For Modellers by Modellers August 2017 Volume 21 Number 10 UK price: £4.75 l
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BIG BAD BEAR Paper Panzer Scratchbuild. LITTLE & LARGE
Chieftain MBT and Vickers Mk.VI. Focus on Ukraine’s Super Tank.
T-84
AND LOTS MORE...
News, Reviews and Modelling Tips
Military & Civil Aviation – Military Weapons & Equipment – Naval Vessels
Abrams Squad The Modern Modelling Magazine 20 Operation Desert Storm, This issue: AMX-56 Leclerc in Lebanon, Typhoon-U 1:72, T-55 Polish Peacemaker, War memorial of Korea. SB 76pp £9.99
New Vanguard 247 Soviet Lend-Lease Tanks of World War II S Zaloga Examines the different types of tanks shipped to the Soviet Union during the war. Contains cut-away illustrations and artwork. SB 48pp £10.99
Chinese Power F Vallejo Detailed study of tanks of the People’s Liberation Army since its origins. Including the Type 97 Chi-Ha Type 58 Medium Tank plus many others. Colour throughout. SB 242pp £32.99
Naval Archives Vol.5 (92005) Includes: King George V Battleships The Sommergibili Under Black Colours The Zulu Class USS Harry S.Truman Battleship HMS Barham Heavy Cruiser Lutzow. SB 84pp £13.99
Soviet T-10 Heavy Tank and Variants J Kinnear This study is written from original Russian and Ukrainian primary source documents that have only recently been made available. HB 232pp £25.00
Campaign 309 Shanghai and Nanjing 1937 B Lai Tells the story of the Japanese assault on Nanjing and Shanghai one of the bloodiest battles of the entire Sino-Japanese War. SB 96pp £14.99
Images of War SS Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler (LSSAH) at War 1939 - 1945 I Baxter With extensive text and many unpublished black and white photographs and in-depth captions. SB 141pp £14.99
Militaria Guide 10 US Forces in Vietnam G Rousseaux Covers the chronological evolution of uniforms, equipment and armament issued to the American soldier during the second half of the conflict. SB 84pp £17.50
Australian Submarines A History (Two Volume Set) M White This two volume set covers the Australian submarine history from the first Government policy debates in 1910 through the many classes of submarine and the numerous people who served in them up to the present day. HB 1815pp £90.00
Phantom in the Cold War RAF Wildenrath 1977 - 1992 D Gledhill The author who flew the Phantom operationally, recounts the thrills, challenges and consequences of operating this sometimes temperamental jet at extreme low-level over the West German countryside. HB 304pp £25.00
Haynes Owners Workshop Manual M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank Manual From 1980 (M1, M1A1 and M1A2 Models) B Newsome An insight into the design, construction, operation and maintenance of America’s revolutionary main battle tank. HB 156pp £22.99
Israeli Shermans Second Edition T Gannon Expanded and revised 2001 edition. This is the most comprehensive study of the Sherman Tank in IDF service. Contains a general description of the basic M4 series as built, the book looks in detail at the very first Sherman built in 1948. HB 400pp £60.00
Nuts & Bolts Vol.38 Jagdpanzer IV part 2 Part 2: L/70 (Vomag & Alkett) (Sd.Kfz. 162/1). M Block Jagdpanzer IV Part 2: L/70 (Vomag & Alkett) (Sd.Kfz. 162/1). With B&W photos from manuals, combat and war fronts in black and white most of them previously unpublished. SB 208pp £25.99
Tiran Wrecks TWR-1 Tiran 4/5/6 Wrecks in the IDF - Part 1 M Mass A new series which looks at tank wrecks of the IDF. As they finished their service, tank wrecks were brought to the army base where they rusted internally and externally. 165 Colour photos. SB 80pp £26.99
Latin America at War The 100 Hour War The Conflict between Honduras and El Salvador in July 1969 D Hagedorn This book explores the actions undertaken by both countries in the air and on the ground during this short but intense confrontation. Colour/B&W photos. SB 104pp £25.00
Russian Combat Aviation and Aerospace Defence M Alexander This mammoth reference book written in collaboration with a new division of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation introduces a range of the most advanced weaponry and military equipment into service of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Contains hundreds of colour photos. HB 640pp £120.00
Tankograd Military Special 5066 Unimog 1,5-Tonner ‘S’ The Legendary 1.5-ton Unimog Truck in German Service Part 1 - Development / Technology / Walkaround R Maile First part in a trilogy. SB 64pp £13.99
Tankograd Military Special 5067 Unimog 1,5-Tonner The Legendary 1.5-ton Unimog Truck in German Service Part 2 - Cargo Versions / Double-Cab DriverTrainer R Maile Second part of trilogy. SB 64pp £13.99
Tankograd Military Special 5068 Unimog 1,5-Tonner ‘S’ The Legendary 1.5-ton Unimog Truck in German Service Part 3 - Box Body/Tank Dummy/Fire Engine/ Armoured R Maile Third part of this trilogy. SB 64pp £13.99
Tankograd Technical Manual Series 6038 Chevrolet 1 ½-ton 4x4 Trucks Cargo, M6 Bomb Service and others M Franz Comprehensive pictorial with technical description based on the original manuals. SB 48pp £10.99
Tankograd Militar Fahrzeug 03/2017 GERMAN TEXT. Leopard 2A6M+ mit neuem Verstaukonzept US Army - Silver Talon 66 Panzerjäger I - Der erste seiner Art bei der WH Rapid Lion plus more. colour photos. SB 56pp £9.99
Tankograd American Special 3030 Cold War Warrior M60/ M60A1/A2/A3 W Bohm The M60-Series of Main Battle Tanks in Cold War Exercises 1962-88. In the form of a journey through time. SB 64pp £13.99
Trackstory 15 Renault FT Part 2 Le Renault FT around the world Looks at the Renault FT Tank around the world and contains contemporary photos and colour profiles. Bi-lingual French/ English text. SB 62pp £16.50
The Women Who Flew for Hitler The True Story of Hitler’s Valkyries C Mulley Hanna Reitsch and Melitta von Stauffenberg were talented, courageous and strikingly attractive women who fought convention. HB 496pp £20.00
LOS! 32 Le Magazine de la Guerre Navele, Aeronavale et SousMarine Tirpitz vs Bismarck FRENCH TEXT. Lavishly illustrated magazine. SB 82pp £6.99
Batailles & Blindes 79 Les fauves du Dr. Bake FRENCH TEXT. Les fauves du Dr. Bake Raids sanglants sur Oratov, janvier 1944 Les unités de reconnaissance du plus more. SB 82pp £6.90
Batailles & Blindes Hors Serie 33 La Bataille de Kahrkov Fevrier-Mars 1943 FRENCH TEXT. Des armees enemies detruites une a une Objectif Kharkov! SB 114pp £13.99
Histoire de Guerre Blindes et Materiel HS5 Cavalerie a Cheval 1919-1940 FRENCH TEXT. Cavalerie a Cheval 1919-1940 Divisions, Regiments plus much more. SB 82pp £13.50
Ligne De Front Hors Series 30 Les Armes d’Infanterie de la Seconde Guerre Mondiale FRENCH TEXT. Lavishly illustrated. SB 98pp £11.50
Steel Masters 148 Mai 2017 FRENCH TEXT. Leopard I Felin Teutonique Half Track M2A1 1:35 Scammell Pionneer SV2S 1:35 43 M.Toldi III 1:72. SB 68pp £7.50
Tanker Techniques Magazine 7 Urban War This issue focuses on conflicts in villages and cities and includes urban scenes, road blocks plus much more. Colour throughout. SB 90pp £8.99
Cold War 1945-1991 Yom Kippur No Peace, No War, October 1973 P Baxter Story of the Israeli Defence Forces response to the surprise attack by Arab forces on multiple fronts. SB 136pp £14.99
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2 Military Modelcraft International
L1500 Wehrmacht Light Truck
Attack Hobby Kits s.r.o., Pobřežní 249/46, 186 00 Praha 8 e-mail:
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Publisher Guideline Publications www.guidelinepublications.co.uk
Features... 22
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Paper Panzer Power. Alexander Wegner builds a E-50 Ausf.T Gussturm (Initial).
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Muddy Green Shelf Queen. Martin Kovacs rescues a forlorn T-34/122 prototype.
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To War in a Tin Can. Konstantinos Tsiompris builds the diminutive Vickers Mk. VIB.
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MMI
Armour in Profile 13 - The Early Chieftains. M. P Robinson considers the early history of Britain’s Cold War MBT. With profiles by Mark Rolfe.
Email:
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Group Marketing and PR Director
“Sergeant Nikita is coming, and you are on her list.” Ivan Momcilovic Momcha builds Panda Models’ T-15 in a ‘2021’ setting.
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Big Bad Bear. Dan Brooker scratchbuilds a ‘Paper Panzer’.
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MMI
Fact File - T-84 - The Ukrainian ‘Next Generation’ T-80. James Kinnear looks at the development of the Soviet Union’s last MBT.
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Ukraine’s Super Tank. The Editor builds Trumpeter’s new T-84 MBT.
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MMI
Showtime - AMT 2017 – The Figures. We look at some of the figures and busts on display at the recent AMT show.
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MMI
Showtime - El Soldadito de Pavia Model Show – Sevilla. Olaf Kievit discovers the delights of his local club show.
Chairman Régis Auckland Email:
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Editor David Grummitt 20 Warwick Road, Whitstable CT5 1HX United Kingdom Email:
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Assistant Editor Moustafa Assad
Tom Foxon
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4 Military Modelcraft International
Stars of the Next Issue Desert StuG Modelling an out of the ordinary StuG III.
The world’s best mod Warzone Syria Trumpeter’s T-62 in
Contents Regulars... 06 08
16 80
Key to Scales used in MMI 1/6
The Forum News and Views
= 300mm
1/10 = 200mm
News At The Front An in-depth look at some of the latest releases
1/16 = 120mm 1/18 = 90mm 1/24 = 70-75mm
The Quartermaster’s Store A round up of the latest releases
1/32 = 54mm
Words and Pictures Expand your media reference library
1/48 = 36mm 1/72 = 25-28mm 1/76 = 24mm 1/144
= 13mm
= no scale, reference
MMI articles, Industry news
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34
28
1/35 = 51mm
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Military Modelcraft International is published monthly by Guideline Publications. This magazine shall not, without written consent of the publisher, be lent, resold or otherwise disposed of by way of trade in excess of the maximum recommended retail price. All rights strictly reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any way without prior agreement of the publisher. All material and artwork originated by Guideline Publications Ltd., photographs, drawings and plans used in the magazine become the publisher’s copyright under copyright law. The company reserves the right to suspend or refuse any advertisements without giving reasons. Whilst every care is taken to avoid mistakes, Guideline Publications Ltd. cannot be liable in any way for any errors or omissions. Nor can the publication accept responsibility for the bona fides of advertisers.
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INDEX TO ADVERTISERS
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70
dellers under one cover a contemporary setting.
Type 61 Finemolds bring us some lesser known Japanese armour.
On sale in the UK 24th August 2017
Aviation & Military Book Centre Attack Hobbies IBG Special Hobby Revell Graphic Air Quick Wheels Sprue Brothers Eduard Historex - Small Shop Historex - Nuts and Bolts Ammo by MIG Historex - RP Toolz Thunder Model Pocketbond Deans Hobby Stop Hauler Larry Weindorf LPMS Show - New Venue Matador Models Models For Sale Armour In Theatre Mustang Hobbies Postwar Panzers SMC Show Eday Show MMI Subscriptions Models for Heroes Hannants Vallejo
P02 P03 P07 P11 P13 P15 P15 P15 P19 P19 P21 P33 P47 P47 P55 P63 P63 P63 P63 P63 P63 P75 P75 P75 P75 P79 P79 P79 P83 P84
www.militarymodelcraftinternational.co.uk 5
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rototypes and ‘what-ifs’ have always had a fascination for modellers and historians alike. ‘Counter-factual’ History is big business – accounts of what would have happened if Germany had prevailed in World War or the U.S. hadn’t dropped the ‘Bomb’ – and has its origins in the academic study of the past. In 1964, the American economic historian Robert Fogel famously and controversially attempted to model what the U.S. economy would have been like in the 1890s without railways. For modellers too, ‘what-if’ scenarios are big business: manufacturers like John Osselaar’s Paper Panzer Productions offer conversions and complete kits of vehicles that never made it beyond the drawing table. For some, if not most, historians ‘Counter-factual’ History is nonsense, a non-academic fantasy; similarly, for many modellers ‘Paper Panzers’ and ‘what-ifs’ detract from the serious business of historically accurate camouflage schemes and what is sometimes derided as ‘rivet counting’. For others, and for most of contributors this month, ‘what-if’ projects offer the freedom to experiment with new techniques, radical camouflage schemes, and imaginative historical scenarios. Whatever your preferences, you’ll have to agree that some of the best model-making at the moment is being done in this genre. Alex Wegner starts us off this month, and his return to MMI is in the form of Paper Panzer Productions’ E50 conversion. It’s another ‘Panzer Panzer’ from the very talented Daniel Brooker whose 30.5cm ‘Bär’ self-propelled howitzer demonstrates that the art of scratchbuilding is alive and well. Martin Kovacs also makes a welcome return with another prototype, this time a beautifully finished T-34/122. In a final flight of fantasy, Ivan Momcilovic Momcha builds Panda Models’ recent T-15 Armata in a ‘2021’ future war scenario. Konstantinos Tsiompris brings us back to a reality with a neat build of Vulcan Models’ excellent little Vickers Mk. VI. We also have two historical/ technical features this month: first, M P Robinson examines the British Army’s Chieftain MBT and, second, James Kinnear provides the background on Ukraine’s enigmatic T-84 MBT. To complement Jim’s article I tackle Trumpeter’s newly released kit of the T-84. Finally, we finish off our look at the recent AMT show, while Olaf Kievit reports from sunny Seville on the recent ‘El Soldadito de Pavia’ show.
David Grummitt Editor 6 Military Modelcraft International
www.militarymodelcraftinternational.co.uk 7
An in-depth look at some of the latest releases Roden
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Founded in 1903, the Four Wheel Drive Auto Company (FWD) were pioneers in the use of all-wheel drive for industrial and utility vehicles. The potential cross-country capabilities of these vehicles were not lost on the military, and with a growing need for mechanised transport, in 1916, the US Army placed an initial order for 38 of FWD’s Model B 3-ton truck. The Model B was an innovative design for its time, the positioning of the engine between the axles meant better weight distribution and allowed a bigger load area for the same overall length. Over 14,400 Model B’s were delivered to the US military, and over 3000 to the British. Roden’s first release of the FWD Model B 3-Ton Ammunition Truck (ref. 736) represents the style used by the US Army to transport artillery ammunition, having a strengthened steel truck body. Two marking options are offered; an overall olive drab vehicle from the Western Front in 1918, and a black/ grey/sand/olive camouflaged version from 1919. The kit is made up of 70 plastic parts on three sprues, with only a few not for use; there are no decals and colour call-outs are for Vallejo paints. The moulding is reasonable, but many of the parts had fine flash which needs to be cleaned up. Construction starts with the
Huw Morgan chassis and running gear and we immediately run into some issues with the instructions; after much head scratching I came to the conclusion that the front and rear axles and left and right front springs are shown with the reverse part numbers; so the front axle should be part 5A, not 34A and the left spring should be 11A not 23A. (23A is the right spring) These minor issues notwithstanding, the chassis builds up into an intricate and detailed sub assembly; patience is the watchword since the locations for some parts need some figuring out, and cleanup of mould seams on some of the smaller parts is tricky. I left the wheels off at this stage to ease painting. Next up is the detailing of the truck body sides with pioneer tools, and constructing the radiator assembly and cylindrical fuel tank. Moulding limitations means that the mounting straps on the latter are rather clunky so I sanded the tank to a smooth cylinder and added straps from lead foil. Assembling the driver’s seat and controls in straightforward although I replaced the steering column with plastic rod to avoid having to clean up the kit part. With the four truck body sides glued to the load bed, the major sub assemblies are complete; Roden provide a moulded tarpaulin to cover the load area, which
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An in-depth look at some of the latest releases 1/72
Roden could be left off, although it looks a bit empty. Wanting something a bit different, I made up a new tarpaulin from lead foil, shaping it over the kit’s plastic part, and folding one edge back, and added a brass wire support hoop. I’d decided early on that I didn’t want yet another Olive Drab vehicle, settling on the four-colour camouflage scheme as something distinctly different. Since reliable masking would be impossible at this scale, it would need to be hand painted; Halfords automotive primer formed the base, over which I sprayed an overall Olive Drab using Tamiya XF-62. The camouflage bands used a mixture of Vallejo and Tamiya colours, and I added the distinctive black demarcation lines using a fine permanent marker pen. With the paint dry, the whole model was given several thin coats of Tamiya Clear (X-22) and a simple Burnt Sienna oil wash spotted into the raised detail, and dragged down the sides of the body. Tamiya Flat Clear (XF-86) toned down the shininess, followed by light dry brushing with pale grey and a few smears of pastel dust. I made a simple base from model railway scenery cobbles, and broken-up bricks. Roden are known for
Huw Morgan
bringing us unusual subjects in 1/72 scale vehicles, and are to be commended for adding this important type. This is a neat kit which rewards a patient approach to the build, its intricacy may appear daunting, but shouldn’t be offputting. I’m looking forward to the next release of the gun tractor and 8” howitzer! Many thanks to Roden for the review kit. It is available from all good model shops. Roden kits are distributed in the UK by Pocketbond (www. pocketbond.co.uk). The 70 plastic parts are provided on three sprues
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The moulding is quite crisp, although there is fine flash present on a lot of parts The main sub assemblies ready to go, with the home-made tarpaulin front right The model in primer shows the level of detail achievable even in smaller scales
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I made a simple base from model railway scenery cobbles, and broken-up bricks
www.militarymodelcraftinternational.co.uk 9
An in-depth look at some of the latest releases Takom
The AML-90 (Auto-mitrailleuse légère or Light Armoured Car) is a 4X4 wheeled vehicle that entered in service in 1960. Built by the French manufacturer Panhard, 4000 were produced and it has been developed into specific variants like the AML-60. This armoured car was an export success story and has been involved in many recent conflicts. The AML-90 was used in Africa, during the Lebanon war (1975/1990), during the Falkland War (1982), and in the Middle East (the Iran-Iraq war 1980-1988 and Persian Gulf War in 1991). The AML-90 is also known as the AML-H-90 or AML-245c. It is armed with a 90mm rifled gun and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The two-seater turret is designed by HispanoSuiza. Its powerful 90mm gun can tackle AFV threats. The AML-90 has a crew of three (driver, commander, gunner) and is powered by a 87hp Panhard Model 4HD air-cooled petrol engine, reaching speeds up to 90km/h. Its range is 600km. Takom has produced another surprise by releasing a new kit of the AML-90 French Light Armoured Car (ref. 2077). It is a very welcome release indeed. The only existing kit of this light armoured vehicle was a full resin kit produced by the French company Azimut
10 Military Modelcraft International
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Productions many years ago. The kit is produced with typical Takom acumen and production values: it is very accurate and easy to build. The suspension is well detailed, although most of the parts will be hidden by the wheels once complete. The tyres are presented in a soft black vinyl material, albeit without the characteristic raised seam line. If, like me, you are not a fan of vinyl tyres, I am sure that aftermarket resin tyres will be on their way soon enough. As you can see from the sprue shots, the hull, turret, exhaust pipe and gun are all nicely detailed. The box is pretty small and contains just four sprues of grey-coloured styrene, with separate parts for hull and turret. The assembly of the hull is quite complex and requires some time and care. There is also a small sprue of clear plastic parts and a decal sheet for five variants (Argentinian Army Falkland war 1982, French Army, Lebanese Special Forces, Iraqi Army Gulf war 1991, Israeli Defense forces). Unfortunately, the kit comes with no interior and the limited choice for markings and colour schemes for French vehicles are in my opinion the only disadvantage of the kit. Takom kits are available from all good model shops and are distributed in the UK by Pocketbond.
Jean-Jacques Labrot
LifeColor LifeColor paint is a bit like Marmite: you either love it, or you hate it. Some modellers I know, and many of our contributors, swear by it. You can airbrush it, brush paint it, and it dries to a perfect, tough matt finish. Personally I’ve always struggled to get consistent results with it, but like many others things in life, it’s a case of trial and error and there is no doubting the range of colours and quality of the product. This month we have three six-bottle sets of paint designed principally with diorama modellers in mind. Stone Grey (ref. CS40) contains six 22ml-bottles and the colours Blue Stone, Brown Stone, Dark Sand Stone, Green Stone, Reddish Stone and Light Stone. Leaking Matt Grime and Stains & Satin-Glossy Damp (ref. CS39) is as versatile set as
MMI
David Grummitt
the name suggests, containing Lime Green, Dirty Green, Brown Green, Vegetable Origin Damp Green, Vegetable Origin Damp Yellow and Dark Mould. Finally, White Wood (ref. CS38) is a very useful set for modellers wanting to capture the distinctive weathered appearance of old fences or doors: the colours contained are Old Peeled Deck, Old Lightened Wood, Rough Light Grey, Rough Light Brown, Stripped Wood and Wooden Grey Umber. Some great colours here and very useful for diorama modellers. Our thanks to the Airbrush Company (www.airbrushes.com) who supply the whole LifeColor range of paints and weathering products.
www.militarymodelcraftinternational.co.uk 11
An in-depth look at some of the latest releases Rye Field Models
The M1 Assault Breacher Vehicle is one of the most distinctive AFVs in the current US inventory. Designed to clear a path through minefields and the like it was previously available as a resin conversion from DEF Model (ref. DM35018) and Anthony Guarderas did a great job combining the DEF conversion with Rye Field Models M1A2 in our December 2016 issue. Fans of modern armour will be
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delighted to learn that Rye Field Model have now released a plastic kit of the ABV. M1 Assault Breacher Vehicle (ref. RM-5011) is a splendid kit of this vehicle. The M1 ABV served with the USMC in Afghanistan
David Grummitt in 2009 and is now in the order of the battle of the US Army too. The kit contains a mass of sand-coloured plastic, well over 1,000 parts, a small sheet of photoetch, and link-and-length tracks. The tracks have separate guide horns but otherwise look a little more straightforward than some of the individual link Abrams tracks on the market. The instructions, all 28 pages of them, suggest that construction should be a straightforward, if timeconsuming, affair. The quality of Rye Field’s moulding is
Royal British Legion 2017 marks one hundred years since the Battle of Passchendaele in Belgium. Also known as the Third Battle of Ypres, it was one of the most significant clashes of the First World War and became infamous for the 60,083 British deaths and the torrential rain, which lead to horrific conditions and a quagmire of mud. To commemorate the centenary of Passchendaele, The Royal British Legion have produced a very special limited edition poppy pin, made using melted-down brass fuses from British shells fired during the battle and found at the various sites where the Battle
12 Military Modelcraft International
superb and fit appears to be pretty spot on. The markings provided are pretty generic and three colour schemes are identified: sand, green with a sand plough, and green. Overall this looks a great kit, easily on a par with Meng Model’s BR-3M reviewed last month (its Russian counterpart). It’s available from good model shops and check out www.ryefield-model. com for further details. (below) Anthony’s Rye Field Models/ DEF.Model conversion from the December 2016 ‘20121’ issue of MMI.
David Grummitt of Passchendaele took place. The enamel paint used on the pins has also been mixed with soil from the British front line, ensuring each and every pin is unique and contains its own little piece of history. Designed by TMB Art Metal to pay tribute to each one of the fallen British soldiers from Passchendaele, the pins come in a lacquered wooden presentation box with a commemorative certificate detailing an individual British soldier whose life was lost during the 103 day-long battle. All profits raised from their sale go directly to The Royal British Legion and their
important work providing care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces, past and present, and their families. It’ available from The Royal British Legion’s online shop The Poppy Shop, www.poppyshop. org.uk, for just £39.99.
(left) Chieftain Mk.I gun barrel, cupola, aerial bases, side skirts arms and turret stowage box
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03927 Mk.IXc, 1:32 Spitfire
5
Available from all good model stockists and online from Amazon
(right) Challenger Mk.I gun barrel and cupola.
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File Name:
:48 03935 s Ju88 A-4, 1 Junker
Job Number:
(left) Chieftain Mk.3/3. Contents as per previous sets.
Latest Issues
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Guideline Titles
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Insert Date:
hter, 03926 A-8 Nightfig 0 9 Fw1
Publication:
4547
(right) Chieftain Mk.2 contents as per Mk.I
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H A N D picked PICKED Hand FO R 2 0 1 7 for 2016
Andrew Rawlinson
and cupola. The 3-d printed material can be glued together with PVA glue, while they can be attached to the plastic kit parts with normal plastic glue. The individual prints are available through the Shapeways website (www. shapeways.com/shops/fv4030-20), simply go to ‘Shop’, then search or browse the Marketplace under ‘Miniatures’. The website is quite neat, allowing you to look at the 3-D renders and then order various parts. There are quite a range of 3-D-printed accessories and kits available from a variety of manufacturers working in different periods and subjects. The designer of the conversions, Mark Lane, tells us he also going to make the conversions available through eBay.
Date:
3-D printing is not something we’ve covered before in MMI, but it’s possibilities for the military modellers are well known. Perfect for this month’s issue with its Armour in Profile feature on the Chieftain tank, we have three conversion sets for the Tamiya Chieftain and Challenger I. One of the main problems with the Tamiya Chieftain was the lack of the rotating cupola, something that Takom have not corrected in their recents kits. Mark Lane of Shapeways has released three sets. Chieftain Mk. 3/3 includes a new gun barrel, new cupola, new aerial bases, side skirts arms and a turret stowage box. Chieftain Mk. 1 and Chieftain Mk. 2 are similar. Challenger 1 is a simpler set, merely providing 3-d printed parts to replace the kit gun barrel
David Grummitt
Signed-off by:
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REVELL_GUIDE_1-3_PP_VERT_57x267_aw.pdf
FV4030/2
An in-depth look at some of the latest releases IBG Models
Polish manufacturer IBG Models continue to release Small-Scale models at a pace and their new kits improve with every release. The subjects are a little esoteric, but will certainly prove popular among Braille Scale modellers for that reason alone. Type 94 Japanese Tankette with Trailers (ref. 72045) is one of the smallest models I have seen. Across no fewer than eight sprues of grey plastic and a small photoetched fret you have a wonderfully detailed model of this diminutive AFV. Assembly is straightforward with the tracks and wheels moulded as one piece, while the upper
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hull is a lovely piece of slide moulding with some exquisite rivet detail. Markings are provided for one very colourful three-coloured camouflage scheme. Marvellous! Perhaps more mainstream are two releases that will please fans of Axis armour. 40M Turan I – Hungarian Medium Tank (ref. 72047) is an important release. The Turán was a Hungarian medium tank of World War II. Based on the design of the Czechoslovak Škoda T-21 medium tank prototype, it was produced in two main variants: the 40M Turán (or Turán I) with a 40 mm gun and the 41M Turán (or Turán II) with a 75 mm gun.
A total of 424 were made. IBG’s kit contains five sprues of sand-coloured plastic. The lower hull is made up of flat panels, but the upper hull is a nice, slide-moulded single piece. The complex suspension is very well rendered and the link-and-length tracks are excellent. Assembly looks straightforward and out of the box this will build into a superb little model. Markings are provided for one tri-tone camouflaged tank of 1st Cavalry Division in 1944. 40/43M Zrinyi II – Hungarian 105mm Assault Gun (ref. 72051) is based on the same chassis. The Zrinyi II was the Hungarian equivalent of the
David Grummitt
German StuG III and around 60 were built in 1943-44. Bronco Models have produced a kit of this in the larger scale and IBG Models have done an excellent job in replicating this AFV in Braille Scale. There are only four sprues here (because of the lack of a turret), but the detail is very sharp and assembly straightforward. Markings are provided for two vehicles: one in camouflage and one in an Olive Green shade. These are two excellent kits and very highly recommended to Small-Scale fans. IBG Models kits are available from good models shops and see www.ibgmodels. com for further details.
www.militarymodelcraftinternational.co.uk 15
A round up of the latest releases
AFV Club
Israeli Defence Forces Special Edition Paint Set Ref: A.MIG 7163 £TBA SRP:
See:www.hobbyfan.com.tw Distributed in the UK by Pocketbond (www.pocketbond.co.uk).
See: www.migjiminez.com
Scale: Ref: SRP:
1/35 AF35283 £TBA
Bronco Models
Armoured Krupp Potze KFZ.69 with 3.7cm Pak 36 Scale: 1/35 Ref: CB35132 £TBA SRP: See: www.cn-bronco.com/ en/index.php
DG Artwork
Pōwhiri – Maori Warrior, New Zealand Scale: 1/9 Bust DG09B004 Ref: £TBA SRP: See: www.artworkdg.com
Dragon Models Limited
Scale: Ref: SRP:
Scale: Ref: SRP:
1/35 DF35009 £TBA
See: www.defmodel.com
DG Artwork
Lotharingian Knight, 10th Century Scale: 1/12 Bust Ref: DG12B004 £TBA SRP: See: www.artworkdg.com
Dragon Models Limited
Sd.Kfz. 250/4 Ausf. A, leichter Truppenluftschutzpanzerwagen Scale: 1/35 6878 Ref: SRP: £TBA
See: www.dragon-models.com
See: www.dragon-models.com
Israeli Street Base
Black Dog
1/72 D72035 £TBA
Middle East Street No.3 Base Scale: 1/72 D72036 Ref: £TBA SRP:
See: www.blackdog.cz
DEF Model
US Tank Commander – Korea, Winter 1950/51
IJN Special Type 4 ‘Ka-Tsu’ Amphibious Tracked Vehicle Scale: 1/35 6839 Ref: SRP: £TBA
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Black Dog
AMMO
U.S. MIM-23 HAWK
DEF Model
DEF Model
Scale: Ref: SRP:
See: www.blackdog.cz
USMC Anglico Team – Korea, Winter 1950/51
US M1 MCR Mounting Base (for M1 Abrams Tank kit) Scale: 1/35 DM35076 Ref: £TBA SRP:
See: www.defmodel.com
See: www.defmodel.com
1/35 DF35010 £TBA
DG Artwork
West Point – United States Military Academy Scale: 1/12 Bust DG12B007 Ref: SRP: £TBA
DG Artwork
10th Century Viking Axeman Scale: 75mm DG75F003 Ref: SRP: £TBA See: www.artworkdg.com
See: www.artworkdg.com
Dragon Models Limited
M67A2 Flamethrower Tank Scale: 1/35 3584 Ref: £TBA SRP: See: www.dragon-models.com
Dragon Models Limited Scale: Ref: SRP:
M752 Tactical Ballistic Missile Launcher
1/35 3576 £TBA
See: www.dragon-models.com
A round up of the latest releases
Dragon Models Limited
Bergepanzer Tiger I mit Bogward IV Ausf. A Heavy Demolition Charge Vehicle Scale: 1/35 6865 Ref: £TBA SRP:
Dragon Models Limited
Eisernes Kreuz
Eisernes Kreuz
Sd.Kfz. 165 Hummel Initial Production w/Winterketten Scale: 1/35 6876 Ref: £TBA SRP:
Der Adler, 1940 Scales: 1/16, 1/48, 1/35, 1/72 Refs: EK16-F005, EK48-F005, EK35-F005 & EK72-F005) SRP: £TBA
Fallschirmjäger, 1944 Scales: 1/16, 1/48, 1/35, 1/72 Refs: EK16-F006, EK48-F006, EK35-F006 & EK72-F006) SRP: £TBA
See: www.dragon-models.com
See: www.andreaeurope.com
See: www.andreaeurope.com
See: www.dragon-models.com
ETS35
ETS35
Hotchkiss H39 Suspension & Early Engine Hatch (for Bronco kit) Scale: 1/35 ETS35001 Ref: SRP: £TBA
MAC31 ‘Reibel’ Machine Gun – French WW2 and Post-WW2 Scale: 1/35 ETS35009 Ref: £TBA SRP:
See: www.www.shapeways.com
See: www.www.shapeways.com
ETS35
ETS35
APX-R turret SA-18 Canon Replacement Turret for Renault R35/R40 and Hotchkiss H35/H39 Tanks (for Heller and Trumpeter kits) Scale: 1/35 ETS35016 Ref: £TBA SRP:
Scale: Ref: SRP:
Hotchkiss H39 Engine
1/35 ETS35030 £TBA
See: www.www.shapeways.com
See: www.www.shapeways.com
Gecko Models
IBG Models
Kreuzer Panzerkampfwagen Mk.II, 742(e), (A-10) Scale: 1/35 35GM005 Ref: £TBA SRP:
Scammell Pioneer TRMU30 Tank Transporter Scale: 1/35 35031 Ref: SRP: £TBA
See: www.gecko-models.com
See: www.ibg.com.pl
ICM
Sd.Kfz.223 WWII German Radio Communication Vehicle Scale: 1/48 48192 Ref: SRP: £13.99 See: www.icm.com.ua
See: www.icm.com.ua
J’s Work
Scale: Ref: SRP:
Iron Barrier (x2)
ICM
ICM
American Fireman & Boy (1910s) Scale: 1/24 24005 Ref: £9.20 SRP:
Scale: Ref: SRP:
1/35 PPA3132 £TBA
See: www.jsworkmodel.com
Scale: Ref: SRP:
See: www.milicast.com
1/35 35663 £16.80
See: www.icm.com.ua
Milicast
BAOR Centurion Tug
Model T 1917 LCP WWI Australian Army Car
Milicast
1/76 UK315 £TBA
Scale: Ref: SRP:
Charioteer
1/76 UK319 £TBA
See: www.milicast.com
www.militarymodelcraftinternational.co.uk 17
A round up of the latest releases
Milicast
Austin K6 Airfield Control Caravan Scale: 1/76 UK342 Ref: £TBA SRP: See: www.milicast.com
Scale: Ref: SRP:
Scale: Ref: SRP:
See: www.milicast.com
Mirror Models
1/35 38014 £37.99
See: www.miniart-models.com
CMP F30A LRDG Truck with 37mm AT Bofors Gun Scale: 1/35 35133 Ref: £TBA SRP: See: www.mirror-models.com
Perry Miniatures
Light Dragoons Galloping with Shouldered Swords, 1812-14 Scale: 28mm DAN 21 Ref: £8.50 SRP: See: www.perry-miniatures.com
Riich Models
Scale: Ref: SRP:
1/76 UK344 £TBA
Milicast
Chevrolet CC60L/X2 3-ton GS Scale: 1/76 UK346 Ref: £TBA SRP:
See: www.milicast.com
MiniArt
German Cargo Truck L1500S (incl. load)
Milicast
Austin K6 Flatbed with 1000lb Bombs
M109A2 155mm SelfPropelled Howitzer
Revosys
Scale: Ref: SRP:
VK3601 (w/Interior Kit)
1/35 RS3002 £TBA
See: www.facebook.com/ REVOSYSHOBBY/
Slingshot Models
1/72 72002 £TBA
See: www.riichmodel.com
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MMK
HEMTT Armoured Cabin and Wheels Conversion Set Scale: 1/35 F3064 Ref: £TBA SRP: See: www.mmk.cz
Pegasus Hobbies
Pegasus Hobbies Scale: Ref: SRP:
M4A3 Sherman (x2)
1/144 750 £TBA
See: www.pegasushobbies.net
Scale: Ref: SRP:
See: www.facebook.com/ REVOSYSHOBBY/
SKP Model
Modern Greek Army Tank Crew Scale: 1/35 ACL 35007 Ref: £TBA SRP:
M1101/M1102 Light Tactical Trailer Scale: 1/35 SKP 225 Ref: £TBA SRP:
See: www.slingshotmodels.com
See: www.skpmodel.eu
1/144 9119 £TBA
See: www.pegasushobbies.net
Riich Models
Revosys
Pz.Kpfw. VI Ausf. C/B (VK36.01) Scale: 1/35 RS3001 Ref: £TBA SRP:
Haunebu II Saucer
Scale: Ref: SRP:
M109A6 Paladin SelfPropelled Howitzer
1/72 72001 £TBA
See: www.riichmodel.com
TAKOM
AML-90 French Light Armoured Car (2in1 kit) Scale: 1/35 2077 Ref: SRP: £TBA See: www.takom-world.com Distributed in the UK by Pocketbond (www.pocketbond.co.uk).
Panzer IV Ausf. H 1/35 Zvezda
July 2017
# 36356 # 36357 www.eduard.com
www.militarymodelcraftinternational.co.uk 19
A round up of the latest releases
TAKOM
AML-60 French Light Armoured Car Scale: 1/35 2084 Ref: £TBA SRP: See: www.takom-world.com Distributed in the UK by Pocketbond (www.pocketbond.co.uk).
Thunder Model
British Scammell Pioneer R100 Heavy Artillery Tractor Scale: 1/35 35202 Ref: £41.99 SRP: See: www.thundermodel.com Distributed in the UK by Pocketbond (www.pocketbond.co.uk).
Toro Model
TAKOM
British Cruiser Tank Mk.VI Crusader Mk.III (incl. 2 figures) Scale: 1/35 Ref: 37025 £35.99 SRP:
See: www.takom-world.com Distributed in the UK by Pocketbond (www.pocketbond.co.uk).
See: www.tamiya.com
See: www.tamiya.com
Thunder Model
Soldier of Border Guard with Dog Scale: 1/35 35F92 Ref: £TBA SRP:
See: www.thundermodel.com Distributed in the UK by Pocketbond (www.pocketbond.co.uk).
See: www.toro-model.com.pl
Trumpeter
Trumpeter
See: www.toro-model.com.pl
See: www.trumpeter-china.com Distributed in the UK by Pocketbond (www.pocketbond.co.uk).
Trumpeter
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Toro Model
German Steam Locomotive BR80 Scale: 1/35 Ref: 35910 £TBA SRP:
German E-50 (50-75 tons)/ Standardpanzer Scale: 1/72 07123 Ref: £14.99 SRP:
See: www.trumpeter-china.com Distributed in the UK by Pocketbond (www.pocketbond.co.uk).
Tamiya
Infantry Tank Matilda Mk.III/ IV ‘Red Army’ (incl. 2 figures) Scale: 1/35 35355 Ref: £44.99 SRP:
Finnish Army Heavy Machine gun on Sledge with Crew Scale: 1/35 Ref: 35F94 £TBA SRP:
Russian T-90S Modernized Mod.2013 Scale: 1/35 09524 Ref: £59.99 SRP:
Tamiya
KRAZ-260V Tractor w/ChMZAP5247G Semi-Trailer + T-55 AMV Scale: 1/35 2095 Ref: £TBA SRP:
Trumpeter
Scale: Ref: SRP:
Russian KZKT-7428 ‘Rusich’ w/KZKT-9101
Toro Model
Scammell Pioneer Tractor Driver (for IBG Models kit) Scale: 1/35 35F93 Ref: £TBA SRP: See: www.toro-model.com.pl
Trumpeter
1/35 01039 £TBA
See: www.trumpeter-china.com Distributed in the UK by Pocketbond (www.pocketbond.co.uk).
Trumpeter
Russian 9P140 TEL of Uragan Multiple Launch Rocket System Scale: 1/35 Ref: 01026 £TBA SRP: See: www.trumpeter-china.com Distributed in the UK by Pocketbond (www.pocketbond.co.uk).
Vision Models
Soviet 2A3 ‘Kondesator 2SP’ 406mm SPH
Russian MRAP KAMAZ-63968 ‘Typhoon-K’ Scale: 1/35 2082 Ref: SRP: £TBA
German 75mm leIG 18 Light Infantry Gun w/Crew Scale: 1/35 VM35007 Ref: SRP: £TBA
See: www.trumpeter-china.com Distributed in the UK by Pocketbond (www.pocketbond.co.uk).
See: www.trumpeter-china.com Distributed in the UK by Pocketbond (www.pocketbond.co.uk).
See: www.passionmodels.jp
Scale: Ref: SRP:
1/35 01000 £TBA
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Trumpeter/Paper Panzer Productions E-50
Alexander Wegner builds a E-50 Ausf.T Gussturm (Initial).
T
he ‘Entwicklung’ series (transl. ‘development’), commonly referred to as the ‘E-Series’, was a late-war attempt by Germany to produce a standard series of tank designs in each of the six weight classes, from which several specialised variants would be developed. This was a reversal of the trend of extremely complex tank designs, which had resulted in both poor production output
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and mechanical unreliability. While the E-series designs were simpler, cheaper to produce, and (in theory) more efficient than their predecessors, they offered only modest improvements in terms of armour protection and firepower. The E-50 Standardpanzer was intended as a medium class
A length of 0.8mm steel wire was attached to each side of the hull to replicate an improvised towing-cable hook. Note the distinctive shape of the mantlet, and the result from texturing the panels using Mr. Surfacer 500.
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tank to replace the Pz.Kpfw.V Panther and Pz.Kpfw.VI Tiger I. The hull was to be longer than the Panther’s, and was almost identical that used on the Tiger II (with the exception of the glacis plate layout). Compared
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with earlier tanks, the amount of work required to produce the various panels would have been much less, and the proposed
Using various items from a redundant Panther kit, together with some brass components, I was able to add important details to the model. Replacing the kitsupplied mudguards with photoetched versions was a wise choice. Note also that I lightly sanded the turned-metal gun barrel to ensure better paint adhesion.
Trumpeter/Paper Panzer Productions E-50
conical spring system (replacing the torsion bar arrangement) would have been far more economical to produce. Various sources suggest that a variant of the narrow-mantlet ‘schmalturm’ turret (originally designed for the Panther Ausf.F) would have been used,
and fitted with a variant of the 88mm L/71 gun. Evident by its name, the E-50 would have weighed between 50 and 75 tonnes. The vehicle was to be powered by an improved Maybach HL234 900hp engine, providing a maximum speed of 60km/h. However, with severely
The Model Responding to the current interest in ‘what if’ subjects, Paper Panzer Productions entered the market in 2014, and continues to offer a range of kits, upgrades and conversions to delight those with a fascination for late-
diminished resources, many such projects were abandoned. Instead, the priority now was to improve existing weapons in the desperate hope of turning the tide. The E-50 reached no further than the drawing board … yet another of Hitler’s ‘Paper Panzers’.
war and post-war oddities. The aim in this project was to create a unique version of the E-50, combining Trumpeter’s injection-moulded kit ‘German E-50 (50 -75 tonnes) Standardpanzer’ and Paper Panzer Productions’ ‘Einheitsturm Reichswerke H. Göring 1947’. The latter
Availability: Trumpeter 1/35 German E-50 (50 -75 tonnes) Standardpanzer (ref. 01536) available from good model shops. Distributed in the UK by Pocketbond (www.pocketbond.co.uk).
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item comprises various resin components, together with a turned-aluminium gun barrel, commander’s cupola with periscopes and optional open/closed hatch, and a brass antenna rod. A further modification was to install a totally new engine deck, as would have existed on the proposed Ausf.T gas turbine version. For this, I required ‘GT-103 Gas Turbine Engine Deck for Trumpeter E-50/E-75 and Dragon KT’. Incidentally, this item is based on a series of designs produced by Dr. Alfred Müller, following the successful use of the gas turbine in the legendary Messerschmitt Me262. Only a cross-section sketch exists of the GT-103, but it was certainly ear-marked for this version of the E-50.
Paper Panzer Productions 1/35 Einheitsturm Reichswerke H. Göring 1947 (ref. PPP35021) and GT-103 Gas Turbine Engine Deck for Trumpeter E-50/E-75 and Dragon KT (ref. 35017) are available from www.paperpanzer.com.
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Trumpeter/Paper Panzer Productions E-50
I attached the Panther IR box and replacement exhaust to the rear panel, and repeated the weld-seam and surface texturing to this area.
The tracks provided with the Trumpeter kit are one-piece vinyl items, and represent the late-production King Tiger combat tracks. I decided to replace these with a set of Friulmodel’s ‘Transport Tracks for Tiger II, Hunting Tiger & Panther II’ (ref. ATL-21); a personal choice really, as all of this is pure speculation. Also, in preference to the kit’s suggested paint scheme, I opted for a more aggressive appearance using a specially created camouflage mask. Adding to my list of aftermarket items were Royal Model’s ‘Tiger II Mudguards’ (ref. 021), ‘Panther IR Box & Spare Wheel’ (ref. 350022) from Add on Parts, and (to improve on the Trumpeter offering) a set of Paper Panzer Productions’‘E-50 Wheels’ (ref. PPP35003). Having initially planned to invest in a photoetched set of Panther or Tiger II components, I found a part-assembled Panther Ausf.G kit in my spares box, along with several brass components. From these, I was able to retrieve various details including
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lights, bow machine-gun with ball mount (kugelblende), towing cables and shackles. From the outset, I was keen to avoid treating this as a purely imaginative affair; though the vehicle never existed, I felt it more sensible to depict something that would include features that were in keeping with technology and developments of the era. Assembly Construction was relatively straightforward, taking less than 20 hours of work. Beginning with the easiest section, the turret, I attached the various parts with CA glue, and treated the gun barrel to a light sanding. The next task was to carefully remove the original engine deck using a Dremel tool with a circular saw blade attachment. Thankfully, the replacement item fitted perfectly, and I was ready to add the exhaust unit. With the upper and lower hull sections connected, I attached the lights, assembled and fitted the mudguards, and considered
After further consideration, I decided to re-paint the road wheels with a red oxide primer colour.
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4
With the wheels and tracks part-assembled, these were test-fitted to the lower hull. The new gas turbine engine-deck seems to be tailor-made for the Trumpeter kit, and fits perfectly. Here you can see my attempt to close the gap between the turret base and upper hull.
how best to stow the towing cables. In the absence of cable holders (as fitted to the Tiger II), I decided to improvise by incorporating a hook on either side of the hull, which I made from lengths of 0.8mm gauge steel wire. To replicate the various weld seams around the vehicle, I applied Vallejo white putty, and after a few minutes, textured the surface using the end of a thin brass tube. Something which Trumpeter have failed to replicate in their moulding, the armour plates would most likely have been made from cold rolled steel. To recreate the characteristic texture, the simple solution was to apply
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Having applied a coat of ‘Dunkelgelb’, I followed with the paint chipping effect.
a thin layer of Mr. Surfacer 500 with an old brush. The same brush was then used to stipple the surfaces, and after several minutes, a light sanding produced a more in-scale appearance. Time to assemble the tracks, and prepare the wheels for testfitting. Once these were ready, I gave some thought to the connection between the turret base and hull. As provided, the turret would not fully rotate, so I had to raise it slightly to allow
Trumpeter/Paper Panzer Productions E-50
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Having applied red primer to the hull and turret, and grey primer to the gun barrel, I gave the entire model a couple of coats of Chipping Fluid.
The various sub-assemblies were put together, so that I could visualise the finished piece.
sufficient clearance. This, in turn, left a noticeable space that would (in reality) have created a ‘bullet trap’. To remedy this, I added a collar to close the gap; maybe not the perfect solution, but one that would have served its purpose to an extent … hence my title, ‘E-50 Initial’.
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Painting It would appear that German tanks were primed with a colour known as ‘Oxidrot’, prior to being painted with their base colour (most likely ‘Dunkelgelb’ at this stage in the war). While I was happy to replicate the primer colour on my model, I opted for ‘Gelboliv’ as the base colour; an odd choice perhaps, but had the vehicle been part of the early Bundeswehr inventory, this would have been a logical colour. After some experimentation, I decided that AMMO’s A.MIG-087 (RAL6014 Gelboliv) would be the perfect match.
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A coat of ‘Gelboliv’ was applied to the hull and turret. The wheels, cable ends and shackles were painted with ‘Dunkelgelb’, and the bow machine-gun a coat of dark iron. Once these areas were completely dry, I applied a second coat of Chipping Fluid.
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Burnishing Fluid was applied to the metal tracks, and polishing paste rubbed around the wheel rims to impart a metallic sheen.
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And with the masks removed, revealing a nice sharp camouflage pattern!
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With the masks in place, I protected surrounding areas using a combination of masking tape and liquid mask.
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Trumpeter/Paper Panzer Productions E-50
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Dark brown acrylic paint was applied to create a ‘sponge chipping’ effect, and spots of dark brown and ochre oils used to achieve tonal variation.
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To give the impression of accumulated mud and dirt over the lower hull and chassis, I used a combination of pigments and oil paint washes.
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When adding dust and dirt, I focused more on the hull; the turret would be far less affected, particularly on a such a new vehicle.
Having applied an overall coat of Mr. Paint’s MRP-33 (Primer Red), I gave the gun barrel a coat of MRP-34 (Tank Grey) to replicate the heat-resistant paint. After a brief drying period, I applied two coats of AMMO’s Chipping Fluid to the entire model. The hull and turret now received their coat of ‘Gelboliv’. Judging that the wheels would have perhaps been supplied pre-painted, I decided to treat these to a suitable ‘dunkelgelb’ shade, and similarly the towing cable ends and shackles. I applied a camouflage pattern to the road wheels, but later decided
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I also splattered my mixture of pigments and oil paints randomly to replicate the appearance of mud thrown up by the heavy tracks.
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Black pigment was sparingly applied to the exhaust unit, and brushed into the surrounding area to give the impression carbon deposits.
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The completed model … not forgetting the superbly sculpted figure (compliments of Igor Gurochkin).
that a coat of red primer would be more suitable. Using dry-transfers, I applied the turret numbers, and proceeded to add two further coats of Chipping Fluid to the model. The next task was to apply the paint masks, a recent addition to the Paper Panzer Productions range, providing an aggressive camouflage scheme for this ‘what
Trumpeter/Paper Panzer Productions E-50
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Preferring not to exaggerate the weathering over the tracks, I limited this to several layers of earth-tone pigments, and a light sanding to contact areas to expose the bare metal.
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Having applied more extensive weathering to the lower hull and chassis, it was important to continue this process with the wheels.
if’ subject. The paint masks are made from self-adhesive vinyl, and are simple to attach and remove. An added advantage is that they can be used with all types of paint (acrylic, enamel and oil). A word of caution, however … to avoid damaging the paint, it is important to allow this to fully dry before lifting the mask, and to remove the mask slowly and as close to the surface as possible. I found no problem with using the hairspray/chipping
fluid technique with these masks, as long as the above precautions were taken. The non-masked areas were sprayed with A.MIG-011 (RAL7028 Dunkelgelb Aus ‘44 DG I); the rear turret number also sprayed, since this would later be replaced by another number. A light chipping followed, using a stiff brush and warm water. The tracks were treated to a layer of Burnishing Fluid, and the upper portion of the gun barrel was given
a coat of the ‘dunkelgelb’ colour as part of the vehicle’s camouflage scheme. All that remained was to apply the new turret numbers, again using parts from the Paper Panzer Productions paint mask set. Weathering Feeling that the vehicle’s paintwork was far to clean, I decided to add some ‘sponge chipping’ with dark brown acrylic paint to achieve greater contrast around panel edges and already-chipped areas. Now using heavily diluted oil paints, I applied a series of washes to panel lines, recesses and weld seams. These were also used to create dirt and rust streaks down the turret and hull. However, given that the vehicle was only recently out of the factory, such effects would have to be applied sparingly. The ‘Dunkelgelb’ areas were now highlighted with a suitable beige colour, and a suggestion of grease stains was applied to relevant portions of the turret and hull. Returning to my oil paints, I added further
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Another image of the finished model: note the various weathering effects on the engine deck.
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dust and dirt effects. Focusing on the rear deck, I used A.MIG-1408 (Fresh Engine Oil) to depict oil and fuel stains. Time now to apply various pigments to extend the dirt effects around the lower hull and chassis. Mixed with oils, these were applied in multiple layers, and further splashes flicked onto the surface from a flat brush. Again, working in several layers, I applied black oil paint mixed with clear lacquer to give the impression of wet mud. Having treated the tracks to several layers of earth-tone pigments, I used a sanding stick to expose bare metal where the tracks would have been in contact with the ground and the steel-rimmed wheels. The next step was to replicate the various exposed metal edges around the vehicle. As previously mentioned, the vehicle would have seen very little service, so such treatment would be minimal … with hardly any corrosion present. The final touch was to brush small amounts of black pigment over and around the exhaust unit.
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Note the subtle rust effects on the turret, adding to the impression of a large and heavy tank. www.militarymodelcraftinternational.co.uk 27
Wilder Productions T34/122 Tank Turret Conversion
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Martin Kovacs rescues a forlorn T-34/122 prototype.
S
ome models have a pretty interesting history and this T-34 is no exception. The kit was passed between several of my modelling friends until it ended up in my hands about six years ago. I partially built it and then lost interest, so I passed
it on again to another friend, who actually finished the build. He lost interest in painting it, and so after a while, passed it back to me! At that moment, I had the conversion resin turret
from Wilder Productions laying around, so I put it together in one evening and basically created a completely different subject. After that, my interest waned again and I put the model
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to one side for a few months. My interest was reignited when Adam Wilder started posting video tutorials about weathering a KV-1 on his Youtube channel. I liked the
Wilder Productions T34/122 Tank Turret Conversion
Painting and Weathering The model was painted using acrylics in overall Russian 4BO green with some subtle ‘Colour Modulation‘. I also picked out some of the smaller details with a brush and Vallejo Model Color paints to make them stand out a bit more. After sealing the paintjob with a coat of gloss varnish, the Guards markings were applied and protected with another coat of gloss. Then I applied a layer of Dark Tan filter in order to tone down the bright green colour. Let the filter dry overnight before proceeding further. The next step consisted of applying different oil paints over the model. First I applied the lightest tones over the upper areas of each plate and then the darker colours where the shadows occured. I then blended them in with flat brush moistened with thinner. We can always soften this effect with a dry soft brush, but don’t let the paints dry for too long otherwise you won’t be able to manipulate them anymore. Let the oil paints dry for a couple of hours before
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fact that he was weathering a simple 4BO camouflage which I hadn’t done in a long time. The fact that he was explaining every weathering step in great detail was also very inspiring. I didn’t hesitate and decided to paint my T-34 in a similar manner using Adam’s techniques and weathering products, just in different amounts and intensities.
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6 applying the washes. Again I worked in small sections for better control over the effect. Apply the wash over one panel, let it dry for a few minutes and wipe the excess away with a damp brush.
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I decided to start the paint chipping stage by creating very random patches of scraped paint using a sponge and bright green acrylic paint. Always wipe most of the paint from the sponge before you start dabbing it on the model.
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Then I applied more of the bright green chips with a fine brush in a much more controlled manner. Focus mostly on connecting some of the previously created chips together and refining their shape. Practice with this technique allows us to paint very fine scratches along the model.
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Wilder Productions T34/122 Tank Turret Conversion
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Wilder Productions T34/122 Tank Turret Conversion
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The next step is to fill most of the bright green chips with a metallic black brown. This represents the underlying metal that shows through. I personally like to exaggerate this effect as it will be toned down with dust and earth tones. Now we can apply fine amounts of enamel Rust Effects over the chipping. Try to keep these spots small as otherwise our model will look like a rusted and abandoned vehicle. Trying to add even more visual interest to the surface, I painted several small
streaks of dark brown oil paint around larger chips and other surface details, blending them with a round brush containing a minimum amount of thinner. Try to drag the streaks down from both of theirs sides to get the best results. The first layer of mud was created with Textured Earth, which is a thick acrylic product with authentic texture. After the earth has solidified I painted it over with Light Mud enamel. The various mud tones were blended with thinner. Here I applied the Light Earth effect over the upper parts of the tank. Try to play around with different earth tones to create some variety. Pigments were added in minimum amounts
over largest accumulations of dust. Use different colours to give the surface further variety. They were carefully blended with enamel thinner letting the capillary action drag them into crevices. Because of the missing rear fenders the T-34 tossed large amounts of mud over the rear hull. Carefully speckling some light earth enamel effects over this area gives us good foundation for upcoming dark mud effects. With the dry earth effects done it was now time to mix a darker damp earth tone from brown enamel paint, dark brown pigment and small amount of gloss effect.I applied this tone in a random manner over lower sections of the tank. Again work in smaller sections so you can have more time to apply and blend it properly. After blending the effects we are left with an interesting subtle appearance of dry and damp mud. I decided the amount of thrown up mud wasn’t sufficient so I went over this area with more Textured Earth and repeated the steps until I was happy with the result. Paint large uneven blobs of thinned Wilder ‘Murky Water’ over horizontal surfaces and connect some of them together in order to create larger pools of water.
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Again blend the edges very carefully so you don’t remove too much of the effect. With a bit of creativity this step allows us to create lots of contrast between different details.
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The tracks were weathered in the same manner as the rest of the tank and were fitted to the model at this point. It was now I realised that the amount of thrown up mud wasn’t really enough considering how much I applied over the running gear. As mentioned before, I added a much larger amount of Textured Earth and then repeated the steps to tie everything together with the rest of the weathering.
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When diesel fuel comes into contact with dust, it sometimes creates a rust-like effect. This may of course vary depending on the consistency of fuel and also the colour of the earth. Nonetheless, this effect was mixed from the Diesel Exhaust Runs effect and a bit of rust pigment. Some Murky Water was also added to keep the mixture shiny. Apply it around the filler caps in small amounts and paint a couple of faint streaks around the sides of the hull as well. Be careful and apply it only around the fuel tank filler caps.
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Some spilled Grease Effect was painted around the suspension lubricant filler openings and blended.
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Wilder Productions T34/122 Tank Turret Conversion
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After the last weathering step was completed I painted some of the exposed weld beads with silver paint as these have different chemical properties than arnour plate and don’t rust as much or even at all. The final effect was to polish some graphite powder over the edges of the model. This is a very important, yet often overlooked step
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Availability: Wilder Productions 1/35 T-34/122 Turret (ref. HDFRS-3501). See airbrushes.com in the UK.
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22 that gives our armour models that heavy metallic shiny look. I like to apply the graphite with a rubber tipped brush, as this also serves as a polishing tool. Now our model is officially finished.
Conclusion Although this model was painted over a timespan of roughly fourteen months with long breaks while I was finishing
other models, it was one of the most enjoyable projects I have finished recently. Of course, there were moments when I had to go back and rework some areas, but these detours can often lead to much better results than initially planned.
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Vulcan Models British Light Tank Mk.VIB
Konstantinos Tsiompris builds the diminutive Vickers Mk. VIB.
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eveloped by Vickers in the late 1930s, the ‘Tank, Light, Mk.VI’ was considered by the Imperial General Staff to be superior to any light tank produced by other nations, and well suited to the dual roles of reconnaissance and colonial warfare. Initially, it was used by the British Army to perform policing duties in India and other colonies. When the British government began its rearmament process in 1937, the Mk.VI was the only tank that the War Office was ready to proceed with; development of a medium tank had hit major problems following the cancellation of the 16-ton ‘Medium Mk.III’. Consequently, when war was declared in 1939, the majority
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of tanks available were Mk.VIs; there were 1,002 Mk.VI Light Tanks, 79 Mk.I and Mk.II Cruiser Tanks, and 67 Mk.I Infantry Tanks. The Mk.VI’s operational history is relatively short. Its most significant involvement was in France in 1940, and during the North African campaigns from 1940 to 1942. However, the Mk.VIB was deployed by the 4th Hussars in the Battle of Greece, and by the 3rd (The King’s Own) Hussars during
the Battle of Crete. The same armoured unit had previously embarked three Mk.VIBs for the Norwegian campaign, but they were lost in transit to a German aircraft attack. While the Mk.VI proved to be very useful in the early years of the war, its small gun and
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thin armour were soon to be no match against the German tanks and anti-tank weapons. The Model The starting point for this project was Released in 2013, this was the third in the line from Vulcan (the previous two being a BEF Mk.VIB, and a BEF/ Malta campaign Mk.VIC). The kit itself comprises several sprues of injection-
Vulcan Models British Light Tank Mk.VIB
moulded components (including link-and-length tracks), together with two photo-etched frets, metal rods and springs (providing working suspension for the road wheels), and a sheet of decal markings. Assembly instructions are by way of a 12page manual, which includes painting/marking schemes for two vehicles: C Sqn. 1 RTR (August 1940), and A Sqn. 6RTR (November 1940). Both are depicted in the characteristic 3-colour ‘Caunter’ scheme. I was really pleased with the level of detail, and found the inclusion of photo-etched items to be the perfect choice for achieving an in-
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scale appearance for certain elements. Construction was generally straightforward, though dealing with the ‘Caunter’ scheme camouflage would require some careful thought. The main problem would be ensuring straight demarcation lines on a vehicle that has so many bolt-heads and complex shapes. Since I planned to depict this as an operational vehicle, it was important to consider appropriate weathering treatment, and
to include various items of equipment and stowage. Thanks to clearly presented assembly instructions, construction proved to be straightforward. One of the first tasks was to replace some of the over-scale and poorly detailed plastic parts with the supplied photo-etched items. Given that certain ones would require careful
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bending along pre-marked lines, I opted to use the ‘Photo Etched Parts Bender’ (from Master Tools/Trumpeter).
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I used lengths of copper wire to add wiring to the lights, smoke grenade dischargers and antenna mount.
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With the basic components assembled, I was ready to apply a coat of primer. Note the rod/spring suspension units, which require particular care during construction.
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After a coat of primer, it was time for the distinctive ‘Caunter’ scheme. And what better choice than LifeColor’s ‘Middle East British Vehicle Camouflage’ set (ref. CS16). Although the set includes six colours, only three were needed here: Portland Stone, Light Grey and Slate Grey.
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Vulcan Models British Light Tank Mk.VIB
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Satisfied with the basic colour scheme, I made a start on the weathering. Taking the vehicle’s base colour (Portland Stone), I added a small amount of UA 122 (Italian Light Sand 4), heavily diluted this with thinner, and applied an overall misting to unify the colours and subdue the hard-edged demarcation lines. I also added vertical streaks over the turret and hull using this colour. To emphasise raised details such as boltheads and panel edges, I picked these out using the respective colours mixed with a small amount of UA 707 (Flesh – 2° Light). Following a coat of satin varnish, I applied the appropriate decals, and allowed these to completely dry before treating the model to a heavily diluted brown wash. Turning to my oil paints, I applied small spots of brown, white and black. These were then blended into the surfaces using a brush moistened with thinner. The model was put to one side for 24 hours to allow the oils to completely dry. Returning to my acrylics, I began to replicate surface scratches and chipping with the help of a piece of sponge. The
important thing was to use slightly lighter shades of the underlying colours for the desired effect. Now using UA 210 (Dunkelbraun) and a fine-pointed brush, I recreated areas of corrosion where the scratches and chips had extended to the bare metal. Time now to add a series of pin-washes to accentuate the panel lines and raised details. Using AK Interactive’s AK 012 (Streaking 10 Grime), I applied streaks down the turret sides, and blended these using a flat brush moistened with thinner. AK 046 (Light Rust for Green Vehicles) was used to suggest rust spots around the vehicle. It was important to avoid overstating this effect, and to blend the spots with thinner for a more realistic appearance. Having masked the upper hull, I applied a light spray of AMMO’s A.MIG 1404 (North Africa Dust) to lower areas to replicate accumulated dust from the desert terrain. To add to this, I applied a selection of pigments, and sealed these
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11 with Gravel & Sand Fixer. A further application of A.MIG 1404 blended the pigments with a very pleasing result. And now to some brush painting. LifeColor’s UA 208 (Anthrazitgrau) was the perfect choice to depict the road wheels’ rubber tyres. To give the impression of a heavily corroded exhaust, I began by applying various brown and rust tones from the LifeColor range. These were followed by two layers of AK Interactive’s Heavy Chipping Fluid. Once this was dry, I applied a coat of Portland Stone, and proceeded to remove portions of this using a stiff brush and warm water. A series of brown and rust washes added further depth to the finish. All that remained was to add black pigment to the end of the exhaust to suggest carbon deposit.
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The tracks were given an initial coat LifeColor’s UA 210 (Dunkelbraun), followed by a repeat of the brown and rust washes. I now used a brush to apply A.MIG 1404 (North Africa Dust) to specific portions of the 14 tracks. Having allowed this to dry, I was then able to judge whether more was required before moving on. To suggest exposed metal on the tracks’ contact areas, I simply applied graphite from the tip of a pencil. A further application of A.MIG 1404, this time to give the impression of dust over the vehicle’s horizontal surfaces. Once applied, the wash was blended with thinner. Note the transformation, compared with the images of the vehicle with its basic camouflage colours. Fixed with thinner, small amounts of sand-coloured pigment were applied to horizontal areas, to give the impression of sand that has been deposited by the crew’s feet.
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Vulcan Models British Light Tank Mk.VIB
19 Availability: Vulcan Scale Models’ 1/35 British Light Tank Mk.VIB – North Africa (ref. 56011) is available from good model shops.
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Before adding the various items of stowage and personal equipment, I painted these with LifeColor acrylics, and weathered them using a combination of oils and enamels. The chain attached to the front of the vehicle was given an initial coat of Mr. Hobby’s Metal Color – Dark Iron, followed by LifeColor’s UA 703 (Light Rust Shadow 1).
The perfect medium for replicating fuel and oil stains is AK Interactive’s Black Smoke oil colour. And finally … the antenna, complete with pennants made from aluminium foil.
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ISSUE 12
Robinson considers the early The early ChiefTains M.P history of Britain’s Cold War MBT.
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’ve had the good luck to learn much about this tank in recent years, and I have always been fascinated by this much maligned and controversial MBT. Why did the Chieftain get such a bad rap? Well, it obviously had a tendency to break down and the British have always been free with criticism of their own products and institutions, which spread the bad news far and wide. It also had some excellent characteristics that put it ahead of its time and ahead of its contemporaries. Close examination of the Chieftain’s early years reveals that every unit that deployed the Chieftain made huge efforts to keep their charges operational. Many debates still rage about the Chieftain’s failings and its qualities. My thanks go out to Simon Dunstan, Sir Laurence New, Bob Griffin, Noel McCleery, Mike Rose, Richard Allen, Dick Taylor, Rob Jacobs, and John K. Webster for their recollections and insights. I also thank Peter Lau, Gordon Scott, Geoff Wells, Jim Sheldon, Uwe Engelbrecht,
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Well loved and respected (despite its age by the mid-1960s), the Centurion certainly was a hard act to follow. Its accurate and powerful 105mm L7 gun had a high rate of fire, its armour was thick and well laid out, and it was far more agile across country than its 52 ton weight would have implied. It was furthermore simple to learn the various crew roles and it had a reliable powertrain. The Centurion earned an excellent reputation in combat in British service in Korea and then in foreign armies
right up to the early 1980s. This Centurion Mk.12 of the 16th/5th Lancers was an up-gunned Mk.7 with a reinforced glacis plate, a .50 Calibre (12.7mm) Ranging Gun fitted and a Philips infrared projector for nocturnal combat. Its lack of an NBC system, its short combat range and the flammability of its petrol fuelled engine were drawbacks consequent of late 1940s tank design that are often ignored in the inevitable comparisons made at the time to the new Chieftain. (Geoffrey Wells) A prototype Chieftain turret at Bovington in 1999. We can see the
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original pattern No.11 Cupola, which shared many characteristics with the type introduced on the Centurion Mk.8 and retained on the Mk.10 (and when the latter were upgraded to Mk.13 standard with IR equipment). The Chieftain design included an infrared projector in its fire control system from the early design stages. The Mk.1’s turret dropped the armoured infra-red projector and incorporated a host of detail layout changes, resulting in a longer frontal casting, a revised roof layout, and a longer bustle. (MP Robinson)
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The Chieftain turret casting had changed shape quite subtly by the time the first production batch was completed. The Chieftain Mk.1’s production turret was longer, the loader’s hatch was moved and many of the earlier sub-systems and stowage layouts had been changed or updated. The tank’s design as a whole had been revised to cut weight to the minimum possible without affecting protection. The first 39 production vehicles were designated Chieftain Mk.1s, fitted with Leyland L60 engines capable of a mere 585
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bhp power output. These vehicles were evaluated exhaustively but never formed the full equipment of any one regiment. Here we can see the original No. 11 Cupola fitted, and the trials crew wearing the insulated tank suit so typical for RAC crews right up to the 1970s. (Crown Copyright) Unfit for issue to units in BAOR, the Mk.1s were destined to surprisingly long service lives, at first as driver training tanks at Catterick. Some were rebuilt as bridgelayers in the 1980s. Although most Mk.1s only received mechanical
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The first Chieftain prototypes were trialled by FVRDE and by the army with select crews in the 1961-1963 period. Trials focused on gunnery, mechanical performance and component function. The hull shape and suspension changed radically during development. Eventually several of the prototypes were unit tested by the 1st and 5th Royal Tank Regiments, an experience which led to many detail changes in the vehicle’s suspension, fire controls and optics. This prototype (with mantlet and turret front concealed with canvas and sheet metal) was being used to evaluate the No.15 cupola around 1964 or 1965. (Crown Copyright)
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improvements, some, like the one seen here serving as a driver trainer at Catterick with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (SCOTS DG) in 1979 were fitted with the No.15 Cupola. (G. Scott) The Chieftain Mk.2 was demonstrated extensively in 1967 in order to drum up foreign orders and the list of potential customers in NATO once included the Netherlands and Belgium, both of whom went on to buy the cheaper, simpler and more reliable Leopard. Israeli efforts to acquire the Chieftain were impeded and
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eventually dismissed entirely by the British government in the 1967-1969 period (a rather stupid course of action by the Foreign Office in retrospect). The Chieftain’s relative complexity and higher unit cost weighed heavily against it in competition with designs like the M60 and the Leopard- long before the Chieftain earned its reputation for unreliability. It was not until the early 1970s that substantial Iranian orders for Chieftains were received. (Crown Copyright)
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Hot weather trials with two Chieftain Mk.2s were conducted by the 1st Royal Tank Regiment in Aden in September 1966, prior to the type’s introduction to service with the 11th Hussars. A pair of Mk.2s were loaned to the Israeli armoured corps for evaluation shortly afterwards, and while Israeli feedback was considered very carefully and license production was considered, it all came to naught. (Crown Copyright) The Chieftain Mk.2 was the first production version to enter unit service in November 1966 with the 11th Hussars. Great things were expected of the Chieftain Mk.2 from the outset, and the 300 Mk.2s built were issued in complete squadrons to BAOR’s armoured regiments. As the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, the 17th/21st Lancers and other regiments handed in their Centurions through 1967-1968 the adoption of the new MBTs coincided with the arrival of the FV438 Swingfire launcher, the Stalwart amphibious load carrier and the regimental air troop’s helicopters. This Chieftain Mk.2 was in service with the 17th /21st Lancers in 1967. (Crown Copyright) Gunnery and driving courses were conducted at Bovington for BAOR and UK-based RAC units alike, but the real task of bringing the newly equipped Chieftain regiments to operational status in BAOR took place on the West German training areas. Here we can see a squadron of the 16th/5th Lancers with their new Chieftain Mk.2s in 1968 at Hohne, West Germany. (Geoffrey Wells) The new Chieftain Mk.2s were extensively photographed in those days and we can see how the use of camouflage netting was heavily relied upon to break up the tank’s silhouette. These are Chieftain Mk.2s of the 17th/21st Lancers. (Crown Copyright)
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The 16th/5th Lancers experience of taking these factory new vehicles into the field in 1968 were positive and
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might be taken as typical: the 16th/5th Lancers recalled, ‘The season proper started with a bang at Hohne, when we
turned out to fire our brand new (six weeks old) Chieftains. This was a successful culmination of months of hard slog on the training wings.’There were many new systems that had to be mastered when the Chieftain entered service. A glaring omission was the lack of a crew compartment heater. Like many of the first Chieftain Mk.2s, this example serving with the 16th/5th Lancers was delivered in Deep Bronze Green. (Geoffrey Wells) Chieftain Mk.2s of the 16th/5th Lancers advance across country in 1968. The Chieftain Mk.2’s fire control system included the 12.7mm Ranging Gun (adapted from the Browning M2 .50 calibre machine gun and seen here on the immediate right side of the L11 120mm gun), inherited from the late Centurion’s fire control system. The 7.62mm co-axial machine gun was mounted on the top of the L11’s breach, developed from the 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun. This simple method of range finding was already familiar in the Royal Armoured Corps and its use continued while a tank laser rangefinder sight was developed. The TLS (Tank Laser Sight), was introduced from 1973, but all British Chieftains (Mk.1, Mk.2, Mk.3, Mk.3/3 and Mk.5) were delivered fitted for the Ranging Gun. It disappeared as Chieftains were rebuilt into Mk.7s, Mk.8s and Mk.9s at the beginning of the 1980s. (Geoffrey Wells) The Chieftain Mk.2’s original No.15 Cupola included vertical faced episcopes featuring a two-piece sealed construction that leaked in rainy weather, but it gave the commander a much better view of the battlefield than on any previous British tank. The cupola was improved with each subsequent mark and the cupolas issued on the original Mk.2s were modified considerably with inclined episcope glasses to reduce reflection, a wider roof
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and modified sights and ammunition feed for the commander’s cupola-mounted 7.62mm GPMG. During road moves the tank commander could aid the driver in manoeuvring the Chieftain from his position in the cupola, and the L11 gun would be clamped with the turret traversed to the 6 o’clock position. (Geoffrey Wells) The 13th/18th Hussars’ own journal recalled ‘Conversion from the Centurion tanks to Chieftain ...involves, in the first place, retraining all tank crewmen and passing them off as proficient Chieftain commanders, loaders, gunners and drivers; secondly, training with the new tanks in the field; and then, most important of all, conversion firing on the open ranges. It is a long process, complicated by the fact that the new tanks arrive in rather unpredictable dribs and drabs.’ An excellent look at the right hand side of the Chieftain Mk.2’s turret, which evolved as the design matured. The jerrycan rack carried two water cans and the box beneath contained smoke grenades for the smoke discharger units. On later marks this was replaced with a large stowage bin and stowage racks were added on each side of the turret bustle. (Geoffrey Wells) Here we can see an original Chieftain Mk.2 and a later Mk.3/3 of the 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards in the early 1970s. The Mk.3 and Mk.3/3 had many detail improvements but with every improvement applied to the Chieftain’s powertrain, a domino effect of other problems seemed to arise.The RAC’s two Irish regiments were exempt from service in Ulster in the 1970s, and they were able to dedicate much training time to the Chieftain. Intensive use and training yielded good results, both in terms of improving the Chieftain’s reliability, and in a unit’s gunnery and tactical expertise. (Noel McCleery)
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The basic design of the Chieftain’s powerpack enabled it to be removed in a single unit and replaced quickly. The idea was very sound but the L60 engine, TN12 gearbox and many sub-components were introduced before development of these elements were complete, and before enough testing had been achieved to ensure that they functioned reliably together. The stated intention of giving BAOR armoured units a high level of vehicle availability was never to be realized to the degree intended in the specification. In hindsight this looks to have been worked through very bravely in the late 1960s but the RAC’s patience wore very thin as problems continued into the following decade. The vehicle seen here with its turret stowage bins and IR projector removed to minimise width for rail (or road) transport began life as a Mk.2, and is likely here configured as a Mk.6, indicating that it has been brought up to Mk.5 standard. It was photographed in the early 1980s, and it carries an L11A5 or L11A3 gun (the latter being the designation given to earlier L11A1 and L11A2 guns updated to L11A5 standard). It also featured a modified cupola, revised ammunition and turret stowage, revised engine decks and a much modified powertrain. (Uwe Engelbrecht) The Chieftain was designed to have an automotive mean mileage between failures of 2500 miles, a much higher level of reliability than the Centurion it replaced. This generated high hopes in the late 1960s: the stock of Centurion spares was low and BAOR Centurion regiments were suffering from a high rate of breakdowns. The new Chieftain fleet was not provided with an adequate store of spares however, and many consumable sub-components were badly designed. The disappointment this caused was downplayed at the time, but emerged again later on as more powerful versions of the L60 failed to cure the high breakdown rates. Here we can see a Mk.2 of the 4th RTR in 1970. (4th Royal Tank Regiment) A Chieftain Mk.2 kicking up a cloud of dust in dry weather on the training area at Bovington. One of the most notorious examples of component failure with the Mk.2 was suffered by the Blues and Royals in 1969. That July the regiment suffered a staggering 40 L60
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failures over a mere 10 days on the Hohne training area due to the poor design of the engine’s dust filters. The response by Leyland was commendably fast but the RAC found that factory solutions to individual problems in the powerpack nearly always caused other problems. The new pattern air filters still blocked quickly and they had to be knocked clean every few hours, which hardly lined up with an MBT designed to fight on contaminated battlefields. (5.) (Jim Sheldon) A Chieftain Mk.2 modified to resemble a Soviet MBT under the care of the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment in 1979, complete with red star and turret
numbers. This might have been one of the last Mk.2s left by this time due to the ongoing rebuild programs to modernise the early production Chieftains to Mk.5 standard. The best known mechanical issues recorded in the early 1970s with
the L60 engine in the early 1970s had included poorly factory calibrated fuel injectors, and the issues with cylinder liner seals in the engine blocks have been described at length in every book written about the Chieftain. (Malcolm Cleverley)
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of effort from the men who crewed and repaired these tanks. (Crown Copyright)
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Exercises with the new Chieftains were naturally enthusiastically pursued by all the units that received them in the late 1960s and in the early 1970s, despite reliability issues. Not all of the regiments that received the Chieftain had catastrophic breakdown rates and some tanks suffered fewer problems than others. At the time the Chieftain was the most heavily armed tank in all of NATO and it carried much heavier armour than French or West German MBTs. The reports concerning the Chieftain on exercise available in contemporary regimental journals indicate that it stepped easily into the Centurion’s
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shoes in BAOR. As the RAC’s first postwar diesel-engined tank, many former crewmen can remember the contrast of old fashioned to modern. Others recall the freezing cold of operating the Chieftain in cold weather, new drivers getting covered in diesel oil during maintenance, and how ‘dirty’ the Chieftain was compared to its predecessor. Despite this, many crewmen developed a real affection for the Chieftain. This is rather immaculate Chieftain of the 15th/19th Hussars was photographed at Bovington in the early 1980s. (Tim Neate) The Chieftain Mk.2 had certain advantages over the simpler
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Centurion it was replacing: it had a far greater range on roads or across country, it was faster, an easier tank to drive- and its fire controls and optics were more capable than the old Centurion’s. The 120mm L11 series gun was at the time the most powerful tank gun in the world. The Chieftain was also more heavily armoured, and its ammunition was better protected than in any comparable vehicle. The RAC’s armoured regiments quickly set about establishing internal programs to establish a high standard of efficiency with the new tank, notably in gunnery and in tactical drills. All the same, many experienced loaders and gunners introduced to the Chieftain Mk.2 missed the single piece ammunition and higher rate of fire of the 105mm L7 gun. Other crewmen quickly saw the diesel-fuelled but unreliable L60 as a step back from the thirsty, flammable but reliable Meteor engine it replaced. (Crown Copyright) Crews in all the Chieftain regiments became experts at preparing the Chieftain for REME repair teams and at preventive maintenance. These measures minimised the high breakdown rates, but until the Ministry of Defence recognised and took measures to address the L60’s deficiencies this demanded a huge amount
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Conclusion It was not until 1978 that the British government began to address the scandal of the Chieftain’s engine, and improvements came steadily and at considerable cost in a whole series of modifications to the engine’s components and sub-systems. These resulted eventually in a standardised series of upgrades applied at base and unit levels. With the comprehensive mechanical improvement programs known as ‘Totem Pole’ and ‘Sundance’ the army was able to comprehensively address the Leyland L60’s worst deficiencies. They were successful in improving the Chieftain’s reliability but the Chieftain remained underpowered in comparison to its contemporaries, and still broke down (if not as often). In 1980, after over 13 years of service, the Chieftain’s L60/ TN12 powerpack finally achieved levels of reliability approaching the 2500 mile mean mileage between failure rate specified in the original GSR for the vehicle. The L60 Mk.11A engine managed 2200 miles. By this time the Chieftain’s reputation was tarnished, and the army’s soldiers had long given up their efforts to hush their frustration with the Chieftain’s engine. The later Chieftain marks, all of which consisted of modifications of the vehicles described above, exhibited a much reduced list of mechanical woes. They remained underpowered and slow, especially compared to the new Challenger of 1985 (let alone the speedier M1 and Leopard 2) and to contemporary MBTs like the M60 series, the AMX30 and the Leopard 1. Further Reading Cleverley, Malcolm. Armoured Farmer: A Tankie’s Tales. Woodfield Publishing. UK. 2007. ISBN-10: 184683029X Dunstan, Simon. The Chieftain Tank. Military Fotofax, Weidenfeld Military, UK. 1989. ISBN-10: 085368894X Dunstan, Simon. Chieftain Main Battle Tank 1965-2003. Osprey New Vanguard, UK. 2003. ISBN-10: 1841767190 Forty, George. Chieftain. Modern Combat Vehicles. Ian Allen, UK. 1979. Griffin, Rob. Chieftain. Crowood Press Ltd, UK. 2001. ISBN-10: 1861264380 Griffin, Rob. Chieftain Main Battle Tank: Development and Active Service from Prototype to Mk.11. Photosniper 07. Kagero Publishing, Poland. 2013. ISBN-10: 8362878525 Robinson, M.P. and Griffin, Rob. The Royal Armoured Corps in the Cold War. Images of War Series. Pen and Sword Books. Barnsley, United Kingdom. 2016. ISBN-10: 9781473843752 Taylor, Dick. Chieftain Main Battle Tank Manual: 1966 to Present. J.H. Haynes and Co. UK. 2016. ISBN-10: 1785210599
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Panda Models T-15 Armata - Object 149
Ivan Momcilovic Momcha builds Panda Models’ T-15 in a ‘2021’ setting.
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ack in December 2016 we put together a special issue around a ‘2021’ future war theme. The conflict pitted NATO against Russia. There was, however, a twist: a major cyber attack by a third party had knocked out many of the combatants’ GPS and other guidance systems and this placed constraints on
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their ability to deploy their most sophisticated weapons systems, particularly air power and air
defence systems. The issue gave the contributors – Ken Abrams, Anthony Guarderas and Chris Jerrett – the freedom to experiment with different camouflage and markings and imaginative scenarios. It also inspired me to begin my own ‘2021’ project ... The Model The T-15 Armata (industrial designation ‘Object 149’) is a Russian
heavy infantry fighting vehicle, which made its public debut (initially with the turret covered) during the rehearsals for the 2015 Moscow Victory Day Parade. Evidently, the T-15 is expected to replace the BMP-2 and MT-LB based platforms for the Russian Ground Forces. The sight of such a new vehicle was a great surprise to vehicle enthusiasts and modellers alike. Of course, we had to wait until the celebration day itself to fully appreciate the spectacle; it was only then that we learnt about its true abilities, armament and technology. In no time at all, Panda Hobby were announcing the imminent release of a 1/35-scale kit of the T-15. One could be forgiven for thinking they had been granted exclusive production rights; their list also includes the ‘BTR VPK Bumerang APC’, ‘Kuragents-25’ and ‘T-14 Armata’ … subjects that (with the exception of the T-14) are unavailable elsewhere. Simply labelled ‘T-15 Armata – Object 149’, the kit was released in 2016. Inside the box we find sixteen sprues of injection-moulded
MiniArt T-54-1 with interior
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lmost from the outset of the conflict in Latvia, the Latvians resisting Russian rule used the forest to their advantage, hiding in its shadows and conducting raids and ambushes on Russian forces. For the most part these ‘Forest Brothers’ (and sisters) were lightly armed, but
components, including individual-link tracks, and clear parts for headlights and periscope lenses. Also provided is a small photoetched fret, a length of braided wire for the towing cable, and a decal sheet incorporating the St. George stripes from the parade scheme. Assembly instructions are by way of an A4-size booklet, accompanied by a separate sheet showing the painting/ marking scheme for a single vehicle. Interestingly, the boxart shows the T-15 in action (minus the hull markings). As usual, construction began with the lower hull and chassis.
the capture of a group of Russian AFVs destined for the Russia Day (12 June) parade in Daugavpils was a major coup. One of these freedom fighters, known only as ‘Sergeant Nikita’, quickly gained iconic status among both her own countrymen and the Russian occupiers . . .
This involved several small components that needed to be attached in specific places (photo 1). Before proceeding any further, I had to attend to the large areas of flash around the kit; easily remedied with the help of a sharp knife and sandpaper (photo 2). To ensure that the road-wheel axles were perfectly aligned, I made use of the jig from an old Tamiya ‘Leopard’ kit (photo 3). Having given the lower hull a coat of black primer, I assembled the wheels and primed these while they were temporarily mounted on a strip of masking tape (photo 4).
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Panda Models T-15 Armata - Object 149
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5 Disappointingly, mating the upper and lower hull sections revealed some noticeable gaps. These were filled with strips of styrene sheet (photo 5). Smaller gaps were then filled with putty, and sanded smooth for a more acceptable finish. The instructions suggest adding details to both upper and lower hull at this stage. I ignored this, not only because of the parts-fit issue, but also for fear of damaging the smaller components during the construction. I would also recommend dry-fitting the various parts before finally gluing in place. Note the black appearance of the photoetched parts, due to these being coated with AMMO’s Photoetch Burnishing Fluid (photo 6). And so to those multipart tracks … in my opinion, somewhat over-complicated for such a model. Had they been designed as fully workable tracks, I would understand; given that they are not, one wonders why each link consists of three parts! In fairness, the kit includes a jig to help with the assembly. However, I found
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6 this to be less than useful, and resorted to my usual method of mounting the links on a length of masking tape while gluing the various parts together (photo 7). Treated to a coat of brown primer, the individual links were glued together, and the tracks installed around the wheels before being left to fully set. Painting, Marking & Weathering Having checked there were no errors from the construction stage, I treated the entire model to a coat of grey primer. Following the principle of the currently popular ‘black & white’ technique, I decided to modify this slightly, using a system referred to as the ‘colour wheel’. Quite simply, this involves the relationship between the primary, secondary and tertiary colours. Since my model would be finished in a (speculative) camouflage scheme of sand, brown and green, the appropriate pre-shading colours would be purple and blue (with the addition of white). Working
from dark to light, I approached this in several layers, each time introducing more purple and white to the mix (photo 8). The extreme highlights were then added, this time using Cold White from the AMMO range (photo 9). Leaving these colours to dry for 24 hours, I then made a start on the camouflage scheme. Based on various online images, I began with the brown shade, a colour included in AMMO’s ‘Modern Russian Camouflage Colors – Vol.2’
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(photo 10). The second colour (a sand shade) was also from the AMMO set (photo 11), and finally the green (referred to as ‘Zashchitniy Zeleno – Russian Post-War Green’) (photo 12). In each case, the colours were diluted with thinner in order for the pre-shading to remain visible. Once completely dry, the model received a coat of gloss varnish, both to prepare for the decal markings and to protect the surfaces during subsequent weathering. I used
MiniArt T-54-1 with interior
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7 Vallejo’s Decal Medium to ensure perfect adhesion, and carefully cut along the panel lines to give the impression that the stripe markings were actually painted onto the surface (photo 13). A notable feature on many modern AFVs is the arrangement of optics around the
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turret. The T-15 has two large units: the gunner’s sight, and the commander’s sight, each with a series of circular lenses. To give the lenses a realistic appearance, I applied an initial coat of aluminium, followed by a random combination of AMMO’s A.MIG-098 and A.MIG-099 (Crystal Light Blue and Crystal Black Blue) (photo 14).
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Panda Models T-15 Armata - Object 149
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16 With all components attached, I was ready to attend to the weathering. Having applied a brown wash to the vehicle, I proceeded to highlight appropriate areas (photo 15). Although I wanted to depict a vehicle that had been involved in combat, I avoided adding extensive damage to
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the paintwork, limiting this to minor scrapes and scratches; a few marks using a light green applied with a fine-pointed brush, and touches of very dark brown to add depth to the scratches (photos 16 & 17).
MiniArt T-54-1 with interior
17 A sponge was used to add chipping around the hull insignia, and an aluminium colour applied to areas where crew movement would have worn away paintwork around
hatches and entry points (photo 18). I gave the gun barrel a coat of black, and burnished this with Gunmetal pigment for a realistic sheen. Time to start with heavy weathering. Focusing on the engine air-intakes, I used ABT510 (Starship Filth) from
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18 MIG Productions’ 502 Abteilung oil paint range. This was blended into the surrounding area using a fine-pointed brush moistened with enamel thinner (photo 19). With a grey-green enamel colour, I introduced vertical streaks to the hull sides, and again blended these for a more subdued appearance (photos 20 & 21). Allowing these to fully dry (at least 12 hours), I continued with further streaking effects, this time using a shade of brown, with a repeat of the blending process. A much lighter brown was applied freely over the lower areas, once again blended to give the impression of accumulated mud washed down the surfaces following heavy rain (photos 22 & 23). To add texture to the mud, I added patches of Wilder’s TE 11 (Light Europe – Fine) from their Textured Earth range (photo 24). Achieving contrast is a major aspect of weathering. For this, I applied dark brown oil paint to specific areas of the upper hull, and blended it until I was satisfied with the result (photo 25 & 26).
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Panda Models T-15 Armata - Object 149
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27 Final weathering effects were applied to the lower-most areas of the vehicle, with random patches of Wilder’s NL 23 (Dark Street Dirt Effect) (photo 27). Returning to the upper areas, I prepared a mix of dark brown and various earth-tone pigments. Once in place, this was carefully touched with small quantities of enamel thinner, and allowed to dry. I was really pleased with the result, and was able to remove any unwanted portions with a brush and a piece of sponge (photo 28). Various items of
stowage were sourced from sets produced by the US company, Value Gear (photo 29). All that remained was to add the finishing touches to the weathering, and replicate fuel/ oil stains where appropriate (photo 30), and not forgetting the rather purposefullooking figure, ‘VDV Girl’ (ref. ARM35902) from Armor35. And with that, the model was complete. Many
thanks to Hobby Easy (www.hobbyeasy.com) for providing the sample kit.
Availability: Panda Models 1/35 T-15 Armata – Object 149 (ref. PH-35017) is available from good model shops.
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30.5cm L/16 auf Sfl ‘Bär’ (Henschel production)
Dan Brooker scratchbuilds a ‘Paper Panzer’.
W
hile browsing in my local model shop, I came across a book entitled ‘German Rarities’. Flicking through the pages, I found nothing particularly inspiring until I reached the final item – a line drawing of what appeared to be a King Tiger with a huge gun mounted in a casemate structure. Reading the accompanying text, I was intrigued by this most unusual subject, and immediately decided that this should be my next modelling project. Normally, this would be straightforward, given that virtually every German vehicle seems to be covered by at least one manufacturer. Sadly, here was the exception to the rule; clearly this would involve either a complete scratch-build (beyond my present capabilities), or a case of combining various kits to achieve a reasonable likeness of what was, in fact, a ‘paper panzer’. After extensive searching on the Internet, I learnt that the vehicle was one of the Third Reich’s last-ditch attempts to produce a heavy self-propelled gun. Evidently, the design was based on the prototype Tiger I chassis and running gear,
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30.5cm L/16 auf Sfl ‘Bär’ (Henschel production)
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with an upgraded Maybach engine, and Krupp 30.5cm howitzer. Had the vehicle been produced, it is estimated that it would have weighed a staggering 120 tonnes! The Model Having converted the drawing to 1/35 scale, and with as much reference material as
I could find, I collected the various elements required for the build: Dragon’s ‘Sd. Kfz.186 Jagdtiger – Henschel Production Type’ (ref. 6285), which would form the major part of the model; Friulmodel’s ‘Tracks and Sprockets for Tiger II (late)’ (ref. ATL-37) to replace the kit’s Magic Tracks; and Takom’s ‘Škoda 30.5cm M1916 Siege Mortar’ (ref. 2011) as the basis for the gun.
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The hull was extended by 20mm. A styrene fillet filled the gap.
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Here you can see the gun installed ready for the armoured mantlet.
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Here you can see the engine deck and crew compartmen installed.
I added weld beads and torch cut edges to enhance the detail of the main structures.
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30.5cm L/16 auf Sfl ‘Bär’ (Henschel production)
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6 I began work by forming the hull profile from 0.80 styrene sheet. The first thing I noticed was that the kit’s hull was some 20mm too short. The simple remedy was to make a vertical cut, add a fillet of styrene sheet, and reinforce the section from the inside. Also, the vehicle would require an additional road wheel on either side; thankfully, I was able to find a matching pair in my spares box. The next task was to cut and fit the other panels that would form the shape in front of the gun housing. Details such as hatches, vision blocks and periscopes were carefully removed from the kit’s
7 roof section, and transferred to the new model. To add the necessary bolt-heads around the edge of the roof, I drilled tiny depressions, inserted lengths of plastic rod, and sanded them flush to achieve the correct appearance. The last major operation was to build the gun and its armoured mantlet; a fairly tedious affair, not least trying to fit the cylindrical cover around the gun barrel. With everything in place, I attended to the mantlet itself, which was formed from styrene sheet with a covering of ‘Magic Sculp’ two-part epoxy putty. Once this was fully cured, I used a combination of X-Acto
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8 blades and sanding sponges to arrive at the final shape. To replicate the weld seams, I marked their position, scribed the surface, and added lengths of stretched sprue, which were then suitably textured with the edge of a blade. Another characteristic feature, the torch-cut edges to certain panels were coated with styrene cement to soften the plastic, and a series of shallow cuts added (again with the edge of a blade). Using a mix of Tamiya putty and styrene cement, I stippled this over specific areas of the vehicle (carefully avoiding smaller details). Once dry, the surfaces were lightly sanded to give the impression of cold rolled steel. Finally, various photoetched items (compliments of my spares box) were added to complete the build phase. Painting & Weathering As with any ‘Paper Panzer’, colour schemes are really a case of speculation. In fact, I spent several hours working out how to finish this particular model. It is quite likely that complicated camouflage schemes would not have been a priority during the closing stages of the war, and I was also keen to avoid anything that would detract from the important details I had spent so long adding. With these points in mind, I opted for an overall dunkelgelb scheme. I began by treating the model to a coat of Mr. Finishing Surfacer 1500 (Black). I then mixed Tamiya XF-64 (Red Brown), X-7 (Red) and X-22 (Clear), and sprayed
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this in several light coats (omitting the roof section), taking care to allow the underlying black to remain visible as areas of shadow. Mr. Paint’s MRP-33 (Primer Red) was now applied to the lower hull, and the model left to fully dry.
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The shape of the mantlet was modelled with Magisculpt and textured using putty. The final photoetch parts were added to complete the build. The assembled model: the scratchbuilt plasticard superstructure is evident, as are the additions from available plastic kits. The assembled model was then broken down into sub assemblies to assist the painting and weathering process. I used a Mr Surfacer Black 1500 as a primer to seal in the photoetch parts. The base Dunkelgelb colour was applied in light layers using an airbrush. Lemon Yellow was then added to the base colour to introduce a nice yellow tone. Then I added white to create some ‘colour modulation’. To tone down the brightness of the white I sprayed a yellow filter over the model Tape was used to mask the camouflage pattern that would involve two shades of Olive Drab. Humbrol enamel provided a good filter to tone down the contrast between the base and camouflage colours. I used the so-called ‘oil dot method’ to begin the weathering process. I mixed a pin wash from Wilder’s oil colour to pop out the details.
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20 To achieve a reasonable match for the Dunkelgelb colour, I prepared a mix of Tamiya XF-60 (Dark Yellow), X-8 (Lemon Yellow) and X-22 (Clear). Diluted 50% with thinner, this was applied overall in a somewhat patchy layer. Several further coats were applied, each with increasing amounts of XF-2 (Flat White) to create highlights and tonal variation. With a light misting of X-8 (heavily diluted), I was able to reinforce the yellow tone to the base colour, while retaining the previously applied highlights. After several coats of X-22 (to seal the paintwork), I considered the appearance, and came to the conclusion that this single colour looked rather uninspiring on such a large expanse of panels. The solution was to introduce two further colours: different shades of green, which I was able to find in Mr. Hobby’s ‘Color Modulation Set – Olive Drab’ (ref. CS581). The specific shades were CMC01 (OD Highlight 1) and CMC02 (OD Highlight 2). Opting for a hard-edged scheme, I masked the relevant areas with Tamiya masking tape, and applied the two colours … a much more pleasing result! Using Humbrol 83 (Ochre), I diluted this 50%, and applied it overall with a soft wide brush. Since this was to be a filter layer (merely to tone down the colours) rather than a wash, I was careful to remove any excess from the brush on a piece of paper. Again, allowing the model to dry, I then applied a series of pin-washes, this time using diluted LS09 (Black Brown) from the Wilder oil paint
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21 range. After approximately 5 minutes, I was able to remove any excess using a cotton bud moistened with thinners. Time now to add some contrast to the various panels, the perfect medium being Winsor & Newton oils (White, Yellow, Ochre and Raw Umber). Applied as a series of small spots, these were then blended into the surrounding areas (two stages – first with a moist brush, and then with a dry brush). Having mentioned the need to allow sufficient drying time between successive coats, this is particularly important when using oils (ideally several days). Before rushing headlong into the ‘paint chipping’ process, it is worth considering just how much would be appropriate on a particular vehicle (and specifically, its combat use). Had this vehicle actually been in service, I imagine it would have been employed as a mobile ‘pill box’. Not subjected to the kind of damage seen on the traditional ‘battle tank’, it would nevertheless be heavily weathered around lower areas. So, using a combination of lightened dunkelgelb, oxide red and black brown, I worked from light to dark, and applied these colours with a piece of sponge held with tweezers. Lightly dabbing the paint onto the surface was sufficient to give the impression of tiny irregular chips. Larger scratches were then added with a fine-pointed brush, using NL21 (Light Grey Mud Effect) and NL23 (Dark Street Dirt Effect) (both from Wilder’s ‘Nitroline’ range).
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I used Primary Yellow oil paint to add some contrast to certain areas. I used both a sponge and a fine brush to create the chipped paint effects. I hand painted the unusual broken Swastika, a fictional marking inspired by some ‘Panzerwaffe 46’ colour profiles I had seen. A graphite pencil was used to replicate polished and worn metal. I used Wilder Earth Effects to weather the lower hull. From top left to the wheel on the far right you can see the process of the weathering the road wheels. The contact area of the each roadwheel was polished using Humbrol
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23 ‘Metalcote’ enamels and pigments. I used Wilder enamels for an initial dust layer before applying pigments. The final weathering effects were achieved using pigments. From top to bottom you can see the weathering progress on the tracks. Rusting on the shovel was created using LifeColor acrylics. With the roadwheels fitted, I added the final touches of the weathering. The weight of the Friul metal tracks impart a natural heavy look. Here you can see the final dusting effects using Wilder pigments.
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30.5cm L/16 auf Sfl ‘Bär’ (Henschel production)
33 Enamel washes were now added. Beginning with a lighter colour, I applied random spots over the inner portions of each panel, and followed with a darker colour around details and the panel edges. Using a stippling motion, these were then blended with a moist brush, and streaking effects added to vertical and sloping panels. Further streaks (representing rust and grime stains) were now added, this time using a combination of orange and raw umber oil paints (blended with white spirit). Returning to Wilder’s products, I used GP08 (Dry European Mud) (from the ‘Gunpowder’ range), and stippled this in several layers before fixing with white spirit. Satisfied with the result, I turned to TE11 (Light Europe – Fine)
34 (from their ‘Textured Earth’ range). This acrylic-based pigment is particularly useful for replicating accumulated dirt around lower areas and running gear. Having re-worked this using a brush moistened with water, I added small amounts of TE03 (Dark Brown – Fine) to recesses to suggest fresh mud. NL36 (Old Grease Effect) was applied sparingly around specific areas, and again blended using a fine-pointed brush and white spirit. The road wheels received a similar treatment, and I was ready to add the final weathering touches. These included rain marks down the lower hull panels (streaks of GP08, fixed with white spirit), and Humbrol 35 (Gloss Varnish) brushed in fine lines over the dust effects. All that remained was to repeat
the oil paint touches to add to the grubby appearance, and merge the rain marks together.
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Rain marks were added using gloss enamels then I added some extra speckling to complete the effect. I then went back and added some more enamel speckling in areas where dirt would collect. A mixture of clear gloss and grease-coloured enamels were added to the engine deck. The extra track links were painted using LifeColor’s rust acrylics and attached to the model. I used a combination of rust effects and soot-coloured pigments to create a realistic looking exhaust muffler. With all of the previous steps complete, the process gives a convincing finished appearance of a well-weathered vehicle.
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Availability: Trumpeter and Amusing Hobby have now released kits of this vehicle: Trumpeter 1/35 Grille3030.5cm (Grw)L/16 Mörser ‘Bär (BEAR) (ref. 09535). and Amusing Hobby 1/35 30.5cm Mörser ‘Bär’ (ref. 35A014).
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www.militarymodelcraftinternational.co.uk 63
T-84 - The Ukrainian ‘Next Generation’ T-80 James Kinnear looks at the development of the Soviet Union’s last MBT.
T
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he Soviet T-80 Main Battle Tank (MBT) was first revealed to the international defence community in the US Department of Defence publication Soviet Military Power’ published in early 1986. The new Soviet ‘Super Tank’ was heralded as the replacement for the earlier T-72 and the T-64, the correlation between which was at the time still not so well understood in the West. In later years the distinct high-risk, low-risk development paths of the earlier tank types was better understood, and the T-80 placed in perspective. Meanwhile, only five years after the T-80 was ‘unveiled’, the Soviet Union was dissolved, and some early T-80 MBTs were within months placed in museum collections. The T-80 was to be the last Soviet MBT development. It was produced at three tank production facilities, namely the Kirov Plant in Leningrad, the Omsk Machine Building Plant and the Kharkov Morozov Plant in Ukraine. As with all Soviet designs the tank went through several modifications, with the
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mid 1990s T-80B being replaced with the gas turbined T-80U (U - uluchshenniye - improved) and diesel engined T-80 UD final Soviet production variants. The T-80 was conceived as an MBT intended to serve with the Soviet Army. The use of a powerful but incredibly fuel-inefficient gas-turbine engine with high maintenance requirements as fitted as standard on the high-technology, high-risk T-64 was carried over onto some T-80 production variants, but the T-80 as built at Kharkov (today Kharkiv) in Ukraine was powered by a standard diesel engine. The use of gas-turbine engines was in Soviet Army service terms a technical advantage - and as the Soviet Army quip related, such tanks could quickly make it to the English Channel, assuming they did not run out of fuel en-route…. With the break-up of the Soviet Union, the T-80 found itself split between two production centres, Omsk and Kharkiv, located in the Russian Federation and Ukraine respectively, with the LKZ plant in Leningrad having altered its production profile to concentrate on the production of equipment for the oil industry. The use of gas-turbine engines became the Achilles Heel of the post-Soviet Omsk plant, which produced the gas-turbine engine T-80U variant. Though such engines
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The T-80 became known in Western defence literature only in 1986, entering service at the very time the state that had developed it was in terminal decline. A Ukrainian Army T-80 parked next to a T-72, both being Soviet legacy tanks that were not domestic to Ukraine. The T-80 was built as the T-80 and T-80B, with the final Ukrainian production model being the T-80UD, just visible to the right of this photograph.
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Ukrainian T-84 Fact File
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A T-80BV, in use with the Ukrainian Army as a training vehicle. An early T-84 prototype participating in the Independence Day Parade, Kiev, 24 August 1999. Modified T-84 ‘Oplot’ MBTs participating in the Independence Day Parade, Kiev, 24 August 2001.
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were ideal for an army with the technical capability to provide the required maintenance, the potential export of such tanks was in the post-Soviet era problematical, with the choice of engine being a determining factor in the 1990s for both domestic consumption and potential export of what was designed as a Soviet state MBT for Soviet Army deployment. Post-Soviet Realities The break up of the Soviet Union in 1991 would bring immense change to all of the countries involved, particularly the primary Soviet military production centres based in the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Omsk was as stated manufacturing the T-80U with a gas-turbine engine as the Soviet Union collapsed, and for years thereafter saw no reason to downgrade their premier tank as financing of new contracts dried up and production slowed to a trickle of Soviet norms. Meantime, production at the Kharkov Morozov Machine Building Plant had concentrated on the diesel engine T-80UD variant, and consequently the plant was in a better position than Omsk in Russia from an export potential viewpoint in the new post-Soviet reality. Engines were however just one component in what was
4 after all a Soviet tank now being built in two post-Soviet countries which were also now rivals on the international arms market. The Kharkov Morozov Design Bureau (KMDB) located within the Kharkiv plant in Ukraine were faced with the dilemma of modifying Soviet era tank production (and more specifically a broken Soviet era supply chain mechanism) to the realities of post-Soviet independence. The Kharkiv plant had decades of experience in tank production, having most recently developed and built the T-64 MBT and the turret, fire control and armament for the T-80U, so expertise was not the difficulty; but ongoing availability of key components sourced from the Russian Federation certainly was. With independence, Ukraine inherited a large number of T-80 tanks, but the majority were located in strategic storage, and although many components of the later T-80U had been developed and built
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Ukrainian T-84 Fact File
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in Kharkov, the tank was not native to the plant as the T-64 had been. The decision was therefore taken to upgrade the T-80 in Ukraine for potential continued production, using locally sourced replacement components for Russian originals, but with a view to export rather than continued domestic service. It was well understood that the alternative T-64 was overall an older and more complex design, however it was entirely within Ukrainian control to develop further and there were a large number of T-64 tanks in operational service. The T-80 meantime was not native to Kharkiv as the T-64 had been, so Ukraine needed to do something useful with these ‘chuzhoi’ (strange, not local) tanks. Ukraine thereby elected to sell off its T-80UD inventory and concentrate on modernizing the T-64, which was native to the country and for which obtaining parts would therefore be less of an issue going forward. After years of negotiations with potential foreign buyers, Ukraine sold 320 T-80UD tanks to Pakistan in 1997, which were modernized to varying degrees as the contract was implemented. T-84 In 1993, the KMDB in Kharkiv began work on the development of an indigenous Ukrainian domestic version of the Soviet era T-80UD, under the direction of Mykhailo D. Borysiuk, who had taken over as lead designer at KMDB in 1990 and remains in charge of tank design at Kharkiv to the present day. The first prototype of the new tank, designated T-84, was completed in 1994, and after successful plant trials an Establishment Lot was
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procured for extended plant and service evaluation trials with the Ukrainian Army, which continued for several years. One of the major tasks which required resolution was the sourcing and replacement of many components of Soviet Russian origin, with inventory of critical original Russian components such as the main armament being limited. Testing, evaluation and ongoing component replacement continued for a period of five years, with the T-84 finally being accepted into service with the Ukrainian Army in 1999. The T-84 was designed as much with a view to export opportunities as it was purely as a secondary domestic service tank. After being demonstrated at IDEX in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 1995, the T-84 in 1998 underwent evaluation trials in Greece, followed two years later by trials in Turkey and Malaysia, competing with the first generation of Russian MBTs on the intensely cut-throat international arms market. The T-84 performed well during international trials, but in common with the first post-Soviet Russian attempts at tank export, the T-84 was judged to be behind its wellestablished international competitors on the world markets particularly with regard to the sophistication of fire control systems and optics. The feedback from international trials led to an upgraded version of the T-84 being developed at KMDB, designated the T-84U. Meanwhile, on 24 August 2000, ten T-84 MBTs participated in a military parade on Kiev’s Kreschatik, the main street in central Kiev, during celebrations for the 10th anniversary of Ukrainian independence. T-84-120 Yatagan In order to further the export potential of T-84, at the time specifically for a potential
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The official factory promotional image of the T-84 ‘Oplot’ (photo: Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau). A T-84 BM ‘Oplot-M’ tank at a display in the Ukraine. The tank bears almost no resemblance to the earlier T-84 BM ‘Oplot’ and is further modified from the BM ‘Oplot’ exhibited in the UAE in 2011.
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Ukrainian T-84 Fact File
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The frontal armour protection of the T-84 BM ‘Oplot-M’ is made up of a combination of conventional and ‘Nozh’ ERA protection blocks. The ancillary systems and smoke discharger are now encased in sheet metal, providing
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contract with Turkey, the T-84 Oplot was in late 1999 and early 2000 armed with a 120mm tank gun in order to compete with countries using standard NATO armament and ammunition types. The T-84-120 featured a modified turret with a smoothbore 120mm NATO calibre tank gun, fed by a turret bustle mounted automatic loader. The prototype, now known as the ‘Yatagan’ was extensively tested in Turkey in June and July of 2000 T-84U (T-84 ‘Oplot’) The lessons learned during competitive trials against Western MBT competition in the UAE, Greece, Turkey and Malaysia were taken on board at KMDB, with the resulting T-84U (T-84 BM ‘Oplot’) revealed in 1999 being fitted with a myriad of technological improvements, primarily to the electronics, fire control and active and passive defence systems. The T-84U ‘Oplot’ has a welded hull and a new welded turret, with both hull and turret being fitted with a mix of combination and ERA armour over the frontal aspects. Nozh (knife) ERA armour is provided over the frontal arc of the tank, namely the turret front, sides and the upper forward roof plate. The tank is from a layout standpoint a standard design, though the driver mechanic controls the tank by means of a conventional wheel rather than steering pillars. The T-84 BM ‘Oplot’, as described in the manufacturer’s datasheets, is armed with the Ukrainian 125mm KBA-3 rather than Russian origin 2A46M1, fitted with a 28 round turret bustle mounted autoloader. The T-84 ‘Oplot’ can fire HEAT and HE-Frag rounds with an effective range of 2600m, APFSDS to 2800m and ‘Kombat’ laser guided rounds with a range of 5000m. The tank has an ammunition complement of 46 rounds of 125mm separate loading charge and projectile ammunition. A
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additional limited protection for vulnerable equipment, in a similar manner to the more recent Russian T-14 Armata MBT.
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The welded turret is protected by combination armour, additional
conventional armour and ‘Nozh’ ERA blocks. locally produced 12.7mm KT AAMG in a PZU-7 mount is mounted lieu of the original Russian weapon, as is a co-axial 7.62mm KT machine gun. Advanced fire control including thermal imaging was introduced, as was onboard satellite navigation. The T-84U is fitted with new side skirts and additional ERA armour including Nozh (Kontakt-5) ERA armour protection on the hull and turret. Acting on feedback from competitive testing against international competition, the T-84U was also now fitted with a ballistic computer, a TKN-4S Agat commanders day/night sight, 1G46M twin axis stabilized day/ thermal night main gunsight, and PTT-2 thermal sighting system with a claimed range of 8000m. Other improvements include ‘Varta’ electro-optical countermeasures, a muzzle reference system and satellite navigation as standard with a new auxiliary power unit (APU) provided to ensure adequate standby power. The ‘Oplot’ is powered by a 6TD-2 diesel engine developing 1200hp coupled to a 7 forward and 4 reverse speed gearbox. The tank has a resultant maximum speed of 70km/h, and with 1145 litres of internal fuel and an additional 190 litres in drums has a range to 500km. The tank has a power/ weight output of 26.08hp/t and a very respectable 0.93kg/cm2 ground pressure. The tank has conventional torsion bar suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers mounted on the 1st, 2nd and 6th roadwheel stations. Ten of the original T-84 BM ‘Oplot’ tanks were delivered to the Ukrainian Army in 2001, fitted with a distinctive turret bustle containing ready ammunition for the autoloader system. With regard to export, the BM ‘Oplot’ was demonstrated at IDEX in the UAE in 2011, together with Ukrainian T-72 MBT upgrades and a modified version, the BM
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Ukrainian T-84 Fact File
‘Oplot-T’ has subsequently been sold to the Royal Thai Army. T-84 BM Oplot-M The BM ‘Oplot-M’ is an upgraded version of the T-84 Oplot, with new armour, new electronic countermeasures, and a PNK-6 panoramic sight. T-84 BM Oplot-T The BM ‘Oplot-T’ is a modification of the T-84 BM specific to the Royal Thai Army, which contracted with Ukraine for the delivery of 49 tanks, of which 25 were delivered on schedule and the balance delayed due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine which began in 2014. T-84 ‘Donets’ SPAADS In the late 1990s, concurrent with the development of the
T-84, Ukraine developed a selfpropelled air-defence version of the T-84, which was made available to the international defence market in 1999. The system, somewhat ironically designated ‘Donets’ long before the region became internationally renowned for the war broke out there in 2014, was developed on the basis of the T-80 (T-84) chassis. The ‘Donets’ featured a raised box superstructure added to the hull sub-structure, on which was mounted a standard ZSU-23-4 turret with 4 x 23mm 2A7 heavy machine guns, and mounting four ZRK Strela-10 surface to air (SAM) rockets in two vertically stacked sets either side of the turret. Atlet ARV The Atlet ARV is the equivalent
to the Russian BREM, based on the T-84 chassis. Data: T-84 ‘Oplot’ Crew: 3 Combat weight: 46.0 metric tonnes Main armament: 125mm KBA-3 (2A46M1) ATGM: 9K119M Co-axial armament: 7.62mm KT Anti-Aircraft armament: 12.7mm KT Dimensions Length: 9.72m Width: 4.176m Height (to commander’s sight): 2.80m Ground clearance: 0.47-0.50m Maximum speed: 70km/h Range: 500km Trench: 2.85m Vertical obstacle: 1.0m
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The welded turret is protected by combination armour, additional conventional armour and ‘Nozh’ ERA blocks. The rear view gives passing credit to the tank’s T-80UD origins. Note the stand-off protection mounted on the tank sides outboard from the tracks. Note also the step plate on the rear track guard. The protection afforded by the side armour skirts is now significantly increased as evident in these photographs. A detailed view of the engine hatch props. Note too the white parade markings on the drive sprocket and elsewhere. The ‘Donets’ SPADS was developed as an air-defence version of the T-84. This photograph was taken in 2004.
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Trumpeter Ukrainian T-84 MBT
The Editor builds Trumpeter’s new T-84 MBT.
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here’s no doubt the T-84 is an enigmatic vehicle; with only ten of them delivered to the Ukrainian army (although in a slightly different guise it serves with the Royal Thai army), it played no part in the recent war in Donbass and its appearances have been restricted to parades, training and marketing demonstrations. Nevertheless, Trumpeter’s recent announcement of both the T-84 and the T-84BM Oplot M generated a fair bit of excitement among modellers and, thanks to Jim Kinnear’s research in this issue, we can now approach the kit with a little more certainty. What’s in the Box? The T-84 will be familiar territory to anyone who has built a recent Trumpeter kit. It comes in a stout cardboard box with the turret, lower hull and photoetch kept separately and protected from the rest of the kit: nineteen sprues of grey plastic, one clear sprue and four sprues of brown individual tracklinks. The kit, like the real vehicle of course, is based on the T-80 and this is the fourth kit so based that Trumpeter have released. Their initial release,
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the T-80B (ref. 05565), was released four years ago, so fans of this particular MBT have been kept waiting (and wait still for other versions of the tank). The kit shares several parts with the other T-80 kits (the lower hull and suspension are virtually identical), while intriguingly the kit also contains some parts for the forthcoming Oplot-M kit (ref. 09512). Trumpeter’s kit appears to be a bit of a mix and match of the various developments of the T-84. It appears to match most closely the vehicles that appeared in the 2001 Independence Day Parade, wearing a threecolour camouflage, although the kit contains markings for the 2000 parade vehicles too. Some of the later marketing images also show the muzzle referencing device on the end of the main gun barrel (also clearly visible on the T-84BM in Jim’s article) which doesn’t appear to be present in the kit. The Build Like all Trumpeter kits, assembly is straightforward with one
or two bits that require a little more attention either due to the size of the parts or the complexity of the instructions. Stages 1-4: Putting together the lower hull and running gear is a familiar start to most armour models and this one is no exception. The quality of them moulding is evident from the beginning and if you’ve made another of Trumpeter’s T-80 kits you can pretty much do this on autopilot. There are one or two small photoetched parts to add, providing bolt detail to the idler wheel mountings (PE-A8) and the entrenching attachment (PE-A15), but otherwise it’s a straightforward job of cleaning up a few mould seams and gluing pieces in place. You’ll need to ensure that
Trumpeter Ukrainian T-84 MBT
you’ve got the suspension arms (C7 & C9) lined up correctly so that all the roadwheels make contact with the floor but that’s really as difficult as it gets. At the end of stage 4 you’ll be rewarded with a pleasingly busy lower hull (photo 1). Stages 5-9: The next four stages see the basic assembly of the upper hull, mating of the two halves and then the addition of the road wheels. There are some very nice and prominent photoetched engine grills to add (PE-A9 & A19). There are also the obligatory clear periscopes. Personally, I always find these a challenge, both to fit and to paint. The supports to hold up the large engine deck (P7 & P18, P5 & P12) are the only other parts that
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require a little care (photo 2). Stage 9 also sees the assembly of the individual tracklinks. These are the basic T-80 tracks and each link consists of a tracklink and an individual guide horn. There are other options with both Friul and Trumpeter offering individual, workable links, but to be honest the large side skirts hide most of the tracks so the kit pieces are more than adequate. Trumpeter provide a jig to assist in the assembly (photo 3). Be sparing with the glue and you can shape the links to the roadwheels before the cement has set. As you can see, it’s not necessary to make a full run of tracks unless these things are important to you … (photo 4).
Availability Trumpeter 1/35 Ukrainian T-84 MBT (ref. 09511) is available from good model shops. I purchased mine from Wonderland Models (www.wonderlandmodels. com). Trumpeter kits are distributed in the UK by Pocketbond (www. pocketbond.co.uk).
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Trumpeter Ukrainian T-84 MBT
Stage 10-16: The next job is to assemble the prominent fenders and side skirts and detail the upper hull. Again, this is all very straightforward, but do take care to ensure that the rear insert (H16) is snugly in place so that everything lines up as it should. The six photoetched handles (PEA1) are a little flat and
Trumpeter’s kit is a very nice looking build straight out of the box
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could probably benefit from being replaced with thin wire. The side skirts and fenders fit nicely to the upper hull without glue which enables you to leave this unattached at this stage so you can fit, paint and weather the tracks and running
gear (photo 5). Trumpeter also provides some brass wire for the two tow cables but I replaced this with some old Karaya cable which has a nicer weave and is more flexible. Fitting these requires some care and I left them off until I had permanently attached the side skirts and was ready to paint. Stages 17-28: The last third of so of the instructions is all about the turret. The shape of the turret often changes
dramatically through the build on modern MBTs and the T-84 is no exception. Assembly starts with the ‘Knife’ ERA. Part G1 is very fragile but can be split into its individual components as they are so on the real vehicle and can move independently of one another. The undersides are also detailed with photoetch (PE-A7). Assembly then moves onto the two ‘Varta’ electrooptical countermeasures units. Once fitted to the turret, these give the tank a very odd, buglike appearance! (photo 6). The
addition of the turret parts and details passes without incident but note not to glue the front pins of the two forward ERA blocks (G5) on each side until you attach the larger front ERA assemblies in Step 24. Now the T-84 is really beginning to take shape (photo 7). Steps 25-27 cover the commander’s cupola and the KT 12.7mm AA machinegun (a Ukrainian-built
Trumpeter Ukrainian T-84 MBT
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version of the Russian NSVT MG). I’ve built a couple of these for various Trumpeter kits and while they are very nicely moulded – as good as any of the resin versions out there – they are tricky to assemble and you need some good references. However, with a little care and
attention it shouldn’t pose too many problems. The final step, Step 28, sees the addition of the KBA-3 main gun, commander’s cupola and the final turret stowage box. And with that it’s complete, a very nice looking build straight out of the box (photo 8). Painting and Weathering After a good coat of primer (AMMO’s One Shot Grey Primer), I was ready to start painting the T-84. The instructions provide
two camouflage schemes – a plain post-war Russian Green and an attractive three-tone scheme seen in the 2001 Independence Day Parade and in most subsequent images of the T-84. I choose the latter and began with a solid coat of AMMO’s Zashchitniy Zeleno (Russian Postwar Green) Khv 518 (A.MIG.083) (photo 9). The lighter camouflage, a very pale
sand colour, was applied next and for this I used Oil Ochre (A.MIG.055). Looking carefully at the pattern the sand tone appears to have been applied with a very tight demarcation, but not quite a hard-edged one. To achieve this I masked off the areas that would remain green with Silly Putty and then
refined the pattern with some careful freehand airbrushing (photos 10 & 11). I’m not sure mine is 100% correct but if you have more patience and skill than I do, the kit’s instructions seem a very good guide. The final colour – Black – was brush painted using Vallejo’s Game Color Black (photo 12).
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Trumpeter Ukrainian T-84 MBT
untouched, apart from some mud and dirt, so I refrained from any chipping or oil paint fading. It’s quite a challenge to represent a dirty ‘clean’ vehicle, but the Agrax Earth Shade is a good compromise. I started to build up the dirt and dust effects by some streaking
At this stage I weathered the lower hull, using some Vallejo’s pre-mixed acrylic mud, mixed with some plaster and pigment. Most of the lower hull is hidden by the fenders and side skirts, so I wasn’t too precise in this (photo 13). With this done I fixed the fenders in place. AMMO’s paint dry with a very attractive sheen, but compared to Tamiya, Vallejo or some other manufacturers they aren’t very tough. Some of the enamel-
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thinner or white spirit-based washes and filters will simply dissolve them. I didn’t want to apply a varnish over the camouflage colours (except where I was going to apply the turret markings), so I decided to give some depth to the finish by adding an overall wash of
Games Workshop’s Agrax Earth Shade, heavily thinned (at least 50:50) with Lahmian Medium. The latter is an acrylic medium that can be used to thin their paints for washing or even for airbrushing. The effect is very good (photo 14). The T-84s in reference images were virtually
with heavily thinned Tamiya Buff and some JGSDF Brown around the bottom of the side skirts (photo 15). I wanted to depict some reasonably heavy accumulations of fresh mud and dirt, so mixed some AMMO Loose Ground (A.MIG.1752) and Damp Earth (A.MIG.1754) with some plaster, pigments and a little enamel thinner and spattered this on by blowing air through my airbrush at a large brush, loaded with the mixture. I added some wet effects to the Damp Earth mix for a final spatter of ‘wet’ mud (photo 16).
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The next in the very highly acclaimed Combat Armour part series by Mark Healy
Armour in Theatre No 4 “Tanks the Great War orld War II draws to a close, in and an Iron Curtain descends over W Europe. Captured German tanks and military equipment are 1914 – 1918” repaired and incorporated into the fledgling armoured forces of
Czechoslovakia. TO E No 4 of this ongoing series of ' LAUNCHBillustrates Post War Panzers the use of German tanks and military E D SOUCzechs Armour in Cold Theatre Tanks THERN atATthe beginning vehicles by the of the War. 'The bookinis E X P O 18TH 19with photographs the Great War’ examines the profusely illustrated sourced from Czech military TH MARCfrom the original negatives.development Post War Panzers is a archives and printed H and valuable reference for military historians and military modellers.
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SHOWTIME - AMT 2017 -The Figures Oleh Ihrymenko reports from Spain’s premier modelling event.
T
he annual show of the Asociación Modelista Torrent was held this year over the weekend of 21-23 April. Last month we looked at some of the highlights of the armour and diorama classes, and this month we’ll turn our attention to some of the best figures and busts entered into the competition. [photos: Oleh Ihrymenko and the AMT team]
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SHOWTIME - EL SOLIDADITO DE PAVIA Olaf Keivit discovers the delights of his local club show, in Sevilla.
O
n the 21st May, I went to the scale model show run by the local club. The show is in a rather quirky location, as it is split over two empty stores in a local shopping centre, with one for the competition, and one for the vendors and the demo corner. There were about half a dozen vendors, and the competition was about the size of a UK local show, without club stands, other than a display on ‘La Legión’, the Spanish Legion. The show was organised in typical Spanish fashion. On the Friday evening and Saturday morning, you could drop off your competition entries, with the vendors being open for business in the morning as well. The competition was judged
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before lunch. Everything closed down between 2.00pm and 5.00pm in the afternoon, and from then until mid-evening both vendors and competition were open, as well as on
Sunday morning. The quality of the model and figures in the competition was of a very high level, as can be seen from the photos – very impressive. Abilio Piñeiro Grajera did a
demo on vehicle finishing and weathering for AK Interactive, running both on the Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, with a quite informal and closeup setting, which allowed for an easy-going discussion on what was being done, and ample opportunity to ask questions. Having been to several local shows in southern Spain now, as well as the big one in Valencia (the AMT Torrent show), I can wholeheartedly recommend a visit. Next year I hope to make it to the Spanish IPMS National show in Leganés, near Madrid, as well. (left) Regular MMI contributor Abilio Piñeiro Grajera put on a workshop demonstrating weathering techniques.
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A round up of the latest military titles Title:
A9 & A10 British Cruiser Tanks (Armor Photohistory 5) Author: Peter Brown Publisher: Model Centrum Progres ISBN: 978-8-36067-2-280 Price: £32.95 (pb) Perfectly timed to coincide with the release of Gecko Models’ new kits, the latest volume is the very impressive Armor Photohistory series from Polish publisher Model Centrum Press covers the British A9 and A10 Cruiser tanks. The 88-page
volume is packed with 124 black-and-white photos, thirty full colour profiles and 64 line drawings. The A9 and A10 were the first of the British Cruiser tanks. They played an important part in the battles in France in 1940 and North Africa in 1941. Covering their development, production and service this book fills a long-neglected gap in the history of British armoured vehicles. Peter Brown will be a familiar name to many readers and his in-depth knowledge of World War II British armour is evident from
the concise yet highly informative captions. The book is clearly designed with the new Gecko Models’ kits in mind (and there are advertised on the inside back cover) and it’s a ‘must-have’ for anyone considering one of these as the next modelling project. At £32.95 it’s a little pricey, but it really is a goldmine of information and modelling inspiration. Our thanks to Casemate Publishing (www.casematepublishing. co.uk) for the review copy. David Grummitt
Title: Encyclopedia of Armour Modelling Techniques, Volume 3: Camouflages Author: Miguel Jiménez Publisher: AMMO of Mig Jiménez ISBN: 843-2-07406-1-526 Price: €31.00 (pb) This is the third volume in the series designed to introduce modellers to a step-by-step approach to armour modelling, covering assembly, base
colours, camouflage and weathering. This book covers the basics of applying and weathering camouflage on armour models. The chapters cover the application of the pattern, chipped paint, filters, washes and oil-paint fading, winter and desert camouflages and primer and bare metal finishes. The final two chapters cover ‘advanced painting techniques’, namely ‘light techniques (the so-called ‘colour modulation’ and ‘zenithal’ or spotlight effects) and the ‘black-andwhite’ preshading and highlighting method popularized by MMI contributor José Luis Lopez. The book is beautifully designed, with superb photography and
some very well painted and weathered models. Many of the techniques will be familiar to regular readers of the magazine, but there are still some useful tips to be had for more experienced modellers. The book is, of course, geared towards AMMO’s range of paints and weathering products, and many modellers will find this very helpful in achieving the effects featured in the book. If you want a ‘onestop-shop’ of how to paint and weather camouflage then look no further. Highly recommended. Our thanks to the publishers for the review copy. It’s available directly from them at www.migjimenez.com. David Grummitt
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Title:
images reveal the SuG III as the workhorse it undoubtedly was for the Wehrmacht. The variety of camouflage finishes, stowage options, markings and battle damage is bewildering and shows that whatever we dream up in our modelling imagination had nothing on the expediency of war. Take, for example, the ‘incredible’ image of StuG III Ausf. Fs of StuG Abt. 177 taken near Vilnius in 1944: the vehicles have a neat ‘spider web’ camouflage pattern on their Schürzen, ballistically shaped concrete additional armour and even some field-applied spaced armour on the front lower hull plate. This is a really first-rate collection of images and every student of German armour will want to have it in their library. Very highly recommended. It’s available in the UK from Panzerwrecks (www.panzerwrecks.com) who kindly supplied the review copy. David Grummitt
Sturmgeschütz III on the Battlefield 4 (World War II Photobook Series 13) Mátyás Pánczél Author: Publisher: Peko Publishing ISBN: 978-6-15558-3-025 Price: £25.99 (hb) The World War II Photobook Series by Hungarian publisher Peko Publishing is a real treasure trove and this latest volume on the StuG III is no exception. Its 110 pages contain 102 large format photos of StuG IIIs from the prototype test vehicles through to Ausf. G StuH III on the Eastern Front in 1944. This is pure modelling inspiration to fans of World War II German armour: the dual-language (Hungarian and English) captions are extremely informative, identifying the model of the StuG, the unit and, where possible, the location. For modellers, the visible modifications, both production changes and field modifications, are called out. The
Title:
Panzer III on the Battlefield 4 (World War II Photobook Series 14) Author: Tom Cockle Publisher: Peko Publishing ISBN: 978-6-15558-3-063 Price: £25.99 (hb)
The same superlatives apply to this next volume in the Photobook series (volume 14), the first to deal with the Panzer III. The format is the same as the StuG III, covering the Ausf. A in the Polish campaign all the way through to the Ausf. N that
surrendered to the Allies in Norway in 1945. The captions are equally informative and written by Tom Cockle, a name well known to readers of this magazine for his expertise in German World War II armour. The selection of photos is not quite as jawdropping as that in the StuG IIII and several of them have been seen before (although seldom reproduced to so high a standard). Nevertheless, there are some gems and some of the knocked-out tanks would make great subjects. Another recommended volume. It’s available in the UK from Panzerwrecks (www.panzerwrecks.com) who again kindly supplied the review copy. David Grummitt
Rodna’s artwork and this certainly adds an extra, and very welcome, dimension. The author’s captions are brief and informative and they are juxtaposed alongside the original Signal Corps photo caption. There are a large proportion, over half of the images, of photos of US tanks and armour. Some of the images of an M32 recovering one of the Shermans fitted with the T1E3 mine rollers have diorama opportunity written all over them! One of my favourite images is on p. 170 and features a very dirty and battered M4A3 (76) (HVSS) covered in
sandbags, spare tracks and the detritus of war. Again, inspirational stuff. In fact, one thing that stands out from the collection as a whole is just how weathered and battered the armour was that the US Army were operating in north-west Europe. This is a truly excellent collection, a beautiful book and very highly recommended modellers and historians alike. It’s available in the UK from the publishers Panzerwrecks (www.panzerwrecks.com) who again kindly supplied the review copy. David Grummitt
Title:
Forgotten Archives 2: the Lost Signal Corps Photo Author: Darren Neely Publisher: Panzerwrecks ISBN: 978-1-90803-2-157 Price: £34.99 (hb) The second instalment in the ‘Forgotten Archives’ series sees the author delving deeper into obscure and hitherto unknown archives for rare and unpublished US Signal Corps photographs. Forgotten Archives 2 builds on the groundwork laid in the previous volume, with significantly more input from surviving Signal Corps photographers and their families, who show their photographs here for the first time since World War II. This 240-page book features 252 clear, high quality photographs of US and German fighting vehicles and is complemented by eight pages of specially commissioned colour artworks by Felipe Rodna which bring the subjects to life. What I like about this, and this of course is the hallmark of Panzerwrecks, are the fullpage high quality images. In some cases, such as the nice little RSO tractor on p. 78, these images are complemented by Felipe
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n association with Gecko Models and our partners at IBG and MiniArt, Military Modelcraft International are pleased to announce our 2017 Facebook Modelling Competition. Our Facebook page, as regular readers, continues to grown from strength to strength and now has over 59,000 ‘Likes’, making us the
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largest armour modelling community on Social Media. Along with our friends at Gecko Models, MiniArt and IBG Models, we thought we’d celebrate that success by launching our 2017 Facebook Modelling competition. The idea is simple: either post or share a photo to our Facebook or send us an email (davidgrummitt942@hotmail.
com) of a Gecko Models, Classy Hobby, Diopark, Vision Models, MiniArt, IBG Models or Dragon kit that you have built recently and we’ll post it to our Facebook page. The entries with the largest number of ‘Likes’ will receive one of a range of prizes offered by our sponsors. We’ll also publish photos and descriptions of the winning entries in the magazine and, of course, there’s the possibility of a full article in the pages of MMI for
the best or most interesting models. The competition will run from the 1st July until the end of September and we’ll announce and feature the winners in our December issue. If you are a manufacturer or retailer and would like to take advantage of the reach offered by our Facebook page to promote your products then please contact our Group PR & Marketing Director, Tom Foxon (tom@ regallitho.co.uk).
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