Reviewed by: Bill O'Malley
Company: Meng Model

This Part 2 of the review of Meng's GT40 Mk.II '66 focuses on the chassis & suspension assembly of the Meng kit. Part 1 of the GT40 review included 'What's-In-The-Box' and a comparison of the Meng kit to the previously released Trumpeter GT40 kit.

Reviewed by: Dave Morrissette
Company: Brengun

The US Navy's most common aerial torpedo used in WWII was the first purpose built torpedo for use in aircraft (but they were also used on PT boats. Brengun's kit comes with twelve photoetch parts and three resin parts. The kit comes with two options- the early configuration which is a standard looking torpedo and was used from 1935 until 1942. The second option was a later configuration with breakaway plywood nose (often called the pickle barrel) and plywood tail used from 1942 until 1951. I opted for the late version for variety.

Reviewed by: Dave Morrissette
Company: Brengun

Brengun continues to release wonderful aftermarket add-ons to enhance 1/48th scale planes. In this set, there are six complete AN-M31A1 100 lb bombs which were used by fighters, bombers, or attack aircraft. They were in use for a long period of time and covered WWII to Korea and further.

Inside the package are six perfectly cast bomb bodies in Brengun's dark gray resin. Simply cut from the pour block and you are set to add the photoetch. There is a complete photoetch sheet which has the bomb fins, the nose fuse and the rear plate and tail fuse. You will need a 0.5mm rod to add the tail fuse also. Lastly, the decals are included and have the nose and tail yellow bands, marking for the tail and two for the body. The decals are crisp.

Reviewed by: Brian R. Baker
Company: Kagero Publishing

Historical Background

This is volume 2 of a series of publications providing the history of the development of the Lavochkin La-5 series of fighters used by the Soviets and their allies during World War II, or what they called the Great Patriotic War. The author goes into great detail describing the technological development of the type, and its engine, providing very intricate details of what went wrong during developmental testing, and how the problems were either ignored or solved. For a reviewer such as myself, this information is completely understandable, but for a non-pilot, it might be a little over complicated.

Reviewed by: Brian R. Baker
Company: Valiant Wings Publishing

Historical Background

The Fairey Firefly was originally conceived in the late thirties as a carrier based fighter for the Royal Navy. It was built as a two seater because the authorities felt that a single pilot would not be able to navigate and fly under combat conditions at sea. While other similar aircraft, notably the Defiant and Blackburn Skua and Roc had power operated turrets, the Firefly dispensed with these, and throughout the protracted development of the type, the rear gun was never adopted for widespread use. Performance, however, was exceptional, and the type was ready for limited service in 1942.

Reviewed by: Dave Morrissette
Company: Brengun

Brengun adds to its catalog with Attack Hobbies re-release of the Mk XVII depth charge in 1/48th scale. The set contains the parts to make and mark two depth charges along with the pylon for mounting. Inside the set, you will find two well-cast depth bomb bodies and nose fuse stalks in gray resin, a photoetch sheet containing the parts to make two pylons, the fuses for the bomb, and a small decal sheet for the one marking on the depth charge.