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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021
Vol 51 Iss 606 £4.95
Printed in UK
editorial
Contents

Telford Time!
encouraging, and I am sure

I
am sure that the hot topic
on modellers lips of late has we wish the organisers the
been the great news that IPMS very best as they prepare for what
Scale Modelworld will in fact is essentially the highlight of many a modellers
Produced by Triple Six Media Limited Under Licence
PO Box 1592, Bedford,
be taking place at the Telford International year! I know, having had the pleasure of visiting
Bedfordshire, UK. MK40 9FD Centre over the weekend of the 13th and a couple of shows myself this year, just how
Telephone: +44 (0)1234 331431 14th of November. Just how this year’s show good it feels to be back browsing the wares of
Email: info@modelaircraftmag.com will look is something of an unknown at this the traders, and parting with some hard-earned
Publisher Triple Six Media Limited time, as ultimately the IPMS committee have cash, meeting up with old friends and chatting
Group Editor Andy Evans said that they will be guided by whatever about sticking bits of plastic, resin and etch
Associate Editor Andy Renshaw Covid restrictions are in place at the time, but together! Of course, with Scale Modelworld
Design and Layout Jonathan Phillips
Editorial Consultant (UK): Jezz Coleman
at this stage in the proceedings they have now being back on the agenda, I will now have
Editorial Consultant (EUROPE) Vitor Costa sufficient confidence to commit to the event. rethink the list of kits and accessories I need
However, there are still a lot of decisions to be and see what my wallet thinks of it! So, what
Contributors made about how the show will operate and have we in store this month? Well as always,
Matt Edwards; Kevin Potts; Robert Stinchcombe;
Tom Primett; Christiano Couto; Alan Harper; Ray Deakin they will be issuing updates on a regular basis we have a wealth of features, backed up with
over the next couple of months. Just how the our unrivalled news sections, which cover
Commercial Manager Mark Willey virus will be having an impact on our lives all the bases of our hobby. Look out for Matt
mark@modelaircraftmag.com +44 (0)1234 331431
Pre-press Production Triple Six Media Limited
and ultimately planned events such as Scale Edwards superb ‘Big Shot’ Marder and our look
Printed and Bound in the UK Modelworld during the beginning of the winter at something a little different with the ‘Topol’
months will no doubt have a direct bearing Ballistic Missile, a giant, even in 1:72! We also
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media outlets about how traders, you enjoy what we have to offer, and
North American Distribution by Disticor from both the UK and overseas are all that remains for me to say is...
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feeling about the show, attending or
not as the case may be. Nevertheless, Stay Safe and Happy Modelling
Thanks to the following for their contributions: for modellers the mere fact that the
Alina Rizhko (MiniArt)
Stewart and Clair White (Creative Models)
IPMS committee has sought to go Andy
Peter Binger (Hobby Company) ahead with the event is in itself really Editor
John Bristow (Deluxe Materials)

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45 figures in focus
Worldwide news and products.
Scale Models International,
Volume 51 Issue 606, October/November 2021
(ISSN 1475-3391) published monthly by Triple Six Media
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www.modelaircraftmag.com 51 book reviews


We take a look at books received for
review from various publishers
The paper used in this magazine is made from timber
sourced from sustainable managed forests; the pulp

60maintenance manual 40 MAFVA Report


is ECF (elemental chlorine free); the manufacturing
mill is accredited with ISO14001 and EMAS for their
environmental controls. The Carl-Gustaf Recoilless Rifle 53 IPMS UK
81 Shop and Web Guides
82 And Finally...

4 SCALEMilitary
Scale MILITARY MODELLER
Modeller INTERNATIONAL
International January 2016
contents
V 51 I 606 – October/November 2021

26 ASSAULT TIGER
The Big Build
Kevin Potts builds the 1:35 Tamiya ‘Sturmtiger’ as see in in late 1944

06 BIG SHOT
Sd.Kfz.135 Jagdpanzer Marder I 16 IF I WERE A RICH MAN
SS-25 ‘Topol’ Ballistic Missile Launcher Conversion 20 PLAYBOY M48A3
1:35 Tamiya kit with Legend Productions Sandbag Armour

25 EDUARD
Best Brass Around!
IDF Shot Kal for Amusing Hobby 1:35
www.eduard.com

54 RAMMING HIT
Magach 6B Gal Batash 66 RENAULT R35 LIGHT TANK 72 SCREAMING EAGLE
A Diminutive French Fighter 200mm CGS Military Figures Bust

76 ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY
Robert Stinchcombe builds
the 1:35 ICM Le.gl.Einhetz-Pk.Kfw.4 AA

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM
WWW.SAMPUBLICATIONS.COM 5
marder 1
Scale 1:35 / Big Shot

Big Shot tamiya


MATT EDWARDS BUILDS THE 1:35 TAMIYA SD.KFZ.135 JAGDPANZER MARDER I
a much larger one, I was pleased to see There were two small booklets inside,

I
was quite excited when the kit nicely laid out on the sprues in one printed on paper in the normal
getting my hands on the the usual Tamiya orange yellow plastic. way and in black and white which deals
latest AFV from Tamiya. All of the detail was nice and crisp, and with construction and a very nice glossy
The images I had seen of the tracks are of the link and length printed one which deals with colour
this particular model on the internet type and very nice to, as with every schemes of which there
looked good, as did the poses of the kit some parts could do with a little are three and the
figures included. So, on opening the attention but more on that later. As I decals as you would
quite small box, as opposed to the said above the figures do look good expect correspond
Panda Hobby version which comes in and they are getting better at these. to these and

Sd.Kfz.135 Jagdpanzer Marder I


Manufacturer: Tamiya
Scale: 1:35
Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded
Kit Number: 35370

6 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


RESEARCH big shot
The Marder I ‘Marten’ (Sd.Kfz. 135) Sd.Kfz.135 Jagdpanzer Marder I
was a German World War II tank
destroyer, armed with a 75 mm
PaK-40 anti-tank gun. Most Marder
Is were built on the base of the
Tracteur Blindé 37L (Lorraine), a
French artillery tractor/armoured
personnel carrier of which the
Germans had acquired more
than three hundred after the Fall
of France in 1940. The Marder I
was developed in May 1942 by
Major Alfred Becker. It carried the
75 mm PaK 40 anti-tank gun on a
Lorraine chassis. As the gun was
relatively large, the original crew
compartment superstructure
was removed to create the space
needed to work the gun. This was
done at Baustokommando Becker.
The gun was then mounted atop
the chassis.

The rear of model


and note the extra
detail

are also nicely rendered. There are


also some very nice images of the
real vehicle in a museum in France
I believe, and will no doubt be
helpful whether you have limited
references or not, there is also a
short history of its conception
and use. So, once all that had
been checked out, I began
to put her together.
As is my normal
practice I’ll go through
each stage and speak
about any issues or
what I did during
the build, so stage 1
is simple enough and
guides you through the
lower belly plate and rear
floor of the crew compartment.
Now would be a good time to add
some treat plate to the floor and I
understand there are now some etch
sets out there featuring this. I used
some from my spares and just cut and
trimmed it to shape. I understand that
Tamiya have based there’s on the one
in the museum which has no tread
plate something I find a bit odd as even
with tread plate it’s easy to slip around TAMIYA HAS
inside a vehicle so without it must be a
nightmare! So probably an addition long
PRODUCED A
after the war then. Stage 2 deals with the LOVELY KIT OF
lower hull side plates and there are a few
punch-out marks to deal with on parts
THIS LITTLE
B10/16 but nothing major. Stages 3-4 FIGHTING
guide you through the front final drive
and attachment of the lower suspension VEHICLE, AND
arms and rear trach tensioning points.
Stage 5 I needed to add a little filler to
EVERYTHING
the rear towing mount and hook and FITTED
then blended this with some Humbrol
liquid polly.
NICELY WITH
Stage 6 concerns the building of NO MAJOR
the sprockets and rear idler. I found the
detail on the sprocket hub a bit soft HEADACHES
compared to the Panda one but not

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 7
marder 1
Scale 1:35 / Big Shot

The front, and


again note
the enhanced
detail

The model now primed

eye from plastic rod. Stage 13 I thinned


out the edges of the front mud guards
A pre-shade and base on part C13 in stage 13 just to give them
coat applied a more in-scale appearance. Now on
part C12 which is the upper part of the
hull and has the cooling fans there has
been some discussion on whether the
grills are facing the right way? I have
looked at all the available photos I could
find, and I believe they are so let them
be and only thinned them slightly with
a scalpel blade. The edges of this part I
have read should overhang by a few mils
the sides of the hull, but I really wasn’t
too fussed about that and its hardly
noticeable at all. Stage 14 shows where
these parts are located on the model, I
it just meant I swapped each set over didn’t glue these just yet as the side of
for the opposite side and with a little bit the hull are to be added next in stage
of care all went on quite well. Stage 12 15 and wanted to make sure everything
shows how to add the top inner plate mated up before running some thin
and upper ammo rack with support. Tamiya glue along the joints. I replace
I replace the support with one made the front handle of the driver’s plate in
from plastic card as I just thought the kit stage 16 with one made from copper
one was a little thick. I also used some wire as well as adding a strap to the tool
outrageously so and thought it’ll be lead fishing wire to add some electrical part D82.The exhaust wasn’t hollowed
fine once painted etc. The road wheels, conduit to the lower inner edge of the out as I usually don as it will be pretty
leaf springs and top return rollers all get crew compartment and made a fixing well hidden once in place so once set,
built in stages 7-8 and I must say are
lovely and the detail is first class I only
removed a few mold seams from parts
D8/D11 and make sure to note direction
as pointed out in these stages for which
way the wheels are to face. Stage 9-10
just show how to attach all these items
and a few small wheels to the lower
hull, but you may want to leave these
off until later so as to paint and weather
them separately. Stage 11 now the
tracks are lovely but, the instructions
show you to mount them on backwards
as per the one in the museum, now I
have seen photos of war time Marder’s
with them on this way so it’s your
choice, but I decided to mount them
the correct way which wasn’t a hassle, The camouflage being added

8 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


big shot
Sd.Kfz.135 Jagdpanzer Marder I

Overspray was used to subdue the colours The ammunition tubes painted and note the flooring

Base colours added to


the ammunition
Filter dots being blended in

I then carried on with stage 17. I’m not to make sure everything fitted nicely. In
sure how the spare tracks are secured this stage you also attach the rear wall of
onto the front of the vehicle and did try the fighting compartment and this part
looking at others to see but in the end has a few things to be dealt with. There
added a few scrap bits of etch to where I are some knock out marks as well as a
thought they would be placed to secure couple of odd circular bumps and need
them. I added a plastic wingnut to the to be removed and sanded smooth, this
track tensioning tool and then went on wasn’t bad, and I guess were just part of
to thin the edges of the exhaust shroud the molding process. The side and rear
part B14. walls are not too thin, and I don’t think
In stage 18 you are shown how to needed thinning down even more so
assemble the radio and its mount. maybe the bumps were to help with
I thinned parts B8 down a little and that process?
removed the moulded-on side detail of The decals were pressed into place In stage 22 the rear towing shackles
the radio adding my own from spares. can be added, there is no tow cable so
The wires were added to the radio fitting of the inner support walls parts you may want to add one yourself. The
and junction box by using the fishing A26 was a little tight so just be aware of step is also attached in this stage and I
wire again and I also added a headset this and you may want to dry fit them did thin this using a file and scalpel but
utilising more spares and two plastic first. In stage 19 I added a few etched be careful not to knock this off so you
discs I punced out from some card. The catches to the equipment tubes and may want to set it aside to then add it
hollowed out part B10 and then added after painting and weathering. Stages
a few plastic rods into this as per I had 23-25 directs where to attach all of the
seen in a war time photo. I also attached tools which all got wing nuts added
an MP40 machine pistol as per a photo to secure them, the handles on the
I had seen to part C3 and made the engine grills were again replaced with
attachment from some scrap etch. The copper wire ones. Part D7 which is the
ammunition and how to mount it is now horn guard was thinned a little before
dealt with in stage 20, but I left this out mounting as was the gun travel lock
only wanting to use four of these which and a hole drilled in the top and then
are quite adequate if mounted under the edges squared of and a handle
the gun, so the rest went into the spares attached as per the real vehicle. The
box. The side supports are also mounted supports for the travel lock were also
at this stage and I only tacked these thinned but they were a little trickier to
on as the upper side walls are to be do so if attempting this be careful not
A wash applied mounted next in stage 21 and I wanted to break them.

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 9
marder 1
Scale 1:35 / Big Shot

A wash was added


on the engine deck

The wash cleaned up


on the upper hull

marks on it’s rear that were a bit


of a pain to fill then sand smooth,
what was also a pain was the fact that
Tamiya have decided not to add any
of the bolt, hinges or latch detail on
the rear either. So, using my references
and a couple of photos sent to me by
little putty used on the breechblock a fellow modeller I then started to do
hosing and around the muzzle break my best to replicate all this using plastic
and once dry all sanded smooth. The rod stretch sprue and scrap plastic card.
Stages 26 through to 31 deal with the barrel is a plastic one-piece affair but Once all the detail had set, I then lightly
main armament along with its cradle/ after a little sanding looked quite well sanded it all to match, and cut the detail
slide and supports. The cradle comes in done once mounted. There were a few into the hinges with a scalpel. The gun
two parts, so you’ll need to deal with the seams to remove on the support arms was now added into the shield and it
seam. I added some putty to the front but nothing horrendous and once all was then on to add some ammunition
seam and laid in a small piece of plastic assembled the gun was put aside to dry. cannisters I had bought into the rear
at the rear and blended the edges as Now the front of the guns shield is next and side racks. The covers were made
per the towing hook earlier. There was in stage 32 and has a few punches out from putty and left to set. The cam net

A wash being added to the running gear A light dry brushing added using oils Sponge chipping being applied

Using the edge of a brush to add wear Light scratches being applied Speckling on some dark splashes

1 0 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


big shot
Sd.Kfz.135 Jagdpanzer Marder I

Dark scratches being painted on Heavy worn effects being applied Oils being applied using the edge of a brush

Blending in the oils Here you can see the effects of the blending The camouflage net painted

The sight painted and note its now hollowed out Stippling on some rust An oil wash being applied to the side

was an aftermarket item which was then washed in some detergent to just put on. I then lightened this with a
laid in place and fixed by coating in remove any dust and she was the left little white picking out areas that may
some PVA glue which would then dry aside to dry. After drying I used a can catch the light but not over doing it.
overnight. The final additions were to of car primer to spray a thin coat which The camouflage colours were next and
add more prominent weld beads to does help in the following painting again I used AK real colours this time
the model as looking on the ones in stages especially when painting over adding olive green first and then the red
photos there are quite noticeable. So, etch parts and also shows up any areas brown both in fairly thin stripes as per
I took some very thin plastic rod, laid that you may need to deal with such as a the one depicted on the box top, but I
this along the kits welds and just ran missed moulding seam. was trying to depict mine as a vehicle
thin liquid glue over it and when dry cut I wanted the vehicle to look quite from the same unit just to make it a little
any overhang off and carried on until worn and grubby so to start with I different. Once these colours had dried,
happy with the look. To add the weld sprayed on a thin coat of German cam I then dulled them down a little with a
marks, I again added some cement and black brown from the Vallejo model very fine mist coat of the base colour
pressed in the tip of a warm needle. air into all of the recesses and along heavily thinned with AK thinner.
The tie downs along the top of each panel lines as well as along the top of The filter was next and for this I used
side and rear were cut off and replaced the fighting compartments side walls several dots of white, buff and yellow
with etched ones and the rear handle and around the edges of the gun shield. ochre oil paint and with a soft flat
replaced with a copper one and that Over this I then misted several coats brush dampened with enamel thinners
was her built. A quick check that I hadn’t of AK real colours dunkelgelb making blended these onto horizontal surfaces
missed anything, and the model was sure not to blot out the pre shade I had but dragged them down along the

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 1 1
marder 1
Scale 1:35 / Big Shot

Speckling stains on the running gear Dragging down some dark runs A dust wash being added to the jack

Adding wear to the breech block The rubber on the wheels being picked out A rust wash being applied to the tracks

Here you can see the dust spots before blending Blending in the dust effects

Oils were used vehicle’s sides, this helped with adding decals, I first painted the area in some and thinners. Again, the model needs
to pick out the several tones to the underlying colours Tamiya Mark decal fixer, placed the decal to dry before moving on to the next
detail on the as well as looking like dust staining where it needed to be and then pressed stages. Which were applying several fine
camouflage
along the upper sides of the model. The it down with a cotton bud. Once all of mists of AK Interactive Matt and using
net
ammunition tubes were now painted in the decals were in place and set, I then a hair dryer to speed up this process
some Vallejo Buff just to vary the colours brushed on some acrylic gloss with a but keep it on a low setting. The radio
and the cam net was painted in some wide brush in downward strokes just to was then picked out in some Field Grey,
Humbrol 155; the kit was then set aside seal them and hide any film that was still given a dark grey wash and then all of
to dry. The next day I applied two thin visible. I now used Ammo by MiG Wash the dials and switches picked out in their
coats of Humbrol gloss clear again with for Dark yellow German Vehicles and appropriate colours which are mainly off
my airbrush, this helps protect the paint applied this with a pointed brush around whites and greys. The camouflage net
underneath in the next weathering all of the bolt detail of which there is a received a very dark green wash using
stages as well as helps in the application lot as well as all other raised detail along the Humbrol colour and some black
of the decals and helps to hide the film with the panel lines etc. I used some heavily thinned and once dry the texture
around each one. Once the varnish had Ammo by MiG oil brusher Starship Filth, was brought out by dry brushing it with
dried, I then added the decals and used thinned with enamel thinners and used some oils mixed to show the weave but
the kits as well as some from the spares this to wash the ammunition tubes. After don’t make the colour too light when
box just as I said earlier to depict another about ten minutes any unwanted wash doing this, I tend to use buff oils to
vehicle from the same unit. To apply the was then removed with a clean brush lighten not white.

1 2 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


big shot
Sd.Kfz.135 Jagdpanzer Marder I

Here you can see the results of the dust blending Oils were used to pick out these details

Graphite was used on the tools Graphite being added to rear of the gun

I then dry brushed the whole kit in a The light chipping and scratches were dark scratches were next, and I went
base colour mixed from oils using Yellow next and for this I used some Vallejo very lightly on the top of the vehicle and
Ochre, White, a dot of Van Dyke Brown Buff, Pale Sand, Dark Sand, German quite heavy around the lower running
and an even smaller dot of Prussian Blue. Camouflage Beige and White. I use a gear and the rear of the gun breach. I
I then took most of this paint off my very finely pointed brush and some torn also used some Wilder
flat brush before very lightly running it off kitchen sponge to apply these and Black Brown oil
over the raised detail I wanted to pick make sure to keep these effects logical paint to add more
out. The next day it was time to add the such as around hatches and along scratches and
chipping and scratches and to start with running gear although other areas do ran this along
I speckled on a very dark acrylic brown get scuffed etc but try not the edges
but kept it mainly on the lower parts to over do it in on these
of the model and the speckles need to parts. Then the final
be quite small, don’t overdo this effect.

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 1 3
marder 1
Scale 1:35 / Big Shot

of panels and the top of the fighting picked out in Vallejo and AK Interactive
compartment with the side of my brush. wood colours then brown oils added,
Whilst all that was drying, I painted which was then run along them until I
the exhaust in some Lifecolor Light Rust was happy with the worn look. All of the
then gave it a wash using some Burnt straps were painted in acrylic browns
Sienna oil paint and then dotted the oil and then oils used just to make them
paint onto the top of the exhaust shroud stand out a little, the buckles were also
and with a stiff brush stubbed it in to in oils using the Wilder paint from earlier.
represent a little rust that had started to To add the dark runs and stains I
appear. I also added a little darker brown applied some very small dots of sepia
and did the same around the edges and Vandyke brown oil paint then using
and dragged it downwards along the the soft flat brush dampened in thinners
middle just as a point of interest, I also dragged then very lightly dragged the
added a small rust streak to the large brush down. I used the same method for
scratch on the drivers hatch but faded the very light dust streaks using buff oil
it out more. The metal parts of the tools paint but make sure the previous effects
were all painted in Vallejo German Grey are dry or you’ll lose them. The buff oils
and then highlighted with this colour were also painted and blended onto the
lightened with some pale sand. The
wooden parts of the tools and
barrel cleaning rods were

1 4 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


big shot
Sd.Kfz.135 Jagdpanzer Marder I
flat areas just to give the appearance of now set aside so all of these effects could hull. The ammunition had been sprayed
some collected dust. The covers for the thoroughly dry before applying the next in dark brown and dry brushed in some
ammunition tubes got a base coat of stages and these were picking out all of AK Interactive Brass oil colour the heads
Vallejo field grey before adding oils of the bolts, hinges, handles and latches in were then painted black and when dry
the same colour and then adding the oils that I had mixed to match the colours a dark brown wash added and blended
shadows and highlighting in buff using a underneath and again once dry a dust away before they were mounted under
very soft brush. The rear convoy light was wash was painted onto the tracks and the gun in their rack. Some aftermarket
painted using some Tamiya clear green around all of the running gear some of grass was trimmed and along with some
and any over paint was easily painted which was removed with a clean brush leaves and pigment this was all added
over in a touch of Vallejo khaki grey. The from the surfaces of the wheels where inside the fighting compartment and
tracks were painted in Vallejo German it would meet the track. Abteilung 502 here and there around the model. The
Camouflage Black Brown and the rubber Engine Grease oil paint was then added final effects were to use some graphite
on the wheels in their German Grey, then to represent fuel and other staining pencils and powder to add metal effects
a very light rust wash layered on using inside the fighting compartment as well to the tracks, gun slide, edges of the
the Lifecolor Rust from earlier but heavily as on the engine panels. Ammo by MiG fighting compartment and tools. Black
thinned with water. Some dark grey and Wet Effects were also used to enhance pigment was used on the muzzle break
browns were now mixed using oils and the stains as well as some rain marks on and on the exhaust shroud but very
with a very gentle dry brushing motion the gun shield and sides of the upper lightly so as not to over do it. Lastly, I
the tread plate and areas of high were added one of the Tamiya figures only
now picked out on the floor but build replacing his head with a Hornet resin
this up in stages and think of where the one which has a little better definition.
gun crew will stand. The guns sight was He had been painted in acrylics and dry
hollowed out a little before painting in brushed in oils, his collar insignia came
some Vallejo German Grey and then a from a Tamiya set and is very nicely done,
black oil wash was run over it. The breech and that was that, finished!
block was first given a coat of Humbrol Tamiya has produced a lovely kit of
steel and then a very dark grey wash just this little fighting vehicle, and everything
to enhance the detail. The model was fitted nicely with no major headaches.
The track issue isn’t that big a deal really
but it’s a shame there isn’t any detail on
the rear of the gun shield.

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 1 5
topol
Scale 1:72 / Ballistic Missile Launcher

If I Were a Rich Man


RAY DEAKIN TAKES THE 1:72 ZVEZDA SS-25 ‘TOPOL’ BALLISTIC MISSILE LAUNCHER AND TURNS IT INTO A START-1
VERSION USING AN LVM STUDIOS KIT.
zvezda

T
he SS-25 ‘Topol’ is an
Intercontinental Ballistic
Missile Launcher based on a
MAZ-7917 Heavy Duty Seven-
Axle Truck and is currently one of Russia’s
main strategic nuclear deterrents. After
an agreement was reached between
the USA and Russia as part of the
Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
(START) to limit their nuclear arsenals,
Russia turned a lot of their mobile
missile launchers into rocket launchers
with one of the most notable flights
being the launch of Israel’s EROS B
Earth Observation satellite.
This is, as far as I am aware, the first
time that this particular vehicle has
been produced in plastic (it has been
available as a resin and etched kit by
Armory) and 1:72 seems to be a good
size to release in. The build begins by
creating the main chassis for the truck
section, which is produced in two halves
and you start by adding the detail to each
piece, and a steady hand is required here!
The strengthening cross members and the
drive chain go in next, and luckily the fit is
excellent and a good connection can be
‘Topol’ SS-25 Sickle
made before both parts of the chassis are Manufacturer: Zvezda
glued together. At this point you realise that were glued into place. With a little masking Scale: 1:72
you have two options - the first is ‘transport tape holding the pieces together I began Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded
mode’ and the second is ‘launch mode’. So, it building each wheel hub, and again making Kit Number: 5003
is a good idea to go through the instructions sure I was building the right one, as again
once you have made your choice and mark there is the choice of two. These are then START-1 Conversion Set
the sections where you need to make the glued in place along each side of the chassis Manufacturer: LVM Studios
Scale: 1:72
whole experience a lot easier. I chose the and some very tiny control arms, so once
Kit Type: Cast resin and Etch
‘launch position’ so picked the longer of the more make sure the right ones are picked.
Kit Number: START72
two hydraulic rams before the two halves With the suspension in place work began

1 6 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


topol
SS-25 Sickle

The build begins by


creating the main
chassis for the truck

the missile launch tube and adds


more detail, including the warhead.
So, to begin I taped both halves
of the missile tube together, and
to ensure a straight cut I placed
it in a small jig. Once cut a light
sanding was needed to ensure it
was completely level. To this was
added the new resin section from
the LVM Conversion. Some light
filler was needed to blend both
pieces together and once it was
sanded back I was happy with the
join. Etched parts were then placed
into the nosecone of the kit part, which
does add another dimension to it. These
are a little fiddly to do, but the results speak
would be in partially raised/ for themselves. The missile launch tube
lowered configuration. With the can then be test fitted onto the frame,
launch frame now in place I added glue and at this point I wished I had added a
to all the parts for additional strength. The counterweight to the lower part of the tube
side boxes went on next, and the model was to deflect the weight of the resin section.
now beginning to feel a lot less fragile and Adding the rubber tyres to the hubs then
more rigid, making handling a little easier. A completed the build.
on adding some of the few smaller details were then added around Breaking everything back down again
other details, such as the the cab sections and under the missile the entire model received a Grey undercoat
fuel tanks and boxes to the launch frame, which pretty much finished and once this was dry, I added a coat of
chassis, as well as the mid and the truck section of the kit. Black before the painting and weathering
rear supports. The launch frame Now we move onto the missile and the started. I then painted the missile tube,
for the missile is also clipped START-1 conversion from LVM studios. This and to add a contrast to the model this was
in place now but will more than is a resin and etch update set that opens up done in Tamiya Flat Yellow, as this was the
likely require gluing once the model
is built, for added strength. Next up are
the support sections for the front cabs and
the mudguards which run along the whole
length of the chassis. Take special care with
the front ones as it is easy to put them on the
wrong way round. With the supports in place
the mudguards can go on as well as the front
cab, and as usual work one side, then the
other. I masked off the clear window sections
before they were installed, as I felt it was a
little easier to do it that way.
The rear support and missile launch
frame could now be fitted, and at this point I
realised that the hydraulic ram was going to
be too long for how I wanted to portray the
missile, so I cut it down so that the launcher The strengthening cross members and the drive chain go in next, and here the fit is excellent

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 1 7
topol
Scale 1:72 / Ballistic Missile Launcher
With the suspension in place
work began on adding some of the
You have two options - the other details
first is ‘transport mode’ and
the second is ‘launch mode’

The rear support and missile launch


frame being fitted

Making the cut on the missile to


fit the LVM conversion

The side boxes go on next, and the model is now beginning


to feel a lot less fragile and more rigid
The LVM conversion
being test fitted

The superb nose-cone details from LVM

Test fitting the


launcher and missile After a Grey
undercoat, a
Black pre-shade
was applied

1 8 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


topol
SS-25 Sickle
The missile
was painted in
Tamiya Yellow

The launcher received


thinned coats of Tamiya
Olive Drab
The missile with
decals added and a
MIG Productions Dark
Wash applied

The decals required


care and patience

The completed and


weathered launcher

The launcher with missile fitted


and nose cone displayed

colour used on the launchers of the START-1 Micro Sol and Set were needed to get the the shadows which also helped tone down
rocket program. It did take quite a few decals to bed down and follow the contours the initial colour. As the missile tube was
coats to get a good flat finish and the rest of the model. With the decals finally in place Yellow using an overall Sepia wash wouldn’t
of the model was then painted with Tamiya another coat of gloss sealed them in, and this work, so I opted for MIG Productions Dark
Olive Drab. Once dry a coat of Vallejo Satin was followed by another Satin Varnish coat. Wash along all the edges, with any excess
Varnish was applied, followed by a coat of Then a wash of Sepia oil paint was added to being cleaned up with clean brush and
gloss in preparation for the decals. The LVM thinner. This gave a worn look without
Conversion includes a set of decals, and as overpowering the yellow finish. Finally, some
they are printed on a solid sheet of decal of the details were picked out with acrylic
paper cutting them as close as possible was colours before the rocket head was glued
required, and multiple coats of into place inside the launch tube.
Moving back to the truck, a light coat of
Tamiya Buff added a dusty hue to the lower
section before various MIG Productions
dust weathering products were
randomly flicked over the lower
areas. The wheels also received a
light coat of Tamiya Buff before
Black acrylic paint was sponged
around the edges to give them
a dusty, used look before being
fitted to the vehicle. To complete
the model the missile tube was
then glued into place, and some final
weathering helped blend everything
together. This was a really enjoyable
project and I do feel that the contrasting
colours of the dark military green of the
truck and the yellow of the missile tube
bring this model to life.

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 1 9
patton
Scale 1:35 / M48A3 Playboy

M48A3
Playboy
CHRISTIANO COUTO BUILDS THE 1:35 TAMIYA KIT WITH LEGEND PRODUCTIONS SANDBAG ARMOUR
tamiya
M-48A3 of Vallejo Olive Drab 71043 as a base.
I really like this colour, and then to

B
eing a Tamiya kit, it was
literally ‘shake the box’ Manufacturer: Tamiya create some modulation I used Ammo
and it fell together! I Scale: 1:35 by MIG Olive Drab tones 924, 925,
also wanted to add Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded 927 and 929, which gave me a very
that little bit of extra detail, seeing Kit Number: 35120 nice smooth finish. Once dry I used
as this was a Marine Corps M48 from Legend Productions LF1073 - M48A3 Tamiya’s own decals, although the
the Vietnam War, I added a Legend Vietnam Sandbag Armor Set stars were painted using masks, thus
Productions Sandbag Armour Set. In giving the kit a more realistic look.
no time at all, it seemed, I was ready to get on with painting and weathering For the periscopes I used the Vallejo
the model, and I began with a coat Panzer Aces 70309, and after drying I
of Vallejo Grey Primer. When this had used some Vallejo Still Water to give
dried, I cleaned up any imperfections the appearance of glass. I then added
I could find, filling and sanding as I the Vietnam Sandbag Armor Set. I also
went along. I also crated some texture replaced the searchlight on the gun
on the front glacis and the turret using with the resin example, and replaced
Mr Surfacer 500. A further coat of Grey the grab handles with thin wire.
Primer then followed and once I was When painting was complete, I
happy with the look, I added a coat started the chipping using Vallejo

2 0 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


m48a3 playboy
With Sandbag Armour

SEEING AS
THIS WAS
A MARINE
CORPS M48
FROM THE
VIETNAM
WAR, I ADDED
A LEGEND
PRODUCTIONS
SANDBAG
ARMOUR SET
WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 2 1
patton
Scale 1:35 / M48A3 Playboy

2 2 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


m48a3 playboy
With Sandbag Armour

Model Color 70822 and a sponge, Interactive Fresh Mud in the corners,
concentrating on the hatches, the around the sandbags and on the front
engine cover, the side boxes and of the tank.
areas of general wear. I then applied a On the undersides and around the
Mig Productions Dark Wash and then running gear I applied more of the AK
removed any excess with a cotton Interactive Vietnam Earth pigments,
bud damp with White Spirit. After again adding other earth tones as I
drying, I applied and AK Interactive went. To finish this part, I added some
Light Rust Wash, again removing splashes using an AK Interactive Dark
any excess with a cotton bud damp Mud wash. The tracks were painted
with White Spirit. I then applied and then detailed with AK Interactive
some AK Interactive Vietnam Earth Track Wash, to which I then added
pigment and other pigments all over various pigments to represent dirt
the model to add that characteristic and mud accumulated around the
Vietnam look. I then added some AK tracks and running gear.

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 2 3
patton
Scale 1:35 / M48A3 Playboy

The turret and the gun received AK This was a great kit to build, and
Interactive Vietnam Earth pigment, once gain Tamiya have hit the spot!
and then as before I added various It also served as a great canvas
other earth pigments to complete to try some typical Vietnam War
the look. The same process was then weathering!
applied to the sandbags, but I added
some pigment darker tones into the
deeper parts between each bag. I
then added some little extras like
ration and Coca-Cola boxes on the
turret.

2 4 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


BEST BRASS AROUND

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german
Scale 1:35 / Sturmtiger

KEVIN POTTS BUILDS THE 1:35


Big Build Assault Tiger TAMIYA ‘STURMTIGER’ AS SEEN
IN LATE 1944

Big Build

tamiya model went together very


nicely. But first I made some

T
his was a kit I had had in my
stash for some time and changes to the lower hull, where
recently I happened upon I filled in the attachment points for
some images of a solid dark the rear fenders, as I wasn’t going to
yellow ‘Sturmtiger’ without Zimmerit and use either fender, and I also scraped off the
another showing a US Soldier in the barrel rear light as this was moulded onto the rear
of the vehicle. So that was it, I knew exactly plate. I thinned the top half of each muffler
what I wanted to do with my kit! Overall, the guard to get them to the scale thickness,
and then I separated all the mudguards
after thinning them from the back with
German Sturmtiger my Dremel. This reduced them to a more
Manufacturer: Tamiya workable thickness, and since they were now
Scale: 1:35 nice and thin, I was able to bend them to
Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded show some heavy wear. The corresponding
Kit Number: 35177 fender mounting points on the side of hull

2 6 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


sturmtiger
German Assault Tiger

I REPLACED THE KIT’S INDIVIDUAL


TRACK LINKS WITH A SET FROM
FRIULMODEL, AS I THINK THESE JUST LOOK
SO MUCH BETTER AND HANG SO WELL
were also reduced in height, as I wasn’t using
the Zimmerit. I also replaced the kit-supplied
headlight with one from Dragon courtesy
‘spares-box’ and added some copper wire for
the light.
I replaced the kit’s individual track links
with a set from Friulmodel, as I think these
just look so much better and hang so well,
especially after soaking them in MIG White
Metal Burnishing Solution, where they take
on a nice patina. Afterwards I could sand
off the patina from the high points to show
the wear and tear on the tracks. The interior
was assembled with no alterations other
than sanding down the rear interior wall to
get it to clear the upper hull structure. The
upper hull followed the instructions without
deviation and turned out a nice piece as well.
Adding a thin piece of thread and a lead foil
loop also modified the loading crane at the
rear of the vehicle, which was designed to lift
the rounds from the ground into the vehicle.
I dipped the thread in white glue and then

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 2 7
german
Scale 1:35 / Sturmtiger

Thinning down the


exhaust mufflers

rubbed the excess off with my fingers. I then


cut a thin piece of lead foil after measuring
it against one of the kit-supplied rounds, to
complete the piece.
Painting began with the interior, to which
I applied Vallejo Medium Grey. Once this
had dried for an hour or so, I applied a coat The interior was
of hairspray, and then a layer of Vallejo Off painted with
White mixed from White and Light Tan was Vallejo Medium
Grey …
added. Once dry I used a stiff brush and
warm water to wear off the White in order
to show the Grey hiding underneath. The
rear of the interior was then detail painted,
weathered with oils and pigments and then

2 8 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


sturmtiger
German Assault Tiger

… and the mortar


shells added

The model, ready


for painting
Painting the exterior began
with a primer coat of Red
which was mixed Vallejo from
Medium Red and Hull Red

After a hairspray coat, a Dark


Yellow basecoat was applied,
made from Model Master
Dunkelgelb mixed with Vallejo
Tank Dark Yellow

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 2 9
german
Scale 1:35 / Sturmtiger

Adding some streaking to


The weathering process began by adding paint chips enhance the look

The Friulmodel tracks are just superb

Adding a thin piece of thread


and a lead foil loop modified
the loading crane at the rear
of the vehicle

3 0 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


sturmtiger
German Assault Tiger

The completed mufflers at the rear

the hatches were taped from the inside to


prevent any overspray while painting the
exterior.
Painting the exterior began with a primer
coat of Red which was mixed Vallejo from
Medium Red and Hull Red. Then I added
some Flat Black pre-shading and also some
Dark Grey in selected areas. Another layer
of hairspray followed this, and then a Dark
Yellow basecoat was applied, made from
Model Master Dunkelgelb mixed with
Vallejo Tank Dark Yellow. A layer of Model
Master Dunkelgelb mixed with White for the
highlights followed this. This was applied
to the upper surfaces in a ‘cloud style’ of
The figure was an old Tamiya one, which I application, and then another layer of the
manipulated to fit in the mortar … lightened mixture was applied to add more … and he was then suitably painted …

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 3 1
german
Scale 1:35 / Sturmtiger

visual depth to the rather monochromatic waving to his friends. His hands came from
paint scheme. Then I began the weathering other Dragon figures and his head was
process by adding paint chips using warm from Hornet. I had to sand his
water and a stiff brush to wear away the Dark body down to get him to fit
Yellow paint, exposing scale appropriate into the barrel, but he now
spots of grey and red. Next came an overall resides in it yelling to his
application of Burnt Umber oil paint as an buddies for someone to take
overall wash. A little ‘dried’ mud was then his picture as he waves to
made from acrylic paste and earth tones, the camera.
which were applied with an old brush.
Afterwards the vehicle received another
series of oil washes, as well as a
pin-wash. Then I added more
lightened Dark Yellow
chipping, and white,
dark brown and black
streaking using more
oil paints to get the
worn appearance
I was after. A light
layer of MIG pigments
completed the look.
The figure was an
old Tamiya one, which
I manipulated to show
one arm holding him up
in the barrel and the other

… and placed in situ!

3 2 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


military news
News And Products From Around The World

SMMI CENTRE
Military News & Previews
on the side
MiniArt
US Soldiers Rainwear
Manufacturer:
MiniArt
Scale: 1:35
Kit Type: Plastic
As always it is our intention to provide our readership with the most up-to-date and injection moulded
comprehensive survey of the industry and its impending releases as we can supply Kit Number: 35245
in print, and to this end we rely largely on contributions and information received
from outside sources. In the interests of accuracy, SMMI invites all manufacturers and 7.5 Spgr, Nbgr and
producers of kits, accessories, conversions, decals and books to keep us informed of Pzgr Pat Kw.K40
their current and proposed future releases, and let us have this information, along Shells with Ammunition Boxes
Manufacturer: MiniArt
with any high-resolution images, and we will be glad to include them. Bearing in Scale: 1:35
mind the more the information supplied, the more column space their products will Kit Type:
occupy in the SMMI News Section. Any press releases, news updates, product details Plastic
injection
and bulletins should be sent direct to the Editor at andy@modelaircraftmag.com for moulded
inclusion in the earliest possible issue of the magazine. Kit Number:
As ever there are plenty of new products around to edify and excite, so without fur- 35375
ther ado…here is the news!
T-34/85
Composite Turret
Manufacturer: MiniArt
Scale: 1:35
Kit Type:
Plastic
injection
moulded
Kit Number:
35301

T-55A
Mod.1970
Manufacturer:
MiniArt
Scale: 1:35
Kit Type:
Plastic
injection moulded with etch
Kit Number: 37094

Freedom Models
16001 – 1:16 Kettenkraftrad
Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf J Nibelungenwerk
Manufacturer: MiniArt
Scale: 1:35
www.freedommodels.com Kit Type:
Plastic
injection

Firestorm Models W-Model


moulded
Kit Number:
35339
FS35229 – 1:35 Matilda Flame Thrower Frog WB-111 – 1:72 Taran
www.firestormmodels.com WB-112 – 1:72 Temp-S German Soldiers at Rest
WB-113 – 1:72 Kupol Manufacturer: MiniArt
www.w-modelling.com Scale: 1:35
Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded
Kit Number: 35378

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 3 3
military news
on the side
Zvezda
British Headquarters
WWII
Manufacturer:
Takom
6004 – 1:350 Flak Tower Berliner Zoo
Zvezda G Tower
Scale: 1:35 6005 – 1:35 Flak Tower IV
Kit Type: Plastic Heiligengeistfeld G Tower
injection moulded
www.takom-world.com
Kit Number: 6174

British Infantry
Tank Valentine
Manufacturer:
Zvezda
Das Werk
DW16001 – 1:16 – StuG III Ausf G Early
Armory Models
AR72448 – 1:72 Russian 6x6 Cargo Truck
Scale: 1:35
Kit Type: Plastic www.daswerk.com www.armorymodels.ru
injection
moulded
Kit Number: 6280

TOR-M2/AS-15 Gauntlet
Manufacturer:
Zvezda
Scale: 1:35
Kit Type:
Plastic
injection
moulded
Kit Number:
3633

2S35
Koalitsiya-SV
ICM
Manufacturer: 35570 – 1:35 Laffly V15T French
Zvezda Artillery Towing Vehicle
Scale: 1:35 35600 – 1:35 Leyland Retriever
Kit Type: Plastic DS3512 – 1:35 Red Army Rocket
injection Artillery
moulded 35530 – 1:35 Type G4 Partisanenwagen
Kit Number: 5055 3006 – Soviet AFV Paint Set
www.icm.com/ua
M4A3(76) W Sherman
Manufacturer: Zvezda
Scale: 1:35
Kit Type:
Plastic
injection
moulded
Kit Number:
3676

Soviet
Motorcycle M-72 with Sidecar
Manufacturer: Zvezda
Scale: 1:72
Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded
Kit Number: 6277

3 4 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


Eduard
35465 – 1:35 Jackal 1 Detail Set
www.eduard.com 03838 P-51D-15-NA Mustang (Late Version), 1:32

Trumpeter Vespid
01081 – 1:35 Soviet Zil-131V tow 2T3M1 VS720006 – 1:72 Maus II
Trailer with 8K14 Missile  VS720008 – 1:72 Pz.Kpfw.V Panther Ausf G
07178 – 1:72 Soviet 2K11A TEL w/9M8M www.vespid-models.com
Missile ‘Krug-A’, SA-4 ‘Ganef’ 
www.trumpeter-china.com
www.creativemodels.co.uk 03842 Tornado ASSTA 3.1, 1:72

05671 Gift Set - NATO Tiger Meet 60 Years, 1:72

07688 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Coupé, 1:24

Special Armour
1:72 – 7.5cm PaK 40
www.specialhobby.eu

07696 Ford GT40 Le Mans 1968 & 1969, 1:24

Available from all good model


stockists and online from

hobbycraft.co.uk/brand/revell

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 3 5
military news
on the side
Toro Model
35D73 – 1:35 – Polish
Army 1943-45 #3
35D74 – 1:35 –
T-54/T-55 Tanks in
Polish Service #2
35D75 – 1:35 – Armoured Scout Car
BRDM in Polish Service #2
35D76 – 1:35 – Universal Carrier Mk.I in
Polish Service #3
72D55 – 1:72 – Polish Army Vehicles
72D56 – 1:72 – Polish Army 1943-45 #4 Geko Models Custom Scale
www.totomodel.pl 35GM011 – 1:35 Daimler Armoured Car 35111 – 1:35 Hanomag SS-20
www.gekomodels.com www.customscale.de

Live
Resin
LRM35069 – 1:35
Russian Army Mortar Set #1
LRM35070 – 1:35 Russian Army Mortar Set #2
www.live-resin.com

Fine Molds OKB Grigorov


FM44 – 1:72 Super Heavy Tank O-1 72098 – 1:72 SU-100Y
www.finemolds.jp www.okgrigorov.ru

Hauler
HLX48402 – 1:48 T-34-85
HLX48403 – 1:48 T-34-85 Grilles
HLH72123 – 1:72 Leopard 2A5
HLH72124 – 1:72 SPz Marder 1A3 
www.hauler.com

Italeri
6566 – 1:35 M4AE8 Sherman Korean War
www.italeri.it
www.hobbyco.net

3 6 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


military news
on the side HobbyBoss
84553 – 1:35 German Sd.Kfz.179
DEF Model Bergepanther Ausf.G 
DM35116 – 1:35 German PZ.III 5cm L/42 www.hobbyboss.com
Gun Barrel Ausf.H/J www.creativemodels.co.uk
DM35117 – 1:35 German PZ.III 5cm L/60
Gun Barrel Ausf.L/M
DM35118 – 1:35 German Pz.II Ausf.F
Desert Stowage Set
DM35119 – 1:35 German Pz.II Ausf.F
Desert Stowage Set
Voyager
PE16055 – 1:16
DM35115 – 1:35 M113 Okinawa Shield
Cupola Set Vietnam War Modern German
Wiesel 1A2 TOW
DD35016 – 1:35 ROK Army M113 APC Upgrade Set
Decal Set Vietnam War
PE351130 – 1:35
DW35125 – 1:35 British Jackal MWMIK 4x4 Modern British
Sagged Wheel Set FV 4005 II Heavy
DW35126 – 1:35 German Man 5t. Mil gl Tank Upgrade
Truck Sagged Wheel Set  Set
DW35127 – 1:35 German Man Mil gl Truck PE351154 – 1:35 Russian JS-2 Tank Basic
Extra Sagged Wheel Set PE351155 – 1:35 Russian JS-2 Heavy Tank
DW35128 – 1:35 German TPz-1 Fuchs ABC Fenders
Sagged Wheel Set PE351127 – 1:35 Modern British Challenger
DW24001 – 1:16 German Kübelwagen 2 MBT TES Upgrade Set
Sagged Wheel Set PE351140 – 1:35 M109A2 Rochev SPH
www.defmodel.com

Upgrade
Basic Set 
PE351159 –
1:35 M1A1
155mm
Cannon Long
Tom Basic
PE351174 –
1:35 German
Panther A Early Basic
FE48020 – 1:48 German Tiger I Stowage
Bin 
VPE48034 – 1:48 German Panther A Tank
Basic
VPE48035 – 1:48 German Tiger I Late
Production
www.voyagermodel.com

3 8 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


Start as
you mean
Ace Model to finish
72458 – 1:72 Belgian Army JACAM Unimog
www.acemodel.com/ua

Takom
1014 – 1:16 Wiesel Mk.20
www.takom-world.com Humbrol Enamels.. the modeller’s
standard for decades.

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34302 – 1:35 ‘Wintergewitter’ Stalingrad


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Adding grime, dust, rust and


weathered effects to your models is
made simple with Humbrol Washes.

Visit www.humbrol.com where you’ll


find help and advice as well as hints, tips
and product demonstration videos to get
the best out of the wide variety of
Humbrol products available!

/humbrol @humbrol /humbrol

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 3 9
MAFVA COLUMN
www.mafva.org

MAFVA Opening Up Again


Presented by Robin Buckland
Miniature Armoured Fighting Vehicles Association
MAFVA exists to promote and interest in AFV’s and

A
fter what feels like an ago
their associated equipment, and to act as a non-profit of lockdown rules, we have
making organisation for the collection and dissemination
finally reached the stage
of information. We try to answer queries and seek
where we are able to
sources of information for our fast growing international
membership, and to encourage correspondence between meet indoors once again, and there are shows for us
those with similar interests. The interests within MAFVA to visit opening up once more. The focus for many Cambridge MAFVA members seen at the
run from Wold War One to the present day, although a is likely to be able to go out to a pub/restaurant for Armourfest event at the Norfolk Tank Museum
greater emphasis is centred on the Second World War. a meal, without have to brave the wind and rain of
The majority of members make and/or collect models, being outdoors, and finally being able to see our have multiple examples that will cope with regular
and there are many who only gather information on families and hug parents/grandparents and for handling on a wargames table, or maybe you like the
military subjects, whilst others work on, or even collect many of us, grandchildren. That’s not all though, as story telling involved in building a diorama. Those
full sized military vehicles. In addition to this we aim museums are re-opening their doors and shows we of us who have been modelling for many years will
to provide our members with a quality bi-monthly
can visit are with us once more. I recently made the remember when the number of new plastic kits
magazine ‘Tankette’. Local
branches are being continually
journey to join up with members of the Cambridge coming onto the market were few and far between.
formed both in the UK and branch who had a display stand at ‘Armourfest’, That led to not only a market for resin models, but
overseas, and are encouraged a show at the Norfolk Tank Museum, a few miles also the vac-form plastic kits and conversions which
to hold meetings, displays and south of Norwich. I hadn’t visited before and found required rather more work. These days we are spoilt
competitions to enable their a fine collection of Cold War era British armour in with a regular flow of new plastic kits coming onto
members to get more out of addition to plenty of visiting vehicles and displays. the market. I suspect many younger modellers
their hobby, by meeting others Well worth a visit if you will be unaware of vac-
with similar interests and to share haven’t been there. form models. Other more
information and expertise. A long period which recent developments have
has had such an impact on been the growth of 28mm
us all. For many MAFVA (1:56) models which have
Joining MAFVA groups it has been a time grown from the Wargames
For more information or details on joining MAFVA when the technology of market, and while major
please contact the Membership Secretary: Zoom meetings has come manufacturers such as Italeri
Neil Wharton, MAFVA to the rescue, enabling have released some in this
85 Alexander Avenue, Earl Shilton, friends to get together Soviet SA-9 Gaskin AA system on show at the scale, other manufacturers
Leicestershire. LE9 7AH. online. For members of Norfolk Tank Museum such as Rubicon and Warlord
membership.mafva@gmail.com the MAFVA Committee Games are making some
it has also enabled us to get together for regular very fine models. For others, the appearance
membership@mafva.net meetings which have saved the need to travel and of 3D printers has meant that you now have an
Current subscription rate for MAFVA is: actually allowed us to meet online on a more regular opportunity to print models in your own chosen
UK and HM Forces - £18.00 (Paper Copy Tankette) basis than we had ever managed before. For our scale, and in any number, you wish, in the comfort
Europe - £26.00 (Paper Copy Tankette) various local branches around the country the new of your own home.
Rest of World - £35.00 (Paper Copy Tankette) opening up after lockdown will allow meetings In the last issue of Tankette, our bi-monthly
Subscription for the electronic only membership to start again, for face-to-face meetings, perhaps magazine we showcased the winners of our recent
Worldwide: (No paper copy of Tankette) - £16.00 enjoying a pleasant pint of beer, or maybe just a tea/ ‘Virtual Nationals’, as well as part 3 of our Rotunda
www.mafva.org coffee. If you are an armour modeller and would Round-up series, this time looking at the British
like to get out of the house and join in, do check 4.5inch QF Field Howitzer. In addition, there are
out the contact details for the various MAFVA features on the WW1 Mobile Pigeon Loft and the
MA Publications branches around the country and see where your surviving example of the American T1E2 Light
MAFVA Members Discount Offer most convenient venue might be. One of the useful Tank, stored in a warehouse at Fort Lee, Virginia.
MA Publications is delighted to be able to offer things that lockdown has shown us is that even On top of all that there are our usual columns on
MAFVA members a 10% discount on subscriptions if you are not close enough to get to a physical Books, new product releases and so on. Members
to Scale Military Modeller International, or branch meeting, a number of MAFVA branches are who regularly see Tankette will have noticed we
any of our other titles or books, but not including enabling members to join in remotely thanks to the have managed to include some additional colour
kits or accessories. To take advantage of this offer benefits of Zoom. You can find them all listed on pages in this issue, and we plan to do this even more
just quote your MAFVA membership number on any our www.MAFVA.org website. regularly. More is planned for inclusion in the next
correspondence. For more details email or call us at: Let me pose a question to you as you read this. issue, due out in early October.
info@modelaircraftmag.com What makes you enjoy modelling, and armour As ever, I would remind you that in addition
+44 (0) 1234 331431 models in particular? That is not intended to be a to our bi-monthly Tankette magazine, there are
trick question, every one of us will have our own local MAFVA branches around the country where
individual responses. Military vehicle models come armour modellers can get together, and also the
Branches in many scales and materials. Some modellers will MAFVA.org website and MAFVA Facebook page.
Bedfordshire Norwich enjoy adding the finest of details to get a highly Share your hobby with other enthusiasts and
(Chiltern SMC) Nottingham detailed one-off display model. Others want generally get together with like-minded friends.
Cambridge Sheffield something simple to build and sturdy enough to
Chester Suffolk
Clacton On Sea Sussex (Mid)
The Norfolk Tank Museum is also the home of Deborah II, the
Essex Sussex (East) reproduction WW1 Female Tank, built by Guy Martin.
London Warwickshire MAFVA
Maryport Wilts/Mendip
Mendips Scotland (Glasgow)
Northern Home Scotland (Lothians)
Counties Scotland (Tayside)
North West (Wirral) South Wales

4 0 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


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OUT
MA PUBLICATIONS

Modelling IDF Armour

NOW
Fighting Vehicles of the Israeli Army in Colour and Scale
By Andy Evans
IDF
‘Sabra’ as well as the
ARMOUR
T
oday the Merkava or ‘Chariot’ - a tank that
IDF ARMOUR – FIGHTING VEHICLES OF THE ISRAELI ARMY

evolved from Israel’s unique operational homegrown ‘Merkava’,


requirements - exemplifies the power
of the Israeli Armoured Corps. However, it
not to mention the unique
Nagmachon, Machbet, £14.99
evolved from very humble beginnings, indeed and Nagmash! Today the + P&P
in 1948, with the creation of the state of Israel IDF has one of the largest
and the first Arab-Israeli conflicts the Israelis and best equipped armoured
had to make-do with armoured trucks and a forces in the world. This provides very fertile ground for
few second-hand British tanks. This was soon the enthusiast and modeller thus was the inspiration
to change as military necessity ensured that behind this ‘SMMI Special’. Inside you will find some 22
the Israelis became the masters of invention. build projects from the very earliest to the very latest
What makes the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) IDF tanks and armoured fighting vehicles, using some
particularly fascinating is that few armies classic kits, upgrade sets and the newest models such
have gained combat experience with such a as from Takom, Dragon and HobbyBoss.
variety of armour. Over the years the IDF has
deployed the American M4 Sherman, M48 and Builds include:
M60 Patton, the British Centurion, the French Merkava IV, Isherman, Magach 5 and 6, Tiran 5,
MA Publications

AMX-13 and the Soviet T-54 and T-62; plus a Nagmachon, Nagmash, Achzarit, Doher, Machbet,
plethora of modified hybrids such as the ‘Super M113 Zelda and many more!
Sherman/Isherman’, ‘Sho’t’, ‘Magach’, and Cover for illustrative purposes only

ORDER HOTLINE: 44 (0)1234 331431


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FIGURE NEWS
Figure News And Products From Around The World

Main Heading Across


FIGURES
News Tech Head
News Tech Body
News Tech Body
on the side
Hobby Fan
ROCA Tank Crew Transport Ammunition

In Focus
News Tech Body Manufacturer: Hobby Fan
News Tech Body
Scale: 1:35
Author Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded
Kit Number: HF763
News Body Info goes in this style to go in
Sculptor: TBC
Figure News and Previews
this style in this style supercala the the the
supercal www.hobbyeasy.com
www.modelaircraftmag.com
This month we continue rich vein of new and exciting figure and bust
releases, in both the larger and smaller scales with an eclectic mix of subjects.
So here is the latest from the figure world - and remember to tell your vendor you
saw their products in SMMI

D-Day Miniatures Studio


‘Unternehmen Frühlingserwachen’ 3.SS Manufacturer: D-Day
Pz Div. Soldiers, Hungary, Winter 1945 Scale: 1:35
for Zündapp KS 750 Motorcycle (Five Kit Type: Cast resin
Kit Number: 35190
Figures Plus Motorcycle Accessories) Sculptor: Pawel Krasicki
www.ddayminiaturestdio.com

The Bodi
Waffen SS Officer World War II
Manufacturer: The Bodi
Scale: 1:35
Kit Type: Cast resin
Kit Number: TBC
Sculptor: TBC
www.thebodi.eu

Geko Models
US Paratroopers with Cushman Scooter
Manufacturer: Geko

Callsign Models Scale: 1:35


Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded
Kit Number: 35GM0042
RAR Infantryman Sculptor: TBC
Manufacturer: Callsign
Scale: 1:35 www.gekomodels.com
Kit Type: Cast resin
Kit Number: CS35077
Sculptor: TBC

M113 ACAV Commander


Manufacturer: Callsign
Scale: 1:35
Kit Type: Cast resin
Kit Number: CS35079
Sculptor: TBC
www.firestormmodels.com
WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 4 5
figure news
on the side Soga Miniatures
US Sniper and Infantryman
Live Resin Manufacturer: Soga
Scale: 1:35
Russian Army Soldier -
Kit Type: Cast resin
Crew Member APC Kit Number: TBC
Manufacturer: Live
Resin Sculptor: Peter Samofalov
Scale: 1:35 www.sogaminitures.com
Kit Type: Cast resin
Kit Number: 35073
Sculptor: N/A

Russian Army Soldier -


Black Army
Crew Member APC
Manufacturer: Live
Resin
Models DEF Model
Hungarian Honved Modern US Tank Crew Boresighting
Scale: 1:35
Kit Type: Cast resin
World War II Manufacturer: Def
Manufacturer: Scale: 1:35
Kit Number: 35074 Black Army Kit Type: Cast resin
Sculptor: N/A Scale: 1:35 Kit Number: DF35028
Kit Type: Cast resin Sculptor: TBC
Russian Army Soldier – Kit Number: 35-47 www.defmodel.com
Parking Operator Sculptor: Gábor
Manufacturer: Live Szabó
Resin
Scale: 1:35
Kit Type: Cast resin
Kit Number: 35075
Sculptor: N/A

Russian Army Soldier Serbian Tank Crew 1990s


- Crew Member APC Manufacturer: Black Army
Manufacturer: Live Scale: 1:35
Resin Kit Type: Cast resin
Scale: 1:35 Kit Number: 35-47
Kit Type: Cast resin Sculptor: Gábor Szabó
Kit Number: 35076 www.blackarmymodels.com
Sculptor: N/A

Russian Army
Soldier - Crew
Member APC
AC Models
Manufacturer: SAS Land Rover Crew and Stowage 1991
Live Resin Manufacturer: AC Models
Scale: 1:35 Scale: 1:35
Kit Type: Cast Kit Type: Cast resin
resin Kit Number: TBC
Kit Number: 35077 Sculptor: Andrew Cairns
Sculptor: N/A www.acmodels.com
www.live-resin.com

Masterbox
German
Machine Gun
Team Autumn-
Winter 1944
Manufacturer:
Masterbox
Scale: 1:35
Kit Type:
Plastic injection moulded
Kit Number: MB35220
Sculptor: N/A
www.mbltd.com
www.creativemodels.co.uk

4 6 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


FIGURE NEWS
Figure News And Products From Around The World

Darius Miniatures on the side


Berlin Defence 1945 (Figures and German Officer
Vignette) in Action
Manufacturer: Darius Manufacturer:
Scale: 1:35 Darius
Kit Type: Cast resin Scale: 1:35
Kit Number: F35058 Kit Type: Cast resin
Sculptor: TBC Kit Number: F35051
Sculptor: TBC

Solothurn Team
Manufacturer: Darius
Scale: 1:35
Historex
Kit Type: Cast resin The Spanish Legion
Kit Number: F35054 - Dar Hamed. The
Sculptor: TBC Blockhouse of Death
Manufacturer:
Panzer Crew Benito Miniatures
and Winter Scale: 54mm
Kit Type: Cast resin
Accessories
Manufacturer: Darius Kit Number: MD/40
Scale: 1:35 Price: £123.00
Kit Type: Cast resin
Kit Number: F35059 Devil of Ramadi - Navy
Sculptor: TBC SEAL Sniper
Manufacturer: Nuts
German Officer and Planet
Mechanic Scale: 1:12
Manufacturer: Darius Kit Type: Cast resin
Scale: 1:35 Kit Number: NP-B044
Kit Type: Cast resin Price: £50.40
Kit Number: F35064
Sculptor: TBC Panzer Grenadier
www.dariusminiatures.com Officer in Smock and
Trousers
Manufacturer:
Hornet
Evolution Mitches Military Scale: 1:35
Kit Type: Cast resin

Miniatures Models Kit Number: GH/27


Price: £8.00

German MG Team Wiking Division 1943-1945


Kharkov 1943 Manufacturer: Nuts Planet
Manufacturer: Evolution Scale: 1:16
Scale: 1:35 Kit Type: Cast resin
Kit Type: Cast resin Kit Number: NP-B044
Kit Number: EM-35219 Price: £39.60
Sculptor: Sergey
Travianski Kessel – Stalingrad 1942
Manufacturer: Scale 75
German Scale: 1:12
Soldier Kit Type: Cast resin
Kharkov 1943 Kit Number: SW35050
Manufacturer: Evolution
Scale: 1:35 Price: £56.55
Kit Type: Cast resin
Kit Number: EM-35221
Chindit MG42 Gunner, Totenkopf
Manufacturer: Mitches Division, Kharkov
Sculptor:
Scale: 120mm 1943 (1:16
Sergey
Kit Type: Cast resin Version of LM-
Travianski
Kit Number: TBC B023)
Sculptor: TBC
Soviet Infantryman Manufacturer:
Manufacturer: Evolution Life Miniatures
Scale: 1:35
101st Airborne 1944 Scale: 1:16
Manufacturer: Mitches Kit Type: Cast
Kit Type: Cast resin
Scale: 1:6 resin
Kit Number: EM-35218
Kit Type: Cast resin
Sculptor: Sergey Kit Number: LM16B002
Kit Number: TBC
Travianski Price: £23.00
Sculptor: TBC
www.evolutionminiatures.com
www.mitchesmilitarymodels.co.uk

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 4 7
MDF Scaled Down • 12

Pre-Order
Bookstore Prices exclude postage and packing

THE DASSAULT
Coming Coming
Soon MIRAGE F1 By Andy Evans
Soon
THE DASSAULT MIRAGE F1

MDFSD World War II


12 The German
Dassault Armour
Mirage F1 Modelling
£17.99 Fighting
Vehicles in
Colour &
Scale
£14.99
MA Publications

M DF
12
SCALED DOWN

MODEL
AIRCRAFT
EXTRA

No.8 LOCKHEED MARTIN


Coming F-22 RAPTOR Coming
Soon & F-35 LIGHTNING
By Andy Evans
Soon
MAE 08 MDFSD 13
Building Lockheed
the MiG-21 Martin F-22
Fishbed Raptor
£14.99 & F-35
Lightning
£17.99

BUILDING THE

MiG-21 Fishbed
Compiled by Andy Evans
M DF
12
SCALED DOWN

PO Box 1592 | Bedford | MK40 9FD | UK


T: +44 (0) 1234 331431 E: info@modelaircraftmag.com
www.modelaircraftmag.com
warship NEWS
Warship News And Products From Around The World

WARSHIPS
on the side
OKB Grigorov
N700136 – 1:700 Barracuda Class

In Focus
Submarine
www.okbgrigorov.com

Warship News and Previews

Pit Road
J94 – 1:350 Maritime Self-Defence MikroMir
Force Missile Boat PG-824 72-018 – 1:72 Imperial Russian Navy
www.pitroad.jp Submarine Krupp ‘Forel’ 
www.mikromir.com

HobbyBoss
83523 – 1:350 USS Gato SS-212 1941
www.hobbyboss.com
www.creativemodels.com Trumpeter
Italeri
5626 - 1:35 M.A.S. 563/568 with Crew
05359 – 1:350 German Battleship Tirpitz
www.trumpeter-china.com
www.italeri.it www.creativemodels.co.uk
www.hobbyco.net

Takom
2144 – 1:35 Battleship Yamato 15.5 cm/60
3rd Year Type Gun Turret 
www.takomworld.com

Seed Model
SH700023  - 1:72 World War II IJN No.1
Auxiliary Patrol Boat
www.seedmodel.jp

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 4 9
WARSHIP news
on the side CMK
N72037 – 1:72 German Speed Boat Life Raft/
Pen and Sword Schnellboot Rettungsfloss
N72038 – 1:72 German Kriegsmarine Life
British Sloops and Frigates of the Second Raft/Rettungsfloss
World War www.cmkkits.com
Publisher: Pen and Sword ShipCraft 27
Author: Les Brown
ISBN: 9781526793874
Format: Softback
Price: £16.99

This volume covers


the majority of
British wartime
escort classes,
Meng Model
from the inter- PS-006 – 1:700 PLA Navy Shandong

Yamashita Hobby
war ASW and
minesweeping www.meng-model.com
sloops that
culminated in
the superb Black NV14 – 1:700 Destroyer Take
Swan class, to VSP3 – 1:700 Destroyer Ikazuchi
the wartime designs that were originally www.yamashitahobby.jp
known as ‘twin-screw corvettes’ but were
eventually classed as frigates – the ‘River’

Planet Models
class, and their derivatives of the ‘Loch/Bay’
classes that were modified for prefabricated
construction. Also included are the
American-built destroyer escorts which
became RN ‘Captains’ class frigates and MV125 – 1:72 15cm TbtsK C/36 World War II
the earlier ex-US Coast Guard cutters that German Destroyer Gun
were listed as sloops. With its unparalleled www.planetmodels.com
level of visual information – paint schemes,
models, line drawings and photographs –
this book is simply the best reference for
any modelmaker setting out to build any of
these numerous escort types.
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk

Veteran Models
VTW20047 – 1:200 IJN Type 96 25mm AA
Naval Ship Models of World War II
in 1/1250 and 1/1200
Guns
VTW20045 – 1:200 IJN Type 96 25mm
Triple AA Guns
www.veteranmodels.com Pen and Sword provides historic and
Publisher: Pen and Sword technical information on
Author: K Liu the ships represented as
ISBN: 9781526793911 well as practical advice on
Format: Hardback modelling them. The latter
Price: £25.00 is extensive with twenty-
five chapters covering
This new book focusses everything from initial
on models of the ships of production techniques
the Second World War, such as spin casting,
probably the most popular silicon mould casting,
subject for miniature model resin casting, die-casting,
collectors, and the author, plastic mould injection,
a well-known modeller and 3D printing through
himself, addresses all the techniques for enhancing
practical issues that might and modifying models to
confront those many collectors who like eventually researching and scratch-building
to enhance, convert, and modify their an uncommon ship or type. The focus is
models, or even scratch-build models always on particular vessels and the vast
of ships not commercially available. The array covered by the author builds into a
book covers both Allied and Axis warships, fascinating panorama of the vessels that
naval airplanes, merchant conversions fought across the world’s oceans in that era.
and even an Italian armed schooner, and www.pen-and-sword.co.uk

5 0 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


books
The Latest Armour Books Reviewed

books on the side


Osprey
Tanks at the Iron Curtain 1946-60

in focus Publisher: Osprey


Author: Steven J Zaloga
ISBN: 9781472843296
Format: Softback
Price: £11.99
Pen & Sword For forty-five years, the
most disputed point in the
Cromwell and Centaur Tanks staggeringly successful with, World was the dividing
Publisher: Pen and Sword as the superb contemporary line between East and
TankCraft 9 images in this book show, West in Europe; here the
Author: Denis Oliver use and development
Waffen- SS armoured divisions
ISBN: 978139905417 of tanks was key. In this
leading the charge. But the fully illustrated study,
Format: Softback Nazis had underestimated the the author describes
Price: £14.99 Russians’ determination to how Soviet and NATO tanks were deployed
defend their homeland and the in the early years of the Cold War, and how
Designed with the hard lessons logistical problems compounded a generation of tanks such as the Soviet
of the North African campaign by the extreme winter weather T-44/T-54 and IS-3, British Centurion, US Army
in mind, including the adoption of a dual- conditions. After early victories such as the M26/M46 Pershing (all developed during
purpose gun capable of firing high-explosive recapture of Kharkov in early 1943 and the World War II) saw extensive service after the
and anti-tank rounds, the Cromwell was one Kursk offensive, commanders and crews of war had ended. Initial post-war generation
tanks including the Soviet T-54A, T-10 heavy
of the most successful of the British cruiser armoured vehicles such as Pz.Kpfw.I, II, III, tank, British late-model Centurions, Conqueror,
tanks produced during the Second World IV, Panther, Tiger, King Tiger, assault and US Army M41, M47, M48 and the French
War. The lack of heavy armour was made up self-propelled guns had to adapt their tactics AMX-13 are examined in detail alongside the
for by the tank’s high speed provided by a and equipment to what became a desperate most important technical trends of the era:
Rolls-Royce Meteor engine. The Centaur was defensive withdrawal eventually back across the development of shaped-charge anti-tank
externally almost identical to the Cromwell, a scarred and devastated Eastern Front. projectiles, the influence of anti-tank missiles,
the major difference being the installation of Even during the last months of the war as and the introduction of chemical/nuclear
the less powerful Liberty engine. While the the Panzers withdrew through Poland and protection and night fighting equipment. The
Centaur equipped the Royal Marines during into the Reich, these exhausted elite units, book also considers the influence of post-war
doctrine and tactics on tank technology and
the Normandy battles, the Cromwell served broken down into small battle groups or
the effect of regional conflicts such as the 1950
until the end of the war and formed the Kampfgruppen, fought to the bitter end. Korean War, the war in Indochina, and the 1956
basis for the Comet. The author uses official With authoritative text supported by a Mid East War on tank warfare.
wartime photographs and comprehensively plethora of rare fully captioned photographs,
researched, exquisitely presented colour this classic Images of War book informs and
profiles to tell the story of the penultimate inspires the reader revealing the key role The Challenger Main Battle Tank 1982-97
British cruiser tank. In common with all the played by Waffen-SS Panzer units in this Publisher: Osprey
titles from the TankCraft series, the large most bitter campaign. Author: Simon Dunstan
full-colour section features available model ISBN: 978147284855
kits and accessories as well as aftermarket The Long Range Desert Group 1940-45 Format: Softback
products. In addition to the colour profiles Publisher: Pen and Sword Price: £11.99
there is a gallery of expertly constructed and Author: David Lloyd Owen
painted models. A separate section explains ISBN: 97813998060 The successor to
technical details and modifications made Format: Softback the Chieftain from
during production and in the field, giving Price: £14.99 the 1960’s, work
the modeller all the information required began in 1976 on
to recreate an authentic replica of one of This splendid record development of a
new MBT specifically
the tanks that served from the Normandy takes the reader behind
for the Iranian army,
beaches to the final battles in Germany. enemy lines not only who needed a more
in North Africa but in capable tank than
Italy, the Aegean and the Chieftain to
Waffen SS Armour on the Eastern Front the Balkans. The author, suit their climatic
Publisher: Pen and Sword who commanded the and geographical
Author: Ian Baxter LRDG, paints a vivid conditions. However,
ISBN: 978139900032 picture of the unit’s colourful characters: once the revolution occurred in 1979 the British
Format: Softback army was reluctantly forced to accept this
for example, Ralph Bagnold who put to
Price: £14.99 new design themselves. Once in service there
good use the knowledge he gained from
were technical problems resulting in various
his pre-war desert travels. The LRDG was modifications. However, the Challenger would
Hitler’s invasion of truly international with New Zealanders and go on to great success in the Gulf War, playing
the Soviet Union, Rhodesians playing key roles. This classic crucial roles in both Desert Storm and Desert
codenamed Operation book won acclaim from the critics on its first Sabre operations. In this book, Simon Dunstan
‘Barbarossa’, was publication by virtue of the author’s unique examines this tank in detail, evaluating its
arguably the pivotal knowledge, experience and narrative skills. performance both on the test range and in the
moment of the Second field of battle.
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
World War. Initially www.ospreypublishing.com
the onslaught was

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 5 1
books
on the side Tiger I German Army Heavy Tank
same units played an important part in the
Osprey Publisher: Pen and Sword TankCraft
Author: Denis Oliver blunting of the Soviet offensive efforts and
ISBN: 9781399018081 in the retaking of Kharkov
British Sniping Rifles Since 1970 Format: Softback in eastern Ukraine in early
Publisher: Osprey Price: £16.99 1943, a tactical achievement
Author: Steve Houghton that is studied in military
ISBN: 9781472842350 academies around the
The Tiger I and Tiger II tanks world today. In addition to
Format: Softback
are probably the most famous archive photographs and
Price: £13.99
German armoured fighting painstakingly researched,
vehicles of the Second World exquisitely presented colour
In response to the War and despite the relatively illustrations, a large part of
challenge of the Soviet small numbers produced, this book showcases available
Dragunov self-loading the heavy Panzer units of model kits and aftermarket
rifle, the British Army the German Army played a products, complemented
adopted the 7.62mm key role in the battles fought by a gallery of beautifully
L42A1 bolt-action sniping rifle in 1970. The
in North Africa, Italy, the constructed and painted
L42A1 was deployed in Dhofar and Northern
Ireland, but arguably saw its finest hour during Western Front and particularly models in various scales.
the Falklands War in 1982. The harsh conditions in the East. In the seventh Technical details as well as
of the South Atlantic laid bare the L42A1’s and final book on the Tiger in this series modifications introduced during production
inadequacies and a new company, Accuracy Dennis Oliver examines the first tanks that and in the field are also examined providing
International, won the contract to replace left the production line to go into service everything the modeller needs to recreate an
the L42A1 and the PM Rifle, a world-beating on the Eastern Front in an effort to break accurate representation of the Tigers of 1942
revolutionary design, was adopted in 1985 as the Russian defences around Leningrad. and early 1943.
the L96A1. Progressively upgraded, the L96A1 As reinforcements steadily arrived, the
went on to serve as the British Army’s primary www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
sniper system, being deployed in Northern
Ireland, the First Gulf War, Bosnia, Iraq and

Hitler’s Air Defences


Afghanistan. The L115A3, chambered in .338
Lapua Magnum, joined the L96A1 in the front
line in 2008 and since 2012 has been Britain’s
standard issue sniping rifle. Featuring full-
colour artwork and close-up photographs, this Pen and Sword
absorbing study assesses the development, Publisher: Pen and Sword
combat use, impact and legacy of these three Author: Stephen Wynn
iconic British sniping weapons. ISBN: 978139940267
Format: Softback
Kurdish Armour Against ISIS Price: £20.00
Publisher: Osprey
Author: Ed Nash, Alaric
The first Allied bombing raid on Berlin
Searle
during the course of the Second World
ISBN: 9781472847584
War, took place on 7 June 1940, when a
Format: Softback French naval aircraft dropped 8 bombs
Price: £11.99 on the German capital, but the first British
raid on German soil took place on the
One of the most remarkable night of 10/11 May 1940, when RAF aircraft
mechanised campaigns attacked Dortmund. Initially, Nazi Germany
of recent years pitted the hadn’t given much thought about its aerial
brutal and heavily armed defences. being attacked in its ‘own back
jihadis of Islamic State yard’ wasn’t something that was anticipated
against an improvised force belonging to
to be an issue. Germany had been on the
the Kurdish YPG (later the SDF). While some
Kurdish vehicles were originally from Syrian offensive from the beginning of the war and
Army stocks or captured from ISIS, many others Hitler believed that the Luftwaffe was the
were extraordinary homemade AFVs based much stronger air force. In addition, from
on truck or digger mechanicals, or duskas, 1939-1942, the Allied policy of aerial attacks
the Kurds’ version of the technical. Before US on German soil was to hit targets with a
air power was sent to Syria, these were the distinct military purpose, such as munitions identify their specific targets, and easier for
Kurds’ most powerful and mobile weapons. factories, airfields etc. This meant that the German fighter aircraft to shoot them down
Co-written by a British volunteer who fought Germany military could focus where they before they could jettison their bomb loads.
with the Kurds and an academic expert on placed their anti-aircraft batteries and had With the Allied tactic of ‘area bombing’,
armoured warfare, this study explains how
the Kurds built and used their AFVs in the war
a very good idea of how many they would Germany’s anti-aircraft capabilities became
against ‘Daesh’ and identifies as far as possible need. However, Germany’s defensive harder to maintain as demand increased.
which vehicles took part in major battles, such capabilities were forced to improve as The longer the war went on, along with the
as Kobane, Manbij and Raqqa. With detailed Allied raids on towns and cities increased increased Allied bombing raids, sometimes
new artwork depicting the Kurds’ range of in size and frequency. Fighter aircraft were involving more than 1,000 bomber aircraft,
armour and many previously unpublished included as part of anti-aircraft defences so the worth and effectiveness of German
photos, this is an original and fascinating look and flak units mastered the art of keeping air-defences dwindled.
at modern improvised mechanised warfare. attacking Allied aircraft at a specific height. www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
www.ospreypublishing.com This made it more difficult for them to

5 2 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


The Dassault

PR E
-OR
MIRAGE F1

DER
!
By Andy Evans

MDFSD 12
W
hen is a Mirage not a Mirage? the last French Mirage

MIRAGE F1
When it’s a Mirage F1! The delta F1s was retired from
wing shape was synonymous the THE DASSAULT service. Powered by
Dassault Mirage family from the Mirage III,
Mirage IV and Mirage 5 up the Mirage 2000, MIRAGE F1 a single SNECMA Atar
9K-50 turbojet engine £17.99
however, this design chain was broken with By Andy Evans
and armed with an array + P&P
the Mirage F1. During the 1960s, Dassault of French and American-
commenced development of what would sourced armaments, the Mirage
become the Mirage F1 as a private venture, F1 has been operated as a light multipurpose
alongside the larger Mirage F2. Work on fighter and has been exported to around a dozen
the F1 eventually took precedence over nations. The type has seen action in a large
the more costly F2, which was cancelled number of armed conflicts involving several of
during the late 1960s. The French Air its operators, including the Western Sahara War,
Force (Armée de l’Air) took interest in the the Paquisha War, the Cenepa War, the Iran–Iraq
fledgling fighter to meet its requirement War, the Gulf War, the South African Border War,
for an all-weather interceptor aircraft. the War in Afghanistan, the Chadian–
Accordingly, initial production units were Libyan conflict, the 2011 military
equipped with the Thomson-CSF Cyrano M DF
12
SCALED DOWN
intervention in Libya, and
IV monopulse radar. The Mirage F1 was of the Northern Mali
similar size to the Mirage III and Mirage Cover for illustrative purposes only

5, and was powered by the same SNECMA


Atar engine as had been used on the
larger Dassault Mirage IV, however, unlike
its predecessors, it shared the layout of a
swept wing, mounted high on the fuselage
and a conventional tail surface as used by the F2. Although it has a conflict. More than 720 Mirage F1s were manufactured between 1966 and
smaller wingspan than the Mirage III, the Mirage F1 nevertheless 1992, and it was succeeded in production by the Dassault Mirage 2000.
proved to be superior to its predecessor, carrying more fuel while The F1 was as noted flown by the French Air Force, and widely exported
possessing a shorter take-off run and superior manoeuvrability. to South Africa, Ecuador, Gabon, Iran, Greece, Libya, Iraq, Jordan, Congo,
During the latter half of 1974, the Mirage F1 entered service in Kuwait, Qatar, Morocco and Spain, as well as civilian defence contractors
the French Air Force. Shortly thereafter, the type was deployed as operating in the United States of America. The history, variants, systems
the main interceptor of the French Air Force, a capacity which it and war roles of the Mirage F1 are detailed in this new MDF Scaled
continued to serve in until the arrival of the Mirage 2000. It later Down, which will be a source of reference for both the enthusiast and
transitioned to an aerial reconnaissance role. During June 2014, modeller alike.

M DF
12
ORDER HOTLINE: 44 (0)1234 331431
SCALED DOWN ORDER ONLINE: www.modelaircraftmag.com
idf tank
Scale 1:35 / Academy

Magach 6B Gal Batash

RAMMING HIT
ALAN HARPER BUILDS THE 1:35 ACADEMY KIT
academy

T
he ‘Magach’ or ‘Ramming
Hit’ refers to a series
IDF tanks, with the
Magach 1 to 3 being
based upon the M48 and the Magach
6 and 7 on the M60 series and are
a mixture of vehicles purchased
from Germany and the USA, as
well as several Jordanian ones
captured intact during the 1967 Six
Day War. Following the 1967 War,
several modifications were made to
improve the tank to M48A3 level,
resulting in the Magach 3. These

5 4 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


ramming hit
Magach 6B Gal Batash
5) and M60 (Magach 6) during the
1970s. Prior to the 1982 invasion of
Magach 6B Gal Batash
Lebanon War the Magach 6 tanks Manufacturer: Academy
were fitted with Explosive Reactive Scale: 1:35
Armour (ERA) tiles and further work Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded
was undertaken on the Magach Kit Number: 13281
6 models, including new armour,
Merkava based tracks, new fire Merkava Tracks
controls, a thermal sleeve for the gun Manufacturer: Friulmodel
Kit Number: ATL-63
and smoke dischargers, eventually
modifications included replacement resulting in the Magach 7. Since
Drive sprockets Israeli M60 Patton
of the original 90 mm cannon with the 1980s and 1990s, the Magach (Merkava Track)
the British 105mm L7, lowering was gradually replaced with the Manufacturer: MR Modellbau
the command turret’s profile, Merkava as the IDF’s main battle tank, Kit Number: MR-35244
upgraded communication suite, however, the large majority of the
and replacement of the flammable IDF’s armoured corps continued to Spot Welded Footman Loops/Tie-downs
and weak gasoline engine with a consist of Magach variants until the Manufacturer: Arms Corps Models
750 hp diesel unit. When the Yom 1990s, and the tank was continuously Kit Number: 1160
Kippur broke out, Israel had a total upgraded during this time.
of 540 M48A3’s (with 105mm gun) I have wanted to make a model of The most noticeable thing missing
and M60A1 tanks, and during this vehicle, and with Academy’s 1:35 is the anti-slip coating on the turret
the war, these tanks suffered Magach 6B the moment had finally and front armour panel and adding
heavy losses. These losses arrived! The kit is in effect the old this was an easy process that only
were replaced with new M60 Blazer, but with some new parts requires hairspray, masking tape
M48A5 (Magach to update it to the Magach 6B Gal and embossing powder or a similar
Batash standard. The kit parts are well fine-grained product. I started by
cast and have no flash, and although masking off the areas that need to stay
there are a few seam lines, free from the anti-slip coating with
these are minimal and easily masking tape or masking liquid. Next,
removed with a scalpel and I applied a coat of hairspray and added
sandpaper. The basic model is sound, the embossing powder. After letting
and it can be built out of the box to this dry, I removed any excess powder,
resemble a Magach 6B, but as there and then used a couple more of coats
is always room for improvement of hairspray to fix it in place. I then
and me being me, I can never leave removed the masking tape and give it
anything well alone, so I just had a flash of primer to seal everything in.
to add some improvements to this I replaced the final drive housing
model too! and sprocket with the MR Modellbau

FOLLOWING
THE 1967
WAR, SEVERAL
MODIFICATIONS
WERE MADE
TO IMPROVE
THE TANK TO
M48A3 LEVEL,
RESULTING IN
THE MAGACH 3
WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 5 5
idf tank
Scale 1:35 / Academy

The basic model is sound, and


it can be built out of the box to
resemble a Magach 6B, but there
is always room for improvement!

set, as this is the


The most noticeable thing correct Merkava
missing is the anti-slip coating version that should
on the turret and front armour be installed to the later
panel, and adding this was an
easy process
Magach 6 and will also take a set
of Friul tracks very nicely. The tow
cables were replaced with ones
from Eureka XXL and the FN Mag’s
are from Legend. The turret basket
and smoke grenade launchers were
taken from an old Legend conversion
set, the 0.50 calibre was taken from
a different Academy set, and the
remote firing system was donated
from a HobbyBoss kit.
The triangle shaped loops were
scratch built from metal tube and wire,
the front mud flap replaced, and the
rear fender thinned and the tie-downs
replaced with ones from Arms Corps
Models. The turret and engine deck
were also retextured with Mr Surfacer

The model was then given a coat of


primer, and this was followed by some
black and white pre-shading and pre-
lightening

5 6 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


ramming hit
Magach 6B Gal Batash

For the base


colour I used a
mix of Tamiya
paints

A wash of raw umber was


applied to enhance the detail
and blend the black and
white shading together

Having achieved the


finish I wanted; the base
colour was sealed in
with Tamiya clear

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 5 7
idf tank
Scale 1:35 / Academy

Close-in on the frontal area showing the effect of the raw umber wash Streaking and chipping showed a vehicle involved in ‘urban’ operations

The ‘rubber’ on
the wheels was
distressed to show
wear
To add a bit more colour I
also added a cooler from
Meng-Model

5 8 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


ramming hit
Magach 6B Gal Batash
to recreate the cast finish. The model then added using MIG
was then given a coat of primer, Productions pigments.
and this was followed by some These were kept light
black and white pre-shading and so as not to overpower
pre-lightening, as this technique all the previous work.
lends itself well to single- Instead of painting the
coloured vehicles like those in periscopes and sights
the IDF inventory I used AFV Reflective
For the base colour Stickers as these looked
I used a mix of Tamiya much better that any
paints. There are different painting technique and
manufactures now that are easy to apply. As IDF
offer IDF colours that will vehicles in urban settings
work well, but I prefer tend to be attacked with
to mix my own as this rocks and other things I
gives me more control added bottles and cans
over the final colours. from Accurate Armour
The mix in this case was and used kitty litter
one-part XF- 20, one for stones. To add a bit
part XF- 57, one part XF- more colour I also added
27 and one part XF- 49. a cooler from Meng-
The paint was thinned Model, a box of soda and
down considerably and a strap and ratchet from
applied in thin layers in order Djiti Productions as well
to control the amount of the black The M60 lineage of the Magach 6 is evident as one of their IDF tanker
and white shading showing through here! figures with a Hornet head.
on the finish. Then having achieved This is another welcome addition
the finish I wanted, the base colour So, I mixed a lighter shade of the to the ever-growing number of IDF
was sealed in with Tamiya clear and base colour and using a fine pointed models in my collection and this one
the decals were then applied. brush and the sponge technique, I was a good, easy-to-build kit with
Next a wash of raw umber was added the first steps in the chipping some great detailing potential.
applied to enhance the detail and process, and to finish off I used AK
blend the black and white shading Interactive weathering enamels
together, and to give some of the to add rust and dirt
smaller details even more definition streaks to the hull and
selective pin-washes were also turret. Dust was
applied. After everything had
completely dried, the model was
given a dull coat to eliminate the
sheen left over from the clear coat and
to provide a base for the chipping.
I wanted to depict the model as
one used in urban operations, and
as armour operating in these
environments tends to get
beaten-up, chips and
scratches are a must.

The scratch built


anti-slip coating
works very well!

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 5 9
maintenance manual
The Carl-Gustaf Recoilless Rifle

Maintenance Manual
The Carl-Gustaf Recoilless Rifle
he Carl-Gustaf Recoilless Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapon System’

T Rifle, designated in Swedish


service as the Granatgevär
m/48, (Grg m/48–‘grenade rifle’,
model 1948) is an 84mm man-portable
reusable anti-tank weapon originally
(MAAWS) or ‘Ranger Anti-tank Weapons
System’ (RAWS) but is often just called
‘Gustaf’. In Australia, it is irreverently known
as ‘Charlie Gutsache’ (guts ache, slang for
stomach pain), or ‘Charlie Swede’. The basic
produced by Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori weapon consists of the main tube with the
(later Saab Bofors Dynamics) in Sweden. breech-mounted Venturi recoil damper,
Developed in 1946, it was one of the many with two grips near the front and a shoulder
recoilless rifle designs of that era. While mount. The weapon is fitted with iron sights
similar weapons have generally disappeared but is normally aimed with the attached 3×
from service, the Carl-Gustaf is still in optical sight with a seventeen-degree field
production and remains in widespread use of view. The most modern variants fielded
today. The Carl-Gustaf is a lightweight, by Swedish rifle companies have been fitted
low-cost weapon that uses a wide range of with the Swedish Aimpoint sighting system.
ammunition, which makes it extremely Luminous front and rear sight inserts are
flexible and suitable for a wide variety of roles. available for the iron sights when aiming at
The weapon’s name is frequently night, and an image intensification system
shortened. In Sweden, it is simply called the may also be used.
grg (gé-er-gé). British troops refer to it as The Gustaf can be fired from the standing,
the ‘Charlie G’, while Canadian troops often kneeling, sitting or prone positions, and
refer to it as ‘Carl G’. In US military service, a bipod may be attached in front of the
it is officially known as the ‘M3 Multi-Role shoulder piece. An operating handle called

6 0 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


carl-gustav
Maintenance Manual

the ‘Venturi lock’ is used to move the


hinged breech to one side for reloading.
In November 2011, the US Army began
ordering the M3 MAAWS for regular units
deployed in Afghanistan. Soldiers were being
engaged with RPGs at 900 metres, while no increase in recoil, and nearly equivalent
their light weapons had effective ranges of barrel life that could be ready for government
500–600 meters. The Gustaf allows airburst testing in 2014. Saab has also developed a
capability of troops in defilade out to 1,250 new high explosive round that has a direct
metres, and high explosive use out to 1,300 fire range of 1,500 metres when using a fire
metres. While the weapon provides enhanced control system. THE CARL-GUSTAF IS A LIGHTWEIGHT, LOW-
effectiveness, 21 lb weight burdens troops. On
28 March 2013, USSOCOM announced a call
As noted above, the M3 Multi-role
Anti-Armour Anti-Tank Weapon System
COST WEAPON THAT USES A WIDE RANGE OF
for sources to develop a kit to lighten the M3 (MAAWS) is the U.S. military designation AMMUNITION, WHICH MAKES IT EXTREMELY
MAAWS and reduce overall length without for the Carl-Gustaf M3 recoilless rifle. It
affecting handling or ruggedness. By that is primarily used by United States Special FLEXIBLE AND SUITABLE FOR A WIDE VARIETY
time, Saab was developing a weight-reduced
version prior to the SOCOM release that
Operations Command such as the Army
Rangers, Army Special Forces, Marine
OF ROLES.
demonstrated no decrease in performance, Raiders, Navy SEALs, and JSOC operators.

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 6 1
maintenance manual
The Carl-Gustaf Recoilless Rifle

6 2 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


carl-gustav
Maintenance Manual

In the late 1980s, the Special Operations for the weapon. Tests were conducted in 1993. carried by one person, a Gustaf team with
Forces Modernisation Action Plan indicated The manufacturer’s recommended life for the the heavier recoilless rifle can reload and
need for a Ranger Anti-Armor/Anti- weapon was 500 rounds, but bore surfaces fire more rounds In late 2012, the Army
Personnel Weapon System (RAAWS) to showed no indications of erosion until fielded fifty-eight M3s and 1,500 rounds of
replace the M67 recoilless rifle in use by the 2,360 rounds. The U.S. Navy SEALs became ammunition to units deployed to Afghanistan
75th Ranger Regiment. A market survey in interested in the program and moved it to a to destroy enemy targets out to 1,000 metres.
1987 indicated that the Carl Gustaf M3 was Joint Integrated Product Team. The program This was because RPG and machine gun
the best candidate for satisfying RAAWS name subsequently changed from the RAAWS teams could attack 900 metres away, while
requirements. On 29 September 1988, to the Multi-Role Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel existing weaponry such as the M141 Bunker
the M3 was selected as the RAAWS from Weapon System (MAAWS). Defeat Munition, M72 LAW, M136 AT-4, and
candidate proposals submitted in response Army Rangers found the M3 was best MK153 SMAW have effective ranges of only
to the market survey compiled by ARDEC. A employed using a two-man team. One person 500 metres. The AT-4 is lighter and cheaper
subsequent review of the contractor-supplied would carry the launcher and be armed with but is made of reinforced fiberglass, while the
fatigue test data determined that the data a pistol for personal protection, and the other M3’s rifled metal/carbon fibre launch tube
did not meet U.S. Army requirements. Benét would carry five to six rounds of ammunition allows for reloading. Employing the 22 lb
Laboratories conducted fatigue test of two and act as a spotter for the gunner. Although M3 is easier than the 50lb FGM-148 Javelin
tubes to establish an interim safe service life the single-shot AT-4 is lighter and can be with its launcher with missile and reusable

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 6 3
maintenance manual
The Carl-Gustaf Recoilless Rifle

command launch unit, is faster than waiting


on mortars, and is cheaper than the Javelin
and artillery shells for engaging targets in
hard cover. Although Special Operations
forces had been using the M3 since the early
1990s, light infantry unit commanders in
Afghanistan had to submit operational
needs statements to get the weapon. The M3
became an official program of record in the
conventional Army in 2014, and a conditional
materiel release was authorized in late 2015 to
equip all brigade combat teams with one M3
launcher per infantry platoon
In 2017, the US Army approved a
requirement for 1,111 M3E1 units to be fielded
to soldiers as part of an Urgent Material
Release. The M3E1 is part of the Product

6 4 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


Washes
Take your models to the
next level of realism

Before

Manager Crew Served Weapon portfolio. for an interchangeable fire control system.
A key benefit of the M3E1 is that it can fire For added safety and cost savings, an
multiple types of rounds, giving soldiers automatic round counter enables Soldiers and
increased capability on the battlefield. By logisticians to accurately track the service
using titanium, the updated M3E1, based life of each weapon. The M3E1 uses the same
on the M3A1 introduced in 2014, is more family of ammunition as the M3, which
than six pounds lighter. The M3E1 is also 2.5 has been successfully tested. In November
inches shorter and has an improved carrying 2017, the US Marine Corps announced they
handle, shoulder padding and an improved planned to procure the M3E1 MAAWS. 1,200
sighting system that can be adjusted for better M3E1s would be acquired with one fielded to
comfort without sacrificing performance. every infantry squad. In addition to infantry
The wiring harness was included in the use, the Marines are considering it to replace
M3E1 configuration that provides a foregrip the Mk.153 SMAW in combat engineer
controller and programmable fuse setter squads. After

• Perfect for creating grime, dust and


rust effects
• Apply to locomotives, wagons,
buildings and many more

Visit www.humbrol.com where you’ll


find help and advice as well as hints, tips
and product demonstration videos to get
the best out of the wide variety of
Humbrol products available!

/humbrol @humbrol /humbrol

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 6 5
R35
Scale 1:35 / Light Tank

THE RENAULT R35, AN ABBREVIATION OF CHAR LÉGER MODÈLE 1935 R OR R 35, WAS A FRENCH LIGHT INFANTRY TANK OF
THE SECOND WORLD WAR. DESIGNED FROM 1933 ONWARDS AND PRODUCED FROM 1936, THE TYPE WAS
INTENDED AS AN INFANTRY SUPPORT LIGHT TANK, EQUIPPING AUTONOMOUS TANK BATTALIONS, THAT
WOULD BE ALLOCATED TO INDIVIDUAL INFANTRY DIVISIONS TO ASSIST THEM IN EXECUTING
OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS. TO THIS END IT WAS RELATIVELY WELL-ARMOURED BUT SLOW AND
LACKING A GOOD ANTITANK-CAPACITY, FITTED WITH A SHORT 37 MM GUN.

A Diminutive
French
Fighter
TOM PRIMETT BUILDS, AND HAND PAINTS THE 1:35 TAMIYA RENAULT R35 LIGHT TANK

WWII Light Infantry Tank R35 Light Tank It usually pays to read the instructions first
and review your references, and it certainly
tamiya Manufacturer: Tamiya does with this kit. The wheels and suspension
Scale: 1:35 will be difficult to paint on the completed

T
his build features the fairly
recent Tamiya offering, and Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded. model, so I chose to prime them and base
as usual it comes in a solid Kit Number: 35373
box containing five sealed
poly bags. Even if this kit didn’t have labels nice casting details on the body were easily
you would know it was Tamiya as soon as brought out with painting, and interestingly,
you start construction. The build started you must be precise in your cleaning of
with the chassis, all going together without parts, as any excess left on sprue tags will
a join in sight, so precise, and the dry fitting affect many of the joins. In section one the
of the body guaranteed no filling or sanding build of the chassis creates a solid base for
was needed. Purists may want to sand the the rest of the build, and the design of the kit
joins as this was a cast body, but as I would has all the wheel connections built in, again
be applying paint by brush, I felt any joins offering a very solid platform for the rest of
would be covered up (and they did). The the parts.

6 6 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


french fighter
Diminutive R35

THE NICE CASTING DETAILS ON THE BODY WERE EASILY


BROUGHT OUT WITH PAINTING

coat on the sprue and paint the tyres. Also,


some basic weathering would help. These
parts can then be touched up later on the
completed build. The primer used was the
Lifecolor Olive Drab, which was airbrushed
on, however, I really wanted to hand paint
this model, so from here onwards, everything
was done with a brush. I had in my collection
the AK Interactive French Colours Set
AK4050, and all the colours were used. All the
individual colours were diluted by around
fifty percent with tap water and three coats
of each colour were used. Each colour was
applied on its own and allowed to dry before
the next coat, and this avoided any blending
with next colour. The diluted nature of the
The suspension and wheels were painted on the sprue paint also stopped any build up and visible

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 6 7
R35
Scale 1:35 / Light Tank

A dry fit of chassis shows a


perfect fit

The pre-painted
suspension and
wheels added

The camouflage was


hand painted…

6 8 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


french fighter
Diminutive R35

… as were the black


divider lines

brush strokes.
The vehicle was thus
given a base coat of AK4055
French Green #2 from the set.
The other colours were added in the
order, so AK4053 French Brown, AK4051
French Milky Coffee, AK4054 French Green
#1 and finally AK4052 French Artillery Grey Enamel Track Wash. The Track
were applied. These colours, although all Wash gave some much needed
designed for World War I vehicles, they are The tracks depth, which I followed up with a
very close to those used at World War II. With were also painted dry brush of the Track Primer.
all these colours dry this still looked like the on the sprues, and after the I would further weather
dog’s dinner but came alive with the final initial primer, a diluted coat of the tracks later and any
step. Using a 3/0 artificial sable brush the Panzer Aces 304 Track Primer touch ups required would
Black (diluted 50%) was very carefully applied brushed on followed by a be done with the Track
and looks great when finished. After hand liberal coat of AK Interactive Primer. As the R35 was to
brushing on a layer of Gloss, the decals were be displayed on a road, a
added. Then to blend all the colours together, dry brushing of steel and
and tone everything down I added four silver was applied to the areas
layers of a green oil filter, followed touching the road and where
by a brown oil wash. the road wheels would travel.
The supplied figure was also great and
was finished in colours suggested in the
instructions. The base was made up from
some left-over resin cobbles from a previous

The decals now added

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 6 9
R35
Scale 1:35 / Light Tank

project and were cut to into rectangular


shapes and then enclosed in some Balsa. The
Balsa and resin were joined together by hot
glue from a glue gun, a recent and invaluable
purchase. The Balsa was stained with a dark
brown wash and the cobbles finished with
various greys with a dry brushed layer. When
finished it is obvious that this is a tiny tank,
however, Tamiya have done it justice with
this lovely kit.

7 0 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


ON SALE NOW! Model Aircraft – OCTOBER 2021

M
odel Aircraft 6 IA-58 PUCARA WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM MODEL AIRCRAFT OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021 7 MODEL AIRCRAFT OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021 35 MODEL AIRCRAFT OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021 41

Hell’s Bells P-38

MODEL AIRCRAFT MANUAL

MODEL AIRCRAFT – F-111 AARDVARK


Torpedo Pucara

TORPEDO PUCARA
Grumman F-111B prototype 151972. The aircraft is finished in standard US Navy colours of Gull Grey FS36440 over

offers a unique
White. Note the Phoenix Missile System badge on the tail, and Infra-Red Search & Track sensor under the nose. This

Model Aircraft Manual


aircraft had a ‘heavy’ airframe.

Island
P-39 Beautiful
Tiger Airacobra Lass
blend of
F-111 Aardvark
Alan Kelley builds the colourful 1:48 Kinetic IA-58 Argentine trials aircraft
IA-58 Pucara

T
he FMA IA-58 Pucara is a twin with options for an Argentine aircraft or in a
engine ground attack and counter Scale: 1:4 Uruguayan air force ground attack scheme. Grumman F-111B prototype 151974. The aircraft is finished in standard US Navy colours of Gull Grey FS36440 over
insurgency (COIN) aircraft, Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded For the chosen scheme I was doing, Detailing the White. The aircraft is seen during her sea trials aboard the USS Coral Sea in 1968, which were remarkably successful.

contemporary and manufactured for the Argentine air Kit Number: 48078 I commissioned my friend, Ivan cockpit area
force. The aircraft saw service in the Jensen Taylor to make me a set
Falklands War, as it was the only Argentine
aircraft capable of operating on the relatively was its possible production as a torpedo-
of masks for the AX-04 codes.
The rest of the decals are from
History Colour Profiles Scale Plans Step by Step Build
small airfield at Port Stanley, although these carrying aircraft to enhance the anti-ship the kit. However, there is now

historical reference
aircraft were completely outclassed by the capabilities of the Argentine air forces. Several a new set of decals from
Royal Naval Sea Harriers, with three being shot trials were performed off Puerto Madryn, TwoBobs that includes this
down by No.800 Naval Air Squadron aircraft over Golfo Nuevo, but the war ended before very scheme.
on 1st May 1982. Six more were destroyed the technicians could evaluate the feasibility Construction started, as
by an SAS Raid at Pebble Island, and eleven of the project. usual, in the cockpit, which Grumman F-111B pre-production aircraft 152714 which introduced the 2 foot-longer nose. The aircraft is finished in
more were captured by British Forces after the The kit I am using is the new release from is nicely detailed, however, standard US Navy colours of Gull Grey FS36440 over White and was removed from the US inventory in 1971 and used for
spare parts. It is due to undergo restoration at Silver Springs, NV.

features combined
Argentine surrender. the Kinetic Gold range, in 1:48 scale. This is a you will notice the exclusion
The aircraft I am modelling here was an beautiful kit, in finely moulded grey styrene of any instrument panel decals.
experimental aircraft that came about at So, here I used a combination of
the peak of the Falklands War, when the paint, Airscale and Anyz decals. I
Argentine Air Force, in collaboration with painted the cockpit in Hataka Grey C054,
the Navy, outfitted a prototype, AX-04, with which is. This was then weathered with and

with some of the


pylons to mount Mk.13 torpedoes. The aim Ammo by MIG Dark Wash and Shaders. Next
up, I glued the fuselage together. Before adding surfaces, and shot some Hataka Gloss Black
the wings, it is important to ensure to add nose on them, in preparation for the metallic paint I
weight under the cockpit area, otherwise the Liquid Ballast held in place with PVA Glue. would be coating them in. For this I used Alclad Grumman F-111B pre-production aircraft 152715, with the longer nose and first with Triple Plow II inlets (with double
completed model will be quite the ‘tail When I eventually glued the engine nacelles Hi-Shine Aluminium, which gave the perfect blow-in doors). The aircraft is finished in standard US Navy colours of Gull Grey FS36440 over White and was retired
and stored at NAS China Lake, CA.
sitter’. For this I used Deluxe Materials together, I also added further weight into the look I was after. I also masked off some of the

very best modelling


assembly before fitting the propellors. The fit smaller detail areas, such as the guns, fuselage
of this is sublime and little filler needed. I also access panels and aerials and painted those too.
added the tail surfaces, and then masked it up I had to make my own custom masks for the
ready for some primer. Here I used Mr Surfacer calibration marks on each side of the fuselage
1000, which went on very smoothly. and also added the masks for the AX-04 serial
Next up was to paint the entire airframe, and numbers. These were then painted black,

articles. Focusing on here I used Hataka Traffic White for this before
carefully masking the rather complex red
markings, which was laid down using
before the entire airframe was given a coat of
Hataka Gloss Clear.
The kit decals were a joy to use and
nestled down into all panel lines
without any trouble at all. They
General Dynamics RF-111C A8-143 of No.6 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force based at RAAF Amberley. The aircraft is
finished in FS 30219 Tan, FS34102 Medium Green and FS34079 Dark Green upper surfaces with black undersides, the same
as the USAF SEA finish. In overall Gunship Grey this jet made a spectacularly skilled wheels-up landing on 18 July 2006 after
were very thin, and this caused a

military aircraft of the


losing a mainwheel on take-off, but was not repaired and retired from service.
bit of an issue on the tail where the red/
white demarcation could be seen through the
Hataka Traffic Red. There decal. I corrected this by masking off the darker
is no exact match for the red used on the actual areas and blending the white in. Once all the
aircraft, but this was a reasonably close match. decals were added I gave the model another

past, the magazine


The red proved to be quite difficult to lay down coat of Gloss, before adding a panel wash. For
perfectly as I kept having little issues with bleed, this I used Ammo by MIG Dark Wash, and once
even though I was using relatively fine, dry, dry, I used some kitchen towel to remove all
thin coats. Eventually I achieved a finish I was the excess, before sealing this in with a Matt
happy with. I then masked off all the control coat. I prefer to do all my weathering stages on General Dynamics F-111C A8-113 of No.82 Wing Royal Australian Air Force based at RAAF Amberley, December 2010 at the ‘Last
Hurrah’. The aircraft in finished in overall Gunship Grey FS36118 with a black radome. Originally an F-111A which flew the last
Vietnam combat mission in 1973, the jet was modified to F-111C standard as an attrition replacement in 1982.

features a wide AX-04 WAS OUTFITTED WITH PYLONS TO MOUNT MK.13


TORPEDOES, THE AIM BEING THE POSSIBLE PRODUCTION OF
TORPEDO-CARRYING AIRCRAFT TO ENHANCE THE ANTI-SHIP
CAPABILITIES DURING THE FALKLANDS WAR

selection of material
covering as wide a
sphere of interest as 52 WESERFLUG P.1003/1 WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM MODEL AIRCRAFT OCTOBER 2021 53 74 P-40E/K KITTYHAWK WWW.MISSIONMODELSUS.COM MODEL AIRCRAFT OCTOBER 2021 WWW.MISSIONMODELSUS.COM 75

Kinetic

AN EARLY RISER

MISSION MODELS MASTERCLASS


AN EARLY Mission Models Masterclass
possible, with top
Riser 1:48 Scale
Torpedo

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021
quality model builds The interior ready for paint. The etched

IA-58
harnesses were from my ‘spares-box’

and photography, with


Pucara

Vol 20 Iss 10 £4.95


features from some
Grant Dalzell
builds the 1:48

Printed in UK
Amusing Hobby

GLOSTER GLADIAT
Weserflug P.1003/1
ONE -
BAT Z
German VTOL

of the best known Aircraft


The centre wing parts
COM
OR

aviation writers and Horizontal stabilisers are made of two parts each

LUFT ’46 IS A POPULAR MODELLING TOPIC AS CAN BE SEEN


Mac Patterson builds a
colourful version of the
1:48 Italeri P-40E Warhawk
Manual – F-111 Aardvark
modellers. Each issue Weserflug P.1003/1
BY THE NUMBER OF KITS PRODUCED OF AIRCRAFT THAT
NEVER GRACED THE SKIES Step by Step Build

Island Tiger
Manufacturer: Amusing Hobby
Scale: 1:48
Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded
Luft ’46 is a popular modelling topic as
can be seen by the number of kits produced
Colour Profiles
is designed to edify
Kit Number: 48A002 of aircraft that never graced the skies. This
is a new release from Amusing Hobby and
was on my ‘to get’ list from the day I saw it.
Opening the box, you will see there is not a
History
THE BIG BUILD
lot inside, with just two sprues of tan plastic
parts, one clear piece canopy and a small

and inspire both


decal sheet. There are three options for

Scale Plans
A
schemes, one being a night fighter, one s well as serving in most major boxing does offer six aircraft options, including was closed up without
RLM 81 and RLM 82 camouflage over theatres of operation during World parts to build North African RAF Kittyhawk issue and the wings

T
he Weserflug P.1003 was a two-seat connected the engine to the propellers, RLM 76 and the final one RLM 79 and War II, the Curtiss P-40 also played a and US P-40K’s. The decal sheet is probably located, the lower
German aircraft designed in 1938 by which were abnormally large with a diameter significant role in many ‘forgotten’ the standout feature which includes the iconic wing being a single,
Weserflug. The aim of the project of four metres, where for a similar aircraft conflicts, and one of these Tiger markings of Aleutian Warhawks. However, full span part. With

the modeller and was to construct a military tilt rotor


aircraft with VTOL characteristics for
use in World War II. At the beginning of 1938
plans for a tilt rotor aircraft were drawn up, and
the project, named P.1003, was supported by
the propellers would have had a diameter
of two metres. The initial plans included the
aircraft being fitted with retractable landing
gear. For take-off, the entire outer part of
the wing could be rotated ninety-degrees
battlegrounds were in the Aleutian Islands, in
the harsh Alaskan north. Curtiss’s dependable
warhorse performed in some of the most
demanding of conditions during its service life,
but this far-flung territory must have been one
I think Italeri have made an error assigning the
aircraft to 43rd Squadron 1st FS, other sources
indicated that this should in fact be 343rd
Squadron, the P-40 (number ’96’) being with
11th FS.
the Eduard etched
detail set to hand I removed the moulded
flaps, the etched set adding extra interest to
the build. Fortunately, the fit of the Italeri kit
is very respectable, requiring only a little filler
Literally dowdy in appearance other than
the eye-catching Tiger motif, this Aleutian
brought into play, the smooth
finish from US Olive Drab MMP-
the Air Ministry  The aircraft was a monoplane so that the propellers pointed straight up,

enthusiast alike.
of its most gruelling. Constant bad weather I wanted the build to proceed quickly, so to remove any of the obvious joints, with this P-40 carries the classic Olive Drab over Grey 026 and US Camouflage Grey
featuring a fairly conventional fuselage. The lifting the aircraft off the ground in a manner and challenging ground conditions took their elected to use box parts as much as possible, completed the airframe was primed and the scheme. Looking through my paint stash MMP-095 being and idea surface
aircraft was built with high mounted wings similar to that of a helicopter. Once in the air
toll, leaving the P-40’s heavily weathered the cockpit is functional and fit for purpose camouflage painting ready to begin. the old favourites from Mission Model were to apply some weathering effects
that could be hinged halfway along, and the wing-cum-propeller would be rotated to P-40E/K Kittyhawk
and dirty. This is of particular interest to the but not overly detailed- you do get some to. To enhance the distressed finish and add
with a propeller at each wing tip. A single a horizontal position and propel the aircraft Manufacturer: Italeri
P-40 modeller, giving the opportunity to nice sidewalls and raised detailing to the floor dimension to the camouflage, I added pre-
Daimler-Benz DB 600 engine was mounted forward. The aircraft was never constructed
trial a number of weathering techniques and though. The fuselage parts are dedicated to the Scale: 1:48 THE DECAL SHEET IS EXCELLENT BEING PRINTED BY shading with Mission Models Black to selected
in the middle of the fuselage, and drive shafts due to the complexity of the VTOL system.
products. P-40E variant, if you want to build the K version, Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded RESPECTED PRODUCERS CARTOGRAPH, WITH THE ALEUTIAN panels lines and access panels, the upper
The canvas for this weathering exercise was
the Italeri P-40E/K, although fairly basic the
you’ll need to remove the tail and used the
dedicated parts for that version. The fuselage
Kit Number: 2794
TIGER MARKINGS BEING THE STANDOUT OPTION surface Olive Drab was then applied in a series
of light coats to retain the dimensional effect,

PO Box 1592 | Bedford | MK40 9FD | UK


T: +44 (0) 1234 331431 E: info@modelaircraftmag.com

MA PUBLICATIONS
www.modelaircraftmag.com

1/32 GLOSTER GLADIATOR MK.II


ON SALE NOW! Scale Aviation Modeller International – OCTOBER 2021
1/48 FW 190A-6
ALL THE LATEST
AZORES GLADIATOR

CHEQUERED BUTCHER BIRD

Grant Dalzell builds the 1/48 Eduard


Fw 190A-6 ProfiPACK Edition The cockpit painted

NEWS & REVIEWS

S
cale Aviation
RLM 66, ready for the
coloured etch

The Yahu
instrument panel Construction
underway
The engine now

Modeller
installed

ONE OF THE COUNTRIES

International THAT ORDERED THE


GLADIATOR DURING THE
INTER-WAR PERIOD
WAS PORTUGAL
The Mercury
engine is very
nice

provides a unique
ENGINE The engine and
Sam Elkington
CHEQUERED There isn’t a complete engine, but an cockpit fixed in

builds the
1/32 Revell
engine front. This was also painted and
glued into one side of the fusleage
along with the cockpit. The fuselage
place

AZORES
1/32 Gloster

BUTCHER GLADIATOR
from the manufacturers, but this is not due halves were then fixed together. after the front cover is glued on. Again, all

and innovative
to the lack of aircraft, as the aftermarket for The gun covers were added now, of these three parts have multiple pieces
Gladiator Mk.II decals shows, with examples of Portuguese and there is a piece with gun barrels on the sprues, so choosing the correct
in Portuguese Gladiators, Spitfires, Hurricanes, P-38’s that goes inside the main cover, ones from the instructions is important. 

markings and other aircraft all being available. and the main cover needs to go on  
Revell’s 1/32 Gloster Mk.II

BIRD
THE KIT The moulding is particularly good with

experience for all types


Revell’s 1/32 Gloster Gladiator Mk.II kit is crisp detail on all parts and no flash. The
very much like the 1/32 ICM offering, kits decals were also good, with four RAF
which is hardly surprising as schemes in green and brown with sky,
it is a reboxing of the ICM kit! black or white undersides. However, I did
the start of the 1950’s. These craft were used The kit itself contains five light grey sprues not use these for my build as I had chosen

of modeller, from the AZORES to carry out duties, such as, advanced pilot
training for aerobatics. The last Portuguese
Gladiators were officially retired in 1953. The
Portuguese Air force does not see much love
and one clear sprue. The light grey sprues
contain the internal parts, fuselage, wings
and all the other aircraft parts, while the
clear sprue mainly contained the canopy.
to purchase aftermarket decals for a
Portuguese Gladiator. The one downside to
this kit was in the instructions, as they were
confusing at times. One diagram illustrates
KIT DETAILS THE KIT instrument panels, flat panels and use decals

GLADIATOR
his ProfiPACK edition comes with or flat panels and colour etch as is the case of

complete beginner to T coloured etch and a mask set as well


as five schemes to choose from.
Normally I have trouble choosing one,
but this time it was an instant choice, the box
art scheme with the chequered engine cowl. So,
this build. I built the majority of the cockpit and
painted it RLM 66 before adding etched pieces.
When all was installed, it really looked the part,
especially with the coloured instrument panels
and harnesses to detail it up. The cockpit was
BACKGROUND of thirty Gladiators. In 1941 the Portuguese starting with the cockpit you need to be aware then given a coat of Mr Color Flat Clear and then
KIT DETAILS
he world’s oldest known alliance, Government, alarmed at the prospect of an that there can be anything from two to five a light wash of Tamiya Brown Panel Line Accent. 

the most experienced. T cemented by treaty, is that between


the United Kingdom and Portugal.
What does this have to do with the
Gloster Gladiator you may be thinking? Well
in all honesty nothing, but this is the reason
allied invasion in the Azores, moved land and air
units in order to safeguard the islands. To this
extent Escadrille de Caca Expedicionara No.1 dos
Acores was established in June 1941, being based
at Rabo de Peixe Airfield on the island of San
FW 190A-6 PROFIPACK
EDITION
MANUFACTURER: Eduard
options here, with, for example, raised detail  

The gear bays


SCALE: 1/48
why I decided to build the Gladiator in its Miguel. In the end, Operation ‘Alacrity’ as it was were painted
KIT TYPE: Injection moulded RLM 02

Each month we offer


often-forgotten Portuguese schemes on this known, the allied invasion of the Azores never
plastic with etch
occasion. The Gloster Gladiator was the last happened. This was due to Portugal allowing
GLOSTER GLADIATOR biplane fighter used by the RAF. Despite being the allies to use the airbases of the Azores. In KIT NUMBER: 82148
MK.II rendered obsolete by the more modern fighters, exchange for the use of these airbases however,
it saw widespread action during World War II the Portuguese were supplied with newer, more
MANUFACTURER: Revell
on both sides. One of the countries that ordered up to date aircraft such as Hawker Hurricanes,

a wide range of news,


SCALE: 1/32
the Gladiator during the inter-war period effectively bringing an end to the Gladiators
KIT TYPE: Injection moulded was Portugal. Fifteen planes were originally service life. Many of the Gladiators were then
plastic
purchased, being given the numbers 450 to being demoted to secondary duties. However,
KIT NUMBER: 03845 464. A further order for the planes was placed these Gladiators still lasted longer than most
with Portugal eventually ending up with a total other models, with seven still being in service at
FIRST LOOKS
reviews, and full build 46 SCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL SCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL 47 52 SCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL SCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL 53
• HK Models 1/48 Avro
Lancaster Mk.1

features from around • Silver Wings 1/32 Gloster


Gauntlet Mk.II

1/72 1/48
the world, written
HEINKEL HE-111 H-16 F4-E PHANTOM II (EARLY)
POLTAWA RAIDER

RETURN OF THE RHINO

IN THE BOX THERE ARE TWO COLOURFUL

POLTAWA Jay Blakemore helps Zoukei-Mura CARTOGRAF DECAL SHEETS FEATURING A


SINGLE COLOUR-SCHEME OPTION ALONG QUICKBUILD
by our international
celebrate the 10th anniversary
WITH LOTS AND LOTS OF STENCILS

RAIDER
of their Super Wings Series
by building the recently Zvezda 1/72 Ju-87B2/U4
released F4-E Phantom II intake vanes with separately stores. The wheel bays were simple affairs, Stuka with Skis
(Early)

team of contributors
moulded turbine stays. with the sidewalls comprising two-piece
Deep intake tunnels mouldings that slotted into troughs in the
fitted over these, and lower wing halves. This featured adequate
like the engines, they panel and rivet detailing, though purists will
have been moulded doubtless want to scratch-build the missing

POLTAVA
in two halves. Split wiring looms and pipes. No fit issues were

including many with a


horizontally, the tunnels had experienced when mounting the wings.
prominent seams running their entire An improvement on earlier releases is the
length which required filling and sanding inclusion of separately moulded stabilator
smooth. Several applications of primer and mounting points. Three sets are provided
filler were also required, these being wet allowing the stabilators to be posed in either
INSIDE!

RAIDER
sanded between coats before the seams their neutral, raised or lowered positions.

worldwide reputation THE H-16, THE SUBJECT OF THIS BUILD,


WAS FITTED WITH JUMO 211F-2 ENGINES
The H-16, the subject of this build, was fitted
with Jumo 211F-2 engines and an increased
KIT DETAILS
benefit from being secured to the model
with thinned PVA adhesive. This was done
were totally eradicated. This process was
followed by a coat of white enamel fading
to grey towards the rear of the tunnels
to add to the impression of depth. The jet
The leading-edge slats too, including those
on the wing-tip dihedrals, which required
surgery on earlier releases, can be posed
in their drooped positions, while alternative
BLACKBURN BUCCANEER
- AIRFIX’S 1:72 S2B

in their field. It is this RETURN OF THE


defensive armament of 13mm MG 131’s, twin and they worked perfectly and looked nozzles must be cemented directly to the flaps and ailerons allow for numerous
7.9mm MG 81Z’s, and a 20mm MG/FF cannon. incredible. The reverse side of the single- engines, meaning that the engine assemblies arrangements. The landing gear built into
AND AN INCREASED DEFENSIVE ARMAMENT It could carry a bombload of up to 3.250kg. piece cockpit floor section formed the roof
of the nose wheel bay, from which separate
in their entirety must be inserted into the
fuselage before closure. The fuselage
solidly impressive units featuring separate
scissor jacks, actuating arms and hydraulic TALES OF IWO JIMA
- EDUARD’S 1/48 VERY

RHINO
THE KIT BUILDING THE HEINKEL components extended to form the bay- halves themselves were long and flexible fluid containers. Single-piece wheels were
Unfortunately, Hasegawa’s H-16 kit The kit is moulded in Hasegawa’s standard walls making for a rigid internal structure. and required a lot of clamping and taping provided for the nose gear while those on the

LONG RANGE MUSTANG


is currently out-of-production, but it light grey styrene, with fine recessed panel Separate foot pedals, control columns and to get them to close fully. This task was main gear were two-piece items, meaning
lines. I added seatbelts from tape to the

combination of expert
sporadically appears on internet auction numerous consoles were supplied for both accomplished by inserting an appropriately nasty join-lines to cleanup. Alternatives were
sites. Hasegawa have released several already well-detailed cockpit, which is front and rear cockpits, all of which featured therefore sought from Eduard’s range of
variants of the He-111 since the kit first perfectly visible under the large clear nose crisp raised and recessed detailing that
sized plastic container into the gaping lower
fuselage to prevent the thin sides from resin accessories (ED648012). The interceptor Hasegawa’s 1/72 Heinkel He-111 H16
appeared in 2004, and for the most part, the cone. The instrument panel is mounted to F4-E PHANTOM II deserved careful painting. Care must be bowing inwards while under pressure. The roll is catered for with the inclusion of AIM-7E
Roman Schilhart builds plastic is the same in all the kits. The the upper glazing; to avoid damage to the (EARLY) taken to align the cockpit tub correctly within fuselage parts have been cleverly designed Sparrow and AIM-9E/J Sidewinder armament,
main difference is with the clear transparencies, it was fixed with Tamiya the fuselage, as the lack of locating pins so that the upper seam is enclosed beneath as well as 370 and 600 gallon fuel tanks,
the 1/72 Hasegawa MANUFACTURER: Zoukei Mura

writing and content


parts, mainly dealing with the Multi-Purpose cement, a type of glue that THE REAL WORLD a single runner containing the clear parts, and makes misalignment more than probable. a separately moulded spine section, meaning and despite the inclusion of TER and MER
OCTOBER 2021
Vol 27 Issue 10 £4.95

Heinkel He-111 H-16 glass nose, ventral gondola does not fog the clear parts. The access n their website, Zoukei-Mura (ZM) two colourful Cartograf decal sheets featuring
SCALE: 1/48
Check too that the nose wheel bay is seated that any resultant alignment issues or gaps racks, no bombs were supplied. For this
Photographs by Wolfgang Rabel

hilst doing some research on rearmed. In spring 1944, Josef Stalin had finally
and dorsal gunner’s position. hatch on the top of the canopy can be posed
in open or closed position. The glasshouse
canopy comes in five parts and was a bit O invites us all to join them in a scale
model world that has never before
existed. Uncertain exactly where that
world is, I instead planted myself firmly in my
a single colour-scheme option along with
lots and lots of stencils. The thirty-one-page
instruction booklet was literally crammed
with traditional, monochrome illustrations and
KIT TYPE: Injection moulded
plastic
KIT NUMBER: SWS48-10
correctly before any cement is applied.

POWER PLAY
A pair of rudimentary engines were included
in this area can be neatly and effectively
hidden. There was a hole that required
opening in the spine section for the insertion
of a small aerial, as did holes in the lower
build aftermarket stores were requested,
despite those provided by ZM being perfectly
adequate, and these too came from Eduard’s
seemingly inexhaustible Brassin range.

that has made our KIT DETAILS


W the internet, I came across
a period photograph of an
Eastern Front He-111 in a rather
unusual paint scheme, with light spots over
the basic splinter camouflage. I find late-War
approved the use of three Soviet airfields for
these operations: Pyriatyn, Myrhorod, and a
headquarter detachment at Poltava, all in the
Ukrainian SSR. The three bases were situated
along the Kharkov-Kiev railway, far behind the
studio, situated in the real world, to knuckle
down and build their latest Phantom release.
Having pretty much exhausted the ‘short-nosed’
types, beginning their Phantom-foray in 2016
with the release of the F4-J: the F4-E (Early) is
instructions in both English and Japanese, being
devoid of the glossy full-colour 3D computer
imagery so popular with manufacturers these
days. On closer inspection the ZM instructions
were concise and well laid out, being spread
onto which were mounted two nicely detailed wings in preparation for the under-slung

German paint schemes very attractive, so I front, and the operation ran between June and the first of the ‘long-nosed’ versions on offer over forty-three constructional stages. A

title the most popular HEINKEL HE-111 H-16


immediately fell for it! After some research,
I identified this aircraft as a H-16 of 4./
KG 53. As it turned out, this was one of the
German bombers that participated in the
attack on Poltawa airfield in summer 1944.
September 1944. Everything had to be shipped
in, including high-octane gasoline, vehicles,
rations, and tons of pierced-steel planking,
either by air through Tehran, or by ship to
Murmansk and south from there by rail.
from the Japanese manufacturer. (By the
time this article reaches print there will have
been two further releases containing long-
nosed F4-J ‘Kais’ in colourful JASDF markings).
This would be my second ZM Phantom, and I
full-colour paint guide was included, though
only Vallejo colour-codes are referenced.
Construction began with the six-piece ejector
seats which were slightly disappointing in that
they lacked harness of any kind, though the
Printed in UK

MANUFACTURER: Hasegawa
On June 21, 1944, 114 B-17s escorted by probably would have avoided building another seats themselves appeared well detailed. I

choice with modellers


SCALE: 1/72 70 P-51s of the 8th Air Force, coming from
THE POLTAWA RAID had I not been commissioned to do so. For I chose to replace them with Quickboost items
KIT TYPE: Injection moulded In the autumn of 1943, many of the German England, attacked an oil plant south of Berlin remembered my build of their F4-C was less (4142), the two-piece resin seats featuring
plastic armament factories had been moved eastward, on the way East. Beyond Warsaw, a German than enjoyable due to having experienced etched harness. Despite the cockpit being
KIT NUMBER: 00789 out of range for the British and American reconnaissance aircraft followed the B-17s into many fit issues. Time would tell if this time beautifully furnished straight from the box,
bombers. In order to still be able to attack Poltava and took pictures. The following night, around things would prove more enjoyable. some aftermarket detailing was required by the
150 He-111’s and Ju-88’s of Kampfgeschwader 4,
CHEQUERED BUTCHER BIRD RETURN OF THE RHINO
not only in the UK but
these plants, General Arnold, commander customer, to which end the wonderful Quinta
of the Army Air Forces, suggested ‘shuttle 27, 53 and 55 attacked the airfield. The German OFFICE JOB Studios cockpit set was utilised (QD48131). For
bombing’ missions. US bombers flying from raid destroyed forty-three B-17 bombers Packaged within an impressively large top- anyone yet to try these 3D-printed decals, they
England and Italy would land at bases in Soviet
territory, where they could be refueled and
and damaged twenty-six others as well as
most of the fuel and ammunition depots.
opening box emblazoned with some very fine
artwork were fourteen grey-coloured runners,
work in the same way as traditional decals,
though being rather more substantial they
Eduard’s 1/48 Fw 190A-6 Zoukei-Mura’s 1/48 F-4E Early

also around the world.


58 SCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL SCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL 59 72 SCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL SCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL 73

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wwII bust
Scale 200mm / 101st Airborne

HAVING INVESTED IN THE CGS BUST -


HOW TO IMPROVE MY SKILL SET ENOUGH
TO DO SOME JUSTICE TO THE BUST

7 2 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


101st airborne
20mm Bust

Screaming Eagle
TOM PRIMETT ATTEMPTS THE 200MM CGS MILITARY FIGURES BUST

use their instructions and ideas from


101st Airborne Bust those folks above to practice. I
Supplier in UK: CGS Military Figures have a 200mm head that I
Sculptured by: Dae Hyeong Kim picked up at a show for
Scale: 200mm 50p and I used this to
Material: Cast resin practice, cleaning each
try with Ammo by MIG
CGS military figures Paint Stripper. It took
me three attempts to

D
o I love doing figures? No!
Why? Because I’m not very get me to the stage
good at it! Why? Well, that and I was surprised how
was my brief when I started satisfying this was. So, to
this exercise. I have had many lessons with apply this to the 200mm
the accomplished figure painter David Scott bust from CGS. I asked CGS
of Milton Keynes Scale Model Club and have for a spare head and one
recently purchased the excellent ‘Crew’ was sent. I took all the advice I
book from David Parker, but something could find and tried to make it
was missing. You can take all the advice and work for me.
read all the articles but the only way to learn I began with a thorough
figure painting is to practice. I am 98% an clean up and sand down of the
AFV modeller, 1% planes and 1% figures, head, followed by a wash in
an whilst reading a recent edition of this mild detergent. The face was
magazine I saw a superb model sculpted by then given a coat of Ammo
Dae Hyeong Kim and retailed by CGS Military by MIG White Primer. After
Figures. This bust of a soldier of an US 101st drying for fifteen minutes
Airborne with a Thompson submachine this was given a couple of
gun just looks great. So, I invested. Now thin coats of the base colour,
came the tricky bit, how to improve my skill Sand Brown Vallejo 876. I
set enough to do some justice to the bust. tried to cover, but not overfill,
I know I won’t do it perfectly, just do it the and it didn’t matter if some
best I can and be happy and proud of the white showed through. The
results. Also, the father of a good friend of Sand Brown was airbrushed
mine still serves in the US Airborne, so this at 20psi after diluting it 50%
has some additional depth for me. with Distilled Water. The eyeballs
I own the Face Painting Set from
Vallejo and tasked myself to

were painted white with tiny amount of


flesh added. This was diluted 1:3 of paint
and water (I continued to use these ratios
throughout), and my paintbrush of choice
was the new Modelcraft Super Fine Detail
Brush from Shesto. The iris and pupil were
added using Archer transfers. Caution here,
these transfers are great, but they don’t like
any decal solutions, just water. Also, they are
printed on one sheet and not as separate
decals, so careful cutting out is required.
One thing all my mentors agree on, never
go to the figure with a full brush. Touch the
brush to some kitchen towel to leach some
of the water out. Sounds counter-productive
but it’s vital. Now to first shadows added to
the nose, eyes and under chin were outlined

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 7 3
wwII bust
Scale 200mm / 101st Airborne
with 1:5 ratio Burnt Cadmium Red Vallejo of Light Sand as the grain. The bust was
814. I used five layers of paint, allowing a then assembled with Epoxy Resin. There is
quick dry in-between. The under chin was a miniscule gap around the arms which was
stippled on to avoid sharp edges and a small easily filled and touched up with the base
amount was added inside the mouth. The colour.
little amount of hair on show was painted I thoroughly enjoyed this experience,
with Vallejo Black 950 1:3 until covered., and made easier by the high quality of the
then dry brushed with a Dark Brown. sculpting and moulding. Is it perfect, no!
Now the bit that always confused me. I Will I keep trying and do another - you bet!
simplified the highlight area to a triangle My thanks to David Scott and David Parker
on each cheek, nose and forehead. The first for the guidance, and to Graham at CGS for
highlight was three layers of 75% Vallejo the spare parts to practice on. Hope you and
Flesh Tone 815 and 25% Vallejo Brown Sand your dad likes it Pinkee!
876 at 1:6. Difficult ratios to get right, but
basically just darken each highlight a tad. I
also tried to feather any edges so no straight
lines appeared. The second highlight was
pure Vallejo Flesh Tone 815, and this covered
the area inside the above highlight, as a
triangle in a triangle, leaving a border of a
darker highlight. Now to the second shadow
was added using Vallejo Black 950 1:6, and
I stared covering the areas of first shadow,
but more towards the centre of the deepest
shadows.
To blend the highlights and shadows
together I attacked the edges with the base
colour Brown Sand at 1:8 and about five
layers. I wanted a little sheen, so a final glaze
of 1:2 mix of Brown Sand to Ammo by MIG
Gloss Varnish diluted 1:10 covered whole
area, avoiding the eyes, twice. The lips
were painted Brown Sand and a touch
of Burnt Cadmium Red, and the inside of
the mouth was painted with a pink flesh
tone that I subsequently lost! The teeth
were then painted an off-white. Remember
to do the hands with the same colour palette
as the face.
The helmet was fun. After a base coat
of Ammo by MIG F-509 Uniform Green
Base, the helmet netting was carefully
painted with Ammo by MIG Uniform Sand
Yellow. The camouflage patches were
painted a Light Sand and a Red Brown
and dry brushed with a lighter version of
each. A small amount of a dark wash was
then added to each camouflage patch.
The main Uniform was spray painted
with Ammo by MIG Uniform Green
Base diluted 1:1. The canvas pack was
also sprayed green to give a similar
background to the canvas
straps. The shadows and
highlights were added
by hand using mixes of
1:7 and with seven layers
of each. I then added a
wash of the base colour
using 1:10 mix to blend some
areas together. The canvas for the
straps, belts and backpack were
painted using Panzer Aces Canvas,
diluted 1:3 and in five layers, with
the first shadow of just slightly
darkened with a dark brown and
then a highlight of just slightly white
slightly lightened. The Thompson was
painted with various Gun Metal tones and
a Black wash. The final layer was a touch of
Gun Metal Wax rubbed on. The wood was
painted Red Brown with a faint dry brushing

7 4 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


www.modelaircraftmag.com

COM
PRE
-OR
ING
German Armour Modelling

DER
SOO
Fighting Vehicles in Colour and Scale Volume 1

N
By Andy Evans
GERMAN
ARMOUR V1
G
ermany developed numerous tank Operation ‘Barbarossa’
WORLD WAR II GERMAN ARMOUR MODELLING

designs used in World War I and World signalled an enormous


War II. In addition to domestic designs,
Germany also used various captured and
change in German tank
development, and in June £14.99
foreign-built tanks. During World War I the 1941, the Germans first + P&P
development of the ‘tank’ began as an attempt encountered the Soviet T-34,
to break the stalemate, which trench warfare and they were outclassed in every
had brought to the Western Front. The British aspect of battle performance. Slow production of the
and French both began experimenting in 1915, Panzer IV had been continuing, by the end of 1940 386
and deployed tanks in battle from 1916 and 1917 Ausf. Ds were in service and in 1941 a further 480 were
respectively. The Germans, on the other hand, produced, despite an order from the army for 2,200. The
were slower to develop tanks, concentrating on short 75mm gun was the main advantage of the Panzer
anti-tank weapons. Their response to the modest IV, weight and armour were close to that of the Panzer
initial successes of the Allied tanks was the A7V, III. The Panzer IV became the most numerous tank of the
which, like some other tanks of the period, was Panzer divisions, although already outclassed in 1942 it
based on caterpillar tracks of the type found on was easy to maintain and simpler to produce than other
the American Holt Tractors. Initially unconvinced German tanks. Despite continued efforts with the lighter
MA Publications

that tanks were a serious threat, the High tanks throughout the war the German designers did
Command ordered just twenty A7Vs, which took produce a direct counter to the heavier Allied tanks with
part in a handful of actions between March and Cover for illustrative purposes only the Pz.Kpfw.V, the Panther. The Panther first saw action
October 1918. Likewise, the German Panzer around Kursk on July 5, 1943. The StuG III assault gun
forces at the start of World War II were not especially impressive, as only was used in Operation ‘Barbarossa’ and was an effective anti-tank gun in the
four percent of the defence budget was spent on armoured fighting vehicle Panzer Army. Despite the success of Germany’s tanks in the Soviet Union, most
production. However, the Panzer I, II and III were in service and design work German officers were shocked to find their tanks were inferior to newer Soviet
on the Panzer IV had begun in 1935 and trials of prototypes were undertaken models. Thus, a new generation of big tanks, the heavy Tiger, Panther, and
in 1937, but by the time of the invasion of Poland only a few hundred models King Tiger tanks were developed and rushed into service. The first combat use
were available. Nevertheless, the number of available Panzer IVs was of the Tiger II was by the 1st Company of the Schwere Heers Panzer Abteilung
still larger than that of the Panzer IIIs. There were also technical problems 503 during the Battle of Normandy. The first Tigers II tanks reached Schwere
with the Panzer III, as it was widely considered to be under-gunned with Panzer Abteilungen of both Wehrmacht and Waffen SS as early as February
a 37mm KwK L/45. The early Panzer force was a mix of the Panzer I, and 1944. This new book from MA Publications brings you the first volume
Panzer II light tanks, and two models of Czech tanks the Panzer of German Armour Modelling, with fifteen superb German
38(t) and the Panzer 35(t). The invasion of the Soviet Union in armour build projects featuring main battle tanks, halftracks,
tank destroyers and armoured cars.

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german
Scale 1:35 / Le.gl.Einhetz-Pk.Kfw.4 AA

Small Scale
Anti-Aircraft Artillery
ROBERT STINCHCOMBE BUILDS THE 1:35 ICM LE.GL.EINHETZ-PK.KFW.4 AA
ICM this is the anti-aircraft version, which with its own instructions is a sprue
I liked and was eager to build. On for the anti-aircraft mount, which

O
ver the past year
ICM has been really opening the box you’re greeted can be also purchased on its own.
stepping up and in the usual ICM plastic bag which The instructions were in easy-to-
bringing out some contains a total of six follow steps and well laid out, with
really nice subjects. Anyone who sprues in grey plastic the colour callouts being for Revell
remembers some of the older ICM kits then a clear sprue and Tamiya paints, along with a small
with their clunky poor-fitting parts, in a separate bag. decal sheet. As per the usual you
which needed plenty of cleaning up and Also in another bag will start with chassis and this kit is
filling will appreciate this. For the past
couple years that’s not been the case, as
they have come on leaps and bounds
and not only really improved their
tooling and moulding, but they have
been bringing out some great subjects.
ICM have already brought subject
of this build out as a radio car but

7 6 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


world war II
German Anti-Aircraft Artillery
no exception and with fitting all the
steering and shock absorbers, and
Le.gl.Einhetz-Pk.Kfw.4 AA
this takes up the first twelve stages. Manufacturer: ICM
However, care was needed, as some Scale: 1:35
of the parts were fragile and once free Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded
from the sprues they snapped easily Kit Number: 35584
when preparing them for fitting. Also,
another thing to make sure of in steps pressure on the sides to get them to
6-8 is make sure you get all the wheel pull in. Steps 47-49 looks at fitting the
shafts level and the right way round seats. I built these but left them to the
otherwise you will have one or two side until later.
wheels off the ground!
Steps 14-21 looks at building
then added the floor and the wheel
hubs for ease of painting.
In steps 50 and 51 you need to fit
an armoured floor for the anti-aircraft
ICM HAVE
the engine, and this is very nicely Steps 35-43 have you fitting the gun, then the wheel arches. Steps 52 ALREADY
represented. I was going to try and
have the bonnet open, but I decided
dashboard and sides panels then the
pedals and levers. No issues here,
and 53 concerns the front bumper
and where I had few issues with the
BROUGHT
against on this particular build, but I and all went ok. Steps 44-46 concern fit. Now I’m not sure if it was me or SUBJECT OF
am planning to do another version,
so will show the engine
fitting the bonnet, which is in three
pieces, so just be careful that they all
the kit as no matter what I tried,
when I fitted the bumper the number THIS BUILD
off on that one. Once
the engine was built and
line-up. There are groves on the centre
piece which helped a lot. In step
plate seems to point slightly down. If
I tried to correct it, then the bars
OUT AS A
placed onto the chassis, I 46 you fit a bar to the centre be too close to the radiator RADIO CAR
behind the driver’s seat,
but take care as it’s
and there should be a
gap. In the end, after
BUT THIS IS
only a thin piece looking at wartime THE ANTI-
and you may have images, I took the
to put a bit of bars off mine and AIRCRAFT
just used the
bumper parts.
VERSION,
In Stages 54-55 WHICH I
you fit the rifles
to the dashboard. LIKED AND
I painted these first
with dark tan and
WAS EAGER
once dry went over TO BUILD
it with some brown oil

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 7 7
german
Scale 1:35 / LAAV

paint to try to get a wood grain effect.


Then afterwards I painted in the
metallic areas. The slings were made
of painted Tamiya tape just for that
extra bit of detail.
Nearly done, and over the next
few steps it was time to fit the smaller
external parts. The doors you can have
open or closed which was a nice touch.
I went with just having the front two
open. You need to fit the windscreen
now again no issues to report, but just
watch that get the clear parts on the
correct side as they are different. On the
rear you need to assemble a bracket
that later fastens to frame mounts,
which you do need to build. These were
a bit tricky but nothing too bad. The
canvass cover I painted first in Vallejo
Panzer Aces Canvas and once dry I gave
it a wash to bring out the creases. This
was then put aside for later fitting. Also,
at this stage I started on the anti-aircraft
parts, painting the guns black ready for
some metallic pigments.
For the paints, I turned to AK
Interactive Real Colors, using
Dunkelgrau, thinned with Mr Hobby
thinners. This sprayed on without any
issues and I was very happy with the

7 8 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL


world war II
German Anti-Aircraft Artillery
finish. I painted all of the other parts
that needed colour whilst I was at it
so that they would be ready for final
assembly. I painted the seats and any
other bits in their relevant shades
and then the entire model was
left to dry overnight. The next
day the model was given a coat
of Johnson’s ‘Klear’ and once dry
I used some dry mud pigment on
the inside floor to give it a used
look. I then fitted the seats and
steering wheel and any necessary
other pieces. On looking at the
anti-aircraft gun, I was expecting
it to be rather fiddly, but far from
it and I had no issues , and when
complete it really looked the part.
Then all that was left to do was
to add the few decals there were and
spray on some dust on the undersides.
And with that, the build was complete. I
must say this was another great kit from
ICM and I really enjoyed building it. I
hope for even greater things from ICM in
the future!

WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM 7 9
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V 51 I 606 – October/November 2021

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Improvised Armoured Vehicles


ISSN: 1475-3391

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O
to materials supplied. ne of the most remarkable
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(sampublications.com) please advise the publisher immediately.

8 2 SCALE
Scale MILITARY
Military MODELLER
Modeller INTERNATIONAL
International January 2016
TM

TM

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