AFV Modeller Ltd

AIR Modeller Magazine #13 August/September 2007

Reviewed By  Mike Howard, IPMS# 30741

MSRP: £6.00 GPB (approx $12 USD) www.airmodeller.com Review copy provided by AIR Modeller This issue of Air Modeller magazine continues a previous article on the 1/32nd Trumpeter SBD-3 and focuses almost all on WWII related items in its well done format. To start the reader off this time is a nice build of the 1/48th Planete Models Hughes H-1 "Racer". The author, Romain Hugault, describes this kit as "extremely simple and refined" prior to launching into his build description. The photos do show a pretty straightforward build with a nice looking end results. There are also a few period photos of the original H-1 dispersed throughout that add a nice "air" to the write up. The second article researches Luftwaffe colors, specifically those of Fw-190A-8, "Blue 9". Black and white photos, color profiles and a period color picture are used to explain late war color patterns and variations based on many different factors. Lots of good info here for 190 fans. A 1/48th Tamiya P-51D, finished in the markings for "Lou IV", is the next subject. The author, Emmanuel Perness, explains his airframe modifications (removing the tail fillet) and additional detail work (opening gun bays and adding Aires, TD and Eduard items) and also notes a few difficulties encountered along the way. The end result is a very nice looking Mustang that displays excellent paint and realistic weathering. Some nice, colorful P-51D profiles follow the build article. Eight different Mustangs are shown in side-view and noted with pertinent unit and location information. Frank Oudin shows off his build of the 1/48th DML/Dragom Me-163b in the next construction article. Again, lots of extra detail parts are used to spice up the base kit and the in-process photos illustrate the placement of these items. Frank discusses construction, painting and finally the small diorama he constructed to display the finished product. The 1/32nd Trumpeter SBD-3 article that was started in Issue 12 is finalized in this issue. Details of colors, external details and finishing techniques used are covered in the final installment. Having never used Montex masks for the national insignias, I found the photo and text coverage of their application very intriguing and helpful. The Xtreme Detail section this time around covers the P-51D Mustang. A couple of color period photos open the section and then lots of detail shots from restored and museum examples fill the next seven pages. These pics were definitely either taken by a modeler or with the modeler in mind. Listing and pictures of some of the latest and greatest kits, books and accessories are contained in this issues "Air Born - New releases" section. Lots of mouthwatering items for all of us resin and plastic airplane junkies! The final article is mostly a photo essay on and extremely well detailed Hasegawa 1/48th Bf-109G-6. Lots of Eduard, Aires and scratch built parts festoon this aircraft and the photos document the construction and installation of these items. The end results is quite impressive for those that appreciate superdetailed models with various airframe panels opened and engines exposed. Well done! I'd like to thank Air Modeller magazine and IPMS USA for the review sample.

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