Ammo by Mig Shaders Assortment

Published: May 6, 2020
Company: AMMO by Mig Jimenez

Background

For the 10-15 years, modelers have been enjoying the “golden age of weathering products.” Be it in the form of pre-mixed washes, filters, effects such as mud, dust, grime, streaking, etc., or pigments in all shades, it’s never been so convenient or easy to come up with convincing weathering effects on our models. One of the leading innovators in this field has been Mig… more

Top Drawings M16 Half-Track

Published: May 6, 2020
Book Author(s): Mariusz Motyka
Company: Kagero Publishing

Background

A variant of the iconic M3 series of half-track vehicles originally fielded in World War II, the M16 was fitted with 4 each .50 caliber machine guns in an electrically-drive rotating turret adapted from aircraft use. Used primarily as an anti-aircraft platform, the M16 also held great utility in suppressing enemy infantry. First seeing service in 1944, replacing the twin… more

F4U and FG Corsairs - Part 2 Whistling Death

Published: April 20, 2019
Company: Fundekals

Background

Originally conceived and developed as a carrier-based fighter for the United States Navy, the F4U Corsair was initially adopted by the US Marine Corps as a dependable and extremely lethal land-based fighter-bomber. The Corsair’s unique and innovative configuration incorporated engine oil coolers in the inboard wing sections, with the resulting airflow through them making… more

EA-18G "VAQ-141 Shadowhawks"

Published: January 13, 2019
Company: Academy Models

Background

The Electronic Aircraft (EA) EA-18G Growler is a modified version of the F/A-18F Super Hornet that is used in a naval strike package to jam enemy radar to make the strike package virtually invisible. The EA-18G Growler had its first test flight in August 2006, the later entered service in the U.S. Navy in September 2009. Our Australian allies later adopted the Growler in… more

USAF Crew Chief "Cold Weather"

Published: March 19, 2018
Company: Videoaviation

Considered by many to be the backbone of the United States Air Force (USAF), crew chiefs oversee the care and combat readiness of the service’s fleet of aircraft. Without the dedication and skill of the crew chiefs and other maintenance specialists, nothing would fly – let alone fight. Regardless of location, season, or time of day, Air Force crew chiefs keep their aircraft combat ready.… more

Vietnam Ace Captain Steve Ritchie and Friends

Published: November 26, 2017
Company: Werners Wings

Background

The air war in Vietnam was a departure from what the United States had experienced in prior conflicts. The over-dependence on air-to-air missiles, micromanagement of operations from the White House, and countless constraints and rules of engagement put American aircrews at a distinct disadvantage against North Vietnamese adversaries. Despite those limitations, the US… more

F-4 Phantom "Vietnam Aces"

Published: October 5, 2017
Company: Italeri

Background

Originally developed as the Navy's primary fleet defense interceptor in the 1950'ss, the F-4 Phantom II rapidly evolved into the mainstay multiple fighter for the Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps by the mid '60's. During the Vietnam War air war, the Phantom became the exclusive mount of all 6 American "ace" (airmen scoring 5 or more air-to-air victories) emerging from… more

F-4J Phantom II & F/A-18F Super Hornet "Jolly Rogers" (2 kits) Limited Edition

Published: May 24, 2017
Company: Hasegawa

Background

Of all of the US Naval Aviation fighter squadrons, VFA-103 has one of the most recognizable color and markings schemes since the Vietnam War. Nicknamed “The Jolly Rogers, ” the squadron boldly sports black and gold unit markings featuring the legendary “Jolly Roger” skull and crossbones. “The Jolly Rogers” were formed in 1944 as VF-17, and saw action under numerous… more

USN/USMC Tailhook Striping

Published: December 22, 2016
Company: AOA Decals

Having built many US Navy jets in various scales for over 36 years, I can resoundingly state that the thing I hate most about painting them is masking and painting tailhook stripes. Although some manufacturers have included the striping decals with the kits, the vast majority have not.

Thankfully, AOA decals has introduced a new series of decal sheets in 1/72, 1/48, and 1/32 scales to… more

IL-2M & Panther D - Two-in-One Kit

Published: December 22, 2016
Company: Academy Models

Background

Mortal rivals, the Soviet Il-2m Sturmovik and German Panther Ausf. D represent pinnacles of combat capability for their respective nations in the 1944 timeframe. Often eclipsed by the mighty Tiger tank, the Panther proved to be an extremely lethal and far more maneuverable and reliable little brother to the larger and more finicky Tiger – truly one of the best all-round… more