Publications

The Fokker D.XXI single seat fighter was developed in the late thirties to replace the Fokker biplane fighters serving with the  Dutch Army Aviation Branch.  Although used in relatively small numbers by the Dutch, and quickly overwhelmed by the Luftwaffe during the German invasion,  the type was also adopted by the Danes, but its major operational use was with the Finnish Air Force in the Winter War and afterwards .  Faced with shortages of Bristol Mercury engines, the Finns also produced a variant powered by American Pratt & Whitney R-1535 Twin Wasp Junior engines.  These aircraft had some additional modifications, and were operated on both wheels and skis, quite successfully against the Russians, who didn’t fare too well against the highly trained and experienced Finnish pilots.  Later replaced by more modern equipment, including Hurricanes, Brewster Buffaloes, and Curtiss Hawks, and later Bf-109G’s, the D.XXI’s continued on until the 1944 Armistice, being used primarily for reconnaissance and  ground attack.  A few survived postwar, and were used for training, operating with the blue and white roundels replacing the light blue swast

MMPBooks (Mushroom Models Publishing) has a proven track record of offering some of the best publications on the market and this latest addition to the collection is no exception. Written by Robert Peczkowski and illsustrated by Artur Juszczak, this book is another example of the excellent publications coming from MMPBooks There are 33 books in the “Yellow Series”, featuring a wide range of aircraft from before WW II through the end of that conflict, and this book, featuring the Lockheed P-38J-L is a welcome addition becoming the 34^th book in the series.

MMPBooks offers a “preview” of the book online. Point your browser to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0FCm6RlzkA and watch the preview, featuring images of some of the content. The preview runs just over 4 minutes and gives the viewer a comprehensive look at the contents of the book. While on the MMPBooks website, take the opportunity to download the Stratus Catalogue. It is 28 MB but is well worth the short download time.

The May issue's Cover article features the new Xuntong Tu-2T in 48^th scale. This feature article serves as an excellent resourse for those planning to build the Tu-2T. Author and builder Marco Preto presents an in-depth review of Xuntong’s first release. Marco’s workmanship and skill are evident in the text and accompanying images. The article is a “must read” for anyone who wishes to build the Tu-2T.

This issue of SAM contains a “Feature Build” article and this particular article features the Wingnut Wings DH-2. Dai Williams does a fantastic job building up the WNW kit, sharing his techniques for shading and achieving a “translucent rib effect”.  Being a fan of Wingnut Wings kits, and having one on the workbench at this time, I found Dai’s article timely and very useful.

As is the case in each issue of SAM, there are a number of “Compact Build Reviews”. In this issue there six CBRs.

Model Art Modeling Magazine is a Japanese publication that is released monthly. The text is mainly in Japanese with some English subtitles throughout.  One quality about these magazines is the high quality of the photographs and the models that are used.

In this months magazine the feature article on probably one of the most daunting tasks that many modelers fear. Finishing models in natural metal finishes! This tends to send fear into the hearts of many modelers, including myself.

Model Art covers this subject in thirty seven pages using plastic models, actual pictures and paint examples with a mix of color and black and white photos. The models used are an F-86, T-33, C-46, H-21 and T-6. They use several different mediums to get the desired effect. The paint of choice for the article is Mr. Color and they use multiple colors and one color set, JASDF Aluminized Old-Timer Colors. The other medium that is used is a metal foil that is called Duralumin Finish.

Next is the continuing series on Modeling JASDF. In this issue they finish building the T-28B that they had been building over the past several months.

This is Model Art Magazine’s Mechanics – Major Robots in Golden Age. As with the regular Model Art Magazine this is printed in Japanese with some English subtitles.

This special issue covers “Mechanic Models” with an emphasis on models from the 80’s.  The subjects of this issue are covered with the use of built up models that are shown in full color photographs.

So what is a Mechanic Model? From going through this issue I would describe it as your Transformer, Gundam and Mech type model. Some of the models built are a RX-78 Gundam, Aura Battler Dunbine, ATM-09-RSC Scopedog Red Shoulder Special and VF-1J Valkyrie.  With each of these is a build article that gives tips and tricks to the builder.

There is one model that is reviewed that almost everyone should recognize in this issue. This is the Fine Molds 1’48^th scale X-Wing Fighter. This has got to be one of the nicest kits of the X-wing that is on the market.

I can say that I have had an interest in these types of models due to the fact that there are some similar techniques that are used in weathering aircraft and armor.

USS Lexington (CV-2) and her sister USS Saratoga (CV-3) played a critical role in the development of the modern naval aviation and the way the US Navy wields air power. Built on the hulls of battlecruisers cancelled in the 1920s under the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty, Lexington and Saratoga were far more different and innovative than the first US aircraft carrier, USS Langley CV-1, and any foreign contemporaries. They were the largest US carriers built until the Midway Class CVB. Both ships were quickly integrated into the battle fleet and participated in every major exercise in the 1930s and early 1940s. It was on these ships that the Navy envisioned, developed, and put in to practice the doctrine and procedures that would define an American way of Naval warfare and lead to victory at sea. Key components of that doctrine included: rapid preparation, launch, assembly, and projection of aerial strike forces while maintaining airspace control around the carrier and the battle group. Other innovations included flight deck duties identified by colored jerseys, aircraft pre-flight inspections, and aircraft handling and spotting.

History

The Halberstadt CL.II series of two-seat close-support biplanes was introduced during 1917, and the type became the standard German type for the duration of the war, supplanted but never replaced by the later CL.IV and Hannover C1 biplanes.  Robust and efficient in construction, and powered by the 180 hp. Mercedes D.IIIau water-cooled engine, the type was used to support ground troops – attacking, strafing, and bombing enemy positions, and causing considerable problems in Allied operations.  In addition to ground support, the type often encountered Allied fighters, and crews often held their own against the more nimble Allied single-seaters.  Postwar, surviving aircraft were flown into the 1920s, and the only surviving example, which was originally displayed in a Berlin  aviation museum,  is currently in Poland awaiting restoration.  Detail photos of this aircraft are included in this publication.

Being an avid fan of Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) destroyers, I was eager to get my hands on this book. The Japanese had two major advantages on the US Navy during the early days of WWII: a superbly trained and equipped air arm and their excellently equipped and crewed destroyer flotillas that made themselves utterly terrifying weapons during engagements like the Battle of the Eastern Solomons. The first chapters of the book provide a good summary of Japanese doctrine and how it developed from the naval treaties and influenced design. The meat of the book specifically addresses the early post-WWI designs leading up to the legendary Fubuki-class destroyers and their successors up to the Shiratsuyu class. Finally, the author provides a summary, defining why these magnificent machines utterly failed to make a lasting impression on the results of the Pacific War.

This in the sixth volume in Osprey’s Air Vanguard series, but the first I have come across.  The series seems geared to providing an overall view of the subject aircraft’s development, technical specifications, and operational history.  One interesting angle on this series is that the books are also available in eReader formats such as Kindle or ePDF files.  People have differing opinions on which format is better suited to a reference book, but in any case it is nice that this option is available.

The book is broken down into 4 basic sections: Design and Development, Technical Specifications, Mark by Mark, and Operational History.  A brief Conclusion section wraps things up, and a small bibliography (6 titles) is included.