Model Military International - Issue 138 (October 2017)

■ All the information you’ll ever need to create the best military models... ■

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Issue 138 October 2017 www.modelmilitary.com

KURLAND KITTEN

THUNDER RUNNER Tamiya’s bra

Classy Hobby’s 1:16 scale Luchs

nd new 1:48 M1A2 Abrams

M A S F O R E H T FA

INSIDE: p 01 Cover MMI 138B.indd 1

to Air Missile e c a rf u S r te h c to in e h R Bronco’s 1:35

1:35 IJA Type 4 Tank ■ 1:35 Bergepanzer ■ 1:35 Panzer VI Ausf. C/B ■ 1:35 Bergepanzer 38(t) ■ 1:35 M107 ■ and more...

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Contents - Issue 138 October 2017 REGULARS 38

p 4 NEWS

What’s new in the world of military modelling

p 58 BOOKS

The latest in modelling, technical and historical publications

p 59 INCOMING

New accessory, tool and kit releases

p 60 1:48 SCALE

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

p 66 LAST POST

Thunder Run Bradley recalls storming Baghdad

FEATURES p 6 THINK TANK

M1A2 Abrams In Service and In Detail

16

p 14 PREVIEW

Dragon 1:35 IJA Type 4

28

p 16 THUNDER RUNNER

Tamiya 1:48 M1A2 Abrams by Brett Green

p 26 PREVIEW

Rye Field Models 1:35 Bergepanzer Tiger I

p 28 FATHER OF SAM

Bronco Models 1:35 Rheintochter R1 by Chris Wauchop.

p 36 PREVIEW

Thunder Models 1:35 Bergepanzer 38(t)

p 38 KURLAND KITTEN

Classy Hobby 1:16 scale Pz.Kpfw.II Ausf. L Luchs by Dan Moore

p 46 PREVIEW

Revosys 1:35 Panzer VI Ausf. C / B

p 48 FIRE SUPPORT BASE

Tamiya 1:35 M107 US SelfPropelled Gun, Vietnam War by Andrew Judson

©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.

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Newsline - October 2017

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

T-MODEL MODERN US EQUIPMENT SET

T-Model is a new brand in the Bronco family. It will specialise in 1:72 scale kits and accessories. T-Model has announced its debut release – A72001 Modern U.S. Equipment Set. This includes both clear and tan coloured plastic parts plus a photo-etched fret to make machine guns, jerry cans, ammo containers, water bottles, water coolers and more. This will be a very welcome accessory set for modellers of small scale modern US vehicles. Thanks to T-Model for the information and images.

BRONCO 1:35 RUSSIAN ZIL-131V TRACTOR

The Zil-131 is a Russian military 6x6 3.5 - 5 ton truck first introduced in 1967.The Zil-131 replaced the Zil-157 series trucks which appeared in the late 1950s. It has been built in several versions including cargo truck, tanker, dump-truck and tractor used with several different trailers. The Zil-131v was the commonly used tractor unit for the SA-2 Guideline Surface To Air missile transporter trailer. It has since been used as a tractor for other semi-trailers in Russia and by her allies. It is powered by a 150 bhp V-8 petrol engine, giving a road speed of 80 km/h and a range of 650 kilometers. The all-metal cab has seating for the driver and two passengers. Over 1 Million Zil-131 series trucks were manufactured from 1967 to 1994. These simple robust trucks were designed for the harshest weather conditions and roughest of roads. Despite its age it is still in service with the Russian military. They have seen action in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Bronco has now released a 1:35 scale kit of the Zil-131 Russian Military Truck. It includes full engine detail, poseable doors, clear parts for lenses and a photo-etched fret for fine details.

WILDER SKIN TONE OILS Wilder has announced five new Wilder Skin Tone Oils. These are now in stock at The Airbrush Company. Code

Description

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inc VAT

AW-LS-41 AW-LS-42 AW-LS-43 AW-LS-44 AW-LS-45

Wilder Oils Light Rosy Skin Tone (20ml) Wilder Oils Dark Rosy Skin Tone (20ml) Wilder Oils Pale Shadow Skin Tone (20ml) Wilder Oils Sun Tan Skin Tone (20ml) Wilder Oils Light Tan Skin Tone (20ml)

£3.25 £3.25 £3.25 £3.25 £3.25

£3.90 £3.90 £3.90 £3.90 £3.90

View descriptions of these Skin Tone Oils live on airbrushes. com here: https://airbrushes.com/advanced_search_result. php?keywords=aw-ls+skin Thanks to The Airbrush Company for the information and images www.airbrushes.com

BRONCO 1:35 ARMOURED KRUPP PROTZE KFZ.69 WITH 3.7CM PAK 36 (LATE VERSION) The Krupp Protze was a 1.5 ton 6x4 military truck built for the German army from 1934 to 1941. It was powered by the 60 bhp Krupp Boxer 3.3 Litre gasoline engine giving a maximum road speed of 70 km/h and a road range of 450 kilometres. The most common variant was the Kfz.69 used to tow the 3.7cm PaK.36 anti-tank gun and carry the crew and ammunition. It was an advanced design but suffered from poor fuel consumption, using almost twice the fuel of the similar Opel Blitz. But it was rugged and reliable and served on all fronts during WWII. Some trucks mounted the 3.7cm Pak.36 on the rear cargo bed as a simple self-propelled gun which could quickly be brought into action. The Pak 36 was the standard anti-tank gun as Germany began the war in 1939. It was good against light tanks but could not penetrate heavier tanks such as the British Matilda and the French Somua S35. Some of the "Protze SPG's" were given plate armour over the front of the truck to protect against small arms fire. However, this increased the weight of the vehicle and performance was degraded. These improvised vehicles were quickly replaced by heavier SPG's built on tank hulls after 1942. Production of the Krupp Protze reached over 7,000 vehicles of all variants. Bronco has released a new kit of this interesting vehicle. It includes engine detail, vinyl tyres and a photo-etched fret, as well as a thoroughly detailed 3.7cm Pak 36 gun. We’ll have a full review of these kits in a future issue of Model Military International magazine. Thanks to Bronco for the information and images http://www.cn-bronco.com/en/index.php

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Think Tank - M1A2 Abrams In Detail and In Service • In action and on exercise photos – US Department of Defense • Detail photos courtesy of Jeff DeRosa

M1A2 ABRAMS IN DETAIL AND IN SERVICE

Jeff DeRosa takes a close-up look at the M1A2 Abrams, and we also examine the tank on exercise and in service.

T

he M1 Abrams is a thirdgeneration American main battle tank, named after General Creighton Abrams, former Army chief of staff and commander of United States military forces in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1972. Highly mobile, designed for modern armoured ground warfare, the M1 is well armed and heavily armoured. Notable features include the use of a powerful multi-fuel turbine engine, the adoption of sophisticated composite armour, and separate ammunition storage in a blow-out compartment for crew safety. Weighing nearly 68 short tons

(almost 62 metric tons), it is one of the heaviest main battle tanks in service. The M1 Abrams entered U.S. service in 1980, ultimately replacing the M60 tank. The M1 remains the principal main battle tank of the United States Army and Marine Corps, and the armies of Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Iraq. Three main versions of the M1 Abrams have been deployed, the M1, M1A1, and M1A2, incorporating improved armament, protection, and electronics. These improvements and other upgrades to in-service tanks have allowed this long-serving vehicle to remain in front-line service.

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Company D, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, comes on line in an M1A2 Abrams Tank before moving on to assault an objective during breach training near Fort Carson’s Camp Red Devil, Colorado

M1A2 ABRAMS The M1A2 is a further improvement of the M1A1 with a Commander's independent thermal viewer, weapon station, position navigation equipment, and a full set of controls and displays linked by a digital data bus. These upgrades also provide the M1A2 with an improved fire control system. The M1A2 System Enhancement Package (SEP) adds digital maps, FBCB2 capabilities, and an improved cooling system to compensate for heat generated by the additional computer systems. The M1A2 SEP also serves as the basis for the M104 Wolverine heavy assault bridge. The M1A2 SEPv2 (version 2) added Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS or CROWS II) support, colour displays, better interfaces, a new operating system, better front and side armour, and an upgraded

Abrams M1A2 System Enhanced Package (SEP) tank sits ready for its crew to begin night live-fire training

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transmission for better durability. Further upgrades include depleted uranium armour for all variants, a system overhaul that returns all A1s to like-new condition (M1A1 AIM), a digital enhancement package for the A1 (M1A1D), and a commonality program to standardize parts between the U.S. Army and the Marine Corps (M1A1HC). The development for the improved M1A3 variant has been known since 2009.

M1A2 Abrams with prototype TUSK equipment and Common Remotely Operated Weapons Station (CROWS), with a .50 calibre machine gun at the commander’s station

THE ABRAMS TANK IN THE IRAQ WAR Further combat was seen during 2003 when US forces invaded Iraq and deposed the Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, in an invasion that lasted just 43 days (20 March to 1 May). M1 tanks proved instrumental in leading rapid attacks against the Iraqi military, as exemplified by the so-called 'Thunder Runs.' As of March 2005,

A

An M1A2 Abrams braking.

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Think Tank - M1A2 Abrams In Detail and In Service

A low front view of a line of Abrams tanks.

A rare wide angle view of the M1A2 muzzle.

An M1A2 Abrams in motion with the turret traversed.

Note the stowage in the turret basket and the spare tracks and road wheel hanging from the sides.

B approximately 80 Abrams tanks shipped back to the United States for repair due to fire from enemy attacks. Abandoned Abrams were purposely destroyed by friendly fire to prevent recovery of vehicle or technology. Damages by 25 mm AP-DU, anti-armour RPG fire and 12.7 mm rounds was encountered. But on no occasion did anti-tank guided weapons or anti-tank mines strike the US MBTs. During the Battle of Najaf on March 25, two Abrams were struck

by an unidentified weapon and knocked out. Their ammunition stores ignited, but both crews escaped without injury. Another Abrams was disabled near Karbala after an RPG warhead penetrated the rear engine compartment. There were more losses during the Battle of Baghdad. On April 4, two Abrams were destroyed by anti-aircraft guns, while on April 5, another was hit by a recoilless rifle and set aflame. After repeated attempts to extinguish the fire, the decision

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was made to destroy or remove any sensitive equipment. Oil and .50 caliber rounds were scattered in the interior, the ammunition doors were opened and several thermite grenades ignited inside. Another M1 then fired a HEAT round in order to ensure the destruction of the disabled tank. The Abrams was completely disabled but still intact. Later, the Air Force bombed the tank to destroy it in place, and the Iraqi Information Ministry claimed credit for destroying it.

The most lopsided achievement of the M1A2s was the destruction of seven Lion of Babylon tanks in a point-blank skirmish (less than 50 yards (46 m) near Mahmudiyah on April 3, with no losses for the American side. As usual, the Iraqi tanks were hampered by poorly trained crews, slow and complicated turret traverse, and an unstabilised gun. However, on March 31, 2003, an Abrams belonging to the US Marine Corps drove off the side of a bridge at

The wide tracks of the Abrams allow it to traverse sand and other off-road surfaces despite its 62 tonne weight.

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M1A2 breech and the gunner at his station.

M1A2 SEP Abrams TUSK demonstrating Mounted Soldier System (MSS). The MSS comprises a heads-up display, cordless communications, micro-climatic cooling, and force protection items.

Soldiers assigned to the 2nd “Stallion” Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st “Ironhorse” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, prepare an M1A2 Abrams tank for a firing during the Stallion’s fall gunnery exercise.

night, dropping the tank into the Euphrates River and drowning the four crew members. On October 29, 2003, two soldiers were killed and a third wounded when their tank was disabled by an anti-tank mine, which was combined with other explosives (up to 250 kg, including several 155 mm rounds) to increase its effect. The massive explosion beneath the tank knocked off the turret. On November 27, 2004, an Abrams tank was badly damaged

from the detonation of an improvised explosive device (IED) consisting of three 155 mm shells (containing 34.5 kg of explosives). The tank's driver received lethal injuries from shrapnel. The other three crew members were able to escape. On December 25, 2005, another U.S. Army M1A1 was disabled by an explosively formed penetrator. The IED penetrated through a road wheel, and hit the fuel tank, which left the tank burning near central

A row of M1A2 Abrams tanks on exercise.

Baghdad. One crew member died in the attack. On June 6, 2006, two of the four soldiers in an Abrams crew were killed during combat operations in Baghdad, when an IED detonated near their M1A2. Some Abrams were disabled by Iraqi infantrymen in ambushes employing short-range antitank rockets, such as the Russian RPG-7, during the 2003 invasion. Although the RPG-7 is unable to penetrate the front and sides,

the rear and top are vulnerable to this weapon. Frequently the rockets were fired at the tank tracks.[citation needed] Another was put out of action in the Battle of Baghdad after being struck by numerous medium caliber weapons, including 12.7mm rounds which ruptured a fuel bladder stored on an external rack. This started a fire that spread to the engine. By December 2006, more than 530 Abrams tanks had been shipped back to the U.S. for repair. ■

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Think Tank - M1A2 Abrams In Detail and In Service

M1A2 turret roof.

Smoke discharger stowage box on the right side of the turret.

The gunner’s open hatch.

2nd Gen FLIR Thermal Receiver Unit (SGTRU)

Commander’s cupola with the hatch closed.

The Vapor Compression System Unit (VCSU) fitted in the turret basket. This is an air conditioning unit for cooling electronics.

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A view of the turret basket and the extended stowage basket from below.

Detail view of the Commander’s .50 cal machine gun mount.

Lower side view of the left-hand smoke discharger stowage box.

Red tinted lenses on the Commander’s cupola.

Turret side stowage box. Note the non-slip texture on the horizontal surfaces.

A nice view of the loader’s hatch interior detail.

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Think Tank - M1A2 Abrams In Detail and In Service

Gunner’s 7.62 mm M240 machine gun and primary sight.

View of the gunner’s primary sight from above.

The Commander’s .50 cal M2HB heavy machine gun.

Mantlet detail.

The tank intercom box mounted on the rear hull.

The exhaust-stained middle grille on the rear of the tank.

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Driver’s hatch on the forward upper hull.

A glimpse into the open driver’s hatch from the side of the turret.

Detail view from underneath the gun mantlet.

Side turret, including a close look at the tow cable and its guides.

A rare view from underneath the turret basket and its extended stowage rack.

Stowage in place.

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KIT PREVIEW

Dragon 1:35 IJA Type 4 Light Tank ‘Ke-Nu’ • Kit No. 6854

Look at the detail on that road wheel Marking options

KE-NU

Graham Tetley examines Dragon’s 1:35 IJA Type 4 Light Tank ‘Ke-Nu’

I

n an attempt to up-gun the Imperial Japanese Army’s obsolete Type 95 Ha-Go light tank, some surplus Type 97 Chi-Ha turrets were added to the Ha-Go’s modified hull. The result was the Type 4 ‘Ke-Nu’. The Army received about 100 Ke-Nu’s and whilst the firepower was improved, the heavier weight of the turret decreased the vehicle’s speed & manoeuvrability. Even with the upgrade though, the Ke-Nu was obsolete by the time it saw service. Most tanks were retained on the Japanese mainland but some did see combat against the Soviets in Korea and Manchuria. Two examples of this vehicle survive and both are in Russia. One is at the Kubinka Museum and the other at the Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War 1941 - 1945 in Pobedy Park, Moscow. Dragon has taken their excellent Type 95 Ha-Go and added a newly tooled upper hull & Type 97 ‘Chi-Ha’ turret to give us a Ke-Nu. All parts are cleanly cast with no imperfections at all and detail throughout is sharp, crisp and plentiful. A photoetched fret supplies parts such as the curved exhaust grille, manufacturer’s plates and supports for underneath the fenders. Clear parts are included for the periscopes & cupola vision blocks and DS Tracks round off the kit contents. Marking are supplied for two vehicles from unidentified units. At the time of writing I have not been able to build this kit but have

built the previous Ha-Go. A test-fit of the new parts (upper hull, front glacis, engine deck hatches turret upper & lower halves) reveals an excellent parts fit. No filler should be needed at all. We kick off as usual with the road wheels & suspension and then move onto the lower hull. The rear idler tensioning parts can be made moveable and they are best left this way until you install the tracks. Optional hatches are provided with or without mouldedon latches and you can also replace the vision port covers with etched replacements if you wish. There are only two areas where construction could trip you up and these are: a) When fitting the road wheels into the axles Dragon ask you to fit two etched flange both front and rear. If you do, the suspension halves will not fit together properly. I recommend just fitting the outer ones as, once on its wheels, you can’t see the inner ones anyway. b) Dragon intended to slide-mould the jack and leave a hole for the base to slide in and out of. The instructions show you this in Step 20 but either the mould broke or they changed their minds. You just have to cut part G2 down to size. All the rear engine deck hatches may be posed open or closed. The exhaust body is a onepiece slide-moulded part that has its straps & fittings moulded on. It would have been good to have had a plastic former to help bend the etched exhaust screen around but that is the only suggestion I

Close-up of the manufacturer's plates

Close-up of the new turret front Etched fret

can make to improve this kit. The tools have moulded-on clasps and straps that do look the part but, if you want more, there are generic Ha-Go etched sets out there. The DS tracks look good on first inspection but do have their problems. They are marred by mould scars and flash on every link. Some may like them but I have a set of Modelkasten replacements ready. The instructions are clearly drawn and I have not spotted any errors so far. One omission though is that, on the ‘Paint & Markings’ page, Dragon give us the ‘TC’ references from the Gunze Sangyo Japanese Army paint sets. These references are not however mentioned in the paint colours section. The new turret is beautifully represented and one can only hope that the new turret heralds a move by Dragon into kitting a Type 97 ‘Chi-Ha’ in future. The turret shell is festooned with some beautiful rivets, weld seams and cast textures. We get a detailed gun breach as well as optional aerial assemblies, gun mantlets (with sights open or closed) and even rifling in the gun barrel. Some internal detail is present by way of panels that affix to the interior as well as a few bits that add detail to the turret base. Moving on to the cupola we have clear parts for the periscopes and a multi-part hatch that is exquisitely detailed. Aside from the DS Tracks, this is an outstanding model that I can recommend unreservedly. This is Dragon back to their very best. Just go out and buy one, it makes a break from Panzers and Shermans! Highly Recommended. ■

The barrel is rifled

New hull top

Sadly, the jack isn’t hollow

The new aerial parts

Thanks to The Hobby Company Limited for the sample www.hobbyco.net Magic Tracks never had flash like these

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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]

THUNDER FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:48 U.S. Main Battle Tank M1A2 Abrams • Kit No. 32592

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R RUNNER Brett Green builds a test shot of Tamiya’s forthcoming 1:48 scale U.S. Main Battle Tank M1A2 Abrams and adds some stowage.

C

onsidering its prominence and dominance over recent battlefields, it is perhaps surprising that we have not seen a mainstream injection moulded Abrams tank in 1:48 scale until now. In fact, as far as I am aware, the only modern Main Battle Tank available in 1:48 scale is Tamiya's Japanese Type 10, released last year. Tamiya has now addressed this deficit with its recent announcement of a brand new 1:48 scale M1A2 Abrams. I was lucky enough to receive a pre-production test shot of this forthcoming kit. Please keep in mind that there may be some minor changes by the time the production kit is released. Tamiya's 1:48 scale M1A2 Abrams test shot comprises 172 parts in light grey coloured plastic (one of the changes is likely to be the colour of the plastic, which I would expect to be dark yellow in the production kit), one steel ingot, four small polythene caps, plus markings for two vehicles. The characteristic lines of the Abrams are accurately portrayed, and the surface textures are just as good as we have seen on Tamiya's recent Japanese Type 10 tank. The hull and turret are moulded with subtle anti-skid patches. Hatches, hinges and other features, all crisply done. The lower hull, upper hull and turret are all made up from separate panels for the top, bottom and sides as applicable. The side skirts are supplied as one full length for each side. One flat rectangular ingot is included for fitting in the lower hull. This is intended to deliver "scale weight", but it is entirely optional. I'll fit mine. All the unique attributes of the M1A2 are present, including the armoured external Commander’s and gunner’s sight. The swing arms are moulded to the lower hull sides. The road wheels are simply glued to the swing arm axles, while the drive sprockets remain workable thanks to polythene caps. This is really helpful when fitting the link and length tracks. A

A nicely sculpted Commander figure is included.

Lower hull parts awaiting assembly.

The rear return rollers are moulded with locating tabs to line up with the top runs of the tracks.

The assembled lower hull tub, including an internal bulkhead.

Tamiya supplies a long steel ingot to deliver “scale weight” to the model.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:48 U.S. Main Battle Tank M1A2 Abrams • Kit No. 32592

The drive sprockets are held in place with polythene caps. A closer view of the nicely detailed road wheels, although the light grey test-shot plastic does not really do justice to the crispness of the parts.

Road wheel halves separated from the sprues and cleaned up.

B The tracks are injection moulded

plastic lengths and links. Detail looks excellent and with the straight top and bottom runs, assembly is straightforward. The gun barrel is also fitted via poly caps, allowing it to be moveable after assembly. The main gun barrel is a single piece with a separate muzzle and a two-part fume collector, split into left and right halves. The Commander’s hatch is a separate part and may be posed open to fit the included (and very nicely sculpted) Commander figure. Clear parts are not included, but in what I think is a first for a Tamiya 1:48 scale kit, the rangefinder, Thermal Viewer and vision block lenses are all represented with decals. This is a nice easy solution that should look good in this scale. Markings are supplied for two vehicles. They are nicely in register and should snuggle down nicely under a coat of setting solution.

One side of the tracks cleaned up and ready for partial assembly.

Four individual links were first glued to the drive sprocket.

B

A

C

D

CONSTRUCTION Construction of the basic model is covered in detail in the accompanying photos and captions. In brief, the Tamiya Abrams is a joy to build and the kit itself really requires nothing more than is supplied in the box. The only areas that I deviated from the instructions were the sequence of assembly for the tracks and joining the upper and lower hulls. I decided to assemble the tracks in four sections per side – the individual links around the drive sprockets and idler wheels, the lower runs including the “ramps” at the front and rear, and the straight upper runs. These were carefully assembled and test fitted without gluing the wheels to the hull or the tracks to the wheels at this stage. When the glue on the track sections had set I disassembled the running gear to await painting. Similarly, the upper hull was not glued to the lower hull until after painting was underway.

A. Two road wheels were tacked in place to allow assembly of the lower run. B. The short runs and the straight lower run were glued to each other, taking care not to get the glue on the wheels. C. Five links were now glued to the idler wheel. D. The individual link and the short length were now glued to the front of the bottom run. This was set aside to set thoroughly. E. Once the bottom run had set, it was removed from the model to be painted separately later.

E

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ADDING STOWAGE Reference photos show that the clear majority of Abrams in service carry stowage in and on the turret basket to a greater or lesser degree. There aren’t any specific stowage sets for modern US tanks in 1:48 scale, and precious few generic 1:48 scale modern accessory sets. Fortunately, Black Dog offers four different 1:48 scale generic stowage and accessory sets. Set No. 3 caught my eye as it includes a number of traffic cones and large drink containers in addition to helmets and the more expected packs and rolls. The set contains nearly 50 parts but I only used about ten items, so I have plenty left over for future projects. I also used two resin rolled tarps from a 1:48 scale Value Gear set to hang from the outside of the turret basket. I added a few other details from scratch - a rolled tarp, a large pack and an Air Identification panel for the top of the stowage bins. These were all formed from Kneadatite Yellow-Green Epoxy putty. I like to use custom made tarps and packs as the base level of stowage, as it allows the rigid resin parts to be pressed into the putty while it is still pliable, avoiding unrealistic gaps and gravity-defying levitating packs. A length was cut from the strip of putty, then the two colours kneaded enthusiastically until they were a uniform green. The ball of pliable putty was rolled out using a glass jar sprinkled with baby powder to avoid sticking. The resulting thin sheet may then be either cut to size, rolled into a tarp of shaped into a more substantial pack before being pressed into place on the model. Although the putty is sticky when workable, it sets with a hard surface that allows it to be removed from the model for separate painting. I glued the resin pack, helmet and traffic cones to the putty pack and the tarp to produce a single main rear stowage bundle.

The side skirts are ready to be glued to the upper hull.

The completed upper hull shell.

The upper and lower hull are test fitted here. Sponsons are not blocked off but they are deep inside the upper hull, behind the side skirts, so it is not worth the effort.

PAINTING Tamiya recommends their spray can TS-46 Light Sand as the overall colour. Who am I to disagree? Following a base coat of Tamiya Grey Primer, the model’s components – still separated into upper and lower hull, individual wheels and four track sections per side – were sprayed with TS-46 straight from the spray can. Two light coats were enough for nice solid coverage. A

Holes need to be drilled into the turret for mounting the tow cables.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:48 U.S. Main Battle Tank M1A2 Abrams • Kit No. 32592

B At this stage I painted the tyres

and the tracks in a shade of scale black. I used Vallejo Panzer Colors acrylic 333 Germ. Tkcr. (Black) applied by brush for the tyres and the individual track links on the drive sprockets and idler wheels. This Vallejo colour is actually a dark brown-black shade rather than 100% black. The straight upper lengths and the lower runs were sprayed with a 50/50 mix of Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black and XF-64 Red Brown. The resulting colour is a close enough match to the Vallejo Germ. Tkcr. (Black). The wheel hubs were also detailed with Vallejo Germ. Tkcr. (Black) and a dot of white in the centre. The tow cables on the turret were also painted scale black.

The gun’s elevation mechanism.

Rear hull parts.

The turret shell and mounts for the main gun. The Commander’s mount may be seen here too.

WEATHERING Weathering was old school – drybrushing and a wash of oil paints mixed with turpentine (that’s white spirit or mineral spirits depending on where you come from). I commenced with a subtle drybrushing of Vallejo Model Color 847 Dark Sand. I thought the end effect was a bit too subtle, so I mixed in a bit of white and repeated the process. I mixed a tiny amount of Winsor & Newton Raw Umber oil paint with a small quantity of Mineral Turpentine in a plastic cup to create a thin wash. This was applied selectively to raised features and structural surfaces on the model. Despite my initial concerns about compatibility, I applied the wash directly over the lacquer paint with no ill effects. The base coat was not damaged and the wash flowed nicely, settling into recesses and blending well when dry. There are not many decals on this model so I decided to apply a limited amount of Future Floor Polish, only in the places where the decals would be applied. I used a micro brush to apply the Future in two coats. Once dry, the decals were added, along with a coat of Solvaset.

Mantlet parts.

PAINTING STOWAGE AND FINISHING TOUCHES The stowage, both on the model and the separate pieces, were now picked out with Vallejo acrylics and a fine brush. They also received the dry-brush and oil wash treatment. The only exception was the Air Identification Panel, which was primed with Tamiya White Primer and received a top coat of Mr Color 173 Fluorescent Orange lacquer sprayed though my Iwata HP-C Plus airbrush. The separate stowage items were now glued in place and the A

Upper and lower turret parts are ready to be brought together.

The main barrel is a single piece but the fume extractor is split into left and right halves.

Side basket parts.

Rear basket parts.

Fit is perfect (no surprise really).

Detail view of the completed turret.

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Some of the stowage items were sourced from Black Dog Item No. T48037 – US Modern Equipment 3 Accessories Set. Nearly 50 resin parts are included in this really useful set.

Wheels, tracks and hull parts are test fitted without glue.

A length was cut from the strip of putty, then the two colours kneaded enthusiastically until they were a strip of uniform green.

A rolled tarp, a large pack and an Air Identification panel for the top of the stowage bins were all formed from Kneadatite Yellow-Green Epoxy putty.

The stowage test-fitted to the turret basket and rear upper hull.

The ball of pliable putty was rolled out using a glass jar sprinkled with baby powder to avoid sticking.

I also used two resin rolled tarps from a 1:48 scale Value Gear set to hang from the outside of the turret basket.

The resulting thin sheet may then be either cut to size, rolled into a tarp of shaped into a more substantial pack before being pressed into place on the model.

When set, the Kneadatite packs and tarps may be removed from the model to be painted separately. I used my Kneadatite parts as the base for a single stowage bundle that will be glued to the model closer to completion.

The model’s components were sprayed with a coat of Tamiya Grey Primer.

The separate stowage items were primed with Tamiya White Primer. October 2017 - Model Military International 21

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:48 U.S. Main Battle Tank M1A2 Abrams • Kit No. 32592

The model was now sprayed with TS-46 straight from the spray can. Two light coats were enough for nice solid coverage.

The tyres and the tracks were now painted in a shade of scale black.

The wheel hubs were also detailed with Vallejo Germ. Tkcr. (Black) and a dot of white in the centre.

It was time for the wheels to be glued in place, but the space between the inner and outer halves were a bit untidy.

B model received an overall coat of

Alclad II Klear Kote Lacquer – Flat. Tamiya does not supply clear parts for the headlights and tail lights. Instead, I painted the lenses of the headlights and tail lights in a light grey shade, then added a small white spot and a crescent on each light. The tail light lenses were then painted Tamiya X-27 Clear Red and the headlights were dabbed with a spot of Gator’s Grip Acrylic Glue, which dries clear and shiny. Track pads were treated to “Mud” from Tamiya’s Weathering Master Set A, applied with the included foam tip applicator. Antennae were made from stretched sprue – also very old school – and fixed in place with super glue.

The upper and lower track runs were glued in place. The ragged painting between the inner and outer road wheel halves was touched up with scale black paint.

PAINTING THE FIGURE The kit figure was used. Arms, torso and head were assembled with Revell Contacta Cement, and the completed figure primed with Tamiya’s Fine White Primer straight from the spray can. The base of the torso was drilled and mounted on a toothpick for easier handling during painting. The uniform was painted using a mix of Vallejo and Tamiya acrylics, applied by brush. The Vallejo colours were from Panzer Aces Set No.5. The specific colours I used were 333 Germ. Tkcr. (Black), 335 Germ. Tkcr. II (Feldgrau) and 339 Highlight Ger. II (Feldgrau). The vest was based on Tamiya XF-59 Desert Yellow.

The upper hull was test fitted over the completed tracks and running gear.

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Weathering commenced with a subtle dry-brushing of Vallejo Model Color 847 Dark Sand.

The wash was particularly effective in panel lines and grilles.

The paint was applied by brush. Two coats were plenty to ensure solid even coverage. Painting of the head got underway with a brushed base coat of Tamiya’s acrylic XF-15 Flat Flesh. Headgear was then painted, followed by a wash of heavily thinned Burnt Sienna oil paint over the face and hands. The ruddy mixture flows into the low-lying areas and crevices, making a nice start to shading and detailing. Fine facial details such as mouths and eyes were carefully brush painted with a watered-down mix of Vallejo 337 Highlight Ger. (Black), which is actually a dark brown shade. High areas of the face such as the chin, brow, nose, cheeks and ears were painted with paler shades of flesh. I made no serious attempt to paint the whites

Despite some concerns about compatibility, I applied the wash directly over the lacquer paint with no ill effects.

A thin wash of Winsor & Newton Raw Umber oil paint and Mineral Turpentine was applied selectively to raised features and structural surfaces on the model.

There are not many decals on this model so I decided to apply a limited amount of Future Floor Polish, only in the places where the decals would be applied. I used a micro brush to apply the Future in two coats.

of the eyes – I rarely do in 1:35 scale so I don’t even consider it in 1:48 - preferring a dark thin slit in most cases. The visor lens was painted Tamiya acrylic X-25 Clear Green over the black base coat.

Once dry, the decals were added, along with a coat of Solvaset.

The separate stowage items were now glued in place and the model received an overall coat of Alclad II Klear Kote Lacquer – Flat.

CONCLUSION Tamiya has delivered another gorgeous kit with its 1:48 scale M1A2 Abrams. The subject is very welcome indeed and I expect that we will be seeing plenty of after-market upgrades, antennae, stowage and more. The model was a pleasure to build and fun to paint. I think the stowage adds to the final effect too. Now how about a 1:48 scale T-55 or a T-72 or a Challenger tank? Pretty please? ■

The Air Identification Panel was sprayed Mr Color 173 Fluorescent Orange lacquer.

Stowage was picked out with Vallejo acrylics and a fine brush. They also received the dry-brush and oil wash treatment.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:48 U.S. Main Battle Tank M1A2 Abrams • Kit No. 32592

The Commander figure is nicely sculpted, especially the face.

Modelspec Tamiya 1:48 U.S. Main Battle Tank M1A2 Abrams Kit No. 32592 Accessories Used • Black Dog Item No. T48037 – US Modern Equipment 3 Accessories Set • Two rolled tarps from Value Gear 1:48 Set #2 Tools and Modelling Products: • Kneadatite Two-Part Epoxy Putty • Tamiya Extra Thin Liquid Cement • Revell Contacta Plastic Glue • Selleys Super Glue

Track pads were treated to “Mud” from Tamiya’s Weathering Master Set A, applied with the included foam tipped applicator.

Paints and Finishing Products: Vehicle: • Tamiya Spray Can - Grey Primer; TS-46 Light Sand. • Tamiya Acrylics – X-25 Clear Green; X-27 Clear Red; XF-1 Flat Black; XF-2 Flat White; XF-59 Desert Yellow; XF-64 Red Brown • Vallejo Acrylics – Model Color 70.951 White; 847 Dark Sand; Panzer Aces 311 New Wood; 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). • Mr Hobby Lacquer – Mr Color 173 Fluorescent Orange • Winsor & Newton Oil Paint – 35 Raw Umber • Tamiya Weathering Master Set A • Alclad II Klear Kote Lacquer - Flat Figures: Uniforms - 333 Germ. Tkcr. (Black), 335 Germ. Tkcr. II (Feldgrau) and 339 Highlight Ger. II (Feldgrau). - The vest was based on Tamiya XF-59 Desert Yellow. Flesh - Base Coat: Tamiya XF-15 Flat Flesh - Wash: Winsor & Newton 34 Raw Sienna. - Flesh Highlights: Vallejo Model Colour 341 Flesh Base; Vallejo Model Colour 342 Highlights - AK Interactive Ultra Varnish Matte

The lenses of the headlights and tail lights were painted in a light grey shade, then a small white spot and a crescent was added to each light. The tail light lenses were painted X-27 Clear Red.

✓ (Base Tamiya Kit): Good detail; perfect fit; easy build; fast and easy link-and-length tracks. ✗ Nothing worth mentioning. Available from Tamiya kits are distributed in the UK by The Hobby Company Limited www.hobbyco.net Thanks to Tank Workshop for the conversion sample www.tankworkshop.com

Rating

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Antennae were made from stretched sprue and painted black.

The machine guns and Commander figure have been fitted now.

M1A2 Abrams were often seen with sooty exhaust stains on the rear hull. This was applied with a thin airbrushed mix of Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black and XF-64 Red Brown.

Considering its prominence “and dominance over recent

battlefields, it is perhaps surprising that we have not seen a mainstream injection moulded Abrams tank in 1:48 scale until now...

”

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KIT PREVIEW

Rye Field Models 1:35 Bergepanzer Tiger I • Kit No. RM-5008

New parts for the Bergepanzer version.

Jig components.

MYSTERY MACHINE Andrew Judson takes a look at Rye Field Models’ latest Tiger in 1:35 scale – the so-called Bergepanzer.

R

ye Field has really hit the modelling world hard, with some very impressive kits over quite a short period of time. Here is another example to add to the collection. This so-called Bergepanzer Tiger I has always been a bit of a mystery machine, considering there are no official reports on whether this was a factory produced vehicle, and what its actual purpose was. Only one was ever recovered, being found abandoned on the side of the road in Italy. There have been different theories on its purpose such as it was a recovery vehicle, although now being disputed as the the

boom isn’t designed to tow, nor is it strong enough to lift extreme heavy weights, nor were there any other bits of equipment common on recovery vehicles. A later theory is it was a field modification, most probably to a damaged tank, removing the gun and replacing it with the boom, and using it as a mine clearing vehicle, or to drop explosives to clear battle field obstacles. Yes, very much a mystery machine. Rye Field Models’ 1:35 scale Bergepanzer Tiger I comes in a sizeable box filled with 15 dark grey plastic sprues, a sheet of photo-etch, a Zimmerit applicator tool, decal sheet, a clear plastic box filled with track links and a length of cable and string. Also included are a 16 page instruction booklet. In total there are 883 Three marking options are offered, although only one example of the vehicle is known. plastic parts, not including all the track pins and guide horns. Looking at the parts, one can see right away that Rye Field is a premium model company, String for the tow cable and copper wire. with well

moulded, well detailed parts, needing very minimal clean up. The sequence of build is as follows: turret over four pages, driveline and lower hull over five pages and then final assemblies on last page. The instructions are be well laid out and the kit is not overly complicated. I will say though, that the tracks are very labour intensive, having to glue on all the guide horns and then pinning everything together. This may put some off, though there are many after-market options available if needed. Though only one of these machines was ever found, there are three marking options in the instructions. I’m putting this down to possible schemes it might have worn when found. Photos don’t give a clear view of this. The model will require Zimmerit although per the box art, you could go without. I guess it is all up to the builders. Who can really say what is right or wrong with this one? This is a high-quality kit of an interesting variant of the Tiger tank, and I look forward to seeing what modellers make of it. Rye Field Models has done a great job, and I would recommend this kit to all modellers out there. Recommended. ■

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

Nice cast texture on the modified mantlet.

The kit’s photo-etched fret.

Zimmerit application tools are included – a nice touch.

Kit decals.

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IPMS(UK) Thursday10/08/2017 18:02

FEATURE ARTICLE

Bronco Models 1:35 Rheintochter R1 • Kit No. CB 35050

R E H T A F M A S OF sed the sig a le e r s a h Bronco metall-Bor in e h R g in r ace to f pionee r u S 1 R ’ r e t ‘Rheintoch in 1:35 scale. Chris Air Missile uilds the kit and Wauchop b detail. adds some

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T

he first known idea for a guided surface-to-air missile was in 1925, when a beam riding system was proposed whereby a rocket would follow a searchlight beam onto a target. A selenium cell was mounted on the tip of each of the rocket's four tail fins, with the cells facing backwards. When one selenium cell was no longer in the light beam, it would be steered in the opposite direction back into the beam. The first historical mention of a concept and design of a surface-toair missile in which a drawing was presented, was by inventor Gustav Rasmus in 1931, who proposed a design that would home in on the sound of an aircraft's engines.

WWII SURFACE TO AIR MISSILE DEVELOPMENTS During World War II, efforts were started to develop surface-toair missiles as it was generally considered that flak was of little use against bombers of everincreasing performance. The lethal radius of a flak shell is fairly small, and the chance of delivering a "hit" is essentially a fixed percentage per round. To attack a target, guns fire continually while the aircraft are in range to launch as many shells as possible, increasing the chance that one of these will end up within the lethal range. Against the Boeing B-17, which operated just inside the range of the numerous German 88mm flak guns, an average of 2,805 rounds had to be fired per bomber destroyed. Bombers flying at higher altitudes require larger guns and shells to reach them. This greatly increases the cost of the system, and (generally) slows the rate of fire. Faster aircraft fly out of range more quickly, reducing the number of rounds fired against them. Against late-war designs like the Boeing B-29 Superfortress or jet-powered designs like the Arado Ar 234, flak would be essentially useless. This challenge was already obvious by 1942 when Walther von Axthelm outlined the growing problems with flak defences that he predicted would soon be dealing with "aircraft speeds and flight altitudes [that] will gradually reach 1,000 km/h (620 mph) and between 10,000–15,000 m (33,000–49,000 ft)."

GERMAN WWII DEVELOPMENTS The first serious consideration of a SAM development project was a series of conversations that took place in Germany during 1941. In February, Friederich Halder proposed a "flak rocket" concept, which led Walter Dornberger to

ask Wernher von Braun to prepare a study on a guided missile able to reach between 15,000 and 18,000 m (49,000 and 59,000 ft) altitude. Von Braun became convinced that a better solution was a manned rocket interceptor, and said as much to the director of the T-Amt, Roluf Lucht, in July. The directors of the Luftwaffe flak arm were not interested in manned aircraft, and the resulting disagreements between the teams delayed serious consideration of a SAM for two years. Von Axthelm published his concerns in 1942, and the subject saw serious consideration for the first time; initial development programs for liquid- and solid-fuel rockets became part of the Flak Development Program of 1942. By this time serious studies by the Peenemünde team had been prepared, and several rocket designs had been proposed, including 1940's Feuerlilie, and 1941's Wasserfall and Henschel Hs 117 Schmetterling. None of these projects saw any real development until 1943, when the first largescale raids by the Allied air forces started. As the urgency of the problem grew, new designs were added, including Enzian and Rheintochter, as well as the unguided Taifun which was designed to be launched in waves. In general, these designs could be split into two groups. One set of designs would be boosted to altitude in front of the bombers and then flown towards them on a head-on approach at low speeds comparable to manned aircraft. These designs included the Feuerlilie, Schmetterling and Enzian. The second group were high-speed missiles, typically supersonic, that flew directly towards their targets from below. These included Wasserfall and Rheintochter. Both types used radio control for guidance, either by eye, or by comparing the returns of the missile and target on a single radar screen. Development of all these systems was carried out at the same time, and the war ended before any of them was ready for combat use. The infighting between various groups in the military also delayed development. Some extreme fighter designs, like the Komet and Natter, also overlapped with SAMs in their intended uses. Albert Speer was especially supportive of missile development. In his opinion, had they been consistently developed from the start, the large scale bomber raids of 1944 would have been impossible.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Bronco Models 1:35 Rheintochter R1 • Kit No. CB 35050

Rheintochter Surface to Air Missile Rheintochter’s name comes from the mythical Rheintöchter (Rhinemaidens) of Richard Wagner's opera series Der Ring des Nibelungen. The missile was a multi-stage solid fuelled rocket. It had four small control surfaces, resembling paddles, in the nose, six fins at the after end of the top stage, and four at the end of the main stage. It stood 6.3 m (20 ft 8 in) tall, with a diameter of 54 cm (1 ft 9 in). The sustainer motor, located ahead of the 136 kg (300 lb) warhead (rather than behind, as is more usual) exhausted through six venturis between the first stage fins. Rheintochter was ordered in November 1942 by the German army. Starting in August 1943, 82 test firings were made. An air-launched version was also designed. The operational version was intended to be fired from a ramp or converted gun mount. The project was cancelled on February 6, 1945. Surviving examples are on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

in Chantilly, Virginia, the Deutsches Museum in Munich, and at the RAF Museum Cosford, UK.

VARIANTS The initial R1 variant was powered by a two-stage solid-fuel rocket. It was a subsonic, two-stage, solidfuelled, radio controlled rocket that was ground-launched from a rail attached to a converted 88mm Flak 41 gun mount. The four smaller fins at the tip of the nose were radio controlled and used to guide the missile towards its target. When close enough to the target its 150kg warhead was detonated by the Kranich acoustic proximity fuse which was housed in the control compartment in its nose. The proposed R2 did not offer any improvement over the R1, and was dropped in December 1944. The R3 model was developed, which had a liquid fuel engine with solid-fuel boosters (“strap-ons”). Only six trial missiles were fired. *

Remote-controlled Rheintochter anti-aircraft missile, 1944. The missile is fitted to a modified 88mm Flak 41 gun mount.

Test launch of a Rheintochter missile.

Building the Missile Bronco’s 1:35 scale Rheintochter comprises 280 parts in grey plastic, two photo-etched frets and one decal sheet with instrument dials. The sprues for the missile are all new but the mount is based on the sprues from Bronco’s 88mm Flak 41 kit, so a number of the parts are not used. Parts for the carriage are not included. Moulding quality is excellent and sprue attachments are quite fine. The rocket was built mostly straight from the box, but I did add some cabling, substituted the photo-etched rivets with punched plastic parts and added a heavy bolted join seam on the fin sleeve. On the missile mount, plastic handles and shafts of the control wheels were replaced with brass wire and tube.

All the stabilising and control fins on the Rheintochter were made of a highly compressed laminated wood called Lignofol. To reproduce the look of this material I was eager to use Ushi van der Rosten’s Wood Grain Decal. To achieve the look I was after I first gave the fins a coat of Gunze Sangyo H318 Radome and then applied some colour variation by carefully spraying Tamiya XF-59 Desert Yellow in controlled but random looking patterns. Next I masked and sprayed the bolted mounting brackets at the base of each fin silver.

The decal was then cut to fit the shape of the fin as closely as possible. Note also that great care was taken to make sure that the line of the woodgrain pattern on the decal followed the shape and angle of the fin. In reality the fins were made from two pieces of ply, with the shaped leading edge being a separate piece added to the main fin. I tried to achieve this look by applying the decal in two separate pieces that were cut from different areas of the decal sheet.

The four large first-stage stabiliser fins complete. The six smaller second stage fins received the same treatment but once the decal was completely dry they were given a very thin coat of clear orange. This gave them a noticeably darker appearance which corresponded pretty well with my reference.

The painted and decaled guide fins waiting to be attached to the rocket’s nose.

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Rather than the large, flat wooden fin braces that were attached to the outer tips of the four rear stabiliser fins, I chose the option of the much more discrete angled metal ones that were bolted to the inner surfaces of the two outer fins. The flat P/E items supplied in the kit were discarded and replaced with more accurate ones made from Evergreen plastic strip and rod.

The exhaust nozzles were then very carefully glued in place with the aid of lots of liquid glue. Also in this shot you can see that I have hollowed out the end of the wiring conduit and added two or three lengths of wire and fed them through the exhaust opening as per my reference pics.

The holes for the six rocket exhausts were moulded closed so I drilled and cut them open for a more accurate result.

I decided not to use the kit supplied P/E bolt panels for the first stage fin mounts as the bolt heads seemed a bit too flat. So the P/E strips of bolt heads were replaced by drilling holes along each side of the plastic mounting brackets and gluing into each hole a short length of Evergreen .020 plastic rod. When the glue was well and truly dry the plastic bolt heads were filed to an even, but slightly more prominent length.

Once all the fin brackets were finished I noticed that the very heavy, bolted seam joint on the fin sleeve had been omitted by the manufacturer! I added this rather prominent detail using plastic strip, rod and Milliput.

Detailing the Mount

A few minor alterations were made before starting painting. The plastic handles and shafts of the gun mount’s control wheels were replaced with brass wire and tube.

The Flak 41 gun mount construction complete. Note the brass pin protruding from the launch rail. This pin fits into a corresponding hole that has been drilled into the rocket and holds it securely in position. October 2017 - Model Military International 31

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Bronco Models 1:35 Rheintochter R1 • Kit No. CB 35050

Painting and Weathering The dark red colour of the fuel cells and the first stage exhaust nozzles represents red primer because in reality these parts were made of sheet steel. This colour is a mix of Tamiya XF-7 Flat Red and XF-64 Red Brown. The rest of the missile was masked and sprayed various shades of silver and metallic grey from the wonderful range of Alclad II lacquers.

Painting and weathering is almost complete. Note in this and the next shot the various screw holes, panel lines and other holes that have been added after careful study of reference photos. Some were added after painting was complete as new reference pics were discovered.

All shading and weathering was applied using the airbrush and a very thin mix of black/brown. The dark red areas ended up receiving a lot more shading than is seen here.

Looking very bright in this shot before the dark red was made considerably darker.

Covering the Bottom of the Launch Rail After completing construction, painting and weathering of the model and being extremely happy with the result I noticed, after closer examination of the two available photos of this particular type of launch rail, that a row of bolt heads was visible running underneath the rail’s bottom edge. This indicated to me that the bottom and rear end of the actual launch rail were sealed with steel plate. This feature is not included in the kit. To recreate this, strips of .010” plastic sheet were cut to the appropriate width and length and dozens of bolt heads were cut from .025” plastic rod. The bolt heads were then carefully glued in place on the pre-cut .010” strips to match the kit bolt pattern. Once complete and taking as much

care as possible not to damage the finished paint job, these bolt-encrusted strips were glued in place and painted and weathered to match the existing scheme. With the bottom of the launch rail sealed I could now attach what appears to be a hook with a triangular bracket and two lines hanging from it. The hook was made from a short length of brass wire, the bracket was cut from .010” plastic sheet and the lines were cut from 0.335mm solder wire. The actual purpose of these lines or ropes is not clear but they do add a bit more life and scale to the model. In the one clear photo of this setup there are other lines hanging from the missile itself but I couldn’t make out how or where they might be connected so they were not added.

A close-up view of the extra work required to cover the bottom of the launch rail, including fitting dozens of scratch built bolt heads.

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The effort is well worthwhile, as the cover and bolt heads may be seen from many angles.

The Completed Missile

A detail view of the crew seats and controls.

The left side of the missile mount.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Bronco Models 1:35 Rheintochter R1 • Kit No. CB 35050

Rheintochter’s “mythical Rheintö

of Richard Wagn Ring des N

The painting and weathering of the nozzles and fins may be appreciated here.

The business end.

The armoured front of the missile mount. This was based on the mount from an 88mm Flak gun.

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hter’s name comes from the heintöchter (Rhinemaidens) d Wagner’s opera series Der g des Nibelungen...

”

Ushi van der Rosten’s wood grain decals really add character to the finished model.

Modelspec Bronco Models 1:35 Reintochter R2 Kit No. CB 35050 Materials used: • Tamiya Masking Tape • 0.335mm solder wire • Milliput Superfine White Epoxy Putty • Evergreen Plastic .010” Sheet Styrene and .025”Rod • Decals- Ushi van der Rosten WGSF-48 Wood Grain Decal Super Fine Type Paints used: • Gunze Sangyo Acrylic H318 Radome. • Tamiya Acrylic XF-1 Flat Black, XF-2 Flat White, XF-7 Flat Red, XF-59 Desert Yellow, XF-60 Dark Yellow, XF-64 Red Brown, X-8 Semi Gloss Black, X-24 Clear Yellow, X-26 Clear Orange, X-27 Clear Red. • Alclad II Lacquer – ALC-116 Semi matte Aluminum, ALC- 117 Dull Aluminum, ALC- 120 Gunmetal, ALC101 Aluminum References

A nice overall left profile shot of the missile mounted on its base.

The internet and kit box art * Historical summary courtesy of Wikipedia: - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheintochter - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface-to-air_missile ✓ Great subject. ✗ Missing some obvious detail. Available from Bronco models are available online and from hobby shops worldwide http://www.cn-bronco.com/en/ index.php

Rating

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KIT PREVIEW

Thunder Model 1:35 German Bergepanzer Hetzer (late) • Kit No. 35100

Andy King is pleased to find a straight-fromthe-box option Bergepanzer 38, but please don’t call it a Hetzer!

DON’T CALL IT A HETZER

T

he Bergepanzer 38 (don’t call it a ‘Hetzer’) was a recovery vehicle based on the Jagdpanzer 38 tank destroyer. Designed for the recovery of the new tank coming into service it had an open topped crew compartment but with a lower superstructure and was fitted with an internal winch driven by the vehicles engine transmission, a two ton folding lifting jib. Available photographs show that a dozer blade was fitted to the rear but this was a prototype vehicle and the blade may not have been fitted to production vehicles. 106 vehicles were built, 64 of which were converted from the Jagdpanzer 38 with the rest being new builds. Thunder Models from China is a new company and they have issued a couple of kits so far but this one caught my interest. It is a recovery vehicle and something that I was hoping Dragon would do seeing they had the Jagdpanzer 38 chassis already available. This particular kit is a late production vehicle and the ‘bonus’ version that includes an engine and additional photo-etched parts for the side skirts and rear fenders. Seven sprues in a light grey styrene are present and moulding quality is very good with little to no flash on the parts - also included are resin ends for

the tow cable, a length of thread, a length of fine chain, copper wire and a small pre-coloured etched piece for the driver’s instrument panel. The detail is okay but could be sharper in areas such as the outer face of the tracks, bolt heads, the engine block etc., although a plus point is that Thunder has at least moulded the undersides of the rear fenders, something that Dragon missed in their Jagdpanzer 38 kits. The road wheels included in the kit feature 16 bolts and the rear idlers have six lightening holes although you will need to research further as some pictures show the Bergepanzer fitted with 32 bolt road wheels and idlers with either 4, 6, 8 or 10 lightening holes. The suspension springs are very faint and ideally need re-scribing to give the parts some depth. Conversely, the weld seam that joins the front and side hull plates is overdone and needs to be filled for a more scale appearance. The armour plating is very smooth and could do with some texture. The interior features a full transmission at the front with pedals for the driver supplied in etch metal and along with a winch drum the inside will look busy enough, the same can be said for the engine bay and some cabling and pipe-work will add to this area. The instructions say to paint

the interior in an ivory colour and the transmission a dark grey but I would also paint the floor in a red-brown primer colour although I stand to be corrected on this. The lifting jib can be modelled stowed on the side or in the raised position and the dozer blade is workable should you wish. The tracks are ‘link-and-length’ with sag moulded into the upper run. Two colour schemes are printed on full colour shiny paper. Both are three-tone, one vehicle is in a hardedged scheme and the other in a ‘disc’ scheme, all colours quoted are from the Mig Ammo range. Having reviewed a few Dragon Jagdpanzer 38s in various guises I would have to say that compared to this offering from Thunder the quality of detail with Dragon is much better overall, however that’s not to say you should dismiss this particular kit as with some TLC it will scrub up very nicely. My only real concern is with the tracks and I may purchase some aftermarket ones or rob one of the ‘what-if’ Dragon kits of theirs. It is also worth bearing in mind that previously the only way to build a Bergepanzer 38 in 1:35 was the expensive way using a conversion set and donor kit so I feel Thunder Model should be onto a winner with this one. Thanks to my ever-suffering

Weld beads are a bit exaggerated on the hull front.

Engine bulkhead.

Radiator face detail.

One rrack guard section. Bolt head detail could be sharper.

Inner detail of the tracks is very crisp…

…but outer face detail is soft.

Crisp detail on the idler wheel and drive sprocket.

Road wheel outer detail. Photo-etched parts are included.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Classy Hobby 1:16 Pz.Kpfw.II Luchs • Kit No. MC16001

KURLAND K Dan Moore converts Classy Hobby’s 1:16 scale Luchs into a later production 4th Pz. Div. machine.

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KITTEN Classy Hobby’s box art for their debut 1:16 scale Luchs. This kit represents an early production machine straight from the box.

The lower hull is supplied as a flat pack.

The turret shell.

The radio is supplied for the interior.

The tracks are made up from individual links…

…which, like the real thing, are connected by metal pins. A metal tow cable is included too.

The photo-etched fret supplies mesh for the engine deck and a modest number of other parts.

Clear parts for the lenses and periscopes are essential in this large scale.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Classy Hobby 1:16 Pz.Kpfw.II Luchs • Kit No. MC16001

The armour plating was lightly textured with stippled Tamiya Liquid Surface Primer. After the building stage was completed, the Luchs was treated to a coat of airbrushed primer, again Tamiya Liquid Surface Primer thinned with Lacquer thinners.

T

he Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf. L (Sd.Kfz.123) was a small, fast and capable tank developed by the German forces out of a need for a modern, armoured and fully tracked reconnaissance vehicle. After hard lessons learnt in the Polish campaign it was apparent that the current range of vehicles available in the inventory were no longer up to the task. After the concept of a new light Panzer was formally approved the design, production and trialling commenced on several different new designs. The VK1303 Luchs prototype produced by M.A.N. was completed by 1942 and was found to be most

Photo-etched front fender extensions. These are actually found in the kit, but most photos show them damaged.

versatile and acceptable out of all the new various light tank designs presented. After the successful trial period the VK1303 prototype was accepted to become the production Pz.Kpfw. Ausf. L (soon to be known as the “Luchs”, or “Lynx”). The lightly armoured Luchs was operated by a crew of four and featured an interleaving road wheel system similar to the Panther and Tiger. The Luchs’ armament consisted of a 2cm K.w.K.38 cannon and 7.92mm M.G.34 and it was powered by a new Maybach HL66 180HP Engine with ZF SSG transmission that promised a sprightly performance of 60+ km/h.

The rear engine fans area. This area was very nicely rendered by Classy Hobby. Make sure to paint the engine bay before sealing the top deck down, as it will be near impossible afterwards!

The new Luchs design offered excellent manoeuvrability thanks to an almost perfect wheelbase to track contact ratio. With an initial large amount of Luchs ordered, ultimately only 100 vehicles were manufactured and delivered due to production demands placed by the Pz.Kpfw.V Panther, as well as the seemingly unstoppable Allied bombing campaign. The Luchs was delivered to only two major operators, these being the 4th and 9th Panzer Divisions based on the Eastern and Western Fronts. It was also rumoured to have been issued in small numbers to a few SS, Heer and training units. This tough, diminutive Panzer was allegedly still being recorded on inventory strength right up until May, 1945.

A CLASS ACT When relative newcomer to the plastic world Classy Hobby announced that their first major release would be a Luchs in

1:16, I dare say it caused some excitement amongst gigantor-scale model fans. As I had recently finished Tasca’s excellent 1:35 Luchs I was excited at the thought of tackling a large-scale subject, hopefully Classy’s new pimped-up Luchs would live up to my expectations. As the initial release was of a vehicle featuring solely the unique 9th Pz.Div. Modifications (Kit No. 16001) I was somewhat disappointed, due to having recently finished the Tasca Luchs in a “9th Pz.Div. Normandy” scheme and wanting to build something different. However, I soon realized it wouldn’t be a stretch to convert the machine into a later production 4th Pz.Div. Luchs based on the Eastern Front. Just after ordering and purchasing the kit online for a very reasonable price the next Classy Hobby Luchs kit release was announced– of course, it was of a 4th Pz.Div. vehicle! Such is the modeller’s life.

The rear toolbox layout. Vehicles show differing layouts. The choice is yours.

Turret side Jerry can racks were omitted. These were unique to 9th Pz.Div. Luchs.

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THE BIG KITTEN INSIDE THE BOX As the Classy Hobby Luchs purchase wasn’t originally planned as a complete review build this article won’t be “step by step” so to speak, but it is worth mentioning to the reader of some facts about the kit. Prior to receiving the big kit I researched Terry Ashleys’ excellent PMMS build review, as well as editor Brett Green’s own in-box review on Missing-lynx.com. I highly recommend perusing these reviews prior to and throughout the build. The basics of the kit are sound, however it does require some massaging to get more out of it. After perusing the kit’s contents I decided on a different course of action than usual, the main point being to enhance some of the kit details by thinning down or modifying and only replacing items that I felt really needed sprucing up. This approach was taken rather than a complete all out revamp. Some basic skills and scrap materials were all that was needed in some cases to improve some of the kit’s decent detail. Most, if not all, weld seams have to be reworked or added, in this scale being so visible I feel that it is unavoidable. There are also quite a few nuts and bolts missing. These can be

easily added with Meng’s excellent spare fastener sets. Some of the external kit detail is brilliant while some is unfortunately very poorly rendered. The tracks, suspension and wheels are all very nicely done and are more than adequate. The overall hull, superstructure and turret dimensions are also very good and match up fairly well to scale plans. In all fairness to Classy, yes, they could have done better in some areas, however for the asking price it is a decent base to build a very nice large-scale Panzer. The modeller has a choice of early or late production turret rear hatch and roof detail styles, I thought this was a nice touch by Classy. The other good news is that shortly after the kit was released the aftermarket goodies started to appear, with an excellent 2cm Barrel, MG 34 Barrel and Sternantenne D (Star Aerial) available from the ever reliable Aber. There are also 1:16 Tool Clamps, A Fire Extinguisher and other Panzer-related items already available on the market if the modeller should choose to use them. I recommend doing so for this kit – it is worth it. A

Another view of Aber’s excellent replacement barrels and modified extinguisher bracket.

Rear turret 2cm ammo can storage bins. These are a common feature on 9th Pz.Div vehicles, brackets were added from plastic card and hex bolts also added.

The fire extinguisher bracket. The Classy item is very clumsy. A replacement was made from scrap photo-etch.

The antenna mount armoured pot. This needs to be reshaped into a cylinder, textured & small holes added. Aber’s new Star Antenna was also added.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Classy Hobby 1:16 Pz.Kpfw.II Luchs • Kit No. MC16001

B PLANNING AND PAINT As I had decided to build a late 1943/44 replacement vehicle of the 4th Pz. Div. at the Kurland battle timeframe, I had to add a few of the unique 4th Pz. Div. features that are evident in period photos. From the few reference photos of these vehicles, they appear to have stripes and splotches of dark camo applied over a Dark Yellow base, with some Luchs exhibiting large turret numbering. During the build the kit supplied Jerry can racks for the turret sides were left off, as these were only fitted to the 9th Pz. Div. Luchs operating on the Western Front. Brackets for the rear turret 2cm ammo stowage boxes were fashioned from plastic card, with Meng hex bolts added. The damaged front fender extensions were fitted as supplied from Classy Hobby, as these are sometimes evident in images of 4th Pz.Div. Luchs. and are a nice detail to dent up. Wooden external stowage boxes were selected from the kit’s contents and were added to the fenders. When the build was largely complete, it was broken down into manageable sub-assemblies. The exterior surfaces were given a coat

of airbrushed Tamiya Liquid Surface Primer to seal in all the work and look for any construction faults.

WEATHERING As I planned to use the hairspray technique to chip and scuff such a large canvas of sub-assemblies the Luchs exterior received a decent coat of a dark rusty iron shade, mixed from Tamiya XF-64 Red Brown & X-18 Semi-Gloss Black. This was then sealed in with a coat of Tamiya Clear. As per usual the hairspray was liberally applied via airbrush over the exterior of the sub-assemblies. A suitable Dark Yellow base coat was mixed up from Tamiya XF-2 White, XF-57 Buff and a few drops of XF-4 Yellow Green and applied to all exterior surfaces. This took several attempts until I felt I had the right look, keeping in mind after weathering the Gelb may well darken slightly. After I worked over the build exposing the rusty dark iron with scuffs and chips using Windex, picking tools and a worn-out paint brush, the Gelb basecoat was sealed with Tamiya Clear. The exterior surfaces were again hit with hairspray, as I wanted to expose the Gelb with

Classy’s nicely appointed turret interior. An “Elfenbein”(Ivory) shade was mixed from Tamiya XF-2 White & XF-57 Buff.

chips and the like showing through the green camo. The camouflage striping and splotching were applied with a thin XF-65 Field Grey mix airbrushed on at low pressure. The Field Grey in this case actually turned out quite green – I have a feeling I may well have tipped some Nato Green into that paint jar in the past!

Once again, Windex and the picking tools were used to add some wear to the camo and reveal the underlying Gelb basecoat. The hull side bin Balkenkreuz and 4th Pz.Div. Kurland-era turret numbering were applied using homemade paint masks and Tamiya Red, Black & White acrylics airbrushed on at low pressure.

Side view of the finished Luchs.

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Top view of the finished Luchs. Note the later production turret rear hatch & roof layout.

As this Luchs is representing a later replacement vehicle the idler wheel segment rack is missing from the front glacis. Note the added S-hook ready for towing.

Note that the rear jack mount is omitted due to the stowage boxes being fitted. There is an image of a Luchs showing the jack being crudely stowed in this fashion. The sparse jack detail was duly enhanced, painted, weathered & wired into place.

The kit jack block was used after scribing with a knife and sanded with a rough sanding stick. A new retaining strap was made from scratch photo-etch.

Top turret view. The thin bracket in the foreground was the bracket for a rarely-used compass. This feature is also seen on some Panthers. Also note the workable flare hatch lid.

Anyone for a mini-me Luchy? Classy’s big Luchs compared with Tasca’s 1:35 version.

After the painting stage was complete and the exterior had received yet another thin coat of Tamiya Clear Mig AMMO’s “Africa Korps Wash” was applied as an overall pin wash to the obvious detail on the various subassemblies. The excess pinwash was manipulated with a white-spirit dampened fine brush to create some extra chipping and paint

areas were deliberately left with a slight sheen. A simple earthy mix was made up from various shades of pigments and soil from the garden. This mix was applied to the required areas to simulate general dirt and muck and sealed in with AK Pigment Fixer. The very nice Classy workable tracks were sprayed in the same

variation. AK “Light Rust” was used sparingly on a few details and on the exhaust baffle/piping. A variety of oils such as Raw Umber, Lamp Black and other shades were used to add some extra weathering to heavily used areas. AK “Ultra Matte Varnish” was selectively applied to areas such as the wooden stowage boxes to dull off the gloss, however the armour plating and other metal

Dark Iron mix used previously in the build. The previously mentioned earth mix was worked into tracks and sealed in with Future polish – this left a very slight “wet” look to the earth trapped in the track details. The track pad wearing faces and teeth were metallized using ground lead pencil applied with Mk.I finger and further polished with a cotton tip.

A

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Classy Hobby 1:16 Pz.Kpfw.II Luchs • Kit No. MC16001

Muffler and rear hull detail.

The Luchs’ characteristic interleaving road wheels.

I must say that I enjoyed “this build immensely... ”

The Luchs is a small vehicle but impressive in this large scale.

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Baby Tiger!

Modelspec Classy Hobby 1:16 Pz.Kpfw.II Luchs Kit No. MC16001 Accessories & Materials: • Classy Hobby Panzer Crew Driver (MC16004) Panzer Crew Commander (MC16005) • Aber – 16023 German Clamps/Clasps (late), 16157 German 1.8m Sternantenne D, 16L-02 German MG34 Barrel, 16L-14 German 2cm L/56 Barrel (Luchs) • Tamiya Liquid Surface Primer • Tamiya Extra Thin Cement Paints and Finishing Products:

B CREW FIGURES

Spare track link and final drive housing detail on the front of the hull.

I decided early on to stretch my modelling comfort zone on this build by incorporating some 1:16 crew figures, these being Classy Hobby’s own recently released figures to suit the Luchs. The crew figures were built up, test-fitted and painted with Vallejo Acrylics. I am never completely happy with any figures I attempt, so I won’t comment too much on their build other than to say for the money the figures are very nicely posed and would be useful for any large scale Panzer build. As a lot of the period Luchs photos show an absence of the typical piles of extra gear usually seen on other Panzers, I kept the extras to a bare minimum, with the Commander sitting on a small tarp and a scrounged spare Tamiya helmet (thanks Jamie D) added to the turret side extension

aerial mount. Classy supplies a set of very nice Jerry cans within the kit. A single can was added to the side fender and the handle wired onto a lifting hook as a makeshift tie down.

FINAL THOUGHTS I must say that I enjoyed this build immensely. It did require additional work to refine some aspects but it wasn’t a great stretch to rectify some simple issues and it certainly looks like a Luchs when it is finished. I think Classy Hobby should be commended for releasing such a subject at a very reasonable price. I dare say with time the aftermarket manufacturers may release more correction and detail sets for the kit. Wanting a large scale, compact Kurland Kat to put on the shelf? I say go for it! ■

• Tamiya Acrylics- X-18 Semi-Gloss Black, XF-64 Red Brown, XF-2 White, XF-4 Yellow Green, XF-57 Buff, XF-65 Field Grey • Tamiya X-22 Clear, Lacquer Thinners • AK - Light Rust, Ultra Matte Varnish, Pigment Fixer Enamel Fluid • Mig AMMO – Africa Korps Wash • Windsor & Newton Oils – Raw Umber, Lamp Black, Yellow Ochre, White • MIG Pigments – Europe Dust, Light European Earth, Dry Mud, Dark Mud References: • Wydawnictwo Militaria 109 PzKpfw II Luchs/ Aufklarungspanzer 38(t) • Panzer Tracts No.2-2 Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf.G, H, J, L and M ✓ Great Value for money, unique subject in such a large scale, great basic base for an all-out or simple build. ✗ Detail lacking in some areas, fit of some parts, over engineered in some areas, under engineered in others. Available from Classy Hobby kits are available online and from hobby shops worldwide.

Rating

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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 one-piece lower hull tub.

A number of different mantlets and guns are included.

TIGER COODABEEN 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. For the turret, I am led to believe that two actual lower hulls for this tank were found, but no turrets were attached, so no one really knows what may have eventually been attached to these. The kit comes packed in a nice sized box, with some 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 excellent, 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. ■

The turret shell.

A full interior (except engine) is included.

Moulding is crisp and detailed throughout.

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

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

Markings are supplied for a number of hypothetical vehicles.

The kit’s photo-etched fret.

Clear parts. …plus guide horn inserts and pins.

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HOW TO BUILD...

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:35 M107 US Self-Propelled Gun, Vietnam War • Item No. 37021

FIRE SUPPORT

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Andrew Judson places Tamiya’s reboxed and upgraded Italeri M107 in a Vietnam War diorama setting.

IN�THE�BOX

RT BASE

The upper hull piece.

The lower hull tub.

That is one big gun!

Road wheels are made up from outer and inner halves plus a separate hub.

The full-length flexible tracks.

Tamiya has added new parts including figures, stowage, ammo boxes and M60 guns.

The kit’s decal sheet. October 2017 - Model Military International 49

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:35 M107 US Self-Propelled Gun, Vietnam War • Item No. 37021

T

he M107 was first developed in 1957, equipped with a large calibre 175mm gun mounted on a small lightweight chassis designed so it could be airlifted. It had a crew of 13 to fire the weapon: five travelling in the vehicle, and the other eight in a M548 cargo carrier. The weapon was mounted in an unprotected mount and also attached to the vehicle was a hydraulic spade to counter the recoil. The gun itself had a range of 32 kms, making it a very effective support weapon. In 1965, the weapon saw its first deployment to a war zone in Vietnam. It was used heavily during the period of January to April 1968, in the battle of Khe Sahn. At the end of the war for the US forces in Vietnam, the M107s were passed on to the South Vietnamese who used them until the fall of Saigon in 1975.

IN THE BOX It is always nice to see re-releases of older kits, especially when Tamiya get their hands on them, re-tooling and cleaning up the moulds for a sharper newer look. On top of that, Tamiya has added their own equipment, weapons and figures to give you a complete vignette in the box. That is exactly what has happened here with Italeri’s old but still good 1:35 scale M107SPG. When I saw the kit I was quite keen to see how it looked after Tamiya had woven their magic on it. Looking at the box, we have the standard Tamiya artwork, with the only thing giving away its Italeri origins being the logo on the box front. Inside you will find five sprues of plastic parts for the kit and also the extra gear and figures. We can see that the moulds appear to have been cleaned right up, and detail seems to be sharper than before. Some parts may even have been re-tooled, such as lights and shields. There are three figures included that are of older Tamiya issue, but very appropriate for this kit. A table and chair set, some weapons and equipment and shells are

Close-up from right side of the breech and loader.

Close-up of breech and loader left hand side.

Breech in open position with loader in place.

Left hand side of vehicle showing detail on gun mount and sighting station.

Rear spade, when down was rigged to counter recoil.

Close up of front right head light and shield.

I was more than “ surprised with the quality, fit and detail... ”

Top left side of overall vehicle.

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supplied as well. There are 251 plastic parts, a set of full-length flexible tracks and a length of rubber tube. Also in the box is a small decal sheet giving you the option of two vehicles, both having served in Vietnam, and lastly a set of instructions, clearly marked and drawn with profile shots at the end giving you decal placement.

CONSTRUCTION For quite a while I have been wanting to build one of these impressive SPGs, and although Italeri had released one, I was never quite happy with what was on offer, even though it wasn’t a bad kit. Not long ago, Tamiya re-released it with new mouldings and areas cleaned up, sharper detail and some new parts. That was it, my mind was made up and it was time to build one. Then to make things better, I was handed one to review for the magazine, and so I had no excuse at all but to get started. I was more than surprised with the quality, fit and detail. Some areas needed a little cleaning, but nothing out of the ordinary. The new parts were mainly figures and stowage and weapons, all Vietnam War and into the 1980s era. Very

usable indeed. So, the build started with the lower hull and drive line, which all went together well. Care was needed to make sure the wheels were well aligned. For the tracks, I opted to scrap the kit rubber band type, which I felt were the kits weakest link (pardon the pun) and purchased a set of brilliant white metal workable ones from Spade Ace in China. The detail was excellent, they went together without an issue, and they fitted well on the kits main sprocket. Being workable they hang naturally too. Next was putting the rear spade together and gluing it in place. This wasn’t as good as I thought, the instructions being a little vague, and some not so great fit of parts. I persevered however, and the end result came up well. I positioned it in the down position as for when firing. It keeps the vehicle in place with the recoil created from that massive gun. Lastly was the gun itself. When I glued the two halves of the barrel together, it was then that I realised how long it is - big!! I did think about getting a metal barrel from RB, but I wanted it in the firing position, and with that extra weight, I thought I may be a A

Right hand side of vehicle.

Gun primed in base colour.

Main hull and running gear ready for tracks.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:35 M107 US Self-Propelled Gun, Vietnam War • Item No. 37021

Rear spade, painted and weathered.

Close-up showing fire extinguisher detail.

Front of vehicle, due to damage, decals were partly hand painted.

Spade Ace tracks together ready for painting, very nice quality.

Lower hull done, gun primed in place to show colour change after weathering.

B little on the delicate side without modifying the rest, so plastic it was. Although the instructions were a little vague, it all went together without any issues, and now the building of the vehicle was done and it was time for my favourite part, painting and weathering.

This was a very enjoyable project to work on, and would recommend the kit to all fans of the Vietnam Era, though one could build in to suit much later conflicts.

PAINTING AND WEATHERING The entire vehicle minus the tracks were painted in Tamiya Olive Drab

Three figures as supplied in the kit with Hornet and Verlinden heads to add a little extra character.

and left to dry. The Tracks were then painted in a custom mix of Flat Black and Red Brown, making a very nice Dark Brown, perfect for any tracks as a base colour, and as the rest left to dry. Once all was dry, I then mixed Olive Drab with some Buff to

lighten it up and then blended this onto the different surfaces and around the wheels, showing up the different panels and angles before I went to the next step. It was already starting to look good. It was at this stage that I employed a fairly new product, Lifecolor Liquid Pigments to start

Three crewman all painted up - a lot more character with their new heads

Loader with a Hornet head. Crewman, not looking A relaxed looking guy, head from happy. Head from Hornet. Verlinden

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Basic start on the base, using craft wood and foam.

the weathering. I did this in three stages, being the gun, the main hull, and the drive line. These Liquid Pigments are pretty much like a removable paint, in that you apply then once dry, using a clean brush and water, can then remove, mix and blend, until you have the desired effect you are after. I applied using the dust n dirt set, several tones around areas of heavy traffic, and also on the upper surfaces where dirt and dust would settle. I allowed this to dry, and then using clean water and a flat brush, started to blend it all in. This was done over the entire vehicle until I had the finish I wanted. It was easy to use and quick.

Base with vehicle in place to get an overview.

With the vehicle pretty much where I wanted it to be, I now started on the tracks, which as mentioned earlier were from Spade Ace. I primed them in a dark brown, then worked up in brighter colours of dust and rust tones. For the track pads I used Vallejo Dark rubber and a light dry brush of Light rubber, giving a worn look. These were then fitted to the vehicle and was now time to start with the figures and equipment to give it a touch of life.

A Base now taking shape, sand bags on, timber walkway and a sign all add a little life.

Vehicle in place, all has come together well.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:35 M107 US Self-Propelled Gun, Vietnam War • Item No. 37021

B

Crew in place waiting for the next task.

Crewman, just chilling out, not a worry in the world.

Having a cola while making opportunity of the break,.

Waiting to send a round down range.

Over all left side view of the overall diorama. Note fourth figure, an out of box Verlinden item.

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B FIGURES I used the three figures that came with the Tamiya boxing of the kit, plus an extra from Verlinden. The seated figure’s head was also replaced with a Verlinden item, the other two with Hornet items, only for the better facial details. As always, I mounted the heads on drill bits and painted these separate to the bodies and then put them aside. I then painted all the bodies in the base green colour, followed by some dry brushing and a pin wash to bring out all the details of the uniform. heads were now glued in place and lastly flesh tones on arms, hands were done. I then put all the figures in place including the seated figure with some extra gear nearby. I was now calling the vehicle done and now moved onto the base.

DIORAMA BASE The base was very simple, using a very light wall filler left to dry and then sanded into shape. I then made the sand bag wall out of clay,

carefully gluing these into place. I put the timber walkway in using strips normally used for timber ship kits and then proceeded to spray everything in that red brown colour. Once dry the vehicle was put into place, not glued and the direction sign made up and glued in. The last touch was the round canisters, made from a thick straw, and painted with basic markings. ■

Modelspec Tamiya 1:35 M107 US Self-Propelled Gun, Vietnam War Item No. 37021

Spade down, empty round canisters, made from cut down straw.

Recommended to all level of modellers ✓ A quick easy build, lots of fun. ✗ Tracks are not the best, better to go after market. Available from Thanks to Tamiya for the sample www.tamiya.com Tamiya kits are distributed in the UK by The Hobby Company Limited www.hobbyco.net

Rating

A sign typical on many bases, even in today’s conflicts.

Right hand overview, the entire diorama.

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14/08/2017 11:51

Book Reviews CENTURION MAIN BATTLE TANK 1946 TO PRESENT OWNERS’ WORKSHOP MANUAL HAYNES PUBLISHING BY SIMON DUNSTON ISBN: 978 1 78521 057 0

70 years ago, in April 1947, the Centurion MBT entered service with the British Army. It would be to claim that this is the most successful British tank of all time earning an enviable reputation further enhanced by the fact they can still be found in service some 70 years on. This book in the expanding range of Haynes Owner’s Workshop Manuals is devoted to the Centurion MBT and is produced in conjunction with the Tank Museum to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Cents development. Simon Dunstan the Author is no stranger to the subject matter and this shows throughout the title. The Centurion MBT is widely regarded as one of the most important post-war Western tanks and its genesis showed a marked departure from the normal development of AFV for the British Army that after 6 years of war where the British Tanker was fighting with equipment of a poorer standard to his opponent the A41 Centurion changed all of that and gave the British (and the western Allies) a truly excellent tank and one widely regarded as the first true MBT that went on to serve the British Army in one form or another up until the second Gulf War in 2003. During the last 73 years, the Cent has seen extensive combat serving starting with the Korean War (Britain), Vietnam (Australia), The Arab – Israeli Conflicts (Israel & Jordan), The Indo – Pakistan Wars (India), The South African Bush Wars and it continues to serve as highly specialised variants with the Israelis. Most people of a certain age who have owned a car at one time would have bought a Haynes Manual to aid in the service and maintenance. These were immensely popular, however the complexity of modern vehicles has seen much less demand for such titles and the Publisher has rather imaginatively branched out offering owner’s manuals on a diverse range of subjects from tanks, aircraft, trains through to Sci Fi. The reader should not think less of these titles given the publisher and this title is an excellent example of what quality publications most of these are. The book is 156 pages in A4 sized hardback format and printed on high quality glossy paper with numerous high quality images in black and white and colour. The book has eight Chapters plus Appendixes, Forewords and an extensive Bibliography: 1. The Authors Preface 2. Foreword by Lt Colonel George Forty OBE (Who served in Korea and most of his career on Cents). 3. The Centurion Story covering history, development, op sentry, marks, proposed replacements and upgrades, foreign users and development 4. The Centurion Mk III in Detail 5. Operating the Centurion 6. Specialist Centurion Variants 7. Cold War Centurion 8. Centurion in Combat 9. Vale Centurion 10. Epilogue 11. Appendix (Alpha and Omega - The Centurion Mk 1 compared to a current South African Olifant) 12. Bibliography and Sources 13. Index This book is fantastic treasure trove of information and images with a broader insight into the development of British AFVs contained in the Forewords. It is aimed at a broad range of readers and I would recommend this to serious students of the AFV/MBT, armoured warfare historians, modellers and even former crewmen with additional recommendation for restorers. This is not Simon Dunstan’s first book on the Centurion but I rank it as one of his best. Do not be fooled by the novelty of the format being an Owners Manual. This is thoroughly researched and high quality. For the price, it is an absolute bargain and I would rate this as one of the must read titles on the Centurion MBT. I cannot recommend this enough due to the high quality of material within. I will be adding a lot more of this range to my library. Highly Recommended. Thanks to Haynes UK for the sample www.haynes.com Al Bowie

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Incoming

AMMO BY MIG

1:35 SCALE 1945 KING TIGER - A.MIG 8500 There have been many kits of the King Tiger released lately, some as static, and some with full interiors. This is by no means a complaint. The King Tiger is an impressive machine, and it is always nice to have a good choice available. Here we have another option, this time released by AMMO BY MIG, already well known for their extensive paint range and weathering products. This is not an entirely new kit as such. It is a Limited Edition issue done in conjunction with Takom, with some extra parts and sprues to make create the 1945 version of the King Tiger. It is a two in one kit, giving you the option of a March 1945 model, or a July 1945 (“what if”) model. Looking inside the sizeable box there are eleven sprues in grey plastic, upper deck, lower hull tub and new turret, with a parts total of 520. Also inside is a small photo-etched fret with engine grilles, a decal sheet, a very nice colour profile sheet showing eight varied colour options with some very different to the standard and finally, the 14 page instruction manual presented in clear diagrams and logically laid out.

The parts themselves are cleanly moulded with excellent detail The tracks are of the link and length type, which look to be brilliant, though do have those dreaded mould lugs on the upper surface to sand away. Nothing too dramatic though. Construction starts with the upper hull basics, then moving onto the running gear. With that done, it is time to complete the upper hull and finally the turret. I think that MIG and TAKOM have come up with a very interesting joint project, with all the slight differences compared to the production variant. What I really like is that massive gun barrel. Very cool. Being “limited”, I don’t know how long this will be available, so if you like to build something slightly different, then I would say grab one while you can – it will be worth it. I hope the guys at MIG can come up with some other oddities to the same standard as this one in the future. Recommended. Thanks to AMMO BY MIG for the sample www.migjimenez.com/en/ Andrew Judson

AMMO BY MIG

ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES SPECIAL EDITION PAINT SET A. MIG 7163

We all know of Ammo by MIG products, especially their paint sets. Here is the latest, which I am sure will be a popular choice at the moment considering the kits on the subject being released. The paint set under review is for IDF vehicles. There are six colours inside the classy black box, which is a special edition. The colours are as follows: - A.MIG 067 Light sand grey - A.MIG 066 Faded Sinai Grey - A.MIG 049 Red - A.MIG 068 IDF Green - A.MIG 131 Real IDF Sinai Grey 82 - A.MIG 132 Real IDF Sand Grey 73 With these colours one can model early to current times. There are also colours to achieve fading effects, helping one achieve a great effect. Red is also included for all those handles and bolts you see painted red on the real vehicles. I think this set will be well worth having in your collection, especially if IDF is your thing. Recommended. Thanks to AMMO BY MIG for the sample www.migjimenez.com/en/ Andrew Judson October 2017 - Model Military International 59

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1:48 Scale – A round-up of the latest news and releases

CHOICE I

was excited to hear the announcement of a 1:48 scale Abrams by Tamiya. Finally, a modern tank that has seen combat. I’m sure the kit will sell well, but it may sell better if Tamiya follows up this release up with a set of 1:48 scale US modern figures. Now I know what you’re thinking. Most of the early Tamiya figures were, well, not so good, but fear not; their current batch of plastic 1:35 scale figures are quite simply outstanding. This brings me to the subject of choice. I was recently asked why I exclusively model World War II armour. To the uninitiated, it might seem strange. I put it down to being brainwashed as a kid. A steady stream of movies and books depicting almost every aspect of that war gave me an appreciation for the hardships faced. That perception is not unfounded, as most of my completed models are from that period, but looking at my stash that tells a different story entirely. I have cars, ships and aircraft from all periods. I have also noted trends over time. When I was starting out, if you did figures in 54mm, it was mainly from the Napoleonic period. If it was armour it was almost exclusively German and if you dared to be different, Russian. Current trends seem to point modern armour and I for one welcome it. There are so many German vehicles

available. I have built an early Panther G in 1:48 scale and given my propensity to make only one of a particular subject, I think I may have only one or two more Panthers left in me. Allied armour seems to be also gaining traction with a proliferation of all sorts of vehicles in 1:35 scale and the inevitable trickle-down effect into to 1:48 scale. I often wondered why World War I never took off. I guess that it is the lack of decent kits and figures. It seems Tamiya again led the way with their recent 1:35 scale release of the Mark I tank and a

set of very well done figures. One can only hope that Tamiya will eventually see fit to reduce both of these down to 1:48 scale. Unfortunately we really haven’t seen the previously mentioned trickle-down effect from the avalanche of modern releases from almost every manufacturer in 1:35 scale. This is a great shame, as most modern vehicles are on the largish side and as a result would translate well into 1:48 scale.

Until Next Time Luke Pitt

HAULER

CULEMEYER FOUR AXLES GERMAN HEAVY TRAILER ITEM NO. HLS48017

Hauler is well known for its commitment to 1:48 scale military subjects with resin and photo-etched accessories, updates, conversions and kits. Their latest full kit represents the Culemeyer Four Axles German Heavy Trailer. The kit comprises 75 perfectly cast parts in grey resin plus a busy photo-etched fret. The longest part of the project will be removing the resin parts from their sprues and cleaning them up, but there is nothing terribly challenging for any modeller who has built a resin kit before. Hauler’s Culemeyer Four Axles German Heavy Trailer will be a unique way to display your 1:48 German tanks, whether they are paired up with a prime mover or not. Highly Recommended. Thanks to Hauler for the sample www.hauler.cz Brett Green

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ITALERI

1:48 SCALE H-21C SHAWNEE ‘FLYING BANANA’ • ITEM NO. 2733 The H-21 was offered to the United States Air Force in 1949. These aircraft became the H-21A Workhorse (assigned to search & rescue duties) while the H-21B (powered by an uprated 1425hp engine) would serve in the transport and air assault roles. The US Army would also adopt the 1425hp aircraft as the H-21C Shawnee. These aircraft served through the 1950s and the H-21C saw combat during the early years of the Vietnam War. Italeri has released their H-21 Workhorse / Shawnee kit in 1/48 scale after quite a long wait. It is fair to say that this kit is easily the best of the bunch to date. It comes on four grey plastic sprues plus one clear one for the canopy bubble and windows and a small etched fret. Molding quality ranges from very good to basic with some flash and ejector pin marks present. The parts count is appealingly quite low for such a large model. Construction kicks off with the cockpit. We get various controls, two seats detailed with etched brass straps and a display column that has a decal for the controls. Once assembled, the cockpit and cabin are sandwiched between the two fuselage halves. Interior detail is limited to the bulkheads and seats with no detail at all molded into the fuselage interiors but there are some hefty ejector pin marks to remove. A quick internet search will reveal several upgrade sets that can be used on this kit for both the interior and exterior if you want to go down the road of extra detailing. The cabin doors can be shown open or closed, as can the sliding side windows of the cockpit. To be fair if you close the kit up then the interior is sufficient but with the doors open it does cry out for additional work. The area behind the cabin is visible from the outside and Italeri provide us with a complete engine section including exhaust system, fuselage ribs and drive shafts. The motor section is assembled as a single module and then glued in the fuselage halves. A nice touch is that the fuselage panels can be left open or closed to show off the engine detail from below. Note that you can’t get away with leaving the engine unpainted as you can still see it all through the etched brass screens. There is one big problem though as a test fit of the

fuselage halves reveals that the panel lines do not line up. This is not something that I would expect to see on a 2017 model. The only way around this is to fill and re-scribe the panel lines as well as replace the rivet detail around it. One can only hope that Italeri correct this and offer replacement, correctly tooled, parts. Here are some options and omissions that I spotted: • There are two different rear tailfin options but it is not highlighted in the instructions which type was used where. • We also have an optional set of lights that affix to the landing gear on the nose. The instructions again do not tell you which version this applies to. • A nice touch is that we get flattened and bulged tyres, but no so good if you want to display this in flight. Some ‘normal’ tyres would have been good as optional parts. • The kit does not provide the additional tanks and their mounts that were often seen on the USAF version in period photos. The rotors are generally very well presented although the main rotor mount Part 18A is very fragile. Two of the rotor attachment points had broken off in the bag which means that I will have to drill & pin the parts to stop the rotors breaking off. The instructions are nice & clear with some good, uncluttered, diagrams to work from that make it impossible to slip up. Worthy of note is the decal sheet in that all of the stencilling is readable and this is provided in different colours for the different marking options. They are nicely printed and in register: a definite highlight of the kit. If you want a Shawnee in 48th scale then this is the way to go, however the overall quality is mixed. The error with the panel lines, weak rotor attachment points and scant interior detail may turn some off, but the decal quality is really good and there is a lot of scope for super-detailing. Recommended, but with reservations. Recommended. Thanks to The Hobby Company Limited for the sample www.hobbyco.net Graham Tetley

MONROE PERDU STUDIOS

ZIMMERIT FOR TAMIYA’S STURMGESCHUTZ III AUSF. G KIT Monroe Perdu released a paper Zimmerit set for Tamiya’s 1:48 scale StuG III Ausf. G. This is a laser-etched representation of the StuG waffle pattern zimmerit presented on heavy buff-coloured paper. The pattern is crisp and looks convincingly random, as if applied carefully by hand. The Zimmerit is provided in 23 pieces, all attached to the folded paper sheet by small tabs. Removing each section should only take seconds. Make sure that you use a sharp hobby knife to cut the paper tabs. The paper panels have sections already cut out to allow for raised

features on the plastic hull. A further 23 pieces are supplied for schurzen armour and fittings. The paper Zimmerit may be attached to the kit parts using White Glue (PVA), either full strength or diluted with water. Monroe Perdu suggests that the model should be primed before the Zimmerit is applied. This is a clever and creative approach to a sometimes onerous task. Recommended. Thanks to Monroe Perdu Studios for the sample www.monroeperdu.com Brett Green

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14/08/2017 11:53

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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14/08/2017 11:54

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

SCHIFFER BOOKS in UK

Bushwood Books, No.6 Marksbury Avenue, Kew Gardens, Surrey TW9 4JF, UK. Tel; 020 8392 8585, 020 8392 9876, email; [email protected]

SCHUMO KITS

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

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

Jizni 56, 370 10 C. Budejovice, Czech Republic. [email protected] www.plusmodel.cz

TRUMPETER

POCKETBOND

VERLINDEN PRODUCTIONS

(Trumpeter & AFV Club in UK)

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

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

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 - October 2017

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Next Issue On sale 5 October, 2017 CRUISING FOR A BRUISING!

The Editor builds Bronco’s 1:35 scale Cruiser Tank A10 Mk.I / Mk.IA / Mk.IA CS

ISSUE No.138 October 2017, Published September 7th 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]

DAWN OF THE ROCKET AGE Pawel Rzymski builds Takom’s 1:35 scale V2, tractor and trailer

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] Advertising enquiries; Tel; +44 (0)1525 222573 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!

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.

SOVIET RECONNAISSANCE

The Almeria Modelismo Team presents Hobby Boss’ 1:35 scale T-38 Soviet light tank

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.

WHITE WASHED WRECK

Tracy Hancock places Dragon’s 1:35 scale Jagdpanzer IV/L70 in a roadside scene

© Doolittle Media 2017

The paper used on this title is from sustainable forestry

Order online now at; www.modelmilitary.com

Subscription enquiries; Tel; +44 (0)1525 222573 Fax; +44 (0)1525 222574 Email; [email protected]

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!

October 2017 - Model Military International 65

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The Last Post... F

‘TLEAHD VUEHNICLDE SECORUTRREUCALNLS’ STORMING BAGHDAD

LEFT: The Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle now at the site of the National Museum of the U.S. Army is shown here breaching an obstacle during the "Thunder Run" toward Baghdad in March 2003. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) ABOVE: A Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle that led the "Thunder Run" toward Baghdad in March 2003 is lowered by crane onto a platform at the site of the National Museum of the U.S. Army July 31, 2017. The museum walls will be built around the vehicle. (Photo Credit: Don Wagner)

A Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle that led the "Thunder Run" toward Baghdad in March 2003 is lowered by crane onto a platform at the site of the National Museum of the U.S. Army, July 31, 2017. The museum walls will be built around the vehicle. (Photo Credit: Don Wagner)

ORT BELVOIR, Va. -- U.S. forces were rapidly approaching Baghdad in late March 2003. Inside the lead vehicle, an M-3 Bradley, was cavalry scout team leader Sgt. Tim Tutini. When they reached Samawah, a town about halfway from Kuwait to Baghdad, the Iraqis opened up with mortar fire, Tutini said. Rounds from small-arms fire were pinging the sides of the Bradley. The firing continued all the way into the Iraqi capital, with the Bradley crew returning fire all the while. The memories of that longest cavalry charge in history will live on in the minds of the Soldiers who experienced it 15 years ago. But the Bradley that led the charge will live on in the new National Museum of the U.S. Army being built at Fort Belvoir, Virginia -- about 15 miles south of the Pentagon. The Bradley was lowered into place Monday atop a concrete slab at the site of the still-unfinished museum. That Bradley and three other extremely large artefacts are being put in place now so the museum can be built around them. “The M-3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle was the pivotal fighting vehicle of its time,” said Peter Jennings, Ph.D., program and education specialist with the National Museum of the U.S. Army. “The Bradley represents the transition from the 1980s to the vehicles that the Army is fielding today. This Bradley, being lifted into the museum today, led the charge out of Kuwait up to the edge of Baghdad in March and April of 2003.” The Bradleys, part of Alpha Troop, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, weren’t alone in the fight, of course. Going into Baghdad, they were accompanied by M-1 Abrams tanks. During the push toward Baghdad, Bradley turret gunner Sgt. Ramel Colclough remained busy pumping rounds from his 25mm cannon into the enemy, said Tutini, now a sergeant first class. Meanwhile, Tutini himself was tucked inside the Bradley with the vehicle’s commander, Staff Sgt. Lonnie Parson, fellow Soldier Pfc. David Watkins, and driver, Spc. Joseph Vales. “We had these periscopes so we could see outside the vehicle from below,” he said. “Plumes of black smoke were everywhere and you could see tracer rounds coming at us.” Tutini and Watkins weren’t just sightseers inside their Bradley. When they rolled up to choke points, blind spots or bridges, for instance, the two troopers would dismount and walk up ahead to ensure there were no ambushes and that the bridges weren’t wired with explosives, he said. The improvised explosive device, often called the “signature” weapon of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, was something that Tutini said he didn’t see during the early part of that first deployment. It wasn’t until August of that year, he said, that he saw one for the first time -- on a road north of Balad. At the time, he said, “it looked pretty novel because we’d never seen one before.” Tutini admitted that while in Iraq he felt nervous about his mission, but at the same time, “My commander, Parson, was so good at what he did I knew we’d be alright.” The crew would remain alright and unscathed throughout the invasion. According to a historical pamphlet produced by the museum, about 1,000 Soldiers in Tutini’s convoy had been tasked to participate in the taking of Baghdad, a city of about 5 million people. By the end of that effort, those Soldiers had destroyed 20 T-72 tanks and deflected all enemy counterattacks. Their efforts allowed the U.S. to secure the airport there on April 3, and help take Baghdad on April 9. For the next six weeks, Tutini said, Soldiers in his unit camped out in one of the palaces of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. By then, he said, all of the Iraqi soldiers had fled the palace grounds, so there was no fighting required to take the area. By then, American Soldiers were being tasked to pull security in locations throughout the city, Tutini said. One of the things he said he remembers most of that time is the great amount of looting that was taking place throughout the city. Some of it was to get valuables, he said, but a lot of it was people out looking to find basic necessities like fuel, water and food. “The looting was pretty crazy,” he said, but the Soldiers were told not to interfere because “we weren’t in a law enforcement role. Our hands were tied.” ■

David Vergun, US Army News Service 66 Model Military International - October 2017

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