Builds

The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver

Throughout much of its development and early deployment, the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver was plagued with problems, delays and disappointments. It was disliked by aircrews and carrier skippers and dismissed by foreign governments, who cancelled their orders in droves. By the SB2C-4, the teething problems were largely ironed out, and the massive dive-bomber found its adherents. But you know what they say about first impressions. (more…)

Intro | Part 1 | PART 2

(more…)

The Junkers Ju 87 Stuka

It’s strange how certain aircraft are just instantaneously associated with certain chapters of World War II. When you think of Pearl Harbor, Wake Island and the early Japanese march across the Pacific, it immediately conjures images of the A6M Zero. Battle of Britain? The Spitfire and Hurricane. The US daylight bombing campaign will always be associated with the B-17 Flying Fortress, just as the firebombing of Tokyo and atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will always be linked to the B-29 Superfortress. Stalingrad? The IL-2 Sturmovik.

And when you think about the German blitzkrieg, you immediately think of the Junkers Ju 87 Stuka. (more…)

Intro | Part 1 | Part 2 | PART 3

(more…)

Intro | Part 1 | PART 2

(more…)

Intro | PART 1 | Part 2

(more…)

Intro | PART 1 | Part 2

(more…)

The Lockheed PV-1 Ventura The Lockheed Ventura was one of a handful of aircraft used by the Allies that evolved out of a civilian plane, the Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar.…

After screwing the pooch on Tamiya's Ki-84 Hayate, I had to make a decision. The Japanese Group Build over on the FSM forums fired my interest to build something Japanese,…

The USS Washington - BB-56 Guadalcanal is usually associated with Marines and bonzai charges, but it was the Navy that bore the brunt of the casualties in the waters off…