.
Clear parts from Hasegawa’s, Revell’s and Airfix’s kits.
The prvevious generation 1970s vintage Airfix Lancaster built by Brett Green.
Chris Wauchop’s 1:72 scale Hasegawa Grand Slam Lancaster.
The accompanying images, especially the one featuring all three wings in line, highlight the difference. I am inclined to think that Airfix is probably the most correct here. There is variation in the shape of engine nacelles, with Airfix and Hasegawa being closer to each other and Revell with their own interpretation. In fact I wonder if Revell was just practicing for the horrible Merlin engines on their Halifax kit when tooling their Lancaster, as their Lancaster too has over-sized and misshapen radiator mouths (but nowhere near as gross as the Halifax’s!). Rather than give lengthy written explanations, take a look at the accompanying images and it should be apparent as to why I feel Airfix are the winner in the engine nacelle stakes. Airfix has I think the best shaped paddle blade props, and possibly the best pointed type too, although this latter type appears to be a bit narrow in chord; in which case Hasegawa could have the edge. Sorry to be vague on this point, but I could not make a firm call. However, Revell definitely comes third in the prop stakes. I found the main canopy hard to judge, other than to say Hasegawa’s is let down by thicker framing than the other two brands, and a misplaced escape hatch. There is some variation in turret sizes and shapes, with the closest agreement between all three for the rear FN20 (although Airfix has an open clear vision panel), and the most variation with the mid-upper FN50. I think Airfix has perhaps the best shape here, as Revell’s looks to be too large. The front turrets are similar, although and I think Airfix has the edge. Airfix and Hasegawa main wheels look fine, whilst Revell’s are dreadful and over-sized. The tail-planes have subtle differences in the angles of the leading a trailing edge. My images aligned with the fin mounting point and ensured the elevator hinge lines were parallel. It is apparent that Airfix overlooked giving the outboard edge of their elevators a chamfer to
allow for rudder movement inboard (it is present on the real aircraft). Fortunately this is easy to fix with a simple cut. The tailfins and rudders are all very similar, with Airfix looking the best I think. Unfortunately I did not have a copy of the new tool Revell Dambuster boxing to compare with the Airfix and Hasegawa Dambusters. However, Airfix and Hasegawa have quite different ideas about the Upkeep mine’s trunnions, and the “V” formed by Hasegawa’s trunnions has a more acute angle. Both depict the mine with a smooth casing, whereas I know from reviews that Revell’s mine has planking, as does the old tool Airfix Dambuster kit. Hasegawa’s Upkeep looks smaller than Airfix’s in the accompanying images, but this is in part because Hasegawa’s circular end-plates butt- fit the cylindrical body, and so adds to its width, whereas Airfix’s endplates fit into a rebate within the casing. The two brands generally agree on the dimensions of the bomb-bay fairings chain drive, although Hasegawa’s chain is much too thick. In my opinion, so not necessarily in fact: • Airfix beats Revell on accuracy and shape quite significantly in some areas (engines, wing dihedral, mid-upper turret fairing, and mainwheels), equals it on internal detail, and falls behind on panel line finesse. • Airfix beats Hasegawa on accuracy and shape but in small ways (engines, wing dihedral, mid-upper turret fairing, and canopies), beats it convincingly on internal detail, and falls behind on panel line finesse. So there you have it. I think that Airfix has the best lines, and equal best internal detail. Surface detail is a bit heavier than its rivals, but this is balanced by there being less of it. There is big price range across the three brands, with Revell at one end, and Hasegawa at the other, whilst Airfix lies on the Revell side of the middle. Airfix is close enough in price to Revell to side with Airfix regardless of extra cost. I think therefore that the choice comes down to Airfix or Hasegawa - You
can have a marginally better shape and internal detail, with less surface detail finesse, or more refined surface detail with marginally poorer shape (and either live with poorer internal detail or dress it up at a cost using after-market sets). If you choose Hasegawa you have a lot more to spend, especially if you dress up the interior detail or replace the radiators. For overall value, Airfix is the clear winner for me.
CONCLUSION
This is a sterling effort from Airfix (which reminds me, if only Airfix were to release a new Stirling kit). I consider this to be the best Lancaster kit so far released, with the promise of several versions including a long-awaited Mk.II. Airfix has captured some key shapes better than their competitors, they have supplied plenty of nice interior detail, some of the best of which will hardly be seen in the wheel wells. Some parts are very finely moulded, and I like the plastic Airfix uses as it is nice to work with. The transparencies are very well done with delicate framing and very good clarity. The provision of a bomb-trolley for the Upkeep mine is a nice touch. The kit has some way to go to approach perfection however. Airfix’s surfaces detail is acceptable; in part because the kit’s good points offset it. Looked at critically however, Airfix need to improve the finesse of their recessed panel detail to at least equal that which most other modern long-run brands have been offering for the past thirty years or more. I have a few niggles; oversized fuselage windows, no chamfer on elevator outer edge (both easily fixed), exaggerated fabric effect on ailerons, decaled rather than 3-D instrument panels, no parts map, and some proofing errors in the instructions. I recommended this kit highly. Airfix kits are available from hobby shops worldwide and online www.airfix.com •
Aircraft Edition
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FEATURE ARTICLE: Academy 1:48 MH-53E Sea Dragon • Kit No. 12703
BLACK STALLION ABOVE IRAQ
Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 34
Military Illustrated Modeller - September 2013
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Jeroen Veen builds and details Academy’s big 1:48 scale MH-53E Sea Dragon.
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t has been a couple of years since Academy released another big chopper after the CH-46 Sea Knight and the CH-53E Super Sea Stallion. The MH53-E Sea Dragon is big. Very big. As such, the kit comes in a huge box crammed with plastic sprues. Seven trees and a tree with clear plastic parts, some huge transfer sheets with all the stencilling and decals for three different markings: • Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Four (HC4) “Black Stallions”, Iraq, 2006; • Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Fourteen (HM-14) “Vanguard”, 2004; • Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Fifteen (HM-15) “Blackhawks”, 2005. Although equally impressive I opted for HC-4. With all those different variants, it will come as no surprise that the kit offers a lot of features: • Enlarged fuel sponsons and mine hunting equipment; • Loading ramps and doors can be positioned open and closed; • Tail section can be displayed in the folded position; • Extended or folded main rotor blades; • Extensive cockpit and cabin details; • Highly detailed hub and rotor assembly. The list goes on, but these are the most eyecatching features. A Google search on the Internet came up with loads of reference pics so I was set to go!
Cockpit and Cabin Interior
Although the instructions tell you to start with the assembly of the rotor head I took off with the cockpit and the cabin interior. I ordered Eduard’s Big Ed set, which provides plain etchings as well as pre-coloured parts for the cockpit. Installation of these is relatively easy, with only minor sanding needed. I glued all the plain etchings in place but left the pre-coloured ones off. Painting started with a coat of Gloss Black with some Light Grey mixed into it. After that was done I added more Light Grey, thinned the paint down some more and misted subtle coats on the centre of each panel. This all was sealed with a coat of Tamiya Gloss Varnish and left to dry for a day. Washes were done with pure gloss black, thinned down considerably with Humbrol Thinner. Various greys and metal colours were used for dry brushing. Now the pre-coloured etchings were carefully glued in place and the smaller details were hand painted. Everything was sealed with a coat of Xtracolor Matt Varnish, which pulls it all together very nicely. Early on I decided to leave the rear cargo bay door closed. The interior of the cargo bay is very nice, but the sidewalls have many ejector marks. I didn’t want to get into the tedious job of filling and sanding these so I took the easy way out. The floor and ceiling were painted in Sky - and the sidewalls were painted with a lighter grey. Again, before this procedure the plain etchings were glued in place. Everything was sealed with Tamiya Gloss. Washes were done with Raw Umber oil paint and dry brushed with greys and whites. The pre-coloured etchings were used to detail the panels next to the entrance door and the window on the opposite side as well as for the small placards above the seats. The Eduard Big Ed set also provides seat belts for each seat, but since they would be hardly visible I left them off. Again, a coat of Xtracolor
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Aircraft Edition
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FEATURE ARTICLE: Academy 1:48 MH-53E Sea Dragon • Kit No. 12703
I decided to use the Eduard Big Ed set as it offers an entire fret dedicated to the interior. The pre-painted etchings will be glued in place after the painting is done, but the plain etchings need to be installed beforehand. Here you can see some of them. Detail is tremendous, especially after some careful painting, and it’s a shame that a lot of it will be invisible once the cockpit windows are installed.
I wanted to keep the cargo bay closed and that meant that a lot of the insides wouldn’t be visible. The side doors would be left open, so I focussed on the detail there. The kit itself offers a lot, but the etchings just add that little extra. The same building and painting sequence as for the cockpit was followed. The Eduard set offers cargo seatbelts but I left them off for another project.
Test fitting the interior. Academy produced a surprisingly complex kit with this MH-53E, but in general the fit is just great. The only difficulty I had was installing the ceiling of the cargo bay, which was slightly warped.
Matt Varnish finished the job. Placement of the interior in the fuselage wasn’t very difficult in general. My only problem was the ceiling of the cargo bay. Fixation points weren’t very clear and the fact that the part was warped didn’t help either. With some fiddling around I finally managed to get it in place and closed the fuselage. The plastic parts in the kit will build up to a beautiful interior. If you, like me, want to do something extra the Eduard Big Ed set is a very welcome addition!
Fuselage
With the fuselage closed, the rest of the kit went together like a breeze. The top windows of the cockpit were painted with Tamiya Transparent Green before installing. Smaller details and the engines were left off for easier access with painting and decaling. I found a lot of reference pics on the Internet. Most of them showed the MH-53 very clean, but some were grimy and dirty. I decided to combine some of these effects in one model. The patches of paint near the cockpit, the greyish/white streaking on the sponsons, dirt stains on the roof and the lighter refuelling boom are some examples. I started off with painting the
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After painting the cockpit, the pre-coloured etchings are glued in place with cyanoacrylate. The detail on these pre-painted parts looks great. The main challenge is to harmonize the colours of the paint and the prepainted etchings. After all parts are glued in place everything is sealed with a coat of Xtracolor Matt Varnish to bring everything together.
The main fuselage glued together. The top windows of the cockpit have been painted with Tamiya Transparent Green. Masks are from the Big Ed set and although they need some adjusting work very well in general. I left the engines off for better acces with the airbrush and because it would make life easier in the decaling phase.
entire fuselage with Machine Grey. After that the streaking and staining was done by airbrush, with paints that were so thinned down that they were almost transparent. It takes some time to get good coverage, but I personally feel that this approach gives maximum control over the desired effects. When I was satisfied everything was protected with a coat of Tamiya Gloss varnish. Now it was time to take out those impressive big decal sheets. There are almost 150 decals to apply, and I was very curious how the Academy decals would perform as I had no experience with these. I’m happy to report that they are thin, in perfect register and they performed great with some Sol and Set. Again everything was airbrushed with a coat of Gloss and left to dry. The panel lines of the model are very subtle and thin and I was wondering if they would hold the washes. My worries were unjustified, as the thinned down Raw Umber oil paint – Matt Black mixture crept in every panel line and around all detail. Great stuff!
Rotor
Now it was time to go back to the first steps of the instructions and start working on the rotor
assembly. I was surprised how big this piece is. Pictures on the net show crew men crawling over it and you could actually stand on it with three or four grown up men. Easy. The kit offers both folded and unfolded propeller blades and I opted for the latter. I’m running out of shelve space and cannot put it anywhere with the rotors unfolded. You really have to pay attention to which parts you must use and how they go into place. Some test fitting is absolutely necessary. With some patience and care you will be fine. I put so much effort in super detailing the rest of the model that I just could not leave the rotor head untouched. References show a lot (and I mean a lot!) of wiring and I just couldn’t make out where it all began and ended. So I took some artistic licence and tried to recreate the feel of the thing. Several wholes were drilled and copper wire was added. Some careful painting finished it off. Academy provides the brackets for the folded blades but be aware that there are only two in the kit and the other five are missing. They shouldn’t be too difficult to scratch build though. Luckily I had an escape: a picture of a MH-53E close for take off with the rotor blades still folded and the brackets removed. Life can be good!
Military Illustrated Modeller - September 2013
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A closer view of the masks. Here you can see that some adjustment is necessary. The all-clear canopy gives good end results but I found it difficult to work with, because it’s hard to see all the detail. Oh yes, my eyes are definitely getting older….
The tail section had more detail added from the Eduard exterior etched fret. The etchings are thin and conform relatively easy to the complex shapes of the tail section. I personally believe that with some careful painting this will result in something much better than the plastic in the kit would provide.
The exhausts are in plain view and I wanted them perfect. They are three part assemblies with the joint in a very visible place so out came Mr Surfacer. Repetitive spraying and sanding resulted in this and I was very pleased with how it came out.
The whole fuselage was painted with Xtracolor Engine Grey. I also painted the patches with various mixtures of greys. Everything was sealed with a coat of Tamiya gloss varnish, after which the decals were applied. It cost me three evenings to get them all on, but the Academy decals perform perfectly with some Sol and Set. I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised! Everything was sealed with another gloss coat.
This is the stage that frightens me. It looks messy and there’s no clue to whether the masks worked properly. It is basically just a matter of pushing forward. In this pic you can see the various shades of grey, an attempt to break the monotony of the Engine Grey base colour.
I’m always surprised about the effect of the matt coat. It sort of ties everything together. Be aware of this step: matt and gloss coats have a tendency to push back painting effects. You can use that to your advantage, but work that is to subtle might entirely disappear under these coats. Exaggeration within limits isn’t a bad thing!
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Aircraft Edition
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FEATURE ARTICLE: Academy 1:48 MH-53E Sea Dragon • Kit No. 12703
I think this is one of the best pics of the build to illustrate the quality of the decals. The steps on the sponson are decaled as well and there is no carrier film visible anywhere. In general the decals crept into panel lines and around detail superbly. Just add some Sol and Set and you’ll be out of the woods!
The hoisting device is detailed with Eduard etchings and looks better than the plastic part. Noteworthy is the lighter grey of the fuel boom. The majority of my reference photos shows it in a darker grey (probably Engine Grey) but I found some images that shows this lighter colour. Again a possibility to break the monotony of the base colour!
Non slip panels add variety to the finish of this big model.
That rotor head is already impressive straight out of the box but I couldn’t resist doing something extra. I studied reference photos and couldn’t make out where all the wires came from and where they went, so I took some artistic licence and tried to go for the feel of it. A lot of drilling and wiring, but I think it looks a bit more realistic now!
The rotor head after the paintwork. This piece is so big and so eye-catching that in hindsight I’m happy to have made the effort to detail this part a little more!
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Now it’s time to paint the smaller details. The yellow in the window frames has been painted on, and finally those impressive engines are in place. Installing them now made decaling and painting a lot easier.
“The Academy MH-53E Sea Dragon is just as good and perhaps even better than the earlier big choppers they released.”
The completed model – it’s a whopper!
Military Illustrated Modeller - September 2013
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MODELSPEC Academy 1:48 MH-53E Sea Dragon.
Kit No. 12703
Accessories Used: Eduard Big Ed CH-53E Set. Item No. BIG4875 Modelling Products Used: • Revell Plasto Modelling putty • Tamiya masking tape 10 mm, 18 mm • Invisible mending thread Paints and Finishing Products Used: • Xtracolor enamels • Revell enamels • Humbrol enamels • Humbrol Thinners • Tamiya: X22 Clear Varnish • Raw Umber oil paint • Burnt Sienna oil paint • Micro Sol and Micro Set
A head-on view.
Crammed with detail; big and impressive; fit is very good; useful options; decals are excellent Special attention needs to be given to installation of the interior and the different options for the main rotor blades. RATING: 9 out of 10 Academy kits are distributed in the UK by Pocketbond www.pocketbond.co.uk
Glimpses of the detailed interior add even more interest.
The exhausts benefited from careful painting and weathering. Note the heat effect depicted here.
CONCLUSION
The Academy MH-53E Sea Dragon is just as good and perhaps even better than the earlier big choppers they released. The kit is crammed with detail, fit is very good and the decals are excellent. It has some nice options as well because of the different configurations that can be built. The kit is a bit complex and special attention needs to be given to installation of the interior and the different options for the main rotor blades. Pay some good attention and you will be fine. The kit is big, and you better have some shelve space left to put it on. Having said that she builds up to a mighty machine and I personally believe that this kit belongs in the collection of everybody who is interested in modern warfare and helicopters in general. Highly recommended! • Academy’s 1:48 scale MH-53E Sea Dragon is just as good and perhaps even better than the earlier big choppers they released.
“With the fuselage closed, the rest of the kit went together like a breeze.”
Aircraft Edition
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PREVIEW: How to Build Revell’s 1:32 Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6
PREVIEW - How to Build Revell’s 1:32 Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 by Brett Green
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DH Publishing presents the complete guide to building Revell’s brand new 1:32 Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6, written by Brett Green of HyperScale, Model Military International and Military Illustrated Modeller Aircraft Edition. The Messerchmitt Bf 109 F represented a major transformation compared to the squared-off lines of the Emil. This sleek hunter now featured a new large aerodynamic spinner, streamlined cowling and rounded wingtips. The installation of the Daimler-Benz DB 605 A engine in the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G increased power, but an upgrade in armament, armour and options resulted in a corresponding increase in weight. The once nimble fighter was becoming overloaded as more missions were demanded of it. Even so, the Gustav remained the workhorse of the Luftwaffe, with more than 12,000 of the G-6 variant alone being produced. The Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 was immediately recognisable thanks to the two prominent bulges on the engine cowling. These were required to clear the ammunition feeds of the larger 13mm MG 131 machine guns with 300 rounds per gun. During the course of production, a number of significant changes and improvements were made to the Bf 109 G-6. These included the fitting of a simplified clear-vision canopy, pilot’s head armour from armoured glass to improve rear vision, a new tall tail fitted with several styles of rudder, and more. Armament could vary widely too, with fighter-bomber versions, “gunboats” equipped with 20mm cannon gondolas under each wing and photoreconnaissance aircraft just to name a few. ADH Publishing’s latest book covers the all-new 1:32 scale Revell Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 in detail. This model may be built to depict many of the variations of the Bf 109 G-6 from the earliest versions up to late-war variants with the tall tail and Erla clear-vision hood. Over the course of nine Chapters, we examine the contents in detail, describe construction straight from the box, and point out the areas of the kit that can be improved and corrected in several builds. This new 80 page book features an exhaustive step-by-step guide to construction; model building Chapters by Brett Green, Chris Wauchop and Marcus Nicholls; plus a special Chapter by Roy Sutherland dedicated to super detailing the cockpit. A number of essential reference resources are also included.
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ADH Publishing’s latest book covers the all-new 1:32 scale Revell Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 in detail. We have some photos of the projects and information on the contents.
Military Illustrated Modeller - September 2013
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Chris Wauchop describes his painting and weathering in detail.
Scratch built enhancements step-by-step.
Stunning cockpit detail by Roy Sutherland.
Brett Green’s Bf 109 G-6/R6/Trop Conversion.
Getting the most out of the kit, straight from the box.
Marcus Nicholls beautifully finished early version Bf 109 G-6
Accessories available right now to improve your cockpit.
The construction chapters cover: • building the model straight from the box • building the model with corrections, improvements and super detailing plus some easy conversion ideas. More than 300 photos, two walk-around reference guides, and four-view scale plans by Radu Brinzan are all included - a must have before you build the model! The book also features analysis of previously released 1:32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 G kits, including Hasegawa, Trumpeter and 21st Century Toys. The book may be ordered now from ADH Books www.adhbooks.com •
Aircraft Edition
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GALLERY: Amodel 1:32 Nieuport 16C. • Kit No. 3202
PAIN AND ELEGANCE
Leo Stevenson delivers a great result from Amodel’s 1:32 scale Nieuport 16C despite sundry shortcomings and challenges.
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ome models are a pure joy to build because of their quality, thoughtful engineering and careful research. Others are not. The Nieuport 16C by Amodel is in the latter category. Okay, many of us whose main modelling preference is for World War I subjects are now spoiled by the luxurious quality of Roden or Wingnut Wing’s kits, but even allowing for price differences sometimes kits by other manufacturers just don’t seem to hit the mark, turning what should be a pleasurable hobby into a chore. I’m not being snobbish or fussy here. I don’t know if this particular model is a short run kit - I suspect it isn’t, but current manufacturing technology and even Internet research should have made it better than it is. However, don’t let me put you off too much because this kit can be made into an acceptable model if you have the skills and tenacity. It is an inexpensive kit and it does have some other
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redeeming qualities, so perhaps we shouldn’t demand too much of it if we apply the right amount of patience.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
What do you get with this kit? All the components apart from the decals and acetate windscreen are injection moulded plastic; there are no photo-etched parts. There is only one option for the aircraft depicted, the aircraft flown by Sergeant/Adjutant André Julien Chainat (1892-1961) in 1916. The instructions are sparse on historical information and they have a few mistakes in them such as omitting to illustrate or mention some of the cockpit instruments that are on the supplied sprues, however with a bit of research it’s easy to work out what should be done. The colour ‘call-outs’ are also sometimes wrong, for
example saying that the seat should be painted aluminium colour, when the real thing was made of plywood. There is also no information on rigging this model; this is bad, especially for modellers unfamiliar with this aircraft or modelling generally. The kit’s surface detail is adequate, though not outstanding. There isn’t much flash on the sprues and there aren’t any annoying ejector pin marks – but that’s almost the only good news.
THE BAD NEWS
The bad news is that the wings, horizontal elevators and rudder are all too thick, and they should be shaved down at the edges to give the impression of being thinner than they are. Worse is to come when you try to fit the parts together, because there aren’t many locator pins and the few that do exist are vaguely or incorrectly formed. This is particularly
Military Illustrated Modeller - September 2013
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Improvements include the resin seat with moulded-on seatbelts from Mastercasters.
Sergeant/Adjutant André Julien Chainat (1892-1961)
The kit contents.
Left: The Le Rhone 9J 110 hp engine is acceptable, only needing the addition of spark plug leads.
true of the pins on the ends of the V-struts and cabane struts, i.e. the very bits that scare most nonWWI modellers the most. The ‘V’ of the strut is too wide, and having bent the open ends into the right distance apart I didn’t realise how bent the front had become until the model was finished. Grrrr. They are the right length though, so with perseverance and care you can make the wings align correctly. The cockpit is very basic and Spartan, as the original cockpits were, but sadly so is the kit’s quality in this area. Here I will be honest and reveal a fault in myself, in my attitude, when it comes to modelling. I am not someone who derives much pleasure from spending a lot of time on improving the parts of a model that are impossible to see unless you actually handle the model and inspect it with a penlight. Just knowing my improvements are there doesn’t give me much pleasure at all if I can’t see them without effort. Maybe I’m lazy, but my main criterion is to enjoy seeing the model in its glass display case and so I will lavish care on
whatever can easily be seen, but in cases such as this where the interior is so badly made and fits so badly I refuse to waste a lot of time on interior detailing. Some kits are worth it, for me this one was not. Having said that, I did add a few improvements to the cockpit, such as the resin seat with moulded-on seatbelts from Mastercasters (available from Hannants) because it’s better than the kit’s own seat and because the kit didn’t supply any seatbelts. This pattern of plywood seat was used across a wide range of Nieuport fighters, for example it can be seen in the sole surviving Nieuport ‘veestrutter’, a Type 23, in Belgium’s Musée Royal de l’Armée in Brussels.
Chainat’s aircraft is very aesthetically pleasing, very French and very elegant.
ENGINE
The Le Rhone 9J 110 hp engine is acceptable, only needing the addition of spark plug leads. The spark plugs themselves are rudimentary, but tolerable. I painted the engine using my usual method for WW1 rotary engines – firstly spraying
Aircraft Edition
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GALLERY: Amodel 1:32 Nieuport 16C. • Kit No. 3202
the whole engine with Tamiya semi-gloss black acrylic paint, then when that’s dry spraying a coat of Alclad II ‘steel’ paint all over it. For the copper induction manifold pipes, instead of timeconsuming masking of the rest of the engine in order to spray them a copper colour, I usually hand-paint them with a home-mixed clear brown acrylic paint mixture directly over the steel colour of the pipes which gives the effect of tarnished oily copper. This paint mixture consists of roughly 4 parts Tamiya Clear Orange, 1 part Tamiya clear blue (to make the orange browner), and a bit of Tamiya ‘flat base’ to mat down the glossiness of the paint. Finally, I lightly brushed parts of the engine with thinned ‘lamp black’ and ‘burnt umber’ oil paint. The kit shares many components with other Nieuport models made by the same manufacturer, a common ploy to cut costs. This usually gives you give you some handy parts for the spares draw, however not this time. Of the three propellers in this kit, the actual one that I was supposed to use was so badly deformed in the centre that it was unusable, so I had to use one of the other
Another grim area is the engine cowling, which is oddly made in two parts that join vertically in the middle. Because the cowling was bare aluminium on the original aircraft this area needs very careful filling after the parts are glued together because any flaws in this process will show up, especially if you use Alclad II paints, as I did. The cowling is also very thick and it had to be scraped and ‘dremelled’ out carefully on the inside to make the engine fit within it – but even then that’s not enough and so in the end I also had to make the engine fit by filing off the tops of the cylinder heads hidden by the cowling! This put me in a bad mood. It reminds me of the expensive and sometimes very poor quality short-run WWI kits made by the French manufacturer Battleaxe. I made several of those when I first started making models as an adult in 2007 – what ‘a baptism of fire’! If I wasn’t so stubborn I’d have given up the idea of going back to model-making there and then. The ‘cheeks’ on either side of this kit’s cowling were both too small and the wrong shape, so they had to be extended along their front edges and re-shaped before they could be attached.
Painting
The paints I used were as follows: Individual stitches were applied to the top front fuselage sides.
propellers. The propeller I ended up using was more often seen on earlier Nieuports, but there are a few period photos that show this version of propeller on Nieuport 16’s. Phew. If British readers will excuse the name-dropping, as my late friend Magnus Magnusson was famous for saying, “I’ve started, so I’ll finish”.
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• The underside blue is RLM 76 (visually right but historically wrong!). • The French camouflage brown was made from 4 parts Tamiya Brown (X-9), 1 part Tamiya Dark Green (XF73) and one part Tamiya white (X-2). • The green was made from Xtracrylix Interior Green (XA1117) with a bit of the French brown mixed in with it. • The underside blue and the top green and brown
seemed to match the suggestions in various written sources and these colours also tallied with photos of the best full-scale replica Nieuport aircraft. Finally, the decals are good quality but, weirdly, they include roundels for the top wings, which aren’t needed, and yet there are no decals for the rudder, which had to be masked and sprayed to make the blue, white and red national colours.
So was all this effort worth it?
Yes, just. Chainat’s aircraft is very aesthetically pleasing, very French and very elegant. It has all the grace and beauty of the stork that Chainat’s unit (N3) took as its emblem, and it makes an interesting contrast to WW1 aircraft from other nations (isn’t it strange how so many fighting aircraft seem to adopt the characteristics of the nations that build them?). Chainat was a brave man. He was a recipient of Frances’s highest award, becoming a knight of the Légion d’Honneur, as well as being awarded the Médaille Militaire and Croix de Guerre. I have shown original period medals here as a scale reference for the model, along with an original Croix de Combattant medal.
Conclusion
It is a sad irony that new modellers without much money are naturally inclined towards inexpensive kits because this is exactly the kind of kit that can discourage and dismay them - if not from making more models, then at least away from World War I aircraft. In spite of this, I am not saying avoid this kit; it is an interesting and worthwhile subject - just make sure that if you buy it you’re not a beginner and that you’re ready for some challenges. •
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MODELSPEC Amodel 1:32 Nieuport 16C.
Kit No. 3202
Changes/additions made to the kit: • Spark plug leads (from 0.3mm plastic rod) • Cord lashing on the upper front of the fuselage (from 0.375mm copper wire), • Bungee cord undercarriage shock absorbers (from 0.45mm copper wire), • Seat + seatbelts (from Mastercasters), • Front part of Lewis support (to replace the over thick and badly made kit part, from 0.4mm brass rod), • Trigger cord and loading handle for Lewis gun (from 0.3 black nylon thread and 0.34 brass wire) • Carburettor intakes (hollowed out the ends), • I added a leather handle for the Lewis gun magazine, making it from a small strip of plasticard. • Rigging (‘EZ line’, eyelets and some turnbuckles from Bob’s Buckles, the rest of the turnbuckles [1/48 & 1/32 scale] from Gaspatch Models). Choice of subject, decals and engine. A lot; read the article again! RATING: 4.5 out of 10
“Chainat’s aircraft is very aesthetically pleasing, very French and very elegant.” Chainat was a recipient of Frances’s highest award, becoming a knight of the Légion d’Honneur, as well as being awarded the Médaille Militaire and Croix de Guerre.
Amodel’s 1:32 scale Nieuport 16C is an interesting and worthwhile subject, but make sure that you are ready for some challenges!
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KIT PREVIEW: Tamiya 1:32 Vought F4U-1 Corsair “Birdcage” • Kit No. 60324
CONSUMMATE CORSAIR The Editor explores Tamiya’s superb new 1:32 scale F4U-1 Birdcage Corsair.
T
he combat career of the F4U Corsair stretched longer than almost any other WWII fighter aircraft. The first of more than 12,000 Corsairs were produced in 1940, and the last of these bent wing birds were still doing battle above Central America nearly thirty years later. The Vought Aircraft company had a strong association with the US Navy during the inter war decades, but their focus in the 1930s was observation aircraft, trainers and seaplanes. In response to a US Navy specification issued in February 1938, Vought submitted two designs. With the second of these carrier-based fighter proposals, Vought adopted the simple strategy of building the smallest possible airframe around the most powerful available engine. At the same time, Pratt & Whitney was developing the supercharged R-2800 radial engine. Radial engines had recently lost favour to the sleeker inline configuration, but the US Navy preferred the ruggedness and simplicity of the radial arrangement. Vought therefore designed their new V-166B around the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 powerplant. The brute force of the R-2800 engine had to be absorbed by a correspondingly large propeller. With a diameter of 13’ 4”, the Hamilton Standard three-bladed propeller assembly was the largest fitted to a fighter aircraft to that date.
The port fuselage half. Recessed rivets and panel lines are incredibly fine.
One of two pairs of turtledeck quarter window inserts.
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This imposing propeller needed very high ground clearance. Vought’s solution was to install an inverted gull wing. The main undercarriage was fitted to the lowest point of the wing, improving ground clearance for the propeller while still permitting robust landing gear – essential for carrier landings. This design also lowered the profile of the Corsair with the wings folded, and strengthened the join with the fuselage via its sturdy central spar. The result was the sole prototype XF4U-1, which first flew on 29 May, 1940. The ruggedness of Vought’s design was proven at the end of that maiden flight when the aircraft flipped after a forced landing. Although the prototype was badly damaged, it was repaired and flew again within
The tail surfaces are secured by stout locating posts
Alternate parts are provided to securely fix the wings in either folded or extended mode.
Side consoles are beautifully done.
months. Indeed, before the end of 1940 the XF4U1 became the first US fighter aircraft to exceed 400 mph in level flight. Further development was required to iron out a number of undesirable flying and landing characteristics. In December 1942 the Corsair commenced carrier trials. Ongoing problems with poor pilot visibility on final approach and premature port wing stall disqualified the Corsair from US carrier operations at this time. However, the first land based Corsair Marines squadron entered front line service in February 1943. The famous Jolly Rogers, VF-17, became the first US Navy Corsair unit to see action shortly after. The Corsair immediately demonstrated
Fabric surface detail is subtle and convincing.
The core of the R-2800 radial engine.
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Exhausts are all hollowed out at the ends.
Canopy parts are sparkling clear. One of the two photoetched frets.
Vinyl tyres and the small number of metal parts.
its superiority over Japanese fighters with an impressive kill ratio. The performance of the F4U also proved to be at least on equal footing with its US Army Air Force fighter counterparts, the P-47 and the P-51. The Corsair was also adopted by the British Fleet Air Arm. Unlike the US Navy, Britain operated their Corsairs on carriers from their first sorties in March 1944. With their strikes against the Tirpitz, the Fleet Air Arm was the only Corsair operator to face German forces. US Navy Corsairs were eventually cleared for carrier use in April 1944, in time to deal with the Kamikaze threat later that year. The Royal New Zealand Air Force was the third Corsair operator in the Pacific. 238 F4U-1As, 126 -1Ds and 60 FG-1Ds served with 13 RNZAF squadrons from May 1944.
to the F4U-1 Birdcage. The seat and floor were slightly lower in the initial production variant, and this is depicted correctly. The instrument panel follows the lead of Tamiya’s other 1:32 scale kits, with a clear part sandwiched between a grey plastic panel and decals at the rear. Photo-etched parts make an appearance in the cockpit. They are used for the harness straps and a number of other details. The R-2800 radial engine is beautifully detailed too. This is an all-plastic affair so assembly should be straightforward. The ignition harness is not included, so you might like to add fine wire to depict the various leads. The ends of the exhaust pipes are hollowed out. Cowl flaps may be posed either open or closed. Different parts are supplied for each option. Control surfaces including the elevators, flaps and ailerons are all provided as separate parts, but they are poseable as opposed to moveable. I actually like this approach as I tend to glue my control surfaces in position anyway, and it is certainly easier and more positive than metal rods and hinges. With the optional folded wings and small wing doors associated with the Corsair’s flaps, hinged surfaces would have involved some necessary compromises in detail and scale too.
IN THE BOX
Tamiya has made many modellers very happy with their choice of an F4U-1 Corsair. They have picked the Birdcage version as the first in this scale. Tamiya’s 1:32 scale Vought F4U-1 Corsair “Birdcage” comprises 453 parts in grey plastic; 50 parts in clear (includes 22 limited edition clear cowl parts); four black plastic pieces; two frets of photoetched metal; one self-adhesive metallic name plate; a self-adhesive masking sheet; two vinyl tyres; two metal rods; one screw; one nut; one small screwdriver; one poly cap; and two decal sheets with markings for three schemes. The parts count may seem daunting, but quite a number of parts are for alternative versions and configurations. The engineering of the kit is straightforward too, so there should be few (if any) traps and tricks during construction. Surface detail is possibly even finer than the Tamiya 1:32 scale Mustang. Crisply recessed panel lines are supplemented with rows of extremely restrained rivets. The visibility of the rivets varies depending on the angle and intensity of available light, ranging from subtly noticeable to almost imperceptible. Several different sizes of rivets are apparent too, as are selected slotted screw heads and raised hinges. Fabric detail on the control surfaces and on the outer wing panels is restrained. The fuselage halves are each presented in two main parts. Several options are possible for the turtledeck, mid upper spine and the top of the aircraft nose thanks to the use of inserts. The joins for these inserts fall on natural panel lines. The cockpit is beautifully detailed and is specific
Stencils, wing walks and instrument dials (printed intentionally in reverse) are included on the second decal sheet.
Similarly, the undercarriage may be built either down or up; and the flaps can be built either extended or folded. You’ll need to decide on your model’s configuration around Step 37 of construction. The wing intakes, structure, spars and landing gear bays are intricate and authentic. Photo-etched parts are employed for the intakes and some of this structural detail. The landing gear legs - all three - also look fantastic. Tyres are vinyl. The horizontal stabilisers and fin are attached to the fuselage via stout fixed locating slots. The clear parts are thin and sparkling and totally free from distortion. The window in the bottom of the fuselage is included. Alternate parts are offered for the rear quarter windows. One set has a front vertical frame and
the other does not. Self-adhesive canopy masks are included, and are quite welcome for the Birdcage canopy framing. The frames are printed onto the sheet but not die cut, so you will have to cut the individual masks out yourself (not a great chore though). My sample is a standard initial production kit for export, so it has the limited edition clear cowling parts. These are a direct duplicate of the grey plastic cowling parts but these will permit you to display your engine if you are feeling that way inclined. The clear cowl parts are a little cloudy on the sprue, but a bath in Future floor polish should greatly improve their transparency. In fact, a small supplementary instruction sheet suggests spraying a thick coat of Tamiya Clear from the spray can on both sides of the clear parts. A stout black plastic stand is supplied for “in-flight” display, along with a self-adhesive metallic label. Two pilot figures round out the package – one standing and the second seated in full flight gear. I like the clear goggles provided for the seated pilot. Markings are supplied for three aircraft plus extensive stencilling. Both decal sheets are in register on my sample.
CONCLUSION
With its radial engine and folding wings, the Corsair is a very different aircraft from the Spitfire and the Mustang. Tamiya has clearly taken this into account and resisted the temptation of cookie cutter engineering. Based on their previous 1:32 scale kits you might have expected open gun bays and metal hinges and removable cowl panels, but Tamiya has instead taken a fresh approach to some of these elements. This Corsair will be a more static model than its two predecessors, but that does not mean there is a lack of options or detail. You’ll be able to pose the gear raised or lowered, wings folded or extended, flaps up or down, control surfaces deflected or neutral. Detail in the cockpit, engine and wheel wells is superb and the finesse of surface textures, including panel lines and rivets, is once again unsurpassed. I think that the approach taken with this Corsair represents another evolutionary step forward. With this kit, Tamiya seems to have taken some time to consider what is really important to most modellers. The result, to my eye, is a more mature offering. Once again, Tamiya has delivered a truly outstanding model. If you have the slightest interest in the F4U Corsair family, Tamiya’s new 1:32 scale kit will be an essential ornament for your modelling bench. Do yourself a favour and build one soon. I know that I will be! Highly Recommended. Thanks to Tamiya Japan for the sample www.tamiya.com Tamiya kits are distributed in the UK by The Hobby Company Limited www.hobbyco.net •
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FEATURE ARTCLE: Tamiya 1:48 scale P-51B Mustang • Kit No. 61042
A CURE FOR THE MODELLING BLUES Dave Aungst breaks out of a modelling rut with Tamiya’s classic 1:48 scale P-51B Mustang kit.
I
have been in a modelling rut lately. I have not really been feeling the need to sit at my modelling desk and work on models. Back a few years ago, when I was in a similar rut, a couple friends helped me get out of it, suggesting the Tamiya P-51B kit as a quick and easy build. I did a "speed build" on the kit back then, completing it in only two weeks. It really did help me get back into the swing of the hobby. I decided to try it again to break out of the same rut. This kit is one of the kits I acquired from by best friend Jeff when he passed away quite recently. Jeff had minimally started the kit, making it a less desirable item to sell. I hung on to the kit and decided to finish where Jeff left off. Jeff had started the kit by doing the surgery to integrate a resin cockpit into the fuselage. He had also sprayed a light coating of green paint over the cockpit pieces.
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THE KIT
Tamiya’s 1:48 scale P-51B Mustang is a great kit with fit so tight that the unglued airframe can be held upside down without having anything fall off. It does have one "flaw", if you want to call it that. The cockpit floor in the P-51B was changed from the earlier Mustang versions to have a wood floor applied over the metal of the wing fuel tank. The kit still moulds the cockpit floor as the metal floor.
JAGUAR UPDATE SET BOX
A few after-market companies were quick to put out resin updates to fix the floor. When I acquired the kit from Jeff, it came complete with a Jaguar P-51B cockpit in the box (stock#64804). As the Jaguar pieces are mostly direct replacements of kit pieces, and Jeff had done most of the surgery already, I decided to use the Jaguar update set in this model.
Most of the Jaguar pieces are clearly just Tamiya pieces that have been updated and re-cast, so the fit of the resin pieces in the Tamiya kit was good. The side-wall detailing, especially, was nicer than the base Tamiya kit. The Jaguar set also included flight control surfaces. I think Jeff planned to use these, but he had not cut off the Tamiya kit moulded surfaces. I contemplated using these, but I was afraid that would be the last straw to break the project. So, I chose to not replace the control surfaces on this project. Cockpit painting consisted of Interior Green (F.S.34151), European Green (F.S.34092), Interior Black, Red, White, Yellow, and Silver. I started with an overall airbrushing with the Interior Green to solidify the light coating Jeff had applied, then used a paint brush to do the other colours. I did a gloss
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coat and black wash to help highlight engraved details, then a flat coat and light grey dry-brushing to highlight raised details. While painting the cockpit, I also took time to airbrush Zinc Chromate Yellow in the wheel wells. Then it was time to button up the fuselage. The Tamiya kit builds extremely well, but there is always a risk when integrating a resin cockpit, even into good kits. The fuselage fit was still good, but I did now need just a touch of filler. I also needed to sand down the top of the main wheel well piece to gain clearance from the floor of the resin cockpit. The wings build up well, and the attachment to the fuselage is solid and clean. The horizontal tails fit tight enough to not really need to be glued into place, but I used some glue anyway. Within an hour of sealing up the fuselage, I had the entire airframe constructed. I attached the canopy and a few minor details, then masked the clear parts and prepared for painting.
Box top of Jaguar’s 1:48 scale P-51B Cockpit Set.
The painted cockpit pieces await assembly.
CAMOUFLAGE AND MARKINGS
There are lots and lots of decal options out there for P-51B Mustangs. Based on the decals Jeff left in the box, he intended the kit to be "The Hun Hunter". I was not too thrilled with doing a green aircraft, though. My son recently had built a little 1:72 scale Airfix model of the P-51B "Bald Eagle". I found I liked the look of the blue/yellow stripe panels on the airframe, so I did a request on the HyperScale Forums concerning decals for this option. I was rewarded by answers providing a few decal options, including one person that was willing to just send me an old SuperScale sheet (stock#48139) for free (thanks Modeldad). I took up that person's offer for the free SuperScale sheet, but also tracked down an alternate reply showing an old AeroMaster sheet (stock#48-692) up for auction on E-Bay that includes these markings. I decided to bid on and won the auction for the AeroMaster sheet. This gave me a couple options for doing the decals on the kit and provided back-up decals if one of the decals self-destructed while using it. The painting instructions on the two decal sheets varied some. This left me with questions as to which was right. Back to the HyperScale forum, I posted another question to see if anyone could lead me to pictures of the real WWII P-51B "Bald Eagle". I was having trouble with Google only finding the restored P-51D Warbird "Bald Eagle". The guys on the HyperScale forum came through again with multiple pictures of the original WWII P-51B "Bald Eagle". Now I was ready for painting.
All the cockpit components are test fitted against the fuselage halves to check on potential problem areas. Fit was very good.
PAINTING
I normally use mainly Testor’s Model Master enamel paints on my models. Any paints I discuss here that do not specifically mention their brand are Model Master enamels. This model is a big exception in two places -- the metal paints and the white of the stripes. For the metal finish, I decided to try out Alclad II. I had bought the whole set ten years ago at an IPMS National Convention and never opened any of the bottles. A friend had good results with them, so I decided it was time to try them for myself. For the white of the stripes, I normally would have used Gloss Insignia White from Model Master. But, I wanted something that I thought would dry faster so I could keep the project moving. A different friend swears by Refer White from Floquil for his white paint of choice. I had picked some of this up a couple years back so I could give it a try. I decided it was time for this,
too. As a side note, the Refer White stayed tacky for as long as the Gloss Insignia White would have taken to dry, so I got no time reduction based on this paint choice. I painted the model using my Badger 150-IL airbrush. I paint with fairly thin coats and keep the pressure down to about 12 or 13 PSI. That pretty well controls most of the paint overspray. I painted the overall model in the "Duraluminum" colour from Alclad II. Contrary to the Alclad II instructions, my friend had applied the metal paints right onto the plastic. I did the same. I kept the coatings light so I would not get crazing in the plastic. They worked beautifully. I may never use any other metalizer paints again. The paint was even and very metallic-
Basic construction is complete – now on with the paint!
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FEATURE ARTCLE: Tamiya 1:48 scale P-51B Mustang • Kit No. 61042
Aeromaster’s 1:48 scale decal sheet 48-692, “Yellow Nose Mustangs of the 361st F.G. Part IV”.
looking. It was also more durable than other metalizer paints I have used. I followed the "Duraluminum" colour by masking and painting specific panels on the model in a couple other shades of metal to simulate natural metal. Again, I was very impressed at how easy the Alclad worked and how nice a finish it made. And, it really is metal paint you can mask over. I did most of the masking at this point with Scotch Brand Magic Transparent tape, "de-tacking" the tape by sticking it to my arm before applying it to the model. Very little of the Alclad II lifted off with the tape. And, the places it did lift were easily touched up with more Alclad and did not really show the touch-up. It is good stuff. The next task was to mask and paint the invasion stripes. I masked the model’s painted large white areas, then divided these with tape and painted the black portions. I took time to mask the location of the national insignia on the fuselage so the black and white stripe demarcation lines would not show through the decals. The yellow of the aircraft markings was also applied at this point. This was the look after the above painting was completed. I paused on the painting at this point and moved to the decals. I wanted to build the model as the real aircraft was done. That meant the green top-coat over the upper stripes was added after the fact, so I wanted the model done this way. Note that an exception to the painting order was the Olive Drab anti-glare panel. I needed to get the blue and yellow stripe panel decals applied before I could paint the Olive Drab. AeroMaster had missed on the registration of the blue and yellow, making the stripe panel edges uneven. By painting all these areas in yellow, I trimmed the panels to the size of the blue stripes and the painted backgrounds covered where the yellow of the decals missed. This approached forced the painting of the Olive Drab anti-glare panel after the stripes were in place, though. A quick gloss coating with Floquil Crystal Coat readied the model for decals.
Superscale’s 1:48 scale P-51D Mustang decals, Item No. 48-139.
Alclad was applied straight over the bare plastic. Several shades have been sprayed over panel masking.
More masking was required for the yellow markings and invasion stripes. Now we’re ready for those decals.
Decals
Having both the AeroMaster and SuperScale decals for "Bald Eagle" gave me choices for the markings. Some markings were better done on one sheet, while others better done on the other sheet. I picked and chose decals from both sheets to apply to the model. In most cases, though, I used the AeroMaster decals. I liked there shade of yellow
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on the stripe panels better than the shade that SuperScale had used. As I noted earlier, the anti-glare panel was painted after the decals. In order to mask over the decals, I used Parafilm-M. This is a waxy sheet that has no adhesive, only a static-like cling. The heat from your finger as you press it down forms a bond tight enough to allow painting without leakage under the Parafilm, but no adhesives means it does not lift the decals when you pull it up. See my posting Masking with Parafilm-M on HyperScale for more details on Parafilm-M. The following images are the genesis of the masking and painting process on the anti-glare panel. The decals for the stripe panels survived with no damage. One of the points I wanted to get right was the aircraft name. A clear image I got on-line shows the writing is red with a black shadow. There is also a Roman Numeral "III" in small text behind the aircraft name. Since the Aeromaster sheet provided both black and red for the aircraft name, I applied the black, then the red so that I got shadowed lettering. Neither sheet provides the "III", so I used a fine paint brush and hand painted that part of the name. You will see the Roman Numeral "III" in the comparison images. Also, the decals were not really close to the type-face of the actual "Bald Eagle" text. I was not going to get crazy at this point and try to fix the type-face of the decals. I kept it as provided in the decals and moved on. I always finish the decal stage with a second gloss coating with Floquil Crystal Coat. This seals the decals and prepares the surfaces to receive some washes for weathering. At this point, the model was looking really sharp. I had applied the full stripes on the model with the intent that I would cover the topside stripes with green paint, but faintly still see the stripes under the paint. Seeing the full invasion stripes on the model looked really good. I do have one wartime photo of "Bald Eagle" showing her without the camouflage painted over the top of the stripes, so I was extremely tempted to leave her without the green topside camouflage. I decided to post a question on HyperScale about whether I should push on and add the green camouflage over the topside stripes. While I was leaning toward not doing the green over coat, I also wanted to get a consensus of what other modellers felt. The replies were unanimous in favour of skipping the green over coat. This sealed the deal for me, and I put away the green camouflage paint.
The engine cowl with decals applied.
The cowl with Parafilm mask in place.
Anti-glare panel on the top of the cowl painted.
Weathering
For weathering, I used my typical style of thinned down enamel paint washes and airbrush shading. I finished the weathering with some dry brushing of specific areas to pop out the surface details. For a more complete discussion of what I do to weather my models, see my posting on "Weathering Aircraft" on HyperScale http://www.clubhyper. com/reference/weatheringda_1.htm . One point I wanted to pay special attention to was the engine exhaust. One of the wartime photos of "Bald Eagle" showed a huge exhaust plume down the right side of the fuselage. I had also seen a Mustang at a local air show just after it arrived, before the pilot had time to clean off the exhaust. Seeing how strong the plume was on the air show Mustang, and assuming the plume at the air show was just one flight, then the possibility of major plumes in war-time was pretty good. I
The Parafilm mask has been removed to reveal the final effect.
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FEATURE ARTCLE: Tamiya 1:48 scale P-51B Mustang • Kit No. 61042
Decals done!
did not want to over do the plume, but I definitely wanted it present. I used mainly grey for the plume (Dark Ghost Grey - F.S.36320 - to be exact). This is due to the plume being mainly generated from the lead content of the fuel. I used a little black to add some colour. Near to the actual engine exhausts, I added more black to define the soot area. The effect came out a little harder to see than I wanted, but I was afraid of messing it up if I applied it any darker. The plumes are not real eye-catching, but they are subtly there.
FINISHING TOUCHES
Excitement mounts when I go into the home stretch of any project. I am working on all the various detail parts at the same time as the main airframe, so by this time, the project is mostly an excursion in attaching the detail parts. I already had attached the wing flaps. I think Jeff intended the flaps to be up on the model because he had removed the mounting pegs from the flap pieces. I know he was annoyed at the moulded step in the flaps and having the flaps up would hide this flaw. I, however, like the look with the flaps down, so I glued them in the down position. Fortunately, missing the pegs did not really hamper attaching the flaps and getting the angles to match. Next, I attached the landing gear. By this point, I have a sizeable investment in the painting on the main airframe, so I want to get the model up off its belly and sitting on the landing gear. That protects the painting on the bottom of the model from damage. Tamiya has positive alignment of the landing gear with pegs that insert into holes in the wheel well. I had dry fitted them many time, this last time I added glue. I then unmasked the windscreen and cockpit rear quarter panels. I had done something unusual for me and painted the cockpit side panels separately. Normally I attach the cockpit glass into place to get it painted as I paint the model and to mask off the cockpit area. Tamiya moulds the top hatch as part of the right side glass panel in the open position. I was not wanting to go through the whole painting and decaling stages with the hatch in the way. Trusting in Tamiya engineering, I hoped I could paint the canopy parts separately and still have them fit in the end. Tamiya did not disappoint me. A little paint touch-up and some dry-brushing
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Ready for final assembly.
brought up the cockpit edges nicely. Due to the way the P-51B canopy stands open, I was forced to mask and paint both the outside and inside of the cockpit windows. I am not thrilled with doing cockpit masking to start with, and doubling the work was not something I was happy about, but Parafilm-M made it mostly easy and the look after removing the masks made the extra work worth it. The propeller was the next item to address. Tamiya moulds the propeller shanks with positive alignment so the pitch of the blades is set. The blade shanks are a bit sloppy in the locator holes though, so I took care to get them glued into place correctly. Using the poly-cap to hold the propeller into place, the propeller hub is removable. This simplified the adding of the propeller blades. I popped off the hub, added the blades, then pressed the propeller back into place. The last items to attach were the drop tanks. I like the look of the teardrop tanks on the Mustang. However, this is the first time that I have actually used the teardrop tanks on a model. Because the use of the external tanks is pretty much a one-time thing where they get dropped in combat, the tanks are always new. I kept them shinier then the rest of the model with almost no weathering on them to indicate their being new.
MODELSPEC Tamiya 1:48 scale P-51B Mustang. Kit No. 61042 Accessories Used: Jaguar Item No. JA64804: P-51B Cockpit Set SuperScale Decals Item No. 48-139 AeroMaster Decals Item No. 48-692 Paints and Finishing Products Used: Badger 150-IL airbrush Alclad II Metallic Paints – Duraluminum plus several darker shades Testor Model Master Enamels - Interior Green F.S.34151; European Green F.S.34092; Interior Black; Red, White; Yellow; Silver; Zinc Chromate Yellow; Dark Ghost Grey F.S.36320 Floquil Crystal Coat Gloss Finish Excellent fit; good level of detail; crisp surface detail. Incorrect style of floor supplied with kit. Rating: 9 out of 10 Tamiya kits are distributed in the UK by The Hobby Company Limited www.hobbyco.net
CONCLUSION
Well, the finished model is not exactly the model I set out to build but she looks awesome in her fullstriped glory. I am happy I chose to stick with the full stripes and not apply the green camouflage on top. I have other Mustangs I still want to build that will get the green over coat on the top stripes. And, building this Tamiya Mustang did not progress as quickly as it did last time. The last time I used this kit for quick enjoyment, I took 19 hours spread over a 16 day period. That is really speedy for me. This time it took nearly 24 hours spread over a 3 month period. This is a more typical time span for me to build this type of model. I did do a bit more to this kit than I did before with incorporating a resin cockpit into the build. This added extra time painting the more complex cockpit detailing. Tamiya still produces one of the easiest to build 1:48 scale Mustang kits with this kit. I have a couple more of these kits in the stash, waiting for the next time I need to jump-start my modelling mojo. •
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The Mustang looks awesome in her full-striped glory.
“Tamiya’s 1:48 scale P-51B Mustang is a great kit with fit so tight that the unglued airframe can be held upside down without having anything fall off...”
Tamiya’s 1:48 scale P-51B is a viceless build.
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FEATURE ARTICLE: Monogram 1:48 Heinkel He 111 H-4/6 • Kit No. 5509
GOLDILOCKS’ CHOICE Part Two – Painting and Markings
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The Editor finishes Monogram’s 1:48 scale Heinkel He 111 H in a Battle of Britain scheme.
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ast time, I described the construction and backdating of Monogram’s 1:48 scale Heinkel He 111 to an H-2 or H-3 variant. In this concluding instalment, the model receives painting and markings for a Battle of Britain era bomber. Before the clear parts were assembled, the barrels of the defensive machine guns were cut off and the rear sections were glued to the inside of the canopy. This offers a dual benefit. Firstly, it means that the canopy may be secured to the fuselage without the need to remove it later when fixing the guns, and secondly, the rear sections of the guns block off the holes in the canopy, preventing paint and overspray from entering the cabin. The machine guns were drilled and fitted with fine copper wire to reinforce the frail plastic when the guns were re-connected. The most prominent and distinctive feature of the Heinkel He 111 is the clear glasshouse canopy. It is also the most likely location for a modelling disaster – misalignment, cracking or glue smearing just to name a few possibilities. I therefore gave this area a lot of thought. Test fitting suggested that there might be a step between the arch-shaped clear piece above the pilot and the nose cone. I decided to glue these pieces together before adding them to the fuselage. My logic was that any step or misalignment would be less obvious between the fuselage and the canopy than between two clear parts. It would also be easier to fill and sand the grey plastic. The two clear pieces were secured with small spots of super glue, ensuring there was no step at the join. So far, so good. Super glue was also used to attach the entire nose sub-assembly to the front of the fuselage. Unfortunately, after only minor manhandling, the super-glued join between the two clear parts cracked open. I ran a bead of liquid glue along the seam and this appeared to address the problem. However, the entire clear nose popped off shortly afterwards as I was testing the strength of the join. I can only assume that the combination of the super glue’s low shearing strength and the coat of Future floor polish on both clear surfaces conspired to create this fragile bond. I scraped the super glue and Future from the mating surfaces of the clear parts with a knife blade before applying Revell Contacta cement straight
Basic construction is complete and the clear nose taped in place to check fit.
E
s
Some filler was required at the upper wing root, but even more was needed underneath!
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FEATURE ARTICLE: Monogram 1:48 Heinkel He 111 H-4/6 • Kit No. 5509
The clear nose parts glued in place and Eduard masks on the clear plastic. The Eduard masks save hours of time that would otherwise have been needed to measure, cut, fit and trim masking tape to this complex glasshouse.
Eduard supplies masks for the various gondola windows too.
The big wheel wells were masked off with Tamiya tape prior to painting.
The sliding top gunner’s fairing features a panel line running down the middle.
Masking finished and the model is ready for paint.
from the hypodermic applicator first to the clear parts, and then to the mating surfaces of the nose. Despite taking excruciating care, I still managed to smear a small amount of glue on the inside of one of the clear panes. After a few seconds, the nose and fuselage were brought together. One of the advantages of using plastic cement for these challenging jobs is that you can adjust the alignment before the glue sets. Once I was happy that there were no steps, I taped the clear nose to the main fuselage as the cement dried.
there are plenty of opportunities to smear glue on the crystal clear plastic, or misalign this critical assembly. The glasshouse is an essential part of the Heinkel He 111’s character, so patience and a little extra effort are well worthwhile in this important area. Fortunately, Eduard has come to the rescue of mask-shy modellers with their He 111 masking set, Item No. EX 006. This saves hours of time that would have been needed to measure, cut, fit and trim home made masks. Some minor adjustment was required around the nose, but the entire masking job was completed in less than an hour – pretty impressive for this complex glasshouse.
MASKING TIME
I am sure that nobody really enjoys masking, but this model requires masking a’plenty. The kit’s big glasshouse canopy comprises no less than twelve separate clear parts. Not only does this require some time devoted to masking, it also means that
IN THE PINK
There is not a great deal of choice when considering the finish of a Battle of Britain Heinkel
He 111. Indeed, it is a case of any colours you want, as long as they are RLM 70 Black Green, RLM 71 Dark Green and RLM 65 Light Blue.. There is some potential for individuality with markings however. Kagero has a book and decal sheet combination that includes fuselage and fin artwork, but I quite liked the look of the later BoB Heinkels that wore large rectangular formation marks on the top of the wings and the rudder. Xtradecal offers a decal sheet with one of these aircraft in 1:32 scale, but finding something in 1:48 scale proved more of a challenge. Finally, I found Three Guys Replicas Item No. TGR48002, which included a Heinkel He 111 H-2 with three formation bars on the wing and rudder, plus nose art for KG 53. Prior to painting the camouflage colours, I
Painting commences with a coat of Tamiya XF-63 German Grey on the nose The fin and top of the starboard wing were sprayed with a pale Although I only applied the markings to the top of the starboard wing, it and gondola to represent the RLM 66 Black Grey interior framing colour. pink shade, then the three formation markings were masked with appears that the may have appeared on the port wing too. Tamiya tape.
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The dark upper surface colours wrap around the leading edges of the wings, so the masking was applied to allow a nice sharp demarcation underneath the leading edges. The lower surface colour is Tamiya AS-5 Light Blue (Luftwaffe) applied straight from the spray can.
Gunze H64 RLM 71 Dark Green was mixed with around 50% isopropyl alcohol to cover the upper surfaces. A paler mix of Dark Green was sprayed in mottles, streaks and spots to disrupt the rather drab finish.
Plans were enlarged to 1:48 scale as a guide to masking.
In the end, the plans were not used as masks. Instead, various widths of Tamiya tape provided sharp-edged camouflage demarcation.
The lower surfaces nearing the end of the basic paint job.
Gunze H65 RLM 70 Black Green was sprayed between the masks. This darker colour was given the same treatment as the RLM 71, with a lighter shade used to lend some irregularity and variety to the colour.
Wartime reference photos show overspray surrounding some of these formation markings. Masking tape was carefully positioned around the bars…
…then the same shade of pink was thinned and sprayed to suggest “accidental” overspray. Aircraft Edition
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FEATURE ARTICLE: Monogram 1:48 Heinkel He 111 H-4/6 • Kit No. 5509
The basic colours in place.
Inevitably, the aerial wire anchor point on top of the rudder broke off late in the painting stage. This delicate plastic protrusion was replaced with a more robust piece of metal rod.
Decals were applied over several thin coats of Future floor polish, used s a gloss finish.
Detail parts were painted at this stage. The plastic parts may be seen temporarily attached to a cardboard box using Blue-Tack to make handling easier while painting.
prepared the model for the formation markings. The decals state that the three bars are painted in white, but some vey credible sources suggest that they may have been a pale pink colour. That was too tempting to resist! I decanted Tamiya’s white primer from the spray can into a glass jar, and did the same with a small quantity of Tamiya’s spray can TS-49 Bright Red. A few drops of the vivid red was added to a small jar of white primer, which resulted in the pale pink shade I was after. This pink colour was sprayed onto both sides of the rudder and the top of the starboard wing. When the paint had dried, I masked the three bars with Tamiya tape in all three locations. The remaining pink mix was sealed and put away. I would need it again soon. After finishing the paint job, it was put to me that the formation marks may have been on the top of both wings if they were present on both sides of the rudder; or conversely may have only been on the starboard rudder if one set was painted on top of the starboard wing. I will welcome any information confirming these rules!
BOMBER COLOURS
The canopy and other clear parts were painted with Tamiya XF-63 German Grey prior to the application of camouflage colours. This represents the RLM 66 Black Grey framing for the canopy parts. Due to the large surface area, I decided to spray the lower surfaces with Tamiya’s AS-5 Light
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Blue (Luftwaffe) straight from the can. I like this shade, which to my eye falls somewhere between RLM 65 and RLM 76. For the purpose of this exercise, it represents a nice faded version of RLM 65 Light Blue. All subsequent paint was applied with my Iwata HP-CH airbrush. I confess that I have never been terribly excited by the bomber scheme of RLM 70 Black Green and RLM 71 Dark Green. The low contrast and dark finish is hard to enliven without compromising realism. I decided to apply some techniques that would break up the monotone finish. First, Gunze H64 RLM 71 Dark Green was mixed with around 50% isopropyl alcohol and loaded into the paint cup. In fact, several paint cups were required to cover the upper surfaces after the relevant blue lower sections were masked. A paler mix of Dark Green was obtained by mixing the Gunze RLM 71 paint with dark yellow. The resulting shade was applied in streaks, larger random patches and mottles to break up the monotony of the large plastic surfaces. The hard-edged camouflage was masked with various widths of Tamiya tape applied directly to the painted plastic. Gunze H65 RLM 70 Black Green was sprayed between the masks. This darker colour was given the same treatment as the RLM 71, with a lighter shade used to lend some irregularity and variety to the colour. The basic paint job was covered with several coats of Future floor polish for a glossy, decalfriendly finish. A combination of kit decals (stencils, wing
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walks and some national markings), and Three Guys Replicas decals (unique markings and tail hakenkreuz) were used. Following two fine coats of Testor’s Flat Clear Lacquer, it was time to reveal the canopy. I must admit I was a bit nervous about this, as the clear nose is such a defining point of the Heinkel He 111. A few stray specks of dust trapped on the inside, ragged framing or other unexpected blemishes could ruin the appearance of the whole model. I held my breath as each section of masking tape was lifted with the tip of a hobby blade, but all was well. Additional weathering was now applied. A thin black-brown mix was sprayed mainly around the control surface hinge lines, in natural shadow areas and selected panels. Recessed panel lines in these areas also received a thin wash of Tamiya X-18 Semi-Gloss Black. Wartime photos show many of these Battle of Britain Heinkel He 111s with substantial exhaust stains. Several thin layers of a rusty -brown colour were built up along the sides of the engine nacelles, underneath the wings and to a lesser degree on top of the wings. These stains were topped with a darker, thinner streak directly behind each set of exhausts. The undercarriage doors, painted but not yet removed from their sprues, were similarly weathered. The shrouded exhausts, taken from my Monogram He 111 H-22 kit, were also dirtied up at this point. The gear legs were painted RLM 02 Grey with Vallejo Tan for the canvas boots. An oil wash was brushed on the undercarriage parts to lend more depth and suggest shadows. The kit’s wheels are nicely detailed, and are supplied by Monogram already bulged and flattened. The sidewalls of the tyres were treated to an application of Mud and Light Sand pastels from Tamiya’s Weathering Master Set A. The spinner caps of my subject aircraft were finished in the RLM 25 Green staff flight colour. The kit’s spinners were prepared with a coat of Tamiya’s White Primer, followed by a mix of Tamiya X-28 Park Green and XF-5 Flat Green to match the colour of the RLM 25 Green individual aircraft letter (D). The propeller blades were also painted at this time. The leading edges and top back halves of the blades were weathered with a paler mix of RLM 70, and some chipping was also done with a silver Prismacolor pencil. The propeller assemblies, undercarriage legs and gear doors were now attached to the wings. Fit was solid. Detail parts such as the aerial, exhausts, mass balances and machine gun barrels were also glued into place. The main aerial wire was cut from a length of invisible mending thread and glued into place, but it is very difficult to pick up against the white background of the photos.
Some parts could be painted completely before they were even removed from the sprues. These are the undercarriage doors and main wheel bay sidewalls.
The sidewalls of the tyres were treated to an application of Mud and Light Sand pastels from Tamiya’s Weathering Master Set A.
The main undercarriage legs are nicely detailed.
Machine guns, mass balances and other detail parts are painted and await final assembly.
The shrouded exhausts, taken from my Monogram He 111 H-22 kit.
CONCLUSION
Although the moulds are starting to show their age with flash present on many of the parts, Monogram’s 1:48 scale Heinkel He 111 remains a very good kit with an accurate outline, crisply recessed surface features and a high level of detail. With the exception of the lower wing roots, fit is pretty good too – an attribute not always guaranteed on Monogram kits of this vintage! A little extra time spent on research will be helpful too. The kit’s combination of propellers, exhausts and armament means that you can only build an He 111 H-4, H-5 or an early H-6 straight from the box. Production of the He 111
The kit’s spinners were painted with a mix of Tamiya X-28 Park Green and XF-5 Flat Green to match the colour of the RLM 25 Green.
The ends of the machine gun barrels were cut off earlier to avoid damage during the painting phase.
Aircraft Edition
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FEATURE ARTICLE: Monogram 1:48 Heinkel He 111 H-4/6 • Kit No. 5509
H-4 commenced after the Battle of Britain, although a number did participate from early 1941 in night intruder operations during the later Blitz. However, backdating the model to an H-1, H-2 or an H-3, as used in the Battle of Britain, is not difficult at all. In fact, Koster Aero Enterprises 1:48 scale Heinkel He 111 detail and conversion set includes all the parts you will need not only for a Battle of Britain era conversion, but many other later variations too. And in 1:48 scale, the model is not too big to sit on your display shelves, or too small to see all that detail behind the canopy. Just right – Goldilocks would be pleased! •
Monogram’s 1:48 scale Heinkel He 111 remains a very good kit with an accurate outline, crisply recessed surface features and a high level of detail.
MODELSPEC Monogram (Revell) 1:48 Heinkel He 111 H-4/6. Kit No. 5509 Accessories Used: True Details Item No. 48458 – He 111 Cockpit Detail Set Verlinden Productions Item No. 1109 – Heinkel 111 Update Eduard Item No. FE 245 – He 111 Interior Set Airscale Item No. AS48 LUFT - Generic WW2 Luftwaffe Instrument Dial Decals. Reheat Models Item No. RH131 – Generic Cockpit Placard Decals Eduard Mask Item No. EX 006 – He 111 Three Guys Replicas Item No. TGR48002 – Heinkel He 111s FCM Decals Item No. HB4801 – Battle of Britain (reference only)
Machine guns were glued in place almost as the last step.
Tools and Materials Used: JLC Razor Saw, Tamiya Extra Thin Liquid Cement, Revell Contacta Cement, Milliput White two-part epoxy putty, Tamiya Putty Basic Type, Tamiya Surfacer, MasterCaster’s sanding sticks, Tamiya Abrasive Paper, MicroMesh Polishing Cloths, Staple Remover (as putty trowel), Tamiya Masking Tape (6 mm, 10 mm, 18 mm), Plastic Clamps (various sizes), Iwata HP-TR Airbrush, Iwata HP-CH Airbrush Paints and Finishing Products Used: Tamiya Acrylic Paints – X-18 Semi Gloss Black; X-28 Part Green; XF-1 Flat Black; XF-2 Flat White; XF-5 Flat Green; X-23 Light Blue; XF-63 German Grey. Gunze Acrylic Paints – H64 RLM 71 Dark Green; H65 RLM 70 Black Green; H70 RLM 02 Grey. Tamiya Aerosol Paints (decanted into glass jars) – Fine White Primer; AS-5 Light Blue (Luftwaffe); TS-17 Black; TS-49 Bright Red. Vallejo Acrylic Paints – 847 Dark Sand; 865 Oily Steel; 919 Foundation White; 953 Flat Yellow; 957 Flat Red; 963 Medium Blue; 996 Gold. Testor’s Flat Clear Lacquer Tamiya Weathering Master Set A
The propeller assemblies, undercarriage legs and gear doors were now attached to the wings.
The leading edges and top back halves of the blades were weathered with a paler mix of RLM 70, and some chipping was also done with a silver Prismacolor pencil.
High level of detail (cockpit, fuselage interior, wheel wells); crisp, fine surface detail; impressive clear parts; generally good fit. Some flash; poor fit at lower wing roots. Rating: 8.5 out of 10 Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit www.revell.eu The Heinkel He 111 H in profile.
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KIT PREVIEW: Airfix 1:72 Hawker Typhoon Mk.IB. • Kit No. A02041
TERRIFIC TYPHOON Mark Davies examines the all-new 1:72 scale Hawker Typhoon Mk.IB in detail.
T
he Typhoon’s story began as a failed interceptor that was almost cancelled; yet the design was persevered with when its lowlevel performance proved useful against the Fw 190. Its stability as a gun platform, heavy cannon armament and prodigious payload capacity led to it becoming the preeminent British ground attack fighter of WWII. This much will be familiar to most readers. The all-new Airfix 1:72 scale Typhoon Mk.IB is moulded with reasonably fine recessed panel lines, and some acceptable raised detail on the wings. Unfortunately, the panel lines are almost the same width as the hinge lines for the control surfaces, the gap being about right for the latter. The panel lines on the wings and cowl seem finer than those on the rear fuselage. The finer lines approach the standard set by some better brands. Some of the sprue gates are extremely chunky and limited-run in nature, leaving some large lumps to be cleaned up from parts like the wing leading edges. There are some quite fine parts; although again, these are not quite up with the best. The clear canopy parts are thin with good clarity, although the windscreen is not as polished as the sliding hood. This kit’s cockpit detail betters all previous long-run injection moulded kits, but it is not as good as the Brengun or Pavla short-run kits. The cockpit features tubular framework and other detail moulded integrally with the fuselage halves. It has an open floor with heal-boards in true Hawker-fashion. Rather unusual is the way the floor is moulded with the wheel wells and part of the radiator ducting to form a single assembly. This tooling approach gives the best rendition of the upper radiator ducting I have seen in this scale. The seat is quite nicely done with quilted leather back-padding and separate armour, although the seat pan looks a little short; perhaps due to the thickness of the plastic edge. There is no seat
Fishtail plates are moulded to the fuselage.
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harness, but this is can be added easily enough. The instrument panel is smooth and uses a crude decal for instruments; where all of the dial outlines on the panel are white on black. Rudder pedals, a control column and gun-sight complete this subassembly. Two tubes that are not included braced the mount, but these can easily be scratch-built from rod or stretched sprue. There is no clear gunsight reflector, which is correct, as Typhoons with bubble canopies projected the reticule image onto the windscreen. Cockpit detail colours are given, but I am not convinced that a totally grey-green cockpit interior, as advised, is correct. I understand that Gloster, who built most Typhoons, finished their cockpits in matt black above waist level, with aluminium tubular framing, seat and lower panels. The preserved cockpit in the Imperial War Museum and illustrations in the Pilot’s Notes support this. Hawkerbuilt airframes may have had a grey-green finish where Gloster used black, but I cannot be sure. The radiator and oil-cooler matrix comes as one part, with a separate carburettor. The matrix is very finely represented. The wheel-well/cockpit floor assembly mentioned earlier also provides the ducting roof for the rear of the radiator. A nice touch is the separate radiator vent, allowing it to be positioned open if desired. Interestingly, and I think a first for Typhoon kits, Airfix has included a tropical air filter that mounts behind the radiator between the main wheel wells. This filter was fitted to late production Typhoons,
Sidewall detail is moulded onto the inside of the fuselage halves.
but its location makes it very hard to see in period photos (and I have yet to see published plans featuring it either). It is not the same as fitted to earlier Typhoons used for tropical testing, nor is it the same as the albeit similar arrangement applied to the Tempest Mk.VI, which has appeared in published plans. Presumably, there was some arrangement to close off the annular intake in the radiator when the engine breathed through the ventral filter on the ground, but I have no idea how this looked. If readers are aware of how the intake air was rerouted please e-mail me with the details. The fuselage halves enclose the cockpit, radiator matrix and tail-wheel, leaving the wheel wells protruding either side of the assembled fuselage. These in turn serve to help locate the wings. The wings include the option of cutting open the gun access panels to display the cannon and their ammunition boxes. Some nicely moulded open doors are provided to replace the sections cut out. However, the gun breech and ammo-feed detail is basic, and I feel this is a bit of gimmick; but it may appeal to some, including younger modellers. However, no harm is down as the wings come with the access hatches moulded shut. The wings lack landing lights; however, early in 1944 the starboard light was deleted, and some Typhoons had their lights plated over when carrying rockets, so check references for your selected colour scheme. Continuing with the fuselage, the curvature of the fin does not quite look right to me, as it
The tail planes and optional closed undercarriage doors.
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The kit features recessed surface detail throughout.
Shell ejection ports are moulded into the bottom of the wings.
The undercarriage bay is moulded integrally with the ducting and the cockpit floor.
finishes almost horizontally, rather than on a slight downward curve where the top meets the rudder; but this is a very slight issue. The fuselage is also around a 2-mm or so shorter than the Brengun, CMR and Academy Typhoons, and A.L Bentley’s plans as well. The difference appears to be in the length of the fuselage forward of the cockpit, but I think that this variation of a scale 6-inches matters little. The fishplates are moulded as raised detail, and so are somewhat exaggerated, although a little better than Academy in this regard. I think some light sanding will improve their appearance. Airfix provides only un-shrouded exhausts. These, and the shrouded type, were the most common styles of exhaust used, although there were other variations; so check your references. The four-blade propeller looks good. I also like the way the prop, mounts to a separate collar that can inserted to the fuselage after painting is
The subtle quilting can be seen here on the pilot’s seat.
complete, as this enables a rotating propeller to be modelled without it being in the way during assembly and painting. Airfix has made a nice job of the undercarriage. The commendably deep and detailed main wheel wells mount to the wing underside, ensuring that there is an undercut rather than walls that conform to the outline wheel well opening as on some other kits. The oxygen bottles located in the wheel wells are provided, along with the main leg and ancillary door retraction jacks. The undercarriage doors are nicely done, with faceted internal panels like the original. The axles have the correct camber
The big four-bladed propeller.
to the axles, rather than being perpendicular to the undercarriage leg. The colour call-out for the inside of the main undercarriage doors is medium sea grey. A friend of mine who spent a long time researching his 1:48 scale Typhoon project advised me that aluminium is the more likely colour here. The main wheels consist of two halves, with a complete hub on one half, which can serve to aid painting a little. The tyres have flats moulded in place to simulate weight- bearing, and location keys that ensure these are at the correct angle to the undercarriage legs. The tail wheel is simple and nicely done, and is the anti-shimmy kind generally found on later Typhoons, although the deep groove in the centre tread area is missing due to moulding limitations; so this needs to be added for the tyre to look correct. There are separate single-piece doors to cater for a retracted undercarriage, which is a nice touch. Rocket launch rails or bomb pylons mounting holes are indicated by partial holes on the inside face of the lower wing and the instructions identify which should be drilled through for rockets or bombs. The rocket rails are okay, but possibly a little too chunky. They and are the steel Mk.I pattern that taper towards the tip, the aluminium Mk.III type was a little longer and un-tapered, but Airfix have not provided these as an option; although it would be nice to have for late production example. The rockets are reasonable given the limitations of injection moulding. Airfix includes two 1,000-lb bombs, and these are also reasonably well done. Not a lot remains to describe. The bubble canopy and windscreen are separate so it may be modelled open. That just leaves an underwing pitot, and the retractable boarding step. This last item will benefit from some refinement, as it is perhaps a little chunky in appearance. I think that this kit should be very straightforward to build, certainly far more so than its closest rival by Brengun.
CONCLUSION
This is a good effort from Airfix. The surface detail is not quite up to the standard of the best brands from the Far East, but it is a real advance on the first new tool releases by Airfix under Hornby’s ownership.
Rockets are nicely moulded too.
The canopy is moulded in two parts – nice touch.
Markings are supplied for two aircraft.
Its main competitor for this subject is Brengun’s Typhoon kit. The Airfix kit’s surface and cockpit detail almost as refined as the Brengun kit; but its big advantage is that it avoids the Czech kit’s very undesirable need for major tail surgery that results from the same fuselage moulds being used for three and four-blade options. The Airfix kit will be much easier to build in this regard; and in fact, I would expect it to build better all-round. I suspect that many will regard its scale finesse is close enough to Brengun’s anyway. Approaching half the Czech kit’s price, the more readily available Airfix kit is sure to be a winner. Price considerations aside, I am tempted rate the two brands equal best for a four-blade Typhoon in 1:72 scale. Chosing one over the other comes down largely to a preference between detail refinement versus ease of construction. Brengun’s kit remains the best choice for a three-blade Typhoon however, as Airfix does not cover this option. This is a very nice kit from Airfix. I am sure it will be well received by many. If they would just refine their panel lines a bit more, Airfix’s new products could be up there with some of the best. Despite this, I still think that Airfix is the best four-blade Typhoon choice for the majority of modellers in the One True Scale. I recommended this kit highly. Airfix kits are available from hobby shops worldwide and online www.airfix.com •
Aircraft Edition
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Military Illustrated Modeller Issue 31 - Aircraft Edition on sale 17 October, 2013
FIREFLY OVER KOREA
The Editor builds Special Hobby’s brand new 1:48 scale Fairey Firefly Mk.V, and provides walk around reference.
SEPECAT JAGUAR A
Feliks Kamil Sztarbala builds Kitty Hawk’s 1:48 scale Jaguar A.
NATTY NATTER
James Hatch describes the remarkable woodgrain finish on his 1:32 scale Bachem Natter.
END OF THE LINE PART TWO
www.fsc.org www.pefc.org © ADH Publishing 2013
The Editor paints and weathers Grey Matter Aviation’s 1:32 scale Ha-1112 Buchon conversion.
...AND MORE! Aircraft Edition
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SWEDISH GRIFFIN Kitty Hawk Models continues its frenetic release schedule with the SAAB JAS-39A/C Gripen. The Editor takes a look.
T
he Saab JAS 39 Gripen (griffin) is a lightweight single-engine multirole fighter manufactured by the Swedish aerospace company Saab. It was designed to replace the Saab 35 Draken and 37 Viggen in the Swedish Air Force (Flygvapnet). The Gripen has a delta wing and canard configuration with relaxed stability design and fly-by-wire technology. It is powered by the VolvoFlygmotor RM12 engine, a derivative of the General Electric F404, and has a top speed of Mach 2. Later aircraft are equipped for in-flight refuelling; most of the export aircraft have been designed to be compatible with NATO interoperability standards.
One of the two decal sheets, busy with markings for four aircraft.
The big Tiger’s head belongs to the Czech marking option.
In 1979, the Swedish government began development studies for an aircraft capable of fighter, attack and reconnaissance missions to replace the Saab 35 Draken and 37 Viggen. A new design from Saab was selected and developed as the JAS 39, first flying in 1988. Following two crashes during flight development and subsequent alterations to the aircraft’s flight control software, the Gripen entered service with the Swedish Air Force in 1997. Upgraded variants, featuring more advanced avionics and adaptions for longer mission times, began entering service from 2003 onwards. On the export market, the Gripen has achieved
Nice engine detail, although it will be enclosed inside the fuselage of the completed model.
66
moderate success in sales to nations in Central Europe, South Africa and Southeast Asia. As of 2012, more than 240 Gripens have been delivered or ordered.* Kitty Hawk continues its ambitious release schedule with a 1:48 scale JAS-39A/C Gripen. This is not the first Gripen available in 1:48 scale. Italeri offers a single seat (released in 2005) and two seater (from 2007), but those kits suffer from some noticeable shape problems, especially around the canopy and nose, and detail is basic. Kitty Hawk’s 1:48 scale JAS-39A/C comprises 276 parts in pale grey plastic, ten parts in clear and a photo-etched fret with 19 metal pieces. Surface detail is incredibly fine and crisply rendered – it looks really, really good. Ejector pins have been carefully planned so that none (that I can see so far) will be present on visible surfaces once the model has been built. The sprues are quite thick by today’s standards (but the connectors are thinner), so a little extra time and care removing and cleaning up the parts may be prudent. The parts are quite delicate on the sprues though. Detail is very good straight from the box. Photoetched harness straps supplement the five-piece ejection seat, while the side consoles are suitably busy. Rudder pedals are also photo-etched parts. A decal is supplied for the instrument glass screens. Looking at the configuration of the instrument panel, the cockpit seems to best represent a JAS-39C straight from the box. A standard nose cone and optional radar assembly are offered for the pointy end. A full engine is supplied, although it will be hidden between the fuselage halves. Some of the rear of the engine will be visible if you pose the speed brakes open though, and of course the nice fan detail may be seen too. The lining of the exhaust ducting is supplied as a photo-etched part that has to be rolled into shape. The one-piece exhaust nozzle looks good (moulded in the closed position). Wheel wells are also well fitted out, and the wheels and tyres are supplied in solid plastic (hooray!)
The kit features fine crisp surface detail.
Leading edge slats, elevons, flaps and rudder are all separate parts and may be posed to taste. The refuelling probe is also offered as an option. An abundance of ordnance is provided, including a DWS 39 cluster bomb capsule; AGM65, Python IV, RB15S, AIM-120, AIM-9M missiles; and GBU-12 bombs. Clear parts are quite thin, with the canopy and windscreen presented as separate parts. An impressive array of markings are provided for four options: • Czech Air Force with a bold Tiger motif on the fin • Hungarian Air Force • South African Air Force and •Swedish Air Force. The decals are crisply printed and in register (although most are in a single shade of grey), and are flat in finish. With more than double the parts of Italeri’s kit, Kitty Hawk’s 1:48 scale JAS-39A/C is, not surprisingly, in a different league in terms of detail and options. The separate control surfaces, nicely detailed cockpit and wheel wells, and genuinely useful options such as the radar and refuelling probe will be welcomed by modellers. The surface detail and quality of moulding is excellent too, adding even more appeal to the package. Highly Recommended. Thanks to Kitty Hawk Models for the sample. • *Background information courtesy of Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_JAS_39_Gripen
The photo-etched fret.
Military Illustrated Modeller - September 2013
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Books Books Books Book www.adhbooks.com or call 01525 222573 Aircraft in Action
Heinkel He 112 in Action (SC) Bernad. Saw only limited action with the Luftwaffe. Used by the Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War. Went on to see service with the Spanish, Rumanian, Hungarian and Japanese AFs. Includes A and B series variants, as well Gunslingers in Action (SC) Drendel. The story of the modern day gunfighter - Helicopter as sections on service with the Luftwaffe, Japan, Spain, gunships in Vietnam. Covers the origins of the gunship, gunship Hungary, and Rumania. Also covers the rocket propulsion tactics, and the various helicopters employed as gunships and experiments with the He-112. Over 100 photos, 13 color drawings, numerous line drawings; 50 pages. scouts. 99 photos, 10 detail drawings, 9 color photos and SS1159 paintings; 50 pages. SS1014
B-1 Lancer in Action (SC) Drendel. The BONE - B-1 Lancer - is the USAF's latest swing-wing heavy bomber and has seen action over Iraq, Yugoslavia and Afghanistan. Includes the B-1A and B-1B variants. 100 b/w photos, black & white line art, full-color centerspread and 3 full color cover drawings; 50 pages. SS1179
Junkers Ju 52 in Action (SC) Stapfer, Mau and Punka. Includes the Single-Engine Ju 52, Ju 52/3m Pre Series, Ju 52/3m fe, Ju 52/3m ge, Ju 52/3m reo, Ju 52/3m ho, C-79, Ju 52/3m g3e, Ju 52/3m g4e, Ju Reggiane Fighters in Action (SC) Bristol Blenheim in Action (SC) 52/3m g5e/g6e, Ju 52/3m g7e to g12e, Ju 52/3m g14e, Punka. Covers the WWII Italian fighter Re.2000/2001/2002 Mackay. The Bristol Blenheim opened WWII for RAF, flying Ju 52/3m See, Ju 52/3m MS, CASA 352, and AAAC-1 Toucan the first operational sortie of a British bomber in WWII. Used in and 2005. Includes Re.2000 in Italian, Hungarian, and variants. Also covers operations in the Spanish Civil War, every theater where the British fought, the Blenheim would see Swedish service, Re.2001, Re.2002, and Re.2005 in Italian Sino-Japanese War, as well as Ju 52/3ms in foreign service action over Europe, the North African deserts and the jungles service. Also covers Re.2000 service on the Eastern Front. and postwar civil service. Over 90 b/w photos, numerous line Extensively illustrated with 100 b/w photos, line drawings, of Asia. Blenheim's were adapted to many roles notenvisioned drawings, 10 full color profiles, 3 cover paintings; 50 pages. by its designers, photo reconnaissance, float plane, and night 10 full-color profiles and 3 cover paintings; 50 pages. SS1186 ffighter. Over 101 photos, 40 detail drawings, 2 pages ofscale SS1177 drawings, 13 full color paintings; 50 pages. SS1088
B-2 Spirit in Action (SC) Goodall. America's 1st operational bomber to employ a BE2 in Action (SC) flying wing design and stealth characteristics has seen Cooksley Used as fighters, reconnaissance aircraft, artillery combat over Yugoslavia and Afghanistan. Includes the B-2 spotters and bombers. Includes the BE2a, BE2b, BE2c, BE2d, upgrades, Air Refueling, and B-2 weapons. Also covers BE2e, BE2f, BE2g, and BE12 variants. Over 100 photos, Operation Allied Force and Operation Enduring Freedom. 100 40 detail drawings, 2 pages scale drawings, 13 full-color b/w photos, numerous line drawings, 2 pages full color art/ drawings; 50 pages. photos; 50 pages. SS1123 SS1178
1
Gloster Gladiator in Action (SC) Harrison. Covers operations in France, Norway, the Middle East, Malta, and Aden, as well as Gladiators in service with Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, China, Ireland, Greece, Egypt, Iraq, Portugal, Finland, Soviet Union, Australia, Free French, and South Africa. Illustrated with 100 b/w photos, line art, 10 full-color profiles, 3 cover drawings; 50 pages. SS1187
Books Books Books Book www.adhbooks.com or call 01525 222573 Aircraft in Action
Tupolev SB in Action (SC) Stapfer. It saw service in Spain and China and was the backbone of the Soviet bomber force when the Nazi's invaded the Soviet Union in 1941. Includes the ANT-40-1, SB-2-M-100, SB-2-M-100-A, Avia B-71, Avia B-71A, Avia C-46 Commando In Action (SC) B-71B, SB-2-M-100, SB-2-M-100-A (Modified), SB-2-M-103, Love. Includes the CW-20/C-55, C-46A, R5C-1, XC-46B, XC-46C, C-46D, C-46E, C-46F, and C-46G/XC-113 variants. SB-bis-3, PS-40, PS-41, PS-41 bis, SB-MMN, USB variants. Also covers operations in the Far East as well as Post War civil Operations in Poland, Finland, Russo-German War, aircraft in and military service. 100 b/w photos, line art, 10 full-color foreign service. Over 100 photos, 38 line drawings, 10 color profiles, 3 cover drawings; 50 pages. profiles; 50 pgs. SS1188 SS1194
F4F Wildcat in Action (SC) Dann. History of the F4F's development and operational service. Includes the XF4F-2, XF4F-3, F4F-3, Xf$F-6, F4F-3A, F4F-3P, F4F-7, F4F-3S, XF4F-5, F4F-4, Xf4F-4, XF4F-8, FM-1, FM-2, G-36A, Martlet Mk I, Martlet Mk II/G-36B, Martlet Mk III, Wildcat Mk IV (F4F-4B), Wildcat Mk V, and Wildcat Mk VI variants. Also covers Wildcat exports to Finland, Belgium, and Iran. 100 photos, 10 color profiles; 50 pages. SS1191
Sepecat Jaguar in Action (SC) Ashley. The Sepecat Jaguar is an Anglo-French strike aircraft, having served with the British, French airforces, and several export customers. Includes Jaguar A/GR.1, trainer variants, British and French service, Naval trials, as well as service with Oman, Ecuador, India, and Nigeria. Also covers combat operations in Iraq, Senegal, Chad, South America, and the Balkans. 97 photos, 26 line drawings, 10 color profiles; 50 pages. SS1197
F-102A Delta Dagger in Action (SC) Davis. Supersonic interceptor aircraft that entered USAF service in 1956. Includes the YF-102, F-102A, XF-92A, YFUS Liaison Aircraft in Action (SC) 102A, F-102A, TF-102A, F-102B, F-102C, JF-102A, QF-102A, Adcock. Covers L-1 thru L-5 during WW II. Includes and PQM-102A/B variants. Also includes operational and the Stinson L-1 (O-49) Vigilant, Taylorcraft L-2 (O-57) Air Guard service. 100 photos, 35 line drawings, 10 color Grasshopper, Aeronca L-3 (O-58) Grasshopper, Piper L-4 (O- profiles; 50 pages. 59) Grasshopper, and the Stinson L-5 (O-62) Sentinel. Over SS1199 90 b/w photos. 10 full-color profiles; 50 pages. SS1195
Fairey Firefly in Action (SC) Harrison. British WWII Naval Fighter that superceded the Fairey Fulmar in the Fleet Air Arm, and remained in British Ilyushin IL-4 in Action (SC) F-16 Falcon in Action (SC) Stapfer. Includes the DB-3S, DB-3B, DB-3T, DB-3TP, DB-3T Drendel. Over 4000 F-16s have been produced since the mid Service into the mid 1950s. Includes the F.1, F.1A, FR.1, NF.1, T.1, TT.1, NF.2, T.2, F.3, T.3, FR.4, TT.4, NF.4, FR.5, NF.5, AS.5, (Experimental), Capsule DB-3, TsKB-30, DB-3M, TsKB-30 N-1, 1970s. Includes the YF-16, F-16A/B, and F-16C/D variants. T.5, TT.5, AS.6, TT.6, AS/T.7, T.7D, U.7, T.8, U.8, and U.9 DB-3F, DB-3F, IL-4, IL-4TK, and IL-6 variants. Also covers the DB-3F in German and IL-4 in Finnish service, Approximately Also covers weapons, and other mission attachments, as well variants. Also covers Firefly operations in the Pacific, Malaya, 90 photos, b/w line drawings, 10 color profiles; 50 pages. as experimental F-16s, and the listing of foreign operators. and Korea, as well as Fireflies in foreign service. 90 photos, 100 photos, 27 line drawings, 7 color profiles; 50 pages. 17 line drawings, 10 color profiles; 50 pages. SS1192 SS1196 SS1200
2
Books Books Books Book www.adhbooks.com or call 01525 222573 Aircraft in Action
C-5 Galaxy In Action (SC) Lippincott. This reprint includes 6 all-new pages packed with color photos and additional information about the Galaxy. Illustrated with 158 photos, 8 color profiles and b/w line drawings; 64 pages. SS1201
Early MiG Fighters in Action (SC) Stapfer. Until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the MiG Design Bureau had a near monopoly on the supply of fighter aircraft to the Soviet Air Force and the nations within Moscow's sphere of influence. Updated with 7 pages of new material and illustrated with more than 100 photographs, plus 10 color profiles, detailed line drawings, and color covers; 56 pages. SS1204
P-40 Warhawk in Action (SC) Dann. British Commonwealth air forces gave the name Tomahawk to models equivalent to the P-40B/C and Kittyhawk to models equivalent to the P-40E and all later variants. The reissue features four new pages with color photographs and locations of Still Airworthy and On Display modern examples of the P-40. Illustrated with more than 100 photographs, 10 color profiles, line drawings; 64 pgs. SS1205
F-14 Tomcat in Action (SC) Drendel. The Tomcat attained speeds greater than Mach 2 with its twin afterburning turbofan engines. The versatile aircraft performed the role of fleet air defense, fighter escort, tactical air reconnaissance and air-to-surface strike fighter. This all-color In Action book is the perfect complement to the author's other book, "Tomcat!" This reissue features four new pages with color photographs and ‘On Display’ locations. The book features more than 100 color photos, line drawings, color paintings and seven color profiles; 56 all-color pages. SS1206
P-47 Thunderbolt in Action (SC) The P-47. The P-47 was the biggest, most heavily armed, and one of the fastest single engine fighters developed during World War II. Indeed, several P-47 experimental aircraft topped 507 mph, and several pilots claim to have flown the big fighter into transonic speed ranges. More than 100 photographs, line drawings and color profiles. 60 pages. SS1208
P-51 Mustang in Action (SC) Davis. The P-51 Mustang was one of the most outstanding aircraft developed by the Allies during World War II. Dozens of period photographs from around the world illustrate the production, development, and evolution of the legendary Mustang. Illustrated with more than 130 photographs, plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 64 pages. SS1211
3
Messerschmitt Me 262 in Action (SC) Stapfer. The Me 262 not only enjoyed superior speed, but it also had deadly firepower: a total of (4) Mk.108 30 mm cannon were mounted in the nose of the fighter variant. Its operational service, however, was hampered by its temperamental engines and under-strength undercarriage. A total of 1,433 Me 262s were built during World War II. Covers the production and development of the Me 262 with more than 100 photographs, color profiles, and detailed line drawings; 52 pages. SS1212
F/A-18 Hornet Color in Action (SC) Drendel. While the Super Hornet is a distant relation of the A-D Hornets, they all trace their roots to the loser of the lightweight fighter competition of the early 1970s, the Northrop YF-17. The twin-engine YF-17 had a definite advantage in this competition; on 2 May 1975, the Navy announced the MDD/Northrop design as the winner. More than 100 photographs, color profiles and detailed line drawings; 52 pages. SS1214
C-141 Starlifter in Action (SC) Burford. The first C-141 rolled out of the Lockheed Plant in Georgia on 22 August 1963 to much fanfare. From there, in war and peace, the C-141's story has been lifted to the stars of aviation history. Illustrated with over 150 color and 8 b/w photographs, 3-view drawing, 3-scheme color camouflage art, and color profiles; 58 pages. SS1215
Books Books Books Book www.adhbooks.com or call 01525 222573 Aircraft in Action
F4U Corsair In Action (SC) Sullivan. The Corsair was first conceived as a high-speed, high-altitude fighter for the Navy in 1938 when Chance Vought's design team drew up plans for a fighter with a 1,800 hp engine and a huge 13-foot propeller - the F4U's F6F Hellcat in Action (SC) famous inverted gull wing was introduced to allow prop Sullivan. The heavily-armed fighters could pack armament clearance. Illustrated with 169 photographs (53 in color) plus including six wing-mounted .50 caliber machine guns, 20mm color profiles and detailed line drawings; 64 pages. cannons, wing-mounted rockets and a bomb rack. This book SS1220 takes detailed look at F6F Hellcat with 100 photographs, color profiles, detailed line drawings; 60 pages. SS1216
US Navy UAVs in Action (SC) Neubeck. UAV evolved extensively and saw extensive action during Operation Desert Storm - the war against Iraq in 1991. UAVs can stay aloft 2 or 3 days and ground operators can be rotated on a regular schedule; they also use less fuel thus reducing operating costs. Newer roles, such as bombing, are also being considered for UAVs, some of which will be equipped to carry a weapon pod or bomb rack. SS1217
A-10 Warthog in Action (SC) Drendel. Introduced in the mid-1970s, the A-10 has seen service in the Gulf War of 1990-1991; in the Balkans, later in the 1990s; in Afghanistan after 2001; and in the occupation of Iraq, beginning in the spring of 2003. Illustrated with more than 106 photographs, 11 full color paintings, 43 detail drawings and 2 pages of 3-view drawings; 56 pages. SS1218
F-22 Raptor in Action (SC) Drendel. This volume traces the history of the Raptor and describes in detail why it is likely to be the world's best fighter for years to come. With the onset of the Obama Administration, Raptor production was capped at 187 units. As challenges to US global leadership mount, however, the Raptor's capabilities will face increasing demand. Illustrated with 169 photographs plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 56 pages. SS1223
B-25 Mitchell in Action (SC) Doyle. The US supplied B-25s to the British Royal Air Force and to the Soviet Union, which flew them against the Nazis on the Eastern Front. Through period photographs and detailed information, the career of the Mitchell is covered from the experimental NA-40 prototype to the final production B-25J model. US Marine Corps PBJ versions are also chronicled. Illustrated with nearly 200 photographs, more than 80 of them rare period photos in original color, plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 72 pages. SS1221
F-84 Thunderjet In Action (SC) Davis. Thunderjets flew 86,408 missions during the conflict and took out 60 percent of the ground targets eliminated by American forces. In addition, 8 Soviet-built MiG fighters met their end thanks to F-84 pilots. After the Korean War, the F-84 took part in the Suez Crisis and the Berlin Crisis and stood alert during the first 2 decades of the Cold War. Illustrated with 164 photographs plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 72 pages. SS1224
P-38 Lightning in Action (SC) Doyle. The Lightning saw service in Europe, and it was after flying a P-38 to assess the progress of the Normandy Invasion in 1944, US Lt. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle referred to the Lightning as "the sweetest-flying plane in the sky." Illustrated with nearly 150 period photographs, a third of them rare original color photos, plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 72 pages. SS1222
B-52G/H Stratofortress in Action (SC) Katz. This volume is packed with historical, and recent photographs of the B-52. As part of his research, the author flew on a B-52 training mission, and the flight report in this volume is the most detailed description of a B-52 mission ever published. Illustrated with color profiles, detailed line drawings and over 190 photographs; 88 pages. SS10207
4
Books Books Books Book www.adhbooks.com or call 01525 222573 Aircraft Walk Around
F-117A Nighthawk Walk Around (SC) Goodall. Losses of aircraft to radar directed missiles and antiaircraft guns during the Vietnam War led the USAF to develop a strike aircraft less visible to radar. Also used in the Persian Gulf War and more recently in Yugoslavia. Details cockpits, engines, landing gear and weapons. 12 color profiles, 40 pages color; 80 pages. SS5526
F-15 Eagle Walk Around (SC) Drendel. The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F-15 first entered service in 1974 and became the USAF's premier fighter of the late 20th and early 21st Centuries. Inside and out coverage of all variants with emphasis on F-15C and F-15E. Cockpits, radar, weapons, landing gear/wheel wells, and engines, etc.. Illustrated with 92 b/w and 109 color photos, 14 color drawings, 9 b/w drawings; 80 pages. SS5528
AH-1 Cobra Walk Around (SC) Mutza. In this title the AH-1 is presented in meticulous detail. Includes cockpits, engines, weapons, airframe and more. Also covers US Marine Corps version. Illustrated with 112 b/w and 96 color photos, 12 color drawings, and 9 b/w drawings; 80 pages. SS5529
Bf 109E Walk Around (SC) Stapfer. The Messerschmitt Bf 109E was the backbone of the Luftwaffes fighter force from the Invasion of Poland, the Battle for France and the Low Countries, the Battle of Britain, and the Invasion of Russia. This title gives a comprehensive inside and out coverage of the Bf 109E and includes details of engines, cockpits, landing gear, airframe and more. Illustrated with over 100 b/w and over 100 color photos, 16 color drawings, 20 b/w drawings; 80 pages. SS5534
EA-6B Prowler Walk Around (SC) Michaels. The need for Electronic Warfare aircraft developed after WWII with the rapid development and proliferation of sophisticated guided weapons. This title gives inside and out coverage of fuselage, wings, tail, cockpits, engines, landing gear, and more. Illustrated with over 83 b/w and 118 color photos, 12 color drawings, 5 b/w drawings; 80 pages. SS5535
UH-1 Huey Gunships Walk Around (SC) Mutza. Not long after the UH-1s flew their first support roles (medevac, etc.) in Vietnam in 1962, armed version began to appear. This title gives inside and out coverage of the US Army's workhorse combat helicopter during the Vietnam War. Includes the UH-1s engines, rotors, airframe, and cockpit and cabin plus a wide variety of weapons. Illustrated with over 106 b/w and 97 color photos, 14 color drawings, 7 b/w drawings; 80 pages. SS5536
6
MiG-21 Fishbed Walk Around Part 1 (SC) Stapfer. The MiG-21 began production in 1959 and would continue in production until 1985. Also the longest production run of any combat aircraft. This title includes inside and out coverage of the MiG-21F-13 (Fishbed C), PF (Fishbed D), PFM Fishbed F), U (Mongol A), and UM (Mongol B) variants. Illustrated with over 114 b/w and 100 color photos, 12 color drawings, 11 b/w drawings; 80 pages. SS5537
F-8 Crusader Walk Around (SC) Barthelmes. The F-8 entered service in 1957 and was to remain in US service until 1987, and in French service until 2000. In Vietnam the F-8s had the highest kill ratio of any USN aircraft, which earned it the title of "MiG Master". This title includes interior/exterior photo coverage of cockpits, engines, landing gear, airframes and weapons. Illustrated with over 137 b/w and 124 color photos, 12 color drawings, 8 b/w drawings; 80 pages. SS5538
MiG-21 Fishbed Walk Around Part 2 (SC) Stapfer. The MiG-21 began production in 1959 and would continue in production until 1985, making it not only the most produced supersonic jet aircraft ever, but also the longest production run of any combat aircraft. With details on the airframes, cockpits, landing gear, engines and weapons. Illustrated with over 123 b/w and 97 color photos, 12 color drawings, 11 b/w drawings; 80 pages. SS5539
Books Books Books Book www.adhbooks.com or call 01525 222573 Aircraft Walk Around
Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker Walk Around (SC) A supersonic all-weather counter-air fighter, the Su-27 is equipped with a look-down/shoot-down weapons system and beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles. Its range, thrust-to-weight ratio and maneuverability are all significant MiG-15 Walk Around (SC) improvements over earlier Soviet fighters; one of the world's Stapfer. This title includes inside and out coverage of the foremost combat aircraft and a potent adversary. Over 200 MiG-15 Fagot-A, MiG-15 Fagot-A (modified), Mig-15 Fagot-B color and b/w photos, line drawings and 10 color profiles; (Early), MiG-15bis and Fagot-B (late) variants: with details on 80 pages. the airframes, cockpits, landing gear, engines and weapons. Illustrated with over 100 b/w and 124 color photos, 12 color SS5547 drawings, and 27 b/w drawings; 80 pages. SS5540
OV-1 Mohawk All Walk Around (SC) The Grumman OV-1 Mohawk was the first turboprop aircraft to enter into US Army service to fill the role of visual, photo Me 262 Walk Around (SC) and electronic reconnaissance. The Mohawk was retired from Concise history of Messerschmitt's Schwalbe, the world's U.S. Army service in 1996. More than 150 photographs, line first operational turbojet fighter aircraft. An extensive visual drawings, and 12 color profiles; 80 pages. description of the airframe - inside and out from every perspective; detail photos are of Me 262A-1 WNr 500071 as SS5549 restored at the Deutsches Museum in Munich. Illustrated with more than 100 b/w photos, over 100 color photos, 12 full color profiles plus line drawings and scrap art; 80 pages. SS5542
MiG-17 Walk Around (SC) The MiG-17 'Fresco' followed the MiG-15 'Fagot' into Soviet AF service and evolved into a highly maneuverable, reliable and easy-to-maintain air combat fighter. Every detail of this Cold War fighter aircraft is illustrated with over 200 color and b/w photos, line drawings and 12 color profiles; 80 pgs. SS5546
OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Walk Around (SC) Werner. The OH-58D was Bell’s answer to the U.S. Army’s request for a digital platform to aid new artillery. Originally unarmed as part of the Army Helicopter Improvement Program, the OH-58D was based on the OH-58C. The helicopter’s success led to the decision to arm it with two hard points capable of holding either .50-caliber machine guns, seven-shot rocket pods, Air-to-Air Stingers, or Hellfire missiles. This book takes a detailed look at the Kiowa Warrior with more then 200 color photos, color profiles, and detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS5550
7
Douglas A-26 Walk Around (SC) Mesko. Only American combat aircraft to see combat service in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Pilot and bombardier/ navigator were positioned side-by-side, while a single gunner sat in the rear behind the bomb bay where he operated two remote controlled twin .50-cal machine gun turrets. Over 200 photographs, color profiles, line drawings; 80 pages. SS5551
AH-64 Apache Walk Around (SC) Bernstein. The AH-64 Apache, considered by many to be the world’s premiere armed helicopter, has been in service with the US Army for more than 2 decades. Designed principally as an antitank helicopter to combat large Soviet armored formations invading Western Europe, the Apache has had a major renaissance in recent years. A detailed look illustrated with more than 200 color photographs, color profiles and detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS5552
E-2 Hawkeye Walk Around (SC) Neubeck. The E-2 Hawkeye is the first U.S. Navy carrierbased aircraft designed specifically to fill the all-weather airborne early warning mission. In addition to war service, the versatile aircraft has been used by the US Coast Guard for patrolling the coastal areas as well as by law enforcement agencies for drug traffic interdiction. Takes a detailed look at the E-2 Hawkeye with more than 200 photographs, color profiles, and detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS5553
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Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina Walk Around (SC) Doyle. The US Navy began taking deliveries of the PBY-5A in October 1941 and then placed orders for over 600 more following Pearl Harbor. During WWII, PBYs conducted anti-submarine warfare, patrol bombing, F-111 Aardvark Walk Around (SC) convoy escort, search-and-rescue operations, and cargo Neubeck. This aircraft’s original design met 2 different transport. Some PBY-5As went to the US Army and others to US mission roles for the US military. It served in Vietnam, Libya, Allies - Australia, Britain, Canada and the Free French forces. and Operation Desert Storm. Currently, the Royal Australian This book presents a comprehensive view of Catalina with 170 Air Force continues to fly the C-model plane, and the aircraft photographs, color profiles, detailed line drawings; 72 pags. has one of the best safety records in the Air Force inventory. SS5560 Features 12 color profiles, 3-view illustration, line drawings, and over 200 color and 21 b/w photos. 80 pages. SS5557
F-89 Scorpion Walk Around (SC) Savage. Equipped with advanced radar for its time, the Scorpion guarded the Cold War skies over the northern Macchi C.205 Veltro Walk Around (SC) frontiers of the United States, ready to confront Soviet Di Terlizzi. After the war, modified C.205s went on to serve circumpolar nuclear bomber attack, while earning the the Royal Egyptian Air Force during its 1948 war with Israel. distinction of being the 1st combat aircraft armed with nuclear air-to-air weapons (Genie rockets). Illustrated with Close-up look at one of WWII’s most aesthetically pleasing 200 photographs, plus color profiles and detailed line and innovative single-seat fighters! Illustrated with 225 photographs, color profiles, detailed line drawings; 80 pags. drawings; 60 pages. SS5561 SS5558
Saab 35 Draken Walk Around (SC) Putnikov. Sweden's most famous fighter, hailed by some as a F-84F Thunderstreak Walk Around (SC) 'fighter pilot’s dream,' was developed and built by the Saab Neubeck. The F-84F remained in service with several company between 1955 and 1974. Designed with the Cold European air forces for decades, with Greece only retiring its War situation in mind, the Draken was specially tailored to last Thunderstreak in 1984. Illustrated with more than 250 Sweden's particular needs. Illustrated with 260 photographs, photographs, color art, and profiles; 80 pages. plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS5559 SS5562
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Lancaster Bomber Walk Around (SC) Mackay. Known for its greenhouse cockpit, turret nose, twin tail, and 33-foot long bomb bay the Lancaster took part in Air Marshall Harris’s 'Operation Gomorrah' in July 1943, in which Germany’s industrial center of Hamburg was devastated by round-the-clock bombing raids. In the thick of the air war, the Lancasters also paid a high price - 3,249 were lost in action. Illustrated with 200 photographs, plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS5563
F-102A Delta Dagger Walk Around (SC) Neubeck. The Convair F-102A Delta Dagger was developed for the US Air Force as a supersonic interceptor at the onset of the Cold War. It featured a 60 degree swept delta wing to lessen drag coefficient and yield stability at very high altitudes. After retirement in the US, 152 of the planes were converted to high-speed, unmanned drones for use as test targets for newer fighters. More than 200 photographs, plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS5564
F4U Corsair Walk Around (SC) Doyle. The F4U Corsair was arguably the best piston-engine carrier-borne fighter ever produced. Designed in 1938 and first flown in 1940, the Corsair remained in production until 1953, long after many of its contemporaries had been rendered obsolete. In addition to detailed line drawings and color profile illustrations, this volume is packed with over 200 photographs, 80 pages. SS5565
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B-29 Superfortress Walk Around (SC) Savage. Equipped with pressurized cabins for high-altitude effectiveness, with an electronic fire-control system, and remote-controlled machine gun turrets, the B-29 Superfortress was the most advanced aircraft of WWII. A B-17G Flying Fortress Walk Around (SC) unique look at the plane that ushered in the nuclear age. Doyle. The B-17 Flying Fortress is arguably the most famous Illustrated with over 210 photographs; 80 pages. US bomber of World War II, and perhaps all time. The vast SS25054 majority of these aircraft were the G-model, accounting for 8,680 of the 12,730 Flying Fortresses built. Not surprisingly, with more than eight thousand examples being produced by three manufacturers, a number of changes were introduced in the course of the production run. This new addition to Squadron’s Walk Around series takes the reader over, under, and through the B-17G, illustrating the subtle - and not so subtle - changes in gun mounts, turrets, crew positions, and other details. Ten aircraft were photographed in order to create this comprehensive look at the famed Flying Fortress through more than 300 photos with detailed captions; 88 pages. SS5567 KC-135 Stratotanker Walk Around (SC) Katz. Many air forces can conduct missions such as air superiority and ground attack, but only the US Air Force has truly global reach. This book contains the most detailed photographic documentation of the KC-135 inside and out that has ever been published, as well as color profiles of the KC-135R in the markings of every major USAF command that has operated that variant. Illustrated with 240 photographs, detailed line drawings and color profiles; 88 pages. SS25066
A-4 Skyhawk Walk Around (SC) Drendel. The carrier-capable Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is one of the most successful modern combat aircraft. During the 25 years in which the A-4 was on the production line, 2,960 Skyhawks were built. A relatively light aircraft, with a maximum takeoff weight of 24,500 pounds and with a top speed exceeding 600 mph, the Skyhawk was operated not only by the US Navy and Marines but also by the air forces of Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Malaysia, Argentina, Singapore, Brazil, Indonesia, and Kuwait. Introduced in 1956, Skyhawks played major roles in the Vietnam War, the 1973 Arab-Israeli October War, and the Falklands/ Malvinas Conflict in 1982. With a reputation for toughness and agility, Skyhawks remained a part of the American arsenal for nearly half a century - the U.S. Navy retired the A-4 as recently as 2003. Meanwhile, the battle-tested warrior continues to serve today other militaries around the world. Illustrated with 205 photographs, color profiles, and detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS25041
F9F Cougar Walk Around (SC) Neubeck. Photographs in this volume illustrate in detail the differences between the various Cougar models, making use of over a dozen display aircraft located in museums across the United States as well as one Cougar on display in Argentina. Grounded in solid historical research, features historical images from the photo archives of both the U.S. Navy and Grumman, includes rare photos of F9F Cougar in its final days, serving as a target drone for later generations. SS25068
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B-26 Marauder Walk Around (SC) Doyle. Exclusive photos illustrate the rarely seen inner workings and outer features of the B-26G, with additional coverage of the B-26, B-26B, and B-26C. The B-26 Marauder saw service in Europe, the Mediterranean and the Pacific, including use by the United States, the Free French, the Royal Air Force and the South African Air Force. More than 220 photographs, plus numerous detailed line drawings and color profiles. SS25069
Heinkel He 111 Walk Around (SC) Mackay. This iconic warplane had its origins as a cutting-edge civil airliner in the mid-1930s. Although produced in large numbers and exported to many countries before and during the war, few examples survive today. This volume features detailed photographic images of the He 111P-1 restored and preserved in Norway, and the He 111H-20 on display in the RAF museum. Illustrated with 228 photos, detailed line drawings and color profiles; 88 pages. SS25070
B-25 Mitchell Walk Around (SC) Doyle. Profusely illustrated, enhancing color photographs, taken both on the ground and in the air, four vintage blackand-white images and 14 line drawings further illustrate details, while five color renderings of aircraft and markings provide a glimpse at the nature of the crews. Illustrated with more than 200 photographs; 80 pages. SS25071
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At The gate Series
Douglas DC-9/MD-80 at the Gate (SC) Peeler. The most successful of all the twin-jet transports, the DC-9 brought jet travel to the general public. The DC-9 and its descendants have transported countless people to big cities and tiny towns, serving communities that had never before known jet travel. Military versions have served in the aeromedical evacuation, logistics and VIP transport roles. Traces the development and many users of this important aircraft in 200 color and b/w photos, line drawings and color profiles; 80 pages. SS5801
Boeing 737 At The Gate (SC) Tidwell. Few commercial aircraft have enjoyed a production run that spans more than four decades and service in nearly every nation on Earth. The Boeing 737 has such a track record. Takes the reader on a journey through the continuing story of the 737 from the first aircraft to roll of the production line in the 1960s, to the very latest airframes being delivered to major airlines today. The book also offers the reader a look at some of the most interesting 737 liveries as well as parts of the aircraft that few people get to see. Also covered are business jets, cargo carriers, and military versions of the 737 that are less familiar even to the thousands of air travelers who have flown aboard this legendary Boeing liner. Illustrated with over 220 photographs; 96 pages. SS28002
Combat Chronicles of the Black Widow (SC) Thompson. In this volume we hear from the crews who rode the Black Widow into battle all over the world. The outbreak of war in Europe left no room for doubt that the United States needed quickly to come up with a specialized night fighter to confront the totally new face of air combat. Illustrated with 152 photographs; 112 pages. SS6701 B-29 Superfortress Combat Chronicles (SC) Hilton. In early 1945, the 40th BG moved to newly-liberated Tinian from which they took part in the final chapter of WWII - the aerial assault on the Japanese home islands. Introduces you to fellow veterans of the 40th who relate their no-less extraordinary experiences - ditching in the Bay of Bengal, lost in the Siberian Taiga, downed behind enemy lines in China, taken prisoner after bailing out over Tokyo. Personal accounts from the men who served on the front lines of the air war in the Pacific, a unique primary historical source and a truly exciting read. Illustrated with over 100 photographs; 120 pages. SS36002 Aeroscouts in Vietnam Combat Chronicles (SC) Mutza. The Army developed new tactical doctrine using helicopters - the airmobile concept - which was based largely on air cavalry units. Such units were descendants of the US Cavalry, which had operated as light, horse-mounted infantry. Packed with more than 30 action packed, often hair raising first-hand accounts of helicopter scout combat in Vietnam, this latest addition takes you into the thick of the action. Besides being exciting reading, these personal recollections by dozens of the fighters themselves provide invaluable, primary source historical coverage of one of America's epic conflicts as experienced by frontline helicopter scouts. Illustrated with 160 photographs; 136 pgs SS36003
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Aircraft Specials
MiG Alley - Air to Air Combat Over Korea (SC) Davis. A pictorial record of the American pilots and their aircraft who ran up a 10 to 1 victory ratio over the MiG-15.In all, 976 "North Korean" aircraft were shot down in the three years of the Korean War. This title gives a history of the Air War in Korea, as well as the pilots own words of what it was like to fly the F-86 Sabre (also F-82, F-51D, F9F-3, B-29, & F3D-2) against North Korean and Soviet pilots. Illustrated with 145 photos, 7 maps, 28 drawings, 40 full color drawings; 80 pgs. SS6020 Planes, Names & Dames Volume 2: Korea (SC) Davis. The art of decorating the front section of military aircraft goes back to the First World War. It was a way of personalizing a piece of machinery that one depended on every day. The theme went from patriotism to the latest trend in music to sex (girls), and this sort of art appeared on every type of aircraft. This title covers military aircraft nose art of the post war period including the Korean War and the late 50s. Extensively covers the wide variety of personal and mission markings carried by the F-80, F-84, F-86, B-29, F- 51s and other planes in Korea. Illustrated with 239 b/w and 47 color photos, 64 pages. SS6058 Red Ladies in Waiting (SC) Stapfer. This title is considered by the author as a retrospective of the early 1990s, the ex-Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc. The former Soviet Union had a number of facilities to store and display aircraft, including complexes at Khodinka, Ramenskoye and Tushino. Includes coverage of facilities in Hungary and former East Germany, as well as US aircraft that found their way into Soviet/Eastern Bloc service. Illustrated with 213 b/w and 56 color photos; 64 pages. SS6065
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Arab Air Forces Post WWII (SC) Tullis. Traces the history of the air forces of the Arab nations through the turbulent years after WWII and their many conflicts with Israel as well as many clashes amongst themselves. Includes Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen Arab Republic, and the Peoples Democratic Republic of Yemen. Illustrated with 204 b/w, 28 color photos, 12 color drawings, 2 maps; 64 pgs. SS6066 Planes, Names & Dames Volume 3 (SC) Davis. The art of decorating the front section of military aircraft goes back to the First World War. It was a way of personalizing a piece of machinery that one depended on every day. The theme went from patriotism to the latest trend in music to sex (girls), and this sort of art appeared on every type of aircraft. This third volume of military aircraft nose art covers the Vietnam period (1955-1975). Includes aircraft types such as F-86, F-104, A-26K, UH-1, OV-1C, A-1J Skyraider, F-4E, F-105D, F-8E, and many more. Includes some art from foreign airforces. Illustrated with 259 b/w and 91 color photos; 80 pages. SS6068 And Kill MiGs (SC) Drendel. Revised edition. USN, USAF, and USMC aerial combat over North Vietnam, 1981 Sixth Fleet shoot down of Libyan fighters, and Operation Desert Storm. Includes pilots’ own descriptions of engagements, with lists of USAF and USN MiG killers in Vietnam, as well as section on the North Vietnamese Enemy with listing of the MiGs' Kills. Illustrated with 168 b/w and 19 color photos, 46 color drawings, 1 map, 1 b/w drawing; 104 pages. SS6072
Pride of Seattle (SC) The story of the first 300 Boeing B-17Fs. A fascinating book revealing the varied fates of the machines and their crews, diverse, often tragic, sometimes inspiring but always interesting. Illustrated with 120 b/w period photos, 32 full color profiles; 64 pages. SS6074 Aces (SC)
Patton. The exploits of the aces , their aircraft and tactics, from WWI to the Korean Conflict. Includes such notables as Manfred von Richthofen (Red Baron), Gregory (Pappy) Boyington, Francis S. Gabreski, Herman Graf, and the novel inclusion of Michael Wittmann as the "Tiger Ace", and many more. Illustrated with 20 b/w photos, 116 color drawings, and 48 b/w drawings; 64 pages. SS6077 Aces 2 (SC) Patton. The exploits of air aces - pilots who shot down five or more enemy aircraft - have fascinated the world since WWI. Successful aces combined the killer instinct, mastery of their aircraft andof air combat tactics, and the ability trapidly adjust to changes in their situation. Chronicles 29 aces from WWI, WWII and the '67 Arab-Israeli war. 40 b/w drawings, 30 pages color profiles, 64 pages SS6084
Aces 3 (SC) Patton. This title gives the exploits of the aces, their aircraft and tactics, from WWI to the War in Vietnam. The stories of 59 air aces since WWI, plus one tank ace of WWII. Includes such notables as Joseph M. McConnell, Richard "Dick" Bong, Randy Cunningham, and Ernst Udet. Illustrated with 139 color drawings, and 62 b/w drawings; 64 pages. SS6088
Worldwide F-16 Markings (SC) The F-16 Fighting Falcon, also known as the 'Viper', evolved from a 1972 USAF lightweight fighter prototype program to create a small, low-cost, air superiority day fighter designed for high performance and ease of maintenance and achieved combatready status in October 1980. Since then, 21 foreign nations including Belgium, Denmark, Turkey, Egypt and Israel have the F-16, making it the most popular fighter in the world. The varied national insignia, squadron markings and camouflage of these international F-16s are depicted in full color. Over 200 color photos; 64 pags. SS6091
Tomcat! (SC) The F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twinengine, variable sweep wing, two-place fighter designed to attack and destroy enemy aircraft at night and in all weather conditions. The F-14 can track up to 24 targets USN Aircraft Camouflage & Markings 1940-45 (SC) simultaneously with Doll. A highly detailed its advanced weapons and informative look control system and at the variations of attack six with Phoenix camouflage schemes AIM-54A missiles while continuing to scan the airspace. and insignias used by Armament also includes a mix of other air intercept missiles, the US Navy during rockets, and bombs. The Grumman F-14 Tomcat has retired WWII. Includes both after over 30 years of service. It was the final member of a carrier and land based family of Grumman cats which began almost seventy years aircraft. Illustrated ago. This book presents a personal narrative of the testing with 150 b/w and 6 and operational use of the Tomcat. More than 150 color color photos, 40 color photographs, color paintings, and color profiles; 64 pages. drawings; 64 pages. SS6092 SS6087
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Air War Iraq: Operation Iraqi Freedom (SC) Drendel. All new book covering Allied airpower in the war to topple Aircraft Specials Saddam Hussein. Full The Aviation Art of Lou Drendel (SC) color and b/w photos Drendel. Lou Drendel of fighters, bombers, has been drawing and transports, helicopters, painting airplanes since and the people who he can remember. fly and maintain Inspired by the model them. Also includes US airplanes his father built CENTCOM - Air Forces for him, he took pencil and Navies Air Order of and paper and began Battles. Illustrated with drawing. He hasn’t 100 b/w and 117 color stopped yet, more than photos; 64 pages. 60 years later. Lou’s art SS6124 has been featured in dozens of books P-61 Black Widow Special (SC) published by Squadron/ Thompson. During Signal. Now, they are gathered together in one volume. This World War II, nightly book displays more than 200 of the extraordinary works of raids by Luftwaffe the famed aviation artist; 64 pages. bombers over Britain forced the United States SS6093 to develop nightVietnam Scrapbook An Army Pilot's Combat Tour (SC) fighting abilities. The Steinbrunn. In January P61 Black Widow 1966, Robert was created as a new Steinbrunn entered the prototype with airborne US Army for 4 intercept radar. It also memorable years. featured four .50 At Fort Rucker, caliber machine guns in Alabama, he received a top-mounted turret training in Bell and four 20mm helicopters, including the Huey and Iroquois cannons underneath to handle any threats in the darkness. The crew consisted of a pilot, a gunner and a radar observer. (UH-1A, B and D models). Afterward, he This book takes a detailed look at the development and was sent to Fort Knox, implementation of the P-61 Black Widow night fighters with Kentucky, where he about 200 photographs and detailed line drawings; 64 pages. was assigned to A Troop, 7th Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry, the SS6126 'Ruthless Riders', flying the short-cabin Bell UH-1C gunship. After honing their reconnaissance skills in training, the 3rd Army Aviation in Vietnam Special (SC) Mutza. During and 7th Squadrons became the 'eyes and ears' of the 4th Infantry Division, which was based at Camp Enari, Pleiku, in Vietnam, the US Army employed a variety of the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Steinbrunn documented his time flying helicopters in Vietnam and has compiled his aircraft to accomplish memories into a memorable book. Illustrated with more than combat missions. Following turf and 200 photographs; 80 pages. budget debates with SS6098 the Air Force, the Army Operation Enduring Freedom (SC) settled on the use of Drendel. Noted military various helicopters and author Lou Drendel some fixed-wing outlines the initial Allied observation planes. military response against Using airmobility and the al-Queda terrorist air assault strategies, network and the Taliban the Army was able to government in demonstrate the ability to rapidly move significant amounts Afghanistan that of men and equipment on the battlefield. Army aircraft provided them safe were further used as gunships, medevacs, air controllers haven and training as well as surveillance and transportation. This book takes facilities. Extensively a detailed look at the development and implementation of illustrated with over 200 Army Aviation in Vietnam with nearly 200 photographs, color photos - half in full-color, profiles and detailed line drawings; 80 pages. 1 map; 64 pages. SS6127 SS6123
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Air Force Colors Volume 1 (SC) Bell. Covers the development and application of US Army Air Corps camouflage markings from the post WWI timeframe to early WWII. Includes Standard Insignia, markings and colors, unit markings, VIP aircraft, GHQAF and the Designator System, Training Colors, and Camouflage. Also covers Combat Groups and Squadron Insignia. Illustrated with 198 b/w and 3 color photos, 67 color aircraft profiles; 96 pages. SS6150 Air Force Colors Vol 3 (SC) This volume traces the history of WWII Army Air Force colors and marking in both the Pacific Theater and the Zone of the Interior (ZI). 96 pages, 16 in color, over 200 photos. SS6152 56th Fighter Group (SC) Flying P-47s, the 56th FG was one of the highest scoring USAAF Fighter Groups in Europe. Traces the Group from WWI I through action in Korea and Vietna m until today. Over 200 photos, 8 pages of color, 64 pages. SS6172
Fighter Squadron 14 - Tophatters (SC) The oldest serving squadron in the history of the USN. VF-14 can trace its history back to September of 1919 and serve d in WWII, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf Over 175 photos, 8 pages of color, 80 pgs SS6173 357th Fighter Group (SC) Formed in California in Dec of '42 and equipped with P-39s. More than one year later, the Group was thrown into combat flying P-51 Mustangs against th e Luftwaffe. The history and combat opera tions from its formation to the end of the war in Europe. Over 140 photos, 8 pages color profiles, 64 pages. SS6178
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Detail & Scale
EA-6B Prowler in Detail & Scale (SC) Kinzey. This title gives Aircraft Specials 31st Fighter Group USAAF WWII (SC) a comprehensive look, inside and out, of the US The USAAF's 31st Fighter Navy's primary Electronic Group had an outstanding Countermeasures Aircraft. record, flying Spitfires and Illustrated with 171 b/w Mustangs in the 8th, 12th and 35 color photos, 24 b/w and 15th Air Forces. Entering the war as the first American drawings; 72 pages. Fighter Group to participate SS8246 in the European Theater P-51 Mustang in Detail of Operations, the 31st FG & Scale Part 1 (SC) ended the war as the top Kinzey. Complete development scoring Allied fighter group of Allison-powered RAF in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations and the fifth Mustang Mk I, USAAF highest overall for the USAAF with 570 1/2 confirmed aerial P-51, A-36, and P-51A and victories. Approximately 200 b/w photos, line drawings and Merlin-powered P-51B and 40 color profiles; 80 pages. P-51C. Illustrated with 163 b/w and 30 color photos, and SS6180 37 b/w drawings; 72 pages. 4th Fighter Group in WWII (SC) SS8250 The 4th initial operated F-84 Thunderjet in with Spitfires but changed Detail & Scale (SC) to P-47s and finally to Kinzey. Includes complete P-51s. The first 8th AF fighter group to penetrate inside and out tour of the different variants and a German air space and 2-page modeling summary. first to engage enemy Illustrated with 156 b/w aircraft over Paris and and 48 color photos, 8 Berlin, the 4th claimed 1000 kills , the highest of color drawings, 41 b/w line any USAAF fighter group in drawings; 80 pages. WWII. Over 250b/w SS8259 photos, line drawings, 10 color profiles; 80 pages. P-40 Warhawk in Detail & Scale Part 1 (SC) SS6181 Kinzey. Extensive interior Hawker Hunter in Color (SC) and exterior photo coverage Robinson. The Hawker of the different variants. Hunter was designed in Includes a 2-page modeling 1948 as a RAF replacement summary. Illustrated with 166 for the Gloster Meteor. The b/w and 51 color photos, 10 Hunter served with the RAF color drawings, 29 b/w line in the 1950s and 1960s, drawings; 80 pages. and has served with nearly twenty foreign air forces. SS8261 This title covers every RAF P-40 Warhawk in Detail Squadron to fly the Hawker & Scale Part 2 (SC) Hunter. Illustrated with 54 Kinzey. Includes a 2-page b/w and 6 color photos, 200 modeling summary. Illustrated color drawings; 32 pages. with 152 b/w and 62 color SS6506 photos, 10 color drawings, 26 USAF Europe Volume 2 in Color (SC) b/w line drawings; 80 pages. SS8262 Robinson. Covers the bombers of SAC, the fighters of TAC, transports, the Military Air Lift Command and the P-39 Airacobra in trainer and liaison aircraft. Detail & Scale (SC) Illustrated with 43 photos, Kinzey. Illustrated with 185 over 85 full-color drawings; b/w and 58 color photos, 10 32 pages. color drawings, 28 b/w line SS6563 drawings; 83 pages. SS8263
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B-24 Liberator in Detail & Scale (SC) Kinzey. Includes a 2-page modeling summary. Illustrated with 177 b/w and 55 color photos, 10 color drawings, 23 b/w line drawings; 83 pages. SS8264
F4F Wildcat in Detail & Scale (SC) Kinzey. Includes a 2 page modeling summary. Illustrated with 141 b/w and 57 color photos, 12 color drawings, 38 b/w line drawings; 80 pages. SS8265 F-106 Delta Dart in Detail & Scale (SC) Kinzey. Includes a 7-page modeling summary. Illustrated with 146 b/w and 30 color photos, 25 b/w line drawings; 72 pages. SS8269 F-100 Super Sabre in Detail & Scale (SC) Kinzey. Includes a 8-page modeling summary. Comprehensive photo-archive showing the F-100 inside and out. Illustrated with 154 b/w and 40 color photos, 28 b/w line drawings; 72 pages. SS8270 FJ Fury in Detail & Scale (SC) Kinzey. This title has extensive photo coverage of the airframes, cockpits, landing gear, engines, and weapons. Includes a 2-page modeling summary.Illustrated with 170 b/w and 36 color photos, 10 color drawings, 22 b/w line drawings; 78 pages. SS8272 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in Detail & Scale (SC) Kinzey. Also covers Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, as well as a 4-page modeling summary. Illustrated with 206 b/w and 51 color photos, 5 color drawings, 4 b/w line drawings; 80 pages. SS8274
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M551 Sheridan in Action (SC) Doyle. Beginning in 1966, the Allison Division of General Motors built 1,562 M551s with primary armament being a 152-millimeter gun/launcher capable of firing conventional ammunition or the Ford-built Shillelagh anti-tank missile. Whatever the conception, this vehicle proved an asset to the Army in Vietnam, Panama, and Operation Desert Storm. Illustrated with 91 color photos, 8 b/w photos, 7 color profiles, 3-view drawing, vehicle development illustrations, and 2 colorized camouflage patterns; 60 pages. SS2041
Tiger I in Action (SC) Italian Truck-Mounted Artillery in Action (SC) Doyle. Illustrated with over 200 vintage photographs, plus Riccio. Italian military planners saw the need for highly color profiles and detailed line drawings; 72 pages. mobile artillery early in the 20th Century. Accordingly, Italy SS2047 began mounting anti-aircraft weapons on truck chassis prior to WWI, giving birth to the autocannone, a weapon concept which would soldier through both World Wars. A unique and lavishly-illustrated survey of the various weapon combinations devised by the Italian military from the inception of the autocannone until the end of WWII. Illustrated with more than 200 photographs, plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 56 pages. SS2044
WWII US Sherman Tank in Action (SC) Ervin and Doyle. Nearly 200 period photos, in rare original color, line drawings, turret, weapons used, Includes color profiles; 80 pages. SS2048
World War II Jeep In Action (SC) Doyle. Jeeps were configured for radio gear, armed with weapons, and bore stretchers. Large numbers of Jeeps were also delivered to allied nations. This book takes a detailed look at these vehicles' service during World War II with more than 100 photographs, color profiles and detailed line drawings; 52 pages. SS2042
M113 APC in Vietnam in Action (SC) Doyle. Although the M113 has largely been replaced by the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and is now only in limited use by the US armed forces, the vehicle remains in use today in the armed forces of other allies around the world. Illustrated with 130 photographs, plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 64 pages. SS2045
German Armored Cars in Action (SC) Doyle. Packed with more than 220 period photographs, chronicles development, deployment of Germany's six and eight-wheeled armored cars before and during WWII; 80 pgs. SS12050
M48A3 in Vietnam in Action (SC) Doyle. Just as the Sherman tank was the quintessential HMMWV In Action (SC) 'American tank' in WWII, the M48A3 Patton tank was the Doyle. TThis book takes a detailed look at HMMWV with most prominent US battle tank during the Vietnam War years more than 100 photographs, color profiles and detailed line of the 1960s and 1970s. Illustrated with 109 photos, plus M151 MUTT in Action (SC) drawings; 52 pages. color profiles and detailed line drawings; 48 pages. Doyle. 220 photographs; 80 pages. SS2043 SS2046 SS12051
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M42 Duster Walk Around (SC) Doyle. The lack of radar tracking system meant the M42 was a 'fair weather' shooter against low, slow targets; it just could not keep pace with the new generation of Soviet jet aircraft. As American involvement in Vietnam increased, 3 Sturmgeschutz III Walk Around (SC) battalions of Dusters were sent to South Vietnam - initially Cockle. Extensive coverage of the StuG III Ausf G variants for anti-aircraft duties, but with clear skies over the South, armed with the 75mm 40 L/48 gun. Inside and out details the M42 was usefully employed as convoy escort, perimeter of running gear, hull, fighting compartment, engine deck, and base security, and direct fire support. A detailed look engine, and fittings. Illustrated with 118 b/w and 107 color at the M42 Duster with more than 200 photographs, color photos, 18 color drawings, 12 b/w drawings; 80 pages. profiles and detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS5702 SS5705
Cadillac Gage V-100 Commando Walk Around (SC) Doyle. The best-known American armored car of the post-WWII era, the Cadillac Gage Commando - a versatile, amphibious, 4x4 vehicle - still looks modern even though it made its debut in 1962. The V-100 Commando went through numerous changes in light of its extensive and varied experience in reconnaissance, convoy escort, riot control, security, and as a personnel carrier. Illustrated over 200 color photographs plus detailed line drawings; 80 pgs. SS5708
Sd.Kfz.251 Ausf.D Walk Around (SC) Stapfer. Considered the German Army’s most important armored half-track in WWII, the Sd.Kfz.251 allowed the US Tank Destroyers Walk Around (SC) M26 Pershing Walk Around (SC) infantry to keep up with the Heer's fast armored elements. Mesko. This title follows the development of the M10, M36, Doyle. The basic design of the M26 - the designation the The vehicle came in 4 models and 23 variants, but the Ausf.D and M18 tank destroyers, with inside and out details of T26E3 had been given when it was classified 'standard' in running gear, hull, fighting compartment, engine deck, March 1945 - was to form the basis of a long line of excellent was the most produced model. Illustrated with over 150 color engine, and fittings. Illustrated with 145 b/w and 147 color tanks (M46, M47, M48 and M60) that would serve US armed photographs, detailed line drawings, and 8 colored profiles. photos, 12 color drawings, 8 b/w drawings; 80 pages. forces for 40 years. Illustrated with 250 photographs, color A must have book for the armor, modeling, history, and military enthusiast; 80 pages. SS5703 profiles, and detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS5709 SS5706
M2/M3 Half-Track Walk Around (SC) Mesko. These halftracks saw service on every front during WWII, and served in many countries for decades after the end of the war. This title includes inside and out coverage of the US Army personnel halftracks during WW II. Also covers the M4 Mortar Carrier, M16 MGMC, and Israeli variants. Illustrated with 130 b/w and 114 color photos, 12 color drawings, 8 b/w drawings; 80 pages. SS5704
US Military Motorcycles of WWII Walk Around (SC) Doyle. The advent of the Jeep took over the motorcycle's role in military service, and the bikes were relegated to veteran vehicles of the past. Illustrated with over 200 color photographs, 11 black-andwhite photographs and color art by Don Greer; 80 pages. SS5707
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GPA and DUKW Walk Around (SC) Doyle. Production of the GPA, essentially an amphibious Jeep, ended in 1943, just as the career of the DUKW, a virtual aquatic truck, was on its way to becoming the 'gold standard' by which other amphibians are measured to this day. Illustrated with 263 high quality photographs, color art, and profiles; 80 pages. SS5710
Books Books Books Book www.adhbooks.com or call 01525 222573 Armor Walk Around
M24 Chaffee Walk Around (SC) Doyle. As American-built armor came into contact with Axis forces in WWII - first of all in North Africa - it quickly became clear that the 37mm cannon favored on US armor Pre-Standardized Jeep Walk Around (SC) was simply inadequate against the tough armor of their Doyle. Three distinct versions of a reconnaissance car were adversaries. Packed with over 200 photos, plus color art and produced before they were standardized into the World War profiles; 80 pages. SS5714 II-era Jeep. This book takes a detailed look at Jeep’s early evolution with more than 250 photographs, color profiles and detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS5711
M113 APC Walk Around (SC) Doyle. The M113 family of vehicles is arguably the most successful series of armored personnel carriers of all time. M3 Medium Tank Walk Around (SC) The driver was provided with four M17 periscopes, and his hatch had provision for an M19 infrared periscope as well. Doyle. The M3 Medium Tank was designed as an interim The commander's station, just aft of the driver, had a cupola answer to European battlefield conditions at the start of equipped with five M17 periscopes and an M2 HB machine World War II. This book takes a detailed look at the M3 Medium Tank with more than 200 photographs, color profiles gun. Illustrated with 170 photographs, plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 72 pages. and detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS5715 SS5712
Pz.Kpfw Panzer 38(t) Walk Around (SC) Stapfer. The Panzerkampfwagen 38 (tschechisch) - Armored Combat Vehicle 38 (Czech) was one of the most important tanks in the Wehrmacht arsenal in the first half of WWII. Illustrated with over 300 photographs, color art, and profiles; 80 pages. SS5713
M88 Armored Recovery Vehicle Walk Around (SC) Doyle. The M88 Armored Recovery Vehicle was designed and developed in the late 1950s. The M88 had been so successful that it was taken as the basis for the new upgraded recovery vehicle, which is still in use today - the M88A2. Illustrated with 175 photographs, plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS5716
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M7 Priest Walk Around (SC) Doyle. Nicknamed the Priest because of its pulpit-like antiaircraft ring, the vehicle was intended to provide armored units with organic, highly-mobile artillery support. Production began in April 1942 and it first went into combat with British at the Second Battle of El-Alamein in the autumn of that year, with US forces first taking the American-built vehicle into engagements in Tunisia somewhat later. Packed with more than 230 photographs, plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS5717
GMC CCKW Truck Walk Around (SC) Doyle. This volume is packed with detailed photographs and highlights modifications through the years of its service - a wooden truck bed to save on precious steel, an open cab to allow for more cargo room in ship holds, 2 designs for axles, negative electrical system and a winch that was installed on a third of the trucks. Illustrated with more than 190 photographs, plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS5718
M5/M5A1 Stuart Walk Around (SC) Mesko. Illustrated with more than 190 photographs, plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS5719
Books Books Books Book www.adhbooks.com or call 01525 222573 Armor Walk Around
M3A1 White Scout Car Walk Around (SC) Doyle. The White Motor Company began serial production of the four-wheel-drive M3A1 Scout Car in 1940. Illustrated with more than 200 photographs, plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS5720
FT-17 / M1917 WWI Tanks Walk Around (SC) Doyle. Introduced in 1917, the Renault FT-17 and its American-built copy, the M1917, revolutionized tank design. The vehicle's rotating turret, rear-engine, driverforward design are characteristics of the most advanced tanks even today. This volume presents a careful study of the details and variations of this innovative vehicle, inside and out. Two-hundred thirty-seven photographs reveal the intimacies of no fewer than 14 of the finest surviving examples of these machines, preserved on three different continents. Nine detailed line drawings supplement the photos and comprehensive captions; 80 pages. SS27023
M551 Sheridan Walk Around (SC) Hughes. Illustrated by more than 240 photographs plus eight detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS27026
Jagdpanzer 38 Hetzer Walk Around (SC) Stapfer. Illustrated with over 200 photographs, plus detailed line drawings, and color profiles; 80 pages. SS27027 M108/109 Self-Propelled Howitzer Walk Around (SC) Doyle. Introduced in the early 1960s, the M108/109 marked the transition from open-topped to fully enclosed self-propelled artillery. Illustrated with more than 315 photographs, plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 88 pages. SS572
M41 Walker Bulldog Walk Around (SC) Hughes. The standard US light tank during the early years of the Cold War, the M41 Bulldog was developed as a more powerful successor to the M24 Chaffee. Illustrated with 250 photographs plus color profiles and numerous detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS27024 M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer Walk Around (SC) SS27029
Valentine Tank Walk Around (SC) Doyle. Though not the 1st tank to go into battle against the Axis in WWII, Valentine has distinction of having highest production numbers of any wartime British tank, arguably the most variations. After the war, Valentines continued to serve several British Commonwealth armies late as 1950s. Illustrated with 250 photos, plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 88 pages. SS5722
M26 Dragon Wagon Walk Around (SC) Doyle. Examines the armored and soft-skin versions of this massive vehicle, and its trailers, through hundreds of color photos and some of the finest restored examples in existence. Illustrated with over 230 photographs; 80 pages. Diamond T 4-ton Truck Walk Around (SC) SS27031 SS27025
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Books Books Books Book www.adhbooks.com or call 01525 222573 Detail In Action
US Armor Camo & Markings of WWII (SC) Mesko. This book attempts to give a broad overview of the various schemes and identifications used on U.S. military vehicles from 1941-1945. Illustrated with 177 b/w photos, 27 color drawings; 64 pages. SS6090
Detail In Action
K5(E) Railgun Detail in Action (SC) Doyle. The German K5(E) 280mm railgun is arguably the most effective weapon of its type ever developed. M50A1 Ontos Detail in Action (SC) Boasting an 11-mile range, the 24 massive guns of this Doyle. 'The Thing' - the meaning of the Greek word 'Ontos' type were deployed from Italy to the Russian Front, and is an apt name for this ungainly vehicle. Originally developed even along the English Channel Coast. Today, only two of for the Army, which then discarded it, the Ontos was instead these fearsome artillery pieces remain. Through a collection adopted by the Marine Corps. Conceived as a potent, of 55 vintage black and white photos - many of them lightweight, mobile 6-barrel tank killer to counter a feared previously unpublished - and more than 170 photos of the mass Soviet armored attack in Europe, the Ontos instead two preserved examples in the US and France, the intricacies rose to fame in the jungles of Vietnam where its six 106mm of these massive weapons are explored in detail. In addition, recoilless rifles proved deadly against massed infantry the book is augmented by nine illustrations; 80 pages. attacks, as well as being well-suited for urban assault work. SS5902 This volume incorporates over 60 period photos chronicling the development and use of the Ontos, plus a further 150 detailed walk-around photos providing an in-depth Modeling series exploration of this unique fighting machine; 72 pages. SS5901
Ferdinand / Elefant Detail in Action (SC) Doyle. In an effort to turn the proverbial lemon, in the form of an unsuccessful Tiger design, into lemonade, Porsche engineers at the behest of the German army, converted the failed chassis into one of the largest and most potent tank destroyer designs of World War II. Initially fielded as the Ferdinand, the vehicles were further modified, and ultimately given a new - and apt - name: 'Elefant.' This new volume explores not only the combat history of both the Ferdinand and Elefant, but also chronicles the development of the ill-fated Porsche Tiger design through 88 period black-andwhite photos. Further enhancing its utility to the enthusiast, 110 full-color photos of the only surviving examples of each type illustrate the nuances of the construction and subsequent wartime modification of these giant tank killers. Also features 16 detailed line drawings as well as 15 masterful color profiles; 80 pages. SS39001
Armor Specials
Converting and Detailing Plastic Figures (SC) Chilstrom. Renowned miniaturist Bill Chilstrom shares his tips and techniques for bringing injection molded plastic figures to life. His award winning diorama 'In the Footsteps of the Grand Armée' is the focus of this book. Bill detailed and converted 28 figures, three horses, two wagons and a mule in the building of this diorama. Many step-by-step and in-progress photos accompany the informative text clearly illustrating what to do to really enhance stock plastic figures. All color; 64 pages. SS6097
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Tank Warfare on Iwo Jima (SC) Harper. A small section devoted to Japanese tanks is also included.133 photos (many never before published), 14 vehicle color plates, 12 color movie stills and excerpts from official documents; 96 pages. SS6096
Soldiers In Action
US Infantry-Vietnam (SC) Mesko. Includes an overview of operations in Vietnam from the first US involvment to US withdrawal. Also covers weapons and equipment. 108 photos, 51 detail drawings, 4 maps, 14 full color drawings; 50 pages. SS3006 US Airborne in Action ( SC) Thompson. Over 100 photos, 40 detail drawings, 16 color drawings; 50 pages. SS3010 LRRP's in Action Vol.1 (SC) Burford. These small units penetrated deep behind enemy lines to gather information on enemy base camp locations. SS3011
Books Books Books Book www.adhbooks.com or call 01525 222573 Warships In Action
Warships In Action
US Subchasers In Action (SC) Connelly. During WWI, German U-boats took a heavy toll on merchant and military ships. This book takes a detailed look US Destroyers in Action Part 2 (SC) at US Sub Chasers with more than 100 photographs, color Adcock. This title covers the development and operational profiles and detailed line drawings; 52 pgs. service of the Farragut, Porter, Mahan, Fanning, and Craven SS4033 class destroyers. Illustrated with approximately 100 photos, b/w line drawings, and 6 color profiles; 50 pages. SS4020
PT Boats in Action (SC) Doyle. American Patrol Torpedo - or PT - boat crews served valiantly in every theater during WWII. From the Aleutians Gato-Class Submarines in Action (SC) to the Mediterranean, these men harassed enemy shipping, Stern. More than 100 b/w photos, 6 color profiles, line launched attacks against much more formidable warships, drawings and color covers; 20 color photos, up-to-date rescued downed air crews, and spirited General Douglas information, where the surviving vessels can be viewed. MacArthur to safety from Corregidor Island in March of 1942. SS4028 PT boats also laid mines and smokescreens, coordinated air-sea rescue actions, and conducted intelligence and raiding operations. This volume chronicles the evaluation, use, and eventual destruction of the US PT boat fleet through 180 photographs, many of them color. Coverage includes ELCO, Higgins, and Huckins boats; 64 pages. SS4034
Ship Specials
USS Tennessee in World War II (SC) Simmons. Commissioned in June of 1920, the US battleship Tennessee saw service in some of the most crucial and dramatic battles in the Pacific Theater of WWII. Docked on Pearl Harbor's Battleship Row on 7 December 1941, her crew manned anti-aircraft guns and fought back as bombs ripped through her deck. The year 1944 saw the Tennessee take part in battle after battle (including Surigao Strait, the last battleship vs battleship action in naval history) as US forces worked their way towards the Japanese Home Islands. In 1945 she took part in the attack on Iwo Jima. Enriched with exclusive, eye-witness accounts from members of her crew, chronicles the dramatic career of one of America’s most battle-tested warships with over 200 photographs, color profiles, and detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS6094 US Navy Flying Boats and Amphibians in WWII (SC) Adcock. Soon after the early aviation pioneers learned to fly, their attention turned to water. It was more abundant than land and presented a vast landing area. With nearly 200 photographs, color profiles and detailed line drawings, this special Squadron/ Signal book looks at the various flying boats and amphibians and the contribution they made; 80 pages. SS6095
Ship Specials
Japanese Light Cruisers of WWII in Action (SC) Patton. These fast ships, carrying seaplanes and heavy torpedo armament, generally were used as flagships for destroyer flotillas and submarine squadrons. Of these, 9 were sunk by Allied submarines, 11 were sunk by US aircraft, 2 were sunk by US torpedo boats or destroyers, and 3 were still afloat at the end of the war. Includes never before published photos, 90 b/w photos, 6 color profiles, line drawings, color covers; 58 pages. SS4025
U-Boat War (SC) The story of Hitler's UBoat fleet operations from 1939 to 1945. Provides an extensive collection of photographs and color paintings of the men, submarines and insignia of the Uboat fleet. Includes appendices, 8 pages in color. 64 pages. SS6078
US Navy Ships Camouflage WWII, Part I Destroyers and Destroyer Escorts (SC) Adcock. When WWII ended in 1945, the fleet was restored to Standard Navy Gray to await the next revolution in deceptive paintwork. Illustrated with 116 b/w photos, 2 color photos, and over 30 color renderings/profiles; 68 pages. SS6099
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Books Books Books Book www.adhbooks.com or call 01525 222573 On Deck Series
USS Alabama on Deck (SC) Adcock. Now a museum ship berthed at Mobile's Battleship Memorial Park in her namesake state, she is a unique floating memorial and tribute to the men who crewed her. Additional illustrations include 73 b/w and 85 color photos, detailed line art and color cover paintings; 80 pages. SS5601
Iowa-Class Battleships on Deck (SC) USS Pampanito On Deck (SC) Stern. The USS Pampanito, a Balao-class fleet submarine, was Doyle. More than 270 color photos, 88 pages. commissioned in late 1943 and went into action in the Pacific SS5607 at the height of WWII. Illustrated with 265 highly detailed photographs, color profiles, and intricate line drawings; 80 pages. SS5604
Higgins PT Boat On Deck (SC) Doyle. Illustrated with over 120 photographs; 80 pages. SS26008 ELCO 80 PT Boat On Deck (SC) Doyle. Say "PT Boat" and the image that comes to mind is that of the 80-foot patrol torpedo boat built by the Electric Launch Company (ELCO) in Bayonne, New Jersey. USS Lexington (CV-16) On Deck (SC) Packed with over 200 photographs, plus color art and Adcock. The USS Lexington joined the fleet in 1943 and saw profiles; 80 pages. extensive action throughout WW2. Post war modernization SS5605 allowed her to continue in service until 1991! Extensive color and b/w photography, full color aircraft and ship paintings, 40 pages of color; 80 pages. SS5602 USS Kidd On Deck (SC) Doyle. Illustrated with 234 photographs; 80 pages. SS26010
Nimitz Class Aircraft Carriers On Deck (SC) Goodall. The largest naval vessels in the world are the Nimitz-class super aircraft carriers. USS Carl Vinson was the first to launch air attacks as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. In the mid-1990s USS Theodore Ohio-Class SSBN on Deck (SC) Goodall. Since its inception in 1960, strategic deterrence has Roosevelt supported NATO air strikes against Bosnian Serbs been the sole mission of the fleet ballistic missile submarine during fighting in former Yugoslavia. USS Abraham Lincoln backed up Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (SSBN), which provides the nation's most survivable and in Afghanistan in the early 2000s. Illustrated with more enduring nuclear strike capability. Unprecedented bow-tothan 300 photographs, plus color profiles and detailed line stern look, this critical US weapon system more than 200 color, b/w photos, line drawings and 8 color profiles; 80 pgs. drawings; 80 pages. SS5606 SS5603
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USS Massachusetts On Deck (SC) Doyle. Illustrated with 286 photographs, and color profiles; 96 pages. SS26011
Books Books Books Book www.adhbooks.com or call 01525 222573
Non-Military Vehicle
Squadron At Sea
USS Arizona Squadron at Sea Series (SC) Doyle. Packed with rare photographs unearthed from sources throughout the country, this volume follows the history of one of America's most iconic naval vessels. Glimpse the life of the crews that manned her and follow her through the maintenance and refits that dramatically changed her appearance. Describes the horrific explosion that ripped through her hull on the dark morning of 7 December 1941, and a series of unique photos document the years of wartime salvage work aboard the sunken battleship. Chronicled too is Arizona’s ongoing service as a tomb and memorial to the 1,177 men who perished with her. A testament to the Arizona and her men brought to you as you've never seen them before. Illustrated with 288 photographs, 5 detailed line drawings, 7 color illustrations; 120 pages. SS34001
USS North Carolina Squadron at Sea (SC) Doyle. Laid down in 1937 and launched on 9 April 1941, the USS North Carolina was the first new construction battleship to enter service during WWII and took part in every major naval offensive in the Pacific Theater, becoming the most decorated US battleship of WWII. After a brief stint post war as a training ship, the North Carolina - dubbed in the press as the 'Showboat' - was laid up in reserve, before her eventual movement to Wilmington, in her namesake state, and her preservation as a war memorial. This volume traces the history of the North Carolina, photographically documenting the evolution of armament and electronics that elevated her pre-Pearl Harbor design to its peak - bristling with guns to counter the threat of kamikaze attack. Generously illustrated with more than 330 photographs - many of them color, detailed line drawings and 11 color profiles that document the various camouflage schemes worn by both the ship and her scouting aircraft.; 136 pages. SS34002
USS Texas Squadron At Sea (SC) Doyle. The USS Texas proudly saw combat in both World Wars I and II, and since 1948 has been preserved in her namesake state as memorial to American servicemen. Armed with 10 14-inch guns and displacing 32,000 tons, the battleship is still a formidable sight as she enters into her second century. This expansive volume tells the tale of the Texas and her crew. Loaded with black-and-white and color photos not only showcase the construction, numerous voyages, modifications, combat action, and ultimate preservation of the ship, but also show the vessel as a home, office, and workshop for the men who served as her crew. These historic images are augmented with five line drawings illustrating her key configurations, as well as nine color profiles depicting her aircraft, as well as the many camouflage schemes she wore. Illustrated with over 350 photographs; 152 pages. SS34003
USS Saratoga Squadron at Sea (SC) Doyle. Faced with the restrictions of the Washington Navy Treaty, the US Navy had a choice: either scrap their partially complete, battlecruiser Saratoga, which along with her sister ship Lexington were intended to be the most powerful in the world; or convert them into an aircraft carriers. Having survived two torpedo hits by Japanese subs, as well as repeated bomb and Kamikaze strikes, at war's end she took part in the huge Magic Carpet operation that transported thousands of US servicemen back to the mainland. Deemed too old for the victorious Navy's postwar needs, her final duty was to test the survivability of an atomic blast. Still afloat after the first nuclear explosion, she was sent to the bottom of Bikini Atoll by the second of the blasts, and still rests there today, where she welcomes the occasional scuba diver. All these exploits, as well as others, including Saratoga's numerous refits, are presented and profusely illustrated with 383 color and b/w photos capturing the ship, her crew and aircraft supplemented by 11 line drawings and 25 color renderings; 160 pages. SS34004
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American Fire Apparatus Volume 1: Pumpers (SC) Mutza. Organized companies of firefighters first appeared in Colonial America and were mobilized, like local militias, on a volunteer basis. Like military equipment, firefighting apparatus evolved in tandem with technological advances. This volume traces the development of the chief and best-known fire-fighting apparatus 'the pumper or fire engine' from hand-drawn pumps, through horse-drawn vehicles in the 19th Century to the advanced fire trucks of the 21st Century. Chapters introduce the early years of the pumper, follow its motorization, and then, decade-by-decade, meticulously review the evolution of the fire truck from the 1930s until today. The book’s dedication to the firefighters who gave their lives on 9-11 serves as a reminder that the nation's First Responders stand guard together with the armed forces on the front lines of our defense. Illustrated with over 300 photographs; 96 pages. SS6401
American Fire Apparatus: Volume 2 Aerial Equipment (SC) Mutza. As the urban skyline rose and horse power gave way to motorization, the need increased for better ladders and other aerial equipment to fight fires in tall buildings. Ladders grew longer and the trucks that carried them evolved. Improved aerial ladders were fixed to truck beds and new methods were devised to get water and firefighters to building heights. The hundreds of unique and dramatic photos that pack this volume feature fire trucks equipped with a wide spectrum of devices evolved over more than a century, including aerial ladders, elevating platforms, aerial ladder platforms, and water towers. The book illustrates the evolution of the styles and function of the vital 'hook-and-ladder trucks' that are an integral part of fire departments throughout the United States. Containing more than 320 photographs, including rare, historic photos and dramatic color shots; 96 pages. SS6402
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The Battle of Salamis 480 BC: The 'Wooden Walls' that Saved Greece (SC) Includes the historical elements of the battle, Great battles a brief biography of the father of the great Thermopylae victory, Themistocles, and 480 BC: The Most chapters from the Persian Unequal Battle in point of view as well. Also History (SC) addresses the lesserBelezos and Kotoulas. known details of the The definitive history of battle to assist in the fabled battle at the understanding the pass of Thermopylae. For overwhelmingly difficult 2 and 1/2 days Spartan conditions under which King Leonidas lead his 300 the Greek fleet prevailed. along with a contingent Enriched with color and b/w photos, maps and tactical of Thespians against the movements and color uniform plates; 96 pages. English Text. massive Persian army of SS7004 Xerxes I. Amply illustrated with photos, maps and color The Battle of Berlin: The Collapse of plates to create a panorama of the men, equipment and the 'Thousand-Year' Reich 1945 (SC) the world they fought in. Written in Greece and expertly Stavropoulos, Vourliotis, translated into English, includes glossary; 100 pages. Terniotis, Kotoulas, Valmas, SS7001 and Zouridis. By the dawn Marathon 490 BC: Athens Crushes Persian of 1945, the Western Allies Might (SC) had driven back Hitler’s Belezos, Giannopoulos, last, desperate effort in the Kotoulas and Ardennes. However, the Grigoropoulos. The Allies' insistence on Battle of Marathon is Germany's unconditional a landmark in world surrender deterred the history. Through their Germans from making any victory, the Athenian concession over ending the and Plataean hoplites war - Hitler and the Nazi did not merely saved their faithful saw their only option to be a fanatical Wagnerian cities from destruction, but stand leaving only Germany's ruins to commemorate the they also destroyed the tragedy. Further, it was already clear that another kind of war myth of the 'invincibility' was right around the corner. Illustrated with color and b/w of the Persians and photographs, color maps, 8 aircraft and 9 armor profiles, and proved the superiority of their armor, weaponry and tactics. 14 color uniform plates; 128 pages. English text. Reveals the causes of the Persian invasion, follows the SS7005 unknown Marathon runner in his run to announce the victory Kursk 1943: The Greatest Tank and relates the captivating myths created by the historical battle that still remain a part of the oral tradition of this epic. Battle in History (SC) Great Battles of the Enriched with photographs, maps of the area and tactical World; Kampouris, battle movements and color illustrations of uniforms. Written Zouridis, Theodoratos, in Greece and expertly translated into English. 104 pages. Stavropoulos, Varsamis, SS7002 Vourliotis, Gedeon, El Alamein 1942: The Axis Major Valmas. In the summer Defeat in Africa (SC) of 1943, after two years After a bloody 12-day of total war on the Eastern battle, the Africakorps Front, the Germans were was forced to retreat. The ready to meet the Soviets soon-to-be-legendary on the decisive battlefield. 8th Army had smashed The greatest tank battle of German dreams of all time proved to be the dominating North Africa. beginning of the end for Enriched with color the Third Reich. The elite panzer formations were decimated and b/w photographs, and would never again regain their former strength. Nothing color maps, aircraft and could turn the fortunes of the war for the Axis and their Soviet tank profiles and color flood was not to be stopped until the ruins of Berlin. Illustrated illustrations of uniforms; with color and b/w photographs, color maps, 12 aircraft and 120 pages. English text. 18 armor profiles, and 12 color uniform plates; 136 pages. SS7003 SS7006
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Britain 1940: The RAF Fights a Desperate Battle Against the Luftwaffe (SC) Stavropoulos, Terniotis, Valmas, Varsamis, and Vourliotis. The confrontation between Britain's Royal Air Force and Germany's Luftwaffe was the first large scale success against Hitler's aggression, and it is one of the defining episodes in the long history of the British nation. Enriched with color and b/w photographs (including 10 page Photographic Tribute to the Battle of Britain), color maps, 50 aircraft profiles and 9 color uniform illustrations. A fitting tribute and record of "their finest hour"; 160 pages. SS7007 D-Day 1944: The Allied Invasion of Normandy (SC) Stavropoulos, Vourliotis, Papadopoulos, Valmas, Kampouris and Terniotis. The Allies launched their invasion of German-occupied Europe after 18 months of preparation - three and one half million troops, more than ten thousand warplanes and an armada of nearly five thousand sea-going vessels stormed 'Fortress Europe' and opened the long awaited second front against Hitler's Reich. Includes the Allied bid for air superiority, the landings, a photo file, opposing commanders and forces, portable weapons and many lesser known details of the making of the new Western Front. Amply illustrated with more than 60 b/w and 30 color photos, 6 maps, 21 equipment profiles, 13 uniform plates and additional specially commissioned art; 136 pages. SS7008
Military Essays
Byzantine Armies 325 AD-1453 AD (SC) Military Essays; Belezos. Reveals the checkered historical course of the empire and its military organization, which was compelled to defend its territories and culture against a horde of belligerent enemies from without and from the state's own bureaucracy within. Illustrated with 75 photos, maps and additional graphics plus 13 full color plates. Also includes a glossary of Greek and Latin terms; 136 pages. English text. SS8001
Books Books Books Book www.adhbooks.com or call 01525 222573 Aircraft In Action
TBF/TBM Avenger In Action (HB) Doyle. Designed by Grumman as a replacement for the Douglas TBD Devastator, Avenger production began prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and it remained in US Navy service until October 1954. This all-new edition is B-52G/H Stratofortress in Action (HB) filled with 212 vintage photos, 29 of them in color, these Katz. More than any other weapon system, the legendary are augmented by five color profiles and a like number of Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is the embodiment of American detailed line drawings; 80 pgs. military power in the popular imagination. Boeing delivered SS50225 the last B-52 in 1962. Five decades later, the B-52 remains in front-line service, most recently taking part in combat over Afghanistan and Iraq. Even more amazingly, current plans are for the B-52 to remain in service until 2040. This volume is packed with historical and recent photographs of the B-52, including some that were released by the US Air Force and its contractors just for use in the book. As part of his research, the author flew on a B-52 training mission, and the flight report in this volume is the most detailed description of a B-52 mission ever published. Illustrated with color profiles, detailed line drawings and over 190 photographs; 88 pages. SS50207 B-29 Superfortress In Action (HB) Doyle. While most often remembered as the type of aircraft that dropped the first atomic bomb, and for its extensive use in bombing Japan during the latter stages of WWII, the B-29 also saw plenty of combat during the Korean War. Individual sections of the book explore the interior and armament of these bombers, as well as their production by Boeing, Martin, and Bell. Illustrated with 248 photographs, 90 of them in full color; 88 pages. SS50227
B-17 Flying Fortress in Action (HB) Doyle. The B-17 Flying Fortress dropped more bombs than any other US aircraft in WWII and is arguably the iconic bomber of that epic conflict. First flown in 1935, the aircraft was repeatedly modified, upgraded, and perfected in response to combat experience. Also highlights the roles played by individual aircraft and their crews, such as the 'Memphis Belle', which completed 25 missions over enemy territory; 'Stage Door Canteen', christened by Winston Churchill's daughter; and 'All American', which demonstrated the incredible toughness of the Flying Fortress by returning safely to base despite having its tail nearly sheared off by a Messerschmitt. An unmatched, lavishly illustrated account of one of the greatest warplanes of all time, a must have! Perfect binding. Illustrated with 200 vintage photographs, plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS50219
F3D Skyknight in Action (HB) Carey. The US Navy's first all-weather jet fighter, the Douglas F3D Skyknight, traces its origins to 1945, when the Navy began studies for a jet-powered, carrier-based night fighter. This book chronicles the development and operational history of the Navy fighter from conception to duty in the Korean War, to service as a night interceptor in Vietnam, where it was an ECM/ELINT platform, jamming North Vietnamese missile and anti-aircraft sites. Illustrated with more than 196 photos and 10 line drawings; 80 pages. SS50229
S-3 Viking In Action (HB) Elward. The Lockheed S-3 Viking was developed in the late 1960s to serve as a dedicated carrier-based anti-submarine aircraft. . It also provides an overview of some of the more significant variants that were studied, but never fully pursued, such as the Carrier On-Board Delivery (COD) and dedicated (KS) refueling variants. It also discusses the aircraft’s role in Operation Desert Storm and how the lessons learned from that conflict impacted the Vikings' mission during the latter part of the 1990s and early 2000s. Illustrated with 186 photographs, line drawings, and numerous color profiles; 80 pages. SS50230
Aircraft Specials
Aces & Wingmen II Volume 1 (HB) Morris. Includes chapters covering thirteen different Fighter Squadrons, and histories of the 353rd and 354th Fighter Groups. Also lists Aces with the B-24 Liberator in Action (HB) Doyle. Lavishly illustrated with almost 250 authentic wartime 355th Fighter Group. photos, including over 80 in vintage color, with supplemental Over 600 b/w and 31 color drawings and color profiles. Experimental versions, classic photos, with 56 color bombers, freighters, tankers, reconnaissance birds - even the drawings; 256 pages. rare gunship version - are shown; 88 pages. SS0001 SS50228
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Books Books Books Book www.adhbooks.com or call 01525 222573 Aircraft Walk Around
KC-135 Stratotanker Walk Around (HB) Katz. Many air forces can conduct missions such as air superiority and ground attack, but only the US Air Force has truly global reach. For more than five decades, the essential enabler of this global reach has been the KC-135 A-4 Skyhawk Walk Around (HB) Stratotanker. Unarmed and unglamorous, the KC-135 has Drendel. The carrier-capable Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is one been one of the most successful and enduring aircraft in US of the most successful modern combat aircraft. During Air Force history. Primarily based on the author's extensive the 25 years in which the A-4 was on the production line, access to operational KC-135 aircraft on the ground and in 2,960 Skyhawks were built. A relatively light aircraft, with flight, this book contains the most detailed photographic a maximum takeoff weight of 24,500 pounds and with a documentation of the KC-135 inside and out that has ever top speed exceeding 600 mph, the Skyhawk was operated been published, as well as color profiles of the KC-135R not only by the US Navy and Marines but also by the air in the markings of every major USAF command that has forces of Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Malaysia, Argentina, operated that variant. Illustrated with 240 photographs, Singapore, Brazil, Indonesia, and Kuwait. Introduced in 1956, Skyhawks played major roles in the Vietnam War, the 1973 detailed line drawings and color profiles; 88 pages. Arab-Israeli October War, and the Falklands/Malvinas Conflict SS65066 in 1982. Navy retired the A-4 as recently as 2003. Meanwhile, the battle-tested warrior continues to serve today other militaries around the world. Illustrated with 205 photographs, color profiles, and detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS65041
B-29 Superfortress Walk Around (HB) Savage. Equipped with pressurized cabins for high-altitude effectiveness, with an electronic fire-control system, and remote-controlled machine gun turrets, the B-29 Superfortress was the most advanced aircraft of WWII. Two of those planes, the Superfortresses Enola Gay and Bockscar, dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Yet over all, the B-29 received less notoriety than its storied elder siblings, the B-17 and B-24, perhaps because its service areas - the China, Burma, and India Theater and the Western Pacific - were less publicized than was the war in Europe. Designed by Boeing, nearly 4,000 B-29s had been turned out by the time production ended in 1946. A unique look at the plane that ushered in the nuclear age. Illustrated with over 210 photographs; 80 pages. SS65054
F9F Cougar Walk Around (HB) Neubeck. The first swept-wing carrier-based fighter aircraft built for the USN, the F9F Cougar marked a major leap forward in the area of naval aircraft design from its predecessor, the straight-wing Grumman F9F Panther. The prototype of the first version of the Cougar, the F9F-6, first took to the air in September of 1951, six months after contract award. There were several different models of the Cougar. The F9F-6 was followed by the F9F-7 and F9F-8. addition there were also two reconnaissance models - the F9F-6P and the F9F-8P - as well as a two-seater trainer version, the F9F-8T. The contemporary photographs in this volume illustrate in detail the differences between the various Cougar models, making use of over a dozen display aircraft located in museums across the United States as well as one Cougar on display in Argentina. Grounded in solid historical research, the book also features historical images from the photo archives of both the U.S. Navy and Grumman, and also includes rare photos of F9F Cougar in its final days, serving as a target drone for later generations of fighters. Illustrated with over 230 photographs; 80 pages. SS65068
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B-26 Marauder Walk Around (HB) Doyle. Exclusive photos illustrate the rarely seen inner workings and outer features of the B-26G, with additional coverage of the B-26, B-26B, and B-26C. Initially dubbed "the Widowmaker" due to its high wing loading and high landing speeds. More than 220 photographs, plus numerous detailed line drawings and color profiles. SS65069
Heinkel He 111 Walk Around (HB) Mackay. Although produced in large numbers and exported to many countries before and during the war, few examples survive today. This volume features detailed photographic images of the He 111P-1 restored and preserved in Norway, and the He 111H-20 on display in the RAF museum. Illustrated with 228 photos, detailed line drawings and color profiles; 88 pages. SS65070
B-25 Mitchell Walk Around (HB) Doyle. Soaring into the pages of history with Jimmy Doolittle's famed Tokyo Raiders, the North American B-25 Mitchell was the most-produced American medium bomber of World War II. Profusely illustrated, this volume examines the nuances of the external features and explores the inner workings. Enhancing color photographs, taken on the ground and air, 4 vintage blk/wht images, 14 line drawings. Illustrated with more than 200 photographs; 80 pages. SS65071
Books Books Books Book www.adhbooks.com or call 01525 222573 Combat Chronicles
B-29 Superfortress Combat Chronicles (HB) At The Gate Series Hilton. With its pressurized cabins for high-altitude operation, its long range, large bomb capacity, and turbosupercharged engines, the B-29 Superfortress was the epitome of cutting edge American air power during WWII. The author, a photographer with the 40th Bomb Group and a veteran of 83 Superfortress missions, offers a first-hand, eye-witness account and shares Boeing 737 At The Gate (HB) his experiences on reconnaissance and bombing missions, Tidwell. Few commercial aircraft have enjoyed a production flying the 'Hump' and taking off from an advanced base run that spans more than four decades and service in in Sichuan, China, to pummel Japanese occupation forces nearly every nation on Earth. The Boeing 737 has such a throughout Asia. Then in early 1945, the 40th BG moved to track record. Takes the reader on a journey through the newly-liberated Tinian from which they took part in the final continuing story of the 737 from the first aircraft to roll of chapter of WWII - the aerial assault on the Japanese home the production line in the 1960s, to the very latest airframes islands. Introduces you to fellow veterans of the 40th who being delivered to major airlines today. The book also relate their no-less extraordinary experiences - ditching in offers the reader a look at some of the most interesting the Bay of Bengal, lost in the Siberian Taiga, downed behind 737 liveries as well as parts of the aircraft that few people enemy lines in China, taken prisoner after bailing out over get to see. Also covered are business jets, cargo carriers, Tokyo. Personal accounts from the men who served on the and military versions of the 737 that are less familiar even front lines of the air war in the Pacific, a unique primary to the thousands of air travelers who have flown aboard historical source and a truly exciting read. Illustrated with this legendary Boeing liner. Illustrated with over 220 over 100 photographs; 120 pages. photographs; 96 pages. SS76002 SS68002
Combat Chronicles
Combat Chronicles of the Black Widow (HB) Thompson. Dramatic firsthand accounts by the pilots, radar observers, and gunners who saw combat aboard the first dedicated US night fighter in WWII fill this unique volume, the first in Squadron/Signal's new Combat Chronicles series that brings you actionpacked, eye-witness war stories, interviews, and firsthand reminiscences from the front lines. In this volume we hear from the crews who rode the Black Widow into battle all over the world. The outbreak of war in Europe left no room for doubt that the United States needed quickly to come up with a specialized night fighter to confront the totally new face of air combat. Northrop was able to come up with designs for a new, specially designated night fighter and a contract for what was to become the P-61 Black Widow was signed on 11 January 1941. After the first production aircraft rolled off the assembly line in October 1943, the P-61 went on to operate in the European, Pacific, China-Burma-India, and Mediterranean Theaters of the war. Experience WWII as it was seen by the men in the cockpit of this history-making radar-equipped night interceptor. Illustrated with 152 photographs; 112 pages. SS7701
Aeroscouts in Vietnam Combat Chronicles (HB) Mutza. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, U.S. Army planners sought to increase the Army?s helicopter force. The Army developed new tactical doctrine using helicopters - the airmobile concept which was based largely on air cavalry units. Such units were descendants of the US Cavalry, which had operated as light, horse-mounted infantry. Air cavalry troopers were, in essence, horse soldiers, and helicopters were their steed. True to their proud and colorful heritage, the Air Cavalry not only employed tactics used by their forefathers of the Indian wars, they embraced their culture as they deployed in the grueling conflict in Indochina. Packed with more than 30 action packed, often hair raising first-hand accounts of helicopter scout combat in Vietnam, this latest addition takes you into the thick of the action. Besides being exciting reading, these personal recollections by dozens of the fighters themselves provide invaluable, primary source historical coverage of one of America's epic conflicts as experienced by frontline helicopter scouts. Illustrated with over 160 photographs; 136 pages. SS76003
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Armor In Action
German Armored Cars in Action (HB) Doyle. Germany began developing its heavy armored cars well before the outbreak of World War II. Germany's early six-wheel armored cars were based on 6x4 truck chassis, and their off-road mobility was limited. These vehicles soon gave way to an expanding series of eight-wheel drive/eight-wheel steer vehicles fitted with a variety of armament. In time these too were supplanted by even larger armored cars incorporating refinements based on lessons learned from the vehicles' field experience, such as heavier armor, armament, and an air-cooled engine. Packed with more than 220 period photographs, this book chronicles the development and deployment of Germany's six and eight-wheeled armored cars before and during WWII; 80 pages. SS52050
M151 MUTT in Action (HB) Doyle. The M151 was intended to be a lightweight, highmobility replacement for the M38A1, itself a successor to the famed World War II jeep. Dubbed the Military Utility Tactical Truck or "MUTT" by the military - GIs almost universally referred to the vehicle as a "jeep." The series' service life spanned more than 40 years and four manufacturers, and the vehicles saw service everywhere the US GI was deployed. This volume chronicles the development and field use of the M151 series in Europe, the Middle East and, of course, there is extensive coverage of the vehicles' service in Vietnam. The photos, many previously unpublished, are augmented by seven line drawings. Illustrated with 220 photographs; 80 pages. SS52051
Books Books Books Book www.adhbooks.com or call 01525 222573 Armor Walk Around
M551 Sheridan Walk Around (HB) Hughes. First deployed in combat in Vietnam, the M551 Sheridan is the first US tank to be fully amphibious and also airborne capable. Photos of the sub-variants of the M551 Sheridan, such as the 'Product Improvement Program,' A1, FT-17 / M1917 WWI Tanks Walk and VISMODs round out this profile of the versatile historic Around (HB) Doyle. This volume presents a careful tank. Illustrated by more than 240 photographs plus eight study of the details and variations of this innovative vehicle, inside and out. Two-hundred thirty-seven photographs reveal detailed line drawings; 80 pages. SS67026 the intimacies of no fewer than 14 of the finest surviving examples of these machines, preserved on three different continents. Nine detailed line drawings supplement the photos and comprehensive captions; 80 pages. SS67023
Diamond T 4-ton Truck Walk Around (HB) Doyle. As it became increasingly apparent that the United States could not avoid getting involved in World War II, the US Army stepped up its efforts at modernization and industrial mobilization. Toward this end, the Quartermaster Corps ordered a series of 4-ton 6x6 trucks from Chicagobased Diamond T Motor Car Company. The chassis of the artillery prime mover was adapted for use a dump truck, a long-wheelbase truck to transport bridging equipment, and what would become the US Army's standard medium wrecker during WWII. The design of the Diamond T was so successful that it is widely recognized as the forerunner of the Army's post-WWII M-series trucks, which were utilized for 50 years. For this book, the finest preserved examples of the classic Diamond T were sought out and extensively photographed, resulting in a volume packed with color photographs augmented by five period black-and-white photos. Illustrated with 232 photographs; 80 pages. SS67031
Detail In Action Jagdpanzer 38 Hetzer Walk Around (HB) Stapfer. Pictures of Jagdpanzer 38 vehicles in Bulgarian and Swiss service appear here for the first time, and the SK-23 steam-powered recovery vehicle based on the Hetzer is also M41 Walker Bulldog Walk Around (HB) documented along with extensive coverage of the G 13, Hughes. The standard US light tank during the early years including the first-ever color photographs of that variant's of the Cold War, the M41 Bulldog was developed as a more interior. Illustrated with over 200 photographs, plus detailed powerful successor to the M24 Chaffee. Illustrated with 250 line drawings, and color profiles; 80 pages. photographs plus color profiles and numerous detailed line SS67027 drawings; 80 pages. SS67024 Ferdinand / Elefant Detail in Action (HB) Doyle. In an effort to turn the proverbial lemon, in the form of an unsuccessful Tiger design, into lemonade, Porsche engineers at the behest of the German army, converted the failed chassis into one of the largest and most potent tank destroyer designs of World War II. Initially fielded as the Ferdinand, the vehicles were further modified, and ultimately given a new - and apt - name: 'Elefant.' This new volume explores not only the combat history of both the Ferdinand and Elefant, but also chronicles the development of the illfated Porsche Tiger design through 88 period black-and-white photos. Further enhancing its utility to the enthusiast, 110 M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer Walk M26 Dragon Wagon Walk Around (HB) Around (HB) Doyle. Engine and drive train, driver's full-color photos of the only surviving examples of each type Doyle. This volume examines armored and soft-skin versions compartment, weapons and sighting systems, and stowage illustrate the nuances of the construction and subsequent wartime modification of these giant tank killers. Also features - both interior and exterior - are all carefully presented. of this massive vehicle, and its trailers, through hundreds 16 detailed line drawings as well as 15 masterful color of color photos and some of the finest restored examples in Illustrated with 230 color photographs, 5 black and white profiles; 80 pages. existence. Illustrated with over 230 photographs; 80 pages. photographs, 5 line drawings, and 4 profiles; 80 pages. SS79001 SS67029 SS67025
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Books Books Books Book www.adhbooks.com or call 01525 222573 Squadron At Sea
On Deck Series
Squadron At Sea
USS Texas Squadron At Sea (HB) Doyle. Armed with 10 14-inch guns and displacing 32,000 tons, the battleship is still a formidable sight as she enters USS Arizona Squadron at Sea Series (HB) into her second century. This expansive volume tells the tale Doyle. Packed with rare photographs unearthed from sources of the Texas and her crew. Loaded with black-and-white and color photos not only showcase the construction, throughout the country, this volume follows the history of numerous voyages, modifications, combat action, and one of America's most iconic naval vessels. Glimpse the ultimate preservation of the ship, but also show the vessel life of the crews that manned her and follow her through as a home, office, and workshop for the men who served the maintenance and refits that dramatically changed her as her crew. These historic images are augmented with five appearance. Describes the horrific explosion that ripped through her hull on the dark morning of 7 December 1941, line drawings illustrating her key configurations, as well as and a series of unique photos document the years of wartime nine color profiles depicting her aircraft, as well as the many salvage work aboard the sunken battleship. Chronicled too camouflage schemes she wore. Illustrated with over 350 photographs; 152 pages. is Arizona’s ongoing service as a tomb and memorial to SS74003 the 1,177 men who perished with her. A testament to the Arizona and her men brought to you as you've never seen them before. Illustrated with 288 photographs, 5 detailed line drawings, 7 color illustrations; 120 pages. SS74001
USS North Carolina Squadron at Sea (HB) Doyle. Laid down in 1937 and launched on 9 April 1941, the USS North Carolina was the first new construction battleship to enter service during WWII and took part in every major naval offensive in the Pacific Theater, becoming the most decorated US battleship of WWII. This volume traces the history of the North Carolina, photographically documenting the evolution of armament and electronics that elevated her pre-Pearl Harbor design to its peak - bristling with guns to counter the threat of kamikaze attack. Records not only the ship's wartime operations that earned her 12 battlestars, but also her crew and their work and recreation. Generously illustrated with more than 330 photographs - many of them color, detailed line drawings and 11 color profiles that document the various camouflage schemes worn by both the ship and her scouting aircraft.; 136 pages. SS74002
Higgins PT Boat On Deck (HB) Doyle. This illustrated volume showcases details of Higgins PTs preserved in Massachusetts, Texas, even an operational example in Oregon - the sole operational WWII PT . More than 80 color photographs, these preserved vessels are augmented by nearly 40 vintage photos illustrating rarely seen fine details of the wooden shipbuilders' craft. Illustrated with over 120 photographs; 80 pages. SS66008
USS Kidd On Deck (HB) Doyle. Documented in color close-up photos are the details of the exterior of the ship, as well as her interior spaces, where destroyer sailors lived, fought, and some died, painstakingly restored and preserved today in Baton Rouge by the Louisiana Naval War Memorial Commission. Illustrated with USS Saratoga Squadron at Sea (HB) 234 photographs; 80 pages. SS66010 Doyle. When commissioned in 1927, Saratoga's decks teamed with fabric-covered biplanes, and the ship and her crew projected US military power far beyond the nation's shores. So impressive was Saratoga that she and her crew served as a backdrop for two major Hollywood motion pictures. In 1941 she was called to do what she was built for, and for the next four years plied the Pacific, her biplanes replaced by the famed Wildcats, Hellcats, Dauntlesses and Avengers that prosecuted the war against Japan. Having survived two torpedo hits by Japanese subs, as well as repeated bomb and Kamikaze strikes, at war's end she took part in the huge Magic Carpet operation that transported thousands of US servicemen back to the mainland. Still afloat after the first nuclear explosion, she was sent to the bottom USS Massachusetts On Deck (HB) of Bikini Atoll by the second of the blasts, and still rests there today, where she welcomes the occasional scuba diver. Doyle. This book documents the warship through an Profusely illustrated with 383 color and b/w photos capturing impressive collection of images and data tables revealing the ship the ship and how it functioned as a fighting machine as the ship, her crew and aircraft supplemented by 11 line well as a home to her almost 1,800-man crew. Illustrated with drawings and 25 color renderings; 160 pages. 286 photographs, and color profiles; 96 pages. SS74004 SS66011
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Books Books Books Book www.adhbooks.com or call 01525 222573 Oliver Publishing Viking Summer: 5.SS-Panzer-Division in Poland Our first title, Viking Summer: 5.SS-PanzerDivision in Poland, 1944, includes: A general history of the period and detailed accounts of the Kovel and Warsaw battles. 13 pages of colour artwork by Dennis Oliver depicting over 40 different vehicles including Sdkfz 251 half-tracks, Pzkw IV and Pzkw V Panther tanks and others. Many never before published black and white photographs. Detailed tables showing vehicle types and allocations. Comprehensive explanation of vehicle markings and numbering systems. ADH027 STUG: Assault Gun Units In The East The second title in this series, STUG: Assault Gun Units In The East, Bagration To Berlin, is the first volume in a two part set and includes: Histories of the German Army’s assault gun units, volume two will contain Waffen SS, Luftwaffe and obscure units. Colour artwork by Dennis Oliver depicting over 40 different vehicles with details of unit markings and insignia. Explanation of vehicle characteristics and production and field modifications. Campaign maps and diagrams ADH028 Fortress: German Armour In The Defence Of Sicily A detailed history of the units involved and their actions in Sicily by well known author and researcher Claude Gillono 13 pages of colour artwork by Dennis Oliver depicting over 30 different vehicles and guns including half-tracks, assault guns, Pzkw III, Pzkw IV, Pzkw VI Tiger tanks and the deadly 88mm Flak gun. Black and white archive photographs, many never before reproduced Campaign map. Detailed tables showing vehicle types and allocations. Illustrations of unit insignia and vehicle markings. ADH029
Model Tech Manual LVT2 and LVT(A)2 (SC) LPP010
Project LTVs Amtanks: LVTA1, LVT(A)4, LVT(A)5 (SC) Information from factory blueprints, tech manuals and bulletins, photos, personal narratives and exhisting vehicles. Tips on building, detailing and weathering are provided throughout. Figure sculpting and painting pointers provided by Bill Chilstrom. LPP008
Model Tech Manual LVT(A)1, LVT(A)4, LVT(A)5 (SC) LPP011
Project LTVs Amtracks: LVT2 and LVT(A)2 (SC) Models, photos and layout with tips on building, detailing, painting and weathering. LPP009 LVT Line Drawings: LVTA1, LVT2, LVTA2, LVTA4 (SC) LPP012
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Books Books Books Book www.adhbooks.com or call 01525 222573 Airframe & Miniature No 2: The Hawker Typhoon inc. The Hawker Tornado by Richard A. Franks. 128 pages packed with vital information that no active aviation modeller should be without. • 40+ pages of technical information • 20+ pages of walkaround images and technical diagrams • 5+ pages of camouflage and markings • 25+ pages of model builds and modelling information • 200+ photographs including wartime images • Colour side views and four-views by Richard Caruana • 3D isometric views of all variants by Jacek Jackiewicz • 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scale full kit builds • A full set of fold-out 1/48 scale plans ADH015 Airframe & Miniature No.3 The Focke-Wulf Fw 190D and Ta 152 by Richard A. Franks. 160 pages packed with vital information that no active aviation modeller should be without. • 60+ pages of technical information • 20+ pages of walkaround images and technical diagrams • 5+ pages of camouflage and markings • 20+ pages of model builds and modelling information • 200+ photographs including wartime images • Colour side views and four-views by Richard Caruana • 3D isometric views of all variants by Jacek Jackiewicz • 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scale full kit builds • A full set of fold-out 1/48 scale plans ADH017 Airframe & Miniature No 4: The Hawker Tempest This fourth book in our much acclaimed series contains a massive 128 pages packed with vital information that no active modeller and Tempest enthusiast should be without. • Over 40 pages of technical information • Over 20 pages of walkaround images and technical diagrams • Over 5 pages of camouflage and markings • Over 25 pages of model builds and modelling information • Over 200 photographs including wartime images • Colour side views and four-views by Richard Caruana • 3D isometric views of all variants by Jacek Jackiewicz • 1/72 and 1/48 scale full kit builds by Libor Jekl and Steve Evans • A full set of fold-out 1/48 scale plans is included ADH026
Captured Butcherbirds Vol.1 J.Jackiewicz & R.Bock English text, soft cover, 128 pages, 329 photos, 28 multiviews painting schemes and 127 side profiles. Entire book is published in colour ADH021
Hacks Utility Planes of the Mighty Eighth J. Jackiewicz Continuation and sequel for the 'Assembly Ships'. English text, soft cover, 132 pages, 267 photos, 195 colour profiles. Entire book is published in colour. ADH022 FW-190 In Foreign Service (Captured Butcherbirds Vol. 2) J.Jackiewicz, S.Fleischer, R.Bock English text, soft cover, 100 pages, 215 photos, 112 side profiles. Entire book is published in colour. ADH023 Japanese Aircraft in Foreign Service J.Jackiewicz & S.Fleischer English text, soft cover, 128 pages, over 300 photos, 187 side profiles and colour plates. Entire book is published in colour. ADH024
The Messerschmitt Me 262 Airframe & Miniature Series: Under the expert guidance of series editor Richard Franks, this exhaustively researched book covering the popular Messerschmitt Me 262 for the avid enthusiast. 116 pages of technical information, full colour profiles, walkaround images, diagrams, camouflage and marking details, a wealth of photographic resource plus comprehensive model builds and information on kits both past and present. Every active aviation modeller should have this series by their workbench. This is the first in the series, The Messerschmitt Me 262 by Richard Franks, available now. By Richard A. Franks • 116 pages packed with vital information that no active modeller of aviation subjects should be without • Over 40 pages of technical information • Over 10 pages of full colour profiles • Over 20 pages of walkaround images and technical diagrams • Over 5 pages of camouflage and markings • Over 25 pages of model builds and modelling information • Over 200 photographs including wartime images • Colour side views and four-views by Richard Caruana • 3D isometric views of all variants by Jacek Jakiewicz • 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scale full kit builds by Steve Evans and Richard Franks ADH013
Thunderbolts of the Hell Hawks By Don Barnes, John Crump & Roy Sutherland Ninth Air Force P-47 units have been long overlooked, despite their significant contribution to victory in WWII. Their war was close to the ground, dive-bombing and strafing in support of the US Army at the Normandy landings, and in the race across France, Belgium and Germany. "Thunderbolts of the Hell Hawks" is a new book offering a personal view of one of the most decorated and effective P-47 units in the Ninth Air Force. This rich visual account of the 365th Fighter-Bomber Group, the "Hell Hawks", is presented in 320 pages with over 500 photos, most published for the first time. The book also features 98 thoroughly researched and detailed colour profiles of their Thunderbolts, illustrated by Don Barnes. All but three of the aircraft profiled have languished in obscurity for the past 65 years, brought to light for the first time here. Published with full cooperation of the 365th FG Association, and with the kind help of the men and families who shared memories and personal photo albums, this book is a testament to their strength, courage and sacrifice helping bring an end to the war in Europe. Don Barnes, John Crump and Roy Sutherland interviewed and befriended over 20 surviving pilots from the 365th FG. Maps, charts and photos of surviving artifacts illustrate the very detailed, almost day-to-day record of the Hell Hawks’ missions. Additionally, more than 100 sidebars, many written by the men of the 365th, themselves, give life and humanity to the story. This unique book offers an extraordinarily personal and illustrative portrait of the lives of P-47 pilots. Inspired by the excellent book "Hell Hawks" by Bob Dorr and Tom Jones, this book is a companion piece, providing much additional information and a rich visual picture of the 365th during the last year of the war in Europe. ADH025
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Books Books Books Book www.adhbooks.com or call 01525 222573
Attack on Pearl Harbor Covering all of the major aspects of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, this book is written so that it will appeal to both the layman, seeking an understanding of what happened on the “Day of Infamy,” and to the enthusiast who wishes to learn much more information than is usually found in a book of this size. Photos with detailed captions, extensive artwork, charts, tables, maps, and text combine to make this a comprehensive yet very affordable reference on one of the most important dates in world history. By Bert Kinzey. • More than 145 Photographs • 46 Art Illustrations • 6 Maps • 8 Tables • Illustrations showing all types of Japanese aircraft used in the attack with markings applied to the aircraft flown by many of the group commanders and other pilots • Illustrations of American Army and Navy aircraft that were in the air over Oahu during the attack including those flown by pilots who shot down Japanese aircraft • Information and data on each of the six aircraft carriers used by the Japanese as well as illustrations of the markings carried by their aircraft • Complete information on the composition of both attack waves including numbers and types of aircraft flown, armament carried, carrier assignments, unit assignments, targets assigned, and the names of group leaders • Maps showing the routes of the attack waves and how the torpedo, dive bombing, and horizontal bombing attacks were carried out in the Pearl Harbor area • List and map of American ships present in or near Pearl Harbor during the attack • Table of ships of the Pacific Fleet not at Pearl Harbor during the attack and indicating their locations • Official U. S. Navy damage report and information as to when all but three of the sunk and damaged ships were returned to action with the fleet • Photographs showing the ships listed on the Navy damage report before, during, and after the attack • Japanese mistakes and the eventual fates of each of the Japanese ships that took part in the attack • A look at the Special Attack Unit of five midget submarines and the U. S. Navy ships that engaged them ADH014
Airframe Album No 1: The Heinkel He 219 Uhu This new series of books will offer everything that modern modellers want when they are tackling a specific subject and will include:
• Period diagrams • Data from flight manuals • Data from spare parts catalogues • Walkaround images of preserved examples • Fully detailed 3D isometric views of prototype and production machines • Full colour profiles and concise camouflage and marking notes • A wealth of pictures of the recently restored NASM example • Pictures before, during and after restoration • Isometric views by Jacek Jackiewicz • Colour profiles and camouflage detail by Richard J. Caruana • 100 pages in total Publication well in advance of the Revell and Zoukei-Mura 1/32 scale kit releases. by Richard A. Franks ADH030 Airframe Album No.2: The Hawker Sea Fury A Detailed Guide to The Fleet Air Arm’s Last Pistonengine Fighter by Richard A. Franks Our second title in the Airframe Album series will cover the Hawker Sea Fury, and follows on neatly from our Airframe and Miniature titles on The Hawker Typhoon and recently published Hawker Tempest. • Period diagrams • Data from flight manuals and spare parts catalogue • Walkaround images of preserved examples • Pictures before and during restoration of the restored TFC and airworthy FAA examples • Fully detailed 3D isometric views of prototype and production machines by Jacek Jackiewicz • Colour profiles and concise camouflage detail by Richard Caruana • 100 pages • An overview of all Hawker Sea Fury kits available in 1/32, 1/48 and 1/72 scales ADH031
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How to build the Tamiya Steel Wheeled Tiger I The Tiger I is one of the most popular modelling subjects in 1:35 scale. In this book, world-renowned modeller Angus Creighton concentrates on the Steel Wheeled version of the famous German WW2 Tank. With five versions of the Tiger portrayed in great detail, particular attention is paid to subtle production differences, as well as focusing on the rare command version and Borgward BIV control vehicle. With step-by-step guides covering and painting, applying zimmerit and adding markings. ADH001 How to build the Tamiya Fairey Swordfish A full colour, high quality guide describing in great detail the building, detailing and painting of Tamiya’s stunning 1:48 Fairey Swordfish. Inside you’ll find over fifty pages of clear, easy to follow photographs of the model being constructed plus shots of the real thing. TMMI’s Geoff Coughlin has built two complete models, one in grey with wings extended and a camouflaged machine with wings folded back for carrier stowage. ADH002 How to build the Tamiya Bristol Beaufighter The 60 page book includes information on: • Building the basic model; • The six detailed versions of the Beaufighter; • Details of production variations; • Weathering; • and many other handy hints and tips! ADH003 How to build the Tamiya Spitfire Mk.IXc and Mk.VIII Revised edition with extra pages covering the Spitfire Mk.VIII. The complete guide to bulding Tamiya's amazing 1:32 Spitfire Mk.IXc written by Brett Green. The book now features 4 models, by Brett and Marcus Nicholls, Roy Sutherland and now Chris Wauchop. Hundreds of images, reference photos and how to get the very best from the model. Also features lists of after market parts... ADH011 How to build the Tamiya P-51D Mustang The complete guide to bulding Tamiya's amazing 1:32 P-51D written by Brett Green. Exhaustive step-by-step guide to construction plus models, by Brett, Mark Glidden and Roy Sutherland. Hundreds of images, reference photos and how to get the very best from your model. Also features lists of after market parts and decals. ADH016
