ICM continues its current conflict series with Drone Hunters, a part of their DS (Diorama Series) line. This kit combines the M1097A2 Heavy HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) with a Soviet DShKM machine gun and three figures (one manning the DShKM, one with binoculars and one holding the MANPADS (MAN Portable Air Defense System, in this case a FIM-91 Stinger) in firing position).

Drone Warfare

Referencing the ICM website and instruction sheet, "Drones have become a crucial element of modern warfare, fundamentally changing combat operations. Today, hundreds or even thousands of drones are deployed in a single day of fighting. Kamikaze drones—aerial strike vehicles—present a significant danger. These range from small units weighing just a few kilograms to large platforms approaching aircraft size.

Super Model International, published by Kagero, is a series of modeling magazines that focus on three to five build articles per issue. The magazines feature large high-quality photos, limited advertising and focus on the building, painting and or weathering process.

Issue number three has three build articles:

• 1/48 Tamiya D.520
• 1/32 Pacific Coast Models Hurricane Mk.1
• 1/32 Hobby Boss Spitfire Mk.Vb

There are three authors in this issue and a brief bio of each is presented on the back cover of the magazine.

One of the latest in Mushroom Model Publications’ White Series, French Bombers of WWII follows up an earlier volume on French aircraft: (2013’s French Flying Boats of WWII). MMP is calling this book part of their "Rainbow Series." I'm guessing that refers to their large format camouflage and markings set of books in their "White" series that have addressed Bulgaria, Finland, Hungarian, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, and Sweden. This series seems to share a commonality of discussing the specific topic of the evolution of a countries' evolution in markings. To that end, this book utilizes many previously un-published pictures and focuses in on individual aircraft to supplement with superb color illustrations.

Casemate Publishers presents Stratus MMP Books Austro-Italian Naval War 1866 by Piotr Olender. Part of the Maritime Series of books, this large, heavy softbound book is really about the Battle of Lissa in 1866 between the newly formed Italian and nearby Austrian fleets, and the sweeping geopolitical fallout. The unification and formation of present Italy, the fractionation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the rise of Prussia/Germany, and French meddling set up future wars, including World Wars I and II.

Thanks to ICM Holdings for the paint set for review!

ICM has broadened its paint sets into WWII naval colors. Item 3070 is for US Navy WWII, a set of six (6) acrylic matte paints, 12 ml each. The colors are pulled from their extensive line of acrylic paints. Colors are: Black (1002), Wine Red (1048), Dark Blue (1077), Dark Sea Grey (1034), Warm Grey (1031), and Sky Grey (1033). Pricing is around $10 for the set, which is reasonable.

These paints are designed for brush application, but can be thinned 40-60% with water or thinner for airbrushing. The colors can also be mixed with each other to achieve different colors if desired.

They all are matte (flat), and brush on easily to plastic and paper, and are more opaque than other paints, meaning one coat should be sufficient for brushing (see HMS Glorious aircraft carrier photo), even without a primer coat.

Reference the ICM website,

The SPz Marder 1 is a German infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) developed by Rheinmetall that has served as the main combat vehicle of the armored infantry divisions of the Bundeswehr since the 1970s.

The vehicle underwent several modernizations throughout its service life, with the A3 upgrade program launching in 1988. This modernization included 1600 kilograms of improved armor, reinforced suspension, a new braking system, and a modified turret configuration. The resulting SPz Marder 1A3 has proven to be one of the world’s most battle-tested and reliable IFVs.

Back in the late 60s through the mid 70s Monogram released a bunch of kits designed by Tom Daniels. I built a dozen of them in my youth, but lost all of them during one of our moves when the box didn’t show up at our new base housing. Since then I have managed to collect all but a couple of the ones I had and several I didn’t have but always wanted. Now, thanks to Atlantis Models, some of these kits have been re-released, and I took the opportunity to grab the Pie Wagon.

The kit comes packaged looking like the old Monogram kit, including the classic instructions. The parts are molded in red and clear plastic with chrome and brass-plated parts and rubber tires.

The long-awaited Czech variant of the Bf-109 family, the Avia S-199, has finally been released by Eduard. It is the first of the new Hybrid Line of kits. This touts less plastic parts and more resin pieces. One thing that stuck me as funny is there is no photo etch, not because it was needed but considering that Eduard started out as a photo etch company. I found this interesting and shows just how much Eduard has grown since its conception.

From the Introduction,

Infantry, and the tactics shaping their use, will play a central role in the any future conflict on the Korean Peninsula, alongside the APC’s and fire-support vehicles detailed in the previous volume. However, it is through overwhelming firepower of its armored formations and artillery, backed by engineering units and mobile air defences, that the KPA is expected to attempt a breakthrough. With most of its inventory of indigenous manufacture, the present book attempts a comprehensive study into the little-explored landscape of the Ground Forces’ armored vehicles.

There are four medium grey sprues for the plastic parts.

Clear Parts - The clear parts are very clear and crisply molded. This sprue includes several parts that will not be used in this build. The canopy is made up of three parts, and the canopy may be posed open or closed.

Instructions - There are 20 pages in the instruction booklet. Each step is shown as line diagrams with parts numbered, parts placement shown along with paint colors. As this kit may be built for either the Mitsubishi or Nakajima manufactured aircraft, the different manufacturer parts are noted. There are five different aircraft that can be built from this kit. Start by deciding which version will be built, as there are parts as well as paint color options to be used for the various versions. The instructions show the locations for all markings and stencils.

Eduard has provided this beautiful new release from their P-40 range for review, in the form of this 1/48 scale model of the P-40N Warhawk. This is based on the original release from a few months ago. The kit contains six gray sprues, one clear sprue, one Photo Etch fret, one mask set, one decal sheet, and an instruction guide.

The quality is excellent in every way with this kit, as crisp and detailed molding has become the norm for Eduard kits. The assembly is quick and easy. You must select which version you are going to build before you start, and I chose Box Art version “A”.

ICM have released several versions of this biplane, and the box art depicts a plane in snow-white camo in 1942 on the German eastern front. These rugged aircraft served in ground support and training roles throughout the war, even after being supplanted by the more modern Ju 87. They were only taken out of service in 1944 due to a lack of spare parts.

I was excited to be asked to do a build review of this kit, as ICM have a reputation for common sense engineering, interesting subjects and excellent fit. This kit is no exception.

Eduard has generously provided the IPMS-USA reviewer corps with a 1/72nd scale MiG-21bis ProfiPACK Edition. This boxing has markings for six MiG-21bis aircraft from six different countries. The MiG-21 series from Eduard were originally boxed in 2018. Since then, they have produced many MiG-21MF, PF, and PFM variant boxings. This is the MiG-21bis variant, and it contains one new sprue (sprue K).

The kit is packaged in a top-opening rigid box with great box art of the Soviet Union jet. Inside there are four gray sprues, one clear sprue, one photo-etched fret, one decal sheet for the different aircraft markings, one decal sheet for airframe data/stencils, and one set of die-cut masks. Decals include the following aircraft options:

The 1/48 ICM kit “Conquerors of Europe’s Sky” has three kits included, a B26C Marauder, a P-51D Mustang and the Spitfire Mk XVI.

The B26C is a new tool kit, the P-51D and the Spitfire Mk XVI is an old tool kit which came out back in 2006, so those molds are almost twenty years old.

Included in the B26C kit is:

• Eight grey sprues
• One clear sprue
• One set of decals for three different aircraft
• One mask template
• One instruction booklet
• One instruction page for paint and decal placement

Included in the P-51D Mustang kit:

• Five grey sprues
• One clear sprue
• Decals for one aircraft
• One instruction book

Included in the Spitfire Mk XVI kit:

One thing I always tell people about the model-building hobby is how blessed I feel about the people I have met who are now my good friends. At the 2025 IPMS-USA National Convention, I made another new friend. I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Lieutenant Colonel Dusty Finley, Retired, who hailed all the way from Alaska. He served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the 11th Airborne Division (Arctic) of the U.S. Army. During our conversation, he told me about a book he was writing and I was thrilled when he told me he would mail me a copy. I received it, and from start to finish, I was enthralled. I have even been telling my friends new things I learned as a result of reading it.

2025 has seen several versions of Eduard’s P-40E released. Before this year, their P-40s consisted of M & N variants. Included in the 2025 lineup of P-40E Warhawks, Eduard has released a Royal Class Dual Combo R0023, P-40E Pacific Star Combo No 11185, the Kittyhawk Limited Edition Dual Combo No. 11187, the P-40E ProfiPack No. 82241, and the subject of this review, the P-40E Weekend Edition No. 84207.

Inside of the box, five beautifully molded gray sprues, along with one clear sprue, are contained in sealed bags. There are two decal sheets – one for stencils and another for markings also provided. This kit does not contain any PE or 3D printed parts.

This is author José Daniel Fernández Dugarte’s second volume of the 1992 coup d'état attempts in Venezuela, focusing on events of the February 1992 coup that were set up in the first volume, and the subsequent November coup that ultimately failed. The original manuscript was too large for the @War series, so the editors decided to break it into two volumes. Both volumes are essential to telling this complex story. This volume starts right where the first volume ends and outlines the rest of the first coup, the aftermath, then the second coup just nine months later, its aftermath, and the path of power for Hugo Chávez. Please read the first volume before attempting the second volume.

Guideline Publications is the UK's leading publisher of modeling and hobby-related magazines. With a world-class portfolio of titles and an international Social Media presence, Guideline Publications has a dedicated readership that is constantly expanding into new areas. This English language book, Aero L-39- L-59- L-139 & L-159 Albatros, is authored by Jakub Fojtík Ph.D. with scale drawings by Sam Pearson. The latest in Guideline’s Warpaint series, 149, was published in 2025. A digital edition will soon be available. The latest on Guideline’s publications can be found on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/guidelinepub/

The Panzerspähwagen (Funk) P204(f) was a German command radio-equipped armored car based on the captured French Panhard 178. Command variants of the P204(f) used FuG 10 or FuG 11 radios, and the large Hochantenne (elevated) frame antenna, with some vehicles also fitted with a right-side telescopic mast. The Germans converted the P204(f) into a Funk vehicle by removing the APX3 turret and installing a fixed or open-topped armored box.