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Keeping Track
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MIG Productions
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Top marks to MIG Productions for their latest
supply of ammunition boxes and even
There are additions to the diorama range
releases certainly in terms of choice of
includes an AK 47 to dress the rear
with ribbed pattern oil drums and modern
subject. Domestic 4WD vehicles always
compartment. These are bound to be
plastic chemical drums and in 1:72nd scale
seem to be in news footage from current
popular subjects for anyone modelling
a set of aggressive pattern Hummer wheels
conflicts and here we have a selection of
modern subjects.
the set contains 4 wheels and 2 spares.
BJ44 Landcruiser subjects which will fill that
Next we have an early model KV1
Finally MIG have released a sand and earth
gap. These are all full resin kits supplied with
conversion mastered by Adam Wilder and
pigment set which contains six colours from
a full colour instruction leaflet. The kits have
his rendition of this kit is featured in this
their popular range of pigments along with a
a detailed chassis and 4WD system and
issue. Again the quality is excellent and the
small guide with tips and techniques.
they are very cleanly cast. My favourite is the
conversion usefully includes resin plugs to fill
Dushka version which includes an ample
the motorisation holes in the old Tamiya hull.
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VLS As usual from Warriors we have a good variety of subjects amongst these latest new releases beginning with 2 separate sets of Russian Tank riders sculpted by the talented Douglas Lee these are bound to be popular and it looks like they will adapt to a variety of vehicles. Next we have a casually posed GI carrying a fuel can a subject with plenty of potential as is the next release a WWII combat cameraman depicted framing a shot through his camera, and there is a new addition to the headsets range with a set of bald heads. From Custom Dioramics there is a Donkey - enough said, along with an Orthodox Priest. New additions also include a public shower, a clockface and park benches along with an assortment of different guttering components, downpipes and connectors for 1:35th scale biuldings. As usual with VLS the casting quality across all the releases is first rate.
ABER Just as we are about to go to press a big batch of exciting new things arrived from ABER - too many to fit in our limited space so we will split our coverage over this and the
72 L-29 37mm BT2
35 L-42 20mm Luchs 35 L-43 76.2mm KV1 early
next issue. We begin with a great set of 280mm rounds for the Leopold Rail Gun
35 L-36 75mm Panther G Late
which have etched base plates and almost worthy of display as they stand. New
35 L-38 105mm LeFH 18
additions to the gun barrel range are a late model 75mm Panther barrel, a 105mm for the AFV Club LeFH 18 Howitzer, a 20mm for the Tasca Luchs with etched flash guard, a 76.2mm for early model KV1’s and in 1:72nd scale a Soviet 37mm for the B-3 or BT2. In the long established ABER tradition of pushing us to the limits we have a set of 20mm magazines and ammo boxes - not sure if the Mission Models 20mm rounds will fit but no doubt someone will try! Next we have a very useful set of different sized screw heads which go from about 2mm down to microscopic - ideal for those Panzer III roof plates. 35A100 is set of additional roof armour for the M10 and finally we have a set of wall mounted power lines with optional street light fittings.
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Keeping Track
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Echelon Decals Accurate Armour haves sent examples of 2 new releases from Echelon which sees them tackling what might be called a more ‘mainstream’ subject in the shape of Tiger 2 markings. Set 351001 covers vehicles of SS 101 with markings for eight different vehicles both with and without zimmerit and the set handily includes some wobbly style crosses for the zimmerit finishes. 351002 covers vehicles of Schwere Panzerabteilung 505 with the famous charging knight logo. The set includes colour marking references for 5 particular vehicles with notes on variations and a small figure peculiar to one vehicle to be cut from the guide sheet. Quality and presentation are excellent and highly recommended. Echelon
Hannants Xtracrylix colours Hannants have launched an acrylic version of their well known Xtracolor range The colours are matched identically to the colours in the Xtracolor range and should satisfy all acrylic users needs for precisely matched paints and they have the same slight sheen finish as the enamels
decals are available from Accurate Armour www.accurate-armour.com
Airedale A handy little accessory set here from Airedale in the shape of two Milan antitank missile cases suitable for dressing your warrior or other modern British Army subject, these would be a really difficult to scratchbuild due to their strange shape. They are available direct from Airedale at: www.airedalecastings.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk
Standard Catalog of German Military Vehicles By David Doyle Published by KP Books USA Tel 001 800 258 0929
This 500+ page catalogue is an extremely comprehensive single source reference for
Goffy Models
the full range of tracked, semi tracked and softskinned vehicles used by German forces
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Moredun Models have kindly sent a sample of Czech company, Goffy Models IDF Magach
in WWII. Each vehicle type has a short
7 conversion kit for the Academy M60. This is a fairly comprehensive resin conversion with
developmental history along with technical
a complete new turret casting, new bow armour and side skirts along with a good selection
specifications but the huge attraction of this
of stowage components, flak jackets etc. which are most welcome. The casting quality is
for me is the overwhelming use of fresh
good with minimal flaws but the turret basket has been artfully draped in fabric to
images. So often with this type of reference
overcome the casting difficulties and this may not satisfy everyone. The kit instructions are
we see the same old pictures again and
fairly basic and you may struggle if you do not know the Magach well but some good
again but here the author has taken the
reference should sort that out. The Goffy Models range is available from Moredun Models
trouble to offer something of real value. My
Tel/fax: 0131 653 2001 or email
[email protected]
only criticism is the quality of the paper which does sadly detract slightly from what is a most useful reference.
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Dragon Just as we were going to press with Issue
Next we have a slightly unusual choice of
21 the Dragon 3 in 1 Tiger1 arrived to a
subject with the newly released Jagdpanzer
standing ovation. Tiger tanks do seem to
IV A-O which was the prototype for the
polarise opinions but regardless of if you
Jagdpanzer IV series and features rounded
love them or loathe them this kit really is an
front armour instead of the squared off
education in just how to design the
production design as there were only a
complete model kit. It is easier to list what
handful of these produced. The kit is a
is not included - mesh screens for the
delight with sharp mouldings and includes a
engine decks. As a complete package it is
turned aluminium barrel, clear moulded
unrivalled. Aside from the complete content
periscopes and etched brass side skirts.
the finesse and quality of the mouldings has
The new Bergpanzer Tiger (P) is based on
moved up a gear as witnessed by the logos
Dragon’s excellent Elephant/Ferdinand
on the tyres and the delicate headlamp
chassis of a few years ago and the kit
mounting brackets making it surely the
allows the choice of modelling the
finest 1:35th scale kit ever produced?
Bergpanzer with the gib stowed or deployed
Another release on the 251 chassis this
and for this it includes 3 types of chain
time its the ‘21’ Drilling mount which is a
along with braided metal tow ropes. There
popular subject which has never really been
are also 2 small etched frets and the kit
done properly until perhaps now. Dragon do
includes the same one piece track as the
a very good job with a very detailed mount
recently released Tiger P. Again moulding
which features multipart guns with
quality is excellent and the urge to rip open
aluminium flash guards and the correct
the bags and start building is hard to resist.
ammunition stowage along with the often
The amended Pak 40 reappears with
overlooked travel lock. Although we have
corrected trunion and gun trails and a new
not had time to assemble the kit yet it does
Fallschirmjager gun crew.
appear that the whole gun mount might be
The Panther A late has been re-released as
too high - certainly the plans in the
part of the Normandy Campaign series with
instructions would suggest this so care
a turned aluminium barrel now included in
should be taken. The kit also includes crew
the kit. Also re released is the German
figures with a gunner which is useful as he
railway Gondola with AA MG crew.
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Keeping Track
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AFV Club Tiger 1 Late Production You wait for ages then they all arrive at once - AFV Club’s rendition of the late model Tiger 1 very much continues the excellent quality of their recent Sdkfz 251 releases. The kit has working torsion bar suspension in the same style as the Tasca luchs with adjustable idler wheel and the overall moulding quality is first class with some very good weld bead detail. Early build reports warn that the polycap fittings for the roadwheels mean they are almost impossible to remove once installed which is something to be aware of. The kit includes a turned aluminium barrel with a choice of muzzle brakes and etched fret for the deck screens along with rubber tracks which are nice but will most likely be replaced. The kit lacks zimmerit which will need to be applied but unusually has a nice pitted texture on the turret walls which will of course be hidden. This kit has some really nice touches and although it will suffer in any direct comparison with the Dragon example just because it lacks the host of extras it remains an excellent kit not to be overlooked. In conjunction with this release AFV Club have also produced a set of zimmerit tools which has a choice of 2 different sized ribbed rollers as well as textured areas on the handle to reach areas that are unsuitable for the rollers. We have yet to test the tools but they look like they will work well and will certainly speed up zimmerit application.
Calibre 35 and 72
Some interesting new subjects from our friends at Calibre in both 1:35th and their new and fast expanding 1:72nd scale
Italeri
ranges. In 1:35th we have a very attractive T-34/76 Laminate turret with aluminium barrel which features a very convincing texture on the turret and Calibre say they believe this is the only available version of this particular turret. The new addition to the diorama range is a set of 2 Willows with sea foam branches. In the Calibre 72 range there are M4 Sherman Cast Wheels to replace the Eduard/Extratech or Italeri Shermans wheels and M8/M20 Wheels to replace those in the Italeri kit. These look great in the pictures but you have to remember that these are just tiny in real life and they will be an immediate improvement to the kit parts they replace. 54
A very welcome release from Italeri in the shape of the SdKfz 232 6 Rad Armoured car which is has been executed with considerable flair and we understand that a version with resin interior is due to be released at a later date. This really is a very good looking kit with crisp mouldings and even delicate areas which might have you chasing aftermarket alternatives are beautifully rendered so that this can be built from the box with considerable ease. The only very minor weakness in my opinion are the tread patterns on the wheels which could do with more definition but don’t let that put you off what is a very fine kit.
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Tamiya Tamiya continue a full speed with their ambitious series of 1:48th scale releases with an M4 Sherman the Stug Ausf B and Hetzer and with all the usual Tamiya production values these kits are little gems and really very buildable. My main quibble remains the die cast Chassis for which I can see no reason and which only serves to make things more complicated than they need be. In the case of the Stug this means you are unable to articulate the suspension which is a real shame. Along with these there are 2 new accessory sets , a brickwall, sandbag and barricade sets and a jerrycan set which includes with both German and Allied types along with generic vehicle bedrolls and stowage. Meanwhile back in the real world of 1:35th they have re-released a late Tiger (yes another one) this one includes the very good crew figure set first released about 3 years ago and I have to say the tank itself remains one of the best available. Along side this are some very scary figure sets from way back in 1974. These were bad then and they are bad now and best avoided and in a similar though slightly better vein is the Zundapp/BMW Motorcycle set. Finally we have a new 1:35th scale 2 figure set based on the 1:16th scale figures with the rather strange combination of a Luftwaffe pilot and Infantry Machine gunner.
Tristar Following their recently released 20mm Flak Tristar have now usefully released a gun crew to go with it. Tristar have a history of
Panzerwrecks By Lee Archer & William Auerbach
releasing figure sets to compliment their armour kits which is most welcome and a good crew for the flak has been long overdue. As usual the figures are designed by the talented Yoshitaka Hirano who has designed the five man crew wearing Luftwaffe uniforms. These are easily adaptable to other services and the poses are very natural looking. You may like me own a well thumbed copy of ‘Last of the Panzers’ by William Auerbach published in 1984 featuring an assortment of knocked out or abandoned German vehicles. Now Lee Archer and William Auerbach return with essentially the same concept but done bigger and better. This first volume in what will be a series of books is a real treat featuring some really rare beasts along with some more familiar subjects in a feast of previously unseen images. The Authors have gone to some trouble to replicate the images a large as possible which given the small size of many of the original images is quite an achievement. This is cover to cover quality and if you like late war German Armour then this book is absolutely essential. Copies can be ordered from the website at www.panzerwrecks.com
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