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Issue 146 June 2018 www.modelmilitary.com

PAINTING SOVIET 4BO CAMOUFLAGE

Hobby Boss’ 1:35 SU-18 SPH Soviet in 4BO Green

LONG TRACK RADAR Trumpeter 1:35 conversion

Tamiya’s brand new 1:35 M3 Stuart

TARGET: TUNISIA

INSIDE: p 01 Cover MMI 146B 1

1:35 DAK Pz.Kpfw. III ■ 1:35 Chi Ha ■ 1:35 Panther ■ 1:35 A10 Cruiser Tank ■ 1:35 Merkava 4M ■ and more...

June 2018 / £4.75 / Issue 146

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Contents - Issue 146 June 2018 REGULARS 46

p 4 NEWS

What’s new in the world of military modelling

p 56 SMALL SCALE

New releases in 1:72 scale and smaller

p 58 BOOKS

The latest military and modelling titles in print

p 60 1:48 SCALE

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

p 66 LAST POST

New Combat Reconnaissance vehicle for Australia

FEATURES

18

p 6 THINK TANK

Churchill Tank Part One

p 16 PREVIEW

DAK 1:35 Pz.Bfw. III

p 18 TARGET: TUNISIA

Tamiya’s brand new 1:35 M3 Stuart by Brett Green

p 28 PREVIEW

Dragon 1:35 Chi Ha

p 30 LONG TRACK RADAR

Profimodeller 1:35 P40 Conversion

p 42 PREVIEW FEATURE

Rye Field Model 1:35 Panther Ausf. G Early/Late with Full Interior

p 46 TECH GUIDE

Painting Hobby Boss’ 1:35 SU-18 SPH Soviet 4BO Green

p 52 SMALL ARMS CORNER Vickers Machine Gun

30

p 54 PREVIEW

Bronco 1:35 A10 Cruiser Tank

p 55 PREVIEW

Meng 1:35 Merkava Mk.4M Early

©Doolittle Media Ltd 2018 Tel: (UK) 01525 222573 Email: enquiries@doolittlemedia.com Address: Doolittle Media Ltd., Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX, UK Model Military International is published monthly by Doolittle Media Ltd Ltd. Reproduction in part or whole of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

While due care is taken to ensure the contents of Model Military International is accurate, the publishers and printers cannot accept liability for errors or omissions.

ISSN 1749-8864

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Newsline - June 2018 AIRBRUSH COMPANY PROFESSIONAL VALET SERVICE MMI Newsdesk, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX, UK Tel:01525 222573 Fax:01525 222574 Email:editor@modelmilitary.com

T

he Airbrush Company has announced a new service for modellers using Iwata airbrushes: “Professional Airbrush Valet Service - Have your airbrush professionally cleaned, serviced and returned to you for £40 inc. VAT*.

The Airbrush Company Ltd (Airbrushes. com) is proud to offer our Valet Service for your airbrush. How many of you have an airbrush in a drawer that needs cleaning and servicing? Don’t let that stop you. Simply send your airbrush to us for a professional clean and service to get it ready for use like it is new again. Your

airbrush will be returned to you with aftercare instructions, helping you to keep it clean and ready for action.

About Us: We are family-run business with a 70 year history in airbrushes in the UK. We have extensive technical knowledge and experience, offering friendly professional support.

What sets Airbrushes.com apart from other companies selling airbrushes is our experience in technical support and repair service. Mike Vose is our full-time technician who has years of experience in servicing and repairing airbrushes and compressors.

We stock all spare parts for all of the airbrushes and compressors we sell, so you can be confident when purchasing an airbrush from Airbrushes.com or one of our authorised resellers.

The valet details: This price does not include the cost of parts. Cost of replacement parts

will be charged in addition. We only offer the valet service on brands that we sell and support because we may find that you also require new parts. Mike will contact you to inform if any spare parts are needed. As part of the price of £40 inc. VAT, your airbrush will be returned to you by Royal Mail special delivery, a secure delivery method that requires a signature upon delivery. * This charge covers UK mainland only.

Surcharge applies for return carriage outside UK mainland.

If you own an Iwata airbrush, you can claim 20% off your Valet Service if you purchased from The Airbrush Company Ltd (Airbrushes. com) or you can provide proof of purchase from our authorised reseller.”

Thanks to The Airbrush Company for the information www.airbrushes.com

KIT FORM SERVICES 1:24 SERIES 2A AMBULANCE Kit No. KFS TQ228 – 1:24 Scale Series 2a Ambulance is a resin (96 parts), white metal (63 parts) and etched brass (96 parts) kit of the famous British Army ambulance workhorse featuring a detailed engine compartment and cab interior. The detailed body interior includes three stretchers, water jerry cans and medical packs. The model also features blue clear cast beacon, hinged working rear doors and highly detailed decal sheet. £130.00 UK inv vat. £108.33 for export outside the UK. Available from Kit Form Services - 01205 480766 info@kitformservices.com • www.kitformservices.com

HAWKHEAD CENTRE PRESENTED WITH STANDARD The Royal British Legion Scotland Paisley Comrades Branch offered to produce a standard for Scottish War Blinded’s Hawkhead Centre, after being invited to attend their Remembrance Day service. On Wednesday 7 March, the flag was presented to the members and blessed in a special service led by Reverend Robert Craig at the centre in Hawkhead Road.

Sally Ross, Centre Manager, said: “It means a lot to our members to have their own standard that we can fly on Remembrance Day and any other ceremonies we hold.

“We are very grateful to our local branch of the British Legion for their generous offer to produce the flag. We are very proud to be represented by our standard.”

The idea to produce the standard came from George Gaughan, Chairman of the Royal British Legion Scotland Paisley Comrades Branch.

Mr Gaughan said: "I am over the moon to be able to present this standard on behalf of the British Legion. I was first introduced to

Scottish War Blinded in November 2017 and I spoke with Sally. I believed they deserved their own standard to have as a representation for future events. I really wanted to complete this by the end of March as I am retiring from the British Legion after eight years of serving on their board, so I'm glad we got it done just in time and I think the veterans here are too."

The service was lead by Reverend Robert Craig who blessed the standard to be a symbol of unity and friendship to those who assemble in the name it bears.

Abbi McGeachy of West Scotland Collage piped the veterans into the service as well as lead Ronnie during the bearing of the standard.

Scottish War Blinded member, Ronnie Scobie said: "Bearing the standard today meant a great deal to me, it was some experience! I previously was a standard bearer for the REA. Scottish War Blinded have been a great support to me so I felt very privileged to have been asked to bear the standard."

The Hawkhead Centre is run by charity Scottish War Blinded, which supports visually impaired ex-servicemen and women across Scotland – no matter how they lost their sight.

The activity hub opened in October last year and supports around 120 veterans from Paisley and the surrounding areas.

If you or someone you know could benefit from Scottish War Blinded’s activities and support, call free today on 0800 035 6409 or visit www.scottishwarblinded.org for more information.

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Think Tank - Churchill Infantry Tank Mk IV The A7 didn't enter production but was an important design, providing design developments that were used in the A9 Cruiser Tank Mk I, the A12 Matilda Infantry Tank, and the Valentine. This example is the A7E3, the last and most improved model. Note the chassis design layout.

CHURCHILL Infantry Tank Mk IV Part One – Development and Gun Tanks

Bruce Culver commences a detailed series on the Infantry Tank Mk.IV, Churchill.

In Part One, Bruce discusses the development of the Churchill and explores the gun tank versions.

T

he morning of 4 June 1940 must be regarded as one of the darkest days for Great Britain in WW2. The monumental tragedy of the defeat in France had been redeemed only by the superhuman efforts of the Royal Navy and thousands of “little ships”, many privately owned, that had crossed the English Channel to rescue some 330,000 trapped British and French troops. It was one of the most magnificent moments of the early war years in terms of bravery and daring.

At the same time, it had been an unmitigated disaster for the British Army, for despite saving some 10 divisions worth of men to fight again, the evacuation from Dunkirk had left them almost without weapons – most of the men retrieved could bring only their individual rifles. The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) left behind on the beaches in France enough materiel to kit an army: 880 field guns and howitzers, 310 heavy guns, 850 anti-tank guns, 500 anti-aircraft guns, 11,000 machine guns of all

types, nearly 700 tanks, some 20,000 motorcycles and 45,000 automobiles and lorries, plus enormous quantities of ammunition and spare parts to support such an army.

Indeed, the Germans captured so much equipment that they set up repair and maintenance shops to keep the British and French vehicles and weapons operational.

Many of these weapons and vehicles served the Germans to the end of the war, and were commonly encountered during the campaign in Europe, many being supported

with German maintenance and operator manuals.

In contrast, the British Army back in England was in dire circumstances – there was enough equipment and weapons to outfit only two full divisions. It took months to rebuild military inventories and manufacture weapons and vehicles to replace the losses. In the meantime, museums were stripped of many exhibit pieces of artillery from the Great War and army salvagers recovered many derelict and abandoned busses and lorries from

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The A20 infantry tank was the last purely pre-war design, intended to replace the Matilda Mk II and Valentine. It was believed that the coming war would be like the Great War of 191418, but the campaign in France in 1940 proved this was not the case. This prototype has a fixed turret.

scrap yards and rebuilt them to working condition. Some of these were used well into the North African campaign.

The critical need to replace the lost weapons also delayed and affected the production of new weapons and vehicles, to avoid disruptions in production. This was especially true in the production of tanks and other armoured vehicles, by their nature more complex and expensive than civilian vehicles.

While some new designs were delayed others came into being more quickly than usual – the Valentine infantry tank was ordered so quickly that it was never assigned a General Staff “A” design number. Other designs were found wanting due to the experience of the BEF in France.

ORIGINS OF THE CHURCHILL The origins of what became known as the Churchill infantry tank began with the British policy on armoured vehicles between the wars. The British Army favored a distinction between the faster “cruiser” tanks for scouting and

The second A20 prototype was fitted with the turret from the A12 Matilda Mk II. The original design called for two main guns in side sponsons like most WWI tanks, but this was abandoned early on. The A20 was too large and too slow for the campaign that developed in France in 1940.

maneuvering on the battlefield and the heavily armoured “infantry” tanks intended to support the infantry in the advance and this requiring more armour and a speed compatible to the pace of marching troops. There also had been a belief that the possible next war would be much like the Great War with troops and tanks advancing over torn-up cratered ground, impassable to any but long, heavy tanks able to cross large gaps or craters.

In this environment of preparing for the last war, and the prevailing conservatism in the General Staff concerning armour, there was a proposal for a fourth infantry tank design, after the A11 and A12 Matilda and the Vickers Valentine.

This was the A20 infantry tank.

The specification was developed by the Superintendent of Tank Design, the mechanical design came from the Mechanisation Board, and the final detail design was by Harland and Wolff, a shipbuilding firm famous for building the RMS “Titanic”, who would be responsible for building the pilot

models. The A20 was intended to replace both the A12 Matilda II and the new Valentine.

It was designed to fight in rough torn-up ground like the Great War and thus had a long hull for bridging shell craters and trenches and a high track run to allow a deep hull to support the tank’s weight when crossing craters or other obstacles. Four pilots built of mild steel were ordered

in February 1940 and the first trials began in June of that year.

Originally the main armament was to be carried in side sponsons like those used in the last war, but this was abandoned and the pilot models were fitted with the turret from the A12 Matilda II, mounting the QF 2 pdr anti-tank gun. A second 2 pdr was placed in the forward hull next to the driver, with limited traverse. A

One A20 was sent to Vauxhall Motors and they redesigned the vehicle as a smaller, more maneuverable tank, though still retaining the long hull and high track run for extended trench crossing. Here the A22 prototype negotiates an obstacle course, with a fixed simulated turret.

This early production A22 shows the general shape used for all the A22 tanks. The long hull and large track runs were designed for maximum trench and crater-crossing capability. The earliest models had a cast turret mounting a 2 pdr QF gun with a 3 inch howitzer mounted in the hull.

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Think Tank - Churchill Infantry Tank Mk IV

The new prime minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill, examined an early production A22 infantry tank, which was named the Churchill after him as a morale building effort. This example carries the original heavy cast “spud” tracks used early in the war.

Churchill Mk Is of the 9th Royal Tank Regiment (RTR), traverse a training ground, showing the 2 pdr anti-tank gun in the turret and the 3-inch infantry support howitzer in the hull front. Note the lack of track mudguards and the typical heavy accumulation of mud.

The Churchill’s baptism of fire occurred during the ill-fated raid on the port of Dieppe in France, in August 1942. This Churchill, like many, got bogged down in the shingle of the stony beach. Note the extended exhaust for deep wading and the sealing material around the turret.

This front view shows the repositioned armament of the Mk I CS, a very limited model with the QF 2 pdr gun in the hull and the 3-inch howitzer in the turret, to provide better infantry fire support with the howitzer in the rotating turret. Few of these were built.

The next version of the Churchill was the Mk II, seen here crossing a test bridge. The Mk II had a change in the armament – the 3-inch howitzer in the hull front was replaced with a second 7.92mm Besa machine gun like the coaxial gun in the turret. The Mk II also had no mudguards.

This Mk II provides a better view of the bow Besa machine gun and the added plates at the front of the driver’s plate, a feature of the Mk II. This tank was testing debarking maneuvers from a landing craft.

The Churchill was a very dirty tank, with mud and dirt carried by the open tracks.

B DIFFERENT TIMES The campaign in France disabused the British Army of any notions that the new war would be fought at all like the last one. As a result, the A20 was cancelled, the four pilots being used to test new tank components. Vauxhall had been tapped to develop an engine for the A20 – their Bedford Twin Six – and when the A20 was cancelled, Vauxhall was asked to design a

more suitable tank to meet the specification, using the Twin Six engine as the power plant.

The A20 was scaled down by a team of engineers from Vauxhall Motors Limited under the direction of the Director of Tank Design to make it easier to produce, while retaining the basic layout of the A20. The resulting A22 infantry tank was smaller but still long with a high hull profile.

In view of the critical military supply situation, the new tank was ordered into production without all the usual developmental testing, the engineers gambling that any problems initially discovered could be corrected in production.

CHURCHILL PILOT The first A22 pilot was delivered

by Vauxhall in November 1940, a very short timespan for the

development of a new design.

Vauxhall was ordered to have the vehicle in production in one year and met that goal, though not without cost. The first production examples were delivered in June 1941, being assigned to training regiments initially. To boost morale, the A22 was named “Churchill” after the new prime minister, bypassing the normal naming practices.

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Churchill Mk IIs of the 43rd Royal Tank Regiment (RTR) stop during maneuvers in the United Kingdom in October 1942. This color shot shows the dirty and muddy appearance of these tanks due to the dirt and mud carried up top and then dropped by the open trackwork.

As feared, the new Churchill tanks were extremely unreliable, suffering a variety of mechanical breakdowns involving most of the mechanical systems. Inadequate design, inferior materials due to wartime shortages and other problems plagued the new tank and its users. Vauxhall’s user guides admitted the tank had been put into service before enough testing had been done because of the urgency of the moment, but the company assured the users that every effort was being made to correct difficulties as soon as possible.

Gradually the problems and breakages were corrected and the crews came to like the Churchill for its real advantages, among them very heavy armour and excellent cross-country performance, far better than most other tanks of

the period. It could cross ground no other tank could manage.

SPECIFICATIONS The Churchill carried the official designation Infantry Tank Mk IV, A22, but it was universally known as the Churchill. It was the most heavily armoured British tank of the war, with maximum armour on the initial Mk I of 102mm on the front, 89mm on the hull sides and turret front, 76mm on the turret sides and rear and 51mm on the rear hull. On the later MK VII and VIII, frontal armour went to 152mm for the hull and turret, the hull sides went to 95mm, with 95mm on the turret sides and rear and the hull rear stayed at 51mm. The Germans had nothing comparable until the Tiger I appeared in late 1942.

Armament for the Mk I and II

The Churchill Mk III introduced a new welded turret and a new main armament, the QF 6 pdr (57mm) anti-tank gun. It also introduced full track guards over the upper track runs and revised air intake boxes on the rear hull sides, which now drew air from the top rather than the bottom.

was the QF 2 pdr anti-tank gun in the turret. The Mk I also carried a 3 inch howitzer in the hull front next to the driver, since the 2 pdr had no HE ammunition and could not easily support the infantry against fortifications. The side hatches in the hull made the Churchill a more versatile tank as it was easy to enter and leave and the wide hull sponsons made the tank’s interior relatively spacious. The Mk I and II had open track runs along the hull top.

The Churchill was powered by a 350 HP Bedford ‘Twin Six’ engine and drove the tank through a 4-speed Merritt-Brown gearbox controlled by a tiller steering bar.

The gearbox featured regenerative steering and allowed the Churchill to do a neutral steering turn in its own length. As an infantry tank,

speed was not a priority and the top speed was only 15.5 mph (25 km/h) on roads and 8 mph (13 km/h) cross-country. Normal range was 56 miles (90 km).

The Churchill was always undergunned compared to its armour protection. When the pilot models were built, the QF 2 pdr (40mm) anti-tank gun was the infantry standard, even though obsolete; to make up the losses from the French campaign, the 2 pdr was kept in production although the superior QF 6 pdr (57mm) gun was ready. As better weapons became available they were incorporated, but the Churchill’s small turret ring prevented mounting larger antitank guns like the 17 pdr. A final development was built to solve this problem, but was too late; it will be covered later in this series. A

This Churchill Mk III was another loss in the Dieppe raid. Many of the Churchills made it ashore but could not maneuver in the shifting shingle beaches. Many bogged down, and some threw or broke tracks, immobilizing them. The Germans captured all the stranded Churchills.

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Think Tank - Churchill Infantry Tank Mk IV

A number of Churchill Mk IIIs were assigned to a test unit known as “Kingforce” during the battle of El Alamein in October 1942. During Operation Bertram, the Churchills were fitted with “sunshields”, canvas covers that made them look like lorries not tanks.

As the fighting in Africa moved from Libya into Tunisia, the open desert gave way to a temperate climate with more vegetation. Here, a Churchill Mk III of the 51st RTR advanced with a Universal Carrier. This tank carried the older heavy “spud” tracks.

This Churchill Mk III was photographed during a victory parade in Tunis in May 1943. It was armed with a QF 6 pdr main gun and the overall color was Middle Bronze Green, heavily dusted with mud and dirt from the tracks. Note that part of the upper mudguard has been removed.

B GUN TANK VARIANTS The Churchill Mk I appeared in mid-1940, carrying a cast turret mounting the QF 2 pdr and a coaxial 7.92mm Besa light machine gun (LMG). A 3 inch howitzer was mounted in the hull front plate next to the driver to provide a high explosive shell for infantry support as the 2 pdr in 1941 did not fire an HE shell. The tank was as described above and did not have covers over the upper track runs.

A very limited variant was the Churchill Mk I CS (Close Support), which placed the 2 pdr in the hull

The small number of Churchill Mk IIIs at El Alamein as part of “Kingforce” were attached to the 1st Armoured Division during the battle in October and November 1942. The Churchills were sent to Africa to test whether they could be used in hot climates without overheating.

Another unit fighting in Tunisia was the 145th Regiment of the Royal Armoured Corps (RAC). This Churchill Mk III had a camouflage scheme of Middle Bronze Green and mud, and carried the later light cast tracks replacing the “spud” tracks.

The Churchill Mk IV was similar to the Mk III but used a new cast turret replacing the welded type of the Mk III. In other respects they were similar. This Mk IV was armed with the early QF 6 pdr Mk 3, which had a shorter barrel, and the early “spud” tracks.

front and the 3 inch howitzer in the turret as a more balanced installation.

The Churchill Mk II was similar to the Mk I except the hull-mounted 3 inch howitzer was replaced by a second 7.92mm Besa LMG and small reinforcing plates were placed at the front corners of the driver’s roof. Like the Mk I, the Mk II had open track runs along the hull top.

Because of the serious reliability issues, the Mk I and II were used primarily for training, though improved examples did see service

at Dieppe in August 1942 and later in Africa and Italy.

The next model of the Churchill, the Mk III, introduced a number of detail changes. The upper track runs were protected by sheet metal covers and the rear air intake boxes were redesigned to draw air from the top rather than the bottom as on the Mk I and II, as mud and dust clogged the filters. A new welded turret carried a larger QF 6 pdr (57mm) anti-tank gun and the Besa LMG. The next type, the Mk IV, was very similar to the Mk III but

reverted to a cast turret to mount the 6 pdr. It incorporated the other improvements made to the MK III, and both variants were used in the same units as they were mechanically identical. Both the Mk III and IV carried two versions of the QF 6 pdr. The Mk 3 had a shorter plain barrel and the later Mk 5 had a longer barrel with a counterweight at the muzzle. It was not uncommon to see these guns used even late in the war.

An interesting variant of the Mk IV was the Churchill NA 75, a conversion of the Mk IV’s cast A

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This Mk IV carried the later QF 6 pdr Mk 5, which had a longer barrel with a counterweight on the muzzle. The 6 pdr did not fire a high explosive round, which was a disadvantage as an infantry support tank.

The prominent dust cloud was a common problem with the Churchill.

These Churchill Mk IVs were photographed in Kleve, Germany in February 1945. The first two tanks had the QF 6 pdr MK 5 with the long barrel and muzzle counterweight. Note the light cast tracks on the near tank and the heavy “spud” tracks on the one behind it.

The Russians used a number of Churchill tanks. This was a Mk IV with the Mk 5 gun and early “spud” tracks, seen passing a knocked out German SdKfz 232 8rad armoured car. The front mudguards were often removed on Churchills because they were easily damaged.

The Churchill was widely used in Italy where its excellent cross-country performance was useful in the hilly areas of the country. These Mk IVs were photographed in July 1944. Both carried the Mk 5 gun and show the heavy weathering typical of the Churchill’s high track runs.

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Think Tank - Churchill Infantry Tank Mk IV

B

The Churchill had a major deficiency – it was seriously under-gunned with only a 6 pdr that had limited armour-piercing capability and could not fire an HE shell for infantry support. As a result, 200 Mk IVs were converted to mount an M4 Sherman 75mm M3 gun and mount.

The Mk IVs were converted by welding the complete gun and mount from derelict Shermans to the front of the Mk IV cast turret. This improved the tank’s offensive capabilities and eliminated the shot trap of the recessed mantlet for the 6 pdr, which had been a target for German gunners.

The Churchill NA75 fired the same 75mm ammunition as the M4 Sherman, already in widespread service so ammunition supplies were well-established. The NA75, like the Sherman, was often used as mobile artillery during infantry movements, but was even more accurate.

To deal with the lack of an HE shell for the 6 pdr, a close support model of the Churchill, the Mk V, mounted a 95mm howitzer firing a high explosive round, as well as smoke and later a HEAT (anti-tank) round. This Mk V supported US and British troops in Geilenkirchen, Germany, 1944.

As the war progressed, many older Churchills were upgraded to make them more effective. This Mk VI was a Mk IV with a QF 75mm main gun replacing the original QF 6 pdr (57mm). This example was in the 9th RTR, 31st Tank Brigade.

These Churchill Mk VI tanks carried infantry during the advance on St. Pierre Tarentaine in Normandy during August 1944. Note the lead tank is missing a bogie assembly. Infantry carried on tanks not only caught a ride, but also could spot enemy anti-tank guns and infantry.

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B turret to mount the complete M3 gun mount and mantlet of a salvaged M4 Sherman in place of the 6 pdr. Devised by Captain Percy Morrell, Second-in-Command of the 665th Tank Troops Workshops in Le Khroub, Algeria, the rework involved grinding the front of the Mk IV cast turret to a flatter face and rebating the front opening to accept the 75mm M3 gun and its complete mount.

Because a US gunner sat to the left of the gun while a Churchill gunner sat to the right, the breech opened the wrong way and Morrell reworked the breech controls so the gun could be inverted in the mount. By June 1944, 200 NA 75 Churchills were converted using two full work shifts a day and used in the Italian campaign to the end of the war. The Churchill proved to be a better gun platform than the Sherman and the effective range of the gun was increased. Morrell received a promotion to Major and an M.B.E. award for his initiative.

The Churchill Mk V was similar to the Mk IV but mounted a 95mm howitzer for close support. The 95mm howitzer had a larger diameter and shorter barrel than the 6 pdr, with a prominent counterweight at the muzzle. About 10% of Churchill total production was given over the close support howitzer-armed tanks.

The next mark, the Mk VI, was essentially the same as the Mk IV with the cast turret, but carried the new QF 75mm gun for better fire support. The 75mm gun fired American ammunition including an excellent HE shell and could be identified by the single baffle muzzle brake on the muzzle. Many Mk IVs were upgraded to Mk VI standard by replacing the 6 pdr with the 75mm. As better model

tanks came into service, there was a program to upgrade the older Churchills.

The following mark, the Mk VII was a complete redesign of the Churchill for improved armour protection and performance. While all previous marks of the Churchill had hulls primarily bolted and riveted together, the Mk VII was completely welded. The armour was increased and helped improve the resistance to the latest German anti-tank weapons. The turret was a new composite type with both welded and cast armour, and added bulges at the sides of the internal mantlet opening to counter bullet splash from small arms fire. The increased weight of the new hull and turret reduced the top speed to 12.5 mph (20 km/h). In spite of the thicker armour the Churchill Mk VII was the same overall width as the earlier models. A noticeable feature of the new hull was that the hull side hatches and driver’s front vision port, which had been square, were made round to eliminate weak spots in the armour.

The Mk VII’s gun was the QF 75mm introduced with the Mk VI. The Mk VIII was identical to the Mk VII except it was the close support version and mounted a 95mm howitzer in the turret. In other respects it was the same as the Mk VII gun tank.

By the time that the Mk VII appeared, there was a planned rebuilding program for the Churchill and many older models were upgraded by adding more armour or a better gun, or both.

The final designation depended on which modifications had been made, and it could be difficult to decide what a particular Churchill was when first built. The armour upgrade was intended to provide A

Another Mk VI seen during the Normandy campaign. The addition of upper track guards to the Churchill made it a much safer tank for carrying infantry.

The dust cloud was raised by the tank’s cooling fan, a common problem with the Churchill in dry hard soil.

Although the Churchill had excellent basic armour, the Germans were using heavier anti-tank weapons in Europe in 1944 and crews soon began adding extra armour, often in the form of spare track links. These were spare Churchill links, but any steel tracks were used as available.

This Churchill Mk VI was part of the 6th Guards Tank Brigade, photographed in November 1944 passing a burning Carrier. The strong German anti-tank defenses led most crews to cover their tanks with spare tracks as seen here.

The spare tracks were to break up incoming AT shells.

In 1942, work began on a new Churchill version, the Mk VII, built from the ground up with heavier armour. The older square side hatches and driver’s view port were replaced by round hatches to eliminate weak areas, and a new composite cast-welded turret was introduced.

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Think Tank - Churchill Infantry Tank Mk IV

The new Churchill Mk VII was heavier than previous models and slightly slower, but carried up to 152mm (6 in) of frontal armour and was the best protected British tank of the war. This tank was from the 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry in the summer of 1944 in Normandy.

B the protection level of the Mk VII and the QF 75mm gun often replaced the older 6 pdr. Many tanks had both upgrades while others received only one.

It should be noted that while the Mk III introduced full ‘catwalk’ mudguards for the upper track runs, it was common to see portions of the mudguards and the catwalks removed. The front mudguard sections were often taken off due to damage from obstacles and sometimes due to damage from firing the main gun.

It was also common to see the center portion of the track guards removed because mud carried up by the tracks often collected under this part and caused the mudguards to bulge upward, jamming the turret traverse. 21st Army Group in France issued an order in September 1944 to remove the center section to prevent this from happening.

Mk III and IVs were the primary models rebuilt as they already had the QF 6 pdr fitted. Generally the Mk IV was the preferred model as Mk IIIs were more often used for conversions to special purpose variants. Thus a Mk IV with the armour upgrade became the Mk IX if it retained the 6 pdr gun. If a Mk IX was then refitted with the QF 75mm gun, it was designated as the Mk X, in two versions – if it retained the Mk IV cast turret, it was a Mk X LT (Light Turret).

If it was fitted with the complete turret of the Mk VII with the 75mm gun, it was then a Mk X. A Mk V

close support tank uparmoured and fitted with the Mk VIII turret became the Mk XI. Many Churchills were uparmoured even if serving as special purpose vehicles.

The Churchill infantry tank was perhaps a microcosm of British tank design between the wars.

It was designed originally for a

The Churchill’s excellent traction and cross-country capability was most useful in the hilly terrain of Italy, where this Mk VII was seen in late 1944. It was common to see the central portion of the mudguards removed to keep mud from deforming them and jamming the turret.

type of war that never came, yet its positive attributes made it an excellent tank for its intended purpose. Although slow, it was very well protected and ideal for infantry support. Later, the 6 pdr and 75mm guns gave the Churchill a better ‘reach’ on the battlefield and more effective fire support

against enemy positions. The long track run on the ground gave the Churchill exceptional cross-country mobility and the wider hull with its large sponsons made it the vehicle of choice for a large number of British-designed special purpose vehicles. But that is a story for another day... ■

These Churchills in Normandy have had the central portions of the track guards removed, as was later ordered by 21st Army Group in September 1944.

The lead tank is a Mk VII and shows the round view port hatch for the driver, stronger than the older square hatch.

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The Churchill Mk VIII was the close support version of the Mk VII, armed with the 95mm howitzer as for the earlier Mk V. In most units, each platoon or troop had a combination of Churchill gun tanks and close support models for a balanced combat force.

Although many early Churchills were up-gunned when they were converted to later configurations, some were not. This Mk IX seen in Italy has been up-armoured but retains the old QF 6 pdr Mk 5. This older tank retained the early “spud� track, a common practice.

This Churchill seen in Italy in 1945 was also up-armoured except it was re-armed with the QF 75mm gun, and so it became a Churchill Mk X LT (Light Turret) since it retained its original turret. Those Mk VI tanks that received Mk VII turrets were designated as Mk X.

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KIT PREVIEW

Dragon 1:35 DAK Pz.Bef.Wg.III Ausf.H • Kit No. 6901

Close-up of the sprocket Idler. detail.

Graham Tetley examines Dragon’s latest Panzer III release – the Ausf. H Command Vehicle.

Should we really have to carve this out?

TROPICAL COMMANDER D ragon released a kit of a Panzerbefehlswagen III Ausf.H (Item No. 6844) last year and have now followed it up with a Deutsches Afrika Korps (DAK) version of the same vehicle. In real life this specialized command tank contained long-range radios and was modified from a standard Ausf.H gun tank. On this version there was no main 5cm gun fitted, just a dummy one to fool the enemy and a single MG34 for close defence. The turret was fixed to the hull and did not rotate, thus making room inside for the communication equipment.

Therefore, this kit differs from the preceding Pz.Bef.Wg.III Ausf.H kit in six main ways, which are: • it bears a large storage box on the engine deck, plus a smaller storage box on the front left fender. These new parts are contained on a new ‘gated’ addition to Sprue ‘K’.

• Additional interior seats are provided on new ‘gated’ addition to Sprue ‘E’. In 6844 it appeared that only two crew members had a seat, the rest had to stand all the time!

• Dragon has corrected the front hull glacis part. We now have a newly-tooled ‘gated’ addition to Sprue ‘C’ with part C49 included • There is a spare-track rack on the glacis plate which is made from parts on the new etched fret.

• The sprockets and idler wheels are also different to those on 6844 and peculiar to DAK vehicles. We have seen them in previous Ausf. H kits before so they are not new.

The box is filled to the brim with sprues but many parts will be left over as spares. Molding quality is first rate with no flaws on my kit at all. DS Tracks are included and whilst mine are not deformed in any way there is plenty of flash on them. Some love them, some hate them, but mine will be replaced with aftermarket individual links.

Why Dragon do not include their excellent Magic Tracks to keep both camps happy is a mystery to me.

Marking options are provided for four vehicles: two from North Africa and two from the eastern Front. Erroneously, the DAK vehicles are both noted as ‘North Africa 1940’ but the first German mechanised units didn’t arrive until February 14th, 1941.

The instructions come in typical Dragon format and there are 24 construction steps with many subassemblies dotted around. Best advice is to plan your construction well and think six steps ahead.

Here are my construction niggles: • The fender tops have some lovely dot-pattern texture on them, but Dragon ask us to fill many unused location holes. That means that the dot pattern has gaps or, worse still, you damage it whilst filling the holes in.

• The fender front & rears also require surgery with some areas to be removed. It would be nice if Dragon gave us new fenders to rectify these two points.

• Dragon give us the same turret front part E8 as in 6844 but we are required to cut and carve this to make way for the new gun and

mount. The instructions are not very clear, so I recommend that you look at the hi-res photos on Dragon’s website at http://www. dragon-models.com/d-m-item. asp?pid=DRA6901 to see what I mean. We are asked to carve off the mount for the gun housing as well as open the back of part E8.

Would it really have been too much to give us a new part?

• As mentioned above, we get nice new etched brass spare track racks. Sadly, Dragon do not see fit to provide us with spare tracks to put in this rack!

Those points aside, what we do have is very well detailed with virtually nothing missed. There is lots of exquisite detail both inside and out and, as mentioned above, extra seats are now provided for the interior. There is some detail in the turret but it would be a shame to fix it in place and hide the insides. I must admit to not having built an Ausf. H yet so can’t comment on the fit of these parts, but after having built several other Dragon Panzer and Stug III’s there should be no major problems. Just test fit regularly, go slowly, and plan ahead.

Those who have purchased 6844 may wish that they had waited as this kit is technically a ‘2 in 1’.

We have all of the parts in 6844 (albeit minus the brass bits for the idler wheels) plus the new interior parts as well as the DAK-specific ones in this kit, 6901. Apart from the niggles noted above, this is a fantastically detailed model that fills a gap in the Panzer III family. I give it ‘Recommended’ and a score of 8.5/10. ■

Detail on the turret top.

Internal radios.

The new hull top.

New etched fret and parts.

REFERENCES • Various Google Searches • After The Battle ‘The Desert War Then And Now’: ISBN 978 1 870067 77 5 • Achtung Panzer No. 2 Panzerkampfwagen III’: ISBN 4 499 20578 6 The new box parts.

Decal options.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:35 U.S. Light Tank M3 Stuart Late Production • Kit No. 35360

TARGET: TUNIS Brett Green builds a test shot of Tamiya’s forthcoming 1:35 scale M3 Stuart.

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ISIA

T

he M3 Stuart, officially Light Tank, M3, was an American light tank of World War II. It was supplied to British and Commonwealth forces under LendLease prior to the entry of the U.S. into the war. Thereafter, it was used by U.S. and Allied forces until the end of the war.

The British service name "Stuart" came from the American Civil War Confederate General J. E. B. Stuart and was used for both the M3 and the derivative M5 Light Tank. In British service, it also had the unofficial nickname of "Honey" after a tank driver remarked "She's a honey".

In U.S. use, the tanks were officially known as "Light Tank M3" and "Light Tank M5".

Stuarts were the first Americancrewed tanks in World War II to engage the enemy in tank versus tank combat.

The British Army was the first to use the Light Tank M3, as the "General Stuart", in combat. From mid-November 1941 to the end of the year, about 170 Stuarts (in a total force of over 700 tanks) took part in Operation Crusader during the North Africa Campaign, with poor results. This is despite the fact that the M3 was superior or comparable in most regards to most of the tanks used by the Axis forces. The most numerous German tank, the Panzer III Ausf G, had nearly identical armour and speed to the M3, and both tanks' guns could penetrate the other tank's front armour from beyond 1,000 m (3,300 ft).

The most numerous Italian tank (and second most numerous Axis tank overall), the Fiat M13/40, was much slower than the Stuart, had slightly weaker armour all around, and could not penetrate the Stuart's front hull or turret armour at 1,000 meters, whereas the Stuart's gun could penetrate any spot on the M13/40.

Although the high losses suffered by Stuart-equipped units during the operation had more to do with the better tactics and training of the Afrika Korps than the apparent superiority of German armoured fighting vehicles used in the North African campaign, the operation revealed that the M3 had several technical faults. Mentioned in the British complaints were the 37 mm M5 gun and poor internal layout. The two-man turret crew was a significant weakness, and some British units tried to fight with three-man turret crews. The Stuart also had a limited range, which was a severe problem in the A

The one-piece upper hull.

Turret side halves.

The turret roof features poseable hatches.

The figure may be built as US or Soviet thanks to optional head parts.

Turret hatches and sponson gun panels.

The lower hull is made up from separate sides…

…bottom and rear panels.

The driver’s and radio operator’s hatches may be posed open or closed too.

The VVSS running gear is all new.

The turret mounted .30 cal machine gun is nicely detailed too.

Tracks are full-length flexible vinyl.

Detail is good inside and out.

Markings are supplied for one U.S. and two Soviet vehicles.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:35 U.S. Light Tank M3 Stuart Late Production • Kit No. 35360

The flat pack lower hull laid out.

Taking shape. Note the interior bulkhead reinforcing the sides.

Tamiya’s Stuart VVSS running gear is simple in terms of parts breakdown but nicely detailed.

B highly mobile desert warfare as

units often outpaced their supplies and were stranded when they ran out of fuel.

On the plus side, crews liked its relatively high speed and mechanical reliability, especially compared to the Crusader tank, which comprised a large portion of the British tank force in Africa up until 1942. The Crusader had similar armament and armour to the Stuart while being slower, less reliable, and several tons heavier.

The Stuart also had the advantage of a gun that could deliver highexplosive shells; HE shells were not available for the QF 2 pdr mounted by most Crusaders, severely limiting their use against emplaced anti-tank guns or infantry.

The main drawback of the Stuart was its low fuel capacity and range.

Its operational range was only 75 miles cross country, roughly half that of the Crusader.

In the summer of 1942, the British usually kept Stuarts out of tank-to-tank combat, using them primarily for reconnaissance. The turret was removed from some examples to save weight and improve speed and range. These became known as "Stuart Recce".

Some others were converted to armoured personnel carriers known as the "Stuart Kangaroo", and some were converted into command vehicles and known as "Stuart Command". M3s, M3A3s, and M5s continued in British

service until the end of the war, but British units had a smaller proportion of these light tanks than U.S. units.

When the U.S. Army joined the North African Campaign in late 1942, Stuart units still formed a large part of its armour strength.

After the disastrous Battle of Kasserine Pass in Tunisia, the U.S. quickly followed the British in disbanding most of their light tank battalions and subordinating the Stuarts to medium tank battalions performing the traditional cavalry missions of scouting and screening.

For the rest of the war, most U.S. tank battalions had three companies of M4 Shermans and one company of M3s or M5/M5A1s.

The other major Lend-Lease recipient of the M3, the Soviet Union, was less happy with the tank, considering it under-gunned, under-armoured, likely to catch fire,

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The drive sprockets may rotate after assembly thanks to the use of polythene caps.

The big idler wheels and mounts being assembled.

The running gear assembled and ready to attach.

and too sensitive to fuel quality.

The M3's radial aircraft engine required high-octane fuel, which complicated Soviet logistics as most of their tanks used diesel or low-octane fuel. High fuel consumption led to a poor range characteristic, especially sensitive for use as a reconnaissance vehicle.

Also, compared to Soviet tanks, the M3's narrower tracks resulted in a higher ground pressure, getting them more easily stuck in the spring and autumn mud and winter snow conditions on the Eastern Front. In 1943, the Red Army tried out the M5 and decided that the upgraded design was not much better than the M3. Being less desperate than in 1941, the Soviets turned down an American offer to supply the M5. M3s continued in Red Army service at least until 1944. *

IN THE BOX Tamiya’s original 1:35 scale M3 Stuart dates back to 1974.

Tamiya has now replaced this veteran M3 with a brand new Stuart in 1:35 scale. This model features all-new plastic parts, new full length flexible T25 tracks, a Commander figure and three marking options.

My test shot of Tamiya’s 1:35 scale U.S. Light Tank M3 Stuart comprises 192 parts in light grey coloured plastic (the final production kit will almost certainly be moulded in dark green plastic), four parts in clear and two black full-length flexible tracks.

The tracks feature large tabs for gluing the ends together.

The tracks may be glued with regular plastic cement – Revell Contacta in this instance.

* Historical summary adapted from Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M3_Stuart

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The completed lower hull and running gear.

Although it is technically a one-piece upper hull, there are plenty of separate panels and hatches!

Upper hull taking shape.

Separate parts are provided to block off the lower centre sponson area.

The tools are relatively simple, but they will look fine after painting.

The headlight brush guards are a tad chunky in plastic but I wanted to build this one straight from the box.

The model represents the late model M3 with the flat turret roof and two crew hatches. This is sometimes referred to as the “hybrid”.

The lower hull is made up from a “flat pack” arrangement of separate floor, sides and engine firewall. A separate support ensures that the box structure is

quite rigid. Sponson covers are included to blank off the bottom of the mid-hull area.

Detail on the new T25 tracks is very good. There is one raised pip on the inside of every 18th block, but these will hardly be visible once the tracks are fitted. The tracks may be fixed with regular plastic glue.

The Commander’s cupola features separate clear vision blocks fitted from the inside. All hull and turret crew hatches may be posed either open or closed.

A pillar-mounted .30 cal machine gun is supplied, as are the two optional fixed .30 cal machine guns in the hull.

Markings are supplied for one

US tank in Tunisia or two Soviet Lend-Lease machines with Cyrillic lettering overpainting the original American markings.

The package is rounded out with one nicely moulded Commander figure. Optional heads are offered for an American tanker or a Soviet Commander. A

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:35 U.S. Light Tank M3 Stuart Late Production • Kit No. 35360

Mantlet and gun parts.

The gun is fitted using poly caps, allowing it to elevate and lower after assembly.

Main turret parts assembled.

B SPEED BUILDING Assembly was almost entirely according to the instructions. The only change I made was to drill out the solid ends of the .30 cal machine gun barrels.

As the fit was so good, I chose not to glue the upper and lower hull together until after painting was complete.

I used the kit’s full-length flexible tracks. Detail is very good and these live tracks would be stretched taut – no sagging here.

The tracks were looped and glued using Revell Contacta cement, then

clamped and left to set.

There were no visible gaps once basic construction was complete.

DRAB AIN’T DRAB There is a wartime photo of El Diablo showing it to be very dusty and weatherbeaten, and also apparently daubed with patches of mud serving as disruptive camouflage.

I started out with a faded and irregular coat of Olive Drab.

Mission Models’ new range of acrylic paints include six shades of Olive Drab. This time, I used three

of these on my model, applied in this order: 1. MMP-021 US Army Olive Drab Faded 2 2. MMP-025 US Army Olive Drab FS 34088 3. MMP-024 US Army Olive Drab FS 34088 For this project, just for a change, I painted the palest shade as an overall base colour over a primer coat of Tamiya Grey. The next colour was selectively painted in recesses, shadow areas and in a number of random streaks and mottles. The full, dark Olive Drab

was applied even more selectively.

With the base colour in place I applied a dry brush using Panzer Aces 322 Highlight US Tanker.

This was followed by a wash comprising a smear of Winsor & Newton oil paint thinned with Mineral Turpentine.

A reference photo shows this vehicle with patches of mud daubed on roughly perhaps with a brush, a broom or even by with hands. I depicted this improvised camouflage with airbrushed patches of Tamiya acrylic XF-57 Buff. A

Tamiya’s all-new “ 1:35 scale M3 Stuart is a great kit in the tradition of their recent releases...

”

The lower hull, upper hull and turret are not glued at this stage, but test-fitting looks very promising.

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The model was prepared for painting with a coat of Tamiya Grey Primer straight from the can.

The perfect fit of the sub-assemblies means that they can be painted and mainly weathered before they are permanently brought together.

Mission Models acrylic paints were used for the base colours: MMP-021 US Army Olive Drab Faded 2; MMP-025 US Army Olive Drab FS 34088 and MMP024 US Army Olive Drab FS 34088.

MMP-021 US Army Olive Drab Faded 2 – the palest shade was applied first.

Next up were patches of MMP-025 US Army Olive Drab FS 34088.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:35 U.S. Light Tank M3 Stuart Late Production • Kit No. 35360

B DECALS

Now the third, darkest Olive Drab shade and some weathering by flicking a thin dark mix onto the vehicle.

At this stage, the model received two coats of Future Floor Polish (mixed with round 20% Tamiya Acrylic Thinners) as a glossy base for the kit decals. The turret decals have to cope with some tricky raised surfaces over the side and rear hatches, however with a little help from Solvaset, they settled down without any problems.

As often happens when applying decals over Future Floor Polish, a few large white stains appeared when the setting solution had dried. These were easily dispatched by applying Future over the stains with a micro-brush.

Dry brushing with a pale tan shade was followed by a thin wash of oil paint mixed with a smudge of Winsor & Newton Raw Umber.

Patches of light brown dried mud were sprayed using Tamiya XF-57 Buff. These corresponded to the pale patches seen in the reference photo.

Kit decals were applied over several glossy coats of Future Floor Polish.

A coat of Alclad II Klear Kote Flat kills the gloss completely.

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Tracks were sprayed with a base coat of Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black and XF-64 Red Brown mixed 50/50. This was followed by a brushed application of a mix of Pacific Beach and European Earth Easy Mud. Before the mud dried, the excess was rubbed off with a cloth.

The Easy Mud mix was stippled onto the lower hull.

DETAIL PAINTING AND WEATHERING The tools, tyres and tracks were now painted by brush using Vallejo acrylics. Tool handles were treated to a mix of Vallejo’s Old Wood and New Wood.

The basic weathering was sealed with two coats of Alclad II Flat Clear Lacquer.

My rapidly dwindling supply of Maru Easy Mud was cracked open to apply to the painted tracks.

This time I mixed Pacific Beach and European Earth. The mud was wiped off the tracks with a clean cloth before it set, leaving a residue in recessed areas.

The same mix was used to add texture to the mud coloured patches on the sides of the hull and turret, and was also stippled onto the lower hull.

The lower hull and upper hull were glued together at this stage.

COMMANDER FIGURE Tamiya supplies one nice new crew figure for this Stuart. Tamiya figures have been steadily improving over the last decade, to the point where I did not think this one needed any enhancements beyond careful painting. The pose is relaxed and natural, and the sculpting is excellent. Facial features are very realistic and of course the standard of moulding is everything you would expect from Tamiya.

The figure was assembled using Revell Contacta cement, but the head were not glued in place just yet. The head and body were drilled and mounted on toothpicks to make handling easier. A

The kit crew figure is very nicely sculpted.

The hull aerial was stretched from sprue heated over a candle.

Very old school!

The crew figure fits well in place.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Tamiya 1:35 U.S. Light Tank M3 Stuart Late Production • Kit No. 35360

A reference photo of this vehicle clearly showing the pale patches on the hull sides and the turret.

B First, all the figure was primed

- body using Tamiya Grey Primer and head Tamiya Fine White Primer, both straight from the spray can.

Next, the face and hands were brush painted with Vallejo Panzer Aces 341 Flesh Base acrylic as a base for the skin tones. This was followed by a fairly heavy wash of thinned Rowney Georgian Oil Paint 221 Burnt Sienna, which flowed nicely into low-lying areas including the mouths and eyes.

Painting of the skin tones continued with a range of Vallejo Panzer Aces acrylics, mixed, remixed and reapplied on a trial-and-error basis – no magic formula here unfortunately! I have, however, provided a detailed list of the colours used in the Modelspec section following this text.

The base uniform colour was also sourced from Vallejo’s acrylic range – Panzer Aces 318 US Army Tankcrew. The base uniform was then dry brushed, first with a 50/50 mix of 318 US Army Tankcrew and 322 Highlight US Tkcr., then very subtly with 100% 322 Highlight US Tkcr. A wash of Future Floor Polish, water and a few spots of Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black and XF-64 Red Brown was brushed over the uniforms, which settled naturally into shadow and recessed areas.

Details were picked out using Vallejo acrylics applied with a fine brush. The head was attached to the body at this stage too.

The figure painting was completed with two generous coats of Alclad II Flat Clear.

The finishing touch was a clear visor that was left over from Tamiya’s recent US Tank Crew set.

CONCLUSION This all-new 1:35 scale M3 Stuart is a great kit in the tradition of Tamiya’s recent releases.

It is accurate, well detailed and a pleasure to build. It goes together fast too.

I do hope that we will see more variations on the Stuart theme from Tamiya in the future. ■

Modelspec

Easy Mud was brushed over the pale painted patches to lend some texture.

Tamiya 1:35 U.S. Light Tank M3 Stuart Late Production Kit No. 35360 Tools and Materials Used: Tamiya Extra Thin Liquid Cement Revell Contacta Professional Cement Selley’s Supa Glue Milliput White Two-Part Epoxy Putty Tamiya 10mm Masking Tape Tamiya White Liquid Surface Primer Gunze Mr Surfacer 500 Microscale Industries Kristal Klear Iwata HP-CH Airbrush Paints and Finishing Products: Vehicle: Tamiya Spray Grey Primer Tamiya Spray Fine White Grey Primer Mission Models Acrylics: MMP-021 US Army Olive Drab Faded 2; MMP-025 US Army Olive Drab FS 34088; MMP-024 US Army Olive Drab FS 34088 Tamiya Acrylics: XF-1 Flat Black; XF-2 Flat White; XF-57 Buff; XF-64 Red Brown.

Vallejo Panzer Aces Acrylics - 310 Old Wood; 311 New Wood; 337 Highlight Ger. (Black) Vallejo Model Color – 919 Foundation White; 925 Blue; 942 Light Green.

Alclad II Flat Clear Lacquer Prismacolor Pencils - Dark Brown; Silver 2B Pencil Maru Easy Mud - Pacific Beach and European Earth Precision Ice and Snow Crew Figure Flesh: Base Coat: Tamiya White Primer followed by Vallejo Panzer Aces 341 Flesh Base.

Wash: Rowney Georgian Oil Paint 221 Burnt Sienna.

Variations and Highlights: Vallejo Panzer Aces acrylics 341 Flesh Base; 342 Flesh Highlights; Vallejo Model Colour 919 Foundation White (various mixes) Crew Figure Uniform: Base Coats: Pale Uniform Colour - Vallejo Panzer Aces acrylic 318 US Army Tankcrew.

Straps: Vallejo Panzer Aces acrylic 312 Leather Belt Wash: Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black and XF-64 Red Brown mixed with water and Future floor polish.

Variations and Highlights: Base coats mixed together and with Vallejo Panzer Aces 321 Highlights British Tkcr., 322 Highlight US Tkcr. and Vallejo Model Colour 847 Dark Sand and 919 Foundation White.

Borders and Additional Shading: Vallejo Panzer Aces 337 Highlight Ger. (Black). ✓ Superb fit; straightforward build; high level of detail. ✗ Crosses: A few chunky details (e.g. plastic brush guards).

Available from Thanks to Tamiya for the sample www.tamiya.com Tamiya kits are distributed in the UK by The Hobby Company Limited www.hobbyco.net

The bottom of the road wheels were glued to the tracks to avoid any slippage.

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The tools were picked out using a fine brush and Vallejo acrylic paints.

I drilled out the barrels of the machine guns before assembly.

The tow cable is a piece of string supplied by Tamiya.

Machine gun barrels and the tripod were painted Tamiya X-10 Gunmetal enamel for a hard, shiny finish.

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KIT PREVIEW

Dragon 1:35 IJA Type 97 Medium Tank ‘Chi-Ha’ Early Version • Kit No. 6870

I like these Neo Tracks!

Graham Tetley is mightily impressed with Dragon’s new 1:35 scale Japanese Medium Tank ‘ChiHa’ Early Version.

Bolt detail on the rear hull.

MARVELLOUS MEDIUM T

he prototype Chi-ha was tested in 1937 and soon proved its agility in the pre-war campaign in China. Entering service as the Type 2597 Chi-Ha (Shu Shensa 2597) it soon became the standard medium tank of the Imperial Japanese Army. It was modified and improved throughout the war – the main external change being a revised engine deck and covered side louvres – as well as providing the chassis for self-propelled artillery, engineer and command versions.

This kit was rumoured as soon as the turret appeared in the Ke-Nu version and it is finally here. Billed as an Early Production version, we have in the box 14 light grey sprues, one clear sprue, a one-piece lower hull tub and sheet of etched brass. Four of these sprues are given over to the road wheels and a further four to the ‘Neo’ tracks. In total there are 384 parts of which 40 make up the road wheels, 72 parts for the tracks and 19 etched items. Only 12 parts are unused, comprising of 8 separate track links and two spare machine guns and sights.

Now, I really like these Neo tracks and cheered heartily when I saw no DS Tracks in the box. They come in styrene link and length with a separate jig to shape the parts for the upper track run. The idea is that you bend the parts into shape using individual links to connect it all together. Detail on the links themselves is really good although Dragon has provided us with solid guide teeth when in reality they are hollow with a hole

Etched fret.

at the top. ModelKasten capture this feature really well but you can simply drill the Dragon tracks if you so wish. These Neo tracks are far superior to DS in that clean-up is far easier plus there is no fear of them disintegrating over time.

The instructions are nice and clear and take note that this is not a ‘2 in 1’ version with many options.

There are some construction alternatives provided though, which are etched manufacturer’s plates for the front glacis (although using one will involve removing the IJA star), moveable rear idler, MG ball mount with the vision flap open or closed, gun mount with or without vision hole, and the rear engine louvres can be made open or closed plus they come in plastic or etched alternatives with plastic hinges. So far, I have spotted no errors in the instructions at all.

Markings are provided for four vehicles – Malaya, Singapore, China and a mainland training vehicle all from 1941. One small error is that the camouflage schemes call out the references for the Gunze Sangyo Mr Colour IJA Tank set but these are not noted in the paint colour options Dragon seems to excel at IJA vehicles and this one is no exception, in fact I will say now that it is simply stunning. Detail throughout is sharp and crisp and nothing has been missed. Standout areas for me are: a) The beautiful conical hex bolts in the front glacis. Tamiya and Fine Molds tried to represent these on their kits and Dragon even gives us extras on one of the sprues to carve off and place underneath the

fenders. b) Road-wheel detail. The securing figure of eight wire between the bolts is much finer than that on the Ha-Go and Ka-Mi kits. We also have the groove in the tyres that, again, Tamiya & Fine Molds never represented. c) The jack is hollow-molded and the extender plate has tiny ‘teeth’ molded in – superb! d) The one piece upper hull, with separate front glacis, hints at the later versions being produced. We can but dream!

There is a fully detailed gun breech and a partial interior to the turret, however you can’t see much even with the cupola open. The tools have their clamps moulded in plastic and whilst good, I will probably replace the rear tow cable with kite string. We get etched parts for the muffler screens and if I can find one weakness with this kit it is that it would have been nice to have a bending jig included.

Fine Molds provide one in their ChiHa kits.

This is a simply stunning kit which proves what Dragon is capable of. Attention to detail is such that nothing has been missed.

I am sure that additional detail sets will appear in due course but this is good enough out of the box. Well done Dragon, this one gets a 10/10 (applause) from me. ■

Engine deck grilles.

Even the fender undersides are fully detailed.

The early-style rear engine deck

Lovely sprocket detail.

References: Imperial Japanese Army Tanks of WWII ISBN4-76633158-3 Argonauts Publications Japanese tanks And Armoured Vehicles AJ Press TankPower Vol. 2 ISBN 83-7237-111-3 AJ Press TankPower Vol. 4 ISBN 83-7237-167-9 AJ Press TankPower Vol. 5 ISBN 83-7237-179-2

IJA start & conical bolt detail.

The manufacturer’s data plate.

Marking options.

28 Model Military International - June 2018

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18/04/2018 11:06

Available in the ‘HOW TO BUILD...’ series HOW TO BUILD...

TAMIYA’S ARMOUR KITS IN 1:35 Though the modelling world is awash with an incredible variety of military vehicle kits from a huge number of different companies, one stands head and shoulders above the others in terms of originality, buildability and fun. That company is Tamiya, who have consistently provided the budding enthusiast with some of the finest kits available in the scale of 1:35.

This new book brings together five detailed features that will show what is possible from this extensive range of kits. In so doing, it offers hints and tips, detailed step-by-step guides and written descriptions on all manner of techniques from basic construction, through detailing, painting and realistic weathering. No stone is left unturned in the quest to inspire the modeller to complete similar projects for themselves. It really is a one-stop-shop for the budding military modeller!

Within its 84 pages you will five find features that take you through the construction and painting of the ‘Easy Eight’ Sherman, Nashorn, Elefant, Gama Goat and Tiran 5, all expertly put together by our renowned team of authors, Spencer Pollard, Brett Green and Marcus Nicholls, who have created one of the finest collections of modelling features ever published, on this famous range of kits.

This then is the world of Tamiya’s wonderful 1:35 military vehicle kits plus p&p – we hope that you enjoy your visit!

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18/04/2018 11:26

FEATURE ARTICLE

P-40 Longtrack Radar - A 1:35 scale multimedia conversion of Trumpeters AT-T

T

he self-propelled surveillance radar 1RL128D on the tracked U426 chassis, known as P-40 Longtrack Radar “Bronja”, is a more than typical looking Soviet monster of the Cold War era.

The Czech manufacturer Panzershop is a specialist for such vehicles of the Soviet army and offers a huge conversion set for Trumpeter’s actual AT-T Artillery tractor. The conversion set consists of numerous resin parts of the highest quality, one photoetched fret to detail the vehicle and two huge frets with photoetched parts for the antenna. A set of extra-long Friul Metal tracks is also included as well as the instructions and prototype pictures on a CD-Rom. A

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SOVIET P-40 LONGTRACK RADAR

A SOVIET COLD WAR LEFTOVER Michael Franz transforms Trumpeter’s 1:35 scale AT-T to the huge P-40 Longtrack Radar using the Panzershop conversion.

June 2018 - Model Military International 31

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FEATURE ARTICLE

P-40 Longtrack Radar - A 1:35 scale multimedia conversion of Trumpeters AT-T

B ASSEMBLY Assembly starts with the lower body part of the vehicle. The P-40 has a longer chassis than the AT-T so that the Trumpeter part must be cut in two pieces and extended with a new tail section.

The Trumpeter parts and resin parts are used for the running gear and are mounted before the floor is installed on the lower body. To offer visibility into the engine I wanted to present the engine compartment in a partly open position. Although there is not much visible of the engine later I have used MiniArt’s superdetailed engine V-54, which only needs a few adjustments to match this vehicle perfectly. Panzershop offers the radiator-set for the AT-T as a separate upgrade kit which consists of resin parts and a small fret with photo etched parts.

The cab receives a new dashboard, details with photoetched parts and several further additional details and wiring.

The seat upholstery was made with tape and received some cuts and damages before the painting. Several modifications and additional parts are added also on the exterior of the cab as well as on the floor besides the cab and the engine compartment.

The partly open engine cover is consisting of several photo etched parts of Voyager’s detail set for the AT-T and remains fully movable.

The huge structure on the rear is a giant one-piece part with great looking details. The two round windows are drilled open and the material of the walls around the windows is thinned with a mill, the inside painted in light grey before the huge body part is mounted on

the floor. A round piece of clear plastic foil is cut out and glued inside the window. Several resin and photo etched parts are used to detail the structure next. All the handles are made of wire and glued in drilled small holes. The hatches on the structure are installed after the painting and received side covers made of paper.

The huge radar unit is a monstrous photo-etched part. All the crossbars are soldered to the radar. As a result, it receives its shape automatically. The boom also consists of huge photoetched parts that are bent into the required shape and soldered before further resin and metal parts are fitted to it. Some additional pipework and wires are added according to photos of the real vehicle. The complete antenna complex remains workable thanks to a metal rod glued in its base, which is inserted in a drilled hole through the top of the vehicle’s structure.

I left the vehicle in several separate sub-assemblies for easier painting - the chassis with floor and rear structure, wheels, engine, radiator grill, interior, cab, antenna complex, doors and the hatches.

The extended antenna on the front right side is made of brass pipes of Albion Alloys in different diameters, slid inside each other.

The thicker rings consist of small stripes of Tamiya Tape.

The antenna will be mounted at the end of the project, as well as all the other smallest details such as the drive rods, smaller antennas etc. Further modifications were made all around the vehicle, for example the covers of the gas cylinders at the rear are made of tape, and different more. A

Chassis with the new floor plate

The chassis is consisting of parts of Panzershop and Trumpeter

The radiator of the engine with the photo etched parts

The radiator from the front side

MiniArt’s V-54 engine full of detail

The transmission is of the Trumpeter kit, the engine of MiniArt – a match made in heaven!

Comparison of the painted engine of Trumpeter and MiniArt

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The new dashboard consists of resin and photo etched parts The modified cab with closed hatch and additional details on the engine.

Further details at the cab

The inside of the modified cab.

The window on the backside of the cab is closed

The huge rear structure.

Note the opened round window and the handles made of wire

"Leathering" of the seats with tape, damaged with a knife

Further detailing of the structure with etched parts and resin parts

Huge boxes beside the engine hood, base parts for the antennas added

Test fitting of the parts is very important with such a conversion kit!

Further details inside the cab, etched parts and wire added

Socket for the antenna, steps at the front side of the rear structure made of wire and etched parts June 2018 - Model Military International 33

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FEATURE ARTICLE

P-40 Longtrack Radar - A 1:35 scale multimedia conversion of Trumpeters AT-T

The huge exhaust outlets of the gas turbine

Voyager provides a fully workable engine hood made of photo-etched parts and wire

The cover of the exhaust outlets which remains in open position here

The new extended antenna made of brass tubes and tape

B PAINTING I started the painting with a layer of Vallejo’s black primer, airbrushed on everything to get a smooth, uniform surface and to make sure that the real paint will adhere well on the different materials which are used on that kit. A heavily diluted red brown colour is airbrushed on all the parts next followed by a layer of Heavy Chipping Medium. The interior is painted with Vallejo’s Greyish Blue, the engine compartment in White-Grey, the engine in Dark Aluminium.

Lifecolor’s UA258, UA259 and UA260 of the 4BO Soviet colour set were used for the exterior, each colour was used highly diluted so that the dark primer remains

visible as shadow under the paint.

The three paints are the perfect choice as they represent the Soviet colour perfectly. Also they give the vehicle a realistic, homogenous and interesting surface with shadows and highlights.

The green colour was chipped with warm water and a stiff brush next to replicate scratches and damages in the paint. Further highlights were dry brushed with the lightest tone of the three green colours. All the small details such as the leather seats, gas bottles, gears, engine parts etc. were painted with a fine brush in the relevant colour.

The finished paint job was fixed with a layer of glossy clear coat, which is also the base for the A

Soldering is mandatory - gluing the huge photo etched parts will simply not be enough

Lot of work - the long metal tracks of Friul Model

Further details are mounted after finishing the frame

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The shape of the screen comes automatically during the installation of the crossbars

One huge photo-etched part is the base for the antenna screen.

Everything is soldered

The radar screen is finished an impressive piece of metal

Soldering is the “ only possibility to

assemble this huge antenna...

�

Radar screen, boom and extended antenna - the vehicle is huge!

Additional wiring was added at the boom and the radar screen.

Further antenna sockets of PanzerArt in front of the engine hood.

June 2018 - Model Military International 35

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FEATURE ARTICLE

P-40 Longtrack Radar - A 1:35 scale multimedia conversion of Trumpeters AT-T

B decals. The conversion set does

not include any decals so I have used some that I had left over from other projects such as the Soviet markings on the doors, some stencils all around the vehicle (fire extinguishers, gas bottles, inside the cab, engine hood) or the red/ white stripes on the fenders. The decals were fixed with a layer of matt clear coat next.

MIG’s Dark Brown Wash for Green Vehicles is applied next as a filter on all exterior surfaces to emphasize the details, on individual areas in several layers to get different shades of the tone. Further dark brown and black washes are used only around the details, lighter colour washes are used to simulate rain marks.

A washing with rusty colours is used to add some rust streaks. All the painting is sealed with matt varnish.

Primer is very important to get an uniform surface of the different used materials

TRACKS, DUST & DIRT The assembly of the Friul tracks took a very long time as this vehicle has very, very long tracks.

The finished tracks were burnished black and painted with track primer afterwards.

Mig’s Track Wash was applied followed by a partial wash with Mig’s Dry Steppe. Several pigments in beige and brown colour were applied and fixed with thinner. The surface of the tracks was lightly sanded next to reveal the blank metal of the tracks. The lower body of the vehicle received the same treatment as the tracks: a wash with Dry Steppe and beige and brown pigments, partly fixed with thinner, but also applied dry.

Bright metal was represented here with Gun Metal pigments or a graphite pencil, rubbed on the respective areas. Finally, Black Smoke pigments were applied around the exhaust outlets and small amounts of brown pigments are used on the horizontal surfaces to replicate dust. AK Interactive’s engine oil and Tamiya’s Black Smoke are used to represent leaking oil and fuel at the engine, around the fuel tanks and at the wheels.

Vallejo's Metal Color Dark Aluminium as base colour for the engine

Brown colour as base for the later coming rust effects

Engine compartment and radiator got a White-Grey paint

A typical Soviet interior Blue-Grey of Vallejo is the perfect matching colour

No other color is better for rust effects than Lifecolor Rust & Dust set

The inside of the cab, painted and some weathering

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The exterior after the brown layer. Note the grey blue engine compartment

4BO Soviet Green - a wonderful set of Lifecolor for the exterior.

A base color, one for shadows and one for highlights - perfect!

The details of the vehicle were painted with a fine brush

The red/white stripes at the front are decals

Mig's Dark Brown Wash for Green Vehicles is perfect for colour variations

THE BASE The base was made using a white wooden painting palette from Gerstaecker, which I have used as a base for most of my works.

Foam board was used to lift the road at the background. The surface is modelled with a wooden spatula.

Fine earth, small stones and

rocks made of plaster were pressed in the soft spatula and fine sand was spread over it.

Everything was fixed with thinned white glue and painted with the airbrush in different earth coloured shapes.

Some dry brushing and oil colour washes followed to bring everything to life.

A small base was made with wooden spatula, earth, sand and small stones

p 30-39 P40 146B 37

The grass is made with tufts of green grass and some dried flowers are added on the ground as well as some fallen leaves. The water at the front is made with Mig’s Acrylic Water.

The P-40 was installed onto the base next and all the missing details added: the antennas mounted, doors, towing rope, a

small piece of chain, lamps, drive rods and more small stuff added.

The figure is a tanker of MiniArt which is modified to fit exactly on the doorstep behind the open passenger door. It was painted entirely using oil colours and finally glued in position.

This step finished the project. A

Painted with the airbrush, washes brought the base to life.

Grass and dried flowers are from DioDump and Mini Nature.

Mig’s Acryilc Water is used for the small river in the front of the base.

June 2018 - Model Military International 37

18/04/2018 11:10

FEATURE ARTICLE

P-40 Longtrack Radar - A 1:35 scale multimedia conversion of Trumpeters AT-T

B CONCLUSION Panzershop has delivered a fantastic conversion set, but it is definitely not for beginners. The soldering of the antenna is a nerve racking work but in the end the finished vehicle is a breathtaking

model - impressive, huge, gigantic and typical of the Soviet Cold War. This is a real enrichment for every fan of unique military vehicles. The conversion was fun from the moment I began until the end. ■

Modelspec Panzershop conversion set P-40 Longtrack Radar.

Item No. PS35271HT Trumpeter 1:35 AT-T. Kit No. 09501

Detail view of the cab and the open engine panels.

Accessories Used Friul metal tracks (ATL-176) Panzershop Radiator-Set for AT-T (PS-35A346) MiniArt V-54 Engine (37006) MiniArt Figure of Self Propelled Gun Crew (35037) Voyager Detail Set for AT-T (PE35905) Evergreen: Different stripes, plastic cards, profiles Copper wire and pipe work in different diameters Albion Alloys: Brass pipes in different diameters Decals of different Trumpeter models PanzerArt: Modern Soviet Antenna (PASU35002) Eureka XXL: Towing cable (ER-3506) TL-Modellbau: Decals warning stripes red/white (2594) Etched parts, plastic parts, etc. of my spares box Gerstaecker: Gesso Board Clear plastic foil Tools & Modelling Products Tamiya Extra Thin Liquid Cement Revell Contacta Clear Modellbau König Super Glue Mr. Putty Paints and Finishing Products • Lifecolor: 4BO Soviet Green (UA258, UA259, UA260), Yellow (UA042), Orange (LC04), Black (LC02), Light Grey (UA021), Dark Brown (UA409), Red (LC06), Matt White LC01 • Revell Aqua Color: Iron (91), Silver (90) • AK Interactive: Rust Streaks, Dust Effects, Dark Mud, Heavy Chipping Medium, Dark Brown Wash, Engine Oil, Pigments North African Dust, Pigments Dark Earth, Pigments European Earth, Track primer • Ammo by MIG: 192 Polished Metal acrylic, 034 Rust Tracks acrylic, 1002 Track Wash enamel, 1751 Dry Steppe enamel, 3003 North Africa Dust, 1005 Dark Brown Wash for Green Vehicles, 3009 Gun Metal, P023 Black Smoke • Tamiya: Smoke (X19) • Molotov: Liquid Chrome • Vallejo: Greyish Blue 71.319, White Grey 71.119, Metal Color Dark Aluminium 77.703 • Uschi Van der Rosten: Metal powder • Graphite pens • Winsor & Newton oil colors: Van Dyk Brown, Burned Umbra, Black Base: • Gerstaecker: Gesso Board white (wooden painting support) • Plaster • Sand and small stones, earth • Mini Nature: Different grass tufts • DioDump: Different grass tufts • Ammo of Mig: Acrylic Water (A.Mig-2204)

The finished model is very impressive!

✓ Wonderful conversion of Trumpeters AT-T; the fit of all the high quality manufactured resin parts is fantastic; the finished vehicle is absolutely impressive and full of great details. ✗ Nothing worth mentioning.

Available from Panzershop models are available via the website www.panzershop.cz

Rating

The big rear body conversion

38 Model Military International - June 2018

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A view from the back.

This is an amazing Soviet Cold War vehicle that “begs to be super-detailed and weathered... �

The completed model viewed from the front right.

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18/04/2018 11:27

PREVIEW FEATURE

Rye Field Model 1:35 Panther Ausf. G Early/Late with Full Interior • Kit No. RM-5016

KING PANTHER James Hatch takes a detailed look at the new Rye Field Model 1:35 scale Panther Ausf. G Early/Late with Full Interior.

Sprue A.

Sprue D.

Alternative mantlets are included.

Interior details.

Note the fine sprocket teeth on the turret ring.

Sprues E and X.

Sprue B.

Plenty of spare shells!

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shells!

T

he Panther is a German medium tank deployed during World War II on the Eastern and Western Fronts in Europe from mid-1943 to the war's end in 1945. It had the ordnance inventory designation of Sd.Kfz. 171. It was designated as the Panzerkampfwagen V Panther until 27 February 1944, when Hitler ordered that the Roman numeral "V" be deleted.

Contemporary English language reports sometimes refer to it as the Mark V. The Panther was intended to counter the Soviet T-34 and to replace the Panzer III and Panzer IV. Nevertheless, it served alongside the Panzer IV and the heavier Tiger I until the end of the war. It is considered one of the best tanks of World War II for its excellent firepower and protection, although its reliability was less impressive. The Panther was a compromise. While having essentially the same engine as the Tiger I, it had more efficient frontal hull armour, better gun penetration, was lighter and faster, and could traverse rough terrain better than the Tiger I. The tradeoff was weaker side armour, which made it vulnerable to flanking fire.

The Panther proved to be effective in open country and long-range engagements but did not provide enough high explosive firepower against infantry.

The Panther was far cheaper to produce than the Tiger I, and only slightly more expensive than the Panzer IV. Key elements of the Panther design, such as its armour, transmission, and final drive, were simplifications made

Turret interior floor.

Early and late style road wheels.

to improve production rates and address raw material shortages.

The overall design remained somewhat over-engineered. The Panther was rushed into combat at the Battle of Kursk despite numerous unresolved technical problems, leading to high losses due to mechanical failure. Most design flaws were rectified by late 1943 and the spring of 1944, though the bombing of production plants, increasing shortages of high quality alloys for critical components, shortage of fuel and training space, and the declining quality of crews all impacted the tank's effectiveness. Though officially classified as a medium tank, its weight is more like that of a heavy tank, as its weight of 44.8 tons puts it roughly in the same category as the American M26 Pershing (41.7 tons), British Churchill (40.7 tons) and the Soviet IS-2 (46 tons) heavy tanks.

The tank had a very high power to weight ratio however, making it extremely mobile regardless of its weight. Its weight still caused heavy tank-esque problems however, such as an inability to cross certain bridges.

Extract from Wikipedia

IN THE BOX If you like large kit boxes, you’ll not be disappointed. This one is almost twice the size of my Cyber Hobby 1:35 King Tiger, and the deep lid contains a superb artwork of the Panther G of what they say is an unknown unit, with zig-zag winter distemper covering the base camouflage. RFM have sent me the Limited-Edition kit with clear turret

Sprue C.

Track assembly jig.

and upper hull parts, as labelled on the lid. One side of the lid has three colour CAD illustrations of the model with its complete interior (yes...complete!) and the other side has three colour profiles for the schemes on offer with this release.

This is certainly no weekender project. I thought it apt to place a little of the blurb here that Rye Field has told us of this new kit, designed to celebrate their third year in the business.

• Clear turret and upper hull parts • Up to twenty multiple-choice designs • Moveable design for track links, suspension system, artillery and other components • Provides a set of 800mm steel road wheels which can be used for after April 1945 • Accurately reproduced interior and exterior structures of Panther Ausf.G tank • Offer of special gift of three kinds of drawings by famous Japanese military painter, Mr. Kei Endou • Multi-function grenade launcher can be posed open or closed • Rear escape hatch door can be posed open or closed • Optional turret vent types • Complete interior, including Maybach HL230-P30 engine, transmission, fighting compartment, driver position etc.

• Option for seat and storage positions of shell box • Two options for hydraulic drive units • Spring-loaded recoil • Two mantlet options • Moveable gun • Optional engine heater and

comprehensive part options associated with this (firewall, roof vents, heater duct, spoiler etc.)

• Optional artillery observation periscope bracket types • Three options for turret cupola mounting for AA-MG • Optional air-defence machine guns • Optional observation lens types • Moveable double torsion bat structure • Optional bow machine gun ball shield • Idler wheel options (665mm dia. and early 600mm A-type) • Workable track links, track disassembly tools, and ice cleats • Optional driver periscope rain cover • Optional cockpit roof vent • Multi-position barrel travel lock • Two types of headlights • Three types of rear stowage boxes • Open/closed engine cover plate options • Lifting hooks with two optional positions • Two options for cooling air outlet grilles • Four exhaust configuration options • Deployed and stowed 20T jack options This information of course doesn’t even go into including the details of every single reproduced component within the interior of the Panther Ausf.G. If Rye Field Models wanted an epic for their anniversary release, then they got one.

Inside the box, the first thing I’m confronted with is another

Torsion bars.

Sprue F. June 2018 - Model Military International 43

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18/04/2018 11:12

PREVIEW FEATURE

Rye Field Model 1:35 Panther Ausf. G Early/Late with Full Interior • Kit No. RM-5016

large but shallow box with colour illustrations of two of the schemes (I think this is the offer of drawing gift that RFM refer to), and inside here is a single, large, clear sprue that contains the Limited Edition parts, such as the upper hull, turret, glacis etc. as well as standard clear parts for the periscope et al.

I do find the clear plastic pretty quirky and don’t intend to build this with a visible interior, but the option is there for you. The rest of the sprues are moulded in a light brown styrene, and there are FOURTEEN of these. Most are individually bagged except for the ones where there are multiples.

Two sprues are interconnected, with two copies, counting as four sprues. A bag containing wire and a spring also contains a flexible black sprue with captive wheel nuts and four wheel rims. Track parts (x190) are included in a brown zip bag and these, moulded in dark brown plastic, come as two per sprue. TWO PE frets are supplied, one decal sheet, and lastly, a hefty 52-page instruction manual. As I said, this is no weekend project.

You’ll need to set serious time aside.

We’ll now take a look through the various sprues and focus in on those fine details which really set this release apart.

SPRUE A I could be wrong, but it does look like RFM has thoughtfully grouped the parts for specific areas mainly together on their respective sprues. This certainly beats the constant toing and froing

between sprues, especially when there are so many as with this kit.

Here we see parts that seem to exclusively concern the Panther’s powerful 7.5 cm Kwk 42 L/70 gun, including turret parts and two mantlet options. The latter are for the curved mantlet, and the later version with a vertical face below the upper curved section, providing extra armour to the lower quarters.

Whilst some would decry the lack of a metal barrel in this kit, the plastic one is moulded in one piece instead of as halves. Of course, the muzzle is moulded as separate parts for which no seams exist.

These details are supplemented by a little PE.

SPRUE B We generally have a lot of internal turret details here, ranging from the traverse motor to the gun counterbalance, hydraulic drive, loader/gunner/commander seats, azimuth etc. To say the turret interior is comprehensive is pretty much on the money. You’ll certainly need no aftermarket here.

The instructions show lengths of wire that must be added using the supplied material.

SPRUE C (X2) Wheels, torsion bars and other associated parts are found on this sprue, of which two are supplied.

I do note a few parts from other areas of the hull, but generally this is where the rolling stuff happens.

I’ve already said that the wheels/ torsion bars do work, but not as they are initially moulded. If you don’t want to simply build this

Structural detail is moulded to the hull interior parts.

Sprue L – clear parts.

Sprue G.

Sprue P – vinyl parts.

with static, non-moving torsion, then that is the default position. If you want them to articulate, then a small tab of plastic needs to be removed from each bar. Quite a simple task and one that satisfies all builders of this kit.

the non-clear F1 part is designed to fit over the top of this, despite the test models showing it without F1 attached. Detail is excellent, especially on the hull sides. Some very nice weld seam details to be seen too.

SPRUE D

SPRUE G

Many general interior parts here, such as the driver’s seat, transmission, comms system power supply, periscope storage, front drive brake units etc. In fact, many items from the lower hull forward interior will be found here.

Many items here that appear to be associated with the rear engine decal, with numerous options provided, such as those for the four different permutations of exhaust layouts, heaters, tool racks, access doors (poseable), front fender mudguards etc. Note also options for the rear stowage bins.

SPRUE E & X (X2) Both of these sprues are supplied connected, and there are two frames included. The most obvious inclusion here are the many shells that will be distributed around the hull interior. That much explosive in one space must’ve played on the minds of the crews. Note also a jig for building the tracks, and the multitude of track pins. The individual links are first sat on the track jig and then each bank of pins is installed whilst on the sprue.

When in situ, the sprue will then be removed. Genius! Other parts here include wheels, engine fan amongst many other small components.

SPRUE H This Panther kit can be fitted with the heated duct system as an option. This means that RFM needed to be able to enable the modeller to easily install these parts. Note here two internal bulkhead options which provide the means to display the model with or without the heat duct system.

Certainly better than having to mod the part yourself. Internal rear compartment walls, shell racks, lower hull central floor, fuel tanks, filters, etc.

SPRUE F

SPRUE J

This sprue provides the rear and front glacis, lower hull sides, fenders and the hull floor. As this kit has a full interior, the hull floor has details moulded within. I can’t understand the reason for the forward glacis as this is moulded in situ on the clear upper hull, as

Another multitude of small and key components to be found here. Everything from the 20T jack (that can be posed deployed or stored), drive gear housings, rear glacis parts (including towing mechanism), hull tools, towing cable ends etc.

Late style engine deck grilles.

Additional parts.

Sprue H.

Track links.

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The instruction booklet.

Three views are offered for the painting guide.

SPRUE K

TRACKS

Here you find the mighty Maybach and other associated parts. A variety of other components are moulded here too, such as the rear mantlet plates (two options), ammunition storage rack parts, hoses and ducting, radio sets, and the remainder of parts that are scattered around the interior.

Moulded in a dark brown plastic, these are moulded in twos, interconnected with a small sprue.

There are 85 each of these, totalling 190 separate track links. I can’t comment on how easy these will be to assemble at this stage, but they look straightforward enough with the supplied jig and method of applying the track pins that I mentioned earlier.

SPRUE L (CLEAR PARTS) As I already stated, this particular kit is a Limited-Edition version with these parts being moulded in clear styrene. From this, I can only presume that regular editions will have this in the same colour as the rest, with the periscope parts etc. being moulded separately.

I honestly don’t know. However, that’s a story for a different day.

Like or loathe clear parts, these really are superbly moulded with exceptional clarity, should you wish to finish your model, so the interior can be viewed through the plastic.

SPRUE P This is a rubberised sprue containing four wheel rims and a series of captive collars for holding the wheels in place on the torsion bar arms.

Alternative hull rear plates.

Photo-etched fret #1.

PHOTO ETCH Two frets are included in this release, packed into a wallet with a card protector. Quality is excellent, with narrow part gates that will make it easy to remove and clean the individual components.

Included in PE form are the heater grilles, internal hull lower chassis frames, clasps, etc. There are a lot of parts to keep you occupied.

EXTRAS Only a few bits here, namely different diameter wires and a spring for the main gun recoil.

A number of marking options are offered.

included. A whole load of stencils are also included. Printing is excellent, with the decals being nice and thin and with minimal carrier film. Colour is solid and in register.

INSTRUCTIONS RMF provides a 52 page A4 manual for this release, with there being a total of 71 constructional sequences. However, many of these include enough assembly to have merited further breakdown.

All drawings are in line format and are clear to understand. Coloured ink is introduced to illustrate some of the finer nuances of construction, such as new part placement and where parts are only to be dry-fit at certain stages.

Some of the English annotation is a little messy and could do with having been corrected, but the general gist is easy to follow. Paint references are given for Mig AMMO and Gunze paints.

CONCLUSION

A single sheet is included with decals for the three schemes

Well, what can I say? Firstly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a kit with as many options available to the builder, nor one with this incredible amount of full interior detail in 1:35. You’ll need your wits about

Sprue J.

Sprue K.

DECALS

Photo-etched fret #2.

you as you progress through the build in order that you use the correct permutation of parts, plus any component modifications that are required to common parts.

It’s a minefield, but at least it’s a fun one! Perhaps one of the most complicated kits I’ve yet encountered. Moulding quality is up there with the very best, with hardly a seam to be seen, and zero flash that I can determine. Any ejector pin marks should also be hidden behind installed equipment, so again, no concerns there.

There’s no doubt that Rye Field Model has created a masterpiece and if the images and videos from the recent Nuremberg Toy Fair are anything to go by, then this will look simply amazing when complete. As I have said, this is a complicated kit and you need to check assembly at each turn with relation to parts options, so ensure you know exactly which vehicle you’ll be building, right at the outset. All I can say is this is just stunning! ■

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

The kit decal sheet.

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Tech Guide

- Painting Hobby Boss’ 1:35 SU-18 SPH Soviet 4BO Green

PAINTING SOVIET 4BO GREEN STEP BY STEP I Clayton Ockerby takes us step-by-step through the painting and weathering of WWII Soviet 4BO Green.

don’t know what it is about these oddball machines that attracts me. As soon as I saw this Hobby Boss release, I knew I had to get my hands on it. It’s tiny, top heavy proportions were just the thing I was looking for to break up some of the other builds I had on the go at the time. I must firstly confess, I have never built a Hobby Boss kit before, and I knew nothing of the SU-18, so buying this was a complete leap of faith for me.

I picked the model up for a very reasonable price during a recent 2 day model show. I purchased it with the view of filling

in some time whilst away, and managed to get a start on it during that night.

About two hours later, I had the build complete and was ready for paint. It was a lot quicker than I was expecting.

I was a little disappointed to find that the SU-18 was only ever a prototype vehicle, with only a few examples being produced and trialled. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised given the obvious issues with its’ high centre of gravity and painfully confined crew areas. Not to mention the limited ability to store ammunition. That said, the kit still presented an interesting part of history

and would make a welcomed addition to my showcase.

I would also later discover, the SU-18 features in the online game, World of Tanks, so it’s not hard to see the thinking of the Hobby Boss team behind this release.

After the whirlwind build, it was on to the painting and weathering.

The model is treated to an all over primer coat using the One Shot Primer from Ammo.

I traditionally use the Alclad Microfiller, but have found the One Shot Primer product to perform very well and without the smells associated with the Alclad. A

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PAINTING 4BO GREEN Using A.MIG 019 4BO Green, I now get the base colour down.

Using matte black to darken the mix, some subtle tonal shading is now applied. These monotone schemes can get rather boring, so I was conscious to build layers in the colour to offer some depth to the model.

Now for the lighter tones, the 4BO green is lightened using A.MIG 221 Yellow. A thinned mix is applied through the airbrush to the high side and horizontal surfaces of the model.

The individual tracks are now painted whilst attached to the sprues. A mix of XF64 and XF69 is used. Whilst I know the paint may cause issues once the glue is applied, I just find painting the tracks at this stage is the easier way to get the bulk of the colour down.

In order to create some more texture in the paintwork, a sponge technique is used to apply a thinned mix of a darkened colour of the 4BO. June 2018 - Model Military International 47

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Tech Guide

- Painting Hobby Boss’ 1:35 SU-18 SPH Soviet 4BO Green

The sponge technique presents like chipping, but the colour tends to just add some depth to the paint rather than look like traditional chipping.

The effect will tone down and as we move through the following stages.

After the “ whirlwind build, it was on to the painting and weathering...

”

Using a thinned mix of a lightened 4BO, small scuffs and light chipping as applied using a fine brush.

Again, the effect is subtle, but helps add another layer to the visual mix.

Basic painting complete. The kit comes with a red star decal, but I decided to cut a mask and spray mine on.

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Once the white paint was applied (to act as a primer for the red to follow), I sponged a few marks through the white. This will offer some interest to the marking once the red is applied.

Here you see the red has been applied and the mask removed. I think I was a little hasty in getting this done, and the white bled a little under the mask. That said, I quite liked the effect it gave. In reality, these markings would have been applied in a similar fashion, so, if nothing else, it added another layer to the mix.

Now using a grey/black mix of thinned Vallejo acrylic paint. Some fine chipping was applied using a fine tip brush. I wanted to keep the chipping reasonably refined on this one.

The model then received an all over satin varnish. Once dry the details received a line wash using a Dark Brown enamel paint.

To simulate dirt and grime, a slurry of earth toned pigments was applied to the lower edges of the model.

Whilst the white spirit used to blend them is making the mix look wet in the picture, the pigments will dry out overnight and present very differently. Messy Work.

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Tech Guide

- Painting Hobby Boss’ 1:35 SU-18 SPH Soviet 4BO Green

Here you see the interesting and realistic effect the pigments give once dry. Whilst the white spirt will settle them on the model, Oil paints and thinned enamels will be needed to set them in place.

B

A little closer look. You may also notice I have achieved another effect through flicking a light toned enamel colour from a brush. The flicks and dots look like splashed mud.

Very quick and easy to do‌.although very messy.

Now using a makeup sponge and Gun Metal pigment, some of the highpoints and the tracks are buffed. The Gun Metal pigment gives a very realistic finish. Use sparingly and this pigment will give you some fantastic results.

So there it is, the tiny SU-18 from Hobby Boss. Built straight out of the box. Simple, very quick to build, and a heck of a lot of fun to paint.

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Detail

Whilst an aftermarket barrel would be a welcomed addition, and a perhaps a little more refinement on the horn and light, I really can’t complain about this kit.

B CONCLUSION I see so many people getting bogged down in interiors, and engine bays, photo etch and scratch building…and they never actually get to finish anything. Modelling for me is all about momentum. Find something you like and immerse yourself in it, but a clear finish line is also a great motivator. This SU-18, is the perfect kit to help build momentum and get some pleasing results out of your modelling. ■

Detail view of the engine deck and trench skid.

I don’t know what it is “ about these oddball machines that attracts me... ”

I really enjoyed the journey.

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Small Arms Corner

VICKERS MACHINE GUN

The Vickers machine gun or Vickers gun is a name primarily used to refer to the water-cooled .303 British (7.7 mm) machine gun produced by Vickers Limited, originally for the British Army. The machine gun typically required a six to eight-man team to operate: one fired, one fed the ammunition, the rest helped to carry the weapon, its ammunition, and spare parts.[1] It was in service from before the First World War until the 1960s, with air-cooled versions of it on many Allied World War I fighter aircraft.

The Vickers machine gun was based on the successful Maxim gun of the late 19th century. After purchasing the Maxim company outright in 1896, Vickers took the design of the Maxim gun and improved it, inverting the mechanism as well as reducing its weight by lightening and simplifying the action and using high strength alloys for certain components. A muzzle booster was also added.

The weapon had a reputation for great solidity and reliability. Ian V. Hogg, in Weapons & War Machines, describes an action that took place in August 1916, during which the British 100th Company of the Machine Gun Corps fired their ten Vickers guns continuously for twelve

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hours. Using 100 barrels, they fired a million rounds without a failure. “It was this absolute foolproof reliability which endeared the Vickers to every British soldier who ever fired one.” * Bandiana Military Museum in Wodonga, around three hours north of Melbourne Australia, holds a well-preserved example of the Vickers Machine Gun. ■

SPECIFICATIONS: Weight: Length: Barrel length: Crew: Cartridge: Action: Rate of fire: Muzzle velocity: Effective firing range: Maximum firing range: Feed system:

33–51 lb (15–23 kg) all-up 3 ft 8 in (1.12 m) 28 in (720 mm) three man crew .303 British .30-06 Springfield recoil with gas boost 450 to 500 round/min 2440 ft/s (744 m/s) 2,187 yd (2,000 m) 4,500 yd (4,100 m) indirect fire 250-round canvas belt

The gun sight.

*Historical text adapted from Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vickers_machine_gun

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Ammunition box.

The canvas ammunition belt.

Handles.

The business end!

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KIT PREVIEW

Bronco 1:35 scale British Cruiser Tank A10 Mk.IIA / IIA CS • Kit No. CB35151

A new plastic sprue is included.

External fuel drum and full sand shields are now supplied.

UPGRADED CRUISER

Moulding quality is excellent.

Bronco has followed up its initial A10 Cruiser Tank with an improved Mk.IIA / IIA CS kit. Al Bowie takes a close look.

T

he Editor reviewed the first release of Broncos A10 tank (Kit No. 35150) in an earlier issue of MMI. This review supplements that initial assessment.

Bronco was the first to market with a mainstream plastic kit in 1:35 scale of the early War British Cruiser Mk II in both the Mk II, IIA and II CS versions which was very well received. However, some obvious omissions were noted by previous reviews such as the lack of desert fittings and some minor detail errors. I am pleased to say that Bronco have been quick to address this and have released this kit labelled as a Balkans Version representing the 3 RTR vehicles that fought in the ill-fated Greek campaign.

This kit offers parts to build either an A10 M1A or an Mk 1A CS and markings for three Greek Campaign vehicles only. It should be noted that 4 of the marking options from the original kit can also be used.

The kit consists of 12 plastic sprues and 2 etched frets with 295 parts in light beige plastic (including 34 track link parts); 5 clear & 32 PE parts plus 1 decal

sheet for 3 marking options.

So what is new? Sprue F1 is major inclusion offering desert sand shields and fenders plus the large auxiliary fuel cell. The original fenders are supplied if an earlier A10 is required by the modeller without desert fittings. Bronco didn’t stop there and addressed some minor criticism of the original kit. To that end they have modified the front panel (B29) of the driver’s compartment/glacis and added the missing bolts/rivets to the driver’s hatch.

Another area where detail was missing or lacking has been rectified by the inclusion of PE plates to detail the end of the Louvre boxes and show the bolt detail. These and the brackets for them are on sheet that also includes further PE corrections in the form of a full width POL rack and suspension brackets, which are now the correct un-punched units (Part 12 & 13). The original parts are still present on Fret P and have the three holes in the top.

The decals supplied with this kit are for three vehicles that fought in the Greek Campaign and were lost there. They are all 3 RTR and in the campaign colours

of Lt Stone with an SCC2 Brown disrupter. Options are: 1. A10 Mk IA CS T9252, SHQ, C Squadron, 3rd Royal Tank Regiment, 2nd Armoured Division, Greece, April 1941.

2. A10 Mk IA, T5946, “COOL” C Squadron, 3rd Royal Tank Regiment, 2nd Armoured Division, Greece, April 1941.

3. A10 Mk IA, T5953; “Blue Eyes”, B Squadron, 3rd Royal Tank Regiment, 2nd Armoured Division, Greece, April 1941.

As noted in the introduction four schemes from the original A10 Kit 35150 can be used on this kit.

These are options 3, 4, 6 & 7.

This is the kit that the original release should have been and it begs the question, was the kit rushed to beat a competitor to market? Regardless, it and its predecessor are still excellent and very welcome release which fill an important gap in the British tank family of WWII. The kit in either the Balkan markings or the earlier kit options will make colourful addition to any collection and I for one am pleased to see these and more importantly to see the corrections and additions. Construction is not overly complex and I am waiting the time and space to finish this one.

Highly recommended. ■

New mantlet parts.

Two photo-etched frets are offered.

The second photo-etched fret.

Thanks to Bronco for the sample www.cn-bronco.com/ en/index.php Three marking schemes from 3RTR in Greece are included.

Kit decal sheet.

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KIT PREVIEW

Meng 1:35 Merkava Mk.4M Early • Kit No. TS-036

The Editor takes a look at Meng Models’ all-new 1:35 scale Merkava Mk.4M kit, and finds some interesting innovations under the lid.

4TH GEN, IDF-STYLE T

he Mark 4 is the most recent variant of the Merkava tank that has been in development since 1999 and production since 2004.

The upgrade’s development was announced in an October 1999 edition of the Bamachaneh (“At the Camp”) military publication.

However, the Merkava Mark III remained in production until 2003.

The first Merkava 4s were in production in limited numbers by the end of 2004.

The Merkava 4 has been designed for rapid repair and fast replacement of damaged armour, with modular armour that can be easily removed and replaced. It is also designed to be cost-effective in production and maintenance; its cost is lower than that of a number of other tanks used by Western armies. The engine can be replaced in field conditions within 30 minutes.

The tank has a high performance air conditioning system and can even be fitted with a toilet for long duration missions.

The Merkava Mark 4M Windbreaker is a Merkava Mark 4 equipped with the Trophy active protection system (APS), designated “Meil Ruach”. The serial production of Mark 4M tanks started in 2009 and the first whole brigade of Mark 4Ms was declared operational in 2011. The Trophy APS

successfully intercepted rocketpropelled grenades and anti-tank missiles, including 9M133 Kornets, fired by Hamas before and during Operation Protective Edge in 2014.

Not a single Merkava tank was lost in combat operations in 2008 and 2014—despite the war in 2014 being a costly one for the Israeli Defense Forces. The system also notifies the tanks crew of the location that the projectile came from, allowing them to fire back quickly. It can transmit the coordinates to nearby ground and air units through the Tzayad battlefield management system.

All friendly units in the theatre are instantly apprised of the enemy’s position making escape and evasion difficult.* Meng’s new Merkava 4M kit comprises 950 parts, including individual track links. The main kit parts are moulded in a light tan coloured plastic, while the track links are presented in plastic.

Parts are crisply moulded with sharp raised detail. The lower hull is broken down into a “flat pack” of floor, sides, front and rear. The turret also reflects the multi-part construction of the real thing.

Applique armour features recessed lines and lovely raised details including bolt heads, tie-downs and latches. Indeed, detail throughout the kit is excellent.

The road wheels are each made up from seven pieces,

including polythene caps for ease of assembly. The suspension is designed for flat ground only, as the nicely detailed springs are presented in solid plastic.

Detail parts are built up on the hull and the turret.

Also impressive is the injectionmoulded ball and chain armour hanging from the rear of the turret. Normally, ball and chain armour is presented in multimedia – often photo-etch or metal chains – resulting in complex and timeconsuming assembly. Meng has entirely bypassed any complexity by providing three simple panels of plastic balls and chains. They look very good too, and will be suitable for even less experienced modellers.

The M2 .50 cal and the loader’s MAG machine gun are very well done. Hull and turret hatches are all separate but there is no interior detail.

Vision blocks, episcopes and the panoramic sight lens are provided on a clear sprue.

The individual tracks links are supplied on black sprues for this kit.

Two marking options are offered.

Instructions are presented in a 24-page booklet across 34 steps.

Illustrations are clear, and although some of the assemblies are quite detailed, construction should not be too complicated.

The Merkava Mk.4M is a tough looking tank, and Meng Models has done a wonderful job representing its multi-faceted construction.

This is an excellent model that will be warmly welcomed by fans of modern armour.

Highly Recommended. ■

The main upper hull part.

Like the real Merkava, the kit’s turret is made up from a number of different panels.

The lower hull is made up from a separate floor and panels for the sides, front and rear.

The one-piece main gun.

Vision blocks, episcopes and the panoramic sight cover are all supplied in clear plastic.

Ball and chain armour is presented in injectionmoulded plastic – a simple and attractive solution to a sometimes complicated detailing problem.

Thanks to Meng Models for the sample www.meng-model.com Photo-etched fret. * Background adapted from Wikipedia

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Two marking options are offered on the decal sheet.

The individual tracks links are supplied on black sprues.

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

DRAGON

1:72 SCALE 10.5CM STUH.42 AUSF.E/F KIT NO. 7561 Dragon’s 1:72 scale 10.5cm StuH.42 Ausf.E/F kit is labelled as Armor Pro, but more of this later. It comes in an end opening box, which is a departure from Dragon’s usual lid and tray boxes. The box art is nicely done and shows a StuH.42 in a Panzer Grey colour scheme. On the back of the box are two possible colour schemes for the kit, one for StuG Abt. 185, Eastern Front and one for an unknown unit, Eastern Front (however it displays a Grossdeutschland Panzer Division unit marking).

The sides of the box have the usual Dragon 3D CAD images of the various parts they think are important.

Inside the box are one sprue of parts, a lower hull tub, two DS track parts with running gear cast in place and a small set of decals. Those who buy this expecting Armor Pro content will be disappointed. There is no photo-etch and the part count is approximately 25. Examining the single sprue will fetch up a lot of questions as to why this is labelled Armor Pro, I will deal with the most obvious points. You get the 10.5 cm howitzer as the main weapon, but also there is a 7.5cm KwK 40 should you change your mind and make it up as the tank hunter version. The barrel is pre-drilled so you don’t have that chore to do; however, it is just a solid lump with some detail hinted at and no opening at the sides. The rear deck is only suitable really for the F version as the E version had no raised vent covers. The vent covers are solid pieces and should really stand clear of the hatches they are on, with a slight gap all around; they also seem ‘wrong’, being a little flat and with small holes

on their tops, which I am at a loss to know what they are for. The detail on the upper hull is quite good and the hatch detail is well defined. The fume extractor on the rear of the fighting compartment is a solid cylinder with some detail on the top; it really should have a defined rim and would have benefited from a separate piece for the top of the cylinder. The gun mantlet is a single piece and just plugs into the upper hull, with previous Armor Pro kits this would have been able to elevate. There are moulded on attachment points for the towing cable, it might have been better to have the actual towing cable as a separate piece. Also on the sprue is the remaining parts to finish off the hull, they are well detailed, but simplify the construction by including detail that would be made up of several pieces in previous Armor Pro kits.

The sprocket has two parts and they have teeth only half way around the circumference, this is to facilitate the fitting of the rubber band type running gear. The idlers are a one piece casting with no central groove, again to allow the fixing of the tracks. The tracks? Well they are different. They are DS material, cast in black. They have no detail on the inside of them, save for guide teeth and these are only in places that have no running gear, there is reasonably good detail on the outside face.

The part that fits the sprocket and idler have no guide horns or locating points, you will have to be careful how you fit the tracks around these parts to ensure they are not misaligned. The road wheels are moulded direct to the track and have a vestigial groove between the two parts of each road wheel.

These are intended to fit on the lugs on the lower hull tub. The return rollers have a depression which should fit the attachment points, even though these are intended for the return rollers from previous kits which were plastic and had locating pins. The lower hull tub is from previous Armour Pro Pz.III and Stug III kits, it requires some surgery to conform to this earlier version and there is a locating mark on each side for the escape hatch, which wasn’t fitted to these vehicles and this needs to be sanded off. There are shock absorbers on the main sprue to fit to this part.

The decal sheet is small and has a minimal amount of markings, as previously mentioned there are only two vehicles represented.

As far as being an Armor Pro kit, this really isn’t, there is no photo-etch, a usual feature of this type of kit, simplified parts and low part count also disqualify it from this description. The model is not really a quick-build, although it won’t take that long to build. I can’t see it being used as a wargames kit as there are some delicate parts. I am not sure what category it fits in. Experienced modellers may wish to use it as a basis for improvement; younger modellers may find it a good starter kit.

Hard to recommend as an Armor Pro kit, has its good points, but some poor points as well.

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

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ITALERI

1:72 SCALE SD.KFZ.265 PANZERBEFEHLSWAGEN 1 AUSF. B KIT NO. 7072

This is a re-boxing of a much earlier Esci kit. It has been in the Italeri catalogue before and this is the latest version. Despite the age of the kit, it is still a nice little model and can be built up into a good representation of the type.

The box is an end opening type and has a nice piece of box-art on the front and the different colour schemes shown on the back. There are four versions represented, including an ambulance version.

Inside the box are three sprues, the two in dark grey plastic and make up the actual vehicle. These sprues are quite well detailed and despite the age of the kit’s mould there is no discernible flash present. The main sprue has the actual hull and running gear parts.

The running gear is acceptable, except for the sprocket. The sprocket is not accurate and too few teeth, this is probably a simplification by the manufacturer to allow an easier build of the running gear and tracks. The second, smaller, sprue for the vehicle has the upper hull, hatches and cupola for the Befehlswagen variant. These parts are cleanly cast and free from flash, the upper hull fits on the lower hull to create the superstructure.

The silver sprue is the link and length style track, it is not accurate to the actual vehicle and suffers because of the simplification mentioned with regard to the sprocket. That said the running gear and tracks when made up look acceptable, but if an accurate running gear and tracks are required you will have to resort to after-market items.

There is a nice decal sheet with markings for the four vehicles shown on the back of the box. The decals look in register and well printed.

It is nice to see this venerable kit being given a new lease of life; it is a nice little model and will build up into a good representation of the type.

Apart from the simplified running gear, which is the only real problem with the kit, I can recommend it. With a little extra work and detailing it can build up into a very nice representation of the vehicle type.

Recommended.

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

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Book Reviews PANTHER – PANTHER AND JAGDPANTHER UNITS PT 2 BOOKWORLD PUBLISHING ISBN: 978 – 0 - 987601384

NUTS AND BOLTS VOLUME 39 SD.KFZ.6 5 TON ZUGKRAFTWAGEN BUSSING-NAG VARIANTS

BY DR. NICOULAUS HETTLER

The latest publication from the Nuts and Bolts team covers Bussing-Nag variants of the Sd.Kfz.6 5 ton Zugkraftwagen.

The book is presented in A4 format over a hefty 228 glossy pages between soft covers. The text is delivered in both English and German, each occupying one column on every page. Captions are also bi-lingual. The detailed text commences with the history, tectnical developments and production of the vehicles, followed by organisation and structure, and modelling the Sd.Kfz. 6.

The text then gives more than 90 pages of wartime photos, with two or three larte photos to a page and all helpfully captioned. The photos are followed by 27 pages of Nuts and Bolts’ trademark excellent technical drawings of the Sd.Kfz.6 and its Bussing-Nag variants.

Next up are colour profiles and museum walkaround photos. These will be ideal for modellers looking for reference and inspiration.

This title is wrapped up with a 13 page modelling section by Tony Greenland, displaying several completed models and listing available kits and conversions in all major scales.

Nuts and Bolts Volume 39 will be a perfect one-stop reference for anyone interested in the Bussing-Nag variants of the Sd.Kfz.6, and especially for modellers wishing to build Dragon’s or Trumpeter’s 1:35 scale kits.

Highly Recommended.

Nuts and Bolts books are available online from their website www.nuts-bolts.de Brett Green

Disclaimer: In the interests of fairness, openness and objectivity the reviewer declares up front that he is a personal friend of the Author. Despite this I hope you find this a factual and objective review.

This is another excellent title in Dennis Oliver’s stable, now with Bookworld Publishing. This is a series of books aimed at the modeller/historian covering the German Tank Formations and users of World War Two, in this case, the Panther and Jagdpanther and their employment on the Eastern Front from Operation Bagration until VE day.

This title follows the format of its successors and is a great concise history of the Vehicles employment in the Eastern Europe campaign 1944-45. It covers both the Panther and the Jagdpanther Heavy Tank Destroyer units trying to stem the Soviet offensives in the closing year of the war in Europe. This title is the second instalment on the subject with the other title covering Western Europe operations of these vehicles and like other titles by the authors they really fit a lot in a small space.

The book is broken into sections as follows: • Introduction • Building the Panther Battalions • The Panther Battalions of the Heer • Vehicle Profiles • Uniform Plates • The Jagdpanther and the Jagdpanther Battalions • The Jagdpanther in panzer units This title is packed full of useful information such as listing of all units that used these vehicles on the Eastern front with time periods of deployment.

The colour plates are what we have come to expect from the Author and cover almost exclusively the Panther in a variety of the schemes carried.

Additionally excellent colour plates by Stephen Andrew of the Crew are also included.

For such a small title there is a lot of information and this is an excellent primer on the subject of units that fought on the Eastern Front and the deployment and disposition of Panthers and Jagdpanthers on the Eastern Front.

This book will appeal to fans of German armour, Eastern Front armoured warfare, modellers, wargamers and historians alike.

Modellers should find many an interesting scene to depict within its pages and information where these fought. Another great title.

Highly Recommended as are the other titles in this series.

Review Sample supplied by Bookworld Publishing.

Al Bowie

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OPERATION DYNAMO DUNKIRK 1940 MMP BOOKS COLOURING BOOK

BY DARIUSZ GRZWACK

This is a title that I never thought I’d see in my lifetime and a rather unusual but interesting one. Operation Dynamo Dunkirk 1940 is a colouring-in book!

It is a small title in a4 Portrait format and is 30 pages long. This gives 15 subjects in black line drawings for the purchaser to paint, colour in or do what they will with. It’s subjects are all loosely related to Operation Dynamo.

Specifcally, they are: • Me 109E (GER) • Char B1 (FR) • Cruiser Tank Mk 1 (UK) • Hurricane Mk 1 (UK) • Junkers Ju 87 B Stuka (GER) • Light Tank Mk VI (UK) • Panzerkampfwagen 1 (GER) • Panzerkampfwagen 1I (GER) • Panzerkampfwagen 1II (GER) • Skdfz 251 Halftrack (GER) • Somua S35 (FR) • Spitfire Mk 1 (UK) • Private Motor Yacht/Evacuation (UK) • Bedford OY 3T truck (UK) • Universal Carrier (UK) Each subject is a simple line drawing and a photo with tabular data / simple history of the subject.

It is hard to know who to recommend this to but it would fantastic for children who are getting into modelling or history. The author and publisher do a similar title on Classic Fighters which may appeal to aircraft enthusiasts.

Recommended to the above audiences.

Thanks to MMP Books for the sample www.mmpbooks.biz Al Bowie

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18/04/2018 11:21

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

I THINK I NEED AN ASPIRIN AND A GOOD LIE DOWN! B

ack in the day I was attracted to 1:48 scale because it offered me a size that I could detail easily and quickly.

That was the premise for getting started and any of you who have noticed my builds over the last couple of years will no doubt be aware that I like a bit of detailing - a bit of photo-etch here and a bit of plastic card there combined with a couple of re-paints later and there you go, job done!

So why do my current builds take so long? In part, it’s my house renovations that I’m up to my neck in, but it’s more than that. I have come to admire the work of a local modeler that lives relatively close to me and he is the type of guy that does almost anything. Aircraft, figures, ships, dioramas, the dude can do them all and really, really well (don’t ya just hate people like that!). It’s not normal I tells ya!

Anyway, the problem for him - as it is for me is he is idea rich but very time poor. Now, his psychology is “slowness is goodness” as he likes to research and get everything to look right.

I’ve tried this on my current build and I have to tell you, it just does not work for me! Talk about slow.

Ten months on one model, my goodness, are you serious!

Yes, I know in reality I’ve only really spent around a month on the project altogether. But my patience was wearing a tad thin by the end of it!

I kept on telling myself that this was the correct approach but on the other side I kept on hearing, “are we there yet?

I’m here to tell you right now readers, my next build will be straight from the box! Well, I may add a bit of plastic card and a little bit of etch, maybe scratch build a figure or two… oh for goodness sake what am I saying?

I think I need an aspirin and a nice lie down.

Until next time!

Luke Pitt

SCALE 75

WAR FRONT SERIES 1:48 SCALE U.S. ARMY ETO ITEM NO. SW48-004 If you want the best 1:48 scale WWII US resin figures on the market today, get these! Big words you might say? But people, they really are that good!

The set comprises two figures that are quite frankly flawless in their execution The have the correct bulk, facial detail, fabric folds and the figures hands grip the weapons the way they should. Not only that but the weapons straps are also included and look outstanding. I’ve been told that these are 3D rendering of real people and it shows.

Andrea has done a similar thing with their 1:48 scale 3D

scans but theirs are in white metal. These are all resin which means you can modify them easily.

I have to say this again - if you have a love of accurate figures in 1:48 scale then these are without a doubt the best around, you would be crazy not to buy them!

Our thanks go out to Scale 75 for providing the review sample. They can be purchased from their web shop on the following address: http://scale75.com Highly Recommended.

Luke Pitt

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An Interview with Mr Felipe Moreno from Scale 75 I have been greatly impressed with the new range of 48 figures from Scale 75. I have reviewed their third set this month and I’m sure from the pictures you too are impressed.

Make no mistake, these are top shelf figures at a very reasonable price. It is therefore pleasing to have Felipe join us for an interview this month.

THE INTERVIEW Luke:

Welcome Felipe. Can you tell our readers when and how "Scale 75" was formed?

Felipe:

Scale75 was formed in mid-2010 with the intention of carving a small niche in the hobby world and is specialized since the beginning in 75mm figures.

Throughout these years in addition to expanding the ranges of figures to other scales, it has introduced other product lines such as paints and modelling complements.

We have even developed and marketed a number of board games and war games, which are very successful.

Currently Scale75 have a large staff that deals with giving shape to all the projects we develop in the company and many others that we develop for other companies that demand our services, such as modelling, painting, production and even design and creation.

Luke:

Interesting. It's always good to see another manufacturer of high quality 1:48 scale figures.

Can you tell us what motivated you to start this 1:48 scale range?

Felipe:

We believe that it is necessary for modellers to have a brand that covers their needs and in the most scales available today, so we decided to expand our catalogue, both in 1:48 and in 1:72 scales. In both scales there is a lot on offer in terms of vehicles, but there is not a great deal of range in terms of figures. As we make our sculpts via a computer in a 3D format it is very easy for us to recreate different scales of the same model. In addition, we have always thought that the figures, even if they are on such small scales, must be well proportioned and balanced in terms of details. Our psychology is, because they are small does not mean they should lack detail.

Luke:

Can you tell our readers the process you go through, in a step by step fashion, to produce a figure?

Felipe:

First of all we decided what figure we want to represent, what kind of character, the pose, the environment in which he lived ... Let's say we go into the story of the character. We document and perform a more or less descriptive "concept" or in recent times we even scan actual uniformed characters to achieve even greater realism.

From the concept or the scan itself, our 3D sculptors shape and adapt the details. Once we have a definitive figure, it is prepared to be able to produce it (cutting of the different elements, keys ...) and we print a master on one of our 3D printers. The next step is the production of copies for sale to our customers. To this we add the work of the

OKB GRIGOROV

1:48 SCALE TRACKS AND UPDATES FOR TIGER I ITEM NO. S48049

Unlike our 1:35 scale brethren, the 1:48 scale community doesn’t really have a lot of choice of aftermarket track replacements. OKB Grigorov have been serving our smaller “Braille scale” community for years and come highly recommended for their accuracy and outstanding casting.

The set up for review this month are for the Tiger I. This set will fit either the AFV (nee Skybow) kit or the various Tamiya kits based on the Tiger I chassis. Six very well cast track sections are included, each at 9.5 cm in length, that contain 35 track links and unlike the other sets I review by this manufacturer, 12 individual tracks are included to fit if desired around the front and rear sprockets. The method of bending the tracks can be accomplished by either the hair dryer or hot water methods..

The guide horns are hollow, which is correct, and the detail is simply outstanding. This update may be purchased directly from their web site on the following web site www.okbgrigorox.com Highly recommended.

Luke Pitt

Department of Design and Production for all the graphic part of the packaging and we have an extraordinary figure ready to enjoy.

Luke:

Is your sculpting done in house or outsourced?

Felipe:

We use both options. We must have a team on staff for the day to day running of the firm but we like to have artists from outside that enrich our work and give variety to the styles of modelling.

Luke:

I see a lot of figure manufacturing using 3D scanning techniques. Do you use this process?

Felipe:

Yes of course. We have that technology and we get real wonders.

Luke:

Can you explain the process and what steps are involved to produce a figure this way?

Felipe:

Once the character is decided, the first thing is to look for a good mannequin. We have a real waiting list to pose. Once we have the right person in terms of dimensions and features we equip them with the uniform and the hard elements to pose. In many cases and depending on the time of history it is difficult to find all the elements but we have a department that deals thoroughly with getting closer to reality. The vast majority of the time we contact collectors who gladly donate their collection uniforms to pose, with which we ensure accurately, the veracity of the equipment.

Once the person is dressed, we pose and scan him in a very simple and fast way.

The file that comes out of that scan must be worked on later to adapt the details to the size of the figures and even to model some element that could not be scanned.

Once the file is viable, we proceed to print it and manufacture it as we have said before.

This process, besides being a great advance to achieve great realism in the figures, is super fun and enjoyable. In addition we are already scanning people who dressed in any clothing decide to become a "mini-me". Are you interested?

Luke:

Do you have any plans to expand the 1:48 scale range and if so, what other countries would you focus on?

Felipe:

Of course! It is a range that is in need of good figures. We want to continue advancing in the different armies of the WWII and reach other conflicts of the 20th and 21st century.

Luke:

Thank you for joining us this month. I wish you and your firm every success

Felipe:

Thanks Luke! Greetings to your readers!

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

Tel: 01299 823 330 Fax:01299 829 970

Unit 10, Hodfar Road, Sandy lane Ind Estate, Stourport On Severn, Worcestershire, DY13 9QB

PARABELLUM

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1/48 website: www.parabellum.co.uk

email: sales@ parabellum.co.uk

MASTERCARD/VISA

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PLASTIC MODEL KITS, NEW, SECOND-HAND, AND DISCONTINUED. BOOKS AND ACCESSORIES.

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modelsforsale.com TEL: 01933 622654 SALES@MODELSFORSALE.COM

UNIT 3 DEAN CLOSE - RAUNDS - NORTHANTS NN9 6BD

Tel: 0208 205 6697 Fax: 01502 500521 Unit 2, Hurricane Trading Estate, Grahame Park Way, Colindale, NW9 5QW NO1 IN EUROPE FOR PLASTIC KITS AND ACCESSORIES INCLUDING THE FULL RANGE OF TAMIYA (NOT RC)

email: sales@hannants.co.uk

1/2 MILE FROM RAF MUSEUM

www.hannants.co.uk

MASTERCARD/VISA/SWITCH

ADVERTISE ON THIS PAGE! IF YOU ARE READING THIS THEN SO ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS. FOR INFORMATION, CALL SEAN ON 01525 222573 OR 07787 484640 SEAN@DOOLITTLEMEDIA.COM

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www.missing-lynx.com www.hyperscale.com p 62 Buyers Guide 146.indd 62

18/04/2018 11:28

AVAILABLE in the ‘HOW TO BUILD...’ series NEW How to Build The Steel Wheeled Tiger I A New and revised edition of the ultimate guide to building the Tiger I Steel Wheeled version by Angus Creighton.

The new revised edition includes: ■ Early-batch Sturmtiger, using Tamiya’s 1:35 kit with factory zimmerit, ModelKasten battle-tracks ■ Late-batch Sturmtiger, using Tamiya’s 1:35 kit, Dragon late pattern road wheels, extra frontal armour, no zimmerit, ModelKasten battle-tracks ■ Dragon’s 1:35 Tiger I (SPzAbt 510 194445), ModelKasten transport tracks ■ and more...

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www.doolittlemedia.comwww.doolittlemedia.comwww.doolittlemedia.com p 63 TigerSteel Book 146.indd 8

18/04/2018 11:29

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

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

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/

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

ORDNANCE MODELS

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

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

HUSSAR PRODUCTIONS, CANADA www.airconnection.on.ca

ICM

Via Hannants in UK

(ETCHMATE, GRABHANDLER, MICRO CHISEL)

HANNANTS

BOOKWORLD WHOLESALE

CALIBRE 35

MISSION MODELS

MONROE PERDU

BLAST MODELS

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

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

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

IAN ALLAN

Via AFV Modeller or www.blast-models.com

MILICAST MODEL CO.,

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

Tel/fax; (+38044) 369-54-12 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

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

MDC

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

MODELING ARTISAN MORI

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

MIG PRODUCTIONS (Creative Models in UK)

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

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

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

PANZERWRECKS

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

PARAGRAFIX

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

PLUS MODEL

(Creative Models in UK)

SCHIFFER BOOKS

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

SCHIFFER BOOKS in UK

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

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

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

SQUADRON

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

SWANN-MORTON

Owlerton Green, Sheffield, S6 2BJ Tel; +44 (0)114 234 4231 Fax; +44 (0)114 231 4966 General: 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

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

TRUMPETER

POCKETBOND

VERLINDEN PRODUCTIONS

(Trumpeter & AFV Club in UK)

Bachmann Europe PLC Moat Way, Barwell, Leics, LE9 8EY Tel; 01455 841756 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 Orchard Mews, 18C High Street, Tring, Herts, HP23 5AH Tel; +44 (0) 1442 890285 www.revell.eu

SB MODELS

UK distributor for Model Victoria and Royal Model

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

SBLC

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

SBX MODEL SHOP

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

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

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

VALLEJO

(Creative Models in UK)

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

VLS CORPORATION (LSA in UK)

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

WHITE ENSIGN MODELS (Toms Model Works)

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64 Model Military International - June 2018

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Next Issue On sale 7 June 2018

MID-SCALE CHURCHILL

The Editor builds Tamiya’s brand new 1:48 scale Churchill Crocodile; accompanied

by Part One of a detailed Think Tank reference series by Bruce Culver

ISSUE No.146 June 2018, Published 3rd May 2018 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 MMI Website;

Doolittle Media Web Team

Printed by; Buxton Press Ltd. 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; Doolittle Media, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX UK www.modelmilitary.com Tel; +44 (0)1525 222573 Email; enquiries@doolittlemedia.com

ISU-122

Javier Redondo converts Tamiya’s 1:35 scale ISU-152 into an ISU-122

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

CLASSIC CAT

Reproduction in part of any text, photograph, or illustration without written consent from the publisher is strictly prohibited. While due care is taken to ensure the contents of Model Military International is accurate, the publishers and printers can not accept responsibility for errors and omissions.

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

Subscription rates are; 1 year (12 issues); £47 UK £59 Europe £72 Worldwide (Airmail)

FOR YOUR SAFETY 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!

DISK CAMO – STEP BY STEP Tech Guide by Clayton Ockerby

p 64-65 Contact NI 146B 65

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.

...and much more!

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

© Doolittle Media 2018

The paper used on this title is from sustainable forestry

Order online now at; www.modelmilitary.com

Subscription enquiries; Tel; +44 (0)1525 222573 Email; enquiries@doolittlemedia.com

John Bonanni adds loads of aftermarket to bring Tamiya’s 1:35 scale venerable Tiger I up to spec

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The Last Post...

NEW COMBAT RECONNAISSANCE VEHICLE FOR AUSTRALIA T

he Australian Government has announced that the next generation of Army’s combat reconnaissance vehicles will be built by Rheinmetall.

The armoured vehicles will deliver improved firepower, protection, mobility and communication systems to ensure our soldiers can fight, win and survive while operating in an ever-changing threat environment.

Army’s next generation of fighting vehicle will be more capable than any other vehicle Army has operated. These vehicles will have digital warfare and information networking capabilities that will provide operational commanders with advanced knowledge and understanding of the battlefield.

This bigger and better protected armoured fighting vehicle will provide Australian troops with increased firepower and protection on the battlefield in the decades ahead.

The Department of Defence completed a comprehensive tender process over three years, during which the vehicles were rigorously and extensively tested across Australia.

The process was designed to secure the best outcome for Defence. Rheinmetall’s Boxer was assessed as the most capable vehicle for Australia.

As part of the LAND 400 Phase 2 project, Rheinmetall will deliver 211 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles with the first vehicles ready for training in 2020.

Rheinmetall’s Boxer will replace Army’s current reconnaissance vehicle, the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) that has been in service since 1996 and seen extensive operational service. ■

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Sign Up to our Newsletter on www.hobbyco.net Find us on facebook search Plastic Kit UK

D6900

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

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