EXCLUSIVE
SMOKE ON!
Hobby Boss’ 1/48 EMB 314 Super Tucano
AIRFIX METEOR F.8 Jun 2017 Issue 79
FIRST LOOK
MEATBOX 60
LATEST PRODUCTS REVIEWED
We convert Airfix’s re-issued 1/48 Meteor F.8 to prone pilot status
COASTAL GUARDIAN
Whirlybird Models’ 1/72 S-61N conversion
£4.50
THE TERMINATOR
Tiger Model’s all-new 1/35 BMPT-72
EDITOR'S DESK WELCOME
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WELCOME TO ISSUE 79
A
s readers might expect, reporting on shows is one of the most enjoyable aspects of this job…meeting and chatting with modellers of all ages. It also means I get to
see all sides of the hobby, both good and bad, and recently it has been disappointing to hear of theft from traders at events. As well as being a criminal offence, it also hits the trader’s cash flow, which may cause them to stop attending. Deterrence is by far the best prevention, and if modellers could keep a weather eye out for suspicious behaviour, it would go a good way towards reducing the likelihood of theft. If suspicious activity is observed, then please alert the trader or the show organisers and, if necessary, call the police...no matter how big or small the item may be. On a far more positive and uplifting note, during the past six months I’ve noticed a definite
change in club displays that augers well for the hobby and its future. Over the years, I’ve grown used to seeing aircraft and armour predominantly on show tables, as these appeared to be the more popular subjects. However, recently there has been a refreshing increase in the variety of genres represented, demonstrated beautifully by the Cosford show (see p.30) where almost half the displays had examples of aircraft, armour, ships, figures, real space and sci-fi. It was also hugely encouraging to see exhibits from younger modellers, and their efforts receiving deserved praise, and occasional advice from more experienced hands. Leading neatly into this issue’s
varied offerings, new contributor Cristian Lupu gets to grips with Tiger Model’s wonderful BMPT72, before Andy Davies tries something different with Airfix’s re-released 1/48 Meteor F.8. We also offer a warm welcome to aviation history writer Tony Buttler, whose debut feature for AMW accompanies Andy’s Meteor conversion. As for next month, it gets even better, with high-quality builds of real space and maritime subjects to accompany our regular aircraft, armour and auto models.
Stu Fone, Assistant Editor
[email protected]
FREE GIFT! Subscribe to AMW and claim your free 1/72 Hurricane Mk.I model kit or 5-piece diamond file set. See page 78. Editor: Chris Clifford Assistant Editor: Stu Fone Editor's Secretary: Tuesday-Maria Osborne Contributors this issue: Brian Wakeman, Wayne Dippold, Malcolm V Lowe, Johan Augustsson, Tony Buttler, Andy Davies, Cristian Lupu, Dave Oliver Art Editor: Tom Bagley Group Art Editor: Steve Donovan Group Editor: Nigel Price Production Manager: Janet Watkins Commercial Director: Ann Saundry Group Advertising Manager: Brodie Baxter Advertising Manager: Sarah Jarman Advertising Sales Executive: Elizabeth Ridge Classified Sales Executive: Hollie Keeling Ad Production Manager: Debi McGowan Group Marketing Manager: Martin Steele Marketing Manager: Shaun Binnington Subscriptions and Mail Order: Liz Ward Managing Director: Adrian Cox Executive Chairman: Richard Cox
Key Publishing Ltd, PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1XQ, UK. Distributed by: Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PP. Tel: 020 7429 4000. Fax: 020 7429 4001. Printed by: Warners (Midland) plc, Bourne. Printed in England (ISSN 1471-0587). Subscriptions: Please refer to main advertisement within the magazine. All applications stating name, address, date to commence and remittance to: Subscriptions Department, Airfix Model World, Key Publishing Ltd, P0 Box 300, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1NA, UK. Telephone/9.00-5.30 Monday-Friday GMT +44 (0) 1780 480404, Fax: +44 (0) 1780 757812 E-Mail:
[email protected] Airfix Model World (ISSN: 1471-0587) is published monthly by Key Publishing Ltd, P0 Box 300, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1NA, UK and distributed in the USA by Mail Right Int.,
1637 Stelton Road B4, Piscataway, NJ 08854. Periodicals Postage Paid at Piscataway, NJ and additional mailing offices. Readers in the USA can place subscriptions by visiting www.airfixmodelworld.com or by calling toll free 800-428-3003 or fax 757-428-6253 or by writing to Airfix Model World, 3330 Pacific Ave, Ste 500, Virginia Beach, VA23451-9828. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Airfix Model World, Key Publishing Ltd, c/o Mail Right International Inc.,1637 Stelton Road B4, Piscataway NJ 08854. All items submitted for publication are subject to our terms and conditions. These are regularly updated without prior notice and are freely available from www.keypublishing.com The entire contents of Airfix Model World is © copyright, and no part of it may be reproduced in any form or stored on any form of retrieval system without the prior permission of the publisher.
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The average sale for the period Jan – Dec 2016 was 12,730 print and digital copies monthly.
www.airfixmodelworld.com 3
CONTENTS WHAT'S INSIDE?
REGULARS 06 News The latest happenings in the world of plastic modelling.
12 Show Scene At-a-glance model show calendar.
SHOW SCENE 30 Shropshire report
78 Free Gift! Subscribe to Airfix Model World and claim your free 1/72 Hawker Hurricane Mk.I model kit or 5-piece diamond file set.
80 On the Shelf Thirteen pages of reviews highlight the latest modelling and reference products from around the world.
98 The Plastic Surgery Quiz AMW’s team of contributors, history writers and industry contacts regarding your own modelling mysteries.
Your favourite magazine is available digitally. See airfixmodelworld.com for more details. You can also find us on:
Search ‘Airfix Model World’
BUILD SUPER TUCANO 22 INTERMEDIATE
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BUILD M10 MID PRODUCTION 34 BASIC
CONTENTS WHAT'S INSIDE?
INTERMEDIATE BUILD STIRLING Mk.IV
14
FEATURES 14 Intermediate Build – Tug O’ War Italeri’s 1/72 Stirling Mk.IV glider tug receives a distinctly weather-worn finish, courtesy of Brian Wakeman.
22 Intermediate Build – Smoke ON! Wayne Dippold finishes Hobby Boss’ quarter-scale Super Tucano in a striking display team livery.
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD RUSSIAN BMPT-72
30 Out and About – Feel Good Factor IPMS Shropshire’s model show at The RAF Museum Cosford has been revitalised following changes to the venue’s display hangars.
32 Out and About – Dynamic Debut An abundance of delights is uncovered by Malcom V Lowe at Aldingbourne’s inaugural model show.
ADVANCED BUILD SIKORSKY S-61N
68
34 Basic Build – Panzer Hunter An impressive amount of detail is revealed in this out-of-the-box build of Tamiya’s new 1/35 M10 tank destroyer, completed by Johan Augustsson.
42 In Focus – Seek, Strike, Destroy Malcolm V Lowe describes the M10 tank destroyer's operational history during World War Two, and includes superb period images.
48 In Focus – A Nose for Testing Making his AMW debut, Tony Buttler reveals the background to one of Britain’s more unusual jet prototypes, the Prone Pilot Meteor.
ADVANCED BUILD PRONE PILOT METEOR
52
52 Advanced Build – Head First Airfix’s re-boxed 1/48 Meteor F.8 receives Brigade Models’ Prone Meteor conversion and an immaculate finish, courtesy of Andy Davies.
60 Intermediate Build – Hasta La Vista, Comrade! Cristian Lupu tackles Tiger Model’s impressive new BMPT-72 Terminator II urban combat vehicle.
68 Advanced Build – Coastal Guardian With Revell’s 1/72 Sea King Mk.41 as the base kit, Dave Oliver adds Whirlybird Models’ S-61N conversion to produce a civilian search-and-rescue helicopter.
76 In Focus – Life Saver Helo Dave Oliver recounts the history of Bristow Helicopters’ S-61N G-BIMU ‘Rescue Mike Uniform’ in HM Coastguard service.
www.airfixmodelworld.com 5
NEWS BULLETIN LATEST UPDATES
BREAKING
NEWS
FUN-TIME HIPPY VAN
ENCOURAGING NEW people into the hobby isn’t always the easiest process, but this brandnew Quick-Build product from Airfix should keep youngsters entertained at the very least. Packing just 42 pre-painted parts, the bright-coloured VW Camper
Van (J6017) comes resplendent in a sharp red/white livery. Aimed at the over-5s, assembly should be quick and easy; 25 clear construction stages should have this VW up and running in no time! For more on this and other releases, visit: www.airfix.com
NEW-TOOL ’NINE’
PUGNACIOUS PACHYDERM
TAMIYA’S NEW quarter-scale Elefant tank destroyer is now available. In a move that should please the blossoming numbers of modellers embracing 1/48 armour, kit 32589 offers the company’s usual superneat engineering, via five tancoloured styrene runners packed with well-detailed components. The nine-part suspension units are impressive (these include poly-caps), and four cylindrical alloy weights are provided for fitting inside the hull, if one wishes the model to have
a little more heft once completed. Another bonus is easy-assembling link-and-length tracks, and there’s non-fraying braided twine to emulate towing cables. The Zimmerit coating associated with this successor to the Ferdinand (on which it was based), is not moulded on the hull parts, so one can replicate this with putty and Tamiya’s Zimmerit Coating Applicator, available separately. A commander figure, moulded down to thigh level, also features. For further details, visit www.hobbyco.net
ZEKE, VAL AND KATE
REVELL’S FRESH moulding for this year includes a 1/32 Spitfire Mk.IXc…which has just been released as kit 03927. It offers a viable option for modellers whose budget can’t stretch to a Tamiya kit in the same scale, and has pleasing detail points, although some may consider the portrayal of rivets as being over-sized. The company has done its homework in many areas, as tiny details such as the fuselage IFF bushing are included, and the cockpit is suitably busy for the scale. The two schemes chosen means that alternative fishtail and late tubular exhausts are provided, along with narrow- and broad-chord rudders, and standard/
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clipped wingtips. Separate flying control surfaces also feature, and there’s three-piece glazing. A hint of flash has crept in on certain components…a trait that’s dogged some Revell releases of late, but it’s very minor. Bombs and racks are provided, although the undercarriage is fiddly as the main legs come in two parts each. Pleasing liveries are offered, with the silver (camouflaged upper nose) clipped-wing option MJ250/ UF-Q of 601 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force, and another we’ve not seen produced in decal form before; it’s MJ832/DN-T ‘City of Oshawa’, in day fighter camouflage and with 416 Squadron (RCAF) maple leaf and lynx nose art. www.revell.de/en
THREE OF Hasegawa’s finest 1/48 Japanese World War Two aircraft kits have been boxed together to form a bumper ‘Pearl Harbor Attack’ package. Item 52148 offers the Type 21 Zero, Type 99 Model 11 carrier dive-bomber and the torpedototing Type 97 Model 3. They all have extensive moulded detail in the cockpits, including raised features on the instrument panel and consoles, and there’s plenty of sidewall structural nuances where applicable. Those who’ve
studied ‘the day of infamy’ will be familiar with many of the colour schemes worn by the attacking aircraft, and here, the Zero is represented by two Imperial Japanese Navy grey liveries (Akagi second wave, Kaga first wave). The Val’s two options are also in IJN grey, while the Kate’s choices offer IJN green over silver, and a mottled version. All decals are to the usual Hasegawa standard and appear on one very large sheet. For further details, visit: www.amerang.co.uk
MINE SHREDDER
RESEMBLING THE unholy offspring of a camel spider and a tank, the M1 Assault Breacher is a US Marine Corps armoured mine/explosives clearance vehicle. Rye Field Model is the first to release a kit of this unusual machine (commonly known as the ‘Shredder’), and its 1/35 offering (RM-5011) combines the hull of its excellent M1 Abrams, with an all-new upper turret and mine plough. The 18 styrene runners fill the large, sturdy box to capacity, and there’s also a comprehensive photo-etched brass fret, which supplies engine grilles, antislip pads, and plough trails. As expected from Rye Field, the level of detail is staggering, and with an option to display one or both M58 mineclearing line-charge devices in the firing position, there’s even a representation of the
explosive ‘tube’ and launching rocket. All current electronic countermeasures devices are replicated faithfully, and one can choose to mount the ‘clear route’ marker flag dispensers in the stowed or deployed positions. Among the many highlights, the standout must be the huge plough, with toothed blades and three metal ‘skis’ mounted
on armatures. Given the large number of ‘do not glue’ captions in the instructions, it would appear this whole subassembly is fully articulated. There are three schemes, all for unidentified USMC machines; two are clad in overall NATO Green and one in Desert Sand. More details are at: www.ryefield-model.com and www.tigerhobbies.co.uk
WORLD WAR ONE LEGEND
EDUARD’S NEW 1/48 SE.5a has hit the shelves, and it’s a superb product to mark the company’s 25th anniversary this year. Besides the two grey styrene
runners in kit 82131, ProfiPACK status ensures plain and precoloured photo-etched (PE) metal details, tape masks and a superb decal sheet; note the
firm has also released various resin/PE extras for the kit in its Brassin range. This boxing provides parts with which to build the Wolseley Viperengined variant, and some of the detail is beautifully nuanced…notably the fuselage skin stitching, and wing/tail inspection hatches. There’s also a splendid variety of schemes, as besides the famous red-bodied 56 Squadron ‘Schweinhund’, there are two other Royal Flying Corps aircraft, and a pair of American options with attractive fuselage artwork. For further details, visit: www.eduard.com
JAN MAES 1958 – 2017 AIRFIX MODEL World’s contributor Jan Maes has died aged 58, after a stoic four-year battle with cancer. This bear of a man, whose big hands always ensured a gripof-iron handshake, was a joy to work with and produced the most delicate of details on model aircraft…particularly subjects with rigging. His efforts were often rewarded
with medals, and made for informative articles. Although Jan’s health prevented him from contributing recently, long-time readers will know he was joined by his figure-painter
wife Sonia on our build team. Jan, who was from Berchem in Belgium (but lived and worked in Colchester, UK) is survived by Sonia, his two sons Steven and Ken, and brother Marc…the latter also having contributed to AMW in the past. Our sympathies go to Jan’s family, friends and fellow modellers at Ipswich and North Essex IPMS clubs. Chris Clifford
NEWS BULLETIN LATEST UPDATES
{in brief}
ALL-NEW BATTLE TAXI
ALL ABOUT THE BASE The diorama range produced by Stephen Auf Der Mauer’s adM Models offers useful and interesting scenic items, and this 1/72 resin base is a welcome addition. Labelled Field with Rural Wall/Roadway with Broken Wall Rubble, it measures 142 x 92mm and comes with two separate broken segments of stone block wall, on their own casting block. The resin’s mastering is very effective, with just enough texture on the field portion, and well-spaced cobbles on the road segment, so one can add requisite paint, washes and weathering. At just £10, it’s a great option for displaying a military or civilian vehicle, and possibly with human or animal elements to add more life. For further details, or to view more items in the range, visit: www.admmodels.co.uk
GKN SANKEY’S FV 432 armoured personnel carrier (APC) has now been in service, in one form or another, with the British Army for more than 50 years. This longevity makes it even more puzzling why it’s taken so long for a 1/35 styrene kit to be produced, but thankfully, Takom’s offering (2066) is a joy to behold. Unsurprisingly, all parts are
splendid, with crisp features and exhibiting stunning detail, notably the fully equipped interior with its busy driver’s position. The tracks are link-and-length items, and there’s a neat jig to ease assembly (as well as for attaching the torsion bars). In providing this wonderful detail, Takom appears to have packed in features from throughout
THE KAISER’S AIRSHIPS SOVIET GLAZING The Czech Republic’s MH Models furthers its range of items to accompany Special Hobby kits, with two vac-form canopies for the firm’s 1/32 Yak-3. Items K32001 and K32002 represent closed and open canopies respectively, and each comes with vinyl masks and a full application guide. www.mhmodels.cz
SPACE COMBAT Modellers seeking markings for sci-fi or scratch-build projects should consider Stormfront Models’ Science Fiction Fighter Decals sheet. A mixture of airframe numbers, unit insignia and cockpit panel and warning signs are supplied, and although individual markings will need cutting from solid carrier film, the latter is gloss finished and should minimise silvering. More information is at: www.stormfrontmodels.co.uk
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THERE HAVEN’T been many kits of Zeppelins, and even fewer are currently available, so it’s great to see these interesting 1/720 items from Mark I Models. Even in this diminutive scale, its P- and Q-class Zeppelins (MKM720-04) are surprisingly large, measuring 9in (22.7cm) and 9 7/8in (24.8cm) respectively, and with two airships for just £26.40 it’s a pleasing package. Parts are duplicated, so one can build either two P- or Q-class vessels or one of each; cutting guidance is supplied in the instructions, but there isn’t a moulded line to follow on
the styrene. Assembly should be swift, and this would be an ideal introductory kit for modellers investigating smaller scales. Each airship receives a threepiece stand, and the colour notes suggest several tonal variations for the envelope skin hues. The four schemes cater for two examples each of P- and Q-class airships, and these are for a mix of Imperial German Air Force and Navy assets, with decals for the crosses, hull numbers, gondola windows and nameplates. Mark I Models are available from 4+ Publications: www.4pluspublications.com
the type’s service, which might lead to confusion. These include Clansman and Bowman radios (the latter weren’t fitted until the early 2000s), while other parts are applicable to the diesel-powered Mk.3, so checking references is a must. Most strikingly, the distinctive upper hull stowage bin wasn’t added until at least 1989. Don’t be fooled by the apparent lack of colour annotations in the instructions, the rear cover is a gatefold and provides digital images that explain all. The four schemes depict the most common camouflage variations, including British Army green/ black, overall Desert Sand and the Berlin Brigade’s geometric white/brown/blue-grey. Considering this kit features a fully detailed interior, the £37.99 price tag represents great value, and the basic parts offer scope for plenty of other versions: www.pocketbond.co.uk
MINIATURE WINE CELLAR MINIART’S ACCESSORIES cater for all aspects of diorama building, and this neat collection of 1/35 alcoholic beverages is a perfect example. Its Wine Bottles & Wooden Crates set (35571) contains 24 small runners, 12 in dark tan styrene and six each in clear brown and green (for the bottles). There are sufficient parts for 12 crates, and these include dividers, providing space for 15 bottles, and there are enough of the latter to fill these containers and still leave a few spares. Decals are supplied for crate and bottle labelling, and once finished will add French or German flair to any diorama scene. More details are available at: www.miniart-models.com
NEWS BULLETIN LATEST UPDATES
STEALTHY SURPRISE
ITALERI’S ANNOUNCEMENT of a 1/32 F-35 Lightning II caught many modellers off guard, and its arrival has since been anticipated eagerly. Its kit (#2506) depicts the conventional take-off and landing A-variant, comprising seven styrene runners, separate upper and lower fuselage halves and a photo-etched brass fret
(for cockpit, canopy and JDAM additions). Transparencies are provided in gold/yellow-tinted styrene, which is a neat touch, replicating the radar-reflective coating of the real items. The high-quality mouldings feature engraved panel lines and rivet detail, and while larger interior components have ejector-pin
HEBREW LIGHTNING
IT’S ALWAYS good to see products from new manufacturers, and Ukraine’s Skale Wings’ initial offering is rather impressive. While there are plenty of 1/72 F-16 kits out there, its two-seat Barak (IS72001) is a notable addition to the styrene ‘Viper’ family. Comprising nine styrene runners (including one clear) and a small photo-etched (PE) metal fret, this is a well-detailed product. Exterior features are represented by engraved panel lines, and while generally quite fine, those on the fuselage spine halves are heavier, and would benefit from light sanding. Moulded relief is present on the cockpit instrument panels and side consoles, and the three-piece ACES II ejection seats receive PE straps and firing
handles. Curiously, the exhaust nozzle is split horizontally, which may result in an awkward seam. Being limited-run in nature, parts will need minor preparation before assembly, but care at this stage will yield impressive results. A basic weapons fit is supplied, namely two underwing fuel tanks, and what appear to be LANTIRN targeting and navigation pods; two each of AIM-120, AIM-9 and Python 4 are also included…the latter are markedly superior to the other stores. There are three schemes (all in Israeli four-tone camouflage), from 105 Squadron ‘Scorpions’ at Hatzor Air Base in May 2005, featuring that unit’s distinctive sand-toned tail motif. Further details on Skale Wings’ products are available from its Facebook page.
marks, these shouldn’t be too difficult to address. There is plenty on offer, from the full-length intake/engine assembly that will delight super-detailers, to the well-appointed cockpit and cavernous bomb bays…Italeri is to be commended for its efforts to replicate these complex innards. Display options abound, with choices between open/closed canopy, crew ladder hatch, airrefuelling receptacle and weapons bay; a full selection of underwing pylons is provided for non-stealthy munitions carriage. There are just two minor quibbles, one being the over-scale raised airframe zig-zag panel lines (although sanding may remedy this) and the lack of smaller weapons for external carriage (just two GBU-31 JDAMs and two AIM-9X are included). However,
one bonus is a mask set for those raised lines, which should ease painting considerably. Six overall grey schemes cover US, Italian, Australian, Dutch and Israeli Air Force machines. For more details, see: www.hobbyco.net
DIORAMA MUST-HAVES
WELL KNOWN for its weathering mediums, AK Interactive has now launched a range aimed at aiding diorama builders. Two types of product are available, terrains and effects; the former caters for differing surface types and textures (including water), while the latter provides a mixture of weathering solutions. Samples received by AMW include 250ml bottles of Concrete (AK8014), Light Earth (AK8021) and Transparent Water (AK8002), and will enable the respective surface types to be created with ease. The latter can be applied in multiple thin coats to create varying depths as necessary… allowing suitable times between each application for the gel-like
coatings to dry. Similarly, the effects products (available in 100ml containers) are intended for quick and easy application, with Accumulated Dust Spatter (AK8031), Corrosion (AK8040) and Wet Crack Effects (AK8034) all currently available. AK has also released its own finegrade polyurethane water-based filler (AK014), which is applicable to any build project. It comes in a 20ml tube, is odour-free, and akin to oil paint in texture, but dries quickly and any excess (when wet) can be wiped away with a moist cotton bud. Finally, AK’s Washable Agent (AK236) is designed to be added to the firm’s various acrylic paints to create washes. www.ak-interactive.com www.airfixmodelworld.com 9
NEWS BULLETIN LATEST UPDATES
EARLY BRISTOLS
BEAUFIGHTER BUFFS are fairly well catered when it comes to late-configuration kits, courtesy of Airfix and Tamiya, but early airframes remain at a premium. Thankfully, Alley Cat Models has come to the rescue with resin 1/72 (AC72041C) and 1/48 (AC48055C) conversion sets to produce either Mk.I or Mk.VI machines. The basic components are the same (horizontal stabilisers, non-
shrouded exhausts and provision for spoked-hub wheels), with other parts specific to the 1/48 and 1/72 offerings. Airfix’s kit receives replacement engine cowlings, while Tamiya’s gains new spinners, trim actuators and underfuselage ‘towel rail’ antennas. Assembly should be quick, as the items are designed to be direct replacements for the styrene, but markings will need to be sourced elsewhere. If one is looking to build an early Beaufighter, these are good value packages, and are priced at £5.50 and £10 for the 1/72 and 1/48 offerings respectively. More details are available at: www.alleycatmodels.co.uk
CARRIER REFIT
GREAT WAR ICON
WINGNUT WINGS’ hotly anticipated Sopwith Camel kits are now available. Moulded in the New Zealand firm’s standard 1/32 scale, an impressive six different boxings have been released, with one of those being a double-kit package. The full list is as follows: (32070) F.1 Camel BR.1, (32071) F.1 Camel ‘LeRhône’, (32072 F.1 Camel ‘USAS’, (32074) F.1 Camel ‘Clerget’, 32076 2F.1 Camel ‘Ship’s Camel’ and 32803 F.1 Camel & LVG C.VI ‘The Duellists’. AMW has received two different samples, but as one might expect, the detail on every one is sublime via generic runners; all powerplants are reproduced accurately and with impressive detail, while there are also different propeller styles and engine cowlings to suit. The wellappointed cockpit benefits from crisp rendering of instruments
and framing, plus there are photo-etched brass belts. The machine guns, too, are works of art…as are Wingnut’s trademark instructions as they offer splendid colour CAD-style drawings, photographs of the real aircraft and, thankfully, full rigging diagrams. If one has never taken the plunge with a Wingnut product before, this is arguably the kit to make one’s debut. Even the decals are produced thoughtfully, with splits along the roundels to tally with the hinge line of the control surfaces. There’s also a raft of fascinating and attractive colour schemes provided, with the highlights in AMW’s samples being a blue 78(HD) Squadron F.1 named ‘Suds’, and a 2F.1 Camel from HMS Furious, with criss-crossed white lines around the fuselage. For further details, visit: www.wingnutwings.com
TINY V-BOMBER UPGRADE MERIT’S 1/350 USS Enterprise CV-6 is impressive straight from the box, but South Korean Infini Model’s aftermarket accessories will turn it into a truly amazing build. Its USS Enterprise CV-6 1942 (Late) Detail Up Set (IM-535007R1) is a stunning collection of 12 photo-etched (PE) brass frets, four resin parts, more than 200 turned-brass barrels, ammunition magazines and capstans, and a length of anchor chain. Every aspect of the ship is upgraded with PE, with notable improvements to the superstructure, radars and bow/stern under-deck sections. Modellers will need to set aside plenty of time for this project, but the result will be stunning.
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If further refinement is needed, Infini also provides laser-cut self-adhesive wood flight deck panelling, in stained (IMW-35003R1) and teak (IMW35004R1) versions. The former appears close to Deck Blue 20-B, and would be applicable for Measure 11 and 21 schemes (from 1942 onwards), although the stain tended to fade quickly. In addition to extensive self-adhesive wooden sections, each set contains three PE frets for all the deck fittings (including a 100-plus piece barricade), a masking set for flight line markings and 16½ft (5m) of Lycra rigging thread. Infini Model products are available in the UK via Sovereign Hobbies: www.sovereignhobbies.co.uk
DESIGNED FOR Great Wall Hobby’s 1/144 Vulcan B.2, Shelf Oddity’s latest photo-etched brass set provides a wealth of upgrades for the base kit. Tweezers and a steady hand will be vital, as many parts are tiny, but the exterior receives an impressive set of improvements. There are linings for the wheel bays, comprehensive additions to the landing gear, all-new airbrakes and a detailed entrance hatch. Several parts will require careful shaping, to either conform to the bomber’s curved surfaces or to replace moulded vents and intakes, but the clear and concise instructions should ease assembly somewhat. A final bonus is a series of minute resin components for the mainwheel bays and electronic countermeasures
plate, and these add yet further refinement to the model. Shelf Oddity’s products are available via: www.coastalcraftmodelsuk.com
Pennine Models at Haworth
Large stock of rare items (enquire for details) Broad range of plastic kits available including: • Aircraft both military & civilian • Cars & trucks • Military, armour & softskin • Railways: rolling stock, buildings and people • Scenics and paint • Boats from over the ages • People (including soldiers from romans, vikings to modern day)
Wednesday to Sunday 11am - 5pm 33/35 Mill Hey, Haworth, Keighley BD22 8NQ Tel: 01535 642367
[email protected]
SHOW SCENE DIARY DATES
s re
MAFVA Nationals 2017
hows on
e lin
Mo
SHOW SCENE
At-a-glance model and airshow calendar
Date:
June 18
Hosts:
MAFVA
Address: The Burgess Hall, Westwood Rd, Saint Ives, Cambs, PE27 6WU Times:
10am-5pm
Prices:
Adults £1, concessions and accompanied children free
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
www.mafva.net
JUN 3
SCALE MODEL SHOW 2017
JUN 11
WEST NORFOLK IPMS MODEL SHOW 2017
JUN 25
IPSWICH IPMS MODEL SHOW
JUL 15
ROMSEY SCALE MODEL SHOW
Hosts:
IPMS Salisbury
Hosts:
West Norfolk IPMS
Hosts:
Ipswich IPMS
Hosts:
Romsey Modellers
Address:
Wyvern College Sports Hall, Church Road, Laverstock, Salisbury, SP1 1RE
Address:
Address:
Gresham Sports and Social Club, 312 Tuddenham Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 3QJ
Address:
Ampfield Village Hall, Morleys Lane, Romsey, Hants, SO51 9BJ
Times:
9.30am-4.30pm
Downham Market Town Hall, 6 Market Place, Bridge Street, Downham Market. Norfolk, PE38 9DE
Times:
10am-4pm
Times:
10am-4pm
10am-4pm
Prices:
Prices:
Adults £2.50, under-16s £1.50
Adults £2, accompanied wives and children free
Email:
[email protected]
Adults £3, children and concessions free
Web:
www.ipmsipswich.com
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
www.romseymodellers. co.uk
JUL 8
HAILSHAM MODEL SHOW
Hosts:
Hailsham and District Scale Model Club
JUL 23
MIDLAND MODEL EXPO 2017
Address:
Civic Community Hall, Vicarage Lane, Hailsham, East Sussex, DN27 2AX
Hosts:
IPMS Birmingham
Address:
Times:
10am-4pm
Leasowes Sports Centre, Leasowes High School, Kent Road, Halesowen, B62 8PJ
Prices:
Adults £3, concessions £2, children (6-16) 50p, under5s free
Times:
10am-4pm
Prices:
Adults £4, OAPs and under-16s £2
Prices:
Adults £4, under-16s £1
Times:
Email:
modelshow@ salisburymodelshow.co.uk
Prices:
www.salisburymodelshow. co.uk
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
www.westnorfolkipms.uk
Web:
JUN 4
THE NORTHERN MODEL SHOW
JUN 25
COVENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE MODEL SHOW
Hosts:
IPMS Tyneside
Hosts:
Coventry & Warwickshire IPMS
Address:
Parks Sports Centre, Howdon Road, North Shields, NE29 6TL
Address:
Midland Air Museum, Rowley Road, Baginton, Coventry, CV3 4FR
Times:
9.30am-4pm
Times:
10am-4pm
Prices:
Adults £4, concessions £2, children free
Prices:
Adults £7, children £2, concessions £6.50
Email:
northernmodelshow@gmail. com
Email:
ipms.covandwarks@hotmail. com
Email:
[email protected]
Email:
chairman.ipmsbirmingham@ gmail.com
Web:
Northern Model Show (Facebook)
Web:
www.coventryandwarwick ipms.co.uk
Web:
www.hailsham-districtscale-model-club.org
Web:
www.midlandexpo.blogspot. co.uk
KEY
E MODEL DISPLAY
) MODEL COMPETITION J TRADE STANDS
m
AIRCRAFT DISPLAY
MILITARY DISPLAY AUTOMOTIVE DISPLAY
REFRESHMENTS FREE PARKING MAKE AND PAINT
IMPORTANT: It is worth noting that ALL events are subject to change or cancellation. This information has been collated from a variety of sources and was believed to be correct at the time of going to press. To advertise your event here, email:
[email protected]
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD SHORT STIRLING Mk.IV
Brian Wakeman delves into the Mk.IV D-Day glider-towing incarnation of Italeri’s 1/72 Short Stirling heavy bomber
TUG O’ WAR S Italeri provided a well-appointed cockpit (including PE instrument panel and seatbelts), which would serve as a good basic canvas for either scratch-building or aftermarket embellishment should the modeller choose to; assembly was rapid and straightforward.
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hort’s Stirling was the first of the RAF’s World War Two four-engined heavy bombers to enter service, but unsurprisingly it wasn’t without initial teething problems. This was down to operational altitude issues and the type was soon superseded by the Handley Page Halifax and Avro Lancaster. Designed in response to a 1936 British Air Ministry specification request, the Stirling Mk.I served from 1941 onwards, and was soon prowling the skies of occupied Europe. However, a combination
of heavy attrition and the arrival of more capable assets led to the Stirling being relegated to glidertug and transport duties in its Mk.IV/V guises. Many modellers will no doubt remember battling with Airfix’s 1960s-vintage Stirling, and its seemingly unworkable shiny black plastic and myriad overscale raised rivets. Italeri recently stepped up to the plate, with an elegant-looking offering, first released as a Mk.I, but later as the Mk.IV glider-tug version, the subject of this build.
Out of the comfort zone As I’m more of a fast jet fan, I felt a little out of depth during this project, which took just more than four months to complete. The quality of the grey plastic parts was exceptional, with a small
INTERMEDIATE BUILD SHORT STIRLING Mk.IV
photo-etched (PE) metal fret. Unfortunately, the same could not be said of the 20-page CADstyle instructions, which were vague in places. This latter issue caused considerable
stress and confusion at times, notably with the type’s characteristic lanky undercarriage. The level of interior detail is spectacular; the downside is that little will be visible once the fuselage halves are mated. However, the main greenhousestyle canopy does allow the welldetailed cockpit area to be viewed easily. Italeri provided quality PE seat straps, throttle quadrants and an instrument panel, and these served to embellish the basic styrene components. In most aircraft types, there is just a single interior colour; here though, there were several. The forward fuselage was sprayed with Xtracolor’s X010 BS283 Aircraft Grey/Green, with features highlighted with a combination of Humbrol 78 Cockpit Green acrylic and Colourcoats’ ACUS09 USN/
GLIDER-PULLING LIVERIES Italeri supplied four late-war schemes, three of which featured D-Day identification markings; the decals were produced by Cartograf, so quality was assured: • EF267/5G ‘The Saint’, 299 Squadron, RAF Keevil, Wiltshire, June 6, 1944 • LK129/B IV, 295 Squadron, RAF Holmsley South, Hampshire, June 6, 1944 • L1930/QS-A, 620 Squadron, RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, June 6, 1944 • LK171/WES, 295 Squadron, RAF Rivenhall, Essex
Once the interior had been painted, the highlighted detail was sublime. This was arguably the most pleasing part of the build and was accomplished in just a few hours. Equipment boxes and the navigator’s table received Lifecolor UA735 Deep Cockpit, before being dry-brushed.
Despite all being rather bland in appearance (despite the stripes), it was decided to opt for the 299 Squadron machine, as ‘The Saint’ artwork added extra interest. In hindsight, it may have been better to mask and spray the black and white stripes rather than use the decals, but that was down to personal preference…live and learn for the next time. Arguably, the soon-to-be-hidden aft section was better furnished than the cockpit, and even included an Elsan toilet. This area was mainly painted in aluminium tones, with the floor receiving light weathering.
The Stirling’s complex undercarriage was reproduced faithfully, although it did require considerable attention to ensure proper alignment, and was one of the kit’s weak points. Note the over-flat tyres, which would be painted LC733 Tyre Black.
Most of the interior was hidden after the fuselage halves were mated, and it was down to individual choice as to how much work (painting and detailing) to put into the innards. The four well-defined Hercules engines required preparation to remove seam lines prior to assembly. Recommended tools for this include small files, round-profile sanding sticks and a sharp craft knife. www.airfixmodelworld.com 15
INTERMEDIATE BUILD
USAAF Interior Green. A misted layer of Humbrol 56 Aluminium was applied directly from the aerosol to the rear section, aft of the radio operator’s position. The busy interior even included an Elsan chemical toilet…this and other equipment was hand-painted in the appropriate colours. Once the fuselage halves had been aligned and mated (after any paint was removed from the joining faces), attention turned to the wings and gangly landing gear.
MODEL SPEC
SHORT STIRLING Mk.IV
Short Stirling Mk.IV By:
Italeri
Stock Code:
1350
Scale:
1/72
Price:
£39.99
Available from: The Hobby Company www.hobbyco.net
Keep ‘em peeled A dry-fit of the landing gear revealed a small adjustment was necessary, to allow the locating pins to sit correctly. However, on this build, the undercarriage wasn’t fitted until later, and even this test was set in the wrong position…in part due to the vague CAD-style instructions.
As with the bomb bay, the wings required the use of clamps to ensure a good join. Note the panel lines, which appeared quite stark; however, these were less noticeable after priming and painting.
WAR-WEARY ATTIRE The challenge during this build was to create a weather-worn appearance on the standard World War Two RAF Bomber Command camouflage. First,
short lengths of masking tape were added along panel lines (after the basic colours had dried fully); these would result in a hard boundary for the
The time had come to assemble the Stirling’s infamously overcomplicated undercarriage legs. From the outset, careful attention should have been paid to the construction of these, along with the double tailwheels. Here, the author thought he knew best, so decided to apply them after the model had been painted...wrong! As will be seen, this decision rebounded later during the build, and it should be stressed that they must be secured before the wings are aligned, as Italeri suggested. The stubby mainplanes assembled as expected, along with the four well-detailed six-part Bristol Hercules VI engines. These were painted in various metallic shades, ranging from gunmetal to bronze, before assembly was completed with Italeri’s PE bracing struts. The crank case was picked out fuel/fluid streaking effects along the wing (1). One handy tip to reduce the tackiness of any tape, but not remove it all (vital when applying over decals), is to press it against one’s palm once or twice. A combination of airbrushed X504 Exhaust and hand-painted
in Citadel’s Codex Grey, after which all the engine components received a wash of Lifecolor's Tensocrom TSC207 Oil, to emphasise the finely moulded styrene features. There has been much comment Lifecolor Liquid Pigments LPW15 Soot was then used to create the effects, with the latter diluted with water beforehand. The technique was then repeated, for the characteristic heavy exhaust staining (2). At this point it was realised the
1
2
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD SHORT STIRLING Mk.IV
"THE LEVEL OF INTERIOR DETAIL IS SPECTACULAR"
regarding Italeri’s approach to the exterior panel lines, notably their depth (especially around the fuel tank cells), but from this modeller’s experience, they had all but disappeared once priming and painting was completed. This style of engraving also appeared on the firm’s Short Sunderland, and having seen one built it’s difficult to see what the fuss was about. Compared to the bomber version, the Mk.IV was fitted with
just one turret...the rear Nash & Thompson FN20 unit. The midupper assembly was removed and the resulting gap plated over, while the twin-gun nose FN5 turret was replaced with Perspex glazing. For the build, this meant just the rear-gunner’s station had to be constructed and painted; as its four Browning .303 machine guns were rather fragile in appearance, the mount was left off until the final construction stages. A styrene plug filled the mid-upper location,
black/white identification stripes and roundels had to be added before further weathering could take place. The former needed careful trimming to provide a perfect fit, with the flap section separate to the mainplane item. After the decals had dried, they
were sealed with another layer of Clear and grime/streaking effects were repeated where necessary (3). While there are many aftermarket products available for producing weathering effects, this modeller’s preference is for Adam Wilder’s enamels/pigments,
3
Care taken during assembly meant little filler was needed on this model, despite the known fit issues. After a coat of automotive grey primer, the rudder and elevators were positioned.
which leave a good watery/oily residue and streaky appearance. Here, Nitroline NL31 Diesel Exhaust Runs Effect and NL34 Murky Water Wet Effect were spread around various outlines and panel lines, but only after the model had received a final
varnish coat of LC27 Matt Clear (4). Perhaps counterintuitively, it was found best to not stir them; instead, they were diluted slightly with white spirit, which was added to a small amount of the Nitroline product placed in the bottle lid.
4
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD SHORT STIRLING Mk.IV
CHALKY UNDERSIDES Reference photographs revealed the undersides weathered in a different manner to the upper surfaces, hence a slightly different set of products was employed to reproduce the slightly chalky appearance on the Night Black surfaces.
After a trip to Halfords, Volvo Dark Grey was selected as the ideal colour for the Night Black undersides. Well-diluted Tamiya X-1 Black and XF-69 NATO Black were then airbrushed randomly to create tonal variation.
Four grey tones were selected from Wilder’s Weathering Matt Quick Drying Oil range, varying from light to dark. As with other processes (such as dot filters), it appeared best to drain any excess fluid from the product before application, and this reduced the drying time…which was notably faster than conventional oils.
XF-69 NATO Black were airbrushed randomly over the dark grey, modulating the overall monotone appearance. All interior openings, bomb bay and wheel bay doors then received matt black, which was also the colour of choice for the undercarriage. After carefully masking the canopy, and straight demarcation lines between upper and lower colours, a fine lead pencil was used to mark the standard World War Two Dark Green/Dark Earth camouflage pattern on the upper surfaces. Note that on the actual aircraft, both Short and RAF
Maintenance Units (MU) used rubber stencil mats, which resulted in a hard-edged scheme. As a rule, this modeller prefers to airbrush freehand, but as the model would feature heavy weathering, primarily to the upper wing surfaces, additional masking would also be employed. The lightest base colour was applied first, with Xtracolor X002 (BS250) RAF Dark Earth selected, followed by X618 Czech Air Force MiG-29 Dark Green (currently out of production). These were complemented by the addition of streaks and the selection
The shades used during this build were LS10 Dark Grey, LS11 Medium Grey, LS12 Light Grey and LS13 Panzer Grey, and the resulting pale streaks and panel lines were subtle in appearance, and helped to enliven the otherwise monotone undersides.
while a single-piece transparency dealt with the nose aperture.
Road trip Having taken time to seal any openings in the fuselage and wings with wet tissue and tape, the author then made a trip to his local car accessory shop, for that elusive shade of black for the underside. After 20 minutes’ perusal of the automotive acrylic
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colours, Volvo’s Dark Grey was selected…subsequently, it turned out to be the ideal off-black tone for a war-weary Stirling. Once this had cured fully, heavily diluted shades of Tamiya’s X-1 Black and
"PANEL LINES WERE THEN ENHANCED WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT WASHES"
INTERMEDIATE BUILD SHORT STIRLING Mk.IV
Camouflage painting began with Xtracolor’s X2 (BS250) RAF Dark Earth, applied in thin layers. Once dry, X618 Czech MiG-29 Dark Green was airbrushed freehand, again in light coats, for a mottled finish. Lifecolor acrylics provided further tonal variation.
Wear on the inner walkways was created with Wilder’s Gunpowder Line GP06 Brown Russian Earth, applied with a worn brush.
After receiving a final varnish with Lifecolor’s LC27 Matt Clear, various shades of Lifecolor’s pigment washes were used to enhance the panel lines; LPW01 Burnt Umber, LPW02 Black Umber and LPW04 Black Grey proved most appropriate.
A birds-eye perspective reveals how the various weathering and staining techniques have disrupted the appearance of what would otherwise be a bland surface. While it may look extreme, many RAF bombers were even more weather-beaten than this!
of random panels for treatment with UA537 RAF Dark Earth and UA538 RAF Dark Green, which were a slightly lighter hue, and resulted in subtle differences in tone. These would remain visible even after two layers of Humbrol Clear, in preparation for the heavy
weathering (see panel). Although most of the dirtying was concentrated on the wings, lighter effects were added to the whole airframe. Small areas of scuffing, such as those caused by groundcrew when working on the engines or turrets were replicated with good-quality ground pigment,
Wilder’s Gunpowder Line GP06 Brown Russian Earth (from www. airbrushes.com) being chosen. Employing a worn brush, the
REFERENCE • Aeroplane Icons: Short Stirling, by Martyn Chorlton (Key Publishing), ISBN 978-1-910415-24-5 • British Bombers of World War II, by Mike Hooks (Key Publishing), ISBN: 978-1-907426-23-0 Both the above are available from: https://shop.keypublishing.com/ • Stirling at War, by Jonathan Falconer (Ian Allan), ISBN: 978-0711020-22-1 • Short Stirling Owners’ Workshop Manual, by Jonathan Falconer (Haynes), ISBN: 978-0-85733-791-7
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD SHORT STIRLING Mk.IV
pigment was worked into the surface on the inner wing walkways. Streaky effects were created by dabbing the product onto the airframe with a wet brush. Panel lines were then enhanced with
several different washes (LPW01 Burnt Umber, LPW02 Black Umber and LPW04 Black Grey); excess fluid was removed with a cotton bud soaked with either water or Lifecolor’s Remover product.
Final push In a welcome move, Italeri provided the option to set the rudder, ailerons and tailplanes at various
Although assembled early during the build, the rear FN20 turret wasn’t added until almost at the end. The fit of this item proved bothersome, with judicious trimming required before it could be inserted.
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angles, and the opportunity was taken to deflect these control surfaces, adding further interest. After the four detailed threebladed de Havilland type 55/10 propellers had been pressed into the radial engines, the final LC27 Clear Matt Varnish was applied. This was carried out in two stages, due to the size and shape of the airframe: first the underside, followed the next day by the top side. Aeroclub’s rigging thread (ART003) was used for the whip
aerials, while several old Airfix RAF figures were positioned alongside it, to give an impression of just how big the Stirling was. In hindsight, Italeri’s Stirling is probably more suited to modellers who have already built several bomber kits; careful study of the instructions should then provide many happy hours of work. While not perfect, it’s certainly a quantum leap over the vintage Airfix offering, and maybe this next generation bomber can, with time and effort, be a competition winner.
Every modeller has their own final artistic touch. In this case, it included several spare Airfix RAF groundcrew and a bicycle, along with a small door step from Italeri’s kit. The door was removed to simulate a replacement item.
All too often advertisers accept publisher’s statements on their performance. Our ABC Certificate shows we have been independently audited and gives credibility to support our claim. Justify your marketing spend and get the exposure you’ve been promised. As you can see from our ABC Certificate our circulation is 12,730 for the period January to December 2016. See it, believe, trust it To advertise, call Sarah Jarman on 01780 755131 or email
[email protected]
INTERMEDIATE BUILD SUPER TUCANO
Wayne Dippold finishes Hobby Boss’ 1/48 Super Tucano in a dazzling aerobatic team livery
SMOKE ON! B razil is a big country with an attitude to match…from the extravagance of its carnivals to the fun-loving nature of Rio, it knows how to take things over the top. The nation’s air force is no exception; its air demonstration team, the Smoke Squadron, was formed in May 1952, taking to the skies in North American T-6s. Apart from a short 46-performance stint with Aerospatiale (Fouga) CM 170
Super Magisters, these were flown until the team disbanded in 1977. Upon reorganising in 1983, The Smoke Squadron operated Embraer 312s until transitioning to colourful EMB 314 Super Tucanos in 2012. Caracal Decals has released a beautiful set of markings for these aircraft, via sheet CD 48066, and it was used here. While this was a challenging scheme, foresight and planning helped make the process go smoothly (well, almost!).
Hobby Boss provided delicate and consistent panel line engraving throughout the kit.
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What’s in that box?
Hobby Boss is the first manufacturer to produce the EMB 314 (alternate designation A-29) as an injection-moulded kit in 1/48 scale. The kit is typical of Hobby Boss: superb mouldings with crisp, consistent engraved panel lines and details. A total of 159 pieces, nearly half of which were weapons-related, were presented on six runners moulded in light grey styrene. There was also one clear frame of
Positive alignment for the nose gear bay was provided by slots on either side of the fuselage.
canopy parts and a small photoetched (PE) metal fret, which included the HUD frame and ejection seat details. A six-page instruction booklet comprised 17 construction steps, plus a diagram showing appropriate weapon loads per station. Two decal sheets were provided for aircraft and weapons markings, along with a full-colour painting guide. Colour annotations for Mr. Hobby, Vallejo, Model Master, Tamiya and Humbrol paints were provided.
Impressive interior The cockpit parts had raised detail on both the side consoles and instrument panels, over which decals were to be applied. For this build, though, it was decided the raised detail would be removed in favour of Eduard’s coloured PE set 49690 Super Tucano Interior,
INTERMEDIATE BUILD SUPER TUCANO
Eduard photo-etched metal provided desirable detail in what was an otherwise sparse cockpit.
to enliven the crew areas. At this point, all raised detail was removed with a hobby knife and abrasive paper, and PE was applied to the cockpit floor and sidewalls. All cockpit parts received Model Master 1740 Dark Gull Gray (FS 36321) enamel, along with the fuselage sidewalls; when dry, the coloured PE side consoles and instrument panels were added. It’s worth noting that although Eduard refers to these items as self-adhesive, cyanoacrylate (CA) glue was needed to hold the parts in place. Eduard provided additional details for front and rear cockpit instrument panel fairings (parts B16 and B4 respectively), which were attached before a coat of 2040 Aircraft Interior Black was sprayed. Hobby Boss’ ejection seats were more than adequate, but not being quite adept with PE
details, instead I opted for a set of Wolfpack Design Martin-Baker Mk.10 resin seats (WP48143). After a basecoat of 2735 Black Chrome, the seats were painted with various colours for the straps and cushions, and the completed cockpit was glued into a fuselage half…the fit being excellent. The nose gear bay was in three pieces, which went together easily, but one side component was missing the mounting tab that would fit into the fuselage, so care was needed to ensure its correct location. Although not mentioned in the instructions, this model needs nose weight, and plenty of it! Before joining the fuselage halves, it was time to send the airframe to the weight and balance shop. Having taped all parts together and placed the horizontal stabilisers and strakes on the tail, Lego bricks
After painting the cockpit, more Eduard details gave the instrument panel and side consoles a realistic look. Creating a fulcrum at the main landing gear points, which allowed anglers’ split shot to determine the amount of nose weight needed.
“PHOTO-ETCHED METAL PROVIDED DESIRABLE DETAIL”
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD SUPER TUCANO
were used to lift the model at the site of the main gear. A cup was placed on the nose to add weight, to determine the amount needed; it was thought that 23g would hold down the nose, so appropriate fishing weights were added to each fuselage half with five-minute epoxy.
Useful diversion
All landing gear pieces received a coat of Model Master Gloss Gull Gray.
One side of the nose gear bay was moulded with the alignment tab; care was needed to ensure correct placement of this piece.
inaccurate outline and a misshapen wing box. For those wishing to correct the latter problem, AVM Scale Models of Brazil produces a resin correction set, which includes the central wing box, a centreline pylon, rear instrument panel, front instrument panel for the FACH and FAE versions and an extra VHF antenna for the FACH option. The resin is well cast, with finely recessed panel lines and good detail. Sadly, this set arrived too late for inclusion on this model but the set is available through AVM Scale Models on Facebook.
MODEL SPEC
All available space was packed with weight to help keep the Tucano on all three legs.
After assembling the fuselage, the build deviated from the instructions. Stages 3 and 4 suggest attaching the horizontal stabilisers, strakes and antennas at this point. However, Caracal recommends deferring this task until after decaling, due to the large tail markings needing to be applied. Time was taken at this point to ensure the fit of these was tight, knowing that filling and sanding later would not be possible. Wing assembly was simple and the fit was excellent, requiring just a tad of filler to hide the seams. Unfortunately, the wings were the major downfall of this kit, due to their rather
Brazilian EMB-314 Super Tucano By:
Hobby Boss
Stock Code:
81727
Scale:
1/48
Price:
£32.99
Available from: Creative Models, www.creativemodels.co.uk
“ALL AVAILABLE SPACE WAS PACKED WITH WEIGHT TO HELP KEEP THE TUCANO ON ALL THREE LEGS” 24
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD SUPER TUCANO
Alclad Duraluminum replicated the finish of the real exhaust pipes.
Hobby Boss suggested painting the landing gear struts, doors and bays silver, but reference photos showed these areas to be gloss grey, at least on Smoke Squadron aircraft. Model Master 4632 Gloss Gull Gray (FS 16640) was sprayed onto all undercarriage parts and bays, while Tamiya XF-69 NATO Black was used on the tyres. A pin wash of Citadel Nuln Oil (black) accentuated the detail of these parts, and the undercarriage legs were left off until final assembly.
A sleek look Not wanting to destroy the clean lines of an aerobatic team aircraft, it was decided to leave the canopy
closed. The latter item and windscreen came with a mould line down the centre of each piece but take heart; the real unit has a line down its centre too, so just the small line on the windscreen needed attention. When test-fitting the windscreen, it was noticed that the two-pane HUD assembly was too tall, either through engineering or a misstep in construction. With no other option, the top pane of glass and upper frame were removed with nippers, allowing the windscreen to be added. This was too narrow for the fuselage and any attempt to try and remove the step would more than likely have proved
disastrous. It was determined that a small piece of runner could be used to ‘stretch’ the windscreen somewhat; the spacer was inserted temporarily and the windscreen glued in place, allowing extra time for the Tamiya Extra Thin Cement to cure. With the windscreen in place and the spacer removed, the main canopy was next for attachment. Unfortunately, it was too long, preventing it from sitting flush on the fuselage…but a sanding block worked over the front edge of the canopy had it seated correctly in no time. After re-scribing lost panel line detail with a smaller triangular jeweller’s file, the canopy and undercarriage
bays were masked and a coat of Tamiya Fine White Primer was applied. Any repair of missed seams was done at this stage, with another coat of primer to finish the task.
Tricky manoeuvre Knowing the Smoke Squadron scheme was going to be a challenge, taking time to study Caracal’s decals seemed advisable. Examining the complex scheme, it was decided not to use the provided thin white demarcation line decals between colours, as painting these would be more effective. To that end, another coat of white primer was applied,
A toothpick was used as a spacer to widen the windscreen as the glue set, to match the width of the fuselage.
The HUD stood rather proud, preventing the windscreen from sitting flush with the fuselage, so the upper part of the HUD was simply removed to allow clearance.
With the windscreen firmly in place, the canopy was too long to fit, but sanding the front edge allowed it to close correctly.
Model Master Camouflage Gray (FS 36622) was applied to the canopy to simulate the interior colour of the framing. www.airfixmodelworld.com 25
INTERMEDIATE BUILD SUPER TUCANO
“PHOTOCOPIES OF THE DECAL WERE USED TO DETERMINE WHERE TO MASK”
‘Line o tape’ Pinstripe Tapes was used to mask for the white demarcation lines. After colour coats, this was removed to reveal perfect white trim. All areas that were not going to be yellow were masked, to keep the white base intact for the French Blue.
ensuring a consistent base for the colour coats but to also provide the white of the stripes. Photocopies of the decals were made to size and cut out, providing visual reference for colour separations. ‘Line O Tape’ 1/32 Pinstripe Tapes was used to mask the demarcation lines which, when removed after painting, would reveal the white lines. This scheme devoured Tamiya masking tape at a phenomenal rate, and copious amounts were used to mask the non-yellow areas. All landing gear bays were stuffed with damp tissue, then XF-3 Flat Yellow was applied via a trusty Iwata Eclipse HP-BS airbrush. Ample drying time was allowed before the masking was removed from the entire model, being careful not to lift the pinstripe tape serving as the mask for the white lines. The Caracal sheet did not provide full-coverage decals for the rear empennage and vertical tail, leaving it up to the modeller to provide the basic green background hue. Caracal’s instructions were not quite clear on where to mask for the green, so photocopies of the decals were again used to ensure correct placement. The decal instructions were even more vague on the Caracal’s instructions were vague as to exactly where the tail was supposed to be painted green, so photocopies of the decal were used to determine where to mask.
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colour, referring to it as “slightly lightened” X-28 Park Green. It would have been helpful if Caracal had provided an accurate mixing formula, or had provided extra decals on the sheet solely for paint matching; this vagueness created major headaches later in the build. Another marathon session of masking the entire model followed, to avoid any overspray on areas that shouldn’t be green. When the Park Green had dried, all the tape was removed and the model was masked – again – this time covering everything that was yellow or green. Model Master 2715 French Blue was specified by Caracal and matched the Brazilian blue quite well. Several light coats were applied to build the coverage, with a final ‘wet’ coat (consisting primarily of thinner) to heighten the shine. This colour was given a full week to cure before several layers of Pledge with Future Shine were applied.
Life happens Having reached the point where the model needed just decals and final details, little did I know that a major life adjustment was on the horizon. My wife was offered a teaching position, requiring a move
INTERMEDIATE BUILD SUPER TUCANO
from Western New York to Eastern North Carolina, in the space of twoand-a-half weeks. Friends came to help pack for the move while we looked for a new home in North Carolina; unfortunately, they also packed the little, fragile Tucano. When found, the model was at the bottom of a box wrapped in paper, with a hammer and jar of nails on top of it! Unsurprisingly, it did not fare well. The Tucano had both wings snapped at the root, ventral strakes and antennas were broken, paint was scratched and there was
BRING ON THE COLOUR Brazil’s Smoke Squadron aircraft are highly attractive, and Caracal Models’ decal sheet CD48066 comes with everything needed to transform the Hobby Boss EMB 314 into one of these eye-catching machines. Markings for four different subjects are provided, plus generic numbers to make any aircraft on the team, as of May 2014. While not designed for novices, patience and planning helped with application. The manufacturer hinted that an updated sheet may be pending, as the Smoke Squadron has changed its livery slightly, with individual position numbers added to each aircraft.
a large gouge in the lower port wing. Discouraged, it looked as if this project was doomed, but after time to cool off it was decided the model could indeed be salvaged. The first order of business was to reattach the wings by carefully positioning the pieces and filling the gaps with thin CA glue, allowing capillary action to flood the seams; this was followed by accelerator. Paint in adjacent areas was masked and Tamiya fine white putty filled the remaining gaps and was sanded, using caution not to disturb demarcation lines. The gouge in the port wing required sanding to bare plastic, filling and further abrasion. It was then primed in white and the appropriate colours were applied to repaired areas, including the ventral strakes and antennas.
A freshly painted tail…with the wrong shade of green!
The re-assembled broken wings (and the resultant gouge) were filled and sanded gently. All sections then received airbrushed touch-ups with the appropriate colours.
Ace recovery With the move to a new home and repairs to the Tucano completed, it was time to begin decal application. Caracal’s markings were brilliant in their replication of the Smoke Squadron scheme, with all markings printed in register, and legible down to the finest detail. First to be applied were the large devices for the vertical tail, which settled well, using kitchen paper moistened with warm water and small amounts of Walthers’ Solvaset (www.walthers.com). One suggestion would be to cut out the decal where it needs to fit over the antenna mount, to avoid the work involved in getting the decal to conform over this raised detail. With one large marking placed,
confidence was riding high as the long lightning bolt was applied to the fuselage side. This decal went on smoothly, but at this point the vague “slightly lightened Tamiya Park Green” instruction reared its ugly head. The green paint on the model was nowhere close to the same colour as the green of the decal sheet. Confronted with yet
another major problem, thoughts of the Tucano taking a short flight into a wall were pushed aside and instead, analytical thinking kicked into action. How could this problem of repainting the green after the decals had been applied be solved? An old trick was recalled, which was used primarily on natural metal coatings, before the
www.airfixmodelworld.com 27
INTERMEDIATE BUILD SUPER TUCANO
“HOBBY BOSS HAS CREATED A MODEL WITH CRISP DETAIL AND EXCELLENT FIT”
After placing the side fuselage decal, it was realised the “slightly lightened” Park Green reference on Caracal’s Decal instructions could have been more accurate. To fix the colour discrepancy, a copy of the decal was used to cut a paper mask.
advent of more durable finishes. Wet newsprint and paper can be used as an effective mask with absolutely no worries about lifting the decals, as opposed to any type of adhesive-backed masking medium. Using a copy of the decals as a guide, paper masks were cut out, soaked and applied over the existing decals. After much trial and error, a green was mixed that matched the colour of the decals and the tail was resprayed. All other decals performed flawlessly and were a breeze to apply. After a quick rub-down with a tack cloth, the first coat of Pledge was applied and given 24 hours to cure, after which the surface was sanded with a wet 4,000-grade sanding sponge
to eliminate any debris. This task was repeated four times during finishing, and while it may seem excessive, the resultant smooth finish made it worth the time.
Final break With the Tucano sitting pretty, it was time to start adding the fiddly bits. The horizontal stabilisers and strakes were attached before the clear coats, leaving just the landing gear struts and doors, pitot tubes, prop, spinner and vertical tail antennas to be added. The antenna blades received matt black paint and were then inserted into their respective slots on either side of the tail, while the pitot tubes were quickly hand-painted with Alclad
The paper masks were wetted and placed over the applied decals; a closer colour match was then sprayed.
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Not quite enough weight was added before the fuselage halves were closed, meaning lead shot had to be put into whatever opening was still available.
Tyres and landing gear struts/bays received a pin wash of Citadel Agrax Earthshade (brown) to highlight their detail.
ALC-106 White Aluminium and added to the wing underside. The landing gear struts were placed next, and a note of caution here: these are not keyed and can be easily be positioned backwards…no need to ask how this is known! With the landing gear in place the model was set proudly on its wheels for the first time, and without hesitation the nose jumped up in the air and the tail hit with a discouraging thud. Apparently, 23g was not enough to prevent a nose-high attitude; eventually, the model needed an additional 7g of weight to prevent tailsitting. Small shot was dropped through the propeller’s locating hole, and the spinner was also filled with ballast to achieve the correct tricycle stance. Taking the time to fill any space forward of the main gear with weight, before joining the fuselage halves, should prevent such frustration. Smoke Squadron Tucanos have been seen for some time now at airshows throughout South America, and with little additional effort, Hobby Boss' EMB 314 (along with Caracal Decals' markings) built into an excellent facsimile. Despite the minor problems described here, Hobby Boss has created a model with crisp detail and excellent fit.
Tamiya XF-3 Flat Yellow, X-28 Park Green and Model Master French Blue formed the colourful Smoke Squadron scheme.
Gently scoring along the canopy masking helped to keep a sharp line between paint and glazing. The canopy masking tape was made warm, but not hot, with a hair dryer. Warming the tape allowed it to be removed more easily, by lessening the adhesion of the tape.
OUT AND ABOUT SHROPSHIRE MODEL SHOW
Among the eye-catching subjects on Ludlow and District’s stand was this amazing 1/24 cut-away Airfix Typhoon Mk.Ib by noted modeller Richard Ellis, who scratch-built all of the additional detail.
a competition this year, but that just meant there was more time to re-connect with people, clubs and special interest groups. With fewer stands, the organisers addressed several previous chokepoints in the smaller hangars, and the more open displays (combined with the RAF Museum’s new and re-organised exhibits), made for a fantastic day. For me the highlight was being able to walk around the recently installed Ju 88 (which looked amazing), as it offered loads of inspiration for anyone wanting to open the engine nacelles on a model. Club stands seemed to have been enriched this year, too, with my impressions being of a much greater ensemble of models on the tables, and almost half had something from every genre. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event! Stu Fone
Feel Good Factor F
The Hobbit’s Smaug the Magnificent graced the event with his presence, courtesy of this wonderfully finished Games Workshop offering by Wolverhampton modeller Adrian Reynolds.
ollowing the demise of the Yeovilton show, reductions in the number of exhibitors and traders at the RAF Museum Cosford had apparently caused concern among modellers. Rest assured, all fears (whether real or imagined) proved groundless, and from what I could determine from conversations with museum staff, exhibitors and traders, 2017’s event ranked among best held at this iconic venue. As ever, IPMS Shropshire members were available to assist with set-up issues, and the museum staff were helpful and engaging throughout. There wasn’t
Perched proudly on the Brexit Modeller’s table, Gareth Evans’ lovely 1/48 FMA IA.58 Pucara was built from Aconcagua Resin’s kit which, despite its daunting appearance, was easier to construct than expected.
East Midlands modeller Keith Jones took Trumpeter’s 1/35 E-75/Standardpanzer and modified it extensively, to produce this predominantly oxidrot (red oxide)-coloured ‘what-if’ machine, furnished with an eclectic selection of track guards/schürzen plates.
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Airfix Model World
Craig Spencer’s meticulous brush work resulted in a most lifelike appearance on his Mitches Military Models 120mm Paratrooper, achieved via a careful combination of oils and acrylics.
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OUT AND ABOUT MODELEX 2017
IPMS Portsmouth’s table was graced by this Academy 1/48 Polish Air Force MiG-21MF in ‘straight from the box’ anniversary markings. (all Malcolm V Lowe)
Dynamic Debut
The Revell (ex-ICM) 1/35 Ford ‘V 3000 S’ German truck kit showed its distinctive lines among the many models displayed on the Aldingbourne Modellers IPMS group’s own comprehensive display.
Belgian company Belkits was the source of this 1/24 Ford Escort RS1600 on North Somerset Modelling Society’s stand. The real car was driven by Roger Clark in the 1972 RAC Rally.
As the host club, Aldingbourne Modellers IPMS put on an extensive display of models of all types, including this Airfix 1/48 Spitfire Mk.Vb finished in 145 Squadron colours.
ldingbourne Modellers IPMS is a comparatively new group in the south of England, having been formed roughly two years ago. Based close to Chichester, West Sussex, the club has around 20 regular members and decided to take the plunge by staging the south’s newest club-run model show. Commencing with an initial event last year to ‘test the water’, for 2017 a fully-fledged exhibition named ‘Modelex’ was held…and proved at once to be a hit with participants and visiting public alike. Staged on March 4 in
A star of the show was this 1/48 de Havilland Sea Devon C.20 in ‘Admiral’s Barge’ colours, made from the Magna Models resin kit by Ian Domeney, of Poole Vikings Model Club.
A
Aldingbourne’s Community Sports Centre, adjacent to the historic restored Barnham railway signal box, model clubs and traders from across the south of England were present, with a particularly extensive display fielded by the host group. One intrepid trader, MAN Models, travelled all the way from Scotland! Due to the size and layout of the venue, the show was spread into several separate rooms, although each adjoined from a central entrance and so navigating around the exhibition was easy. The overwhelming success of this event has prompted
The 1/48 Italeri kit of the Bell H-13 has been released in various guises, this example on the stand of the North Somerset Modelling Society being an Agusta-built Sioux AH.1 of the Army Air Corps.
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members of the host club to plan a potentially bigger exhibition for 2018, in a larger venue nearby. In anticipation of this a questionnaire was circulated at the show asking for opinions about the possibility of an enlarged event, which was greeted with a very favourable response by visiting clubs. Further details of Aldingbourne Modellers IPMS can be found at www.facebook.com/ aldingbournemodellers/ Malcolm V Lowe
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BASIC BUILD M10 MID PRODUCTION
Johan Augustsson finishes Tamiya’s new M10 as a 1944 vehicle used by the 1/11th South African Anti-Tank Regiment, around Rome
PANZER
HUNTER T
amiya’s new M10 is a welcome product, giving further coverage of a type already kitted by Academy and AFV Club, in different forms. A total of 324 flash-free parts were in dark green plastic, and came with a pair of soft vinyl tracks, poly caps for drive and idler wheels, nylon thread to replicate towing cable, and a small runner of clear headlight lenses. Note this kit provided the mid-production, more triangular turret counterbalance, rather than the ‘duckbill’ variety. The 33-stage instructions, besides the construction sequences, provided painting guidelines for two US Army vehicles in 1944; one from the 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion in France, and the 634th TDB in Aachen. To ensure a more interesting finish, the Editor
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Airfix Model World
kindly supplied Star Decals’ M10 Tank Destroyers in Italy, which contained markings and coloured instructions for M10s from Commonwealth and supporting nations such as South Africa, Poland, New Zealand and France, but as the decals were supplied when the model was built (and with the wish to depict two-tone camouflage), the South African example was selected…and why will be explained later.
The instructions were not followed to the letter, and here the front end of the hull has been built. Note the gap between the side and bottom plate, later forcefully pressed shut after the cement had dissolved the plastic.
Tamiya excellence As one has come to expect from Tamiya, the construction presented hardly any obstacles, just minor filling being needed on the turret. Few things are 100% perfect though, and several minor issues arose. Firstly, when attaching the sides to the bottom plate, the fit was very
The rear hull has been secured with the exhaust and grilles still visible. Here the gap mentioned previously has been corrected.
BASIC BUILD M10 MID PRODUCTION
Two completed VVSS bogies, with inner/outer faces shown. Sanding was required to remove the mould lines from the tyres.
MODEL SPEC
tight and considerable pressure was necessary to keep the parts together while the cement dissolved the plastic. In the same stage, it was necessary to press the sides against the inner flooring to ensure no gaps remained. The roadwheel bogies could only be constructed in a fixed flat position, so if one wants to have the model on an irregular surface, measures such as surgery (or aftermarket replacements to make the bogies work) will be needed. The next area of attention was the ammunition tubes on the inner US Tank Destroyer M10 Mid Production By:
Tamiya
Stock Code:
35350
Scale:
1/35
Price:
£34.99
Available from: The Hobby Company, www.hobbyco.net
sponsons, and these required careful neatening to mitigate slightly heavy detailing. These parts were also painted before installation, as it would be nearimpossible to reach them later. Several reference sources pointed to an Olive Drab turret interior, but this should be white or limecoloured. No note on this was found in the instructions, which indicated Olive Drab innards, but white was selected to show the details more clearly. After white primer was applied (the whole interior was primed at the same time), a pale-yellow stripe was airbrushed over the tubes. When this had dried, a 6mm band was masked along with the white flat surfaces, and Tamiya XF-69 NATO Black was sprayed before the straps were painted khaki. Scratches were added using a sponge and black-brown acrylic paint, and then the parts were fixed to the hull. Before the upper hull was attached to the bottom, the interior was painted and weathered with chipping, and washes and pigments from MIG Productions. At this point it
The hull is shown after the suspension has been attached. In this image, the model has ended up over an uneven spot of the blue background; no ‘floating’ road wheels were observed at any time!
Here, the inner sections of the sponsons and ammunition tubes have been painted yellow over white primer, and masked ahead of the final NATO Black overspray.
This image shows the interior painted and weathered before being masked. It was not clear from references whether this area was painted white, Olive Drab or any other colour, so white was selected for the sake of detail visibility.
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BASIC BUILD M10 MID PRODUCTION
The finished upper hull seen from the front, with the engine firewall exposed. Paint was added to the turret ring at a later stage.
The finished upper hull seen from behind, with all tools added. Note the pickaxe handle’s brackets have been moulded upside down.
became apparent that the driver compartment had been omitted by Tamiya; a basic transmission and seats would have worked wonders in this area; hopefully, aftermarket producers will probably ensure this space can be made busier. To hide the glaring omission, the area was simply painted black. Turning to the turret, this was constructed from halves onto which different equipment was
namely a rather wide gap between the turret halves, which needed filling and sanding. The same was the case with the turret counterweights, whose fit wasn’t the best.
attached, and the main gun. Everything in the turret was painted and weathered with dusttoned washes before gluing the halves together. In retrospect, though, the wheel handle for the turning mechanism should have been left off until very late in the process, as it was broken several times during the weathering stage. At this point the only real issue with the kit appeared,
“THE CONSTRUCTION PRESENTED HARDLY ANY OBSTACLES”
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Track issues revisited Readers might remember the T34 Calliope article in Issue 72 (November 2016), where a set of Kaizen T51 tracks were tried, but omitted due to fit problems. These tracks were saved for this project and construction began anew on the previously started section. Each track link consisted of track pad, two guiding teeth, two small bolts and two brass pins; the latter
BASIC BUILD M10 MID PRODUCTION
was consulted and it was decided to opt for the kit tracks. These were glued and painted with NATO Black, AMMO MIG A.MIG 2007 Tracks Primer, and fastened to the
THE ITALIAN JOB For a more interesting finish, the model received markings from Star Decals via sheet 35-C 1002 ‘M10 Tank Destroyers in Italy’. This provided scheme options for vehicles operated by French, South African, New Zealand, British and Polish crews. The richness of colour and printing were excellent. www.star-decals.net
needed to be cut to lengths of 12mm. Two brass pins went into one guide tooth, and then a pad was slotted over one pin; followed by another guide tooth and the bolts, which were still attached to their runner until the cement had cured. After completing three or four links per hour for a couple of evenings, with re-construction of pieces broken in the process (a job more difficult than the original
The turret interior completed, together with the breech end of the gun…here displayed upside down to show the detail, which would eventually be invisible. The ammunition was painted separately and installed later, and the Thomson submachine gun was left off. The back end of the turret and the counterweights needed filling and sanding, but it was the only area treated as such.
construction), a longer section was ready to be tried on a Tamiya drive wheel. To my astonishment, the same misfit was observed! The length of each link was too short for the drive wheel teeth, and only force and glue would solve the problem. After calculating the time it would take to finish these ‘easy build’ tracks to be 48 hours – in reality around 16 three-hour modelling evenings – the Editor
model within two hours. The remaining construction steps went without issue, but it was too late to change the proceedings when it was discovered that most M10s had their grouser racks (parts A13) attached midways on the hull, and not in the aft position suggested in the instructions, and Tamiya made no mention of this detail. Noted too was the pickaxe handle (B14), which was attached as per the instructions and double-checked, but the eagle eyed could see that its hooks were upside down. Also, the M2 machine gun was replaced by a more detailed piece from the now defunct company Skybow, and detailed with an ammunition belt section from Dragon. The M2 was kept detached until late in the weathering process, along with the shells and clear headlight lenses.
Two-tone and dust Reference material on South African armour in Italy was elusive, and even harder when ‘M10’ was entered in the Google search field. Johan Leksell at Star Decals
Before gluing the turret assemblies, they were painted in a dark Olive Drab hue and weathered the same way as the exterior. Kaizen’s aftermarket tracks under construction, with the bolts still attached to the runners; metal rods have been cut to length and pliers used to push the rods through the track pads. Assembly attempts made without the latter resulted in punctured fingertips!
www.airfixmodelworld.com 37
BASIC BUILD M10 MID PRODUCTION
“BLU/WHITE TACK WAS USED TO COVER THE PATCHES TO BE LEFT BLACK”
The assembled crew benefited from good fit, thoughtful poses and better-than-usual detail for Tamiya figures. The model ready for painting, with both turret and hull interior masked. Drive and idler wheels were painted separately, to ease track attachment.
provided two small images to complement the other two already found, and one detail became annoyingly visible; just one of the depicted tank destroyers had the grouser racks attached to the sides. Moreover, these vehicles displayed almost no equipment at all attached in the fashion usually seen on American vehicles, so re-planning was needed, regarding how to make this beast interesting. A very dusty vehicle would require the usual weathering technique of dark washes and light edges to be reversed, and this is something seldom seen. After masking all the interior, painting began by covering the tank destroyer in my usual Citadel Chaos Black primer, followed by a layer of NATO Black. After this had dried, blobs of Blu Tack were used to mask the to-be-black patches of the camouflage, and three different hues of Olive Drab were airbrushed over the model, consisting of various grades of
Tamiya XF-27 Black Green, XF-62 Olive Drab and XF-21 Sky. No Dark Yellow was used in the mix this time, as the intention was to have a sun-bleached, almost washedout appearance. After thorough overnight drying, the whole model was dry-brushed with Humbrol 33 Matt Black, which decreased the saturation distinctively. Already-attached pioneer equipment and grousers were picked out in various Vallejo shades, and the turret ring and edges (and worn areas on the wheels) were painted Vallejo 70.865 Oily Steel, and then sealed with a coat of Johnson’s Klear floor polish. The Star Decals markings came next, and as no reference was available for the aft items, the best-fitting of the two options available was chosen and secured with Micro Sol setting solution. Again, sealing this with one coat of polish and two layers of diluted 62.062 Matt Varnish, the model was ready for weathering. Black on black; Tamiya NATO Black was sprayed over the initial black primer, to form the basis for the camouflage.
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BASIC BUILD M10 MID PRODUCTION
Blu/White Tack was used to cover the patches to be left black. Be careful not to press this material too hard onto the model, as there is a risk it will be difficult to remove. Alternatively, use specially produced putty for this operation.
Olive Drab was sprayed in three progressively lighter coats, before the model was drybrushed with Humbrol 33 Matt Black. Be sure to seal the base paint before dry-brushing starts!
Details were painted with Vallejo acrylics, and in this image the black dry-brushing is rather obvious on corners and rivets.
First the dot-and-streak method, using light oil paints and general filters from MIG Productions, was applied, followed by AK Interactive 012 Streaking Grime, and another matt varnish coat, followed by heavy application of washes containing AK Interactive 017 Earth Effects behind the tracks; 022 Africa Dust, 015 Dust Effects and 080 Summer Kursk Earth. After two minutes, a wide brush dampened with white spirit was used to wipe away most of the weathering effects in a downward motion, which left the dust in nooks and crannies, and around raised details. A cotton bud was used in some areas to remove even more of the dust, but leaving enough in selected areas such as corners, where sand and dirt would not be scuffed away by the crew. On the wheels, extra MIG Pigments European Dust and Light Dust was added and secured with pigment fixer. To get
the tracks covered realistically with dust, they were treated with a heavy coat of Africa Dust. The final weathering step included oil and grease stains around fuel
After decaling and a successive Klear coat, initial streaking was added via AK Interactive weathering products. When dry, another layer of varnish was sprayed.
caps and the turret ring, via black oil paint mixed with AK Interactive 025 Fuel Stains and 082 Engine Grime.
ETO crew and gear The M10 kit came with three figures depicting American soldiers in fighting position, clad in winter uniforms. These were reasonable for Tamiya, and cleverly sculpted to fit the narrow turret. As they were not suited for an Italian setting in late spring 1944, they were not painted for this build, but left for forthcoming projects. Time constraints made it www.airfixmodelworld.com 39
BASIC BUILD M10 MID PRODUCTION
“THIS WAS A JOY TO BUILD”
difficult to come up with an easy diorama idea and lack of suitable Commonwealth tank crew figures did not help, but who knows what will show up for review on these pages in the future. Tamiya supplied the shells and decals for their stencilling, but no personal equipment or items such as jerrycans or boxes, so these items were selected from the spares box. After adding metal foil
straps to all packs, everything was primed black, then painted with Vallejo acrylics and weathered accordingly. Each item was then attached to the turret and hull sides, followed by two layers of thinned matt varnish mixed with Tamiya Buff. Last, but not least, the tow cable was painted with Vallejo Black primer followed by a light patina of Vallejo Oily Steel and Lifecolor Liquid Pigments
LPW 06 Deep Rust, before being attached to the model.
It’s a bullseye As usual with Tamiya kits, this was a joy to build, and with the further options of colour schemes and markings provided with the Star Decals set, the finished model became something decidedly different to what was envisaged. Attempting
the Kaizen tracks slowed the build, but anyone who finds the added realism offered by this firm’s products vital should have a go. The only downside of the kit was the lack of driver’s compartment and the nonmovable VVSS suspension, and arguably some overly simplified details here and there, but the ease of build fully compensated for this.
Tracks were added and the model was then ready for a battle with the elements; onwards to the weathering!
Liberal amounts of AK Interactive Africa Dust and Dust Effects were added with vertical brush strokes, and left to dry…
Personal equipment, the M2 machine gun and shells were painted separately, after being detailed with metal foil straps and a handle for the bucket. Please note that not all items were eventually attached to the finished model.
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Airfix Model World
…then most was removed with a flat, thinner-moistened brush and, in some areas, a cotton bud. This process was repeated randomly until a satisfactory result was achieved, and dry pigments were also used in areas where heavier dust deposits would collect.
NE
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The Mosquito was one of the most famous and capable aircraft of World War Two. This 100-page special from the team behind Airfix Model World magazine celebrates that fact with five full model builds, type histories, kit/decal/accessory listings and exclusive scale drawings. Learn about the real Mosquito, and receive great instruction and advice on assembly, scratch-building, detailing and more. History features are provided by the renowned authors Dana Bell, Malcolm V Lowe and Terry Higgins, and all are accompanied by superb period images and colour profiles. The five in-depth Mosquito build projects are: AIRFIX 1/24 FB.VI COASTAL COMMAND TAMIYA 1/32 FB.VI SEAC HASEGAWA 1/72 FB.XVIII ‘TSETSE’ HK MODELS 1/32 B.IV AIRFIX 1/48 USAAF F-8 CONVERSION
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06/03/2017 14:52
IN FOCUS M10 TANK DESTROYER
This atmospheric image of an M10 carrying crewmen, equipment and sandbag frontal armour protection, was taken during the fighting in Normandy following the D-Day landings, in the vicinity of Saint-Lô according to the official caption. (US Army)
The M10 tank destroyer was an important Allied armour asset during the closing stages of World War Two. Malcolm V Lowe recounts the story of this powerful warrior
SEEK, STRIKE, DESTROY A
fter entering combat late in the North African campaign during 1943, the M10 represented a considerable up-gunning of the US Army’s armoured capability. Officially the ‘3-inch Gun Motor Carriage M10’, this powerful weapon was born out of the US
military’s study of the fighting early on in World War Two. In this analysis, the US Army was shown to lack many of the tools needed to confront a powerful armoured ‘Blitzkrieg’. The result, following considerable debate and some argument, was the eventual establishment of a US Army tank-
destroyer force armed with light, fast and mobile anti-tank armoured vehicles to find and neutralise attacking enemy tanks. The motto of this force was the appropriate ‘Seek, Strike, Destroy’. It was to be separate to, but work with, the US Army's existing standard tankequipped forces.
Photographed for publicity or training purposes, this neatly presented M10 displays the late-production turret arrangement with a prominent rearwards-projecting ‘duckbill’ counterweight. (US Army)
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Airfix Model World
Initially, in addition to towed antitank weapons (essentially field guns or artillery), the resulting ‘mobile’ tank destroyer force consisted of improvised guncarrying vehicles, including the M3 half-track. The creation of a more specialist, and better-armoured weapon was needed, and this led to the M10. Developed by the Fisher Body division of General Motors, the sloping-sided, lightly armoured T35E1 layout was adopted for production in mid1942. Armed with the hard-hitting M7 3in (76.2mm) gun on an M5 mount, the M10 used the lower hull and chassis/suspension and running gear of the M4 Sherman medium tank in its diesel-powered M4A2 version. Production of 4,993 M10s by Fisher Body at the Fisher Tank Arsenal in Grand Blanc, Michigan ran from September 1942 to December 1943. In addition, Ford built 1,038 M10A1s (based on the petrol-engined M4A3) from October 1942 until September 1943. Fisher also manufactured 375 M10A1s, plus a further 300 M10A1 hulls without turrets for
IN FOCUS M10 TANK DESTROYER
direct conversion to the later M36. The M10 was fast (in comparative terms), being capable of at least 25mph (40km/h) on road surfaces.
Innovative turret The M10 was a curious cross-breed between a pure tank (which would normally have a rotatable but hardtopped turret) and a self-propelled gun, with either an open or hardtopped fighting compartment but with its main armament in a non-rotating fixed or limited traverse forward-firing mounting. The M10’s turret could be manually traversed 360 degrees, and its gun could be fired (with highexplosive or armour-piercing rounds) at any place within that circle. Accommodation comprised a five-man crew: commander, gunner, loader, driver and assistant driver. The driver sat on the left in the hull, with the assistant driver to his right with the M10’s radio equipment. The remaining three crew members worked in the turret, which was open-topped. This curious design, which exposed the crew to all weather conditions, was intended to make observation easier by giving excellent visibility (a key ingredient of the tank seeking and killing mission). The open top also allowed easier escape if the vehicle was hit, and improved communications with accompanying infantry. It made the turret crew, however, highly vulnerable to sniper fire and air burst shells, and later some M10s
An M10 engaged on training duties in California during 1943. The type’s main 3in gun on its M5 mount can be seen clearly. (US Army)
featured improvised canvas or even partial metal turret tops. Due to the weight of the 3in gun, a counterweight had to be fitted to the turret’s rear. This went through several designs before a definitive, so-called ‘duckbill’ rearwards-projecting shape was installed in later production. For local defence the turret was armed with a flexible-mounted .50 cal M2 Browning machine gun.
Useful weapon Despite the arguments over the efficacy of the tank destroyer
force, the M10 was involved in much action late in World War Two. In reality, it turned out to be a ‘jack of all trades’, sometimes fulfilling its intended role of finding and destroying attacking German tanks, but often simply providing direct-fire support to infantry — or acting as a mobile artillery piece against strongpoints and fortifications. Initial US Army M10 action was during the final weeks of the conflict in North Africa, the type featuring in the fighting in Tunisia until the end there during May
An M10 firing its 3in main armament during an action in the vicinity of Saint-Lô, northern France, during July 1944. It is fitted with deep-fording equipment, onto which a large star insignia has been painted. (US Signal Corps)
1943. M10s then fought in Sicily and Italy, especially in the oftendifficult terrain of the latter. The largest employment of the M10 tank destroyer units, however, was in northwest Europe from D-Day itself onwards. The M10’s US Army tank destroyer battalions (which also included towed antitank artillery elements) then fought their way across northwest Europe with US ground forces. One of their finest moments was during the so-called Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, when M10s proved their worth over static field gun units, by finding and knocking out many tanks involved in the massive German counter-attack through Belgium at that time. After the crippling losses during the Battle of the Bulge, German armoured capability in the West was seriously depleted. As a result, US Army tank destroyer battalions spent the closing months of the war sometimes as mobile support units, assisting infantry, acting as ‘eyes’ for standard tank-equipped outfits, and attacking all kinds of fortified buildings and other structures. A comparatively small number of M10s served in the SouthWest Pacific theatre. These could deal easily with Japanese tanks, but due to the overall lack of Japanese armoured assets, the M10s were often used for infantry support, where they were frequently employed as mobile www.airfixmodelworld.com 43
IN FOCUS M10 TANK DESTROYER
The M10 served in the Pacific as well as northwest Europe, albeit in far smaller numbers. This busy scene was photographed on the battered Kwajalein Atoll, where M10s were used against Japanese bunkers. (Malcolm V Lowe Collection)
artillery. However, due to their open-topped turrets, they were highly vulnerable to sniper and close-assault tactics employed often by Japanese infantry. No formal title or nickname was applied to the M10 in US service, where it was often simply called a ‘TD’ for tank destroyer. The name ‘Wolverine’ is sometimes used for
the M10, but this appears to be more of a post-war term. Further development of the basic M10 layout led to the M36 tank destroyer (sometimes called the ‘Jackson’), which was an up-gunned derivative of the M10 with a powerful 90mm gun. The M36 served with the US Army in northwest Europe during the
closing stages of the war, and was the only US weapon capable of defeating the latest Königstiger (Tiger II) tank, while maintaining a comfortable stand-off distance.
Export success Apart from the US Army, the main user of the M10 during World War Two was the British Army and
Diorama builders take note: M10s were often festooned with additional equipment on their outside hull and turret sides, such as this example near the Hotel de Ville of Dreux, France, during August 1944. (John Batchelor Collection)
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Airfix Model World
British Empire/Commonwealth units. Small numbers were also supplied to the Soviet Union and Free French forces. More than 1,600 M10s were received for British service from 1943 onwards. Significant numbers of these were eventually converted to mount the British Ordnance Quick-Firing 17-pdr (76.2mm or 3in) gun, which was arguably the Western Allies’ best anti-tank weapon of the war; the single turret-mounted M2 Browning machine gun was retained. The name ‘Achilles’ has often been given to this highly effective M10 conversion, although that title appears to have been principally used postwar. In British service the M10s and Achilles were eventually employed as very successful mobile anti-tank weapons, among Royal Artillery units. By the end of World War Two, while the M10 and M36 had proven their general combat effectiveness in US service, even in roles other than tank destroying, their longterm future in US Army service was cut short by the introduction of highly effective, fast, powerful and well-armed tanks beginning with the M26 Pershing, which basically made the tank destroyer concept obsolete.
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11/04/2017 10:26
IN FOCUS PRONE PILOT METEOR
A NOSE FOR TE
Tony Buttler AMRAeS describes one of the more unusual variants of Gloster’s highly successful Meteor jet aircraft
T
he Gloster Meteor was Britain’s first jet fighter, and it had a long and successful military career in several air forces. Many were used as research aircraft, but perhaps the most unusual case was F.8 serial WK935, which was fitted with an elongated nose and additional cockpit for prone pilot research. Several aircraft worldwide were employed as trials airframes for work in this field, but WK935 is probably the most well known.
modified by Stanley Aviation for zero-g experiments at Wright Field. British research then moved on to modifying WK935, which had originally formed part of a
Meteor production order placed with Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft (AWA). On September 13, 1952 this aircraft was allotted for conversion at AWA as a prone pilot trials machine…so it never flew in standard Meteor form. The main objective was to assess the merits of the prone pilot position as a means of increasing an operator’s resistance to
g-forces, and the tendency to lose consciousness during high-speed manoeuvres. However, there was an aerodynamic aspect as well, in that the size of the cockpit section affected the aircraft’s frontal area, so the depth of the prone position cabin and proportions of its windscreen were relatively small. The longest nose compatible with the Meteor’s aerodynamics
Resisting g-forces In the early 1950s British interest in the prone pilot concept had centred on the Reid and Sigrist RS.4, while America had a Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star 48
Airfix Model World
Prone-pilot experiments had been conducted previously with a Reid and Sigrist RS.4 Bobsleigh, serial number VZ728, itself converted from the prototype RS.3 Desford twin-piston-engined trainer. (All photos Tony Buttler unless stated otherwise)
IN FOCUS PRONE PILOT METEOR
This atmospheric study of WK935, with both pilot positions manned, is dated May 27, 1955.
The American EF-80 Shooting Star prone-pilot test aircraft, which was flown in 1950 by the Stanley Aviation Corporation. This was claimed to be the first high-speed aircraft used for research into flight with the pilot in this position.
night fighter Meteor fin was fitted to compensate for the additional nose area and maintain stability, although rudder travel was limited. The fuselage extension took WK935’s length to 52ft 5in (15.97m), making it physically the longest Meteor ever produced (F.8 span was 37ft 2 ½in [11.34m]), with a loaded weight apparently in the region of 15,700lb (7,122kg).
TESTING was fitted ahead of the standard cockpit, but even with quite generous dimensions the pilot’s couch or ‘bed’ was still only partially horizontal. The bed itself was custom-built from leathercovered foam rubber, and was inclined at almost 30° from chest to hips. There was a V-shape chin support, plus rests for the pilot’s forearms. A short control column was positioned on the starboard side and suspended rudder pedals with cupped ends (for the pilot’s feet) installed…the pilot used ankle movements to operate them. Departure in an emergency would be made through the underside of the nose extension. The range of movement and leverage available to the prone pilot was small and by no means sufficient to cope with large control forces, so WK935 was given hydraulic boost on all flying surfaces, to bring back the input needed on the control column grip to a level slightly less than for
a normal F.8. Most of the other controls were positioned on a flat shelf immediately ahead of the pilot’s position; there was a square window on the underside of the extended nose to help improve overall visibility. The existing Mk.8 cockpit was retained to allow the aircraft to be flown always with a safety pilot on board, and all nose controls were interconnected with those in the rear ‘office’. An NF.12-style
Into the air WK835 was flown for the first time on February 10, 1954, piloted by AWA’s Eric Franklin and, after manufacturer’s flight trials were completed, in August it was allotted to the Institute of Aviation Medicine (IoAM). On November 22, 1954 it joined the IoAM at RAE Farnborough and the following 11 months brought a total of 99 completed test sorties. The author has to date been unable to secure an official flight test report, but in 1955-56 Mark Lambert, a former Meteor pilot writing for Flight magazine, had a ride in WK935’s front cockpit and his notes describe the experience thus: “There were problems. For example, the prone pilot could not
see his feet and finding the pedals if he lost them was awkward. Also, the prone cabin was not pressurised, there was no partition between the cabin and nosewheel bay and so it became pretty chilly, though this could have been improved with modification. In addition, operating the controls for any length of time was tiring when compared to those of a conventional aircraft.” Once in the air, Lambert felt the power-boosted ailerons were over-sensitive, but “the sensation of going up head first was very pleasant” and he immediately wanted to fly at low level. However, turns at this altitude proved difficult to judge, because the degree of upward visibility was small during a steeply banked turn (a Rate 1 Meteor turn needed 45° angle of bank). And from the tactical viewpoint, the lack of rearward visibility was a big flaw (a key issue for a fighter pilot), though in a mock attack against a standard Meteor Mk.8, the limited visibility in the prone position was still sufficient to ‘bounce the enemy’, as long as it was positioned in front of WK935.
An Armstrong Whitworth photo of WK935 on the ground after its conversion had been completed.
www.airfixmodelworld.com 49
IN FOCUS PRONE PILOT METEOR
This photo of WK935 appears to have been taken just after its prone pilot conversion had been completed. Paint has still to be applied! (Key Collection)
At approximately 4g, the gravitational pressure, instead of being less as the pilot had expected, “acted equally at full force all the way down my front and exerted considerable pressure at the base of the rib cage”. The result was considerable stiffness between the shoulders the next day. However, during a loop a figure of 6g was noted on the g-meter without any signs of a blackout (the maximum permitted for a standard Mk.8 was 6g).
while prone, Lambert had to look sideways during the climb and then strain backwards as the aircraft came over the top (the window in the nose floor helped here). Once again there was no tendency to black out. In general, WK935 felt very much like a conventional Meteor, except when snaking developed, which became “quite pronounced”. The stall was also straightforward with no sign of the nose or wing
dropping. Despite these trials showing aircrew were more resistant to higher g-force loads when in the prone position, and that prone pilot flying was indeed feasible, the operational problems outlined meant further development was abandoned. On July 7-9, 1955, WK935 was placed on static display at the RAE’s Golden Jubilee at Farnborough. Its flight trials programme lasted into 1956 and
then on April 20 of that year the aircraft went to 12 MU at RAF Kirkbride for overhaul and storage. On May 15, 1959, it was moved to 33 MU at RAF Lyneham, and on December 11, 1964 it was allotted for ground instructional duties as 7869M. It was moved to the Station Museum at RAF Colerne for display on January 12, 1965, to RAF St Athan Museum in October 1975 and then to RAF Cosford in January 1977, where it remains to this day as an exhibit at the RAF Museum. During its career, the prone-pilot Meteor was flown extensively from AWA Baginton and Farnborough, and in the process afforded invaluable experience of pilot reactions to high acceleration. It remains one of the most interesting of research aeroplanes. *In completing this article, the author is indebted to Phil Butler for supplying the airframe history of WK935 and to the Flight Global Archive.
Agile performer WK935 proved to be very manoeuvrable, particularly in the roll, and during a series of aerobatics Lambert felt all through that stick forces at the grip felt slightly lighter than for a normal F.8. A loop was started by a dive at 437mph (704km/h), which was slightly faster than usual for a Meteor, but considered necessary because at this stage WK935 had not yet been spintested, so its characteristics with the long nose and restricted rudder movement were (as yet) unexplored. The standard height range for a Meteor loop was approximately 5,000ft (1,525m) and, to keep the horizon in sight
Rearwards view of the prone pilot cockpit, taken again at Colerne, revealing the rudder pedals and rather scuffed appearance of the cockpit floor immediately in front. (Adrian M Balch) The prone pilot cockpit in WK935, looking forward. This photo was taken at RAF Colerne on July 6, 1968. (Adrian M Balch)
A view of WK935 (as 7869M), on public show at Colerne on July 6, 1968. (Adrian M Balch)
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1:72
MITSUBISHI A6M2B ZERO
A01005A MITSUBISHI A6M2B ZERO Possessing exceptional manoeuvrability, the Zero quickly earned a reputation as a dogfighter and Allied pilots quickly learned to avoid a slow, turning fight with this beautifully balanced aircraft. As the fighter aircraft to beat in the Pacific, American pilots soon developed tactics that avoided playing into the hands of the Zero and began to score victories. As newer fighters began to enter service, the A6M Zero began to show its weaknesses, which were a lack of armour protection for the pilot and no self-sealing fuel tanks in the wing. Using their ‘boom and zoom’ hit and run tactics, the Americans finally began to get the measure of the feared Zero.
Length 126mm Width 166mm Pieces 47 Official Product
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ADVANCED BUILD PRONE PILOT METEOR
HEAD FIRST
Andy Davies matches Airfix’s Meteor F.8 with Brigade Models' Prone Pilot conversion set
Eduard provided extra detail for the cockpit and seat: leg restraints, toe straps, rear head-rest panel, seat side panels, throttles and various levers.
t’s pleasing to see Airfix’s new-tool Meteor F.8 released with fresh parts and markings, but for this feature, it would assume a different guise entirely. Since this was the new Korean War boxing, the box contained a new runner with eight pylonmounted rockets, which would be attached to the outer wing panels (holes would need to be micro-drilled if building the Korean War option). Also included was a modified gun sight, coaming and a new decal sheet for two aircraft…one from the Royal Netherlands Air Force and the other an F.8 of the Royal Australian Air Force. For this project the new parts would not be required, as the kit was to be converted to WK935, better known as the ‘Prone Meteor’, and Brigade Models’ recent resin set (designed for Airfix’s kit) enabled this considerable transformation.
Disarmament A full build of Airfix’s Meteor was published in AMW’s May 2016 issue, so there was no need to revisit the entire project in
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detail; just in relation to the new resin and photo-etched (PE) metal parts and how well they fitted, or not. Assembly began as per the instructions with the cockpit and ejection seat. WK935 had all guns and associated equipment removed, as these were not required for the test programme; likewise, the kit parts were omitted. The bay hatches were glued into place and the four gun fairings removed by scalpel, filled with scrap resin pieces and sanded to shape. The same went for the underside cartridge ejector chutes, which also needed to be filled and sanded flat, and the cockpit ‘tub’
MODEL SPEC
I
Once removed from their resin pouring blocks, Brigade’s parts displayed obvious air bubble damage; this also affected the new nose piece and caused problems later in the build.
Airfix Gloster Meteor F.8 Korea By:
Airfix
Stock Code:
AO9184
Scale:
1/48
Price:
£36.99
Available from: www.airfix.com
ADVANCED BUILD PRONE PILOT METEOR
Both the cockpit sidewalls and flooring were sprayed with Tamiya XF-69 NATO Black, followed by a highlight shade of XF-53 Neutral Grey to accentuate the fine detail.
was painted with Tamiya XF-69 NATO Black and shaded with a lightened mix of the same. Eduard’s Meteor F.8 Interior PE set was used (see panel), which included pre-painted parts for the cockpit walls, instrument panel and ejection seat sides, as well as all harnesses and belts. The seat wasn’t fitted at this stage, as work was needed to reduce
Eduard’s PE sets also offered seatbelts, harnesses and straps for the Martin-Baker Mk.2 seat. The cushions were painted with a mixture of Tamiya XF-49 Khaki, XF-68 NATO Brown, Mr. Hobby H-310 Brown and the headrest H-47 Red Brown.
its height prior to installation, because it sat far too high in the cockpit. The cockpit module was installed, along with the nose gear bulkhead and a small circular sighting window, before the fuselage halves were joined. No ballast was required in this instance, as the heavy prone resin nose acted as a suitable counterbalance on its own.
The first cut is the deepest WK395 was unusual because it was fitted with an NF.12-style fin, to aid directional stability due to the lengthened nose. Thus, initial surgery involved the removal of the rear fuselage and tail
The modified airframe lacked Hispano cannon, which meant the kit’s fairings needed to be cut away by scalpel. This left triangular gaps, which were filled with pieces of scrap resin and sanded to shape.
“THE BAY HATCHES WERE GLUED INTO PLACE AND THE FOUR GUN FAIRINGS REMOVED BY SCALPEL”
www.airfixmodelworld.com 53
ADVANCED BUILD PRONE PILOT METEOR
With replacement prone nose, rear fuselage and tail surfaces fitted, the difficult task of alignment was easier with the use of slow-curing CA glue. Unfortunately, the fin was warped to one side and needed heat to straighten it.
Unfortunately, the inner cavity of the new resin nose was too shallow and needed to be worked gently with a Dremel power tool, fitted with shaped grinding bits. Do remember to wear a mask and eye protection whenever this kind of work is undertaken.
Brigade’s resin nose had a marked dip in its top radius, just ahead of the windscreen, which needed to be filled and blended. The canopy was masked and attached to the fuselage with small amounts of CA and strips of masking tape.
surfaces, and this was done at a natural join line. Unfortunately, the exposed end of the resin part wasn’t square and needed to be filed carefully and sanded to shape (fuselage halves were cut prior to assembly, to avoid damage to the cockpit). For some reason the instructions recommended removal of the kit’s nose cone to fit the new prone part, but as the nose was a separate item this seemed a moot point. Next were the wings and engines and here, Eduard provided superbly detailed PE metal sets for these areas. Work commenced on the undercarriage bays and, while they were a noticeable improvement over the plastic parts, the downside to these sets was that each side needed to be trimmed carefully to fit the plastic
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components, as the PE parts fouled one another. It also needed to be checked for fit constantly; an example of this was the walls of the lower wing undercarriage bay location ‘boxes’, which needed to be cut back to ensure a tight fit of the assembled units. Detailed inner facings for undercarriage doors and airbrakes were also included in this package, and these were added without issue. The same procedure was required for the flaps, only this time the scribed
flaps of the lower wing had to be removed and the PE bays inserted after the wings had been added to the fuselage, as they located into the upper wing. Finally, the engines and their bays were dealt with, via Eduard’s excellent details for the Derwent engines, which included intake mesh framing, oil tank facings and combustion chamber features. Inner bulkheads for the removable engine nacelles were also included, although these were omitted to facilitate their
ADVANCED BUILD PRONE PILOT METEOR
“EDUARD PROVIDED EXTRA DETAIL FOR THE COCKPIT AND SEAT”
removal. Unfortunately, when it came to fitting the engines into the nacelles, it was discovered the PE parts prevented them from being seated correctly. Further remedial work was required to remove plastic from the rear of the wing spars, which resolved the problem.
Lying down on the job It was then time to attach the resin prone nose to the fuselage…a great deal easier said than done. The recess for
the nose undercarriage bay was too shallow and needed to be deepened to accommodate the gear structure. With respirator mask and eye protection donned, a Dremel power tool (fitted with shaped grinding heads) was used to ream the area gently, a task performed slowly so the resin didn’t heat too quickly and melt, which would have resulted in deformation of the part. Eventually enough resin was removed and constant testfitting was carried out; once
Eduard’s comprehensive details included parts for the undercarriage, engine and flap bays, but some trimming of the PE was required as several parts fouled others when fitted.
BRIGADE ORDERS
Brigade Models’ set BKC48002 (£27.99) arrived in a high-quality oblong box, adorned with a colour illustration. On initial inspection, the whole package appeared to be well presented, but closer examination of the resin revealed variable quality, with air bubble holes evident mainly along the underside of the nose and tail sections, as well as the redesigned nose gear doors (which were all but unusable). The tail fin was warped to one side, while the forward nose section had a distinct hollow in the upper fuselage, which would take considerable work to remedy. The vacform canopy and under-nose viewing panel, of which two sets were provided, were of excellent calibre, with impressive clarity and good shape. A bench seat was provided, which represented the real unit well, along with an instrument panel, control column and canopy release handle; a high-quality decal sheet completed the package. Problems soon became evident, however, when the forward and rear fuselage sections were removed from their respective pouring blocks. Exposed air bubble holes became much larger under these areas, and it soon became obvious that much remedial work lay ahead – particularly as the model was to be finished in an unforgiving metallic paint scheme. These cavities were cleaned out by file and filled with Milliput Superfine White putty; in the meantime, work commenced on the rest of the aircraft. Brigade Models e-mail:
[email protected]
The flaps were suitably complex and looked good once primed. Moulded kit flap areas had to be removed from the lower wing prior to the installation of these assemblies, and care was needed not to remove too much plastic. www.airfixmodelworld.com 55
ADVANCED BUILD PRONE PILOT METEOR
METAL EMBELLISHMENT Eduard provided highly detailed and comprehensive photo-etched metal sets for the interior, undercarriage and flap bays. Once assembled, these upgrade components enhanced the model greatly, though there was a certain amount of modification of kit styrene to ensure everything fitted. The packages in question are as follows: 49765 Interior, 48882 Undercarriage, 48883 Engines. www.eduard.com
The undercarriage bay ceilings needed much adjustment to fit correctly; this was important, as it would affect the stance of the main undercarriage legs and therefore the final sit of the model. The under-nose viewing window recess was skewed noticeably to the left, and needed to be realigned, therefore was shaped by file and filled with putty. A scratch-built plastic card frame was fabricated, which concealed the join lines.
satisfied, the nose was glued to the fuselage with slow-cure cyanoacrylate (CA). The nose gear structure fitted very tightly, but looked excellent once in place, with no gaps evident. Another unfortunate issue with the resin parts concerned the under-nose viewing window, which was markedly out of position. Though it was the correct size, the recess was skewed to the left, which meant simply cutting a bigger hole was out of the question. Luckily, the real aircraft had a riveted frame around the glazing and this
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allowed the area to be coaxed back into alignment, without accuracy being sacrificed. The integral prone cockpit was well detailed and, once painted and post-shaded, it certainly looked the part. Its strange prone ‘couch’ was also painted, and detailed with PE seatbelts from the spares box. Brigade’s extremely clear vac-form canopy was then cut and filed to shape, and fitted to the nose, but appeared too wide for the part…until it was noticed the real canopy had a slight bulge. The rear hatch join line was omitted,
so this was scribed with an Olfa tool. One side of the canopy was then glued into place with tiny amounts of CA and allowed to cure, before the other was secured in place and held firm with Tamiya masking tape, which helped maintain the shape. The wings were then fitted to the fuselage without drama, but when it came to the engine intake nacelles it was a different matter. WK935 was fitted with larger bore intakes, so these needed to be selected from the kit parts. Prior to the engines being fitted, the bays were airbrushed in Alclad ALC-107 Duralumin, and shaded with ALC-112 Dark Aluminium. Rear bulkheads were treated to AK Interactive’s Extreme Metals AK669 Titanium. Once the engines were glued into the nacelles, the covers were push-fitted into position and the curved brace and engine
pipe assemblies simply clipped into place, as these panels were to be removeable. The ailerons had their exaggerated surface detail wet-sanded, and sprayed a lightened shade of the intended basecoat, Tamiya’s AS-12 Bare Metal Silver being a good representation of RAF High Speed Silver. The elevators and rudders also had their surface detail sanded, along with the over-wide strips present on the rear of the two separate rudder sections; these were sprayed with ALC-117 Dull Aluminium. Disappointingly, the resin tailplane bullet fairing was damaged (again due to air bubble holes), to the point where it
ADVANCED BUILD PRONE PILOT METEOR
“TIME TO ATTACH THE RESIN PRONE NOSE TO THE FUSELAGE… A GREAT DEAL EASIER SAID THAN DONE”
was replaced with scrap resin, sanded to shape. The fit of the kit’s plastic tailplanes to the resin was questionable, too, as one slot was higher than the other and both needed to be deepened to enable them to position correctly. Canopies and windshield were masked, and then the model received several light coats of ALC-302 Grey Primer and Microfiller, sanded with 5,000and 8,000-grade Micro-Mesh, followed by lightly sprayed preshading of XF-17 Sea Blue along main panel lines.
High-speed paint WK935 was finished in the standard High Speed Silver lacquer finish of the day, although certain panels appeared to be of different shades and the prone nose was a noticeably darker aluminium tone. To best replicate this, AS-12 aerosol spray paint was decanted so it could be applied via airbrush. Apart from the new nose section, the whole airframe received several light mists of AS-12, followed by one heavier wet coat. When applied, this paint developed a strange speckled appearance, which disappeared completely once dry; if this happens with your build, don’t be alarmed as it’s quite normal for the product and the result was a perfectly uniform colour. After studying reference photographs, various
panels were masked with Tamiya tape and treated to mist-coats of different Alclad II metallics, including ALC-101 Aluminium, -106 White Aluminium, -117 Dull Aluminium and -119 Airframe Aluminium. The forward fuselage was also masked and sprayed with -107 Duralumin, which ensured the required darker tone of aluminium. Finally, the nose cone was sprayed -117 Dull Aluminium. Attention then turned to the undercarriage bays, which received light coats of -103 Dark Aluminium highlighted with -117, while the flap bays were sprayed with a mix of Airframe Aluminium and Dull Aluminium. Finally, the undercarriage was assembled and painted, but the integrally
Flap bays were fitted after the wings were glued into place, and the result seemed well worth the extra time and effort. The oblong panel recess usually hidden by the centreline fuel tank was faired over with 80-thou (2mm) plastic card and sanded to shape.
The problem with air bubbles resurfaced, so the area was sanded, excavated with a Dremel tool and filled with Milliput Superfine putty. Unfortunately, this problem re-occurred later.
Eduard details were obtained for both Derwent engines, and these included intake mesh and combustion chamber details, as well as engine oil tank features and inner nacelle facings. www.airfixmodelworld.com 57
ADVANCED BUILD PRONE PILOT METEOR
Note that the prone nose was sprayed in Alclad ALC-107 Duralumin and various panels were masked before a mixture of Alclad lacquers was applied.
The result was varied shades of the base aluminium colour. A semi-matt varnish would be applied, which blended the tones further and gave uniformity to the overall finish.
moulded wheel location stubs on the insides of the gear legs were removed beforehand. This allowed the wheels to be slipped into place and be moveable, which ensured the flattened portion of each tyre sat in the correct position and allowed
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them to be painted separately… not as the instructions suggested by being sandwiched between the gear leg halves as they were glued together. Eduard’s EX498 Gloster Meteor F.8 paint masks also included items for the wheels, which meant
accurate painting of the tyres along with the hub detail. Extra undercarriage door retraction struts were also added, as these were absent from the kit. It was then that potential disaster struck, as for some reason the air bubble holes reappeared under the nose and rear fuselage sections; the same regions treated earlier in the build. These areas were sanded to bare resin, had Milliput filler reapplied and, once cured, they were wetsanded and re-primed; CA was applied over the filler and cured instantly with Zap accelerator. Tamiya AS-12 was then resprayed onto the offending areas and left overnight to dry.
Testing colours While the Prone Meteor was not particularly colourful, at least one reference image suggested
that as originally flown, the unpainted prone nose section was fitted to WK935 while it still sported camouflage…but details were very sketchy. In ‘standard’ guise, the aircraft flew in High Speed Silver, with RAF Type D national markings and serials. Brigade’s decals were of good quality, well printed and in register, and responded well to Microscale Set and Sol decal solutions. Photographs revealed the aircraft’s markings were modified slightly throughout its test career, and as such appeared with different stencil markings at various times. Missing markings from the period chosen for this model were added from the spares box, and rather than use the kit decals, the yellow canopy ‘chop’ warning strips were fabricated from Aizu 0.4mm yellow Micron Masking
“THE RESULT WAS WELL WORTH THE EXTRA EFFORT”
Tape. Once decaled, the model was airbrushed with ALC-312 Klear Kote Semi-Matte varnish. A few panel areas were given a light wash of Burnt Umber oil paint, thinned with artist white spirit. The entire airframe was then polished with 13,000-grade Micro-Mesh cloth, which removed any residual dust particles and, coincidentally, brought about a realistic sheen.
Resin rumble This project turned out to be a mixed bag, and while Airfix’s styrene was a delight to build, with few issues, the Brigade conversion set was let down by haphazard quality control. The package presentation, decals and vac-form items were of the highest order, but the standard of the resin parts disappointed somewhat, which in turn
made the build process more frustrating and involved than necessary. That said, the result was well worth the extra effort… and it may be other sets are not marred by the air bubbles. Ultimately, it was satisfying to finally add a 1/48 Prone Meteor to the collection.
Brigade’s decals were applied and responded well to Microscale setting solutions. Most, although not all, stencils and markings were included and any required were sourced from the spares box.
The completed model was airbrushed with ALC-312 Klear Kote Semi-Matte varnish, followed by a detail wash of Burnt Umber oil paint thinned with artist’s white spirit. The excess was removed with a cotton bud moistened in thinner.
INTERMEDIATE BUILD RUSSIAN BMPT-72
HAStA St StA ViStA,, lA ViStA ViSt CoMrAde!
Cristian Lupu completes Tiger Model’s all-new BMPT-72 ‘Terminator’
M
ainly targeted at the export market, the BMPT-72 Terminator II was designed around the ageing T-72 platform. Unlike its predecessor the Terminator I, this new version was formatted as a retrofit package, which means it’s available purely as an upgrade for existing T-72 hulls…not as a stand-alone vehicle. The BMPT-72 armament allows it to be used
for the suppression of enemy positions (and against light armour), but also for engaging vehicles with four turretmounted Ataka (NATO Spiral-2) anti-tank guided missiles.
First impressions Delicate parts such as the turret, and turned-brass gun barrels, were packed in separate plastic trays to protect them from damage, while runners
Out of the two roadwheel types supplied, the later format was selected to depict a vehicle built after 2015.
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were wrapped separately. Furthermore, the addition of coloured stickers to help identify the runners later in the build process was also very useful. Regarding detail and quality, this kit is certainly a high-class offering. Small parts were mainly moulded integrally on larger pieces, without sacrificing any refinement…but also simplifying assembly. The tiny attachment gates were also notable.
The first assembly stage presented another surprise, by offering two roadwheel types; one set for the early prototypes, and a second fitted to the latest version presented to the public during Russia’s 2015 Victory Day Parade. This welcome detail could also offer more room for creativity, with modellers who decide to build this kit as an in-the-field specimen, where roadwheel types could even be
There was an amazing level of detail, even on the inner face of the drive sprockets.
INTERMEDIATE BUILD RUSSIAN BMPT-72
The tracks were of the individual-link variety, formed by the pad section, a guide horn per link and two connecting end pieces each. Removing, cleaning and assembling the delicate parts required much attention.
Photo-etched metal parts were used to connect the torsion bars with elements fixed to the body, which resulted in movable suspension. The articulating pieces were kept in place by ‘mushrooming’’ the styrene components... a method almost now obsolete as ‘rubberband’ tracks have lost popularity.
MODEL SPEC
mixed, as sometimes seen on Russian vehicles. The suspension was designed to be movable; thin torsion bars, as seen in other modern kits, paired with an excellent but nottoo-tight fit make this option possible. Even the relatively light weight of this vehicle would make the wheels and suspension re-position if placed over irregular terrain. One factor worth mentioning, is that the photo-etched (PE) metal parts were fixed to the suspension by Russian BMPT-72 By:
Tiger Model
Stock Code:
4611
Scale:
1/35
Price:
US $95
Available from: www.tiger-model.com
melting an inner-side pin. While a valid option, this harked to rubber band-style track assembly on late-1970s kits. Speaking of PE parts, it should be mentioned that unlike Trumpeter, for instance, Tiger Model does not protect the PE frets with adhesive film. This not just increases the risk of parts ‘pinging’ away when being removed from the fret, but also heightens the likelihood of oxidation after contact with the skin. The latter issue made a slight pass with abrasive paper (just before priming) desirable, to avoid problems with paint adherence later. Given the low number of components and easy assembly, the lower hull and suspension were ready in just a few hours.
Despite care being taken with the delicate track assembly, more than 50 parts broke in the process…so none of the track runs had enough pieces left to connect their end properly.
The frontal add-on armour has probably been carried over from the company’s T-90MS kit, and required fine surgery and filling. A complex shape, with fine raised detail, it demanded additional care.
"there wAS An AMAzing level of detAil"
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD RUSSIAN BMPT-72
"the excellent BrASS BArrelS Supplied were the ultiMAte detAil"
Clever mating
The excellent brass barrels supplied were the ultimate detail, to add to an already superb-looking gun turret.
The hull underside was painted with Revell 65 Bronze Green...a colour otherwise specific for the three-tone NATO camouflage.
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Another highlight was the innovative assembly of the upper and lower hull halves. These were simply slid together on the rear end, while the frontal reaches were kept together by poly-caps. The resulting bond was tight and without any visible seam to fill. This feature also allowed for these two major sub-assemblies to be kept separate until after the painting process, making the latter easier to accomplish. The front and rear add-on armour plates were just as beautifully detailed as the rest of the vehicle’s features. Even the underside sported convincing refinements, despite these being hidden when the vehicle was on its tracks. As one might expect, the tracks were of individual-link variety with four separate parts per link: the main link, guide tooth and two connecting rings (one on each side). The assembly tool provided in the box was of great help in placing the connector rings. Given the delicate form of the links, much attention
and care was required during their neatening and assembly. Unfortunately, even the most careful handling resulted in breakage of 35 of the 192 links, which in the end led to incomplete track runs on both sides. But more than half of the tracks were hidden behind the huge side skirts, so this was not a problem. Step 11 revealed a glitch with the instructions, more specifically with the numbering of the photo-etched metal components. The numbers given didn’t match those on the PE fret, so alignment work was required before proceeding. The table gives an overview of the correct PE part numbers compared to those in the instructions: INSTRUCTIONS
PE FRET
PA2
PA9
PA6
PA19
PA9
PA12
PA14
PA24
PA17
PA7
PA18
PA23
PA23
PA10
INTERMEDIATE BUILD RUSSIAN BMPT-72
After painting the rubber parts with Revell’s Anthracite, the metallic portions were masked with a template ruler before they received Bronze Green.
AMMO MIG’s A.MIG-2002 Grey Primer was applied to the PE parts, to improve paint adhesion.
Unfortunately, this kind of inaccuracy also appeared elsewhere in the instructions. Clear parts for the periscopes and headlights were masked with painters’ tape, cut to shape with a sharp blade after being placed and burnished over the detail with a cocktail stick. While the upper hull had a rather busy appearance, the sensible parts breakdown helped to expedite assembly. Some of the superstructure required holes to be drilled from the inner face of the hull. Despite their position being marked for drilling, two of these holes ended up in rather awkward positions, such as in the middle of hooks. But again, these are barely noticeable problems. To ease painting, the side skirts, equipment boxes and turret armour ring were kept as
separate sub-assemblies. Dryfitting revealed an excellent fit and already hinted to the unusual shape of the vehicle. As with other parts of the kit, the turret itself already included many smaller details, so masking the clear periscope parts was the most time-consuming step. The gun turret superstructure was an absolute gem of a subassembly; while the styrene barrels also sported excellent moulding, the metal items were the perfect addition, turning this prominent feature into the ultimate eye-catcher.
Revell Anthracite sufficed for the base track colour, which was then varied with a mist of AMMO MIG’s A.MIG-044 Chipping.
Colour aplenty The painting guide suggested four highly attractive schemes. Two represented sand-coloured splinter camouflage as seen at Russian Arms
A.MIG-057 Yellow Grey, from the A.MIG7109 Modern Russian Camo Colors set, formed the sand camouflage tone.
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Revell 39 Dark Green was applied to the rocket launchers and add-on armour interior, while the same company’s 330 Fiery Red coloured the protective caps.
The green pattern outlines were traced lightly with a soft graphite pen, to speed the painting.
Green patches were applied in a slightly uneven, cloudy manner to provide tonal variation.
Expo 2013 and 2015, and a third greyish splinter worn at RAE 2014, while the fourth livery was a three-tone green/sand/black seen at the Victory Day Parade in 2015. Considering all four were desirable, choosing the livery was challenging but in the end the green/sand/black prevailed, since the vehicle was to depict a member of a deployed unit somewhere in the future. Initial
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analysis of the alignment of the camouflage segments revealed several flaws with the instructions’ top and side views’ consistency. However, this was nothing minor
improvisation couldn’t solve. The colour sheet included references for AMMO MIG paints, which made sense given the firm’s new sets are aimed specifically at Russian vehicles and the new grey/sand/yellow expo shades. The lower hull was covered with Revell 65 Bronze Green, although the beautiful but complex details around the suspension required special attention to ensure no area was left unpainted. Rubber on the roadwheels was replicated by Revell 09 Anthracite, while the metallic parts were masked with a template ruler and painted the same shade of green as the lower hull. The inner faces had a complex shape…almost impossible to reach with an airbrush, so these were painted in several thin coats by brush. Tracks were then primed in black before dark brown patches of A.MIG-044 Chipping were applied to disrupt the uniform colour. Photo-etched metal parts were covered with A.MIG-2002 Grey Primer to help paint adhesion and avoid later chipping. The lightest sand colour was applied as the first camouflage shade, by way of A.MIG-057 Yellow Grey paint from AMMO MIG’s A.MIG-7109 Modern Russian Colors set. This was applied from the bottle directly without further thinning, and was laid down in a perfectly level, satin-smooth layer. The Ataka missiles were painted with a different shade of green (Revell’s 39 Dark Green enamel), while the frangible caps
SAlon Solution The hairspray technique has been with armour modellers for some time, but it’s a highly useful method to portray chipped paint. Here’s how it’s done:
Raised detail on the light-coloured camouflage sections was oversprayed with the green shade, in preparation for paint chipping.
The green highlights were followed by several thin hairspray layers applied via airbrush, which were finally covered with the light camouflage hue.
Surfaces treated in previous steps were moistened with tap water. then raised details were scrubbed lightly with a short, stiff-bristled brush, removing the top coat to reveal the green underneath.
INTERMEDIATE BUILD RUSSIAN BMPT-72
"the gun turret wAs Another good exAMple of thiS kit’S well-BAlAnced engineering"
received the same firm’s 330 Fiery Red. Since Blu or White Tack ‘worms’ could have produced hard demarcation lines between the different colours, it was decided to airbrush the patterns freehand, for better reproduction of soft edges between shades. After the sand colour was dry, the green pattern was drawn with a soft graphite pencil… areas to be covered were marked with short dashes to avoid confusion. The green paint layer was then sprayed with highly diluted paint, aiming for a slightly cloudy
look. Finally, the camouflage scheme was completed by adding black patches via Revell 06 Tar Black. The gun barrels received Revell 09 Anthracite and were rubbed gently with A.MIG-3009 Gun Metal pigments to achieve a metallic sheen. Selected, raised sand-coloured areas of the vehicle were sprayed in a localised manner with the
green colour, then covered with a layer of hairspray followed by a thin layer of the same sand base. Before the paint cured completely, water was sprayed on the prepared surfaces and a stiff, short-bristled brush removed paint to replicate chipping.
At this point the overall look of the vehicle started to look convincing, but it was still a little plain. Since the machine was to represent a future-fielded example, artistic licence was considered acceptable, deviating the look somewhat from that seen in reference material. The rubber skirts behind the bar armour, at the back and the front mudguards, were painted Anthracite, as it would be the case with unpainted rubber seen on other T-72 variants.
The front mudguards were also painted black via Revell 09 Anthracite, replicating their rubber material and thus disrupting the camouflage.
The gun turret was another good example of this kit’s well-balanced engineering; plenty of detail without an over-complicated build process. The barrels were base-coated with Revell 09 Anthracite, then treated with A.MIG-3009 Gun Metal pigment applied with a cotton swab. Decals were limited to two star insignia for the side panels. Formation numbers for the rear of the turret were not applied.
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Decals were limited to the two stars on each side of the vehicle, and a unit number at the back of the gun turret. These were applied over a liberal layer of gloss varnish, and sealed with the same after application. A thin layer of the sand camouflage tone was applied to the lower hull, skirts and wheels to replicate dust, and provide a base for heavier mud accumulation.
A mix of plaster, A.MIG-3007 Dark Earth pigment and sifted dirt from the garden (for added volume), were mixed with hobby glue and water to form thick mud. The mud mix was applied to the lower structure with a short-bristled, round brush.
Once dry, excess mud was removed with a stiff brush; heavier accumulations were left concentrated on the hidden sections of the running gear, around the suspension.
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Getting grimy Weathering began on the lower hull, with the application of a translucent dust layer, replicated by A.MIG-057 thinned at an 80:20 tap-water-to-paint ratio. The same treatment was then applied to the side skirts and mudguards. Then plaster, A.MIG-3007 Dark Earth pigment, white glue and sifted dirt from the garden were mixed with water and applied to the lower hull with a stiff brush, replicating heavier mud accumulations. Once the mix was dry, most of it was removed with a stiff brush to leave concentrations in areas around the suspension. Further details were picked out with a dark wash, applied sparingly in random sections. The whole vehicle was then covered in a layer of Emsal floor polish–an equivalent product to Johnson's Future/Klear–providing a gloss surface for the following filter and wash. The Emsal also protected the underlying paint from adverse reactions with the oil paint thinner. The rather strong contrast between the light sand and dark green camouflage was reduced by a dark brown filter mixed from Winsor & Newton Lamp Black and Burnt Sienna oil paints, combined in a 20:80 ratio and thinned with lighter fuel in a 1:5 blend. The gloss surface allowed the filter to accumulate in recesses, while the plain surfaces became tinted slightly.
A dark brown oil paint filter was applied to mute the high contrast between camouflage colours.
The same oil paint mix (but thinned 1:2) was then applied around fuel inlets and engine vents, replicating slightly shiny oil and fuel stains. At this stage, major painting and weathering was completed, so the subassemblies were brought together. Closing tasks involved weathering the side skirts and selected areas of the superstructure with A.MIG 3007 Dark Earth pigments, diluted with fuel lighter and applied by brush. When the pigments were dry, they were manipulated with a moist medium brush in vertical
downwards movements. To increase the contrast of muddy areas, A.MIG-1402 Fresh Mud enamel was applied to panel joins, replicating darker, fresh deposits. When this final layer of pigments had cured, the whole vehicle was then sealed with a coat of matt varnish. Last, but not least, the oily patches were refreshed with A.MIG-1408 Fresh Engine Oil to restore the specific shiny look. Certain indentations, where dust would usually accumulate and mix with the spilled engine fluids, were treated with Vallejo 73115 Natural Iron Oxide…a black pigment.
"tiger Model’S BMPT-72 iS A true product of the modern Styrene erA" Sign of the times Tiger Model’s BMPT-72 is a true product of the modern styrene era. Not just the choice of subject but materials, moulding quality and level of detail places it very highly in comparison with products from other respected makers.
Despite the problems encountered with the instructions (and the fragile tracks), the whole build process was a pleasure, and the finished item certainly has that futuristic ‘something’ to set it apart from many other modern armour subjects.
A.MIG-3007 Dark Earth pigments were diluted in lighter fuel and applied by brush on the lower side skirts, then spread downwards. Darker, fresh mud patches were simulated with A.MIG-1402 Fresh Mud, through blending and stippling.
ADVANCED BUILD SIKORSKY S-61N
Dave Oliver attempts modelling multi-tasking and super-detailing with Whirlybird Models’ S-61N resin Sea King conversion
COASTAL ikorsky’s commercial version of the successful S-61 Sea King design first flew in 1961. Designated the S-61L, it was 4ft 3in (1.3m) longer than its military counterpart, to accommodate more passengers or cargo. Fitted with two GE
CT58-140 turboshaft engines, an enlarged tail rotor pylon and modified landing gear, the type was first bought by Los Angeles Airways, which used it commercially from 1962 onwards. In late 1962 the S-61N, which was designed for over-water operations and notably search
and rescue (SAR), made its first flight. It had larger undercarriage sponson floats than those fitted to other versions, and was equipped with life rafts and an automatic SAR locator beacon, which activated on immersion in salt water. Subsequent modifications included numerous vibrationdampening enhancements and uprated CT58-110 Engines; this later standard, known as the Mk.II, was the version on which this build is based.
A riveting experience
Scratch-building the interior required considerable research, and care in assembly, as the seats were delicate and bent out of shape easily. Note the rubber floor mat, formed from a thin layer of Milliput.
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Starting a limited-run conversion can be daunting, and modellers used to mass-produced styrene kits often find it an occasionally frustrating experience. Working with large resin parts, scratchbuilding and cross-referencing several sets of instructions can be challenging,
ADVANCED BUILD SIKORSKY S-61N
was apparent immediately. It comprised a mixture of resin and clear parts, a large photo-etched (PE) brass fret and decals; detailed instructions featured high-quality photographs of the aircraft in question. In hindsight, calling this a conversion was perhaps a disservice, as relatively few items were
MODEL SPEC
but if approached with an open mind and plenty of patience, subjects that would otherwise be overlooked can be created. On opening Whirlybird Models’ S-61N conversion, its comprehensive nature Sikorsky S-61N Conversion By:
Whirlybird Models
Stock Code:
WBA72050
Scale:
1/72
Price:
£50
Available from: Whirlybird Models, www.whirlybirdmodels.com
required from Revell’s 1/72 donor kit, principally the windshield and side windows, undercarriage legs, tail rotor, main rotor head, cockpit floor and firewall. Very few air bubbles were present on the well-cast fuselage halves, the only issue being a lack of exterior detail, such as panel lines and rivets…both were prominent on the S-61N. It was decided this had to be rectified at an early stage, so with a needle held in a pin vice, the major lines were re-scribed; RB Productions’ 1/72 riveting wheel then added the finishing touches (see panel to right). This was time-consuming, but well worth the effort in adding an extra level of refinement.
Room with a view The large number of windows and access doors was one of the major external differences
RESTORATION PERIOD The S-61N’s fuselage halves lacked defined panel boundaries, so these were first highlighted with a pencil, using Dymo Tape as a guide. Once satisfied with the pencil-work, a large sewing needle (secured in a pin vice) was employed to re-scribe the detail, keeping the tip at approximately 30° to the surface to ensure smooth results. Two passes down each line seemed to produce the best results, and the needle didn’t chip or rend the resin as can happen with other commercial scribers. Although a fiddly and sometimes frustrating exercise, the increased detail helped greatly towards producing a realistic model.
The resin fuselage required minimal preparation; window apertures had to be drilled and neatened with a scalpel blade, and careful sanding was required to make them uniform.
A closer view of the scribed surface detail revealed many panel lines had been lost in the casting process. These were replicated with a sharp needle and RB Productions’ riveting tool (RB-T009 Rivet-R, from www.radubstore.com) to emulate the aircraft’s busy exterior detail.
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ADVANCED BUILD SIKORSKY S-61N
“SCRATCH-BUILDING THE INTERIOR REQUIRED CONSIDERABLE RESEARCH”
The cockpit utilised many parts from Revell’s donor kit, but fine details and the crew figures were aftermarket items. Weathering the interior was a challenge, with a balance sought between a used, but wellmaintained appearance.
between military and civilian variants, and these afforded a great view into the interior. However, with no seats or fixtures supplied with the kit, the innards would need to be scratch-built. A template for the cabin floor was supplied in the instructions, and this fitted reasonably well with minimal fettling. Seats were constructed from sections of plastic card, with Andrea Sculp used for cushions, while the legs were created from brass wire, with lengths of thin lead sheet for the belts. A stretcher was constructed in a similar fashion with other items, such
as life rafts and stowage, being scratch-built and then added to the sidewalls. Once primed and painted, generic warning stencils from Airscale Decals (www. airscale.co.uk) were added, before the whole area received light weathering with MIG Productions’ 502-Abteilung ABT015 Shadow Brown oil wash. Revell’s styrene parts provided the basic cockpit structure, to be embellished with PE consoles and a white metal instrument panel supplied with Whirlybird’s conversion. The central console required the addition of auxiliary panels, which were fashioned from plastic card, followed by the application of various individual dials from Revell’s decal sheet. These were removed from the backing with a punch-and-die tool and placed on the instrument fascia with fine tweezers. Pilot and co-pilot figures came from PJ Productions’ SAR crew set (721126) and were used with
One issue with the fuselage was the differently sized window apertures, which required bespoke glazing for each. To keep track of where they were located, the finished transparencies were attached to a blank reference card with doublesided tape. Improvements to the windshield included removing the moulded wipers in readiness for PE alternatives, and excising the side windows and quarterlights. These were replaced by sections of thin acetate sheet, with Montex masks employed as templates. Whirlybird’s white metal instrument panel received PE embellishment and needed plenty of effort to create a suitably busy display, especially for a 1/72 scale subject.
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ADVANCED BUILD SIKORSKY S-61N
Once the interior sections were completed, dry-fitting ensured the bulkheads and floor dovetailed with the fuselage confines. Small details, such as stowage lockers and life rafts, were scratch-built.
The fuselage halves mated reasonably well, with care taken to achieve a flush join along the top. Any gaps were filled with Mr. Dissolved Putty before the first batch of Eduard’s PE was attached. Many of these needed fettling, as they were designed for Cyber-hobby’s kit.
Smaller PE fittings came from Whirlybird and Eduard, and these resulted in a truly busy exterior. Note the windscreen, which required careful filling and sanding to make it flush with the fuselage.
Attaching the modified sponsons was a challenge, as the white styrene upper struts required modification to sit at the correct angle. Brass wire supports were cut to shape individually, and added carefully to ensure this sub-assembly was aligned accurately.
very little modification, as their poses looked natural straight out of the box.
quickly became apparent that each aperture was a slightly different shape…therefore, individual windows had to be sized to fit flush with the fuselage. To avoid confusion over which piece went where,
A pane in the glass Another issue presented by the civilian version involved
the numerous fuselage windows. Various techniques were attempted, until it was decided that utilising the kit transparencies would probably be best. However, this caused further complications, as it
these were then attached to a piece of card, with the positions annotated clearly. Due to the additional windows in the S-61L, another kit had to be sourced to provide enough glazing — which was attached
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ADVANCED BUILD SIKORSKY S-61N
Eduard’s PE improved the rotor hub and winch mechanism greatly, and served to make the finished model as detailed as possible. Admittedly, once the super-detailing started, it proved hard to stop!
A subtle pre-shading effect was achieved by airbrushing a grey tone, rather than black, as the latter would have appeared too stark. Emphasis was added to the upper rear fuselage, simulating the exhaust staining noted in many reference photos.
“ADMITTEDLY, ONCE THE SUPER-DETAILING STARTED, IT PROVED HARD TO STOP!”
with Krystal Klear adhesive and masked appropriately. The windshield also required modification, to enable the fitting of PE wipers (at the end of the build), while the side windows and quarter-lights
were removed with a brand-new scalpel blade and replaced with acetate sheet, via Montex masks as templates. Although it wasn’t needed, it was reassuring to have a spare canopy in case anything went wrong.
After three applications of Lifecolor’s Matt White, the base coat was finished; just a subtle trace of pre-shading was left to show through, although this would be further highlighted during the weathering stages.
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Exterior details Once the fuselage halves were closed, gaps were filled with Mr. Hobby P119 Mr. Dissolved Putty and any lost surface detail was re-scribed. The exterior was enhanced further with Whirlybird’s PE parts, including tail-fold hinges, while various grilles around the engine housing and tail rotor came from Eduard’s 72562 SH-3D Sea King Exterior set. The rotor hub received special attention, and this transformed its appearance, with the mass balances, hydraulic cables and blade attachment points all improved greatly. Many other smaller items had to be prepared and in some cases modified. The winch assembly was replaced with a scratchbuilt item, while its support framework was fabricated from lead wire. A white-metal infra-
red camera was supplied in the conversion and required minimal clean-up…lenses were fashioned from old photographic negatives
and a punchand-die tool. However, the enlarged undercarriage sponsons required extensive modification. The moulded flotation bags were removed and re-modelled with Andrea Sculp putty, while panel lines were re-scribed, as very little surface detail was present. The undercarriage bay received
ADVANCED BUILD SIKORSKY S-61N
ACHIEVING SHARP TRIM The dark blue pin-striping was masked once the nose and tail had been painted. To ensure these lines ran parallel to the red sections, three strips of tape were cut and abutted against each other. The middle strip was then removed, while the outer tape was burnished to prevent any paint seepage, before additional coverings were added to prevent overspray. Thankfully, all this preparatory work paid off, as when the tape was removed, just a few small areas required remedial attention. The next job was to mask and airbrush the black panels on the nose and behind the exhausts. Again, the potentially fragile nature of the paint finish became obvious, as several areas had to be repaired after the masking was removed.
Unfortunately, there were several air bubble holes in Whirlybird’s resin rotor blades, which needed to be filled before they could be painted. The yellow tips were undercoated with white first, to provide a key for the subsequent colour.
Eduard PE adornments on the sidewalls, while wiring looms were created from lead wire twisted together, resulting in a busy appearance. Similarly, the undercarriage legs were treated with PE components. Major work was required on the sponson struts, and considerable scratch-building was necessary, with each item being measured (at least twice) and test-fitted, before the requisite holes were drilled in the fuselage and each fitted carefully. Constant checks were essential to ensure correct alignment. At this stage, the many small white metal components could be attached to the exterior, before the canopy was added; however, numerous
gaps at the rear and front of the transparency needed to be filled and sanded, otherwise the join wouldn’t be flush with the remainder of the airframe.
Painting and decorating Once the various door and window apertures had been filled with packaging foam, the model was given a thorough clean. From this point on, the fuselage and other sub-assemblies were only handled when wearing latex gloves, to avoid fingerprints in the final finish…resin can sometimes be a tricky surface to paint, even with the most fastidious preparation. Two coats of Alclad ALC-306 White Primer and Micro
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ADVANCED BUILD SIKORSKY S-61N
AIRFIELD TRACTOR To provide another point of interest on the diorama base, a Ford tractor and tow bar were acquired from Hasegawa’s US Aircraft Weapon Loading Set (X72-005). These were then modified and detailed, along with two figures, which had their poses altered subtly to fit the scene. This also provided a break from construction of the helicopter, while still contributing towards the overall build and giving a sense of scale.
Decaling was trouble-free, with individual items requiring just a small amount of setting solution to conform. One slight problem concerned the window surrounds, as they were rather delicate…several were replaced with black lines cut from spare decals.
Filler were applied and, once thoroughly dried, a pre-shade of Lifecolor UA 046 Neutral Gray was added; a black treatment would have been too stark for the white finish. This was added
to areas where grime or smoke deposits were noted on reference photographs, such as behind the engine exhaust. By comparison, the remainder of the airframe was very clean, and this was
A custom serial number for G-BIMU was supplied courtesy of Roger Evans from Whirlybird Decals.
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addressed with minimal shading to the undersides and around the cockpit. Undercarriage sponsons were painted first to test how well the paint would adhere to the primer, rather than risk any possible issues with the much larger fuselage. After positive results were achieved on the smaller components, three coats of Lifecolor's LC01 Matt White acrylic were dusted onto the airframe…note adding the colour lightly each time seemed to be the best approach, as the first application provided a key for subsequent layers. The distinctive Coastguard Red tail and nose sections proved quite a challenge; no accurate paint reference was available for this colour, so LC22 Matt Red was mixed with a small quantity of LC16 Raw Sienna until the desired shade was reached. An ample amount of this tone was then decanted into an empty paint pot, as it would have been difficult to replicate the same hue if the initial batch had been insufficient to cover the required areas completely. The distinctive underside highvisibility stripes were replicated with LC22 Fluorescent Red. Unfortunately, though, the colour leached under the masking in several places, so fine touch-ups were required. As most of the airframe colour was matt white, light coats of Johnson’s Klear were airbrushed over the model, sealing the work to date and providing a smooth surface for the decals. The first two layers produced a
rather uneven finish, so an extra coat was applied. Again, in this modeller’s experience, resin can be a difficult and delicate surface to paint, and Klear seemed to be no exception to this rule. Setting solutions aided application of the comprehensive markings, and overall these conformed to the surface with minimal fuss. A layer of satin varnish was airbrushed, before a MIG Abteilung 093 Light Gray pin-wash was applied to the panel lines. Unfortunately, the
MATERIALS Revell (www.revell.de/en) • 04844 1/72 Mk.41 Sea King (SAR anniversary edition) Eduard (www.eduard.com) • 72562 SH-3D Sea King exterior set (Cyber Hobby) PJ Productions (www.pj-production.be) • 721126 SAR helicopter crew Montex (www.montex-mask.com) • MXSM72021 Westland Sea King Mk.41 Exterior canopy mask Hasegawa (www.amerang.co.uk) • X72-005 1/72 US Aircraft Weapon Loading Set Model Railway Scenery (www.modelrailwayscenery.com) • OO/4mm/1:76 Hangar
ADVANCED BUILD SIKORSKY S-61N
Minor paint touch-ups were required for the canopy framing, especially where white primer was visible. Montex’s commendably thin canopy masks were easy to apply and resulted in a sharp edge to the framing, with no sign of a paint ‘lip’.
It was gratifying when all the hard work in super-detailing the model paid off. Notably, the realism increased as each of the final small items were added…particularly the grab ropes and spotlights.
combination of multiple layers of Klear and varnish, coupled with lightly re-scribed lines and rivets, meant it was difficult to discern them by the end of the build. A darker oil wash was used to complement the exhaust staining on the upper fuselage areas, with TSC208 Tensocrom Smoke
had been attached, the model was almost concluded. It was rewarding to see what had been a long (and in some cases challenging) build come together. With the addition of the small items, the model seemed to come to life, and a paper hangar backdrop was purchased from
further enhancing the effect. Finally, light Shadow Brown wash was applied to the lower hull and undersides; with this, the weathering was complete.
Ready for action After the undercarriage and a myriad of other minor fittings
Model Railway Scenery (www. modelrailwayscenery.com). This, along with a printed concrete hardstanding, Ford tractor and groundcrew (see panel), formed a neat display for the S-61, and rounded off what had been an occasionally frustrating, but equally rewarding build.
www.airfixmodelworld.com 75
IN FOCUS SIKORSKY S-61
Although not G-BIMU, this photograph highlights the livery worn by other Bristow SAR helicopters, with larger horizontal stripes of red and blue, but the underside fluorescent orange stripes are common to both schemes. (Key Collection)
he helicopter that would become known as ‘Rescue Mike Uniform’ was built in 1974; it was operated on both the Australian register as VH-CRU, and later on
the American register as N4042S and N8511Z. In 1981, it was bought by British Caledonian Helicopters and re-registered as G-BIMU. For a brief period, this rotary asset
was employed on the shortlived Gatwick-Heathrow Airlink, before being acquired by Bristow Helicopters, converted to searchand-rescue (SAR) configuration and relocated to Stornoway. It
replaced G-BDII (named Beady Eyes!), which ditched in the Minch on October 17, 1988; the four crew were recovered by an RAF Lossiemouth-based Sea King, an event which featured in the 1990 Scottish Television Documentary ‘Rescue’, entitled ‘Ditching Ditching Ditching’. G-BIMU, callsign ‘Rescue Mike Uniform’ (R-MU), was the primary SAR helicopter for the North West of Scotland and Outer Hebrides, and was involved in many rescues, operating alongside the Coastguard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Stornoway. One notable sortie was hailed as being among the longest-range rescues (at that time) conducted by a civilian SAR helicopter, when it was flown 287 miles (462km) northwest of Stornoway to recover an injured crewman from a Spanish fishing vessel in the North Atlantic. To accomplish this feat, the helicopter was refuelled at an oil drilling rig to extend its range, but
LIFE-SAVER Airfix Model World’s Dave Oliver outlines the history of ‘Rescue Mike Uniform’, the subject of his build article
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Airfix Model World
IN FOCUS SIKORSKY S-61
still had just five minutes on scene to winch the casualty on board. An RAF Nimrod provided long-range top cover and located the vessel, allowing the crew to minimise its search time. Another, earlier, event almost spelled disaster when R-MU was damaged while searching for two injured hill climbers in the northwest of Scotland on August 24, 1997. Hovering alongside a rocky formation on Stac Pollaidh, the helicopter experienced a rotor strike…the tips of the main blades hitting the mountain. The winchman was ‘on tether’ at the time and there followed a frantic few seconds as the winch operator reeled him in, before the pilots made an emergency landing. Luckily, no one was injured, but the airframe had to be airlifted by RAF Chinook to Bristow’s main operating base in Aberdeen for repairs. In recognition of its close call, G-BIMU received a new moniker,
HELO
Dramatic rescue missions may grab the headlines, but they wouldn’t be possible without constant training by SAR crews. Here ‘dry’ (over land) training at Stornoway is underway with the ‘casualty’ being winched by a hovering G-BIMU. (Capt Tim Glasspool)
Thermal imaging and daylight TV systems are a vital aid to locating people. An AGEMA Thermovision 1000 gyrostabilised unit is pictured on an S-61, attached to the lower port fuselage. (Key Collection) Rescue Mike Uniform at rest, complete with Ford tractor and towing bar as per the build in this issue. Note the different styles of trim surrounding the fuselage windows, and how the airframe has been affected by the maritime environment. (Richard Hunt/AirTeamimages.com)
with ‘Stac Pollaidh’ painted on the aircraft’s nose, underneath the pilot’s side window. In 2008, G-BIMU’s UK Coastguard career came to an end, when Bristow lost the contract to CHC. The helicopter was transferred to the Netherlands, and continued SAR duties on behalf of the Dutch Coastguard, but still registered G-BIMU. This was to last just a few years however, and it was finally retired in January 2014. The helicopter is currently being stored, rotor-less, at Norwich Airport, alongside other ex-UK Coastguard S-61s…an ignominious end for any aircraft, but more so for one with the history of G-BIMU. www.airfixmodelworld.com 77
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ON THE SHELF BOOKS
VIVID GERMAN PHOTO STUDY
Luftwaffe in Colour The Victory Years 1939-1942 By: Christophe Cony & Jean-Louis Roba ISBN: 978-1-61200-408-2 Price: £19.99 Format: 180 x 253mm Web: www.casematepublishing.com Modellers of World War Two subjects mostly rely on black and white photographs for reference. When colour images surface it instantly sparks a certain frisson; so, imagine
a book filled entirely with rare (some previously unpublished) colour images of Luftwaffe subjects… although all is not as it seems. This softback is the motherlode in terms of camouflage, markings and unit heraldry, via more than 300 superb photos. The coverage begins with pre-war subjects, including gliders, the Ju 52, He 51 and Bf 108, but even during this opening section, it’s obvious that the odd image is 'colourised', and not a true colour shot. But these are few and far between so one can rely on the authenticity of most of the material. And there are wonderful examples that would make refreshing dioramas, such as the Ju 52 transporting geese and pigs, a JG 77 fighter pilot sitting on the wing of a Bf 109, while supporting a falcon on a gloved hand, and a downed Ju 88 semi-sunk in sand on a beach. While the colour shots are rare, some aircraft are also esoteric–the Ju 90 V10 being a case in point. All theatres are represented, so the book is a wide-ranging reference for Luftwaffe modellers. CC
THE MOUNT OF CHAMPIONS
Ferrari 312T Owners’ Workshop Manual By: Nick Garton ISBN: 978-0-85733-811-2 Price: £22.99 Format: 276 x 214mm Web: www.haynes.co.uk Haynes’ manual on Ferrari’s 312T is doubly useful and entertaining, as besides the excellent photographs of the car, it also offers a fascinating study of the type’s history. The latter is particularly enjoyable due to author Nick Garton’s excellent
160 pages
164 pages
narrative, from the opening sentences of his introduction (explaining his boyhood inspiration for the car), to the now legendary 1976 tussle between McLaren’s James Hunt and Ferrari’s Nikki Lauda…which left the latter driver badly burnt after that season’s notorious crash at the Nürburgring. There are various 312T kits on the market, past and present, from the likes of Tamiya, Hasegawa, Protar, Model Factory Hiro and others, and if building any of these, the book’s close-up detail and whole-car shots will be more than welcome. The race day imagery, though (besides adding splendid atmosphere), is versatile as it gives occasional glimpses of other teams’ cars besides the 312T. Along with individual chassis histories, various appendices, profiles of drivers (Clay Regazzoni, Lauda, Gilles Villeneuve et al) and designer Mauro Forghieri–and an interesting section on Hollywood’s treatment of period Formula 1, via the Ron Howard film Rush–this is easily one of Haynes’ best Owners’ Workshop Manuals. CC
CHUBBY GROUNDBREAKER
192 pages
Saab 29 ‘Flygande Tunnan’ By: Mikael Forslund ISBN: 978-83-65281-34-0 Price: £17 Format: 229 x 166mm Web: www.mmpbooks.biz Here’s arguably the most comprehensive English language book ever published on SAAB’s ‘Flying Barrel’…the J 29. Thankfully, especially for die-hard fans of Swedish Air Force subjects, there have been various new kits of this characterful fighter in recent years (Tarangus, Pilot Replicas, Miniwing and Hobby Boss), and MMP’s softback is a one-stop reference for any modeller. It’s stuffed with history, covering prototypes and operational variants, user-units and entire production lists. Vital to finishing, colours and markings are also explored with Swedish paint codes, colour profiles and a handful of full-colour period shots. These include the camouflaged machines flown by the Swedish Air Force in the Congo, under United Nations auspices. Myriad factory drawings,
and 1/72 scale plans, all help in the pursuit of accuracy, along with close-up walk-round images of restored museum aircraft. Most interesting is the chapter detailing Sweden’s Målflygdivisionen (Air Target Squadron) at F 3 Wing, from 1967-1976, and Austrian J 29Fs are also explored. With stunning photography throughout, this is a corking little book and unmissable for anyone contemplating a build or two of this fascinating and endearing aircraft. CC
GLAZED-NOSE MOSSIE GUIDE
200 pages
The de Havilland Mosquito Part 1: Bomber and Photo-Reconnaissance By: Richard A Franks ISBN: 978-0-9935345-1-5 Price: £18.95 Format: A4 Web: www.valiant-wings.co.uk For around the price of just four pints down the pub (depending on how fancy one’s beer is), modellers can treat themselves to Valiant Wings’ excellent examination of bomber and recce Mosquitos...the eighth in its Airframe and Miniature series. Much like MMP's Hurricane book reviewed last month, the softback work provides a variant guide with small line drawings to show structural differences. Camouflage and markings are also explored, and the colour profiles give a decent appreciation of how the schemes on this aircraft differed (especially when one compares wartime machines with those from afterwards). US ‘Mossies’ are also covered, as well as those operated by the British Overseas Airways Corporation (for clandestine flights from RAF Leuchars to Sweden), and those of export users. Useful features include
a colour cross-reference chart for British Standard shades and model paints, and detailed markings drawings. There’s also a kit precis, examining options in the three major scales, and four short build articles (1/72 Hasegawa B.IV, 1/72 Tamiya B.XVI conversion, Airfix 1/48 PR.XVI and HK Models 1/32 B.IV). The Building a Collection chapter offers invaluable type-difference drawings, and the remainder of the book has a wealth of factory illsutrations and a gatefold section with 1/48 plans. CC
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ON THE SHELF BOOKS
GERMANS IN IBERIA
AIRfile The Condor Legion in the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939 By: Neil Robinson ISBN: 978-1-908565-31-0 Price: £19 Format: A4 Web: guidelinepublications.co.uk It’s great to see the AIRfile series back on sale, courtesy of this new volume on Germany’s Condor Legion. Often overshadowed by the Luftwaffe’s role in World War Two, the scenario whereby Spanish Nationalists gained support from Hitler in trying to overthrow
72 pages Spain’s Republican government, is a fascinating subject…and ripe for attractively finished aircraft models. The schemes on types such as early Bf 109s, Stukas, Do 17s and others are refreshingly different to the splinters and mottles of World War Two. Neil Robinson’s latest AIRfile follows the previous tried-and-tested format, with lucid text/captions, period photos and colour profiles and plan views by Peter Scott. There is useful information on the aircraft themselves (and user units), which are covered via six sections: Fighters, Bombers, Ground Attack, Reconnaissance, Maritime Patrol, Liaison and Miscellaneous. Colour schemes for all are explained in detail, with RLM numbers quoted throughout. The real draw for modellers with Condor Legion liveries — mostly on the fighters, and besides the paint shades — is the adventurous unit heraldry and personal markings…and both are fully evident on the inspiring artwork. It’s also pleasing to see lesser-known aircraft featured, such as the He 45, He 70, Junkers W 34 and several floatplanes. A very worthy reference work. CC
MORE MARITIME DÉCOR
British and Commonwealth Warship Camouflage of WWII Volume 3 By: Malcolm Wright ISBN: 978-1-84832-420-6 Price: £30 Format: 262 x 207mm Web: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk Seaforth Publishing’s third instalment exploring the colours of Royal Navy/Commonwealth vessels in World War Two is just as useful as the preceding works. It is let down solely by the fact that the colour illustrations have reverted to a slightly smaller size; Volume 2’s profiles were larger, thus having greater impact
192 pages
and allowing more detail to be seen. This aside, it’s a goldmine of information about naval colours, focusing on cruisers, minelayers and armed merchant cruisers. After the handy colour chip guide and symbols legend, detailing aircraft, weaponry and radar gear, every page carries beautiful profiles and plan views of the vessels in question, giving modellers much food for thought and vital reference. Sure, there are the usual greypainted subjects, but so many more sport interesting and eyecatching colour schemes, and are hugely inspiring if seeking something different. This is, after all, the essence of modelling… and the fun really begins when one starts to source appropriate kits. The disruptive liveries feature stunning colours, and each vessel’s drawings are accompanied by informative texts, with colour codes quoted…and advice on re-fit equipment. This is a splendid series, superb for any maritime modeller. CC
BRITAIN’S STORMERS
96 pages
Tempest Squadrons of the RAF By: Chris Thomas ISBN: 978-1-4728-1454-8 Price: £13.99 Format: 248 x 184mm Web: www.ospreypublishing.com Osprey’s Combat Aircraft series continues its episodic approach to the practitioners of air power, with this account of the development, organisation and exploits of the RAF’s Tempest squadrons during World War Two and the immediate post-war period. The type’s convoluted entry into service is covered well, as is how Wg Cdr Roland ‘Bee’ Beamont’s appointment as Commanding Officer Tempest Wing gave the force a truly inspirational leader. Operations in support of the D-Day landings quickly merge into the broader campaign to liberate occupied Europe, before encounters with the mysterious ‘Flak Target Apparatus’ (better known as V-1 launch sites). Far Eastern operations are also analysed closely, and include the Tempest’s combat swansong in Malaya. The operational history of each
PENINSULA SCHEMES
squadron is examined in depth, highlighting notable events; these are backed by first-hand accounts of combat action and a superb collection of period photographs. Successes against ground targets (notably trains and convoys) are matched by riveting recitals of airto-air victories against late-variant Fw 190s, Me 262s and even elusive Ar 234 bomber/reconnaissance jets. The engaging text is supplemented with 33 colour profiles, depicting Tempests in a variety of schemes, from standard World War Two day fighter to postwar High Speed Silver liveries. SF 232 pages
Portuguese Fighter Colours 1919-1956 By: Luiz A Tavares, Armando J Soares ISBN: 978-83-63678-45-6 Price: £35 Format: 303 x 215mm Web: www.mmpbooks.biz Occasionally a book crosses the reviewing desk that just sparks ideas for builds, even if the subject matter is outside my personal comfort zone. For MMP’s volume on Portuguese Fighter Schemes, that’s a huge understatement, as I was quickly tempted into working out which kits I had and which decals would be needed for the myriad liveries presented here. The focus is on piston-engined aircraft that served with the Portuguese Air Force between 1919 and 1956. Each type is listed in turn, accompanied by a brief service history, before an extensive examination of the camouflage and markings that adorned the machines. Background information is supplied in the form of archival photographs and a plethora of full-colour profiles, with close-ups of specific unit
markings and airframe artwork. While the use of Spitfires, Gladiators and Hurricanes will be familiar to some, the use of American F-47s, P-38s and Mohawks may come as a surprise, but sufficient information is provided for modellers to build almost any of the airframes operated by Portugal. If one hasn’t contemplated building a Portuguese AF subject before, then this is the perfect encouragement, especially with decals available from Berna, Colorado, FCM and Santa Cruz. SF
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ON THE SHELF BOOKS
HARD-WORKING HALIBAG
Handley Page Halifax 1939 Onwards (All Marks) Owners’ Workshop Manual By: Jonathan Falconer ISBN: 978-1-78521-067-9 Price: £25 Format: 276mm x 214mm Web: www.haynes.co.uk With this volume on the Halifax, Haynes has now covered all the RAF’s principle heavy bombers during World War Two. Given design and powerplant issues, it was destined to be overshadowed by the Lancaster, as these led to low reliability and operational ceiling,
which made it more vulnerable to enemy defences; it also carried a less-flexible bomb load. A crucial design fault is highlighted, namely the ‘V-shaped’ rudders, which lead to the loss of many crews, before the adoption of the ‘D-shape’ from Mk.II Series 1A airframes onwards. An entertaining narrative, backed by high-quality period photographs, highlights how poor nacelle design led to unreliable engines, at least until the Bristol Hercules radial was fitted. Rest assured, Haynes’ standard format of type history, development, service and maintenance is retained throughout, and it offers a tantalizing insight into what it was like to fly in them. Surprisingly, just two of the 6,000-plus Halifax built now survive as complete museum exhibits, both being recovered from Norwegian lakes after more than 30 years underwater. Their restoration is described in depth, along with the different approaches taken to ready the aircraft for display. Whether one has kits by Airfix, Matchbox, Revell or Sanger, this is the perfect accompaniment. SF
BUILD ANY PUGNACIOUS SPAD
Modellers’ Guide to the Skyraider By: Jay Sherlock ISBN: 978-0-9851154-4-9 Price: US $11.95 Format: CD-ROM Web: www.aeroresearchcds.com Aero Research’s encyclopaedic examination of the Douglas A-1 Skyraider has been re-issued in PDF format, for those who prefer the electronic version of this outstanding volume (see Reviews, November 2016). In a nutshell, this product (or its hardcopy equivalent) supplies the modeller with all the information necessary to build almost every variant of the Skyraider in the four major
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CD
scales (1/144, 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32). A logical approach to the subject supplies 18 pages of kit reviews, followed by listings of available decals and aftermarket accessories, providing the reader with a start point for the subsequent builds/conversions. The remainder of the text and diagrams is then dedicated to reproducing all the known variants of this single-engined ground-attack aircraft. There is a list of the recommended kits in the four scales (where available) for each, followed by the changes needed, and a summary of optional changes for specific airframes (notably prototypes). With the aid of this manual, one can create some very unusual Skyraiders indeed, from drone controllers to groundattack-orientated night fighters. Unsurprisingly, the author refrains from specifying weapons loads, as the Skyraider carried a broad range of munitions (even a toilet!), so modellers will need to check other references. SF
View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
LONG-LIVED WARRIOR
Centurion-based APC Pt 2: Nagmachon Heavy APC By: Michael Mass and Adam O’Brien ISBN: 978-965-7700-01-3 Price: £26.99 Format: 279mm x 215mm Web: www.aviationbookcentre.com Britain’s Centurion may not have been the most glamorous post-war tank design, but is certainly the longest-lived, with derivatives in service with Israel to this day. With more than 50 years' experience on the type, and its customary innovation in
modifying armoured vehicles, Israel’s machines now operate as heavy armoured personnel carriers (APC) and engineering vehicles. This is the second volume on Centurion derivatives from Desert Eagle, and while the first addressed the Puma (see Reviews, May 2016), this covers the Nagmachon APC, observation and command variants. While the exterior photographs are themselves a highlight, the real standouts are the interior shots, which provide modellers with all they need for super-detailing. Every aspect of the APC is covered, from the armour added during its service, to the low and high crew compartments (known as the ‘doghouse’), and every photograph, even including engine changes, appears to have been taken ‘in the field’. As a bonus, the final section addresses the commonly seen Nochri mine roller system, which is attached to the front of the Nagmachon, and incorporates two sets of four rollers, positioned with the same spacing as the APC’s tracks. SF
KREIGSMARINE’S SPEEDY STRIKERS
Schnellboote: A Complete Operational History By: Lawrence Paterson ISBN: 978-1-84832-083-3 Price: £25 Format: 242 x 165mm Web: www.pen-and-sword-co.uk Development of the Schnellboote (S-boat) was marked by intrigue and deception, with its basic design adopted from a pre-war wooden speed boat. This gripping narrative chronicles the type’s history and combat, revealing how increases
83 pages
338 pages
in size and firepower boosted the offensive strength of an underequipped Kreigsmarine. Initial operations were confounded by unreliable torpedoes, but tactics learned during the Spanish Civil War were eventually employed to great effect in the English Channel, leading to the nickname ‘E-boat Alley’. Incredibly, this reputation was gained by perhaps just 20 S-boats, and once Germany had invaded Russia, by as few as five, shuttling frantically between ports to present the illusion of greater strength. However, the combat successes were undisputed; at one point S-boats were sinking more shipping in the Channel than U-boats in the Atlantic! Fortunately for the Allies, they were never available in sufficient numbers, especially as operations spread to the Baltic and Mediterranean. As the war progressed, increasingly effective counters were devised, although the ‘hit-and-run’ tactics continued to yield success right until the war’s end. While more applicable to historians than modellers, there are sufficient good-quality blackand-white photographs to make this volume worth considering. SF
ON THE SHELF AIRCRAFT KITS
EARLY GUSTAV PACKAGE
Bf 109G-2 By: Eduard Item no: 82116 Price: €37.45 Web: www.eduard.com Eduard’s re-worked Bf 109 mouldings now represent the G-2 in this ProfiPACK item. The superb generic plastic runners offer everything one needs to replicate this sub-type, including alternative mainplane and wheel hub components, underwing cannon gondolas and an array of tropical parts. Tape masks and photo-etched metal details are provided (some of the latter being
pre-coloured), and the panel line engraving is as sharp as usual. Even an engine starting handle is offered… surely a first in any Bf 109 kit! The colour schemes are most tantalising too, reflecting the varied liveries worn by this Luftwaffe workhorse. The five German options include: • G-2/trop, Black 6, 2./JG 77, Matmata, Tunisia, 1943 • G-2/R-6, Yellow 5 + –, Walter Krupinski, 6./JG 52, Soviet Union, 1942 • G-2/R-6, W Nr 13949/double chevron and bar, Hans Hahn, II./ JG 54, Soviet Union, 1943
ALPINE PEOPLE CARRIER
DC-4 Balair/Iceland Airways By: Revell Item no: 04947 Price: £49.99 Web: www.revell.de/en When Revell released its C-54, it was inevitable a civilian version would follow. Outwardly, the only change appears to be the use of white (rather than grey) styrene, but closer inspection reveals new runners specific to the civilian variant, and provide the galley, rear passenger door and airline seating. Revell’s moulding problems seem
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to have been solved (at least with this kit), as there is minimal flash. The big differences are the instructions (now in colour, with clearer stages) and the decals, which have gloss carrier film and perfect register. Painting is simplified, thanks to Revell supplying the window/cheat-line trim in decal form. The schemes are for white/aluminium and overall aluminium airframes: • HB-ILA, Balair (Swiss), 1960 • TF-ISE ‘Gullfaxi’, Iceland Airways
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1/72
CANUCK WARRIOR
Vickers Viking - Canadian By: Blackbird Models Item no: BMK72002 Price: £34.99 Web: www.blackbirdmodels.co.uk Montex first released its all-resin 1/72 Vickers Viking flying boat in 2008, and since then it’s been re-boxed by Alley Cat and now Blackbird Models. At 100-plus parts, it’s a complex offering with a well-appointed cockpit and gun pit, and choice of raised/ lowered undercarriage, although no stand is provided. Clever casting means pouring blocks will be quick to remove. The
standout item is the single-piece Rolls-Royce Eagle powerplant, which features integrally cast cylinders and cam-shaft covers… once the 14 additional parts are added, it’s transformed into a faithful replica. Equally, the decals are commendably thin, with the national insignia supplied as twopart items and an erratum sheet is included for the airframe serials. Markings are provided for a single scheme; a 3 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force airframe, ES, with the standard 1920s livery of natural wood fuselage and doped aluminium flying surfaces.
SMALL-BUT-SPLENDID SPOOK
F-4E Phantom II By: Platz Item no: FC-5 2400 Price: US $21.56 Web: www.platz-hobby.com Modellers have a wonderful option via Platz, which has improved an F-toys snap-together item. There are two kits and the delicacy of the panel line engraving is impressive, as is the cockpit, which has ejection seats and basic moulded detail on instrument panels and side consoles, but no control columns. One can choose from wheels up or down, pilot figures are included and a one-piece canopy features. The wing tanks look good,
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but the centreline tank is an F-15 unit, thus betraying this kit’s origins as a Japanese Air Self Defense Force item. Another clue is that although Sparrows are given, the short-range weapons are Mitsubishi AAM-3s… unsuitable for the colour schemes in the box. One should also remove airframe features, such as wingtip ECM blisters. The liveries comprise two USAF Vietnam jets, and a test/ development aircraft: • 70-0269/JJ ‘TD’s Teeloc’, 34th TFS, Korat AFB, 1970 • 69-0336/LC, 421st TFS, Korat AFB, 1972 • YF-4E, 65-0713, Edwards AFB, 1983
ON THE SHELF AIRCRAFT KITS
TWIN-PROP TRANSPORT
JRB-4 By: ICM Item no: 48184 Price: £22.40 Web: www.icm.com.ua ICM has rounded out its collection of Beechcraft Model 18 airframes with a US Navy passenger/light utility variant. Sharing the same runners as previous iterations, there’s a busy cockpit and passenger area, but the highlight remains the engines, complete with mounting struts, and it’s a shame this area is hidden once the wings are assembled (the nacelles are moulded integrally with
SUFFOLK ARCHER
WAH-64D Apache ‘British Army Air Corps’ By: Hasegawa Item no: 07445 Price: £59.99 Web: www.amerang.co.uk Hasegawa first reproduced a quarter-scale British Apache in 2002, but erred in just adding different decals to a basic AH-64D Longbow. This time, it has researched the subject fully, and a dedicated runner supplies the changes associated with the Apache AH.I airframe and weapons, while adding two frames from its AH-64E to provide the most up-to-date configuration.
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the mainplanes). As usual from this manufacturer, the moulding is firstrate, with delicate engraved panel lines and an absence of flash. The decal sheet is another highlight, with sharp register and strong colour definition, which should prevent any bleed through of underlying shades. Of the three schemes, the Japanese airframe is the most colourful, with its eye-catching white/orange regalia: • 85111, NAS Oakland, US Navy April 1946 • 44659/59, French Aeronavale, 1960s • 44559/I-6423/23, JMSDF, 1960s
MODELMAKING HISTORY
Primary & Secondary & Soarer Glider By: Hasegawa Item no: 52149 Price: £39.99 Web: www.amerang.co.uk In 2016, Hasegawa celebrated its 75th anniversary (it produced wooden models from 1941), and in commemoration, it's re-released its first three styrene kits as a package. The vintage artwork shows just how far the hobby has come, as do the contents. Of the models, two were first issued in
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1961 (1/50 SG-38 Primary Trainer and 1/60 H-22 [B-3] Secondary) and one in 1962 (1/50 Skylark Soarer), and unsurprisingly the parts content is low. Exterior detail features raised panel lines, while the interiors are basic and would benefit from scratch-building. A choice of three different sizes of anniversary logo is provided, and each glider receives a two-piece stand and one livery: • SG-38, JA 1000 • H-22 (B-3), JA-2000 • Skylark, JA-2135
GLASS-NOSED UTILITY
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All parts are moulded to the firm’s exacting standards, and while many are the same as the original 2002 offering, they are entirely devoid of flash. Neat touches include ‘weighted’ tyres, the use of poly caps for main and tail rotors and components for either laser- or radar-guided Hellfire missiles (although the latter are labelled as ‘unused’ in the instructions). Two schemes for overall FS 34031 Dark Green machines are supplied, both based at Wattisham: • ZJ186, 4 Regt, Army Air Corps • ZJ224, 656 Sqn, 4 Regt, Army Air Corps
Siebel Si 240E/Aero C-3B By: Kovozávody Prostějov Item no: KPM0059 Price: €15.90 Web: www.kovozavody.cz Designed as a transport/training, Siebel’s Si 204 has received little attention from kit manufacturers, so KP’s 1/72 offering is most welcome. Comprising the same runners as the Martinet (see Reviews, Sept 2016) and ‘tall fin’ variant, one is treated to a well-appointed cockpit and undercarriage, along with a basic passenger/cargo area. The biggest challenges will be cutting the apertures for the extra fuselage window (C-3B airframe) and upper
turret (all versions) as there are no pre-marked lines. Perhaps the standout element is the exterior detail, with fine engraved panel lines and rivets. Four schemes are supplied, catering for two German and two Czechoslovak airframes: • Si 240E-0, Red D, Praha-Letňany, Bohemia-Moravia Protectorate, 1944 • Si 240E, Red B, Stab./NSGr 4, Malacky-Nový Dvor, Slovakia, Autumn 1944 • C-3B.409, A-355, 3rd Trg Sqn, Pardubice, Czechoslovakia, 1947-48 • C-3B.403, TH-18, 1 Sqn, 29th Air Regt, Hradčany, Czechoslovakia, 1953
View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com 85
ON THE SHELF AIRCRAFT KITS
UPGRADED PIVOT-POINT
MiG-29S Fulcrum By: Revell Item no: 03936 Price: £22.99 Web: www.revell.de/en Revell has re-boxed Zvezda’s Fulcrum-C and added new decals. The base kit is a cracker and offers delicate panel line engraving, plentiful detail and thoughtful engineering, such as integrally moulded horizontal stabilisers. The large centreline fuel tank and its rear cradle are supplied (as are wing tanks), but the trademark holes on
the real tank’s rear are not present here. Bonus items comprise engine covers and FOD guards, wheel chocks and seated/standing pilot figures. There’s quite an arsenal, including: AA-10 Alamo, AA-11 Archer, AA-8 Aphid, S-24 rockets and 250kg bombs. A great kit overall, but considering it’s more expensive than Zvezda’s original, some might think the inclusion of just one colour scheme slightly stingy. It’s for the Lipetsk-based Russian Falcons display team, although Bort numbers 28, 29 and 32 are provided. 1/48
ITALIAN ARROW
Fiat CR.32 Freccia/Chirri By: Special hobby Item no: SH48182 Price: €22.10 Web: www.cmkkits.com Classic Airframes’ CR.32 Freccia (Arrow) has found its way into Special Hobby’s range, with new decals. Arguably, the highlight is its crisp resin nose section, which sports excellent exhaust, grille and machine gun fairing detail. There are plenty of other resin parts, including an alternative rudder, cockpit floor, sidewalls and seat, radiator and bombs.
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RE-CONTOURED LOACH
MD-500E By: Special Hobby Item no: SH72346 Price: €13.80 Web: www.cmkkits.com Special Hobby’s MD-500E is based on the Profiline tooling, but is still welcome. A splendid accompaniment to standard Loach/Cayuse sub-types, this sharp-nosed ‘Echo’ comes on one grey styrene runner, but with the fuselage/doors moulded in clear styrene to aid painting and masking. Despite its diminutive stature, this kit offers plenty of refinement, with many features
ROTARY CLASSIC
Two photo-etched metal frets are provided (one pre-coloured), offering seatbelts, rudder pedals, instrument panel, flying surface control horns and more. Test-fitting is vital for this limited-run kit, but the decals are stunning: • 163-10/MM 3518, 162 Sq, Italian AF, Rhodes, 1940 • V.105/315, 1/1 Sqn ‘The Archer’, Hungarian AF • 3-61/111, Esc 2-E-3 Aviacon Nacional, Zaragoza, 1937 • 160-10/MM 4666, 160 Sq, 12 ̊ Gr, 50 ̊ Stormo d’Assaulto, Italian AF, Tobruk, 1940
View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
H-34G.III/UH-34J By: Italeri Item no: 2712 Price: £32.50 Web: www.hobbyco.net Italeri’s 1/48 kits of this helicopter are super, and we can now build the early H-34G/UH-34J, due to a re-worked nose and underbelly (and photo-etched [PE] brass parts). The latter include the mesh grille sections on the nose and under the fuselage. Other deft details comprise undercarriage flotation gas bottles, winch, pre-curved rotor blades and worthy cockpit features, such as
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in the cockpit and cabin; full seating, flying controls, foot pedals, instrument panel unit and decals for switch/dial detail. Photo-etched brass parts include cable cutters and engine panels, while there are also five resin parts. Three colour schemes are provided, via a well-printed decal sheet. Six differently numbered, white/red/orange Japanese choppers are accompanied by two overall green Finnish machines and a three-tone Chilean example: • H-315, Chilean Army • HH-11, Finnish Army • 211-8779, JMSDF 1/48
moulded instruments on the centre console, decal and PE instrument panel, and convincing interior quilting effect. Italeri’s new-age decals are usually superb and it’s the same here; rich in colour, in register and with gloss carrier film. The two smart liveries are sprayed aluminium and orange for a German Navy search and rescue machine, and eyepopping overall International Orange on a US Navy example: • UH-34J, 149389/141/2E, HT-8, NAS Ellyson Field, Florida, 1968 • H-34G.III, Marinefliegergruppe 5, Kiel-Holtenhau, 1973
ON THE SHELF MILITARY KITS
LOW-PROFILE ARTILLERY
15cm s.IG.33/2 (Sf) auf Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer By: Dragon Item no: 6489 Price: £57.50 Web: www.hobbyco.net At first glance, this appears to be another of Dragon’s ‘paper panzer’ projects, but at least 30 s.IG 33/2armed Hetzers were built. With the firm’s ‘mix-and-match’ approach, one is treated to runners from its s.IG.33, 38(t) Ausf.G, Hetzer and Bison; just one is specific to this boxing, supplying a new gun shield, ammunition box and exhaust.
Extras include an aluminium barrel (with rifling) and a small PE fret for the exhaust grille. This means one gets a fully detailed interior and transmission, plus Dragon’s stunning 15cm s.IG.33/2(Sf) gun and mount. Link-and-length tracks are supplied, along with optional side-skirt plates (three per side). Unsurprisingly, given the lack of information on this variant, the three schemes depict unidentified vehicles from 1944, clad in overall Dark Yellow, standard three-tone camouflage or a coat of winter whitewash. 1/72
MONSTER FLAK
Germany WWII E-100 Flakpanzer with Flak 88 By: Modelcollect Item no: UA72067 Price: US $21.99 Web: www.modelcollect.com Modelcollect’s ‘what-if’ series of E-100-based projects continues with its twin-barrel 8.8cm Flakpanzer. One receives the standard runners for the baseline E-100, minus the upper hull and turret, and a new set of parts is added to produce this huge selfpropelled anti-aircraft gun. True to Modelcollect’s fastidiousness, the barrels are turned-brass
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NIPPY SCOUT
Marmon-Herrington Mk.II MFF By: Attack Kits Item no: 72901 Price: £11.99 Web: www.attack-kits.eu/en Builders of larger-scale armour subjects are well served when it comes to Marmon-Herrington armoured cars, but until Attack Kits’ 1/72 offering, there had been no styrene offerings in the smaller size. There’s just a single runner, and while the detail is crisp, flash must be removed from most of the tinier parts, especially those with any openings (notably the radiator grille and turret). The interior is
BRITISH BATTLER
items, and there are two PE brass frets for the engine grilles and infra-red night sight mount. Single-length soft-styrene tracks are supplied, and they feature crisp moulding, sharing this characteristic with the rest of the parts, although unlike other releases, it lacks metal springs so there's no option for workable suspension. The generic decal sheet (common to all the firm's German armour kits) provides a variety of turret numbers, kill rings and Balkenkreuze, and the single scheme is for a notional machine with three-tone camouflage.
View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
Centurion Mk.III By: Milicast Item no: UK312 Price: £25 Web: www.milicast.com Considering the main hull and running gear (including tracks) is cast as a single item, this is a surprisingly busy Centurion Mk.III from Milicast. The casting is sublime, notably that one-piece hull, which features crisp grilles, tracks and suspension, while the stowage boxes even have representations of hinges…most impressive, given its size. More fastidious modellers may
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devoid of fittings, and if one builds this with the driver’s hatch open, it may be worth adding seats and a representation of interior bulkheads. This is an unusual subject, but once components have been prepared, assembly should be quick and easy. Three schemes are provided; a single Light Stone-coloured machine and two overall olive green vehicles: • S.7 ‘Digh Merer’, British Army, North Africa, summer 1941 • RHQ, South African Army, East Africa, 1941 • South African Army, East Africa, February 1941 1/76
wish to add a plastic card lower hull plate (as otherwise its hollow), but once the turret and driver’s hatch are attached, this isn’t immediately apparent. To prevent the gun barrel from warping, it’s cast with an integral brass rod, but once painted this won’t be apparent; the hollow muzzle is a neat feature, too. The instructions are basic, but adequate, and extra guidance is available at www. milicast.com for scratch-building tow cables. No schemes or decals are supplied, so one must buy aftermarket products.
ON THE SHELF MILITARY KITS
UP-GUNNED PATTON
IDF Magach 3 By: Dragon Item no: 3567 Price: £49.99 Web: www.hobbyco.net Dragon’s fascination with Israeli armour continues with the Magach 3…an M48 armed with a British L7 105mm gun in place of the original 90mm weapon. Compared to the earlier Magach (Military Reviews, February 2017), there are minimal changes; a new sub-section of Runner M, new item N (supplying the L7 parts) and different photo-
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etched metal. Exterior detail is sublime, with crisp M48 components and the mantlet cover supplied as a five-piece DS-Styrene unit; the tracks come in the same material. It’s a shame the interior is neglected, though, as it would highlight the cramped nature of the turret due to the larger gun. The four overall Sinai Gray machines include: • Gimel 10, 46th Bn, 401st Bde, 1967 • Beth 1, ‘Daied’ (4th) Coy, 46th Bn, 35th Paratrooper Bde, 1967 • 2, ‘Daied’ (4th) Coy, 46th Bn, 401st Bde, 1967
PROTOTYPE PREDATOR
Panther Ausf.D V2 Versuchsserie By: Dragon Item no: 6830 Price: £54.99 Web: www.hobbyco.net At first glance, Dragon’s Panther Ausf.D V2 is surprising, as it was released originally in 2015 as #6822. However, new research revealed inaccuracies and, commendably, the firm has tweaked and repackaged the moulds. New parts are supplied on a bespoke runner, concerned with rear stowage boxes and the exhaust silencer/heat shield. DS-Styrene tracks are provided,
HOLY HOPPER
M7 Priest/Kangaroo By: Italeri Item no: 7513 Price: £10.99 Web: www.hobbyco.net First released in 2009 as a ‘Fast Assembly Kit’, Italeri’s M7 Priest/ Kangaroo has been re-issued with markings for five nationalities. Although developed for wargaming, with sufficient parts for two kits (a choice between Priest self-propelled artillery and Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier), it’s a well-detailed package…with minor fettling, the
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result is an impressive small-scale armour duet. The Priest’s 105mm gun is well-rendered, as are the ammunition stowage racks and spare rounds, and small measures such as judicious thinning of the hull sides, and removal of the figure base, will yield splendid results. Seven schemes are supplied, and they include: • Priest, S169311, British Army, Mediterranean Theatre, 1943 • Priest, IAI, Free French Army, Cassino, Italy, 1944 • Kangaroo, T214613, New Zealand Army, northern Italy, 1945
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and these feature pleasing detail on the tread, while allowing a degree of flexibility on fitting. Disappointingly, the prototype's upper hull parts lack ancillary equipment and exhibit poor quality; weld seams are nonexistent, and panel joins are overscale; it’s as if a less-skilled firm has joined the equation. There's also flash on the engine vents, and the comparatively coarse runners bear little resemblance to the usual fare. A mix of prototype and ‘what-if’ schemes feature, with varying camouflage, including a striking machine in red primer.
HEAVY METAL LOVER
British Infantry Tank Mk.III/ Valentine MK.II/IV By: Tamiya Item no: 35352 Price: £36.99 Web: www.hobbyco.net Tamiya’s new Valentine isn’t the first of this early war type, but has advantages over its competitors; ease of construction (with at least 80 fewer parts) and the firm’s exacting engineering. Unsurprisingly, the parts are superb, with crisp detail and restrained texture on the turret sides to emulate cast metal. Well researched, it features accurate pressed-steel road wheels, different
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mudguard styles (for vehicles with/ without side skirts), and a two-piece barrel (allowing for a hollow muzzle). In a welcome move, the tracks are supplied as link-and-length items, instead of Tamiya’s usual vinyl bands. It’s a shame there’s no interior, not even a breech for the 2-pdr (40mm) gun, but the two figures are more than sufficient to embellish the turret hatches. The three liveries are: • T.47242, White 3, 4th Royal Tank Regt, British Army, North Africa, 1941-42 • 35-51, Red Army, southern sector, Eastern Front, 1942 • 3A/52, Red Army
View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com 89
ON THE SHELF FIGURES
RAPID-FIRE TOMMIES
1/76 there are two spare bayonets. While this would be perfect in a period diorama, these could also form an instant vignette.
British Lewis Gun Team By: W^D Models Item no: WD45 Price: £8.25 Web: www.wdmodels.com This excellent five-figure set from W^D Models depicts a British World War One Lewis gun team. Four of the troops are three-piece assemblies (separate arm and head), each carrying a Lee-Enfield .303 rifle, while the Lewis gunner is a five-part item, with separate machine gun, ammunition drum, arm and head. A choice of head styles is offered, either steel helmet or cloth peaked cap, and
FACING THE STORM
WARTIME HITCH-HIKING
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Soldier of Border Guard Corps 1939 By: Toro Model Item no: 35F91 Price: €10 Web: www.toro-model.com Useful for individual display, or as part of a vignette or diorama, Toro’s figure portrays a Polish Border Guard in long winter coat. As the figure is that of a Polish soldier in 1939, he wouldn’t hold that relatively relaxed pose for long. The resin is sharply defined, with enough folds and creases in the coat to offer interesting shading potential, while the ammunition pouches are well detailed too. Facial features are reasonably strong, but the rifle, being quite thin, was warped in our sample; hot water could fix the problem if encountered.
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Vietnam Helicopter Crew Member By: Werner’s Wings Item no: Figure 2 Price: US $16 Web: www.wernerswings.com Former US Army helicopter pilot Floyd Werner knows his stuff when it comes to his country’s military rotorcraft. Besides his Werner’s Wings brand accessories, Floyd also offers figures to pose with helicopter models, and this 1/35 Vietnamera chopper crewman is a worthy product. The subject wears a flight suit with SRU-21P vest and comes with a SPH-4 helmet (visor down, but this could be removed completely). Alternative heads are also offered, so one can have the subject sans helmet. A holstered pistol also features, and a choice of separate left arms are cast with M16
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CHOPPER DUDE
ARDENNES BATTLERS?
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and M60 armament. One must scratch-build the boom mike on the helmet, but the figure is perfect for posing with a Cayuse, Cobra or Huey.
POUR LA REVOLUTION
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US Infantry (winter uniform) By: Italeri Item no: 6133 Price: £8.99 Web: www.hobbyco.net
Soviet Tank Riders (1943-1945) By: ICM Item no: 35640 Price: £7.99 Web: www.icm.com.ua Having delighted and confounded modellers in equal measure with its eclectic choices of figures, ICM has returned to ‘normal’ fare with this set of Red Army soldiers hitching a ride. There are four subjects (a Sergeant and three Privates), and three are equipped with the PPSh-41 sub-machine gun, while the fourth has a PPS weapon; all wear padded Telogrieka cold-weather tunics and trousers and carry knapsacks, water bottles and canvas pouches. The first-rate mouldings feature crisp boundaries between uniform and belts and the poses are typically ICM– varied and realistic. As always, it’s the finer details that impress, such as the different bravery medals worn by three soldiers, including Order of Glory and ‘For Courage’ and ‘For Battle Merit’ awards.
View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
A total of 36 troops packs this set...useful for gamers, and modellers who build small-scale subjects for pure display. The moulding is crisp, and certainly better than ‘plastic soldiers’ of yesteryear; although one must remove mould tags and bases from every figure if adding to an authentic-looking scene. All wear mixed winter gear, so are ideal for portraying personnel engaged in ‘The Battle of the Bulge’, and various clothing and armament options are provided. The latter include the Browning Automatic Rifle, Thompson, M1 Garand and .30 cal machine gun. Overshoes are evident, and there are kneeling poses but no prone soldiers whatsoever…and scarves and gloves are absent!
French Line Infantry (1812-1815) By: Zvezda Item no: 6802 Price: £4.50 Web: www.hobbyco.net Equally at home in a period diorama or as a wargaming accessory, Zvezda’s 1/72 French Line Infantry set supplies six multi-part figures, all clad in late Napoleonic-era uniform. The crisply moulded soldiers (which have separate bases) are equipped with bedrolls and packs, and each carries a 1777 Charleville musket with bayonet. Two infantrymen are depicted as if marching (with shouldered weapons), a second pair is posed firing while standing, while the remaining figures are walking forward (with the musket held to port and in the ready carry position respectively). These are described as snap-fit items, so no glue should be necessary during assembly.
1:72 NORTH AMERICAN P-51D MUSTANG™ A01004A NORTH AMERICAN P-51D MUSTANG™ Without question, the North American P-51D Mustang was one of the finest fighter aircraft of the Second World War and helped to secure air superiority for the Allies over occupied Europe. Able to escort USAAF bombers all the way to their targets deep into Germany, Mustang pilots would pounce on any Luftwaffe fighters sent to challenge them.
The distinctive ‘blue nosers’ of the Bodney based 352nd Fighter Group became one of the most decorated USAAF units of the Second World War, producing many of the leading aces of the European Theatre. As the war progressed, these accomplished pilots were prevented from increasing their victory tallies due to a marked lack of Luftwaffe aircraft to engage in combat.
Length 136mm Width 157mm Pieces 53
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ON THE SHELF DECAL SHEETS
RADIAL POWERHOUSE
Hawker Sea Fury Collection By: Xtradecal Item no: X48175 Price: £7.99 Web: www.hannants.co.uk It’s pleasing to see Hannants’ own Xtradecal label getting
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ahead of the game, with six sets of markings printed with Airfix’s forthcoming quarter-scale Sea Fury in mind. While the expected Fleet Air Arm FB.11 livery is welcome, those wanting something different are treated to schemes for Dutch, Australian, Moroccan, Canadian and Cuban aircraft. National insignia for all options is provided, and the subjects are: • FB.11, WG629/136/T, 807 NAS, RN, HMS Theseus, June 1952 • FB.11, TF994/BC-C, 803 NAS, RCN, HMCS Magnificent, August 16, 1948 • FB.50, 6-16, 860 Sqn, Royal Netherlands Navy, 1951 • FB.11, 115/NW, Royal Australian Navy, Bankstown, 1968 • FB.60, Moroccan AF, Rabat-Sale, October 1978 • FB.11, FAR42, Cuban AF, 1969
LEGENDARY HAULER C-47 By: Kits-World Item no: KW172131 Price: £10.20 Web: www.kitsworld.co.uk Any C-47 kit will be enlivened by these new decals, which offer two schemes in the classic Olive Drab over Neutral Gray…both with invasion stripes. Both liveries supplied echo current warbirds, but the second is generally considered to be the most
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historically documented combat aircraft of World War Two. The decals themselves display great printing, richness of colour and impressive detail. The liveries are: • C-47B, 43-48608/B/U5 ‘Betsey’s Biscuit Bomber’, Estrella Warbird Museum, California, USA • C-47, 42-32832 ‘Sky King’, 53rd TCS (3A), Mt Pleasant, Texas, USA
View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
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THIRTIES CLASSIC Cutiss P-6E Hawk USAAC PT.3 By: Starfighter Decals Item no: 72-151 Price: US $7 Web: www.starfighterdecals.com These beautifully printed decals are designed to fit Monogram’s old P-6E, or the Accurate Miniatures re-boxing of the former firm’s parts. This harks back to the age where US Army Air Corps aircraft wore the very pretty Olive Drab and yellow paint, but these aircraft in particular are also enlivened by black and white markings on the nose, 17th PS ‘Snow Owl’ decals in the same shades on the fuselage, and the common red and white rudder striping. The detail within the unit badges is sublime, and there is a full complement of decals
(including national insignia), for three aircraft. These, all based at Selfridge Field, Michigan, are: • P-6E, 32-268, Lt GF Schlatter • P-6E, 32-274 • P-6E, 32-264
BAKER’S DOZEN OF SWALLOWS Messerschmitt Me 262A-1a/U3/ A-2a By: Xtradecal Item no: X72269 Price: £7.99 Web: www.hannants.co.uk A single build of Airfix’s forthcoming Me 262 won’t be enough, considering the stunning variety offered by Xtradecal’s new sheet. These markings can, of course, also be used on other manufacturers’ kits of the single-seat Schwalbe (Swallow). This package gives schemes that are representative of the type’s camouflage throughout its short combat career, as well as a Czech post-war example. Famous Me 262 exponents are also included, for fans of wellknown aces. Among the 13 liveries, there’s also a captured aircraft; a crosssection includes: • Me 262A-1a, Red 13, Heinz Bär, III./EJG 2, Lechfeld, 1945 • Me 262A-1a, Green 1, Rudolf Sinner, Stab III./
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JG 7, Jan-Feb 1945 • Me 262A-1a/U3, White outline 34, III./EJG 2, Lechfeld • Me 262A-1a, Yellow 5, KG(J) 54, Giebelstadt, 1945 • S-92, PL-01, Anti-Aircraft Establishment, Czechoslavakia, 1950s • Me 262A-2, B3+EK, 2./KG(J) 54, Giebelstadt, 1945
ON THE SHELF DECAL SHEETS
RED STAR RISING
Victory Falcons: La-7 Aces By: Foxbot Decals Item no: 48-005 Price: £8.70 Web: www.foxbot.co.ua Certain World War Two aircraft types are renowned for the attractive colour schemes, and one such example is the Soviet Lavochkin La-7. Besides the pleasing camouflage, many were
1/48 instantly more attractive due to wing/tail bands, extensive cowling paint, nose art and patriotic slogans. Here, Ukraine’s Foxbot offers five Russian subjects from 1945, all in dark grey and bluegrey over light blue. The sharpness of printing is commendable, and the carrier film thin and glossy. White stripes on two of the machines are supplied in decal form, but one could easily paint these instead. Paint codes for three brands are quoted, along with FS numbers: • White/red 14, Maj AV Alelyukhin, Guards Fighter Regt • White/red 12, Maj FM Kosolapov, 937 Fighter Regt, Poland • White/red 24, Maj Amet Khan Sultan, 9 Guards Fighter Regt, East Prussia • White 44, Maj VI Kovalev, 482 Fighter Regt, Poland • Red/white 67, Capt PM Boykov, 113 Guards Fighter Regt, Czechoslovakia
MUDHENS IN COMBAT
F-15E Strike Eagle – Iraq Freedom Part 1 By: LPS Hobby Item no: LPM72-37 Price: US $15 Web: www.lpshobby.com Regardless of one’s chosen kit (F-15Es have been produced by Academy, Hasegawa, Airfix, AMT and others), this comprehensive set of decals gives extra choice… especially if one wants to model a jet that’s been involved in
ARMOUR BOSSES Befehlspanzer By: Star Decals Item no: 35-C 1062 Price: US $8 Web: www.stardecals.net Particularly useful considering Dragon has just released a Panther Ausf. G Befehlswagen (command tank) kit, these decals are worth inspecting. Decals for six schemes are supplied, with all but one wearing three-colour camouflage (the other is in overall Dunkelgelb). The choice of tanks ensures varied and interesting liveries, and there are different side-skirt armour options; full, partial or none. Star’s instructions also advise as to which vehicles sported Zimmerit. The Panthers are: • Black IN3, Stab I/Pz-Rgt.26 (attached to Grossdeutchland), Latvia, summer, 1944
FAMOUS AIRCREW
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actual combat. LPS’s sheet offers two representative aircraft from the US Air Force’s SJ-coded 336th FS/4th FW, which participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom (the Second Gulf War). These machines wear standard FS 36118 Medium Gunship Gray, and a full set of stencils and national insignia is provided for each airframe. This is a comprehensive sheet, although our sample had a slightly rough texture…but stencilling for nav/targeting pods is given. The two schemes are: • 89-0485/SJ (Memphis Belle facsimile nose art) • 87-0195/SJ (Marvin the Martian nose art)
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Stars in the Sky 3 By: Iliad Design Item no: 72017 Price: US $12 Web: www.iliad-design.com It’s been a while since Iliad’s first two instalments of colour schemes representing aircraft crewed by celebrities, so it’s pleasing to see
• Yellow I82, Stab I.Pz-Rgt.35, 4.Pz-Div, Poland, 1944 • Red/white 003, Stab schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 654, France, November 1944 • Black/white 151, Stab I./SS-PzRgt.1, 1.SS-Pz-Div. LSSAH, Belgium, December 1944 • Black/white 99, Stab SS-PzRgt.2, 2.SS-Pz.Div. Das Reich, Belgium, January 1945 • Black/white AJ9, Stab SS-Pz-Rgt.9, 9. SS Pz-Div. Hohenstaufen, Hungary, March 1945
1/72 this third helping…even though the personalities might be more recognisable to US readers. The ‘stars’ in question are Robert Clothier, who acted in the CBC series The Beachcombers, and New York Yankees baseball infielder Jerry Coleman. There’s also Dean Paul Martin, a member of the 1960s group Dino, Desi and Billy (he later turned to acting), and actor Tim Holt, famous for his westerns including The Treasure of the Sierra Madre – in which he starred alongside Humphrey Bogart. The respective aircraft are: • Lancaster B.II, LL722/ EQ-N, 408 Sqn, RCAF • AU-1 Corsair, 1291358, WS/8, VMA-323, US Marines, Korean War • F-4C Phantom II, 66-40923, California Air National Guard, 1987 • B-29 Superfortress, 44-70018/ P59 ‘City of Munroe’, 62nd BS, 39th BG, Sept 5, 1945
View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com 93
ON THE SHELF ACCESSORIES
WINDOW BLING
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MIRAGE WEAPON
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Farman F.190 Masks and Chrome Rims By: Arctic Decals Item no: ARC72-FR04 Price: €6 Web: www.arcticdecals.com Designed to fit SBS Model’s offering, this neat package from Arctic Decals greatly simplifies painting the porthole-style fuselage windows. Cutting circles is never the easiest of tasks, particularly such small sizes, and this aftermarket product removes the need for this. One just applies the pre-cut vinyl mask over the transparency before applying the airframe colour, and once dry, adds the chrome-plated framing.
UPGRADED TRAINER
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HMS Leander Detail Set By: Atlantic Models Item no: ATEM 60002 Price: £9.50 Web: www.atlanticmodels.net
MATRA R 530 By: PJ Production Item no: 481221 Price: €11.40 Web: www.pjproduction.net Any 1/48 French Mirage F.1, III or F-8 Crusader would benefit from this neatly cast resin missile. It comes with an LM 14 pylon, and alternative seeker head sections for infra-red or semi-active radar homing. The forward fins and two of the main fins come as separate items, and the former in particular are delicate and will need care while removing them from the casting blocks. If arming a Mirage F.1 or F-8, you’ll need two missiles.
ASSISTED ESCAPE
Revell’s new Hawk T.1 benefits from Eduard’s PE update, which supplies the usual bevy of extras for the cockpit and undercarriage bays, while addressing the kit’s shortcomings. Chief among these is the overly thin side consoles, and the PE replacements add the necessary width, while the nosewheel bay receives a new eight-piece ‘ceiling’. There are options for Red Arrows or standard training airframe, and extra details are supplied for the canopy, main undercarriage legs, and ejection seats.
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Anyone who bought last month’s issue will have seen our build of Tanmodel’s splendid RF-84F. The kit comes with the standard ejection seat, but CMK’s new resin offering is designed for Tanmodel’s product, and represents the Martin-Baker Mk.5 unit fitted to upgraded Thunderflash aircraft in European service. Via crisp casting, vital features such as the main gun, barostatic time release unit and cushion/ backrest are rendered, but note there are no belts or firing handles…these must be scratchbuilt or found on the aftermarket.
View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
Modellers with Airfix’s 1/600 HMS Leander will appreciate this stunning photo-etched brass update set, which comprises more than 100 parts, and will transform the appearance of this classic kit. While the styrene davits, radars and yardarms receive replacements (the Type 965 is amazingly intricate), there is also a full complement of railings, safety nets and even three-piece Seacat missiles; however, hatches and doors are available separately (ATEM 60006). For those wanting to build Dutch or Australian-operated vessels, a full LW-02 radar and mount are supplied.
BETTER VISION
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WIRE STORAGE
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Cable Reels Big By: Plus Model Item no: 4050 Price: €12.30 Web: www.plusmodel.cz Plus Model has already impressed us with its smaller cable reels, but has now 'gone big'. Utilising the same wraparound construction as the other holders (see Accessories May/August 2016), the laser-cut wood provides instant realism, as there’s no need to replicate grain. Extra detail is provided via resin bolts and laser-cut card washers, and then it’s just a matter of staining and/or painting the wood.
STING IN THE WING
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RF-84F Thunderflash Correction Martin-Baker GY/GT5 Seat By: CMK Item no: Q 48269 Price: €4 Web: www.cmkkits.com Hawk T.1 By: Eduard Item no: 73550 Price: €18.95 Web: www.eduard.com
1/600 FRIGATE EMBELLISHMENT
Window Wipers By: Hauler Item no: HLX48374 Price: €6.59 Web: www.hauler.cz Properly scaled windscreen wipers are one of those essential items that ensure authenticity on vehicles and aircraft. While some firms mould them integrally with the glazing, which is a challenge to paint neatly, others leave them out in their entirety. Helpfully, Hauler has come to the rescue with this neat selection of six styles/sizes of blades and armatures, offering between ten and 20 of each. Just twist the blade through 90° and it’s ready to attach; these are also available in 1/72 (HLH72026) and 1/87 (HLR87110) scales.
Tempest – Armament set for starboard side wing By: CMK Item no: 5109 Price: €20.80 Web: www.cmkkits.com Special Hobby’s Tempest kits are, ahem, pretty special…but any kit can stand to have extra detail added. So, sister firm CMK has released this highly impressive gun bay package. It’s a busy affair, with 20 resin pieces that include the bay floor and walls, covering wing panels, gun breeches, and loaded ammunition troughs, plus smaller details and a photoetched brass fret. Surgery on the kit wing is necessary, obviously, but the effort will be well worth it…and the quality of the mastering and casting is first rate.
MODEL MART
CLASSIFIEDS
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Home of Blue Max and Pegasus Models Online shop for kits, decals ands accessories www.freightdogmodels.co.uk +44 (0) 1342 716004 Fairlight, Sandy Lane, Crawley Down, Crawley, RH10 4HX
Airfix & Revell kits: 1/72 Tanks & Planes, 1/48 Planes, Ships – various Cars- 1/24, 1/25 & 1/32. Paint- enamel & acrylic, weathering powders, washes, glues, Plastruct, balsa wood, scenery, abrasives & tools. 10A Church Street, Basingstoke, Hants RG21 7QE, 01256 358060 Mail Order Welcome Mon-Sat 09.30-17.30 Closed Tuesdays
BOOKS
We carry many makes & scales of model kits, plus Vallejo acrylic paints Tel: 01226 208654
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Over 11,000 products in stock covering all aspects of model making.
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www.airfixmodelworld.com 95
ON THE SHELF ACCESSORIES
IMPROVED ARTILLERY
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GOONEY BIRD GLAZING
EASY-FIT BRASS
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SCHWALBE RESIN
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Douglas Dakota Paint Masks By: Thunderbird Models Item no: TBM-010 Price: £2.95 Web: thunderbirdmodels.co.uk
British AS-90 Self-Propelled Howitzer Detail-Up Set By: Tetra Model Works Item no: ME-035046 Price: US $25 Web: www.tetramodel.co.kr Trumpeter’s AS-90 has been around since 2002, and although it’s good for its time, Tetra Model Works’ fine update set brings it bang up to date. The two photo-etched (PE) brass frets are augmented with a length of braided wire for the tow cable, and is aimed at more experienced modellers. Notably, the kit’s styrene and vinyl mesh stowage basket is replaced in its entirety with PE, and the turret receives a plethora of brass items to improve its appearance, including a choice of open/closed ammunition box (with belt-fed rounds) for the GPMG.
ROLL, PITCH AND YAW
On many kits, rudders, ailerons and elevators don’t often have scale sharpness. This trait can be ensured, though, on 1/48 ICM and Alanger MiG-3s via Brengun’s resin items. A bonus is that here, the firm also provides replacement horizontal stabiliser parts, on which the elevators fit, and lightening holes are cast into them. One will have to reduce the plastic on the kit’s vertical tail, to fit the new rudder properly.
Ju 88A-4 Exterior By: Eduard Item no: 48894 Price: €22.45 Web: www.eduard.com Although ICM’s Ju 88s have generally mixed reviews, one gripe concerns the lack of grilles on the front faces of the engines, but thankfully Eduard has provided these items in its photo-etched (PE) brass fret. The powerplants receive plenty of attention, including new nacelle access doors, ignition cabling and exhaust refinements. One advantage with this product is the minimal cutting needed to fit the PE components, with minor fettling of trim-tab actuators and door hinges being all that’s required.
NEW AGE PAVEWAY
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MiG-3 control surfaces By: Brengun Item no: BRL 48027 Price: €9.76 Web: www.brengun.cz
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These pre-cut vinyl masks should be a boon to modellers building Airfix’s DC-3 or C-47 kits, providing landing light covers as well as the airframe glazing. While it may not have a detailed guide to application, the layout is intuitive, with items for fuselage windows occupying most of the upper three rows, along with landing lights, and windscreen covers on the bottom row. It’s suggested the masks can be left on for up to six months, but for best results they should be removed as soon as possible, thus preventing any paint buildup along the edges.
IMPROVED LEGACY BUG
Radu Brinzan’s collection of improvements for Revell’s new 1/32 Me 262 continues, with this pair of neatly cast resin bomb racks. They come with integral locating pins and separate sway braces, and should add a welcome touch of class to this large-scale Luftwaffe subject.
NAVAL ATTACKER
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F/A-18C Exterior By: Eduard Item no: 48898 Price: €22.45 Web: www.eduard.com Eduard has been quick off the mark with photo-etched brass improvements for Kinetic’s F/A18C Hornet, and this exterior set supplies all necessary grilles and vents to replace the kit’s styrene representations. The nosewheel bay also gains refinement to the sidewalls, while a new arrester hook tip is included. There’s a complete access ladder provided, which is far superior to the styrene offering, and a full set of ‘slime’ formation lights for the fuselage and wingtips. As a bonus, there are sufficient extra ALE-47 units for at least one additional airframe.
View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
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Me 262 Bomb Racks By: RB Productions Item no: RB-C32007 Price: €12.50 Web: www.radubstore.com
GBU-12 bomb By: Eduard Item no: 632072 Price: €14.95 Web: www.eduard.com Super-fine casting makes these four GBU-12s from Eduard a splendid armament option for 1/32 modern jet builds. All parts are in resin, save for the handy photo-etched brass templates provided, to help align the guidance section with the body. Alternative gimbal heads, with and without protective covers, are also supplied, as are stencil decals (not shown here). The rendering of the stowed flip-out rear fins is excellent.
Super Etendard By: Eduard Item no: 49791 Price: €18.95 Web: www.eduard.com If Kitty Hawk’s generally pleasing 1/48 Super Etendard is on one’s build list, but even more detail is desired, Eduard’s photo-etched metal set is a great place to start. The pre-coloured parts are mostly for the cockpit and comprise an instrument panel, side consoles and sidewall features, and fittings for the ejection seat, but there is also canopy embellishment. Plain brass items include spoiler/airbrake inserts, extras for the undercarriage legs and bays, and wheels.
ON THE SHELF RECENTLY RELEASED
DRAGON
672148 AGM-114 Hellfire
35569 Café Furniture and Crockery
1/35 36354 M40 US Self-propelled 155mm Gun (Tamiya)
(www.hobbyco.net) 1/35 6854 IJA Type 4 Light Tank ‘Ke Nu’
35570 Railroad Power Poles and Lamps 37012 T-54-2 Soviet Medium Tank Mod 1949
672149 R-60/AA-8 Aphid SS409 T-33 SA (Platz) 6815 Vollkettenaufklarer 38 w 7.5cm Kanone 51 L24
1/48 48916 Typhoon Mk.Ib Upgrade (Hasegawa/Eduard) 82131 SE.5a Wolseley Viper 648275 CBU-97 648278 MC.202 Undercarriage Bay (Hasegawa/Eduard) 648279 Bf 109F Cockpit (Eduard)
6847 Befehls Panther Ausf G
EDUARD (www.eduard.com)
1/32 632090 Mosquito FB Mk.VI Engines (Tamiya)
FOXBOT DECALS (www.foxbot.com.ua) 1/72 72-004 Digital Su-27UB & Su-27S
37014 T-54-1 Mod 1947
72-005 La-5FN
38008 German Passenger Car Typ 170V Saloon 4 Doors
FM72-004 Digital Su-27UBM1
648280 AGM-114 Hellfire
1/48
648282 Bf 109F Wheels (Eduard)
48-023 La-5FN Part I
648296 SE.5a Propeller Two-blade Left (Eduard)
48-026 Digital Su-27UB
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648297 SE.5a Propeller Two-blade Right (Eduard)
53183 USS Iwo Jima LHD-7 Pt.2 (Trumpeter)
648298 SE.5a Radiator – Wolseley Viper (Eduard)
53184 USS Iwo Jima LHD-7 Pt.3 (Trumpeter)
648299 SE.5a Guns (Eduard)
FM48-004 Digital Su-27UBM1
ITALERI (www.hobbyco.net) 1/48 2733 H-21C Shawnee Flying Banana
648300 Bf 109F Engine and Fuselage Guns (Eduard)
(www.pocketbond.co.uk)
648303 AIM-9G/H Sidewinder
2050 Maus V2
1/35
1/72
1/24
7431 Spitfire Mk.IXc late version
3905 Mercedes Benz Actross MP4 GigaSpace
72649 Spitfire Mk.IIa Landing Flaps (Revell) 73588 Spitfire Mk.IIa (Revell)
TAKOM
TETRA MODEL WORKS
648305 Spitfire Mk.IX Top Cowl early (Eduard)
(www.tetramodel.com) 1/700
648306 Spitfire Mk.IX Top Cowl late (Eduard)
SA-70012 IJN Aircraft Carrier Ryujo – 2nd Upgrade Flight Deck (Aoshima)
648308 Bf 109F Undercarriage Legs Bronze (Eduard)
SE-70015 IJN Aircraft Carrier Ryujo – 2nd Upgrade (Aoshima)
MINIART (www.miniart-models.com) 1/35 35229 Jagdpanzer SU-85(r) with Crew
SE-70016 IJN Seaplane Tender Akitsushima Detail-up Set (Pit-Road) 1/72 ME-72006 M983 HEMTT Tractor (Model Collect/Aoshima) 1/48
672126 Spitfire Mk.IX Engine (Eduard) 672129 CBU-105 672134 Spitfire Mk.IX Undercarriage Legs Bronze (Eduard)
ME-48001 JGSDF Type 10 Tank (Tamiya) 648315 Typhoon Mk.I Exhaust Stacks w/ fairing (Hasegawa/Eduard) EX547 H-21C Shawnee mask (Italeri)
1/35 ME-35047 US Tank Destroyer M10 (Tamiya)
View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com 97
PLASTIC SURGERY ASK THE EXPERTS
Quiz AMW’s team of contributors, regarding your own modelling mysteries... sometimes hard to control and Humbrol Liquid Poly, which doesn’t always stick…chromed parts being the worst. I’ve tried smaller amounts of glue, leaving it to set for a while before joining the parts and applying with a cotton bud stick…which started to melt and stuck to the model. It’s frustrating!” Patrick Nestor Manchester
NEATER GLUING
Quest for a finer finish
Q
“Last year I invested in an airbrush when I decided to try modelling again after 30 years. I’ve chosen a Tamiya Lotus 25, using that company’s paints. After numerous false starts I’ve got the hang of spraying, but my
real problem is assembling painted parts/sub-assemblies. No matter which method I’ve tried, the glue gets on a painted surface and destroys my hard work. I’m using Revell Contacta Professional mini, which is
RIGGING
Wires in the wind
Q
“I’m a keen reader of AMW and would like to construct 1/72 and 1/48 biplanes, but I’m deterred by the ‘mysteries’ of rigging such models. I would appreciate any advice on products, adhesives and how to go about rigging itself.” Richard Culpeck Thatcham, Berks
AMW’s Chris Jones replies: “Although I don’t claim to fully enjoy the process, it is enormously satisfying to step back and behold a fully rigged aircraft, so I would encourage you to have a go. The first step is to use a pin vice with 0.3mm drill bit to make small holes where all the wires will go, but do take care to not drill all the
Editor Chris Clifford answers: Experience has taught me that with Humbrol’s ‘Poly’, it’s better to shun the clumsy lid-mounted brush provided, and select a fine paintbrush instead, which is much more accurate for application. Tamiya’s Extra Thin Cement comes with a very fine brush, so that’s another option. Cyanoacrylate (Super Glue et al) also has its uses here, and should
way through the wings. Once the biplane (or triplane) is together, painted and fully assembled, the fun can begin… I use a cocktail stick to apply a tiny drop of quick drying, medium thickness cyanoacrylate (for example, Loctite Super Glue Brush-On) to the end of E-Z Line Fine Smoke Colour invisible mending thread, before thinnosed tweezers are used to insert the thread into the first hole. After leaving it for 10-20 seconds, the wire is stretched across to the hole on the other side to check the length. E-Z line does stretch by an incredible margin, so it often needs trimming. Once happy with the length, the procedure is repeated by applying another minute drop of Super Glue to the other end of the wire. This is inserted into the adjacent hole and held in place for 10-20 seconds to allow the bond to harden and overcome the tension in the thread. One down, another 34 wires to go!’’
be applied with a cocktail stick or aftermarket applicator tool. One sure-fire way to achieve neater gluing is to avoid paint getting on the mating surfaces, with the help of very thin strips of masking tape, which can then be removed just before gluing. If you want to avoid such labour, simply remove any paint carefully from mating surfaces with abrasive paper, a sanding stick or file. One tip with chrome parts though: these are notorious for not reacting well with glue… but the chrome is usually much too garish anyway and most serious car modellers strip the plating by bathing the parts in bleach. They usually then spray the components with a more realistic metallic shade. So, strip the chrome, rinse thoroughly, assemble, then paint.” Do you have a modelling conundrum regarding techniques or references? If so, why not quiz our band of contributors, history writers and industry contacts? Simply send your query via e-mail (with The Plastic Surgery in the subject line), to:
[email protected], or a typed letter by post to: The Plastic Surgery, Airfix Model World, Key Publishing Ltd, PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1XQ, United Kingdom. Please provide your postal address. Each question printed will receive a selection of Ultimate Modelling’s sanding sticks worth approximately £15. For further details on Ultimate Modelling Products, please visit www.umpretail.com Sponsored by
* * THENEXT NEXT ISSUE SALE: JUNE 1, 2017 THE ISSUE ISIS ONON SALE: FEBRUARY 4, 2016 *UK scheduled on sale date. Please note that overseas deliveries are likely to occur after this date.
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