!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.

Reskit has issued a 3D printed cockpit for ICM’s 1/35th scale CH-54A or S-64E Tarhe. There are versions of this from Reskit primarily with and without 3D printed instruments like the ones I reviewed last in my Reskit F-111E review. This set does not include the printed instrument panels but does includes more than 30 3D printed parts. Also included are acetates for the instrument panels, decals and small printed sheet for magazines that can be added. These are all packaged in a well-padded box containing the parts and their supports and boxes.

Agora Models

Agora Models is a UK company based in London, England that specializes in high-quality large-scale models. This is the third part of the review of Agora Models’ Jeep Willys SAS, describing assembly and finishing of the Jeep. Agora distributes the Jeep kit monthly in 12 Packs.

Summary

Agora’s Willys SAS Jeep is a fantastic kit that will please Jeep lovers and fans of large-scale modeling. Assembly of the big kit is straightforward with detailed, clear instructions. There are many tiny screws used in the build, which is the only challenging part of the assembly. Pre-finishing of the parts allows building the kit without additional painting steps and even less experienced modelers will find the build enjoyable.

Following the base and paint modifications, the rest of the build is finishing the model and taking the pictures.

To finish the build, you need to finishing the left arm and leg; these are built the same way of the previous right arm and right leg. I did paint and modify most of the cylinders in the arm and leg as per the previous sections. Once these are attached, we need to build the torso.

The torso is constructed from the inside out with plates being added. The connections of the “hydraulic” lines also occurs. The parts are precut and glued in place and I used the recommended super glue here sparsely. These are attached to the head and shoulder section. The plate sections are heavy plastic or metal. The process continues with the back and cylinders being added. Follow the instructions and read them thoroughly and you should be good as fit is precise and great.

Following the base and paint modifications, the rest of the build is finishing the model and taking the pictures.

To finish the build, you need to finishing the left arm and leg; these are built the same way of the previous right arm and right leg. I did paint and modify most of the cylinders in the arm and leg as per the previous sections. Once these are attached, we need to build the torso.

The torso is constructed from the inside out with plates being added. The connections of the “hydraulic” lines also occurs. The parts are precut and glued in place and I used the recommended super glue here sparsely. These are attached to the head and shoulder section. The plate sections are heavy plastic or metal. The process continues with the back and cylinders being added. Follow the instructions and read them thoroughly and you should be good as fit is precise and great.

Thanks to Casemate Publishers USA and IPMS/USA for the review copy!

For too long, the Royal Navy's numerous heavy cruisers have been ignored by model ship companies. This timely update shows this mistake is being corrected, a boon for ship modelers. This heavily illustrated paperback is a useful and powerful single resource for building accurate models of the 13 County class heavy cruisers.

Casemate Publishers brings back Seaforth's ShipCraft 19, County Class Cruisers in Britain's Royal Navy before, during and after World War 2 by Les Brown. Les Brown is a well-known and accomplished British warship aficionado and model builder, with a long history of British warship subjects, typically destroyers and smaller warships. He is also a luminary in the Small Warships Group of the IPMS.

The Images of War series is a great series for modelers and those interested in history because the story told in amazing photographs that are usually not available anywhere else. Philip Jowett has authored several books within this series, and one of the amazing aspects of these books is that no matter the author, the books all feel a part of the series rather than disparate writing styles under the same banner.

Following the familiar Pen & Sword Images of War series is the story of Partisans & Guerrillas of World War Two - Poland, the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, Italy, France, covering 248 pages with 300 black and white photographs. Each chapter starts with a brief history of the topic covered, followed by a lot of photographs to complement the text. This book is composed of the following:

In this second to last part, I want to go over some of the modifications we can do to the Terminator. First, let me say, these are not needed as the kit is fantastic by itself. That being said, I can never leave well enough alone so here we go.

Looking at the kit, there are parts of metal and plastic. I wanted to deal with plastic parts and when they are made, they are molded and have faint seam lines and then are chrome plated over that. My first step was to use sanding sticks and progressively finer grits to get the seams removed. Polishing the parts will produce a finer finish. The only difficult part to this is getting through the really good chrome plate. Once the seams are good and smoothed, I used a primer to prep the pats for painting. I like Tamiya Super Fine. It dries quick and hard but does have an odor. This was allowed to dry overnight.

Helion is a UK-based company that produces books on many aspects of Military History from the Late Medieval period through to the present day. Helion was established in 1996 by University of Warwick graduate Duncan Rogers. Since then, they have published over 1,200 books, with 100 or more new titles coming out every year, for readers around the world. Casemate markets Helion books in the United States.

Double Xcellent Model, DXM, from Tawain has provided the IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a set of painting stencils (weathering/rusted) to give a splotchy/mottle look to your kits. These are made from a soft silicone material and can conform over complex surfaces. These should be used in conjunction with an airbrush to get the best results.

In the Package

DXM provided four different stencils each individually packaged.

In this second to last part, I want to go over some of the modifications we can do to the Terminator. First, let me say, these are not needed as the kit is fantastic by itself. That being said, I can never leave well enough alone so here we go.

Looking at the kit, there are parts of metal and plastic. I wanted to deal with plastic parts and when they are made, they are molded and have faint seam lines and then are chrome plated over that. My first step was to use sanding sticks and progressively finer grits to get the seams removed. Polishing the parts will produce a finer finish. The only difficult part to this is getting through the really good chrome plate. Once the seams are good and smoothed, I used a primer to prep the pats for painting. I like Tamiya Super Fine. It dries quick and hard but does have an odor. This was allowed to dry overnight.

Zoukei-Mura has graciously provided the IPMS Reviewer Corps with a first look at their brand new 1/32nd scale Kawasaki Ki-100-I Otsu Type 5 Fighter. Full release and distribution will be later in August 2026.

Prior to this release, the only way to get a 1/32nd scale Ki-100 was to purchase a Hasegawa Ki-61 and an Alley Cat conversion set. This new kit will fill a void for WWII Japanese fighters.

First Impression: It Looks Fabulous!

History (from Zoukei-Mura website)

The Ki‑100 Type 5 Army Fighter was a Japanese Army aircraft of World War II, developed as a derivative of the Ki‑61 Hien. By installing the Ha‑112 radial air‑cooled engine and modifying the fuselage, the Ki‑100 arose as an emergency conversion aircraft. Despite its improvised origins, it demonstrated outstanding performance, providing the Japanese Army with an unexpectedly capable fighter.

Box Art / Packaging / History

Academy have produced a newly boxed iteration of the 1999 Revell Leopard 1A5, parts are well molded and very little flash was observed. The box art is glossy and depicts artwork of a Leopard in German Markings and NATO Camouflage scheme. The instructions did not give any history of the MBT, but briefly, the Leopard 1A5 was the main service version of the Leopard 1 post 1987 when some 1800 Leopard 1’s were converted to the new variant. The newer variant improved on fire control systems, gun stabilization and night fighting capabilities adding a laser rangefinder and enhanced thermal imaging. Some are indeed in service today in Ukraine.

I believe the Battle of the Coral Sea is vastly underrated and overlooked in its importance, often overshadowed by the imminently more covered Battle of Midway less than a month later. The Battle of the Coral Sea could arguably be more important than Midway, and author Dr Tom Lewis does a fantastic job of not only describing the Battle of the Coral Sea very well, but he also places it where it belongs in history.

In 2020, the JASDF celebrated the final year of service for the RF-4E, which had entered service in 1961, with a specially marked airframe, serial 57-6907.

Korean modeling company, DXM Models, has released a set of 1/48 decals for this airframe and has kindly sent IPMS/USA a sample. This set included two sheets of decals, one for the stenciling and standard markings, while the second is devoted exclusively to the special markings applied to the airframe.

A full colour instruction leaflet includes comprehensive decal placement and painting guides for top, bottom and both sides. Colour callouts are in Mr. Color, Humbrol and FS standard where applicable.

In 2020, the JASDF celebrated the final year of service for the RF-4E, which had entered service in 1961, with a specially marked airframe, serial 57-6907.

Korean modeling company, DXM Models, has released a set of 1/48 decals for this airframe and has kindly sent IPMS/USA a sample. This set included two sheets of decals, one for the stenciling and standard markings, while the second is devoted exclusively to the special markings applied to the airframe.

A full colour instruction leaflet includes comprehensive decal placement and painting guides for top, bottom and both sides. Colour callouts are in Mr. Color, Humbrol and FS standard where applicable.

The JASDF operated a special unit for Phantom testing from it’s earliest service days in 1971. The F-4EJ ADTW (Air Development and Test Wing) was the first and last operator of the F-4EJ in Japan until it'sdxm disbanding in 2021. Based at Gifu AB, the ADTW tested new technologies and weapon systems for the JASDF. Throughout the Phantom's service, the ADTW evaluated F-4EJ variants including the improved Kai version.

Korean modelling company, DXM Decals, has released a set of 1/48 decals for three airframes, including two F-4Ejs and one F-4EJ Kai. The single standard-sized decal sheet is packed with images, including all the decals required for the three options that include a farewell scheme, and a full set of stencils.

I like small air forces so whenever a book comes out covering planes flown by them I am interested, especially if it shows schemes used by those smaller air forces.

The Bazzocchi Connection is focused on two designs by Engineer Ermanno Bazzocchi who joined Machi during WW2. The Introduction covers early designs leading up to the MB.326 in 1961 after the firm became Aermacchi. This plane later evolved into the MB.339 and these two aircraft make up the bulk of the narrative and pictures.

The book moves through the development history of the MB.326 before moving into operational use. One interesting aspect is tables listing all operational aircraft by serial numbers under the air forces they flew with and with a notes column listing each planes outcome.

In September 2022, in a surprise move, the Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) revealed a new special markings scheme for one of its aggressor F-15J Eagles of the 306 Hikotai based at Komatsu AB. In conjunction with Paramount Pictures as publicity for the then-new Top Gun: Maverick movie, the service had painted up one of their Eagles as Top Gun instructor ‘Maverick’ Mitchell’s personal F/A-18E, specially for a forthcoming Air Festival at the airbase. A bit of a non-sequitur, but it looks good!