IPMS/USA Reviews

PJ Productions from Belgium makes great aftermarket and figures in resin for aircraft modelers in all scales. This set is a resin Mirage Pilot wearing of the 1960's wearing the white suit named "habit de lumiere" and the Garneau helmet T312 or the high-altitude helmet EFA T12. The figure is designed to fit either the Mirage IIIC or early IIIE in 1/32^nd scale.

The kit consists five cream colored resin parts- left and right arms, the body with legs and two head options. One is fully helmeted and the second is without so you have an option. The casting is good with only a few seams and no bubbles. I cut the arms off the casting blocks and used the back side of a #11 blade to get the seams removed followed by a light sanding. The same was done with the body and I chose the ETA helmet and head which just needed removing from the casting block. I added the arms and then smoothed the seams. I kept the head separate for ease of painting. Lastly, I primed the entire kit with Alclad gray primer and let it sit and dry.

Some things are just better in a scale thickness. Eduard has always provided some of the world leading photoetch. The Eduard 109s are some of the best kits out there of this iconic aircraft, but like other manufacturers, they are limited what they can do in plastic.

This fret of photo etch is designed to allow you to do a variety of options to improve your kit. The big things on the fret are the flaps and landing gear doors. Also included on the fret are the oil cooler exhaust, radio compartment, and lots of parts for the landing gear. Both the flaps and the landing gear doors are a very scaled thickness. The flaps will allow you to position your flaps in any position you so desire.

The radio compartment is a very nice addition if you want to open up the panel. It is interesting that this panel is slightly different than the one in the Brassin Radio Compartment set. This particular one has the area for the first aid kit. Which isn't on the Brassin set.

I wanted to use the flaps but I bent one of mine beyond recognition while building it. This was not a problem with the kit, but with the builder. I dropped the flap and bent it beyond use.

Hasegawa has recently released a limited edition, re-box kit of the Aichi E13A floatplane, featuring a separately molded catapult and two marking options.

1. IJN Kashima NFG, Kashi-98
2. IJN Kashima NFG, Kashi-95

Nicknamed "Jake" by the Allies, the Aichi E13A floatplane made long-range recon a reality for the IJN (Imperial Japanese Navy) during World War II. E13As were typically launched by catapult off of ships, and many were used for kamikaze missions during the latter half of the war. Several E13A1 pilots were from the Kashima Naval Flying Group, which had begun as a flight training group in 1938.

The Build

When I first opened the box, and studied the pieces, I noticed that there were some small, light scratches in the fuselage halves. Also, from what I could see, there was a fair amount of flash along many of the parts. The kit has raised panel lines as well, these points all adding up to the fact that this is the older (1971) kit.

This book traces the early history of Ju-52 combat units and operations. The book is broken up into six chapters.

Chapter one covers the development of Junkers Ju-52 from the lifting of the ban imposed by the Treaty of Versailles on the production of commercial aircraft in 1922. Beginning with the all metal F-13 and moving through the A-20 and on to the G-24 leading up to project "EF 30". This was essentially a single engine Ju-52 and eventually progressing to the now familiar three engine design. There is a brief discussion of their use by Bolivia in the war with Paraguay that was very interesting. Discussion is also present on the civilian use of the Ju-52 noting that by March 31,1936 839 Ju-52s had been built and orders came from all over Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa for this sturdy airliner.

Chapter two covers the use of the Ju-52 in the Spanish Civil war both as bomber and transport. There is on page 51 a fabulous photo of a float equipped Condor Legion Ju-52/3m. The Ju-52s and Spanish built example would serve the Spanish Air Force into the 1970s.

Bios from Osprey:

John Dibbs is unquestionably the world's premier aerial photographer, having flown over 1,150 aerial sorties in 125 different types. John has published 19 books including the acclaimed Spitfire: The Legend Live s On. His award-winning work has graced hundreds of magazine covers over the last 25 years. Raised in London, his interest in aviation was passed on by his father who grew up during the Battle of Britain near Northolt aerodrome. John now lives in Seattle, and is serving on the Board of the National Museum of World War II Aviation in Colorado Springs. His work can be viewed at www.planepicture.com .