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The Heinkel He.162 – Airframe Album 13 A detailed Guide to the Luftwaffe's VolksJäger (9780995777347) Valiant Wings Publishing The He.162 VolksJäger was an emergency project that was instigated in a desperate attempt to reduce the devastation that was being caused by the Allied bombing offensive, using few strategic materials that were becoming increasingly scarce, and that was also supposed to be easy to fly. A number of companies submitted their design with the Heinkel option gaining the contract, using laminated wood extensively in the aircraft's skin and mounting a single jet engine above and behind the single-seat cockpit. It reached many goals as an interceptor, being small and agile with minimal used of metals in non-essential places, but it wasn't quite as easy to fly as hoped, and the use of the notoriously unreliable, fragile jet engine would itself limit production, even if the constant downpour of bombs forced much of construction underground in tunnels blasted out of the living rock. In the end it was too little too late, with few reaching service, many being lost due either to its half-hour endurance and resulting gliding accidents, or structural failures due to the aircraft's hurried design and the use of slave labour in its construction, such as the tail unit, which had a habit of detaching under stress. A number of pilots used the early ejection seats that were fitted, but some were killed due to failures in the system. The Book The thirteenth volume of the popular and interesting Airframe Album series by Richard A Franks details this sleek and sporty little interceptor that may well have gone on to better things if it has been given enough time to be developed properly. It spans 88 pages and is perfect bound in an A4(ish) portrait format. If you are familiar with the series you will know what to expect, with the book broken down into sections, as follows: i) Introduction A brief narrative history of the development and operational use of the He.162 by the Luftwaffe, as well as scartures and evaluated examples 1) Technical Description Detailed coverage of construction and equipment 2) Evolution – Prototype, Production and Projected Variants 3D Isometrics illustrating differences between variants 3) Camouflage & Markings Colour side profiles by Richard J Caruana, notes and photographs 4) Model A build of the 1:48 He.162A-2 from Tamiya by Steve A Evans Appendices I Heinkel He.162 Kit List II Heinkel He.162 Accessory, Decal & Mask List III Bibliography As usual with Valiant's books, the pictures are both high quality and unusual, with lots of "behind the scenes" shots of production, testing and their ultimate capture by the Allies, plus plenty more pictures of museum examples for those needing reference pictures. I always find the 3D Isometrics very interesting to discern the differences between variants, and some of the projected types with Pulse-Jets like the V1, and V-tails are very intriguing, so much so that I've just been on eBay and picked up a conversion set. Oh the shame of it! Conclusion Valiant Wings publish a good book about interesting subjects, and this is one that tweaked mine right away. If you're a modeller, aviation buff or even just interested in engineering, this will make an interesting read, which you'll come back to again when you need it for references. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Valom ( http://www.valom.net/index_en.html) is to release a 1/72nd Handley-Page Harrow and Sparrow kits - ref.72057 & 72058 Sources: http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/VAL72057 http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/VAL72058 V.P.

Just before Valom release their Sparrow I have finally completed my vacform Contrail version. For anyone interested or who missed the WIP it is here To say it was a little stressful from time to time would be an understatement due largely to the incorrect nose and tail, both of which were ceremoniously removed and replaced..and the canopy is wrong too... etc. I am indebted to John Aero for replacement engines, props and nacelles. The prototype is the one below, but a few months earlier when it had full D Day stripes, look carefully and you can see they have been painted out on the wings.

AIM-7E Sparrow 1:32 Brassin (632-084) This is another set of missiles, recently released by Eduard, in their Brassin range, and as is usual for these types of sets, it is contained within the standard cardboard box Brassin use for their more fragile items. The set contains four Sparrow missile bodies, complete with tailfins, separate body fins, a small sheet of etched brass, and a smallish decal sheet. As with the Sidewinder set reviewed HERE, the parts are tentatively attached to their moulding blocks by thin webs, which are easily detached and cleaned up. Construction is minimal, with the almost centrally mounted body fins glued into position along with the brass exhaust ring. The decal sheet provides all the various stencils and coloured rings, denoting whether the missile is live or inert, also denoted by the colour of the main body. The mouldings are what we have come to expect from Brassin, clean, with fine details and very cleaning up to do. Conclusion This is another missile that is actually older that you realise and this version, first delivered in 1958 was fitted to various marks of the F-4 Phantom II up to the Vietnam War. Either fitted to a model or on their own mounted on a trolley, they will make a great addition to the modellers arsenal. Review sample courtesy of

AIM-7E Sparrow - Brassin Resin Accessories 1:72 Eduard The AIM-7 Sparrow is semi-active radar homing air-to-air missile developed for the US Air Force and US Navy but which went on to equip the air forces of a number of NATO member nations. It was originally developed in the late 1940s and early 1950s and was continually improved and redesigned throughout the latter half of the twentieth century. The AIM-7E entered service in the mid-1960s and was widely used throughout the Vietnam War, although it was not considered to be particularly successful. Eduard continue to expand their Brassin range of resin weapons with this new set of Sparrows. The AIM-7E is the first to be released but an AIM-7M has also been released and we'll be reviewing it soon. Each of the missiles is cast in five pieces, with the tail fins cast in place but each of the mid-body wing cast separately. The exhaust nozzles for the solid rocket motors are provided on a small fret of photo etched brass parts. The decal sheet is very comprehensive and is just what is needed to make the most of the excellent quality of the missiles themselves. Conclusion Extra ordnance is always handy, particularly when it's as good as this. If you have an F-4 in the stash and it is either missing a set of missiles or the ones provided simply don't cut the mustard, then this set is a must. Recommended. Review sample courtesy of