Aircraft reviews
DESERT AIRBASE
The fourth outing for ICM’s Gladiator sees the return of the original Mk.I kit (32040), this time paired with the firm’s excellent three-figure British Pilots in Tropical Uniform set (32106).
KURT TANK'S TANK-BUSTER
Eduard’s 1/48 Focke-Wulf Fw 190F-8 combines five frames from its latest depiction of the type with Runners N, S and T plus a pair of photo-etched steel frets from its previous quarter-scale Fw 190s.
SCOURGE OF THE SKIES DUO
Eduard’s limited-edition offerings are often keenly anticipated, and its Fokker D.VII has been packed as a double set, complete with photoetched (PE) brass and resin extras – the last provides superb Mercedes D.III and BMW IIIa engines (one of each type).
UPGRADED MOOSE
IBG has been meticulous with its coverage of the Polish PZL.37 bomber, covering each sub-type in turn.
UHU TRAINER
Special Hobby has re-released its 1/72 Fw 189B, with two grey styrene runners containing the wings, fuselage booms (common with other iterations), but the third and transparent frames contain items for the three- or five-position gondola.
DIVE-BOMBING BRITAIN
Re-released as part of Italeri’s Battle of Britain celebration, its Ju 87B contains beautifully printed markings for four France-based airframes during summer 1940.
VINTAGE SPARROWHAWK
Airfix has yet again re-released its late-1960s 1/72 Savoia S.79… and it’s the perfect subject for a ‘restoration’ project, says CHRIS CLIFFORD
BUMPER 1/48 SPITFIRE PACKAGE
Eduard has reworked its praiseworthy 1/48 Spitfire Mk.I/II parts to form a stunning American-themed Limited Edition Dual Combo – so you can build early or late Mk.Vb airframes and a Mk.Vc.
MAGNIFICENT ‘MULE’
In 2012 ICM released a 1/72 Polikarpov U-2/Po-2. But down the line the firm new it could do better, so re-tooled the type last year. Here we review the second boxing of this fresh run. And it's a cracker!
‘SEA SABRE’ RE-ISSUE
Italeri has re-issued yet another old ESCI tooling, the 1/48 FJ-2/-3 Fury. But accuracy is an issue as CHRIS CLIFFORD explains.