Malcolm Laird has produced a video on the Spitfire PR “Type D”. This is the only version of the Spitfire individually discussed in Churchill’s wartime Cabinet Papers. Its extreme range and information gathering potential was that important. The “Type D, known as the PR Mk IV from December 12th 1941 onwards, is THE most significant version in the development of Photo Reconnaissance Spitfires:
The newest issue of Model Airplane International magazine is out now in print and digital formats. In this issue we have Part Two of Spencer Pollard's Italeri 1:32 scale Macchi C.202, painting my Eduard 1:48 Messerschmitt Bf 109 K-4, Italeri's 1:72 F-35A by Andy King, a build piece on the Aki 1:72 Firebrand, Gary Edmundson's1:32 Wingnut Wings Fokker E.II
and much more! Here's the subscription link too. The best way to help keep our magazines in circulation is to take out a subscription to Model Airplane International, Model Military International, Tamiya Model Magazine and/or Military Illustrated Modeller. Thanks!
KLP Publishing has announced the release of its latest Build Guide in eBook format, “Building the ICM D.H.82A Tiger Moth in 1/32 Scale” by Max Williams. The book is 260 pages and the price is $17 Australian.
Malcolm Laird from Ventura Publications has put together a video covering the 1945 Japanese surrender schemes that lasted for a few months in the hands of the RAAF and RNZAF in the Pacific. “Zeros”, “Dinahs” and “Jakes” etc in overall white with green crosses here…
Roland Sachsenhofer presents a new Feature Article on his Special Hobby 1/72 scale Douglas DC-2. 24 images of the model under construction and complete are included.
Tonight I review Eduard's 1/48 scale Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4 Weekend Edition. I think this is the first time that Eduard's Bf 110 G-4 has been offered as the lower-priced Weekend Edition. 36 images of the kit's plastic parts, decals, marking guide and box top are included.
Malcolm Laird from Ventura Publications has put together a video telling the story of the very first emergency production Mk.IX Spitfires. As the saying goes “necessity is the mother of invention”…
The newest issue of Model Airplane International magazine is out now in print and digital formats. In this issue we have big articles on Spencer Pollard's Italeri 1:32 scale Macchi C.202, my brand new Eduard 1:48 Messerschmitt Bf 109 K-4, Airfix 1:48 Blackburn Buccaneer S.2C/D by Steve Pritchard,
Airfix 1:24 Spitfire Mk.IXc by Dirk Devijer and much more! Here's the subscription link too. The best way to help keep our magazines in circulation is to take out a subscription to Model Airplane International, Model Military International, Tamiya Model Magazine and/or Military Illustrated Modeller. Thanks!
Today I review Magic Factory's all-new 1/48 scale F4U-1A /F4U -2 Corsair kit. Parts for two complete models are in the box - one of each. 66 images of the kit's plastic and photo-etched parts, masks, decals, marking guide and box top are included.
For the information of our Australian visitors, the ACTSMS Canberra model show (Scale ACT 23) will be heldon 11 and 12 November at a new, larger venue, Thoroughbred Park, 1 Randwick Road, Lyneham ACT, featuring model displays, the competition and the ever popular Swap 'n Sell. Lots of local and interstate traders will be in attendance selling kits, books and modelling accessories throughout the weekend. This year also sees a series of expert ‘how to’ workshops and modelling demonstrations presented by some of Australia’s best modellers, and our special themed model display “Matchbox 50th Anniversary”. For more information and online registration (competition registration closes midnight Thursday 9th Nov), please visit https://www.actsms.asn.au/scaleact-23 or Facebook “Scale ACT”
Malcolm Laird from Ventura Publications has put together a 6 minute video exploring the size of wing roundels on New Zealand flown P-51D Mustangs. Were they the same size on both wings? On the top port wing they were painted over USAAF star-and-bar markings, but on the top starboard side they were painted from scratch.
9 October, 2023
I have archived "What's New" entries from March to August 2023. These may be found, along with all the other What's New archive pages dating back to 2008, at the bottom of this page. Earlier entries may be found in the Indexes.
KLP Publishing is pleased to announce the release of “Building the British Phantoms Volume Three: The F-4J(UK) in RAF Service”, by Geoff Coughlin This 390-page digital publication includes chapters on the evolution and key features of the F-4J(UK), along with 9 models builds and 3 colour profiles, and is only 20 Australian dollars from the KLP website.
And next week we will have news about Spencer Pollard's latest book - Part 2 of his Century Series title.
Tonight I examine Xtradecals' 1/72 scale Post War Lancaster Pt. 3. Six images of the two decal sheets, instructions, cover and a photo of one of my models finished using Pt. 1 are included.
Malcolm Laird from Ventura Publications put together another video, this time on post-war RNZAF Territorial Air Force P-51D Mustangs following the life of one Mustang from the time it arrived in New Zealand, through the “checker board” markings, then on to duty as a target tug and finally the “melting pot”. It’s only 12 minutes long and includes some early photos of Mustangs being painted with roundel-and-bar national insignia.
Francesco Guedes reviews ICM's 1/48 scale Heinkel He 111 H-8 Paravane. More than 50 images of the plastic parts, instructions, decals, box top and reference photos are included.
We have Preview images and information on Sword's latest releases and re-issues. The new kits are 1/72 scale F8U-1P/RF-8A Photo-Recon Crusader over Cuba and RF-8G Photo-Recon Crusader over Vietnam. Reissues are a Fairey Gannet AEW.3 with resin operator's position, F3D Skyknight over Korea and TF-9J Twogar, all in 1/72 scale. Ten images of box art and marking guides are included.
Tonight I review Xtradecal's 1/32 scale Gloster Meteor F.3 Collection. Six images of the decal sheets, instructions and cover are included. This is good timing for the new Revell kit, due for release in October.
Eagle Editions has announced their latest book, Wings of the Black Cross Number Fourteen by Mark Proulx, illustrated by James Bentley. More details by following this link.
Tonight I review Eduard's brand new 1/48 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 K-4 in detail. I have already built the model and I have included construction notes. 66 images of the kit's plastic and photo-etched parts. decals, marking guide, box top and some progress photos are included.
Malcolm Laird from Ventura Publications has put together an 8 minute video on an interesting and sometimes contentious issue, "Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) roundel blue - what was "that" colour?".
Barracuda is having a 4 day End of Summer/Back to School Sale. Getting back to the bench? Barracuda has lots of great updates and detail sets for many of the newest, hottest kit releases, including parts for the 1/24 Airfix Spit IX, the 1/32 Kotare Spitfire I, the 1/48 Arma Hurricane Mk II, the 1/72 Arma P-51B, the 1/72 Eduard 109F, and even the just released Eduard Bf 109K-4 in 1/48th scale! Stock up for your fall building schedule! Sale ends Sunday at 11:59PM Pacific Standard time.
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