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MVRPEPOART:
SHOW
by Scott Taylor

Issue 81 - January 2013

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UPGUNNED
SHTamEiyaRs 1:3M5 M5A1 N
Israeli Sherman

HEAVYWEIGHT
RMengEMoPdelTs IL E
new 1:35
A39 Tortoise

EL E FA N T Tamiyas new 1:35 kit

INSIDE:
January 2013 / 4.20 / Issue 81
Bronco 1:35 Post-War Chaffee Tamiya 1:35 M1A2
SEP TUSK I/II Italeri 1:35 StuG IV and more...

p 01 CoverMMI 081B.indd 1 08/11/2012 10:33

 UK D ISTRIBUTORS T ANKOGRAD
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 Contents - Issue 81 January 2013
14
REGULARS
p 4 NEWS
Whats new in the world of
military modelling
p 52 SMALL SCALE
The latest releases in 1:72
and smaller
p 54 INCOMING
MMIs thoughts on the latest
kits and accessories
p 56 BOOKS
Rounding up the latest in
print
p 57 FIGURES
All the news about new
figure releases.
p 58 1:48 SCALE
Luke Pitt explores 1:48 scale
military models, figures and
accessories.
p 66 LAST POST
Late breaking news and
ramblings from the Editor
p 03 Contents 081B.indd 3
22
FEATURES
p 6 THINK TANK
Tortoise detail photos
and under its own power
at the Tank Museum by
Andrew Willis
p 14 HEAVYWEIGHT REPTILE
Federico Collada builds
Mengs new 1:35 scale
super heavy Tortoise
p 20 PREVIEW
Tamiya 1:35 scale M1A1
Abrams SEP TUSK I/II
p 22 UPGUNNED SHERMAN
1:35 scale Tamiya 1:35 Israeli
M51 by Chris Wauchop
p 30 PREVIEW
Bronco 1:35 Post-War
Chaffee
36
p 32 SHOW REPORT
MVPA by Scott Taylor
p 36 SOMUA PAKS A PUNCH
Brach Models 1:35 scale
Somua SPG by Jeremy
Moore
p 42 THE ELEFANT IN THE
ROOM Part Two
Tamiyas 1:35 Elefant
painted, weathered and with
a crew added by Brett Green
p 61 PREVIEW
Italeri 1:35 scale StuG IV by
Graham Tetley
January 2013 - Model Military International 3
32
ADH Publishing Ltd 2012
Tel: (UK) 01525 222573
Fax: (UK) 01525 222574
Email: enquiries@modelmilitary.com
Address: ADH Publishing,
Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane,
Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX, UK
Model Military International is
published monthly by ADH Publishing.
Reproduction in part or whole of any
text, photograph or illustration without
written permission from the publisher
is strictly prohibited. While due care is
taken to ensure the contents of
Model Military International is accurate,
the publishers and printers cannot
accept liability for errors or omissions.
ISSN 1749-8864
08/11/2012 10:46
 Newsline - January13 MMI Newsdesk, ADH Publishing, Doolittle Mill,
Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX, UK
Tel:01525 222573 Fax:01525 222574
Email:editor@modelmilitary.com

NEW TAMIYA 1:48 SCALE FLAKPANZER IV MOBELWAGEN

AND 1:35 SCALE ZIMMERIT SHEETS COMING SOON

The Flakpanzer IV Mobelwagen was a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun

based on the Panzer IV chassis and fitted with the 3.7 cm Flak 43 gun.
The vehicle featured hinged armoured panels that could be folded down
when the gun required the extra clearance for low and horizontal firing.
Tamiyas next addition to their growing 1:48 scale military series is the
Flakpanzer IV Mobelwagen. The kit will include poseable side panels, link
and length tracks and plastic lower hull with optional metal ingots if you
would like to add the heft of scale weight.
We will have more news about this kit closer to release.
The Tamiyas range of self-adhesive Zimmerit sheets is also expanding
with new offerings for the 1:35 scale Panzer IV Ausf. J and the King Tiger
with Porsche Turret.
Tamiya kits and accessories are distributed in the UK by The Hobby
Company Limited www.hobbyco.net

KIT FORM SERVICES 1:24 TRUCK ONE TON FORWARD CONTROL KFS MINIATURES NEW RELEASES
Another KFS, but this time Kamil Feliks Sztarbalas KFS Miniatures, has a
Kit Form Services newest release is a 1:24 scale resin 1 Ton Forward selection of new releases too:
Control truck kit. KFS miniatures 35-001 1:35 Soviet Rocket Guntruck Broom Upgrade
Features include a fully detailed interior with all drivers controls, Set Upgrade set for 1:35 Ural 4320 from ICM/Alanger/Revell
separate doors and tailboard that can be posed open, detailed This is a part of a BRDMs hull with a UB-32-57 rocket launcher attached
underside including suspension and axles, engine block and sump, to its turret, ready to be mounted on 1:35 scale Ural 4320 cargo bed. The
exhaust system, poseable steering and a spare wheel. set also includes additional armour plates for the truck cab.
The kit comprises 61 parts in high quality resin, 41 parts in white These gun trucks were used by Soviet troops in Afghanistan in 1987 to
metal, 134 in etched brass defend convoys moving through the valleys and ravines.
plus pre-coloured clear cast Rocket launchers proved to be more effective in firing to the high edges of the valleys than machine guns.
lights, vac formed canopy, These vehicles were nicknamed Broom. Price: $40.00 + $8.00 shipping
Solartex side screens, KFS miniatures 35-002 1:35 Libyan Rocket Pickup Upgrade Set for 1:35 MENG MODELS Pick-up kits
glazing, various brass This set contains one rocket launcher with its mount and two ammo boxes one solid, and one open and filled
& plastic sections & full with rockets. All are cast in resin.
pictorial build instructions. The UB-32-57 rocket launcher mounted on
The high quality decal a technical pick-up was a popular weapon
set includes data plates, during the recent Libyan Civil War.
dashboard clocks & Price: $17.00 + $7.00 shipping
gauges, unit markings for More information and ordering is available
Parachute Regt & Royal from KFS Miniatures website
Marines plus a selection http://kfs-miniatures.com
of vehicle registration
numbers.
The finished models ACCURATE ARMOUR
measures some 7.25 inches
(185mm) long. NEW DIAMOND T RELEASES
UK & EU price including Accurate Armour has two new 1:35 scale
vat 120.00. Export outside Diamond-T Tank transporter offerings. These
the EU 100.00. This kit is will be the last for now but they are the British
available now. trailers, which are quite significant:
More information is K155 WW-2 Cranes Mk-1 40-Ton trailer for
available from Kit Form Diamond-T
Services website at K171 WW-2(Late)/Post War Cranes Mk-1/2
www.kitformservices.com 40-Ton trailer for Diamond-T
More information and ordering from Accurate
Armours website www.accurate-armour.com

4 Model Military International - January 2013

p 04 News 081B.indd 4 08/11/2012 10:47

airfix_afghan_gift_set_a4_ad_Layout 1 01/08/2012 13:23 Page 1

NEW for 2012

1:48 Scale
Operation Herrick is the codename
under which all British operations
in the war in Afghanistan have been
conducted since 2002. It consists
of the British contribution to the
NATO-led International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF)
and support of the
US-led Operation
Enduring Freedom
(OEF). Since 2003,
Operation Herrick
has increased in
size and breadth
to match ISAFs
growing geographical
intervention in
Afghanistan.

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Join the AIRFIX Club

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 Think Tank - A39 Tortoise at Tankfest 2011

THE STAR OF THE SHOW

Andrew Willis shares some photos of the Tank Museums A39 Tortoise, both in action and in detail.

M
odellers of a certain responded with no less than 18 with two Besa machine guns, and bulk, the Tortoise proved to be
age will probably designs. In February 1944, one a further independently operated both reliable and an excellent
associate Morris with of the heaviest was selected Besa gun was located in the hull gun platform on trials in Germany
small cars from the to directly enter production front. The Tortoise weighed 79 after the end of WWII. However,
inter-war years until the 1970s without even building a prototype. tons, carried a crew of seven and the vehicle was never built in
including the Morris Oxford, Morris 25 vehicles were ordered but armour was up to 229 mm thick. production quantities and it
Minor, Morris Mini and even the ultimately only six were built prior Its Rolls-Royce Meteor V12 petrol remained a technological curiosity
infamous Morris Marina. to the projects cancellation. engine could drive this monster at along with the other super-heavy
However, Morris Motors This heavy assault vehicle a stately 12 mph on the road, and tanks of the mid 1940s.
parent company, The Nuffield was the A39 Tortoise. The A39 4 mph cross-country. The Tortoise The Tank Museum at Bovington
Organisation, also boasted an
essential role during the Second
was fitted with a 32 pdr 94 mm
main gun that was capable of
would not sit comfortably in this
age of economy vehicles though.
holds the only complete surviving
example of an A39 Tortoise. This a
World War building Spitfires at an
enormous new purpose-built plant
demolishing heavy obstacles.
A fully rotating turret on the
Fuel consumption is estimated to
be 10 gallons to the mile!
particular machine last ran under
its own power during gunnery trails
p
at Castle Bromwich, as well as superstructure roof was fitted Despite its great weight and in the early 1950s.
designing and building armoured
cars and tanks. The Tortoise trundling around the
Even at the outbreak of war Tank Museums main arena. This
in 1939, it was clear that British was the first time the Tortoise had
tanks were too lightly armed and been wheeled out under its own
power for more than 60 years.
armoured to deal with the new
generation of armour deployed
by Germany. By 1943, Allied
armies advancing through Italy
encountered stubborn obstacles
on the Siegfried Line, and there
were no answers available in the
current British arsenal. This led
to a Joint Memorandum for a
heavy assault tank with sufficient
armour and firepower to clear
such obstacles and break through
heavily fortified lines.
The Nuffield Organisation

6 Model Military International - January 2013

p 06-10 Tortoise TT 081B.indd 6 16/11/2012 14:10

 THE STAR OF THE SHOW An overall rear
The Tortoise was the star of the three-quarter view.
show at Bovington Tank Museums
Tankfest in June 2011 where
it trundled around the arena
under its own power for the first
time in sixty years. I was lucky
enough to be there and took a few
photographs of the occasion. I did
not feel it would be worth taking
more than a few overall views
as surely there would not be a
model of this huge, slow moving
mammoth anytime soon.
Fast forward to early 2012 and
first rumours and then confirmation
that Meng, a new company to the
plastic kit market, was going to
produce a 1:35 scale Tortoise. As
the only surviving intact Tortoise,
Meng even used the Bovington
example as their reference.
After kicking myself a few
times for missing a very good Nice detail of the
opportunity to get some useful towing equipment
detail photographs I quickly and rear hull detail.
recovered and made plans to
attend the Tank Museums Tiger
day in March 2012 where I was
able to get the detail shots you see
here. They would have to be while
the Tortoise was inside but, as
they say, you live and learn!
I would recommend a trip to
Bovington to anybody and not just
to see the Tortoise. Please check
out www.tankmuseum.org for
details of their collection and any
future special events.

weight
Despite its great
and bulk,
the Tortoise proved
to be both reliable
and an excellent gun
platform on trials in
Germany after the
end of WWII...

The size comparison with

the Centurion is interesting.

January 2013 - Model Military International 7

p 06-10 Tortoise TT 081B.indd 7 08/11/2012 10:48

 Think Tank - A39 Tortoise at Tankfest 2011

A targets eye view of the massive counterweight on the end of the 32 pdr barrel. Those tracks are massive sorely needed to distribute the bulk of this heavy vehicle.

A good view of the forward superstructure showing the rough casting marks. The top of the superstructure showing the Besa-equipped turret and the cupola.

The wide open vents on the engine deck are of interest. The mantlet of the Tortoise was distinctive, to say the least!

The independently operated Besa gun and smoke dischargers on the left side of the superstructure. Spare tracks on the left side of the superstructure.

8 Model Military International - January 2013

p 06-10 Tortoise TT 081B.indd 8 08/11/2012 10:49

 Those wide tracks again. One of the front towing hooks.

A lifting eye and one mount for the chunky gun travel lock. The opposite side.

The travel lock is holding the 32 pdr gun barrel in place. The right side smoke discharger cluster.

The other side of the mantlet is a more regular semi-circle. Once again, the cast texture is very obvious on the superstructure.

January 2013 - Model Military International 9

p 06-10 Tortoise TT 081B.indd 9 08/11/2012 10:49

 Think Tank - A39 Tortoise at Tankfest 2011
Side view of the fully-rotating Besa gun turret.

Side skirts are structural, and heavily armoured. Rear three-quarter view of the superstructure.

The engine deck, looking forward. Lifting eyes for the engine deck may be seen here.

The large muffler is mounted directly behind the engine deck. You certainly cant miss the casting marks here!

Rear hull detail. A side view of the muffler and the small exhaust pipe.

10 Model Military International - January 2013

p 06-10 Tortoise TT 081B.indd 10 08/11/2012 10:49

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 FEATURE ARTICLE Meng Model 1:35 A39 Tortoise Kit No. TS-002
HEAVYWEIGHT
REPTILE
W
hen the Allies began
to prepare plans
to invade Europe
they expected that
resistance would be tough with
multiple fortified positions such as
the ones on the Siegfried Line.
In Britain, the Secretary of War
gave instructions to develop a
specific kind of vehicle that could
deal with this kind of challenge,
putting more emphasis on
protection and firepower than in
mobility. The Nuffield organization
developed 18 prototypes, each one
bigger and heavier than the last.
In February 1944, the design
of the T16 was completed and
approved by the War Office, which
immediately placed an order for
25 vehicles without even waiting
to pass any kind of tests. They
expected to have them ready by
September 1945. This was the
origin of the A39 Tortoise.
The vehicle consisted of a fixed
superstructure over a chassis
suspended on 8 bogies with four
wheels each to support the 79
tons. It was a very reliable platform
for the gun chosen.
The 32 pounder gun was
operated by two loaders. These
14 Model Military International - January 2013
p 14-19 Tortoise 081B.indd 14
loaders plus a commander, driver
and gunner formed the crew of
the Tortoise.
The ammunition was divided
in shell and charge and
the gun passed a test with
armour piercing shot (APCBC)
ammunition in which was able to
perforate the armour of a Panther
at a distance of 1,000 yards.
The split of the interior was
classic - the transmission at the
front, the fighting compartment
with the gun and the crew in the
middle and the Rolls Royce Meteor
engine at the back.
The armour protection was the
most important characteristic
of the Tortoise and consisted of
228mm at the front and 152mm
at the sides. Its enormous weight
allowed the vehicle to reach a
maximum speed of just 19km/h.
There were also three Besa
machine guns for close combat
protection, one mounted in a ball
system at the front and two more
in the fully-rotating commanders
turret.
Only six vehicles were finished
by the time the war was over,
with some minor differences
between them.
Federico Collada builds and
weathers Meng Models brand
new 1:35 scale A39 Tortoise.
Nowadays, the only surviving
A39 Tortoise is at the Bobington
tank museum and it is in running
conditions, last shown during the
June 2011 Tankfest.
A LONG AWAITED MODEL
It is not that Meng has taken a
long time since they announced
their kit until it was in the shops.
In fact, they were really fast. It is
just that many modellers, myself
amongst them, have waited a
long time for a plastic kit of this
fascinating subject.
I am delighted to report that the
long wait has been worthwhile.
Mengs 1:35 scale A39 Tortoise
is presented on nine dark green
sprues plus upper and lower hull
halves. The plastic parts are
flawlessly moulded. The tracks are
made of separate links in brown
colour plastic.
Construction is quite easy, as
is the preparation and handling of
the pieces, even the smaller ones.
That makes this kit a good choice
for beginners. They also surely will
enjoy adding such a huge model to
their collection.
For those who cannot resist
adding some details or correcting
others, you will find some areas to
Construction commences with
the eight big four-wheel bogies.
08/11/2012 10:50
 The quality of the plastic
parts is very high.
entertain yourselves. For example,
there are some handles at the
top of the engine cover that are
moulded with the superstructure
piece that will look far better if
they are replaced with parts bent
from metal wire. The twin machine
gun casing on the commanders
turret will need some filling and
sanding. Other pieces will look
better if we sand them a little to
make them look thinner.
I started building the model
as the instructions suggest, with
the running gear and suspension
bogies. Placing the wheels of the
Construction is fast and easy.
bogies in place trying to leave
them loose was a bit difficult as
I had to manipulate many pieces
at the same time but finally I
managed to do it, This made the
later painting job easier.
I assembled lengths of tracks in
the proper shape to fix them to the
wheels at the end of the project.
I continued adding pieces A base coat of Tamiya acrylic
step by step but left the main XF-61 Dark Green was
applied to the entire vehicle.
gun, exhaust, tow cable and the
armoured side skirts unglued.
I replaced the aforementioned
handles with replacements made
from metal wire and filled the lines
at the machine guns housing at the
turret. The building process was
very easy and took me no more A blend of XF-61 with 30% of XF-5 Green and 20%
of XF-62 Olive Drab was diluted with 80% alcohol.
than a few hours.

ANY COLOUR YOU WANT

AS LONG AS ITS GREEN
As there are not many choices This mix was sprayed in the
for the painting I started centre of the larger surfaces
and over some details.
by applying a coat of
Tamiya acrylic XF-61
Dark Green as a base
for further shading and
highlighting.
Next, I prepared a
mix of the base XF-61 with
30% of XF-5 Green and
20% XF-62 Olive Drab. I
airbrushed this mix diluted with
80% alcohol at the centre of the
bigger surfaces and over some
details from a distance of 15 cm.
As this first highlight was a bit
contrasted but not light enough
I prepared a second mix adding The initial mix was not quite light enough
a bit of XF-21 Sky and diluted so a second mix was created with a bit of
at 90%. I applied this second XF-21 Sky and diluted with 90% thinners.
filter to the whole model from
a longer distance, 30-35 cm, to
cover as evenly as possible. This
filter enhanced the little details
and softened the contrast of the
earlier paint.
A final sprayed filter with XF-21
at 90% lightened the general tone
a bit more to prepare it for the
dark washes to come.
I applied a first wash with
Mig and Titan oils to produce A final sprayed filter with
some shadows around the XF-21 at 90% lightened
the general tone a bit
details, recesses and corners. more to prepare it for the
First I moistened the model with dark washes to come.
turpentine and then I applied the
oil paints diluted in this solvent A

January 2013 - Model Military International 15

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 FEATURE ARTICLE Meng Model 1:35 A39 Tortoise Kit No. TS-002

I painted the tow cables with a base of light grey.

A wash was applied using Mig and Titan

oils to produce some shadows around
the details, recesses and corners.

B with a small brush. I used black and the main gun I cut a mask from specifically the ones of the vehicle the decals, then I cleaned both
dark brown colours mixed 50/50. self-adhesive paper tape and preserved at Bovington. the model and the decals with
For the exhaust, I used a two covered the part of the piece I The search was not easy. I had the Micro Set product and placed
component rusting paint that did not want to paint. Then I used to combine letters and numbers them. After another ten minutes
produces a very natural effect. Tamiya XF-21 Sky to paint the from different decals sheets but I applied the Micro Sol to adapt
The first liquid is an iron solution camouflage band followed by a finally I had all I needed, although them to the surface perfectly.
that you can apply with a brush, heavy filter with matt white. I would not be able to tell you the Once the liquids were dry I applied
then 24 hours later you apply the The kit does not provide any sources for all of them. a coat of matt varnish to protect
second product that really rusts kind of decals so I had to look I applied the decals with the the job.
the metal. The effect is clearly at my spares box to see if there aid of the Micro Set and Micro Sol I painted the towing cables with
visible some hours later. These were any suitable to make the products. First I applied a gloss a base of light grey, to which I later
special paints are found at good numbers on the sides of the tank, varnish to prepare the surface for applied successive washes with
hobby stores and they are not
too expensive. Sometimes you
can choose the second liquid to
produce different tones of rust.
These are very useful as you can
imitate iron, bronze, etc.
With the exhaust rusted and
dry after two days I started to
paint the stains using oils again,
this time with the colours green,
yellow, pink, pale blue, brown,
grey and buff. As I had done
with the washes, I moistened
the surface of the model with
turpentine and then I deposited
little dots of the different oils on
the surface to immediately sweep
downwards with a brush dampened
in the solvent. For the horizontal
surfaces I replaced the sweeping For the exhaust, I used a two component rusting paint that produces a The first liquid is an iron solution that you can apply with a brush, then
movement for a stencilling. This very natural effect. 24 hours later you apply the second product that really rusts the metal.
way the little dots of oil became
subtle clouds of colours that
blended at the edges creating a
kind of multicolour filter.
At this stage I painted the
spare tracks, the pale camouflage
demarcation on the lower part of
the gun barrel, the machine guns
and the little red shield at the front.
I used Alclad Lacquer ALC-120
gun metal for the machine guns,
applied with a small brush. I like
this shade very much. It is very
close to the real finish of the guns.
The spare links for the tracks
received a base of Matt Black and
later some subtle washes with dark
red and earth oil paints. Fittings have been added to the muffler. Tracks were painted with a very dark red brown mix as a base.
For the camouflage break on

16 Model Military International - January 2013

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The kit does not provide any decals so I had to look to my spares box for these markings.
the Lifecolor rusting set, diluted
in water and using a fine brush. I
emphasised the clamps and the
eyes that are at the cables ends as
I saw that they were darker than
the rest on real vehicle.
At this stage I started to paint
the already assembled lengths
of tracks. I used a very dark red
brown mix as a base and then
I used an easy technique that I
always use for spattering mud
to achieve an authentically rusty
look. The secret weapon required
for this technique is an old
toothbrush. Lifecolors rust paint
set includes four tones of rust
and another two of dust to splash
little dots of each colour onto the
tracks without waiting for each
colour to dry completely. This
way I managed to get a variety
of tones along the tracks similar
to how the rust shows in the real
life. I began by adding a bit of
the darkest colour with to the
toothbrush bristles, then pulling
the bristles back with a finger
and letting them go gradually
so the drops would spatter onto
the tracks in front. I repeated
the process with the next three
colours and in the end the tracks
looked as though they had been
affected by rust for a long time.
I took a close look at some
photographs of the Bovington
vehicle and I realised that in
some places, most noticeably on
Construction is quite easy, as is the
preparation and handling of the pieces,
even the smaller ones. That makes this
kit a good choice for beginners. They
also surely will enjoy adding such a
huge model to their collection...
p 14-19 Tortoise 081B.indd 17
Stains were created using oil paints again, this time with the colours green, yellow, pink, pale blue,
brown, grey and buff.
the wheels, there has been an
accumulation of dust and grease
that looked dark and greasy.
I tried to replicate that look by
mixing oils and pigments, diluting
them with a bit of turpentine and
applying them with a small brush.
I used dark brown oil and earth
pigment and the result was a dark
and glossy shadow very similar to
the observed at the photographs.
I applied this mix to the
turpentine-dampened surface of The surface of the model was moistened with turpentine and then I deposited little dots of the different
some parts to obtain this shade oils on the surface to immediately sweep downwards with a brush dampened in the solvent.
with faded edges.
To dirty the vehicle I used more
or less the same technique, a mix
of oils, diluted in turpentine and
adding a bit of pigments here and
there. I used dark brown oil and a
variety of pigments that went from
the light dust to the dark earth.
Each time I let the wash dry to see
the result and sometimes I had
to thin it applying a wash of pure
turpentine.
I simulated the polished metal
on the tracks and some other
places by rubbing here and there
with a graphite pencil.
With the paint job complete,
I added a Tasca gasoline can at
For the horizontal surfaces I replaced the sweeping movement for a stencilling.
the rear superstructure rack and
painted the periscopes lenses with
Vallejo gloss black.
I applied a layer of pigments
diluted in water with a brush at
the lower part of the hull and the
model was complete. A
This way the little dots of oil became subtle clouds of colours that blended at the edges creating a
kind of multicolour filter.
January 2013 - Model Military International 17
08/11/2012 10:50
 FEATURE ARTICLE Meng Model 1:35 A39 Tortoise Kit No. TS-002

a, B CONCLUSION
I greatly enjoyed building this kit. It
was easy and, once finished, looks
very impressive.
I have been following the Meng
catalogue with great interest since
the beginning and I have built most
of their military vehicles.
I am looking forward to seeing
what Meng has in store for us
next!

Modelspec
Meng Model 1:35 A39 Tortoise. Kit No. TS-002
Paints & Finishing Products:
b, c, Tamiya Acrylics XF-1 Flat Black; XF-61 Dark Green;
XF-5 Green; XF-62 Olive Drab; XF-21 Sky
Mig and Titan Oil Paints
Alclad Lacquer - ALC-120 Gunmetal
Micro Set and Micro Sol
Lifecolor rusting set
Graphite pencil

Good level of detail; easy to build; anticipated

subject.
Some simplified parts.
Available from
Thanks to Meng Model for the sample
www.meng-model.com
d,
Rating

a, At this stage I painted the spare tracks.

I applied successive washes with the
Lifecolor rusting set, diluted in water and
using a fine brush
b, To dirty the vehicle I used a mix of oils,
diluted in turpentine and adding a bit of
pigments here and there.
c, I used dark brown oil and a variety of
pigments that went from the light dust to
the dark earth.
d, Details added to the rear of the
superstructure.
e, Tascas lovely jerry can was fitted
to the rack on the other side of the
superstructure.
f, High points on the tracks were touched
up with a graphite pencil.
g, The twin machine gun casing on the
commanders turret needed some filling
and sanding.

e, f, g,

18 Model Military International - January 2013

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 High points on the I applied a layer of pigments
tracks were touched up diluted in water with a brush
with a graphite pencil. at the lower part of the hull.

Lifecolors rust paint set

Mengs 1:35 scale A39 Tortoise
includes four tones of rust and
is easy to build and looks very
another two of dust to splash
impressive when finished.
little dots of each colour onto
the tracks without waiting for
each colour to dry completely.

January 2013 - Model Military International 19

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 KIT PREVIEW Tamiya 1:35 M1A2 SEP Abrams TUSK I/II Kit No. 35326

A Tamiya built test-shot of

the new M1A2 SEP TUSK II

Stuart Ransley
describes the full-sized
M1A2 SEP Abrams The 1982 lower hull, the only part from the original kit.

TUSK, while the Editor

gets a sneak peek at a
test shot of Tamiyas
forthcoming 1:35 scale
URBAN TUSK kit, due for release
around the end of 2012.

P
roduction of the M1A2
began in 1992 with 77
built new and 600 M1s
upgraded to the M1A2
standard. The M1A2 is fitted with
an independent thermal sight for
the Tank Commander. It is also
fitted with second generation
depleted uranium armour mesh.
The M1A2 was the armys first
fully digital combat system.
The M1A2 SEP (System
Enhancement Program), is the
successor to the M1A2. Using
refurbished M1 Tank hulls, the
program includes target detection,
recognition and identification by
adding two 2nd generation FLIRs.
(Forward Looking Infrared).
The 2nd Gen FLIR is a fully
integrated sighting system
designed to provide the gunner and
tank commander with improved
day and night target acquisition
The two new multi-part figures.
The glueable vinyl Big Foot tracks.
Markings for three vehicles are supplied on the small
decal sheet.
20 Model Military International - January 2013
and engagement capability.
The M1A2 SEP is also fitted with
third generation, depleted uranium
armour. This makes it one of the
best-protected tanks in the world.
The Tank Urban Survival Kit,
or TUSK, is a series of upgrades
added to the M1A1/M1A2 Abrams.
The kit can be installed in the
field. It is intended to improve
a tanks survivability in urban
environments. When fighting in
an urban environment, attacks
can come from any direction, and
attackers can get close enough
to hit weak points in the tanks
armour.
The kits come in two versions.
These may be identified by the
shape of the Abrams Reactive
Armour Tiles. The first kit has
square tiles the second has tiles
that are curved.
Both TUSK versions include
a gun shield and a thermal
sight system added to the
loaders top-mounted 7.62
mm machine gun, and a
CROWS remote controlled
weapon station.
TUSK entered service on
M1A1 / M1A2 tanks in late
2007 and has been deployed
to Iraq and Afghanistan.
TAMIYAS 1:35 M1A2
SEP ABRAMS TUSK I/II
Tamiya has conducted a
30-year affair with the
Abrams tank, starting with
their early 1:35 scale M1 kit
from 1982. In 1992, their
Desert Storm M1A1 was
released with a number of
revised and additional parts.
In 2003, a further boxing
was offered with yet more
changes. This kit allowed
an M1A1 HA, M1A1 Late
Production or an initial M1A2
kit to be built.
Now, in 2012, Tamiya
has delivered the most
significant upgrade yet with
their M1A2 SEP Abrams
TUSK II.
I have a pre-production
test shot of the kit due
for release at the end of
2012. The new sprues are
presented in pale grey plastic on The upper hull is supplied on a new sprue.
my sample, and the parts are as
yet un-numbered. It should be
pointed out that there will likely
be changes to some of the parts
seen here, and you can expect
that the entire kit will be in
Tamiyas familiar desert tan shade
by the time it hits the shops.
The sample as it appears here
comprises 318 pieces in grey
and tan plastic, 20 parts in clear
plastic, 22 polythene caps, one The upper section of the revised turret.
sheet of vinyl mesh, 1 sheet of
clear acetate, two full length
vinyl tracks and markings for
three vehicles.
It would appear that upward
of 200 parts are either entirely
new or revised, including two
new multi-part crew figures. The
sole part from the original 1982
release is the lower hull, and
even that is now supplemented
with separate armoured panels TUSK II armour elements.
that conveniently cover the
motorisation holes in the bottom
of the part. The running gear from
the 1992 kit is included, while the
tracks are the revised Big Foot
glueable vinyl lengths from the
2003 edition.
This new kit will permit the
modeller to build either a TUSK I
or a TUSK II M1A2. Markings are
supplied for two TUSK I and one
TUSK II vehicles.
More new parts, including the cupola.
Initial indications are that
Tamiya has done a very
thorough job at depicting the
characteristics of this tough-
looking urban MBT, although non-
skid texture is still absent on the
hull and turret.
Until now, the only option for
this latest version of the M1A2
Abrams in 1:35 scale has been
an expensive resin conversion.
Tamiyas new 1:35 scale kit should The new barrel and rear hull panel.
be significantly easier to build,
and cost less too.
Anthony Sheedy will be
reporting back on construction in
a forthcoming Feature Article.
Thanks to Tamiya Japan for
the sample.
Tamiya kits are distributed in
the UK by The Hobby Company
Limited www.hobbyco.net
Small detail parts on one of a number of new sprues.

p 20 M1A2 Tusk Pre 081B.indd 20 08/11/2012 10:53

p 21 ADs Collated 081.indd 8 07/11/2012 16:50
 FEATURE ARTICLE Tamiya 1:35 Israeli Tank M51 Kit No. 35323

UPGUNNED
SHERMAN
22 Model Military International - January 2013

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 Chris Wauchop
modifies Tamiyas
recently released
1:35 scale Israeli
M51 with a number
of scratch built
additions.
Tamiya has moulded surface texture on the model. Here is the upper hull. The kit supplied, full-length vinyl T80 tracks.

I
n the early 1960s, the Arab
nations surrounding Israel
began to replace their ageing
T-34/85s with the latest
Russian T54/55 medium tanks,
which rendered the IDFs M50
Shermans 75mm gun inadequate
at most combat ranges. Because
of its reliability and success in
many operations, it was decided to
retain the Shermans services
but with a much more
powerful gun. Re-armed
with the shortened
French CN-105-D1 high-
velocity 105mm gun, the
M51 Sherman was born
and would serve admirably
alongside its more modern
compatriots.
THE MODEL
Tamiyas 1:35 scale kit presents us
with a first-production run Israeli
M51 and as far as I know it is the
only kit available of this variant.
The quality of the kit is up to
Tamiyas usual brilliant standard
and would build a beautiful model
straight from the box, but I wasnt
about to let that happen!
This was a commission build and
for once I had not been provided
with a comprehensive after market
detail set, so I began to determine
which parts I would be able to
scratch build with the materials
that were available to me in my
work room. This was not going to
be to much of a stretch as I do
have quite a good collection of
Evergreen plastic products, brass
tube, brass and copper wire and a
drawer full of left over photo-etch
sets that are being saved for just
such an occasion.
THE BUILD
The first job I tackled, before the
upper and lower hulls were glued
together, was to remove all the
moulded-on stowage brackets from
the kit tools. With the aid of good
photographic reference, these
brackets were fabricated from 10
thou plastic card. The Evergreen
plastic is quite flexible and can be
bent 180 if necessary - and it was
going to be!
After these were all glued in
place, the tail light protective
frames were also replaced with
units made from plastic strip.
I tried to do the same for the
headlights but getting the right
length and curve proved to be
too much for my poor old brain
so I ended up using the kit parts
after some careful thinning with
a jewellers file. The flat frame at
the front of the horn cover was
also replaced with a more accurate
profile configuration. Once these
plastic modifications had been
added it was time to bend some
wire. All tie-down loops, hatch
handles and door latches were
replaced with various gauges of
brass and copper wire bent to
shape and glued into dozens of
carefully pre-drilled holes. The
grouser vents had some suitably
sized photo-etched mesh from the
spares drawer cut to shape and A

January 2013 - Model Military International 23

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 FEATURE ARTICLE Tamiya 1:35 Israeli Tank M51 Kit No. 35323

Tool stowage brackets, handles and tied-down loops

were added using .010 Evergreen plastic strip of
various widths and fine wire and brass tube. The replacement tail light bracket.

B glued to their open fronts before hatch. These springs are relatively tie-down loops on the top of the day) were now stretched over
being permanently attached to the simple to make by tightly winding turrets rear bustle. An aerial the running gear and the upper
rear engine deck. fine copper wire around a piece mast was cut to, what I think was, hull was glued in place. Joining
My client did include a set of of brass rod of the appropriate an appropriate length and glued braces between the glacis and
four U.S. Jerry cans from a Tasca diameter and then slipping it off into a pre-drilled hole in the mast the mudguards were cut from
kit so my next task was to make the rod and cutting to length. mounting post. The last additions plastic strip and added at this
the brackets to hold them. The The moulded kit springs were to the turret were the four smoke point. The only areas that I could
model actually required brackets carefully removed with a scalpel dischargers safety chains. These see needed filling were the joins
for five fuel and two water cans and the new parts glued in place. were again sourced from my photo- above and below the bolt-on
so after removing the moulded- Commanders and loaders solid etch spares drawer. joining strip between the top of
on brackets from one of the kits hatch handles were replaced with The kit tracks (which had been the transmission housing and the
fuel cans and the two water cans, copper wire as were the four glued together the previous upper hull. These were quickly
seven new brackets were made
using various widths of 10 thou
Evergreen plastic strip. The top
rail of each bracket has a tiny
attachment loop glued in place
ready for the securing strap,
which will be added later. Also
included by the client was a Tasca
M2 .50 cal. machine gun set.
This is a beautifully detailed little
kit all on its own and a worthy
replacement for the very nice unit
supplied by Tamiya.
Extra detail was added to the rear communications Scratch-built latches on the hull stowage bin. Close up of the scratch-built rear hull detail.
The suspension units were now box using various gauges of wire.
assembled and fitted to the lower
hull, which also had a few additions
rather than modifications made at
this point. These included a clamp
for holding the end of the tow
cable and a bracket for securing
a roll of barbed wire on the glacis.
Locking pins and braces were
added to the towing points on the
lower front hull. These were all
fabricated using plastic rod and
strip unlike the locking handles
and their safety chains on the rear
engine access doors, which were
added using brass wire and spare
photo-etched chain.
The turret assembly was next.
This required minor filling, sanding
The flat horn cover bracket was replaced with a scratch-built Towing point locking pins and braces, brackets for securing barbed wire roll and
and re-texturing around the main side profile bracket. The kit light guards were also filed to a more tow cable, and mudguard braces were all added using Evergreen plastic strip and rod.
join line of the two halves. Some accurate (thinner) scale and the bow machine gun muzzle drilled out.
more careful work was needed
to conceal the joins at the four
corners of the canvas mantlet
cover, however this was achieved
relatively simply with the use
of a needle file and some liquid
putty. A few replacements and
additions were made at this point.
These included substituting the
two brackets (kit parts C32 and
C33) with scratch built items made
using plastic strip. New springs
were also added to the loaders Scratch-built Jerry can brackets were fabricated from Evergreen plastic strip. Tasca Jerry cans sit snuggly in their scratch-built brackets. Also showing copper tow
cable and a P/E mesh grouser vent in place.

24 Model Military International - January 2013

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 All the additional detail may
be seen in this overall view.

The gorgeous Tasca .50 cal. machine gun was used to replace kit part. Also visible in this shot is all the
added turret detail including replacement loaders hatch handle and springs, wire tie-down loops, radio
antenna and photo-etched smoke discharger cap-retaining chains and square bracket on the rear bustle.

The quality of the kit is up to

Tamiyas usual brilliant standard
dealt with by the application of a
few brushstrokes of Mr Surfacer
500 liquid putty.
and would build a beautiful model I quickly determined that the
kit-supplied string was not really
straight from the box, but I wasnt going to adequately represent
a metal tow cable and so it was
about to let that happen..!
replaced with a length of suitable
copper twine, again sourced from
my ever-dwindling spares drawer.
STOWAGE
A shot showing the filled turret With the main construction done
join with texture added using and the tow cable secured it
Gunze Sangyos Mr Surfacer 500. was time to add some stuff to
the rear deck.
After checking
my reference photos it was clear
that the accumulation of stowage
was fairly extensive on most, if
not all, early M51s. I decided to
make rolled tarpaulins and things
covered with tarpaulins and my
material of choice for this exercise
was lead foil.
Several years ago I acquired a
box containing about two hundred
sheets of very thin, paper-backed
lead foil and this would prove to
be the perfect medium for the
exercise. The sheets were cut
to appropriate tarpaulin size,
crumpled up as tightly as I could
manage and then flattened out
again which gives a much more
realistic used appearance. A A

Close up of the new loaders hatch handle and springs The photo-etched smoke discharger
fabricated using copper wire. cap-retaining chains sourced from my
spares drawer.

January 2013 - Model Military International 25

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 FEATURE ARTICLE
Main construction
complete and primed.
This really was one of the most enjoyable
builds that I have undertaken. Everything went
together perfectly, and even my scratch-built items
generally fitted on the first go...
The entire model was given 2 or
3 coats of Gunze Sangyo H404
Khaki Brown, with tyres and
tracks carefully painted in a mix
of Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black and
XF-64 Red Brown. Jerry can and
tool-securing straps have been
added at this point.
26 Model Military International - January 2013
p 22-29 M51 SuperSherman 081B.indd 26
Tamiya 1:35 Israeli Tank M51 Kit No. 35323
B couple of bits of balsa were cut to
The roll of wire on the front glacis
was taken off the final model. This is
because it really needs to be barbed
wire and I didnt have any photo-etched
barbed wire in my spares drawer!
fit the engine deck and luggage
rack and were then wrapped in the
foil tarp and tied up with string.
Other tarps were roughly rolled
and tied up then carefully fitted
over and around the fixtures on
the top and side of the engine
deck. Lead foil was also used to
fabricate the webbing packs and
bags hanging from the rear turret
handrail. None of these items was
glued in place at this stage, which
allowed me to paint and weather
them before being attached. This
goes for the Jerry cans as well.
In fact none of the Jerry cans or
tools were ever glued in place but
rather are held quite firmly by the
snug fit of their brackets and tiny
lead foil straps. The tank and all
the separate stowage items were
now given a light coat of Alclad
grey primer and put aside to dry.
PAINT, DECALS AND WEATHERING
Before the application of the base
camouflage colour, equipment tie-
down straps cut from lead foil were
threaded through their appropriate
loops and the tracks and tyres
were roughly sprayed Flat Black.
After much research I
determined that Gunze Sangyo
H404 Khaki Brown acrylic was a
pretty close match to a light IDF
Sinai Grey so the model received
two good coats of this colour. I
then loaded the airbrush with a
very thin mix of Tamiya acrylic
XF-59 Desert Yellow which was
used to subtly vary the tone of
the base colour by careful shading
around any raised detail and lightly
streaking any larger flat areas.
I now brush painted the tyres
and tracks with a thin 50/50 mix
of Tamiya acrylic XF-1 Flat Black
and XF-64 Red Brown.
Two large number 5s were cut
from the Verlinden rub-down decal
sheet of IDF Vehicle Markings
no.155 and applied to the forward
turret sides before an overall gloss
coat was sprayed .
As I could not find any other
markings on the Verlinden sheet
that I wished to use, I decided
to use the kit decals for the rest
of the job, so the entire model
received a good coat of Future
Floor polish in preparation for
their application. Another light
coat of Future was sprayed over
them after the decals had set and
the tank was now ready for some
weathering.
WEATHERING
The first step in the weathering
process was a wash of the Tamiya
Black/ Brown mix but this time
using enamel paints and a little
more brown than black. This wash
was applied quite generously to
the running gear to bring out A
08/11/2012 10:54
 Woodwork on tools was painted with Tamiya XF-59 Desert Yellow and subtly shaded. Metalwork on Rear stowage tarpaulins were painted with Gunze Sangyo H52 Olive Drab and H404 Khaki Brown.
tools was painted with Tamiya XF-63 German Grey / XF-64 Red Brown mix and then burnished with a 6B
pencil. Scratches were applied using the Grey/Brown mix.

Tarpaulins were tied with rigging string from the spares drawer and dusted with pastel chalk. The solid plastic headlights were painted using the Brett Green method. Barbed wire and tow cable
brackets, as well as the screen in front of the horn housing, were scratch built using plastic strip.

The unit marking on the side stowage box has been hand painted. The Tasca .50 cal. machine gun painted and weathered.

The muzzle brake was carefully sprayed with a thin mix of Tamiya Acrylic XF-1 Flat Black The beautifully detailed HVSS units have received a wash of Tamiya enamel Black/Brown to highlight the
and XF-64 Red Brown. fine detail. Tracks and track connector ends have each received a watery drop of Tamiya: XF-57 Buff.

January 2013 - Model Military International 27

p 22-29 M51 SuperSherman 081B.indd 27 08/11/2012 10:54

 FEATURE ARTICLE Tamiya 1:35 Israeli Tank M51 Kit No. 35323
B the beautiful detail of the HVSS
suspension units. Next, the tracks
were given a very thin, watery
wash of Tamiya acrylic XF-57 Buff.
This was applied very generously
to the ends of each track joiner
to give the look of caked-on sand.
The tow cable was then carefully
painted with a 50/50 mix of XF-64
Red Brown and XF-63 German
Grey. The metal parts of the tools
had previously been painted with
this mix and then burnished with
graphite from a 6B pencil. The
.50 cal. also received the same
treatment.
The vision blocks of the
Commanders cupola were painted
with a watery Black/Brown mix.
Once dry, each window was
carefully filled with Future Floor
Polish, which resulted in a very
realistic glazed appearance.
The muzzle brake was sprayed
with the thin Black/Brown mix,
which gives the dirty appearance
consistent in many photos of
these vehicles.
A batch of very light sand-
coloured pastel chalk dust was now
mixed and liberally but selectively
brushed and scrubbed into
areas where it was likely to have
accumulated, i.e. tracks, running
gear, mantlet cover; in fact most of
the exterior!
It was at this stage that I
remembered the solid, single-
coloured plastic headlights. I had
been avoiding their installation
because I had no clear plastic
alternative, so I decided to attempt
the Brett Green method of
painting the solid plastic lenses to
look like clear glass ones.
Armed with a close-up colour
28 Model Military International - January 2013
p 22-29 M51 SuperSherman 081B.indd 28
photo of an M51 headlight,
and after about a half a dozen The entire model received a heavy and uneven
attempts, I managed to produce a dusting of sand-coloured pastel chalk.
remarkably realistic result. Once
painted, each lens was finished-
off with a drop of glossy Future
cleara much more satisfactory
result rather than painting them
silver as the kit instructions advise.
The wooden handles of the tools
were given a coat of Tamiya XF-59
Desert Yellow and some shading,
courtesy of the Red/Brown mix,
and were then placed in position
and secured with their straps. All
the rear stowage items were now
painted with various shades of
khaki and brown and glued into
positioned then generously dusted
with the sandy chalk dust. The
raised track treads received a
polish with a silver pencil and she
was finished!
CONCLUSION
The M51 has always been a subject
that interested me but I probably
would never have attempted to
build one unless I was asked, so
I was more than delighted when
I was commissioned to build this
beautiful Tamiya kit.
This really was one of the
most enjoyable builds that I have
undertaken. Everything went
together perfectly, and even my
scratch-built items generally fitted
on the first go.
Tamiyas 1:35 scale M51 is an
absolute pleasure to build, great
fun to paint and weather, and I
would recommend it to modellers
of any skill level, even those who
are even only slightly interested in
Israeli Armour.
With a few scratch-built
Well done Tamiya! extras, the Tamiya M51 looks
as though it means business!
Chriss modified M51 next to the Editors kit
built earlier this year. The contrast between
the camouflage colours is quite striking!
08/11/2012 10:54
 The huge CN-105-D1 gun is highlighted in this profile view.

Modelspec
Tamiya 1:35 Israeli Tank M51 Kit No. 35323
Accessories and Materials:
Tasca U.S. Jerry cans
Tasca M2 .50 Cal. Machine gun
Verlinden Productions Sheet No. 155-Israeli Vehicle
Markings No.1
Evergreen Plastic Strip
Brass and Copper wire
Brass Tube
Italaeri rigging string
Lead foil
Testors AZTEC Airbrush
Paints And Finishing Products:
ALCLAD II: ALC 302 Grey primer
Prismacolor PC949 Silver pencil
Gunze Sangyo: Mr Surfacer 500
Johnsons Future clear floor sealer
Tamiya Acrylics: XF-1 Flat Black; XF-2 Flat White;
XF-57 Buff; XF-59 Desert Yellow; XF-63 German Grey;
XF-64 Red Brown
Gunze Sangyo: H52 Olive Drab; H404 Khaki Brown
Pastel chalk dust

Great subject; superb fit; easy build.

Some details missing and those solid
headlamps!
Available from
Tamiya kits are distributed in the UK by The Hobby
Company Limited www.hobbyco.net

Rating

Packs hanging from rear turret

handrail were made using lead foil.

Wear on the raised track treads was

created by rubbing with a silver pencil.

January 2013 - Model Military International 29

p 22-29 M51 SuperSherman 081B.indd 29 08/11/2012 10:54

 KIT PREVIEW Bronco 1:35 M24 Chaffee - Post War Version Kit No. CB35072
COMPACT COLD WARRIOR
Adam OBrien seems suitably impressed with Broncos
1:35 scale post-war M24 Chaffee.
T
he M24 Chaffee was a
fast, reliable small tank
boasting the firepower
of the M4 Sherman
that entered service just as
WWII was ending. The US did not
significantly alter the M24, but
post-war tanks were fitted with
improved tracks. When the Korean
War started, the only Allied tanks
available were the M24s stationed
there. They served well until
the heavier M4 and M26 tanks
arrived. Small numbers of M24s
were used by many countries
including Pakistan, France, Italy,
Japan, Denmark. Norway, Taiwan,
Netherlands, Greece and Laos. In
all, 28 countries used the M24.
The first impression is the size
of the box - it is quite large for
a small tank. It is not until you
open the box that you realize
the amount of research and
development that went into this kit.
Spread out over no less than
32 sprues, we find a grand total
of 575 parts. In addition to the
plastic parts we have 2 photo
etched frets, a decal sheet (in
perfect register) and a length of
string to represent tow cable.
The instruction booklet is 28
colour pages.
Notably, this kit contains a
Moulding quality is up there with the best
throughout.
The modest decal sheet covers an impressive
seven post-war subjects.
30 Model Military International - January 2013
p 30 Chaffee Pre 081B.indd 30
The lower hull.
couple of workable features.
Firstly, the suspension is fully
workable using torsion bars that
span the width of the lower hull.
The torsion bars feature internal
covers that should protect the
bars from undue bending inside
the hull. The shock absorbers
are in multiple parts that allow
movement for the suspension
action. Secondly, the main gun
barrel has a recoil mechanism
through a plastic spring hidden
within the body of the gun.
Moulding quality of the parts
is first rate and is equal to the
best offerings of Tamiya and
the like. My sample kit had no
flash at all. Browsing through the
sprues, I can see no pin marks
that will cause any grief to the
modeller. Those that I can see
are all on back-faces, and will not
be seen. As mentioned prior, this
kit contains many parts, most of
which are small to tiny. Great care
will be needed during construction
to remove the many small parts
correctly, and without damage.
Detail on all parts is again first
rate - some of the finest detail I
have ever seen in plastic, or even
resin. The lower hull is beautifully
moulded with every bolthead and
weld seam sharp and defined. The
glacis and final drive housings
are beautifully detailed with even
the casting numbers provided on
the etched frets. The idler wheels
are provided as one piece items,
again perfectly detailed with
sharply defined lightening holes.
The road wheels are built-up
with separate rims and tires, and
match the idlers in their level of
detail. The intricacy of the road
wheel hubs needs to be seen to
be appreciated. The drive wheels
feature a one piece hub and
separate sprockets. The post war
tracks are beautifully represented
using no less than 3 parts per
link. Modellers will need to be
extremely careful with the liquid
cement to allow the links to move
independent of each other.
The turret is the later moulding with the corrected roofline.
More turret parts.
The upper hull and turret on
this kit are a work of art. I have
never seen this level of detail on
a AFV kit. The turret mounting
ring has the correct gear teeth
moulded with extreme finesse.
Bolthead and weld seam details
are perfectly reproduced. The
separately moulded engine Smaller details are beautifully rendered too.
covers feature fine louvered
panels and photo etched grilles.
Many smaller details adorn the
hull such as headlight guards,
casting numbers, fuel filler caps,
tools and grab handles etc., and
are all beautifully moulded and
detailed. The hull mounted .30cal
features a full ball-mounting and
is movable.
The turret consists of a
2-part lower ring, to which the The gun barrel features a workable recoil mechanism.
upper shell and 2-part mantlet
are attached. Turret hatches
again can be modelled opened
or closed and feature stunning
levels of detail inside and out.
The 75mm main gun is nicely
detailed with the breech and
inner details included in the kit.
The barrel itself is a single piece
with a hollowed muzzle. The
turret-mounted .50cal is a 15 part
assembly and is very nicely done Check out the teeth on the turret ring great detail!
with a hollow cooling jacket, very
similar to the standard-setting
Tasca items.
The decal sheet contains
markings for seven post-war
machines - South Vietnamese
machines from 1967 and 1968,
a Korean tank from 1958, and a
Pakistani machine from 1971, just
to name a few.
This is a stunning release, with
levels of detail and moulding
Lovely subtle grille detail.
quality rarely seen. I would
not recommend this kit to the
inexperienced modeller due to the
sheer number of parts and tiny
size of many components, but
given patience and some assembly
and painting skill the finished
model will be a showstopper.
Thanks to Bronco for the
sample www.bronco-model.com
Full length track guards.
08/11/2012 10:57

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DN6739 Sdkfz 10/4 w/flak 30......................... 45.00
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HBB82441 Merkava IIID..................................... 36.99
HBB82477 Hungarian Toldi................................ 23.99
HBB82489 French EBR-10................................. .25.99
HBB82491 Sdkfz 254 Scout car......................... 25.99
HBB82492 Bergpanther D Flak......................... 36.99
BRONCO 1/35 SCALE
CB35067 17/25pdr desert crew...................... 11.99
CB35068 British Chaffee.................................. 39.99
CB35100 Buffalo 6x6 MPCV.......................... 49.99
CB35033 Hungarian Zrinyi...................................TBA
CB35111 British Bofors AA Gun.........................TBA
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TM01590 BTR-70APC(Early)............................ 25.99
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AF35192 M42A1 Duster Early......................... 47.99
AF35232 Sdkfz 232 Armoured car................. 39.99
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TA35324 T-55 Enigma....................................... 49.99
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RV3097 Leopard 2A6/A6M............................ 24.99
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MIN35133 GAZ AAA 1943 Truck....................... 27.99
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07/11/2012 16:49
 SHOW REPORT MVPA 2012
MVPA 2012
Scott Taylor reports on the 37th
annual Military Vehicle Preservation
Association Annual Convention and
Armour Modelling and Preservation
Society Huntsville Regional Show.
T
he 37th annual Military
Vehicle Preservation
Association Annual
Convention and Armour
Modelling and Preservation
Society Huntsville Regional Show
took place on 28-30 June 2012 at
the Von Braun Centre in Huntsville,
Alabama. This was the second
time, after the MVPA Convention
in Kansas in 2010, that AMPS has
held a regional show inside the
MVPA convention centre.
While not on the scale of some
of the large European military
vehicle shows like War & Peace,
the MVPA Convention nonetheless
is an impressive gathering of
vintage military vehicles, brought
by their owners not just for
display but also competition.
Fortunately the convention centre
was large enough to
hold the entire show
inside, because
Huntsville had
32 Model Military International - January 2013
p 32-34 MVPAShowReport 081B.indd 32
record-setting heat that week
(record-setting heat in Alabama
in late June is HOT). There
were approximately 100 entries
One of the more unusual and rare vehicles entered was Frederick Hoppe, Jr.s 1944 GMC AFKWX version
(vehicles, trailers and artillery) of the ubiquitous 2.5 ton truck, which won a gold medal in the Motorpool class.
on display at this years show,
ranging from Jeeps, M151s and
Dodge WC-series through a variety
of 2 ton and 5-ton trucks to an
MT-LB, M901 ITV and T-34/85.
Many of these vehicles have
been meticulously restored, with
thousands of hours and many
thousands of dollars invested into
making their subject look just
like it did when it rolled off the
production line up to 75 years ago.
The MVPA convention is a great
place for modellers to get up close
and personal with historic military
vehicles, since the owners are
generally very eager to talk about
and show off their pride and joy. It
was easy to pick out the modellers
in the crowd they were
A number of 2.5 ton trucks were entered in the MVPA portion of the show, including this pair of CCKWs.
generally sticking cameras in, The near vehicle is a short wheelbase CCKW-352, while a long wheel base CCKW-353 is beside it.
A number of US Army rocket and missile weapons
systems developed at Redstone Arsenal are on
display at the US Space and Rocket Centre, including
this M48A1 Chaparral surface to air missile launcher.
08/11/2012 10:58
 under, and over the vehicles!
For many, the star of the
show was the MAZ-543 Scud-B
transporter-erector-launcher
(TEL) that the US Army sent from
Redstone Arsenal for display in
the convention hall. This fully
functioning and original example is
used by the Army for a variety of Aside from vintage military vehicles, MVPA members also bring artillery Many of the vehicles entered in the MVPA portion of the show may be seen
training purposes, and convention to the show. This meticulously restored 75mm M1A1 Pack Howitzer was here. The top of the Scud missile is in the rafters!
displayed with all of the equipment that was originally issued with it.
attendees were able to explore
every nook and cranny of this
massive and very complex vehicle.
As somebody who has a Dragon
Scud kit in my collection, I found
that looking at a real Scud was
both inspiring and intimidating.
The AMPS regional show was
hosted by the AMPS Atlanta
chapter. Altogether, approximately
75 models were on the 10 display
tables, representing all eras and
scales. MVPA members who are
used to working with the real
thing were fascinated by and very Amongst the vehicles on display at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Modellers arent the only ones who do conversions! Alan Moreheads M6 Gun
appreciative of the research and Huntsville is this ex-Iraqi Panhard VCR/TH antitank vehicle, with a BTR-152 Motor Carriage has been converted from a standard 1942 Dodge WC-52, with
APC and ZPU-4 quadruple 14.5mm antiaircraft gun behind it. a combination of original parts and fabricated ones.
craftsmanship that went into the
models. One told me that as he
spent time looking at the models at
a quiet time one morning, he could
hear the stories that the models
were telling that to him these
were not just pieces of plastic, but
efforts on the part of the builder to
capture history.
While much of the vending at the
show was understandably aimed
at vehicle owners and restorers,
there were a few model vendors,
including Mid-Tenn Hobbies and TS
Productions. Additionally, many
One of the advantages of having a model show and a military vehicle show co-located is the opportunity to see the same subject both full-sized and in scale.
of the items on the vending tables A
Pattons uniquely modified Dodge WC-57 Command Car was represented both in real life (complete with General George S. Patton re-enactor!) and in 1:35 scale.

David Farris abandoned 1:35 King Tiger won Best Axis subject. Its nice to see some older kits built up on the tables. Ben Trimms Leopard 1A4 was built from the late 1970s-vintage
Tamiya 1:35 scale kit.

This Tamiya 1:35 M8 Greyhound won Best of Show and Best
Allied subject for Mike Petty.
The US Armys Redstone Arsenal sent a MAZ-543 Scud launcher to
display at the show. As might be expected, it attracted a lot of attention
among visitors; not only was it by far the largest vehicle in the show, it
might have been the loudest as well!
One of several Tamiya 1:35 scale T-55s on the tables was this Polish
example by Dave Oswalt, which won an intermediate gold in Category III,
Closed Top Tracked Armour, Post-1945.
January 2013 - Model Military International 33

p 32-34 MVPAShowReport 081B.indd 33 08/11/2012 10:59

 SHOW REPORT MVPA 2012
B had crossover appeal, including
books, vintage technical manuals,
photographs, and collectible items.
Seminars were also run throughout
the show, including a couple on the
history of the M4 Sherman and the
Stuart family by Rob Ervin.
Huntsville, known as Rocket
City, USA, earned its nickname
because it has been the home
of US Army rocket research and
development since 1948 and also
the home of NASAs Marshall
Space Flight Centre since 1960.
Since then, most of the big US
rocket engines, including the
mighty Saturn V that took people
to the Moon, have been developed
in Huntsville, and the Marshall
Space Flight Centre remains the
largest centre in NASA. All of this
means that Huntsville is one of the
great destinations for space geeks.
The US Space and Rocket Centre
has a vast collection of spaceflight
artefacts on display, including
both a genuine Saturn V that was
used for testing in the 1960s and a
full-scale replica standing upright
outside the centre that dominates
the skyline, and is a must-see for
anybody visiting the area.
For military vehicle enthusiasts,
the Veterans Memorial Museum
Huntsville Alabama is known as the
Rocket City because it is home to the
US Armys Redstone Arsenal and NASAs
Marshall Space Flight Centre, as well as
the US Space and Rocket Centre. The
US Space and Rocket Centres rocket
garden has a large collection of rockets
and missiles including this Jupiter
intermediate range ballistic missile and a
JB-2 Thunderbug (the US Armys copy of
the V-1). In the background a full-scale
replica of the mighty Saturn V that took
men to the Moon, standing over 110m
(363) tall, towers over the parking lot
and nearby Interstate 565.
34 Model Military International - January 2013
p 32-34 MVPAShowReport 081B.indd 34
is another destination of choice.
There are plenty of gems in this
museum. For Sherman enthusiasts
(even in the US south there are
some of those!), examples of every
type of 75mm turret are in the
collection. One of the first 100
M3 Stuarts that was built with a
riveted turret is being restored,
while Ford Pygmy, Serial Number
1, one of the ancestors of the
Jeep, is also on display. Post-war
artefacts include a UH-1H flown
in Vietnam by Robert Mason,
author of Chickenhawk, as well as Rob Ervin, the founder of Formations Models, gave two presentations at the show, one on the
a PBR Mark II and several ex-Iraqi development of M3 and M5 Stuart and this one on the development of the M4 Sherman.
vehicles brought back after
Operation Desert Storm.
Next years MVPA convention
will be held from July 25 to 27
at the Portland Expo Centre in
Portland Oregon. Hopefully there
will be an AMPS presence at
that show as well, to build upon
the fruitful cooperation between
AMPS and MVPA and encourage
modellers and historic military
vehicle restorers in the USA to
continue to share their interests.
For more information on upcoming
MVPA events, visit www.mvpa.
org, and for more information on
upcoming AMPS events, go to
www.amps-armour.org
The Scud launcher is fully operational, and visitors had a chance to see almost all of the vehicles
workings up close, especially when the missile launch platform was raised and lowered in the exhibit
hall. The MAZ-543 TEL is an extremely complex vehicle.
One of the many interesting fixer-uppers in the storage compound at the Veterans Memorial Museum
is this M4 composite hull Sherman with the E9 spaced-out suspension, one of a number of Shermans
and other vehicles awaiting restoration at the museum.
Ron Hargrove brought along several vehicles, including this T34-85 that came to the United States via
the former Yugoslavia. In common with all of the vehicles on display, this tank is a runner.
08/11/2012 10:59
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SS27029 - M18 HELLCAT TANK DESTROYER WALK AROUND (Soft cover)
SS67029 - M18 HELLCAT TANK DESTROYER WALK AROUND (Hard cover)
Though relatively lightly armored,
Buicks M18 Hellcat could top 55 MPH,
making it the fastest armored fighting
vehicle fielded during World War II.
The Tank Destroyer men who crewed
these vehicles used this speed and the
Hellcats 76mm high-velocity cannon
to destroy German tanks; firing at the
vulnerable areas of the enemy, and
then racing away before coming under
fire themselves. This volume examines the three principal variants of the
Hellcat - the preproduction T70, early M18, and late M18, using ample
visual reference to document these vehicles - and their differences - inside
and out. Engine and drive train, drivers compartment, weapons and
sighting systems, and stowage - both interior and exterior - are all carefully
presented. Illustrated with 230 color photographs, 5 color photographs, 5
line drawings, and 4 profiles; 80 pages.
SS27026 - M551 Sheridan Walk Around (Soft cover)
SS67026 - M551 Sheridan Walk Around (Hard cover)
First deployed in combat in Vietnam, the M551
Sheridan is the first U.S. tank to be fully amphibious
and also airborne capable. Though maintenance
problems and issues with the gun-launcher system
caused the M551 to be withdrawn from most active
Army units in the late 1970s, it continued to serve the
82nd Airborne Division as the only armored vehicle in
the Armys inventory that could be air dropped. With
the 82nd, the Sheridan took part in the U.S. invasion
of Panama in 1989 and in the war against Iraq in 1990-1991. The last M551s were
withdrawn from U.S. service in 2003. Based on photographic studies of various M551s,
volume offers readers the first-ever up close look at the Sheridan. Coverage of the basic
M551 begins with the suspension and works its way around the exterior of the tank,
into the engine compartment and finishes with a detailed look at the vehicles interior.
Photos of the sub-variants of the M551 Sheridan, such as the Product Improvement
Program, A1, and VISMODs round out this profile of the versatile historic tank.
Illustrated by more than 240 photographs plus eight detailed line drawings. 80 pages.
Shown here is a selection of some of the most popular titles, many more available
Available from all good model and book shops
For more details visit www.adhbooks.com or call 01525 222573 Trade enquiries welcome
Official UK distributor ADH Publishing, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe, Beds LU6 1QX
Tel: 01525 222573 Fax: 01525 222574 email: enquiries@adhbooks.com
p 35 Squadron 081.indd 8
SS27025 - M26 Dragon Wagon Walk Around (Soft Cover)
SS67025 - M26 Dragon Wagon Walk Around (Hard Cover)
Designed by the Knuckey Truck Company with
series production by the Pacific Car and Foundry
Company, the 40-ton Tank Transporter Truck
Trailer M25 - dubbed the Dragon Wagon by
enthusiasts - was the largest wheeled vehicle
fielded by the U.S. Army during World War II.
The M25 consisted of the M26 tractor and M15
trailer. Designed to recover disabled tanks and
other heavy armored vehicles from forward areas, the M26 featured a large
and heavily armored cab to protect the crew. Field use, however, indicated
that typically this vehicle was not used in recovery operations during the
heat of battle, so the later-production M26A1 eschewed the armored cab in
favor of reduced weight and increased reliability. As U.S. tanks evolved and
became larger and heavier, an upgraded version of the trailer, the M15A1,
was introduced to accommodate them. During the 1950s the M15A1 was
further modified to the M15A2 standard, which featured a 24-volt lighting
system. As such, these veteran trailers saw service thorough the Vietnam
War and into the 1970s. The M26 and M26A1 remained in the U.S. Army
inventory well beyond the end of WWII - even being employed by NASA to
move the Saturn V rockets that launched man to the moon in the 1960s.
This Walk Around examines the armored and soft-skin versions of this
massive vehicle, and its trailers, through hundreds of color photos and some
of the finest restored examples in existence. The reader is visually taken
over, under, and through these vehicles from front bumper to loading ramp.
Illustrated with over 230 photographs. 80 pages.
SS12051 - M151 MUTT IN ACTION (Soft cover)
SS52051 - M151 MUTT IN ACTION (Hard cover)
The M151 was intended to be a lightweight,
high-mobility replacement for the M38A1, itself
a successor to the famed World War II jeep.
Dubbed the Military Utility Tactical Truck or
MUTT by the military - GIs almost universally
referred to the vehicle as a jeep. The series
service life spanned more than 40 years and
four manufacturers, and the vehicles saw service
everywhere the US GI was deployed. This volume
chronicles the development and field use of the M151 series in Europe, the
Middle East and, of course, there is extensive coverage of the vehicles
service in Vietnam. The photos, many previously unpublished, are augmented
by seven line drawings. Illustrated with 220 photographs; 80 pages.
ALSO FROM ADH BOOKS...
Firefly Collection No 1 - Viking Summer:
5.SS-Panzer-Division in Poland, 1944.
ADH Publishing, in collaboration with The Oliver Publishing
Group, is proud to announce a new series of books for the
modeller, military enthusiast and general reader.
Each title will include:
Superbly rendered and meticulously researched colour
profiles
Black and white period photographs sourced from the
worlds major archives and private collections
Background history
Detailed orders of battle and tables of organisation
Our first title, Viking Summer: 5.SS-Panzer-Division in Poland, 1944, will also
include:
A general history of the period and detailed accounts of the Kovel and Warsaw
battles
13 pages of colour artwork by Dennis Oliver depicting over 40 different vehicles
including Sdkfz 251 half-tracks, Pzkw IV and Pzkw V Panther tanks and others
Many never before published black and white photographs
Detailed tables showing vehicle types and allocations
Comprehensive explanation of vehicle markings and numbering systems.
07/11/2012 16:37
 FEATURE ARTICLE Brach Models 1:35 scale Selbstfahrlette fur 7.5cm PaK 40 Auf Somua Kit No. MCG S307 (f)

SOMUA
PAKS A PUNCH 1:35 scale Somua MCG S307
Jeremy Moore builds Brach Modelsrman 7.5cm PaK 40 anti-tank gun.
halftrack armed with the deadly Ge

W
hen it comes to scale
modelling, I will be the
first to admit that I
have a bias towards
WWII Allied subjects, and more
specifically the Sherman tank. That
being said however, I am always
open to cool and unusual subjects
that will grab peoples attention
and stand out on a contest table or
in the display case.
Enter Brach Models and their
1:35 scale release of the unique
Somua MCG S307 halftrack armed
with the deadly German 7.5cm
PaK 40 anti-tank gun. In official
nomenclature its referred to as
Selbstfahrlette fur 7.5cm PaK 40
Auf Somua MCG S307 (f).
The Somua PaK (for the sake
of simplicity) was one of several
unique vehicles developed by
Wehrmacht Major Alfred Becker,
a WWI veteran and mechanical
engineer charged with converting
equipment captured from the
French during the occupation in
1940. It is estimated that between
70-75 Somua S307 halftracks were
converted with the PaK 40 along
with a number of others configured
with a mortar array, also available
in kit form from Brach Models.
The majority of the PaK
versions would end up with the
Panzergrenadier regiments of the
21st Panzer Division assigned to
defend the Normandy region. With
very few photos or references
available, the Somua PaK has
never before been tackled by a
kit manufacturer until the Brach
Models release in resin. So without
further delay, lets get started!

36 Model Military International - January 2013

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 Construction is generally
straightforward, but you do need to
pay attention to the instructions.

The quality of Brach Models resin castings is simply superb.

Running gear parts in progress. The bottom of the engine is cast as a single The tracks consist of sections of links, preformed
piece and fits snugly between the frame. curved sections, and the drive sprockets with track
sections molded around them.

RESIN EXTRAORDINAIRE
The kit is made up from finely cast
gray resin parts some of the
nicest resin castings I have seen
- along with a turned aluminium
barrel for the PaK 40. The parts
are bagged in logical groups and
all come wrapped in bubble wrap
packed in a sturdy cardboard
box. A small decal sheet is
also included with two types of
balkenkreuz and some shipping
stencils and vehicle numbers.
The instructions are printed
in a small booklet and consist of
a series of photos with arrows
and parts numbering to aid in
placement. At first glance they
appeared a bit rudimentary but
in the end they were more than
adequate to successfully complete
the model.
The quality of the resin castings
is simply phenomenal very little
flash, minimal sprue attachments,
and impressive detail that is often
difficult to capture in resin. As an
example, the entire upper and lower
hull including the suspension frame
along with the drivers compartment
and fighting compartment are cast
as a single piece with absolutely no
loss of detail!
In an effort to speed up
assembly I removed some of the
larger parts from their sprue and
employed some of my favourite
tools for working with resin
during parts clean-up including
a UMM razor saw, Xacto razor
saw, a sharp hobby knife, and
sanding sticks of various grades.
I would suggest leaving some of
the smaller parts on their sprue
until youre ready to place them
on the model as they may find
their way off your workbench and
into the carpet monster! I would
also recommend using thick gel-
type cyanoacrylate throughout
construction to allow for some
positioning time of the parts. A

Smaller parts include the pigtail towing hooks, headlights, rear mud guards, tools and crew steps on the I opted to leave off the steering wheel until final assembly to make painting a little easier.
hull sides.

The PaK 40 is one of the nicest components of The kit supplied radio was replaced with one cobbled together from Several sizes of fine solder were also used to simulate the
the kit due to its ease of assembly and detail. Tiger Models resin parts and racks scratched from styrene. various wires and cables for the radio equipment.

January 2013 - Model Military International 37

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 FEATURE ARTICLE Brach Models 1:35 scale Selbstfahrlette fur 7.5cm PaK 40 Auf Somua Kit No. MCG S307 (f)
B CONSTRUCTION
Construction began with the
assembly of the transmission
and drive train on the bottom
of the hull. The bottom of the
engine is cast as a single piece
and fits snugly between the
frame. The engine is connected
to the transmission with a drive
shaft that has different sized
locating pegs for the appropriate
connection point. No difficulties
were encountered and the fit of the
parts was very good.
The leaf spring suspension and
axle was assembled next along
with the bogey assemblies. The
bogey assemblies simply snap
together allowing them to move
freely, which aids greatly in the
assembly and placement of the
tracks later on. The bogies are
then slid onto a swing arm which in
turn is press fitted on to the rear
axle. The fit of these parts was
excellent and the entire assembly
remained movable once completed.
Construction continues with
the assembly of the forward
suspension and steering
mechanism. The two leaf springs
The turned aluminium barrel for the PaK 40 is a nice touch as
well as the one-piece muzzle brake superbly cast in resin.
Careful assembly allows the gun to remain movable in terms
of elevation and to traverse ever so slightly.
The completed model was primed with Mr
Surfacer 1200 straight from the spray can.
38 Model Military International - January 2013
p 36-41 BrachSomua 081B.indd 38
were first cemented to the
lower frame in positively marked
locations. The cross beam was
then cemented to the leaf springs
and the steering knuckles were
attached to the ends. A steering
tie rod then connects the two
knuckles allowing the wheels to be
moved to any position within the
normal range of steering before
being cemented in place a very
nice touch that is well executed
in my opinion. The lower hull
assembly was completed with the
placement of the exhaust, exhaust
bracket, front fenders, and wheels.
The tracks consist of sections of
links, preformed curved sections,
The finely detailed tie-downs were added very carefully with fine tweezers and thick CA adhesive to aid
and the drive sprockets with track in positioning them on the model.
sections moulded around them.
The instructions indicate the
correct number of links for the top
and bottom runs and its simply
a matter of counting the number
of links and cutting to length. The
rear idler slides fore and aft in its
mount allowing some adjustment
when fitting everything together.
The result is a very simple
assembly that doesnt compromise
any detail.
The instructions also called for the fighting compartment doors to be installed but I did not glue them in
place until after painting due to their minimal attachment points.
The notorious German primer red was represented by Vallejo Model The red paint was coated with hairspray before the camouflage
Color 982 Cavalry Red. colour was sprayed on and scrubbed off, revealing the base shade.
08/11/2012 11:00
 The drivers compartment
was tackled next. Assembly was
straightforward but my advice
would be to take your time
and study the photos prior to
committing to any cement. There
are a number of delicate parts that
connect to each other to form the
various gear handles and levers.
I opted to leave off the steering
wheel until final assembly to make
painting a little easier. The exterior base coat was applied next using Tamiya XF-60 Dark Yellow The dark green camouflage was then airbrushed freehand with an Iwata
Construction continued with the lightened with XF-55 Deck Tan and heavily thinned with Tamiya acrylic thinner. Custom Micron C airbrush using a mix of Tamiya XF-13 J.A. Green, XF-5 Flat
assembly of the PaK 40 anti-tank Green, and XF-71 Cockpit Green (IJN).
gun. This, in my opinion, is one of
the nicest components of the kit
due to its ease of assembly and
detail. The gun consists of only
seventeen parts yet no details
are sacrificed and the fit is simply
superb. The turned aluminium
barrel is a nice touch as well as the
one-piece muzzle brake superbly
cast in resin. The gun shields are
also nicely rendered in a suitable
scale thickness with no warpage to
be found. Careful assembly allows The dark brown camouflage was applied in the same manner using Tamiya Vallejo Model Color 822 German Camouflage Black Brown was used for
the gun to remain movable in terms XF-64 Red Brown. chipping on the dark yellow areas and a mix of 913 Yellow Ochre and 837 Sand
of elevation and to traverse ever so for the green and brown areas.
slightly (limited by the design of the
vehicle) as well. If you look closely
in the construction photos you may
see a few olive green styrene parts
one being the recoil guard which I
managed to break in several places
from my own ham-handedness. A
replacement was sourced from an
AFV Club PaK 40 kit in my stash.
Final assembly consists of
adding all of the smaller parts
such as the pigtail towing hooks,
headlights, rear mud guards, tools
and crew steps on the hull sides.
The instructions also called for the A pin wash of Mig Productions Dark Wash was applied to all of the details, Weathering continued with the application of streaks and stains using AK
weld lines, nuts and bolts. Interactive Streaking Grime, Engine Grime, and Engine Oil.
fighting compartment doors to be
installed but I opted to leave them
off until after painting due to their
minimal attachment points. The kit
includes some very petite tie-down
hooks that should really be viewed
through an Optivisor to appreciate
their detail! These were added
very carefully with fine tweezers
and thick CA adhesive to aid in
positioning them on the model.
My only deviation from the
instructions was to replace the kit
supplied radio with one cobbled I also employed the oil paint fading method. The spots were blended by dragging them downward with a brush dampened
together from Tiger Models resin with mineral spirits. The result is a slightly faded finish with some subtle
parts and racks scratched from streaks and tonal variations.
styrene. Several sizes of fine
solder were also used to simulate
the various wires and cables
for the radio equipment. Since
resources are very scarce one can
only guess as to what the actual
configuration was, so I surmised
the fighting compartment would
be similar to the Marder III series
of tank destroyers in terms of
radios and equipment. I tried
to emulate the Fug. 5 series of
radios found in SPGs and tank
destroyers and I think the results
are a little more accurate than
what is provided in the kit. A The wheels and tracks were treated with a pigment mix using Mig Productions The completed model.
P232 Dry Mud and P027 Light Dust.

January 2013 - Model Military International 39

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 FEATURE ARTICLE Brach Models 1:35 scale Selbstfahrlette fur 7.5cm PaK 40 Auf Somua Kit No. MCG S307 (f)

Ammunition boxes were added to the fighting compartment. The extra work put into the radio is well worthwhile. Details such as the tools, radio equipment, crew seat, and
Vallejo acrylics.

B PAINTING
Once assembly was completed,
I primed the model with several
light coats of Mr. Surfacer 1200
from the rattle can. This provides
a nice key for the subsequent
painting and weathering steps
and also reveals any surface
abnormalities that may need to
be addressed. Before starting
the painting process I did some
research and found several photos
of Somua PaKs in a three-tone
scheme of dark yellow with what
appeared to be brown and green
bands hastily sprayed on. I also
discovered one photo of a more
traditional three-tone scheme with
larger areas of dark green and
brown; I chose this scheme and
it would serve as my inspiration
throughout the painting process.
Having decided on a paint
scheme I began the process
by airbrushing the fighting
compartment with Vallejo 982
Cavalry Brown thinned with
distilled water. This would simulate
the infamous German red oxide
primer that would subsequently
be exposed using the hairspray
technique. I then sealed the
Vallejo with a couple of coats
of Future prior to spraying on
several light coats of hairspray.
The base coat was applied next
using Tamiya XF-60 Dark Yellow
lightened with XF-55 Deck Tan
and heavily thinned with Tamiya
acrylic thinner. The exact ratio is
by no means scientific but I would
say it is roughly two parts XF-60
to one part XF-55 as I prefer the
initial colour to be fairly light due
to subsequent weathering steps.
Warm tap water was then brushed
over the fighting compartment
areas and allowed to sit for a few
minutes.
Scratches and wear were then
simulated by scrubbing away
the dark yellow to reveal the red
primer underneath. The dark green
camouflage was then airbrushed
freehand with an Iwata Custom
Micron C airbrush using a mix of
Tamiya XF-13 J.A. Green, XF-5
Flat Green, and XF-71 Cockpit
Green (IJN). This mix was thinned
quite a bit and sprayed at low
pressure (10-12psi) to keep the
pattern nice and tight. The dark
brown camouflage was applied in
the same manner using Tamiya
XF-64 Red Brown. Details such as
the tools, radio equipment, crew
seat, and tracks were painted using
Vallejo acrylics.
Once the paint had dried for
a couple of days I began the
weathering process by applying
chips and scratches using Vallejo
acrylics. Two different colours
were utilized; 822 German
Camouflage Black Brown on the
dark yellow areas and a mix of 913
Yellow Ochre and 837 Sand for
the green and brown areas. My
goal was to represent normal wear
and tear and Im a firm believer
in the idea that less is more when
it comes to many aspects of
weathering. Once complete the
chips and scratches may be a
bit bright at this point but not to
worry subsequent weathering
steps will tone them down and
blend them in quite nicely.

Brach Models 1:35 scale Somua PaK is a well-detailed kit of a unique subject. Although it
may appear intimidating as an all-resin kit, it is well designed and will result in an excellent
model if you take care during construction and pay attention to the instructions.

40 Model Military International - January 2013

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equipment, crew seat, and tracks were painted using A small decal sheet supplies the crosses and stencils. The binocular case is a nice touch.

The next step was the
application of a pin wash using
Mig Productions Dark Wash on
all of the details, weld lines, nuts,
bolts, etc. This part of the process
can be somewhat tedious so its
best to take your time and work
in sections. Excess wash or tide
marks were removed or blended
in using a brush dampened with
mineral spirits. After the wash was
given a few days to dry I applied
a filter using Sin Industries P242
Tan for Tritonal Camo. The filter
darkened the base colours ever so
slightly and reduced some of the
contrasts associated with chipping
and detail washes.
In an effort to further reduce
some of the contrasts associated
with the three-tone paint scheme I
also employed the oil paint fading
method. I began by randomly
placing spots of 502 Abteilung oil
paints (035 Buff, 080 Wash Brown,
001 Snow White, 050 Olive Green)
on the model. The spots were
then blended by dragging them
downward with a brush dampened
with mineral spirits. The result is
a slightly faded finish with some
subtle streaks and tonal variations.
Weathering continued with the
application of streaks and stains
using AK Interactive Streaking
Grime, Engine Grime, and Engine
Oil. The engine access covers
received several applications of all
three products built up in layers
to simulate the grime and grease
typically seen in this area of the
vehicle. The wheels and tracks
were treated with a pigment
mix using Mig Productions P232
Dry Mud and P027 Light Dust. A
slurry was created by mixing the
pigments with Mig Productions
Thinner for Washes and then
brushing it on the wheel treads and
on to the tracks as well. Once dry,
the excess was removed from the
raised areas using a wide brush
dampened with mineral spirits
making sure that it remained in the
recessed areas.
Modelspec
Brach Models 1:35 scale Selbstfahrlette fur 7.5cm
PaK 40 Auf Somua Kit No. MCG S307 (f)
Paints & Weathering Products:
Tamiya XF-57 Dark Yellow, XF-55 Deck Tan,XF-9 Hull
Red, XF-69 NATO Black
Excellent quality casting; very high level of
detail; straightforward construction considering
the potential complexity; unique subject that
has not appeared as a 1:35 scale kit before.
Nothing worth noting.
Available from
Brach Models are available online from their website
http://www.brachmodel.it
Rating

January 2013 - Model Military International 41

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 FEATURE ARTICLE Tamiya 1:35 German Heavy Tank Destroyer Elefant Kit No. 35325
THE ELEFANT
IN THE ROOM
PART TWO PAINTING,
WEATHERING AND FIGURES
The Editor paints, weathers and adds a full crew
to Tamiyas brand-new 1:35 scale Elefant.
I
lost my armour painting mojo
early this year.
I just havent been happy
with my armour paint jobs,
especially German camouflage.
As a result, I have delayed the
painting of a number of modelling
projects over the last six months
or so. As a result, my unpainted
models is starting to pile up!
To motivate myself to actually
break out the airbrush, I decided
to build and paint a few figures for
the Elefant first.
IT FIGURES
Figure painting is another tricky
area for me. On the one hand,
carefully selected figures can bring
a project to life. They also lend a
sense of proportion and context
to a model. On the other hand, my
figure painting skills in general, and
my face painting skills in particular,
are pretty ordinary.
Despite this, I bought a set of
three resin figures from Royal
Model intended for Dragons
Ferdinand kit, but they would
be equally appropriate for my
Tamiya Elefant. I was delighted
with the relaxed, natural poses and
excellent sculpting. In fact, I was
so impressed that I ordered the
second set of three figures. With
six figures to paint, at least I would
get plenty of practice!
First, the figures were
assembled with super glue (except
for the heads), any small gaps and
pin holes filled, and the completed
figures primed with Tamiyas Grey
Primer straight from the spray
can. The heads were sprayed with
Tamiyas Fine White Primer to give
a lighter base for the flesh tones.
With six close-packed figures, I
42 Model Military International - January 2013
p 42-51 ElefantPt2 081B.indd 42
wanted to make sure there was a
bit of variety in their appearance.
Using the colours on the Royal
Model box tops as a guide, I
selected a combination of three
main shades for the uniforms
Panzer Black and two versions of
Field Grey (Feldgrau). One of these
shades is greenish, while the other
is more a khaki grey.
Vallejo made my life a little
easier by packaging all the uniform
colours I needed in one box
Panzer Aces Set No.5. This set
also includes paler shades of the
base colours to paint highlights.
The specific colours I used were
333 Germ. Tkcr. (Black), 334
Germ. Tkcr. I (Feldgrau), 335 Germ.
Tkcr. II (Feldgrau), 337 Highlight
Ger. (Black), 338 Highlight Ge. I
(Feldgrau) and 339 Highlight Ge. II
(Feldgrau).
The colours were applied by
brush. Two coats were plenty to
ensure solid even coverage. An
intermediary shade between each
base colour and its highlight colour
was mixed and applied, once again
by brush, to the highlight areas.
For the Feldgrau uniform items,
the edges and most prominent
points were emphasised with the
unmixed highlight colour.
Details such as epaulets, piping
and insignia were then picked
out with a fine brush. Following
a protective coat of Testors Flat
Clear Lacquer, metallic items
including buttons and belt buckles
were painted with Vallejo Model
Colour 70865 Oily Steel.
Painting the heads got underway
with a sprayed base coat of
Tamiyas acrylic XF-15 Flat Flesh.
Headgear was then painted,
followed by a wash of heavily A
08/11/2012 11:05
NT
M

NEW FROM SQUADRON SIGNAL

SS79001 - Hard Cover
SS39001 - Soft Cover
Ferdinand / Elefant
Detail in Action
by David Doyle

www.adhbooks.com
January 2013 - Model Military International 43

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 FEATURE ARTICLE Tamiya 1:35 German Heavy Tank Destroyer Elefant Kit No. 35325

Tamiyas Elefant with home-made The model received an overall coat

zimmerit made using a couple of small of Tamiyas Grey Primer straight
electrical screwdrivers and Tamiyas from the spray can.
two-part epoxy putty.

B thinned Burnt Sienna oil paint. 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 Vallejo 337 Highlight
Ger. (Black), which is actually a
dark brown shade. High areas
of the faces such as the chin,
brow, nose, cheeks and ears were
painted with paler shades of flesh,
while shadow areas (under the
eyebrows, under the nose and
chin) received darker shades. I
made no serious attempt to paint
the whites of the eyes, preferring
a dark thin slit in most cases.
Finally, with the figure painting
complete, the rather uncomfortable
looking handles were extracted and
the heads glued to the bodies.
With the figures now ready,
all I had to do was break out the
airbrush and paint my Elefant.
A YELLOW ELEFANT
The excellent J.J. Fedorowicz book,
Combat History of the Schwere
Panzerjager Abteilung 653 by
Karl Heinz Munch, includes several
photos of an Elefant in Italy shortly
after its remanufacture. This
particular Elefant features very
low-contrast disruptive camouflage
and muddy wheels and tracks.
The six crew members are also
lounging around the vehicle, and a
wine barrel is perched on the front
spare track links.
I HAD FINALLY FOUND MY INSPIRATION!
Without too much more delay. I
primed the model and sprayed
the tracks and running gear with
Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black. I usually
mix my own German Dark Yellow
from Tamiya acrylics, but a few
new sets of acrylic paint sets from
Lifecolor had recently arrived
at my office. These are sets of A

I decided to assemble and paint the

figures before painting the model.
The poses and fit were checked
before painting commenced.

A crew can really add context and a sense of scale to a vehicle. Royal Model of
Italy offer two sets of three crew figures for Dragons Ferdinand, but they may just Base uniform colours have been applied
as appropriately be used for Tamiyas new Elefant. here. All these colours are from the
Vallejo Panzer Aces range applied by
brush, and are available in Set No. 5.

Holes were drilled in the figures and toothpicks This is one good reason for applying primer it tends to
were fitted as handles to ease painting. Here, the highlight any casting imperfections! These tiny pinholes
bodies have received a couple of thin coats of were filled before painting proceeded.
Tamiyas Grey Primer.

44 Model Military International - January 2013

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 I wanted to demonstrate the variation in Panzer and Tank Destroyer crew uniform colours. Once again, Vallejos Panzer Aces acrylics have been used for the uniform highlights. Vallejo offers pre-mixed
Here, highlights, shading and some of the detail has been picked out with a fine brush. highlight shades for each of the three main uniform colours Tanker Black, Feldgrau I and Feldgrau II.

The heads received a base coat of Tamiyas XF-15 Flat Flesh, then A thin wash of Pure Gum Turpentine and Rowney Georgian Oil Paint 221 Burnt Sienna was brushed over the heads prior to detail painting. This
the caps were painted with the appropriate Vallejo uniform colour. wash settles into low-lying areas, offering simple yet authentic shading.

Each of the completed figures has his own unique personality thanks
to the excellent mastering and casting of Royal Model. Buttons and
buckles were picked out using Vallejos Oily Steel. Fine facial details
such as mouths and eyes were carefully brush painted with Vallejo
337 Highlight Ger. (Black), actually a dark brown shade. This was
thinned with water before application. High areas of the face such as
the chin, brow, nose, cheeks and ears were painted with paler shades
of flesh, while shadow areas (under the eyebrows, under the nose
and chin) received darker shades. I made no serious attempt to paint
the whites of the eyes, preferring a dark thin slit in most cases.

January 2013 - Model Military International 45

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 FEATURE ARTICLE Tamiya 1:35 German Heavy Tank Destroyer Elefant Kit No. 35325
B three related shades designed to
deliver contrast and desaturation.
Specifically, I was using Lifecolor
Acrylic German AFV Dunkelgelb
Easy 3 Set, Item No. MS01, which
supplied UA 249 Dunkelgelb
Flashed Shade, UA 250 Dunkelgelb
Ground Colour and UA 251
Dunkelgelb Deep Shade.
As I have never used Lifecolor
paints before, I tested the base
shade, Ground Colour, on the
primed bottom of the hull.
For my first attempt, I used
more than 50% thinners (I bought
a big bottle of Lifecolors own
thinners), and the result was a
fairly thick, very wet, uneven glaze.
When the paint was still
wet after 10 minutes, I got the
hairdryer out (Im not doing
anything else with it anyway) and
force dried it with hot air. It still
looked patchy and translucent
in places, but I was encouraged
to try one more time. This time,
I only used about 15% thinner
to the paint. The mixture looked
very thick in the paint cup, but it
sprayed well. I was careful to spray
as thinly as possible and a bit away
from the surface.
Even so, the paint stayed wet
on the surface for a few minutes
and looked a bit orange peely, so
I broke out the airbrush again.
Almost instantly, the paint dried to
a dead flat, beautifully even finish.
I followed this experiment by
spraying the rest of the model with
the base shade, once again with
No excuses for not using
the figures now! The painted
crew are test-fitted on the
primed model.
46 Model Military International - January 2013
p 42-51 ElefantPt2 081B.indd 46
Meanwhile, back at the
only 15-20% thinners and applying
Elefant the first painting
heat from a hairdryer between the
task was to coat the tracks
two coats. and running gear in Tamiya
Next came the Deep Shade, XF-1 Flat Black.
UA 251. This was sprayed into
crevices, structural features and
natural shadow areas.
Finally, it was the turn of the
Flashed Shade. This is a very pale
highlight colour. Rather than spray
this uniformly in the centre of
panels, it was applied in patches,
streaks and spots.
Yes, the Lifecolor paints seem
a bit quirky, and no, they do not
spray as easily nor dry as quickly
as Tamiya acrylics. However,
the colours are interesting and Following a few tests on the
the finish is extremely durable bottom of the hull, the vehicle
received an overall coat of
and resists buffing (i.e. repeated
Lifecolor acrylic UA 250
handling will not effect the flat Dunkelgelb Ground Colour, one
finish). It also handles filters and of three shades in a German
washes well. Indeed, I did not Dunkelgelb Contrast and
even feel it was necessary to use Desaturation set.
an overall flat coat at any stage
during this project.
The single disruptive
camouflage colour was a 50/50
mix of Tamiyas XF-67 NATO
Green and XF-60 Dark Yellow,
heavily thinned with isopropylene
alcohol. This was further subdued
by overpainting with the Lifecoor
Dunkelgelb base colour.
Weathering was now applied
first a brown filter, followed by a
more substantial AK Interactive
Dark Brown Wash around the key
structural features, then chipping Next came the Deep
Shade, UA 251. This was
and scrapes with Vallejos German sprayed into crevices,
Black Highlight colour applied by A structural features and
natural shadow areas.
Finally, it was the turn of
the Flashed Shade. This
is a very pale highlight
colour. Rather than
spray this uniformly in
the centre of panels, it
was applied in patches,
streaks and spots.
08/11/2012 11:05
 Despite toning
down the colour
and spraying it very
thinly, it was still
too intense.
The single disruptive
camouflage colour was a
50/50 mix of Tamiyas XF-67
NATO Green and XF-60 Dark
Yellow, heavily thinned with
isopropylene alcohol.

Reference photos show the

camouflage on this vehicle
to be very subtle indeed. I
oversprayed the green with
a thin coat of Lifecolors
Dunkelgelb base shade to
achieve this effect.

The entire model was coated in SIN

Industries P242 Tan for Tritonal Camo
The camouflage is looking filter using a wide soft brush. Before
better, but the whole effect this had completely dried, I quickly
is very stark at this stage. highlighted edges and structural
details with a selective application
of AK Interactive AK 045 Dark
Brown Enamel Wash.

Spare tracks and the tow

cables were brush painted
a dark black-brown shade
using Tamiya acrylics at
this stage.

Now were getting there,

but the tracks and
running gear look out of
place at the moment.

Where the wash or the

filter were too intense,
they were toned down
by brushing Pure Gum
Turpentine directly over
the overdone areas.

The next stage of weathering was

adding tiny spots and scratches
with the tip of a fine brush. This
chipping damage was also applied
to edges and corners using a
sponge. Vallejo Panzer Aces 337
Highlight Ger. (Black) was used
as the chipping shade.
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 FEATURE ARTICLE Tamiya 1:35 German Heavy Tank Destroyer Elefant Kit No. 35325
Weathering the tracks, running
gear and lower hull started with
a wet application of Easy Mud.
Although this product had dried
in its bottle, it reactivated nicely
when mixed with water.
The Easy Mud dries to a
pleasingly irregular colour
and texture. It is also quite
robust resisting damage
from handling.
Next, a generous amount
AK Interactive AK 045
Dark Brown Enamel
Wash was brushed over
the Easy Mud.
A couple of reference photos
show a large wine barrel perched
on the front spare track links of
this vehicle. Royal Model offers
an accessory set that includes
a barrel of roughly the right size
and style.
The set also includes other handy bits and pieces
for future projects. All the parts are cast in resin.
48 Model Military International - January 2013
p 42-51 ElefantPt2 081B.indd 48
B the tip of a fine brush and a small
piece of sponge.
The wheels and tracks were
finished to represent areas of wet
and dry mud. The base (dried) mud
was Easy Mud Item No. 21105
European Earth. Once this had set,
it was followed by a liberal brushed
application of AK Interactives
Dark Brown enamel wash. Once
dry, some of the dark wash was
scrubbed off with a stiff brush to
provide more contrast between
the wet and dry areas. The same
products were used for the mud
effects on the bottom of the front
and rear hull.
The wheels of the Elefant were
fitted with steel rims, not rubber
tyres, so the edges of the wheels
were touched with the tip of a
2B pencil to suggest worn and
polished metal. A 2B pencil was
also used to highlight the worn
high areas of the tracks.
Plank and wood grain detail was restored where
the casting plug had been removed from one end of
the barrel. It was then primed and sprayed overall
with a mix of Tamiya XF-52 Flat Earth and XF-59
Desert Yellow.
Once the enamel wash had soaked in and
dried after an hour or two in the sun, some of
the dark was scrubbed off with a stiff brush.
GARNISH
Reference photos in the
Fedorowicz book show this vehicle
with a piece of foliage attached to
each side of the mid-hull area.
It is hard to believe that anyone
thought that such modest garnish
would hide this 65 tonne, 26 foot
behemoth, but I thought it would
add some further interest anyway.
The foliage was sourced from
Kamizukuris 1:35 scale paper
Oak Leaves set. A base colour
of Vallejos Model Colour 70891
Intermediate Green was sprayed
onto both sides of the die-cut
paper sheet. Branches were bent
into shape from multiple lengths
of fine copper wire. These were
secured with super glue.
The branches were painted
brown and the paper leaves cut
from their backing sheet.
A few different shades of
green were randomly painted A
AKs Dark Brown Enamel Wash was employed
for the wood grain shading. Highights were dry-
brushed using XF-59 Dark Yellow, and the metal
bands were finished in two shades of grey.
16/11/2012 14:12
 A strip of clear decal film was sprayed
with several coats of Tamiya X-25 Clear
Green to represent the clear covers for
the episcopes. These were cut to uniform
size using my Chopper tool and applied
to the cupola and drivers hatch.
Detail parts were painted
and weathered using the
same techniques as on
the main vehicle.

in and
n, some of
iff brush.
The high points of the track links and the
edges of the road wheels were metalized
with the tip of a 2B pencil. The wine barrel
looks precariously perched between the
guide teeth of the spare tracks, but there
is no evidence in the reference photos that
it was tied down.

Reference photos clearly show that the inside of

the drivers hatch was painted a very pale colour.
I sprayed this with Tamiyas Fine White Primer,
which is a nice off-white/ivory shade.

The wet and dry mud technique used

on the running gear was also applied
to the front and rear lower hull areas.

The drape of the kit-supplied

link and length tracks is quite
convincing.

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 FEATURE ARTICLE Tamiya 1:35 German Heavy Tank Destroyer Elefant Kit No. 35325

B onto the leaves after they had
been attached to the branches. A
dark brown acrylic wash was also
applied to highlight the nice vein
detail. Finally, the leaves were
brush-painted with Future floor
polish for a nice healthy sheen, and
the branches were glued in place.
The wine barrel came from
a Royal Model accessory set.
Someone has already expressed
doubt online that the wine barrel
would have stayed on the front
of the hull, but the photo clearly
shows that it is resting between
the spare track link guide horns
and is not tied down.
CONCLUSION
Once again, Tamiya has delivered
a well-detailed and easy to build
model of an iconic vehicle.
Tamiya is not resting on its
laurels though. The improvements
are evolutionary rather than
revolutionary, but they are there.
This time, ejector pin marks have
been all but eliminated in visible
locations, and in my opinion the
tracks are Tamiya's best effort yet.
The facial features of the three
crew figures are very good too.
It is nice that Tamiya has
offered an easier option for
those modellers who do not
want to tackle a zimmerit finish
themselves. The self-adhesive
zimmerit sheet will be welcomed
by many, but those who want
a genuinely unique pattern can
use putty and zimmerit tools
instead. The instructions are
quite clear about the patterns and
Finally, the leaves were brush-painted with Future floor polish for a nice healthy sheen, and the Time f
demarcations of the zimmerit used branches were glued in place. Now that is effective camouflage, isnt it?
on the kit's three marking options.
Tamiya's 1/35 scale Elefant is a
great kit. Sit back, relax and enjoy
the build!

A little garnish was added using

Kamizukuris paper Oak Leaves.
A base colour of Vallejos Model
Colour 70891 Intermediate Green
was sprayed onto both sides of the
die-cut paper sheet.

Five of the crew members

seem quite interested in
something near the front
corner of the vehicle.

Branches were bent into

shape from multiple strips of
fine copper wire. These were
secured with thick super glue.
The branches were painted brown and the
paper leaves cut from their backing sheet.
Tamiyas 1:35 scale Elefant
is a well-detailed and easy to
build kit of this iconic vehicle.

A few different shades of green

were randomly painted onto the
leaves after they had been attached
to the branches. A dark brown
acrylic wash was later applied to
highlight the nice vein detail.

50 Model Military International - January 2013

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Time for the crew to take up residence too.
Ejector pin marks have been all
but eliminated in visible locations,
and in my opinion the tracks are
Tamiyas best effort yet...
p 42-51 ElefantPt2 081B.indd 51
Modelspec
Tamiya 1:35 German Heavy Tank Destroyer Elefant
Kit No. 35325
Accessories Used
Royal Model Item No. 641 Wine Barrels and Farm
Accessories
Royal Model Item Nos. 255 and 258 Ferdinand
Crew Parts 1 and 2.
Kamizukuri Item No. A-5-35 Oak Leaves (1:35)
Tools & Modelling Products:
Tamiya Epoxy Putty Smooth Surface
Tamiya Extra Thin Liquid Cement
Revell Contacta Plastic Glue
Selleys Super Glue
Mr Surfacer 1000
Gators Grip Acrylic Hobby Glue
Irwin Clamps (various sizes)
Most of the figures look very relaxed and natural, but I am still not sure about the guy
Historex Hexagonal Punch and Die Set
leaning against the superstructure
Evergreen Plastic Card
Paints and Finishing Products:
Vehicle:
Tamiya Spray Cans - Grey Primer; Fine White Primer
Lifecolor Acrylic German AFV Dunkelgelb Easy 3
Set. Item No. MS01. Contains UA 249 Dunkelgelb
Flashed Shade; UA 250 Dunkelgelb Ground Colour;
UA 251 Dunkelgelb Deep Shade
Tamiya Acrylic X-25 Clear Green; XF-1 Flat Black;
XF-52 Flat Earth; XF-59 Desert Yellow; XF-60 Dark
Yellow; XF-64 Red Brown; XF-67 NATO Green.
Figures:
Uniforms (all Vallejo Panzer Aces acrylics) 333
Germ. Tkcr. (Black); 334 Germ. Tkcr. I (Feldgrau);
335 Germ. Tkcr. II (Feldgrau); 337 Highlight
Ger. (Black); 338 Highlight Ge. I (Feldgrau); 339
Highlight Ge. II (Feldgrau).
Flesh:
The extra time Base Coat: Tamiya acrylic XF-15 Flat Flesh.
spent assembling
Wash: Rowney Georgian Oil Paint 221 Burnt Sienna.
and painting the
crew was well Variations and Highlights: Vallejo Model Colour
worthwhile. acrylics 70815 Basic Skin Tone; 845 Sunny Skin
Tone; 919 Foundation White (mixed).
General Detailing (all Vallejo Model Colour acrylics)
70826 German Cam Medium Brown; 847 Dark
Sand; 70862 Black Grey; 70865 Oily Steel; 70891
Intermediate Green; 919 Foundation White; 70950
Black; 70957 Flat Red.
SIN Industries (MIG) Filter P242 Tan for Tritonal Camo
Easy Mud Item No. 21105 European Earth
AK Interactive AK 045 Dark Brown Enamel Wash
Mig Pigments P033 Dark Mud
Vallejo Pigments 73104 Light Sienna
Excellent detail; superb fit; easy build;
probably Tamiyas best link-and-length tracks
to date; minimal ejector pin marks.
Nothing worth mentioning.
Available from
Thanks to Tamiya Japan for the sample www.tamiya.com
Tamiya kits are distributed in the UK by
The Hobby Company Limited www.hobbyco.net
Rating
January 2013 - Model Military International 51
08/11/2012 11:10
 A round-up of the latest news and releases in 1:72 and 1:76
Zvezda
1/72 scale
German Gebergsjager 1939-1943
Kit No. 6154
Zvezda continue their small box figure set releases with another
unusual subject, this time a set of four German Gebergsjager,
or mountain troops from the early war period. Inside the usual
small end-opening box are two sprues of light grey hard styrene,
a set of instructions and two Art of Tactic wargaming cards.
The figures are designed to be snap together, but the plastic
responds well to conventional styrene cement. The kit contains
a small base with rock faces for the figures to use if intended for
wargaming, but the figures are certainly good enough to use in
display dioramas.
The sprues are extremely well moulded with virtually no flash,
sink holes or ejector pin marks. The sculpting is also superb
with great animation and detail, the weapons and backpacks
being particularly good. With careful painting these figures
would make an unusual vignette, or a great addition to a larger
winter diorama. There are no painting instructions, but the fine
illustration on the box front serves as a good basic reference for
uniform and equipment colours.
Not much more to say except the set is highly recommended!
What will Zvezda come up with next?
Zvezda kits are distributed in the UK by The Hobby Company
Limited www.hobbyco.net
Steve Shrimpton
52 Model Military International - January 2013
p 52-53 SmallScale 081B.indd 52
Dragon
1/72 scale
Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf M w/Wading Muffler
Kit No. 7290
After the release of their excellent StuG III kits,
the Pz. Kpfw. III tank kits were eagerly awaited.
However, these are proving to be a mixed bag
with some good features and some very strange
design decisions. The Panzer III Ausf M is the latest
in this series, but shares the same drawbacks as
the Ausf L and N.
The overall moulding is up to the usual Dragon
standard with no flash or sink holes in evidence.
The kit comprises three main sprues bagged
separately, with the hull tub and turret shell in
individual bags. There is the customary Dragon
card containing the tracks, 2 small photo-etched
frets and a comprehensive sheet of well-printed
Cartograf decals. The only parts in common with
the StuG kits are the wheels, drive sprockets, idlers
and return wheels, all contained on one sprue. The
rest of the kit has been designed for the Panzer III
series and this is where the problems start.
The hull tub is very good, although it has the
position of the hull escape hatches marked by
a raised line that should be removed, as the
Ausf M did not feature them. The upper hull is
problematic, though, especially the engine deck.
This has the armoured hatch vent covers moulded
directly onto the hatches instead of being raised
above the deck with a gap all round. This will be
very difficult to correct and is very visible on the
finished model. To make matters worse. The tow
ropes are also moulded onto the deck around the
rear vent covers, again being extremely difficult to
remove. This area was very nicely modelled on the
StuG kits, so why not here?
The fenders are moulded separately, which is
a good feature, but again all the tools and fire
extinguisher are moulded on, leaving only the jack
and jack block as separate items. The tracks are
the usual Dragon DS items and have good detail
on both sides. The instructions indicate the correct
length the tracks need to be so that they can be
stretched or cut to length.
The photo-etched frets contain the grills for the
cooling inlet and outlets, and the cover between
the drivers armour plate and the spaced armour.
The well-printed decals cover the 5 painting and
marking options, all for the eastern front in 1943.
Overall, this kit should have had great potential,
but has been let down by questionable design
decisions, and will only make a great display model
with major surgery (and perhaps a whole new
engine deck).
Recommended with reservations
Dragon kits are distributed in the UK by The Hobby
Company Limited www.hobbyco.net
Steve Shrimpton
08/11/2012 11:03
 Italeri
1/72 scale
Sd. Kfz. 11 with PaK 40
Kit No. 7065
This recent release by Italeri comes in their standard end-opening box with a photograph
of the finished kit in a diorama setting on the front, and a full colour painting guide on the
back showing three late war colour schemes on the back. The kit consists of four sprues of
gray styrene, a small square of clear acetate for the windscreen, a small decal sheet and a
well drawn set of instructions. Two of the sprues contain the parts for the Sd.Kfz.11, one
for the PaK 40 and the last has the link and tracks.
The moulding is generally good with very little flash and small sprue gates, but ejector pin marks are evident on some parts which will be visible on the finished
model, such as the inside of the doors and the inside of the front wheels. These will need careful filling. The detailing is a little clunky compared with the best of
todays kits and will need some work to bring it up to top display standards. The running gear is reasonably good, but only the outer road wheels have the holes
open through, so the rest should be drilled out which will be very time consuming! The best part of the half-track kit is the canvas cover which should paint up
well to bring out the folds and texture.
The tracks are link and length, which can be tedious to assemble but can look very convincing if done correctly, however, these tracks have no detail on the inner
face, which will be hard to correct.
The PaK 40 kit is really a disappointment, as although the detailing is quite good, the barrel is moulded in full recoil which will be impossible to correct. This must
have been modelled from a museum example that had been disabled by is crew at the end of the war.
The kit also includes five crew figures, which is always a bonus with smallscale kits. The decals are well printed, in register, and provide markings for three vehicles
in 1944, one in France, one in Italy and one in Russia. The last shows a colour scheme of dunkelgelb over gray which I think would be unusual as late as 1944!
As it stands, this kit really only provides models suitable for wargaming without a lot of extra work so can only be recommended as such.
Thanks to The Hobby Company Limited for the sample www.hobbyco.net
Steve Shrimpton

Zvezda
1/72 scale
Soviet 75mm Infantry Gun with Crew
Kit No. 6156
Zvezda continues their series of small wargaming kits with this 75mm Infantry Gun and two
crewmen. The kit consists of two sprues of dark green hard styrene, an instruction sheet and two
wargaming cards. No decals are provided nor are they needed. The parts are well moulded with
no flash or sink marks, with the parts for the gun on one sprue and the crew and wargaming base
on the other. Detail is excellent for such a simple kit, especially the bolt and tread detail on the
wheels. To make a display model, the locating pins may be removed from the wheels and details
addressed such as drilling out the barrel and refining the attachment points for the gun shield.
The two crew figures are very well sculpted as is usual with Zvezda kits, but in reality there should
be 4-6 crew members for this type of weapon, so extra figures will have to be sourced for absolute
accuracy.
There is no painting guide as such but the illustration on the box front should serve as a reference,
as most Soviet equipment of this era was painted overall Russian green. The uniforms may need
extra research for accuracy.
Recommended for Soviet WWII fans
Thanks to The Hobby Company Limited for the sample www.hobbyco.net
Steve Shrimpton

January 2013 - Model Military International 53

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 Incoming
TRUMPETER
1:35 SCALE
SOVIET 122MM CORPS GUN M1931/1937
WITH M1931 WHEEL (A-19)
ITEM NO 02316
The 122mm corps gun M1931/37 (A-19)
was a Soviet field gun developed in the late
1930s by combining the barrel of the 122mm
gun M1931 (A-19) and the carriage of the
152mm howitzer gun M1937 (ML-20). The
gun was in production from1939 until 1946
and remained in service long after WWII. In
addition to the towed variant there were also
a number of vehicle mounted derivatives.
Trumpeter has followed the Soviets lead in
this guns development by producing a kit
with many shared parts from their previous
152mm howitzer release. This kit is made up
from some 260 plus nicely moulded plastic
parts, two sheets of photo etch and a nicely
turned aluminium gun barrel.
Construction is set out over 13 steps, with
good detailed information at each stage. This
should make getting all the bits and pieces LIFECOLOR EASY 3 PAINT SETS
to go where they should a fairly simple affair. GERMAN AFV DUNKELGELB
This version of the field gun also allows for the GERMAN AFV PANZERGRAU
option of having the weapon configured in US ARMY OLIVE DRAB
either travel or firing mode so close attention SOVIET AFV 4BO GREEN
to the instructions will ensure you end up Lifecolor has launched a new series of paint sets that is intended
with the correct pose or your kit. A single to provide contrast and desaturation for four widely used base
page colour guide is provided with good old camouflage colours. These are German AFV Dunkelgelb, German
Russian Green, as the recommended finish AFV Panzergrau, US Army Olive Drab and Soviet AFV 4BO Green.
and some colour variation would not go Each set contains three related shades of the same colour - Flashed
astray to break up an otherwise plain finish. Shade (a pale highlight version), Ground Colour (the base colour)
Trumpeter has done good job with the plastic and Deep Shade (for shadow and darker areas).
parts and the detail is executed very well in If you have read my article on painting the Tamiya Elefant earlier
this type of medium. The two frets of photo in this issue, you will already be aware of my first experience of
etch are to be added to the kit along the Lifecolor paints.
way and this helps in adding a nice level of In summary, for spraying I found that the paint was best mixed
definition to the kit. with a small proportion of Lifecolors own acrylic thinner. I used
The 122mm barrel is supplied as either two- around 15% thinner. The mixture looked very thick in the paint
part plastic assembly that is split horizontally cup, but it sprayed well. I was careful to spray as thinly as possible
or a very nice one piece aluminium barrel. My and a bit away from the surface. Two coats were required for the
only reservation is that the aluminium barrel best coverage.
requires a plastic end piece to be added to I also found that the paint responded very well to warm air from
give the illusion of depth This requires the a hairdryer to speed the drying process. Almost instantly, the base
addition of either part G3 which has the rifling colour dried to a dead flat, beautifully even finish.
moulded into the plastic part or if it takes your Next came the Deep Shade, UA 251. This was sprayed into
fancy you can add the photo etch rifling insert crevices, structural features and natural shadow areas.
to plastic part G1 and attach this. In any case Finally, it was the turn of the Flashed Shade. This is a very pale
I am not sure how convincing either of these highlight colour. Rather than spray this uniformly in the centre of
two options will really look and perhaps the panels, it was applied in patches, streaks and spots.
aftermarket manufacturers will be able to offer Yes, the Lifecolor paints seem a bit fussy in thinning, and no,
a more convincing and realistic alternative they do not spray as easily nor dry as quickly as Tamiya acrylics.
Trumpeter has continued to supply the However, the colours are interesting and the finish is extremely
traversing teeth part that would in theory durable and resists buffing (i.e. repeated handling will not effect
allow the gun to move left and right on the flat finish). It also handles filters and washes well. Indeed, I did
the lower gun carriage at the pivot point. not even feel it was necessary to use an overall flat coat at any
However according to the instructions the stage during this project.
upper gun cradle should be glued to the I will look forward to testing out some of the darker colours on
lower gun carriage and it would appear that future projects.
no amount of traverse would be possible Recommended.
without some sort of modification to the Lifecolor paints and finishing products are available online from
parts. This is not the end of the world; it just The Airbrush Company www.airbrushes.com
seems a very interesting that we are supplied Brett Green
with the traverse detail rack part but not
the ability to pose the gun into any type of
traversed configuration.
In conclusion, Trumpeter continue to
demonstrate their ability to produce plastic
kits that are well detailed yet relatively
uncomplicated to build. This gun kit will make
a nice addition next to its bigger brother.
Recommended.
Thanks to J.B. Wholesalers for the sample
www.jbwholesalers.com.au
Trumpeter kits are distributed in the UK by
Pocketbond
Ross Ferro

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 DEF.MODEL
1:35 SCALE
DW35036 M35A1, A2 CARGO TRUCK WHEEL SET SAGGED
DW30007 GMC CCKW CARGO TRUCK WHEEL SET SAGGED
The first set DW35036 M35A1; A2 Cargo Truck Wheel Set Sagged is recommended to replace the wheels on the venerable AFV Club M35 Series of kits and the last
set DW30007 GMC CCKW Cargo Truck Wheel Set Sagged is targeted at either the Tamiya or Hobby Boss GMC kits.
The level of detail on both of these resin update wheel sets is in my opinion years ahead of the target kits supplied tyres. Both update sets com in a sturdy box
and contain eleven wonderfully detailed resin tyres, two sheets of tyre masks and a simple tyre masking and painting instruction sheet.
The tyres are grouped into four distinct batches with all ten of the tyres that will be placed on the recommended kit and in turn in contact with the ground,
displaying finely cast side wall and tread details and of course a very nice bulged or loaded effect. The eleventh tyre being the spare in each set has the same level
of detail as the main ten road wheels however has been cast without the bulge effect and shows good attention to detail by the manufacturer. The supplied tyre
masks in each set are simplicity in them selves and provide two options to allow for hassle free painting of the wheels
These replacement wheel sets will add a high level of detail to the recommended kit that is typically not possible in either vinyl or plastic.
Highly Recommended.
Thanks to DEF Model for the review samples www.defmodel.com
Ross Ferro

DEF MODEL
1:35 SCALE
ITEM NO. DW30005 - LRDG SAGGED WHEEL SET
ITEM NO. DW350006 - GAZ 67B SAGGED WHEEL SET
ITEM NO. DM350014 - WILLYS MB CANVAS TOP
ITEM NO. DW35013 - MODERN PORTABLE COOLERS AND BOTTLES
DEF Model is fast becoming one of the premier aftermarket producers. Not only do they offer a great
product but they also seem to include a little extra something, whether it is a set of wheel masks or a small
decals sheet. Each set is really a joy to behold.
All of these sets have some very fine flash and a medium size casting plug on each resin item.
The wheel sets, unlike many others, are not direct resin reproductions of the wheels they replace but rather
entirely new sets of wheels. The detail on all the wheels presented for review is simply outstanding, with
finely rendered sidewall and tread detail in evidence.
The wheels themselves are sagged for want of a better term. What this basically means is that each
wheel has a flat spot where the wheel surface meets the ground. The effect is both subtle and very well
done with an ever so slight bulge on each contact point. The inclusion of a wheel mask in each set is
welcome and really separates these from the rest.
The Willys Canvas top is outstanding. Not only is it cast to almost scale thickness, the canvas folds are
handled (on the outside at least) to a very high standard. Given the fact that the outside folds are so good I
was a little mystified why no folds were present on the inside surface of the hood itself, nevertheless this is
one of the best aftermarket canvas tops I have seen.
The last set is not only innovative but very well done. It includes two traditional box like coolers (one
with a separate lid) and one round cooler. Six clear resin water bottles and ten crushed bottles are included
together with a small decal sheet with various water and soft drink labels to attach to each bottle. The decal
sheet is a masterstroke and well above any others that I have seen.
All sets come highly recommended.
Thanks to DEF Model for the review samples www.defmodel.com
Luke Pitt

January 2013 - Model Military International 55

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 Book Reviews
AFV MODELLER GUIDE TO MODELLING THE MERKAVA 3D
EDITED BY DAVID PARKER
ISBN: 9780955541353
AFV MODELLER PUBLICATIONS
Its not just that this guide comprises of 80 pages of high quality photos on expensive feeling parchment depicting the real
vehicle in its natural habitat on the Golan Heights (located on former Syrian Army real estate), nor that the close ups of
the vehicles details and weapons are enough to say gotta have it. No, the real attention getters are the building tips and
additions to the Meng Merkava 3D by David Parker that exhibit his familiarly flawless and accurate style.
Although the book predominantly deals with building, detailing, painting, marking and weathering the Meng Merkava 3D,
the guide is just as relevant to the HobbyBoss version, which could use similar tweaking and improvement.
Approximately half of the guide (40ish pages) consists of photos showing the numerous finer details of the real Merkava 3D,
both early and late versions as well as the Nochri 3 mine roller and hull mountings. Its because of these 40ish pages that I
consider AFV Modellers guide as a legitimate reference book on the Merkava 3D, not just a how to guide on building and
painting the model.
As impressive as David Parkers detailing and painting is, no matter how much wow factor IDF insider Richard Sticklands photos of the Sufa Battalions battle
ready Merkava 3Ds can illicit, AFV Modeller has given the purchaser of the guide more to be impressed with by adding Mark Nevilles excellent Lebanon 2006
diorama, depicting a 3D on patrol in a broken Lebanese neighbourhood. Capturing the moment in time without a single 1:35 scale figure being present is
testament to his modelling ability and ever increasing skill set. Although very well done, I would have liked to see a couple of extra pages devoted to his how
to guide on domicile and rubble fabrication, as the work is very realistic and I think a step by step rather than a summary would have been helpful.
A must have reference to any modeller with Merkava 3D ambitions.
Highly Recommended.
Thanks to AFV Modeller for the review sample to go with the copy I ordered from AFV Modeller! www.afvmodeller.com
Anthony Sheedy

THE IRISH ARTILLERY CORPS SINCE 1922

BY RALPH A RICCIO ISBN: 978-83-61421-52-8 MMP BOOKS
After reviewing Mr Riccios title on Irish AFV since 1922, I was more than enthused to review his second title devoted to
the Irish Military from MMP Books, this time devoted to the subject of the Irish Artillery Corps since 1922.
This title is extensive and thorough in its coverage and is well supported by a host of excellent B&W and colour
photographs. It not only details the history of the Irish use of AFVs including Republican use, but it gives a rundown of
the organisation of armoured units within the National Army and later the Irish Defence Forces. The subject was not a
familiar one to me and I was amazed at the broad range of equipment that Irish Artillery has and continues to use. Most
of the equipment was of British origin so the title should appeal to those with a fascination for British Artillery as well.
Additionally, the Irish used a few pieces of foreign origin that are equally covered. I was equally fascinated by the history
of the Corps itself.
This book covers a broad range of artillery and also includes the vehicles used to tow them and
supporting equipment such as radar. It has many great photos sure to inspire those
modellers wanting a different modelling subject to exercise their skills
The Irish Artillery materiel covered in this book illustrates the full spectrum from
mortars through to coastal artillery fortifications and guns that have been in Irish
Service since the first two 18 pounders were acquired in 1922. This range includes
such notable pieces as the 18 pounder, 2 Pdr AT, 6 Pdr AT, 25 pdr , 17 pdr, 60
pounder, Bofors 40mm, 12 pdr coast defence, 4.7, 6& 9.2 naval guns etc. It also
includes supporting equipment, prime movers and fixed fortifications. These are all
given individual coverage with pictures in use, tabulated data, plans etc. A section is
devoted to surviving examples and is again supported by colour photos.
This is an excellent title and a must have for fans of artillery, the Irish military and
small armies. The photo reproduction is excellent and lends itself
well to the large format. It is extensive in scope and I believe is
balanced and well researched. This is a must have title on the
subject. The author has packed a lot into the 216 pages in a
most readable format. It will not disappoint whether you are a
modeller, historian or enthusiast. This is one of the best artillery
titles that I have read in years and the author continues to
impress this reviewer.
Highly Recommended.
Thanks to MMP Books for the sample www.mmpbooks.biz
Al Bowie

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 Figures - A round-up of the latest figure sets on release...

FIRST LEGION
1:35 SCALE
VARIOUS GERMAN FIGURES
First Legion has traditionally been known to the wargaming
community and to the painted collector segment of the hobby
market for their huge range of finely detailed figures in a variety
of scales. Given that this firm has never entered the unpainted
resin figure market, it came as a surprise to me when these
figures turned up for review. The figure sets for review are:
FL35008: German Combat Pioneer firing an MP40
FL35013: German Heer Infantry Standing with MP40
FL35014: German Hauptman in Russian fur lined Greatcoat
FL35015: German Combat Pioneer with flamethrower
The figures come in small cardboard boxes with each having a
colour photo of the relevant figure adorning the box.
All of the figures are very well cast with no bubbles or flaws in
evidence. In fact, the casting is world class and has some quite
innovative features. Take for example the German Hauptman in
Russian fur lined greatcoat. Usually with figures in greatcoats, the
legs just peep out of the bottom of the coat itself. Not so with
this figure. The greatcoat is almost hollowed out to the waist
with the fur lining going up almost three quarters up its length,
in which, the finely rendered legs are inserted.
The other three figures are cast as a torso with the head and arms
as separate items. The facial details (which can make or break any
figure) are very well done and are each different in character. The
uniform details are crisp as are the fabric folds. The weapons are
done very well and in most cases the hands are an integral part of the weapon. I like this approach as it avoids the dreaded not quite grabbing effect that is
seen in a lot of figures.
The figures scale out at around 5 11or an even 6 in the old Imperial scale, which makes them closer to 54mm (or 1:32) in size and bulk.
No painting instructions are included, but, in reality if youre buying these figures you wont really need instructions. I think most of us have that covered.
I am very pleased that First Legion has gone into the unpainted resin figure market. Their back catalogue is huge which opens up all sorts of interesting
possibilities. I like these figures they are different and very well done. Their full range can be inspected on their website.
Highly Recommended.
Thanks to First Legion for the samples www.firstlegionltd.com
Luke Pitt

RESICAST
1:35 SCALE
ITEM NO. 35.5643 - LRDG NO. 1 RADIO OPERATOR
ITEM NO. 35.5644 - LRDG NO. 2 INTO THE SUN
ITEM NO. 35.5645 - LRDG NO. 3 SEATED OFFICER
Resicast has released a batch of 1:35 scale resin Long Range Desert Group figures. Amongst them
are these three, a radio operator at work, a standing soldier tipping his hat to give himself some
shade and a seated officer.
Casting quality is first rate, with no imperfections on my samples.
The sculpting is excellent. I was particularly impressed by the
animated expressions, active poses and the textures such as the
beards and fabric drape.
The figures are broken down logically. The seated officer is
especially clever, being seated on a can (not the American
colloquial expression, but an actual British Commonwealth PoW
can) and moulded with torso, legs, can and one arm on a single
impressive casting.
These figures will look fantastic with any of the number of kits
that are now suitable for LRDG scenes including Bantam, Willys
or Ford Jeeps, Chevy trucks and more.
Highly Recommended. MASTERCLUB
Thanks to Resicast for the samples www.resicast.com 1:35 SCALE
Brett Green THE MODERN RUSSIAN SOLDIER
ITEM NO. MCF 35052
Masterclub adds to its range of high quality
figures with a 1:35 scale release entitled
The Modern Russian Soldier.
The figure is seated and looks pretty cold
and miserable in his winter uniform.
Both sculpting and casting is excellent. This
figure is very crisply presented in medium
grey coloured resin. The body is cast with
the legs and one and a half arms in place.
This will be a versatile figure for use with
Zvezdas new T-90 or any other modern
Russian vehicle or vignette.
Highly Recommended.
Thanks to Masterclub UK for the sample
www.masterclubuk.com
Brett Green

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 1:48 Scale A round-up of the latest news and releases
2012 A VINTAGE YEAR FOR 1:48?
A
vintage year for 1:48 scale? Well, in some
ways 2012 may well have been. The sheer
number of new plastic 1:48 scale kits that
have been released this year rivals anything that we
have experienced so far.
We have seen a number of new players enter the
market. Airfix, a much loved brand and a place
where many of us made our start, has launched
a range of modern vehicles that for the most part
seem competent and well done. UM has released
a few plastic kits this year with the BA-10 Russian
armoured car being a real treat in the way it was
handled. Blue Cat a small start up firm, have seen
fit to release a German Demag in two versions and,
while not a world beater, it is a very competent kit
and well worth purchasing.
Tamiya has released three new kits this year
with the IS-2 being not only simple to build
but accurate. The Matilda for me was quite a
surprise as too was the German Mobelwagen
with its new plastic lower hull. It is gratifying to
see the commitment to 1:48 from all of these
manufactures. There, is no denying the world
economy and indeed the hobby world is in a state
of flux. Tensions in the Middle East and Europe only
add to the uncertainly. While I am quietly optimistic
about the sales future and general acceptance of
1:48 scale, I believe it is up to us to promote (at a
grass root level), the benefits of this universal scale.
While plastic kits releases have been quite good,
the aftermarket producers have again raised the bar
in terms of what they produce. A few new names
have graced our review section this year and one of
the best has been Sling Shot models. Their sublime
Aerosan Rf-8 is truly a work of art. It really has it all -
easy to build, low parts count and great instructions.
SBS models is another newcomer and their product
is so good it makes the donor kits they are intended
to update look kind of second rate. I dearly hope
these enjoy good sales of their product, as it will
only encourage them to produce more.
DEF Models out of Korea seem to have just come
out of the blue. Their 1:48 wheels updates are
nothing short of amazing. The attention to detail
on these is breathtaking. Tank Workshop saw fit
to release their long anticipated LRDG and while
I have not seen one built as yet, the model is an
outstanding and different piece. I encourage all of
you to consider looking at it. I believe you will be
more than pleasantly surprised. Sherman Updates
continue to be this manufacturers staple and by
and large if you cant build a particular Sherman
version from their list of updates, then youre not
really looking. Hauler continues to release photo-
etched updates for every new kit and are pretty
much bullet proof in terms of what you really do
need with a etch set.
We have also seen some quite stunning and
different full kits from this manufacturer this year, all
of which are worthwhile purchases. Gasoline from
France has always been a staple in 1:48 and this
year brought a number of quite outstanding full kits
as well as updates to their ever-expanding range.
All of you who read this column will no doubt be
aware of my love of high quality figures in this
scale and, in my mind, one of the best figures
releases this year has come from Evolution. Their
two German releases are quite simply that good
all other figures in this scale can only be judged
against them. Fox Miniatures have failed to appear
again and although Im a patient man my hope for
these are rapidly diminishing.
I have been following a few projects this year and
one that has caught my attention is the work of
one individual. This gentleman has commissioned
figure sculptors from around the globe to make
figures in 1:48 that he would like to see. He tells
me that when complete the masters will be on sold
to manufactures so we all can enjoy what he has
had commissioned. Individuals like this are why
I like 1:48 so much. It is more of a community,
moreso than the other scales I tend to work in.
From a personal standpoint my build rate has been
extremely slow. I have slipped from one project to
the next without really finishing anything!
At this point, I would like to offer thanks to our
reviewers and the manufacturers that send us
samples. Without them, this column would not be
possible.
Id also like to offer all our readers a safe and happy
time during the course of 2013 lets hope we all
build more than we did in 2012!
Until next time Luke Pitt

S.B.S
1:48 scale - 8 Hole Opel Blitz Replacement
Wheel Set Item No.: 480036
Following hot on the heels of this firms Kfz. 385
updates comes a set of outstanding replacement
wheels and tyres for the Italeri Opel Blitz kits.
The level of detail and the casting quality of this
set really puts all others in the shade. The tyres
themselves are authentically narrow and that, in
itself, is pleasing as most tyres of that period looked
like this. The hub detail is well defined and the
inclusion of a separate inner hub is a masterstroke.
These wheels are some of the best I that have
seen in this scale and rival (and in some instances
surpass) anything in 1:35 scale let alone 1:48.
Quite simply put, I really dont think you will see a
better set of replacement wheels for the Opel Blitz
anytime in the future.
Highly Recommended.
Thanks for SBS Model for the review samples
www.sbsmodel.com
Luke Pitt

58 Model Military International - January 2013

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 Luke Pitt hosts MMIs examination of
the growing world of 1:48 scale military
models, figures and accessories.

Tank Workshop
1/48 scale
Update set: TWS48036 Sherman Stamped Road Wheels
Update set: TWS48037 Sherman Dished Road Wheels
Update set: TWS48007 M4A1 Hull with Cast Appliqu Armour
Tank Workshop has very thoughtfully produced these three resin update sets that will help to make the Sherman of your choice look just
that little bit better.
The first set is TWS 48036, Sherman stamped road wheels. These are presented with a complete set for one tank including the rear idler
wheels. Details are nicely cast on both sides of the new resin wheels unlike some of the current plastic kits that have no detail on the
reverse side of the wheel and are just simply left hollow. There is a small amount of resin flash on the outside of each of the wheels and
this should present no major problems to remove
The second set is TWS 48037, Sherman dished road wheels and again there are enough in the set for one tank. The cast detail on this set
of wheels compares favourably to the currently available plastic versions with the added benefit of not having to glue the rear wheel plastic
detailed part in place. There was also some minor resin flash and a few resin pour plugs to be removed but nothing too challenging.
Lastly we have the TWS48007 M4A1 Hull with Cast Appliqu Armour. This set is designed to fit any of the current manufacturers kits and
in particular will be a suitable update for the Tamiya M4A1 Sherman Kit No 32523 It provides the additional cast-in armour detail that was
added to the real vehicles upper cast hulls during the manufacturing process.
The upper hull resin update is
simplicity in itself with just the resin
blanking plugs to be removed from
the turret and driver / radio operator
hull openings. The kit appears to have
used the Tamiya cast hull as a template
and has some nicely refined details
included. It captures the look of the
one piece cast upper hull very well.
In conclusion, these kits provide a
simple and effective update that will
add very nice touch of additional detail
without too much additional work
Highly Recommended.
Thanks to Tank Workshop for the
review samples
www.tankworkshop.com
Ross Ferro

Hauler
1:48 scale
Various Photo-Etched Updates
Hauler continues to serve we 1:48 modellers with
simple yet important updates for all the newly
released 1:48 scale armour kits on the market.
These two new sets continue the trend. They are:
HLX48329: BA-10 Update for the new UM KIT
HLX48327: Matilda Update for the new Tamiya kit
Both of these sets might seem quite
simple at first glance, but they address
most of the overly thick detail parts
contained in the kits. The BA-10 update
for example covers things like the front
bumper, headlight surrounds, rear fender
boxes and two types of rear step plates.
The Matilda update offers replacements
for most of the brackets for the muffler,
tool stowage, light and spare track
holders. Other items include the various
tie downs seen on the vehicle itself.
The photo etch is clean and very well
defined. Both sets include simple yet
comprehensive instructions
Highly Recommended.
Thanks to Hauler for the samples
www.hauler.cz
Luke Pitt

January 2013 - Model Military International 59

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 Only
DONTT MISS A THING.... Issue 58 Issue 59
4.20 (UK)
5.25 (Europe)
6.45 (World-wide)
including postage

Issue 60
Dont worry, all the issues are

Dragon 1:35 Pz.Kpfw. 38(t)
Tasca 1:35 M4A3(76)W
Revell and Legends 1:35 M88A2
HERCULES conversion
Italeri 1:35 M24 Chaffee


Dragon 1:35 scale M7 Priest
MiniArt Su-76M conversion

still available to buy and full

ScaleModelworld 2010 Report
Alans heavily rebuilt 1:35 Marder II Ausf. D
Bugle Call 2010 show report
Italeri 1:35 Biber U-Boat


1:35 motorhome conversion
Hetzer Vignette Tech Guide Pt.1

details are on the website @

Tamiya 1:35 SAS Jeeps conversion
Italeri 1:35 M923 Big Foot
Dragon 1:35 Sd.Kfz 251/9 Kanonenwagen
Italeri 1:35 AB 41


Italeri 1:35 GMC Truck and Panzer 38(t)
Real Model LAV-III LORIT conversion

www.modelmilitaryinternational.com

BaxMod 1:35 Ratel
Flags and Packs TechGuide
Snow Technique Tech Guide


Dragon 1:72 scale Tiger I
Italeri 1:48 Sd.Kfz.234/2 Puma and
MiniArt 1:35 scale British Valentine Tankerwagen
and more...
and more... and more...

Issue 61 Issue 62 Issue 63 Issue 64

1:35 scale T-62M1 conversion 1:35 M1A2 Abrams with TUSK II 1:35 Accurate Armour Coyote TSV 1:48 T-34/76 kitbashed
conversion
Jeff Shiu large scale SS MG 34 gunner Dragon 1:35 Henschel Jagdtiger Multimedia Tatra in 1:35 scale
Sd.Kfz. 234/3 diorama
Dragon 1:35 scale M7 Priest Dust Models 1:35 Heinrich Walker CyberHobby 1:35 Neubaufahrzeug
Dragon 1:35 Befehls Panther
Bronco 1:35 Archer 17 Pdr SPG HobbyBoss 1:35 M3A1 White Scout Car HobbyBoss 1:35 M3A1 White Scout Car
Dragon RSO in winter whitewash
Hetzer Vignette Tech Guide Pt.2 1:48 HobbyBoss T-34/76 GreatWall Hobby 1:35 12.8cm Pak 44
Dragons Panzer IV Ausf. G
Dragons Sd.Kfz. 7 Early Version Dragon 1:35 Pz.Bef.Wg I CyberHobby 1:35 Neubaufahrzeug
Dragons 1:35 scale Flakvierling
HobbyBoss 1:35 scale VK 1602 Leopard HobbyBoss 1:35 VK4502 Tasca 1:35 Easy Eight
Tamiya Pz. 35(t)
Dragon 1:48 Panzerfahre Italeri 1:48 88mm gun Tamiya 1:48 Panzer II Ausf.A/B/C
Tamiyas 1:35 scale M5 and M8
and more... and more... Dragon 1:35 Su-85M
and more...
and more...

Issue 65 Issue 66 Issue 67 Issue 68

Revell 1:35 Fuchs 1:35 Dragon Type 2 Ka-Mi 1:35 Warrior OPV conversion HobbyBoss 1:35 ShkH DANA
AMPS 2011 Show Report Tankfest 2011 Show Report Tamiya 1:35 Sd.Kfz.232 in Bronco 1:35 Hotchkiss H35
desert camouflage
Tamiya 1:35 M20 Trumpeter 1:35 E100 MIG Productions 1:35 Damaged
War and Peace 2011 Show Report Modern Pickup Hilux
Large scale WWI bust Gaso.Line 1:48 Buffalo MRAP
Vulcan 1:35 Light Tank Mk.VI B Tamiya BT-42
Bronco 1:35 Hotchkiss H 39 Scratch built 1:32 M3 Panhard
M728 CEV Conversion Dust Walker and Figure
1:35 Japanese Type 97 Shi-Ki conversion Hobby Boss 1:35 scale ZTZ 96
AFV Club 1:35 scale Nashorn MiniArt 1:35 Valentine Mk.I
1:35 Leopard 2A7 conversion Tristar 1:35 Panzer IV/70 (A)
Dragon 1:35 scale M2A1 Italeri 1:35 M3A1
Dragon 1:35 VK4502 HobbyBoss 1:35 ZTZ 96 Chinese MBT
Tamiya King Tiger and more...
Dragon 1:35 Wirbelwind Revell 1:72 88 mm FLAK gun
and more...
and more... and more...

Issue 69 Issue 70 Issue 71 Issue 72

Tamiya 1:48 and 1:35 Panzer II Ausf. A/B/C AFV Clubs 1:35 M1126 Stryker Tamiya 1:35 M51 Kit Form Services 1:24 Ferret
plus Broncos 1:35 Ausf.D. Pt.1
AFV Clubs 1:35 Churchill in Soviet colours MMSI Show Report Cz Kolinec 1:35 Zrinyi
Accurate Armour 1:35 Jackal 2
Young Miniatures 1:10 Ardennes Machine Dragon 1:35 conversion MiniArt Valentine Mk.IV
Tamiya FAMO, Dragon 88mm plus Tiger Gunner bust
Model Design conversion parts Italeri 1:24 Opel Blitz Foliage Tech Guide Pt.1
HobbyBoss 1:35 ShkH DANA Pt.2
Kit Form Services Ferret Mk. 2/3 Trumpeter 1:35 diorama Kinetic 1:35 M-ATV
Dragon 1:35 Sd.Kfz. 10/5
Build your first tank model Dragon 1:35 RSO HobbyBoss RSOV Landrover
Showcase Models Australia 1:35
ICM 1:35 Mercedes G4 Bushmaster Bronco 1:35 Bishop Dragon 1:35 M4A3(75)W Sherman
HobbyBoss 1:35 MRAV Tristar 1:35 Minitionspanzer I Model Victoria 1:35 CV-33 Tankette Trumpeter KV-8 & Aerosan
and more... and more... and more... and more...

Issue 73 Issue 74 Issue 75 Issue 76

1:35 scale BT-7M conversion 1:35 scale Tamiya T-55 Enigma Pt1 Zvezda 1:35 T-90 Main Battle Tank MiniArt 1:35 Valentine
AFV Club 1:35 scale M1128 Tamiya 1:48 Marder III M Derek Hansen of Accurate Armour HobbyBoss 1:35 Land Rover RSOV
Bronco 1:35 scale Adler Young Miniatures 82nd Airborne Bust Revell 1:72 King Tiger Trumpeters 1:35 JGSDF Type 96
WAPC Type A
Tamiya 1:48 scale Opel Blitz MiniArts 1:35 scale BA-64 Game Over For Gaddafi 1:35 diorama
Dragon 1:35 scale Sd.Kfz. 10/5
Trumpeter kit by Michel Perez Zvezda 1:35 scale T-90 Main Battle Tank 1:35 Cyberhobby Panzerbefehlswagen
III Ausf. J HobbyBoss 1:35 ZBD-05
Dragon Panzer III Ausf. M Panda 1:35 scale M-ATV
HobbyBoss 1:35 scale CV-90 Kinetic Model Kits 1:35 Self-Propelled
Dragon 1:35 scale Bison II Dragon 1:35 scale Jagdpanzer IV L/70 Howitzer M109A2
Trumpeter 1:35 scale 152mm m 1937
Trumpeter 1:35 scale Neubaufahrzeug Tamiya 1:48 scale Js-2 Melbourne Model Expo 2012
and more...
and more... and more... 1:35 scratch built diorama and figures
and more...

Issue 77 Issue 78 Issue 79 Issue 80

Tamiya 1:35 scale Elefant pt.1 HobbyBoss 1:35 GMC Bofors 40mm Gun HobbyBoss 1:35 Toldi tank Bax Models 1:35 Ratel
Academy 1:35 Merkava IV LIC Masterbox 1:35 Mercedes 170VK Bronco 1:35 scale Zrinyi Bronco 1:35 Zrinyi tank
Dragon 1:35 Sd.Kfz. 251/17 Ausf.D Dragon 1:35 Ersatz M10 Miniatures PMC 1:9 Waffen SS 1:35 Pz.Kpfw.II mit Holzgasantrieb
Machine Gunner conversion
Bronco 1:35 scale YW-531C AFV Club 1:35 Duster
Squadron EagleQuest XXI Show Report Spencer Pollard Interview
AMPS 2012 Show Report Swann Morton 80th Anniversary visit
Trumpeter 1:35 T-62 Model 1972 Tamiya 1:35 scale Simca 5
Dragon 1:35 2cm Flak 38 Meng 1:35 Merkava Mk.3D
Trumpeter 1:35 KV-8 Revell 1:35 Henschell Truck
Meng Models 1:35 Merkava 3D Early HobbyBoss 1:35 VK1602 Leopard Flamethrower Kitbash
Dragon 1:35 scale StuG IV
Ferdinand and Elefant Family Ref 1:35 T31 Demolition Tank Conversion Italeri 1:35 Sturmtiger
Tasca 1:35 Firefly Composite
and more... Dragon 1:35 Waffentrager SKP 1:35 Challenger
and more...
and more... and more...

SUBSCRIBE NOW AND NEVER MISS AN ISSUE!

visit : www.modelmilitary.com for more info or to order online
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p 60 BackIssues 081.indd 57 08/11/2012 10:45
 KIT PREVIEW Italeri 1:35 Stug IV. Kit No. 6491
The box art shows metal tracks
but they are actually plastic link
and length examples.

Track face detail.

QUICK & EASY

Italeri has upgraded some older moulds with brand new parts
for its 1:35 scale StuG. IV. Graham Tetley takes a look. The plastic schurzen.

I
taleri has now entered the Construction naturally starts whilst you get periscope covers
Stug IV market with this kit with the suspension and lower for the drivers compartment you
that appears to be based on hull. Alternate return rollers, will need to find the periscopes
their 1:35 scale Panzer IV idlers and drive sprockets are from elsewhere to fill the voids.
chassis from years ago. provided so you can vary things if Two styles of rear track guard
Before I describe the kit let me you wish. The tracks are link and attachments are provided and
make you aware of one potentially length with the lengths making both options come in either etch
misleading issue with the boxart, the lower run and the spares or plastic, however some surgery
which appears to show a built-up that go in the track hangers. will be required to remove the
example that uses metal tracks. Everything else is individual link, plastic ends so that the etch can
Please be aware that NO metal and the tracks come with solid be fitted. Fortunately the etch is Hull detail.
tracks are in the kit, instead cast guide horns and plain faces well marked and easy to bend. As
we have link and length plastic with two indentations. There are well as these, a full complement
ones. The weight of the box will some ejector pin marks on the of tools are added to the track
give it away, but this does give a inner surfaces but you wont be guards, as well as the spare road
misleading impression of the box able to see most of them when wheel holder and other bits.
contents. completed. A test fit of some The road wheel holder itself is
What we do get are six sprues links showed a good fit, although presented in photo-etched metal.
containing approximately 600 I recommend a few passes with Turning to the Schurtzen,
plastic parts, an etched brass a file on the inner surfaces to these come moulded in plastic
fret with 15 more, one turned remove the mould seams. and, as such, are unrealistically
metal barrel and markings for A very basic gun breech is thick but will be quick and easy to
four vehicles. There are however provided and no interior so it is assemble. They have indentations
several optional best to close this one on their inner faces where you
parts and many up. To this breech attach the U-shaped hangers to fit
unused ones, you add the turned on the support rail.
over 200 in fact. metal barrel and So, in summary, this will be Engine deck detail.
Of those unused alternative muzzle a quick and easy kit to build. It
parts you get a brakes are provided is better detailed than Tamiyas
figure, jerrycans, in plastic. The hull version and not as complicated as
alternate top comes moulded Dragons offering. To my mind this
steel-rimmed as one part to which would be an ideal kit for a modeller
roadwheels and The photo-etched fret. you add the engine wanting a first try at individual
caps plus a few grilles and intakes, link tracks and etched parts, plus
other bits. The hatches etc., as well act as an introduction to minor
box art says that as some tiny bolts kit surgery. My only reservation
the kit comes that need shaving with it is not to do with the kit, but
from Fully from one of the with the deceptive packaging that
Upgraded Moulds sprues. Detail on leads you to believe that it comes
and, overall, the the hull is good, with metal tracks. Italeri should
parts are cleanly however all of the really change their packaging in
presented with The drivers compartment.
prominent weld this regard, or put a disclaimer on
no flash. There seams are missing so the boxtop.
are however Marking options. you will need to add That aside, If you want a Stug
some ejector pin these. The machine IV with lots of fine detail then
and sink marks gun shield comes go for Dragon, but if you are
on various parts in etched brass and happy with something that is not
so a little filling is rather nice, but as complicated but looks like it
and filing will be unfortunately it should then this is the kit for you.
needed. Detail is let down by the Recommended.
generally is good, awful MG 34 get
but it is not as another from your Thanks to The Hobby
sharp as that spares box!. The Company Limited for the
found on the Commanders hatch sample www.hobbyco.net Cast texture on the Saukopf.
Dragon kits. Road wheel and track sprues. is a little basic and
January 2013 - Model Military International 61

p 61 StuG IV Pre 081B.indd 61 08/11/2012 11:17

 BUYERS GUIDE>>>>>>>>>
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creativemodels.co.uk italeri.com revell.com

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p 62 Buyers Guide 081.indd 62 07/11/2012 16:38
 NEVER MISS AN ISSUE
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p 63 SubsAd 081.indd 2 07/11/2012 16:40

 Contact Details - for companies featured in MMI...
ACCURATE ARMOUR/ DELUXE MATERIALS MODELING ARTISAN MORI SCHATTON BARRELS
ARMOUR DISTRIBUTION www.deluxematerials.co.uk http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~m.a.mori/index_eng.html Industriestrasse 6, 94347 Ascha, Germany
Units 15-16 Kingston Industrial Estate, info@deluxematerials.com Fax; 09961 910 7826
Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, PA14 5DG Scotland. Tel; 01529 455 0340 MIG PRODUCTIONS
Tel; 01475 743 955 (Creative Models in UK) SCHIFFER BOOKS
Fax; 01475 743746 DRAGON MODELS C/ Santiago Rusinol 7, Pral 2a, Schiffer Publishing, 4880 Lower Valley Rd,
www.accurate-armour.com (The Hobby Company in UK) 08750 Molins de Rei, Barcelona, Spain Atglen, PA, 19310 USA
Dragon Models Ltd, Kong Nam Ind. Building B1-10F, www.migproductions.com www.schifferbooks.com
ADALBERTUS 603-609 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan NT,
Iberyjska 7/49, 02-764 , Warsaw,Poland Hong Kong Fax; (HK) 4110587 MILICAST MODEL CO., SCHIFFER BOOKS in UK
adalbertus@adalbertus.com.pl www.dragonmodelsltd.com 9 Rannoch St., Battlefield, Glasgow G44 4DF, Scotland Bushwood Books, No.6 Marksbury Avenue,
www.adalbertus.com.pl (For 1:6 Action Figures, please contact Amerang in UK) Tel/Fax; 0141 633 1400 Kew Gardens, Surrey TW9 4JF, UK.
milicastmodels@hotmail.com Tel; 020 8392 8585, 020 8392 9876,
THE AIRBRUSH COMPANY Ltd ECHELON FINE DETAILS www.milicast.com email; info@bushwodbooks.co.uk
Unit 7 Marlborough Road, Lancing Business Park, Available from; wwwaccurate-armour.com &
Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 8UF. http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~kriegsketten/ MISSION MODELS SCHUMO KITS
Tel; 08700 660 445 (ETCHMATE, GRABHANDLER, MICRO CHISEL) www.schumo-kits.com
www.airbrushes.com FRIENDSHIP MODELS www.etchmate.com
12 Delta Drive, Musselburgh, East Lothian, EH21 8HR www.missionmodels.com SDV MODEL
ALCLAD II LACQUER Tel; 0131 665 0866 Tel; 818 842 1885 www.sdvmodel.cz
5 St Georges Close, Bacton, Norfolk. NR12 0LL Mobile; 07877166225 Fax; 818 842 1886
Tel; 01962 65216 www.friendshipmodels.com info@missionmodels.com,
sales@missionmodels.com, SIMPLE 2 TRADE
Fax; 01692 652334 No 2 Hollywood Lane, Hollywood,
GREAT NORTH ROADS orders@missionmodels.com
Birmingham, B47 5PP
ALPINE, ROYAL MODEL, ARTISAN 9a Marcombe Road, Torquay, South Devon, TQ2 6LL Tel; 0121 474 3030
MORI, YOSCI; SMARTMODELLING Tel; 01803 400436 THE ARMORY; M&MODELS www.simple2trade.com
www.greatnorthroads.co.uk 9329 S. Cicero Ave, Oak Lawn, IL 60453, USA
No.7 Gordons Way, Oxted, Surrey RH8 0LN. UK
email svfarrugia@yahoo.co.uk http://home.earthlink.net/~mmodels/
Tel; 01883 734746 SMARTMODELLING
smartmodelling@smart7.fsworld.co.uk (Swash, Tasca, Gap, Yosci, Royal Model)
HANNANTS MODEL WHOLESALE UK LTD No.7 Gordons Way, Oxted, Surrey RH8 0LN UK
Harbour Road, Oulton Broad, Tel; 01892 533036
AMPERSAND PUBLISHING Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 2LZ, www.modelwholesaleuk.com
Tel; 01883 734746
(via Historex Agents in UK) smartmodelling@smart7.fsworld.co.uk
Tel; 01502 517444
235 NE 6th Avenue #4 Delray Beach,
Florida 33483-5543, USA
Fax; 01502 500521 MONROE PERDU SQUADRON
www.hannants.co.uk Monroe Perdu Designs, 3168 Renee Court,
Tel; 561-266 9686 1115 Crowley Drive, Carrollton, TX 75006-1312 U.S.A
sales@hannants.co.uk Simi Valley, CA 93065, USA.
Fax; 561-266-9786
www.monroeperdu.com
HISTOREX AGENTS SWANN-MORTON
ARCHER Owlerton Green, Sheffield, S6 2BJ
(Historex in UK)
Wellington House, 157 Snargate Street, ORDNANCE MODELS Tel; +44 (0)114 234 4231
Dover, Kent, CT17 9BZ, UK Via; www.steelmodels.com
PO Box 1277 Youngsville, NC 27596-1277, USA Fax; +44 (0)114 231 4966
Tel; 01304 206720
www.archertransfers.co General: info@swann-morton.com
Fax; 01304 204528. PACIFIC COAST MODELS
www.historex-agents.co.uk www.craftknives.com
BADGER AIR-BRUSH COMPANY Tel; 001 707 538 4850
sales@historex-agents.co.uk info@pacmodels.com
9128W Belmont Ave, Franklin Park, IL 60131 TAMIYA JAPAN
Tel; 847/678-3104 www.pacmodels.com Tamiya, Inc., 3-7 Ondawara Suruga-ku,
www.badgerairbrush.com
HOBBYLINK JAPAN Shizuoka 422-8610 JAPAN
Sano-shi, Kurohakama-cho 162-1, PANZERWRECKS
email info@badgerairbrush.com www.tamiya.com
Tochigi 327-0813, Japan PO Box 164, Heathfield, Sussex TN21 8WA, UK
(In the UK from www.shesto.co.uk)
www.hlj.com www.panzerwrecks.com TAMIYA UK;
BISON DECALS HUSSAR PRODUCTIONS, CANADA THE HOBBY COMPANY LIMITED
Available from www.hannants.co.uk and PLUS MODEL Garforth Place, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, MK5 8PG, UK
www.airconnection.on.ca (Creative Models in UK)
www.pdi-model-supplies.com Tel; 01908 605686 Fax; 01908 605666
Jizni 56, 370 10 C. Budejovice, Czech Republic. enquiries@hobbyco.net
BLAST MODELS IAN ALLAN plusmodel@plusmodel.cz www.hobbyco.net
www.ianallanpublishing.com www.plusmodel.cz
Via AFV Modeller or www.blast-models.com
Mail Order Dept 01455 254450
TRUMPETER
BOOKWORLD WHOLESALE POCKETBOND LTD www.trumpeter-china.com
Unit 10 Hodfar Road, Sandy Lane Ind Est
ICM (Trumpeter & AFV Club in UK) Pocketbond in the UK
Kiev 02099, Ukraine, Borispolskaya 9 building 64. PO Box 80, Welwyn, Hertfordshire,
Stourport, Worcs, DY13 9QB
Tel/fax; (+38044) 369-54-12 England, AL6 0ND
Tel; 01299 823330
export@icm.com.ua VERLINDEN PRODUCTIONS
Fax; 01299 829970 Tel; 01707 391509 (Historex in UK)
www.icm.com.ua Fax; 01707 327 466
info@bookworldws.co.uk 811 Lone Star Drive, OFallon, Missouri 63366, USA
info@pocketbond.co.uk www.verlinden-productions.com
CALIBRE 35 ITALERI
Via Hannants in UK
(The Hobby Company in UK) PSP MODELS LTD VALLEJO
Via Pradazzo, 6, I-40012 Calderara Di Reno, (Mission Models in USA) (Creative Models in UK)
Bologna, Italy, Unit 19B, Applins Farm, Farrington,
CAMMETT Tel; 051 726037 Dorset DT11 8RA, UK
Acrylicos Vallejo, SL Apartado 337 - 08800
(Lifecolour, Scale Caliber) www.italeri.com Vilanova i la Geltr, Barcelona, Spain
Tel/Fax; 01747 811 817 Tel; (34) 93 893 60 12
Unit 5 Greenfield Industrial Estate,
www.psp-models.com Fax; (34) 93 893 11 54
Forest Road, Hay on Wye, Powys, HR3 5FA
Tel; 01497 822757
JUST BASES www.acrylicosvallejo.com
Email; cammettco@btinternet.com
21 Graham Road, Paignton TQ3 1BB QUICKBOOST
Tel; 01803 558520 www.quickboost.net
www.cammett.co.uk
www.just-bases.co.uk VLS CORPORATION
(LSA in UK)
CLASSIC PUBLICATIONS REVELL GmbH & Co. KG (TRAKZ, WINGZ, CUSTOM DIORAMICS, WARRIORS);
Midland Counties Publications, 4 Watling Drive,
JUST KITS Orchard Mews, 18C High Street, Lincoln County Industrial Park, 1011 Industrial Court,
4 High Street, Botley, Southampton, SO30 2EA Tring, Herts, HP23 5AH Moscow Mills, Missouri 63362, USA
Sketchley Lane Industrial Estate, Hinckley,
Tel; 01489 781177 Tel; +44 (0) 1442 250130 www.modelmecca.com
Leics UK. LE10 1YF
www.justkitsandmodels.co.uk Fax; +44 (0) 1442 245619
Tel; 01455 233 747,
Fax; 01455 233 737 www.revell.eu WHITE ENSIGN
midlandbooks@compuserve.com LSA MODELS Unit 5, Cobnash Industrial Estate, HR6 9RW
www.classic-publications.com (TASCA, MASTER BOX) SB MODELS Tel; 0844 415 0914
Retail; 151 Sackville Road, Hove, UK distributor for Model Victoria and Royal Model wem@onetel.com
East Sussex, BN3 3HD, England. P.O. Box 114, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA13 0WY.
CREATIVE MODELS LTD Tel/Fax; 01273 705420
www.whiteensignmodels.com
(Mig Productions, Vallejo, Accurate Miniatures) Tel/Fax; 01229 430 749
orders@lsamodels.co.uk sales@sbmodels.fsnet.co.uk
Unit 6-10, Honeysome Industrial Estate, Honeysome
www.lsamodels.co.uk WWII PRODUCTIONS, AUSTRALIA
Road, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire. PE16 6TG www.sbmodels.net 12 Prince Street, Waratah, 2298, NSW, Australia
Tel; 01354 760022 Tel; +61 (0)2 4967 3205
www.creativemodels.co.uk MDC SBLC Fax; +61 (0)2 4967 3207
info@creativemodels.co.uk Model Design Construction, Victoria Place, PO Box 794, Cheltenham GL52 3ZW, UK ww2prod@optusnet.com.au
Victoria Road, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3FW RICHARDSBLC@aol.com
Fax; 01773 513344
DARTMOOR MILITARY MODELS orders@modeldesignconstruction.com ZVEZDA
Haylis cottage, Budlake, Broadclyst SBX MODEL SHOP (The Hobby Company in UK)
www.modeldesignconstruction.com Norwich Road, Ipswich. IP1 5DN
Exeter, EX5 3LJ, England Promishlennaia Str.,2, Lobnya, Moscow Region,
Tel; 01392 881271 Tel; 01473 464311 141730 Russia
www.dartmoormilitarymodels.com www.sbxmodelshop.co.uk office@zvezda.org.ru
www.zvezda.org.ru

Please mention Model Military International if you make contact with any of the companies listed above - thanks!

64 Model Military International - January 2013

p 64-65 Contact NI 081B.indd 64 08/11/2012 11:19

 Next Issue
On sale 3rd Janary 2012
URBAN TUSK
Anthony Sheedy builds Tamiyas new 1:35 scale U.S.
Main Battle Tank M1A2 SEP Abrams TUSK II.
HUNGARIAN
GOULASH
Luke Pitt builds
Bronco's 1:35 scale
Zrinyi, and Bruce
Culver describes
Hungarian armour in
a new Think Tank.
FRENCH FIREPOWER
Broncos 1:35 scale Hotchkiss
H39 by Joaquin Garcia Gazquez.
FOR YOUR SAFETY
Dont 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 high-speed airborne
particles, wear approved eye
protectors with hard, clear
lenses. Please always model
in safety!
MINENRAUMER
Meng Models 1:35 scale
Minenraumer by Pawel
...and much more!
Due to many influencing factors, we
Rzymski. cannot guarantee the appearance of the
above projects, but well try our best!
January 2013 - Model Military International 65
p 64-65 Contact NI 081B.indd 65
ISSUE No.81 January 2013,
Published December 6th 2012
Editor; Brett Green
Group Editor; Marcus Nicholls
Publisher; Alan Harman
Graphic Design; Alex Hall
Advertising Manager; Colin Spinner
Advertising Sales; Mark Peacock
Advertising Assistant; Joe Brown
Office Manager; Paula Gray
Administration Manager; Hannah McLaurie
MMI Website; Alex Hall
Printed by;
Symbian Print Intelligence, Hertfordshire, UK
Distributed by;
Seymour Distribution
2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT
Tel; 020 7429 4000
Newstrade;
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Email; tim@selectps.com
Model Military International is published on
the first Thursday of each month by;
ADH Publishing, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane,
Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX UK
www.modelmilitary.com
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Fax; +44 (0)1525 222574
Editorial enquiries;
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Reproduction in part of any text, photograph,
or illustration without written consent from
Order online now at; www.modelmilitary.com
the publisher is strictly prohibited. While due
care is taken to ensure the contents of
Model Military International is accurate, the
publishers and printers can not accept
responsibility for errors and omissions.
Advertisements are accepted for publication
in Model Military International only on
ADH Publishings 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);
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Binders;
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(UK 2.45, Euro 4.45, World 6.45)
For all orders, please call;
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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.
www.fsc.org
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ADH Publishing 2012
16/11/2012 14:16
 The Last Post..
MMIS 2012 IN REVIEW
T
his issue of Model Military International
magazine will appear on the
newsstands in early December, so it
seems to be the right time to take a
look back at 2012.
Despite another gloomy year for the world
economy, kit releases continued to flow at a
remarkable rate, particularly out of Asia. Both
the traditional players such as Tamiya and AFV
Club; along with brand new entrants including
Meng and Kinetic, have offered some fascinating
new releases during 2012. Bronco has really
kicked up their release activity this year too.
It would seem that there is a trend towards
ever-higher levels of detail straight from the
box - and a correspondingly high parts count.
This is particularly true of Dragon, AFV Club
and Bronco. By contrast, Tamiyas latest
military releases have focused on delivering
a high level of detail with a smaller number of
parts, consequently offering faster and easier
construction.
Regardless of whether you prefer a 1,000
part super-kit or a relaxing weekend build, I
cannot recall a time when we have seen more or
better kits appearing on our hobby shop shelves.
Although some releases may have question
marks over accuracy in specific areas, we have
never had a bigger choice than we have today.
The after market remains lively too, with
new technologies permitting small runs of
remarkably detailed accessories, upgrades,
corrections and conversions.
Any magazine is an ensemble effort and this
title is no exception. I would like to extend my
sincere appreciation to all of Model Military
Internationals contributors, whose wonderful
models and research have appeared in these
pages over 2012 and previous years. Thanks to
all of you for your efforts.
Our Think Tank articles, usually related
to a modeling subject in the same issue, are
an important part of the character of the
magazine. I would particularly like to thank
Bruce Culver for his remarkable ability to turn
around high quality and original reference
articles at amazingly short notice. Stuart
Ransley has done a great job with modern
subjects too.
MMI is fortunate to boast a team of reviewers
with expertise in a number of specialist areas.
Not only do they know their stuff, but they
also understand the importance of providing
a balanced review pointing out both the high
points and the potential problems with new
release kits and accessories. I am very grateful
to our ensemble of reviewers.
Alex Hall has shouldered most of the MMI
design duties for this year. Alex has once
again done a fantastic job converting basic
photographs and words into attractive flowing
visual stories. Thanks Alex!
Despite the extra duties imposed by MIMs
AFV Edition, ADH Publishings Group Editor
Marcus Nicholls continues to be an essential
part of the creative process with his feedback,
suggestions and support.
Luke Pitt has added Interviews to his
repertoire of skills, along with his monthly 1:48
scale pages, which has become a fixture of the
magazine, and his splendid model articles.
There is a surprising amount of
administrative work associated with any
magazine, such as dealing with correspondence
and distributing samples. Thanks to Paula,
Hannah, Colin and Joe for managing much of
the back-office burden of MMI.
I am grateful to our Publisher Alan Harman
too, for having the faith to give me this
wonderful job nearly four years ago, and for
letting me keep it ever since!
And lastly but certainly not least, thank
you, MMI reader, for your ongoing support
of the magazine. We hope that you will enjoy
the models, research and news that we will be
bringing you in 2013.
Brett

PUTTING IT IN PERSPECTIVE
One of the challenges of presenting a model article
is providing a sense of proportion for the subject. An
accompanying figure is a good way to do this, or sometimes
I will photograph the kit alongside a coin or another familiar
object to convey its size or lack thereof!
My article on Tamiyas new 1:35 scale Simca 5 in Issue
80 of MMI was finished in a very short period of time and I
neglected to give a visual indication of its actual size.
I thought I would redress that shortcoming here by
displaying the kit next to Tamiyas new 1:35 scale Elefant.
The Simca really is quite small, as the contrast in this
photo clearly shows!
It wont take up much space in your display shelf, but it is
a lovely little model.
66 Model Military International - January 2013

p 66 Last Post 081B.indd 66 08/11/2012 11:21

 D6565 Dragon Kits are distributed in the UK by The Hobby Company Limited, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, MK5 8PG
See the full Dragon range at www.hobbyco.net
Dragon models are available from all good model shops www.hobbyco.net

p 67 Dragon 081.indd 8 07/11/2012 16:41