New Kittyhawk Models 1/48 F-94C Starfire

This is a new kit from a new company.  We'll be stocking it.

Coming soon.  Pre-Order Today!

Stock number:  3319-KH80101

Price:  $49.95

Check out the instruction sheet.

Kubelwagen on all Frontlines

Pre-orders for the April arrival of this exciting new release from Tankograd Publishing are now being taken.

Price:  $59.95
Stock Number:  6805-TGBK006

The book features:

English text

Hardcover with 256 pages

475 black and white plus 33 color photos

16 technical drawings

12 color profiles

The definitive reference on Germany's well known Kubelwagen is on the horizon.  It is a treasure trove of mostly previously unpublished photos from private collections.   The large number of fresh photos has allowed author Jochen Vollert to research and identify specific Kubelwagen production batches. This in turn enabled him to provide a first time ever Kubelwagen production batch identifier reference.  Modelers with an eye for accuracy will find this invaluable.

The new book is unique in covering not only the production history of the vehicle but also its service history.  All fronts are covered including Africa Korps, Eastern, Southern, Western, and German Reich.  In addition,  Kubelwagens in Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, SS, and Polizei service are also detailed.  Other topics covered are maintenance and repair, specialized variants, captured vehicles and more.

All fans of the Kubelwagen will  find this book hard to put down.  Even if they've read other books on the subject, model builders, as well as history buffs will find mostly fresh material to hold their interest.

My hat is off to author Jochen Vollert  and the fine folks at Tankograd Publishing!

Pre-Order your copy today for only $59.95
Stock number: 6805-TGBK006

 

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BRONCO M-24 Chaffee (NW Europe '44-'45)

BRONCO M-24 Chaffee (NW Europe '44-'45)

 All I've got to say is, "IT'S ABOUT TIME!"  This has got to be one of the coolest little tanks of all time.  And no offense to those of you who snarfed up the Vickers Mk VI, but this is the most exciting news in the modelling world since the TASCA Sherman.

So, I'm sure everyone has already read the review on PMMS.....if not....
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/bronco/cb35069.html

It has been a hot topic on many of the other forums as well.  One of the more interesting is the squabble on Armorama between an "alleged" AFV Club employee and....um...the rest of the world;

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=186020&page=1

The sprues look beautiful to me, but here is a really in-depth build review;

http://bulldogs.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=7442

What is all the controversy about?  In spite of the beauty and incredible craftsmanship in this kit, nobody wants to build a post-war Chaffee and put it in WWII colors.  Brent Mullins of the Museum of the American GI  http://www.magicstx.org/ (shameless plug here) did an amazing job restoring a post-war M-24 and put it in WWII colors (several more pictures posted on the King's Hobby Shop Facebook page).  This thing looks great driving across a field, but up close...we know.

Terry Ashley also points out a minor (yet very difficult to fix) flaw in the turret roof (ouch!)(pictures respectfully borrowed from PMMS).  Honestly, if I were judging the kit at a show, I'd probably never notice.  But as a builder, this is the kind of stuff that haunts you at night.

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However, there is a solution!  If anyone still has a Formations M-24 upgrade kit for the old Italeri kit...looky here...Rob got it right.  As far as I'm concerned Rob Ervin is the resident Chaffee expert, so if you're out there, feel free to respond Rob.  Additionally, Russ Amott points out the splash guard around the ventilator cover is a post-war addition (molded on to the turret roof by BRONCO).  Thanks again Rob, the ventilator
in the Formations set is a separate piece.

I can't say if the Formations part will match the rest of the BRONCO turret, but using his turret can't be as tricky as trying to correct that angle.  Unfortunately, the Formations set is not currently available, but I understand from Mr. Ervin that an outfit in Canada has purchased all the molds and is planning to keep the line in production

Regardless, this is going to be a great kit.  And what about that working track and suspension?  Is there a motorized version in our future?  Stay tuned for King's clamation remake of the original "Godzilla".

Eduard / Brassin Big Sin Set for Tamiya 1/48 F-16CJ

Stock Number:  3160-64801

Price: $66.95

Just got this great set in from Eduard.  If you want to add an even higher level of detail to the already fantastic Tamiya 1/48 scale F-16CJ, this is a great deal.

Set includes the following resin / photo etch upgrades:

648004 F-16CJ Block 52 Engine (PW F100)
648007 F-16 Late Wheels
648008 F-16 Late Seat
648033 F-16 Late Radar
648039 F-16 Air Brakes
49009 Remove Before Flight Flags

Eduard's Brassin series upgrades are among the best in the industry.  This set is the first in the new "Big Sin" series.  It features all the Brassin upgrades previously released for this subject, but in one package.  It is a similar concept to Eduard's earlier "Big Ed" series which combined all their photo etched sets for a given subject into one package.

All parts in the set are simple installations as far as resin / photo etch upgrades go.  Intermediate model building skills are recommended, but desire is required!

I like the price on this release which is $66.95.  The items included in the set if purchased separately would total $76.70.  Simple math reveals a savings of $9.75 by purchasing the Big Sin box.

Check out the higher level of detail!

 F-16CJ Block 52 Engine

 F-16 Air Brakes

 F-16 Late Radar

 F-16 Late Seat

 F-16 Late Wheels

 Remove Before Flight Flags

    

Classic Pubs FW-190 Volume 1: A brief review by Brad Perry

I'm excited to have a copy of Classic Publications Focke-Wulf FW 190 Volume One 1938-1943.  This is the first of three, and according to the authors possibly four volumes on this highly important World War Two fighter.  Richard Smith and Eddie Creek have spent 35 years researching the "Wurger" and judging from their first offering, this series will prove to be the most comprehensive and authoritative study on the FW 190 to date.

The book provides a good balance between the technical and operational histories of the aircraft.  Discussions of design philosophy and construction development are complete including details on early technical problems related to the BMW 801 engine.  Data on all FW 190A sub variants through the A-6, plus early F and G ground attack versions is included.  Also included is a chapter devoted to the early attempts to produce a high altitude version of the FW 190 using supercharged BMW 801, and turbocharged DB 603, and Jumo 213 engines.

Technical history is interspersed with a reasonably complete combat history of the aircraft organized by battlefront, and highlighting noteworthy events in four years of war.  Numerous representative first hand accounts from FW 190 pilots spotlight the challenges faced by these men.  All units which operated the aircraft are discussed as are the little known factory protection staffels manned by Focke-Wulf test pilots.

Layout of this hardcover 336 page book is attractive.  It is packed with hundreds of photos (I stopped counting at 153 through page 100).  They are mostly black and white with some color, and printed with very sharp resolution.  Artist Janusz Swiatlon created 26 striking FW 190 profiles which provide the reader with a cross section of the colors and markings for this famous fighter.  The authors have also included numerous technical drawings of the aircraft and its related systems throughout the book.  They note that they chose to use only drawings produced during the war by Focke-Wulf or the RLM to ensure historical accuracy.

This book is a winner.  Anyone interested in World War Two air combat should consider this for their shelf.  I'll look forward to future volumes.

Stock number:  6289-CC7296
Price:  $79.99

Look over my shoulder at some of what's inside this tome!

Great production line detail photos.

Nice color plates!

Period technical drawings.