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

Issue 111 July 2015 www.modelmilitary.com

CENTURION TWIN-FORTY AFV Club 1:35 “What If” conversion

RHAPSODY IN GREY Tamiya’s brand new 1:48 Panzer 38(t) and BMW R75 motorcycle

PREVIEW: p 01 CoverMMI 111B.indd 1

1:35 Hummel-Wespe ■ 1:35 Churchill Snake ■ 1:35 Sd.Kfz.10 ■ 1:35 M48A2 Patton ■ and more...

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‘HOW TO BUILD...’ series HOW TO BUILD THE TAMIYA STEEL WHEELED TIGER I The Tiger I is one of the most popular modelling subjects in 1:35 scale, with probably more versions produced by more manufacturers than any other armoured fighting vehicle. In this book, worldrenowned modeller Angus Creighton takes a break from writing for Tamiya Model Magazine International and concentrates on the Steel Wheeled version of the famous German WW2 Tank. With five versions of the Tiger portrayed in great detail, particular attention is paid to subtle production differences, as well as focusing on the rare command version and Borgward BIV control vehicle. With step-by-step guides covering and painting, applying zimmerit and adding markings, this book is an essential reference guide for the modeller wishing to build the Steel Wheeled Tiger I. Full colour throughout.

D E S I V RE N O I T I E D SOON

Including: Building the basic model Weathering explained Techniques to achieve plus p&p realistic zimmerit Concise details of the production variations Five detailed versions of the classic Steel Wheeled Tiger I

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Contents - Issue 111 July 2015 REGULARS

28

p 4 NEWS

What’s new in the world of military modelling

p 56 BOOKS

New model-related titles

p 58 INCOMING

News on accessories, tools and finishing products

p 59 FIGURES

©ADH Publishing Ltd 2015

The latest releases in 1:35 scale figure sets

p 59 SMALL SCALE

News of models and figures, 1:72 scale and smaller

p 60 1:48 SCALE

Luke Pitt explores 1:48 scale military models, figures and accessories

6

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.

p 66 LAST POST

Late breaking news and ramblings from the Editor

ISSN 1749-8864

FEATURES p 6 THINK TANK

Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) by Bruce Culver

p 14 RHAPSODY IN GREY

Tamiya’s new 1:48 Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) & BMW R75 Motorcycle by Brett Green

p 26 PREVIEW

Dragon 1:35 Hummel-Wespe

p 28 CENTURION TWIN-FORTY

1:35 Kitbash by Graeme Davidson

p 35 PREVIEW

AFV Club 1:35 Churchill Snake

36

p 36 PICNIC IN THE SAHARA

1:72 scale diorama by Kamil Feliks Sztarbala

p 50 GALLERY

Tamiya 1:35 Tiger I Early

by Chris Wauchop

p 52 SHOW REPORT

NSW Scale Model Competition and Expo 2015

by Brett Green

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Newsline - July ’15

MMI Newsdesk, ADH Publishing, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX, UK Tel:01525 222573 Fax:01525 222574 Email:editor@modelmilitary.com

ACCURATE ARMOUR NEW RELEASES

Accurate Armour’s latest 1:35 scale wheeled armour conversion sets are now all available.

These include a further Land Rover conversion in the form of the RUC TANGI Land Rover (early) (LRA012). This is based on the Hobby Boss Land Rover kit or a new "One Ten" chassis set from Accurate Armour (LRA007). By using this set you can avoid buying the Hobby Boss kit or you can use this set to rescue an old Hobby Boss kit that you have already used as a chassis donor.

This set may be used with Accurate Armour’s Tangi and Snatch sets to make full vehicle models.

Just released are a pair of 1:35 scale MBT conversions to produce the Danish Leopard 2A5DK, one set converts the really nice Tamiya Leopard 2A5 kit (C101), the second set updates the flawed Hobby Boss attempt at a Leopard 2A5DK kit (C102).

Thanks to Accurate Armour for the images and the information www.accurate-armour.com

BRONCO NEW RELEASES

Bronco continues its busy release schedule with a number of new vehicle, accessory and figure sets. These include: AB3571 – 1:35 scale XM153 Crows II CB35141 – 1:35 scale 2.8cm sPzB41 on Steel Wheeled Trailer CB35177 – 1:35 WWII British Paratroops in Action Set A CB35192 – 1:35 WWII British Paratroops in Action Set B We will have more information and reviews of these sets closer to release.

Thanks to Bronco for the images and information www.cn-bronco.com

SMALL SCALE RELEASES FROM

MASTER BOX

Master Box has announced two new WWI kits in 1:72 scale: Kit No. 72007 - "British Armoured Car, Austin, MK III, WW I Era" – the kit consists of two sprues. The model will feature detailed chassis, rotating machine gun turrets, elevating machine guns, and the marking options for several different countries.

Kit No. 72008 "British Armoured Car, Austin, MK IV, WW I Era" – the kit will offer options for different armament (Vickers, Lewis machineguns or mix of these systems at modeller’s choice) and different chassis. The tyre tread features a different design. Once again, several marking options are available in this kit.

Thanks to Master Box for the images and information www.mbltd.info/index.htm

EVOLUTION MINIATURES 1:35 SS SOLDIER FIGURES

Evolution Miniatures latest release is Item No. EM-35112, German SS Soldiers WW2. Evolution Miniatures is also now the official representative and distributor for Quasar, which has a new 1:16 scale “SS Grenadier LAH Kharkov WW2”..

Thanks to Evolution Miniatures for the information and images www.evolution-miniatures.com

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Creative Models Limited

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MODELS

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR A LIST OF STOCKISTS

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Hobbyboss 1:35 Schneider CA - Armored

Mirror Models 1:35 U.S. Cat D7 Recovery Tractor

MIN35183

MNGTS-017

MNGTS-018

Miniart 1:35 U.S. Military Policeman With Motorcycle

Meng Model 1:35 German A7V Tank (Krupp)

RV03141

Mirror Models 1:35 U.S. Cat D7 Armoured Bulldozer

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Miniart 1:35 GAZ-AAA With Shelter

Meng Model 1:35 Soviet T-10M Heavy Tank

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Miniart 1:35 German Tank Crew (France 1940)

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Meng Model 1:35 German Self-Propelled Howitzer With Add-on Armor Panzerhaubitze 2000

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Unit 6-10, Honeysome Ind Est., Honeysome Road, Chatteris, Cambs. PE16 6TG Tel: +44(0)1354 760022 Fax: +44(0)1354 760037 p 05 CreativeM 111.indd 12

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Think Tank - Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Light Tank German tank crewmen inspect a new Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) at the factory, a common practice in which crews went to the assembly plant for initial technical training to operate a vehicle. This tank was standard Dunkelgrau 46 (dark gray) and Dunkelbraun 45 (dark brown).

Pz.Kpfw.. 38(t) 38( ) LIGHT TANK

Bruce Culver examines the origins, development and operations of the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Light Tank

T

he law of unintended consequences sometimes has a long and ironic reach. The beginning of the Second World War was the result of a miscalculation by Adolf Hitler that the Allies (Britain and France) would not go to the mat for Poland and declare war if Germany invaded that nation. In the process, Hitler thrust Germany into a world war years before the General Staff had estimated the country would be ready for such a conflict. And yet, the extended negotiations in Europe in the late 1930s, intended to prevent war, instead provided Germany with the military resources to augment its own industrial output. When, in 1938, the Allies gave up an independent Czechoslovakia to Germany to secure “peace in our time”, they inadvertently also gave Germany a vibrant and innovative Czech arms industry that a year later had greatly increased Germany’s ability to wage a major

war. In a sense, they had beaten their plowshares into swords.

Czechoslovakia had been known for some years as the nation that produced a number of efficient and effective weapons, some of which served extensively on both sides in the conflict to come. In small arms, the ZB vz.26 light machine gun was developed into the British Bren gun, and most British-designed tanks used the Czech-designed BESA 7.92mm machine gun as a tank-mounted weapon. Both were reliable and valuable designs and in the case of the Bren, served for many years after the war.

THE CZECH ARMS INDUSTRY In the field of armoured vehicles there were two major Czech manufacturers, Skoda, based in Pilsen, and Ceskomoravska-KolbenDanek (CKD), based in Prague.

Skoda had built for the pre-war Czech army several vehicles, including the LT vz.35, which was adopted by the Germans as the

Pz.Kpfw. 35(t). It was somewhat successful but limited by its many maintenance requirements and a complicated suspension.

CKD, on the other hand, normally providing trucks and tracked artillery tractors to the Czech army, had built some small tankettes based on a British Carden-Lloyd design and their own tankette, the P-II. They also developed new tanks in the Praga subsidiary, and these showed promise. In the event, they proved to be far superior to the model from Skoda, though the latter’s LT vz.35 had become the standard tank of the Czech armoured formations. As the domestic market was closed because of the adoption of the LT vz.35, their success rested on sales to other countries and the first of these was exotic indeed.

In 1935, CKD developed the TNH light tank, building on their experience with the AH-IV tankette. Both of these vehicles

shared design features like four large road wheels in the suspensions and similar power train layouts, but their upper superstructures were different reflecting their special tasks. The TNH tank in turn was developed into several versions to be finished according to the customer’s choices.

In 1935, the country of Iran (formerly called Persia) began to modernise its antiquated armoured force, consisting of a few WWI FT-17 light tanks. Under Shah Reza Pahlavi, Iran purchased 50 AH-IV tankettes in 1935 and requested 50 new TNH light tanks to fill the country’s needs. The TNH tanks were delivered in 1937, followed by the lighter LTH to Switzerland, also in 1937, and the similar LTP models to Peru in 1938.

Sweden ordered 90 examples of yet another variant, the TNH Sv, in 1939, but the German government seized these vehicles and did not deliver them. Sweden was granted

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a license to produce a version of the tank in Sweden, and ScaniaVabis built some 220 Strv m/41 light tanks from 1942. They had a larger and longer turret for ammunition stowage in the bustle, and proved to be quite successful, serving until 1957 as gun tanks.

Later these tanks would be rebuilt as Pvb 301 armoured personnel carriers and later as self-propelled guns. These served for many years after the end of WWII. In 1937, money was allocated to purchase more tanks for the Czech armed forces, and in July 1938, after a series of tests, the Czech army ordered 150 of the CKD TNH light tank. It had proven to be the most capable and reliable entry in the competition. Unfortunately, the Munich agreement of 1938 caused the emergency allocations to be withdrawn and production slowed considerably. The first examples of TNH tanks, standardized as the LT vz.38, were delivered to the Germans, who occupied Czechoslovakia in March 1939.

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT The German armament commission established to oversee the Czech arms industry was impressed with the new tank, which was at the time largely comparable to the German Pz.Kpfw. III medium tank, having a 37mm main gun and up to 25mm of armour. It was a good candidate to augment the supply of German-built tanks to fill out the new Panzer Divisions being created in the late 1930s. The LT vz.38 was adopted by the Germans and standardized as the ‘Light Tank Muster-38’ (L.T.M.-38) in 1939 and the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) in 1940, and all future production was to be for the German Wehrmacht. The Germans also adopted the Skoda LT vz.35 as the Pz.Kpfw. 35(t), but production had ended and all those tanks came from existing stocks.

PZ.KPFW. 38(t) The initial version of the Pz.Kpfw.

38(t) was almost identical to the LT vz.38 adopted by the Czech army except for the installation of German tools and other crew equipment. It weighed 9.4 tonnes, had a Praga 6-cylinder 125 HP engine, a Praga-Wilson 5-speed pre-selective transmission, built under license from RollsRoyce, that steered by planetary epicyclic gears and gave the driver better control over the tank’s maneuvering. The best original feature was the CKD suspension.

This was a clever and efficient externally mounted design with two articulated arms in each bogie

assembly, one leading and the other trailing, so that both arms could be sprung by a single leaf spring assembly. As it did not intrude inside the hull, there was more room for interior equipment and crew.

The basic armour structure was riveted except for the roof which was bolted in place to allow easy removal. The driver’s front plate was 25mm thick and was “cranked”, with the bow gunner’s armour being farther forward than the driver’s. There was single escape hatch in the hull roof over the bow gunner’s position; the driver normally exited through the turret. The side plates were 15mm thick and the rear plate was also 15mm; the roof plate was 10mm on the hull, and the floor plate was 8mm. The turret armour was also 25mm in front and 15mm on the sides and rear with a 10mm roof. The Skoda UV vz.38 37mm L/47.8 main gun firing German PzGr 39 APCBC ammunition could penetrate 41mm of armour at 100 meters and 35mm at 500 meters.

Two ZB vz.37 machine guns were mounted, in the hull front plate and in the turret front. The turret mounted gun could be fixed as a coaxial weapon or used as a flexible gun as required.

This Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) is the first model, designated by the Germans as the Ausf. A. It is a modified Czech version which retains the horizontal Czech battle antenna on the left side. Note the lightening effect of dust on the Dunkelgrau and Dunkelbraun camouflage.

This Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Ausf. B was in 4. Panzer Division in France, 1940. Note the division sign in front of the side view port. The tank number “121” was yellow. Dust has obscured the two-color camouflage, and some later vehicles in France were only Dunkelgrau.

ENTERING PRODUCTION The first 150 Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) tanks were designated Ausf. A and were essentially identical to the Czech LT vz.38 design. The next order from Germany came in July 1939, for 325 examples, designated Ausf.

B, C, D. There were 110 tanks built as Ausf. Bs from January 1940.

They were still very similar to the Ausf. A but received German radios and the long horizontal rod on the left side for the Czech battle radio was deleted. The Notek night driving blackout light system was installed, as for other German vehicles.

The 110 similar Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Ausf. Cs appeared from May to August 1940. They were again almost the same as the earlier versions but for a new German pattern radio antenna mount on the forward left corner of the upper hull. The front hull plate was increased to 40mm thickness. The 105 Ausf. Ds appeared between September and November 1940.

Some later Ausf. Cs and most Ausf.

Ds had the rear silencer (muffler) raised above the rear hull plate to allow the installation of a new armoured box for smoke grenades, and on all of these tanks, a turret ring splash guard was added as a result of combat experience. A

A Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Ausf. B of 7. Panzer Division shows the offset 25mm front plate typical of the early models. The driver was on the right of the vehicle and the radio operator/bow gunner was on the left.

The bow MG opening was plated over on most command tanks.

Erwin Rommel, commander of 7. Panzer Division, watches a Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) of his division negotiate a rebuilt destroyed bridge during the campaign in France 1940. The white rectangle painted on the rear deck was an air identification marking.

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Think Tank - Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Light Tank B Improvements While overall German crews were happy with the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t), use in the Polish And French campaigns revealed areas for improvement. While the Luftwaffe had dispatched the Polish Air Force fairly quickly, largely in attacks on airfields, the Polish army was a tougher foe, and had some effective anti-tank weapons.

Losses in the Polish campaign were perhaps higher than initially expected – several hundred tanks and thousands of other vehicles – but due to the small caliber Polish guns and use of mostly solid AP shot, all but a few of the wrecked tanks were repaired, some during the campaign. In the French campaign, the Germans for the first time had met tanks that in many ways were superior to the types the Germans were using.

It was obvious that, as good as it was tactically, the Pz.Kpfw.

38(t) needed better armour protection. The next version, the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Ausf. E/F, was built from November 1940 to May 1941, production totaling 524 for both models, which were identical but built under different contracts. BMM, the Germanmanaged successor to CKD, made a number of design and technical changes to these new versions.

The basic frontal armour for the Ausf. E/F was doubled to 50mm on the hull front, driver’s plate and turret front. A smaller number of bolts and rivets used indicated a simpler internal structure as well. The driver’s front plate was straightened as it was increased to 50mm, and the forward visors were simplified castings. The hull sides were also doubled to 30mm plate, and a general redesign reduced the number of parts and attachments. Finally, provisions were made to carry extra track links as spares and to augment armour protection. The Ausf. E/F weighed a ton more than previous models and the springs were strengthened to handle the weight.

About the time the production of the Ausf. E/F was completed, BMM was able to deliver an additional 90 Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) tanks. These were the examples ordered by Sweden and embargoed before the war. Technical problems and delays in obtaining components had kept BMM from delivering the tanks earlier. They were designated Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Ausf. S, for Sweden, and were unusual when delivered because they featured the original armour layout and thickness of the early models, except the hull front was increased to 50mm.

These less-capable tanks were

sent mostly to Germany’s smaller eastern European allies.

The final version, the Ausf.

G, was built in two batches, bringing total Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) tank production to 1,396, though some sources claim 1,411 – possibly including extra tanks built up from spare parts. The major difference between the Ausf. G and the E/F was the relocation of the front Notek black-out light to the left side of the glacis from the left mudguard. Though production was to have continued into 1943, the last Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) gun tank, an Ausf. G, was delivered in June 1942. All later chassis were reserved for self-propelled anti-tank guns, initially to be tank hunters (Panzerjaeger). The very good capabilities of the Pz.Kpfw.

38(t) chassis led to use as one of the Germans’ leading tracked gun carriers.

Here is an extreme example of the lightening effect that dust and mud had on the Dunkelgrau and Dunkelbraun colours. Note the dark suspension covered in wet mud and the dark area around the turret cross. All the markings have been cleaned of mud. As in WWI, a solid cover of mud or dust made a multi-color camouflage scheme ineffective.

Into Action The Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Ausf. A received its baptism of fire in the Polish campaign, though few of these tanks were available by September 1939. They served in 67. Panzer Abteilung of 3.Leichte Division during the Polish campaign. In Poland, the Pz.Kpfw.

38(t) proved to be a good fighting tank, easily able to handle the light tanks and tankettes fielded by the Polish army. In October 1939, 3. Leichte Division was reorganized and expanded to form 8. Panzer Division. At the same time, increased production of the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) allowed it to equip other divisions being formed from late 1939 to the spring of 1940, among them 25. Panzer Regiment and 66. Panzer Abteilung of 7.

Panzer Division, and 10. Panzer Regiment and 67. Panzer Abteilung of 8. Panzer Division. These two divisions deployed with 207 Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) gun tanks and 23 PzBefWg 38(t) command tanks.

The invasion of France in May 1940 (code name “Fall Gelb – Case Yellow”) saw the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t)s of 7. Panzer Division attack through Luxembourg into Belgium and then into France itself. Their rapid advance kept many French units from being able to mount a fixed defense and after several days of fighting superior German tactics had enabled 7. Panzer Division to achieve most of its objectives against French and British forces, even though some of the French tanks proved to be tough opponents, like the Somua S-35.

At Arras, 7. Panzer Division was fought by British Matilda II infantry tanks which proved impervious to all German tank guns. Rommel’s A

The German forces in WWII owed much of their early successes to superior radio communication.

Here is a Befehlspanzer 38(t) with extra radios, part of 7. Panzer Division, with markings for a radio platoon; the “K” denoted Panzergruppe von Kleist.

This Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) with markings covered with mud was seen in France, 1940. Many vehicles in France picked up heavy layers of mud and dust, which combined with the fading tendency of the dark paints, often hid the original colours

This Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) of 7. Panzer Division climbs out of a tank emplacement used to put the vehicle in a hull-down position. The Pz.Kpfw. 38t was a maneuverable tank with good power, and was a major component of early-war German victories.

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Sweden had intended to purchase the LT vz.38 light tank from CKD (later BMM under German control), but the Germans canceled that order and allowed Sweden to produce the tank under license as the Strv m/41, seen here, and these served until 1957.

This shot of Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) tanks on a road march during the invasion of Russia shows the contrast between factory-new tanks and well-used examples as seen here, with bent mudguards and added stowage and fittings to fit the crews’ needs.

The tanks of 20. Panzer Division were modified with extra stowage boxes, but they still carried huge amounts of personal crew stowage. In the earliest stages of the Russian campaign, the Pz.Kpfw.

38(t) proved to be a valuable light tank for the German divisions.

As the Germans encountered more T-34 and KV-1 tanks with superior guns and armour, the weaknesses of light tanks were revealed. Here a Russian soldier examines a knocked out Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Ausf. E of 20. Panzer Division. The unit sign is below the open hatch.

Several panzer divisions used the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) in Russia; here is a Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Ausf. B of 20. Panzer Division seen during the initial advance in the summer of 1941. As these tanks were fairly small, the crews had to carry their personal gear and supplies outside.

This color shot illustrates the effect dust and mud can have on the Dunkelgrau color. This pattern, seen in Russia, is typical for dry conditions, but in wet muddy terrain, the whole tank could often be covered by splashing mud, altering the color completely. Note how small this Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) of 7. Panzer Division is compared to the Pz.Kpfw. III.

The Slovak army received 37 LT-38 light tanks of various models. These are among the early deliveries and were equivalent to the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Ausf. A then being issued to German Panzer units. These tanks are painted in the Slovak army’s overall khaki brown.

Pz.Kpfw. 38(t)s were often used as command tanks, like this Befehlspanzer 38(t) Ausf. A seen in Russia. The bow machine gun was eliminated to allow more room for extra radio equipment, and the blanked-off MG mount was an identifying detail.

The first LT-38 tanks delivered to Slovakia carried the standard Czech 3-color camouflage scheme, seen here. This LT-38 of the Slovak Fast Mobile Brigade in Russia was damaged in the Ukraine in July 1941 – note the Slovak double cross on the turret.

The Slovak army also took delivery of the LT-40 light tank, a lighter, simpler version of the LT-38. This LT-40 in Russia is painted overall Slovak khaki brown with a yellow Slovak cross. This command tank has had the main gun removed and plated over.

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Think Tank - Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Light Tank B tactical use of the 8.8cm Flak 18

as an anti-tank gun was able to turn the tide. 25. Panzer Regiment lost a small number of Pz.Kpfw.

38(t)s at Arras, but the division was successful, later driving to the Somme and ending the campaign defeating the French IX Corps and moving on Cherbourg.

8. Panzer Division was no less successful as part of the force that penetrated the Ardennes forests and attacked toward the Meuse river. With 6. Panzer Division, it crossed the Meuse and later crossed the Oise river, heading for the Channel coast. It eventually reached St. Omer on the coast about 40km south of Dunkerque.

There it halted as ordered, while the Luftwaffe attempted to reduce the Dunkerque beachhead.

Through no fault of the German Panzer units, most of the British and French troops trapped at Dunkerque were withdrawn in an epic rescue effort. Further action on the Aisne river and a drive east to Epinal resulted in a total of 54 Pz.Kpfw. 38(t)s being lost in the French campaign. All but six were repaired or reworked and returned to service.

After France After the French surrender, 8.

Panzer Division took part in the invasion of Yugoslavia in April 1941, marching from Hungary through Croatia to Belgrade, against ineffective resistance. The Pz.Kpfw.

38(t)s proved they could traverse difficult mountainous terrain.

Increased production at BMM made the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) a major part of the German Panzer force.

Of some 4,000 tanks available to the Germans in the summer of 1941, 660 were in the Panzer Divisions, both Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) gun tanks and PzBeflWg 38(t) command tanks. They served in 7. and 8. Panzer Divisions, and the new 12., 19. and 20. Panzer Divisions. Additional tanks were in reserve status, in training or acceptance testing.

Barbarossa The German invasion of the Soviet Union, Unternehmen Barbarossa (Operation Barbarossa), was the most extensive armoured assault the world had ever seen.

Hundreds of German divisions attacked along the entire Russian western border, at first meeting only weak and disorganized resistance. The Russian army was poorly led, in large part because most of the field-grade officers (colonels and generals) had been liquidated in Stalin’s great purges in the late 1930s. Many of the

remaining military leaders were political operatives with little military experience, and some of those were afraid to act for fear of doing the wrong thing and being removed. Thus, Russian resistance was poorly coordinated and often ineffective. Much of the Russian equipment, including the majority of its tanks and armoured vehicles, was obsolete, and being handled badly in action, was soon destroyed or captured.

Russian losses in the first few months of Barbarossa were staggering, perhaps the greatest military defeat in history in terms of the materiel destroyed or captured. Tens of thousands of aircraft, armoured vehicles, trucks and guns of every type were destroyed or fell into German hands as booty, along with several million captured troops. And yet‌..

The Russians, like the Germans before them in Poland, had been developing new weapons, including several new tanks, among them the T-34 medium tank and the KV-1 heavy tank. But they were in short supply and often still in training units, not in the front lines. The tanks the Germans met in the early summer of 1941 were the pre-war BTs and inferior light tanks, easily dealt with even by German light tanks like the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t). The BT-5/7 light tanks were fast and armed with a decent 45mm main gun, but very thinly armoured and vulnerable to the 37mm guns of the Pz.Kpfw. III and the Czech-built Pz.Kpfw. 35(t) and Pz.Kpfw. 38(t).

As the older inferior Russian light tanks were used up, the Russians had to begin committing their newer medium and heavy tanks to the battle.

The summer battles gave way to the fall, as the Germans drove deep into Russia, heading for Moscow and Leningrad among the early objectives. Gradually the number of T-34s and KV-1 and KV-2 heavy tanks increased, and now the Germans found their 37mm tank guns could not penetrate these vehicles at normal combat ranges; the KV-1 and KV-2 could hardly be penetrated at any range. In turn, the 76mm main guns on these new Russian tanks had little trouble knocking out many German tanks, including the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t). In 1941, German losses for the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) totaled an astounding 793 tanks, including those that could be repaired. In 1942, losses totaled 196, as the number of Pz.Kpfw.

38(t)s available decreased. In just one year, the value of light tanks as active combat vehicles was essentially over in Russia. A

A Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) of the 10th Komp. of 7. Panzer Division passes through a Russian village during Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. Like other units with the 38(t), 7. PD added extra stowage boxes. Many tanks carried the un-ditching beams seen here. The Russian weather began to slow the German advance only months into the campaign.

For much of the early 1941 Russian campaign the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) units did not meet many of the better Russian tanks, dealing mostly with pre-war models like the BT-5/7 series. This is a Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Ausf. E of 7.Panzer Division.

Because of the great distances in Russia to reach the front lines, many tanks towed fuel trailers to provide extra fuel to forward panzer units. This Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) of 7. Panzer Division in Russia tows a trailer made from a standard 200 liter fuel drum.

The quest for stowage led many units to build or adapt extra bins and boxes to add where ever they could be fitted. This Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) of 7. Panzer Division had bins added on both sides of the upper hull and both sides of the turret. The unit sign is Gelb (yellow).

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The winter of 1941-42 revealed a number of serious problems in the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t). The engine, transmission and suspension all had difficulty dealing with the intense cold and the strain of driving through deep snow, a problem not helped by the narrow tracks.

22. Panzer Division was the last panzer division to receive Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) light tanks. It entered the battle for the Crimean peninsula in 1942. This tank is in Panzerregiment 204. This unit was known for the open stowage racks on the turrets.

The Crimean campaign of 1942 was costly to 22. Panzer Division, which lost the majority of its Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) tanks by the end of the year, at the beginning of the battle for Stalingrad. Repair crews and new tanks could make up only part of the losses.

A German Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Ausf. B in Russia carries Hungarian soldiers into action in 1941. The Hungarian army received 108 Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) tanks in late 1941-42. All the Hungarian Pz.Kpfw. 38(t)s were lost in the battle for Stalingrad in early 1943.

In addition to the turret rear open rack, smaller racks for jerricans were added to the rear turret sides. This Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Ausf. E “122” of 22.

Panzer Division carried additional racks on the rear deck, and stowage hung from every possible location.

Hungarian forces also took part in the Russian campaign. Here is part of the Hungarian 1st Armoured Division in 1942. It was committed in the southern Russian area and took part in the battle for Stalingrad, where it was annihilated, losing almost all its tanks. In front are Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Ausf. E tanks, with Hungarian “Nimrod” Flak tanks behind.

This Hungarian Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) in Russia displays a very faded scheme of German Dunkelgrau further lightened with mud. Many tanks in the 1942 period in southern Russia had non-standard camouflage, as the standard Dunkelgrau was not effective.

The Russians captured a number of Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) tanks and are known to have used them in some formations, probably as scout tanks like their own light tank types. The large red stars and the lack of any German markings may indicate these tanks were repainted.

Seen in the fall at the beginning of the Stalingrad campaign, this older Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) has been converted into a light crane vehicle. A number of these obsolete converted tanks served in repair workshops, handling guns, transmissions and smaller engines.

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Think Tank B The Russians also found their

light tanks were no longer viable on the battlefield. The increased armour of the later Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Ausf. E/F and G was not effective against medium tanks with better guns. The remaining tanks were transferred to other units and then eventually to a new career…..

In spite of the horrendous losses in Russia in 1942, German forces still had over 300 Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) tanks at the end of the year. While inadequate for the role of main battle tank, they were useful in the role of scout tanks in Aufklaerungs Abteilungen (Reconnaissance Battalions) and a number of these tanks were re-assigned to scouting duties. Their reliability and good automotive performance made them useful in these roles.

A number of the PzBeflWg 38(t) command tanks were also assigned to other units as radio tanks. Many were converted into light crane vehicles by removing their turrets and adding a crane and winch assembly over the engine deck.

They were used for field and shop repairs not requiring a heavier crane, such as replacing main guns, engines and transmissions in Pz.Kpfw. III and IV medium tanks, and even Pz.Kpfw. II turrets. Yet others were stripped of their turrets and converted to Munitionspanzer 38(t) (ammunition carriers), assigned to many different armoured units to replenish ammunition, serving with both Panzer Divisionen and Sturmgeschuetz Abteilungen.

Anti-Partisan Duties There was also a need for secondline duty as tanks to fight local partisans, and in common with other obsolete light and medium tanks, the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) was assigned to a number of German armoured trains that patrolled the extensive rail network vital to supplying German units in the field. The tanks rode on special armoured flat cars equipped with hinged ramps that could be lowered to allow the tanks to deploy and pursue partisan forces

away from the tracks themselves.

Rods attached to the tanks allowed the vehicles to raise and lower the ramps as required. Many Pz.Kpfw.

38(t)s at this time were repainted in the later 3-color German camouflage scheme.

Final Developments Finally, the ending of Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. L Luchs (Lynx) production left a need for a light reconnaissance tank and 70 Pz.Kpfw. 38(t)s were stripped of their turrets and rebuilt with extended superstructures to accommodate extra radios, and 50 of these were fitted with the turrets of the SdKfz 234/1 schwerer Panzerspaehwagen (heavy armoured car), armd with a 2cm KwK 38 and an MG 42 machine gun. They were all designated Aufklaerungspanzer 38(t) and served the rest of the war.

The turrets of hundreds of Pz.Kpfw. 38(t)s were placed in Panzerstellung fortified gun positions from North Africa to Norway, and many of them still exist, their excellent quality Czech steel still resisting the elements some 70 years later. Some were maintained after the war, but all have been abandoned at this point.

Though replaced as a main battle tank mid way in the war, the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) provided an excellent chassis on which to mount a number of anti-tank and artillery weapons, in the Marder and Grille series, as a Flaktank, and with a modified chassis, the Jagdpanzer 38(t), now known as the Hetzer, built to the end of the war and post-war in limited numbers. As a measure of how valuable the basic design was to the German military planners, in December 1944, it was intended to replace all production chassis with only two: the MAN Panther and the Pz.Kpfw.

38(d), an improved version of the original Czech Pz.Kpfw. 38(t). Postwar the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) served in Czechoslovakia until replaced by Soviet equipment in the 1950s, and a number have been preserved in museums and in a few private collections. n

Although outclassed as a battle tank, the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) had a decent chassis that could be used for supporting frontline Panzer units. Many surviving Pz.Kpfw. 38(t)s were stripped of their turrets and used as Munitionspanzer 38(t)s, as seen here in Russia, in 1942.

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The Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) was widely used later in the war as an anti-partisan tank carried by armoured trains. The trains carried heavier guns but were tied to the tracks – the tanks could dismount and pursue the partisans, protecting the tracks from sabotage. This tank carries the later-war German 3-color camouflage scheme.

A Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Ausf. G deploys from a rail car on an armoured train, giving a good look at the top features of the tank. The lack of a bow MG indicates extra radios may have been carried for scouting purposes. Note the later position of the Notek blackout headlight.

Bulgaria operated the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) from May 1943 in the 9th company of their tank brigade. In September 1944, Bulgaria declared war on Germany and the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t)s fought against retreating German units with some success in the mountainous terrain.

The BMM TNH n. A (neuer Art – new model) was an attempt to update the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) design for a new reconnaissance tank. It had slightly reduced armour, larger road wheels, a 37mm gun and a diesel engine.

Though successfully tested, it was not adopted.

When the Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. L Luchs (Lynx) production was cut off at only 100 examples, more reconnaissance tanks were needed, and the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) was modified as the Aufklarungpanzer 38(t) with a rebuilt upper hull and the turret from the SdKfz 234/1 schwerer Panzerspaehwagen (heavy armoured car). 70 were built, 20 without turrets.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:48 German Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausf.E/F • Kit No. 32583 Tamiya 1:48 Motorcycle and Sidecar • Kit No. 32578

III RHAPSODY I The Editor builds Tamiya’s newest 1:48 scale military model, the German Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausf.E/F, and adds the recent BMW R75 motorcycle for company.

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Y IN GREY IIIIIIIII T

he Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) was originally a Czech tank of pre-World War II design.

After Czechoslovakia was taken over by Germany, the 38(t) was adopted by the German Panzer Divisions, seeing service in the invasions of Poland, France and Russia. Production ended in 1942, when its armament was deemed inadequate.

More than 1400 were manufactured.

The chassis continued to be produced for the Marder III (19421944) with some of its components used in the later Jagdpanzer 38 (1944-1945) tank destroyers, turretless assault guns, anti-tank guns and anti-aircraft guns.*

TAMIYA’S PANZERKAMPFWAGEN 38(T) IN THE BOX

*Historical summary courtesy of Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzer_38(t)

Tamiya released their 1:48 scale Marder III 7.62cm Pak 36(r) in 2009, followed by a Marder III Ausf. M in 2010. There has been speculation ever since that we might see the ancestor of these tank destroyers in 1:48 scale, and now Tamiya has seen fit to release the gun tank version – the Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausf. E/F. Tamiya’s new 1:48 scale Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) comprises 147 parts in dark grey plastic, four polythene caps, two metal ingots and markings for two vehicles.

This model shares some parts in common with the earlier Marder III kits including the running gear and tracks.

The hull, turret and most of the detail parts are brand new.

The plastic lower hull is broken down into separate parts for the sides, front, rear and floor.

The suspension units, including springs and axles, are moulded onto the lower hull sides. Tamiya has supplied two metal ingots for modellers who like a bit of extra “scale weight” in their 1:48 scale subjects.

The road wheels are nicely detailed on their outer faces but they do not have corresponding detail on the inside faces.

Assembling the running gear

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couldn’t be easier. The eight road wheels are simply glued onto the fixed axles.

Each track length comprises 14 link-and-length track sections, ranging in size from pairs to long runs for the top and bottom.

The long top run features subtle draping between the return rollers and sprockets. Detail is very good.

Spare tracks are supplied for the glacis plate.

Most of the pioneer tools, the jack, the jack block and the tow cable are separate parts. The grouser box is moulded with indentations rather than holes, but this should look fine on the painted and weathered model in this relatively small scale.

The main gun and the turret machine gun may be made workable. The six-part cupola is cleverly designed so that the vision blocks cover the side joins.

A nicely moulded Commander figure is supplied. The base plate for the figure is moulded inside the open hatch.

The decal sheet includes markings for two vehicles, although one of these is unmarked except for two crosses.

Decals are nicely in register.

SPEED BUILDING Tamiya’s 1:48 scale kits are typically very fast and easy to build, and this new Panzer 38(t) is no exception.

Fit is flawless throughout, and detail is very good.

The lower hull is broken down as a “flat pack”, with separate sides, front, rear and bottom. For those who crave the scale weight that the early die-cast lower hulls used to provide, Tamiya now offers two metal ingots that may be glued into the plastic hull to deliver a bit of extra mass. It is not really necessary, but I used the weights in my model.

The wheels do not use polythene caps. Instead, they are glued straight to locating pins on the sides of the hull. The fit is good here too – a snug press fit. The simple running gear is finished in no time at all. A

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:48 German Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausf.E/F • Kit No. 32583 Tamiya 1:48 Motorcycle and Sidecar • Kit No. 32578

B The tracks are link and length,

featuring subtle drape between the sprockets and idler wheels on the top run.

The tracks fitted perfectly on my model, but I did deviate slightly from the instructions in the order of the links. I found mine fitted best with two of the two-link A2 parts used at the front of the straight bottom run. This meant that I had to slightly bend one of the rear track lengths, but all fitted seamlessly in the end.

Turret detail is good, and the Commander’s cupola is cleverly designed so that the join seams are covered by the big vision blocks.

The main gun may elevate thanks to polythene caps, while both the turret and hull machine guns can be left to move freely if you are careful with your glue.

The lower hull is supplied in “flat pack” format.

Despite the multi-part breakdown, the fit of the lower hull parts is very good. Note the optional hull weights fitted here.

PACK UP YOUR TROUBLES German vehicles on the Eastern Front were often piled high with supplies and personal belongings.

I decided to add some interest to my Panzer 38(t) with this typical stowage.

I started by taking a few jerry cans from Tamiya’s 1:48 scale Item No. 32510 – Jerry Can Set, then scratch building a rack from thin plastic sheet.

Next, I made a couple of large rolled tarpaulins from Kneadatite two-part epoxy putty. These formed a base for the higher level of stowage, which was added while the putty tarps were still pliable.

This creates a more realistic appearance for stacked stowage.

The boxes, packs, the barrel and other stowage was sourced from a number of sets: • Value Gear – various packs • Hauler Item No. HLX48358 – German Motorcycle & Sidecar Detail Set • Hauler Item No. HLX48344 – Wooden Barrels • Plus Model (all 1:48 scale) 4021 Ammunition Containers Germany WWII; 4022 Fuel Stock Equipment Germany WWII • Black Dog 1:48 Item No. T48022 – Sd.Kfz.250/3 Accessories Set The stowage was “tied down” with M Workshop’s Non-Fuzzy String.

The road wheels, drive sprockets and idler wheels ready to be fitted.

The running gear fitted to the lower hull sides.

The blank rear of the road wheels.

One side of the link-and-length tracks, removed from the sprues, cleaned up and ready for assembly.

THE BMW R75 The BMW R75 was a WWII era motorcycle used in large numbers by the German armed forces.

The R75 could be fitted with a sidecar. The third sidecar wheel was driven with an axle connected to the rear wheel of the

A

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The fit of the tracks is good, and they do a good job of representing subtle sag across the long upper run.

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Upper hull parts have been prepared for assembly here.

Simple but effective.

The upper hull parts in place.

The entire hull takes shape.

Total time invested to this stage was about two hours.

Stowage box, jack and exhaust. Note that the lightening holes in the box are moulded as indentations, but they look fine after painting and weathering.

The simple gun elevation mechanism with its polythene cap.

The main gun and machine gun have been fitted from the back of the mantlet.

The main turret parts ready to be assembled.

The seven-part Commander’s cupola is cleverly designed so that the vertical joins are hidden by the big vision blocks.

The completed turret.

I wasn’t totally convinced by the injection moulded tow cable, but I used it anyway.

The basic model completed as Tamiya intended.

On-vehicle equipment has been added to the fenders.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:48 German Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausf.E/F • Kit No. 32583 Tamiya 1:48 Motorcycle and Sidecar • Kit No. 32578

I had plans to add a little more.

Elements from Black Dog’s Sd.Kfz. 250/3 stowage set were borrowed for this purpose.

Parts were also taken from a couple of Value Gear sets, plus a wooden barrel from Hauler and Jerry Cans and an oil can from Plus Model.

Some of these resin parts were generic enough to use on the Panzer 38(t).

B motorcycle. These were fitted with

a locking differential and selectable road and off-road gear ratios through which all four and reverse gears worked. This made the R75 highly manoeuvrable and capable of negotiating most surfaces.

The BMW R75 and its rival the Zündapp KS 750 were both widely used by the Wehrmacht in Russia

Custom tarpaulins were made from Kneadatite Blue-Yellow two-part epoxy putty.

The Hauler Jerry Cans were glued together then a basic rack was cut from plastic strip.

and North Africa, though after a period of evaluation it became clear that the Zündapp was the superior machine. In August 1942 Zündapp and BMW, on the urging of the OKW, agreed upon standardisation of parts for both machines with a view to eventually creating a Zündapp-BMW hybrid (designated the BW 43), in which

a BMW 286/1 side-car would be grafted onto a Zündapp KS 750 motorcycle.

The standardisation program meant that machines that were produced by BMW and Zündapp used 70% of the same components. This simplifies the supply of spare parts for these vehicles, many of which are still in

A mixed ball of putty was flattened out using a glass jar on a paper pallete, both heavily dusted with Johnson’s Baby Powder to ensure the putty would not stick.

the hands of historic motorcycle enthusiasts. These vehicles are still highly desirable as collector's items because of their complex and durable technology, and are correspondingly expensive. A wellrestored R75 can be still used for everyday purposes, on or off-road without problems.*

The flattened putty was cut to shape with a long blade.

The putty was then rolled to the size of a tarpaulin and positioned on the engine deck. Two of these large tarps were made.

The other stowage was pressed into the putty tarpaulins while they were still workable.

Another smaller pack was also formed from Kneadatite. This was positioned on the left mid fender.

The muffler was stippled with Tamiya Surfacer to add rough texture.

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A pack from the Black Dog set suited the front fender.

All the stowage is in place, so it’s time for painting.

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The model received an overall coat of Tamiya Grey Primer straight from the spray can.

TAMIYA’S 1:48 BMW R75 IN THE BOX Tamiya released a 1:35 scale BMW R75 with Sidecar in 1972. This kit was a nice kit in its day, featuring a rider, a sidecar passenger and two walking figures.

Tamiya has now tipped a subtle nod to this classic kit with their 1:48 scale German Motorcycle and Sidecar. Despite the lack of

The base colour is Tamiya’s XF-24 Dark Grey.

brand name, this is in fact a BMW R75 motorcycle, and the rider and sidecar passenger mirror the poses of the 43-year-old 1:35 scale offering. Despite this sentimental tribute, however, you may rest assured that this is not a scaleddown version of that ancient kit.

As you would expect from the current Tamiya 1:48 Military

Stowage was picked out using Vallejo acrylics applied with a fine brush.

Miniature Series, this new motorcycle features very crisp moulding, a high level of detail yet a simple parts breakdown.

The wheels are moulded with the spokes and mudguards in place, but the overall effect is impressive.

The nicely sculpted figures are broken down with separate arms and helmets. The sidecar

The stowage was “tied down” with M Workshop’s Non-Fuzzy String – a very handy product.

passenger has optional arms to allow him to hold either a machine gun or a pair of binoculars. Three saddle bags are included, as are two packs.

Markings are supplied for three bikes – one from the Eastern Front 1942 finished in overall Panzer Grey; the second from the 5th Parachute Regiment, Tunisia, in A

The front pack was painted too.

Wilder’s Dark Shadow Wash was thinned with Mineral Turpentine was applied selectively to recessed features and shadow areas.

The tank and the motorcycle were both painted at the same time. Here, they have both received a few glossy coats of Future Floor Polish.

The kit decals performed perfectly on the model.

A top coat of Alclad II Flat lacquer sealed the decals and weathering.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:48 German Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausf.E/F • Kit No. 32583 Tamiya 1:48 Motorcycle and Sidecar • Kit No. 32578

A 2B pencil was run along some of the sharp edges to suggest heavier wear and tear.

The muffler received a rusty finish using a combination of different Mig pigments applied with an old brush dipped in Mineral Turpentine.

B overall Desert Yellow; and a third

A coat of Maru Easy Mud was brushed onto the tracks and wheels.

set of Luftwaffe number plates not mentioned in the marking guide.

This is another welcome addition to Tamiya’s 1:48 scale Military Miniatures family. It is clearly superior in detail to its larger ancestor, and will offer some interesting possibilities for 1:48 scale dioramas.

BUILDING THE BEEMER

The excess was wiped off with a dry cloth.

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Once again, assembly of the base model was quite simple, but I planned to make a substantial upgrade using Hauler’s Item No. HLX48358 – German Motorcycle & Sidecar Detail Set. By far the most significant improvement offered by this set is the fine photo-etched spoked wheels.

The set also includes three resin tyres. These are well cast, but the detail doesn’t look any better than the kit wheels, and the dimensions are identical. More importantly, if the resin tyres are used, you’ll need to do some tricky surgery to cut the kit tyres away from the plastic fenders.

Being an inherently lazy modeller, I decided it would be easier if I simply cut the spokes out of the kit wheels and then install Hauler’s photo-etched spokes in the new openings.

Removing and cleaning up the plastic spokes was fast and easy. I simply used the tip of a new hobby blade for this job. One side of the spokes was glued to the resin hub, then the spokes were secured to one side of the kit plastic wheel using super glue. The other side was fixed to the wheel once the first side had dried.

There were a few minor gaps, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed with a swipe of Tamiya Surfacer once assembly was complete.

Although the set offered many other tiny details, I only used the photo-etched footrest for the sidecar.

Stowage was also added to the sidecar, suggesting that this motorcycle was being used to ferry supplies to the front. A

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Hauler’s German Motorcycle & Sidecar detail set was added to Tamiya’s BMW R75. This set includes a wealth of photo-etched detail including fine spoked wheels. Three resin tyres plus four wheel hubs are also included.

The spare tyre ready to receive the new spokes and hub.

Photo-etched spokes and resin hub as fitted to the one side of the front wheel. Note that the mudguard is moulded onto the kit’s tyre.

For the sidecar, I glued both spoke sections to the axle before adding the tyre.

One of the other detail parts is a footrest for the sidecar. This is folded to shape…

A view from the other side with the second set of spokes ready to be glued in place.

The wheels (and associated parts) ready for assembly.

…then glued to the floor of the sidecar.

The main bike body completed.

I decided to use the kit tyres instead, so I cut the chunky plastic spokes from the middle of each wheel.

A little Tamiya Surfacer was used to fill gaps between the tyres and wheels.

The front spokes, wheels, handlebar and headlight.

The completed bike, sans sidecar.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:48 German Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausf.E/F • Kit No. 32583 Tamiya 1:48 Motorcycle and Sidecar • Kit No. 32578

B PANZER GREY FOR TWO I painted and weathered both models at the same time, using the same products and techniques.

First, both models were prepared with Tamiya’s Grey Primer straight from the spray can. This step is especially useful when multimedia parts have been used. The primer makes it much easier to identify gaps and other imperfections before the camouflage coat commences. In this case, there were a few small gaps to fill where the photoetched spokes met the plastic wheels. These were quickly dealt with using a few spots of Tamiya Surfacer applied with the tip of a toothpick.

The base colour for the exterior was Tamiya acrylic XF-24 Dark Grey. The models are so small that I thought a disruptive shading coat was not required.

The packs, tarps and the spare tunic were all picked out with Vallejo acrylics and a fine brush.

The kit decals were applied over a few glossy coats of Future Floor Polish followed by a sealing coat of Alclad II Flat Clear lacquer.

Wilder’s Dark Shadow Wash was thinned with Mineral Turpentine was applied selectively to recessed features and shadow areas.

A 2B pencil was run along some of the sharp edges to suggest heavier wear and tear.

Dust was sprayed onto the body of the tanks and the bike using a very thin mix of XF-57 Buff.

This effect was built up gradually, starting with the wheels, then moving onto the mudguards and tapering off towards the top of the hull. The dust was emphasised on the front and rear of the hull.

Next was a brushed coat of Maru Easy Mud to the tracks and wheels. The excess was wiped off with a dry cloth, then Wilder’s Dark Shadow Wash was used to add some radial streaks and leaks to the tank’s wheels.

The other side of the story.

Test fitting additional stowage from Value Gear and the spares box.

German vehicles on the Eastern Front “ were often piled high with supplies and personal belongings... ”

The bike and sidecar are checked for fit without glue.

Stowage was glued in place before a coat of Tamiya Grey Primer.

FIGURES I liked the look of the Panzer 38(t) Commander figure, but I thought the face of the bike rider left something to be desired. I therefore replaced the rider’s head with a resin item from “Figures With Attitude”, reviewed in Issue 110 of Model Military International magazine. I cut the top of his head off to fit the Tamiya helmet.

Goggles and a masking tape strap were glued to the helmet. Masking

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The model with its base coat of Tamiya XF-24 Dark Grey.

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Details picked out with Vallejo acrylics.

The bike and the sidecar were painted separately to make access easier.

Basic painting complete.

Kit decals were used.

tape was also used as a strap for the rider’s Kar 98K rifle.

The neck and body did not match perfectly so I sculpted a simple scarf from Milliput two-part epoxy putty.

With the figures ready for paint, they were sprayed with a coat of Tamiya’s Fine Primer straight from the can.

Vallejo Model Colour acrylics were used to paint the faces and the uniforms. A thin wash of Winsor & Newton Burnt Sienna oil paint was also brushed onto the painted face. This is an easy way to lend some extra depth and variation to facial features.

Once the piping and other details had been picked out, the figures received several thin coats of Testor’s Model Master Flat Clear Lacquer Finish. A

The motorcycle is pretty small in 1:48 scale!

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Hand model credit Luke Pitt

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:48 German Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausf.E/F • Kit No. 32583 Tamiya 1:48 Motorcycle and Sidecar • Kit No. 32578

The Tamiya body with the “Figures With Attitude” head. The facial detail of this resin head is really impressive.

A scarf was shaped from Milliput. The tank Commander and motorcycle rider were primed in preparation for paint.

Base colours look pretty rough!

Fit is flawless throughout, “and detail is very good... ”

Things look a little better once details have been picked out.

B CONCLUSION I really like these 1:48 scale kits, and I think they deserve success in the modelling marketplace.

They are nicely detailed straight from the box, but they also represent a good basis for conversions and superdetailing. A number of after market companies have jumped on the bandwagon with resin conversions, stowage, decals and photo-etched upgrades.

The relatively small number of parts means a quick build, and all the examples I have built have featured perfect fit. In my opinion, the size of a 1:48 scale military vehicle is small enough for easy display and storage; yet still big enough to justify adding extra detail.

Tamiya has delivered another great 1:48 scale military kit with their brand new Panzer 38(t). I look forward to seeing what’s next on the mid-scale release schedule. ■

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The bike and tank posed together.

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Modelspec Tamiya 1:48 German Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausf.E/F Kit No. 32583 Tamiya 1:48 Motorcycle and Sidecar Kit No. 32578

The straps for the goggles and the rifle were cut from Tamiya masking tape.

Accessories Used: Tamiya Item No. 32510 – Jerry Can Set Tamiya Item No. 32514 – WWII German Panzergrenadiers Set Value Gear – various packs Hauler Item No. HLX48358 – German Motorcycle & Sidecar Detail Set Hauler Item No. HLX48344 – Wooden Barrels Plus Model (all 1:48 scale) - 4021 Ammunition Containers Germany WWII; 4022 Fuel Stock Equipment Germany WWII Black Dog 1:48 Item No. T48022 – Sd.Kfz.250/3 Accessories Set Figures with Attitude 1:48 Bare Head Set Kneadatite Blue Yellow Epoxy Putty Tape M Workshop Non-Fuzzy String

Maru Easy Mud was applied to the motorcycle wheels too.

Tools and Materials Used: Tamiya Extra Thin Liquid Cement Revell Contacta Professional Cement Selley’s Supa Glue Tamiya Masking Tape (various widths) Tamiya Liquid Surface Primer Iwata HP-CH Airbrush Testor Aztek Airbrush Paints & Finishing Products: Tamiya Acrylics - XF-1 Flat Black; XF-19 Sky Grey; XF-24 Dark Grey; XF-57 Buff; XF-61 Dark Green; XF-63 German Grey; XF-64 Red Brown; XF-69 NATO Black; XF-74 Olive Drab (JGSDF).

Tamiya Spray Can - Grey Primer; White Primer.

Vallejo Panzer Aces Acrylics - 304 Track Primer; 307 Red Tail Light; 311 New Wood; 312 Leather Belt; 314 Canvas; 316 Dark Mud; 333 Germ. Tkcr.

(Black); 334 Germ. Tkcr. I (Feldgrau); 335 Germ.

Tkcr. II (Feldgrau); 336 Afrika Korps Tankcrew; 338 Highlight Germ. Tkcr. I (Feldgrau); 341 Flesh Base; 342 Highlight Flesh.

Vallejo Model Colour Acrylics - 70826 German Cam. Medium Brown; 919 Foundation White.

Future Floor Polish.

Alclad II Flat Clear.

Wilder Dark Wash.

Maru Easy Mud – European Earth

Wilder’s Dark Shadow Wash was used to add some radial streaks and leaks to the tank’s wheels.

✓ Excellent fit; Simple parts breakdown; well detailed; includes link and length tracks and Commander figure. ✗ No inner wheel detail; grouser box.

Available from Thanks to Tamiya Japan for the sample. Tamiya kits are distributed in the UK

by The Hobby Company Limited www.hobbyco.net

Rating

* Historical information courtesy of Wikipedia

The Panzer 38(t) is a palm-sized model too.

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KIT PREVIEW

Dragon 1:35 Sd.Kfz.165 Hummel Wespe • Kit No. 6535

The new gun shield parts.

LATE-WAR HYBRID

Fighting compartment floor.

Dragon now offers us the opportunity to build a rare late-war German hybrid. Graham Tetley takes a look at this unusual vehicle.

S

ometimes, what you think is a paper panzer actually turns out to be real. Such is the story behind this vehicle, as about a dozen chassis were converted in the last few months of the war and at least one was photographed at war’s end. It is not known whether any saw action, but regardless you can now build a model of one thanks to Dragon.

In this box we have parts from two previous kits (6321 Hummel Late and 6710 ‘Grasshopper’) plus two new sprues – Sprue ‘E’ with the new gun shields and the photo-etched parts MA – to give us the Hummel Wespe. There are approximately 590 plastic parts in the box, plus 27 etched brass, 11 clear styrene, 1 prebent steel wire part, 1 length of vinyl hose and a pair of flexible DS track lengths. Just over 200 of the plastic parts are unused.

Moulding quality throughout is very good, apart from the DS Tracks where plenty of flash is present. The superstructure sides are commendably thin and very well done.

The instructions are not too cluttered with this kit but, as I have not yet built it, I can’t say if there are any errors present.

One thing that screams out at me though is that Dragon has left us with the ammunition lockers for the 15cm charge cases and not given us the parts for the 105mm gun provided. We do get a locker where you can show the 105mm ammunition, but you have to seal up the charge case lockers.

This contradicts the blurb on the box saying that ‘storage box for propellant charges realistically reproduced’!

The photos that I have found of this vehicle show it to have a basic frame covered with

mesh erected over the fighting compartment. Whilst Dragon don’t give us the parts for this, it shouldn’t be too difficult to scratchbuild.

The running gear is from the ‘Smart’ Panzer IV kits. This does go together really easily, and is crawling with fine detail.

I do wish that Dragon would do away with the 208 unused parts and give us 208 Magic Tracks as an option. The DS ones here are useable and did not arrive mismolded and damaged as they have in recent kits, but they do contain excessive flash that is impossible to clean.

Tools provided all come with their clasps moulded in plastic – personally I would prefer them in brass – but they still look the part.

The side louvres are superbly moulded and we get a brass part each side to act as the cover.

Marking options are limited to plain crosses and the instructions give us three ‘Unidentified Unit’ vehicles to go at.

Look at those lovely casting marks!

Dragon supplies the incorrectly sized charge cases.

Main gun parts.

CONCLUSION The basic Hummel is a cracking kit and this version is a welcome addition to the Dragon family. For its current asking priced though I do wish that Dragon would offer Magic Tracks as an option.

Recommended. ■

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

The new photo-etched fret.

Detail, and flash, on the flexible DS tracks.

The 105mm shells.

Lower hull detail.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

AFV Club 1:35 Centurion Mk.5-2, 6 • Kit No. 35122

CENTURION TWIN-FORTY Graeme Davidson employs the 1:35 scale AFV Club kit and a fair amount of imagination to create a “What If” Air Defence Variant of the Centurion Mk.5

E

very year or so, the Modern Canadian Vehicles Discussion Forum holds a ‘what-if’ on-line build exposition. The idea is to show vehicles that might have entered service into the Canadian Forces if the history of politics,

procurement, and technology had been different.

This past year, I decided to build a self-propelled (SP) Air Defence system. It was a capability that resided in the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps (RCAC) in WW II as well as the Royal Canadian

Grab handles were added to the engine deck from bent wire.

Artillery (RCA) Anti-Aircraft regiments attached to the 4th and 5th Armoured Divisions. In reality, the SP Air Defence function was lost soon after WWII, despite promising results from the Skink; a Sherman based quad-20mm AA Tank. Armoured SP Air Defence

The scratch-built air conditioning unit.

would not re-enter the Canadian forces again until the late 1980s with the Air Defence Anti-Tank System (ADATS). So, it was against this 40 year capability gap that provided the background for my “what-if”.

The rack for the jerry cans was scratch built from strip polystyrene.

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“What If” and Reality I tried to balance the what-iffyness with equal parts reality and fantasy. The reality in this case was based on the fact that the RCAC was already an operator of the Centurion MBT, and that the RCA were using static 40mm Bofors guns for airfield air defence.

The fantasy aspect is how these two systems were integrated.

I suppose I could have just take an M42 Duster and painted and marked it as Canadian, but then I would not have had an excuse to chop up a nasty old Heller 30mm DCA kit that had been haunting my shelf of doom for two decades.

I started with the AFV Club Centurion Mk 5 kit, and at first kept the lower hull fairly Out-TheBox. The exception was a series of 15 grab handles that were bent with some needle nose pliers and attached to the fore and aft engine deck. Other additions to the lower hull included a scratch-built air conditioning unit built around a brass grill from a Challenger 2 (I reckoned the turret would get hot inside due to the radar electronics) and a pair of front fender racks for loose POL cans.

clear, and if it still looked ‘right’.

I considered adapting the rear of the DCA turret but test fitting showed it looked too long.

Fortunately the DCA radar mast was notched and fit the rear of the cent turret quite well! Less precise of a fit was the turret sides.

These required a good sized blob of Apoxie Sculpt, which was first smoothed into shape with a Mk.1 thumb followed by a flat file once it had dried.

For some reason, the Apoxie Sculpt would not take a feathered edge, and large chunks of it flaked off whenever it got too thin. I resorted to lashings of Tamiya Putty to fill in the larger gaps. This was wet sanded back with better results, though there were a few holes that I highlighted with purple marker to spot-fill.

I decided that the original cent turret ring placed the modified turret too far back. I filled this in with .040, and cut a new hole further forward. The new hole was keyed to the base of the DCA turret, which was grafted on to the bottom of the cent turret using more .040 strip and gobs of 2-part epoxy to level it out.

The Conversion

Fire Control

The vast majority of the conversion was sussing out how to make the turret portion believable. I wanted to retain enough of the original Centurion turret that its lineage would be easily recognised, but at the same time incorporate changes that would be realistic for the twin 40mm guns. Chief amongst these changes were splicing the front of a DCA turret to the rear of the Cent, and raising the roof to accommodate the imagined interior bulk of the guns and ammunition requirements.

The mating of the two turrets involved cutting the cent at its widest point; however, this would mean losing a portion of the roof.

Rather than a straight chop, I took a razor saw the side and then carefully cut around the forward edge of the roof. The DCA cut was more straightforward as I simply bisected it at a point that was close to matching the width of the cent, and still allowed plenty of internal room aft of the trunnion for the breech.

A quick test fit showed there would need to be some fairing of the two kits in addition to some 40-thou strip to raise the roof.

The strips were cut oversized and CA glued and clamped for strength as I would be using a Dremel grinder to make them flush. The turret was then placed on the hull to ensure everything still fit, that clearances were still

Around this time I started thing about fire control.

The DCA had optical sights to compliment the search radar, so I added one forward of the loader’s (now gunner’s) hatch. I added weld beads using Apoxie Sculpt around the turret roof plate and where the radar bracket attached to the rear. To give it a ‘cast-in’ look, I faired the base of the sight with more Apoxie Sculpt. It was around this time I realised that the radar dish was sitting a little low, and that the backs of the crew heads would probably be generating false signal returns… or quickly frying their brains. I raised the dish approximately ¼” with a cylinder from the spares bin.

The turret looked a little bland, so I soldered a stowage bin for the Commander’s side. Using the contour gauge I was able to get a close enough profile for the bin’s bars.

To replicate the cast texture, I masked off the rolled steel parts, and stabbed on Tamiya Putty reduced with lacquer thinner. The real Centurion turrets are really quite rough so its hard to over-do this technique.

I finished off the turret with a stowage bin from the original cent and an ammo loading door for the gunner’s side, and the kit smoke grenade launchers with some lead wire conduit detail. Fictional casting numbers were added with A

Surgery time!

This is the turret from the Centurion kit.

The cuts to the DCA turret.

The two divided turrets were checked for fit.

Some additional work was required!

The roof of the Centurion turret was raised to meet the top front of the DCA turret.

The plastic spacer was then sanded flush.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

AFV Club 1:35 Centurion Mk.5-2, 6 • Kit No. 35122

The rough turret fitted to the hull.

First attempt at radar.

B Prieier styrene characters. The

40mm barrels are from RB and luckily a drop-in fit for the DCA openings. I fiddled with some stowage that included 40mm ammo cans from an old Azimut Bofors gun, some CMK 1:72 scale kit bags, and a tarp from Accurate Armour. I swapped out the kit tow cables with some braided copper wire (probably from Karaya) and with that I could start painting.

PAINTING I like to start painting with a primer coat of NATO Black. In addition to providing an even base for the colours to follow, it’s a quick and easy way to spot flaws in the construction that can be hard to see on white styrene or unpainted putty.

To keep the plausibility of the concept up, I opted for a camouflage scheme that was the same as serving Centurions. I had an old painting guide published by the Royal Canadian Dragoons circa 1970, and I just adapted the plan for the Centurion MBT to that of the AA version. The base colours are acrylics from Tamiya, and include NATO Black, Field Grey, and a mix of Olive Drab and Dark Yellow. I thinned these with Tamiya’s regular thinner, and sprayed through a Badger 200 single action with fine needle and crown cap. Once the base colours were on, I went back over the edges with highly diluted paint to tighten up the demarcation and erase any overspray.

Next up was painting the details such as pioneer tools. I recently switched to Vallejo colours for A

At this stage, the rear of the turret is still too wide.

Large chunks of the Apoxie Sculpt flaked off.

Spot filling.

Apoxie Sculpt was the cure to this ill.

Lashings of Tamiya Putty was applied over the top to repair the damage.

The turret ring.

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The turret takes shape.

r.

The base for the optical sight.

The stowage rack was scratch built from brass wire.

Tamiya Putty thinned with lacquer thinner was stabbed on with an old brush to represent cast texture.

The result was a consistent cast texture over both sections of the turret.

Casting marks were added using Preiser styrene characters.

More bins and stowage was added to the turret.

Construction and conversion complete!

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FEATURE ARTICLE

AFV Club 1:35 Centurion Mk.5-2, 6 • Kit No. 35122

B this as they brush on nicely. I

airbrushed the tracks and tow cables a reddish brown colour and painted the road wheels by brush using Vallejo Grimy Black. The soft stowage was painted in-situ with Valljeo US Army Green lightened with Khaki.

This all gets sealed under a coat of Future Floor Polish to allow the waterslide markings to go one without silvering. The markings were taken from an Echelon Challenger set.

The markings were under some flat coat, in this case an old bottle of Aeromaster Acrylic Flat.

WEATHERING Once dry, I gave the model a general wash of Burnt Umber oil paints. These tend to darken the model quite a bit.

As an aside: I should remember to spray my initial colours a lot lighter (check out Pat Johnston work), as the my post-weathered models are quite dark. I have to use 5 x 100w lamps and at least ¼ second exposure for these photos.

If you were to see this model on a show table under normal lighting conditions, it would look like an amorphous dark green blob!

After the wash has had ample

The model primed with Tamiya acrylic XF-69 NATO Black.

Base colours on – once again Tamiya acrylics.

Decals were applied over several glossy coats of Future Floor Polish.

An old bottle of Aeromaster Acrylic Flat tamed the gloss.

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The model a general wash of Burnt Umber oil paints….

time to dry, I fade the various colours using drops of yellow, brown, and white oil paint. These get scrubbed in with mild paint thinner in a random pattern at first, just to spread them around.

While damp, I get a thinner brush and add some vertical streaks.

This is something I used to do with an airbrush, but lately I’m starting to switch to oils as I find I’m more in control.

I broke out the oils to shade the highlights and shadows for the stowage on the turret, and to replicate the rusty exhaust cover that is characteristic of the Cent.

Some clear varnish was mixed in with oils to try and give a greasy sheen to the gun trunion. I’m kind of lukewarm about how that turned

out, but I left it as is.

To make the mud, I ground up pastel chalk and MiG Russian Earth, mixed with Tamiya thinners, and carefully flicked along the lower hull from a stubby paint brush. By varying the quantity of each pigment, I achieved some darker fresher mud splatters. The same pigments were worked into the tracks and road wheels, with the wheels getting some dark oil wash to show leaking hubs and wet mud.

Various red, brown, and orange pastels were ground up and ‘stabbed’ onto the tracks, including the spare tracks on the turret and front hull.

A graphite pencil was A

Mud was made from ground up pastel chalk and MiG Russian Earth, mixed with Tamiya thinners, and carefully flicked along the lower hull from a stubby paint brush.

Followed by streaking.

The muffler was treated to a rust effect.

Stowage and detail parts were picked out with Vallejo acrylics and a fine brush.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

AFV Club 1:35 Centurion Mk.5-2, 6 • Kit No. 35122

B ground up and brushed along the

A graphite pencil was ground up and brushed along the gun barrels and tow cables, and then given a light polishing with a stumping pencil.

Pigments were used on the tracks.

gun barrels and tow cables, and then given a light polishing with a stumping pencil.

The optics, which were originally painted black, were recovered with coloured foil. I’m starting to fall out of love with this technique and am going to try some other methods to re-create optics on my AFVs. Pigments were used on the tracks. ■

Modelspec AFV Club 1:35 Centurion Mk.5-2, 6

Kit No. 35122

Accessories Used: Brass grille from Challenger II Turret parts from Heller 30mm DCA 40mm ammo cans from an old Azimut Bofors gun CMK 1:72 scale kit bags Tarp from Accurate Armour 40mm barrels from RB Karaya braided copper wire Echelon Challenger Decals Modelling Products Used: Preiser styrene characters Apoxie Sculpt Tamiya Putty Paints & Finishing Products: Tamiya Acrylics Vallejo Acrylics Mig Pigments Graphite Pencil Oil Paints Future Floor Polish Aeromaster Flat Clear ✓ High level of detail; good fit. ✗ Some fiddly assemblies.

Available from AFV Club kits are available from Creative Models Limited www.creativemodels.co.uk and Pocketbond www.pocketbond.co.uk It’s not real, but hopefully it is credible!

Rating

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KIT PREVIEW

AFV Club 1:35 Churchill Mk IV AVRE Snake • Kit No. AF 35259

The kit decals.

Some of the new parts on the single new plastic sprue.

Al Bowie checks out the latest in AFV Club’s 1:35 scale Churchill family – the AVRE Snake.

SNAKE CHARMER T

he Churchill tank was forces. This was originally one of Britain’s most developed using the obsolete 3” successful designs and gun carrier variant but later the one that excelled in standard AVRE was modified to the flawed concept of Infantry carry 16 20ft torpedoes in racks support. It was heavily armoured above the track runs. It was first and roomy which led a young used in action during the assault Canadian Officer to propose on Le Havre although I can find an armoured Engineer variant no further record of the Snake as to carry teams of Engineers to such being used. breach battlefield obstacles after The kit is essentially AFV Club’s the Canadian experience in the earlier AVRE Mk IV Kit No. AF disastrous Dieppe Landings.

35169, which is an excellent kit His concept was accepted of this important vehicle and has and developed to such an been reviewed previously. extent the British devoted an The box contains approximately entire Armoured Division, the 625 including photo-etched parts, 79th under Maj Gen Hobart, metal springs and two vinyl track to the concept operating the runs.

Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineer This kit is very intricate with (AVRE) based on the Churchill a fully working suspension with Mk III & IV in a number of roles scale metal springs and a stunning alongside other Churchill and level of accuracy, fit and detail.

Sherman Variants devoted to It has vinyl track only in this kit the Battlefield Engineer and which are probably the weakest assault roles. The AVRE was point in this kit being difficult to very adaptable and covered such (if not impossible) to join together roles as such as carpet layers using glue. This kit has all the for Beach assaults, Bridgelayer, parts to build a standard or late Fascine layer, Demolition charge model AVRE Mk IV including launcher, Minefield clearance and the options of Hull fittings and strongpoint demolition using its Applique armour. main weapon the Petard Mortar.

What makes this a Snake is One version was developed A nicely cast bonus resin to carry the figure is also included.

3” diameter 20ft Bangalore torpedoes, which were explosive filled pipes joined together and pushed under wire obstacles, over minefields and various other obstacles before being detonated thus clearing a path for the assaulting

the racks holding the 16 3” 20 Ft Bangalore torpedoes. These were mounted over each track run with cross brackets securing them at the front and rear of the vehicle.

The Torpedoes are moulded split laterally in sections of four and not individual tubes. End caps are provided with even length for the bottom rows and staggered depth for the top row. 88 parts make up the torpedoes and the mounting frame are very well detailed in the same Olive Drab styrene as the rest of the kit.

Markings are provided for only one vehicle (possibly the only one that was built). They are for a vehicle named Banner (T172802/B) of 42 Assault Regiment RE of 1st Assault Bde 79 Armoured Division. They are for a vehicle in overall SCC15 Green and only comprise Aos, Div Badge, AFV Recognition flashes on the rear and front hull sides plus a name (BANNER) in white.

A bonus is included in this kit in the form of an excellent resin tank commander dressed in the ubiquitous tank oversuit or “Pixie” suit. A box sized poster of the box art is also included.

This is an excellent addition to the Churchill family of kits from AFV Club and give you the ability to build a standard AVRE Mk IV (minus decals). The detail is excellent and whilst the kit is a little complex in places it is well within the capabilities of the average modeller. It has photoetch and metal springs but these again should prove to be within the skill range of the average modeller.

Highly Recommended. ■

AFV Club kits are available from Creative Models Limited www.creativemodels.co.uk and Pocketbond www.pocketbond.co.uk

The new parts go toward the mounts for the Bangalore torpedo tubes.

Flexible vinyl tracks are the only option in this boxing.

The kit has three photo-etched frets.

The photo-etched parts are thin and add useful detail.

The third photo-etched fret.

String is supplied to represent the tow cable.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Dragon 1:72 LRDG Patrol Car With Lewis Gun • Kit No.7439 AZ Model 1:72 Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2 trop • Kit No.7467

PICNIC IN THE SA Kamil Feliks Sztarbala combines four different elements – vehicle, figures, aircraft and base – to create an impressive small-scale diorama.

T

his build was mainly influenced by the release of an excellent figure set entitled ‘Breakfast in the Sahara’, from D-Day Miniature Studio.

Although 1:72 scale is not my favourite, the subtlety and fidelity of the figures inspired me to find a situation in which to use them. However, I didn’t want to duplicate the scene presented on the figure set’s box art.

The concept emerged soon - a modest lunch of the LRDG patrol was to be set up in the shadow of an abandoned German aircraft.

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SAHARA

VEHICLE The release of DML’s 1:72 scale LRDG Chevrolet was enthusiastically received by modellers, but when the kit actually hit the shelves, it turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. The criticism was fully justified though, because this kit doesn’t match current standards, being more simplified in some areas than the aged 1:76 Chevy from Matchbox.

Fortunately, the Czech company Hauler soon offered a few detail sets, whose use is simply indispensable to building a good replica.

The first drawback is the wheels, which are only halfmoulded with no rear sides. Oddly, the 3D images shown on the box indicate that the kit should have included DS vinyl tyres, but from some reason, DML gave up on this solution.

This decision paved the way for Hauler to earn some money, releasing resin wheels of truly fabulous quality.

As I decided to also use Hauler’s photo-etched parts, I had to remove some redundant plastic detail and fill a number of mounting holes. The easiest solution was to use lengths of styrene rod and super glue for this purpose.

The edges of mudguards were thinned down using precise sanding bits from Hobby Elements’ ‘Moulding Flash Sander’ set.

To ensure the correct alignment of the kit’s cab floor and flat photo-etched detail part, I glued the latter with Microscale’s Micro Metal Foil Adhesive, and subsequently fixed the joint by pouring a little super glue under its edges.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Dragon 1:72 LRDG Patrol Car With Lewis Gun • Kit No.7439 AZ Model 1:72 Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2 trop • Kit No.7467

Hauler instructions recommend sanding out the detail from the plastic instrument panel, in order to replace this with photo-etched parts. For me, the easiest solution was to cut out the basic shape of the panel from a 0.5mm styrene sheet, using the kit’s part as a template.

The dry fitting process revealed a conspicuous gap between the hood and side engine covers. I filled it with two strips of 0.25mm styrene, which were later adjusted to the correct size and shape.

The difference between the steering wheel from the kit, and Hauler’s replacement part, is appreciable. To give the outer wheel ring a more 3D look, I applied a little super glue around its edges.

Continuing construction, I replaced or improved various details of the kit with photo-etched parts, styrene rod, and lengths of tin wire.

The rear cab wall was rather thick.

To cover this up, I glued a length of styrene rod to the edge of the wall, thus simulating a corrugated plate.

The first step of the cargo bed assembly was to get rid of various mounting holes and pins. To prevent any accidental damage to the sidewalls, I created an improvised tool by gluing a piece of sandpaper around a length of styrene rod.

Most of the details, including many handles, hinges and buckles, were replaced with photo-etched parts.

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At the end of this stage, I discovered that I’d forgotten to drill out the steps in the tailgate.

Better now than after painting the kit!

To make the painting stage easier, a large part of the load was left separate.

The cargo load was composed from various boxes, barrels and other resin details borrowed from Hauler, Armo and Mars accessory sets.

Duro (Green Stuff) two-part epoxy putty was used to reproduce a more realistic seat upholstery…

…and replicate rolled canvas doors.

The kit was now ready to receive some paint.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Dragon 1:72 LRDG Patrol Car With Lewis Gun • Kit No.7439 AZ Model 1:72 Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2 trop • Kit No.7467

VEHICLE PAINTING A base coat of Gunze-Sangyo acrylic H44 Flesh was airbrushed in such way that the primer still showed through it in various corners.

I began the painting stage by applying an even primer coat of Tamiya acrylic XF-10 Flat Brown.

Next, I added some highlights with a heavily diluted mixture of Tamiya XF-57 Buff and X-2 White. At this stage, I also sprayed some vertical streaks over the sides of the vehicle.

As I didn’t find any photos of the truck with the patrol number ‘T9’ (or, more accurately, the trucks, as more than one existed), which would definitely confirm or exclude the two-colour camouflage pattern depicted in DML’s painting guide, I decided to follow the latter. The blue stripes were created with Mr.Hobby C370 Azure Blue, and highlighted with a mixture of C370 and C317 White.

Details were brush painted with acrylic paints. I used the colours from the AK-Interactive AK562 ‘Old & Weathered Wood Set’ for the wooden boxes, whilst the metal boxes and canvas were finished using Lifecolor CS11 ‘Olive Drab Set’. Afterwards, the paintwork was sealed with a layer of clear matt varnish.

I then applied the wash, using AK-Interactive AK066 ‘Wash for DAK Vehicles’ for sandy areas, and AK071 ‘Blue Filter for Panzer Grey’ for the blue stripes.

The enamels were brushed straight from the bottle over the surface of the kit.

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Before the wash fully dried, I’d removed the excess with a brush, dampened with white spirit.

The cargo load and canvas were washed with AK045 ‘Dark Brown Wash for Green Vehicles’.

Now I could focus on weathering and aging the kit.

Firstly, I brush painted a number of fine scratches with heavily diluted Vallejo 70883 Silver Grey.

To reproduce the chipping on the steel sand channels, I used AK088 ‘Worn Effect Fluid’. My first step was to apply the fluid over the channels, which were initially primed with Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black. I then airbrushed an even coat of XF-57 Buff.

Once the paint had dried, I purposely damaged this layer with a wet brush…

…and rubbed the edges of the channels with an 8B pencil, creating a bare metal effect.

The final touch was to add a small quantity of fuel and oil leaks in the engine area, and near the fuel filler cap. For this purpose, I used A.MIG-1408 ‘Fresh Engine Oil’ enamel.

Next, I added dark paint chips with MIG-044 ‘Chipping Color’ in areas where the paint layer would be more exposed to damage.

The dust was replicated with AK4061 ‘Sand Yellow Dust Deposit’. I sprayed the enamel over the chassis…

…and removed the excess from the tires using a brush, dampened with white spirit.

The lower surfaces of the truck body received the same treatment.

After final assembly, the vehicle was ready to be placed on the base.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Dragon 1:72 LRDG Patrol Car With Lewis Gun • Kit No.7439 AZ Model 1:72 Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2 trop • Kit No.7467

AIRCRAFT The idea of including an aircraft wreck on the vignette appeared to be simple to execute. However, once I’d browsed a number of archive photos, I realised that the aircraft didn’t crash in a way that would be consistent with my concept.

Another problem emerged whilst choosing the particular aircraft type.

For obvious reasons, I excluded bombers at the outset. Even the Ju 87 turned out to be too big to be featured in this scene. The final choice fell on a Bf 109 G, as I received a photo that depicted such a fighter in a position that perfectly suited my vignette idea. Here I’d like to thank Marcin Strembski for his help with finding photos of crashed Bf 109s.

Many thanks go also to my friend Maciej Góralczyk, who helped me to choose a suitable kit for this project, namely the Bf 109 G-2 trop from AZ Model, and explained how to reproduce a fictional but likely-looking aircraft livery using kit decals.

I also had to recreate the tear-shaped anchor points holding the umbrella over the cockpit, which was a distinctive feature of tropical Bf 109 variants. These were created by impressing a heated up styrene rod into a template included on one of Eduard’s photo-etched sheets.

The kit was designed in a way that allows us to replicate many variants of the Gustav from one set of sprues.

Due to this, in order to build a Bf 109 G-2 trop, I had to fill some redundant hatches and caps with putty, and add the missing compressed air filler cap.

The latter was scribed using a sewing needle and E.T. Model’s Panel Scribing Template.

The cockpit construction went smoothly. I must admit that I was surprised with the quantity and quality of detail in this area, which surpassed many 1:48 scale kits that I have seen.

The assembled cockpit was primed with Mr. Hobby C8 Silver.

Next, I applied a base coat of Mr. Hobby C40 German Gray, and highlighted the most exposed areas with a mist of heavily diluted C13 Neutral Gray.

To emphasize them, I applied AK075 ‘Wash for NATO Vehicles’.

The final touch was to add some small scratches and paint chips. To do this, I scratched the paint layer with a scalpel blade, in order to reveal the silver undercoat.

Details were brush painted in the appropriate Vallejo acrylic colours.

The fuselage assembly was trouble-free.

I only had to fill a small gap in the nose with a piece of styrene sheet.

As I wanted to depict the aircraft with an open canopy, the supplied clear part required cutting into three separate pieces.

Before I glued the windscreen into position, I had to mount the gunsight. The latter was improved by replacing the crude reflector glass with small pieces of thin, clear acetate.

To finish the work on the fuselage, I rescribed the panel line on the top of the spine, which is distinctive for all Bf 109s, using Trumpeter’s scriber and a length of Scotch tape as the guide.

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Next, I had to remove the bulged wheel bay fairings from the upper wing surfaces. To ensure that the sanded surface will conform with the rest of the wing surface, I recommend using metal files instead of sandpaper.

The position in which I wanted to place the aircraft on the base, made it necessary to ‘pull out’ the leading edge slats. I started by carefully cutting them out from the wings.

At this stage I chose to join the wings and fuselage. These sections proved to fit quite well. I only had to fill a small gap on the underside.

This allowed me to focus on the external detail. As I decided to add some damage to the wing tip, I made a copy of the plastic part from a piece of thick aluminium foil.

The slats were made from pieces of 0.25mm styrene sheet. Once I’d given them a suitable shape, I added thin styrene strip to the rear of them, and glued them into the correct position.

To easily pose the elevators in the ‘nose down’ position, I deepened the recesses between them and the stabilisers with an RB-Productions ‘Scribe-R’ tool.

The removed parts were glued into the wings again in such a way that they represented a part of their inner structure.

Afterwards, I replaced a piece of the plastic wing tip with the previously created copy, and carefully bent it in order to replicate the damage.

I also needed to add some damage to the propeller.

As the plastic was quite malleable, I could complete this task using wire bending pliers.

Once I’d reduced the thickness of the spinner by milling it from the inside, I was able to recreate some dents and fractures.

The kit was soon ready for the painting stage.

Lengths of 0.3mm lead wire were used to improve the landing gear legs.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Dragon 1:72 LRDG Patrol Car With Lewis Gun • Kit No.7439 AZ Model 1:72 Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2 trop • Kit No.7467

PAINTING THE MESSERSCHMITT

I masked off the clear parts, including the temporarily attached canopy, and painted the framing with the interior colour.

Next, I primed the model with Mr. Hobby C8 Silver, and subsequently applied the white quick recognition markings.

Painting the bright yellow areas was a bit troublesome, as usual.

I achieved a satisfying result by alternatively airbrushing a few translucent layers of Mr. Hobby H1 White and C113 ‘RLM 04 Yellow’.

I then added some shadows with Tamiya X-26 Clear Orange.

I then pre-shaded the undersides with Mr.Hobby C72 Intermediate Blue and C1 White. I did not only accentuate the panel lines and chosen detail, but also airbrushed some irregular streaks and small patches in order to avoid a monotonous final effect.

Once the paints had fully dried, I carefully masked off all quick recognition markings, and sprayed another layer of Mr. Hobby C8 Silver around them. The fabric-covered surfaces were given a coat of Tamiya XF-60 Dark Yellow.

The upper surfaces were preshaded and pre-highlighted in a similar way, although for obvious reasons, in this case I used Tamiya XF-10 Flat Brown instead of C72 Intermediate Blue.

Afterwards, I sprayed a slightly transparent layer of the base colour, namely Mr.Hobby C115 ‘RLM 65 Light Blue’, over them.

The final colour of these areas was obtained by progressively airbrushing irregular, transparent layers of heavily diluted Mr. Hobby C119 ‘RLM 79 Sand Yellow’ and H44 Flesh.

Next, I masked off the adjacent surfaces and then painted the wheel bays with Mr. Hobby C60 ‘RLM 02 Gray’.

…AK066 ‘Wash for DAK Vehicles’ for the upper surfaces…

This allowed me to apply the decals, which reacted well with Microscale setting solutions. I then brought out the details, using AK-Interactive AK071 ‘Blue Filter for Panzer Grey’, for the blue undersides…

Once I’d removed the masks, I sealed the paintwork with a layer of clear satin varnish.

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…and A.MIG-1616 ‘PLW Orange Brown’ for the yellow area under the nose. The landing gear was washed with A.MIG-1608 ‘PLW Dark Green Grey’ enamel.

The painting process was completed by airbrushing a clear matt coat over the whole kit.

I then used A.MIG-1616 ‘PLW Orange Brown’ enamel again to recreate the first layers of dirt on the upper surfaces. The slightly diluted enamel was sprayed over chosen areas.

Some thin streaks and leaks were brush painted with AK-Interactive AK045 ‘Dark Brown Wash for Green Vehicles’ and AK084 ‘Engine Oil’ enamels. During this process, it was important to consider the predicted position of the model on the base.

The areas of most intense exhaust staining were painted with Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black, heavily diluted with isopropyl alcohol. Again, I took care not to cover the area that was frequently manhandled by the pilot and crew.

Even though the manufacturer recommends using A.MIG-1610 ‘PLW Tan Gray’ for washing the surfaces painted in RLM 65 Light Blue, in my opinion this enamel is not suitable for that purpose, but by airbrushing it over blue surfaces, we can replicate realistic dirt.

The first step of the weathering stage was to add some paint chips. In order to reveal the silver undercoat, I purposely damaged the paint layer with a scalpel blade and steel wire brush.

Next, I applied a mist of AK082 ‘Engine Grime’ over the areas that could be the most vulnerable to dirt, and distributed it by rolling a cotton bud, dampened with white spirit, over the surface.

The exhaust stains were reproduced in two steps. Firstly, I traced their shape …which was immediately rubbed with a toothpick in the area below the by airbrushing subtle streaks with heavily diluted AK083 ‘Track Wash’… cockpit, where the dirt is unintentionally wiped by the pilot and ground crew.

Afterwards, I attached all the parts, which were painted separately in order to prevent any accidental damage.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Dragon 1:72 LRDG Patrol Car With Lewis Gun • Kit No.7439 AZ Model 1:72 Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2 trop • Kit No.7467

FIGURES

I decided to place the sitting figure on a wooden box. This resin element was painted with AK778 ‘Freshly Cut Timber’ and AK782 ‘Varnished Wood’ from AK562 ‘Old & Weathered Wood Set’, and washed with AK301 ‘Dark Wash for Wood Deck’.

The 1:72 scale figures from D-Day Miniature Studio were my main inspiration to start this project. This shouldn’t by a surprise for anyone, considering the amazing quality of these dainty miniatures.

The caster did not spoil the sculptor’s job, so I only had to remove a few small seams that resulted from cutting the silicone mould. Thus prepared, the figures were attached to lengths of wire for easier handling.

The last part of the figure set was a hobo stove.

Firstly, I painted it with Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black, and rubbed the surface with Uschi van der Rosten UC4010 ‘Iron-Type Metal Polishing Powder’.

I started the painting process by applying an even coat of black primer.

Next, I sprayed a mist of white paint from above, in order to make further shading easier. The faces and hands were painted with various skin tones from AK-Interactive AK3010 ‘Flesh and Skin Colors Set’.

The uniforms were given their appropriate colours using various Vallejo Model Color acrylics. I then sealed the figures with a layer of matte varnish from Mr.Hobby.

The effect of burnt metal was enhanced by applying black and ashen pigments.

Afterwards, I finished the scrambled eggs with tiny drops of A.MIG-094 ‘Crystal Clear’ lacquer.

BASE

When all the components of the vignette were ready, I made a draft of their arrangement. This allowed me to determine the size of the base.

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The latter was cut from a piece of styrodur foam. At this stage, I checked again whether the configuration of the ground formation and remaining vignette elements was correct. The styrodur foam was glued within a box structure, constructed from pieces of 0.4mm balsa wood. Next, I adjusted the edges of the box to the level of the grond and formed the terrain by applying a thin layer of wall tile adhesive.

Before the adhesive had fully cured, I poured some very fine sand over the surface, and gave the final shape to the dune.

I then added the sand mats, which were cut from a paper sheet and soaked with a mixture of white glue and water in order to provide proper adhesion.

As the ground was still malleable, I could imprint some bootprints, using a specially carved matchstick.

When I began applying the base colour of Tamiya XF-59 Desert Yellow, I noticed that the ground texture wasn’t realistic enough. Therefore, I airbrushed some chosen areas with AK118 ‘Gravel & Sand Fixer’, and subsequently poured some sand of various thicknesses over them. Next, I sprayed the surface with irregular patches of Tamiya’s XF-59 Desert Yellow, XF-57 Buff and XF-55 Deck Tan. The latter colour was also used to paint the sand mats.

Still using an airbrush, I applied AK066 ‘Wash for DAK Vehicles’, which was quite heavily thinned with white spirit for this purpose. Most of the enamel was applied over a chosen area of the dune, in order to emphasize its shape. The colours were toned down with heavily diluted AK065 ‘Africa Korps Filter’.

Afterwards, I airbrushed a fake aircraft shadow with heavily diluted AK066 ‘Wash for DAK Vehicles’.

The edges of the sand mats, as well as some subtle creases, were painted with A.MIG-1003 ‘Interiors Wash’. Once the paints and enamels applied to the base had fully dried, I could attach the aircraft. Even though I only used small amounts of super glue for this task, I had to re-touch the ground with AK4061 ‘Sand Yellow Dust Deposit’, where it merged with the kit. My next step was to recreate some oil and fuel stains in the area around the aircraft’s nose. AK-Interactive AK084 ‘Engine Oil’ and AK045 ‘Dark Brown Wash for Green Vehicles’ enamels were applied over the surface, previously dampened with white spirit.

…and mounted the photo-etched seat belts within the aircraft cockpit. It was easier to pose them in accordance with gravity, once the model was attached to the base.

The vehicle, figures and hobo stove were glued to the base with two-part epoxy adhesive.

I also added some small pieces of a matchstick to replicate the firewood. This was fixed to the ground with AK118 ‘Gravel & Sand Fixer’. I then applied a small amount of black pigment around the hobo stove…

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Dragon 1:72 LRDG Patrol Car With Lewis Gun • Kit No.7439 AZ Model 1:72 Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2 trop • Kit No.7467

The figures from D-Day Miniature Studio were my “main inspiration to start this project. This shouldn’t by a surprise for anyone, considering the amazing quality of these dainty miniatures...

”

The vignette was ready for the final photo-shoot.

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Modelspec Dragon 1:72 LRDG Patrol Car With Lewis Gun. Kit No.7439 AZ Model 1:72 Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2 trop.

Kit No.7467 Accessories Used: Chevrolet Wheels - Hauler HLH72016 Chevrolet LRDG Detail Set - Hauler HLH72017 Breakfast in the Sahara figure set - D-Day Miniature Studio No.72004 Tools and Modelling Products: Tamiya Extra Thin Cement, C.A. Glue, Microscale Micro Metal Foil Adhesive, White Glue, Styrene Sheet, Strip and Rod, Aluminium Foil, Tin Wire, Sewing Needle, E.T. Model Panel Scribing Template, Trumpeter Scribing Tool, RB Productions Scribe-R, Hobby Elements, Molding Flash Sander, Tamiya Masking Tape, Duro (Green Stuff) Epoxy Putty, Balsa Wood, Styrodur Foam, Tile Adhesive, Paper Sheet Paints and Finishing Products: Paints: AK-Interactive Ammo of Mig Jimenez Lifecolor Mr.Color and Hobby Color series from Mr.Hobby Tamiya (acrylic) Vallejo Mr.Hobby Clear Varnishes Microscale Decal Solutions 8B Pencil Uschi van der Rosten UC4010 Iron-Type Metal Polishing Powder Talens White Spirit AK-Interactive weathering products: • AK045 Dark Brown Wash for Green Vehicles • AK065 Africa Korps Filter • AK066 Wash for DAK Vehicles • AK071 Blue Filter for Panzer Grey • AK075 Wash for NATO vehicles • AK082 Engine Grime • AK083 Track Wash • AK084 Engine Oil • AK088 Worn Effect Fluid • AK118 Gravel and Sand Fixer • AK301 Dark Wash for Wood Deck • AK4061 Sand Yellow Dust Deposit Ammo MiG weathering products: • A.MIG-1003 Interiors Wash • A.MIG-1408 Fresh Engine Oil • A.MIG-1608 PLW Dark Green Gray • A.MIG-1610 PLW Tan Gray • A.MIG-1616 PLW Orange Brown Available from Dragon kits are distributed in the UK by The Hobby Company Limited www.hobbyco.net

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GALLERY

Tamiya 1:35 Tiger I Early Version • Kit No. 35216

EARLY TIGER 1

2

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3

Chris Wauchop adds detail to Tamiya’s 1997 1:35 scale Early Version Tiger I.

T

ER

his is Tamiya's 1:35 scale Tiger I early version, kit number 35216. This kit was released in 1997, and represented a development of the new tool Late Version that first appeared in 1989.

The model has been finished with the assistance the following accessories: • Royal Model No. 158 "Fruhe Production" photo-etched set • Model Point set 3551-1 - Smoke grenade launchers • Elefant Model Accessories no. 35-393 - 88mm turned aluminium barrel & cast muzzle brake.

• Modelkasten SK-2 - Early Tiger I tracks.

In addition to these commercial accessories, Chris also made the following additions: • All hatch handles replaced with copper wire • Wiring for smoke launchers and lights added using fine wire and fine solder • Thinned, separated and buckled plastic kit side skirts • Radio antenna added using tapered brass wire • Jack block from balsa wood • Lots of chipping and painting on gun breech which is now impossible to see!

• Gun cleaning rods hollowed out at one end and pin inserted.

This was not easy as the rods are moulded to the plastic tow cables.

4

5

The model was painted using the Testor Aztek A470 airbrush.

Kit markings were used to depict Tiger I "S33" of 2nd SS Panzer Division "Das Reich" at Kursk in 1943.

The marking on the hull sides and front is a Chinese symbol of luck, applied upside down! ■

Tamiya kits are distributed in the UK by The Hobby Company Limited www.hobbyco.net 1. A rear three-quarter view.

2. Tamiya’s kit captures the menacing lines of the dreaded Tiger I. 3. Detail parts including the track block and on-vehicle tools may be appreciated here.

4. Tow cables benefit from Royal Model photoetched mounts.

5. Detail was added to the Commander’s hatch.

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SHOW REPORT

NSW SCALE MODEL COMPETITION AND EXPO 2015

NSW SCALE MODEL COMPE The Editor heads south of Sydney to visit the 2015 NSW Scale Model Competition and Expo.

I

visited the 2015 NSW Scale Model Competition and Expo on the first weekend of May this year, hosted as usual by the Illawarra Plastic Modellers Association and open to all modellers, whether club members or not.

The two-day competition was held in a new venue this year, the Illawarra Sports Stadium.

This is a large indoor and outdoor facility with two games of women’s Netball being played on one side, and the model show being held on the other to a unique soundtrack of squeaking rubber-soled shoes and umpires whistles. The new venue is bigger and brighter than the show’s previous home.

The 2015 Expo was well attended and the standard of competition entries was very high, with a good variety of subject matter and scales, including aircraft, armour, ships, submarines, figures, cars and more. This year also saw the biggest turnout of models in competition.

The NSW Scale Model Expo traditionally encourages younger models to participate and this year was no exception, with an impressive standard of junior models in competition.

It was nice to see displays of militaria and pilot’s helmets in addition to the kits in competition.

More than a dozen traders were also on hand; and the swap and sell tables were as busy as always. ■

The new larger home for the NSW Scale Model Competition and Expo, the Illawarra Sports Stadium.

Junior modellers were encouraged with the chance to build a model at the show.

Bargains were to be had on the popular Swap and Sell tables.

Andrew Judson from FoldIT Models was doing a brisk trade.

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MPETITION AND EXPO 2015 A Dinky die-cast table had some interesting old models on display.

An impressive display of militaria was on hand, including these four German uniforms.

Infantry equipment including this water bottle, can and bayonet were on the tables too.

This large scale T-34/85 is actually a German WWII identification aid for Panzer crews.

The Ford truck conversion (left) was on display on the Mouse House table, but it sadly will not be released as a commercial product.

Any colour you want, as long as it’s Leopard! Mouse House detail and conversion sets.

German WWII gas mask canister.

A wide selection of WWI helmets were also on hand, including this covered early WWI German Pickelhaube helmet.

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SHOW REPORT

NSW SCALE MODEL COMPETITION AND EXPO 2015

An impressive 1:16 scale Trumpeter T-34/76, with its interior on display.

AFV Club 1:35 scale Wiesel.

Tamiya’s 1:35 Leopard 2.

Perfect Scale Modellbau’s 1:35 scale Leopard ARV conversion modified to represent a RAEME (Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) vehicle.

Tamiya 1:35 scale IS-2 Model 1944 ChKZ.

Nice stowage and subtle weathering on this 1:35 scale Italeri M8 Greyhound.

Takom 1:35 scale Mk.IV Male.

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Tamiya’s big 1:35 scale Dragon Wagon with a varied load on board.

Dragon 1:35 scale Flakpanzer I.

Despite strong competition in the rhomboid market, this old Emhar 1:35 scale Tadpole still looks good!

Tamiya 1:35 Sd.Kfz. 251/20 Uhu.

Tiger Designs’ 1:35 scale 88mm Flak 37 conversion for Tamiya’s FAMO.

1:48 scale was also well represented. Here is Tamiya’s Matilda.

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Book Reviews THE MEN INSIDE THE METAL – THE BRITISH AFV CREWMAN IN WWII

GREEN SERIES NO. 4116 • ISBN: 978-8389450661 • MMP BOOKS Dick Taylor embarked on a ground-breaking task with his first volume of Men Inside the Metal which extensively covered The British AFV Crewman in WWII. He now follows this up with Volume Two, expanding on the first volume by delving into mysteries of the Regimental system, seniorities and specific traditions plus uniform variations. This is supplemented with information on the life of the British AFV crewman in World War Two. Again the author has used his intimate knowledge of the British Army and his research skills as a historian to deliver another detailed reference. To my knowledge this is the first time the subject has been tackled except as part of general titles covering many nations and I commend the author for expanding on the excellent first volume and covering the differences between the various cavalry and armoured regiments with lineages going back hundreds of years and the war raised formations including other arms regiments converted to armour for the duration.

The sheer scope of the subject limits what can be achieved and Dick is making available to the reader the closest thing to a complete single reference on the subject.

This new volume mainly covers a variety of subjects and is broken down into Chapters on the subjects detailing: • Chapter 1 – The Regiments including Insignia, Brief Histories and specific uniform accoutrements. These are all listed in order of precedence and seniority, which is very useful in its own right. 79 pages • Chapter 2 – The Crewman – Training & Crew Responsibilities. 7 pages • Chapter 3 – Living on an Armoured Vehicle – Tac & Nonn Tac Movement, Resting & Sleeping; Washing and Cleaning; Relaxing & Food/Drink • References and Bibliography Like its predecessors, this volume is thorough. Lt Col Taylor’s research presents the reader with data well supported by photographs in both B&W and colour plus excellent colour illustrations.

Primary sources are the basis of most of the information and I like the fact that unlike other authors he does not categorically state something based on a single source or interpretation of official documents (or photographs), but is measured in presenting the most credible outcome whilst remaining open minded as to interpretation. Again, the photographic smorgasbord presented in this book has been well selected to illustrate the information presented by the author and is presenting a lot of rarely seen photos.

The chapters are packed with detail and illustrated with period photos, photos of preserved items on re-enactors as well as coloured diagrams, sketches, illustrations etc. Some of the information is presented in detail for the first time and is quite remarkable.

The sections on the regiments are excellent and provide a great description of the relevant regimental insignia and unique clothing appropriate to that regiment. I was very pleased that the author saw fit to include the Supporting crewman of the Royal Electrical and mechanical Engineers who are so vital to an armoured unit as well as the Royal Engineers and Reconnaissance Corps, who also crewed AFV during WWII. This second volume neatly bookends the first, which is the first title I have read that covers solely the British AFV crew in such detail and the information has been missing from the public arena for a long time.

This will be invaluable to modellers, collectors and re-enactors amongst us and I like the author I look forward to seeing this information used to add some colour to what can be drab modelling subjects.

The author is to be commended for this and its preceding titles that have gone a long way to providing a single reference on a hugely complex subject. As with the other titles, these are well laid out and indexed allowing for easy access to information. For anyone with an interest in British Armour or military vehicles these titles are essential and no serious modeller of British military vehicles should be without them. I cannot recommend these titles highly enough. It is well written, superbly researched and presented in an easy to read manner. My wait for this title was well rewarded Highly Recommended.

Review Sample supplied by Mushroom Model Publications www. mmpbooks.com Al Bowie

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LIONESS & LION OF THE LINE – M1 SHERMANPART 1

BY DR ROBERT MANASHEROB ISBN: 978-0-9841437-8-8 SABINGAMARTIN PUBLICATIONS

The IDF have been masters at getting the best out of seemingly obsolete weapons platforms by modifying them to get what they want out of them. This has mostly been caused by the various arms embargos that have been applied to the modern state of Israel since its troubled birth in the late 1940s.

One of the earliest tanks to equip the fledgling IDF was the Sherman, which were stolen, scrounged, bought and acquired from many nations in the early years of the IDF. Israel’s early Shermans were mainly armed with the 75mm gun, which was very quickly outclassed by the tanks being supplied to her neighbours and enemies such as the IS 3, Centurion & T 34.

Due to a British and US arms embargo it was very difficult to purchase weapons to defend the young nation from her belligerent neighbours. Fortunately France was willing to supply Israel for hard cash and because of its struggle in Algeria. The Israelis were impressed by the French AMX 13 with its high velocity M50 75 mm gun and plans were made to modify Israeli Shermans to take this weapon. Unfortunately this was not the simple exercise the Israeli’s thought it would be and an interim was sought in the form of France’s now unwanted M4A1 76mm Shermans (known as M1). Forty were purchased and delivered clandestinely to Israeli ports

by LCT and Ship in the dead of night. These were quickly supplemented by a French offer of another 100 for use in joint French and Israeli operations in the Sinai in what became the Suez War between Egypt (who had nationalised the Anglo French Canal) and the UK, France & Israel.

Despite being a softcover, this book exudes quality from its first page and is the sixth title in the Lioness & Lion of the Line series by Dr Manasherob covering Israeli Shermans.

It starts with a brief history of the lead up and acquisition then follows this by its rapid introduction to service and conflict in the 1956 or Sinai War. Following on there are chapters covering Configurations of the M1 in Service, Crew Training, After the War, An Exercise of the 52nd Bn with M1’s, a Walk Around of a museum example and finishing with Camouflage and Markings including many colour plates.

Each chapter is supported by excellent photos of the subject in good sizes (mainly B&W for the operational shots) and the walk around is many pages of detailed reference photos in colour.

The research that has gone into this must have taken years and the author’s depth of knowledge bleeds from the pages.

This is the best modelling reference of this subject that I have seen and is a must have to modellers of Israeli M1 Shermans.

This book will appeal to armour enthusiasts and historians equally and is not just for the modeller. I eagerly await further volumes and hope to see these grouped into hardbound volumes one day. The quality of the contents deserves it and while I had reservations about the high price locally, one look at the contents had me emptying my wallet quick smart.

This is a first rate book and it’s hard to believe the Author has crammed so much and to such a high standard into the books 80 pages. If I have any criticism it is the practice of publishing the same photo twice with one just being a blown up cropped photo of another usually on the same or adjacent page. These rarely offered any new detail that couldn’t be seen in the other photo or caption and I question the value of inclusion other than to pad out the excellent photo collection.

I wholeheartedly recommend this title as a must have to armour modellers interested in the IDF M1 Sherman tank or battles of the Middle east. I equally recommend it to armour enthusiasts and historians.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to SabIngaMartin Publications for the sample www. sabingamartin.com Al Bowie

BRITISH LIGHT TANKS 1927-45 MARKS I - VI

BY DAVID FLETCHER OSPREY NEW VANGUARD NO 217 ISBN: 978-1-78200-377-9 OSPREY PUBLISHING

David Fletcher is no stranger to anybody who studies the evolution of British Armoured forces and equipment having been the long-time curator of the Bovington Tank Museum and the author of many titles on the subject of British AFVs. His latest title adds to the extensive Osprey New Vanguard series and addresses the little documented British Light Tank series that made the backbone of her early war armoured formations. There is little in print documenting these fascinating vehicles this title fills this niche nicely with the revised New Vanguard format having many photographs and colour plates to support the informative narrative.

The majority of British AFVs in 1939 were the Light Tank series from Vickers and were totally outclassed by the more modern German AFV designs but were forced to soldier on until adequate replacements could be fielded. This title documents their development during the depression years and their subsequent service in France and Belgium in 1940 where almost all those deployed remained in France after the withdrawal of the BEF at Dunkirk and the Desert, Greece and Crete.

The book is presented between soft covers with 48 pages.

It covers all the major variants from the development of the Mk I through to the wartime Mk VI series and is broken into the following chapters covering: 1. Introduction.

2. Prototypes and predecessors.

3. Mk II 4. Mk III 5. Mk IV 6. MK V 7. L4E1: The Superintendent of Design’s tank 8. The Mk VI series 9. On Active Service: France Mediterranean 10. Summary 11. Bibliography 12. Index This is an important and informative title that gives the reader a good insight into the British Light tank family and usage of tanks in the desperate early war years. It is backed up by a good collection of photos and excellent colour plates covering a variety of these often colourful and interesting vehicles from there prototype through to their valiant service in France and the Mediterranean theatres of WWII. With the recent interest from model manufacturers and certain computer games, this title offers an important if brief history of the development of these obsolete but important vehicles. I’d highly recommend it to historians, armour enthusiasts and modellers.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Osprey Publishing for the sample www.ospreypublishing.com Al Bowie

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Incoming INSIDE THE ARMOUR

1:35 SCALE CENTURION MK.III CONVERSION (FOR AFV CLUB KIT) ITEM NO. 35105

Inside the Armour continues its staunch support of British vehicle conversions and updates with this new release.

Item No. 35105 is a Centurion Mk.III Conversion suitable for AFV Club Centurion kit no. 35106 (which includes the required 20 Pdr barrel); or any other AFV Clubv Centurion plus an aftermarket 20 Pdr barrel.

This is a simple conversion with no surgery required to the donor kit. The centrepiece is an impressive one-piece replacement turret, including a fixed mantlet with a nicely textured fabric cover.

Two early-style long stowage boxes are also supplied for the track guards, plus No. 19 radio mounts, and a wide rear exhaust deflector.

Casting quality is perfect on my sample.

The package is rounded out with a turned Besa gun barrel.

The Mk.III conversion will be ideal for those wanting to build a Centurion in Korean War service, and also for an early Israeli Shot Kai. Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Inside the Armour for the sample www.insidethearmour.com Brett Green

INSIDE THE ARMOUR

1:35 SCALE LEOPARD 1 BARREL WITH 3 OPTIONAL COUNTER WEIGHTS / MUZZLE REFERENCING SYSTEMS (FOR MENG, TAKOM AND ITALERI) ITEM NO. 35112

Inside the Armour has also just released a seamless replacement resin Leopard 1 105mm Barrel.

The barrel includes three separate optional counterweights: • Without collimator • Early collimator • Later collimator Detail is excellent and assembly should be very fast!

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Inside the Armour for the sample www.insidethearmour.com Brett Green

DEF MODEL

1:35 SCALE WHEEL UPDATES

I’ll say this upfront - I’m a great fan of the wheels sets released by DEF Model. I like the complete nature of the product. They combine accurate well cast resin wheel replacements with increasable tread and tyre detail. DEF Models has sent along some quite outstanding 1:35 scale wheel updates for review: • Item DW30024: 11CV Citroen Staff car (for the Tamiya kit) 4 wheels are included.

• Item DW30027: 11CV Citroen Staff car (for the Tamiya kit) 4 wheels are included.

• Item DW30029: Kubelwagen Balloon tyre set 1 (for the Tamiya kit) 5 wheels are included.

• Item DW30030: Kubelwagen Balloon tyre set 2 (for the Tamiya kit) 5 wheels are included.

• Item DW30031: Kubelwagen Balloon tyre set 3 (for the Tamiya kit) 5 wheels are included.

All of the wheels sets have the so-called sagged effect, which in effect is a flat spot where the tyre touches the ground. The effect is subtle and very well done. The casting is flawless with no visible porosity or deforming in evidence. The casting plugs are quite small with some just breaking away with little or no effort. The tread pattern on all the wheels is the most outstanding aspect of these updates; all are different and all highly accurate.

The updates for the Citroen are representations of the Michelin wheel and hub combination first introduced in the 1938/39 model year. The tyres themselves have an outstanding tread pattern together with the Michelin lettering and tyre size markings on the sidewalls.

Set DW30024 includes the central hub cap, while set DW30027 disregards this and has the hub bolts exposed.

You could mix and match these sets as I have seen many photographs of Citroens with and with and without the central hub cap fitted. The hub cap tended to pop off, if a road curb was hit.

The updates for the Kubelwagen are the three main variations of the balloon tyre seen in wartime photos. Each has outstanding details present and again includes all the manufacturer details on the side wall, The tyres themselves have a slightly larger bulge that normal and this is correct for these tyres as they were used for soft surfaces and the lower the psi pressure the better the traction in those conditions. These sets are specifically designed for the Tamiya kits and simply replace the kit parts, the mounting points are identical Every time I review DEF Model product I’m left with a feeling that these guys know what they’re doing. Their products are presented well, dead accurate and include wheel masks. If you’re after replacement wheels for the kits in question I really don’t thing you can go past these.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to DEF Model for the samples www.defmodel.com Luke Pitt

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Figures

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

ICM

SOVIET ARMY SERVICEMEN (1979-1991) 1:35 SCALE ITEM NO. 35636 More Soviet troops from ICM, but this time they are from the Cold War era and given the date on the box I assume the set applies to the Afghanistan campaign.

You have five figures in the box, all of which are seated and the standard of moulding is very good with light mould-seams and little flash present. The sculpting is very good indeed with some sharp uniform details and again facial features are particularly well done.

Like the other set of WWII Soviet Infantry reviewed last issue, there is little in the way of personal equipment included apart from canteens, entrenching tools and various small packs and weapon-wise there are just three AK-47 machine guns. All figures are depicted in the standard M69 pattern uniform with three wearing steel helmets, the driver in a side cap and the officer with a peaked cap.

Assembly and painting instructions are once again in black and white featuring a confusion of arrows and numbers with paint colours in red. Luckily the box art comes to the rescue as a decent reference although further research will be required, especially for details such as rank insignia and arm of service colours.

This is another very useful set of figures to populate Soviet soft-skin vehicles. ICM just seems to be getting better in the quality of their products and I look forward to seeing what they do next, especially if they tool some of the current uniforms being worn by Russian troops today.

Recommended.

Many thanks to Creative Models Ltd for all the review samples www.creativemodels.co.uk Andy King

A round-up of the latest news and releases in 1:72 and 1:76

HAULER & BRENGUN 1:72 SCALE DIORAMA ACCESSORIES

Brengun and its parent brand Hauler have released more every day items with the potential to add interest to mainly urban dioramas, although the barrels and buckets will suit rural scenarios too; certainly from the mid-20th century and earlier. All are 1:72 scale with good quality components.

These are either photo-etch, resin, or a combination of the two media, as the accompanying images illustrate: • 1:72 Phone Box (HLH720034) • 1:72 Mobile Barriers (HLH72035) • 1:72 Wooden Barrels & Buckets (BRL72082) • 1:72 Baggage Carts (BRL72085) Recommended.

Thanks to Hauler for the samples www.hauler.cz Mark Davies

HAULER

SD.KFZ.10 DEMAG D7 PE DETAIL SET FOR MK72 KIT 1:72 SCALE ITEM NO. HLH72037

Hauler has released a simple but effective photo-etched detail set to add some beneficial detail and scale refinement to MK72’s 1:72 Sd.Kfz.10 Demag D7 kit.

The accompanying images illustrate the set applied to an assembled example of the MK72 kit.

Recommended.

Thanks to Hauler for the samples www.hauler.cz Mark Davies

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

M

odelling is a feeling, a rush, an indescribable passion that probably affects all who read this column and this magazine. Modelling seeps into our personality and pervades the way we think.

Without it, we may not be who we are.

How many of us are guilty of going into a shop with our partners or children for some unrelated matter and noticing something on the shelves that would be good for modelling? Worst still, we recite meaningless facts and figures that few outside the hobby are interested in or even care to know!

A few days ago while conducting a stock audit at work, I noticed some rather fine looking mesh, thinking to myself at the time, “that would make a great 1:48 scale German “Thoma” screen”!

Madness? Addiction? Call it what you will, it’s all part of what we all do and for the life of me I can’t seem to shake it.

I meet a lot of modellers that have re-joined the

hobby after a long hiatus. One comment that is often relayed to me is “I always loved modelling as a kid and the kits are so much better now”. The detail on most kits today is quite honestly breathtaking, and as I and may others have said, this must be the golden age for the hobby.

I know that I have said this before, but these are the guys we should be targeting when we all try to “grow” this scale.

For me one of the great pleasures of life is cracking the lid of a new kit and seeing what’s in the box.

Checking the contents, my mind wanders with all the possibilities. This is the feeling I yearn for. This is the feeling that drives me on.

The inconvenient truth is however that, no matter how much I try, I can’t seem to replicate what I have in my minds eye. There is always something I could have done better - the build, the paint finish or even the presentation. The feeling is now, and

has always been, I could do better. When I was younger this feeling was stronger. Now, however, I chase that feeling.

1:48 scale armour modelling, and indeed all modelling in a way, is about that feeling. Anyway, enough with the two-bob psychoanalysis mumbo jumbo and back to the bench to chase that feeling again!

Until Next Time Luke Pitt

HAULER

1:48 SCALE CULEMEYER 80 TON GERMAN HEAVY TRAILER ITEM NO. HLS 48016

Johan Culemeyer designed a transportation system that was subsequently named after him, the "Culemeyer Heavy Trailer”. This heavy road trailer enabled the transportation of railway goods wagons on the road. The Germans made good use of these trailers during the Second World War with many being used for anything that was particularly heavy.

These trailers initially had four axles with 16 solid rubber wheels with a capacity of 60 tons.

Gaso.line offers this version (kit Gas50186).

From 1935, a six-axle, 24-wheel version was produced that could carry 80 tons and this is the version that Hauler has just released.

The kit is presented in a medium sized box with 75 very well cast resin parts; together with 22 photoetched parts. A small, well laid-out instruction sheet is included with six construction steps.

The instruction sheet has photos of the various applications the trailer was used for.

The 24 road wheels at first glance have some rather heavy cast gates but surprisingly, break away cleanly and will offer only minimal clean up.

The tread detail is noteworthy as it is present, which compares to the Gasoline example, which has none!

The main body rails are well detailed and yet simple at the same time. The casting blocks are on the heavy side on these pieces but their removal proved to be painless as it was straight cut.

Overall this is a quite impressive release from Hauler and well worth it.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Hauler for the sample www.hauler.cz Luke Pitt

CAST 48

METAL MESH

Those of you who follow my 1:48 scale builds will no doubt be aware that some years ago (issue 36) I produced a model of a Panzer IV complete with late war Thoma side skirts. At the time I just couldn’t get the Aber screens to work and settled for the Part screens.

I only wish I had this smaller mesh then as it is perfect with the correct pitch for any 1:48 scale application of German Thoma screen used on the late versions Panzer IV. The larger mesh is best suited for 1:35 scale applications.

Overall a neat idea and well worth the cost. Cast 1:48 scale product is a little thin on the ground but you can send Tomas a message on his web site on http://www.cast48.com or purchase from “Track 48” on the following link; http://www. track48.com/shop/home.php.

Recommended.

Thanks to Cast 48 for the sample www.cast48.com Luke Pitt

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Luke Pitt explores the wonderful world of 1:48 scale models and after market.

JUWEELA

FLEXYWAY PAVING SECTION 1:48 SCALE ITEM NO. 24115

Any of you that have a paved driveway will no doubt be aware that over time the pavers themselves tend to sink or rise in places. This has been relatively hard thing to replicate in scale. To be honest I can’t really think of any diorama I have seen recently that incorporates this quite common phemonenon.

The small German firm of Juweela has solved the problem in an innovative way.

What they have done is attach 160 scale pavers in a herringbone pattern on a flexible carrier sheet. Four 6 x5 cm sections are included and are coloured in grey.

The joints between the pavers are continuous and therefore the sections can be used together without any visible seams between the segments. The result is a simple and effective solution to a quite vexing problem. The paver joints can be filled with a grout that is supplied.

This is a high quality product and deserves every success.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Juweela for the sample www.juwella.de Luke Pitt

TANK WORKSHOP

WC-56/57/58 COMMAND CAR 1:48 SCALE ITEM NO. TWS48056

The Dodge WC-56 was used on all fronts during the Second World War where US forces operated. Up until now, a command version of this particular truck has not been freely available in 1:48 scale. This new kit by Tank Workshop is a nice piece.

The kit comprises some 40 odd cast parts. The casting for the most part is done very well. The master from which the castings are taken is a little rough in places, the undersides of the front mud guards for example were “lumpy”, but this can be forgiven as they always accumulated dirt a grime.

The main body is cast as one piece and has, surprisingly, no casting blocks, which is a nice touch.

The chassis is also cast as one piece onto which all the associated undercarriage hardware is placed.

The chassis on my example was warped but when dipped in boiling water reverted back easily to original flat shape.

The wheels are the best examples of type I have seen in 1:48 scale and are streets ahead in terms of accuracy than the ones included the “Mig” series of Dodge kits for instance.

I’m not going to tell you this is the best kit I have ever seen, I will however tell you it is the best Dodge WC I have seen in 1:48 scale. It’s not a perfect kit but then again, what kit is? With a little work this could be made in to a fine model.

Recommended.

Thanks to The Tank Workshop for the sample www.tankworkshop.com Luke Pitt

DEF MODEL

1:48 SCALE CCKW “JIMMY” WHEELS SETS

It is pleasing to see that DEF Model has not abandoned our needs in 1:48 scale. This new set comes in their now familiar green and yellow packaging.

The wheels are designed for the Tamiya 1:48 scale Jimmy truck and represent the mid to late war wider tyre and hub combination, as opposed to the very thin hub and tyre combination used earlier in the war.

The tyres themselves have a very nice rendition of the “Uniroyal” raised logo on the sidewall and are ever so slightly thinner and have a more accurate cross section profile than the incorrect Tamiya examples. The rear hubs miss out on the hub retaining bolts on the outside of the inner rim, but honestly, these would be so small in 1:48 scale it’s forgiveable.

Each wheel has an ever so light bulge on the contact road surface points and is masterfully done.

The castings are flawless and the set comes complete with a set of wheel masks.

If you plan doing a Tamiya Jimmy in the near future, these are an absolute must.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to DEF Model for the samples www.defmodel.com Luke Pitt July 2015 - Model Military International 61

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BUYERS GUIDE>>>>>>>>> AVID READER

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Contact Details - for companies featured in MMI...

ACCURATE ARMOUR/ ARMOUR DISTRIBUTION

Units 15-16 Kingston Industrial Estate, Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, PA14 5DG Scotland.

Tel; 01475 743 955 Fax; 01475 743746 www.accurate-armour.com

ADALBERTUS

Iberyjska 7/49, 02-764 , Warsaw,Poland adalbertus@adalbertus.com.pl www.adalbertus.com.pl

THE AIRBRUSH COMPANY Ltd

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

ALCLAD II LACQUER

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

ALPINE, ROYAL MODEL, ARTISAN MORI, YOSCI; SMARTMODELLING No.7 Gordons Way, Oxted, Surrey RH8 0LN. UK Tel; 01883 734746 smartmodelling@smart7.fsworld.co.uk

AMPERSAND PUBLISHING (via Historex Agents in UK)

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

ARCHER

(Historex in UK)

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

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

BISON DECALS

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

DELUXE MATERIALS www.deluxematerials.co.uk info@deluxematerials.com Tel; 01529 455 0340

DRAGON MODELS

(The Hobby Company in UK)

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

ECHELON FINE DETAILS

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

FRIENDSHIP MODELS

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

GREAT NORTH ROADS

9a Marcombe Road, Torquay, South Devon, TQ2 6LL Tel; 01803 400436 www.greatnorthroads.co.uk email svfarrugia@yahoo.co.uk

HANNANTS

Harbour Road, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 2LZ, Tel; 01502 517444 Fax; 01502 500521 www.hannants.co.uk sales@hannants.co.uk

HISTOREX AGENTS

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

HOBBYLINK JAPAN

CAMMETT

(Lifecolour, Scale Caliber)

Unit 5 Greenfield Industrial Estate, Forest Road, Hay on Wye, Powys, HR3 5FA Tel; 01497 822757 Email; cammettco@btinternet.com www.cammett.co.uk

CLASSIC PUBLICATIONS

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

CREATIVE MODELS LTD

(Mig Productions, Vallejo, Accurate Miniatures)

Unit 6-10, Honeysome Industrial Estate, Honeysome Road, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire. PE16 6TG Tel; 01354 760022 www.creativemodels.co.uk info@creativemodels.co.uk

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

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

MILICAST MODEL CO.,

9 Rannoch St., Battlefield, Glasgow G44 4DF, Scotland Tel/Fax; 0141 633 1400 milicastmodels@hotmail.com www.milicast.com

MISSION MODELS

(ETCHMATE, GRABHANDLER, MICRO CHISEL)

www.etchmate.com www.missionmodels.com Tel; 818 842 1885 Fax; 818 842 1886 info@missionmodels.com, sales@missionmodels.com, orders@missionmodels.com

THE ARMORY; M&MODELS

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

www.airconnection.on.ca

www.ianallanpublishing.com Mail Order Dept 01455 254450 Kiev 02099, Ukraine, Borispolskaya 9 building 64.

Tel/fax; (+38044) 369-54-12 export@icm.com.ua www.icm.com.ua

ITALERI

(The Hobby Company in UK)

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

JUST BASES

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

JUST KITS

Schiffer Publishing, 4880 Lower Valley Rd, Atglen, PA, 19310 USA www.schifferbooks.com

SCHIFFER BOOKS in UK

Bushwood Books, No.6 Marksbury Avenue, Kew Gardens, Surrey TW9 4JF, UK. Tel; 020 8392 8585, 020 8392 9876, email; info@bushwodbooks.co.uk

SCHUMO KITS

www.schumo-kits.com

SDV MODEL www.sdvmodel.cz

SIMPLE 2 TRADE

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

SMARTMODELLING

No.7 Gordons Way, Oxted, Surrey RH8 0LN UK Tel; 01883 734746 smartmodelling@smart7.fsworld.co.uk

MONROE PERDU

SQUADRON

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

ORDNANCE MODELS Via; www.steelmodels.com

PACIFIC COAST MODELS Tel; 001 707 538 4850 info@pacmodels.com www.pacmodels.com

PO Box 164, Heathfield, Sussex TN21 8WA, UK www.panzerwrecks.com (Creative Models in UK)

Jizni 56, 370 10 C. Budejovice, Czech Republic. plusmodel@plusmodel.cz www.plusmodel.cz

POCKETBOND LTD

(Trumpeter & AFV Club in UK)

PO Box 80, Welwyn, Hertfordshire, England, AL6 0ND Tel; 01707 391509 Fax; 01707 327 466 info@pocketbond.co.uk

PSP MODELS LTD (Mission Models in USA)

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

QUICKBOOST

www.quickboost.net

REVELL GmbH & Co. KG

LSA MODELS

SB MODELS

Model Design Construction, Victoria Place, Victoria Road, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3FW Fax; 01773 513344 orders@modeldesignconstruction.com www.modeldesignconstruction.com

SCHIFFER BOOKS

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

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

MDC

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

Tel; 01892 533036 www.modelwholesaleuk.com

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

(TASCA, MASTER BOX) Retail; 151 Sackville Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 3HD, England.

Tel/Fax; 01273 705420 orders@lsamodels.co.uk www.lsamodels.co.uk

SCHATTON BARRELS

MODEL WHOLESALE UK LTD

PLUS MODEL

ICM

Via Hannants in UK

(Creative Models in UK)

HUSSAR PRODUCTIONS, CANADA

BOOKWORLD WHOLESALE

CALIBRE 35

MIG PRODUCTIONS

PANZERWRECKS

IAN ALLAN

Unit 10 Hodfar Road, Sandy Lane Ind Est Stourport, Worcs, DY13 9QB Tel; 01299 823330 Fax; 01299 829970 info@bookworldws.co.uk

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

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

BLAST MODELS

Via AFV Modeller or www.blast-models.com

MODELING ARTISAN MORI

UK distributor for Model Victoria and Royal Model

P.O. Box 114, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA13 0WY. Tel/Fax; 01229 430 749 sales@sbmodels.fsnet.co.uk www.sbmodels.net

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

SWANN-MORTON

Owlerton Green, Sheffield, S6 2BJ Tel; +44 (0)114 234 4231 Fax; +44 (0)114 231 4966 General: info@swann-morton.com www.craftknives.com

TAMIYA JAPAN

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

TAMIYA UK;

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

TRUMPETER

www.trumpeter-china.com Pocketbond in the UK

VERLINDEN PRODUCTIONS (Historex in UK)

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

VALLEJO

(Creative Models in UK)

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

VLS CORPORATION (LSA in UK)

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

WHITE ENSIGN

Unit 5, Cobnash Industrial Estate, HR6 9RW Tel; 0844 415 0914 wem@onetel.com www.whiteensignmodels.com

WWII PRODUCTIONS, AUSTRALIA

PO Box 794, Cheltenham GL52 3ZW, UK RICHARDSBLC@aol.com

12 Prince Street, Waratah, 2298, NSW, Australia Tel; +61 (0)2 4967 3205 Fax; +61 (0)2 4967 3207 ww2prod@optusnet.com.au

SBX MODEL SHOP

ZVEZDA

SBLC

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

(The Hobby Company in UK)

Promishlennaia Str.,2, Lobnya, Moscow Region, 141730 Russia 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!

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15/05/2015 12:42

Next Issue On sale 2nd July, 2015

ISSUE No.111 July 2015, Published June 4th 2015 Editor;

Brett Green

Group Editor;

Marcus Nicholls

Publisher;

Alan Harman

Graphic Design;

Alex Hall

Advertising Manager;

Sean Leslie

Office Manager;

Paula Gray

Administration Manager; Hannah McLaurie

LEAF ME ALONE!

Thomas Morgan replicates a striking German camouflage scheme on Tamiya’s 1:35 scale Simca.

MMI Website;

ADH Web Team

Printed by; Symbian Print Intelligence, Hertfordshire, UK Distributed by; Seymour Distribution 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT Tel; 020 7429 4000 Newstrade; Select Publisher Services 3 East Avenue, Bournemouth, BH3 7BW Tel; 01202 586848 Email; 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 Tel; +44 (0)1525 222573 Fax; +44 (0)1525 222574

KING TIGER 003

Tamiya’s 1:35 scale Tiger II Gallery by Chris Wauchop

Editorial enquiries; Email; editor@modelmilitary.com Advertising enquiries; Tel; +44 (0)1525 222573 Email; sean@adhpublishing.com

Don’t forget, when using solvents such as glues, paints, thinners and cleaning agents, always ventilate your work area thoroughly and wear a face mask.

When using power tools, side cutters or any tool that can suddenly break or create highspeed airborne particles, wear approved eye protectors with hard, clear lenses. Please always model in safety!

BRADLEY FIGHTING VEHICLE Jim Hatch leaves his comfort zone to upgrade Tamiya’s 1:35 M2 Bradley.

...and much more!

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

Subscription enquiries; Tel; +44 (0)1525 222573 Fax; +44 (0)1525 222574 Email; enquiries@adhpublishing.com Reproduction in part of any text, photograph, or illustration without written consent from the publisher is strictly prohibited. While due care is taken to ensure the contents of Model Military International is accurate, the publishers and printers can not accept responsibility for errors and omissions.

Advertisements are accepted for publication in Model Military International only on ADH Publishing’s standard terms of acceptance of advertising, copies of which are available from the advertising department. Please write to the address above. All advertising, circulation and subscription enquiries should also be directed to the UK address above.

Subscription rates are; 1 year (12 issues); £44 UK £56 Europe £69 Worldwide (Airmail) Binders; £8.50 plus postage (UK £2.45, Euro £4.45, World £6.45) For all orders, please call; (UK) +44(0)1525 222573 or visit www.modelmilitary.com Back Issues; Back Issues are available at the current cover price. See the latest back issues advert or visit www.modelmilitary.com The paper used in this magazine is manufactured at the Leipa Georg Mill and is 100% recycled using de-inked pulp. The mill conforms fully with the requirements of both FSC and PEFC and carries the full accreditations for their environmental policies.

SPECIAL DELIVERY

Trumpeter’s 1:35 scale BTR-70 plus riders by Andrew Judson, accompanied by a Think Tank Reference article from Stuart Ransley.

© ADH Publishing 2015

The paper used on this title is from sustainable forestry

Order online now at; www.modelmilitary.com

FOR YOUR SAFETY

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19/05/2015 15:50

The Last Post...

PATTON OVERCAST

H

ot on the heels of their M48A2GA2 Patton, Revell Germany have now treated us to the more mainstream 1:35 scale M48A2/A2C. While the former kit is of a specific German variant, the latter kit may be built as the earlier US model A2. First impressions are very good, so let’s get down & dirty with all things Patton.

Firstly, the external differences between the A2 and upgraded A2C are minimal. The A2C has a slightly larger bore evacuator on the gun barrel (which is almost impossible to see in this scale) and had the tracktensioning roller between the rear-most road wheel and the drive sprockets deleted. Revell kindly point this out in the instructions so you can build either version.

I should also add that, in the marking options section, Revell clearly show this return roller in the artwork, so you can easily decide on the correct version to go with the correct marking option. It’s great to see these little things included that others miss.

We have 183 pieces spread over 6 sprues, including two soft vinyl one-piece tracks and a length of metal wire for the antennas. There is a mystery part 123 on Sprue ‘I’ that I cannot find in the instructions, so do with it as you please.

Moulding quality is generally good but some parts are marred by significant sink marks, for example the side louvres for the engine deck, the ‘towers’ that the front hull fender supports attach to and the suspension arms are all affected and will require Milliput and careful sanding to correct. Detail is good, if a little heavy, with a small trace of flash on some parts. The tracks are actually A

E

B

F

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quite nicely done with the soft vinyl used not being soft enough that areas such as the guide horns arrive damaged. They are carefully packaged and, whilst there is a little bit of flash, there are quite useable.

The hull assembly is made up from an upper and lower with separate sides and rear plate. I can Track pad detail.

Marking options. foresee care in assembly needed with much filling & sanding here.

One of the things that jumps out to the The kit provides finishing directions eye is the cast texture that Revell have for five different tanks, two German, two replicated. Some of it (upper & lower hull, American and one Israeli. The markings turret & cupola) looks okay but on the themselves are nicely printed and add a rear deck access plates, the stern access bit of colour to what is a fairly bland colour plates and the hatches it is overdone. In scheme on all versions. my opinion, I think this really needs to be One area where Revell score highly is in addressed by sanding and/or retexturing. their instructions, and the ones with this kit This isn’t going to be a weekend build! are no exception being clearly drawn and The lower hull and running gear are error free. pretty much standard. I mentioned earlier This kit has it’s niggles but it’s price that some detailing is quite chunky and point (£25 UK Retail) pitches it very this is very apparent when we look at favourably against the Dragon M4A3. Yes, the fender strengthening ribs. Some are detail isn’t as sharp and that cast texture moulded onto the hull top but others are drives me up the wall, but I can’t help but separate so whether you want to replace like it. It is a shame that so many parts them is down to you. are affected by sink marks but many you The turret shell comes in two halves and will not be able to see. This is a simple, captures the M48’s shape well. The canvas well detailed, kit that will prove a base for mantlets for the main gun and cupola have detailing for the experienced or a quick and a moulded on fabric representation that, easy build for intermediate modeller. whilst okay, looks a little too uniform to An 8/10 from me and recommended. ■ me. The way that they are moulded means Revell model kits are available that both guns cannot be elevated which from all good toy and model may be an issue for you. The turret bustle retailers. For details visit rack is composed of five parts and looks www.revell.de/en, @RevellGermany okay to me. The cupola has the early model or facebook.com/Revell non-domed hatch cover and its lifting rings moulded integrally, a nice touch.

C

D

G

H

A. Front hull detail. B. Overdone surface texture on the rear deck. C. Canvas fabric effect on the main gun mantlet. D. The Commander’s cupola. E. Sink marks. F. And more sink marks! G. Rear hull and fender detail.

H. Close-up of the turret texturing.

REVELL 1:35 M48A2/A2C PATTON. KIT NO. 03206

Graham Tetley offers his verdict on Revell’s brand new 1:35 scale M48A2/A2C Patton.

15/05/2015 12:43

D6736 Find us on facebook search Plastic Kits UK

p 67 Dragon 111.indd 8

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

15/05/2015 11:41