Model Military International - Issue 137 (September 2017)

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Issue 137 September 2017 www.modelmilitary.com

VENEZUELAN AMX-13/90 Tako m’s 1:35 AMX-13

! R E Z N A P M R STU rummbär

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panzer IV B rm tu S 5 :3 1 w e n ’s a iy m Ta

Rye Field Models 1:35 M1 Tiger I with Interior ■ Revosys 1:35 Panzer VI Ausf. C/B ■ Dragon 1:35 Befehls Panther Ausf. G ■ and more...

September 2017 / £4.50 / Issue 137

12/07/2017 11:04

Contents - Issue 137 September 2017 REGULARS 44

p 4 NEWS

What’s new in the world of military modelling

p 60 BOOKS

The latest in modelling, technology and historical publications

p 61 1:48 SCALE

News and opinion in the world of 1:48 by Luke Pitt

p 66 LAST POST

Shadow Hobby Thinnerline Circle Cutter

FEATURES p 6 THINK TANK

Sturmpanzer IV Brummbar Closeup by Zack Sex

p 12 PREVIEW

Rye Field Models 1:35 Tiger I With Interior

52

p 14 STURMPANZER!

Tamiya 1:35 Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV Brummbär Späte Produktion by Brett Green

14

p 26 PREVIEW

Bronco 1:35 A10 Cruiser Tank

p 28 BRUMMBAR IN ACTION Full-sized reference

p 32 PREVIEW

Dragon 1:35 Befhels Panther Ausf. G

p 34 VENEZUELAN AMX-13/90

Takom 1:35 scale AMX-13/90 by Brett W. Avants

p 42 PREVIEW

Revosys 1:35 Panzer VI Ausf. C / B

p 44 FIREFLY HYBRID

Tasca 1:35 Sherman Firefly IC Hybrid by Lukasz Kapelski

p 52 SHOW REPORT

Melbourne Model Expo 2017

p 58 PREVIEW

Dragon 1:35 Vollkettenaufklarer 38

©Doolittle Media Ltd 2017 Tel: (UK) 01525 222573 Fax: (UK) 01525 222574 Email: [email protected] Address: Doolittle Media Ltd., Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX, UK Model Military International is published monthly by Doolittle Media Ltd. Reproduction in part or whole of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. While due care is taken to ensure the contents of Model Military International is accurate, the publishers and printers cannot accept liability for errors or omissions.

ISSN 1749-8864

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Newsline - September 2017

MMI Newsdesk, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX, UK Tel:01525 222573 Fax:01525 222574 Email:[email protected]

AIRBRUSH COMPANY 70th ANNIVERSARY SALE

T

he Airbrush Company is celebrating 70 years in the airbrush industry. Throughout June, July and August 2017, the Airbrush Company is holding a huge summer sale on equipment, including airbrushes, compressors and accessories. Details may be found on The Airbrush Company’s website here: https://airbrushes.com/index. php?cPath=406_530 Sale ends on 1st September 2017. The Airbrush Company has also announced three new airbrushes to their Sparmax range.

Code

Description

SRP

inc VAT

SP-GP-35 SP-GP-50 SP-GP-850

Sparmax GP-35 pistol trigger airbrush Sparmax GP-50 pistol trigger airbrush Sparmax GP-850 with fan/round air caps

£75.00 £75.00 £95.83

£90.00 £90.00 £115.00

The Sparmax GP Pistol Trigger airbrushes offer simple, ergonomic operation. Featuring a pre-set handle, these airbrushes allows even the beginner to spray consistent coverage or consistent lines and prevents accidentally pulling back too far to flood the surface you're spraying. The Sparmax GP-850 features both a fan pattern and round pattern air cap. Based on preference you can switch between caps, which has great

advantages when applying spray tans for example. The fan pattern delivers with minimum of overspray giving it a unique advantage over mini touch up guns. Great for small areas such as chip repair, fender welds, door jams and other hard-to-reach areas. It is also great for airbrushing RC body shells and larger scale models. More details may be found on The Airbrush Company’s website http://www.airbrushes.com/

GECKO 1:35 CRUSIER TANK MK.IIA A10 New company Gecko Models has sent images and information on their forthcoming series of 1:35 scale A10 Cruiser Tanks. Three kits will be available: • Cruiser Tank Mk.IIA, A10 Mk.IA (British, 2 Pdr gun) • Cruiser Tank Mk.IIA, A10 Mk.IA CS (British, 3.7” gun) • Cruiser Tank Mk.IIA, A10 Mk.IA (German Beutepanzer, 2 Pdr gun) Each model will feature a bonus resin crew figure. A full interior and individual link workable tracks are included. I will be curious to see if these kits and the new Bronco A10s will share a common set of sprues. We’ll let you know as soon as we do! Thanks to Gecko Models for the images and information http://www.gecko-models.com/

SQUADRON

U.S. Half-Track Vehicles in Action ISBN 978-0-89747-829-8 United States manufacturers produced more than 40,000 halftracks from 1933 until 1944. These mostly-armored vehicles moved artillery and infantry on rough terrain, snow and sand during World War II and Korea. Based on an adaptation of the White Scout Car, the US half-track vehicles of WII combined the cross-country ability of a fully-tracked vehicle with the road performance of a medium truck. Variations of these vehicles included prime movers, armored personnel carriers, mortar carriers and a wide range of heavily armed variants. Vehicles produced by Autocar, Diamond T and White were used by U.S. forces, while similar International Harvester-built vehicles were supplied to our Allies through Lend-Lease. Both the Army and Marines took them into battle. They left their mark in Africa, Europe, Pacific islands and Korea. When the U.S. entered Vietnam, French halftracks were already in country. Before retirement, the Israeli Army listed about 600 halftracks in March 2008. Argentina donated its final 24 M9s to Bolivia in 2006. Some may still be operational. The new book includes more than 200 photos, two colour profiles and 12 line drawings, 80 pages. Available online from Doolittle Media www.doolittlemedia.com

BLAST MODELS NEW FIGURE RELEASES Blast Models has announced the release of four new modern military figures in 1:35 scale, available now from Blast Models' website: BL35299F - FRENCH SOLDIER N°1 OPERATION BARHKANE / SERVAL BL35300F - FRENCH SOLDIER N°2 OPERATION BARHKANE / SERVAL BL35301F - FRENCH SOLDIER N°3 OPERATION BARHKANE / SERVAL BL35303F - US MRAP TEAM PARKING A VEHICLE N°4 Thanks to Blast Models for the information and images: http://www.blast-models.com

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Think Tank - Sturmpanzer 43 Sd.Kfz.166 Brummbar

BRUMMBAR CLOSE-UP

The Sturmpanzer 43 Sd.Kfz.166, or Brummbar as it was known by Allied intelligence, was a German response to the need for fire support in urban areas. Zack Sex brings us a timely walkaround.

A

fter the disastrous failure of Stalingrad, one of the lessons acknowledged by the German High Command was the necessity for a dedicated direct fire support weapon for fighting in Russian cities against a foe that would fight to the death in their ruined cities and inflict heavy casualties on an already hard pressed German Army. The first production batch of these Sturmpanzers came into service in April 1943. Although there would be four batches of in total 300 vehicles, there were three main types produced. The first and second type or early version utilised a Tiger I letterbox type driver's sight

with an MP 40 available to crew members to fire through side ports if under infantry attack. With its 15cm gun and 100 mm frontal armour, it was not thought this would be a problem. However, the first major operation for these heavyweights was not in city fighting but in the Battle of Kursk during Operation Citadel where SturmpanzerAbteilung 216 was deployed with Panzerjager Regiment 656 in a failed attempt to break through massive Soviet defences. These units saw much action as they were pushed further and further west by a series of Red Army attacks and offensives until eventually being returned to the Vienna Arsenal for refitting in December.

A close-up view of the late version’s characteristic machine gun mounted in an armoured box beside the main armament.

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The driver’s vision port and spare track links on the front of the hull.

The next big deployment of early and mid-production model Sturmpanzers was in Normandy and Anzio-Nettunarea. In France, with the massive Allied bombing of railheads and infrastructure, the Strumpanzers would have to travel long distances under their own steam - not helpful for such an overloaded chassis. After escaping through Northern France, a number of former Abteilung 217 crews participated in the Battle of the Bulge with Panzer-Ersatz Abteilung 18. On the Italian front, Abteilung

The 15 cm StuH 43 L/12 gun.

216 fought on for four months before blowing up their charges during the Po Valley offensive. The late model Sturmpanzers were also to see action on the Eastern Front in two major offensives. The one action where these weapons were used successfully as intended was in the Warsaw uprising where the under armed Polish Home Army was to rise up against their German overlords. The brave Poles who fought on as the Red Army watched across the Vistula river in an uneven battle

The front starboard side of the superstructure.

they could never hope to win. Sturmpanzers early and late were to be deployed along with one the first Sturmtigers to pulverise the city’s rebels, many of whom were Boy Scouts and Girl Guides reduced to fighting in the sewers. However, the Red Army would not be kept at bay for long and after Hitler's forces destroyed the Home Army, the Soviets pushed on to the next big show down the battle of Budapest and invasion of Hungry Sturmpanzers of the 219 Abteilung would be involved in action here till the wars end.

The Sturmpanzer 43 was an impressive vehicle, and no more so than in its final form with front mounted MG and all steel return rollers; and covered with a good coat of Zimmerit if that takes your fancy. The late version demonstrated the evolution of design through the hard fighting that the Abteilung and their crews went through in the years of the Reich's declining fortunes, making the Sturmpanzer 43 Sd.Kfz.166 a must for every WWII German armour model fan. ■

The first major operation for these heavyweights “was not in city fighting but in the Battle of Kursk during Operation Citadel... ” A side view of the late model Sturmpanzer IV showing the massive superstructure.

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Think Tank - Sturmpanzer 43 Sd.Kfz.166 Brummbar

Late-style drive sprocket with exposed bolts on the hub, and steel rimmed road wheels.

An armoured extension on the rear of the superstructure was fitted with a hatch.

The top of the superstructure, showing the Commander’s cupola, two crew hatches and other details.

A side view of the raised engine deck.

Note the pattern of the zimmerit surrounding the circular pistol ports.

A top view of the engine deck.

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An overall view of the late model Sturmpanzer IV.

Interesting casting number detail on a suspension unit.

A late style all steel return roller.

Rubber rimmed road wheels. Typically, four pairs were fitted to each side of the Sturmpanzer IV, with the other four pairs being all-steel.

Zimmerit was applied to the lower hull too. September 2017 - Model Military International 9

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Think Tank - Sturmpanzer 43 Sd.Kfz.166 Brummbar

Detail view of the right side late-style idler wheel.

Note the pattern of the spokes.

A wider view of two sets of the road wheels plus two steel return rollers.

An early style idler wheel.

Note that an earlier style track link with a hollow guide horn has been fitted here to the late-style tracks.

late version demonstrated the evolution of design through “The the hard fighting that the Abteilung and their crews went through in the years of the Reich’s declining fortunes... ”

Close-up detail of a late-style drive sprocket hub.

The rubber tyre from the outer front road wheel is missing.

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An earlier version Sturmpanzer IV. Note the early style rubber rimmed road wheels and return rollers.

A side view of the superstructure showing the giant weld beads and interlocking armour plates.

The early style driver’s vision port.

The earlier style of the rear superstructure.

Detail of the rear access hatch. September 2017 - Model Military International 11

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KIT PREVIEW

Rye Field Model 1:35 Tiger I Mid Production , W/ Full Interior • Kit No. RM-5010

Some of the many interior parts.

A full engine and transmission are provided too.

MORE THAN SKIN DEEP Andrew Judson examines Rye Field Model’s new 1:35 scale Mid Production Tiger I with full interior.

T

he Tiger Tank has always been a very popular subject in the scale modelling world, and over the years many kits of all variants have been released. A popular trend today is kits with full interiors, giving the builder a lot of options with the amount of detail they choose to depict. Rye Field Models is a fairly new kid on the block. They have already released a few Tiger kits since hitting the market, both with and without interiors. This kit now on offer includes a full interior, and I must say that it looks very impressive indeed. On opening the box, you are confronted with 19 sprues for a total of 965 parts. On top of that there are also 192 track links, and four sprues of track pins and individual guide horns. There are also two photoetched frets, another photoetched fret with four different sized Zimmerit tools, a sheet of decals with a choice of three vehicle markings, a length of

copper wire, string and of course a set of instructions. Looking at the kit closely, one can see that it is of very high quality, well moulded with beautiful detail, and will require minimal clean up. The plastic is sprues are tan and grey in colour, with black for the tracks. Looking at the instructions, you can see that a lot of work has gone into these, with sprue layouts, colour profile drawings for the different vehicles, colour interior drawings with reference to Mig Ammo Paints, a Zimmerit layout diagram, and the actual build instructions themselves, which are well drawn, easy to understand, and in a good sequence of build stages. All of this is covered over 28 pages on a high quality semi-gloss paper. The assembly sequence begins with building the main gun and breech, followed by the turret interior. Next it goes onto the main hull, with the suspension and transmission, continuing through out with turret drive, ammo stowage racks, with ammo, a well

detailed Maybach engine and exhaust system. With all the interior done it then goes to the exterior, placing on the drive spockets and wheels, upper deck, rear with exhaust mufflers and lastly the tracks. The tracks are very well detailed although will be labour intensive because the guide horns have to be glued on individually and also pin the links. I would highly recommend care at this stage with, making sure guide horns are straight, and not to much glue when pinning, or tracks may not be workable. Overall, this is a very high quality kit that will build into a very impressive piece. I would say that it is not suitable for the beginner due to its complexity. The ways to display this are many, making it a very diverse product. If you want a challenge, love Tigers, and are a fan of detail, then this kit won’t disappoint. I would recommend this kit highly. ■

Turret interior parts.

Plenty of ammunition is included.

The kit’s photo-etched fret.

Thanks to Rye Field Models for the sample www.ryefield-model.com

The inclusion of several photo-etched Zimmerit trowels is a nice touch.

Three marking options are offered.

String and copper cable round out the multi-media parts.

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Longbow Apache

1:48 scalascale

AH-64D Always on the front line

model kit modèle réduit

Super decals sheet for

1392

A-6E TRAM Intruder

Decals sheet for 2 versions Figure not included Color Instruction sheet

N° 2748

7404 Kettenkrad Sd.Kfz. 2 Kleines Kettenkraftrad Typ HK 101 1:9

1:72

Working suspensions Openable lids Higly detailed engine Higly deteiled decals sheet Running tracks Tool set

Decals for 3 versions

3655

Ford Escort RS1800 Mk.II

1:24

1979 World Rally Championship Rallye Monte Carlo version

0777 DAF 3600 Space Cab

1:24

back again

Ask your local distributor or contact: Italeri S.p.A.- via Pradazzo, 6/b 40012 - Calderara di Reno - Bologna - Italy - Phone +39 051 31 75 211 - email: [email protected]

FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:35 Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV Brummbär Späte Produktion • Kit No. 35353

STURMPAN Tamiya has released an all-new 1:35 scale late production Brummbär for the 21st Century. The Editor built the model almost as soon as it landed on his doorstep.

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ANZER!

The lower hull is supplied as a tub.

The main superstructure shell.

The superstructure features subtle texture.

The main upper hull.

Two well-sculpted figures are included.

Note the subtle dimple effect on the weather strip on the hull roof.

Individual side skirts are included.

The full-length flexible tracks are well detailed.

Two marking options are offered. September 2017 - Model Military International 15

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:35 Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV Brummbär Späte Produktion • Kit No. 35353

T

amiya’s brand new 1:35 scale 1:35 Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV Brummbär Späte Produktion has nothing at all in common with their 1976 release. The lower hull is sourced from the Panzer IV kits from the mid-1990s, and the running gear seems to be based on the sprues from the 2014 Jagdpanzer IV release, but all the other plastic parts are brand new. My test shot comprises 325 parts in light grey coloured plastic, two lengths of black polyethylene (tracks), a length of black string and a bag of polythene caps. The production kit will most likely be presented in Tamiya’s typical dark yellow plastic. Moulding quality is every bit as good as we have come to expect from Tamiya. Surface textures are convincing and effective, with nicely rendered weld beads and subtle rolled steel texture on the superstructure. The lower hull is provided as a tub – no flat-pack assembly here. Despite its vintage, the detail and moulding quality is well up to the standard of the brand-new parts in the box. Running gear is simple but crisply detailed. There are ten sets of all-steel road wheels and eight pairs of rubber-rimmed road wheels. All the wheels are made up from an inner half, an outer half, a separate hubcap and a polythene cap that will permit rotation after assembly - and will also make painting a breeze. The earlystyle steel idler wheels and drive sprockets are secured with poly caps too, although the steel return rollers are glued in place. The instructions suggest two different road wheel arrangements, but most photos that I found suggested that on each side, four all-steel road wheels should be fitted to the front. Tracks are supplied as two polyethylene lengths representing the final lightweight links almost always seen on late Brummbärs. Personally, I would have preferred to see link and length tracks included in this kit. Tamiya do these so well, and link and length is an excellent compromise between ease of assembly and a realistic depiction of the track sag so often seen on German vehicles, including the Panzer IV family. Having said that though, these are very nice full-length tracks featuring crisp detail on the inner and outer faces, as well as correctly “dented” guide horns. The polyethylene lengths may be glued with regular plastic cement too.

Rear plate parts awaiting assembly.

Forward hull plate parts.

Basic suspension parts have been cleaned up and organised into separate groups.

The lower hull parts are ready for assembly.

Suspension parts attached to the lower hull.

That’s a lot of wheels!

Road wheels, drive sprockets and idlers are all fixed to the suspension via polythene caps.

Rubber rimmed wheels, steel rimmed wheels, idler wheels and drive sprockets.

The completed running gear in place.

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I took this photo to illustrate the muffler in place, but I should have realised at this point that the tracks were heading in the wrong direction!

The new Tamiya flexible tracks may be secured using regular polystyrene glue. The loops have been clamped while the glue sets. The muffler is made up from four parts.

The superstructure is moulded as a main shell with separate roof and rear panels. The upper hull is a single piece with an additional layer for the engine deck. The track guards run the length of the hull, effectively acting as sponson covers to blank off the superstructure from the running gear. The commander’s hatch, plus the rear fighting compartment and two small upper turret hatches are all separate parts that may be glued in the closed or open position. The 15 cm StuH 43 L/12 gun is built up in layers, with the one-piece main barrel sleeve sliding over the inner rifled barrel part. The gun is mounted via two polythene caps which allow depression and elevation. The mount itself clicks into a plastic base. This permits traverse. Armour hangers and side skirts are included. The plastic skirts are individual panels and are labelled with the part number on the inner surface. The modeller may choose to install all or only some of the skirts. Wartime photos show that it was common for some of these skirts to be damaged or missing altogether. Spare tracks are supplied in injection moulded plastic, and string tow cables are also in the box. Two figures are included – a Commander and an infantry soldier leaning on the rear superstructure. Both figures live up to Tamiya’s recent high standard of figure moulding. They feature natural poses and realistic faces. Markings are provided for two vehicles – one with Zimmerit coating and one without. Tamiya has also announced a separately available self-adhesive Zimmerit coating set, but it was not yet available at the time of this review.

Still in blissful ignorance, I spot-glued the tracks to the tops of the return rollers and to the idler wheel, effectively delivering sag to the top run.

I was feeling pretty happy with the result, until I realised later that the tracks were on backwards!

NOT SO GRIZZLY Construction is very straightforward. I built the model entirely straight from the box without any after-market additions, although I made a mistake at a critical point that was entirely of my own making. More on that later! Assembly commences with the lower hull and running gear. Many of these parts are common to Tamiya’s 2014 Jagdpanzer IV. The road wheels, idler wheels and drive sprockets are all held in place with polythene caps, which means that they may be removed before painting and replaced afterwards. I was originally planning to use a set of ModelKasten late pattern Panzer IV individual link tracks but eventually decided to use the Tamiya full-length flexible tracks, as these were nicely detailed and would take a fraction of the time to prepare and install. Even though the upper track run would be largely hidden by the kit’s side skirts, I wanted to depict sag between the return rollers. After checking the orientation of the tracks against the diagram in the instructions, I slipped the flexible loops of track over the

running gear, and then applied a spot of super glue to the top of the first return roller. I pressed the track onto the top of the roller and brushed ZIP Kicker (super glue accelerator) onto the wet join. This immediately cured the join. Next, I added a spot of super glue onto the next return roller and

stretched the track slightly so that there was slight sag between the two rollers. ZIP Kicker froze the track into position. I repeated the process with the final return roller and the idler wheel, which I glued in place to prevent it from rotating. I was pleased with the effect and repeated it on the other side. A

Upper hull with gun mount in place. September 2017 - Model Military International 17

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:35 Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV Brummbär Späte Produktion • Kit No. 35353

Engine deck and side vent parts.

The engine deck sub-assembly.

The engine deck is held in place with these tall locating “poles”.

The engine deck in place on the rear hull.

The upper hull was glued onto the lower hull. It was about this time that I realised my track error. Due to the limited access and the super glue on the return rollers, the tracks were wrecked in the process of taking them off.

B IDIOT PROOF? NOT THIS IDIOT… I continued with assembly, adding the upper hull and superstructure when I had a vague feeling that something was wrong. I checked the track direction and sure enough, I had fitted the tracks upside down – effectively heading in the wrong direction. When I had initially fitted the tracks, I hadn’t noticed that the diagram showing track direction in Step 7 was drawn with the hull upside-down. At this stage I had to make

The wide 150mm gun features rifling, cleverly achieved with two additional rifled sections inside the barrel.

Driver’s armour and vision scope.

a hard decision. I could live the incorrect track direction, or I could remove the tracks and replace them with the ModelKasten individual links. The first choice was never really an option, but fitting the individual link tracks would be tricky as access to the upper run was limited with the upper hull and extended track guards already glued in place. I briefly thought about buying a Tamiya Jagdpanzer IV to use the flexible tracks in that kit when

Gun mount, traverse and elevation parts.

The superstructure roof with the sliding gunner’s periscope cover.

it occurred to me that I could “borrow” the tracks from the Tamiya Jagdpanzer IV that I had built in late 2014. I hadn’t glued these tracks in place. Some of you might recall that I used curved sections of brass strip glued underneath the track guards to force a sag effect on the upper run. After spending a couple of years on that model, the tracks actually held the sag when I removed them from the running gear. I put these old tracks to one side

The gun being fitted to its mount.

to install once the model had been painted and weathered. The balance of construction was completely trouble free. I particularly liked the gun assembly, which allows the sight and its cover to traverse with the gun.

LATE WAR COLOURS I spent some time examining photos of late Brummbär s. There seemed to be little uniformity of schemes and the finish was sometimes hard to determine due

A

Superstructure sides, rear and front detail parts.

The gunner’s periscope moves in unison with the gun traverse.

The late-version rear superstructure extension and hatch doors.

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The superstructure shell.

The superstructure is fitted over the gun and attached to the upper hull.

The roof and detail parts are fitted here.

Two tow cables are included.

The model was prepared for paint with two coats of Tamiya Grey Primer straight from the spray can.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:35 Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV Brummbär Späte Produktion • Kit No. 35353

The three camouflage colours are acrylic mixes.

B to dust and low contrast between

the colours. I found photos of one particular knocked out vehicle that, by happy coincidence, was the nonZimmerit option in the kit – vehicle 202. I used this vehicle as the basis for my paint job. Unlike many late-war German vehicles, the photos seemed to suggest that the base colour was probably Dark Yellow. The surface of the model was prepared with Tamiya Grey Primer sprayed straight from the can. A custom late-war version of Dark Yellow was mixed using arounf 65% Gunze-Sangyo H403 Dark Yellow and 35% Tamiya XF-1 Flat White. The outline of the Red Brown camouflage sections were now painted freehand with my Iwata HP –C Plus airbrush. The Red Brown colour was a Tamiya XF-64 Red Brown and XF-60 Dark Yellow. Now Red Brown camouflage outlines were “coloured in” by airbrush. Next up was Dark Green. This was a mix of Tamiya XF-67 NATO Green and XF-60 Dark Yellow. I took a good long look at the camouflage and decided that I did not like the low contrast relationship between the Dark Green and the Red Brown. I oversprayed the Red Brown mix with Gunze-Sangyo’s acrylic H406 Chocolate Brown – quite a rich dark red wine colour. Although I tried to be careful, there was a fair amount of overspray on the Dark Yellow, Green and Red Brown areas. I spent a bit of extra time respraying these areas to achieve a nice tight demarcation between all three colours. The road wheels, drive sprockets and idler wheels were separated into colour groups and sprayed too.

WEATHERING The first order of weathering was blending and fading. For this, I simply sprayed Tamiya XF-57 Buff diluted with 90% thinners over the entire model. This toned down the bright Red Brown and Green shades and also disguised any tiny

remaining spatters of overspray. Next, the model was sprayed with several coats of Future Floor Polish. This achieved two objectives: 1. to provide a glossy base for the decals 2. to deliver an acrylic barrier between the paint and the next stages of weathering. Once the kit decals had been applied, the entire model received an overall wash. This was MIG Productions’ P300 Earth Wash. Before the wash had dried, it was streaked vertically on the superstructure sides with a clean brush. Excess wash was also removed with thinners. A mix of Raw Umber oil paint and thinners was used to highlight detail on the insides of the hatches, the scopes and the wheels. Chipping was also applied using dark acrylic paints. Once the model was completely dry, two coats of AK Interactive’s Ultra Matte Varnish were applied. This is a low-odour, dead flat acrylic finish Vallejo Panzer Aces Acrylics 337 Highlight Ger. (Black) was applied in streaks and spots to represent light scratches and rusty run marks. Before the tracks were added to the running gear, they were sprayed with a “scale black” shade – a 50/50 mix of Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black and XF-64 Red Brown, then brushed with a mix of water and Easy Mud Item No. 21105 – European Earth. The excess mud was wiped off the track pads with a clean cloth. The painted and weathered wheels and tracks were now attached to the model. The separate skirt sections had been painted and weathered using the same methods. I fitted the skirts without glue (the fit is firm and precise on the three hangers), omitting one of the skirts from one side. A

A custom late-war version of Dark Yellow was mixed using arounf 65% Gunze-Sangyo H403 Dark Yellow and 35% Tamiya XF-1 Flat White.

The outline of the Red Brown camouflage sections were now painted freehand with my Iwata HP –C Plus airbrush. The Red Brown colour was a Tamiya XF-64 Red Brown and XF-60 Dark Yellow.

Next up was Dark Green. This was a mix of Tamiya XF-67 NATO Green and XF-60 Dark Yellow.

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I spent a bit of extra time repainting overspray to achieve a nice tight demarcation between all three colours.

I did not like the low contrast relationship between the Dark Green and the Red Brown so I oversprayed the Red Brown mix with Gunze-Sangyo’s acrylic H406 Chocolate Brown – quite a rich dark red wine colour.

The side skirts were assembled…

…and painted in the same colours as the vehicle.

…primed…

The first order of weathering was blending and fading. For this, I simply sprayed Tamiya XF-57 Buff diluted with 90% thinners over the entire model, including the skirts.

Next, the model was sprayed with several coats of Future Floor Polish.

The model receives an overall misting of XF-57 Buff.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:35 Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV Brummbär Späte Produktion • Kit No. 35353

B Once the kit decals had been applied, the entire model received an overall wash. This was MIG Productions’ P300 Earth Wash.

A mix of Raw Umber oil paint and thinners was used to highlight detail on the insides of the hatches, the scopes and the wheels. Chipping was also applied using dark acrylic paints.

The muffler was treated to a blend of three MIG Production rust coloured pigments.

Once the model was completely dry, two coats of AK Interactive’s Ultra Matte Varnish were applied. This is a low-odour, dead flat acrylic finish.

Vallejo Panzer Aces Acrylics 337 Highlight Ger. (Black) was applied in streaks and spots to represent light scratches and rusty run marks.

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B FIGURES I liked the poses of Tamiya’s figures, so I decided to paint them up to accompany the vehicle. The figures’ heads were sprayed with Tamiya White Primer straight from the spray can, with the bodies being primed in grey. The figures were then brush painted with Vallejo acrylics. Facial features were given a wash with heavily thinned Rowney Georgian Oil Paint 221 Burnt Sienna before details were picked out with a fine brush.

The figure parts, removed from the sprues and seam lines cleaned up with a sharp hobby knife.

The basic figure bodies assembled.

The bodies with a grey primer coat applied.

The completed figures awaiting their new home.

CONCLUSION Tamiya’s second-generation 1:35 scale Brummbär is a terrific kit. It features subtle surface textures, a good level of detail straight from the box and I can tell you from personal experience that it is a fast, straightforward build. Although it would have been nice to have a set of Tamiya's excellent link-and-length tracks, I don't mind the flexible lengths. They are well detailed and not all modellers like separate track links anyway, so with this philosophy they are not paying for unwanted features. For those who prefer individual links and/or workable tracks, there are a number of after-market sets available. Highly Recommended. ■

The heads are painted flesh over a base coat of White Tamiya Primer. The bodies were then brush painted with Vallejo acrylics.

The figures on (and in) the model.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:35 Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV Brummbär Späte Produktion • Kit No. 35353

Modelspec

Before the tracks were added to the running gear, they were sprayed with a “scale black”, then brushed with a mix of water and Easy Mud Item No. 21105 – European Earth.

Tamiya 1:35 Sd.Kfz.166 Sturmpanzer IV Brummbär Späte Produktion Kit No. 35353 Tools and Modelling Products: Tamiya Extra Thin Liquid Cement Revell Contacta Plastic Glue Selleys Super Glue Iwata HP-CP Airbrush Paints and Finishing Products: Vehicle: Tamiya Spray Cans - Grey Primer Tamiya Acrylic –XF-1 Flat Black; XF-52 Flat Earth; XF-57 Buff; XF-59 Desert Yellow; XF-60 Dark Yellow; XF-64 Red Brown; XF-67 NATO Green. Gunze-Sangyo Acrylic Paint – H403 Dark Yellow; H406 Chocolate Brown Mr Colour Leveling Thinner 400 Figures: Uniforms Tamiya Acrylics – XF-1 Flat White: XF-59 Desert Yellow Vallejo Panzer Aces Acrylics – 333 Germ. Tkcr. (Black); 334 Germ. Tkcr. I (Feldgrau); 335 Germ. Tkcr. II (Feldgrau); 337 Highlight Ger. (Black); 338 Highlight Ge. I (Feldgrau); 339 Highlight Ge. II (Feldgrau). Flesh Base Coat: Tamiya acrylic XF-15 Flat Flesh. Wash: Rowney Georgian Oil Paint 221 Burnt Sienna. Variations and Highlights: Vallejo Model Colour acrylics 70815 Basic Skin Tone; 845 Sunny Skin Tone; 919 Foundation White (mixed). General Detailing (all Vallejo Model Colour acrylics) – 70862 Black Grey; 70865 Oily Steel; 70891 Intermediate Green; 919 Foundation White. Winsor & Newton Oil Paints – Lamp Black, Raw Umber Easy Mud Item No. 21105 – European Earth ✓ High level of detail; superb fit; straightforward engineering; easy build; minimal ejector pin marks. ✗ Option of link and length tracks would have been nice. Available from Thanks to Tamiya Japan for the sample www. tamiya.com Tamiya kits are distributed in the UK by The Hobby Company Limited www.hobbyco.net

The side skirts fit firmly without glue.

Rating

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Some of the scrapes on the sides of the vehicle and skirts were applied with a sharp Dark Brown and Yellow Prismacolor pencils.

Tamiya’s second-generation 1:35 scale Brummbär was a pleasure to build.

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KIT PREVIEW

Bronco 1:35 scale British Cruiser Tank A10 Mk.I / IA / IA CS • Kit No. CB35150

Bronco’s brand new A10 Cruiser Tank is first to market as an injection moulded kit. Brett Green takes a close look.

A VERY BUILDABLE CRUISER

I

t might seem hard to believe considering the increasing avalanche of new releases over the last decade, but there are still some subjects that are not covered by mainstream injection-moulded kits. Although I have a half a shelf full of resin Accurate Armour kits that have been superseded by nice new injection-moulded releases – Cromwell, Valentines, Centaur and more – much of my wish list for some early WWII and oddball military subjects remains unanswered. Several of these subjects were in the Cromwell Models range, but I never had any luck getting hold of them. I was delighted back in 2013 when Inside the Armour released a 1:35 scale full kit of the A10 Cruiser Tank, but that was a very limited run resin offering that is no longer available. But as the old saying goes, you wait ages for a bus and then two turn up at the same time. Within weeks of each other, we have had announcements from the brandnew company Gecko Models and also from Bronco that they will be releasing injection moulded 1:35 scale A10 Cruiser kits. Based on the pre-release announcements, Gecko Models will be offering three separate kits – a British 2 Pdr gun tank, a British 3.7” Close Support version and a German Beutepanzer. The Gecko kits will have a full interior and workable individual link tracks. Bronco is the first to market and a sample of the kit has just hit the MMI desk. Bronco’s A10 Cruiser may be built as Mk.I or Mk.IA 2 Pdr versions, a Mk.IA 3.7” CS or a captured Beutepanzer from the one box. The Bronco kit contains a modest 222 parts in dark yellow injection moulded plastic, five parts in clear, 18 parts on a single photo-etched fret and markings

for six varied options. Parts breakdown is refreshingly simple and exterior detail looks great, peppered as it is with domed rivets and bolt heads. The lower hull is a tub, speeding assembly, and the turret shell is moulded with sides, roof and rear panel. Turret hatches may be posed open or closed. The driver’s and radio operator’s hatches could be modified to pose open without too much trouble too. Optional gun shields and machine guns are provided for the Mk.I and Mk.IA. The running gear is nicely detailed but broken down simply. There are four suspension units comprising just nine parts each, including plastic moulded springs. The suspension units are fixed in the neutral (flat) position. Tracks are link and length, with a straight top and bottom run joined by individual links that wrap around the drive sprockets and idler wheels. There are only 17 track parts per side. The track parts feature crisp and excellent track pad, side and inside face detail. Handles, lifting rings and other small details are separate parts. Bronco also includes a perforated photo-etched heat shield for the muffler. Clear parts are offered for the spotlight and scopes. A whopping seven marking options are offered, ranging from Khaki Green and Dark Green; Light Stone and Slate; Portland Stone, Brown and Slate; Olive Drab and Blue Black; Portland Stone, Rust and Silver Grey; and even Panzer Grey! Although the colours on the box

The lower hull tub viewed from below.

The turret shells.

art perpetuate the now-debunked myth of the blue Caunter camouflage colour, the callouts in the instruction appear to be correct right down to quoting SCC paint numbers. The instructions also offer paint colour suggestions for British camouflage colours equivalents in the Mr Color lacquer range.

CONCLUSION I have been really looking forward to this kit and it does not disappoint. Bronco’s 1:35 scale A10 Cruiser Tank may be built as one of four different versions straight from the box, and it offers a wide range of interesting and varied camouflage. Surface textures look great and exterior detail is very good, but with a total of 222 dark yellow plastic parts, it should be a relatively easy build too. It’s great to have this very buildable model of an important early British WWII tank. Highly Recommended. ■

The main upper hull part.

The 3.7” howitzer gun mantlet and barrel.

Some of the link and length track parts.

Seven marking options are offered. Running gear parts.

Three of the varied marking options

Thanks to Bronco for the sample http://www.cn-bronco.com/en/index.php The kit’s photo-etched fret.

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References - Brummbar in Action

BRUMMBÄR IN ACTION A selection of images showing the Sturmpanzer IV in production, in the field and knocked out.

B Two late production Sturmpanzer IVs abandoned in 1945. At the foreground is vehicle 222, the subject of the model article in this issue of MMI.

B The same two vehicles viewed from the other side.

D Late production Sturmpanzer IVs with Zimmerit coating in production.

D A row of factory fresh Sturmpanzer IVs await delivery.

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D The prototype Sturmpanzer IV. Note the eight rubber rimmed road wheels and large roof hatch.

D Loading ammunition into an early production Sturmpanzer IV with Zimmerit anti-magnetic coating. Note the early style 40 cm tracks and the rubber rimmed road wheels.

B A close view of the front of the Sturmpanzer IV. The entire vehicle, including the spare tracks, have been painted in Dark Yellow, and it appears to be quite a pale shade. The hollow guide horns indicate early style tracks.

D Two Sturmpanzer IVs and a Munitionspanzer III (centre) in Italy, 1944.

C Improvised foliage camouflage on a Sturmpanzer IV in Nettuno, Lazio, Italy, March 1944.

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References - Brummbar in Action

D A late production Sturmpanzer IV with Zimmerit. Note that all eight road wheels are the steel-rimmed variety.

D A British tanker examines an abandoned Sturmpanzer IV.

D A rear view of a late production Sturmpanzer IV. The final style of idler wheel is installed, but the tracks are the early 40 cm style with hollow guide horns.

D An early production Sturmpanzer IV. Note the hits on the side of the superstructure that have failed to penetrate the heavy armour.

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D Two late production Sturmpanzer IVs. The vehicle in the foreground is fitted with the final

D Note the side stowage box.

production 40 cm tracks.

D A view of the same vehicle from the other side.

D Sturmpanzer IV and Tiger I near Nettuno in Italy.

D Field applied camouflage was often supplemented by foliage.

B Distinctive camouflage on an early production Sturmpanzer IV.

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KIT PREVIEW

Zvezda 1:35 T-14 Armata • Kit No. 3670

Moulding quality is generally nice.

Andy King examines Zvezda’s new kit of a new tank – the T-14 Armata.

NEXT GEN RUSSIAN T

he T-14 Armata is a brand new next generation Russian tank that is due to enter service between now and 2020. It has a crew of three, weighs in at around the 50 tonne mark and the main armament is the 2A821M 125mm smoothbore cannon. The tank has a couple of unique features that include a remote turret and an internal armoured capsule for the crew that is more than the equivalent of 900mm of Rolled Homogenous Armour. The chassis and turret is protected by ‘Malachit’ dual ERA (Explosive Reactive Armour), the turret shape is designed to reduce its radio and thermal signature and the vehicle is protected by a millimetre-wavelength radar active protection system (called Afghanit) that can detect incoming anti-tank munitions. The tank also uses an integrated computerised control system that as well as monitoring all functions of the vehicle it can analyse threats and either suggest or take actions to eliminate them. According to Russian officials the tank should be virtually invisible to radar and infra-red detection on the battle ground due to radar-absorbing materials and paint and the placement of heat generating components deep within the vehicle. How effective the tank will really be in action remains to be seen but at the moment to say it has NATO worried is an understatement, especially as the tank renders current anti-tank weapons and rounds obsolete and the Russians appear to be trying to develop a nuclear round for the main armament too. This is a brand-new kit from Zvezda and appears to be made in co-operation with Uralvagonzavod, one of the

largest scientific and industrial complexes in Russia and the biggest tank manufacturer in the world. Inside the rather large box you get just eight sprues in grey styrene, separate upper and lower hulls, a clear sprue, two sheets of clear styrene mesh in different sizes and a decal sheet. No etch is included. Moulding quality is okay however there are small amounts of flash present and although mould-pin marks are on the inside faces of most parts they may require removing as they may prevent the proper fit of parts. Like the Gaz ‘Tiger’ by Zvezda I reviewed recently on some parts there are noticeable lines present (possibly from the mould not being polished fully). These may disappear under a coat of primer but if they don’t it will be very tricky to clean them up. Surface detail looks pretty good although the rear turret basket mesh is moulded solid. You also have to cut out the engine grills from the sheet of supplied mesh using the templates on the instructions. The slat armour for the hull sides could do with thinning out as it is a bit chunky. The two rear mounted tow cables are moulded in styrene and would look better with the cable itself replaced with picture hanging wire. Zvezda have made a decent attempt at the rubber skirts on the bottom of the side plates but they’re still a bit too uniform

and could do with a bit more reshaping. The tracks are of the ‘linkand-length’ type with separate guide horns and look really good, unfortunately the inside faces of the tracks have pin marks in places. The good news is you only need to fill them on the bottom runs of track as they are mostly hidden by the plates on the hull sides. The main gun is split horizontally which will make clean up tricky as it’s very easy to ‘flat-spot’ a barrel when sanding the seams (trust me on this) and would be better being substituted for an aftermarket item. Decals are never a strongpoint of Zvezda and the sheet included is no exception as the two stars on the black and orange striped flashes for the hull sides and the Guards badge (item 3 on the decal sheet) are out of register. Just two colour schemes are provided; an overall green one with those fancy orange and black ‘go faster’ stripes on the sides and the other is in a three-tone camouflage pattern of sand, redbrown and green. Colour call outs are for Zvezdas own range of paints and Humbrol. This is a decent kit that will make a great starting point for those wishing to add some aftermarket goodies to a tank that currently has Western nations spooked. Recommended for fans of modern armour. ■

The main turret part.

Crisp detail on the road wheels.

Two-part drive sprocket.

Track detail.

Bar armour.

The bottom of the hull.

Moulded perforated basket.

Thanks to The Hobby Company Limited for the sample www.hobbyco.net Kit decals.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Takom 1:35 AMX-13/90. Kit No. 2037

Brett W. Avants adds Takom’s recent 1:35 scale AMX-13/90 to a simple base.

VENEZUEL

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ELAN AMX-13/90 T

he AMX-13 is a French light tank produced from 1953 to 1985. It served with the French Army and was exported to more than 25 other nations. Originally designed based on requirements for an air-droppable support vehicle for airborne troops, it was extensively used in various roles including reconnaissance. It was originally armed with a 75mm main gun, but later variants were up-gunned to 90mm and 105mm guns. Some

variants included missiles. Armor was relatively thin, but the AMX-13 had good mobility and was mechanically very reliable.

TAKOM’S 1:35 AMX-13 KITS Takom has produced several variants of the AMX-13, including versions with the 75mm, 90mm and 105 mm guns, along with a 75mm version also equipped with Char Lance SS.11 antitank guided missiles.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Takom 1:35 AMX-13/90. Kit No. 2037

The hull just about done, minus the photoetch. Everything went together well.

Construction

The lower hull is moulded with very thin walls, and was slightly warped. However, when assembled, it all fit perfectly and the warp was corrected as the parts were fitted and glued together.

The Takom AMX-13/90 is a nice little kit, and can be built right out of the box into a very attractive model. I encountered no problems while assembling the kit, and everything fitted very well. Parts cleanup was minimal, and the moulding was sharp with good detail. There are enough photo-etched parts to add some nice detail, such as the screens for various places on the top of the hull, but not too much to overwhelm anyone. Photo-etch can sometimes be too much of a good thing, but not in this case. I knew I wanted to make this one a Venezuelan version with the green and tan camouflage! After all was said and done, this kit was a pleasure to build. It’s an unusual subject, and the South American markings and camo look good. I am actually forward to building more TAKOM kits, and hope they continue to release unusual kits like

The kit provided AMX-13 track looked great, was easy to clean up, and the detail was superb. However, I had a set of Fruilmodelismo track for the AMX-13, so I opted to use those instead. Nonetheless, the kit track are fine.

The detail is superb.

The light guards are especially nice, as they are bent to shape and the front guards themselves are twisted 90 degrees to form the correct look. The photo-etch in the kit is perfect. Very thin and easy to work with. The PE replaces or adds detail not otherwise molded in plastic. It adds the right amount of detail.

The photo-etched light guards add a nice detailed touch to the kit.

The turret is nice and goes together without a hitch. I eventually replaced the antennas with some Albion aluminium tube and brass wire inserted into the tube. The vinyl canvas cover on the turret fit nicely without any problems.

The large searchlight on the rear of the turret was painted. The clear lens was painted with Ammo Mig Crystal Smoke, and then protected from further weathering and painting with Humbrol Maskol.

The AMX-13 barrel fit great, and there was very little sanding necessary to smooth it out. The AMX-13 is now ready for painting. The gun barrel was two parts. I prefer aluminium barrels myself, but as a friend of mine always says, “These are fine as long as you can glue two plastic parts together.”

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as it out.

Painting I really like the way on most Takom kits the rubber tires are separated from the metal wheels. I paint everything separately. I mount the wheels on craft sticks and hold them in place on a piece of Styrofoam. The rubber tires are stuck on a large piece of yellow masking tape. The tyres are secured to a large piece of yellow masking tape, and then sprayed with Ammo Mig Rubber and Tires 033. Again, having these tire parts separate makes painting wheels an easier task.

I typically use Ammo Mig Tracks primer for most of my priming needs. It provides a nice smooth finish and a dark undercoat on which to paint my base colours. On my piece of Styrofoam, I separated the tan wheels from the green wheels, and painted them first with the Ammo Mig Tracks Primer. The dark brown undercoat is perfect for a chipping base. Next, I used hairspray to give each wheel a thin chipping barrier. After the hairspray was dry, I painted the wheels the appropriate tan and green colours. Chipping was done gently. When chips started to appear, I moved on. The smaller, the better.

Hairspray was applied and the green basecoat was applied using Ammo Mig 081 Dark Green. A few subtle chips were then done on the green base.

The tan camo pattern was applied over more hairspray by hand using an airbrush and Ammo Mig 057 Yellow Grey. More chipping was done, showing some green underneath the tan.

Decals were applied by my usual method. First the base coat has dried for a day or two. This is important as you don’t want to activate any residual hairspray from the water used in applying decals. Second, the area where the markings will go is sprayed with a layer of Future Floor Wax or Gloss Varnish, in this case Ammo Mig glossy varnish. Once dry, the decals are applied and fixed with a decal fixer such as Solvaset or some other similar product. Once the decal setting solution has dried and the markings are securely on the surface, another layer of Future or gloss varnish is applied. Once dried, then a satin varnish is applied and the vehicle is ready for weathering. September 2017 - Model Military International 37

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Takom 1:35 AMX-13/90. Kit No. 2037

The green and tan needed a pop, so I decided to use the Ammo Mig filter Ochre for Light Sand to liven it up a bit. The yellow now has a little more colour.

Dark Brown Wash for Green Vehicles. Sometimes I make my own wash using enamel or oil colours, and sometimes I use products out of the bottle. In this case, I used A.Mig 1005. It’s a nice brown and looks great. I usually prep the surface of the model with a damp brush and White Spirit before applying the wash. I work in small areas to bring out the detail.

Weathering

I use a mixture and variety of earth-coloured pigments from a couple of different manufacturers to get a good, realistic dirty look on the lower hull of the AMX-13.

I use a combination of dry pigments applied with a dry brush, and wet pigments mixed with a setting solution and applied like a wash.

can sometimes be too much “ofPhoto-etch a good thing, but not in this case... ”

For the wheels, I use the pigment/fixing solution as a wash and apply it around the hubs and the bolts.

For the lower hull, I apply a generous portion of pigment dry to the sides of the lower hull, adding different colours, then apply a fixing solution using the dropper and letting capillary action soak the entire area. As this area dries, I sprinkle with a brush dry pigment colours over the wet area. Basically load the brush with pigment, then tap it above the wet area and let the pigment dust fall onto the wet areas. Repeat this process with various dirt colours. When this whole thing dries, the various colours pop out and give the area some variety.

After drying, you can see the various colours and textures of pigments on the sides of the lower hull and the road wheels. Wet and dry pigments are an ideal way to simulate dirt and dust on a vehicle.

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The metal tracks were treated with a burnishing solution to give them a worn look, and then installed on the vehicle. Later, I will add a little paint and pigments to these as well. Note the sag in the Fruil tracks.

The kit tracks were wonderfully detailed and easy to clean up, but I had a set of Fruil track and just had to use them. They fit the TAKOM kit sprockets and wheels perfectly, and provided the look I was after.

I use a coated paper palette to prep the oil paints, rather than a scrap piece of cardboard. I find that the cardboard soaks up the oil too fast. I prefer the oil paint loaded with oil so that I can work with it longer and blend the colours easier. The coated paper palette is perfect for this approach.

Several photos of the oil paint applied as weathering.

I use oils to fade and alter the paint, for dirt and dust around the edges and nooks and crannies of the tank, and as shadows and highlights for depth.

After the oil paint has dried, it’s time for another round of pigments. Again, I use various colours, both dry as dust and wet, mixed with a fixing solution as a wash.

These aluminium Mr. Colour Paint Cups are perfect for mixing the pigment fixing solution with the pigments. Keep it mixed using a brush. The pigment quickly settles to the bottom as you use it, so it’s best to periodically mix it up.

Apply the wet pigments just like wash, in nooks and corners of the model. Also use it on surfaces that you want to look dirty and dusty.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Takom 1:35 AMX-13/90. Kit No. 2037

As all of this weathering is drying, I went ahead and constructed a base for the model. I used Styrofoam filler and Celluclay to create the raised ground. This will later be painted an earth brown, and covered with a grass mat, some field flowers and weeds, large grass tufts and other groundwork.

Adding a Base

A grass mat with 6mm grass was the base. These look great but are like a fully manicured lawn, so you have to add weeds, field flowers, other grass tufts, and various field litter.

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Once done, it makes for interesting groundwork!

I wanted to achieve something a little different than the typical dirt road or mud, so I opted for a spring/summer look with the vehicle going through a field.

After all was said and done, “ this kit was a pleasure to build...

”

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Asuka / Tasca 1:35 scale Sherman IC Firefly Hybrid • Kit No. 35027

Y L F E FIR D I R HYB Lukasz Kapelski adds stowage and a base to Tasca’s excellent 1:35 Sherman Firefly IC Hybrid.

D

uring World War II, the United Kingdom received thousands of U.S. M4 tanks under the terms of the Lend-Lease act. In accordance with the British practice of naming U.S. tanks after American Civil War generals, the M4 was named General Sherman, usually shortened to Sherman. One of the most famous British variants of the Sherman was the Firefly, up-gunned with a powerful 3-inch calibre 17-pounder anti-tank gun. The Fireflies were converted from petrol-engine variants of the M4 tank that had been originally armed with 75mm main guns, namely the M4 (Sherman I), M4 Composite (Sherman I Hybrid) and M4A4 (Sherman V). More than 2,000 of these vehicles were manufactured until May 1945, with their conversion rate depending on rather inconsistent deliveries of suitable tanks from the United States. A

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rman IC Firefly Composite

Tasca’s (now Asuka’s) She

Hull box art.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Asuka / Tasca 1:35 scale Sherman IC Firefly Hybrid • Kit No. 35027

The cast forward hull features convincing texture.

The lower hull is made up from separate panels including reinforcing bulkheads.

Test fitting the upper turret shell, the upper hull and the assembled lower hull.

The box is crammed full of parts. Many of these will be a bonus for the spares box.

B ASUKA’S 1:35 SCALE

SHERMAN IV FIREFLY HYBRID When it comes to building a miniature Sherman in 1:35 scale, in my opinion there’s no better choice than Asuka Model (previously Tasca) products, which beat the competition in terms of both accuracy and moulding quality. What’s more, aside from kitting many different versions of the M4, the Japanese manufacturer makes it possible to order certain single plastic sprues via their webshop, allowing the modeller to customize his/her kit and depict many more of the numerous existing Sherman variants, conversions and mods. In this case, however, I decided to go for a regular release, which represents a slightly less popular variant of the Firefly, ie. the early Sherman IC Hybrid, featuring the so-called composite hull, with cast front end joined to the welded rear hull, and the ‘low bustle’ turret [cat. no. #35-027]. The box was tightly filled with numerous plastic sprues, moulded in green styrene. Also included were a clear plastic sprue with periscopes and lenses, a small decal sheet with markings for three tanks, and a photo-etched fret. The main contents of the latter were the periscope guards and mesh screening. The tracks were made from vinyl (of which I’m not a big fan, to be honest) and provided as two sections per run. During assembly, I didn’t actually experience any problems with gluing them together. What did not impress me, however, were the division of the main gun barrel into two pieces, and provision of a length of twine to represent the tow cable. These had to be replaced with metal counterparts from RB Model and Eureka XXL, respectively.

ASSEMBLY Despite the kit being built from a substantial number of parts, the construction process turned out to be rather straightforward, and took only a few evenings. The bogie assembly required the most time and attention, especially as I intended to leave them separate for the painting stage. Aside from using the metal replacements for the barrel and tow cable, I added some resin stowage, including the excellent ammo boxes from PanzerArt. In accordance with my reference photos, the turret sides were up-armoured with short runs of spare tracks, borrowed from one of the Bronco Models track sets. I also created a tarpaulin cover from a piece of tissue that had been soaked with Uni-Grunt priming emulsion. The latter product was again used to fix a piece of gauze dressing with which I reproduced a camouflage net. As the photo-etched fret supplied with the kit was rather basic, I had to source some extra clamps and straps from my spare parts stash. Finally, I test-fitted the placement of the two crew figures within the turret hatches.

The bogie units are the most complex part of the build, but even these are quite manageable.

The 17 pdr gun barrel and muzzle brake were replaced with metal parts from RB Model.

PAINTING The first step of the painting stage was to prime the entire kit with Vallejo’s grey primer, sprayed straight from the can. Once the priming layer had fully dried, I started building up the base colour of the vehicle. I firstly airbrushed a layer of Tamiya XF-61 ‘Dark Green’ over all surfaces of the model. Next, I mixed the former colour with a little XF-55 ‘Deck Tan’, and used this mixture to create the highlights over the top areas. At that stage, the tonal contrasts

The copper tow cable is from Eureka XXL.

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Ammo boxes were sourced from Panzer Art.

The turret sides were up-armoured with short runs of spare tracks, borrowed from one of the Bronco Models track sets.

The general layout of the vehicle was checked against the base.

Ultracast heads were added to MiniArt British tank crew figures.

between the chosen surfaces are already discernible, but bearing in mind that the paintwork will certainly get darker during the subsequent weathering processes, I decided to add stronger highlights with a mixture of Tamiya’s XF-62 ‘Olive Drab’, XF-55 ‘Deck Tan’ and a little Mr.Hobby H1 ‘White’. This was mainly sprayed over various edges and bulges of the hull and turret. The surface details were highlighted with a mixture of LifeColor UA224 ‘Olive Drab Faded Type 2’ and Vallejo 70884 ‘Stone Grey’, that had been applied with a brush. A

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www.modelmilitary.com September 2017 - Model Military International 45

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Asuka / Tasca 1:35 scale Sherman IC Firefly Hybrid • Kit No. 35027

B WEATHERING In order to slightly tone down the effects created during the former steps, I took a soft brush and applied a mixture of AK-Interactive AK083 ‘Track Wash’ and white spirit over the entire kit. The strongly diluted enamel acted as a filter, altering the basecoat and giving it a more brownish shade. The paintwork was then sealed with a layer of clear gloss varnish, allowing me to apply the decals. During the aforementioned process, I used Agama decal solutions, namely the ‘Adhesol’ and ‘Tensol’. In this case, there was no need to reach for the ‘Hypersol’, which is designed to soften the most fluid-resistant decals. Afterwards, I brush painted various vehicle details, tools and stowage, using a variety of Vallejo acrylics. At this stage, I also chose to further alter the basecoat with oils from Maimeri’s ‘Classico’ range. To this end, I firstly applied tiny dots of deep yellow, light yellow, white, sap green and chrome oxide green paints. These were blended with a brush that had been dampened with white spirit. In the case of vertical surfaces, I moved the brush in a downward motion, layering the colour and creating the initial streaking effects, whilst on the horizontal areas, I faded the paintwork by moving the brush in a circular motion. The result was sealed with another layer of clear varnish. This allowed me to apply the wash. I mixed together AK-Interactive AK045 ‘Dark Brown Wash’, black oil paint and white spirit, and applied this into various nooks and crannies, and around protruding details. The excess mixture was carefully removed with a brush that had been dampened with white spirit. Next, I painted the lamp interiors with silver paint, and closed them with the relevant clear parts. Now it was time to add the damage to the paint layer. For this purpose, I used ‘Dark Rust’ acrylic colour from the Vallejo Panzer Aces range, an old paint brush with rather heavily worn bristles, and a piece of sponge. The chipping effects were mainly created on the hatches and around them, whilst scratches were mainly painted on the hull sides. When using the sponge for paint application, remember not to collect too much paint! If this method is new for you, it’s better to perform some test on a piece of paper or styrene before you start working on the kit, even though the use of water-based acrylics will allow you to retouch the effects with a toothpick.

The first step of the painting stage was to prime the entire kit with Vallejo’s grey primer, sprayed straight from the can.

The grey primer will highlight any lingering flaws as well as providing a base for the following paint layers.

Highlights were mixed from Tamiya’s XF-62 ‘Olive Drab’, XF-55 ‘Deck Tan’ and a little Mr.Hobby H1 ‘White’.

Now was an airbrushed a layer of Tamiya XF-61 ‘Dark Green’ over all surfaces of the model.

This was mainly sprayed over various edges and bulges of the hull and turret.

A mixture of AK-Interactive AK083 ‘Track Wash’ and white spirit was applied over the entire kit.

The surface details were highlighted with a mixture of LifeColor UA224 ‘Olive Drab Faded Type 2’ and Vallejo 70884 ‘Stone Grey’, that had been applied with a brush.

Adhesol and Tensol decal solutions from Agama were used on the kit decals.

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At this stage, I also chose to further alter the basecoat with oils from Maimeri’s ‘Classico’ range.

I brush painted various vehicle details, tools and stowage, using a variety of Vallejo acrylics. Dots of deep yellow, light yellow, white, sap green and chrome oxide green paints were blended with a brush in a downward motion, layering the colour and creating the initial streaking effects.

I then focused on recreating the dust, dirt and mud. I began by mixing AK-Interactive AK017 ‘Earth Effects’ enamel with a little plaster. This muddy mixture was speckled mainly over the lower portions of the hull, using an old brush with stiff bristles. Once the resulting mud splashes had dried, I wiped some of them with a brush that had been dampened with white spirit.

By moving the brush in a vertical, downward motion, I reproduced some realistic streaks. The effect was enhanced by applying a darker mixture that had been made from AK-Interactive AK016 ‘Fresh Mud’. I also created some wet stains and further muddy streaks with AK-Interactive AK079 ‘Wet Effects Fluid’ that had been tinted with a little brown oil. To obtain a truly

wet look, one needs to repeat the application of the product two or three times. The bogies had received a similar treatment before I attached them to the hull. Afterwards, I had to retouch the weathering on the lower hull, adding some dark stains or streaks here and there. I also dirtied the top portions of the hull sides and upper areas of the vehicle. To this

end, I mainly used pigments, such as AK-Interactive’s AK040 ‘Light Dust’ and AK081 ‘Dark Earth’, although some wet staining was also replicated on the turret and upper hull surfaces in the same manner, as in the case of the lower hull. Finally, I put together the tracks with cyano, mounted them to the wheels, and weathered accordingly. A

A muddy mixture was speckled mainly over the lower portions of the hull, using an old brush with stiff bristles.

This mix was a blend of AK-Interactive AK017 ‘Earth Effects’ enamel with a little plaster.

The vehicle was dirtied further with pigments such as AK-Interactive’s AK040 ‘Light Dust’ and AK081 ‘Dark Earth’.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Asuka / Tasca 1:35 scale Sherman IC Firefly Hybrid • Kit No. 35027

B ADDING A BASE In my opinion, putting a vehicle on a base adds a lot to its presentation. Personally, I prefer small vignettes over big dioramas, and that was my choice for the Firefly base. As usual, I started by preparing a piece of Styrodur foam of a suitable size. The latter was subsequently taped with pieces of balsa wood, which had been sealed with pieces of adhesive tape so as to prevent any dirt or physical damage during subsequent stages of work. I then cut the base diagonally in the opposite corners. In the case of the first corner, I just wanted to diversify the landform, whilst the second corner was to house a ‘section’ of a pond. However, at this stage I had to create the ground. I first applied a layer of plaster and shaped it with a metal spatula. Before it had fully dried, I poured some very fine gravel and soil over the surface, and fixed this with Unigrunt priming emulsion. Next, I quickly imprinted the tank tracks into the ground, and determined the final position of the Firefly. To add some ruts, I repeatedly ran across the surface with a small vehicle kit. The base was then left to dry thoroughly for one day.

Stowage also received plenty of weathering.

PAINTING THE BASE During the ground painting process, I used the same AK-Interactive products that had been previously employed for the kit weathering. The enamels were diluted with white spirit and applied with an airbrush. So as to give the ground a wet appearance, I applied a little ‘Still Water’ fluid from Vallejo into the ruts. This step had to be repeated a few times, as the Vallejo product has a tendency to absorb into the groundwork. I also “sowed” some grass from Noch, using white glue to attach the particular tufts, and added some leaves. The latter were replicated with both dried natural leaves, that had been shredded into tiny pieces, and paper leaves from Plus Model, which were sealed with clear varnish. In the place where the pond section had to be located, I repainted the ground with a rotten green colour and glued a few tiny moss branches that had been crafted with glycerine. Last but not least, I attached some pieces of a CD crystal case, which acted as a mould for the epoxy resin water from Andrea Miniatures. The latter was applied in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, and

Some wet staining was applied the turret and upper hull surfaces.

The turret roof.

The bogies also received the wet treatment before being glued in place.

Oily streaking down the upper hull sides.

The tracks were assembled using super glue, then weathered accordingly.

The half-length vinyl tracks look good once in place and weathered.

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Putting a vehicle on a base adds a lot to its presentation. The ground was created using layer of plaster, followed by very fine gravel and soil over the surface fixed in place with Unigrunt priming emulsion. A CD crystal case acted as a mould for the epoxy resin water from Andrea Miniatures. To spice it up a bit, I added some ripples, using a brush and acrylic resin from MIG Productions.

was dry after 3 hours. When I removed the mould the next day, I noted that the resin had become fully smooth and transparent. To spice it up a bit, I added some ripples, using a brush and acrylic resin from MIG Productions. The ripples had to eventually be smoothed by applying two thin layers of Vallejo 26.230 ‘Still Water’.

FIGURES AND FINISHING All I now had to do was to fix the kit to the base, stain the balsa framing with wood dye, and attach the crew figures. The latter were sourced from a MiniArt set. As most of the figures offered by this Ukrainian company have more or less the same facial features, I replaced the heads with Ultracast products. The figures were brush painted with Vallejo acrylics. ■

Modelspec Tasca 1:35 Sherman IC Firefly Hybrid Kit No. 35027 Accessories Used: • RB Model 1:35 scale 76,2mm 17 pdr anti-tank gun for Sherman Firefly (RB35B07) • Eureka XXL 1:35 scale Towing Cable for M4 Sherman (ER3503) • MiniArt 1:35 scale British Tank Crew Winter Uniform figure set (35121) • Ultracast 1:35 scale British Heads WWII (35044) Tools and Modelling Products: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Tamiya Extra Thin Cement White glue C.A. glue Styrodur foam Balsa wood Plaster Fine gravel Noch grass tufts Shredded dried natural leaves Plus Model paper leaves Moss branches crafted in glycerine Uni-Grunt priming emulsion Vallejo 26.230 Still Water Andrea Miniatures AAW-01 Artificial Water MIG Productions P032 Acrylic Resin for Pigments

Paints and Finishing Products: Vallejo 28.011 Grey Primer Paints: Tamiya (acrylic), Mr.Hobby Hobby Color, Vallejo, LifeColor Tamiya Laquer Thinner Agama decal solutions Maimeri Classico oil paints AK-interactive weathering products: AK 016 Fresh Mud, AK 017 Earth Effects, AK 040 Light Dust Pigment, AK 045 Dark Brown Wash, AK 079 Wet Effects Fluid, AK 081 Dark Earth Pigment, AK 083 Track Wash White spirit

The model in place on the base.

✓ High level of detail; excellent fit; accurate. ✗ Nothing worth noting. Available from Asuka kits are available online and from specialist hobby shops worldwide.

Rating Leaves were added to the base.

Grass from Noch was sown into the groundwork. September 2017 - Model Military International 49

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Asuka / Tasca 1:35 scale Sherman IC Firefly Hybrid • Kit No. 35027

The crew figures really add to the scene. The figures were brush painted with Vallejo acrylics.

The balsa framing was stained with wood dye.

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KIT PREVIEW

Revosys 1:35 Pz.Kpfw. VI Ausf.C/B 2 (VK36.01) 2 in 1 with Interior • Kit No. RS-3001

The on-piece lower hull tub.

A number of different mantlets and guns are included.

TIGER COODABEEN

The turret shell.

Andrew Judson explores a 1:35 scale “What If” vehicle based on a real prototype chassis – the Pz.Kpfw. VI Ausf. C/B from new company Revosys.

I

t is always nice when a new player hits the market in the modelling industry, and even more so when their debut release is a subject pretty much previously untouched. The VK36.01 was a very early development that led to the final production of the Tiger I tank. Looking at its design, one can see the similarities. I understand that at least two lower hulls for this tank were built, but no turrets were attached, so nobody really knows what may have eventually been attached to these. The kit comes packed in a nice sized box topped with attractive artwork - a good start. The inside of the box is crammed full with 13 sprues of grey plastic, a total of 933 parts, a bag with 120 track links and 4 x sprues of track guide horn

sections. Also inside are the turret shell, the main lower tub, an extensive etch sheet, a small decal sheet and finally a 20 page instruction manual with five colour pages, giving interior colours and four possible camouflage schemes, all very interesting. The detail of the parts look very nice, with clean mouldings, requiring minimal clean-up. The tracks are well done too, with an assembly jig to assist. They will be workable when complete. There is an interior that consists of the driver’s and radio operator’s areas, the lower fighting compartment with ammo stowage, and a full turret interior. There is no engine included. Construction begins with the lower running gear and the interior, some quite straightforward, while care will be needed in other areas. This

goes for the first ten stages. From there you are then working on the lower hulls upper deck and guards, and placing the tracks on. This goes to stage 15. From stage 16 to the end, you are working on the turret’s interior and exterior which is quite a detailed exercise. I don’t think this will be a quick build, but the result should be a stunning kit. In summary, I think that subject matter is both interesting and unique, the quality is very nice, and it will be interesting to see what they come out with next. This is a great debut release from Revosys I would recommend this to all who are keen on German WWII subjects, and for those after something a little different. Well done, I say! Highly Recommended. ■

A full interior (except engine) is included.

Moulding is crisp and detailed throughout.

The workable track links are made up from a main track part…

The kit’s photo-etched fret.

Clear parts.

Markings are supplied for a number of hypothetical vehicles.

Thanks to Revosys for the sample https://www.facebook.com/REVOSYSHOBBY/

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SHOW REPORT

Melbourne Model Expo 2017

MELBOURNE MODEL EXPO 2017 The Editor travels the aisles of Australia’s biggest model show, the Melbourne Model Expo

T

he Melbourne Model Expo is held every Queen’s Birthday long weekend at the Sandown racetrack in southeast suburban Melbourne. The large room was packed full this year, reflecting the mass of competition and display models. More than 700 models were in competition making a big impression on the visitors and judges alike. Although the bulk were aircraft models, there was an impressive selection of military and figure kits in competition too. The standard of competition models was very high, including some imaginative dioramas and vignettes. In addition to the record competition entries, the venue was also swelled by many themed club displays from Victorian model and special interest clubs.

Traders were at full capacity as well, with many familiar companies and some new names appearing on the tables. A number of new and forthcoming releases were on display, including wingnut Wings and HK Models kits. The doors opened officially at 11:00 am on Saturday, and the crowds streamed in. It was pleasing to see a large number of families and young people examining the displays. Expo also always offers a welcome opportunity to catch up with old friends and new acquaintances. If you are an Australian local or visiting during early June, the Melbourne Model Expo is well worth a visit. Thanks to the Model Expo Committee and members for their famous Melbourne hospitality during my brief visit. ■

The Public Entry line was queued into the car park even into early afternoon.

Registering model entries.

Fuelling the judges – pizza on Saturday night.

A number of demonstrations and tutorials were held over the weekend.

Two happy judges!

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Digital art for sale.

There were plenty of club and special interest displays, including this table showing the work of junior modellers.

A number of announcements and new releases were shown.

This ICM Model T 1917 LCP was new to me. I couldn’t resist buying it!

This Bronco 1:35 Type XVIII U-Boat was a real show stealer.

Detail and execution was remarkable.

The rust effect was totally convincing. I wanted to tap the hull to hear the “bong”!

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SHOW REPORT

Melbourne Model Expo 2017

This modeller has thoroughly documented his Jagdtiger build in a hard cover book – “One Man’s Journey Into Madness”.

All that hard work is described in text and photos.

A large

Trumpeter’s 1:16 scale Jagdtiger K2 - the subject of the book.

Zvezda’s 1:35 scale T-90 in a cornfield.

This 1:16 scale T-34/85 was beautifully finished.

Sturmtiger.

Hobby

Model Military International - September 2017 Italeri54 Bedford QL with 6 pdr in 1:35 scale.

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Hobby – still

A Panzer ’46 subject – Dragon’s 1:35 scale Panther II.

12/07/2017 13:01

A large scale scratch built M1A1 Abrams.

Tiger Model 1:35 Naghachon.

Hobby Boss 1:35 scale M1070 prime mover and trailer.

Hobby Boss Dora railway gun – still huge in 1:72 scale!

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September 2017 - Model Military International 55 Meng’s 1:35 scale D9R Bulldozer with slat armour.

12/07/2017 13:01

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KIT PREVIEW

Dragon 1:35 Vollkettenaufklarer 38 w/7.5cm Kanone 51 L/24 • Kit No. 6815

The new superstructure shell.

RECON 38(T)

Drive sprocket and idler wheel.

Andy King checks out the latest in a growing line of esoteric Panzer 38(t) variants from Dragon – a 1:35 scale Vollkettenaufklarer 38 w/7.5cm Kanone 51 L/24.

D

ragon is certainly getting some mileage out of their Jagdpanzer 38 moulds lately. This time we are presented with the proposed reconnaissance version of which seven prototypes were built, including ones armed with single or twin Flak 38s, and also the subject of this kit mounting a short barrel 7.5cm gun. As with most versions planned from the Jagdpanzer 38 chassis, this one never saw service either, presumably due to the end of the war but also the Germans were planning to standardise on the ‘E’ series of armoured vehicles so it would have been unlikely to have progressed from the prototype stage anyway. In the box you get ten sprues in grey styrene from various sources such as the Jagdpanzer 38 (obviously), the Panzer 38t, Sd.Kfz 234 (for the gun mantlet) and the Panzer IV (gun barrel) although I suspect sprue ’G’ may be new as it includes the side plates for the top of the fighting compartment. Also included is a clear sprue, a small sheet of etch metal and an even smaller decal sheet comprising just three crosses. The quantity of parts included looks daunting for such a small model but a lot of these will be destined for the spares box. As usual all parts are nicely moulded with little flash present, the quality of detail is very good although there are a few mould-

pin marks on the rear fenders (parts A36 and 37) and vehicle jack (part A4). For the interior, you get a full transmission, driver’s seat, a rack for the 7.5cm ammunition and a rear firewall. There is a drive shaft that connects the transmission to the engine and as it goes across the floor of the fighting compartment I would imagine it would have been boxed in to prevent possible injury to the crew. The 7.5cm gun features a full breech and appears to be pretty well detailed, it also includes the mount for an MG34. Two FuG radio’s (transmitter and receiver) are moulded into the rear firewall and just needs some cabling from the aerial base to add to the interior. Tracks are of the link-andlength type with track sag already moulded in to the top run and separate links that go around the

idlers and sprockets. Three colour schemes are shown, all for ‘unidentified units’ and include two in three-tone camouflage and one in a winter whitewash scheme presumably over a dark yellow base although you can really please yourself what you do with it. This is not a bad little kit, especially if you like the ‘whatif’ genre, but it would be nice if Dragon concentrated on vehicles that actually existed. For example, to my knowledge there are no 1:35 scale injection-moulded kits of the Flammpanzer 38. I would have said the same about the Bergepanzer 38 but Thunder models has beaten Dragon to it although a Bergepanther would be good… ■

Nice detail on the road wheels.

The rear firewall including radio face detail moulded in place.

Thanks to The Hobby Company Limited for the sample www.hobbyco.net

Tracks are link and length.

Armour plates for the side upper superstructure.

Individual links are designed to be wrapped around the drive sprocket and idler wheel.

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AVAILABLE in the ‘HOW TO BUILD...’ series NEW How to Build The Steel Wheeled Tiger I A New and revised edition of the ultimate guide to building the Tiger I Steel Wheeled version by Angus Creighton. The new revised edition includes: ■ Early-batch Sturmtiger, using Tamiya’s 1:35 kit with factory zimmerit, ModelKasten battle-tracks ■ Late-batch Sturmtiger, using Tamiya’s 1:35 kit, Dragon late pattern road wheels, extra frontal armour, no zimmerit, ModelKasten battle-tracks ■ Dragon’s 1:35 Tiger I (SPzAbt 510 194445), ModelKasten transport tracks ■ and more...

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Book Reviews NUTS AND BOLTS

VOLUME 38 JAGDPANZER IV PART 2 – L/70 (SD.KFZ.162/1) VOMAG & ALKETT)

Two kilometres is quite a long way. The German L/70 Jagdpanzer could and often did destroy oncoming tanks from that distance. In my opinion, this vehicle encapsulates everything I like about World War Two German armour - low, sleek and deadly. Even so, this tank destroyer was not without its flaws. The extreme length of the barrel made driving difficult together with “barrel wobble” which caused alignment problems and decreased aim accuracy over time. The lack a muzzle brake caused a large dust cloud when fired thus giving any concealed position away, not good, when you’re trying to hide. This is the second volume on the Jagdpanzer IV from Nuts & Bolts and covers the long gun 7. Pak 42 L/70 Vomag and Alkett machines. These were commonly referred to as the Panzer IV/70 (V) and the Panzer IV/70 (A). The most noticeable difference between the two was the shape of the superstructure. The Panzer IV/70 (A) had a 400mm tall box installed above the unchanged lower hull with the superstructure of the Panzer IV/70 (V) on top of it. Anyone who has read the Nuts and Bolts series of reference titles will no doubt be aware of the line drawings produced by Mr. John L. Rue. This is the last title that Mr. Rue. worked on as sadly, he passed away on 1 March 2017 after a long illness. His work always impressed me and his contributions to these books have shaped and formed what I would consider master works on the subject they cover. He will be missed. The book is broken down into the usual Nut & Bolts format beginning with the types and its technical development & production. This covers both the Panzer IV/70 (V) and Panzer IV/70 (A). The was to have an armoured vehicle capable of mounting the long barre led 7.5 cm Pak 42 L/70 gun. The second and third chapters deals with the organization & structure of anti-tank units that operated the vehicle. This chapter also covers the history of the units who were allocated this tank destroyer. This includes 140 large and well captioned photos over 53 pages. Most of these have been published before but it is nice to see them all together in one reference work. Chapter five contains the 1:35 scale drawings prepared by John Rue over 18 pages. These are of the Panzer IV/70 (V) and Panzer IV/70 (A) and, as usual, they are excellent. The drawings are followed by 9 pages of color profiles by Laurent Lecco. The colour plates are based on black and white photographs of actual vehicles covering 16 different vehicles. The last plate is of the ammunition carried by these vehicles. The next 55 pages offer a detailed walkaround in the form of colour photos from the various preserved vehicles and components in museums around the world. The entire vehicle is covered from the interior to the exterior. The closing section is devoted to model builds by Tony Greenland. These books are very difficult to criticise from a modelling point of view. For me, they have everything I want in a reference work and as a result I can heartily recommend it to anyone who wants a one stop reference source for this vehicle . Highly Recommended. Thanks to Nuts and Bolts for the sample www.nuts-bolts.de Luke Pitt

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1:48 Scale – A round-up of the latest news and releases I GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

H

ave you ever had one of those projects that never seems to get off the ground? You love the subject, have a fair bit of reference and the kit but for the life of you get can’t get into it. Back in the early days of this column I was informed by a modeller who I admire greatly that he was going to scratch build an LRDG Chevy in 1:48 scale. At the time, I was excited by the project and he shared with me his progress of the build. This was a true scratch-build with everything being fabricated from flat plastic card. One thing lead to another and the project was shelved. I approached him around a year later and asked him how the project was going and he told me he just didn’t want to do it any more. I said it was a shame to shelve the project and offered to make enquiries with a company that might want

to take the project on and cast it as a commercial project. Tank Workshop came to the party and purchased the half-complete masters. The masters were then modified and additions made by another modeller to complete the model as a sellable project. I received a sample of the completed kit but did not think that it was appropriate to review or comment on it as I had, in some small way been involved in its genesis. Around six months ago I was exchanging e-mails with another modeller and in the background of one of the photos he sent me was a semicomplete LRDG Chevy. I thought that it looked pretty cool and decided to revisit mine. One of the first things I noticed was the wheels in the kit. The tread pattern was nice but the hub depth seemed a little shallow. I proceeded to build and modify

what I could and posted my progress photos on Facebook. I also noted the other areas of the kit I’d like to address. One of my friends by the name of Dennis Loep offered to help with the build by producing CAD drawings, which you see here. Not only were the proportions of his wheels better than the kit’s, but they are now freely available to anyone who wants purchase then on the following Shapeways link : https://www. shapeways.com/product/V5UUQKLE9/1-48th-lrdgdodge-wheels-with-sand-tyres. Next month I may post pictures of my build progress and some other help that I have received with this build, this time with the black art known as photoetch!

Until Next Time Luke Pitt

GTG RESIN

TIGER I MID / LATE TRACK • ITEM ST4802

TANK WORKSHOP

FERDINAND CONVERSION FOR THE RECENTLY RELEASED TAMIYA ELEFANT KIT • ITEM TWS48124 Our Editor completed this conversion a few months back using a pre-release version of this backdate for the newer Tamiya kit. What you get in the final production version is 22 very well cast resin pieces for the hull conversion with a corrected engine screen, and 65 resin tracks sections. As Brett mentioned in this article, the conversion goes together with a minimum of fuss and is probably as accurate as your ever going to get in this scale. The ease of assembly is the major plus for this conversion. Highly Recommended. Thanks to Tank Workshop for the sample www.tankworkshop.com Luke Pitt

As mentioned in our previous issue, GTG resin has taken up all of the old WWII Production tracks as well as adding a few of their own. It is pleasing to see these tracks back in production. I remember using them on a 1:48 scale Tiger I build that I did many years ago and was as impressed with them then as I am now. 220 very well resin cast parts are included and use what they now describe as a “snap” method of putting the track together. What this means is that you insert each track on to the next by aligning the longer pin on the opposing tracks receiving depression and “snap” the smaller pin into the other depression. The system works well as it has always done. The really great thing about these tracks is the open guide horns on the tracks themselves. These are easily opened up with a quick swipe of a toothbrush over each link before final assembly. These tracks come highly recommended and may be purchased directly from the following address www.gtg-resin.com Thanks to GTG resin for the sample. Luke Pitt

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12/07/2017 12:04

NEW in the ‘HOW TO BUILD...’ series NEW How to Build Hawker Typhoon Mk.Ib New and revised for 2017 now including the Car Door and Bubbletop builds. The complete guide to building the amazing Airfix 1:24 scale Hawker Typhoon, written by Brett Green of HyperScale and Model Military fame. This new book features an exhaustive step-by-step guide to construction with modelling contributions by James Hatch, Brett, and Chris Wauchop. Hundreds of construction photos, reference images, a museum walk around, and how to get the very best from your big Typhoon kit a must have before you build the model!

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Contact Details - for companies featured in MMI... ACCURATE ARMOUR/ ARMOUR DISTRIBUTION

Units 15-16 Kingston Industrial Estate, Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, PA14 5DG Scotland. Tel; 01475 743 955 Fax; 01475 743746 www.accurate-armour.com

ADALBERTUS

Iberyjska 7/49, 02-764 , Warsaw,Poland [email protected] www.adalbertus.com.pl

THE AIRBRUSH COMPANY Ltd

Unit 7 Marlborough Road, Lancing Business Park, Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 8UF. Tel; 08700 660 445 www.airbrushes.com

ALCLAD II LACQUER

5 St Georges Close, Bacton, Norfolk. NR12 0LL Tel; 01962 65216 Fax; 01692 652334

ALPINE, ROYAL MODEL, ARTISAN MORI, YOSCI; SMARTMODELLING No.7 Gordons Way, Oxted, Surrey RH8 0LN. UK Tel; 01883 734746 [email protected]

AMPERSAND PUBLISHING (via Historex Agents in UK)

235 NE 6th Avenue #4 Delray Beach, Florida 33483-5543, USA Tel; 561-266 9686 Fax; 561-266-9786

ARCHER

(Historex in UK)

PO Box 1277 Youngsville, NC 27596-1277, USA www.archertransfers.co

BADGER AIR-BRUSH COMPANY 9128W Belmont Ave, Franklin Park, IL 60131 Tel; 847/678-3104 www.badgerairbrush.com email [email protected] (In the UK from www.shesto.co.uk)

BISON DECALS

Available from www.hannants.co.uk and www.pdi-model-supplies.com

DELUXE MATERIALS www.deluxematerials.co.uk [email protected] Tel; 01529 455 0340

DRAGON MODELS

(The Hobby Company in UK)

Dragon Models Ltd, Kong Nam Ind. Building B1-10F, 603-609 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan NT, Hong Kong Fax; (HK) 4110587 www.dragonmodelsltd.com (For 1:6 Action Figures, please contact Amerang in UK)

ECHELON FINE DETAILS

Available from; wwwaccurate-armour.com & http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~kriegsketten/

FRIENDSHIP MODELS

12 Delta Drive, Musselburgh, East Lothian, EH21 8HR Tel; 0131 665 0866 Mobile; 07877166225 www.friendshipmodels.com

GREAT NORTH ROADS

CAMMETT

(Lifecolour, Scale Caliber)

Unit 5 Greenfield Industrial Estate, Forest Road, Hay on Wye, Powys, HR3 5FA Tel; 01497 822757 Email; [email protected] www.cammett.co.uk

CLASSIC PUBLICATIONS

Midland Counties Publications, 4 Watling Drive, Sketchley Lane Industrial Estate, Hinckley, Leics UK. LE10 1YF Tel; 01455 233 747, Fax; 01455 233 737 [email protected] www.classic-publications.com

CREATIVE MODELS LTD

(Mig Productions, Vallejo, Accurate Miniatures)

Unit 6-10, Honeysome Industrial Estate, Honeysome Road, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire. PE16 6TG Tel; 01354 760022 www.creativemodels.co.uk [email protected]

DARTMOOR MILITARY MODELS Haylis cottage, Budlake, Broadclyst Exeter, EX5 3LJ, England Tel; 01392 881271 www.dartmoormilitarymodels.com

www.etchmate.com www.missionmodels.com Tel; 818 842 1885 Fax; 818 842 1886 [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

THE ARMORY; M&MODELS

9329 S. Cicero Ave, Oak Lawn, IL 60453, USA http://home.earthlink.net/~mmodels/

MODEL WHOLESALE UK LTD Tel; 01892 533036 www.modelwholesaleuk.com

ORDNANCE MODELS

Harbour Road, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 2LZ, Tel; 01502 517444 Fax; 01502 500521 www.hannants.co.uk [email protected]

HISTOREX AGENTS

Wellington House, 157 Snargate Street, Dover, Kent, CT17 9BZ, UK Tel; 01304 206720 Fax; 01304 204528. www.historex-agents.co.uk [email protected]

HOBBYLINK JAPAN

Sano-shi, Kurohakama-cho 162-1, Tochigi 327-0813, Japan www.hlj.com

HUSSAR PRODUCTIONS, CANADA www.airconnection.on.ca

ICM

Via Hannants in UK

(ETCHMATE, GRABHANDLER, MICRO CHISEL)

HANNANTS

BOOKWORLD WHOLESALE

CALIBRE 35

MISSION MODELS

MONROE PERDU

BLAST MODELS

Unit 10 Hodfar Road, Sandy Lane Ind Est Stourport, Worcs, DY13 9QB Tel; 01299 823330 Fax; 01299 829970 [email protected]

9 Rannoch St., Battlefield, Glasgow G44 4DF, Scotland Tel/Fax; 0141 633 1400 [email protected] www.milicast.com

9a Marcombe Road, Torquay, South Devon, TQ2 6LL Tel; 01803 400436 www.greatnorthroads.co.uk email [email protected]

IAN ALLAN

Via AFV Modeller or www.blast-models.com

MILICAST MODEL CO.,

www.ianallanpublishing.com Mail Order Dept 01455 254450 Kiev 02099, Ukraine, Borispolskaya 9 building 64. Tel/fax; (+38044) 369-54-12 [email protected] www.icm.com.ua

ITALERI

(The Hobby Company in UK)

Via Pradazzo, 6, I-40012 Calderara Di Reno, Bologna, Italy, Tel; 051 726037 www.italeri.com

JUST BASES

21 Graham Road, Paignton TQ3 1BB Tel; 01803 558520 www.just-bases.co.uk

JUST KITS

4 High Street, Botley, Southampton, SO30 2EA Tel; 01489 781177 www.justkitsandmodels.co.uk

MDC

Model Design Construction, Victoria Place, Victoria Road, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3FW Fax; 01773 513344 [email protected] www.modeldesignconstruction.com

MODELING ARTISAN MORI

http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~m.a.mori/index_eng.html

MIG PRODUCTIONS (Creative Models in UK)

C/ Santiago Rusinol 7, Pral 2a, 08750 Molins de Rei, Barcelona, Spain www.migproductions.com

Monroe Perdu Designs, 3168 Renee Court, Simi Valley, CA 93065, USA. www.monroeperdu.com Via; www.steelmodels.com

PACIFIC COAST MODELS Tel; 001 707 538 4850 [email protected] www.pacmodels.com

PANZERWRECKS

PO Box 164, Heathfield, Sussex TN21 8WA, UK www.panzerwrecks.com

PARAGRAFIX

104 County Street, Suite 101 Attleboro MA 02703 USA Tel: +1 508.431.9800 M-F 9am to 4pm EST http://www.paragrafix.biz [email protected]

PLUS MODEL

(Creative Models in UK)

SCHIFFER BOOKS

Schiffer Publishing, 4880 Lower Valley Rd, Atglen, PA, 19310 USA www.schifferbooks.com Bushwood Books, No.6 Marksbury Avenue, Kew Gardens, Surrey TW9 4JF, UK. Tel; 020 8392 8585, 020 8392 9876, email; [email protected] www.schumo-kits.com

SDV MODEL www.sdvmodel.cz

SIMPLE 2 TRADE

No 2 Hollywood Lane, Hollywood, Birmingham, B47 5PP Tel; 0121 474 3030 www.simple2trade.com

SMARTMODELLING

(Swash, Tasca, Gap, Yosci, Royal Model)

No.7 Gordons Way, Oxted, Surrey RH8 0LN UK Tel; 01883 734746 [email protected]

SQUADRON

1115 Crowley Drive, Carrollton, TX 75006-1312 U.S.A

SWANN-MORTON

Owlerton Green, Sheffield, S6 2BJ Tel; +44 (0)114 234 4231 Fax; +44 (0)114 231 4966 General: [email protected] www.craftknives.com

TAMIYA JAPAN

TAMIYA UK;

THE HOBBY COMPANY LIMITED Garforth Place, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, MK5 8PG, UK Tel; 01908 605686 Fax; 01908 605666 [email protected] www.hobbyco.net

POCKETBOND

VERLINDEN PRODUCTIONS

PSP MODELS LTD (Mission Models in USA)

Unit 19B, Applin’s Farm, Farrington, Dorset DT11 8RA, UK Tel/Fax; 01747 811 817 www.psp-models.com

QUICKBOOST

www.quickboost.net

REVELL GmbH & Co. KG Orchard Mews, 18C High Street, Tring, Herts, HP23 5AH Tel; +44 (0) 1442 890285 www.revell.eu

SB MODELS

UK distributor for Model Victoria and Royal Model

P.O. Box 114, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA13 0WY. Tel/Fax; 01229 430 749 [email protected] www.sbmodels.net

SBLC

PO Box 794, Cheltenham GL52 3ZW, UK [email protected]

SBX MODEL SHOP

Norwich Road, Ipswich. IP1 5DN Tel; 01473 464311 www.sbxmodelshop.co.uk

FO

Tamiya, Inc., 3-7 Ondawara Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8610 JAPAN www.tamiya.com

TRUMPETER

Bachmann Europe PLC Moat Way, Barwell, Leics, LE9 8EY Tel; 01455 841756 [email protected]

The Tank

SCHUMO KITS

Jizni 56, 370 10 C. Budejovice, Czech Republic. [email protected] www.plusmodel.cz (Trumpeter & AFV Club in UK)

CR

SCHIFFER BOOKS in UK

www.trumpeter-china.com Pocketbond in the UK (Historex in UK)

811 Lone Star Drive, O’Fallon, Missouri 63366, USA www.verlinden-productions.com

VALLEJO

(Creative Models in UK)

Acrylicos Vallejo, SL Apartado 337 - 08800 Vilanova i la Geltrú, Barcelona, Spain Tel; (34) 93 893 60 12 Fax; (34) 93 893 11 54 www.acrylicosvallejo.com

VLS CORPORATION (LSA in UK)

(TRAKZ, WINGZ, CUSTOM DIORAMICS, WARRIORS); Lincoln County Industrial Park, 1011 Industrial Court, Moscow Mills, Missouri 63362, USA www.modelmecca.com

WHITE ENSIGN MODELS (Toms Model Works)

8532 Lamar Drive, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, USA [email protected] www.whiteensignmodels.com

WWII PRODUCTIONS, AUSTRALIA 12 Prince Street, Waratah, 2298, NSW, Australia Tel; +61 (0)2 4967 3205 Fax; +61 (0)2 4967 3207 [email protected]

ZVEZDA

(The Hobby Company in UK)

Promishlennaia Str.,2, Lobnya, Moscow Region, 141730 Russia [email protected] www.zvezda.org.ru

SCHATTON BARRELS

Industriestrasse 6, 94347 Ascha, Germany Fax; 09961 910 7826

■ Please mention ‘Model Military International’ if you make contact with any of the companies listed above - thanks! 64 Model Military International - September 2017

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12/07/2017 13:09

FIR

Andr Tam upgr Itale Viet diora

Next Issue On sale 3 August, 2017 CRUISING FOR A BRUISING! The Editor builds Bronco’s 1:35 scale Cruiser Tank A10 Mk.I / Mk.IA / Mk.IA CS

KURLAND KITTEN Dan Moore builds Classy Hobby’s 1:35 scale Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf.L. Luchs.

ISSUE No.137 Setember 2017, Published August 3rd 2017 Editor;

Brett Green

Group Editor;

Marcus Nicholls

Publisher;

Alan Harman

Graphic Design;

Alex Hall

Advertising Manager;

Sean Leslie

Office Manager;

Paula Gray

Administration Manager; Hannah McLaurie Administration Assistant; Julie Lane MMI Website;

Doolittle Media Web Team

Printed by; Henry Stone Ltd, Oxfordshire Distributed by; Seymour Distribution 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT Tel; 020 7429 4000 Newstrade; Select Publisher Services 3 East Avenue, Bournemouth, BH3 7BW Tel; 01202 586848 Email; [email protected] Model Military International is published on the first Thursday of each month by; Doolittle Media, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX UK www.modelmilitary.com Tel; +44 (0)1525 222573 Fax; +44 (0)1525 222574 Editorial enquiries; Email; [email protected]

FOR YOUR SAFETY

...and much more! Due to many influencing factors, we cannot guarantee the appearance of the above projects, but we’ll try our best!

FIRE SUPPORT BASE Andrew Judson places Tamiya’s re-boxed and upgraded 1:35 scale Italeri M107 in a Vietnam War diorama setting.

Advertising enquiries; Tel; +44 (0)1525 222573 Email; [email protected]

RHEINTOCHTER! Chris Wauchop’s 1:35 scale Surface to Air Missile from Bronco.

Subscription enquiries; Tel; +44 (0)1525 222573 Fax; +44 (0)1525 222574 Email; [email protected] Reproduction in part of any text, photograph, or illustration without written consent from the publisher is strictly prohibited. While due care is taken to ensure the contents of Model Military International is accurate, the publishers and printers can not accept responsibility for errors and omissions. Advertisements are accepted for publication in Model Military International only on Doolittle Media’s standard terms of acceptance of advertising, copies of which are available from the advertising department. Please write to the address above. All advertising, circulation and subscription enquiries should also be directed to the UK address above. Subscription rates are; 1 year (12 issues); £44 UK £56 Europe £69 Worldwide (Airmail) Binders; £8.50 plus postage (UK £2.45, Euro £4.45, World £6.45) For all orders, please call; (UK) +44(0)1525 222573 or visit www.modelmilitary.com Back Issues; Back Issues are available at the current cover price. See the latest back issues advert or visit www.modelmilitary.com The paper used in this magazine is manufactured at the Leipa Georg Mill and is 100% recycled using de-inked pulp. The mill conforms fully with the requirements of both FSC and PEFC and carries the full accreditations for their environmental policies.

© Doolittle Media 2017

The paper used on this title is from sustainable forestry

Order online now at; www.modelmilitary.com

Don’t forget, when using solvents such as glues, paints, thinners and cleaning agents, always ventilate your work area thoroughly and wear a face mask. When using power tools, side cutters or any tool that can suddenly break or create highspeed airborne particles, wear approved eye protectors with hard, clear lenses. Please always model in safety!

September 2017 - Model Military International 65

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The Last Post...

SHADOW HOBBY THINNERLINE CIRCLE CUTTER circle The Editor takes a new ive. cutting tool for a test dr

M

odeller have many applications for cutting circles instrument dials, panels, masks, custom scribing templates and more. I have been using an Olfa Circle Cutter for many years. This is a simple but effective tool. You adjust the diameter of the arm, press a pin into the centre of the material and rotate the arm to create a circle. The downsides are that you have to deal with a small hole in the centre from the anchor pin, and also that slippage is possible if you are not careful. The smallest size is also not quite small enough for a lot of modelling applications so I tend to find myself using my Waldron Punch and Die for tiny circles. The new Shadow Hobby THIINERLINE Circle Cutter addresses these issues. The THINNERLINE Circle Cutter is a stout metal and plastic tool that will cut circles in materials up to 0.2mm or more, depending on the blade used. The main body of the tool is a metal circle that rotates smoothly due to the use of ball bearings. A cutting arm and knob are fitted to the main body. These parts may be adjusted to produce circles from 0.5 to more than 50 mm diameter. The body features a graded scale and the cutter arm has an arrow to allow you to precisely set circle sizes. The cutter includes a 60 degree blade that will cut material up to .001 in diameter - ideal for paper, light cardboard and masking tape. 45 and 30 degree blades are available separately for heavier stock up to 0.2mm and more.

The blade may be adjusted via a tension spring and adjuster. I found it best to make the adjustment with the tool flat on top of the material to be cut. The tool should always be adjusted and operated on a cutting mat. To create a circle, simply rotate the tool anti-clockwise. A single rotation will be sufficient for thinner materials. Rotation is smooth and easy using the metal knob. Also, the operation of the tool does not require a centre punch, ensuring a clean circle straight away. I set the tool to various sizes from very small to quite large and was impressed with the clean edges and precise cutting on Tamiya tape. I also tried the largest diameter setting on paper. Once again, result were very crisp. Instructions for assembly and operation of the tool are included. The tool feels robust and of high quality.

Different angles of blade are available.

Printed instructions are included.

To create a circle, simply rotate the tool anti-clockwise.

CONCLUSION Shadow Hobby’s THINNERLINE Circle Cutter is a high quality and robust tool that will find plenty of use for aircraft and military modellers. With circle diameters from 0.5 to more than 50 mm, it will suit most circle cutting applications. The option of alternative blades is a nice touch too. The THINNERLINE Circle Cutter has now superseded my Olfa Circle Cutter as an essential part of my modelling tool shop. Highly Recommended. ■

The tool has a scale and arrow help setting the size of the circle.

I set the tool to various sizes from very small to quite large

Thanks to Shadow Hobby for the sample www.shadowhobby.com I also tried the largest diameter setting on paper.

66 Model Military International - September 2017

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12/07/2017 13:09

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MMI134 IBC 1

12/04/2017 16:21