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.

A easy, basic kit of the Bull Frog. With the exception of the cockpit clear piece, the fit was good. Had to use stars & bars and the HMM 261 (actually a 268)from a Fujimi kit as HB got theirs wrong or were not included. The instructions had no interior color call outs which I thought was strange. Maybe someday Academy will re-issue their 48th kit again.

The McLaren 750S in 24th scale is the latest of Revell's detailed series of modern supercars. We look at the finished kit & its details in our preview...Read on... »

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.

Hi ! Here another project I have done in the past , this is the WILIAM BROS kit with a little lve..If you like to view more pics, just follow this Google link : https://photos.app.goo.gl/bAq7npPZ9eL4NCUX7 Enjoy ! Jmarc

Next in the line of Blutz trucks is the 1/35th scale Sd.Kfz.3a Maultier, "Early Prod," from MiniArt. Info, art & CADs showing the kit's features in our preview...Read on... »

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.

A new model company from Riga in Latvia is producing new figures (& vehicles) with some great designs & authentic historical detail. Their first set of figures features people from the time of the Spanish Civil War. See them in our preview...Read on... »

An awesome up-armoured M923 truck & a 200th scale guided-missile cruiser from I Love Kit are coming. Art, info, sprues & built-up test kits in our preview...Read on... »

This is the rather old (ancient) Airfix Re-8 kit. It's not very detailed by today's standards but with care it builds up into a nice display model. The only thing I did to it besides the rigging is to replace the kit's scarf mount as it looked like it was made from 2 inch pipe and used different figures for the crew as the old Airfix one's looked deformed.

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:

Vendors sold out months early, a Star Trek 60th anniversary category on the awards table, and a full day of plastic modeling in one of the most visitor-friendly spots in north Alabama. We sit down with Tom Clark from the Huntsville Plastic Modelers Society to get the real details on their 49th annual show at the Huntsville JC’s building on Airport Road, including what to expect if you’re traveling in right after the IPMS Nationals.

We walk through the schedule step by step: when vendor setup starts, the registration window, how long judging runs, and when awards are handed out. Tom also explains how their electronic forms work, why the club prefers online paperwork, and how they keep things simple with classic IPMS 1-2-3 judging. If you’re searching for an IPMS USA model contest, a scale model show in Huntsville, or a plastic model event in Alabama with strong vendor support, this is the planning guide you want before you pack the car.

Then we get into the fun stuff: category options across aircraft, armor, automotive, dioramas, real space, sci-fi, ships, and a dedicated Gundam and giant robot section, plus a juniors category that makes it easy for younger builders to jump in. We also talk about the on-site food trucks, nearby restaurants, and why the venue is comfortable for a full-day hang. You’ll even hear what the club is previewing as they recruit volunteers for next year’s big Nationals workload.

Subscribe for more show spotlights, share this with a friend who builds, and leave a review with your best contest tip so more modelers can find the community.

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This is the Hasagawa (HAI!) 1/48 Ki-44 Tojo kit. I built this just for my shelf mainly to get 1 model built before getting ready to go the Nats. This is a very nice kit with plenty of detail, so I built it OOTB except for some PE belts added to the kit seat. Since the finished cockpit could be added into the fuselage from the bottom and the fit was so good between the major components (the tail planes are just sitting in their slots here) I decided to take the unusual path of painting the wings and tail planes separately from the fuselage. I also decided to paint ALL of the markings, using no decals, cutting my own masks from tape using the decals as a guide. Painting things separately really simplified masking off around the tail plane roots as well as the leading edges of the wings. There's lots of little "buggers" here and there on this one, but they're due to my working fast and not showing as much care as needed if this was meant to be a contest model. Still, it's a very colorful scheme for my shelf and I've finally replaced the old Otaki Tojo that I built decades ago and had bit the dust some time ago. Comments, questions, and critiques welcome as always! Gil

MiniArt's new 35th scale "Luftwaffe Field Regiment - Ardennes 1944-45" features four figures & three sprues of weapons & equipment. See about the soldiers & the set in our preview...Read on... »