This trilogy chronicles the evolution of the American world war 2 experience from North Africa to Germany. The first book, An Army at dawn was winner of the Pulitzer prize.
New Map view of museums/events
Every Man a Hero
Every Man a Hero: A Memoir of D-Day, the First Wave at Omaha Beach, and a World at War
This is the recollection of Ray Lambert as written by Jim deFelice. Mr Lambert, 98 years old at the writing of this book in 2019, grew up during the US depression era. a son of a farmer. Volunteered for the army when the US mobilized in 1940 and became a medic for the US Army 1st Division - the "Big Red One". The books starts of with a short introduction to his youth, what it was like being poor living growing up in a farm during that time period, and eventually joining the Army. After training, we follow Mr Lambert to North Africa, then Sicily, and eventually to Normandy on D-Day - 3 years he served until his back was broken on the beaches of France.
Silly Putty - camo masking tool
Yes, Silly Putty, that lump of clay like thing that you played with as a kid. Turns out it's a great tool for doing masking, especially for camo. I have heard a few times that people complained about it leaving a residual, but I have never experienced it. Of course, I use only acrylic paint, so perhaps it's a reaction with enamal paint? I have left it on for days with no issue - just make sure you let the first coat of paint fully try first. Here's a picture of me using it for Tamiya's JSDF main battle tank over Tamiya acrylic paint.
Frank Losonsky, original member of The Flying Tigers, has passed away
Last known member of the AVG aka Flying Tigers passed away, the end of the legendary group of men who fought for freedom 79 years ago in Burma and China. He was a crew chief and later joined the CNAC after the AVG was disbanded. He eventually became a commercial pilot and an aeronautical engineer. https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/local-news/losonsky-original-member-of-the-flying-tigers-has-passed-away/
Singapore Air Force Museum
If you are in Singapore, here is a relatively small and off the beaten path museum. Singapore isn't so big, so taking a cab here from the central area will take about 30 minutes - and Singapore cabs are cheap.
Forgotten Ally - China's World War II
For whatever reason, a good popular general history of the Sino-Japanese war has never been written in English. If you have read any large scale work that covers the entity of WW2, the Chinese theatre consist entirely of the Japanese invasion of Shanghai which eventually leads to the 'Rape of Nanking' in 1937, then absolutely happened in China beyond The American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) for 7 years, until perhaps a 2 page description of Operation Ichi-Go in 1944.
The first World War
John Keegan, noted British Military Historian, turns his considerable skills to World War I. Both a political and a military history of the war, a war whose casulaties were later dwarfed by WW2. However that is partly due to the larger scope of the WW2 and to the vastly larger number of civilian deaths in Russia, China, and Europe. 'Total War' is indeed an apt description.
Philadelphia Art Museum - Arms and Armor
This is one of larger Art museums in the east coast, while not as comprehensive as say the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, still worth a visit if you are in the area.
Grex 1/8 HP Airbrush Compressor (AC-1810A)
You have an airbrush? You need a compressor - using canned air is ok to learn on, but they get expensive real fast. So invest in a good compressor - but the question will be which one and what is your budget. This GREX compressor makes a great first compressor with a relatively cheap asking price of $199 MSRP.