First off, a note of thanks to Revell for providing this kit to IPMS/USA!

I have had the fortune to build just about every major manufacturer’s” Battle Penguin” since the mid-2015 period (excluding Tamiya’s, I am a 1/48 guy as I get older), and this new release from Revell Germany is a great example of the lower-cost, simpler variant with an excellent final result… it was a surprisingly easy build, and some features just stood out for me.

(For the uninitiated, the official name “Lightning II” in my opinion is a lazy way to come up with a title, (same for “Beast Mode”, yeah, right) and the aforementioned “Battle Penguin” is what most people I know who work on the jet call it… There is another name that is less flattering in “FA” (look it up); I personally think it looks like a horny toad sitting on the ground, but whatever). Enough…

Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) provides resin and white metal parts for scale model aircraft, most of which are drop-in landing gear replacements. Their standard packaging is a card-backed blister pack that should protect the parts, though one gear leg in one set was slightly bent went I opened the package.

The superb DBMK 1/32 Sea Fury kit was released earlier in 2026 and these sets from SAC are direct copies of that kit’s landing gear, including the main gear legs and various attached and associated parts. The early set, 32199, depicts the original Sea Fury landing gear that featured the Hawker standard landing gear leg, while the late leg, as depicted in set 32198, had an extra oleo section to better cope with shearing forces in cross-wind landings, and to help damp bouncing on landing.

First off, a note of thanks to Revell for providing this kit to IPMS USA!

I have had the fortune to build just about every major manufacturer’s” Battle Penguin” since the mid-2015 period (excluding Tamiya’s, I am a 1/48 guy as I get older), and this new release from Revell Germany is a great example of the lower-cost, simpler variant with an excellent final result… it was a surprisingly easy build, and some features just stood out for me.

(For the uninitiated, the official name “Lightning II” in my opinion is a lazy way to come up with a title, (same for “Beast Mode”, yeah, right) and the aforementioned “Battle Penguin” is what most people I know who work on the jet call it… There is another name that is less flattering in “FA” (look it up); I personally think it looks like a horny toad sitting on the ground, but whatever). Enough…

Originally published in 2007, the revised edition was recently issued in 2026. The book's content is well sequenced, beginning with the battlecruiser's design history, the careers of the 3 famous battlecruisers HMS Renown, HMS Repulse and HMS Hood, a comprehensive review of all the well known scale models of these famous ships produced to date, a well photographed model showcase in various scales, five WW2 camouflage schemes for the 3 ships, a summary of modifications and refits for each ship documented by photos, line drawings and a selected reference.

The non-profit UK based group known as the Great War Aviation Society publishes their journal, Cross & Cockade International, four times a year. Issues are available in English as printed [Softbound, A4 (8.27” x 11.69”), 80 pages plus centerfold] as well as digital copies (or both). A new magazine, Contact!, is now available in both print and digital download. The Society also provides a free newsletter (sign up on their website) and occasionally publish WWI themed books like the Sopwith Dolphin monograph I reviewed earlier for IPMS USA. This Journal is the sister of the US Journal, Over The Front. The Great War Aviation Society also hosts a lecture series available through Zoom. If interested, you will need to register early as the call is limited in attendance. The Great War Aviation Society also is on Facebook and on X [Twitter].

Hasegawa first released their 1/48 A-7E in 1987 with various boxing still available today. To date it is the most accurate offering in shape and features. Where it is lacking and showing its age is in the cockpit assembly. ResKit have come to the rescue with a finely detailed 3D printed cockpit assembly which is an almost drop-in fit. Refer to the pictures that accompany this review to see the amazing level of detail on the ejection seat alone.

Tanks and Armor in the Battle for Moscow (Images of War series) by Ian Baxter is a photo-heavy illustrated history focused on German armored forces during the Battle of Moscow and related operations on the Eastern Front.

The book provides a visual account of the German Panzerwaffe’s advance toward Moscow, primarily covering Operation Typhoon (the 1941 offensive) and its aftermath. It draws on rare and unpublished photos with captions and a concise narrative.

The Soviet T-34 tank is omnipresent with WWII armor. When the German blitzkrieg erupted across Soviet territory, two tanks stunned the Germans, with the primary being the T-34. Its design was robust, armor effective and carried a main gun that could hold its own. Superior German tactics and neophyte Soviet doctrine and training still prevailed, but tank warfare was forever changed in those early encounters. The T-34 gained a fearsome reputation and captured examples were soon put in use against their former owners.

The author, Francis Pulham, continues with his Introduction,

The McDonnel Douglas F-4 Phantom II needs no introduction. With over 5,000 airframes built, and many being exported, including to the two countries covered by this decal sheet, Greece and Iran. The Hellenic Air Force (Polemikí Aeroporía) began using the planes in 1974 and has some Peace Icarus 2000 upgraded Phantoms still in service, while the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) may still have a few in service – their status is currently unknown due to the current issues the country is facing.

The McDonnel Douglas F-4 Phantom II needs no introduction. Over 5,000 airframes were built, and many were exported, including to the two countries covered by this decal sheet, Israel and South Korea. The IAF began operating the Phantom in 1968 in the wake of the 1967 Six-Day War, finally retiring the fleet in 2004. South Korea’s Republic of Korea Air Force was a Phantom operator from 1969 until their retirement in June 2024.

Taiwanese modeling company DXM Decals has released a set of 1/48 decals for five airframes, including three Israeli Air Force F-4Es, plus two Republic of Korea (South Korea) Air Force F-4Es. The decal set comprises two sheets, one standard-sized decal sheet is packed with images comprising what appears to be two complete sets of stencils, plus a half-sheet with serial numbers, roundels, and special markings.

Background and Historical NotesFrom DXM Hobby Studio’s Decal Notes

These decal sheets provide some very colorful markings for five of the U.S. Navy’s F-1B/J Phantom squadrons, covering markings from the years 1968 – 1976. There is one a/c from VMFA-115 ‘Silver Eagles’ aboard the USS Forrestal in 1981, two a/c from squadron VMFA-451 ‘Warlords’ and two a/c from VF-96 ‘Fighting Falcons’.

This 1/48th scale sheet is intended for use with either the Academy, Hasegawa, Italeri, Revell, Tamiya or Zoukei Mura kits. That allows you to complete either an F-4B or F-4J from one of six alternate kits.

The non-profit UK based group known as the Great War Aviation Society publishes A new magazine, Contact!, is now available in both print and digital download. The first two issues of Contact! are available for a free digital download on their website. Their journal, Cross & Cockade International, is also published four times a year. Issues are available in English as printed [Softbound, A4 (8.27” x 11.69”), 72 pages [Including Covers] as well as digital copies (or both). The Society also provides a free newsletter (sign up on their website) and occasionally publish WWI themed books like the Sopwith Dolphin monograph I reviewed earlier for IPMS USA. This Journal is the sister of the US Journal, Over The Front. The Great War Aviation Society also hosts a lecture series available through Zoom.

South African Armoured Vehicles, Volume 1 - A History of Innovation and Excellence is revised and expanded from an earlier book by the author, Dr Dewald Venter, South African Armoured Fighting Vehicles: A History of Innovation and Excellence, 1960-2020 (Africa@War No. 36). The author notes that this updated edition is split into two editions. The author continues,

The success of the first edition, with positive reviews from numerous formal reviewers and a 4.7 out of 5-star rating on Amazon from 5 reviewers, was immensely encouraging. It is my hope this second edition will continue to serve as a definitive resource for anyone with an interest in South African armoured vehicles, military history, and the stories of the men and women who designed and operated these incredible machines.

About the Author

The following is taken from the jacket cover.

Craig Moore has had a passion for military history since he was a child. He is chiefly interested in the two world wars, in which eight of his close relatives fought, and two died. One of his uncles lost a leg in Normandy in 1944 when his Sherman tank was hit by a shell. In 2010 Craig retired from London’s Metropolitan Police after 30 years of service. He lives in south-west London where he makes regular contributions to military history magazines. He also often visits museums and military events around the world. This is his tenth book on topics pertaining to the world wars.

What You Get

This is a hard bound edition in standard 7⅛ by 10 format with 182 semi-glossy pages. The book contains Acknowledgements, Introduction, 10 Chapters, and a Bibliography.

Background and Historical Notes

From DXM Hobby Studio’s Decal Notes

These decal sheets provide some very colorful markings for eight of the U.S. Navy’s F-14B Tomcat squadrons, covering markings from the years 2001 – 2004. These are all from VF-103 ‘Jolly Rogers’ squadron, and all display either high visibility or low vis aircraft flying NAS Oceana.

This 1/48th scale sheet is intended for use with either the Hasegawa, Great Wall or Hobby Boss kits.

The Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina flying boat played an important role during WWII. Widely exported to various countries, the PBY-5 was in operation in Australia from the first day of the Pacific War until the last. The missions of the Catalina in Australian service were varied and extraordinary. This book examines all aspects of PBY-5 operations while in service with Royal Australian Air Force.

Summary

This kit is a re-boxing of ICM’s Do 217M-1 WWII German bomber (Kit 48274), but with a new decal set of RAF markings for a captured aircraft.

As with other ICM kits, this one is overflowing with detail and precise engineering.

Background

The following is taken from the ICM instructions.

“The German Do 217M-1 bomber was a variant of the Do 217 series, equipped with DB 603A engines producing 1,750 horsepower. Combined with four-blade propellers, this significantly improved the bomber’s flight performance and increased its maximum speed to 557 km/h, though at the cost of reduced range. The Do 217M-1 served with Luftwaffe bomber and reconnaissance squadrons until the end of World War II.

The “Stuka zu Fuss” was the name given to WWII Germany's Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) that was commonly mounted on the Sd. Kfz. 251/1 Ausf B half-track. This was an effort to give German armored units some mobile artillery support, particularly in urban environments. The MLRS was employed on captured French (Renault Chenillette's) and American (M3 half-tracks) vehicles as well.

The MLRS consisted of from four to six launch crates draped over the side of the carrier vehicle. These disposable crates were also the shipping container for the projectiles. These projectiles came in three versions:

!930’s era Gangsters had a certain fascination to many people. I’m sure most people has seen the movie Bonny and Clyde. The figures in this set of three brings us back to that time period without having to rob banks, get into firefights with law enforcement, the risk of prison or worse!!

The Kit: 24054

From DXM Hobby’s Decal Manufacturer’s Notes

These decal sheets provide some very colorful markings for four of the U.S. Navy’s EA-18G Prowler squadrons. These include (a) VAQ-138 Yellowjackets CAG Bird 2024, (a) VAQ-138 Yellowjackets CAG Bird 2024, (b) VAQ-139 Cougars CAG Bird 2023, (c) VAQ-140 Patriots CAG Bird 2024, and (d) VAQ-131 Lancers CAG Bird 2024.

This 1/48th scale sheet is intended for use with either the Hasegawa, Meng, or Italeri kits.