Military Modelling Vol.43 Issue 06

7thJune2013 The Dorchester ACV Big and comfortable just like the hotel! Normandy visits The US Airborne D-Day landing zones Kusunoki Masashige £4.40 P...

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End of the line!

Modelling the French Char B1 bis The Dorchester ACV

Normandy visits

Kusunoki oki Masashige

Big and comfortable just like the hotel!

The US Airborne D-Day landing zones

Painting a 1:9 scale Samurai Warrior bust 7th June 2013 £4.40

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STILL SETTING THE STANDARDS! Top quality, highly detailed, easy to assemble white metal kits

Italian L6-40 Light Tank M4 Tankdozer 901 902 903 905 906 907 908 909 911 912 913 914 915 916 917 918 919 920 921 922 923 924 925 926 927 928 929 930 931 932 933 934 935 936 937 938 939 940 941 942 943 944 945 946 947 948 949 950 951 952 953 954 955 956 957 958 959 960 961 962 963 964 965 966 967 968 969 970 971 972 973 974 975 976 977 978 979 980 981 982 983 984 985 986 987 988 989

Humber Scout Car £6.95 US M8 Greyhound £10.50 Austin 5cwt Light Utility £9.50 US M20 armoured Utility £10.50 Cromwell MK IVD £11.95 Humber Light Recon Car Mk 3 £6.95 US M18 Hellcat £11.95 Cromwell MK VID £11.95 Centaur AA Mk II £11.95 US M39 Armoured Utility £11.95 Panzer II Ausf. D £10.95 Panzer II Flamm £10.95 Centaur Dozer £15.95 Panzer II Ausf. c £10.95 Panzer II Ausf. L ‘Luchs’ £11.95 Light Tank Mk VII ‘Tetrarch’ £11.95 Panzer II Ausf. A £10.95 Cromwell ARV Mk I £12.50 Tetrarch ICS £11.95 Auto Union Horch Kfz. 69 £11.95 Panzer II Ausf. B £10.95 Cromwell Mk VIIw £11.95 Daimler Armoured Car Mk I £11.95 Horch Ambulance Kfz.31 £11.95 Daimler Armoured Car Mk I CS £11.95 Carrier, Universal Mk I £9.50 Carrier, Medium MG No 3, Mk I £9.50 Adler MG-Kw Scout Car Kfz.13 £10.95 15cm siG 33/1 Ausf. M ‘Grille’ £12.50 Adler Fu-Kw Radio Car Kfz.14 £10.95 Carrier, Armoured OP No 1, Mk II £9.50 US M4A3(76) Sherman £11.95 Marder III Pz Jag38(t) Ausf. M £12.50 US Sherman M4A3(75)W £11.95 Dodge 3/4 ton Weapons Carrier £11.95 U.S. M10 Tank Destroyer £12.50 Horch Flakkraftwagen Kfz.81 £15.95 Russian M4A2 (76) W Sherman £11.95 Stug. III Ausf. B £11.95 Achilles IIc 17pdr Tank Destroyer £12.50 Dodge 3/4 ton Command Car £11.95 Panzer III Ausf. F £11.95 Stug III Ausf. A £11.95 Morris 5cwt Light Utility £9.50 USMC M4A2(75) 1945 £11.95 Steyr 1500A 4x4 Light Truck £11.95 Panzer III Ausf. G £11.95 Stug III Ausf. C/D £11.95 Mercedes-Benz le Pkw 170VK £9.50 Tiger 1 Ausf. E - Late Production £16.95 17pdr. Fireﬂy Mk 1C - Hybrid £11.95 Phanomen Granit 1500A Kfz. 70 £11.95 Marder II Pak 36( r ) £12.50 U.S. M4 (105) Sherman £11.95 Morris CS8 15cwt GS Truck £11.95 Panzer IV Ausf. D £13.50 U.S. M36 Tank Destroyer £13.50 Panzer III Ausf. H £11.95 Mercedes 170 Radio Car Kfz. 2 £9.50 T-34 Model 1943 £12.50 Stug III Ausf. F £11.95 Humber FWD 8cwt GS Truck £11.95 B IV C Heavy Demolition Vehicle £10.50 Panzerbefehlswagen III Ausf. H £15.95 Morris PU 8cwt GS Truck £11.95 OT-34 Flamethrower £12.50 Russian SU-76i Tank Destroyer £11.95 Panzer IV Ausf. E £13.50 Sd. Kfz. 250/1 ‘Alte’ £11.95 Morris C4 Mk II 15cwt GS Truck £11.95 Stug III Ausf. E £11.95 Mercedes Light Repair Vehicle Kfz. 2/4 £9.50 Panzer III Ausf. J £11.95 U.S. M5 Stuart Light Tank £11.95 Sd.Kfz. 253 Artillery Command APC £11.95 Ford WOT2C 15cwt 4x2 Infantry Truck £11.95 Dodge 3/4 ton Ambulance WC-54 £11.95 M4 Sherman - Mid Production £11.95 Morris Umbauwagen Kfz.12 £11.95 Sd.Kfz.250/9 Recce Vehicle £11.95 le. Artillerieschlepper UNIC P-107 £11.95 US M5A1 Light Tank £11.95 Panzer IV Ausf. G £13.50 Ford WOT2D 15cwt GS Van £11.95 UNIC P-107 Pak Tractor U.304(f) £11.95 T-34/85 Model 1943 £12.50 Morris CS8 Wireless Truck £11.95

990 991 992 993 994 995 996 997 998 999 1000 001 002 003 004 005 006 007 008 009 010 011 012 013 014 015 016 017 018 019 020 021 022 023 024 025 026 027 028 029 030 031 032 033 034 035 036 037 038 039 040 041 042 043 044 045 046 047 048 049 050 051 052 053 054 055 056

Cromwell Mk VIIF Sd.Kfz.250/10 le SPW with 3.7cm Pak Panzer IV Ausf.F Sd.Kfz.10 Light Gun Tractor Morris C4 MK 1 15cwt Truck Panzer III Ausf.K Command Tank Ford WOT2H 15cwt. GS Truck U.S. M3A3 (Stuart V) Light Tank Vickers A9, Cruiser Tank Mk.1 Tatra T-57K Kubelwagen German MG-Doppelwagen (type 36) M4A2 - Mid production Sd.Kfz. 252 Ammunition Carrier A10 Mk 1A Cruiser Tank Mk IIA UNIC P-107 with 2cm Flak 38 A10 Close Support w/desert option Hillman 5cwt Light Utility Daimler Armoured Car Mk II Panzer IV Ausf. H M4A3 Sherman - Mid Production German Cavalry Boxed Set A13 Mk1 Cruiser Tank MkIII Citroen Type 23 1.5 Ton Truck B IV Panzerjaeger “Wanze” Cromwell Mk VIII F Cruiser Mk IV (A13 Mk II) Sd. Kfz. 10/4 with 2.0cm Flak 38 Commer Q2 15cwt. 4 x 2 Van le FH 18/2 auf. GwII Wespe T-34 Flakvierling Cruiser Mk IVA / IVA C.S. U.S. M4A1 76 (W) Komsomolyets Artillery Tractor A9 Close Support - Desert Option Marmon Herrington Mk II Arm’d/Car Unic P-107 G.S. Valentine Mk XI Standard 12hp Light Utility Sturminfanteriegeschutz 33B Commer Q15 15cwt GS Panzer III Ausf. M Valentine Mk VIII or IX Sherman V (M4A4) Dodge 1.5ton 6x6 Truck le.SPW UNIC P-107 Valentine Mk II Commer Q4 3-ton G.S. Lorry Sherman Fireﬂy Mk. VC Marmon Herrington “Breda” Adler 3Gd. m.Pkw. Kfz.11 Valentine Mk III/V Adler Light Gun Tractor Kfz.12 R.A.F. De-icer van Russian T-60A Light Tank Covenanter Mk.1 Marmon Herrington w/Pak 35/36 Commer Q2 30cwt G.S. Flakpanzer 38(t) Sherman ARV Mk.1 Sherman V - early Commer Q2 tractor and trailer set Valentine 25pdr. Bishop Russian T-60 Model 41 T8E1 Stuart Recce Fiat AS37 Light Truck M5 halftrack APC Pak Tractor T-60(r)

£11.95 £11.95 £13.50 £11.95 £11.95 £11.95 £11.95 £11.95 £11.95 £9.50 £20.95 £11.95 £11.95 £11.95 £15.95 £11.95 £9.50 £11.95 £13.50 £11.95 £16.95 £12.50 £11.95 £10.95 £11.95 £12.50 £15.95 £12.50 £12.50 £15.95 £12.50 £11.95 £10.95 £11.95 £11.95 £11.95 £12.50 £10.95 £12.50 £12.50 £11.95 £12.50 £11.95 £12.50 £11.95 £12.50 £13.50 £12.50 £13.50 £11.95 £12.50 £11.95 £13.50 £11.95 £12.50 £13.50 £12.50 £15.95 £13.50 £12.50 £16.95 £13.50 £11.95 £11.95 £12.50 £12.50 £11.95

057 058 059 060 061 062 063 064 065 066 067 068 069 070 071 072 073 074 075 076 077 078 079 080 081 082 083 084 085 086 087 088 089

US M9A1 Recce halftrack Austin K3 3-ton GS Panzer IV Ausf. J US M5A1 halftrack APC US M8 Howitzer Motor Carriage Marder III Ausf. H Commer Q25 25cwt G.S. Truck Austin K2/YF 2-ton G.S. Bedford MWD 15cwt 4 x 2 G.S. Fiat A.S. 37 Second series. A34 Cruiser Tank, Comet R.A.F. Instrument Truck Bedford MWD Late Production U.S. M3 halftrack APC U.S. M3A1 halftrack APC Bedford MWC Water Tanker Fiat TL37 Artillery Tractor R.A.F. Fire Tender 15cm. Grille Ausf. H Bedford MWR Radio Truck TL37 Tractor - original series VW Typ 82 Kubelwagen Kfz.1 VW Typ 82 Radio Car Kfz. 2 Ford Auxiliary Towing Vehicle Light Tank Mk VIA Light Tank Mk VIB German Heavy Field Wagon Hf.2 Humber 8cwt. Radio Truck Austin Auxiliary Towing vehicle Morris 8cwt Radio Truck Bedford OYD 3-ton G.S. Light Tank Mk. VIC Bedford/Scammell Combo

£12.50 £13.50 £13.50 £12.50 £12.50 £13.50 £13.50 £13.50 £12.50 £12.50 £13.50 £13.50 £12.50 £12.50 £12.50 £12.95 £12.95 £13.50 £13.50 £12.95 £12.95 £10.50 £10.50 £13.95 £11.95 £11.95 £12.95 £12.95 £13.95 £12.95 £13.95 £11.95 £13.95

090 091

> > > NEW ITEMS < < < Italian L6-40 Light Tank £11.95 M4 Tankdozer £15.95

A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 A9 A10 A11 A12 A13 A14 A15 A16 A17 A18 A19 A20 A21 A22 A23 A24 A25 A26

German Tank Commanders 1939 British Tank Commanders 1944 German Tank Riders 1944 Allied MGs - vehicle mounts German Bedrolls & Jerry Cans Russian DShK M1938 HMG US Tank Commanders 1944 US AFV Crew 1944 German Tank Commanders 1944 Russian Tank Commanders 1943 German Tank Riders Winter 1944 Russian Tank Riders 1943 German Small-arms 1944 Carrier Crew, British Carrier Crew, Russian British Tank Riders 1944 US Tank Riders 1944 German S.P Gun Crew - Winter MG 34 & 42 - halftrack Mounts German AFV detail set Pak 43 Crew - Winter Pak 40 Crew - Winter Flak 38 Crew - Winter U.S. Softskin Crew 1944 Russian Gun Crew US 105mm Gun Crew

£2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95

MMS Models represent the current state-of-the-art in white metal casting Four expanding ranges feature the vehicles, guns and troops of World War Two, all in constant 1:76 (20mm) scale. The ‘CLASSIC’ vehicles and ‘GUNpak’ towed gun kits contain full instructions; including general tips, if you’ve never worked with white metal before. Robust and easy to assemble, they are ideally suited to the Wargamer and yet, have the accuracy and a wealth of detail that gives satisfaction to the serious collector. The ‘RESTRICTED ISSUE’ range is produced to full ‘CLASSIC’ standards and provides modellers with an opportunity to build conversions of some of the more popular subjects. The NEW ‘CIVVY St.’ range of pre and post-war transport models adds an extra dimension. Most of the ‘Accessory Pak’ ﬁgure sets feature separate arms and weapons, giving a true ‘multi-pose’ capability. Other sets provide useful detail and stowage items - all at affordable prices.

Postage & Packing - UK 15%, Europe 20%, Overseas 25% • Please allow 21 days for delivery

MMS Models, P.O. Box 626, Folkestone, Kent CT20 9AF Tel: 07887 623286 • E-Mail: [email protected]

A27 A28 A29 A30 A31 A32 A33 A34 A35 A36 A37 A38 A39 A40 A41 A42 A43 A44 A45 A46 A47 A48 A49 A50 A51 A52 A53 A54 A55 A56 A57 A58 A59 A60 A61 A62 A63 A64 A65 A66 A67 A68 A69 A70 A71 A72 A73 A74

Afrika Korps Tank Commanders Flak 38 Trailer Sd.Ah.51 Panzer III/IV Fuel Trailer leFH 18/40 Crew - shirtsleeves Flak 30/38 Ammo Trailer German Softskin Crew Stug Ammo Trailer Sd.Ah.32 Cargo Trailer Sd.Ah.32/1 7.5cm FK Crew - shirtsleeves U.S.Ammo Trailer M8 U.S. Anti-tank Gun Crew German SP Gun Crew - Summer BEF Softskin Crew Panzer Crew 1940 Light Flak Crew T-34 Stowage Set Russian Tank Riders - Greatcoats Afrika Korps halftrack Crew BEF Lorried Infantry 8th Army Tank Commanders German Ofﬁcers Standing MG 34 & 42 - Tank AA mounts Panzer Commanders - Winter Panzer I/II Fuel Trailer US 250 gal Water trailer SS Panzergrenadiers SS Panzergrenadiers - seated SS Cavalry Trooper B.E.F. Infantry - standing U.S. Small-arms sIG 33 Crew B.E.F. Drivers U.S. Infantry - walking German Infantry - walking U.S. BAR Teams - walking U.S. 1 ton Cargo Trailer German Drivers Wartime NFS Firemen German Cavalry Ofﬁcer German Draught Horses U.S. Drivers Squaddies British Army Ofﬁcer German Radio Team Italian Tank Commanders A.R.P. Wardens Wartime Bobbies Italian Tank Crew

£2.95 £2.95 £3.95 £2.95 £3.95 £2.95 £3.95 £3.95 £2.95 £3.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £3.95 £2.95 £3.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95 £2.95

A75 A76

> > > NEW ITEMS <<< Wartime Bobbies Set 2 R.A.F. Drivers

£2.95 £2.95

G2 G3 G4 G5 G6 G7 G8 G9 G10 G11 G12 G13 G14 G15 G16 G17 G18 G19

German 7.5 cm Pak 40 German 2.0 cm Flak 38 Russian 76.2mm ZIS-3 U.S. 105mm Howitzer M2 Russian 57mm ZIS-2 German 10.5cm leFH 18/40 German 7.5cm FK 7M85 U.S. 3in Anti-tank Gun M5 German 3cm Flak 103/38 German 2cm Flakvierling 38 German 3.7cm Pak 35/36 German Twin AA MG Mount German 15cm sIG 33 Russian 45mm M1942 Anti-tank gun German 5cm Pak 38 Russian 45mm M1937 with limber Italian Breda 20mm - towed Breda 20mm - ﬁring, with crew.

£6.45 £6.45 £7.45 £7.95 £7.45 £7.95 £7.95 £7.95 £6.45 £7.95 £4.95 £4.95 £7.95 £4.95 £6.45 £4.95 £6.45 £7.95

CV01 CV02 CV03 CV04

Hillman Van Commer N1 - ridge pole body Commer Superpoise 2-ton Flatbed Superpoise 4/5 ton Dropside Lorry

£9.95 £12.95 £12.95 £13.50

> > > NEW ITEMS <<< CV05 Austin 3-ton Dropside £13.50 CV06 Bedford OWB Flatbed £12.95

For the latest information on NEW RELEASES visit our website: www.mmsmodels.co.uk

Vol.43 No.6 2013

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contents www.militarymodelling.com Features

16

16 CHAR DE BATAILLE Mark Bannerman works his magic on Tamiya’s 1:35 scale Char B1 bis kit.

26 SWORD & LANCE 2013 Lester Plaskitt reports on the Darlington Military Modelling Society’s Annual Show.

30 AEC DORCHESTER ACV Stuart Taylor provides step-by-step instructions for how to get the best from AFV Club’s fabulous new kit.

30

42 THE US AIRBORNE LANDING ZONES Robin Buckland ﬁnds interesting places to visit in the Normandy area for modeller and military historian alike.

46 SCAMMELL PIONEER R100 Neil Craig converts the venerable Airﬁx 1:76 scale kit into the Heavy Artillery Tractor version.

52 KUSUNOKI MASASHIGE Graham Dixey paints a colourful 1:9 scale Samurai Warrior bust from SK Miniatures.

MARKETING & SUBSCRIPTIONS Sarah Pradhan & Kate Scott

MANAGEMENT Head of Design & Production: Julie Miller Group Advertising Manager: Duncan Armstrong Chief Executive: Owen Davies Chairman: Peter Harkness

46

Departments 12 NOTICE BOARD News for military modellers. © MyTimeMedia Ltd. 2013

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14 WEBSITE PAGE What’s going on at militarymodelling.com Military Modelling magazine’s website?

58 SMALL SCALE SCENE Robin Buckland rounds-up the latest news and releases for armour fans.

62 ON PARADE Recommended books for military modellers.

66 ATTEN-SHUN! Products’ review section.

80 NEXT ISSUE What’s coming up in your favourite modelling magazine!

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Prince of Wales 1/350 Tam £21.50 Prince of Wales crans/railings 1/350 Tam £15.50 Prince of Wales lifeboats 1/350 Tam £15.50 BIGY / BIG-ED sets

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New Dragon due May/June D6743 D6772 D6749 D7236 D7487 D7490 D7492 D7504 D11017 D6742 D6593 D6766 D6483 D6712 D6555 D6774 D6772 D6777 D6779 D3544 D6745 D6719 D6480 D6744 D7497

1/35 German Brandenberg Troops 1/35 SdKfz 234/4 Panzerspahwagen 1/35th 15cm Stug Inf Wagen 33 1/72 Flakpanzer V 'COELIAN' 1/72 Flakpanzer 341 mit 2cm Flak 1/72 Panzerfahre Gepanzertw 1/72 VK.45.02(P) 1/72nd Long Range Desert Patrol Car W/Gun 1/72 Apollo II Saturn V Gebirgsjagers Crete 41 Stug III Ausf G Late Dec 44 Maultier Ambulance 3.7cm Flak 37 IJN Type 2 (Ka-Mi) Jap Army Inf Peleliu 44 25 Pdr Field Gun Mk II w/limber SdKfz 234/4 Type 95 Light Tank Hokuman Panzer IV Ausf D DAK M-48 A3 Model B S.A.S Jeep 5cm Pak 38 (sf) 1T Halftrack Panzer I with mine layer Soviet Inf winter 44 1/72nd Panzer IV Ausf H w/schurzen

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Panzer 35T (SKP) SdKfz 233 7.5cm (1942) M-24 Chaffee Korean Su-152 Sept 43 KV-85

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TS-006 VS-003 HS-001 SPS-001 SPS-002

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AFV Club

BM35124 BM35062 BM35113 BM35143 BM35165 BM35166 BM35140 BM35154 BM35156 BM35162 BM35039 AB3551 AB3563

8 Rad PzFunkwagen SdKFZ 263 £Phone Versuchsﬂakwagen 88mm £56.50 Su-152 Early £36.99 Panzer 1 Ausf F (VK1801) £TBA Italian Topolini open top w/lady £TBA M-24 Chaffee Indochina £TBA WWII Brit/Commonwealth Correspodents £TBA Panzer II Ausf J £TBA Italian Topolino DAK w/German ﬁgs £TBA US M-22 Locust T9E1 £TBA DFS-230 Gliger w/German Para’s £TBA 25 Pdr Ammo Set No 27 Limber W/Cover £TBA T97E2 Track links (M48/60) £TBA

MasterBox MX35097 MX35077 MX35149

Vickers Gun Team U.S Artillery Crew German playing Football

£10.99 £9.99 £8.99

Pushing Russian Soldiers L1500a Kfz 70 Personnel car Op Market Garden Netherlands 44 U.S Horsemen Normandy 44 German Tank Crew 101st Airborne 1944 Soviet Art Tractor Late AEC Mk I A/Car Merc Benz 1500A Cargo BZ-38 Refueller Gaz 03-30 Gaz 05-193 European Tram AEC Mk II A/Car Euro Farmyard Ernst Udet WWI Ace German Para’s & Tankers Italy 43

£8.99 £29.99 £8.99 £TBA £8.99 £TBA £29.99 £TBA £TBA £TBA £TBA £TBA £TBA £32.99 £32.99 £11.99 £8.99

Mini Art UMA35137 UMA35147 UMA35148 UMA35151 UMA35132 UMA35089 UMA35140 UMA35152 UMA35150 UMA35145 UMA35149 UMA35156 UMA38001 UMA35155 UMA35558 UMA16030 UMA35163

East Meets West Figs U/Carrier MkI w/Crew 6 Pdr MkIV A/Tank Gun M1/6 Pdr Ammo Set Artillery Tractor CT3 601 (r) STZ-5 NATI Katyushka M-109 A6 Palindin SPG

£TBA £TBA £TBA £TBA £TBA £TBA £TBA

1/32 Birdcage Corsair JGSDF Type 10 MBT

£119.99 £TBA

Meng Models SS-002 TS-003 TS-004 TS-005

£42.99 £49.99 £29.99 £TBA £TBA £TBA £TBA £TBA £TBA £TBA £TBA £TBA £TBA £TBA £TBA £TBA

Panda Models PH16001

Panzer 38T Ausf E/F

£TBA

Hobby Boss HBB83801 HBB85503 HBB83804 HBB82601

U.S White 666 Cargo (hard top) U.S M-19 Tank Transporter Panzer I Ausf F (VK1801) Tiger I (1/16th)

£TBA £TBA £24.99 £69.99

RIC24011 RIC24012 RIC24021 RIC24022 RIC35401 RIC35405 RIC35476 RIC35478 RIC35479 RIC35526 RIC35527 RIC35534 RIC35536 RIC35538 RIC35632 RIC35633 RIC72911 RIC35671

1/24th Type G4 Personnel Car 1/24th Type G4 w/tilt 1/24th Admiral Cabro 1/24th Admiral w/tilt Type 2,5-32 1.5T light truck Type LG Army Truck Kapitan 2 Door Staff car Kadett K38 German Staff car Moskvitch 401-420 Soviet Car L1500S LLG WWII Fire Truck L1500S LF8 German Fire Truck Type 770K Touring car open top Packard Twelve (series 1408) Car Type G4 WWII Staff car WWII German Firemen (4) WWII German Road Police BTR-60PB WWI Inf Weapons/Equipment

£33.50 £33.50 £29.99 £31.50 £24.50 £26.80 £17.80 £TBA £TBA £TBA £TBA £TBA £TBA £TBA £7.99 £TBA £7.99 £TBA

Academy TW13280

Panzer 35 (T)

£TBA

Kinetic Models KN61010 KN61011 KN62001

RG-31 Mk 3 Canada 4x4 MRAP Truck 1/48th R-11 US/NATO Fuel Truck

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New Books

Tamiya TA60324 TA35329

SdKfz 263 German Duster M-42A1 Bofors 40mm M1 AAV7A1 Ram/RS w/EAAK Churchill MkIII w/QF 75mm MkV Gun Schwimmwagen 128 AEC Matador US .50 Cal M/G set German Fuel/Water tank set WWII British Fuel Tank set Nato 155mm How Ammo AEC Dorchester Early AEC Matador Early Hunting Crew (5) T-34/85 model 44/45 AEC A/car Mk III

ICM Models

Riich Models (future releases) RV35014 RV35011 RV35018 RV30009 RV35024 RV35025 RV35006

AF35263 AF35S66 AF35163 AF35S67 AF35S54 AF35228 AF35236 AF35246 AF35257 AF35258 AG35039 AF35049 AF35236 AF35158 AF35145 AF35273

D9R Doobt Bulldozer AMX-30B French BMT French AUF 1 S/P Howitzer Mervaka Mk3 w/Dalet mine roller

£TBA £44.99 £51.99 £51.99

Panzerwrecks No 15 Stug III on the battleﬁeld

£17.00 £23.00

HISTOREX AGENTS have been established since 1967 With 46 years of trading we are one of the longest running Model Soldier Mail Order House's around today.

Rinaldi Studio Press TANKART Vol. 1 WWII German Armor £19.95

The Small Shop Tools

Scale Model Handbook FIGURE MODELLING 1 £13.95 The 1st book from Scale Model Handbook series on figures gathers representative samples of many historical periods, as well as different forms of techniques. Here you will find the painting of commercial pieces using acrylics, oils or enamels, sculpting, conversions, work on ground presentation and scenery, historical texts. Indeed, many different aspects of figure modelling have been covered. Contributors: Pietro Balloni, Alexandre Cortina

Scale Model Handbook FIGURE MODELLING 2 The 2nd book of the SMH series, which is publiced every 3 months, is dedicated once again to miniature figures. As in the first book, you will find articles on painting with acrylics, oils or enamels, plus various mixed techniques and instructions on how to make groundwork and scenery for presentation. In this volume a “Masteclass Figure Gallery” is introduced with many important pieces by Louis D'Orio. Contributors: Alexandre Cortina Bonastre, Louis D’Orio, Grigoris Marmatakis, Massimo Pasquali, Ernesto Reyes Stalhuth.

Scale Model Handbook FIGURE MODELLING 3

£13.95

The 3rd edition in the SMH series is also dedicated to miniature figures. Well-known artists from around the world have worked on the articles to give you all their knowledge on miniature modelling and inspire you on your next projects. Award-winning models, step-by-step, techniques and history all gathered in a 52-page book with binding and matt laminated cover of superior quality. Contributors: Grigoris Marmatakis, Manolis Mitsotakis, Christos Panagiotopoulos, Ernesto Reyes Stalhuth, Christos Stamatopoulos, Kazufumi Tomori.

There are many "how-to" books in today's world of scale modeling, but none has covered the "why", as well as, the "how-to" processes… the modeler's artistic approach, until now. In TANKART, a painting and weathering guide book series, the focus is on taking real-life observations of paint and weathering effects and incorporating the best techniques to replicate them. Within this first volume, WWII German Armor, I will go deeper into my thoughts about the why of certain steps as it relates to German camo schemes. Combined with my education in design, my passion for learning & teaching, and some clear informative photography, we have strived to produced a book which focuses on the importance of telling the story of each vehicle. To bring these ideas to life requires a spectrum of processes and techniques which are covered in great detail; including the Hairspray Technique and my new Oil Paint Rendering -- techniques that can be combined in an layered array to tell the story of each model. The book is 8.5w" x 9.5l" format, 208 pages. There are 5 models featured inside, 2 dedicated technique chapters, plus a special bonus figure modeling chapter by world renowned modeler Marijn van Gils

SMS001 SMS002 SMS003 SMS004 SMS005 SMS006 SMS007 SMS008 SMS009 SMS010 SMS011 SMS012 SMS013 SMS014 SMS015 SMS016

Photo Etch Bending Tool 2" Mini Hold and Fold Photo Etch Bending Tool The "BUG" RTH Photo Etch Bending Tool 4" Mk IV RTH Photo Etch Bending Tool 5.5" (5 Speed) Photo Etch Bending Tool 8" Mk R Multi-head Photo Etch Rolling Deluxe Brass Assist Extended Roller Set Use with Brass Assist The Wrangler Wire Forming Tool The Nutter Set - Scale Model Nuts & Rivets Tri-Foil for use with Nutter and/or Scratchbuilding Square Tip Set Hex Tip Set Wire Assist Photo Etch Standard Rolling Set Photo Etch Cut-Off Set - Standard Photo Etch Cut-Off Set - Large

£20.00 £26.65 £33.30 £46.65 £49.99 £43.30 £9.35 £33.30 £76.65 £6.65 £13.30 £13.30 £13.30 £18.30 £6.30 £9.99

Scale Model Handbook FIGURE MODELLING 4 The 4th edition in the SMH series is dedicated to miniature figures. Here you can find information and instructions on how to paint female complexion using acrylics and oils, the construction of a 2-figure vignette and insights on making japanese patterns. Two WWII German themes on field grey and camouflage together with a very interesting article about a discontinued fantasy bust are completing this exquisite edition. Contributors: Grigoris Marmatakis, Aleksander Michelotti, Ernesto Reyes Stalhuth, Christos Stamatopoulos, Kazufumi Tomori.

Scale Model Handbook FIGURE MODELLING 5

TANKART Vol. 2 WWII German Armor £19.95

£13.95

The 5th book from SMH series is coming with many articles about box art painted figures. Learn techniques and tips from the masters on how to paint your models using either brushes or airbrush and make your own scratch-built figure, following the instructions of a master sculptor. This edition is completed with an article on how to paint metallic surfaces without using metallic colours! Contributors: Mike Butler, Fernando Ruiz Ceano, Javier González (Arsies), Grigoris Marmatakis, Aleksander Michelotti, Ernesto Reyes Stalhuth, Aleksandr Zelenkov.

Scale Model Handbook FIGURE MODELLING 6

£13.95

This is the Sixth Edition in the Scale Model Handbook Series, a series of modelling books dedicated to miniature figures. Again, we’ve varied the themes and historical periods of the subjects and presented more sculpting and painting techniques. CONTRIBUTORS ANTONIO FDEZ (PIQUI), JAVIER GONZÁLEZ (ARSIES), IGOR KORDYUKOV, RADEK PITUCH, ERNESTO REYES STALHUTH, KAZUFUMI TOMORI, ALEX VARELA (IGUAZZU).

AFV65 MAGAZINE AFV Modeller Magazine Issue 65 AFV66 MAGAZINE AFV Modeller Magazine Issue 66 AFV67 MAGAZINE AFV Modeller Magazine Issue 67 AFV68 MAGAZINE AFV Modeller Magazine Issue 68 AFV69 MAGAZINE AFV Modeller Magazine Issue 69 AFV70 MAGAZINE AFV Modeller Magazine Issue 70 AFVHOLLAND BOOK Made in Holland - A portfolio AFVM4 BOOK M4 Modelling the Sherman Tank AFVMERKAVA3D BOOK Merkava III D

£6.50 £6.50 £6.50 £6.50 £6.50 £6.50 £24.95 £27.95 £15.00

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Mario Eens started modelling at an early age and has been passionate about modelling ever since. This passion has led him to taking part in modelling competitions and resulted in winning gold medals at major international shows (Euro Militaire, AMT, The Red Devils Awards, World Expo). Mario has been writing in depth articles on his models for years and now he has dedicated his first DVD production to the aspect of airbrushing a model. In multiple chapters he shows all of the necessary abilities required to do complex camouflage patterns on your own. Topics range from the choice and maintenance of your airbrush and tools, to paint thinning, colour changes, masking a model, airbrushing a base coat and troubleshooting. As if that wasn't enough, it also shows you 10 different camo patterns.

APML1 BOOK Model Laboratory 1 SdKfz 171 Panther G £5.75 APML2 BOOK Model Laboratory 2 Junkers 88 A-4 £6.70 EMP3 BOOK Euro Modelismo Tanks in Russia 1941/42 £16.55 EMP4 BOOK Euro Modelismo Rarities Modelling Armoured £14.90 EMP8 BOOK Euro Modelismo German Army Uniforms £34.70 EMP13 BOOK Euro Modelismo STUG 3 £20.65 EMP14 BOOK Sculpting Figures - Body Language £14.05 EMP15 BOOK Euro Modelismo Vignettes & Sceneries £30.15 EMP16 BOOK Euro Modelismo Tanks in Russia Part 3 £16.55 EMP21 BOOK Tanks in Russia IV. £18.25 EMPDAK BOOK D.A.K. Deutsches Afrila Korps £15.75 PANZ38 BOOK Panzer Aces Issue 38 £8.95 PANZ39 BOOK Panzer Aces Issue 39 £8.95 PANZ40 BOOK Panzer Aces Issue 40 £8.95 PANZ41 BOOK Panzer Aces Issue 41 £8.95 PAP1 BOOK Panzer Aces Profiles 1 - Guide to camouflage £16.25

model scene Grass mats

Adam Wilder - Authentic Metal Well known AFV modeller Adam Wilder has teamed up with MXpression to share some of his trademark techniques. He shows all the secrets needed to give plastic the unique look of metal. Starting with surface texturing and weld seams he then moves on to raw steel, polished stainless steel and a primed Ferdinand upper hull. After finishing a heavily rusted exhaust Adam finally creates the super realistic sidewall of a burnt M113. This DVD will surely be a great inspiration for beginners and advanced modellers alike!

MSF534 1/35th Steppe - late summer with stones MSF541 1/35th Embankment - Spring MSF542 1/35th Embankment - Early Summer MSF543 1/35th Embankment - Late Summer MSF551 1/35th Embankment - Spring with dry turfs MSF600 1/35th Forest Floor - Basic MSF601 1/35th Forest Floor - Spring MSF602 1/35th Forest Floor - Early Summer MSF603 1/35th Forest Floor - Late Summer MSF610 1/35th Forest Floor - Pinewood MSF620 1/35th Forest Floor - Blueberries MSF630 1/35th Heathland MSF712 1/35th Early Summer Stony Steppe few stones MSF713 1/35th Late Summer Stony Steppe few stones MSF722 1/35th Early Summer Stony Steppe more stones MSF723 1/35th Late Summer Stony Steppe more stones MSF732 1/35th Early Summer Stony Steppe many stones MSF733 1/35th Late Summer Stony Steppe many stones

£6.75

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HISTOREX AGENTS have been established since 1967 With 46 years of trading we are one of the longest running Model Soldier Mail Order House's around today.

LIFE MINATURES

LMB001 War Photographer Vietnam 1971 LMB002 Joachim Peiper LMB003 USMC 1st Division Gudalcanal 1942 LMB004 Waffen SS Infantyman Ardennes 1944 LMB005 Never Surrender - Winston Churchill LMB006 German 6th Army, Stalingrad 1942

£38.00 £38.00 £38.00 £38.00 £41.00 £39.00

YOUNG MINIATURES Scale Figure Model Company YH1813 1/10th Ramses II, BC 1279 (Resin) YH1814 1/10th Royal Navy Captain 1806 "Lucky Jack" YH1815 1/10th Athenian Warlord 490 B.C (Resin) YH1816 1/10th La Hire - Battle of Patay 1429 YH1817 1/10th Alexander The Great 330 BC YH1818 1/10th Sioux Indian YH1819 1/10th Aztec Warrior YH1820 1/10th The Pirate - Before Sunset YH1821 1/10th Blackfoot Raven Bearer YH1822 1/10th Celtic Warriors 1st C. BC Battle of Beast YH1823 1/10th Black Beard 1718 Queen Anne's Revenge YH1824 1/10th Sparta - Battle of Thermopylae 480 B.C YH1825 1/10th Goguryeo Heavy Cavalry Officer 5th C AD YH1826 1/10th 92nd Gordon Highlanders Waterloo 1815 YH1827 1/10th Templar Knight in Jeruslem YH1828 1/10th Celtic Warrior Hallstatt 6th Century B.C YH1829 1/10th Roman Cavalry Officer 180 B.C. YH1830 1/10th Norman Knight Hastings 1066 YH1831 1/10th Polish Winged Hussar 17th Centry YH1832 1/10th Zaporozhian Cossacks 1676 YH1833 1/10th Gladiators (II) 1st Century AD YH1834 1/35th Roman Signifer 1st Century A.D(II)

£30.00 £30.00 £33.00 £38.00 £30.00 £33.00 £33.00 £38.00 £38.00 £33.00 £38.00 £38.00 £38.00 £38.00 £38.00 £38.00 £40.00 £38.00 £44.00 £40.00 £38.00 £44.00

YM1823 1/10th Soviet Tank Commander 1944 YM1824 1/10th US Paratroopers 82nd Airborne Normandy YM1825 1/10th German Infantry Russian Front WWII YM1826 1/10th Max Wunsche Western Front 1944 YM1827 1/10th Soviet Mountaineer Officer 1942 YM1828 1/10th German Fallschirmjager Ardennes 1944 YM1829 1/10th German MG34 Gunner 1941 YM1830 1/10th US Navy Seal Afghanistan 2005 YM1831 1/10th German Waffen SS Officer 1944 YM1832 1/10th British LRDG 1942 - North Africa YM1833 1/10th Luftwaffe Bomber Crewman, 1940 YM1834 1/10th British Paratrooper Northwest Europe YM1835 1/10th British Tank Crew WWII YM1836 1/10th German Gebirgsjager 1942 YM1837 1/10th British Infantryman Somme 1916 YM1838 1/10th THE CHOSIN FEW USMC KOREAN WAR YM1839 1/10th German DAK Infantry North Africa WWII YM1840 1/10th German Waffen SS Battle of Kursk 1943 YM1841 1/10th US Paratrooper WWII 17th Airbone YM1842 1/10th British SAS North Africa 1941 YM1843 1/10th FLYING TIGERS 1942

£38.00 £38.00 £38.00 £76.00 £40.00 £38.00 £55.00 £40.00 £38.00 £38.00 £44.00 £38.00 £38.00 £40.00 £40.00 £40.00 £38.00 £38.00 £40.00 £44.00 £38.00

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SGF122 54mm Storm Raider SGF123 54mm License to Kill SGF124 54mm Bronze Age Warlord C.800 BC SGF125 54mm Vercingetorix 52 BC SGF126 54mm Football Player SGF127 54mm Drummerboy American Civil War 1858 SGF128 54mm US Revolutionary Infantryman 1780 SGF129 54mm Starship Captain SGF130 54mm The Cimmerian King SGF131 54mm Touareg Warrior 1916 SGF132 54mm General Ulysses S Grant 1864 SGF133 54mm Prussian Officer 1878 SGF134 54mm Saxon Warrior 400 AC SGF135 54mm Fredrick the Great 1760 SGF136 54mm Grenadier, 1st Red Life Lange Kerls, 1720 SGF137 54mm Robin Hood SGF138 54mm Egyptian Infantryman, 19th Dinasty SGF139 54mm Moctezuma II, 1520. SGF140 54mm Julius Caesar 44 BC SGF141 54mm Swashbucler 1 SGF142 54mm Swashbucler 2 SGF143 54mm The Misfit SGF144 54mm B General G.A. Custer 1863 SGF145 54mm Outback Avenger SGF146 54mm Cornicen AD 125 SGF147 54mm The Trophy 1871 SGF148 54mm Atlanta 1864 SGF149 54mm Alonso de Contreras, 1620´s SGF150 54mm Teddy Roosvelt 1898. SGF151 54mm Spanish Cavalry Officer. Cuba, 1898 SGF153 54mm Aquilifer 31 BC SGF154 54mm US Cavalry Officer, 1876 SGF155 54mm The Tall Man SGF156 54mm Clayton Moore, That Masked Man

WS01 54mm Ithanoir Blade of Eternity WS02 54mm Volgor The Skull Hunter WS03 54mm Drunegar Runekeeper WS04 54mm Khaerus the Summoner WS05 54mm Beelphegor The Soul Reaper WS06 54mm Ainariel Arrow of Light WS07 54mm Horthak Black Crow WS08 54mm Leogante Wings of Redemption WS09 54mm Mad Karnik & Stonebrain Gozbog WS10 54mm Menhom Dark Shaddow WS11 54mm Orohg Broken Fang WS12 54mm Astaroth The Annihilator WS13 54mm Luriel Sacred Fist WS14 54mm Brogan the Bonecrasher WS15 54mm Urmuth Scars of War WS16 54mm URU, The Juggernaut WS17 54mm Arilth, Silent Shadow WS18 54mm Rhonen, Panther Claws WS19 54mm Falkar, Wandering Sword WS20 54mm Bestor Savage Claws WS21 54mm White Wolf WS22 54mm Sulnar - Burning Wind WS23 54mm Dagor Ancient Fury WS24 54mm Nallach, Evil Shadow WS25 54mm Olfo Fast Feet WS26 54mm Verthandi Burning Ice WS27 54mm Grandar Firebeard WS28 54mm Daramis, Healing light. WS30 54mm Sorondil Dragon Hunter WS31 54mm ZWEOTHEL,QUEEN OF DARKNESS WSS01 54mm Varathar Dark Guardian WSS02 54mm Zorabeth, Morning Mist. WSS03 54mm Beelphegor Fire Wings

£24.50 £23.40 £21.15 £19.05 £21.10 £23.65 £27.00 £21.70 £23.60 £46.05 £25.30 £23.60 £25.30 £24.25 £26.40 £24.25 £24.25 £27.40 £26.40 £24.25 £24.25 £30.60 £26.40 £24.25 £24.25 £26.40 £30.75 £26.40 £26.40 £26.40 £26.40 £27.15 £27.15 £73.85

HB-001 Hellenic Revolutionary Freedom Fighter HB-002 Hellenic Revolutionary Captain HB-003 Turkish Army Leader HB-004 Hellenic Revutionary Fighter,Priest HB-005 Hellenic Revolutionary General HF90-001 90mm Hellenic Revolutionary Fighter HF90-002 90mm Ottoman Warrior

SCC008 75mm Posser SCF001 75mm Dark Elf SCF002 75mm INVOCATIO SCF003 75mm ABYSSAL WARLORD £21.20 SCF004 75mm The Drow £29.70 SCF005 75mm Brock The Wanderer £24.50 SCF006 75mm SHARGH Orc Fury £24.50 SCH001 75mm Leonidas £24.50 SCH002 75mm Attila £28.35 SCH003 75mm ERIK The Red £28.35 SCH004 75mm King Arther £31.55 SCH005 75mm Blackbeard £37.80 SCH006 75mm Jedediah Smith 1799 - 1831 £28.55 SCM005 75mm Executioner £26.45 SCM006 75mm Medieval Knight £38.40 SCM007 75mm Castilian Standard Bearer 15th c. £27.25 SCN001 75mm Sherlock Holmes £27.25 SCN002 75mm Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde £27.25 SCN003 75mm Jack The Ripper £36.90 SCR004 75mm Julio Cesar in Alesia (52 AC.) £35.90 SCR005 75mm Praetorian Guard £27.25 SCR006 75mm Duel of the Beasts £30.50 SCW001 75mm Flammenwerfer £27.25 SCW002 75mm Lt Winters £26.40 SCW003 75mm BANZAI Burma 1942 £26.40 SCW004 75mm 82nd Airborne Holland 1944 £30.60 SCW005 75mm Florian Geyer 1942 £29.70 SFF001 75mm Operator 79 £26.40 SFF002 75mm The Riffs Fink Draad £29.80 SPS002 75mm The Barbarian £26.40 SPS003 75mm Captain Amelia Steam £31.55 SPS004 75mm Mohawk Militia £26.50 SSE001 NMM Paint Set (Non Metallic Metal) £29.95 SSE002 NMM Paint Set GOLD (Non Metallic Metal) £74.40 SSE003 Flesh Paint set £74.40 SSP001 75mm Fix it Sam £177.75 SSP002 75mm Kitty Reimer

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£6.75

£40.85 £42.65 £40.85 £40.85 £40.85 £56.00 £56.00

£15.50 £35.75 £39.75 £41.80 £35.75 £39.75 £44.05 £35.75 £35.75 £35.75 £35.75 £35.75 £300.82 £35.75 £38.75 £35.75 £63.50 £44.05 £39.75 £35.75 £35.75 £57.85 £35.75 £35.75 £35.75 £41.80 £35.75 £44.05 £ TBA £35.75 £35.75 £ TBA £17.00 £17.00 £ TBA £38.75 £35.75

Tankograd 9020. Challenger 1 The Last Cold War Era Tank of Britainís Armoured Corps.Illustrated with 128 colour photographs and 5 b&w photographs,64 pages. £13.99

Tankograd 4019. Deutsche Panzereinheiten in der OZAK German Armoured Formations in the OZAK 1943-45. Illustrated throughout with 137 black & white photographs + graphics, 64 pages. £13.99

Allies in Battledress German Panzers and Allied Armour Organisation-Uniforms-Insignia-Tanks 1945 German Colors, in Yugoslavia in World War Two and Vehicles-Armament-Equipment. Camouﬂage Proﬁle Guide 200 pages, this book is illustrated Hardback, 152 pages. Very well illustrated. 72 pages, more than 180 color with 358 black-and-white Published by Histoire and Collections. renderings showing the many photographs, most of which £32.50 camouﬂage patterns used on are hitherto unpublished. common vehicles, and oddities Hardback. £34.99 used by the German forces. £18.99

Tankograd 5041. Fahrzeug-Grafﬁti GECON-ISAF Personalised Vehicle Markings during the German Mission in Afghanistan. Illustrated with 159 colour photographs, 64 pages. £13.99

Sturmgeschutz III on the Battleﬁeld World War Two Photobook Series. This book has over 100 photos of the Sturmgeschutz III on the Battleﬁeld. Hardback, 111 pages. £23.99

Tankograd 7027. Svenska ArmÈn Vehicles of the Modern Swedish Army. Illustrated throughout with 135 colour photographs + graphics, 64 pages. £13.99

Tankograd 3019. 1st Armored Division Vehicles of the 1st Armored Division in Germany 19w71-2011. Illustrated with 101 colour photographs and 17 b&w photographs, 64 pages. £13.99

SS-Panzerkorps in the battle for Kharkov 01-03.1943 First book from a new series on the history of the Waffen-SS, titled SSPanzerkorps in the battle for Kharkov 01-03.1943. The book has 560 pages (entirely printed in color) and will have 510 photographs (including approximately 30 color), 240 proﬁles (2D and 3D), 65 maps, 200 drawings, 55 tables. £94.99 Painting Pin -Up Figures A complete Guide for Basic to Advanced Pin-Up Painters. Published by Andrea Press. 86 pages, full colour. £21.99

MILITƒRFAHRZEUG 2-2013 Neuer 5-Tonner Hauber, Forsvarsmuseet Oslo, Leoparden im Waldkampf, Schienen-LKW der Wehrmacht, Newsletter, U.S. Army: Military Police, British Army-Warthog. Please note: This is now full German Text only Fully illustrated. £9.99

Tankograd 1007. Panzer-Kraftwagen This is the most comprehensive publication published on that subject so far. 96 pages this publication is illustrated with 152 black & white photographs. £21.99

Tankograd 5042. Fahrzeug-Grafﬁti IFOR-SFOR-EUFOR Personalised Vehicle Markings during the German Mission on the Balkans. Illustrated with 139 colour photographs, 64 pages. £13.99

Warpaint 91. The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, also known by its NATO codename ‘Fishbed’, is undoubtedly a phenomenon in the ﬁeld of military aviation - designed over 50 years ago, it remains in service even today. £25.00

Tank Art Volume 1. WWII German Armor by Michael Rinaldi There are many “how-to” books in today’s world of scale modeling, but none has covered the “why”, as well as, the “how-to” processesÖ the modeler’s artistic approach, until now. Paperback, 208 pages, full colour. £19.99

“Kampfraum Arnheim” (Battle Zone Arnhem), is a unique in-depth photographic documentation of the German ground forces which opposed the Allied Airborne landings in Holland in September 1944. Hardback, 306 pages. £60.00

Panzerwrecks 15 What naval forces were knocking out Panzers in Paris? Why would a Pz.Kpfw.IV wear T34 tracks? How do you move a 70 ton Jagdtiger? Where did the Patton Museum Panther come from? The answers to these and other questions are to be found here in Panzerwrecks 15, with 132 rare photographs sourced from around the world. 96 pages. £16.99 Modelling Trees Part One Broadleaf Trees 92 pages, full colour. £19.95

Tank Art Volume 2 There are 5 models featured inside, 4 dedicated technique chapters, plus a special bonus ﬁgure modeling chapter by Radek Pituch. Inside features over Modelling Trees Part Two 500 color photos reproduced in a Conifers 92 pages, full colour. £21.95 large format. £20.99

LEOPARD 2 MAINTENANCE The pictorial walkarounds aim at showing the tank is various stages of disassembly as carried out in the using units on company and battalion level. Among the procedures shown are track removal, removing the turret and the engine or dismantling the add-on armour components. These works are usually not accessible to the public. 222 colour photographs plus 1/35 scale drawings. £19.99

Super Model International No. 3 published by Kagero.With hundreds of colour photos, including archival shots and current museum pieces, supporting colour proﬁle artwork. 78 pages. £10.99

M7B2 Priest in Detail A restoration Masterpiece at the Artillery Museum Brasschaat by Jan Horak, Frantisek Koran, Michel Von Loon. Chapters include: History, M7B1 Walkaround, M7B2 Walkaround, M7B2 Restoration, M7B2 Interior Details,Suspension Details. 83 pages, full colour. £21.99

Major Credit cards accepted and cheques payable to: Bookworld Wholesale Ltd.

Painting Miniatures The famous modeller Danilo Cartacci describes how to paint historic ﬁgures in an easy and effective way. Topics are divided in chapters. This volume represents a milestone for historic ﬁgures painters, and is rich in hints and tips. £25.99

Scale Model Handbook Figure Modelling 6 This is the Sixth Edition in the Scale Model Handbook Series, a series of modelling books dedicated to miniature ﬁgures. Again, we’ve varied the themes and historical periods of the subjects and presented more sculpting and painting techniques, 50 pages, full colour. £14.99

Building and Detailing Scale Commercial Aircraft Mark Stanton takes the reader through the construction of 21 kits, ranging from the de Havilland DH 4 and Handley Page HP 42 of the inter-war years, through the Fokker F27 Friendship and Bristol Britannia of the 1950s, to Concorde and the Airbus A340. Detailed instructions guide the modeller through every stage of the build process, accompanied by step-by-step photographs of the beautiful completed models. £16.99

Static Model Manual Volume 6 This sixth volume of the Static Model Manual series provides answers to many areas of doubt that beset the modeller when that fateful moment comes to pick up the airbrush. 100 pages, full colour. £18.99

The Battleship Builders The launch in 1906 of HMS Dreadnought, the world’s ﬁrst all-biggun battleship, rendered all existing battle ﬂeets obsolete, but at the same time it wiped out the Royal Navy’s numerical advantage, so expensively maintained for decades. Hardback. 320 pages. £30.00

Images of War Special The Centurion Tank Pat Wareís highly illustrated history of this remarkable tank covers its design and development, its technical speciﬁcations and the many variants that were produced. He tells the story from the design brief of 1943, through testing and trials to the tank’s entry into service. Paperback, 127 pages. £14.99

Chieftain Main Battle Tank Development and Active Service from Prototype to Mk.11. This book published by Kagero has 72 Archive photos, 137 color photos, 20 painting schemes. £12.99

Building Dioramas Stone Objects Following on from the ﬁrst two volumes, we bring you the third book in the series, which concentrates on stone objects, chapters include, Flower Holders,Tombstones, Fountains, waterworks, Equestrian Monument, and Mausoleum. £12.99

Armoured Warfare in Northwest Europe This latest volume in Anthony Tucker-Jones’s series of photographic histories of armoured warfare records in graphic detail the role played by tanks, infantry ﬁghting vehicles and self-propelled artillery during the decisive campaign in northwest Europe in 1944-5. In a sequence of over 200 archive photographs he shows how American, British and Canadian and Polish armoured divisions spearheaded the assault on the Third Reich. Paperback. £14.99

Armoured Warfare and Hitler’s Allies 1941-1945 Illustrated here are the panzers deployed by Bulgaria, Finland, Slovakia, Hungary, Italy and Romania on the Eastern Front and in the Balkans. Hungary’s homemade armour included the Toldi and Turan tanks and Zrinyi self-propelled guns. The Italians produced CV-33 tankettes, Semovente self-propelled guns, Autoblinda and Lancia armoured cars and a series of tanks. Romanian and Czech tanks and assault guns were also deployed. Paperback. £14.99

Static Model Manual Volume 5 This new book will explain how to paint the ﬁgures. For many modellers it is difﬁcult to “give life” to a ﬁgure with color. This book is designed to clearly explain the procedures for obtaining excellent ﬁgures. Step by step photos, secrets, tricks, shortcuts, everything is here on these pages to help you achieve the best results! £19.99

Airbrushing and Finishing Scale Models Brett Green details the prerequisites of airbrushing, including the different types of spray equipment and air sources available, offering advice on appropriate thinners, paint ratios and air pressures to ensure the most appropriate paint coverage across a range of different airbrushing applications. £19.99

Advanced Techniques Volume 6 Painting and Weathering Military Vehicles. The latest issue of the Advanced Techniques series, is made of four chapters dedicated to vehicles worn and weathered by time and man. 128 pages, full colour. £24.99

Lets Build a Diorama Volume2 This book presents ways to create spectacular dioramas out of everyday materials, household waste or real plants. The methods are simple, the tools and materials used here can be found in ordinary hobby stores and they are quite cheap too, so experimenting with them cannot be a problem. More than 300 photos illustrate the different stages of the progression. £12.99

F.A.Q 2 Improved step by step guide explaining all weathering techniques such mud, dust, rust, chipping, oil, fuel and chapters like composition in dioramas, terrains, vignettes and much more. The deﬁnitive modelling guide where you will ﬁnd many different examples explaining the same technique. More than 1400 color photos and over 300 pages explaining all new techniques and some of the classic ones. £58.99

Weathering German Ships. DVD. Discover how to make the most realistic effects in German ships, like streaking, rust,chipping, shadows and lights. Also some of the advanced techniques like the hairspray method, damage effects, camouﬂages, grease and more. £12.99

Enamel Weathering Techniques. Washes,fading and oils. DVD. In this extensive DVD, we have clearly explained each one of the most popular techniques that are currently used worldwide. After seeing this complete DVD, the modeller will no longer have any doubts, and he will know exactly what each one of the oil and enamel product techniques mean. £16.99

Lets Build a Diorama Volume 1 This book is for those modellers who want to try for themselves to do this part of modelling. The author, L·szlÛ AdÛba builds with the simplest tools and cheapest materials, ensuring that you can experiment with them without worrying. More than 250 pictures lead you step-by-step through the different phases of the construction from the base to the roof tiles. £12.99

Weathering in 1 Hour DVD. Finally a DVD that’s different from the rest. Most modellers, especially when starting out in the world of paint effects, have wondered what the complete process of painting a model consists of. From start to ﬁnish. Until now our DVD’s have only shown parts of the action, seconds or minutes of a small fraction of the process. But on this DVD we show you the complete process of weathering a Sdkfz 222, from Hobby Boss. £16.99

The Battleship Bismarck in 3D. This title by Kagero has ﬁnally been re-printed, Paperback, 98 pages, full colour. £18.99

UK Postage: single book £1.95, two or more books £4.00. Overseas Airmail please allow 15% of order value.

Weathering techniques.DVD. A DVD narrating all secrets and techniques to paint winter vehicles. Detailed explanations for all process, like the base color, fadings, mud, dust, chipping and more. Many new techniques explained like the famous hairspray technique, streaking effects or mud. 3 different camo schemes: very faded winter camo over green, new winter camo over dark yellow and white snakes over dark yellow. £16.99

Tanks in Russia IV. Step by step modelling book,Chapters include: Pz.Kpfw. V Panther Ausf. A, 5.SS-Pz.Div. ìWikingî: Perﬁles: Pz.Kpfw. V Panther Ausf. A: Pz.Kpfw. Vi tiger Ausf. E , 2. Pz.Rgt., SS-Pz. Gren.Div. ìDas Reichî: Perﬁles: Pz.Kpfw. Vi tiger Ausf. E: Pz.Kpfw. Vi tiger Ausf. E , Sch. Pz.Abt. 509 : Pz.Kpfw. VI tiger Ausf. E , Sch. Pz.Abt. 509 winter version: IS-1 (KV-85), Training unit in the vicinity of the Kirovski factory: IS-1. £18.99

AFV Acrylic Techniques DVD. For the ﬁrst time,all techniques for painting military vehicles using only acrylics are shown on this DVD. Running Time 56 minutes. £16.99

Marmon Herrington “Marmon-Herrington” by William Marshall is the most comprehensive single volume ever published on this vehicle type and contains details of the South African Reconnaissance Cars used by Allied and Axis forces during W.W.II. It contains information researched over a period of more than twenty years.Hardback, 175 pages, Black/White photographs, colour walkaround section. £35.99

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Notice Board Information and diary dates The Editor welcomes copy for publication in ‘Notice Board’. This service is free of charge. Obvious ‘for sale’ notices, either private or trade will not be accepted. These restrictions do not apply to bona-ﬁde museums and collections or traders wishing to pass on information about the availability of products to readers.

A Jeep seen at last year’s War & Peace show. Photo: Sue Barber.

Would secretaries of clubs and societies please allow a three-month lead time for time-sensitive notices. Please note: under no circumstances will copy be accepted by telephone. All notices must be in writing, by letter or e-mail.

Challenger 2 MBT, basic tank, Iraq 2003 and Kosovo 2000. Full details can be found on facebook and at: www.armourmaster.co.uk [email protected]

Please send all copy for ‘Notice Board’ direct to the Editor at the address listed under ‘Editorial’ on the contents page.

Record attempt at War & Peace Revival

Euro Militaire 2013 This year’s Euro Militaire takes place over the weekend of September 21st and 22nd. Most of the trade stands have now been reserved with newcomers Nocturna Models, Heroes & Villains Miniatures, Origen Art, Aurea Domus, Miniaturas Fortes, and Armour Master Models trading this year. There are only a few stands remaining to book (details on the website). Early Bird Tickets are now available on the website www.euromilitaire.co.uk or call 0844 848 8822 now! Lines open Mon-Fri 10.00am – 4.00pm (not weekends or bank holidays).

Modelling on a grand scale! Armourmaster is a new concern producing large scale 1:15/120mm scale static AFV models. The guiding tenet of the range is very high dimensional accuracy (including masters built with close reference to the full-size vehicles) and an ultra-high level of detail. They

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are multi-media kits featuring, principally, resins (rigid, ﬂexible, clear and pigmented) plus white metal and photo-etched brass parts and painting stencils. A particular novelty is the use of an assembly system especially devised for the construction of large scale resin vehicle models. The ﬁrst releases are three conﬁgurations of the British

The show is set to be the venue this summer for an attempt to break a long-standing Guinness World Record for the largest parade of Willys Jeeps! The record attempt will be to get the largest number of Willys/Ford Jeeps assembled in one place at one time. With The War & Peace Revival being the world’s largest military vehicle spectacular it’s just the right place to make it happen. Attempt organiser Richard Gibson is an Area Secretary with the Military Vehicle Trust (MVT) and a member of G503, the WW2 Jeep Owners Club. He said: “The idea is simple; we get as many Jeeps into the Arena as possible on Saturday 20th July then drive around the racecourse for a total distance of two miles. We want Jeep owners from across the country, Europe and beyond to come along and take part. We welcome all MBs, GPWs and M201 owners too - every one will count towards the record total. The current record is 353 vehicles, and we think we can break that. The world record attempt has been accepted by Guinness World Records and I’m hoping for up to 400, which would be spectacular, but beating the record by just one, right here at the War & Peace Revival in Kent, would be fantastic. The response has been excellent so far but we need to get as many on board as possible so we now invite all WW2 Jeep owners to come along and be part of this record-breaking attempt!” The current world record was set by Columbian Juan Carlos Ospina in Bogata on 7th February 2006.

Rules for the Parade of WW2 Willys Jeeps: 1. The length of the line is not of relevance, just the number of vehicles. 2. All drivers must hold a valid driving licence. 3. All vehicles must be moving during the run. 4. Only those covering the full distance of two miles will count. 5. Vehicles have to keep together with no gaps. 6. All vehicles must have valid licence plates. Rex Cadman, Organiser of the War and Peace Revival said: “This will be a great sight – we hope to have 400 or more WW2 Jeeps touring the old racecourse here at Westenhanger. It is a known fact that War & Peace gathers the greatest number of military vehicles in any one place in the world, well here’s our chance to demonstrate it once again at the War & Peace Revival at Folkestone Racecourse”. For more information about the Jeep challenge, or about The War & Peace Revival, call 01304 813337 or email [email protected]

Availability of classic kit brands Amerang are delighted to announce that two of the oldest and best-known plastic kit companies Lindberg and Hawk have been acquired by Round 2 Models and will be offered from May 2013 along with their extensive portfolio of model kit brands Polar Lights, AMT and MPC through Amerang. From aircraft, boats, space ships and even the human skull, the Lindberg range of plastic model kits covers a broad range of subjects which includes models made world famous by them. For a full listing of the models, please visit www.amerang.co.uk

Military Modelling Vol.43 No.6 2013

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ABOVE: An example of the new Dragon M-48A3 shown built. BELOW: Bronco M-48/M-60/M-88 tracklinks. Diopark plan a set of 1:35 scale British folding bicycles – great for dioramas!

Bronco’s M-24 Chaffee in French service in Indochina.

Latest kit news! A number of news items have come through in recent weeks about items which are due from the likes of Dragon, Bronco and Diopark. I’ll start with the latter ﬁrst, as this small manufacturer from the Far East is set to release a set containing two British Folding bicycles in 1:35 scale. Only the box art to go on so far but this has bags of potential for putting with ﬁgures,

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stowing on Jeeps and trucks or even just left at the side of the road in a diorama. Meanwhile, Dragon maintain a regular output of new releases in both 1:72 and 1:35 scales. Among recent ones has been news of something a little bit different for them in recent years, a Vietnam-era M-48A3 which I think will be very welcome, and good to see them return to the subject area of Vietnam war equipment.

Bronco Civilian Fiat Topolino.

There is also a new Panzer IV Ausf D on the way, along with a 1:72 scale Panzer IV Ausf H complete with schürzen that should be good. Bronco have sent through news of three planned releases, one of which will be very handy for the new M-48A3 by Dragon. If you don’t want to use their one-piece DS styrene track, good though it is, Bronco are set to release a new one of their

workable track link series in the form of one for the M-48/M60/M-88 series, so good for Tamiya and AFV Club kits as well. They are also planning another variation on their M-24 Chaffee, this time in French markings in Indo China, so we stay with the Vietnam theme then. Added to that, they plan a civilian version of their little Fiat Topolino as well. MM Robin Buckland

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Website Bronco’s 1:35 scale German 88mm L71 FlaK 41 built by Craig Hiscock.

A superb reference piece on the German 128mm PaK 44 is for subscribers only.

Glynn Spur’s treatment of the venerable Lead Sled Morris CDSW 1:35 scale kit.

ABOVE: A Maltese camouﬂage scheme adorns Ken Holland’s Light Tank Mk.VIC.

Adam Kuller’s build of the Mirror Models’ 1:35 scale CMP C15 TA armoured truck.

RIGHT: Ken Holland’s 1RTR Centurion Mk.3 nicknamed ‘Arrogant’. BELOW: Cromwell equipped with a Deep Wading kit built by Johnny Gers.

www.militarymodelling.com News from the Military Modelling website and forum If you would like to submit an item for the website email Robin Buckland at [email protected] or come and join our online presence at militarymodelling.com the world of military modelling at your ﬁngertips ver the last month our forum has been as busy as ever, and we are regularly seeing modellers returning to the hobby after many years away from it, for all sorts of reasons such as careers and family now settling down again so hobby interests can

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be picked up again. Of course there has been a lot of change in terms of references, materials and indeed the sheer volume of kits and accessories that are on the market these days. We have just completed a popular Group Build project on British Armour which has been

very well supported, and are set to be involved with aircraft again with one on Bomber Command, appropriate as we come to the 70th Anniversary of the famous dams raid by 617 Squadron. Well timed for that, we also took a closer look at the excellent new 1:72 scale Airﬁx

kit of the Dambuster Lancaster as well. From time to time we add extra material just for our subscribers, and that has recently included a reference piece on the German 128mm PaK 44 which has recently been kitted by both Great Wall Hobby and Trumpeter. Originally an article in the Journal of Military Ordnance, my thanks go to the author Jeff McKaughan for allowing us to reproduce it on our website. Add the extra news and reviews and you will always ﬁnd something new in our online home. Robin Buckland MM

Military Modelling Vol.43 No.6 2013

Precision die-cast 1:76 scale engineering at surprisingly inexpensive prices

As one of the most respected and collected model makers in the world Oxford Diecast are proud to offer a vast array of authentic military creations from days gone by, up to the present day. The most recent acquisition to the already extensive 1:76 Scale military range is the Bedford MWD model shown here. At just 21⁄4 inches long the model is highly detailed and authentically painted and liveried. Superbly packaged and reproduced in meticulous detail, each of these Diecast models are created by hand to standards of quality rarely seen before in examples of this scale.

See more at:

www.oxforddiecast.co.uk

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Char de Bataille Mark Bannerman works his magic on Tamiya’s 1:35 scale Char B1 bis kit. ABOVE: Photoshop image of the author’s completed model in a knocked out position on the Route Ste-Germaine.

BELOW RIGHT: Note the use of spare tracks on the glacis plate for added protection. (Photo source unknown)

BELOW: A knocked-out Char B1 bis named Madagascar being looked over by a German soldier. The ‘Hommes et Materiels’ book provides a comprehensive overview on the history and development of this particular tank. This tank was numbered ‘206’ and served with the 15 BCC. (Photo source unknown)

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he story of the Char B1 and Char B1 bis can take up an entire book and there are many excellent books on the subjects – namely Trackstory Number 13 Le Char B1 and Hommes et Materiels du 15e BCC - Chars B au Combat. The abbreviated version is that in the early 1920s, several French companies submitted designs for a tank to meet the French Government’s requirements for a heavy infantry tank. Several designs had been proposed, developed and tested over the course of the following eight years, combining the FCM suspension, the Renault engine and the Schneider transmission. The tank underwent many trials and tests over the course of the next 15-years. It was not until German movement in 1935 to re-occupy the Rhineland that

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the French Government ordered the immediate production of 40 Char B tanks. Design and development continued until a heavier 32-ton uparmoured variant - named the Char B1 bis - was approved for production. Modiﬁcations carried out on the Char B1 to bring it to a Char B1 bis include a larger engine to accommodate the extra 5-ton weight of the tank, and a heavier APX 4 type turret (similar to the Somua S-35) mounting a high velocity 47mm gun. Production of the Char B1 bis continued from 1935 onwards until France’s surrender in June of 1940 with approximately 365 Char B1 bis being built (plus 40 Char B1s). The Char B1 bis had 60mm armour, a maximum speed of 30kph, ground clearance of 48cm, and was manned by a crew of four (Commander, driver/gunner,

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ABOVE: Char B1 bis Var number 323 serving with 37 BCC. (Photo source unknown)

LEFT: A superb photo of a Char B1 bis. (Photo source unknown)

BELOW LEFT: Char B1 bis Ouragan number 260 served with the 8 BCC. (Photo source unknown)

BELOW: Rear photo of Ouragan note the chains and extended exhaust ﬁttings. (Photo source unknown)

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The construction was quite straightforward and I used minimal amounts of putty to ﬁll in a few small gaps in various locations on the model.

ABOVE: Bearn II tank No.401 of the 37e BCC (Compagnie d’Echelon). This Char B1 bis ran out of petrol near Beaumont and the crew sabotaged the tank before making their escape. (Photo source unknown)

A nice inclusion in the Tamiya offering were two sets of chain links.

lengths of thick chain, very clear instruction sheets and a rather large decal sheet. The standard of moulding on this model was outstanding with very few pins holes and the rivets and bolts are superbly cast. My research suggested that this offering is quite accurate in dimension and detail.

Construction ABOVE: Tamiya’s Char B1 bis is a very thorough and complete offering with several options available to the modeller.

The surface detail is exquisite. The sprocket was not glued in place so that in the painting process, the sprocket and idler wheels could be removed.

loader, wireless operator). It mounted a 75mm and a 47mm gun as well as a 7.5mm machine gun. In its short service history, the Char B1 bis was considered to be relatively advanced that could negotiate rough terrain but was technically quite complex which saw the Char B1 bis as unreliable in the ﬁeld. Many Char B1 bis fell into German hands and were pushed into German internal security, driver training as well as several being converted into a self-propelled gun variant mounting a 105mm ﬁeld howitzer (designated the 10.5cm le FH 18 auf GW B2 (f). There was also another conversion – a ﬂamethrower – where the 75mm gun was replaced by a projector unit and the fuel container was carried on the rear hull.

In kit form I purchased the Tamiya Char B1 bis as soon as it was released but it sat on my shelf for years. As the reviews had been quite favourable I recently decided to try my hand at this classic French tank. Tamiya’s kit contains 220 parts in light tan plastic and a small bag containing 135 individual snap-together style track links are provided in a dark brown coloured plastic. The kit also provides two

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This starts with the hull and running gear and the ﬁt was superb without any glitches or hitches. The lower suspension roadwheels comprises 32 twin wheels ﬁtted into a rail attached on the lower hull. The idlers and sprocket were an easy ﬁt and using the poly caps allowed for ease of rotation and removal for the painting process. The main 75mm gun comes in two halves. I had tried to order turned metal barrels from various companies but these seem to be very difﬁcult to ﬁnd. I glued the plastic offering and used copious amounts of glue to eliminate the seam between the two halves of the gun. The inner and outer lower skirts ﬁtted superbly. The upper hull comes as one large part and has some of the most incredible detail I have seen on a single part. The instructions call for the modeller to drill 26 holes to accommodate parts to the hull’s top and the mud-chutes. I skipped this part entirely and opted to remove the nibs on the parts that were supposed to ﬁt into the holes and I just eyeballed their location when applying the glue. This was much easier than drilling a series of pin holes which, if one were slightly ajar in measurement, would require more drilling. I opted to leave the side door loose so that I could open it later for a diorama. The problem is that there is no interior included with the model

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ABOVE: I added six hex rivets around the gun plate with Grandt Line rivets.

and the door is quite large allowing the viewer to see quite a bit on the interior. I think for a future project, I would like to try to scratchbuild an interior. A few small modiﬁcations had to be made to the model – a few rivets have to be sliced off from the hull. The instructions are quite clear where these should be removed. There are also areas where rivets and bolts need to be added. I added six hex rivets around the gun opening and I used Grandt Line rivets for this purpose. In many wartime photos, these may show up as six holes – without the rivets. Just above the gun, a tiche de cochon (pigtail) should be added which I fashioned from thin wire. Also, along the outer upper track ledge should be a series of rivets along the rail. I made these from sheet styrene and a punch and die set. I used museum reference photos to locate these rivets. The model offers two types of trackguards and while the difference between these are almost unnoticeable, it is worth checking references to determine which ones you will need to use. There are also two types of exhaust pipes and again, it is worth looking at reference photos to determine which vehicle you will want to represent. I replaced the grab handles on the engine deck with wire and removed a few rivets that should be sliced off per the instructions. The next step was the turret and this comes as an upper and lower section and a turret ring. This was an easy build and the small hairline seam that shows up at the joint should actually be a weld seam. The upper cupola comes in two parts and some putty will be needed to smooth out the seam between the two parts. I had some difﬁculty with this but copious amounts of liquid glue, gloss coat and more glue and subsequent sanding resulted in a relatively smooth ﬁnish. The rear turret hatch is designed to be inserted without glue so can be opened or closed. The real gem for me on this model was the engineering of the tracks. These are provided as individual links and only the cleat face needs to be sanded to remove a small nib. The assembly is quite simple – the tracks just snap-together and can be articulated. The tracks can be assembled (61 per side) in about 15-minutes per side. Fitting the tracks is a little tricky because there is no slack so they ﬁt quite tightly. I tested the tracks and once I knew they were a good ﬁt, I removed them entirely

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ABOVE: Many wartime Char B1 bis photos show them on the side of roads, in ditches and in ﬁelds without any evidence of damage which suggests mechanical failure was probably the reason these were abandoned. Irouleguy – formerly named Cambrai was numbered 381 and served with the 49 BCC. (Photo source unknown) The tracks are simple to assemble - these snap-together quite rigidly and can be articulated.

BELOW: The tracks under assembly 61 per side - and can be put together in about 30 minutes. A few spares are provided in case a few go astray in the process.

The tank assembled with tracks attached.

I added some copper wiring for the radio antennae and also used the Eduard etch exhaust covers although the Tamiya covers are equally as nice.

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for the painting process. I had purchased Eduard’s etched-metal set for the model but quickly realized there was very little necessity for it. Most of the etched parts were just a replacement - trackguards, exhaust etc. – of the Tamiya offering and did not necessarily provide anything more. I used a few bits of etch only because I had the set on hand, but on my next Char B project, I will not be looking to add any etch. I do believe this is the ﬁrst time I have ever built a model and could have assembled it without any etch!

Painting

ABOVE: Side view of assembled model after a thoroughly cleaning in warm water and soap. The tracks would be removed before the painting process. RIGHT: A few added details including the ‘pig tail’ above the 75mm gun and some etch for the track guiding plates.

ABOVE: Frontal view of the model with tracks. BELOW: Rear view of the model before priming and painting. I purposely left the rear turret hatch off of the model so that I could partially paint the interior of the turret.

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Several options exist for the painting of a Char B1 bis - the most common being referred to as the Puzzle 1er Type which is a 3-colour camouﬂage scheme of vert olive mat foncé (matt dark olive green), brun (brown which is similar to a dark red chestnut colour), and ocre jaune (very light brownish sand). This pattern does look to be very much like a series of puzzle parts. Almost all of the colour plates shown in the Hommes et Materiels du 15e BCC - Chars B au Combat shows this 3-colour puzzle conﬁguration as the most prominent scheme. Another variation is Puzzle 2eme Type – this is similar but the ochre colour is replaced by a light pea-green colour. To a lesser-degree, another scheme called the Ruban Ondoyant 1er Type (ﬂowing ribbon) is a solid matt dark olive green with a wide light sand band across the sides (as depicted on the Tamiya art box) of the tank. There is a variation of this particular scheme with the turret taking on the three colours of green, brown and ochre. Several other schemes are possible for the Char B1 bis combining green and brown only and are called Taches Alternées (alternating spots - zigzag), Grandes Taches fondues (large melted spots) and Bandes Diagonales Type 1 et Type 2 (Diagonal bands). The camouﬂage schemes on the earlier Char B were slightly different but using same colours. My studies suggests that different manufacturers most likely had had different batches of paints and hence, no two tanks coming from different manufacturers would necessarily have same paint tonal value. In other words, the assumption that there was a precise green, brown and ochre is not the norm and therefore provides a little latitude for the modeller. Fortunately, I can read French and several excellent websites can be found for more in-depth information - one in particular can be found at I started the paint process with Tamiya primer and two light coats of Tamiya Dark Yellow XF-60 mixed 50% with Tamiya Desert Yellow XF-59 and 30% Tamiya gloss in the mix. Two even coats guaranteed that the primer was fully covered. Next step was putting down the camouﬂage paint. I had considered using children’s puzzle parts as a mask to create the pattern with an airbrush but too many corners, surface details and delicate parts would not have been a very effective approach. The only option was to hand-paint the

Military Modelling Vol.43 No.6 2013

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I used two Vallejo paints – Vallejo Camouﬂage Olive Green 894 and Vallejo Hull Red 985 – for the camouﬂage pattern.

ABOVE: Basecoat of Tamiya Dark Yellow XF-60 mixed 50% with Tamiya Desert Yellow XF-59 and 30% Tamiya gloss, pattern hand-brushed with Vallejo paints and black felt pen for the demarcation lines.

A light application of pure Testors’ Thinners helped break up the tension on the surface of the model.

camouﬂage pattern. For this, I used two Vallejo paints - Vallejo Camouﬂage Olive Green 894 and Vallejo Hull Red 985. Each of these paint colours were slightly thinned with water and then brushed onto the surface using a ﬂat ‘OO’ brush. The paint was applied in two coats to ensure the paint was opaque. I used the colour plates in the Hommes et Materiels du 15e BCC - Chars B au Combat to guide me on the design of the pattern. Painting the camouﬂage took two evenings to accomplish and a third evening to ensure that the design was relatively accurate, the borders were quite even, and that no area was missed. Essentially, two-thirds of the model was painted twice with a brush which does take a bit of time. Fortunately, Vallejo paints are superb for brush painting and leave little to no brush marks. Once the base colour was completed and dry, I used a felt-tip pen for the black demarcation line common to the puzzle camouﬂage scheme. I pre-tested the pen on an old kit by drawing lines and then applying Testors’ Thinners to it to ensure it would not bleed or smudge. I drew in black lines around the contour of the two camouﬂage colours. Although close-up wartime photos of the black demarcation line puts into evidence that these were hand-painted on the real tank, these were not applied with much ﬁnesse or delicacy. The trick is to keep the felt-tip pen upright and follow the colour borders as carefully as possible. Any over-run with the black pen can easily be painted over by one colour or the other and the black can then be re-drawn to your satisfaction.

Weathering With the base colour down, I proceeded with a wash of Winton Raw Umber mixed with Rembrandt Sepia and Testors’ Thinners. I usually start off with tainted thinners and thicken up the wash mix by adding a bit

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more oil paint. I followed this with adding pure Sepia paint in small amounts (not much bigger than a large typed full stop) under rivets, bolts, edges and run-offs. I allowed the paint to set for about 15-minutes then used a wide ﬂat brush lightly moistened in Testors’

ABOVE: All four ﬁnishing options for Tamiya’s Char B1 bis are illustrated on a colour leaﬂet supplied in the kit box.

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ABOVE: Pure Rembrandt Sepia oil paint was applied under rivets, bolts, edges and run-offs and was allowed to sit for 15-minutes. BELOW: A brush lightly moistened in Testors’ Thinners was then ﬂickered in a vertical downward motion from above the bolts and nuts to create a run-off effect.

Thinners and ﬂicked the brush in a downward motion from above the bolts, nuts and run-offs. This results in a series of very light streaks of oil paint. The brush catches a bit of the oil and draws it downwards creating neat effects. The trick is to ﬂicker the brush downwards as vertically as possible and in short runs. If the streaks do not appear straight, just use the brush’s edge to straighten up the lines. It takes a bit of practice but it is very effective. I repeated the step several times and only applied oil paint in selective areas on the second and third time around. The effect is a series of vertical streaks of different thickness and opacities. It cannot look too uniform. I allowed this to dry overnight and then started in with pinwashes the following morning using the same mix of Raw Umber mixed with Sepia paint. Some areas can afford to take a heavier dose – meaning successive applications as opposed to thickening up the oil paint to thinner’s ratio.

RIGHT: The result of oil paints being dragged down to create streaks was kept very subtle and in some case, areas had the same treatment repeated two or three times. BELOW: The streaking treatment was also applied to the sprocket wheels to denote oil spills.

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With the pinwashes completely dry, I added a few scratches using both a ﬁne pointed brush and a small sponge dipped into Tamiya NATO Black XF-69. I always err on the side of being very moderate when I add scratches and dings. I select a few areas, dab the sponge down and try to keep the scratches in scale and very subtle to the point where they are hardly noticeable. I think when the scratches are noticeable at ﬁrst glance, then it is too much. I added a few decals using some from the Tamiya kit sheet, some from a Heller French aircraft and a few dry transfers from the Archer Fine Transfers series. I then moved on to the pastel treatment. I tend not to use commercial pigments as I ﬁnd these very rich and heavy. I wanted to achieve a subtle weathering effect and for me, it takes regular artists pastels to achieve the effect I am looking for. One of the downsides of commercially available pigments is that

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ABOVE: I combined some commercial pigments with artist pastels to create my own blend of weathering pastels. BELOW: The entire model received several applications of pastels, then the model was sprayed with pure Tamiya Thinners. This process is repeated several times – with variations in pastels colours.

ABOVE: Close-up of the effect of scratches, a regular pencil to metalize a few spots and repeated application of pastels. BELOW: Artist’s chalk pastels applied, followed by a light wash of Testors’ Thinners with a small amount of oil paint can result in some very neat effects.

they are not necessarily removable – which is perfect if you are looking to heavily weather a vehicle. Artist’s chalk pastels require more application but can be entirely removed with a swipe of a brush with a little thinner. I usually shave down what I need into powder form, mix several colours together in a cup - browns, greys, sand, dust-coloured – then brush right onto the model. Admittedly, pastels are delicate but the next step helps greatly to afﬁx the chalks to the model. I then airbrush pure Tamiya Thinners to the entire model and the combination of the thinners with pastels will do two things - the thinners will capillary the pastels into nooks and crannies and it will also lightly soak the pastels onto the surface. This may require a few applications but better to go slow than too fast. For areas where more pastels are required, I will drop a liberal amount onto the spot with a brush then a few drops of Tamiya Thinners is dropped right onto the pastels with an eyedropper and I let the thinners do its job. This is very effective and has worked superbly for me so far. One can purchase empty eyedropper bottles from the local chemist quite cheaply. After about a week, I studied the model carefully and determined what needed to be added, eliminated, and make some ﬁnal ﬁnishing touches and adjustments. Most ﬁnishing touches can be

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Various pastels were added on the model then held in place with Tamiya Thinners using an eyedropper.

More pastels were added to the tracks.

Tracks were then given a Testors’ Thinners treatment to afﬁx the pastels into place.

Rear view of the model under the weathering treatment - note the minimal amount of scratches and streak of rust and dirt from various protrusions on the model’s surface. Less is more.

achieved using pastels. I used a regular pencil along a few edges to provide a metallic look and added some pure black pastels around rivets and bolts to further accentuate the streaks made with the oil paints early in the ﬁnishing process. A few other ﬁnishing touches included adding the antennae and the chains. The tracks were then laid out inside the empty kit box and undercoated on both sides with Tamiya White Primer. I then mixed a basecoat of Tamiya NATO Black XF-69 with Tamiya NATO Brown XF68 and airbrushed two coats allowing it to dry ABOVE: The accumulation of dirt and dust is the result of repeated application of pastels.

ABOVE: A macro view of the texture and result. RIGHT: Close-up of model’s turret in a wartime quality photo.

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Last minute additions with pastels, metalizer (using a regular pencil) and oils paints.

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Photoshop of the model in a setting using a background photo near Arras.

overnight. I spent some time studying photos of the Char B1 bis tracks and, much to my surprise, discovered that they were typically void of gunged mud and caked dirt. Instead, I noted that the tracks were relatively clean – probably the force of ﬂat metal tracks hitting the grounds and pavement would in all likelihood keep the tracks relatively gunge-free. Of the hundreds of photos I have of the Char B1, I was only able to ﬁnd three photos of mud-caked tracks! I therefore chose to follow my reference photos as much as possible and opted to keep the weathering of the tracks relatively simple. I ﬁrst applied a very thick wash of Rembrandt Sepia oil paint to the lengths of the tracks on both sides and before the wash could dry, I sprinkled a little mix of the pastels I used on the model to the tracks - allowing the thinners in the wash to absorb the pastels and blend it into the wash. The results were quite desirable leaving only a hint of dust around track’s bolts and in between the track cleats. The tricky bit was attaching the tracks onto the model without harming the pastels. Once the tracks were attached, I went back in with some pastels to touch up areas where my ﬁngers had removed some of the pastels.

Conclusion This was an absolutely stunning model to build and I would even say that it’s one of the ﬁnest models I have ever built! It is easy to assemble, well detailed, has crisp surface details and, aside from a few small modiﬁcations and additions that needed to be made, it can be built out-of-the-box for an excellent rendition of a classic French tank. It can be entirely built in a few evenings and the ease of the track construction will reduce the amount of time required to ﬁnish the assembly. As for the painting, there are several colourful options and the Tamiya instructions provide clear and concise diagrams for the schemes and corresponding decals. I cannot say enough about this model. While I have read that it is one of the more expensive Tamiya models to purchase, it is also very complete and one that will not necessitate the purchase of any add-ons. I think a truly interesting model with loads of options – including a self-propelled German conversion (available from Azimut). To research this battle tank more thoroughly, I would recommend either or both references Hommes et Materiels du 15e BCC - Chars B au Combat, Histoire & Collections, ISBN 2-913903-42-8 and Les Chars B Trackstory No.3 ISBN 2-9520988-4-4. MM

A worthy reference book ‘Trackstory Number 13 - Le Char B1’ which comes with full English text and many excellent photos for reference purposes.

An excellent reference book entitled ‘Hommes et Materiels du 15e BCC Chars B au Combat’. It is in French but is packed with many photos and colour plates.

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Show report

John ‘Spud’ Murphy’s AK Interactive demonstration on weathering in full swing.

Sword & Lance 2013

Lester Plaskitt reports on the Darlington Military Modelling Society’s Annual Show. n Saturday 13th April the Darlington Military Modelling Society presented its annual show Sword & Lance and once again the society returned to the modern and spacious Darlington College building, which had proved such a success for the previous year’s show. Situated a short distance from Darlington town centre the college building offers excellent facilities including free parking for 400 cars.

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Viking Lord of the North by David Mitchell, Gold and Best in Show award.

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Landsknecht by Graham Wardle, Silver award.

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ABOVE: Darlington Military Modelling Society’s club stand.

ABOVE: VC Hobson by Brian Snaddon.

ABOVE: A section of one of the many ﬁne club displays.

LEFT: Tritton Trench Crosser 1915 by Ian Tranter, Gold award.

BELOW: Mediterranean Pirate by Steve Kirtley, Gold award.

Guest demonstrator John Murphy’s Israeli Sherman.

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ABOVE: BMP-1 by Mac McConnell, Silver award.

LEFT: ‘Riding the Scree’ by Carl Barton.

BELOW: A 1:48 scale Tiger 1 by Steven Reay, Bronze award.

Bolshevik by Brian Snaddon, Gold award.

ABOVE: Me 163 Komet by Don Nicholson, Gold award.

The main hall of the college offered displays from many local and not so local model clubs that had travelled to enjoy the show and exhibit their latest models in a friendly relaxed atmosphere, which has become one of the trademarks of the show. Alongside the club displays were a number of specialist traders, including Halifax Model World, SK Miniatures, Aviation and Military Book Centre, MDC, Friendship Models, Stormtroopers, Mr Models, Mitches Military Models, SB Models, Model Display Products, Pete’s Bases and Ron Tamburrini bases to name a few; such a variety of trade stands that catered for all modelling tastes. Business was quite brisk throughout the day and judging by the number of people around the stalls during the day, modellers were stocking up on those new releases and ‘must have’ items, which sometimes can only be found at shows.

Show report

Panzer III Ausf M by Phil Hyslop, Gold award.

In addition to the club displays and trade stands the free modelling seminars presented by some of the country’s top modellers returned to the show. These seminars are free to anyone entering the show and are designed to give practical demonstrations of the tips and techniques used by prominent modellers. This year’s guests continued the tradition and we were delighted to welcome back Roddy MacDougall (author of Duel In The Mist and sculptor for Alpine miniatures) and John ‘Spud’ Murphy (Editor of AK Interactive’s The Weathering Magazine) both of whom presented seminars that were very well attended and a big hit with the modellers attending the show. Roddy presented a seminar on converting anatomy and clothing on ﬁgures and John’s seminar covered weathering techniques using the AK Interactive range, and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank both John and Roddy on behalf of the Darlington club for their support of the show. Further thanks must also go to the manufacturers who generously donated rafﬂe prizes - AK Interactive, SK Miniatures and Carl Reid Sculptures, and in addition to his rafﬂe donation Carl (another good friend of the show) presented a running demonstration of his sculpting abilities during the day. A further key element of the show is its renowned open competition, which not only caters for military subjects, but also includes aircraft, civilian and Sci-Fi classes. Here the entries are judged on their individual merits and not against each other by teams of three experienced judges, allowing the facility to award any number of Gold, Silver or Bronze awards as the models merit, not just 1st, 2nd or 3rd as with the ﬁrst past the post system. As always the competition attracted a large

number of high quality entries many of which will ﬁnd their way onto the competition table at Euro Militaire in September. It would be impossible to individually mention all of the competition models, but I am sure the selection shown in the accompanying photos will give the reader an insight as to the quality of the entries on the day. My congratulations must go to David Mitchell for clinching the Best of Show award for his Lord of The North ﬁgure and also well done to Brian Snaddon for winning the Derek Holmes Memorial Trophy for his Bolshevik bust. In addition to this the White Rose Modelling Society of Leeds presented Brian with their own award for his Bill Sykes ﬁgure, well done lads! All who attended the show had a very enjoyable day, and thanks must go to everyone who came to see us, and to all of the members of the Darlington Military Modelling Society for all their hard work leading up to and during the show. Special thanks must go to Harry Heaviside and Brian Phillips for manning the competition registration for the day (never an easy job), Andy and Ken for the photos and Brian (Mick) Day for taking care of the admissions desk for the duration of the show, well done all. Sword & Lance 2014 is scheduled for Saturday 12th of April at the same venue, so please look out for further details in the modelling press or on our website dmms.moonfruit.com or by contacting Colin Holmes on 01325 489801/07958 702319 or e-mail [email protected] The Darlington Military Modelling Society meets in Darlington on the second Friday of each month from 7.30pm onwards at Park Place Community Centre, Park Place, Darlington DL1 5LR. MM

ABOVE: United Irishman 70mm by Dave Maddox, Silver award.

RIGHT: Joachim Peiper in 1:10 scale by Mark Bennett, Silver award.

BELOW: SdKfz 251/21 Drilling by Lester Plaskitt, Gold award.

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AEC Dorchester ACV

St t Taylor Stuart T l provides id step-by-step b iinstructions i for how to get the best from AFV Club’s fabulous new kit.

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Photo 1. The kit is cast to a very high standard, though there are some raised injection marks. Whilst these are reasonably inconspicuous, they are fairly easy to remove. The kit in general required only very minimal clean up. TOP: The author’s completed model placed into a desert setting with a little help from Photoshop. ABOVE: The box art from AFV Club’s excellent 1:35 scale Dorchester kit.

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he AEC Dorchester was an Armoured Command Vehicle (ACV) built around a modiﬁed Matador chassis. The United Kingdom was the only nation during the war to develop and widely employ purpose-built command vehicles, manufacturing around 415 units. The Dorchester, nicknamed by troops after the London Hotel because of its size and comfort, entered service in the North African campaign and saw service through to the end of the war in North West Europe. The Germans also favoured the Dorchester and employed three captured vehicles in the desert campaign, the often-depicted vehicle Max being used by Rommel himself. However, I have opted to model the kit still under its intended owners, serving in the desert in 1941.

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Photos 2 & 3. Clear plastic vision blocks and windshields are masked before attaching to the model. Tamiya Masking Tape is ideal for this as it is easy to dispense and cut to shape. A new scalpel blade will help you no end with this task. Photo 4. A dry-ﬁt of the interior parts whets the appetite for painting. At this stage, the subassemblies were planned out and modiﬁed if required. Only certain parts were glued together. Photo 5. AFV Club have paid particular attention to the chassis, which is made up from many parts and packed with detail. Slow and steady through this section is the best approach as much of it must be ﬁtted in sequence.

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Photo 6. An additional sprue is included in the kit which contains crew accessories and a No.19 radio set amongst other items. I have employed a little artistic licence and mounted a riﬂe rack to the rear bulkhead wall amongst other resin and scratchbuilt items. Photo 7. The driver’s cab is built and kept aside as a sub-assembly to make painting easier. It is perfectly ﬁne to deviate from the printed instructions, especially if it makes the whole process easier. Canvas seat sections have been sculpted from Green Stuff. Photo 8. Before painting begins, the interior is stripped of all but the minor details to allow more room to paint.

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‘‘” The Dorchester, nicknamed by troops after the London Hotel because of its size and comfort...

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Photo 9. All of the interior components have been primed with Citadel Skull White. Photo 10. The interior is painted to the same standard as the exterior. Panel lines, edges and recesses were pre-shaded with Tamiya Black XF-1 via an airbrush. Keep the airbrush close to the kit and spray at around 35psi to achieve nice thin lines. To avoid paint splattering on the ﬁrst pass, spray onto a piece of card before bringing the brush onto the model. Photo 11. The command area was basecoated with Tamiya Sky Grey XF-19 to compliment the black pre-shading. The driver’s cab was basecoated with Vallejo Dark Green. Both colours were applied via an airbrush set to around 60psi. The Vallejo Model Air colour range can be added straight through the airbrush out of the bottle, though Tamiya paints must be thinned. I do this ‘in-cup’ to no particular ratio as some Tamiya paints seem more viscous than others.

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Photos 12 - 15. Interior details were brush painted with Humbrol enamels and oils. Oil ﬁlter washes of Vandyke Brown were applied and enhanced with pin washes of Lamp Black. A lot of the smaller items such as radios and leather seating were mounted and painted separately from the model and attached just before ﬁtting the roof. AFV Club have really given you two kits in one here as there is so much interior to paint and ﬁnish.

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Photo 16. A welcome addition to this kit is the inclusion of 12 maps, printed on very thin paper and depicting various terrains. These will complement the spares box nicely.

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Photos 17 - 19. The ﬁnished interior achieves a pleasing amount of detail and interest with very few after-market or scratchbuilt additions. This kit was largely built out of the box, in part owing to lack of etch-sets available, plus the fact that the kit just didn’t require that much improvement. Photos 20 & 21. Before the interior can be sealed, the door openings must be masked. I ﬁnd this much easier to do from the inside as you don’t have to be so neat, plus it is easy to remove.

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Photo 22. Small gaps, although few, were either ﬁlled with Green Stuff via a small sculpting tool, or in the form of Citadel Liquid Green Stuff via a small brush. This ingenious liquid is easy to apply, can be cleaned-away with a wet brush and is very hasslefree to use (washes out in tap water etc.). Photos 23 & 24. An etched-metal fret is supplied with the kit containing a stowage rack and mounting brackets. Some additional etched detail has been sourced from spares.

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‘‘” Before the interior can be sealed, the door openings must be masked.

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33 Photo 25. Once ﬁnished, a coat of Citadel Skull White Primer was applied via a rattle can. I am a big supporter of this primer, though be careful not to apply too much, as with any spray cans, paint can pool or run. Photo 26. Vallejo Model Air Olive Drab was used as a pre-shade for the sand colour to follow. The shading can afford to be a little bolter than normal here as it will have to remain effective under two different shades, sand and light grey. Photo 27. The British desert scheme comprises of three colours. The exact shades and pattern appear hotly disputed on Internet forums and reference material, in particular the grey/blue shade and just how blue it was. I have chosen to mimic the box art colours as much as possible, be it accurate or not. Over the pre-shading goes a coat of Vallejo Model Air Sand in the relevant areas with just a little overspray onto where the grey will be applied so as to preserve the shading. It is important to consult the pattern in order to apply the right colour to the correct areas.

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Photo 28. The sand areas were masked with Tamiya 6mm Masking Tape, being careful around raised detail. You will ﬁnd it easier to ﬁt the tape around delicate detail than to remove it without pulling the part from the model Photos 29 - 31. Tamiya Sky Grey XF-19 was then applied to the un-masked areas with several broad, light passes of the airbrush. It is also worth noting that the base colours have been intentionally kept lighter in shade than desired as they will be darkened and blended with ﬁlter washes to follow. Photo 32. More pre-shading is applied to compensate for the previous two shades, this time Vallejo Model Air Dark Green was used though kept lighter so as not to stand out from the overall effect. Photo 33. Hannants Xtracrylics Faded Olive Drab was sprayed over the Dark Green shading to complete the three base colours. I love this shade of green as it is light and works so well with ﬁlter washes. Once the paint has dried thoroughly, all of the masking can be carefully removed.

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Photos 34 - 36. Removing the masking is a very satisfying process and provides the ﬁrst glimpse of how the three colours complement each other. It is also an opportunity to see how effective your masking was. There were a few areas where the paint bled underneath the tape, though nothing that cannot be touched-up with the original colour applied by brush.

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Photo 37. Three decal options are supplied, for either the 2nd or 3rd Armoured Brigade, Spring 1941. They are very accurately printed and just about as thin as I have ever seen a water-slide decal. Areas to receive a decal were prepared with Humbrol Gloss Varnish as this provides a much smoother surface and limits ‘ghosting’ or trapped bubbles. A ﬁnal coat of Microsol blends the carrier ﬁlm to the surface.

Photos 38 - 42. Light chips and scratches were applied via a small 5/0 brush using Humbrol Dark Grey 32. The chips were done at the same time as the decals so they could all be sealed under an acrylic matt varnish. Photo 43. Vallejo Train Color Mat Varnish is a very dependable matt varnish though must be thinned heavily in order to flow nicely through an

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airbrush. Do not apply too thick a coat, as with any varnish too heavy a layer will cloud and can even leave a ‘chalky’ finish to the surface. Photo 44. Rubber tyres are easy to weather with pigments and some kind of fixer. In this case MIG Pigments and Fixer, though white

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spirit or even water will work. Mix a thick but brushable ‘slurry’ and cover the rubber tyre and leave to dry. Once dry, the pigment on raised areas can be simply rubbed off with a brush or even a finger. The remaining photos are views of the author’s completed kit. MM

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History

The US Airborne Robin Buckland ﬁnds interesting places to visit in the Normandy area for modeller and military historian alike. TOP: The church in the town square at Ste. Mère-Eglise, and even a Dodge Weapons Carrier parked there on the day we were there to add to the atmosphere! TOP RIGHT: A famous part of the D-Day story is commemorated by a stone statue of the US paratrooper caught up on the steeple, complete with some parachute silk. RIGHT: One of two main display buildings at the Airborne Museum in the centre of Ste. Mère-Eglise. Note that its roof is shaped like a parachute! BELOW: A wartime-era Citroën Traction Avant on display in the sunshine.

n this short article I don’t want to try and retell the story the US 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions landings in Normandy, but rather to offer a guide to some places to see today that those with an interest on the history of D-Day may ﬁnd fascinating to visit. The Airborne Museum at Ste. Mère-Eglise was one of the museums I found on one of my ﬁrst trips to Normandy. For those amongst you who have seen the old ﬁlm, The Longest Day, you will remember the scenes of the US paratrooper (played by Red Buttons) hanging from the church steeple, and looking down into the town square, where a bucket chain of people are trying to put out the ﬁre in a burning house.

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LEFT: This Sherman M4A3E8 makes an impressive exhibit at the museum.

landing zones

Today, as you drive into the town, you ﬁnd the town square in the middle of town, and the church still there. What you’ll immediately spot is the billowing white parachute silk which is hanging from the steeple and a life-size stone statue of a US paratrooper on the side of the steeple, as if hanging from it. It commemorates that real event, though as you discover, with one important bit of poetic licence. On the other side of the square, where that burning house once stood, there is now the US Airborne Museum, and one very well worth a visit. Inside the gate, past the entrance and shop, there are vehicles on external display, along with a sign to indicate the site of the house that once stood there. The two main museum buildings are then very distinctive, as they both have a roof in the form of a large, open parachute. Inside one building the centrepiece is a C-47 Dakota, while the centrepiece of the other is a WACO glider. Add all the pictures, equipment, uniforms, information and memorabilia it is a fascinating visit. You can actually climb through the glider, and get a good idea of what it was like inside, while a gantry around the C-47 allows you to stand above it and look down on the wings and other displays that surround it.

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As for the story of that paratrooper, John Steele, it seems he actually was caught on the other side of the steeple than seen in the ﬁlm, or by the statue, and he was on the side closer to the adjacent housing. This helps explain why he was not seen hanging there, and didn’t become a target for German troops in the square itself. On the day I visited, another enthusiastic visitor had clearly made the trip as well, for parked amongst the cars in the car park in front of the church was an old Dodge Weapons Carrier, today in private use. Somehow it created quite a poignant picture. Just east of Ste. Mère-Eglise are Chef du Pont and the La Fière Bridge. These two bridges cross the Merderet River. Today it is a mild waterway, meandering through ﬂat grassland. On D-Day, this whole area had been ﬂooded, a factor which caused the death of some of the scattered paratroops, as weighed down by heavy loads many were unable to escape the water and drowned. Many did manage to gather though, and they met up to defend these important causeways across the ﬂooded area, and were able to prevent the German troops reaching the Utah invasion beaches. At Chef-du-Pont a memorial garden marks the remembrance for that

ABOVE LEFT: You can even walk inside the WACO glider they have on display. ABOVE RIGHT: Under the wing of the C-47 Dakota, a ‘liberated’ Kettenrad is put to use by a couple of US paras.

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ABOVE: The orientation table at La Fière Bridge features a representation of a discarded parachute. ABOVE RIGHT: This is the memorial at the second important bridge at Chef du Pont.

ABOVE: The bridge at La Fière today, but a vital link back in 1944 when the surrounding land had been ﬂooded. BELOW: Part of the memorial at Fière Bridge, a statue of ‘Iron Mike’. BELOW RIGHT: This Tobruk pit is just one of the many and varied bunkers among the dunes along Utah Beach.

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day, with a memorial on the opposite side of the road as well. If you drive across the bridge, and take the ﬁrst right, this narrow lane weaves through farms and villages, among ﬁelds that were the designated drop zones and glider landing zones. Blue plaques on walls and more small memorials mark the events of that day. Driving on towards La Fière Bridge you also pass a memorial to a Medal of Honour winner, Pfc. Charles N. DeGlopper, a member of Company C, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division. His unit was being attacked by superior enemy forces and were in danger of being outﬂanked. He took a Browning Automatic Riﬂe and confronted the attackers, killing many of them

before he himself was cut down, but enabling the rest of his unit to withdraw to the vital bridgehead at La Fière. At La Fière, the farm is now repaired and looks essentially the same as it did at the time. It is now a Gites holiday home, so you can even get to stay there. By the bridge is a car park, and alongside are more memorials to the important events of the battle for the bridge. A statue of ‘Iron Mike’ dominates the scene, and alongside is an orientation table which is designed with a collapsed parachute draped around it. It has a view across the river along the causeway where three captured French tanks that the German army were operating were all knocked out as they attempted to force their way to the bridge itself. In the near distance, there’s a church which was also the scene of ﬁghting. Going slightly behind the car park, an earth scrape in the roadside is marked with white posts, and signed as a foxhole used by the division commander, James Gavin during the ﬁghting. Immediately behind that is a gateway to a ﬁeld in the hedgerow, and this was the position of a US 57mm anti-tank gun which played a part in knocking out those tanks on the causeway. An excellent book I happened to have with me at the time (I was reading it for review), was No Better Place to Die: The Battle for La Fière Bridge June 1944 by Robert M. Murphy, a paratrooper who was involved in the action at the time. The book offers a number of ﬁrst-hand memories of what happened during the battle, memories which help bring the whole thing to life as you stand there and survey the beautiful countryside in front of you.

History

ABOVE: One of a number of road signs, named as memorials to the troops who were killed on D-Day. ABOVE: Target of the US Rangers, the battery at Pointe du Hoc remains today as a permanent memorial, with the ground still looking like a cratered moonscape. LEFT: This 88mm gun is one of the external exhibits at the Dead Man’s Corner Museum.

I am sure most of us will have seen the TV series Band of Brothers and the tale of Lt. Dick Winters and his men. Just a short way south of Ste. MèreEglise you can turn left and follow the signs out to the Utah Beach Museum. That in itself is well worth visiting, though just outside the scope of this article. In the second episode of the series titled Day of Days, the unit successfully take on a German gun battery in a ﬁeld at Brécourt. Today that is just a farmers’ ﬁeld by the roadside but the trees and hedgerows among the lush green ﬁelds give an excellent idea of what the cover must have been like as they make their dispositions to attack the gun position. A little further west you will ﬁnd another small museum, known as ‘Dead Man’s Corner Museum’. It takes its name from the description used by troops in the days following the invasion. A Stuart light tank had been knocked out on the corner of a

junction, and the commander lay dead on the turret. For a few days he remained there, while it was too dangerous to try and get up and remove the body while shooting was still going on around the site. Within the museum, which is not huge, there are a number of ﬁne exhibits set into the rooms of the old house. In one of the displays upstairs you can see the uniform and webbing belong to Dick Winters himself. As you exit, you have to pass through their shop, where you can buy some pieces of memorabilia (though not cheap) among a huge variety of reproduction uniforms and equipment. British, German or American, you could equip yourself with pretty much any choice of uniform you want, including all the German camouﬂage kit and parkas. All very tempting! There are lots of other places worth visiting in the Utah Beach zone, but this is enough to keep you MM occupied for one day of your visit.

ABOVE: One element of another US Airborne memorial west of La Fière Bridge, amidst the intended landing grounds. LEFT: This Sherman is part of the Le Clerc memorial at Utah Beach, one of a few old AFVs mounted there.

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Scammell Pioneer R100 Neil Craig converts the venerable Airﬁx 1:76 scale kit into the Heavy Artillery Tractor version. he Scammell Pioneer R100 was a British Heavy Artillery Tractor that was used in the Second World War. The basic vehicle was used to tow heavier pieces such as the 7.2” gun and 6” Howitzer. It had an 8-ton capacity winch and an overhead runway with a 10cwt hoist. The model is a conversion based upon the Airﬁx Scammell Tank Transporter kit (still in the Airﬁx catalogue as item A02301) and was inspired from blogs by Stuart Harrison on the Airﬁx Tribute Forum (ATF) and also by various blogs by Sean Brannin on the Tank Transporter version TRU-30 and the Pioneer Recovery Vehicle on both the ATF and Braille Scale Forums. Correspondence with Stu and Les Freathy (ATF) yielded many plans and photos which I deemed adequate to commence the conversion. The closest plans dimensionally based upon wheelbase were the Scammell Company’s plans in 1:76 scale. There is some discrepancy between the Airﬁx cab dimensions (1.5mm short) and the Scammell plans with regard to length. Following the plan would entail scratchbuilding the entire cab and body, so for the sake of 1.5mm, I decided to use

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the Airﬁx parts. Stu’s photo of his conversion shows that the overall look of the vehicle is spot on using the Airﬁx parts. The plans also showed a lot of detail of the seat arrangements and different ﬂoor levels. I decided that I would use these plans for the build. Some areas of the interior may be constructed with a certain amount of modeller’s licence, but the majority will be as shown in the photos. The engine will not be featured in this model, but a detailed crew and rear compartment will be. The frame and ﬂoors were assembled as one sub-assembly and the body built up separately. This was to allow the body to be popped on after painting. Sub-assemblies described the build sequence, but some of these sequences changed throughout to facilitate certain prerequisites. There was some back and forth manoeuvring to the chassis depending on what was required. The wheels were also modiﬁed during this time. The decals I chose were based upon an Internet photo of the magniﬁcently restored Boadicea and were custom made by Peter Marshall of Aleran Decals in Detroit. The markings show it to be a vehicle of an artillery unit attached to the British 1st Army, which was basically raised for service in Algeria and Tunisia in 1942 for ‘Operation Torch’. As information is sketchy on individual unit serial numbers, I used ‘artistic licence’ in assuming unit ‘254’ was the 54th Heavy Artillery Regiment equipped with 7.2” Howitzers. A string of e-mails with Mike Starmer revealed that the colours shown in the photos (Green and Earth Brown) are wrong for the period and 1st Army vehicles going to North Africa would be in the SCC2/SCC14 combination in the patterns laid down in MTP 46/4A; hence Khaki Brown with Black (or Very Dark Brown SCC1) on the top surfaces of the tractor with the gun in overall SCC2.

Cab ﬂoor One of the articles sent to me had a great article on the R100 and 7.2” Howitzer. It also gave a description of how to do this conversion. As a ﬁrst step, it suggested using the wheelbase on the plan, cut the chassis to the right length with the join just under the cab ﬂoor. As I intended to detail the cab, I thought I would modify the ﬂoor area ﬁrst before shortening the chassis. I shortened the cab ﬂoor by cutting across it right behind the seats. I then cut off the moulded-in seats, which left holes in the ﬂoor. This was covered with .010” sheet and a 5mm high cab back was added behind the ﬂoor,

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leaving a cut out on the right side of the driver’s seat as an access to the crew compartment. The moulded seat backs were cut off at the right height and added to the backboard. The seats sat on tubular frames and were constructed with .010” sheet some strip and .016” brass wire. Cushions were then made from .020” sheet. I next tackled the ‘gearshift guide’; at least that’s what I’ll call it! It features prominently in all cab photos and sits between the driver’s and crew seats. It is basically a guide for the driver to move through the gear sequence and sits on roughly a 45-degrees angle. It was made using .010 x .020” strip, being careful to stay within the 4mm width limit to go between the seats. With that complete and in place I inserted a length of .020” rod for the shift lever and used a blob of white glue for the knob. Other cab ﬂoor features can now wait until the chassis is modiﬁed.

Chassis Comparing the chassis frame to the plan showed that it would have to be shortened by 11mm to get the correct wheelbase using the locating holes for the rear springs. It also showed that the frame would have to be lengthened behind the rear wheels by 8.5mm. From roughly the middle of the frame, 11mm was removed and the pieces saved to shorten to 8.5mm and added to the rear. The rear tow bar assembly, which sits a little lower than the frame, was added to the rear pieces. The locating crosspiece for the three winch cable pulleys also had to be moved to the rear. This didn’t show on the plan, but photos guided me to get it into the approximate position, which is just in front of the rear cable fairleads that will have to be scratchbuilt. All the joints were reinforced with .020 x .040” strip on the inside of the frame and it was left to dry overnight. The rear springs were glued to the frame in the locator holes and the transmission/driveshaft part was glued to the rear axle. This will have to be shortened once the cab ﬂoor is in place as the lower engine locates into a hole in the cab ﬂoor. My plan was to ﬁx the radiator in place as the front axle assembly locks in place with it. Next, the bonnet, cab front, cab sides and roof were assembled (as described later) but not glued to the ﬂoor. Once complete this was set in place on the frame against the back of the radiator as a template and the cab ﬂoor was slid into it and glued in place. The cab front was then removed; with the cab ﬂoor in place, the engine bottom/drive assembly can now be placed into position. The new length would be 11mm shorter than the original, so it was removed from the middle and the assembly was glued into place on the bottom of the chassis,

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with the rear axle located between the pins on the springs with the whole assembly being rejoined at the driveshaft. The outer rear wheel suspension unit was added to the rear axle on each side and left to pivot as directed in the instructions. Additional frame supports were added using .040” rod and .020 x .030” strip as shown in a top view of the chassis. The older style horizontal spindle winch assembly was constructed using tube, rod and strip and glued in place on the top of the frame being careful with height to allow the body to sit properly. The rear winch cable pulleys were glued in place and fairlead rollers were constructed from rod and strip and added to the pulley frame. Winch cable guide pulleys were added to the left side of the frame and a two sets (two horizontal and two vertical) guide rollers were constructed and installed on the front left side of the frame. The fuel tank was modiﬁed to enable it to sit a little further forward, and a new ﬁller neck and cap added. When the tank was in place a bracket was added from the front of the tank to the frame. The chain carrier was also modiﬁed to the correct shape and detail was added, including a bracket added to the front of the carrier to mount to the frame. The door was scratchbuilt using .010 x .020” strip. An additional bracket from the front of the carrier to the cab front can be added later, just prior to painting. The steering arm linkage was scratchbuilt using strip and both .015” and .020” rod. Detail was added to the front towing bar assembly and the headlights were modiﬁed somewhat (as moulded, the lamp hoods are out of position) and added to the frame. The front mudguards were suitably

‘‘” ...the overall look of the vehicle is spot on using .

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the upper edge. A razor saw was used to cut about 1mm deep just under the lip of the bonnet top on each side. Then roughly a 50 degrees cut was made about 2.5mm below the cut, made above and angling upward to the previous cut. Once removed it was ﬁled and sanded smooth. The raised rectangular embossed area was made using .010 x .010” strip and .040” rod cut off at roughly 1mm and cut in half to represent the two lifting grips on the top of each side of the bonnet. I had sanded off most of the original rivets on the face of the cab so I found I had to replace a few based upon the drawings. I proceeded to sand off all the raised detail and rivets on the roof and cab sides and once they were smooth, I cut them to leave just the forward part of the cab to which the rear part of the body will be added. Using the cab ﬂoor as a template, I glued the sides and roof to the cab front and left it to dry. Once dry, I added the air ﬁlter on the cab front right side. I then added two small square details on the top portion as shown in the photos. Next, I assembled the front axle to the chassis, locking it in place, but still moveable, with the radiator. The cab front needed gap ﬁlling in the joints and that was done with Squadron Putty and later ACC, before leaving it to dry completely prior to sanding.

Wheels While waiting for glue to dry on the various subassemblies, I started on the wheels by adding .010” sheet to the middle to give a bit more width and then using .010 x .020” strip, re-treaded the tyres into the correct pattern for the Pioneer. The ﬁrst one was a challenge, but the rest came much easier and the results look fairly good. The hubs were rounded off and added to each wheel followed by additional bolts using .015” rod.

Body interior cleaned up and glued into position. With this completed, further detail was added to the cab ﬂoor, i.e. winch levers, handbrake, brake and clutch pedals. The gas pedal will be added to the cab front.

Cab front The radiator needed a few bolts added on the top at each side and also three on each side. These were made using .015” and .020” rod. The bonnet sides had to be detailed with an indentation along

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The crew compartment and storage area were the next areas to be constructed. This was no easy matter as there were three levels according to the plans and it included a box under the front crew bench to accommodate the winch. The ﬁrst step was to add three horizontal support beams to the chassis using .020” sheet cut into 3mm strips for the body to sit on. The different levels were constructed as per the plans using .010” sheet and nine seat cushions and backs were made from .020” sheet for the crew compartment. The front wall of the crew compartment was built up using

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strip and a slot was made for the ﬂoor to slide into. The plans showed an ammunition rack that sat in the storage area at the rear of the body and would hold eight rounds of ammunition. I believe the tractors only carried two ready rounds (the rest being carried in a separate ammunition lorry) and the plans showed two, so I made two from tube and putty.

Cab interior Cab details were added, including the instrument panel, gas pedal and other appendages. The doors were outlined in strip and handles added. At this point the glazing was also cut to size. I left off the steering wheel to be added later, after the back portion is added, as it may get broken off during the handling.

Body This was probably the most challenging part of the conversion. Measurements were taken and the pattern of the rear part of the body was drawn on some .010” sheet and carefully cut out. I then used hot water to soften the material and bent it around a piece of tubing longitudinally to form the sides. With a rough shape achieved, I started gluing the front edge to the back of the cab using ACC for convenience and speed of drying. I glued the tailgate in place also using ACC, as the surface areas were quite small. Once set, I used the kit rear curtain to add to the upper part of the rear opening. Once all was dry, I took the rear roof of the tractor, which had been cut away earlier to make the arch supports for the interior. I simply sawed off three 1.5mm cross-sections modifying the ends slightly to ﬁt and glued them in place. To these were added vertical stiffeners from .040” square strip. I then glued longitudinal stiffeners down each side and in two rows in the roof. The rear four, crew seat backrests were added in the proper location on the longitudinal stiffeners on each side. While this process was going on, I was checking for ﬁt over the chassis and rear body, but I soon realized that the body interior sub-assembly would need to be glued in place. As this would hide only some detail, like the winch, I decided to go ahead and take my chance with the painting later. Fit was okay with some offset and off-centre, which could easily be pulled into line when glued in place. The joining seams were next to be added. I elected to use .005” sheet impressed with a pounce wheel to simulate rivets and cut into narrow strips. These were glued into place based on the reference material. Upon completion, I just wasn’t satisﬁed with the overall look as the strip was just too wide and not to scale. I laboriously removed it all with an X-Acto knife and sandpaper and re-did it all with .010 x .020” strip, which is much more to scale width-wise, but lacks any rivet detail and is a little thick, so I may sand it down all over. I will spray it with primer prior to painting to check for any imperfections including the height of the strip. I spent some time changing the crew compartment ﬂoor at the outside to ﬁt the geometry below the crew doors. This was fairly time-consuming and ﬁnicky, but greatly improved the look with the body in place. The small locker under the crew doors was made from strip and

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glued in place on each side. The rear mudguards were made using .010” and .005” sheet ready to be added just prior to painting. I constructed the wheel chocks (scotches) from .010” sheet and in studying the mounting of them realized some modiﬁcation would need to be done to the interior rear. The plans seem to indicate that the top of the benches in the rear of the body extends outwards to, and ﬂush with, the bottom of the sides. If this is the case, there must be some relief in the end of the bench, as the way the chocks are located, they would need some relief in the top of the bench. This seemed to be the easiest ﬁx, so I cut away about 6mm of bench and built a box over it to accommodate the chocks. An old lead toothpaste tube provided the material to make the brackets and all was glued in place on the underside rear of the wheel wells. The ladder, which provided access to the rear was constructed using .015” rod and will be added just prior to painting, as it is fairly delicate. Next I built the gantry beam from strip and set it in place after ﬁling out a notch in the rear curtain to accommodate it, then gluing triangular clamps in place either side of the beam on two of the arch supports. The beam was then removed to make the hoist, which was built up using strip and rod. Small-scale chain was used to make the working component of the hoist. A hook was made from .015” brass wire and the whole gantry assembly was set aside to dry and was later added. The same chain was used to make the safety chains for the tailgate. Rolled tissue strapped with the lead foil was used to make the side curtains for the crew window openings. The same tissue paper was used to cover the plastic rear curtains to give them some texture to simulate canvas. As a ﬁnal touch, new sidelights on the cab front were made with rod and strip (the kit ones were broken off during handling) and the side mirrors were also made from .010” rod and .010” strip.

Painting My latest technique is to pre-paint the model overall in ﬂat black that serves to pre-shade recessed areas and ensure coverage of all the bare plastic. Model Master Flat Black was used for this purpose. Using the SCC2 colour chip in Mike Starmer’s book, I mixed a close match to it using Humbrol Dark Earth 29 and Chocolate 98 paints tinted with some Winsor & Newton Oils (Yellow Ochre/Burnt Sienna). This was airbrushed onto both the R100 and the 7.2” Howitzer - a Hinchliffe model built while waiting for Mike Starmer’s book to arrive! This was left to dry for a day or so while I made masking tape masks to cover the SCC2, which was

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a laborious adventure. After these were applied, I sprayed on the SCC14 Black. The gun will be in base colour SCC2 only. When this was dry, an overall coat of gloss varnish was applied for decal adhesion and pin washes. After drying for 48-hours, pin washes were applied using thinned oil colours mixed with a little of the original SCC2 mix. Decals were then applied and Testors’ Glosscote was brushed on around the edges to help seal them before everything was sprayed with ﬂat varnish and left to dry to facilitate dry brushing and detail painting. After these stages were completed the vehicle was assembled and set on the base awaiting its resin cast wheels, to be added ‘if and when’. The combination is marked up for the 54th Heavy Artillery Regiment of the British 1st Army newly landed in Algeria for ‘Operation Torch’ in 1942.

Base As the model is depicting a tractor and gun combination of the British 1st Army, I thought it appropriate to portray it in a typical North African setting of a desert track. A search on the Internet produced photos of desert settings and greenery as photographed in Tunisia and Algeria. The base was made up in my usual manner comprising a stained wooden plaque surmounted with ﬂorist’s Oasis block surrounded with .020” sheet plastic painted ﬂat black. Once in place, dry and masked, a model’s wheel was run from one end to the other a few times to simulate wheel tracks. A coat of white glue and water was painted on and gravel (swept up from the winter accumulation in my garage) was sprinkled on. Small stones were added randomly here and there and after drying for a day or so, it was painted in various hues of desert tones using thinned Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ochre, Raw Umber and white oil colours. Successive coats were lighter to highlight the roughness and when dry, small clumps of Woodland Scenics’ Light Green Extra Coarse Turf were added here as shown in photos of North Africa. MM

In diecast form As we go to press Oxford Diecast have just released a 1:76 scale model of the Scammell Pioneer. The Oxford military range is fast expanding and this new release is bound to be up to the high standard of previous models.

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Interestingly, like the author, Oxford have chosen Boadicea of the Royal Artillery (1st Army) as the colour scheme for their ﬁrst release (item 76SP004) – other versions will no doubt follow. Retailing at a very reasonable £11.95 this model is ideal for those without the necessary skills, or time, to build their own. Check out the full 1:76 scale military range at: www.oxforddiecast.co.uk

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he subject of this feature is a samurai warrior who is obviously much revered in Japan: there is an equestrian statue of him outside the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. He was a 14th century samurai who fought in the cause of the Emperor Go-Daigo in the latter’s quest to take the leadership of the country away from the Kamakura shogunate. He is held up in Japan as an example of ultimate samurai loyalty. He had only a very short military career, lasting just six years from 1331 to 1336. The above-mentioned statue shows him in the full samurai war regalia but, interestingly, the sculptor (Roman Rux) of this kit has chosen to depict him in half-armour. This is what he would have donned prior to putting on full armour and taking the ﬁeld. An excellent illustration by Angus McBride shows in full ﬁgure this subject in Plate F of The Samurai by Anthony J. Bryant & Angus McBride (Osprey Elite Series No.23). A full historical background can be accessed via that ever-useful on-line source, Wikipedia.

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The Model Several views of the painted resin bust appear as box art (Photo 1), to provide painting information. There are eight mouldings, including quite a nice ABOVE: This spirited statue of Kusunoki Masashige in full armour stands vigil in modern day Tokyo. BELOW: The author’s completed model.

Kusunoki Masashige Graham Dixey paints a colourful 1:9 scale Samurai Warrior bust from SK Miniatures. 1

1. SK Miniatures box art for their 1:9 scale Samurai bust.

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base that plugs into the underside of the bust (Photo 2). Naturally, they all carry some degree of surplus resin, resulting from the moulding process, in the form of plugs and, in the case of the base which has obviously been produced in an open mould, there is a couple of millimetres of resin to remove on the underside. The best way to remove this is by rubbing down with successively ﬁner grades of wet-and-dry paper, used with plenty of water in order to eliminate the risk of airborne dust particles. The other parts were readily cleaned up using a sharp knife, ﬁles and wet-and-dry paper. There is a noticeable mould part line down the left sleeve, extending upwards into the cheek. This was eliminated without undue difﬁculty by scraping, ﬁling and rubbing down. The face has been rendered particularly well, capturing the essence of this ethnic type. The slightly parted lips reveal two rows of well-deﬁned teeth.

Assembly and priming The parts are all of very good quality and locate accurately in general. However, it was subsequently found necessary to run a ﬁne line of ﬁller (Vallejo Plastic Putty 410) into the join between the headband and the hat (Photo 3), in order to achieve a better junction, after these two items had been assembled with epoxy adhesive. Checking the ﬁt of the three sections of hair showed that they located correctly but, as with the

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hat earlier, it was thought necessary to run a ﬁne line of ﬁller between the large rear piece and the headband to improve this junction. After all the mouldings had been cleaned up they were washed in warm, soapy water and dried prior to assembly and applying the priming coat (Photo 4). For the latter, matt white enamel was used, with the exception of the base, which was airbrushed with a coat of Revell SM302 Silky Matt Black enamel. The latter was then epoxied onto a wooden plinth-type

2. The kit of parts. 3. Hat ﬁtted, with some ﬁller needed. 4. Bust assembled and primed.

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In the following stages the face really starts to come to life.

5. The base chosen for this model. 6 & 7. Hat and hair painted matt black. 8. Basic ﬂesh colour applied to face. 9. Face ‘warmed up’ and lips painted.

base that I had in stock (Photo 5). In order to hold the bust for painting, a painting stick was made up from wood dowel, which plugged into the existing hole underneath the bust. The only parts assembled before the main painting was carried out were the main bust moulding; the hat and the rear hairpiece, all attached using epoxy adhesive. Normally the very ﬁrst part to be painted would be the face, as it brings out the model’s character right at the start and offers encouragement for the rest of the work. I made a slight deviation in this case and painted the hair and the hat with matt black acrylic paint (Photos 6 & 7). This acts as an undercoat for when the hair is later painted: as for the hat, I shall leave it as it is, since the surface of the acrylic paint is just right for the cloth of the hat. If I went over it with oil paint, the chances are it would be too shiny.

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Painting the face The face will be painted entirely at one sitting, as this allows me to blend successive colours into paint already applied, to achieve smooth transitions

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between one tone and another. My basic ﬂesh tone is mixed from just two colours: Titanium White and Burnt Sienna. The proportions used determine how deep the ﬂesh tone is. I wanted a medium shade but with a slight yellow bias. Accordingly, I mixed in a little Yellow Ochre and, when I was satisﬁed with the mix, brushed it over the entire face, except for the eyes and moustache, picking up any excess paint with a largish, dry brush and generally smoothing it out (Photo 8). My next stage takes the process a little further forward and consists of ‘warming up’ the cheeks of the model by blending in just a touch of red (Winsor Red though it’s not critical). Then the lips were painted with pale crimson (Alizarin Crimson plus white) and that stage was ﬁnished (Photo 9). In the following stages the face really starts to come to life. Using a favourite paint of mine for this purpose, the process involves adding some subtle shading and lining in the details of the face. There are lots of small areas that need attention: around the eyes; the ears; under and around the nose; beneath the headband: indeed in all of the folds and valleys that

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‘‘” One last job now to complete the face, and that is to paint the eyes.

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deﬁne the human face. The paint I like to use for this is slightly unusual: it is Sennelier Neutral Tint, which is a purplish pigment that seems to work well when blended into ﬂesh colours. It shouldn’t be applied too heavily, however. The face is now as in Photo 10. Next Ivory Black is used to paint the moustache and the eyebrows. Also a ﬁne line is drawn along the top of each eye, where the eyelashes are (Photo 11). Nearly there now. The next job is to add the highlights and these are the bridge of the nose and the nostrils; the raised detail of the ears; the cheekbones; the upper part of the jawbone; the slight pouches under the eyes, as well as the eyelids: indeed, the tops of all of the various folds that can be seen. The highlights are created by blending white into the still wet ﬂesh colour (Photos 12 & 13). One last job now to complete the face, and that is to paint the eyes. There is little detail that can be sensibly added to represent the almost closed eyes. I ‘suggested’ them rather than painting them in detail by placing areas of Ivory Black to create the irises and then adding tiny dots of white for ‘catch-lights’. I considered the face then complete (Photo 14).

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10. Face shaded and lined. 11. Moustache and eyebrows painted. 12 & 13. Highlights added. 14. Irises of eyes added, with small catch-lights.

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Painting the costume 15

15. Three main colours ‘blocked in’ with acrylic paint. 16. White areas painted and shaded. 17. Blue areas painted, shaded and highlighted. 18. Orange areas painted, shaded and highlighted.

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Winston Churchill once said that he found the most daunting part of painting was facing a blank white canvas; he had to cover it with paint as soon as possible. One can feel the same way with a primed but unpainted ﬁgure. For similar reasons I like to ‘block in’ as much of the costume as is reasonable right from the start. For this I use acrylic paints (Vallejo Model Color), which ﬂow very nicely from the brush and quickly provide a good basis for the oil paints that follow. What I now have (Photo 15) is most of the model in roughly the right colours. After allowing a couple of hours for the acrylics to be well and truly dry (they are really quite dry much quicker) I think about the ﬁrst colour that I am going to mix up. Actually, the ﬁrst ‘colour’ is white, which you may think doesn’t need any mixing at all. Well, I want to get a surface ﬁnish that approximates to ﬁne fabrics, such as satin or silk and, to achieve this, I mix Titanium White with Winsor & Newton’s Iridescent White. The latter appears to contain metallic particles and gives a real sheen to any colour to which it is added. I shall also use this with the blue and the orange. There isn’t much white painting to do, just the small panels, front and rear and the headband plus the panel under the right arm (Photo 16). Incidentally, as I paint each colour area I put in a line of Neutral Tint as a shade against each strap. This was also used to shade the tying of the headband at the back of the head. The next colour to be applied is blue and, after some trials, I settled on a mixture of Prussian Blue plus the white used previously. These areas were highlighted with white and shaded with neat Prussian Blue (Photo 17). The last of the three main colours is the orange, which is easily achieved by mixing red and yellow. It’s not that critical and I decided to use a mixture

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of Winsor Red and Winsor Yellow, plus some of the white mixture again. Highlighting was done with Iridescent White and the shading was carried out with Alizarin Crimson, which I thought gave a more interesting result than just using red (Photo 18). Now that the body of the costume is complete, the various straps that criss-cross the torso were painted using Vallejo Model Color acrylic black. The decorative metal panel on the left shoulder was given a thin wash of black acrylic paint, allowing it to sink into the wire mesh area. The straps were later given a ﬁnishing coat of Ivory Black oil colour. The model so far is shown in Photo 19.

Decorative work With the bulk of the work out of the way, we can now start on the details that will bring the model to life and give it added colour. The metalwork on the left shoulder, excluding the wire mesh, was painted brown, ready to receive the gold ﬁnish. The ‘bobbles’ on the ﬁgure’s right were picked out in black. Under the right arm is a decorative panel (assumed to be the upward extension of the hidate (thigh guards) which has a simple form of ﬂoral decoration with a gold surround. The latter was painted ﬁrst with brown acrylic paint and then the panel itself was painted using just three colours: white; red and neutral tint. Not shown at this stage is the painting of the wakizashi, the short sword worn tucked into the sash. This was painted separately and added later. It is simplicity itself, being just black and gold. The model is now as seen in Photo 20. Now, using gold printer’s ink, in paste form, mixed into Winsor & Newton’s Japan Gold Size, the metal areas on the left shoulder were carefully painted, with the exception of the ‘wire mesh’ area which is presumably of steel in the full-size. This

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Figures 20 21

was dry-brushed with silver paint (Rose silver plus the gold size) very lightly, just to catch the very tops of the wires, leaving the black background intact. Under the right arm the border of the decorative panel was also painted gold (Photo 21). Now the model is nearing completion but is lacking the two ‘hair pieces’ and the ‘gorget’. These were super-glued in place, the backs of all three pieces having been previously painted with matt black acrylic paint (Photo 22). The hairpieces were painted to match the existing hair. To paint the gorget a thin wash of black oil paint was run into the detail, excluding the panel at the top, which it was required to keep clean. With a piece of cloth wrapped around the ﬁngertip, the paint was wiped off the tops of the detail. This was then picked out using: red; yellow; dark blue and light blue. The panel at the top was painted to match the style of the under-arm panel. Apart from adding the wakizashi, the model was then complete (Photo 23).

The model mounted on its base.

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Mounting the model After the model had had ample time to dry, it was carefully prised off its painting stick. With the use of a little super glue it was then mounted on the base previously shown. A label was printed out and attached to the front of the base and the model was considered ﬁnished.

Source This model was kindly donated for this feature by Steve Kirtley. This and similar kits can be obtained from his website at: www.skminiatures.co.uk The price of this particular kit is £37 plus p&p (currently £2.50 in the UK and Europe but check MM on website).

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19. Various straps painted in matt black. 20. First stages of decorative work added. 21. Metallic colours applied. 22. Hairpieces and gorget added. 23. Hairpieces and gorget painted.

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Small Scale Scene

ABOVE LEFT: Box art for the Riich Models’ Universal Carrier. ABOVE & INSET: A view of the internal detailing on the Riich Models’ Universal Carrier.

Robin Buckland’s monthly column for military vehicle modellers. ell, since last time it has been quite an active few weeks. I attended the ﬁrst ever model show to be held at the REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) Museum at Arborﬁeld at the beginning of April, where my wife and I hosted a table of models on behalf of the www.militarymodelling.com website and generally had a very enjoyable day. A good opportunity to meet people with other interests, as well as meeting up with some of our regular members on the www.militarymodelling.com website. All this amidst an excellent museum collection as well. It turned out to be an excellent day and it was followed by a spur of the moment choice to visit the AMPS (Armor Modeling & Preservation Society) show in Atlanta, Georgia and take my ﬁrst ever trip to the USA. I’ll talk more about that separately as there are a couple of stories to have come from this trip.

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ABOVE: Robin in the turret of an Abrams at Fort Benning, Georgia, USA. BELOW: Robin’s wife Una helped out with our www.militarymodelling.com table at the ﬁrst REME Museum model show.

Riich Models Anyway, lots going on so let’s get straight into things and start with a new release that many will have been looking forward to since the news of its release was ﬁrst announced. Riich Models are a relatively new manufacturer from the Far East and their 1:35 scale Universal

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Carrier is now in production. The ﬁrst surprise was the weight of the relatively small box as it is packed to the brim with parts. Lots of detail is included here so don’t expect a quick build, even for such a relatively small vehicle. No less than 45 stages in the 23-page construction booklet, three frets of etchedbrass parts and over 40 parts just to the engine and radiator alone, which will then be covered up with an armoured cover! As I write this it has only just arrived, so no time to even start building it yet, but the detail moulded even on the inside of the hull let alone all the etchedbrass detailing and so on, this looks to be a very highly detailed model of the Carrier. The springs are assembled from real metal springs and the track is what would be described as link and length, though the ‘links’ are actually a pair of track links as even in 1:35 scale, the individual link is minute. I remember seeing the Model Kasten set of individual links and I have to admit that was too small for me. This method of pairing them, plus longer lengths, seems an ideal solution to me. What struck me was the detail included within interior of the lower hull. Much of it won’t be seen once all is together, and even more so if you put the three crew ﬁgures in, which are also included in the kit. The detail looks ﬁrst class and the etched

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AFV reviews

Box art for the Dragon 1:72 scale Ersatz M10.

Box art for the Dragon 1:72 scale Flakpanzer V Coelian.

parts do add that extra bit of ‘something’ for the overall look of the detail on things like the radio aerial mountings, just to pick one example. Add clear parts that are included along with towrope and chain it has clearly been given a good deal of planning. There are four ﬁnishing options provided in the kit. Option 1 is a sand and brown camouﬂaged carrier of the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade in Italy in 1943. Option 2 is plain dark green from the 10th Polish Armoured Cavalry Brigade in Holland 1944. Option 3 sees one in the Caunter scheme, for the 2nd New Zealand Division, Libya 1941. Finally, option 4 is for the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division in Aldershot in 1941. Tempting enough to make you think about doing four kits so you can show each one. My thanks to Riich Models for sending our sample.

single 55mm gun or another with four MGs instead. The Panther chassis was in too much demand to divert them to Flakpanzer use however, despite the ever-growing allied air superiority that the German army had to contend with after D-Day. The model goes together rather well, using the chassis of their older Panther model which is okay, though there is a bit of ﬂash on some of the roadwheels so you need to check these are cleaned up well to get everything to ﬁt neatly together. The turret is the all-new sprue, including the mount and hollow muzzles for the barrels of the two 37mm guns. A bit of a shame that all the hatches in both turret and hull are moulded shut, but not the end of the world. The track is their now standard DS Styrene, which actually works well and holds good detail, and can be glued with standard plastic cement. Markings are no more than black crosses, but then as none were actually built, that works okay. The instructions use photos of the kit rather than drawings, as was done on the earlier Panther kits. I’m not sure I favour these as I think some small detail parts can be easily missed, but that’s just a personal

Dragon Next a couple of small scale releases from Dragon in their 1:72 scale armour range. Firstly there is the Ersatz M10. This was already available in their larger 1:35 scale range, but now Dragon have scaled it down to 1:72 as well. They were Panthers converted to resemble the US M10 tank destroyer, and a number of them were converted to create confusion during the Ardennes offensive in 1944. With sheet

metal additions to both hull and turret, the removal of the cupola and painted in Olive Drab with US markings, the idea had very limited success when put into practice. They remain an interesting oddity however, and it is a bit different to see an Olive Drab painted Panther with US markings as well. Dragon have used the lower hull and running gear from their older Panther model, so that is no different if you have tried one of them before. The upper hull and the turret are all new though. I think these are a bit simpliﬁed to keep production costs under control I would guess, and while there may be some simpliﬁcation of these parts, many modellers will be perfectly happy with it as it comes. It certainly does look a bit different to sit among your model collection. Assembly is easily done in one evening, and the DS styrene tracks ﬁtted very neatly. In terms of being something quite different to ‘normal’, I rather like this one as it comes. Another Panther variant is the Flakpanzer V Coelian and it’s good to see this one in plastic. In reality it turned out to be no more than a paper project, as other than a wooden mock-up turret, none were actually built, despite a variety of different turret designs, including this one, with twin 37mm FlaK 43 weapons, another with a

preference I guess. The two colour schemes they suggest are interesting, bearing in mind it is a ‘what if’ scenario. Thanks to UK importers The Hobby Company for our samples.

Tamiya In their ever-growing range of 1:48 scale models, Tamiya have released an SdKfz 232 8-rad armoured car. As suggested by the box art illustrations, this is particularly well suited to the early period of the war, though they did carry on in service through to the end. The standard is up to Tamiya’s usual high quality, with crisp mouldings and everything ﬁtting together very cleanly. Though slightly simpliﬁed, the detail underneath in the chassis and drivetrain works well and goes together without any problem. Just one set of 1mm holes to be drilled (using a pin vice is simplest) for some lights to be ﬁtted, but that is clearly pointed out in the assembly instructions. Assembled straight from the box it looks very good, though I guess that we will see some after-market accessory sets on sale for it before long, perhaps by the time you read this judging

The new 1:48 scale Tamiya Sdkfz 232 built, though not as yet painted.

Box art for the new Tamiya 1:48 scale SdKfz 232.

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AFV reviews

Etched-brass PoW (Petrol or Water) carriers for WW2 British trucks from Dan Taylor Modelworks in 1:76 scale.

Box art for the new Trumpeter BTR-70.

by the speed some of them manage to produce new sets! Two options are provided for in colours and markings. One for an overall Panzer Grey machine of 5th Panzer Division in the Balkans in 1941, or a sand and green camouﬂaged alternative from the 19th Panzer Division at Kursk in 1943. Our thanks to The Hobby Company who are the UK importers.

Trumpeter I do like the various series of Soviet 8-wheel armoured cars of the BTR series, including the -60, -70 and -80. While the BTR-70 has been produced before by both Dragon and Zvezda, a new one from Trumpeter is my favourite to date. The reason for that? It has to be the detailing included for the interior of the crew compartment. It means you can model it with the hatches open and see what’s inside. I have been inside a BMP1, which was rather cramped for a larger chap like me, but when I got in the earlier BTR-60, I was pleased to ﬁnd that much more space inside the larger armoured car. With the size of the BTR-70, you once again get a bit more space, though I have no doubt that is reduced once ﬁlled with troops and their kit.

So with the interior of the crew compartment being included, as they have done with their BTR-60 series models, there is a good bit involved to build this one compared to earlier models. Construction starts with details for the upper hull, such as clear parts for the periscopes and etched covers for them on the top of the hull. You move on to the suspension units and the external elements of the lower hull before putting in the driver and co-driver’s positions and the seating in the main troop compartment. Once the two halves of the hull are together, then there remains the external hull detailing, along with engine and crew hatches, plus the gun turret. Tyres are a black vinyl but with a good tread pattern. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some resin alternatives come onto the market, with the slight bulge at the bottom to accurately depict the weight of the vehicle. For those interested in these, there is one on display in the collection of the Musée des Blindés in Saumur, France. There are two colour schemes and marking options provided for, one in a single colour green and the other in a 3-colour camouﬂage pattern. Markings for either one are quite basic white numerals and such. Overall, and subject to actually putting it together, this looks to be a very neat model, and a real pleasure to see the detail of the interior arrangement of crew seat, troop benches and so on. Thanks to UK importers Pocketbond, for our sample.

value for money is set 9, with more stowed tents and tarpaulins. Nicely done in themselves they are cleanly cast in polyurethane resin. With 12 pieces included in the pack, which also carries a photo showing how good they look once painted, these are growing into a very useful set of accessories to check out. If you haven’t looked at this range of accessories before, I’d encourage you to have a look as they have a good variety of different packs available with bedrolls and tarpaulins as well as crates. Have a look at their website on www.valuegeardetails.com Moving to small scale accessories, the Bren and Universal Carriers have always been popular even in small scale and there are a good variety of kits available from the likes of Airﬁx, IBG, Milicast, MMS and most recently I understand from the Plastic Soldier Company. However, the dust shields are usually somewhat overscale in thickness. Hence this new etchedbrass option from Dan Taylor Modelworks. Two patterns of dust shields, with ﬁve pairs in all on the etched-brass fret (two of one style, three of the other). They are closer to scale thickness therefore and will look good on your models. A nice and simple update to make, even if you are not used to working with etchedbrass parts. The instruction sheet that’s included clearly shows how they ﬁt on the kit you go for. The label may say 1:76, but they work every bit as well for 1:72 as well.

Accessories

Value Gear’s latest Tent & Tarps set, number 9.

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Value Gear has the hint in the name, as we see another of this growing range of resin accessory sets in 1:35 scale. Offering good

Etched-brass mud shields for the Universal Carrier from Dan Taylor Modelworks in 1:76 scale.

Another new set is a particular feature of British trucks in WW2, the Petrol or Water carrier frame ﬁtted under the load bed, usually at the back. Often represented in kits as a solid plastic, resin or metal parts, these were metal frames to carry the appropriate cans. Dan Taylor has now released an etchedbrass fret for the carrier frame in a couple of different styles. Easy enough to fold and ﬁx, this opens up some more possibilities for your truck models, and looks a great improvement over a solid piece. Contact Dan Taylor Modelworks at 15 Town Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 6QL or their website at www.dantaylormodelworks. com and e-mail info@ dantaylormodelworks.com As I mentioned earlier, my wife and I went on a trip recently to the AMPS show held in Atlanta, USA. Among the vendor tables at the show I found a number of products I hadn’t seen before and so thought I’d share what I found. One of these products I hadn’t come across before was by HobbyTrax and were aluminium templates, or jigs, for building, or moulding, 1:35 scale tracks. They can be used for the onepiece ‘rubber band’ (not an accurate description of course but modellers will know what I mean!) to allow you to mould them to the right shape you want before ﬁtting them to the running gear, or equally you can use them to assemble single link tracks around them just as well. These metal cut templates come for an ever-widening list of tanks and are a simple but such a clever idea. They help you get the right track sag and overall sit of the tracks ready to ﬁt to your model. For some tracks, such as the Sherman for example, it is a single shape, as the track guides ﬁt either side of it. For others, such as the Panzer IV, this is two parts, with washers provided as spacers, so the central track guide teeth ﬁt between them. Every set also comes with the standard set of

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AFV reviews

The HobbyTrax team and their 1:35 scale metal track shape templates.

ABOVE: Jose Rodriguez, the man behind HQ72. ABOVE RIGHT: Just one of the many diorama display bases in 1:72 scale from HQ72.

instructions on how to assemble the units (as required) and how to use them to set the shape of the track around them. For the one-piece vinyl tracks, ﬁx the ends to create the loop and place around the template. Using a handle on the tool, dip the track and template into a pan of boiling water (being very careful not to put your hand into the water of course!) then remove it and mould the track to ﬁt as you want it around the tool. This can be repeated if necessary. Mould the now soft, pliable track around the tool to get the shape right, and then immerse in cold water, which will ﬁx the shape in place. Then for single link tracks there should be no need to use the water treatment, simply assemble the links around the template. My thanks to the HobbyTrax team for their time on their stand in Atlanta. See their website at www.hobbytrax.net Another news item from my trip to the AMPS show, I had the pleasure to meet Jose Rodriguez in person, the man behind a range of 1:72 scale scenic bases for small scale models. They are sold under the brand of HQ72. Cleanly cast and simple to assemble, they just need a coat of primer and then painting. The results are

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some neat display bases for any small scale armoured or soft-skin vehicles. One is a cobbled street, with a wall to the back corner and grass behind while the second is a longer section of roadway and a long section of plastered wall to form the backdrop. This will take a larger model, than the cobble street. I’ll also add that Jose also is the man behind Tiger Werke, an equally large series of 1:35 scale detail sets and conversions. Available via www.tigerdio.com

Partwork 1:72 scale AFVs available thanks to John Ayrey Diecasts. Sherman, Jagdpanther, Challenger 1 and Abrams.

Diecast models Keeping on the topic of readymade diecast models for a moment, some may remember there was one of those part work series a few years ago which included ready-made and painted 1:72 scale models. If you didn’t go for them, there were some interesting models in the series and a number of them are available from various model shops around the country, via the importers John Ayrey Diecasts (www. ayrey.co.uk), who now advertise in this magazine. Examples here include a Challenger 1, an M4 Sherman, a Jagdpanther and an Abrams (suddenly I have a soft spot for these, having now been in one!). My thanks to Norman at John Ayrey for the samples. MM

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On Parade Books, magazines and DVDs reviewed The Editor welcomes publications for review. Unless a prior arrangement has been made with the Editor review samples WILL NOT be returned. All samples intended for review in ‘On Parade’ should be sent direct to the Editor at the address listed under ‘Editorial’ on the contents page.

Scale Model Handbook, Figure Modelling 5. Mr Black Publications, PO Box 76341, 17102 Nea Smimi, Athens, Greece. ISSN 2241-1054. Price 14.95 Euros. Available in the UK priced £13.95 from Historex Agents, Wellington House, 157 Snargate Street, Dover, Kent CT17 9BZ. www.mrblackpublications.com www.historexagents.com When I reviewed the fourth issue of this publication, I mentioned that the editor, Stelios Demiras, was maintaining the quality of his offering… I can’t say that with this ﬁfth issue, because I’d be selling it far short. I think, in comparison to the fourth issue, he’s stepped up possibly one or maybe two gears and has put together a really good publication. I don’t know how he’s managed that, but it’s how it looks to me. The same format is followed, with a short editorial welcoming the reader, and then straight into the articles. Aleksander Michelotti returns, this time with an Ofﬁcer of the Tsar’s Guard (Russia 1830). This article runs through the painting process used by this artist in quite a lot of detail, from polishing the metal of the Pegaso kit, masking the mail areas after painting them

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so that the cloth and skin sections can be airbrushed with a sealing primer, right through to painting the face over the course of several sequenced photos, and on to ﬁner details and decoration. A short article by Grigoris Marmatakis follows that, with how he has painted a Hajduk or bandit from the Serbian War of Independence (1804 – 1813). Another author returning with an article is Ernesto Reyes Stalhith. His painting of a Native American Chief for the company Stormtroopers is a treat, in that the model is painted in sections, so you see a fully painted torso (for example) offered up to the lower torso that is still in it’s white primer. The clean break between what appears living, breathing ﬂesh and what is obviously dead replication of the clothed human form is striking to say the least, and shows just how lifelike a skilled artist can make resin or white metal appear. I’m not quite sure about the feather in the hat of this subject – looking something like the old joke arrow sticking out each side, but there may well be a photo showing just such a decoration as being historically accurate. Another returnee is Fernando Ruiz Ceano. His version of the Art Girona Attila the Hun is a very nice study in 54mm, a lot of earthy colours, but combined in such a way as to look natural whilst still pleasing to look at. Moving on to a bust, the next offering is by Mike Butler. He chooses a less well-known company – AC Models, and their WW2 Australian “Digger” from 1942. It’s more of a half ﬁgure sporting a fair amount of a Bren Gun along with both arms and hands. The bust is cut off just above the belt line, and the ﬁrst impression is of a gaunt and grubby looking chap. The detail of stubble, hairy chest and arms, not to mention that

sweaty, unwashed appearance of someone who’s been in a humid jungle for a good length of time is a testament to the skill Mike has lavished on this piece. If I might mention disappointment, this would be directed at the style of this article and it’s brevity. The text only runs for one page, being in the form of cooking instructions giving the reader the barest information regarding colours used without any idea of the amounts of those colours used in a mix. Basically, I think Mike’s a very good painter with some superb ideas on how to depict texture and colour; I’d like to see more of him with future articles, but also to hear more from him about how he gets his effects by using more photos and longer explanations – he’s got a lot to teach us. I may be mistaken, but the next writer – Aleksandr zelenkov – is new to Mr Black Publications. But he shows the sculpting of the upper body sections of a WW2 German, such simplicity in the apparent method, with good step-by-step shots from adding blobs of putty through shaping and detailing, adding ﬂat strips of lead sheet for belts, and then positioning with another couple of ﬁgures to show how the stance of the “new” ﬁgure ﬁts in with ones previously sculpted for the scene. The article is aimed at people who have done some sculpting, rather than at a beginner; but this is good in that Aleksandr has pitched to intermediate or advanced sculptors, rather than the more usual beginners article. Moving on to possibly the best-looking model of the whole publication – Javier Gonzalez paints Andrea Miniatures Sci-ﬁ Heavy Infantryman… A Space Marine. Why do I say it’s the best looking article, Well Javier’s managed to paint a metallic ﬁnish to the heavy armour covering this piece with nonmetallic paints. The reﬂections work so well, the model appears glossy and smooth – it’s just very clever. A few step-by-step shots show the airbrush techniques used for the basics of the armour effects, and also some more stepped shots of the colour build-up for the face. Javier follows this article with a second offering, proving that the subject –whether historical or fantasy – doesn’t matter; the techniques are the same and that a practiced artist can paint anything that enthuses him. He brings this

idea home by making a very nice job of painting Stormtrooper’s Sgt Bernard McCabe from the Sikh War of 1846. So that’s the articles summed up – a fair spread of subject, and all backed up with some really nice photos – large ones too that allow the detail of each piece to be enjoyed. In fairness, the magazine is something that would look good on a coffee table – glossy, colourful and a really superb advert for our hobby and, if you view ﬁgure painting at it’s best as such, then a good advert for our art. For the modeller – well it’s a good tool to add to the reference library on how things are painted or sculpted. Adrian Hopwood

Scale Model Handbook, Figure Modelling 6. Mr Black Publications, PO Box 76341, 17102 Nea Smimi, Athens, Greece. Price 14.95 Euros. Available in the UK priced £13.95 from Historex Agents, Wellington House, 157 Snargate Street, Dover, Kent CT17 9BZ. www.mrblackpublications.com www.historexagents.com Whilst issue No.5 was a real winner for me, initially I was a little bit on the fence about offering No.6. “Why ?” you ask… well, I want to be honest with reviews, and as the saying goes, you can’t please all the people all of the time… or me for that matter. The layout and production are just as good as previous offerings, and it’s simply one or two of the subjects or articles that don’t seem quite as polished as in previous issues. But in fairness, haven’t we been spoilt a little? Yes, we have, and perhaps I’m being unfair. Anyway, I’ll run through the articles in this issue, and you can make your own minds up.

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The ﬁrst one is very good – so good in fact that this model’s on my shopping list (even though I know it’ll be costly) for Euro Militaire 2013. The subject is good old Vlad Dracul from Pegaso – the historical Vlad rather than the vampiric literary version. The model comes with a superb heavy looking horse that Vlad’s seated upon, and whilst it appears to be a very involved kit, the ﬁnished item, well Ernesto Rayes Staluth’s version, looks darn ﬁne. As usual with Ernesto, there’s plenty of pictures to go with the words, and it’s a ﬂagship of an article – so that’s undermined my initial comment really. However, Kazufumi Tomori’s piece enthuses me less. He takes Life Miniatures’ superb ‘War Photographer’ bust and whilst making a good job of the face, seems to have lost interest by the time he paints the clothing and cameras. Rather disappointing, because the eyes are so realistic. Moving on though, an absolutely superb article about sculpting a seated Montgomery (Yes! a British subject from WW2) appears next, from Igor Kordyukov. This begins by setting up an armature, posing it so that it is ‘seated’ on some appropriately sized blocks of wood that approximate the dimensions of the chair the ﬁgure will eventually be seated on, and then right through in a series of step-bystep shots. Again it’s a ﬂagship of an article, playing to the expensive seats in the house, and it’s a joy to read and look at the pictures. Unfortunately, grandstanding articles like the ones above throw a rather large shadow over others, which in fairness are good articles. This is the case when I move to Radek Pituch’s article about the conversion of a seated tankie on his vehicle. The changes made are clever and whilst pretty minimal (so could be attempted by the beginner) still look tame in comparison to the piece from Igor. Mr Black (is that really you Stelios?) takes brush in hand to do a very good, but brief article on painting a face with oils. Good step-by-step breakdown of the stages, and unlike when I do it, I think Stelios has managed to show the paint going on better and more obviously. The subject used is one of Young Miniatures’ heads, the ﬁnished piece being smoothly blended and of a good standard – what more could be asked for?

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Fujita’s dinner – a piece sculpted by Antonio Fdiez and painted by Javier Gonzalez is a superb little vignette with a robot chef offering a rather large ﬁsh to a cat. It’s an amusing concept, brought to life (if a robot can have ‘life’) with some clever posing and scenic accessories. There’s a poke at a large wargame company with a replica of a rather nice prize in the dumpster that forms part of the scene. A lot of people might miss that one, but it’s little touches like that that make a piece interesting to the observer. The ﬁnal article is a civilian historical piece (okay, calling it historical might be pushing it, but the ‘character’ did exist, even if his identity was never actually ascertained). “From Hell: Jack the Ripper” is a study in directional lighting, very cleverly pulled off by Alex Varela (known as Iguazzu) in the internet forums. Again stepby-step photos take you through the method of production for this piece with regard to paint application, and it’s cleverly done so that whilst looking at the picture of the ﬁnished model, you might not realize the directional lighting and how it works, the build-up of paint helps you see how the artist has made the light work – as in a picture – so that harsh shadows and bright highlights are forced to make the scene look like all the light is coming from a lantern placed on the corner of the building that is in the little scene. Clever stuff. So, overall, and being fair, this is still a good issue. Stelios’s ability to follow each issue with another one just as good must be a very difﬁcult thing to do. Six issues, and to be honest, any one of them is worth reading from cover to cover, and as I’ve mentioned before, are a good advert for our hobby. Put these out on a coffee table in your lounge and visitors who aren’t in the hobby will pick them up and look through. They might not catch the nuances of how things are done, but they will see the artistic side, and perhaps come to appreciate that ‘painting little men’ isn’t as easy as all that. So whilst perhaps not as attractive to me personally as issue No.5, this offering does contain some intelligent and well thought out articles that will yet again be of use to the painter because they actually show and tell what is going on. Adrian Hopwood

Fighting with the Desert Rats An Infantry Ofﬁcer’s War with the Eighth Army by Major H. P. Samwell MC. Pen & Sword Military, 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S70 2AS. ISBN 978-1-84884-766-8. Price £12.99. [email protected] www.pen-and-sword.co.uk When I undertook to review this book I approached the task with no particular expectations. By the time I had ﬁnished reading it, however, I realised that the author was a man of unusual and remarkable bravery and humanity with a deep interest in, and empathy for, not only the men under his command but also for his fellow human beings in general, civilian or military, friend or foe. As it states in the Foreword by Philip Gibbs, Major Samwell was a man “with a higher vision of human comradeship, free from hatred and intolerance.” This memoir was originally published in 1945 under the title of An Infantry Ofﬁcer with the Eighth Army: The Personal Experiences of an Infantry Ofﬁcer during the Eighth Army’s Campaign through Africa and Sicily. Sadly, the author never lived to see his work in print. Hugh Samwell was killed, age 33, in the Ardennes on 13th January 1945 during what became known as the Battle of the Bulge. This second edition of his memoir, with the perspective provided by the passage of 68-years, reveals much more than just the personal qualities of one individual. It also provides, in its 210-pages and 16 black and white prints, a fascinating insight into the problems of post-war reconstruction, de-colonisation, the ArabIsraeli conﬂict and even Scottish nationalism. As such, his writing possesses a timelessness and universality of genuine merit. In his Preface the author states his aim is to record the otherwise very rarely told “experiences and life of the ordinary infantryman... who actually meets the enemy in personal combat... I do not wish this account to be mistaken for a history.” He succeeds brilliantly in his remit by means of simplicity of style and a diary-like immediacy of recall. If you want to know what it was like to ﬁght in the North African desert in 1942-43, look no further than these pages; heat, dust, thirst, insects, disease, featureless terrain, boredom and fear all permeate throughout. If you want to know what it is like to be shot and then to be forced to spend a night and the following day in a trench with a lucid but mortally wounded enemy soldier, then this is the account to read. If you wish to know how war devastates - if not militarily then economically - the lives of the civilians who live in its vicinity, the author’s recollections of his conversations with a local doctor in Benghazi, a street vendor in Cairo and terriﬁed locals in Sicily will give you chapter and verse. In the devastated streets of Messina he meets anti-Fascist Italians who openly welcomed him as a liberator only to ﬁnd that the British Army then re-instated the Fascist authorities so as to keep order, with - for them as civilians - ghastly life-threatening consequences. The Major also has broad political interests. He ﬁnds time to discuss the subject of Palestine - then a British mandate - with two intelligent and well-educated men, one Arab, one Jewish. The palpable intractability of that problem, before the state of Israel was even founded, is clearly evident. As a Scot, the habit of foreigners referring to anyone British as English, is clearly a source of irritation to him. He is, however, unfailingly courteous in explaining the nuances of the UK constitution to anyone who wishes to listen. Tellingly, however, he recalls the fury of some of his fellow soldiers at such perceived slights who, even then, favoured an independent Scotland. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know what it is actually like to ﬁght in a war. It is a ﬁtting memorial to a self-evidently decent ofﬁcer, man, husband and father. Fred Ledden

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Panzer Vor! 7 by Frank De Sisto. Published by Concord Publications. Available from Casemate UK Ltd., 17 Cheap Street, Newbury RG14 5DD. ISBN 978-9-623611-79-4. Price £13.99. casemate-uk@ casematepublishing.co.uk www.casematepublishing.co.uk Seventh in the series of Panzer Vor! books by Frank de Sisto in Concord’s Armor at War series of photo books. In the usual soft cover format these remain a very popular series of photo references with modellers. Concord is part of the Dragon organization, so little wonder that they remain focused on modellers’ interests. There are a couple of pages of introductory text, which helpfully includes details of the references Frank uses in helping to identify vehicles and units in many of the photos. It still amazes me the volume of ‘new’ photos they manage to turn up for inclusion in each new one in this series. Again it starts with the early-war period equipment and works through to later war material at the end. It is the sort of book that most modellers adore, as it has bags of ideas for models and dioramas, as well as giving detail information on stowage, camouﬂage and markings etc. With 16 ﬁne colour plates by Laurent Lecocq once more, the well-written captions Frank puts to all the photos will make this another must another ‘must have’ in many modellers collections I am sure. Written by a modeller for modellers! Things that particularly stood out for me were the additional coverage of the Sdkfz 7 series of half-tracks, a photo with a transmission being lifted out of a Panther in the middle of some woods and a good series of photos of various Panzer IVs along with early-war shots of Panzer I, II and IIIs. Robin Buckland

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Challenger 1 Main Battle Tank - The Last Cold War Era Tank of Britain’s Armoured Corps by Carl Schulze. Tankograd British Special No.9020. Tankograd Publishing, Verlag Jochen Vollert, Am Weichselgarten 5, 91058 Erlangen, Germany. UK distributor Bookworld Wholesale, Unit 10 Hodfar Road, Sandy Lane Industrial Estate, Stourport on Severn, Worcestershire DY13 9QB. ISBN 978-3-936519-33-4. Price £13.99. [email protected] www.bookworldws.co.uk Challenger 1 entered service with the British Army by a roundabout route. Projects to replace the Chieftain such as the joint British/German Future Main Battle Tank and the British MBT80 had not led to a new tank. However, Chieftain had been developed for the Iranians as the Shir Iran, ﬁrst with an improved power pack and then ﬁtting new composite armour. When the Shah was deposed all orders were cancelled leaving the defence industry with potential ﬁnancial problems. These were solved by sales of some Shirs to Jordan and the purchase of a suitably modiﬁed Shir 2 by the United Kingdom as FV4030/4 or Tank, Combat, 120mm Gun, Challenger. First handed over for service in 1983, some 420 gun tanks and around 80 Armoured Repair and Recovery versions plus a few driver training vehicles were bought. There were some teething problems with the tank and its reputation was marred forever by its very poor showing in the NATO tank gunnery competition known as the Canadian Army Trophy in 1987. However, Challengers acquitted themselves well in the liberation of Kuwait in 1991 including reportedly knocking out one Iraqi tank at over 5km range and some were sent to the Balkans as part of various peacekeeping

British Army Uniforms from 1751 to 1783: Including the Seven Years’ War and the American War of Independence by Carl Franklin. Pen & Sword Military, an imprint of Pen and Sword Books Ltd, 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S70 2AS. ISBN 978-1-84884-690-6. Price £40. [email protected] www.pen-and-sword.co.uk As the title states this magniﬁcent and lavishly illustrated 378-page, large format, book identiﬁes the uniforms of each regiment of cavalry and infantry of the British army between 1751 and 1783, including those worn during the Seven Years’ War and the American War of Independence. The illustrations – there are more than 200 full colour plates – show how the cut and colouring of the uniforms of the ofﬁcers, NCOs and private soldiers changed over the course of more than 30-years. The book covers the uniforms and distinctions of each numbered regiment of cavalry and infantry in the British army with a full and complete list of regimental facings, lace patterns and distinctions, including the tartans of the Highland regiments plus buttons. The work is divided into four parts; Part One looks at the commonalities of cavalry uniforms and focuses on the uniforms that were appropriate to each regiment – head gear and horse furniture are also included. Part Two contains a wealth of full colour plates detailing the uniforms of the Household Cavalry, the heavy cavalry and the light cavalry. Part Three deals with the commonalities of the infantry such as headwear, stocks, gloves, shirts, nether wear, accoutrements and weapons, before Part Four covers the uniforms of the regiments of foot guards, the infantry of the line, fusiliers and Highland regiments. Four appendices then list rank distinctions of ofﬁcers and enlisted men, facings and loop table, cavalry and infantry lineage 1730-1815 and ﬁnally, sources. Simply put, this a beautifully presented, sumptuous book, which is surely destined to become an important work of reference for British army uniforms in the latter half of the 18th century. Most highly recommended. Stuart Asquith

forces. They were replaced by Challenger 2 with the last tanks phased out in 2000, many being sold to Jordan who operate them as the Al Hussein. The tank is well covered here in the usual high-quality Tankograd format. Background, development, procurement, variants and service are covered in dual English and German text though the bulk of the book is over 130 well-chosen and presented photos. These include a few prototype shots but most cover the gun tank in service, on exercise and at war in the Gulf as well as in the Balkans. Most general shots are two or at most three to a page, this allows clear overall views including shots of the same vehicle from different angles. Photographs show the original basic version as well as the up-armouring packages used from 1991 onwards. A good series of close-up views covers

the external features in detail, though apart from one shot of the engine with deck plates removed there are no interior views. Duallanguage captions give useful details of users and markings. CRARRV is also shown though not in as much detail, while the driver training versions and the Jordanian upgrades get only one or two views. Modellers will ﬁnd the photo coverage very useful for getting various details and ﬁnishes right in their chosen scale, enough technical details are included for those who need them and former crew members will probably want a copy to show future generations what their tanks were like. Overall a very useful addition to coverage of British post-war armoured vehicles, now part of history and worth recording for that reason alone. As with all from this publisher, this is an easy one to recommend. Peter Brown

Military Modelling Vol.43 No.6 2013

Books

Stuart Asquith’s round up of some of the recent releases from Osprey. www.ospreypublishing.com Roman Legionary AD69-161 (Warrior 166) by Ross Cowan. ISBN 978-1-78096-587-1. Price £11.99. The composition of the Roman legions was transformed between 69 and 161AD. The Italians were almost entirely replaced by provincial recruits such as Africans, Germans, Pannonians, Spaniards and Syrians, but the ‘Roman-ness’ of these men, fostered in isolated fortresses on the frontiers of the Empire, was very strong; these provincial legionaries were imbued with the traditional ethos of the Roman army. They were highly competitive, jealous of their honour and driven by the need to both maintain and enhance their reputation for manly courage and excellence. This book looks at the life of a typical Roman legionary of the period from his enlistment onwards, how his legion was organised for battle, how he was trained for combat and what his life was like on campaign. Fallen Timbers 1794: The US Army’s ﬁrst victory (Campaign 256). ISBN 978-1-78096-375-4. Price £14.99. After the Ohio Indians defeated the US Army at Wabash in 1791 (see Osprey Campaign 240), the Washington administration created a new army to defeat

Panzerwrecks 14, Ostfront 2 by Lee Archer and William Auerbach. Published by Panzerwrecks. ISBN 978-1-908032-04-1. Price £16.99. Another very good addition to the range of Panzerwrecks books. This series has been very successful, and this latest volume, number

them. The American War of Independence commander Major General Wayne organised and trained the new army before leading it into the Ohio wilderness in 1794. In order to defeat the Indians he had to overcome the logistical and intelligence problems that had doomed the 1791 campaign, as well as a conspiracy of ofﬁcers and contractors, led by his principal subordinate, plus threatened opposition from British and Spanish forces. In spite of all this, on 20th August 1794 General Wayne defeated the Indians at Fallen Timbers. His decisive victory led to a treaty that ended 20-years of conﬂict between the Americans and the Ohio Indians, as well as opening Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin to American settlers. American Indian Tribes of the Southwest (Men-at-Arms 488) by Michael Johnson. ISBN 978-1-78096-186-6. Price £9.99. This title outlines the historical origins, ways of life, religious beliefs, material culture and history of the very varied tribes of New Mexico and Arizona. From the ﬁrst contact with Spanish explorers of the 16th century to the end of the Apache wars in the 1880s, the author covers not only the Apache and Navajo of the mountains and desert, but also the ancient Pueblo villages and those tribes brushed by the horse culture of the Great Plains.

14 in the series, is no exception. Most photos are given a full page to themselves, though there are some pages with multiple photos. Each also has a wellwritten caption, discussing the vehicle and when and where it was photographed, if known. I admit to also having something of a fascination for these photos of wrecks, as each one has a story to tell. One of my favourite photos in the book is a knocked out Panzer IV left in the ditch at the roadside, and after the ﬁghting has passed, it has become a playground for the local children.

World War II Winter and Mountain Warfare Tactics (Elite 193) by Stephen Bull. ISBN 978-1-84908-712-4. Price £11.99. At the outbreak of WW2, only the Scandinavian armies had a real tradition of operating in the harsh winters, often at high altitude. In early 1940, Finland’s resistance to its much stronger Soviet invaders was contrasted only months later by the defeat of British and French expeditionary forces by the German invaders of Norway. Russia learned from its mistakes, but Hitler’s successes led to complacency, leading to the setbacks suffered by German forces on the Eastern Front in the 1941-1942 winter. The author here relates how the Allied and Axis armies were forced to take winter and mountain warfare seriously, as well as outlining the training and equipment developed for combat in extreme weather conditions and mountainous environments. Kharkov 1942: The Wehrmacht strikes back (Campaign 254) by Robert Forczyk. ISBN 978-1-78096-157-6. Price £14.99. After failing to ﬁnish of the German army in the 1941-1942 winter counter-offensive and aware that Hitler was planning a new summer offensive in mid-1942, Stalin directed the Red Army to deliver a powerful blow in one sector of the Eastern Front in order to disrupt

Among the subjects featured in this second book from the Eastern Front are some StuG IIIs with interesting applications of concrete as extra armour on the superstructure, and a very good selection of various Panthers as well that I rather like. Among the unusual vehicles included are the Hungarian Turan, and a German conversion mounting a 7.5cm PaK 97/38(f) auf PzKpfw 740(r). This has the French made 7.5cm anti-tank gun, with the long perforated muzzle brake, but mounted on a Soviet T-26

German plans. The sector chosen was Kharkov and under Marshal Timoshenko forces were assembled to carry out a breakthrough attack which was intended to encircle the German Sixth Army. The Germans, however, were planning ‘Operation Fridericus’, their own riposte to Kharkov and the campaign developed into one of the Red Army’s greatest defeats of WW2. The ensuing action is described by the author as well as the opposing commanders, plans and forces. Classiﬁed: Special Operations Missions 1940-2010 (Force on Force Companion 8). ISBN 978-1-84908-773-5. Price £14.99. From covert actions against insurgent groups and sabotage missions to strikes against fortiﬁed positions and reconnaissance behind enemy lines, the special forces units deployed by many nations are the spearhead of modern combat operations. This book, the latest companion volume for Force on Force allows wargamers to re-create any and all of them. With background information, orders of battle for the world’s pre-eminent special forces units, plus a variety of scenarios, Classiﬁed: Special Operations Missions 1940-2010 gives Force on Force players a detailed experience of modern special operations missions across the globe.

chassis. This captured example is rather the worse for wear by the time the photographers got to it, but a very interesting and unusual subject. Once again the authors have made a great job of selecting more fascinating images for us to see and they are reproduced to a good quality in these black and white photos. Add the informative captions, and you have another interesting addition to the Panzerwrecks series. My thanks to Lee Archer for the review copy. Robin Buckland

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Product reviews

Atten-Shun! The Product Review Column The Editor welcomes product samples for review. Unless a prior arrangement has been made with the Editor review samples WILL NOT be returned. All product samples intended for review in ‘Atten-Shun!’ should be sent direct to the Editor at the address listed under ‘Editorial’ on the contents page.

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Dragon Models Ltd 3.7cm Flak 37 in 1:35 scale Over the years the greatest killer of aircraft has proven to be light to medium calibre antiaircraft guns, as they ﬁre fast enough with a sufﬁciently lethal projectile to knock down ﬁghterbombers or bombers at low altitudes. The 37mm to 40mm range is still popular today and can still provide sufﬁcient lethal zones to ensure many aircraft do not venture below 10,000 feet. The Germans began with the 3.7cm FlaK 18 gun in 1935, but had problems getting it to operate reliably. Once its teething troubles were worked out, it gained wide acceptance in both Army and Naval applications. In 1936 it was replaced in production by

the 3.7cm FlaK 36, which used a simpler carriage and a twowheel trailer (the ubiquitous Sonderhanhanger 52) and new ammunition. A new sight operated by clockwork improved its anti-aircraft abilities and as such supplemented it in production as the 3.7cm FlaK 37. The weapons were ﬁelded in nine or 12 gun batteries and each gun had a crew of seven. While solid numbers are hard to ﬁnd the Luftwaffe had over 4,200 of the guns in service in August 1944. Dragon has used this particular gun on some of its self-propelled weapons and has now released it as a separate kit (item 6483). All you get in this kit is the gun and its lower carriage - no trailer is provided even though Dragon makes a nice Sd.An. 52 for other weapons, and there is no crew for the gun either. But it does at least come with ﬁve clips of six rounds of ammunition and also a paper ammunition box for use with the gun when displayed. The gun is straightforward and the modeller has a number of options with the kit, such as travel or ﬁring modes, with or without gun shields and with or without ﬂash hider. The gun can theoretically elevate, but the profusion of connected rods and shafts may prevent that from being possible. Four ﬁnishing options are provided: Unidentiﬁed Luftwaffe Unit, Eastern Front 1945 (sand overall, no shields); Unidentiﬁed Unit, Western Front 1944 (sand with whitewashed shields, kill marks on barrel); Unidentiﬁed Unit, Western Front 1944 (sand overall with shields); Unidentiﬁed Unit, Western Front 1944 (sand overall with three-colour spots on shield). A small sheet of Cartograf decals is provided. Overall this is a nice piece and should provide a nice touch for a diorama or conversions. Cookie Sewell Price £19.50 Dragon Models Ltd., Kong Nam Industrial Building, 10/F, B1, 603-609 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong. Tel: 2493 0215. Fax: 2411 0587. [email protected] www.dragon-models.com UK distributors, The Hobby Company, Milton Keynes MK5 8PG.

Military Modelling Vol.43 No.6 2013

Product reviews

Vulcan Scale Models Soviet Artillery Tractor STZ-5 in 1:35 scale Following trials with a Vickers Carden-Loyd tractor two series of vehicles were produced by the Stalinetz Tractor Zavod. Of these the STZ-5 was intended for the Red Army and just short of 10,000 were built between 1937 and 1942. Suspension used two two-wheeled bogies each side while the track was narrower than on many other tracked tractors. Unlike the civilian STZ-3 the STZ-5 had a forward-control layout with its cab over the engine which allowed space an open compartment with drop-down sides at the rear for cargo or

personnel. Engine was a 7.46L petrol type, capacity was 4 tonnes towed and 1.5 tonnes in the cargo area, top speed was 25kph. These tractors were used to tow heavy artillery pieces although a few were ﬁtted with radio equipment. Many vehicles were captured and taken into service by the Germans. Vulcan’s kits (item 56010) comes on six sprues of grey plastic and one sprue with clear parts plus a small etched-brass fret, seven metal springs of three sizes and a small decal sheet. Instructions are on a wide foldout sheet with line drawings showing construction step-by-step. These begin with the chassis which is made up of ﬂat parts, then

the lower parts of the engine, transmission and other underside details. Bogie units come as one main part with separate ‘cups’ to trap the metal springs in place. Tracks are in plastic with runs of various lengths plus individual links to go around the sprockets and idlers. Photographs show the real vehicles had a noticeable sag to the tracks which could be depicted with gentle bending. More engine parts are then ﬁtted to the cab ﬂoor though these will not be seen once the bonnet sides and top are ﬁtted. Seats and basic controls follow before the cab is assembled from front, rear and top parts. Separate doors and glazing panels and a radiator with etched parts for the mesh covering are added. Cargo body is made from ﬂat panels plus seats. Standard of moulding is very good with no obvious ﬂash. The wood grain ﬁnish on the cargo bed parts is more restrained than many such items. Main parts compare well with photos and plans in Tyagatshi - Soviet Full-Tracked Artillery Tractors of

World War 2 in Red Army and Wehrmacht Service by Jochen Vollert (Tankograd Publishing 2006 ISBN 3-936519-02-1) reviewed in Vol.36 No.12. Colour and markings options are provided for one Soviet vehicle with small red stars, basic tac signs and the patriotic slogan Smert Fashistam! (Death to the Fascists!) with alternative basic German Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe. With a little care a neat model of this widely-used tractor will result, it will look good on its own or with ﬁgures and/or a suitable item in tow. Photographs show various guns but an M-30 122mm howitzer with limber or the ML-20 or M-10 152mm howitzers on their own were typical. My thanks to Leo Lee of Vulcan for sending the review sample and Cookie Sewell for the slogan translation. Peter Brown UK price around £24.95 Vulcan Scale Models, Room 1306, 13 Floor Romex Centre, 42 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Hong Kong. www.vulcanmodels.com

Scale 75 German ‘Florian Geyer’ Cavalryman ﬁgure kit in 75mm The German 8th SS Cavalry Division ‘Florian Geyer’ was a Waffen-SS cavalry division formed in 1942 that continued to operate as a mounted unit, on horseback throughout the Second World War. Its title was taken from the name of the Franc nobleman Florian Geyer (1490-1525) who led the ‘Black Company’ during the German Peasant’s War. This Scale 75 cast white metal figure kit (item SCW005), sculpted by Joaquin Palacios represents a cavalryman wearing a camouflage smock over the field grey uniform, riding breeches and boots with spurs. There is a choice of two heads, wearing steel helmet or ﬁeld cap, and where the ammunition pouches are cast on the lower torso, the personal equipment of the standard drum-shaped respirator case, ﬁeld ﬂask and a 7.92mm Mauser ’98K riﬂe are separate. A cast scenic base is also provided.

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The kit’s white metal parts are detailed enough, although for me, this is a bit soft and lacking sharpness where it’s needed, notably on belts and straps and

the riﬂe. Also, you will have to provide an extension of the riﬂe sling to the body. There are no instructions included, especially regarding this, and please note that the sling on the Mauser Riﬂe runs along the side of the riﬂe, not on swivels underneath it, so it rests across the ﬁgure’s back on its left side, bolt uppermost. Consult photos on this to get it correct.

Available, plus p&p, from Historex Agents, Wellington House, 157 Snargate Street, Dover, Kent CT17 9BZ. [email protected] www.historexagents.com Ken Jones Price £35.75 Scale 75, c/Lago Como 26, 28529 Rivas-Vaciamadrid, Madrid, Spain. www.scale75.com

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Product reviews

Bison Decals

badge on many vehicles. Set 35190 has decals for M4 75mm Army Mule, 1944. M4A3 75mm Cougar, Luxembourg, Winter 1944-45. M5A1 Dingbat, Germany Spring 1945. M4A3E2 re-armed with a 76mm gun, Germany Spring 1945. Jeep City of New York (no date or location given).

Some of the latest decals released by Bison for various subjects in the popular 1:35 and 1:72 modelling scales have been received for review. These decals are clearly printed by Begemot with the markings in a matt ﬁnish though the backing ﬁlm is glossy. Instructions are on an A4 sheet with black and white drawings giving the basic appearance of each vehicle to show where each marking goes are to be placed. In addition a ‘map’ showing a layout diagram to the sheet with keys to identify each item on a separate smaller sheet. Instructions in colour can be downloaded from the Internet address given with the decals.

1:35 scale set 35188 Raupenschlepper Ost R.S.O./01 Markings for vehicles of ﬁve vehicles of different units including two choices for two units and some additional items are included on this sheet. These cover Two RSO operated by 1 Skijäger Division on the Eastern Front, one in Dunkelgelb from 1943-44 and another in winter camouﬂage from 1944. 19 Volks Grenadier Division on the Western Front 1944-45 in 3-colour camouﬂage. Leiche Artillerie Abt 602 in Albania in late 1943 with options for two different Batteries including decals for the guns they towed. These RSO were painted in plain Dunkelgelb. A Gebirgsjäger unit with location and date not given. Colour scheme was Dunkelgelb. Full markings including number plates are included for these vehicles. Unit markings for Schwerer Werfer Regiment 21, Heeres Artillerie Abt 51 and an unidentiﬁed unit are included as extras.

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Set 35191 covers for M4 75mm Buffalo, Normandy, July 1944. M4A3(105), Winter 1944-45 with additional whitewash camouﬂage. M4A3E8 in Germany, Spring 1945. Uparmoured M4A3E8 Army Mule in Germany, Spring 1945. M3 Halftrack (no date or location given).

1:72 and 1:35 scale sets for IDF M113 “Zelda” in Lebanon 1982 Bison have released sets for this vehicle in two popular scales; the same subjects are in each set though the smaller scale sheet has a few additional items. Note that Israeli M113 at this period had several modiﬁcations including FN MAG machine guns on the hull top, extra stowage racks on the side and extended exhausts so some modiﬁcations of existing kits will be needed. Set 72045 is the 1:72 scale version while 35189 is the 1:35 scale option. Both have markings for six vehicles, units are not identiﬁed, but two were seen in Sidon and one in Tyre, one has the red Star of David marking of an ambulance on its sides, front and rear while another was photographed during the Israeli withdrawal. Bonus items on sheet 72045 are several smaller markings seen in photos. 1:35 scale sets for 15th Tank Battalion Two new sets from Bison offer a variety of vehicles from this unit of the US Army’s 6th Armored Division. This unit used variations on a ‘Wolf’s Head’ over the Armored Force triangle as a unit

1:35 scale set 35192 Sherman M32B1 TRV Five different sets of markings for cast-hull versions of this Tank Recovery Vehicle are included on this sheet Shoot Six Bits of an unidentiﬁed American unit in Normandy, June 1944. B Careful Honey II from 15th Tank Battalion, 6th Armored Division including the ‘Wolf’s Head’ logo. Step-N-Fetchit of 746th Tank Battalion, France June 1944. 777th Tank Battalion, 5th Armored Division. Vert Gallant of the French 2e Régiment de Cuirassiers, 1945. All are plain Olive Drab apart from Step-N-Fetchit, which has added black bands. 1:35 scale set 35193 UAZ 469 Seven examples of this Russian light 4x4 can be modelled using this sheet. Options are United Nations Protective Force in Bosnia, plain white with large UN lettering and UNPF number plates. Ukranian airborne unit with SFOR

in Bosnia, plain green with SFOR and unit badge. Czech unit with KFOR in Bosnia, plain green with KFOR and original number plates. Russian airborne unit with IFOR in Bosnia, plain green with IFOR and original number plates. Russian airborne unit, four-colour camouﬂage scheme plus white edging for a parade and large VDV badge on the doors. Unidentiﬁed Russian army unit, plain green with yellow and red markings on doors. Afghan Northern Alliance recoilless riﬂe carrier, three-tone scheme with badges on the doors. 1:35 scale set 35194 Post WW2 South American Shermans Several South American nations received tanks and other military hardware from the USA, much of this remained in use for many years. Readers in other regions may be surprised at what was used there in the past and even to the present day. This set offers eight options for Shermans in various countries. One is for an M4A3E8 of the Ejercito de Cuba Rebelde on a parade in 1959, the former Batista regime had a small number of Shermans which were brieﬂy kept in service following the Revolution. This tank had Cuban national markings and serials, but was basically as it came from the factory including most likely Olive Drab paint.

Product reviews

Somewhat later and received by a more roundabout route is a Fireﬂy VC used by the Paraguayan Army’s Regimento Escotta Presidencial in the 1980s. As the Sherman Fireﬂy was a British conversion, this tank may have come from surplus British or Canadian stocks sold off in the late 1940s. Its large crossed riﬂes on a red disc marking offers a splash of colour on a plain green tank. Chile was a major user of the Sherman and six options are in this set. Around 50 were taken into use in the late 1940s and an M4A1E9 - basically an M4A1 with spaced-out suspension units allowing the use of extended end connectors on the inside of the tracks - operated by Regimento de Caballeros Blindados No.5 ‘Lanceros’ is included on this sheet. Decals include a two-part national marking and unit badge. The other options are for exIsraeli Shermans received in the late 1970s and early 1980s and operated until 2002. Three are M51 based on cast-hull M4A1 tanks with T23-series turrets extended to mount 105mm guns. Decals cover Regimento de Caballeros Blindados No.5 ‘Lanceros’, Regimento de Caballeros Blindados No.10 ‘Liberatadores’ and CIM Caballeros Blindados in different two-colour camouﬂage schemes. The others are M50 rearmed with Israeli 60mm high-velocity guns from Regimento de Caballeros Blindados No.6, one based on an M4A1 hull in two-tone scheme and the other using a late M4A3 hull in plain dark khaki. Print runs on Bison decal sheets are limited to 250 sets. Several shops and mail order companies stock Bison decals and their website www.bison-decals.com has details of these and instructions for those who wish to buy direct. Many thanks to Johan Lexell for sending sets of his decals for review. Peter Brown

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Eastern Express 82mm mortar 2B9 “Vasilyok” with towing vehicle 2F54 in 1:35 scale When the Soviets went into Afghanistan they quickly found themselves in a war for which they were physically unprepared; their weapons had been optimized to ﬁght NATO forces in northern Europe and were not suited for mountainous combat in a high desert as they found in that unhappy country. So they began to research and ﬁeld new weapons, such as the BMP-2 with a 30mm automatic cannon capable of high elevation ﬁre and the AGS-17 Plamya automatic grenade launcher. Artillery support was another problem. Mountain guns were essentially obsolete in the Soviet Army, and even the 122mm D-30 was too heavy and bulky to move into position in the higher elevations. So, back to the drawing board! During the 1970s the Soviets had developed dual-purpose mortars that could function in both high angle and direct ﬁre mode. The ﬁrst one developed, the 82mm 2B9 Vasilyok (cornﬂower), also had one other trick: it was fully automatic and ﬁred from four-round breech-loaded clips. This made up in volume what it lacked in size, and could easily put 20-30 rounds a minute on target at ranges of up to 4,700 metres. Weighing only a scant 630 kilograms, it was easily moved behind a GAZ-66 truck. While no true designated mounts were added to the GAZ-66, once designated for use with the 2B9 it

became the 2F54 system under the GRAU designation system. The 2B9 remains in Russian service as a light artillery piece and based on Afghan experience was mounted on the roof of BTR-D and MT-LB vehicles for higher mobility. Eastern Express took over the Scale Ltd. GAZ-66 kit moulds many years ago, and then added many of their own elements to it to make new kits such as a ZU-23-2 mount (item 35132) and a vac formed R-142N body (item 35134). This one combines a new mould 2S9 sprue with the trusty GAZ-66 to make the new variant as item 35136. I ﬁrst reviewed the basic GAZ-66 kit some 13-years ago, and some of the comments from that review are still pertinent. Both kits are complete, but as noted, there are no chocks for the 2B9 inside the vehicle body nor are there any on the mortar sprue. The instructions for the 2B9 are truly dreadful – tone paintings or CAD drawings which are apparently about ‘4th generation Xerox’ – but they do show ammunition lockers going on top of the wheel wells and folded seats due to the presence of the mortar. Two loading channels are included, but that is about it (the mortar loads trails ﬁrst and sits with the barrel sticking out over the tailgate). Note that the kit shows the side rails removed along with the seat, but then again it does not provide a canvas tarp as shown on the box art which would use these parts and top bows. The truck has a nice engine, but suffers from ejection pin marks

and a big sinkhole in the middle of the detailed part of the air ﬁlter. The cab tilts to show the engine, and problems like those found on the ICM Ural-4320 are avoided by having the windshield and frame moulded in clear as one piece. Masking may prove tricky, but it does guarantee a good ﬁt with the windows. The tyres are solid moulded vinyl similar, with a good tread and very small ﬂash on them. The cab has some interesting details such as a complete heater assembly (parts D35-36-37), but no pedals for the driver’s side and some other details are skimpy. The spare tyre mount consists of 11 parts and sits behind the cab. Running gear is pretty complete and the engine has promise with some details. Details of how to attach the Pittman arm (part B125) to the left front wheel on the axle (B124-B105) are not very clear at all. As noted, the directions are poor which is a shame, as the kit is better than the directions. The kit comes with a wide variety of marking and decals, including one UN set, one Russian Army, and two MVD Internal Troops, one of which is colourfully marked for Chechnya. One of the latter is called out on the ﬁnishing instructions, which indicates a basic ‘protective green’ khaki colour and the MVD meatballs on the doors. Overall, this is a nice kit and with work and a few references such as the ‘Wings and Wheels’ series and add-ons like Eduard Set 35220 for the GAZ will produce an attractive model. Cookie Sewell

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Product reviews

Trumpeter Soviet NKL-16 Aerosan in 1:35 scale Trumpeter have added yet another kit to their series of Soviet Aerosans with the release of item 02337, the Soviet NKL16 Aerosan, comprising 151 parts carried across nine sprues. Cast in light grey styrene, it has a single cabin moulding, 86 photo-etched parts, six clear parts for cabin glazing, a short piece of copper wire and token decal sheet for the driver’s basic instrument gauges. Based on the earlier NKL-6 the NKL-16 Aerosan (Armoured) was introduced by the Soviet Union during World War Two, a simple frame work of plywood and fabrication augmented and powered by an M-11G aircraft engine. Operational use included reconnaissance, light raiding/ hit and run, medical supplies, and rations, etc., to remote or conventionally cut off areas. All parts are well-detailed from clean and crisp mouldings, no offering of ﬂash combined with very ﬁne cast and seam lines will aid assembly with minimal clean up for an overall positive ﬁt. Instructions are well laid out with the usual sprue plan and high quality simple line drawings; just pay attention to the areas

Unique Master Models Micro Mitre Box 45º, 90º and 60º I have learned at shows that when the UMM-USA folks show up they usually have something neat to show in their selection of tools and modelling aids. Sure enough, at AMPS 2013 they had several new items and this little gem is one of the best new items I have seen in some time, and the reason why it requires a bit of explanation. Anyone who does an sort of upgrading of older kits,

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applicable to the ﬁner points on the engine assembly. Construction begins with the skis followed by a drop-in ﬂoor plan with limited detail and driver’s station. The main hull has some nice pre-cast detail that takes in the majority of parts, including one of the main focal points of the build, the front-mounted fuel tank, which is reﬁned with some etched retaining straps and top mount bracket. Smaller parts add to the build before moving on to the engine, a multi-part assembly that commands attention and care throughout the stages. The end product is a very nice rendition

improving details, or scratch building usually has items like a Northwest Short Line ‘Chopper’ of some sort, or one of the cheap knock-offs of that invaluable item. But other than thin strip, once you start moving into heavy strip or solid rodding the razor blade cannot cut smoothly and tends to ‘shove’ its way through the plastic, creating a slanted cut. This makes the part either unusable or requires a ‘True Sander’ type tool to fix the angled ends. Tubing tends to be crushed if thin wall and suffer the same ‘baloney slicing’ effect if thick-walled.

of the original, augmented with some careful painting will deﬁnitely catch the eye. Overall this is a nice little project with huge potential for an Eastern Front winter diorama. There are no decals for exterior markings as compared with the other Trumpeter variants, for a colour scheme that’s largely a matt white canvas with corresponding detail and weathering. It is well worth considering the Tankograd Aerosan publication (Special No.2010) as a compliment and reference aid to this project. The Aero sleighs had previously been available

There are items like the trusty K&S tubing cutter, but that is difﬁcult to use with small diameter tubing or rodding and is also difﬁcult to get a good idea of where it is cutting once the material is placed in the vice jaws and they are tightened. Conventional mitre boxes can be used, but are difﬁcult to use with very thin stock and unless offset to allow the saw to go past the bottom of the box creates a raggedy cut. Enter the Micro Mitre Box, which is designed to work with the UMM-USA Razor Saw using .005-inch blades or other similar thickness micro saws. The tool

only in resin from the likes of Kirin, Scale Link, etc., in 1:35 scale, but now at a more realistic price and availability, is perhaps another Trumpeter characteristic augmented with their unique and unusual subject releases, many in styrene for the ﬁrst time. Well recommended, and not only for fans of Russian soft skins, but any one with an interest in battleﬁeld transports, prime movers or utility vehicles. Nigel Norfolk Price £16.99 UK distributors Pocketbond, PO Box 60, Welwyn, AL6 0ND.

is 90mm long and has a gate in it 5.5mm wide for material, as well as a stop that can be adjusted at one end for either angled or vertical stops for the material. Depth to the mitre section is about 50mm. There are three slits in the box – set at 90º, 45º, and 30º/60º, so you have the option of which one to use to cut your material. However, it will only accept the micro saw blades or a thin razor blade in the slots. For me this is a Godsend as it makes my life much easier now when cutting tubing and rodding to a speciﬁc length. Overall this is a tool that anyone who likes to ﬁx up older kits or improve parts on existing kits, as well as the hardcore scratchbuilder, will ﬁnd an asset on his workbench. Cookie Sewell Price US $20 http://www.umm-usa.com

Military Modelling Vol.43 No.6 2013

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Product reviews

Hobby Boss Soviet T-26 Light Infantry Tank Mod. 1935 in 1:35 scale In 1930 the Soviets laid out their views of tanks that were needed for combat and found they wanted six types: amphibious tanks, light tanks (both for scouting), infantry escort tanks, fast tanks, medium tanks and heavy/breakthrough tanks. Having purchased the Vickers ‘Six Ton’ tank, it was felt this was the perfect basis for the Infantry Escort Tank and adapted it to their production lines as the T-26. The ﬁrst variants had twin machine gun turrets or later a combination of one machine gun and one 37mm short cannon turrets. But as it was felt it was

Dragon Models Ltd VK.45.02(P)H in 1:72 scale As I noted when the 1:35 scale version of this vehicle came out, one of the problems with very long tank guns is that they tend to cause problems when crossing rough terrain or moving in cities. Studies by all armour producing nations show that too often a long gun barrel digs into the ground with unpleasant results for the crew and the tank. The solutions were either, use a shorter gun, which then tended to limit the ﬁrepower and armour penetration capabilities of the

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lacking in ﬁrepower, they soon consolidated on one turret with the 45mm 20-K tank gun as the T-26 tank Model 1933. Note that

tank, or move the turret farther back on the chassis. This solved the problem of overhang, but also caused problems with balance and visibility, creating larger ‘dead ground’ spots in front of the tank that the crew could not protect with turret armament. Towards the end of the war when the Germans had moved to bigger and longer guns they began to experiment with rear-mounted turrets. The two design iterations of the VK.4502(P) prototype tank looked at both versions dubbed ‘V’ (for vorwarts - forward) and ‘H’ (for heckwarts - rearward). While

the year designators – while very helpful for modellers – was not used by the Soviet Red Army. They only differentiated them

from one another as ‘twin turret’, ‘single turret’ and ‘radio’ tanks. The Model 1935 was an improved tank with an integral

neither version ever appears to have reached more than early production and testing stages, it shows the design evolution of these tanks (and why the Maus and Loewe tanks used the rear mounted turret). Dragon has now released the H version of this prototype in 1:72 scale (item 7493) and it is a neat little kit. Some parts appear to be modiﬁed from earlier Tiger II Porsche turret and Elefant/ Ferdinand kits, but most appear to be new moulds. The turret is based on the Tiger II turrets, but has a pistol port

on the commander’s side. The model comes with two plastic barrels and partial internal gun components, but no interior to speak of. This kit has the commander’s cupola integral with the turret shell (it only has 20% of the parts of the big one, so something had to give!) The kit has no etched-brass, which is debatable, as it was only a prototype and no ﬁnal production variants were produced. The tracks are similar to the Elefant tracks and noted as being 203mm long; the ones in this kit were 202mm so will need a bit of stretching. Your choice of ﬁnishing is simple: ‘Unidentiﬁed Unit’ in either overall sand brown or a two-colour green/sand ﬁnish, both of which are presumptive. Eight crosses in two sizes are provided on a tiny Cartograf sheet. Overall if displayed with the ﬁrst variants it provides an illustration of the direction German tank design was taking in the latter half of the war. As it compliments the ﬁrst one, it also should ﬁt in with a collection of Tigers very well. Cookie Sewell Price £19.99 Dragon Models Ltd., Kong Nam Industrial Building, 10/F, B1, 603-609 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong. Tel: 2493 0215. Fax: 2411 0587. [email protected] www.dragon-models.com UK distributors, The Hobby Company, Milton Keynes MK5 8PG

Military Modelling Vol.43 No.6 2013

Product reviews

bustle for increased ammo stowage in the turret and partially welded components. It also had other changes to the drivermechanic’s hatches and also switched from the cumbersome ‘box’ jack to a simple hydraulic jack, which changed the rear deck stowage of the tank. Hobby Boss has now released their second 1:35 scale T-26 kit (item 82496), the ﬁrst being the Model 1931 ‘twin turret’ version. It is a very impressive kit and unlike the hasty Spojna conversions to ‘T-26s’ or the misproportioned Zvezda kits, this one has all of its dimensions right on the money per the Kolomiyets book on the T-26 tank family. The bogies are deadly accurate with

both inner and outer details as well as the ability to articulate if the modeller wishes to do so. The modeller has some options, such as making the model as either a T-26 ‘line tank’ (Russian term) or a T-26RT radio equipped command tank. The latter comes with an amazingly moulded one-piece antenna assembly that includes all of the brackets and the feed attachment to the turret in one go! But that level of accuracy and detail comes at a price. The bogies are incredibly complex with each one consisting of 21 parts of which four are axle pins and several others are connector pins. They also only come with the early solid rubber tyres and

not the later and more durable steel wheels with rubber tyres. The tracks look to be a set of Model Kasten working T-26 tracks, and as such come with three parts per link: the link and inner and outer pins. An assembly jig is provided to permit ‘easy’ assembly but as many modellers know this is not as simple as it sounds. The rest of the details are much simpler. While the ‘box’ jack is included in the kit, it comes with the proper hydraulic jack on the rear deck as well as a pair of steel wheels as spares! The engine air intake grille is nicely done and an etched grille is provided for the engine air exhaust shroud at the left rear of the hull. The only thing missing is

the length of heavy chain carried by all T-26s for towing, which should go between the towhooks on the rear of the hull. While there actually are a large number of colourful Red Army schemes for this tank, the only ﬁnishing option is the popular Spanish Republican Army one for a captured T-26 with the red/ yellow/red and white with black X turret markings. A decal sheet is included for those markings as well as some slogans. Overall this is an excellent model, but a fussy one to assemble and I for one will probably replace the three-part single link tracks with the older Model Kasten single piece ones. Cookie Sewell

Dragon Models Ltd VK.45.02(P)V in 1:72 scale Dragon has closely followed its ‘H’ version of this prototype in 1:72 scale with the ‘V’ version and it too is a well-proportioned little kit (item 7492). Other than the hull, the same parts from the H kit are to be found here. The turret is also based on the Tiger II turrets, but has a pistol port on the commander’s side as well as built-in hangers for the eight spare track link sets. Two plastic barrels and partial internal gun components are provided, but there’s no interior to speak of. The commander’s cupola is integral with the turret shell and like the H variant it has only 20% of the parts of the 1:35 scale kit. This 1:72 scale kit has no etched-brass, but it was only in prototype form, and no final production variants were produced. The tracks are similar to the Elefant tracks and are 203mm long and the ones in this kit conform to these dimensions. Choice of ﬁnish is simple: ‘Unidentiﬁed Unit’ in either overall sand brown or a two-colour green/sand ﬁnish, both proposed, with eight crosses in two sizes on the tiny Cartograf sheet.

www.militarymodelling.com

If displayed with the ‘H’ variant that it compliments, it also should ﬁt in with any collection of Tigers showing the development of these vehicles during World War Two. Cookie Sewell Price £19.99 Dragon Models Ltd., Kong Nam Industrial Building, 10/F, B1, 603-609 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong. Tel: 2493 0215. Fax: 2411 0587. [email protected] www.dragon-models.com UK distributors, The Hobby Company, Milton Keynes MK5 8PG.

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Product reviews

Archer Fine Transfers ‘Real Details’ Resin Weld Bead AR88006 - Arc Weld Beads .015, .025, .030 and .040 wide; $17.95 AR88018 - Arc Weld Beads .025 wide; $17.95 AR88019 - Arc Weld Beads .030 wide; $17.95 AR88020 - Arc Weld Beads .040 wide; $17.95 I have been a fan of Woody Vondracek since I ﬁrst saw his Archer Fine Transfers years ago, and have eagerly sought them out when working on various projects. I was happy when his ﬁrst series of ‘Real Details’ resin details came out about 10-years ago, and now he has advanced on to what amounts to his third generation of detail transfers. This generation is the best yet,

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and provides for true raised details of varying types for use on armoured vehicles, cars, trains, ships, or any other modelling subject where the modeller wants to have details ‘pop’ through the painted ﬁnish. This generation is an improvement over the second generation in that they are also water-slide and not dry transfers, but in this version they are also ﬂexible and can be bent or moved around corners if care is taken. All of the AFT details are applied to the decal ﬁlm in black resin, and as such what you see is what you get. Woody noted that there are ‘knockoffs’ from competitors, but so far most of those are not as thick and also are clear resin over black shapes on the backing

paper; once you wet and remove them you may lose sight of the detail if not careful! The best way I have found to use them is to identify where you want to use them on a model, apply a thin strip of clear acrylic to them (e.g. Future, Johnson’s Klear, or another brand), measure the length required and cut it from the sheet, apply it to the model, use a setting agent, and once dry put another coat of acrylic over it. A ﬁnal coat of primer or a Mr. Surfacer product completes the detail application. While the price for these details seems high, they are far easier to use than etchedmetal products or home-made options like putty or ‘soup’ (sprue soaked in liquid cement)

for clean, neat details. Note that they also include such effects as non-skid coatings, no-slip gridding, casting and foundry marks, woodgrain, and other special effects. The newer single size sheets each provide up to 170 linear inches of weld bead, which is enough to do several 1:35 scale size projects in armour, and at least one large vessel in the same scale. Overall this is the original and a hard product to beat, and for the appearance, reduction in hassle and time saved by using them fully worth the cost. Thanks to Woody Vondracek for the review samples. Cookie Sewell Prices in text

Military Modelling Vol.43 No.6 2013

Product reviews

Young Miniatures ‘Waffen SS’ bust in 1:10 scale ‘Another’ German character type from Young Miniatures is item YM1840 representing a soldier of the “German Waffen SS, Battle of Kursk 1943”. Designed by Young B. Song in his characteristic ‘Youngstyle’, looking to the right, with the ﬁgure dressed in a camouﬂage smock, steel helmet with camouﬂaged cover and additional extras in the shape of two ‘stick’ grenades, a fringed face mask and what looks like the top of a machine gun barrel case (?). The case ﬁts to the back of the ﬁgure, no indication of where it goes is given in the kit – so you can either guess, or take a look at the Young

Dragon Models Ltd Long Range Desert Group Patrol Car w/2cm Cannon in 1:72 scale Following on its ﬁrst release of a LRDG Chevrolet truck based on a cut-down 1941 Chevrolet light truck with military body and sand tyres, Dragon has now released a second version ﬁtted with a captured 2cm Breda gun. The Cannone-Mitragliera da 20/65 modello 35 was an automatic 20mm anti-aircraft gun that like its German 2cm FlaK 38 counterpart could be used for anti-material and

www.militarymodelling.com

Miniatures’ website www.young-miniatures.com where there are multiple photos from all sides of the 1:10 scale Young Miniatures’ range of busts.

anti-personnel tasks as well. It could ﬁre 200-220 rounds per minute and was in wide use. It was quite popular with all sides and the British ﬁtted them to captured vehicles when possible to increase ﬁrepower. This 1:72 scale kit (item 7504) is a virtual repeat of the earlier LRDG kit (item 7439) but with a new sprue for the Breda parts. It captures the personality of the ’41 Chevy (which once again due to trademark demands is now called a “Patrol Car” rather than a Chevrolet truck) and the British military pattern body. It still

An illustrated and explanatory kit slip would help – especially with quality models and in this price range. There are also two front straps with ‘D’ rings to ﬁt

comes with two Enﬁeld riﬂes, a Lewis gun with cooling jacket on a pedestal mount with separate drum, a ‘ﬂimsy’ can of gas (only one!) and the rolled tarps on the front mudguards. No radio is provided, but it also comes with the lockers as separate parts, a sand channel and tent poles for the canvas. The cab is neatly done with the modiﬁed grille shell and a false radiator front that mounts behind them to be visible. There are no pedals in the control area, nor any engine or transmission upper bits. The chassis is simple with a one-piece driveline, separate springs and front axle, and separate exhaust. But the wheels are still only halfmoulded with no backsides, which is surprising in this day and age with the moulding skills Dragon possesses. Oddly enough a backside and wheel rim are clearly evident on the instructions! The gun comes with a solid muzzle ﬂash hider as Dragon used the other end of the mould in a slide in order to provide twin separate hand grips; this

into the standard German leather ‘Y’ shape shoulder straps. Most of this can be discerned from the box top illustration… or you could just refer to the website. There are 10 pieces to the kit, which include a cast resin spigot to mount the bust to a base. Be careful with the ‘O’ ring at the top of the case that ﬁts onto the ﬁgure’s back – it is very ﬁne and has a ﬁne ﬁlm of resin inside the ring that has to be removed to locate with the cross strap on the left shoulder. As always, I would recommend priming and painting the parts separately before assembling them when painting is complete. Available plus p&p from Historex Agents, Wellington House, 157 Snargate Street, Dover, Kent CT17 9BZ. [email protected] www.historexagents.com Ken Jones Price £38 Young Miniatures, 693, Un-Dae 1ri, Seo-Myeon, Gyeong-Ju, Gyeong-Buk, Korea. [email protected] www.young-miniatures.com

is actually a smarter idea as it is easier to drill out a muzzle than separate grips. It comes with the intricate leverage frame for aiming the gun that balanced it and the oversized traverse wheel for rapid tracking. Finishing directions are included for two vehicles: Te Aroha, T Patrol, Libya 1943 in the Caunter scheme, and an unidentiﬁed vehicle in sand, green and pinkish brown with no markings. A set of Cartograf decals is included along with a number jungle for census numbers for other vehicles. Overall the gun is a nice improvement but it still seems more oriented to wargamers than scale modellers. Cookie Sewell Price £18.99 Dragon Models Ltd., Kong Nam Industrial Building, 10/F, B1, 603-609 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong. Tel: 2493 0215. Fax: 2411 0587. [email protected] www.dragon-models.com UK distributors, The Hobby Company, Milton Keynes MK5 8PG.

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Product reviews

Commander Models Inc. US 90mm AA Gun M1 in 1:35 scale When the US began to rearm just prior to WW2, they found the only medium to heavy calibre antiaircraft guns they possessed were leftover 3” (e.g. 75mm) ones from World War One. While relatively powerful for their time they were seen as obsolete for the new aircraft then coming into service. While the guns were soon adapted as anti-tank guns and served in both towed and self-propelled mounts, they were to be replaced by a newly designed 90mm weapon that entered development in 1938. The 90mm Gun T2 and 90mm Mount T1 were approved for service as the 90mm Gun M1 in March 1940, and soon entered production. While it weighed 19,000 pounds (8,626 kilograms) it travelled on a single axle, fourwheel carriage that unclipped for emplacement. Four folding platforms expanded to create an octagonal work area for the gunners and loaders, and it provided an improved altitude capability of nearly 40,000 feet when working as an AA gun. The later M1A1 added a springassisted rammer. But production was slow, and due to the way the war unfolded the US Army did not need the heavy anti-aircraft protection that the Germans found necessary.

Dragon Models Ltd Gebirgsjäger Crete 1941 ﬁgures in 1:35 scale Other than the 10th Mountain Division, the US Army never worried much about mountain warfare. This was not true in Continental Europe, where

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While the 90mm was more than capable of dealing with tanks – and did so as part of the armament of the M36 tank destroyer and M26 tank in a modiﬁed form – they were rarely used as ground defence weapons and thus never garnered the mystique of the German ‘88’. Some were used as auxiliary artillery weapons and ﬁred HE rounds for ground support. By the end of the war just over 7,800 90mm AA guns (including the improved M2 model with true dual capability and a twin-axle carriage similar to the 40mm Bofors) had been built. Some 90mm guns served in Korea, but as with their service in WW2 due to US air superiority had little to do. A few years ago Hobby Boss released a kit of the popular M4 18-Ton High Speed Tractor, the Type A version for 3” and 90mm anti-aircraft guns. Unfortunately it did not sell very well and this was simply due to the fact that there was nothing for them to ‘do’ as there were no guns for the tractor. Commander Models has now risen to the cause and provided a nicely executed kit of the M1 version of the 90mm gun in resin (item 1-062). Consisting of 70 parts

every one of the major countries had mountaineers trained for combat. The Italians had the Alpini, the French the Alpinists, and the Germans the Gebirgsjägern. These troops were trained in mountaineering and climbing, as well as some

cast in grey resin and no etched brass, it provides for a model of the gun that can be either modelled in travel mode on its carriage or deployed for combat with its platforms down and gun elevated. It comes with the proper ‘street’ tyres on the axle bogie and a muchimproved set of directions over past Commander Models’ kits. Parts in this kit were ‘full’ shots and no problems were noted with air bubbles or any ‘short’ parts. The four platform sections only had a minor bit of ﬂashing in the perforations in their decking and are easily cleaned up. Assembly begins with the gun barrel and breech and the ‘horse collar’ recoil slide assembly. These go in the upper carriage cradle that eventually snaps into the lower carriage. Seats and controls attach to the lower carriage during assembly. The base does not permit loose ﬁtting of the bogie carrier and towing tongue to it so the modeller will have to decide on ﬁring or towing early on; as noted earlier the gun was not designed for dual purpose use, and thus cannot be set up and ﬁred from its transport position. Each outrigger

use of skis for winter patrolling and raiding. The Germans used them in the Balkans among other places as well as the invasion of Crete in 1941. The troops as presented in this new set (item 6742) wear the lightweight reed green jackets with sand coloured shorts as their basic uniform. The kit presents four ﬁgures in two pairs: a major talking to a seated private, and an NCO and private preparing to move out on patrol. All come in the normal six parts (head, torso, arms and legs) and use what would be termed Dragon ‘Gen 1½’ kit for their basic ﬁttings. No etched-brass is included for slings and straps. Some modellers were excited when this set came out as they felt they could easily be converted to Afrika Korps, but it should be noted they are

comes in two sections (there are three). The wheel bogie has to be either ﬁxed in the down position for transport or the up position once removed from the carriage (the counterpoise suspension pistons, parts 10/11 and 34, must be assembled accordingly as either retracted or extended as a result). Also the platform sections must be attached to the tongue of the bogie carrier in transport mode or snapped into position on the lower carriage for deployment. No ﬁnishing instructions are provided (the guns were Olive Drab overall with bare metal recoil slides and the only markings on the example shown were a warning of “Danger Power Brakes” on the top of the rear outrigger when folded). No ammunition is provided, but any set with rounds for either an M36 or later US tanks with the 90mm gun is appropriate. Overall, this is a signiﬁcant artillery piece even if it never became as famous as its German counterpart. Now the problem is ﬁnding one of the Hobby Boss Type A tractors from a dealer! Cookie Sewell Price US $79.95 Iron Shipwrights Inc, 237 Gum Hollow Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA. [email protected] ironshipwrights.com

correctly moulded wearing birgsteiﬂen or mountain boots. These have thicker soles and steel cleats reinforcing them – they were after all designed to increase footing on ice and snow. However, the headgear is pretty generic and does not have the conspicuous Edelweiss badge on the left side. Overall these troops make a nice set of pairs for vignettes. Cookie Sewell Price £14.99 Dragon Models Ltd., Kong Nam Industrial Building, 10/F, B1, 603-609 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong. Tel: 2493 0215. Fax: 2411 0587. [email protected] www.dragon-models.com UK distributors, The Hobby Company, Milton Keynes MK5 8PG.

Military Modelling Vol.43 No.6 2013

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28 Years of Premier Military Modelling 21st-22nd nd September 2013 The Leas as Cliff Hall, Folkestone

COMMAND RESPECT Be recognised for your our ing! talent in model making! Enter one of the 32 Competition classes open to modellers this year. The international judging panel will award the top modellers by recognising precision and representational aspects of each model in their class.

•International traders and competitors

•Theioﬁranemstams inodthelse and d military modelling world on display

DON’T MISS Demonstrations bbyy lleading eadingg experts throughout the show Over 60 traders and exhibitors to include Historex Agents, Pegaso Models and Badger Air-Brush Company The ﬁnest models and dioramas in the military modelling world on display

Euro Militaire 2013 >>>Early

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Are NOW available! • Call: 0844 848 8822 NOW!

Lines open Mon-Fri 10.00am – 4.00pm (not weekends or bank holidays) Or see the website:

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Keep an eye on the website for details of exhibitions, tickets and other exciting developments!

www.euromilitaire.co.uk

Precision Metals

Bringing Precision Metals to Scale Modelling Slide Fit Micro Tubes & More... New product information available on website Model by Andy Argent

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Flex-i-file & Albion Alloys Glue Applicators and Finishing Products

Visit our updated website for information, video links and downloadable instruction sheets. All Product available from good model shops

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Brieﬁng

Next issue Volume 43 No.7 will be on sale 5th July 2013

www.militarymodelling.com

Aerial Baiter! Hetzer 2cm FlaK conversion

Kliment Voroshilov 2

Painting using the Colour Modulation Technique

Dark Eden Studio bust Fantasy Knight turns Templar!

AMPS 2013

Highlights from US Society’s National Convention

See more about what’s in Military Modelling magazine month-to-month in forthcoming issues and see some of the articles you may have missed from past issues and subscription offers on our website: www.militarymodelling.com As a Military Modelling subscriber you will also be able to unlock modelling articles, have access to the current issue and back numbers you may have missed, and other features that do not appear in the magazine or openly on the website’s pages… Don’t forget! Issue No.7 will be published on 5th July 2013 price £4.40 – don’t miss it! Order your copy now! Or better still why not make it your ﬁrst copy in a year’s subscription to Military Modelling magazine? See our subscriptions offer on page 4 in this issue...

If you can’t always ﬁnd a copy of this magazine, help is at hand! Complete this form and hand in at your local store, they’ll arrange for a copy of MILITAR each issue to be Y reserved for you. MODE End of LLING Some stores may the line! even be able to arrange for it to be delivered to your home. Just ask!

odelling the Fren ch Char rchest mfor table e hotel!

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Normandy

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Masashig Painting e Samurai a 1:9 scale Warrior bust 7th June

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Military Modelling Vol.43 No.6 2013

Classiﬁeds

S D E I F I S CLAS BOOKS // KITS // MODELS

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GLASGOW

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Advertisers’ Index A Albion Alloys Amerang B Barwell Body Works MM Binders Bookworld Wholesale C Classiﬁed & Shop Guides E Euro Militaire Show Everything Airbrush F First Legion H Historex

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Military Modelling Vol.43 No.6 2013

1:35th SCALE UNPAINTED RESIN FIGURE KITS 1965-1975

VIETNAM WAR

FIRST LEGION presents our new range of 1/35th scale high quality unpainted resin figure kits.

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The hunt for grasshoppers

FIRST LEGION previews our upcoming range of 54mm high quality white metal figure kits.

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