I must have this

A Yamato turret in 72nd scale.  Way to go, Takom.

Ki-78

Film has been discovered of the Ki-78 in testing and flight.  No such film of the aircraft had existed before this discovery.

Japanese bombs

As I mentioned on a previous episode of the Plastic Model Mojo podcast, I had found a company making resin WWII Japanese bombs.  I ordered one of each of their sets and they arrived yesterday.  A review will follow. (h/t Jeff “Inch High” Groves, who spotted them in stock at HLJ.) Here is a Wikipedia article on the different types of Japanese WWII bombs.

 

MXY-7 info

My last model completion was the Brengun kit of the MXY-7 Ohka.  Here is a blog post by someone who assisted in the restoration of the one at the IWM. (h/t Jeff “Inch High” Groves)

A really nice 72nd scale modeling blog

It is here.  Focus is mainly on propeller aircraft around WWII.  Worth keeping an eye on.

I must have these

Japanese WWII ordinance is rare. I need these.  Here. Here.  Unfortunately, I can’t find them.  Help?

 

ICM Po-2

ICM has completely redone their Po-2 kit.  Given the ubiquity of this aircraft on the eastern front in WWII, this is good news for 72nd scale modelers.

I swear at this point they are just making stuff up

Here.  Well not completely making it up, but are down to doodles on beer napkins.

Book review: Gloster Gladiator Aces

Gloster Gladiator Aces
Osprey of the Aces #44
Author: Andrew Thomas
ISBN 1 84176 289 X
Publication year 2002
Pgs 96

The Gloster Gladiator was the last RAF biplane fighter put into service. It was also the last biplane fighter to see combat service with the RAF. While most people tend to think of the Gladiator as proceeding the Hurricane and Spitfire, it actually was developed and built almost contemporaneously with those other two, more famous aircraft. The Gladiator was a progressive development of Gloster’s Gauntlet biplane fighter and it was developed and ordered as an insurance policy in case the more radical Hurricane and Spitfire failed to live up to expectations. They didn’t, and as a result the Gladiator had a very limited front line service with RAF home fighter squadrons, with only a couple of squadrons seeing limited service in the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain. However, the Gladiator saw more extensive service in the Mediterranean, Greece, Egypt and east Africa. In addition, the Gladiator was used by the Greek, Chinese, Belgian, Norwegian and Finnish air forces. Most famously, the naval version, the Sea Gladiator saw limited but vital service on Malta, constituting its only air defense for several months after Italy’s entry into WWII

This book is in the classic Osprey format.  It starts with a history of the aircraft and then flows naturally into discussion of the use of the aircraft in a particular theater, highlighting the stories and combats of some of the pilots who became aces flying the aircraft.  in addition, in the center of the book there are 9 pages of color side view illustrations of some of the aircraft flown by the pilots whose stories are told in the book.

While the book is by no means comprehensive it is an excellent introduction to the Gladiator and its combat history. While a little expensive if purchased at full price ($18) the titles in this series can often be purchase at a discount if you shop around.  I recommend the book to anyone wanting a basic introduction to the Gladiator’s combat experiences in WWII.

Revell Ju-88 A-1

Here we have some of the first images of Revell’s new Battle of Britain variant of the Ju-88 A-1 slated for release this year. Looks promising.