If you're reading this column, it's January 1, 2000, which means we've all managed to survive both the Y2K bug and assorted terrorist threats…maybe. At the same time, most are still laboring under the delusion that we've just landed feet first in the 21^st Century and the New Millennium, both at the same time. Despite running the risk of throwing the world into an emotional dumper, it ain't so. 2000 is just another year. The 21^st Century AND the New Millennium come NEXT YEAR.

Doubt me? Consider two things. First, zero is a CONCEPT that means nothing, null, nil, zip. Secondly, years begin with one and not zero. Case in point, a decade runs from one thru ten instead of zero thru nine. Centuries go from one to 100, not zero to 99. Ergo, the second decade would start with 11 and end with 20. Continuing with this logic, each century begins with 1, meaning 1901, 2001, 2101, etc, ad infinitum. And each millennium follows the same pattern. 1001, 2001, 3001, etc. Of course, everyone (at least most people) will conveniently ignore this fact every time a millennium rolls around. If you don't believe me, wait'll 3000/3001. You'll see the same pattern repeated. So what does this have to do with modelbuilding? Nuttin'.

But this does:

TESTOR/ITALERI (https://www.testors.com) has come out with a new 1/48 offering, the Bell AH-1Z Viper. Viper? Yeah, that's the new name for the ultimate (so far) development of our old friend, the Bell Cobra. And if you're wondering how far ahead of the curve this one is, consider that the actual design's only made it into mockup form at the time of this writing. Needless to say, the likelihood that some very noticeable detail/design changes will occur prior to production is quite high.

Be that as it may, it's an excellent kit that follows the usual ITALERI pattern. There's little, if any, flash and the surface detail is raised but lightly done. As with the F-22 (check the aviation section for the buildup review of this kit), packaging takes the form of a conventional top over bottom box.

Unlike the F-22, nothing is bagged…and that includes the clear parts. Instructions are the expected international style and decals are for an operational Marine bird.

Do keep in mind that, unless you pay close attention, just opening this kit will throw you for a loop. This is the result of a combination of factors, starting with the boxtop illustration that shows an operational AH-1Z, complete with a four blade tail rotor that's located on the left side of the vertical tail. Pull the parts sprue out and the first thing you see is the tail rotor gear box molded on the fuselage half that positions the tail rotor on the right side of the tail. Huh??

If, at that point, you start pawing thru the parts, it doesn't take long to discover a full set of alternate parts. Both four blade and two blade tail rotors. Same for the main rotors, mast, main hub, stub wings, pylons and missile racks. There's also a new gear box designed to replace the integrally molded one. Turns out that ITALERI took their earlier Super Cobra kit and added alternate parts to create an AH-1Z. That's neither surprising or objectionable, but it would've been nice if ITALERI had bothered to tell us. Other than the extra parts, the only indication of what they've done shows up on the sprue charts, where the unneeded parts are grayed out.

Nonetheless, a very nice concept model of the upcoming AH-1Z can be produced straight out of the box. And the price is reasonable at $22.00.

Yet another offering from TESTOR/ITALERI will catch the attention of 1/72 devotees, especially those whose interest lie with whirlybirds. This time around, it's the A-129 Mangusta. A Man..what? you say? Mangusta.

If about now you're scratching your head because you've never heard of it, you ain't alone. Even a friend of mine at Bell Helicopter didn't know what it was.

So far, all I've been able to find on the Mangusta is what little the instructions provide (which ain't much) combined with reading between the lines. And that is this: it's a light combat helicopter that is apparently being used only by the Italian Army at this time. This implies that it's a relatively new design and is most likely designed and built by Agusta. Agusta, by the way, builds Bell helicopters under license in Italy. The chopper itself is strange in more ways than one. For starters, you'd swear it's been influenced by Soviet helicopters because of a stepped cockpit design (it's a two seater). Wilder is the fact that the little puppy doesn't have a gun. It's total armament is either eight TOW missiles or eight Hellfires. That's it. Which means it's strictly anti-tank.

Now that we know, more or less, about the real bird, let's move on to the model. This time around, TESTOR/ITALERI opted for an end flap box. Molded in O.D./Brown styrene, parts are contained on two sprue plus a one piece clear canopy and nothing is bagged. Interior is decent with decal details. All surface detail is lightly done and of the raised variety. Markings are for two different Italian Army (what else?) ships.

The finished model will be about the same size as a Cobra but somewhat bulkier. All in all, it would make an interesting addition to your collection of rotorwings. It carries a price of $8.50.

You've heard that imitation is the highest form of flattery. Not only is that true, it probably reached it's pinnacle when Nazi Germany had Kurt Tank create the Focke-Wulf Ta-154 Moskito as a result of the impression made by England's own wooden wonder, the De Havilland Mosquito.

Despite the fact that the Ta-154 came along late in the war, had many teething problems, faulty glue bindings and never saw combat, the design is almost mesmerizing. Virtually any modeler with an interest in Luftwaffe aircraft (including me) have dreamed of finding a kit some day. Well, dream no more.

PROMODELER (www.Revell-Monogram.com) has ridden to our rescue with a delightful 1/48 scale offering of a Ta-154A-0. Our dreams have become reality.

After opening the familiar clamshell box, you'll find everything except for instructions and two decal sheets contained in a single bag. You'll also see a tag that tells you that all parts were made in China. Five more bags are inside the first one, an excellent method that eliminates virtually any chance of damage to the parts.

All parts are molded in light gray (except for the clear, of course). Surface detail, what there is of it, is delicate and recessed. Keep in mind that this was an all wood aircraft, so surface detail would be minimal. Cockpit is quite complete, being comprised of some 19 parts. The rudder is separate and the model is designed so that you'll have no problems adding landing gear at the very end. Same goes for the delicately molded antennae.

Prop blades are installed individually and a blade retainer is incorporated to keep them in proper position. The completed props are designed to be installed after the model is finished.

Instructions (8 pages) follow the familiar ProModeler style, leaving very little to chance. Since the Ta-154 is a tricycle geared design, they recommend adding weight in both nacelles and the nose. This is not a small model, so I'd definitely follow their suggestions. Incidentally, there are no photoetch frets in this kit, nor will you find any weighted tires. MSRP is $31.75.

If you're attracted to Luftwaffe aircraft in general and exotic night fighter designs in particular, this Ta-154A-0 will be irrisistable.

Blowtorch lovers will open their arms to another PROMODELER effort, this one being their long awaited Republic F-84G Thunderjet in 1/48 scale. Selling for $20.75 and packed in the usual clamshell box, it should satisfy everyone who's been waiting for an F-84G.

Molded in light gray styrene, everything except the decals and instructions are contained in two bags. This time around, the clear parts, which includes the reinforced frame canopy, are simply placed in one bag along with a couple of the gray sprue instead of being given a bag of their own. You'll also find a fret of photoetch parts.

Quality is excellent, there's virtually no flash and surface detail is delicately recessed. In short, it's what you would expect. Parts breakdown is fairly conventional with a couple of exceptions. Rather than provide you with separate tip tanks that are added later, they're split laterally and molded integrally with upper and lower wing halves. There's also a nicely done airflow divider/splitter plate. When finished, you have the splitter plate, intake duct, nose gear well and nose gear doors forming a single unit that is then installed in the right fuselage half. And if you don't want to add weight to the nose, you'll find the usual clear support rod you can prop up the fuselage with….but why would you want to? Finally, the main wheels are weighted but the nose tire isn't. Just another touch that adds to the kit's realism.

A silver (stainless?) photoetch fret provides seat belt and harness buckles, along with a perforated airbrake. As icing on the cake is a georgous looking boarding ladder. It's not going to be the easiest photoetch project you've ever seen, especially considering all the bends that are required, but it'll certainly be worth the effort if you stick with it. By the way, the kit includes a standing pilot figure getting ready to climb the ladder.

The large decal sheet provides markings for two aircraft and includes SAC bands for the one that carried a centerline nuke (and yes, the nuke's included in the kit). Build that one and shake up a few people. Most have never seen a single engine aircraft in SAC markings.

Instructions consume a 20-page booklet and appear to be very through. Bottom line? If you like blowtorches and Korean vintage aircraft, don't miss this one.

Those of you whose interests include quality resin dinosaur castings will find the following statement to be of particular interest. I would suggest that if you've been waiting to order any of the items listed, now is the time. Or last week would be even better.

"As of January 2000 it is most likely The Dinosaur Studio will no longer carry the resin replicas originally sculpted by Greg Wenzel. Current stocks are going fast and these items will no longer be produced by the Dinosaur Studio once all standing orders are filled. The replicas are as follows; 1/10th scale Albertosaurus, Styracosaurus, Centrosaurus, and Eineosaurus, 1/35th scale Albertosaurus, Triceratops, Lambeosaurus.

Orders for these items will be taken until January 15th 2000. I apologize for the inconvenience this may cause anyone.Thank you.

Dan LoRusso/The Dinosaur Studio"

Modelbuilders are perpetually searching for additional references, usually in the form of photo collections. In the case of WW-II, combat photos are particularly valuable. As it happens, four new volumes of air combat photos will prove especially useful to both the historian and modeler. Published as Air Combat Photo History Series, Volumes 1-4, these gems are an absolute necessity for anyone interested in WW-II. And if you're a modeler…….

Air Combat Photo History Series, Volume 1. Low Level Attack: The Pacific by John H. Lambert.

With 194 photos, 112 pages, 8 ½ x 11 format and semi-stiff covers, this one is going to be the perfect compliment to the upcoming B-25 kits from Accurate Miniatures. Why? Because the first chapter, which runs for 45 pages, focuses on the development of the strafers. Which means B-25s and A-20s, mostly B-25s. There are closeup photos of gun installations, battle damage, gun camera stills of attacks against Japanese shipping, camouflaged enemy aircraft, airfields and more. Many of these photos you've seen before, two or three at a time, but here you have'em all in one volume. You won't find any color photos or color illustrations, profiles or whatever, but you wouldn't expect any in this format.

The book goes on to cover Air Corps and Navy aircraft in the same theatre, as well as some good coverage of the PB4Y-1 and PB4Y-2. There's nose art, shark's teeth and more. If your interests lie in the Pacific Theatre, can you do without this book? I doubt it.

Available from Specialty Press, 11605 Kost Dam Road, North Branch, MN 55056 (ph. 800-895-4585). Each Air Combat Photo History Series volume is $18.95 plus $4.50 per order for shipping if you order direct from Specialty Press.

Air Combat Photo History Series, Volume 2. Bombs, Torpedoes And Kamikazes by John H. Lambert.

As you would expect from the title, this volume concentrates on surface ships. There are aircraft, obviously, including a collection of shots from the attack on Pearl Harbor. You'll find photos of the doomed Lexington and Yorktown carriers, many combat shots of ships defending against incoming Kamikazes and the aftermath of the attacks. That there could be any human survivors in the midst of some of those shattered hulks is astounding.

This time around, you get the same format but with 110 photos. See Low Level Attack: The Pacific review for full ordering information.

Air Combat Photo History Series, Volume 3. Low Level Attack: The Mediterranean & Europe by John H. Lambert.

Per the title, this volume focuses on the European Theatre. This time the 112 page format gives you 160 photos. P-38Es & Fs, Mustangs, Marauders. Also some dandy shots of Beauforts and Beaufighters. Nose art, of course. Even a razorback Jug carrying the moniker of Magic Carpet.

A couple of shots are particularly interesting because they're gun camera stills from the mount of George Preddy during strafing runs on a He-177 and a Ju-88 with an Ar-234 visible in a hanger. And one of the photos tells that Preddy was shot down on Christmas Day 1944 by friendly fire while in pursuit of an enemy aircraft.

As before, check the first review for full ordering particulars and price.

Air Combat Photo History Series, Volume 4. Atlantic Air War: Sub Hunters VS. U-Boats by John H. Lambert.

This time the 112 page format holds 180 photos and documents a part of the war that was largely unknown….except by those who fought and died there. Other than the combatants themselves, there were few witnesses to a war fought over and on the middle of the ocean.

You'll find the Lockheed Hudson here, along with four photos of the Northrop N3PB floatplanes that escaped from Sweden. PBYs, B-17s, B-24s, FW-200s, Short Sunderlands, I could go on….but there's no need. Interested in U-Boats? Numerous photos of U-Boats on the surface or under attack can be found. And an entire section on escort carriers.

As before, see the review on Volume 1 for price and full ordering information.

Airliner Tech Series, Volume 4. Douglas DC-6 and DC-7 by Harry Gann.

This latest additon to the Airliner Tech Series is a winner. Packed into the standard 8 ½ x 11 inch, approximately 160 b&w photos, 4 pages of color and semi-stiff cover format is a huge amount of information on the DC-6 and DC-7 airliners. With Harry Gann's name on the cover, you know what to expect. Airliner buffs will definitely not be disappointed.

First, there's a brief history of Douglas airliner designs, including the DC-5 and the ill-advised DC-4E. From there, he moves to the DC-6. You'll find excellent design information, including photos of the cabin set up as sleepers, data on it's cargo system, passenger seat design and much more. The various DC-6 versions are described in detail and there are many photos on a variety of liveries.

Once finished with the DC-6, Harry Gann essentially repeats the process for the DC-7. So whether your interest lies with the 6 or 7, you'll find the subject of your desires throughly covered. Color photos run the gamut, but the one that really catches your eye is Super Snoopy. This DC-7B air racer (!!?!!) flew in a closed course race against 19 WW-II warbirds and finished 6^th out of 20.

In line with all Warbird Tech publications, price is $16.95. Please see the Air Combat Photo History Series Volume 1 review for full ordering particulars.

And that, folks, is a wrap. See y'all next month.