Although the Wildcat was small. it was not as fast or maneuverable as the Japanese Zero fighter, but it was a very durable machine. However, in the hands of an experienced pilot, the Wildcat could best the feared Zero and the little Grumman fighter held its own against the enemy until the more powerful Hellcat was available about a year later.

Tamiya TS spray paint is a synthetic lacquer that cures in a short period of time. The spray paint is extremely useful for painting large model surfaces. Tamiya spray paints are not affected by acrylic or enamel paints. Therefore, following the painting of the entire assembly, details can be added or picked out using enamel and/or acrylic paints.

Each can contains 100ml of paint, which is enough to fully cover 2 or 3, 1/24 scale sized car model bodies.

These spray paints are especially developed for finishing aircraft models to provide the authentic tones. Each can contains 100ml of paint. The paint is a synthetic lacquer that cures in a short period of time

Tamiya spray paints are not affected by acrylic or enamel paints. Therefore following the painting of the entire assembly, details can be added or picked out using enamel and/or acrylic paints.

This helicopter, designed by Bell at the end of the fifties, is still in service to-day in its newer and later versions. It is by far the most widely used rotating wing aircraft the world has seen. The Huey was extensively used during the Vietnam conflict by the U.S. Forces, mainly in support and attack sorties equipped with various armament. Thanks to its reliability and robust construction the UH-1 was quickly aquired by the armed forces of many countries (among others Italy, Japan, Sweden, and Holland). UH-ls remained in service until the end of the seventies and were then substituted by its more modern and sophisticated versions. Technical data: Fuselage length: 11.70m

Toshiba AA High Power Alkaline Battery

Enamel paints are used for brush or spray painting, and can be applied to almost any surface of wood, metal or plastic.Each bottle contains 10ml of paint.

Tamiya Colour bottled Lacquer Paints are highly versatile - whether using them to airbrush large areas, or pick out fine details with a brush, their stunning, consistent tones add superlative realism to your model. Their tough membrane suits them ideally to use as a basecoat, resistant to enamel paints, while swift drying times ensure an efficient painting process. A dedicated thinner is available.

- Colours may vary slightly from Tamiya Colour Acrylics and Sprays with the same name.
- Bottle contents: 10ml

Masking is a job which modellers of all kinds in every scale must carry out, and it requires precision in order to ensure that your creation gets the perfect paint job. This masking tape helps in the process, allowing smooth and secure masking-off of curved lines where standard masking tape would sustain creases and possibly let paint seep underneath. At 12mm it becomes the widest in the Tamiya range, and is great for covering larger areas in one large sweep. This tape is also available in 3 other widths to meet a variety of needs such as 2mm, 3mm and 5mm respectively.

- Length of each roll: 20m
- A soft resin material is used, allowing the tape to adhere in a curved line while preventing paint from seeping into masked off areas.

Sao Martinho, the 52-gun Spanish ship with displacement around 1,000 t., was the flagship of Duke of Alonso Perez de Guzman of Medina Sedonia, commander-in-chief of the Spanish Armada. The ship was one of those which managed to return to Spain safely.

No glue required

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About the Suzuki GSX1100S Katana:
One of the most famous motorcycle shows in the world, is held every two years in Cologne West Germany, and the 1980 show is sure to stand out as one of the most unforgettable. One reason was that Honda released their CX500 turbo for the first time, and the second is that Suzuki's GSX1100S "Katana" (Japanese for sword) was unveiled. The Honda CX500 attracted attention for its advanced engine techniques and the Katana for its advanced and aggressive body styling, which broke from common traditional motorcycle styling. Although the Katana GSX1100S styling impressed the many thousands of viewers, almost everybody thought that it was just for show and the production model would be quite different.

During the summer of 1981, Suzuki released the production Katana with almost exactly the same body styling seen at the Cologne show, with subtle improvements in the engine and running gear. The body styling is from the genius of Mr. Hans A. Muth of West Germany, who spent much time ensuring driver comfort in his design, and which proved out in many wind tunnel tests. The entire styling was derived from research on the best drivers position, and the rearward placed backsteps and unique tank styling were not done just for the pleasing jet age appearance.

Large capacity fuel tank and small fairing were blended together for the best airflow around the rider and the bike. Although the bike is most noticeable for its styling, every part in it is quality. Engine is an air-cooled, parallel 4 of 1075cc, using 16 valves. With unique Suzuki TSCC (Twin Swirl Combustion Chamber) in the engine, it puts out 111 hp. This tremendous power transmits into a road speed of 230 k/ph and its unique body styling keeps it stable even at these high speeds. Suzuki is shipping a 1000cc Katana GSX1000S to the American market, and also a 750cc version to the European market as well. Requests form Japanese enthusiasts prompted Suzuki to also market a 750cc Katana GSX750S to their market.

The Special Air Service Regiment is one of the most famous Units in the British Army, though it is one of the youngest, dating back to 1941. The short period since the SAS came into being is packed with action, first in W.W. II and since in many small "cold war" activities in which Britain has been involved. The SAS has a history of almost continuous combat action of one kind or another. By the nature of its activities since W.W. II, when for operational reasons its work has not been widely publicised, all sorts of legends have grown up - some of them false- about what it actually does.

In essence, the function of the SAS has not changed greatly since it was established. It is a small, highly mobile, highly trained force able to carry out surveillance, reconnaissance or attack missions.

The first use of the name "Special Air Sercive Regiment" goes back to 1940 when it was given to the first troops selected for parachute training. However the name of this Unit was soon changed to the Parachute Regiment, forming the backbone of Britain's airborne forces.

It was in the Middle East that Lt. David Stirling, a Scots Guards Officer serving with No.8 Commando, had the idea of forming a small "airborne commando", which could strkie at the enemy from behind, attack supply dumps, airfields, and other important centres, cause the maximum damage and confusion and then melt away into the desert. The conception was that the small attack force would be dropped at night, well clear of the target area, strike, then make good their escape accross the desert. They would rendezvous with the Long Range Desert Group and make their way back.

Approval was given for such a force, and Stirling picked volunteers from Commandos and other Units. The Unit was named "L Detachment SAS, Brigade", mainly to confuse the enemy, who, knew that this name had been given to paratroops training in England and might suppose that parachute battalions had now been sent to the Middle East.

During the summer 1941 the SAS unit undertook intensive training, particularly in parachuting and desert survival, and experimented with types of demolition explosive. The first raid, in November, 1941 was not a success due to high winds and poor weather, which dispersed the men during the parachute drop.

A more precise way of getting to the target was needed and one obvious way was to use the L.R.D.G. Trucks as a way of carrying the SAS to a dropping-off point where they could attack, then rejoin the L.R.D.G. patrol for return to base. The L.R.D.G. meanwhile carried on their normal task, the SAS men going as "passengers". A series of very successful operations followed, and by early in 1942 the SAS had become a force to be reckoned with.

Stirling, by now Major, designed the Regiment's famous winged dagger badge with its motto "Who Dares Wins" and this was worn instead of the badges of the Units from which they had volunteered.

For a series of raids in the spring of 1942 the SAS acquired their own 30 cwt. trucks similar to the L.R.D.G.

In the summer of 1942, the Jeep was available and from then the SAS acted more independently carrying out many sorties with its own armed Jeeps. Tamiya Kit MM-133 is a replica of one of the Jeeps, and is characteristic of the type of raiding vehicle, bristling with guns and packed with sotres and ammunition, that the SAS has used ever since.

The end of the campaign in the Western Desert saw the SAS become the 1st special Air Service Regiment, and it went on to operate in Italy. Meanwhile, further Regiments had been raised.

SAS men also aided various partisan forces in Eastern Europe, including the Albanians. Almost every counter insurgent operation since has involved the SAS. Training is tought, and the conditions of entry are extremely stringent.

Up to the early 60's the Jeep remained the principal vehicle, since then the ubiquitous Land Rover has been employed. Since 1970 the SAS has used a more refined conversion of the long wheel base Mk II, as depicted in this kit. This version lacks windscreen and side doors, but carries mounts for two general purpose machine guns.

Normal crew is three: driver, commander (and front gunner), radio operator (and rear gunner). Sometimes a fourth man is carried.

3 smoke candle dischargers are mounted at each corner of the vehicle and special equipment includes a spotlight, pioneer tools, stowage locers, and a rear tailboard extension which is used to carry stores: sand channels are another item, but other equipment, such as a radio set, is fitted depending on operational requirements. With extra fuel tanks the vehicle has a road range of 1,100 miles and weighs 3 tons fully stored and equipped. while the Land Rover is the standard patrol vehicle, SAS Units may employ other vehicles as conditions demand. In desert operations the SAS Rovers are painted to suit the terrain, a sand-pink, which has led to the nickname "Pink Panther" being applied on occasion.

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This high quality brush with easy to use performance is made of fine horse hair from Chinese and American horses. Off-white coloured bristles with natural wood coloured handle and burgundy imprint. This brush would better be used for painting larger areas.

At about the middle of the 1930's, the German Army organized offensive infantry corps which had machine guns and machine pistols as the nucleus of their small arms. The infantry division contained three regiments as its main body. Each regiment consisted of three battalions, which had four infantry companies each. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd companies each had twelve light machine guns, sixteen machine pistols, three light mortars and two antitank guns. The 4th company, which was called machine-gun company, was equipped with twelve (later sixteen) heavy machine guns and six medium mortars.

The machine guns that gave birth to and constituted the background of such organization were the well-known model 34 (MG-34) and model 42 (MG-42).

In 1934, Mauser completed a new machine gun of 7.92 mm calibre based on the Swiss Solothurn 30 machine gun then used by the Austrian Army. The new machine gun employed the Solothurn mechanism such as the air-cooled recoil operation system and the selective fire lever between continuous fire and single fire. It was linear and slender in appearance. Muzzle brake was fixed to avoid vibration and recoil caused by high cyclic rate of fire (up to 900 rounds per minute) that was one of the advantages of the mechanism. The gun was of the belt-fed type. Belts containing 50 rounds each were carried in a gun belt box with a capacity of 300 rounds.

Immediately after completion, the new machine gun was adopted by the German Army. Officially designated model 34 machine gun (MG-34), the weapon was mounted on a great number of combat vehicles and military planes as well as used by infantry corps. The MG-34 later showed activity in all theatres of war.

In 1942, the Model 42 machine gun (MG-42) first appeared in the battlefield. The MG-42 was a remodelled version of the MG-34 and better suited for mass production. Since pressing process was largely used to facilitat manufacture, it is said that even a small factory was able to produce it. The MG-42 had considerable improvements in performance over the MG-34. The rate of fire was much higher and reached 1,500 rounds per minute. In addition, the MG-42 was durable enough to withstand changes in temperature and rough handling in the battlefield. It showed its excellent performance that was never affected by such conditions. The Germans used the same machine gun as a heavy machine gun or a light machine gun according to its tactical use. The former was so called when used on a tripod for support fire and the latter was so called when used on a hipod as an offensive weapon for infantry.

Accessories for the weapon used as a light machine gun consisted of 300 round gun belt boxes, 50 round saddle drum magazines, spare barrels, tool kit and machine oil. When used as a heavy machine gun, the weapons had additional accessories as follows: telescopic sight, tripod, tripod container, single AA mount, anti-aircraft ring sight, etc. (A sunshade was also added to the accessories when the gun was used in the tropics.)

Machine guns possessed by the Germans totalled 126,800 in number at the outbreak of World War II but they increased to 231,000 in January 1945 near the end of the war. This shows what great importance the German Army attached to its machine guns.

From 1969 through the early 1970's, at the Japanese Touring Car Race, the Skyline GT-R achieved an unbelievable streak of fifty victories in a row. Sixteen years later, its successful name was passed on to the R32 type, which was developed as a base machine for Group-A races. To take full advantage of its powerful 2.6l, 6-cylinder, twin turbo engine, it was equipped with a 4-WD system, which provided unrivalled race performance. 1995 saw the larger body and refined mechanics of the R33.

In 1999, the technology cultivated over a long racing history was unsparing poured into the new R34 type, developed with "ultimate driving pleasure" in mind. The R34 features a smaller body and a sturdier structure, with ample consideration given to its aerodynamics. The adjustable two-level rear spoiler as well as a front and rear diffuser (V-spec), regulate the flow of air under the chassis, heightening control. The R34's impressive speed is accounted for by a modification in valve timing and turbo-charging of the GETRAG 6-speed transmission controlled engine.

Further refinements have been adopted such as an electronically controlled front/rear power distribution 4WD system and a multi-link suspension. Undergoing extensive testing in Japan, its driving performance was further improved in Germany, on the Nurburgring. Unrivalled speed and control have made the R34 version of the GT-R Nissan's, if not Japan's, new index of quality.

These cans of spray paint are extremely useful for painting large surfaces. The paint is a synthetic lacquer that cures in a short period of time. Each can contains 100ml of paint, which is enough to fully cover 2 or 3, 1/24 scale sized car bodies.

Tamiya spray paints are not affected by acrylic or enamel paints. Therefore following the painting of the entire assembly, details can be added or picked out using enamel and/or acrylic paints.