Model Military International I173 09.2020

FREE GIFT
ET ...
Rye Field Models 1:35 Panther Ausf. G Photo Report & References
FORC DAY 2019
IN THE HAUS
INSIDE:
NEW in the ‘HOW TO BUILD...’ series How to Build...
TAMIYA’S 1:48 LOCKHEED
P-38F/G LIGHTNING
By Marcus Nicholls
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is an iconic US fighter from
the Second World War. Its twin Allison V12 engines were
mounted in booms to free-up the nose so it could house
a fearsome array of four M2 Browning machine guns and
a 20mm cannon. The twin-boom airframe became a sight
feared by enemies wherever it served, with good reason.
In 2019, after several years of painstaking research,
Tamiya released an all-new kit of this sleek aircraft and it
has taken its place proudly in the 1:48 Aircraft Series as
No.120 in the range.
In this new ‘How To Build’ book, Tamiya Model
Magazine’s Editor, Marcus Nicholls, presents no less
than four built-up examples of Tamiya’s fantastic model;
one Lightning each from Brett Green and Spencer
Pollard, plus two from Marcus Nicholls.
The second of Marcus’s models incorporates resin and
photo-etched super-detail sets from Eduard, showing
PRE-ORDER - CURRENTLY IN PRODUCTION how they can be used within the build to take the detail
to an even higher level. New photos of the other models
show how Brett Green and Spencer Pollard built and
painted the models in their own styles.
The book includes four complete builds, covering the

following topics:
• Adding photo-etched parts
• Using resin upgrade components
• Extending the nose undercarriage leg
• Upgrading the cockpit detail
• Weathering the airframe
• Alternative decal sets
MODELS BY
- Marcus Nicholls
Only
- Brett Green
£15.p95
- Spencer Pollard
&p
plus
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P-38F/G Lightning book - Pre-order P&P: UK; £2.00
Europe; £4.00
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Contents - Issue 173 September 2020
REGULARS
p 4 NEWS
What’s new in the world of military
modelling
p 55 INCOMING
News and reviews in 1:35 scale
p 56 BOOKS
Military and modelling in print
40 p 58 1:48 SCALE
New releases and comment from the
world of 1:48 scale
p 60 SMALL SCALE
Kits and accessories in smaller scales
p 65 NEXT ISSUE
What to look forward to next time
p 66 LAST POST
14 5 Rifles Live Firing Exercise
FEATURES
p 6 THINK TANK
Armed Forces Day Warsaw by John
Ham
COVER
FEATURE
p 14 GET OUTTA DODGE!
Pilot Replicas 1:48 Dodge WC52 by
Luke Pitt
p 28 MAUS IN THE HAUS

Vespid Models’ 1:72 Maus V2 by Brett
Green
p 38 PREVIEW
Zvezda 1:35 Bumerang
p 40 PANTHER 211
Rye Field Models’ 1:35 Panther Ausf. G
by Steve Jones ST Ep
BY
p 48 TECH GUIDE STEP
Ruined WWI Building by Roger Merry
p 52 PREVIEW
Rye Field Models’ 1:35 Sherman Firefly
Mk.VC
p 54 PREVIEW
Zvezda T-28 by Andy King
© Doolittle Media Ltd 2020

Tel: (UK) 01525 222573
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Address: Doolittle Media Ltd., Doolittle Mill,
Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX, UK
Model Military International is published monthly by
Doolittle Media Ltd. Reproduction in part or whole of
any text, photograph or illustration without written
28 permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.
While due care is taken to ensure the contents of Model
Military International is accurate, the publishers and
printers cannot accept liability for errors or omissions.
ISSN 1749-8864
September 2020 - Model Military International 3

Newsline - September 2020
MMI Newsdesk, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane,
Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX, UK
Tel:01525 222573 Fax:01525 222574
Email:editor@modelmilitary.com
KFS 1:24 BAC BLOODHOUND

MK.2 LAUNCHER AND MISSILE
K
FS has release a new TQ Range, polyurethane
resin cast Bloodhound Mk.2 comprising 75 parts
in polyurethane resin, 74 parts in white metal and
129 parts in etched brass.
Dragon D6911 1:35 Sd.Kfz.250/3 "Greif" Rommel's Command Half-Track (2 in 1) Includes optional waterslide decals for pre-1971 white
missiles & post-1971 green RAF, Swiss & Swedish
T
his new kit has specially new-tooled parts like hull & rear fender to depict the correct missiles with a six page colour marking supplement.
"Greif". The kit includes bonus Rommel figure set free. This 2 in 1 kit offers the Piping & wiring diagrams plus all required materials
options to build Greif based on 250/Z Panzeraufbau armored superstructure or a included.
normal Sd.Kfz.250/3. Total height with aerial extended 294mm. Missile length
346mm.
Thanks to The Hobby This carefully researched kit has only been possible
Company Limited for the with the extensive help of research consultant Richard
images and information Vernon of the Bloodhound Missile Preservation Group.
www.hobbyco.net Kit price £250.00
Contact: info@kitformservices.com
website: www.kitformservices.com
AGN MODELWORKS - NEW SMALL SCALE COMPANY

N
ew company AGN Modelworks has
announced their first accessory and
figure releases:
“We're a new Spanish company. Our items are
made with high quality resin and at the moment
all our production is in 1:72 scale.
These are some images of our accessories sets
(the shell is from RB models 72P12 reference)”
https://www.agnmodelworks.com/en/
4 Model Military International - September 2020

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www.modelmilitary.com THE BEST DISCUSSION FORUMS
Think Tank - Armed Forces Day Warsaw
ARMED FORCES D
John Ham reports on the Warsaw Armed Forces Day Open Day 2019.
W
arsaw, the city that lent its name The Museum of Polish Military Technology at original parts. As runners they took part in the
to the mutual defence Pact of Fort XI in the suburbs, a bus ride away, held an Armed Forces day Parade in Warsaw in 2016.
Soviet nations in 1955 following Open Day where they would also run a few of A particular item of interest that I was lucky to
the establishment of NATO, their vehicles. The fort was originally part of a witness was the arrival at the museum of a rare
and possibly not the most auspicious event defence chain built around Warsaw in the late T-70 light tank turret that had been found in a
in its long history, was oddly quiet with few 18th Century when Poland was part of Tsarist scrapyard in East Poland. This was a memorable
pedestrians and light traffic in its streets. It was Russia. It was partially destroyed in the early visit and my thanks to the staff and volunteers
the Feast of the Assumption, a public holiday. 20th Century when Russia decided it no longer at Fort IX for their hospitality and help.
I was here to visit the museums and see the served any useful purpose. Now, a part of the August is also the month of commemoration
Armed Forces Day parade usually held each Army Museum in central Warsaw, it is the site of the Warsaw Uprising in 1944 when the
August, but found that this year the parade had of a collection of large exhibits that cannot be Home Army of Polish resistance fighters rose
been relocated to Katowice to commemorate accommodated in the parent museum. Most of up against the Nazi Occupation Forces and its
the centenary of the Silesian uprising against the exhibits are outside with a large number of brutal defeat and aftermath destruction of the
German rule and to become a part of the Polish Soviet AFVs, though a few are Polish versions Capital. Around the city there are exhibitions
state, now associated with the earliest days and there are some Czech Polish collaboration and memorials to those fighters and citizens
of Poland’s independence. Unable to travel vehicles. There is a very nice smaller indoor that perished in the failed attempt. ■
there, it was disappointing, but there were collection of WW2 Polish vehicles. Some are
compensations. substantial reconstructions but incorporating John Ham, February 2020.

DAY WARSAW 2019 Barrels long, barrels short, a line-up of T-43s, Soviet MBTs
and SPGs representing several decades of Cold War AFVs
at the Museum of Polish Military Technology Czerniakowski.
Part of the early WWII collection,TK reconnaissance tankettes. Lt.TK-S with 7TP Light Tank. These 7 Ton Polish tanks were up-to date C2P Artillery Tractor based on the TKS chassis but with rear idler lowered
7.92mm Hotchkiss MG gifted from the Swedish Axval Museum; Rt. TK-3 minus designs based on the imported British 6 Ton Vickers Mark E to ground level was developed as tow vehicle for the 40mm (Bofors) AA
7.92mm Hotchkiss MG found in France; Rear. TK-S and separately displayed (also part of Polish tank units). The 37mm gun of the 7TP was gun, in the background. Tractors operated in pairs, one pulling the gun and
20mm cannon armament. In a famous two day engagement in the Kampinos very effective against the thin armour of German tanks of 1939 the other the ammunition limber.
Forest near Warsaw the concealed 20mm cannon armed TKS of the platoon and fought several fierce battles, the last few participating in
leader knocked out 10 panzers. the defence of Warsaw.

Some of the Soviet artillery collection of guns and mortars. AA Alley. From Rt. 9K31 Strela-1 (Arrow) SAM on BRDM-2, ZSU-23-4 Shilka. ZSU 57-2, Krug (Circle)
2P11 tracked SAM Launcher.
2K11 Krug (Circle) medium range SAM 2P24 tracked launch vehicle. A battery consisted of launch 2T6 Krug Reload Vehicle on Ural 375 truck which incorporates a crane (not visible) for transferring
vehicles, the P40 Long Track Radar, other radars, rocket guidance stations, and other support vehicles. missiles to the launcher vehicle, and part of the Krug battery.
To the left of this can be seen part of a Krug transporter trailer towed by a ZiL-131 tractor.
A collection of signals / command vehicles on Polish-

Czech designed wheeled APCs. From right: OT-64 SKOT
R3; OT-64C SKOT 2A; OT-64 SKOT R6; and two BRDMs.

SUM Kalina Minelayer Vehicle on Polish SPG-1M Artillery Tractor, showing the minelaying apparatus at
the rear. The mines are carried in two magazines inside the vehicle which are reloaded using the crane
on its left hull roof.
ZRK S-75 Dvina (NATO Guideline) SAM on semitrailer towed by ZiL-121B Tractor. One downed the U2
spyplane flown by Gary Powers in 1960 over Sverdlovsk in central Russia. Ahead is a quad S-125 Neva
SAM launcher.
Radar Station Complex Laura, a Soviet early warning radar system mounted on Ural trucks and is one OT-62 TOPAS 2AP Transportér ObrnÐný Pásový – tracked amphibious armoured personnel carrier, a
of many radar complexes at Fort IX. Polish radars were given female names. Czech-Polish design collaboration.

Tank commander’s view of the yard compound with Polish Star and Soviet Ural and ZiL trucks. Amid some excitement volunteers employ a jet wash revealing the T-70 turret markings,
here a Russian inscription – “destroyed-not for repair” and on the reverse face the tactical
number 43.
The newly found T-70 turret being carefully unloaded by a WZT-2 ARV a Polish licence built recovery Another view of the Polish WZT-2 ARV equipped with winch and lifting crane; the front dozer blade can
version of the Soviet T-55. be used to dig revetments, remove obstacles and act as earth anchor for winching.
Conserved German AFV wrecks. From Lt.: StuG III, PzKfw III, PzKfw IV, Panther. In this area also a KV1 hull and remains of a FT-17.

4x4 Softskins, Jeep followed by Gaz-69 Polish markings with uniformed crews and Line up of restored 4x4 softskins in front of the old fortress buildings. Second from right Polish manufactured Tarpan
in non-regulation dress. In background a line of Polish APCs. Honker used by the Polish Army in softtop, pick-up and command versions.
25 Pounder Sexton originally used by the Polish 1st Armoured Division reversing out of parking area. BTR-152 APC, could carry a squad of infantry or half a city’s children.
T-55AM “Merida”, a Polish upgraded T-55AM

with additional passive armour, new fire control
and rangefinder, laser-warning protection, smoke
discharger arrays and improved engine. In the
background are rocket launcher vehicles including
a 9K51 Launch system with R-11M Rocket (minus
nuclear warhead) tracked launch vehicle 8U219
based on ISU-152K chassis (NATO SS-1b SCUD-A).

T-34-76 Model 1942 manufactured in

1943 identified by the factory serial
number etched on the bow took 11
years to restore and contains many
original parts. Behind are some of the
Polish APCs in the static collection.
Warsaw Uprising Memorial to Florian

Marciniak, Chief Scout and member
of the resistance Home Army,
the scouts providing messaging,
reconnaissance and look-outs. He
died in a Nazi concentration camp in
1944. The Kotwica (Anchor) symbol
was the emblem of Home Army and
Polish Underground State.

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FEATURE
FEA ARTICLE Pilot Replicas 1:48 Dodge WC52 • Kit No. 48-R-004
Luke P
Pilot Rep
GET OUTTA
DOD GE
I
have always admired the workmanlike
appearance of the Dodge WC. Its high
ground clearance combined with its many
variations have always attracted me. It is
therefore no surprise that my stash contains
all of the 1:35 scale versions from Skybow. I
will probably never build those, as my focus is
Pitt builds, improves and crews

now pretty much in 1:48 scale. Yes, I do build
in other scales, but strangely, I derive more
pleasure in 1:48 scale than any other.
I reviewed Pilot Replicas’ 1:48 scale kit
plicas’ 1:48
Dodge WC52
in 2016 and started it that same year. For
some reason that escapes me now, I never
completed it.
I know that at the time I was impressed
with the kit, which was the best example of
the Dodge yet kitted. It was far more accurate
than the old MIG Productions example. There
was a but however. Like all Dodges released
in 1:48 scale up to that point, the wheels were
incorrect in both hub shape and tread pattern.
This was a major concern to me and it may
have put a halt to the build.
About a year later Dennis Loep designed a
set of WC52 wheels that looked outstanding in
the CAD images so I quickly ordered them from
a 3D print firm by the name of Shapeways.
I received their print of the wheels and
was immediately turned off by the print
themselves. I had ordered the super fine print
but I was not to impressed with the print ridges
that were impossible to clean up. Again, the
model was put away.
About a year and a half later Tank Workshop
released the prints as traditional resin cast
examples. The thing that struck me then was
that the owner had cleaned up the prints to
such an extent that they were now acceptable,
and that must have been no easy task. Again,
I ordered another set and this time I was
pleased with the wheels. The model was still
not going anywhere though as life just got in
the way.
At the beginning of this year I had just
completed my 1:35 scale Sheridan build that
appeared in this magazine a few months ago,
and was keen to return to 1:48 scale. Looking
at my stash I pulled out the Dodge yet again. I
noted that I’d done a fair bit of work on it and
most of the hard work like the figure pose was
already done. I therefore decided then and
there that this would be my next build.
This also led in turn to the title of this build
article!
I have roughly broken this build down into
distinct build phases. I call this approach
Modular Modelling or MM for short. The build
is broken down into a number of steps and
approach each build step in small bites adding
as much detail as I can possibly can. In reality,
we all do this and all I have done is simply put
a name to the process.
This article has been written in the Spanish
style for want of a better term, as most of the
build process have been covered in some way
or another with photos.
I have not reviewed the Pilot Replicas model
in this article but suffice to say it is still the
best example of its type in 1:48 scale available
today. I hope you enjoy my little build journey
and the little fixes I have made to backdate it
to a WWII example as opposed to a post-war
Swedish tow vehicle.
It is my hope that this article may inspire
you to build one yourself. A

FEATURE ARTICLE Pilot Replicas 1:48 Dodge WC52 • Kit No. 48-R-004
Getting Started
Good reference photos are essential for any build. Before I started, I gathered together a number of books that I had on hand.
The main source was the excellent walk around photos on the Dodge and its many variations in the Ampersand Allied & Axis
Issue 2. There are many others no doubt, but this and a number of web based photos were my main reference sources.
The Pilot Replicas Dodge WC52 is

the best 1:48 scale example of this The resin is hard and very well detailed. A one-piece chassis
vehicle released to date. is provided onto which the axles and transmission cases are
attached. The rear body, cab floor and front cab are separate
pieces onto which the front guards and side steps are attached.
The front grille work is cast perfectly and is a thing of beauty, The kit as supplied represents a Swedish tow vehicle and as such, The thing that impressed the hell out of me was the scale thickness
particular after the photo etch headlight guards are attached. In has a number of additions and indeed omissions for a World War two of many of the parts provided. The front mudguards for instance are
fact, this assembly is a wonderful example of scale finesse, and is vehicle. The first of which is removal of the winch plate in the centre remarkably thin and so much better than any other kits of this type
better in terms of scale than anything I’ve seen. of the front bumper. available in 1:48 scale.
MIG Productions released a In this photo I compared the Mig steering wheel
kit of the Dodge many years with the Tamiya US 2-and-a-half-ton truck (kit
ago but was incorrect in a number 32548). I used the Tamiya item on
number of key areas. In this this build as the size seemed about right when
comparison photo the Mig compared it to the plans I had available.
rear cargo bed (in yellow
resin) is noticeably shorter
in length and indeed depth.
The Pilot Replicas example
(in grey resin) is perfect to
all available plans.
The Pilot Replicas kit is not

perfect however. A small
photo etch set is provided
for and some of the parts
are sketchy at best. The The steering wheel
light guards are good but was a vital component
the steering wheel is not in this build as it would
as it is essentially flat. The be clearly seen. The
windscreen was also not up outside diameter was
to par and was replaced as better than both the
the build progressed. Pilot and Mig examples,

The Driver
I am a firm believer in adding figures to all of my models. They lend a sense of scale and give
the model its own character. In the photographs you will note that I started with the upper
torso and legs and moved on from there. To say it was difficult was an understatement. For
that reason, I incorporated the steering wheel and an inertial part of this figure.
I like my figures in rather than on. The reasons for

this are varied but to me, figures appear more natural
if they fit more snuggly within the vehicle itself. I
started with the driver’s seat, taking as much material
form the bottom and upright cushions as I could.
I then turned my attention to the upper torso and legs. I have

used the upper torso from the old 1:48 scale Calibre 48 US
Tank crew, which is no longer available. The legs were formed
with Milliput over wire formers. The boots and gaiters were
again recast off another figure back in the day and for the life
of me I can’t remember which one, but I must have thought
they were great as I have no less than 20 pairs!
I then test fitted the upper torso and legs

to the model. I’d like to say this was an easy
process but it wasn’t. A number of fit uses
arose and a lot of tweaking was necessary
to get the figure to sit correctly.
I then turned my attention to The rear of the seat cushion

blending the arms into the was contoured to give the
upper torso. This again was impression of weight.
achieved using Milliput.
The steering wheel was than tacked on

the lower stomach of the upper torso at
the correct angle. I used some ICM arms
to sit on the steering wheel.
The last pieces of the puzzle were the hands and

head. I used a set of hands from the Tamiya US
Navy Pilots set (Item No. 61107) as they have
some of the best hands in plastic I have ever seen
in this scale. The head was from a Fox Miniatures
figure that I obtained may years ago. I still wonder
why these figures were never released. The
head and steering wheel were them removed to
facilitate easier painting at a later date.

Backdating
The Pilot Replicas Dodge WC52 as kitted is a tow vehicle used
by Swedish Airforce post World War Two. As a result, the kit
lacks a few small nick nacks to produce an in-service example.
It is worth noting that most kits of the Dodge in 1:48 scale have poor depictions of the road
wheels. I have included the following photo to graphically illustrate the problem. The first is from
the old MIG Productions kit. The first problem is they are oval in shape, I suspect as a result
of being taken out of the rubber mould too early. The wheels are also marginally too small and
the tread pattern poor. Added to this, the central hub shape is wrong, in a word ugly. The Pilot
Replicas wheels, while better, are also incorrect. The wheel diameter is correct but the tread
pattern is way off and the central hub is correct, looking pretty much like the MIG hub, also in a
word ugly. The last example is from Tank Workshop and these are available from Shapeways as
a print on demand item and were designed by the wheel master Dennis Loep. The real problem is
that anything from Shapeways is expensive and of very average quality. Tank Workshop recast
the cleaned up prints and offered them for sale. These, while not perfect due to the original
prints, are the best available and tick all the three boxes which are: accurate tread, accurate
inner and outer hub shape and the correct diameter - in a word, good!
I then added the seats

in the rear tray. These
were just 10 thou plastic
The first part of the puzzle was to replace some of the parts that I thought I could reproduce card. I firstly lightly
a little better. The first cab off the rank was the rear tray guard assemblies. I patterned these scored the plastic to
from the 1:35 scale Skybow instruction sheet. Yep that’s right, within that sheet, the colour call produce a wood grain
out drawings have millimetre perfect 1:48 scale drawings! The instructions were also a great pattern and then scored
guide to where everything that should go on a WWII version. the plank separations.
The rear tray guards were made from plastic

15 thou card stock with the appropriate rivet
and recess holes added.
The headlights were replaced with items from the Elf range. I had to
re-profile the back of them but they were a real benefit. Not only did
they have stunningly produced reflectors but they come with perfectly
clear lenses that can be added after painting.
The spare wheel bracket was

not cantered properly when
I attached it to the body so a
simple solution was to fabricate
a plastic disk from my trusty
Waldron Punch and Die set to
centre it correctly.

The side jerry
cans were not
included in the kit
so I added some
from the Hauler
range of updates.
As the kit is a post

war tow vehicle, it did
not include the tool
bracket assembly on
the rear tail gate. The
Hauler update set for
the GMC truck came to
the rescue here (Item
HLX48209) and was
folded and attached to
the tailgate. The tools
were sourced from the I have always liked the .50 cal machine gun mounts on these Dodges. They just look right to my eye. The reference for
Bronco Staghound kit this came from a most unlikely source. The Skybow 1:35 scale kit offered up both the inspiration and the parts on the
item ZB48003. sprues and in addition to the scale plans on the colour call outs, I simply copied those down to 1:48 scale.
Final Detailing In this series of photos, the final details were added and little
touches added. The build was finally starting to look like a Dodge.
The .50 cal machine gun was an amalgam of parts from a number of sources. The body was taken from an old The rear vision mirrors were replaced as the kit provides for oblong mirrors that didn’t
Verlinden set (Item No. 2259) with the cradle hollowed out and brass rod inserted into the resin to give it a more match any of the photos I had on hand. These may have been a Swedish post-war
accurate appearance. The cooling jacket and barrel came from the RB update set with the ammo box and cradle addition for their tow vehicles. The Hauler set for the GMC truck again came to the
coming from the Hauler update for the GMC Truck (Item No. Hlx48209). rescue, providing the mirrors themselves. The posts were replaced with stretched sprue
The figure required a fair bit of work to make

it sit in the position that I had envisaged.
The kit windscreen is a one-piece resin casting onto which a photo-

etched piece is attached on the inside, complete with wipers. I didn’t
like the way this looked so I cut off the windscreen portion and replaced
it with the windscreen from the Hauler GMC truck. As luck would have
it, the dimensions were exactly the same and it came with the canvas
all-weather hood supports. The quarter round windscreen stops were
fabricated from a round photo-etched piece cut into quarters, sourced
from a disused photo-etch fret. Modeller’s tip - never throw away disused
photo-etched frets. You never know when something will come in handy.

The front winch seemed a tad too short. I found some photo I progressively posted images of this build on a 1:48 scale Facebook The fit of the front windscreen was a challenge. The windscreen was
reference on line and detailed it accordingly. The winch was detailed Modelling group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/onefortyeight/). only press fitted for this series of photos and painted separately. The
with the addition of a longer connecting hub, bumper bridge and On one of these photo previews, a modeller the name of Andrew headlights however were glued in place and the reflective lens masked
chain connector. All of this was achieved with plastic strips and rod. Deeley pointed out it might be wise to detail the filler caps on the with small dampened pieces of tissue paper.
Jerry cans and provide a photo of the real thing. To be honest, I had
never noticed this aspect before and duly detailed the caps. Never
be afraid to share your work with other modellers. Another set of Both of the seat
eyes always helps indeed will help with any build. cushions were
reconfigured to give the
a more lived-in look I
scraped away some of
the resin and produced
some dips and creases
with the aid of both a
modelling chisel and
knife blade to produce a
result what I was after.
I was conscious when doing the windscreen that it needed to be square, flat and thin.
The windscreen stops on the bonnet top are provided for as square resin blocks. I
replaced these with piece of brass strip bent to shape from a discarded photoetch
fret. These stops needed to touch the windscreen when it was folded flat against the
bonnet. The tarp on the mudguard is a modified Red Zebra item from their Roll and
Tarpaulin set.
Most of the additions to the vehicle can be clearly

seen this photo from the tool rack on the tail gate to
Preparing for Paint

the machine gun mount and tray seat and side guards
I made a paint stand out of some computer standoffs and plastic card a few builds ago. Yeah, it doesn’t look like much but hey, it works.
Some may be offended as I’ve used the workshop drill to drill out the accepting hole for the standoff...but again, it works, and who is
going to see the hole when the models done? That’s right, no one. I also took some of my own advice before painting and cleaned the
model thoroughly with warm soapy water and rinsed it. As the model was so delicate I did not want to repaint it multiple times as I
normally would. The result was a first-time paint job which for me is very rare.
I firstly drilled out a hole I fabricated a paint stand

from the bottom of the from a sheet of 30 thou
model under the driver’s plastic card and 80 thou
seat (as that would not square plastic bar onto
be seen when the driver which I bolted a computer
and seat were installed). stand with an appropriate
I used my workshop drill threaded extension and nut.
in this instance.
The extension was then inserted into

the hole beneath the driver’s station
onto which the nut was tightened.
r - Painting the Model
Facing the Fea
The model was painted as a stand-alone exercise and all of the pieces that required detail painting were left off. I’m not a huge fan of
painting and I went about this one with more than a little trepidation. I don’t normally do in-progress paint pictures in my articles as I don’t
have a great photo studio set up. Since working from home, work has issued me with and Apple iPhone 9 and I’ve taken all of these photos
with that. It works pretty well for my own reference and posting on Facebook but for print media, not so much. Anyway, let’s begin.
The decals were then applied over the clear coat

and a further clear coat applied over them. The
dashboard decals are supplied in the kit and
settled down quite nicely with the application of
the Micro Sol and Set decal solutions.
I generally use 30% paint, 70% thinner. For this model I have
thinned the paint with Mr Hobby Levelling Thinner that does
simply wondrous things to Tamiya paint making it, so much The US stars were robbed from my decal
easier to achieve a fine finish. The paint I choose for the green stash while the codes for the front bumper
base coat was Tamiya XF-62 Olive Drab. This was the original and hood were cut down from the ones supplied in the Tamiya
issue bottle (in the large old style bottle) I then clear coated the GMC truck. The model was then flat coated with a diluted mix of
model with Tamiya X-22 in preparation for the decal application. Vallejo Matt Varnish and Demineralised water in a 50/50 ratio.
The model then received its first dust coat. I mixed one part
Tamiya Khaki (XF-49) and one part Tamiya Dark Yellow (XF-60)
together with one part Tamiya Flat White I (XF-2) in the same
ratio as the first Olive Drab coat (or 30% paint to 70% thinner)
The mix was built up slowly

applying on the underbody first
and then moving up and around
the mudguards and body sides.
A slightly darker mist coat using

the same paint mixes as before,
but this time with a little less
white and dark yellow.
Some of the detail pieces were

painted separately and then added
to the model in this case the tarp.
Front grill and windscreen together
with the headlight lenses.

The rear tray was sprayed a few

times with the second dust coat
and a brown oil wash applied. This
oil mix was then applied to selected
areas around the entire vehicle
Various painting techniques were used on this model from oil washes, to Windex
scrubbing and pin washes to even the odd dusting of pigments. I basically used
this as a canvas for many of the various methods I have learned over the years.

The wheels were then tacked next. The first Olive
Drab coat was applied and then the tyres were brush
painted with MIG’s Tyre and Rubber Mix (Mig-033)
All of the wheels were treated the same way

and refined once attached to the vehicle.

Finished Model The model was in now complete. In this series of

photos is now a complete walk around of the model.
Micro-chipping was
applied all around the
vehicle but more on
common wear areas
like the driver’s entry.
The effect was achieved
with a Bic pencil. Note
the subtle weathering
effects on the front
of the vehicle. The
figure’s rank insignia
was sourced from the
Archer 1:48 scale rub-
on series and they were
a joy to work with.
The combination of
different colours and
textures gives the tarp
a pleasing effect when
viewed from this angle.
The tarp was a painted
separately and added
in the final assembly,
but tackled very much
the same way as the
rest. I looked upon this
Painting figures in 1:48 scale can be a real challenge. On close examination many faults appear. I am a as a separate model
student of the Shep Pain school of figure painting learnt so many years ago from those old Monogram in itself. The US decal
painting guides in their armour kits. The head was painted separately. I did make a few mistakes. After came from the Hudson
stripping the head with Windex glass cleaner. It was re painted. I generally use Tamiya enamel Sand and Allen range (Item
(XF-59) as a base coat and shade with Vallejo. Brush selection is important. I always use Winsor & No. 9509)
Newton series 7. They are expensive, but if cared for, they last for years.
The rear deck was weathered in

much the same way as the rest of
the vehicle. The tools were also dust
covered. Oil and fuel stains were also
added in the appropriate spots.
You will note that the weathering is

slightly lighter on this side of the vehicle
This is a deliberate attempt to add a little
visual interest to the vehicle.
The entire vehicle was oil

washed with a burnt umber
The humble bucket oil mix. Once dry, another
is something of black oil wash was applied
a cliché now, but to all the deep recesses.
it does add that In addition, an even darker
certain something - almost black - mud mix
to the rear of the was applied to the wheels
vehicle. and lower half of the body
The dust build up in a random pattern. When
on the rear of the complete, the areas treated
vehicle was greater were highlighted with a thin
than on the sides. oil wash and dry brushed in a
sand white mix

B CONCLUSION
Pilot Replicas’ 1:48 scale Dodge
WC52 is a fine kit. It is easy to put
The model was then together and has some outstanding
mounted on my own hand features.
made base ready for display. However, it is expensive and
at the very least the road wheels
need to be replaced. That being
said however, it is the best
available kit of this type available
in 1:48 scale and indeed a credit to
the designer involved.
Considering that I started this
kit in 2016, it just goes to prove
the sometimes shelf queens do get
built from time to time!
Stay safe everyone - see you
next time. ■
Modelspec
Pilot Replicas 1:48 Dodge WC52 Kit No. 48-R-004
Tools Used:
Waldron Sub-Miniature Punch and Die Set
Small Shop Brass Assist Roller set
Small Shop Hold and Fold
Paints Used:
Tamiya XF-2 Flat White
Tamiya XF-69 Nat Black
Tamiya XF-62 Olive Drab
Tamiya XF-1 Black
Tamiya XF-52 Flat Earth
Tamiya XF-49 Khaki
Tamiya XF-51 Khaki Drab
Tamiya XF-60 Desert Yellow
Humbrol Matt White 34
Humbrol Wood Brown 62
Humbrol Brown 94
Vallejo Matt Varnish 520
Vallejo Dark Sand 847
Vallejo Pale Sand 837
Vallejo White 951
The machine gun was Mig/ Ammo Colour
painted dark grey and Africa Dust MIG-1404
oil washed in black Kursk Soil MIG-1400
Fuel Stains MIG 1409
The entire model was coated
with Vallejo Matt Varnish to
Andrea Flesh paint set ACS-01
give a dead flat finish. Africa Dust MIG-1404
Reference
Ampersand Allied & Axis issue 2
Rating
This photo gives a

good impression of the
size of the final piece.
Moving the front wheels on any

vehicle always adds a little visual
interest to the casual observer.
ft
Cr FT MODEL MILITARY INTERNAT
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FEATURE
FEA ARTICLE Vespid Models 1:72 Pz.Kpfw. VIII Maus V2 • Kit No. VS720001
Vespid’s box art. Shades of 1960s Airfix!

MAIUN DSA P
anzerkampfwagen VIII
Maus (Mouse) was a
German World War
II super-heavy tank
completed in late 1944. It is the
heaviest fully enclosed armoured
HAUS
fighting vehicle ever built. Five
were ordered, but only two hulls
and one turret were completed, the
turret being attached before the
testing grounds were captured by
advancing Soviet military forces.
These two prototypes
underwent trials in late 1944. The
complete vehicle was 10.2 metres
(33 ft 6 in) long, 3.71 metres (12
ft 2 in) wide and 3.63 metres (11.9
Brett Green builds the debut offeri ft) high. Weighing 188 metric tons,
from new manufacturer Vespid Mo ng

the Maus's main armament was
the Krupp-designed 128 mm KwK
dels – 44 L/55 gun, based on the 12.8
their 1:72 Pz.Kpfw. VIII Maus V2. cm Pak 44 anti-tank field artillery
piece also used in the casemate-
type Jagdtiger tank destroyer,
with a coaxial 75 mm KwK 44
L/36.5 gun. The 128 mm gun was
powerful enough to destroy all
Allied armoured fighting vehicles
then in service, some at ranges
exceeding 3,500 metres (2.2 mi).
The principal problem in the
design of the Maus was developing
an engine and drivetrain that was
powerful enough to adequately
propel the tank, yet small
enough to fit inside it — as it was
meant to use the same sort of
"hybrid drive", using an internal-
combustion engine to operate an
electric generator to power its
tracks with electric motor units,
much as its Porsche-designed
predecessors, the VK 3001 (P), VK
4501 (P), and Elefant had.
The drive train was electrical,
designed to provide a maximum
speed of 20 kilometres per hour
and a minimum speed of 1.5
kilometres per hour. However,
during actual field testing, the
maximum speed achieved on hard
surfaces was 13 kilometres per
hour with full motor field, and
by weakening the motor field to
a minimum, a top speed of 22
kilometres per hour (14 mph) was
achieved.
The vehicle's weight made
it unable to use most bridges,
instead it was intended to ford
to a depth of 2 metres (6 ft 7
in) or submerge up to a depth of
8 metres (26 ft 3 in) and use a
snorkel to cross rivers.
The Maus was intended to punch
holes through enemy defences
in the manner of an immense
"breakthrough tank", while
taking almost no damage to any
components. *
One of the earliest reference
books that I bought in the 1970s
dismissed the Maus briefly as
“technically interesting but
tactically useless”! A

FEATURE ARTICLE Vespid Models 1:72 Pz.Kpfw. VIII Maus V2 • Kit No. VS720001
Lovely cast texture on the gun mantlet. The running gear is appropriately detailed. This is just The photo-etched fret supplies protective mesh and a Two turned metal barrels are included.
one of the two identical wheel sprues. strap for the big rear fuel drum.
B IN THE BOX Maus tanks. The two prototypes is around the same size as a 1:35 The full run of tracks is supplied
You don't build 1:72 scale tanks? lacked any official markings, so of scale light tank, so you won’t have but the top run will be completely
You're not interested in late-war course these may be built from the any problem handling tiny parts. hidden by the armoured skirts, so
German Panzer projects? Read box too. The majority of the parts are it is up to you whether you fit all
on anyway. This one might just First impression is… wow! dedicated to the running gear. the track parts.
change your mind. Moulding quality is excellent Assembly starts with the 48 road Most of the hull and turret detail
Vespid Models is a brand new and the surface textures are just wheels making up 24 bogie trucks. is moulded in place, but the crew
model company from China. Their gorgeous. Detail is outstanding too. These are attached in pairs to 12 hatches and shot deflectors are
two debut offerings, released This is genuinely one of the best mounts, which in turn are glued separate parts.
simultaneously, are a 1:72 scale 1:72 scale military models that I to the lower hull then eventually Photo-etched parts are supplied
Maus V2 and a British Comet tank, have ever seen. trapped between the hull and the for the engine deck mesh. These are
also in 1:72 scale. Surface textures comprise raised massive armoured skirts. fitted from the inside of the hull.
We’ll take a look at the Maus first. and recessed details plus beautifully Link and length tracks are A big fuel drum is also included,
Vespid Models’ 1:72 scale rendered torch cuts and weld beads. supplied with nine individual links, This is cleverly moulded as two
Pz.Kpfw. VIII Maus V2 is packed Rather than write too much four short lengths and long straight cylinders, so you won’t have any
into a sturdy top opening box. The more about the high quality of the upper and lower runs. Detail on length-wise join seams to clean up.
kit comprises 158 parts in medium parts, I would instead advise you the outer and inner surfaces of The 12.8 cm and the 75 mm gun
grey coloured plastic, two turned to check out the photos. Seeing is the tracks are crisp and intricate. barrels are both supplied in turned
metal gun barrels, seven photo- believing! Without external reference, these metal.
etched parts and markings for a The sheer size of the vehicle would easily pass for 1:35 scale or The decal sheet is in register
number of hypothetical operational means that this 1:72 scale model even bigger. and colours look good.
The suspension units

The road wheels were partially cleaned up with a sanding
were cleaned up using
stick before they were completely removed from the sprues. 48 road wheels! anew hobby blade.
One suspension unit plus

two wheels equals one
half of a bogie truck.
Idler wheel and drive sprocket

halves are keyed, but I still
managed to misalign one of
the sprockets.
All the running gear

awaiting attachment
to the lower hull.

LOWER HULL AND RUNNING GEAR
I built the model straight from the
box, including the two turned metal
barrels and photo-etched parts for
the mesh.
Fit is generally very good but I
found that fitting the tracks and
lining up the bogie trucks perfectly
between the lower hull and the
armoured skirts was quite fiddly.
Components of a
The road wheels fitted okay but Idler wheel in place. Note the nice big locating mounts single bogie truck.
I did need to take care to make for the bogie trucks. Two completed bogies
sure they were accurately lined up. (right side of this picture).
If they are not, they will interfere
with the fit of the tracks, and the
tolerances are quite fine.
Take care to ensure that the
teeth on the two halves of the
drive sprockets are lined up with
each other. I was clearly not
paying enough attention and the
teeth were staggered on one side,
meaning that I had to cut some
of the teeth from the inner half
of the sprocket in order to fit the
individual track links.
The bogie trucks should be The running gear
set aside to allow the glue to set is made up from
completely before attaching them the idler wheel,
to the lower hull. drive sprocket and
I found the bogies were a bit six bogie trucks on
each side.
wobbly when first glued to the hull
and had to be persuaded to line up.
With the bogies set on the lower
hull, I fitted the tracks. I followed
the instructions but I wound up
with a few pieces left over on
each side. I’m also not entirely
convinced that the part numbers
and assembly sequence quoted in
the instructions is correct.
Furthermore, not mentioned in
the instructions but important to
note, the only way to install the long
upper track run is to feed it between
the top of the drive sprocket and
the sponson cover before the links
are glued to the sprocket.
Having said that, there really is
no reason that the upper track run
should be fitted at all as it will be
Some movement is possible during and after
completely hidden from view when attaching the bogie trucks to the lower hull.
the armoured skirts are attached Take care to ensure that all the road wheels are
to the lower hull. I therefore aligned. It’s easier to do now rather than later.
dispensed with the top run on the
starboard side.
A couple of the road wheels
were still not sitting flat against
the tracks. I fixed this with a few
spots of super glue to force the
recalcitrant wheels to line up.
Test fitting revealed that the
armoured skirt would not fit
properly on the starboard side.
It looks like I didn’t have one or
more of the bogie trucks perfectly
lined up.
In the end, I simply cut the ends
of the bogie truck mounts off.
This worked well – the skirts had
plenty to attach to with the drive
sprocket and idler wheel plus the
five locating recessed on the top of The full run of suspension
in place. Quite impressive!
the sponson covers.
The upper hull fittings were
attached easily and quickly. A

The raised waste from the

sprue attachments seen here
must be removed with a sharp knife
prior to assembling the tracks.
Here are the parts required for one full side of tracks. Four individual links are glued together. The four links are wrapped around the drive sprocket while the glue is still pliable.
These are destined for the drive sprocket.
A short run of three links connect

the drive sprocket tracks to the long
bottom run.
One assembled track run.
At the rear of the vehicle is a mirror image of the front track arrangement.
I did not bother fitting the long top run or the two shorter upper runs on
the other side. This will be completely hidden by the armoured skirts.

Test fitting revealed that the
armoured skirt would not fit
properly on the starboard side.
It looks like I didn’t have one
or more of the bogie trucks
perfectly lined up. This worked well – the skirts had plenty to
I cut the ends of the attach to with the drive sprocket and idler
bogie truck mounts wheel plus the five locating recessed on
off in order to the top of the sponson covers.
improve the fit.
Fit against the

sponson recesses
was very good.
The hull top is one piece.
Mesh is fitted from the

underside of the hull top.
I forgot to fit the towing eyes to the front

The hull top was an excellent and rear of the hull before the hull top was glued
fit against the sides. in place. I guided these pieces in on a long cocktail
stick with the plastic part attached via Blu-Tack.
The big fuel drum is cleverly

moulded as two cylinders,
minimising join seams.
Vespid also supplies a photo-etched strap for the rear drum.

B TURRET
Moving on to the turret, the
instructions are once again
misleading. In Step 8, the
instructions would have you glue
the 12.8cm turned metal barrel
to the mantlet. However, there
is nothing inside the mantlet to
which you can attached the barrel
at this stage. Instead, skip Step
8 for the moment and glue the
elevation assembly (Parts E2 and The metal barrels
and mantlet. See the
E7) to the forward lip of the turret text for details of the
base (Part E5). Take care that the correct sequence of
cutout at the front of the barrel The three gun elevation parts.
assembly.
mount is on the left side when
viewed from the front. When this
has set, the turret shell may be
The elevation assembly
glued to the turret base. is glued to the forward
Now the mantle may be slid over lip of the turret base.
the barrel mount (Part E2) and
glued in place.
I glued the barrel mount with
the cutout on the wrong - i.e. the
right - side, so I had to cut off the
locating tab on the mantlet to
allow it to fit.
Now the metal barrel may be
glued to the mount inside the man-
tlet. The 7.5 cm turned metal gun
barrel may be glued in place too.
My turret was a little bit loose
Note the two
when fitted to the upper hull. I
locating towers
glued a tiny tab of this plastic card behind the turret Take care that the cutout at the front of the barrel mount is on the
on the race to prevent the turret hatches. Crew left side when viewed from the front. I glued the barrel mount with the
swinging around too easily. figures in a future cutout on the wrong - i.e. the right - side, so I had to cut off the locating
release perhaps? tab on the mantlet to allow it to fit.
I broke both headlights off

at different times during
construction. I reinforced
the headlights by drilling
and fitting a short length
of metal rod.
The completed turret. My turret was a little bit

loose when test-fitted to
the upper hull.
A tiny tab of this plastic card was glued onto the race to prevent Smudges of putty were applied to a a few fine gaps. Milliput White two-part epoxy putty was used for this job.
the turret swinging around too easily.

PAINTING
I used to think that the most
challenging scheme for a military
vehicle was three-colour WWII
German camouflage, but more
recently I have changed my mind.
I think it is more of a challenge
to make an overall shade such as
German Dark Yellow or US Olive Tamiya White Surface Primer was
Drab look interesting without decanted into a glass jar and mixed
overtly drawing attention to the The base camouflage colour is Tamiya's with the lacquer Dark Yellow.
The model was prepared for paint with
new lacquer paint LP-55 Dark Yellow 2.
technique. a coat of Tamiya’s aerosol Grey Primer
There are no markings at all straight from the spray can.
on my prototype vehicle, just a
big slab of Dark Yellow. I did what
I could to lend a bit of appeal
to what might otherwise be a
monotonous scheme.
I started with a coat of Tamiya’s
aerosol Grey Primer straight from
the spray can.
The base camouflage colour is
Tamiya's new lacquer paint LP-55
Dark Yellow 2. I was really happy
with this paint, which sprayed
beautifully and, unlike Tamiya's
acrylic paints, was tough and
smooth when it was dry.
I now added some decanted
Tamiya White Primer to the Dark
Yellow already in the paint cup. A This paler shade was sprayed in The initial stark effect was toned
spots, squiggles and horizontal down with overspray and overstreaks
and vertical streaks. in the original Dark Yellow shade.
A slightly darker thin mix

was sprayed onto the
main panel lines.
Panel shading was done with Tamiya's

Dark Brown Panel Line Accent Color.
Once the water based varnish had

dried I carefully dry-brushed edges
and high points of the model using a
This is the first time that I
lightened Dark Yellow blend applied
have used Tamiya’s Panel
with a short square tipped brush.
Line Accent and I was very
impressed.

B This paler shade was sprayed in CONCLUSION

spots, squiggles and horizontal Vespid’s 1:72 scale Maus V2 is an
and vertical streaks. The effect is impressive debut from this new
quite stark when the paint is first company. Even if you are not a
applied, but I tamed it somewhat habitual 1:72 scale modeller, this
with a couple of layers of kit might just tempt you to the
overspray and overstreaks in the small side.
original Dark Yellow shade. Detail is excellent, moulding
More satisfied with the irregular quality is world class and surface
yellow canvas, I sprayed the model textures would pass for a much
in two coats of Future Floor polish larger scale.
in preparation for weathering. I look forward to seeing what
Panel shading was done with Vespid Models has in store for us
Tamiya's Dark Brown Panel Line in the future! ■
Access Color. This is the first time
that I have used this product and I
was very impressed. It smells like
an oil based mix. It is pre-thinned Modelspec
and ready to use straight from The tracks were brush painted a
Vespid Models 1:72 Pz.Kpfw. VIII Maus V2 dark brown-black from a 50/50
the bottle. Tamiya even supplies a Kit No. VS720001 mix of Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black
helpful nylon brush as part of the and XF-64 Red Brown.
screw-top lid. Tools and Modelling Products:
I simply used the lid-brush • Tamiya Extra Thin Liquid Cement
• Revell Contacta Plastic Glue
to apply the accent over the
acrylic Future coat to recessed
panel lines, fasteners and raised
structural features.
• Selleys Super Glue
• Tamiya Surfacer
Paints and Finishing Products:
“ You don’t build 1:72 scale
tanks? You’re not interested in
The model was now sprayed with
AK Interactive Ultra Matte Varnish.
Vehicle: late-war German Panzer projects?
• Tamiya Spray Can - Grey Primer; White Primer
I usually only use this on figures,
but I thought I’d give it a try on
• Tamiya Lacquers – LP-55 Dark Yellow Read on anyway. This one might
• Tamiya Acrylic –XF-1 Flat Black; XF-2 Flat White;
this small model. It worked well and XF-64 Red Brown. just change your mind...
lived up to its title. It really was a
dead flat coat.
Once the water based varnish
• Future Floor Polish
• Maru Easy Mud Item No. 21101 - Standard (Light)
• AK Diorama Series Item No. AK8027 - Splatter
”
had dried I carefully dry-brushed Effects Dry Mud
edges and high points of the model • Prismacolor Dark Brown Pencil
using a lightened Dark Yellow • AK Interactive Ultra Matte Varnish
blend applied with a short square Photography:
tipped brush.
• Camera - Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera
The tracks were brush painted
• Lenses – Canon EF-M 22mm f2 Macro; Canon EF-M
a dark brown-black from a 50/50 15-45mm f3.5-6.3 IS ST Zoom Lens
mix of Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black and • Lighting – Two Bowens Studio Strobes with Soft Boxes
XF-64 Red Brown. The road wheels
and tracks were now treated to a ✓ Good detail; lovely surface textures.
stippled coat of a muddy mix made ✗ Some fit challenges; a few question marks over
up from Maru Easy Mud Item No. the instructions.
21101 - Standard (Light); and AK Available from
Diorama Series Item No. AK8027
- Splatter Effects Dry Mud. The Thanks to Vespid Models for the sample
https://www.facebook.com/vespidmodels/
excess was wiped off and when
dry, the track pads were rubbed Rating
with a 2B pencil.
Edges were selectively worn with a light

touch from a Dark Brown Prismacolor pencil.
The road wheels and

tracks were now
treated to a stippled
coat of a muddy mix.

The nice flat finished was
obtained using AK Interactive
Ultra Matte Varnish.
Even if you are not a habitual

1:72 scale modeller, this kit
might just tempt you to the
small side.

KIT PREVIEW Zvezda 1:35 Russian 8x8 Armoured Personnel Carrier, Bumerang • Kit No. 3696
The upper hull.
The kit features crisp surface textures.
BUMERANG
Andrew Judson examines the latest of Zvezda’s
family of modern 1:35 scale subjects, the 8x8
Main turret parts.
Armoured Personnel Carrier, Bumerang
Z
vezda has been around for are five grey plastic sprues, the part of the build, the lower hull and
a long time now, and has lower tub to the vehicle, 8 rubber driveline. This goes for the next ten
always been very prolific wheels, a clear sprue, decals for levels, where you are building the Vinyl wheels are supplied.
in the model industry, two vehicles, self-adhesive mirrors, drive line, water propulsion system
providing we modellers many a colour profile sheet, and lastly and suspension.
choices in all areas and subjects. the Instruction booklet covering 22 Finally, the last two stages are
Of late they have really started steps of construction. All are well the final assemblies of the upper
bringing out some great models illustrated and easy to follow. deck, placing on the turret and
reaching a whole new level of Before describing the build putting on the wheels.
quality. sequence, I must say that I was Decals are minimal on both vari-
Here I have one of their recent very surprised with the size of ations. Green, just the striping and
offerings - the Russian Bumerang, this vehicle. It is big and looks star up the side, Camouflage, none.
an 8x8 Russian Armoured menacing. In summary, I believe this is a
Personnel Carrier. The parts are very well detailed, very nice offering of this vehicle. If Sidewall detail is really good and seams are minimal.
The Bumerang is a personnel and clean-up looks to be minimal. modern armour is your interest, or
carrier, though it can also provide The vinyl tyres are very nice just big wheeled vehicles, this one
fire support for destroying without any seam lines around won’t disappoint! ■
personnel, anti-armoured weapons centre of tread as usual with a new
Thanks to Paul Skuse of Last
and light armoured enemy vehicles. way of moulding them.
Stand Hobbies for sample kit
It is armed with a 30mm The build starts with the turret
https://thelaststand.com.au
automatic cannon, 500 round over the first seven stages.
capacity, a 7.72mm Kalashnikov The next three stages are
MG with 2000 rounds and two twin building the upper deck and The self-adhesive mirrors are a nice touch.
Kornet anti-tank missiles. rear end, and then it is
The vehicle is crewed by three onto the most
and can carry up to eight equipped complex
soldiers.
Looking inside the box, there
The clear sprue.
The one piece lower hull.
Kit decals.
SQUADRON BOOKS
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CH-47 Chinook in Action UH-1 Huey in Action
More than 160 archival colour Illustrated with more than 220
photos, augmented by 48 vintage photos, 160 of which are vintage
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numerous line drawings, present a numerous line illustrations.
clear and concise illustrated history
of this iconic helicopter.
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F-105 Thunderchief In Action M48A3 Patton Vietnam in Action
Nearly 200 vintage photos – more Illustrated with 109 photos, plus
than half are in original color. These color profiles and detailed line
photos are augmented with a dozen drawings.
line drawings and eight colour
profiles.
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5606 12049
Nimitz Class Aircraft Carriers LTV(4) Amtrac in Action
On Deck
Illustrated with over 225 vintage
Illustrated with more than 300 photographs plus colour profiles and
photographs, plus color profiles and over a dozen colour renderings and
detailed line drawings. detailed line drawings.
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Helldiver In Action USS Arizona Squadron at Sea
Illustrated with 194 photos, many Illustrated with 288 photographs,
in color. 5 detailed line drawings, 7 color
illustrations.
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colour photos. which most are in full colour, line
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ORDER AT
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FEATURE
FEA ARTICLE Rye Field Models 1:35 Panther Ausf G Early/Late Production • Kit No. 5018
PANTHER
212
Steve Jones builds
Rye Field Models 1:35
scale Panther Ausf G
Early/Late Production
straight from the box.
W
elcome to my build of fictional I had recently completed a couple of
Panther 212. intensive kit bashes involving a lot of research
In the Fall of 1944, a Panther and scratch building so for this project I
rolled off the production line just wanted a simple build straight from the
with a new style of disc camouflage. She was box using a quality kit. I turned to Rye Field
shipped off to the Eastern front to fight with Models Panther Ausf.G Early / Late Production
the 5th Panzer Division and was numbered in 1:35 scale.
Panther 532. As the first snowflakes of Winter
began to fall the tank commander ordered RFM’S PANTHER
the crew to paint the whole of the Panther The kit offers many options depending on
in a winter whitewash. After heavy fighting which variant you wish to build. There were
throughout the Winter, Panther 532 survived. many extras including a sheet of Photo Etch,
With so many other Panthers being clear parts, workable link tracks and three
destroyed 532 was amalgamated into decal options. There were the odd fit and
the remains of the 31st Panzer Regiment instruction issues but overall this was an
and renumbered Panther 212. The tank excellent, well detailed and well-designed kit.
commander ordered the crew to remove what There was internal detailing mainly around the
was left of the winter camouflage and prepare turret and front internal hull areas. There was
for the oncoming spring offensive against the not enough to keep the hatches open but a
Red Army. Here is where we find Panther 212 great starting point for anyone who wanted to
entering a small town in East Prussia. scratch build the rest of the interior detailing. A
ASSEMBLY
I made up the breech internal section to keep the balance of the turret level.
I had seen reference photos of barrels having mesh

on them to attach tree camouflage onto. I decided
to replicate this feature using Eduard Photo Etch
hexagonal mesh. During the making of the track
lengths I noticed I had several links spare. So, I
decided to use them as a protective feature on
the side of the turret. I scratch built some simple
hooks and added weld seams using 0.3mm styrene
rod. Once dried I added the seam detailing with a
pyro gravure. The turret and hull kit parts were
beautifully moulded with natural looking steel
unevenness detail. However, I wanted to improve
on this with a lot of hard-fought wear and tear.
This was achieved using a pyro gravure and several
different fixings.
The lower hull was very straight

forward and accurately detailed.
I used Humbrol filler along the
axle areas to create a layer of
mud which would be enhanced
during the weathering process
using pigments.

FEATURE ARTICLE Rye Field Models 1:35 Panther Ausf G Early/Late Production • Kit No. 5018
With the war drawing to a close, supplies were limited. This meant the
Panther would have been unable to replace the tyres once worn. Using
several reference photos, I decided to damage the tyres in several
different stages of disrepair. I removed one tyre entirely using a drill
and channelling out a groove where the tyre would have gone. Another With the lower hull complete I turned my attention to the upper hull. There were lots of options here and some research was required
tyre had a chunk of tyre removed. In general, the other tyres were first to get the correct look. I inflicted further damage on the L/H rear end, barrel cleaner container and front mudguard to add interest for
sanded back using a coarse sanding stick. Some tyres had further the viewer.
damage created using a rasp file. Finally, a few tyres had small chunks
of tyre removed from the surface. I was very pleased with the variety
of damage which would add interest to the build. The kit provided the
option to replace the tyres with steel wheels instead. Late Panthers
used metal wheels at the rear of the running gear. However in my world I
decided that the tank crew had no choice but to replace a worn-out tyre
wheel with a metal one from a nearby Panther wreck. This again adds
interest for the viewer.
The majority of the photo-etch

in the kit was used for the rear
mesh for the fan covers and
engine vents. The detail and
accuracy of this part of the kit
was very impressive.
PAINTING
With the build complete I decided to remove
the majority of all the small parts and tools
to make my life easier when adding the disc
camo. I usually fix and paint all the tools in situ
but as I was not using photo-etched clamps,
I was happy to paint and weather everything
off the main build. The model was given an
extensive clean with soap and water. Once
dry, a final clean with lighter fuel was done.
All bare metal parts were

primed using Mr Metal
Primer. This was left to
dry for a day before the
painting process began

The Panther was primed
using Tamiya Red Oxide.
I needed to add a fine
coat of primer as I was
conscious several layers
of paint were going to
be added to this build.
So, I decanted the spray I covered the build in hairspray using a sweeping motion at arm’s
into a plastic cup and length. Once dry I repeated the process. I use Vallejo paints for all
used an airbrush for my acrylic work. The next stage was to base coat the whole build
greater control. in Dunkelgelb. I left this to dry for an hour and then I started the
chipping process. I used a cut down No.2 round brush and an old
round brush for scratches. This process takes several hours so I
chipped the turret first before repeating the process on the hull and
then finally the wheels.
I then applied another covering of hairspray in preparation for the two camouflage colours. I used Armour You can achieve an effective and in scale layered chipping pattern where the wear was heaviest
Brown and Medium Olive. These colours were applied free hand with the airbrush in very thin layers and
chipped in the same way as the base colour.
There are several ways of applying the disc camouflage using various masks and stencils in the
marketplace. I chose to use the Uschi masking system. It is a simple system whereby you stick on a strip
of mask and airbrush over a coat of Dunkelgelb which leaves the disc effect on the model once the mask
is removed. I was fortunate that the camouflage did not have to be exact as most of it would be covered
by the final winter camouflage. In the hard to reach places it is important to get at least a small amount of I am not a fan of decals and I like to use stencils wherever I can. This allows you to add a fine
camouflage done to create the impression of total coverage of the Panther. chipping effect using the hairspray method. Here I used Alliance Model Works stencils which
allow you to put in the central colour first and then add a further coloured border.

WEATHERING
I believe the layering process is an important factor in adding The winter camouflage was applied using the hairspray method again It is important to only apply one light coat when doing winter
depth to a model so I added a layer of dirt before I added the winter and Vallejo White. I saw in some reference photos how the crew had camouflage that is mainly going to be worn off. In areas where you
camouflage,. Firstly, I sprayed at arm’s length a fine mist of German whitewashed around the tracks that covered the turret. This meant want the paint to remain (e.g. around hatches) then apply a second or
Camo Black Brown. Then I splattered on a wash of Dark Earth. The that when the tracks were removed, they would leave a patch of the third thin coat. After an hour of drying, most of the white was removed
majority of this will be lost during the oil stages but if you look original colour underneath. I was keen to replicate this effect. So I using the same chipping processes as before.
carefully at the final build you will see this layer of weathering in masked off the tracks, attached them to the turret and airbrushed
areas all over the model. around them.
Before moving onto the oils, I completed the acrylic work with the fine I also decided to rust the front bracket for the L/H mudguard. The final part of the acrylic work involved painting the lower hull in Dark
detail painting. This included the rusting of the rear exhaust pipes. This Other rust effects were added to the deep damage areas around Mud and Light Mud. This was achieved using the sponge method of
was achieved using a variety of rust colours and the wet on wet method the Panther. chipping and several washes until I was happy with the look.
of painting. The exhaust ends were sponge chipped with Black and Black
Glaze. Once dried the whole pipe was given a wash of Smoke
I had yet to use any varnish on the build so to protect the acrylic
work from the oncoming oil weathering, I coated the whole build
in two coats of varnish using Winsor & Newton Galeria Matt
Varnish. I let the model stand for a couple of days before starting
the oil work. I use the Oil Paint Rendering method of applying the
oils. The main oils I use are Winsor & Newton and Abteilung 502.
Using a variety of dark oils, shadows were applied to the recess The rear of the tank was where I had the most fun. Several layers of pigments were added to build up an effect of several layers of mud.
areas. Lighter oils were applied to the open areas. Using the The exhausts were given a final covering of Raw Sienna to intensify the look. Strictly speaking the exhausts should have been hollowed out
back of a scalpel, various consistencies and colours of oil were with a strip of card used for the internal exhaust flap. As this was an OOB build I was happy to continue with the kit part as it was. Further
splattered onto the surface to help intensify the look of dirt oils were used to give the impression of oil and fuel leakage from the port holes and the top of the hull itself

I was particularly
pleased with the roof
of the turret. The disc
camouflage is clear
to see. The winter
camouflage has
remained in the recess
The side of the turret shows the benefit of the layering process adding areas. However, where
depth and interest to the model. Also, the use of stencils allows you to the most wear would
create a more worn out and realistic look of the tank numbers. There are occur to and from the
several reference photos whereby tank crew would simply just paint new turret cupola, has
Kompanie numbers over the original number. I chose 212 to represent the resulted in the heaviest
demise of the Panther from five Kompanie’s down to two. of wear.
I use a variety of pigments which I grade into three colours of Light, Neutral and
Dark. I applied a liberal coat of dark pigments along the base of the hull. I then
moved up the side of the hull adding the neutral colour and finally along the top
just under the fenders I added the light coat. Once I was happy with the dispersion
of pigment, I very carefully ran a stream of Ammo Mig pigment fixer along the area
allowing it to spread out fully. Once dry I then turned the model upside down and
used the light pigments to create a similar look under the fenders. Once complete I
used a variety of oils to create a wet look and oil seepage. Final splatter marks were The wheels were painted in various metal colours on the rear side. On the front side the winter camouflage was
added all over the lower hull. If you look carefully you will notice I added leaves and left mainly intact to add a distinct contrast between the running gear and the rest of the Panther. The steel wheel
foliage to the darker layer of pigments to add variety to the build. was painted in a completely different colour to confirm the story that it had been taken from another vehicle.
The effort made in wearing out

the tyres has produced a nice
look one painted. Each wheel
was weathered to varying
levels of damage. This gives
the impression of old wheels
working together with more
recently acquired wheels.
The final job was to add final weathering to all the small parts that I had left off the build.
Although this is a time-consuming process it is an important one as the final touches make
all the difference to the build.
The tracks were divided into different sections and given different primer colours to depict the effect of old
and newer sections. Then they were given a variety of base coats including Dark Rust and Burnt Umber. Then
pigments were added to increase the contrast between each section of track. This can be seen clearly in the
final model photos. The final touch was to dry brush the track chevrons with metallic Steel.

B ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Special thanks go to my good
friend Allen Dewire whose help
with the reference material and
all things Panther was invaluable
in helping me create the final
look. I would like to thank John It was then a simple task of putting all the
parts together to create the final model.
at the Scale Model Shop for There were few fit issues and I was pleased
suppling the kit and to Brett Green with the overall look of the Panther.
for showcasing my build in the
magazine. ■
Modelspec
Rye Field Models 1:35 Panther Ausf G Early/Late
Production Kit No. 5018
Tools and Materials Used:
Tamiya Extra Thin Liquid Cement
Thin and Medium CA Glue
Humbrol Filler
Eduard PE Mesh Sheet
Uschi Masking System
Pyro Gravure
Como Drill
N gauge 40 link per inch chain
Tree Mendus Spring Leaves
Alliance Modelworks Stencil Set
Paints and Finishing Products:
- Mr Metal Primer
- Tamiya Red Oxide Primer
Acrylics are all Vallejo Model Air unless stated:
- Base coat of Dunkelgelb 025
- Two tone camouflage Armour Brown 041 and
Medium Olive 092
- Winter camouflage Insignia White 279 and White 001
- Metal areas Vallejo’s Metal Color range Dark
Aluminium 703, Burnt Iron 721 and Exhaust Manifold
723
- Rust areas and exhausts Black 057, Orange Rust
130, Rust 080; Panzer Aces Dark Rust 302, Light
Rust 301 Yellowish Rust 303; Model Color Brown
Glaze 854 and Smoke 939
- Tracks primed in sections using Stynylrez White and
Black, base coat of Model Color Burnt Umber 941
and Panzer Aces Dark Rust 302
Oil Paints:
- Winsor and Newton - Soft Mixing White, Vandyke
Brown, Raw Umber, Naples Yellow Hue, Jaune
Brilliant, Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna
- Georgian Oil - Lamp Black and Zinc White
- Old Holland - Warm Sepia
- Abteilung 502 – Earth, Sepia, Buff, Cream Brown
Pigments:
- Mig Ammo – Dark Earth, Europe Earth, Pigment
Fixer
- Vallejo - Natural Umber, Light Slate Grey, Light
Sienna
- AK – North African Dust, Light Dust
- Spot On – EU Dark Earth (Coarse) EU Brown Earth
(Coarse) “options
The kit offers many
depending
✓ Well designed with no fit issues. Lots of extras
and options. Workable track links. Clear glossy
instruction manual.
on which variant you
✗ Research required to create an historically wish to build...
accurate model.
Available from
”
Rye Field Models extensive range of models can be
found at their website www.ryefield-model.com
Rating

Tech Guide - RUINED FRENCH STREET DIORAMA
A RECYCLED DIORAMA
Roger Merry builds a French WWI street diorama using simple techniques and constructed
entirely from free, recycled materials.
The Material
Most of this diorama is made from the type of expanded polystyrene manufactured widely for
packaging in the food industry, in this case a pizza base. It’s lovely stuff to work with – it’s very
easy to cut, emboss and texture and it takes most sorts of paint very well, a single coat usually
being enough. Although it’s very soft, most examples are 4-5 mm thick, and strong enough to act
as the base of the model as well as the surface, so there’s no need to build a carcass first then
cover it with plastic sheet or modelling clay. And best of all, of course, it’s completely free!

The Main Structure
Although I didn’t want to model
a particular building, I looked
at quite a lot of photographs of
war-damaged structures, and
eventually decided to make a
corner of a badly damaged brick
house covered in cement and
looking very much the worse
for wear. The two walls were
cut from the pizza base roughly
divided into two triangles, one
representing the front wall and
one the side wall. As the model
looked rather narrow, I decided
to extend it on the left with
some wooden fencing, also made
from pizza base.
Brickwork
The brick areas needed to be recessed slightly, to show the thickness of
the cement, so I pressed them down a little with a flat screwdriver, again
going horizontally, lowering the level a little so the cement areas stood
The Cement Sections proud. I then scribed in the bricks, cutting about 1mm into the surface.
You can try various scribers such as a compass or small screwdriver, and
I marked out the sections of wall that I wanted to look like I’ve recently started using a very sharp soft-leaded pencil, which leaves a
cement, adding some cracks with a scriber, then textured nice visible mark to show exactly where you’ve already scribed.
them heavily with a wire brush, first by bashing then by drag- Next, paint the bricks, using rather more garish colours than you would
ging the brush horizontally across the surface to suggest the normally and adding a few in different colours if you wish. Some tech-
brick courses underneath. Quite therapeutic! niques for painting brickwork require quite a lot of skill and patience, but
The material takes paint really well, and I’ve found that here you can just slap it on and not worry if some paint goes in the mor-
there’s usually no need for primer or undercoat, saving a lot tar courses. Once the paint is thoroughly dry, mix some sloppy filler with
of time. The cement areas were painted using sample pots of a bit of black paint and rub it over the surface. Wipe it off immediately
emulsion from a DIY store, though oil-based paints work just with tissue and you’ll find that the filler has stayed in the spaces between
as well. (However, do avoid cellulose paint, as it will damage the bricks, giving a very realistic impression of mortar. The wall is flush,
the surface, unless you like the effect of course!) You can then like most brick walls, but the mortar is a different texture from the bricks,
go to work with weathering powders and dry brushing, while giving a much better effect than paint. The filler does dull down the brick
another very easy way of adding dirt and grime, which seems colours, however, which is why you need to paint them in stronger colours
to work particularly well on pizza base, is to rub a soft pencil to begin with. Overall, I find this technique very quick and easy, without
gently over the surface and spread it about with your finger. compromising on the final result.

Tech Guide - RUINED FRENCH STREET DIORAMA
The Window
The window aperture was cut out and, as the
building was meant to be a simple village house,
the lintel and window ledge were just scribed in.
For fancier buildings, it would be easy to glue
these on, with embossed detail if you like. From
the photographs I’d studied, window apertures
where the frame had been blown out were often
blackened, particularly at the top, so I tried to
recreate this effect with more dry-brushing.
Although I thought the pizza base was strong
enough to act as the carcass of the building, it was
only about 4mm thick, which would be OK for 1:72
scale but a bit too thin to represent a wall in 1:30.
I therefore stuck a second layer inside the window
aperture, disguising the join with a bit of filler.
The window reveal was then scribed and painted, Assembly
with mortar added as outlined above, giving what I
think is a very pleasing effect. The two walls were glued together with
Copydex, spread thinly on both surfaces
and left to go tacky. Other glues may
work, but avoid solvent-based ones as
they may damage the pizza base. In
this case, I used simple butt joint for
strength, hoping that the join would be
disguised by the general damage on the
walls. On reflection, a mitre join might
have looked better, and these are easy to
make because the material is relatively
thick and very soft, unlike plastic card.
Triangles of pizza base are also good for
making bracing inside corners.
The Base, The Pavement and The Fence

The base of the model is just a scrap of hardboard (recycled of course!) to give some rigidity.
The grid is cut from a 1:72 plastic window frame I found in my scrap box, so I’m going to count
that as recycled. The wooden fence, pavement and cobbles are yet more pizza base, suitably
scribed and painted, while the signs are from the internet, resized using Photoshop. The patch
of grass at the bottom of the fence is from Woodland Scenics, but it was salvaged from another
model, so I’m going to cheat a bit and count that as recycled too.
The Corrugated Iron

I thought the whole model looked a bit
sparse with quite a gap on the left, so I
The Rubble soon decided to add a shed with a cor-
rugated iron roof behind the wooden fence,
As I wanted the rubble to look as if it had been partly cleared away and piled up against the wall, which wouldn’t take long and which would
as in many of the photographs I’d studied, I used a bit of expanded polystyrene for a sloping add a little variation. I tried a couple of
base, though almost anything would do, including filler or even plasticine. This was then covered ways of making the roof, but in the end
with ash from the barbeque, with larger lumps of rubble on top. These consisted of some tiny bits chose the easy option of a bit of corrugated
of painted poly along with fragments of real brick and splinters of wood which I found naturally cardboard from a box that had contained a
weathered in the garden, all artistically placed and spilling out on to the pavement and road. bottle of whiskey. Recycling at its best!

The Figure
A diorama is probably seen by most readers as a just a background for their model so I wanted to
add a figure, but I’d be the first to admit that my figure painting isn’t up to the very high standards
of MMI! So I’m afraid I cheated and used a 1:30 Del Prado figure of a corporal in the Rifle Brigade,
1914, ready painted. Apologies to readers of a more sensitive nature.
The 1st Battalion of the Rifle Brigade were sent to Le Havre in August 1914 and saw action in
several battles in that month and October. The figure’s uniform and equipment look to be in very
good condition, so I imagined him recently arrived in France. This perhaps led to the first problem:
he looked as though he’d come straight off the parade ground rather than being on patrol in a
war-damaged area. The sergeant major won’t be pleased, but this was easily solved with a bit of
weathering, especially round his boots and puttees.
The second problem was that he was standing on a small plinth. One option would have been to
remove this base, but I didn’t really want to do that and in any case it was much easier to cut a
hole in the roadway and cover the join with ash and rubble.
Conclusion
This article describes a particular
scene made from recycled materials,
but the same methods could be
applied to any scale or era.
For most readers, dioramas are
simply a way of displaying their
vehicles or figures in an interesting
way, but the techniques described
here are really quick and simple, and
all the materials are free, so do have
a go. If you can assemble and paint a
model tank with dozens of tiny parts,
you can certainly cut up a pizza base
and make a diorama like this to show
it off. And if you do go wrong, all you
have to do is eat another pizza! ■

KIT PREVIEW Rye Field Models 1:35 Sherman VC Firefly • Kit No. RM-5038
HARD HITTI
Al Bowie takes a detailed look at the latest take on the Sherman Firefly, this time fro
D
ue to the perceived threat
from heavy German
armour and the arrival
of the Tiger on the
Divisions excluding the Churchill
equipped Tank Brigades, whose role
was infantry support.
The Firefly was an immediate
was thought it was hard to improve
on and I have to state here in
almost every way this new kit does
just that which is very high praise
modeller is left to make up their
own mind on which (if any) to fit.
Photo-etch is used to detail
many of the parts here such as
battlefield, the British immediately success giving the British tankies indeed. the mountings and the smoke
undertook to fit their new 17 pdr the ability to take on and defeat So, for the Shermaholic with dischargers. Fortunately, the
anti-tank gun in a tank. the heavier German tanks such as a ton of TASCA/ASUKA Fireflies approach to photo-etch is good and
Originally it was envisaged that the Tiger and Panther which faced in the stash, is this kit worth does not require ridiculous bending
the Cromwell based Challenger them in quantity at long range. replacing them? The answer is skills being used sensibly where it
would be that vehicle, however They came as a great shock to yes. This is like a refined version of will enhance an assembly rather
there were problems with the the Germans who quickly learnt to that kit with all the detail options than replacing whole assemblies.
turret and after it was proved that prioritise targeting this new threat. missed originally missed now done. The idler wheels are multipart
it could be fitted to the Sherman a Rye Field Models has followed It is a truly stunning and complete and allow the lip however you will
program was setup to manufacture on from their excellent Sherman kit offering full detail such as have a seam down the centre join
17 pdr armed Shermans, now M4A3E8 with a brand new and rotatable periscopes and Individual to (easily) remove.
known as Fireflies. highly detailed kit of the Sherman track links plus a spring-based Three different drive sprocket
The British settled on the VC Firefly. suspension replacing the foam assembly types are included, again
Sherman V (M4A4) and the The kit depicts the initial VC with compression of the TASCA ones. leaving the modeller to decide
Sherman 1 (M4) for conversion and the earlier turret with pistol port One cannot open this box and which one to use. My references
more than 2,000 were converted and offers three decal options for look at the kit without comparison almost exclusively indicate Assy 5
between late 1943 and early 1945. vehicles that fought in Normandy. to the TASCA kit. It is eerily similar (parts J2 and J10) as being fitted
The Firefly’s baptism of fire was This is not the first Firefly kit in construction but does have a to VC Fireflies. The exhausts and
Normandy where the Sherman to market with earlier kits by DML few minor differences particularly the grille are very well done and
V based Firefly designated VC from the 1990s and TASCA (Now hull construction. detailed, note the comments about
saw extensive use and was the ASUKA) from the early 2000s. Construction starts with fitting of track guards in the inset
sole variant for the first month of When the TASCA kit was the multi-part lower hull and box in Assembly 8 of Step 4.
fighting when the Sherman Ic began released it was hailed as a superbly transmission/final drives. Both the The Bogies come next and are
to appear. They were deployed accurate, detailed and buildable kit. earlier horizontal UK towing hitch well detailed and workable like
across all British, Canadian and In fact many questioned whether and the vertical post type hitch are the real thing. Metal springs are
Polish the Armoured Brigades and it was the perfect Sherman kit. It included as options, however the provided. The three bolts on the

Lovely weld
beads and
cast texture. Texture and detail is
excellent here too.
The turret shell.

Check out the
The upper hull features crisp moulded-on
a separate engine deck. tie downs.
Parts from the flat pack lower hull. Sponson covers are included. Lower hull sides are separate parts too. Cleverly moulded mudguards.
The kit includes T62 British steel chevron tracks Each link is made up from four plastic parts. If care is The kit’s photo-etched fret. Markings are supplied for three vehicles. Decals
are included as individual links. taken with glue, these will be workable when finished. are accurate and in good register.
ING HYBRID
rom Rye Field Models.
bottom of the bogie are incorrect
and should be more compact
bolt heads typical of the bogies
Chrysler was using. Easy to fix -
The rear stowage box is well
detailed with an openable lid and
PE clasps. The kit has Houseboat
fittings for the collapsible canvas
mounted .50 cal which, despite a lot
of popular thought, were carried but
not universally. At least one of the
marking options was photographed
• 1 TP A Company 2 Grenadier Gds
(Armoured) of 5 Guards Armoured
Brigade Sept 1944
• 1 Sqn 2 Armd Regiment Polish
just cut it down to the bolt head. disguise (never used in action on a in Normandy with it. The .50 cal is 1st Armoured Division UK Spring
No bolt holes are in either bogie Firefly) but the fittings were seen very nice and very similar to the 1944 (although this vehicle is
face however they have included on the early production Fireflies excellent TASCA one. It has the photographed in the Falaise battles
the spring tensioning bolts on in Normandy. Full sand shields larger 100 round ammo box rarely in Aug 1944)
the top of the bogie. The Skids are supplied with PE detailing seen on British tank 50 cal. Decals appear to be complete
are provided with bolt heads that and joiners or the option of PE The radio box extension has only and accurate in good register.
have to be shaved off sprue J and strip where not fitted, it is a very one type of box lid with the three,
glued on. complete set. square shaped access plates. A very CONCLUSION
Step 6 is the tracks and a very We now move to the turret nice blanket box is provided. The In summary, this is an excellent
clever and useful jig is provided which is exceptionally detailed and cupola is very detailed with fully kit that takes all the little things
which will make assembly a lot missing none of the small details rotatable periscopes, hatch details missing from the TASCA VC and
easier than the useful for individual of the original on the exterior. The and latches and gun mount details. adds them to give a very complete
Sherman tracks. T 62 are provided Gun barrel/tube is one piece with a Alternate turret spot lamps are pro- product. I did note the fit which,
which is correct for most VC three-piece muzzle break including vided, a full turret ring is provided while it is very good, is not the
Fireflies. The upper hull is then con- a photo-etched representation of which is useful for conversion work precision fit of the TASCA kit if
structed and it is very detailed with the rifling, which needs to be rolled or displaying a wreck. A string tow that bothers you.
all hatch details provided along with to fit. No real interior detailing is cable is provided but looks to be I would highly recommend
casting details etc. Photo-etched included in the turret excepting under diameter to me. this as the best Firefly currently
light guards are provided along with periscopes, the smoke mortar and The kit offers three sets of available in any scale and I hope
a very familiar jig to bend them. the co-ax .30 cal. No gun breech is decals for two British and one that RFM offer M4A4/Sherman V
Note carefully any holes that have included despite the fact it would Polish example all of which saw variants and an interior variant as
to opened up in the hull. The engine be clearly visible through the large action in Normandy and NWE. a follow on. ■
deck details are again excellent with hatches. Hatches can be displayed • “Velkye Luki” 3 Tp A Sqn
casting marks etc and optional gun open or closed with full details Northamptonshire Yeomanry Well done RFM on a superb offering.
crutch stowage allow – again we see on the interior and a rotatable (Involved in Wittmans Demise) Jul Highly recommended.
no indication of which one to use. periscope. The kit provides a turret 1944 Purchased by reviewer.

KIT PREVIEW Zvezda 1:35 Soviet Medium Tank T-28 • Kit No. 3694
The kit decal sheet.
Zveda continues
its busy release
schedule with a
new tool 1:35 scale
Soviet Medium
Tank T-28. Graham
Tetley takes a look.
HANDSOME HYDRA
Close-up of road wheel detail.
T
he T-28 was an infantry two clear plastic lenses for the would do away with the nylon mesh
support tank designed to headlights. Construction options and give us etched parts instead,
break through fortified are limited to having the anti- but I guess no etch in the box
defences. Based upon the aircraft machine gun fitted or not keeps the cost down.
British Vickers A1E1 Independent and having the suspension covers There is a basic breach in the
tank, the T-28 had one large turret present or removed. Markings are main turret, but no other internal
with a 76.2mm main gun and provided for three vehicles – one detail is provided. The hatches
two smaller turrets with 7.62mm pre-war, one from the Finnish are not too large so this lack of
machine guns. For its day, the Winter War and a final, very interior will not be too noticeable,
T-28 had some advanced features, colourful & camouflaged vehicle especially if you place a figure or
including a radio (in all tanks) and from 1941. Construction is over 29 two in there. Zvezda have moUlded
anti-aircraft machine gun mounts. steps with many sub-assemblies the turret antenna ring as one
Just before the Second World War, although they are very clearly piece and very nicely done it is Fine weld detail on the turret.
many received armour upgrades drawn. to. You will need care in removing
which brought the vehicles’ We get a complete hull tub to it from the sprue but mine was
protection up to an equal of the which a larger plate is added to undamaged.
early Panzer IV. Unfortunately, the belly. The twelve individual In summary then, this is a very
it also had several significant suspension units attach to this good representation of a T-28. It
flaws with the main ones being belly plate and, over the next is comparable to the HobbyBoss
a poor suspension system and six construction steps, the full kit in detail but has a higher parts
a very troublesome engine & suspension system, roadwheels count for the suspension, whereas
transmission. A total of 503 T-28 and suspension armoured the HobbyBoss offering gives
tanks were manufactured between coverings are completed. One us some photo-etch in the box. I
1933 to 1941. observation is that the idler wheels like the subtle welding, fine detail
By the time the T-28 saw parts C14 & 17 have many pins on present throughout, blemish-free Track links in all their glory.
combat in 1939, events had their inside surfaces and several moulding and clear instructions.
overtaken its design and of these had been broken by being With a UK retail price of around
capabilities. They were deployed packed tightly together. We finalise £30 it represents excellent value
during the 1939 Soviet invasion of the running gear in Step 11 by for money and would be suitable
Poland, and the Winter War with adding the link & length tracks. for intermediate to experienced
Finland. The Soviets had 411 T-28 The hull is finished off by the modellers.
tanks when the Germans invaded addition of the two smaller turrets, Highly recommended from me. ■
the Soviet Union in June 1941. A tools and engine grilles. A large fan
large majority of these were lost is provided which can be seen but Thanks to The Hobby
during the first two months of the there is no engine in this kit. The
Company Limited for the
sample www.hobbyco.net
invasion, many of them abandoned tools would benefit from etched
after mechanical breakdown. Some mounts and I wish that Zvezda The distinctive star cast on the turret roof.
T-28s took part in the 1941 winter
defence of Leningrad and Moscow,
but after late 1941, they were
rare in Red Army service. Today,
there are three survivors with
two examples in Finland and one
located in Moscow.
Coming in a very sturdy box with
a slipcase, there are 454 parts on
nine olive green sprues.
Moulding quality throughout is
very good with no visible flash or
sink marks on my example. You Engine grille detail.
will see some fine tooling marks
on some parts, but these should
disappear under a coat of paint.
Tracks are provided as link &
lengths with a subtle sag molded
into the top run. We also get a
small piece of nylon mesh and
The more colourful marking option. Impressive weld bead detail.
Incoming
SCORPION MINIATURE MODELS
1:35 SCALE
FV432 CONVERSION SETS
The British Army has operated FV432 series AFVs since the 1960s with updated versions set to remain in service for several years yet.
Its use began with the Mk 1 in 1963. This had a Rolls-Royce B81 petrol engine, some 600 were built with the Mk 2 with the Rolls-
Royce K60 diesel coming along two years later. Mk 1 were operated alongside them until the last were withdrawn around 1994.
Some time ago Takom released their plastic kit no. 2066 “British FV432 Mk 2/1 APC with Interior Detail” which was well received.
Anyone wanting the earlier Mark has had a lot of work to do - until now.
SMM have produced three sets which between them will save a lot of time and effort. Each comes in a small clip-top plastic bag.
Quality of moulding and detail is first-class, basic clean-up is needed but that will not take long. Instructions are in the form of
photos of the parts themselves for identification and fitted to the model which are clear and easy to follow. The sets are:
SMM3532 FV432 MK 1 EXTERIOR SET

This gives new resin parts for the hull
sides and exterior NBC pack, rear door,
external fuel tanks, engine compartment
covers and exhaust silencer plus various
small details. These simply replace the
relevant kit parts. Some holes need to
be filled and others drilled out which
should be well within the capabilities of
most modellers with basic kit building
experience. Colour and markings details
are not provided, early examples would
have been the glossy Deep Bronze Green
shade before that was changed to matt
green and black.
SMM3533 FV432 MK 1 INTERIOR SET

This replaces the kit parts with new
resin ones for the driver’s and crew
compartments BUT NOT the engine.
The bulkhead between these two areas
plus the older Larkspur radio sets are
included.
SMM3534 FV432 MK 1 FLOATATION SET

One feature of smaller British AFVs in
the 1960s was the inclusion of floatation
equipment to allow them to cross rivers
or other water obstacles. These consisted
of waterproof screens which were raised
to increase the vehicle’s buoyancy and
in some cases small propellors powered
by the track sprockets. Before long these
were removed and it was not fitted on
the Mk 2 series. This set gives resin parts
for a Mk 1 with the screens down, parts
include the screen with its cover and the
large box over the hull front to increase
buoyancy as well as the side skirts also
seen on many vehicles.
There is also:
SMM3535 FV432 MK 2 NBC UNIT
One feature from the Mk 1 version
carried over to early Mk 2 vehicles was
the same NBC equipment. Conversion Anyone wanting to create a model of either a Mk 1 in original
parts consist of a complete left-hand or later forms or an early Mk 2 will find these sets very useful.
hull side part including the relevant Details of prices and purchasing are on the SMM website
interior parts and the unit itself. www.scorpion-miniature-models.co.uk
Many Thanks to Mike Shackleton for sending these sets for
review and supplying the images.
Recommended
Peter Brown

Book Reviews
HAYNES ICON MANUALS
This series of hardback pocket books are half size
(half A4) but are page for page reproductions of
their Haynes big brothers, selected to represent the
most well-known and best loved subjects. At half
RRP of the standard size books they are very good
value, making ideal travel reads, stocking fillers and
a good introduction for youngsters to these historic
engineering marvels that can still be seen by the
general public. I have the following:
T-54/TYPE 59
AMMO BY MIG JIMENEZ TIGER TANK.
VISUAL MODELLERS GUIDE ISBN 978 1 78521 687 9
STEEL SERIES VOL. 3 The most famous
BY PETER ROBINSON occupant at the Tank
ITEM NO. MIG-6032 Museum Bovington has
ISBN – 843 2 0740 6032 1 developmental history
As I have mentioned in previous reviews, Ammo By Mig has really hit the and how its Tiger 131
market hard, with many products, from paints, pigments, brushes and books. was captured and
Here is the latest in the Steel Series on the T-54/Type 59. restored and where other
It is written by Peter Robinson, a former tank Commander with the Kings Royal surviving Tiger tanks may
Hussars for 28 years, including service up against the T-54 in Bosnia and the be seen.
Gulf War. He is very passionate in the subject of armour.
This title comes in the form of a soft cover, A4 landscape format, printed on CHURCHILL TANK.
high quality glossy paper. There are 70 pages in total. ISBN 978 1 78521 591 9
The first nine pages cover the history of the tank, and its different variants and One of the few British
combat history. tanks named after a
Next is a series of excellent close up reference photos, all colour, of both the politician had a thick
Type A and B variants. The book then proceeds to show some nice interior skin like its human
shots and lastly five pages of colour profile drawings of different vehicles used counterpart with coverage
by different countries, an excellent finish. of the famous “Funnies”
I think this is a very nice book, with a lots of info to help one build a very of D-Day, the crew
accurate kit of this tank. experience, and restoring
Whether an armour enthusiast, a modeller or a collector, this is one I’d say to a gun tank.
go and grab. A nice book indeed.
Thanks to Ammo by Mig Jiminez for the sample AVRO LANCASTER
www.migjiminez.com ISBN 978 1 78521 686 2
Probably the most
lusted after plane flight
except the Spitfire, has
bombing sorties like the
Tirpitz battleship, the
Dambusters Raid, the
famous Merlin engine,
what it’s like to fly. For
those having pockets
deep enough to afford
more than a plastic kit
how to buy one and
running costs.
FLYING SCOTSMAN
ISBN 978 1 78521 689 3
A nuts and bolts account
of the history of this well
loved loco, how it was
restored to its present
form and a firebox
recollection of driving on
the original Kings Cross to
Edinburgh run.
HMS VICTORY
ISBN 978 1 78521 688 6
Now displayed in dry
dock, Nelson’s flagship is a
continuing labour intensive
conservation project using
traditional techniques and
materials, giving a glimpse
of life at sea in a 18th
Century man o’ war, how
the ship worked under sail,
and gun deck procedures
in battle.
All Recommended.
Thanks to Haynes for the samples www.haynes.com
John Ham

HITLER’S TANKS - GERMAN PANZERS OF WORLD WAR II
OSPREY PUBLISHING
BY CHRIS MCNAB
ISBN 978 1 4728 3976 3
Tanks painted with black crosses continue to fascinate present generations and WWII Panzers remain some of
the most popular exhibits in today’s tank museums.
This book is a compilation of past Osprey releases, the writer as editor, taking substantial portions of text from
the New Vanguard books and melding them with material from the Duel series and other sources. Working
chronologically through Light Panzers (PzKfw I, PzKfw II, PzKfw 35(t), PzKfw 38(t)), PzKfw III, PzKfw IV, Panther
Medium Tank, Tiger I Heavy Tank, King Tiger- these titles contributing much of the core information, each with
its developmental history, and operational use.
There is an additional chapter on Panzer crews.
The photos are not those of the original publications but now sourced from a media company, so amongst the
stock images there are inevitably a few familiar ones.
Artwork and cutaways are a combination from the NVG range and some dramatic tank vs tank illustrations
from the Duel books. Given the large amounts of literature on this subject, it would be difficult to find much
that is new and is not the aim of the book; the big plus here is that it is one of the better quality general panzer
books currently in print. For those not possessing all these NVGs and Duels (totalling 20), some going back to
1993 and authored by some of the most eminent writers of the day, this collection offers very good value.
Recommended.
Thanks to Osprey Publishing for the sample www.ospreybublishing.com
John Ham
SOVIET AIRBORNE FORCES 1930-91

OSPREY ELITE 231
BY DAVID CAMPBELL
ISBN 978 1 4728 3958 9
It took rare bravery to be a desantnik pitched out of a bomber underwing cage in a Soviet experimental airborne unit of
1931, and no less hair-raising as crew inside a parachute dropped tank decades later. The vozdushno- desantnye voyska
VDV were ideal for waging deep war, the Russian concept of battle, causing disruption far behind enemy lines.
Despite small successes in the Great Patriotic War, the large Vyazma and Dniepr drops foundered due to aircraft
shortages, lack of experience, planning and logistics; these reasons and the need to replace battlefield casualties leading
to VDV formations being converted to rifle units.
Though always an aim in the creation of airborne forces, it was not until their later rebuilding that availability of large
transports enabled mechanisation with AFVs specifically designed for VDV use such as the ASU-57 and later ASU-85 self-
propelled antitank guns, BMD and BMP-D. Concurrent helicopter advances allowed deployment of air assault brigades
without the hazards of parachute drops and a new operational capability. As well trained troops VDV forces were in
the forefront of Cold War operations and conflicts - Hungary, Czechoslovakia and the lengthy 1980s Afghan War with
major campaigns in the Panjshir Valley, and Kabul to Khost highway. The book illustrations with information packed
captions cover VDV uniforms. Photos from commercial media sources inevitably have a few stock images, but include
the principle VDV AFV types.
Recommended.
Thanks to Osprey Publishing for the sample
www.ospreybublishing.com
John Ham
TANKS IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE

OSPREY PUBLISHING
BY STEVEN J ZALOGA AND FELIPE RODRÍGUEZ
ISBN: HARD COVER 978 1 4728 3922 0 PRICE £11.99
EBOOK 978 1 4728 3923 7 PRICE £11.50
PDF 978 1 4728 3334 1 PRICE £11.50
Six months after the Allied invasions of France, German forces had been pushed back to their own frontier after suffering
heavy losses in men and equipment. Hitler called for an attack in mid-December 1944 code named Herbstnebel (Autumn
Mist) which was intended to split American and British forces and push them back to the coast to create a Dunkirk-style
evacuation. To do this, resources in men and armoured vehicles were drawn together to strike in the Ardennes region.
This was where many American units which had either recently suffered heavy losses or were newly arrived were placed.
The result was, in the author’s own words, “the largest confrontation between German and American tanks during the
campaign in the European Theater of Operations in 1944–45”. His new book examines the AFVs used there, mostly
Sherman and Stuart plus a handful of new Chaffee tanks alongside M10, M18 and a few M36 Tank Destroyers on the
American side against PzKwIV, Panthers, some King Tigers, StuGs, Jagdpanzer IV and Jadgpanthers for the Germans
including details of the effectiveness of their guns. The few British units involved are also covered briefly.
Those units involved are described including what tanks they had and their organisation. German forces were under
strength in all areas, not to their full complement of vehicles even under the new reduced-size organisations as their
industry was unable to build what was wanted due to Allied bombing. In contrast the Americans were at almost full
strength despite their own losses.
As so often happens in war, events did not go as planned. The German advance was stalled by stubborn American
resistance which allowed reinforcements to be sent to the area. Initial gains were lost and by the end of January the
“Bulge” in the American lines which gave this campaign its popular name was no more. Casualties on both sides were
similar, the Americans could replace theirs while the Germans could not. The Allies advanced from West and East to bring
about the final German defeat.
Along with the details of the vehicles, organisation and numbers there are original black and white photos plus a few of
preserved vehicles in the region. Colour plates show typical tanks including the unusual German attempts at disguise.
Individual actions are not described in detail as this is intended as an overview covering both sides. In that it does its
intended job well.
Recommended.
Thanks to Osprey Publishing for the sample www.ospreypublishing.com
Peter Brown
1:48 Scale – A round-up of the latest news and releases
LEAVING WELL ENOUGH ALONE
W
ell, what a year it’s been. Where I and the aero screens used in North Africa but - and stuff like this. What to do? For me, it was to take
live we have had a major drought there’s always is a “but”, isn’t there - I wanted to my scratch built items off and do it them again one
followed bush fires the size of a give the Caunter scheme a go and for the life of me plank down.
European country followed by floods. I just could not find any photographic evidence that The second problem again is never ever assume
When the weather stabilised we were confronted they indeed sported that scheme. the aftermarket producers get their stuff right
with the lock down and the last one will have a After a few cries for help on a number of online either. I had an aftermarket brass replacement grill
massive impact on the global economy. forums I finally obtained photographic proof that that looked outstanding on the fret but on close
The plus side to all of this is I’ve had a lot more time indeed some early Bedfords had the scheme applied. examination noted it was too square in the corners
to model while working from home. So let’s start building! Now this is a trap for the of the opening. Super, I had already glued in to
I am currently in the mist of building the Airfix younger players or in my case, the not so younger place! What to do? Pull it off, use it as a template
Bedford MWD. The first problem encountered was players. Never ever assume kit manufacturers get and make one out of 10 thou plastic card and
obtaining a good reference source. I scratched everything right. I blissfully replaced the tie down replace it.
around the web (as you do) and came up with a hooks on the Bedford tray sides, thinking that the I sometimes wonder if leaving well enough alone is
few good photos and there lies the problem, there manufacture would get it right. Well yeah, they a better route to take…
are so many variations of this truck. Okay, I thought didn’t, and I get it, as it’s an easy mistake to make.
to myself, let’s settle on what you want to do here. The real conundrum however was, if indeed you Until next time and stay safe
I liked the look of the early version with no doors are as obsessive as I am, you simply can’t un-see Luke Pitt
TORO MODEL
1:48 SCALE
ARMOURED CARS IN POLISH SERVICE 1ST POLISH ARMOURED DIVISION 1942-46
ITEM NO. 48D24
Toro Model continue to release 1:48 scale decals sheets of the highest calibre. With
this sheet five choices are provided for. Two options each cover the Humber Mk.IV and
Daimler Dingo and one option is given for a White Armoured Car. All the choices sport an
overall bronze green finish. A small placement guide id provided for and the Decal quality
is first rate being both cleanly printed and having a thin carrier film.
I can’t recommend these decals and indeed all of the Toro Models updates highly enough.
They fill a void and are invaluable for anyone wanting to push their build to the next level
Thanks to Toro for the review sample.
Highly Recommended
Luke Pitt

Luke Pitt hosts MMI’s examination of the growing world
of 1:48 scale military models, figures and accessories.
MP ORIGINALS MASTERS MODELS

1:48 SCALE
GMC CCKW UPDATES
FRONT BUMPER UPGRADE. ITEM NO 48009
FRONT BUMPER UPGRADE WITH CRANE. ITEM NO 48010
RECOVERY JIB. ITEM NO 48011
The hobby has never been better in terms of choice and these sets are no exception. What we have here is a number of
conversions for the Tamiya 1:48 scale US 2 1/2-ton truck (item 32548) that will transform it into variations of that truck.
These updates come in a small plain brown box with a photographed master adorning the lid. Each has a small instruction
page with a photograph of the kit contents and were to place the items together with finely cast resin pieces. The detail is
crisp and very well done.
Lets’ now look at each individual update.
FRONT BUMPER UPGRADE WITH

CRANE - ITEM NO. 48010
This set includes 22 resin cast parts
and a small length of chain and
wire. The resin pieces are cast to a
high standard and come in five zip
lock plastic bags. This is the same
as item number 48009 with the
addition of the crane boom and
pulley. This update changes the look
of the Tamiya kit considerably.
FRONT BUMPER UPGRADE - ITEM NO. 48009

This set includes 17 resin cast
parts and a small length of chain.
The resin pieces are cast to a high
standard and come in 4 zip lock
plastic bags. The bumper, winch
and indeed dual front wheels
almost click into place ones you
remove them from the rather small
mounting blocks. This update is
pretty “bullet proof” to be honest
it’s easy to put together and gives
an entirely new look to the “Jimmy”
RECOVERY JIB - ITEM NO. 48011

This set includes 25 resin cast
parts and a small length of chain.
The resin pieces are cast to a
high standard and come in 6 zip
lock plastic bags This is the same
as item number 48009 with the
addition of the rear crane boom
assembly and pulley.
I can’t recommend these sets highly enough.

They fill a void and most of all are different.
Thanks to MP Originals Masters Models
https://www.mp-originals-masters-models.cz/en/
Highly Recommended.
Luke Pitt
A round-up of the latest news and releases in 1:72 and 1:76
IBG MODELS
1:72 SCALE
THE WORLD AT WAR - BRITISH FORCES AND
EQUIPMENT 1939-45 11:2020
A9 BRITISH CRUISER TANK MK I WITH 2PDR GUN
IN 1:72ND SCALE
IBG have several offerings in this series which
consists of a booklet with background details of the
subject with “Free Collectable Model Kit Inside”.
This is their first British subject. The A9 or Cruiser
Tank I was the first of the Cruiser class medium
tanks intended to be used by Armoured Divisions.
Its angular shape and two small machine-gun
turrets either side of the driver gave it a distinctive
and old-fashioned appearance. Produced in
1939 and 1940, they were used in France by 1st
Armoured Division then later in North Africa. Only
125 were built with about one-third having the
3.7” Mortar.
On the booklet, modesty prevents me* from
saying other than it gives brief information on
production, a detailed description and short service
history. Coverage also includes colour schemes and
markings and a data table of size, weight etc. All
this is in both English and German. A four-view
colour plan - top, right side and front and rear
views - show a tank with 5th Battalion Royal Tank
Regiment in France although this is not identified.
Anyway, modellers will probably be far more
interested in the kit...
This comes in a neat cardboard box with a painting
of the subject on the front and a four-view plan
- both sides, front and rear - with recommended
paint colours on the back. Reference to the booklet
will be needed for the top view which also contains
the instructions.
Parts are cleanly moulded on five sprues, I make
the total 42 in all. Slide moulding gives good
rivet detail on the sides of all three turrets and
more detail of other areas is provided by separate
side parts for the driver’s area. Assembly is
straightforward, suspension units are fitted to the
hull sides before the one-piece wheel and track
parts are added. Upper hull is completed by adding
the track guards and small details. Upper and lower
parts are then put together then the two machine
gun turrets and more details are added. Finally
the turret is assembled including the prominent
aerial, commander’s hatch is in two parts so it can
be fitted open or closed. And before you say, the
round hole covered by a square hatch is correct!
Moulding the wheels and tracks together in
one piece does give some limitations. Detail on
the outer face of the track - the real thing had
distinctive indentations - is not depicted while the
twin track teeth are a solid bar on the inner face.
But each to their own.
The small decal sheet is for a 5RTR tank in France
in 1940 as on the box top and booklet. This has
all the items necessary including the Mobilisation
Marking with a four-digit number and three stripes
which for this unit were all green.
If you want a tank in North Africa, side skirts and
the 2-gallon can rack on the hull rear will need
to be added. Ideal reference would be Armor
PhotoHistory #5 “British Cruiser Tanks A9 & A10”*
which has 1:35 scale plans to work from and plenty
of photos.
In case anyone wants a CS tank, IBG have one
planned as well as the similar-but-different A10
series for future releases.
Recommended.
Thanks to IBG for the sample www.ibgmodels.com
Peter Brown
* I wrote it!

VESPID MODELS
1:72 SCALE
A34 COMET MK.IA
KIT NO. VS720002
The Comet tank or Tank, Cruiser, Comet I (A34) was a
British cruiser tank that first saw use near the end of
World War II during the Invasion of Germany. It was
designed as an improvement on the earlier Cromwell
tank, mounting the new 77 mm high-velocity gun in
a new lower profile and part-cast turret. This gun was
effective against late-war German tanks, including the
Panther at medium range, and the Tiger.
The tank was widely respected as one of the best
British tanks of the war, and continued in service
afterwards.
The Comet, which was a development of the
Cromwell, rendered the Challenger obsolete, and
led to the development of the Centurion tank. When
firing APDS rounds, the 77 mm HV was superior in
armour penetration capability to the 75 mm KwK 42
gun of the equivalent Axis tank, the Panther (which
did not use APDS ammunition).
The Comet saw action in the closing stages of World
War II and remained in British service until 1958. In
some cases, Comets sold to other countries continued
to operate into the 1980s.
Vespid Models is a brand new company that released
a 1:72 scale Maus V2 Super Heavy German Tank and
this A34 Comet to the market at the same time.
Vespid’s 1:72 scale Comet Mk.IA comprises 143 parts
in a blue-grey coloured plastic, (14 marked not for
use), 19 parts in photo-etched brass, one turned
metal brass gun barrel and decals for three marking
options.
Surface textures is superb, with a combination of
recessed and raised structural features as appropriate.
Moulding is perfect on my sample.
Detail is excellent too.
Parts breakdown is conventional. The lower hull
is moulded in one piece including the inner lower
hull sides with suspension units and axles moulded
in place. The outer lower hull sides are supplied as
separate parts.
Road wheels are moulded as inner and outer halves.
No vinyl tyres here (hooray!)
Link and length tracks are included. Individual links
are supplied to wrap around the drive sprockets and
idler wheels, with long top and bottom runs and a
few short runs to complete the tracks. Track link detail
is wonderful.
The upper hull is moulded in one piece. The driver’s
and radio operator’s hatches are moulded shut. The
driver’s armoured vision hatch is a seperate two-piece
assembly that may be posed open.
Optional engine deck shrouds are offered – one piece
and two pieces.
The turret features a mechanism to allow the gun to
elevate and depress. A lovely turned brass gun barrel
is provided as an option to the plastic part. The brass
barrel included the distinctive spherical muzzle brake.
Turret accessories include the Commander’s spotlight
(solid plastic part including the lens) and spare track
links.
The loader’s and Commander’s hatches are separate
parts that may be split into two parts each and posed
open if desired.
Vespid Models has released two very impressive
kits as their debut. This 1:72 scale Comet Mk.IA is
beautifully moulded, features impressive surface
texture and a high level of detail. The inclusion of the
turned brass barrel and photo-etched fret is a nice
bonus too.
Highly Recommended.
Thanks to Vespid Models https://www.facebook.com/
vespidmodels/
Brett Green

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Contact Details - for companies featured in MMI...
ACCURATE ARMOUR/ DELUXE MATERIALS MODELING ARTISAN MORI SCHATTON BARRELS
ARMOUR DISTRIBUTION www.deluxematerials.co.uk http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~m.a.mori/index_eng.html Industriestrasse 6, 94347 Ascha, Germany
Units 15-16 Kingston Industrial Estate, info@deluxematerials.com Fax; 09961 910 7826
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Tel; 01475 743 955 (Creative Models in UK) SCHIFFER BOOKS
Fax; 01475 743746 DRAGON MODELS C/ Santiago Rusinol 7, Pral 2a, Schiffer Publishing, 4880 Lower Valley Rd,
www.accurate-armour.com (The Hobby Company in UK) 08750 Molins de Rei, Barcelona, Spain Atglen, PA, 19310 USA
Dragon Models Ltd, Kong Nam Ind. Building B1-10F, www.migproductions.com www.schifferbooks.com
ADALBERTUS 603-609 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan NT,
Iberyjska 7/49, 02-764, Warsaw, Poland Hong Kong Fax; (HK) 4110587 MILICAST MODEL CO., SCHIFFER BOOKS in UK
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www.adalbertus.com.pl (For 1:6 Action Figures, please contact Amerang in UK) Tel/Fax; 0141 633 1400 Kew Gardens, Surrey TW9 4JF, UK.
milicastmodels@hotmail.com Tel; 020 8392 8585, 020 8392 9876,
THE AIRBRUSH COMPANY Ltd ECHELON FINE DETAILS www.milicast.com email; info@bushwodbooks.co.uk
Unit 7 Marlborough Road, Lancing Business Park, Available from; wwwaccurate-armour.com &
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HANNANTS MODEL WHOLESALE UK LTD No.7 Gordons Way, Oxted, Surrey RH8 0LN UK
AMPERSAND PUBLISHING Harbour Road, Oulton Broad, Tel; 01892 533036 Tel; 01883 734746
(via Historex Agents in UK) Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 2LZ www.modelwholesaleuk.com smartmodelling@smart7.fsworld.co.uk
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(Historex in UK) A1 Astwood Business Centre, Staverton Connection, ORDNANCE MODELS Tel; +44 (0)114 234 4231
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CAMMETT Mail Order Dept 01455 254450 info@pocketbond.co.uk Acrylicos Vallejo, SL Apartado 337 - 08800
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QUICKBOOST (LSA in UK)
CLASSIC PUBLICATIONS ITALERI (The Hobby Company in UK) www.quickboost.net (TRAKZ, WINGZ, CUSTOM DIORAMICS, WARRIORS);
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Leics UK. LE10 1YF Tel; 051 726037 Unit 10, Old Airfield Industrial Estate, www.modelmecca.com
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Unit 6-10, Honeysome Industrial Estate, Honeysome JUST KITS P.O. Box 114, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA13 0WY WWII PRODUCTIONS, AUSTRALIA
Road, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire. PE16 6TG 4 High Street, Botley, Southampton, SO30 2EA Tel/Fax; 01229 430 749 12 Prince Street, Waratah, 2298, NSW, Australia
Tel; 01354 760022 Tel; 01489 781177 sales@sbmodels.fsnet.co.uk Tel; +61 (0)2 4967 3205
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Exeter, EX5 3LJ, England Fax; 01773 513344 Promishlennaia Str.,2, Lobnya, Moscow Region,
Tel; 01392 881271 orders@modeldesignconstruction.com SBX MODEL SHOP 141730 Russia
www.dartmoormilitarymodels.com www.modeldesignconstruction.com Norwich Road, Ipswich, IP1 5DN office@zvezda.org.ru
Tel; 01473 464311 www.zvezda.org.ru
www.sbxmodelshop.co.uk
■ Please mention ‘Model Military International’ if you make contact with any of the companies listed above - thanks!

Next Issue
On sale 3rd September 2020
ISSUE No.173 September 2020,
Published 6th August 2020
LONG RUNNER
Brett Green builds Tamiya’s
Editor;
Publisher;
Brett Green
Alan Harman
Graphic Design; Peter Hutchinson
re-released M8 Greyhound with Advertising; Alan Harman
a few after market upgrades Administration; Gordon Angus
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Don’t forget, when using solvents for their environmental policies.
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When using power tools, side cutters or any
tool that can suddenly break or create high-
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above projects, but we’ll try our best!
Tom Cockle tackles Dragon’s
1:35 Panther Ausf A ...and much more! September 2020 - Model Military International 65
The Last Post...
5 RIFLES LIVE
FIRING EXERCISE
400
troops of the using their 7.62mm General
5 RIFLES Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG). As
Battlegroup part of their preparation ahead of
were deployed to Castlemartin the deployment with 5 Rifles Battle
Ranges in Pembrokeshire, Wales, Group (BG) to Op CABRIT.
for live firing exercises in June. The British Army said that
The deployment included over the duration of the training
soldiers from D Squadron The package they conducted ACTs
Queen’s Royal Hussars (The across all platforms and integrated
Queen’s Own and Royal Irish) , AI live firing up to Platoon level –
A Battery (The Chestnut Troop) day and night packages.
1 Royal Horse Artillery and 5 “The aim of the training is for
Armoured Engineer Squadron, 22 all elements of the 5 RIFLES BG
Engineer Regiment. to at the best standard possible
5 Armoured Engineer ahead of their forthcoming
Squadron, 22 Engineer Regiment deployment on Op CABRIT 7.”
carried out night time live fire Op CABRIT is the NATO
training, engaging targets from enhanced forward Presence in
their Spartan Combat Vehicle Estonia a multinational battlegroup
Reconnaissance (Tracked) (CVRT), led by British troops. ■

69 AUTHENTIC COLOURS DESIGNED FOR MODELLING EXCELLENCE
The Tamiya Colour range of quality paints - designed • No need for primer: gloss and matt colours can be applied directly to model kit plastic
specifically for modelling use has long helped • Quick drying time
modellers achieve the perfect finish on their scale • Fabulous when airbrushed, and can also be applied by paint brush to detail areas
masterpieces. Now, existing Tamiya Colour bottled • Can be used in a similar way to Tamiya’s X and XF line of acrylics
acrylic, plus lacquer spray paints are joined by the • Weathering colour washes and dry brushing can be applied over the dried Lacquer Paint
new Lacquer Paint line of bottled Tamiya Colours. Use • Once dry, can be safely over-painted with acrylics, enamels and other model paints
them as your needs require: airbrush large areas, or • Lacquer Thinner Retarder Type (87194) slows initial ‘flash off’ time, allowing paint
pick out fine details. With a tough membrane and swift droplets to merge on the surface of the model for a smoother finish
overall drying times - but slow initial drying to allow • Robust final finish that adheres strongly to the model’s polystyrene surface
a beautiful unblemished finish. We are sure they will • Constantly expanding range of colours for military & civilian subjects
become an essential item in your modelling armoury. • Ultra-high Tamiya quality
Black Whit Flat Flat Sem Pure Pure Pure Clea Lacq
e Black Whit
e Black i Gloss Blue Red Yello
w
r (10m uer Th
l) inne
r
Silve IJN IJN IJN IJN Woo Lino Dull Gun Ligh
r (Kure Gray (Sase Gray (Ma Gray (Yok Gray Deck den Deck leum Red Meta
l Gun t
Arse bo A izuru osuk Tan Brow Meta
nal) rsen Arse a Ars n l
al) nal) enal)
Itali Flat Flat Sem Brow Dar Germ Olive Olive Ligh
an R Base Clea i Glo n (J (JGS Green an G Drab Drab t Sa
ed r ss C GSD DF) ray 2 nd
lear F)
Dark Ligh Gray Ligh Insig Dark Ligh Flat Raci Meta
Beautiful colours with superior gloss
(IJN Green t Gra Gree t Gra nia Gho t Gh Alum ng W llic
y (IJ n (IJ y Whit st G ost iniu hite Black
) 2 N) N) e ray Gray m
The stunning tones and lustrous glossy finish
provided by airbrushing Tamiya Colour Lacquer
Mica
Blue
Pearl
Whit
Pearl
Whit
Meta
llic
Oran
Raci
ng B
lue
Pure
Meta
Pearl
Blue
Spark
ling
Pearl
Clea
Brig
ht R
ed
Paint are perfect for model car and motorcycle
e e Silve r
ge llic
Red r
paint jobs, and it’s tough membrane is perfectly
suited to treatment with polishing compounds.
Pure
Oran
Clea
r Re
d
Clea
r Ora
nge
Dark
Iron
Dark
Yello
Dark
Gree
Red
Brow
n2
NATO
Gree
NATO
Brow
NATO
Black
Colours previously only available as sprays - Pearl
ge w2 n2 n n
blue, Mica red, Pure orange and more, are now
in bottled form removing the need for decanting
Meta
llic
Gray
Tita
nium
Tita
nium
Olive
(JGS Drab
Rub
ber
Black
Flat
Flesh
Smo
ke
Clea
r Blu
Clea
r Ye
llow
when you want to airbrush.
Gold Silve DF) e
r
Great for airbrushing Efficiency is the name of the game No worries when weathering
Tamiya Colour Lacquer Paint’s true, consistent tones Tamiya Colour Lacquer Paint dries quickly: most Tamiya Colour Lacquer Paint’s resistance to enamel
make it perfect for airbrushing large areas. Mix 1 part colours are safe to touch after an hour and can be paints is a big advantage in the weathering process
Lacquer Paint with 1-2 parts dedicated thinner, and masked on top of 24 hours later, saving valuable too, as enamel paints are most commonly used for
make 2-3 passes over the subject with your airbrush. time in the production of your masterpiece. Again, the application of washes and depiction of dirt, grime
Pick out the details with Tamiya Colour mini acrylic as Lacquer Paints provide a durable base coat that and oil, in particular on military model subjects. Just
paints: Lacquer Paints provide a durable base coat remains undamaged by enamel counterparts, there apply a Lacquer Paint base coat and get to work
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layers of paint.
ITEM 87198 - PAINT RETARDER ITEM 87194 - LACQUER THINNER RETARDER TYPE ITEM 87077 - LACQUER THINNER
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Model Military International I173 09.2020

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FREE GIFT

The book includes four complete builds, covering the

ALSO AVAILABLE Visit doolittlemedia.com for details

p 28 MAUS IN THE HAUS

© Doolittle Media Ltd 2020

September 2020 - Model Military International 3

KFS 1:24 BAC BLOODHOUND

AGN MODELWORKS - NEW SMALL SCALE COMPANY

4 Model Military International - September 2020

Just £8.50 + p&p

Available direct from our offices on

6 Model Military International - September 2020

September 2020 - Model Military International 7

A collection of signals / command vehicles on Polish-

8 Model Military International - September 2020

September 2020 - Model Military International 9

10 Model Military International - September 2020

T-55AM “Merida”, a Polish upgraded T-55AM

September 2020 - Model Military International 11

T-34-76 Model 1942 manufactured in

Warsaw Uprising Memorial to Florian

12 Model Military International - September 2020

The new revised edition includes:

ALSO AVAILABLE Visit doolittlemedia.com for details

Pitt builds, improves and crews

September 2020 - Model Military International 15

The Pilot Replicas Dodge WC52 is

The Pilot Replicas kit is not

16 Model Military International - September 2020

I like my figures in rather than on. The reasons for

I then turned my attention to the upper torso and legs. I have

I then test fitted the upper torso and legs

I then turned my attention to The rear of the seat cushion

The steering wheel was than tacked on

The last pieces of the puzzle were the hands and

September 2020 - Model Military International 17

I then added the seats

The rear tray guards were made from plastic

The spare wheel bracket was

18 Model Military International - September 2020

As the kit is a post

The figure required a fair bit of work to make

The kit windscreen is a one-piece resin casting onto which a photo-

September 2020 - Model Military International 19

Most of the additions to the vehicle can be clearly

Preparing for Paint

I firstly drilled out a hole I fabricated a paint stand

The extension was then inserted into

The decals were then applied over the clear coat

The mix was built up slowly

A slightly darker mist coat using

Some of the detail pieces were

September 2020 - Model Military International 21

The rear tray was sprayed a few

22 Model Military International - September 2020

All of the wheels were treated the same way

September 2020 - Model Military International 23

Finished Model The model was in now complete. In this series of

The rear deck was weathered in

You will note that the weathering is

The entire vehicle was oil

24 Model Military International - September 2020

This photo gives a