6th February 2015 £4.60
modellING Group Turning an unknownTurning bust into Spartan warrior dying the King Leonidas
Decorating the walls of your buildingsminiature Homemade Posters
All theAll and Product latest Views News, Reviews
MODELLING
Detailed build feature for the for feature Detailed build AFV Club kit A medal-winning diorama in 1:35 scale
Marvellous Matador!
Prague Uprising MILITAR Y MILITAR
PLUS “Follow the Hetzer and free the country” and the Hetzer “Follow
Vol.45 No.2 2015 contents Published by MyTimeMedia Ltd Enterprise House, Enterprise Way, www.militarymodelling.com Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HF Phone: 0844 412 2262 From outside UK: +44 (0) 1689 869 840 Features 16 www.militarymodelling.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS 16 “UPRISING – PRAGUE 1945” Subscriptions Manager: Kate Hall Ivan Cocker describes the building of a UK – New, Renewals & Enquiries Czech Hetzer diorama that won him a Tel: +44(0)1858 438798 Silver Medal at Euro Militaire 2011. Email: [email protected] USA & CANADA – New, Renewals & Enquiries Tel: (001)-866-647-9191 24 MARAVILLOSO MATADOR! REST OF WORLD – New, Renewals & Enquiries Gary Radford builds the AFV Club AEC Tel: +44 (0) 1689 869896 Matador ‘Early Type’ in 1:35 scale.
BACK ISSUES & BINDERS 36 THE DEATH OF Tel: 0844 848 8822 KING LEONIDAS From outside UK: +44 (0) 2476 322234 Christopher McGrane turns an unknown Email: [email protected] 200mm scale resin bust into a dramatic 24 Website:www.myhobbystore.co.uk portrayal of the mortally wounded Spartan warrior. EDITORIAL Editor: Kelvin Barber PO BOX 6018, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 2RS 42 HOMEMADE OLD POSTERS Email: [email protected] Emmanuel Nouaillier shows how to make Consultant Editor: Ken Jones miniature old advertising or propaganda posters at home. PRODUCTION Design Manager: Siobhan Nolan 46 SIMPLE STATUES Designer: Richard Dyer Paul Brent Adams offers a very simple Illustrator: Grahame Chambers model that can easily be the focal point for Retouching Manager: Brian Vickers Ad Production: Robin Gray a small diorama or vignette. ADVERTISING 48 JOLLY GREEN GIANT! Business Manager: David Holden Rob Henden concludes his challenging Email: [email protected] mega build project of Dragon’s 1:6 scale Tel: 01993 709545 M4A3 Sherman 105mm Howitzer Tank. MARKETING & SUBSCRIPTIONS 48 Sarah Pradhan & Kate Scott 42 MANAGEMENT Head of Design & Production: Julie Miller Group Advertising Manager: Duncan Armstrong Chief Executive: Owen Davies Chairman: Peter Harkness Departments
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter 12 NOTICE BOARD News for military modellers. 14 WEBSITE PAGE www.facebook.com/MilitaryModelling What’s going on at militarymodelling.com www.twitter.com/MilModOnline Military Modelling magazine’s website? © MyTimeMedia Ltd. 2015 All rights reserved ISSN 0026-4083 The Publisher’s written consent must be obtained before any part of this publication may be reproduced in any form whatsoever, including 54 SMALL SCALE SCENE photocopiers, and information retrieval systems. All reasonable care is taken in the preparation of the magazine contents, but the publishers Robin Buckland rounds-up the latest news cannot be held legally responsible for errors in the contents of this magazine or for any loss however arising from such errors, including and releases for armour fans. loss resulting from negligence of our staff. Reliance placed upon the contents of this magazine is at reader’s own risk. Military Modelling, ISSN 0026-4083, is published monthly with an additional issue in April by MYTIMEMEDIA Ltd, Enterprise House, 60 THE MAFVA COLUMN 36 Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HF, UK. The US annual subscription price is 59.40GBP (equivalent to approximately 99USD). John Ham provides a review of some of the Airfreight and mailing in the USA by agent named Air Business Ltd, c/o Worldnet Shipping Inc., 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, WW1 Commemoration Events held in 2014. NY 11434, USA. Periodicals postage paid at Jamaica NY 11431. US Postmaster: Send address changes to Military Modelling, Worldnet Shipping Inc., 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. Subscription records are maintained at CDS GLOBAL Ltd, Tower 62 ON PARADE House, Sovereign Park, Market Harborough, Leicester, LE16 9EF. Air Business Ltd is acting as our mailing agent. Recommended books for military modellers. 70 ATTEN-SHUN! Products’ review section. 80 NEXT ISSUE What’s coming up in your favourite modelling magazine! SubScription order form hurry DIRECT DEBIT SUBSCRIPTIONS (uk only) yes, i would like to subscribe to military modelling offer Print + Digital: £13.75 every 3 months cloSeS (Save 25% on shop price + Save 74% on Digital Download + free gift) 6th march Print Subscription: £11.25 every 3 months (Save 25% on shop price + 2015 free gift) YOUR DETAILS must be completed Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms ...... Initial ...... Surname ......
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Casemate UK are delighted to announce the opening of their military history showroom in Oxford. To celebrate we would like to offer readers of Military Modelling Magazine a 20% discount off all full price books in-store*.
Offering a varied selection of titles for military history enthusiasts, books are available to browse and purchase on-site alongside the vast collection of archaeology, ancient world and medieval history titles from Casemate UK’s sister company Oxbow Books. With titles from a range of top quality publishers, the showroom will also have a bargains section, with up to 75% off selected publications.
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Southern Expo 2015 displays by BMSS Branches The show takes place at the from around the country but will Hornchurch Sports Centre, also be supported by a variety of Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch traders selling vintage and new Road, Hornchurch, Essex RM11 toy soldiers, model figures and 1JU on Saturday 21st and accessories. The varied open Sunday 22nd March. Doors open competitions include classes from 10am to 5pm Saturday for single figures, vignettes, and 10am to 4pm Sunday. groups and dioramas, busts, toy Entry: Adults £3, Senior Citizens soldiers, and armoured vehicles, £2, Children £1. Multi-Class together with non-military and Competition (Sunday only) – the junior classes. 9NW, on Sunday 8th March 2015. Venue for the event is Senior Competition is being A popular feature in recent 2015. Doors open 10am – 4pm. The Community Centre, Church sponsored by Models For Sale shows has been the Paint Adults £3, concessions £1. There Road, Wombourne, South Staffs Ltd (www.modelsforsale.com). N’Take table, where youngsters will be a trade fair of 50 plus WV5 9EZ. This year sees the For further details visit: www. can paint a figure with guidance stands. Wargame and military club celebrating its 50th year so southernexpo.co.uk/ or email of BMSS members and take it modelling displays, participation we can hopefully look forward to [email protected] or away with them free of charge. games, living history groups. Bar an extra special event! Further send a SAE to Peter Bagshaw, Although intended for juniors and food will be available during details on: www.asvc.org.uk 25 Repton Drive, Gidea Park, who may never have painted a the day. For more information Essex RM2 5LP, tel: 01708 figure previously, the facility is visit: alumwellwargames.co.uk 726 102 or Robin Bellamy, 160 available to anyone of any age Sword & Lance 2015 Farringdon Avenue, Harold who has not painted a scale Presented by Darlington Wood, Essex RM3 8JT, model before. Plymouth Military Modelling Society, tel: 01708 376 508. Special guests this year are Model Show this show takes place at the Diehards, the well-known The 2015 event will be held Darlington College, Haughton re-enactment group specialising on Saturday 21st March 2015 Road, Darlington DL1 1DR BMSS in recreating the Middlesex at its usual venue of Plymouth on Saturday 11th April. Doors Anniversary Show Regiment in authentic Victorian Guildhall, Plymouth, Devon PL1 open 9.30am to 4.30pm. The date for the 2015 British uniforms and kit – not to be 2AA between 10am – 4pm. Model and Militaria displays, Model Soldier Society’s missed! There’s also Special Numerous model clubs and Demonstrations, Trade stands Annual Show is Saturday 25th Classes to commemorate traders will be in attendance and Open Model Competition April. This is a special ‘80th the anniversaries of the battle and disabled access is available. with sections for: Military Anniversary’ show as the of Agincourt (600-years on) and Further details can be obtained Figure, Aircraft and Vehicle society was founded in 1935. the battle of Waterloo (200-years from Ian Chanter, 01752 212676 painters, Military Modelling The event is open to all and on). Further details can be had by or e-mail on ian.chanter@ (scratchbuilt/conversion, is being held at the Holiday emailing bmss.annualshow@ blueyonder.co.uk vignettes and dioramas), Inn Hotel in Coram Street, gmail.com or call 01895 832757. Miscellaneous and Juniors. London WC1N 1HT, nearest Licensed bar plus hot and cold underground stations Russell Wombourne refreshments also available. Square and Euston, with West Midlands ASVC show Admission £3.50 Adults, £1.50 mainline Kings Cross nearby. Military Show 2015 Martyn Crowther, vice chairman Concessions. For further details, Admission is from 10.30am Presented by the Alumwell of Wombourne ASVC (Aero contact: Colin Holmes, 127 (BMSS members 10am) and, Wargames Society, the 39th Space and Vehicle Club), Dinsdale Crescent, Darlington, with tickets priced at just £6 WMMS will be held at the usual advises us that their annual Co. Durham DL1 1EZ. (accompanied children free), venue of Aldersley Leisure show ‘Fantastic Plastic’ takes Tel: 01325 489801 or by e-mail the show will not only feature Village, Wolverhampton WV6 place on Sunday 6th September on [email protected]
12 Military Modelling Vol.45 No.2 2015 Kompact Kit EASY TO ASSEMBLE SCALE ALL METAL KITS By Armortek 25 PDR. Field Gun
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A visit by Robin’s wife Una while in Germany, was to the site of the Möhne Dam, target for 617 Sqn and the ‘Dambusters’ raid back in 1943 and as it looks now. Just one of many ‘Battlefield Visit’ features on our website. www.militarymodelling.com News from the Military Modelling website and forum
If you would like to submit an item for the website email Robin Buckland at [email protected] or come and join our online presence at militarymodelling.com the world of military modelling at your fingertips
fter Christmas is always the time to look forward Ato the news of what kits to expect for the coming year, and 2015 is already off to a good start. We have been passing on news of new kits due from the likes of Bronco and Airfix, along with accessories such as the most recent additions to the AK Interactive range, and kits from Trumpeter and Merit which importers Pocketbond are expecting in during February. Among the features we have added recently is a new in South Africa moved home and Battlefield Visit covering the soon found his neighbourhood famous Möhne Dam in Germany, threatened by Bush Fires. He while regular member Tony Dill went out with his camera and got some excellent references of the Vietnam-era Bell Huey This Airfix kit of the P-51 was finished in a metallic finish using non-metallic helicopters that are now used for paints as a painting exercise by David Pickford. fire fighting, and he took some marvellous ‘action shots’ which we shared on the website. A recent photo feature showed us the end result of a painting exercise tackled by site regular David Pickford. David took a 1:72 scale Airfix Mustang, and the challenge to paint it in a metallic finish, but without using metallic paints! He used the style seen for many years in comic book illustrations, using shades of grey to capture the shades of light on an aluminium surface. It is a very different ‘style’ to see on a model kit, but one that came out very well and demonstrated an interesting technique which he was brave enough to try out.
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South African member Tony Dill found his neighbourhood threatened by Bush Fires, so he went out to see the Bell Huey helicopters being used to fight the fires.
We have also added another set of reference photos of a modern rifle, the Israeli Tavor. Meanwhile our forum remains a lively place, with lots of hints and tips and some excellent models going together from our members around the world. There is always a welcome for you on our forum. Robin Buckland MM
One of our real weapon references, this time the modern Israeli Tavor assault rifle thanks to member Hermann Kopper. www.militarymodelling.com 15 Diorama
“Uprising – Prague 1945” Ivan Cocker describes the building of a Czech Hetzer diorama that won him a Silver Medal at Euro Militaire 2011.
ll dioramas begin with an idea, yet when Tunisia, Egypt and on into Libya. Every day on my planning a diorama the dilemma arises every way to work it became normal for me to switch Atime. From where do you get inspiration? I on the news to keep me updated. On a particular have to confess that personally I like to relate my Monday morning, caught in the usual traffic jam, subjects with happenings from everyday life in frustrated on the wheel, came a song after the conjunction with a historical content and a story. It news that inspired me to delve more into the could be inspiration from reading a book, a photo or, subject. It was Uprising by Muse, and I visualized as happened to me lately, news and music got me a scenario for this song set in a massive 1:72 scale in the mood for this vignette. diorama of a city! So with the words of Uprising When this idea came about, the breaking news fresh in my mind, giving me that sense of rebellion, on all radio stations was involved with the Arab it inspired me to search for a similar happening in Spring. I have a particular interest in revolutions and my favourite period that I like to model – World War was really into it, watching what was happening in Two! During WW2 there were some interesting
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incidents when civilians took up arms against their guns, these Hetzers, which were intended for occupier and, as I am always on the lookout for new the German army, were pressed into service by subjects, this is how I choose to depict a scene adding metal plates as extra armour and armed with from the uprising in Prague during 1945. machine guns. There were quite a few variations, all decorated with slogans, flags, crosses and CNR (Czech National Council) motifs. Prague 1945 The fighting in Europe ended in Czechoslovakia; the battle for Berlin was over, Hitler was dead and Insurgent Hetzers the Third Reich was surrendering, however, some The Czechoslovak Hetzers are interesting model staunch commanders in Czechoslovakia continued subjects, yet they are surrounded with myth. Lucky to occupy that country. With the Americans and I was in contact with an expert on this subject, Soviets approaching from both sides the local Tomáš Jakl who has been researching them (see insurgents, who’d had enough of their occupiers, his article Hetzers in the Prague Uprising in MM decided to take action and the uprising began, Vol.45 No.1). I highly recommend his books Kveten spreading like wildfire from one village to another 1945 and the recent Prahou pod pancirem pvstalcu until it reached fortress Prague. Vol.1. The second book, though not written in Knowing that their enemy was well equipped, English, has a gallery of photos of all the known the insurgents tried their best to arm themselves Hetzers and other hardware involved and also their and it’s here the legendary Czech Hetzers came use post-war. The captured vehicles were taken into action when some workers and former soldiers from the factory assembly lines, partially built, managed to get a number of AFVs from the BMM and the dilemma remains if they were primed or and Skoda factories. Still unfinished and without not. To add more to the confusion it seems that it www.militarymodelling.com 17 Diorama
also depends from which factory these machines were taken, as it seems that red, green and grey primers were in use. Examining a number of black and white photos it’s evident that the vehicles had an overall dark base, with the wheels and welded areas having a light colour base.
The model The Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer used by the insurgents were all late types. Though the excellent Tamiya 1:35 scale Hetzer is the ‘best game in town’, unfortunately it is an early model, and only Eduard, Italeri and Dragon represent the later type. However, I had a Dragon kit in my stash so I went for that. Since making my model, Academy have released a late version, and also a dedicated ‘Prague 1945’ version (see Atten-Shun! Vol.43 No.11). For those who want to make different versions Bison Decals have a set dedicated to the subject. I chose one of the firstHetzers captured and luckily there are a good number of images of it in Tomáš Jakl’s books. To update the Dragon Hetzer I changed the idlers with late type resin items from SKP, Model Kasten late Hetzer tracks, Aber photo-etch and plastic card. As this Hetzer has to be bereft of equipment and details, I highly recommend the Aber photo-etched set as the cleats and brackets are all workable and detailed. This Hetzer had no gun, but the mantlet was fitted, so it was textured with liquid glue and an old brush. The insurgents minimized the aperture in the mantlet with a wooden frame, which I made from plastic card, textured with a wire brush to get the wood grain effect, and added resin rivet bolt heads. When modelling a subject such as this I would advise closely studying all available images because after this model was complete, at a later stage, I noticed that the militia had made an additional slit in the main glacis for better vision and also areas on the mantlet and roof were left open, so I had to incorporate these features after the model was painted. Apart from these issues and the fiddly photo- etched parts the build was quite straightforward.
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Painting and red added later. (The white base helped me to I chose to finish this Hetzer in green primer, because get better colour contrasts). late-war German tanks seemed to be using it instead To coat the brackets and welded areas, just like of the usual red primer. Having flat, angled surfaces on the real Hetzer, I chose cream Humbrol enamel the Hetzer cries out to be painted using the colour painted on with a fine brush while creating some modulation technique. Many argue that this style dripped paint effects. The wheels and certain items of painting is too artistic, but it depends how it is were already in Dark Yellow base according to images. used. My personal opinion remains; if I paint a figure The silencer cover and side armour plates were with overhead lighting effects why shouldn’t the painted to look like metal creating the different surroundings be affected in the same way? colours and textures. I did this with a sponge, Various layers of green mixes were used to painting on some different rusty colours before create the highlights and shadows. Do not be afraid adding hairspray then coating with a bluish grey to be bold during this exercise, because the next tone, brushed roughly to reveal chipping effects. steps will tone it down. Areas for the flags were As for weathering, this machine would be ‘factory masked out and a white base was sprayed on, then fresh’ so scuffing and scratches were kept minimal shaded to get the effect of the primer, and the blue and to appropriate areas. On the other hand, I felt
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that dust and oil stains would have been appropriate for machines that had been sitting in a factory. These were all done with the paintbrush using Humbrol enamel paints and AK Interactive products.
The diorama I particularly like a simple, minimal diorama on a small base area so that the viewer is not distracted. For this particular story I had to rely on a bit of artistic licence to convey my message. My idea was to represent an angry mob crashing open a closed gate, a symbolism to freedom from dictatorship. Searching the Internet I found an illustration of a prominent gate featured in a concentration camp outside Prague, which was used as a prison after the war. Sporting the slogan Arbeit Macht Frei (“Work is Freedom”) above it, I found it appropriate, yet symbolic. Therefore, the gate was to be represented in miniature, deteriorated and cracked, reflecting the decayed Third Reich. Using the idea of a high wall to diagonally split the base gave me the opportunity to have a double sided diorama; from one side the viewer is being let into the gate with the insurgents whereas from the other side the drama is more clear with the fleeing German and the Hetzer crashing and tearing apart the chains. The wall was made from plastic card and coated with industrial plaster, sanded and roughly textured when dry. I gave it another coat of fine plaster worked in and smoothed to produce an even surface, leaving certain areas exposed to show the rough texture beneath. When the surface was dry cracks were added with a needle, giving the idea of a weathered rendered plaster finish. The gate was constructed from various types of plastic card. Other implements added were an electric
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junction box, wiring and a lamp. On top I added a The wall was painted with layers of enamel run of barbed wire giving more height to the wall paint then sanded with a very fine sandpaper to area. This was the most time-consuming part of the achieve the effect of distressed layers of paint. The project, and personally I do not like photo-etched sign was painted with acrylics, the letters are dry barbed wire which looks so flat, so I decided I transfers and again these were sanded down to get had to create it just like the real thing. To do this I the effect of worn paint. Finally, cracks and dents twisted a number of wire lengths to create a ‘rope’ were shaded and highlighted. The lamp was painted and then looped short pieces of wire along it and in rust, with a crackling effect on the enamelled then trimmed them to create the barbs. inside surfaces to reveal more weathering.
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items from German stocks, army and paratrooper types, and from the Czechoslovak Army, old Adrian type helmets and the typical Czech type which I had to create from scratch. Captured helmets were painted with the Czech flag or tricolour bands. Weapons were a mix of what rebels could lay hands on from captured items, hunter’s shotguns, stones and bricks. I also used the excellent photo-etched fret by Inside the Armour to make the buckles and Figures straps for the German weapons. To populate the scene I needed to find some 1:35 To add more colour and to mix in with the scale military and civilian subjects, and although militia I could not ignore the military personnel. companies like Master Box and MiniArt sprang to Interestingly, the Germans disbanded the mind for the civilians, for a project such as this most Czechoslovakian Army in 1939, until it was re- of the work involved would be converting them. The raised on Czech soil in the May 1945 uprising. figures were a mix of Master Box, Dragon, Verlinden Czechoslovak officers then appeared wearing their and Zvezda and all were manipulated to create the uniforms, which were forbidden during the German sense of concern, anger and joy, and when it comes occupation and punishable by death. I included to facial features nothing beats Hornet heads. an officer with a peaked cap and an infantryman, Studying photos of the uprising I noticed people converted from German infantry figures as the cut from every walk of life, young and old and typically of the uniform was very similar, but changed to the 1940s - gentlemen dressed in the fashionable appropriate Czech style. Bogart trench coat, youths looking like golfers in Policemen were noticeable everywhere during short baggy knee breeches and long socks, and the uprising, so I could not miss them out with their middle-aged people in pinstriped suites. So I began unique dark blue coats and typical police helmets, doing all these conversions that would also add for which again nothing is available, so I had to colour to the scene. The Hetzer crew represented scratchbuild it. Finally, the last important element the working class dressed in overalls. was a grenadier from the Russian Liberation Army Apart from the civilian clothes, interesting who, when the uprising started, defected and features were the use of armbands to distinguish joined the insurgents against the Germans. This particular groups and helmets. These were captured was the easiest conversion as the uniform was Diorama
typical Wehrmacht, but with different insignia, the prominent ROA arm badge, and also sporting the Czech tricolour sign for recognition by the rebel army. All this information came from the Internet and books, photos from the uprising and re-enactment groups that annually celebrate this event. Figures were painted with oils and acrylics, keeping in mind the lighting effects to ensure all elements received the same overhead lighting. Obviously, having such a large compact crowd on a small base balance was very important to get the correct effect and much testing was involved prior to painting and sticking the figures to the base. I like to place figures in odd numbers to balance out the scene better and also keep colours firmly in mind. Another notable feature in this diorama, when looking from the front, is that all figures are looking inside the gate, their backs to the viewer, which is not a typical rule when designing a scene. In fact, only one figure is looking at us, gesturing the onlooker to join in to follow the Hetzer and free the country from the oppressors. Conclusion To add more drama to the German side I just added Different ideas give different points of view, so I a solitary SS-Totenkopf grenadier running for his life. urge diorama builders to feel free exploring new When featuring motion I particularly like to use an off- boundaries and historical subjects, experiment balance figure to give more elements of motion and and be inspired from everything we wonder at drama. Though a trained soldier, maybe a veteran of and actually see. We do not have to adhere only many battles, there’s little he can do against an angry to military personnel occupying our bases; it’s mob with an AFV, breaking the chains and crashing important to convey a credible story or a message open the gate. A symbol of freedom! of the chosen theme. MM
23 AFV
Maravilloso Matador! Gary Radford builds the AFV Club AEC Matador ‘Early Type’ in 1:35 scale.
ABOVE: The author’s completed any years ago my late father worked for a coming from outside. Looking out of the window I Matador placed in a scenic setting courtesy of Photoshop. large building company in my hometown saw my dad pull up in what to this seven year-old was M of Leicester. The majority of the time just about the strangest vehicle had ever seen! It had he spent driving around in an old Leyland Beaver a big square cab and its wheels looked far too close articulated lorry often swapping trailers from flatbed together. That was my first ever encounter with an to low loader. During the summer school holidays I AEC Matador. Dad had been asked to go to Stamford RIGHT: The two would look forward to having a day with my father and recover one of the firm’s lorries that had got large lugs that travelling around Leicestershire and surrounding bogged down in mud on a building site. After what need removing areas. I remember on one particular day I couldn’t go seemed like hours we arrived there (top speed of just from the rear of the winch drum with dad as his Leyland was in for a service, or as he under 30mph!) and I remember dad hitching up the side plate. would say “in dry dock” being an ex-Royal Marine. As winch and dropping the large spades fitted to the rear. BELOW: Box art for AFV Club’s the day passed I remember playing indoors at home With a steady heave on the winch the bogged-down AEC Matador ‘Early Type’. when I heard a strange growling rumbling sound vehicle was on its way in no time none the worse for its muddy encounter. Over the years I had many happy trips with my dad, not only in the Matador, but other HGVs he drove up until he retired. Whether it was because I knew it was old ex-Army truck, or perhaps it was just the sheer size and look of the beast, but I know that I will always have a soft spot for the ‘Mat’. You can therefore imagine my delight in building this latest offering from AFV Club.
Construction A full appraisal of this kit can be found in Atten- Shun! MM Vol.44 No.10 so I’ll crack straight on with my description of the chassis build. Before I started I cast my eyes over the relevant chassis parts and one thing that stuck out like a sore thumb was the two large protrusions sticking out from the winch drum side plate (Part D20) that required removing. Also looking through the parts there are a number of ‘flywheels’ that make up the linkage to the propshafts etc. In the instructions there are four
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ABOVE: Part A53 as described in the text.
Part A28s required but unfortunately only two seem to have been supplied. However, do not despair as AFV Club have moulded two additional parts on sprue A which are labelled as Part A53. Initial assembly begins with the underside of the engine though unfortunately only the bottom is provided in the kit. This is not surprising considering the only chance of seeing the full engine is if you cut one of the side panels out of the bonnet inside the cab and leave the door open. Still, even then not much would be seen. Anyhow, the gearbox is fitted to the rear of the engine along with the air compressor parts I36 and I37. Each of these parts had a substantial tab from a ‘knock out point’ that two slight mistakes in the instructions. It would INSET: Four Part A28s are called for on the instructions but only two are needed removing, but as these were on the inside seem that this has been mostly caused by certain supplied (indicated by the red arrow). surface of each part no detail was lost. Next the sections being a copy of their earlier Dorchester kit winch is made up of 11 parts plus some cord which instructions. One of these appears in section 3 of the ABOVE: Winch and underside of simulates the cable. This is made from a nylon type instruction book as it shows crossmember part A34 engine and gearbox, a total of 24 parts make up these sub-assemblies. material that can be stuck with Humbrol Liquid Poly being fitted; this is wrong and needs to be replaced cement. Take care when winding it onto the drum with part D54 in order for the winch rollers etc. to be BELOW LEFT: The two crossmembers as I got it the wrong way round first time and had fitted. Before assembly starts there are two holes in for the chassis; A34 at top is incorrect the cable coming off the bottom of the drum rather the chassis side frame (Part C3) and two holes in the as this part is used on the Dorchester kit. The correct one for the Matador kit than the top. Unlike a lot of other kits AFV Club crossmember (Part I11) that need drilling out using is D54 which is shown at bottom. don’t provide you with a ladder type chassis so the a 1mm drill bit. The front engine support bracket builder has to assemble the two side frames and (Part I31) has a solid plastic peg on the rear that, BELOW RIGHT: This photo indicates the crossmembers. This process means it could like the others, needs removing before assembling the four holes that need drilling in the crossmember and the chassis end up not square and true resulting in some of the the chassis. All the parts were fixed to one side and side frame. wheels not making contact with the ground, so take then the other side was offered up and ‘tweaked’ your time and don’t rush. accordingly. When I was happy the chassis was right BOTTOM: AEC Matador artillery tractors of 79th (The Scottish Horse) Having already read reports of the Matador build I added the two hydraulic brake cylinders along with Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery in on other websites I have noticed there are one or the brake adjusting rod and brake cross shaft. Banffshire, Scotland, 28th May 1941.
25 AFV
RIGHT: General view of the underside of the basic chassis.
BELOW: Both winch cable guide rollers in situ. This view clearly shows why part D54 is needed as the guide rollers are attached to it.
ABOVE: Three guide wheels are mounted across the rear of the chassis. The photo also demonstrates where the rear brake cylinders fit.
BELOW: The front towing mount leaf spring is not numbered in the instructions (Green Arrow) this is in fact Part D24. Also the brass photo-etched part shown with a Red Arrow is Part PE19.
ABOVE: Here the Westinghouse air storage tank has been fitted to the chassis side frame. Note the amount of filler needed to fill the joint gaps.
BELOW: A photo of the full-size air storage tank which indicates how good the moulding of the kit is.
There were two different braking systems fitted to the Matador, one being the Clayton-Dewandre system, the other being the Westinghouse which is the one depicted in the kit. The tank was assembled and the resulting joint taken care of before being fitted to the chassis. Take care when removing part D22 from the sprue as it is very delicate and is attached at several points. The three rear guide wheels for the winch cable were then fixed in place along with the support bracket for the trailer brake
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ABOVE: Here we have two photos showing the front and rear suspension. The instructions look a little ‘busy’ at this point so take care and look closely as it is easy to miss parts. The object fitted to the top left of the rear cross mount is the trailer brake cylinder. cylinder (Part D49). The front towing bracket is constructed next and the towhook itself is fastened to a leaf spring that sits between the chassis side frames. This part is not numbered on the instruction sheet and neither is the brass photo-etched part that is located on the front; the parts are actually D24 and PE19 respectively. The instructions get a little busy and confusing to the eye at this stage so it pays to have a good look at them and to cross off each part as you use it. Some of the locations are a little confusing so plenty of dry fits are order of the day. The 40-gallon fuel tank is assembled next. The Matador carried 34-gallons in the main tank and 6-gallons in a reserve compartment. The main tank was measured by the fuel gauge on side of the tank (Part D50) and the reserve tank measured by observation through the filler cap (Part D48). As with the air tank the joints needed a small amount of filler. The rear towhook is constructed at this stage and, like the front towhook mentioned earlier, the leaf spring is not numbered, but it is actually part D25. All the leaf springs supplied in the kit have a prominent mould seam running down the centre of each one. Some also had nasty sinkholes so I filled them with Deluxe Materials Perfect Plastic ABOVE: A photo of the fuel tank taken Putty. Fortunately these holes will be hidden by the from the handbook. wheels once assembled. Once the fuel tank had INSET: Here we see the 40-Gallon fuel been secured to the chassis side frame I set about tank after it had been cleaned up and the fuel gauge (centre), filler cap and building up the front and rear drive trains. fuel cock added. The front axle was split into three sections to allow the wheel attachment points to be fitted in Next the two front brake hydraulic cylinders are place. I then made up the transfer box which calls constructed and I found it easier to fix these to the for another part A28 (remember that this is supplied wheel mountings before adding the actuating arms as part A53) and the rear differential gearbox. The as the instructions are a little sketchy as to their instructions inform you to fit part A1 to the rear axle exact location. Proceeding to the rear brakes the two and this can be found moulded on the sprue itself camshaft levers (Parts I41 and I42) are fixed to the BELOW LEFT: Fuel tank and securing – it’s a simple case of trimming it off and sticking it wheel mountings while the opposite end is fitted to brackets attached to the chassis side frame. to the diff gearbox as indicated. This part represents the adjusting rod which was fitted earlier in the build. the ‘oil level plug’ while the drain plug is moulded A few minor adjustments had to be made, but in the BELOW: The rear towing hook leaf spring is not marked on the instruction onto the main body. All the parts went together end the parts came together well. To complete the sheet and is actually Part D25. The well only having to trim the shaft back a little on chassis is the exhaust system, which I sanded with two small lengths of white plastic strip will be trimmed off once the glue has the drive to the winch, other than that no problems a coarse rubberised sanding stick to give the smooth set. These were added to repair parts were encountered. surface some texture, and finally attachment of the damaged while cleaning them up.
27 AFV
ABOVE: General view of the underside of the chassis with both front and rear drive trains fitted and the steering linkage.
RIGHT: This photo shows the location of Part A1 the Oil Level Plug which can be found moulded on the sprue.
ABOVE: I found it easier to fit the brake hydraulic cylinder A51 and A52 to the wheel mountings before fitting the actuating arms I51 and I52.
sure all four of them hit the floor nice and level which fortunately they did. The wheels were then removed and only fixed after the painting stage. The tyres supplied in the kit are made from a rubber material which can take a bit of cleaning up. In my opinion I would sooner have had injection-moulded tyres or to a certain extent resin ones. I understand that after-market alternatives are available but for this build I used the kit-supplied items.
Cargo bed Prior to assembling the cargo bed there are eight holes that need opening up in the floor. I managed to drill one of the initial holes in the wrong place and ended up having to fill it. After that had been done I ABOVE: The two rear brake camshaft levers fit into the wheel mountings and attach to the brake fixed the various crossmembers in place along with adjusting rod parts I20 and I22 which were fitted earlier in the build. the two end frame members. It would seem they have their numbers reversed as part II10 should be II11 and vice versa. This is confirmed by the two small strips that support the ‘skid pans’. The only thing that needed fitting at this stage was the remainder of the pioneering tools which basically consists of a shovel and a pickaxe handle, the head to the pickaxe was fitted earlier. Attention now turns to the side panels of the cargo bed. To start with there are 29 plastic tie- down cleats to be fixed in place and 13 tiny brass photo-etched cleats to be fitted on the various panels. You’ll need to take extreme care here as AFV Club only give you one of each as a spare. There is a grab handle that fits to the side panel (part B15) although this was unfortunately broken in my kit so I replaced it with copper wire from stock. Once all the parts had been assembled I put them ABOVE: Considering how complex the main propshaft along with the headlights and the in a safe place out of harm’s way as I didn’t want chassis build was I still managed to get all four wheels level on the ground! winch engagement lever (Part B24). to damage or lose any of the delicate tie-downs. When fitting the headlights you get the choice We now move back to the underside of the cargo of either a clear glass lens or a shielded version. If bed where there is a small cage supplied which fitting the latter make sure you have it set in right holds an oilcan. This is provided as photo-etched position to the mounting support as there are no parts, though regrettably it is a case of trial and locating tags moulded on them. I did temporarily error as there is no indication as to where you have fit the wheels at this stage as I wanted to make to bend it! After several attempts the main frame
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ABOVE LEFT: The eight holes that need opening up in the cargo bed before assembly can begin. You can just make out where I opened the wrong one up and had to fill it!
RIGHT: The two end frames have their numbers reversed, Part II10 should be II11 and II11 should be II10. This is indicated by the two small strips that support the ‘skid pans’.
BELOW: Underside of the cargo bed. In the lower right-hand corner of the photo behind the first crossmember you can just make out the pickaxe head which was stored under the bed.
ABOVE: A shovel and pickaxe handle make up the set of pioneer tools stowed under the cargo bed.
Here you can see how the ‘skid pans’ fit under the end frames.
unfortunately snapped but, as luck would have it, a little research confirmed that this item was not fitted to all Matadors so I decided not to fit it. There are three storage lockers which fit to This diagram gives an indication as to the underside one of which supports the jerrycan how the ‘skid pans’ were utilised. holder. This is made up four parts some of which are very tricky to remove from the sprue. I would advise you have a good look at the parts before removing them as it would be quite easy to cut in the wrong place. At this stage I opted to leave the cans out until after the painting stage. All that remained to finish the undersides was to attach the two rear mudguards along with the mudflaps and the support braces. I did notice that the gap between the brackets that sit each side of the chassis frame was slightly tight when fitted so I remedied this with a few gentle passes with a small Swiss file. Incidentally, there are four moulded pegs on the chassis which are supposed to marry up with four slots in the bed; these slots have not been moulded so the pegs will need to be removed in order for the bed to sit properly. The left-hand side panel was attached to the bed and AFV Club have utilised a slot and tab method of fixing to ensure an accurate fit is achieved. The panel has a steel entrance door which is supplied www.militarymodelling.com 29 AFV
A total of 14 moulded tie-down cleats and five brass photo-etched items were fitted to this side of the bed. Take care when fitting as you only get one spare of each item.
ABOVE: Here we see the canvas curtain made from foil, this was done to replace the over simplified moulded rendition.
BELOW: The two sets of crew seats assembled. The two separate seats on the ends are able to fold up to allow access to the rear on the real Matador but this option is not available in the kit.
In order to avoid confusion I marked the positioning points of the plastic cleats with a small pencil mark as the instructions can be a little confusing at times.
The opposite side panel showing the crew’s rifle rack fitted and the bracket to hold the spare wheel. as a separate item. This had a rather large ‘knock out point’ on the rear which needed cleaning up, but fortunately it was just a simple case of sanding the area. The opposite side panel was then fitted followed by the headboard. There is a rolled canvas sheet which fits above the open area of the headboard which to me looked too ‘uniform’. I therefore replaced it with pieces of foil from the wrapper of a pack Swann-Morton blades. I also added the straps from small lengths of the foil held in place with super glue. The tailgate has two semi-circular brackets fixed to it and these are part of the framework that supports the two towropes. The instructions call for the ropes to be made from two 10cm lengths of the cord supplied in the kit. However, I elected to replace them with the Allied Tow Cables set (item TCR3504) by Karaya (www.karaya.pl) which I obtained from Armour Models (www.armour-models.co.uk). With the ropes secured the three retaining straps were glued Three storage containers are attached to the underside, one of which has the rack for the two jerrycans in place before finally fitting the tailgate onto the fastened to it. Also you can see that I have fitted the two rear mudguards and their fixing brackets. cargo bed. The supports for the crew seats were fitted into the holes which had been previously opened up. The front row of seats rest on top of a box which houses the vehicle’s battery. I chose to leave the battery out as I wanted to do some detailed painting on it. The seats themselves resemble park benches and were certainly not built with comfort in mind! There are two smaller seats that fit to the left, these can be lifted on the real vehicle to allow access to the rear but this option is not available in the kit. As with the battery the seats will be added after painting. AFV Club has provided a very good interpretation of the steel roof which covers the cargo area. Here we have the assembled tailgate. I opted to replace the towropes with after-market items. It’s superbly moulded with some very fine detail
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LEFT: A photo of the inside of the cab showing all the controls; hopefully this will help to identify them.
BELOW: The various pedals and levers added to the cab floor pan. The lever sticking out at a 45-degree angle is the winch brake lever and is correctly positioned!
ABOVE: One of the prominent features throughout the kit is the numbers of nodules protruding from the parts. Great care is needed here when removing them from around ABOVE: On this photo you can see the delicate window frames. the air filter that is situated under the passenger seat. although I did notice a very faint mould seam faithfully reproduced. I did notice on my kit that running down each side. However, this was soon there was a small moulding defect around the removed with some wet ‘n’ dry sandpaper. Two opening for the hatch on the cab rear. Fortunately separate sets of stanchions which support the roof this presented no problem as it would be hidden by are supplied in the kit and these are marked as F21 one of the two sliding doors (Parts and F27. Once the stanchions had set the top part F1). To the side of the passenger of the rifle rack was attached to them. Both rolled seat there is a rack for two rifles. and lowered canvas curtain sides are supplied in Anyone that purchases this kit the kit giving the builder a variety of combinations. will certainly notice the amount of I chose to depict all mine rolled but, if one wishes, nodules protruding from various they could be replaced with homemade items. parts. The front of the cab is no exception so utmost care is needed when removing these as Cab the window frame is extremely I initially opted to build the cab in three sections delicate. I used a new blade in my namely the floor, rear panel and cab front. The knife followed by a very fine file to detail in the cab is superb and AFV Club have just clean the area up. There is a basic about got everything that should be there just as instrument panel fitted followed the photo from the driver’s manual suggests. You will have noticed from the photos that one of the levers, the winch brake lever (Part B16), appears to be at rather an unusual angle but don’t worry as this is how it should be. The two seats were then assembled, the passenger one attaches to the floor pan and has an air-filter situated beneath it, while the driver’s one attaches to the rear wall. Incidentally, the driver’s seat consists of seven parts and even includes the adjustment handle and ABOVE: The cab front showing the simple dashboard and the main fuel the entire supporting framework making for a very filter fitted. The circular object fitted detailed cab interior indeed. just under the dash is the brake On the rear panel AFV Club have moulded a controller. very good interpretation of the ash wood frame LEFT: In this photo you can to which the metal panels were fixed. Where the clearly see the volume of the detail represented in the cab. crossmembers meet there are several small ‘pips’ of plastic which will need to be removed. Like the floor pan the rear wall is nicely detailed with the electrical control unit and associated trunking all www.militarymodelling.com 31 AFV
by the brake controller and the fuel filter and these are all shown in the photos. All that remained now was to carefully remove the two etched radiator grille parts and fit them in place. I fixed mine with a spot of thick super glue as this gives you a little extra time to position them. The two doors were assembled next but I purposely left the glazing out until after painting the kit. As for the glazing itself the builder is given the option of leaving some of the windows open if they so wish. AFV Club even provides you with a part wound-down window for one of the doors which is a nice touch.
Painting Each of the sub-assemblies was given a once-over to check for any defects or alterations that may have been needed. Once I was happy with the items I undercoated them all using Alclad Grey Primer. I wanted to paint the Matador as it would have looked in late 1941 wearing a mainly Khaki Green No.3 and Nobel’s Dark Tarmac No.4 scheme.
ABOVE: Although a later version this photo clearly shows how the doors seem to fit where they touch. It also shows the two springs that fit on the chassis top to hold the cab in place.
INSET RIGHT: The distinctive AEC radiator grille in place, note also that the sidelights have been fitted.
I wanted to paint the Matador as it would have looked in late 1941...
RIGHT: All of the sub-assemblies were undercoated with Alclad Grey Primer and left to dry for 24-hours. ‘‘BELOW: The main body parts were sprayed with a mixture of two parts of Tamiya Olive Drab XF-62 and one part Tamiya Desert” Yellow XF-59.
ABOVE: The inside of the doors received the same treatment as the remainder of the cab.
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ABOVE LEFT: Inside of the cab which has been weathered as described in the text. ABOVE RIGHT: The decals for the instrument panel have been applied and sealed in place with a dab of Tamiya Clear X-22 to represent the glass.
ABOVE LEFT: I used Blu-Tack to outline the camouflage pattern. ABOVE RIGHT: After the Blu-Tack was removed the Matador received a couple of coats of Johnson’s Klear to seal the paint and to provide a good surface for the decals to adhere to.
As a reference I used the splendid British Vehicle dry I applied a subtle pin wash using Burnt Umber ABOVE LEFT: The Red Arrow indicates the two spring brackets that fit to the Camouflage 1939-45 by Mike Starmer and Mike oil paint. This was followed by a local pin wash front of the cab. No mention of these Cooper found on the MAFVA website using Lamp Black oils to simulate oil spillage inside is made on the instruction sheet. (www.mafva.net). Using various conversion the cab, as the only means of getting to the engine ABOVE RIGHT: Decals at the rear of charts found on the Internet I was able to convert was via the cab I thought this would be common. the vehicle. Humbrol/Revell colours to Tamiya paints. For the I then applied a small amount of Lifecolor Damp No.3 Green I mixed two parts of Tamiya Olive Drab Dust pigment (PG106) into the footwells. The whole XF-62 and one part Tamiya Desert Yellow XF-59. of the inside of the cab was then given a very light The sub-assemblies were then given several light dry-brushing using Humbrol Matt Dark Stone 187 to coats of the colour using my Iwata airbrush thinned bring out the detail. To finish off I dry-brushed areas at a ratio of 1-1. All the parts were set aside to of wear using Humbrol Metal Cote Polished Steel dry for 24-hours before I started with the detailed 27003 and small chips in the paintwork were added painting inside the cab. using a silver pencil. The steering wheel was then This mainly consisted of the seat cushions and fixed into position and the cab was part assembled, the assorted knobs and switches. When these were the window openings being masked using Tamiya www.militarymodelling.com 33 AFV
for some reason they curled up on themselves while I was applying them. To help alleviate this I used generous amounts of Micro Sol to get them in place. With the decals in place and set I then gave the model another coat of the clear prior to several light coats of Vallejo Acrylic Matt Varnish.
Weathering As I wanted to depict the Matador as a vehicle that had served its time in the UK I thought they would have been kept in a reasonable condition and not suffer from all the mud and dust of those used in ABOVE: I added a few items to Masking Tape before I located the roof in place. theatre. With this in mind I applied MIG Productions the cargo bed to lessen the stark appearance and add a bit of interest. I was a little sceptical about the fit of the roof as P241 Brown filter by brush. I find this tends to there seemed to be a gap on one side but, upon tone things down and produce a nice even balance closer investigation, I noticed there was a small slot between colours. Once this was dry I applied a pin in the roof which the side window frame fits into. wash of Lamp Black and Burnt Umber oil paints With a small amount of pressure there was a click again to define the moulded detail. While I was and the roof fitted like a glove, indeed so good was doing this I couldn’t help but notice something the fit that I had difficulty in removing it afterwards! looked wrong with the front of the Matador and Once I was happy the paint had dried I proceeded it was then I realised there should be two spring- to map out the Dark Tarmac areas using Blu-Tack. like features that hold the front of the cab to the After a check to make sure I had it in the right chassis. After looking through the sprues I found place, I then proceeded to spray the Tarmac and the parts which were labelled as F32. for this I used Tamiya NATO Black XF-69. Again I made a decision to add stowage to the cargo bay I left the paint to dry after removing the Blu-Tack to lessen its empty appearance. I had some spare and touching up any flawed areas. With the main crates and various packs in my spares box so, while BELOW: The glazing was added painting now done I sprayed a couple of coats of I was waiting for the paint to dry on the kit, I painted along with the photo-etched that supports the front screen when it is Johnson’s Klear over the whole vehicle and added them up in readiness. The glazing was the next item in the open position. the decals. I found the decals to be very thin and on the agenda; in order to fix the items in place I used small amounts of PVA glue to hold them secure. There are four photo-etched brackets which support the front screen when it is open. These, like the clear parts, were also fixed in place with PVA glue. All that remained was to fit the steel roof to the cargo bed, add the two wing mirrors and position the wiper blades and the Matador was finished.
Acknowledgements I would like to express a big thank you to the editor for supplying and allowing me to build this kit. I would also like to thank my wife Sue for her proof reading, support and understanding, thank you both. Finally, I would like to dedicate this build to the memory of my father who passed away two
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Views of the author’s completed Matador model, with the wipers, wing mirrors and cover for the cargo area added.
years ago. I spent many hours with dad in his lorries as I stated at the beginning of this article and the research and build has brought back some happy memories. We had some excellent times together that will always be cherished, thanks dad!
Postscript Since completing the model I have received word from ‘Simmer’ on the Military Modelling website about the Matador’s tie-down hook configuration. He is building a cut off Matador and says that the tie down hook configuration is wrong in the kit. The lower row of hooks would not have been fitted on a Matador with a metal top. Only the canvas top Availability Matadors had the lower row. This would be seen The kit (item AF35236) should be available from most specialist hobby and model on mid or late Matadors in 1943/44. I have looked shops. UK distributors are Pocketbond Ltd, PO Box 80, Welwyn AL6 0ND and the at several photos under magnification and it would retail price is £49.99. seem that he is quite correct. MM www.militarymodelling.com 35 Figures
The death of King Leonidas Christopher McGrane turns an unknown 200mm scale resin bust into a dramatic portrayal of the mortally wounded Spartan warrior.
ABOVE: This imposing 200mm three-quarter bust combines an elegantly stylized resin and white metal body with an original head sculpted from epoxy putties.
t is 480 B.C. Democracy – literally, “rule by the people” – is in its infancy. And its crib, the ancient I city-state of Athens, is now threatened by a monstrous serpent to the east, Xerxe’s Persian Empire. Rule by the people looks as though it is about to become a tragic footnote of history. Greece, as we now know it, as yet has no national identity. It numbers less than a million inhabitants, each loyal The Spartan king, Leonidas, recoils from a volley of only to his own town. Even united, she can muster Persian arrows. only a handful of effective soldiers. But the greatest
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of the city-states, Athens and Sparta, are about to dispense with their age-old feud and make common cause against Xerxe’s impending invasion. A remarkable alliance is being forged, and a remarkable figure, Leonidas, is emerging to lead the Greek land forces against an enemy perhaps 50 times larger. Leonidas, one of the two reigning kings of Sparta, will command 300 hand-picked Spartans, probably LEFT: At Thermopylae, Leonidas was the finest warriors of their day, alongside Thespians, 50-years old; nevertheless, he fought alongside his compatriots with vigour Phocians, and other farsighted Greeks. throughout the four-day conflict. Note In 2007 the story of Leonidas and his Spartans’ the streaks of grey in his hair and heroic stand at the pass at Thermopylae was the beard, and a black left eye. subject of a popular film Last Stand of the 300, BELOW: King Leonidas is depicted as based on a ‘graphic novel’ (a highfalutin term for having been hit by three arrows, and now stands momentarily stunned. a comic book!), with its overcharged, peculiar plot fabulous beasts, gross distortions, baseless sub- plots and as ever, oversimplifications! What I hope to do now is to responsibly report some of the facts we do have about Leonidas, while honouring his memory and illustrating his final heroic moments – so far as I am able – in miniature form.
Death in the Pass at Thermopylae Thermopylae is a pass between a mountain with a near-vertical base, 5,000ft. Koliodromos, on its west side, and a sheer drop to the Aegean Sea on its east. It varies in width but narrows to as little as 600 feet. In Xerxes’ time, it sat astride the one feasible land route to Athens, his ultimate destination. For two days, assaulting and repelling in their irresistible phalanx formation, the 300 Spartans and their allies withstood Xerxes’ best. On the first day, hardly a Spartan was lost. On the second, Xerxes sent his elite, the 10,000 Immortals, to break the wall of shields, spears, muscles and resolve. But the narrow pass had shown itself to be a liability for Xerxes’ tens of thousands, and a boon to Leonidas and his captains, who seemed to cut through Persia’s most fearsome soldiers with ease. On the third day, however, Xerxes somehow got wind of the existence of a trail that would allow him to sneak a force around the sheer slopes of Koliodromos and threaten the Greeks from the rear. Leonidas had been aware of this trail and had posted 1,000 Phocian allies to watch it. But when the Persians appeared in strength, the Phocians fled, and so Xerxes managed to place his flanking force behind the Greeks for the fourth day of battle. During the night, Leonidas had sent back the bulk of his army in penny packets to escape encirclement, but the surviving Spartans and about 1,000 Thespians remained to face this double envelopment alone. Herodotus recorded that Xerxes’ stratagem succeeded in disrupting the Greek phalanx, which operated effectively only when deployed in proper formation and when facing one direction. Now, circumstances left every man for himself. Herodotus wrote that every spear, the Greek weapon of choice, was shattered, and the Spartans fought on with short swords, stones, even hurling their helmets. Early in the fray, Leonidas, perhaps filled with the rage of despair, had ordered his men farther forward than on the preceding days. He was hit by more than one arrow, and he fell as the battle ebbed and flowed. Four times his devoted lieutenant organized teams to retrieve his body www.militarymodelling.com 37 Figures
RIGHT: The bust came in the form of a hoplite, or Greek heavy infantryman. Standard features include the lamellar armour cuirass, pteruges (thigh protectors), and short sword. The blood- red cloak would have been optional, but a popular colour for Spartans. Leonidas’ left arm is a story unto itself. Healed scars (formed BELOW: The king’s sumptuous from Duro Putty) attest to a life of swordplay, and the yellowing cloak. Perhaps Leonidas donned it visible here represents lesser bruising acquired over three to enter into a parley with Xerxes’ days of hard battle. The figure lacks a shield, so I speculated representative – though no such that Leonidas broke his or gave it away, which partly accounts encounter is recorded by Herodotus. for the blood staining his left hand. He would also have Figure painters who are oil purists been taking hold of other soldiers, friend or foe, by their agonize over how to paint red cloth, bloodstained hair, limbs, and cloth tunics. for tube oil paint reds are notoriously lacking in coverage (opacity), hard to mix, and take a long time to dry. I took even as the Greek numbers diminished rapidly. It the route of painting with Humbrol is believed Leonidas lay conscious long enough to Scarlet 60 mixed with Testors’ Rubber 1183, a great all-around deep brown, see many of his own killed. to produce a realistic tertiary red tone. Xerxes lost as many as 30,000 in his attack. Highlights were easily produced by mixing in White and Naples Yellow Practically all the Greeks perished in that heroic bid oil paints, and all was glazed deep to buy Athens and Greece time, but the sacrifice crimson when dry. Bear in mind that in former times clothing colours were would prove not to have been in vain. In about never absolutely pure tones. 20-years, Athenian warships would forever destroy Persian hopes of vengeance and conquest at Salamis, and later Greek kings would go on to bring Persia to its knees, all the while defending and promoting an idea of democracy that has survived to the present day.
Inspiration for the Leonidas bust Nowadays, three-quarter sized busts continue to gain in popularity. But in 2001 I found this intriguing, forward-looking piece at a miniatures show and bought it very cheaply, largely because its head had been cracked off and was missing! The box lacked manufacturer information and instructions, but it did carry a photo of the full figure. Cast in a rock- hard, curious rose-scented resin, it seems to have been copied from a statue of the great Athenian Pericles. It is stylized; witness the wildly swirling cape, the bulging biceps, and the august pose.
The arrows were constructed of Evergreen brand .5mm plastic rod, with feathers cut from thin Evergreen plastic sheet, trimmed with a hobby knife, and glued three to a shaft with liquid cement. Holes for each shaft were drilled in the cuirass with a Dremel tool to about one centimetre’s depth in three places, using a precisely sized bit. Each arrow was angled to suggest differing arcs of flight.
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ABOVE LEFT: Note the size of the bicep, and the fine sculpting of the right hand, replete with veins. ABOVE RIGHT: The king’s long hair was filled in using Duro Epoxy Putty. Even in larger scales, hair needn’t be represented strand-for-strand; you need only suggest its masses and waves, and in this case, Leonidas’ carefully braided strands have been flattened to his neck with blood and perspiration.
ABOVE LEFT: Leonidas’ helmet is poetic license. Spartan soldiers wore Corinthian helmets, which had longer nosepieces, and the king’s helmet would have had a horsehair plume set crosswise, not front to back. I submit that his lieutenants persuaded him early in the battle to wear the helmet of an ordinary soldier, fallen on the first day of battle, to make their king less conspicuous. Well, plausible, at least, isn’t it? (Candidly, the stock helmet’s horsehair crest is so attractive that I resisted attempting any modification).
ABOVE RIGHT: This close-up speaks volumes to a crucial maxim of painting in any scale and any subject. This bust is a fine example of a challenge we all meet eventually; painting a figure that is heavy on one colour. While there’s no escaping that the Spartans favoured red, numerous considerations permit you to paint your reds differently with each feature. Here we see that the helmet horsehair takes a certain hue and value of crimson. The cloak is in fact a reddish-brown, and the decorative strips on the king’s armour were coloured bright scarlet. Likewise, the blood we see is darkest of all, especially where it has coagulated and dried. This makes all the difference in convincing your audience, even if only subconsciously.
LEFT: The forearm and hand here reveal the tonal subtlety possible with artist’s tube oils- note the yellow and reddish-brown qualities throughout. www.militarymodelling.com 39 Figures
As described in the text, the late actor Richard Jordan was the model for Leonidas.
Judging by the box photo, however, the weakest part for our purposes would have been that missing head. It wasn’t bad, just far too statuesque. And yet on balance the 200mm body is attractive and imposing, with plenty to paint. After some reflection, I was inspired to try to depict Leonidas, using the pose as a basis for attempting to capture the Spartan king in his final moments, just before he fell on that momentous last day at Thermopylae. Of course, this meant sculpting a replacement head. But here was a challenge to render a specific historical figure credibly, and an opportunity to make a unique statement in miniature.
Sculpting Leonidas’ head Sculpting is a wonderful part of miniature art, and I dream of someday turning out figures of every type for modellers to paint and enjoy. But let’s face it, sculpting is a daunting undertaking for almost all of us, and unfortunately, a discussion of getting started in sculpting likenesses is beyond the remit of this article. Perhaps we can visit this in future? When I began Leonidas I was already experienced in conversions, had modified the faces of busts, and had had success in filling out the half-heads of larger miniatures designed to wear helmets, shakos, etc. Oddly enough, it was more intimidating to set about creating a face for which no photos exist (Leonidas) than it had been to correct the unconvincing faces on other stock pieces! For Leonidas, though, the real challenges rested in forming a properly sized and proportioned face and head, as well as depicting a man in great pain, in extremis. I found my ‘model’ in the actor Richard Jordan, who portrayed Confederate General A Bic lighter and school ring Lewis Armistead in the 1993 movie Gettysburg. demonstrate the bust’s impressive size. His character gave me a man of appropriate age,
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TOP LEFT: I wanted to set off the figure handsomely, so I invested in a fine circular base from Thomas Art Bases. The illustration under the figure pedestal came from a photo I took of a Spartan plate on display at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. I had nothing in mind when I selected it apart from reducing the photo to size on a laser printer, but it now seems fitting that it hints at a hearth setting, rather than warfare, or soldiers exercising. Leonidas, after all, was probably impelled to fight first for the protection of his family, like any soldier.
ABOVE: If one photo conveys the story of Leonidas’ noble sacrifice, I’d like to think this is it.
LEFT: Whether Leonidas wore a form-fitting bronze cuirass or the lamellar armour of the miniature is not known. It bears noting that the latter was no cheap substitute for the former, but was rather comparable in theory to the Chobham armour of modern tanks; overlapping layers of dense cloth, bronze sheathing, and perhaps other materials. Note the yellow and purple glazing to the left forearm as surely after three days of hard fighting Leonidas would have exhibited this somewhere on his person?
BELOW: Note the fresh wound to Leonidas’ hairline. I tie this in with the sling stone damage visible bearded, dark-haired, and best of all, depicted at on his helmet. The blood is shown to be new by treating it with a 2:1 mix of Vallejo brand Gloss/ one point as gravely wounded. Following photos Satin varnish. Note also the fresh blood tinting and taken from the TV screen, I used A+B brand epoxy running from his ears, evidence of a head trauma putty to shape the head, and Duro Putty for the (this is further born out by the fact his gaze is not fixed). It’s conjecture, of course, but the evidence we beard and hair. have suggests Leonidas didn’t die easily. One thing must be said about sculpting in miniature, or I’d be doing a grave disservice to uninitiated sculptors. No matter what some authorities have written about it, never feel you must complete a head, body, pistol or backpack in one pass! If you’re making a head, as here, start by forming an egg-shaped core, let it dry under heat, return and lay in a basic face, then crown, then nose – no one is timing you! And by all means, never be reluctant to cut away or sand dried putty when it seems called for. Every move instructs so follow your instincts. Your opinion is the final one, and even if you aren’t thrilled by your first efforts, take heart; they are still your very own originals! The captions for the accompanying photos should tell much about the making of Leonidas. MM www.militarymodelling.com 41 Diorama
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3 Homemade Old Posters Emmanuel Nouaillier shows how to make miniature old advertising or propaganda posters at home. lthough there are some posters commercially available I prefer to create my own directly Afrom original documentation, using a good digital camera and studio lightning. Also, with the help of Adobe Photoshop ‘Photo Filter’ it’s now easy to control the various colour shades and to obtain a high resolution printed result. I have been interested in this topic for some time, collecting a considerable amount of illustrations and documentation on original posters. Reproducing them in miniature is now easier, not only by using modern digital advances in photography and associated software, but also a quality printer. It’s now very easy to make posters in small or larger scales at home maintaining high resolution throughout.
Photo 1. In addition to those typical French enamel advertising plates, paper posters were, and still are everywhere, posted onto walls, hoardings, and so on. This time I will show how to add this kind of detail to small-scale buildings.
Photo 2. Before producing miniature posters, you will need good documentation that gives details about their real sizes, the years in which they appeared and so on. In my case, I’ve collected several specialized books to help me produce the desired posters in small scale for personal, non-commercial use. With the help of a Canon EOS 600D single lens reflex digital camera as well as studio lightning equipment, more or less anything is possible.
A1 Photo 3. This is a small collection of adverts I’ve built up, assembling them using the ‘Photo Filter’ system before printing this small selection on 70gsm sheet paper. I used a Canon Pro-100 printer for an optimal result. When cutting out the posters avoid using old or dull blades that would not produce neatly cut edges.
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Photos 4 & 5. Amongst all the products available indication of the scale. Note the good resolution are these French World War Two propaganda rendering, even in small scale. posters introduced very recently from the Belgian company Addonparts. They are available in both 1:72 Photo 8. To simulate a realistic thickness in this very and 1:35 scales and are printed on ultra thin paper. small scale, I use abrasive paper (600 grade) to sand I used them to create the box art for kit 35-0083 of away the surface of the reverse side. Once it’s done the French Café ‘Chez René’, see photos A1 – A4. you’ll have an extra thin poster. Before trying out this Currently, it is for me certainly one of the finest sanding operation on your posters, experiment on a items you can find on the market. I just hope they sheet of paper of the same thickness. will launch more in this series in the near future. Photo 9. As in my article on enamel plates (Vol.42 Photo 6. The chosen posters are selected, and then No.12), some ageing will lend a more realistic look carefully cut out using a metal rule held firmly onto to the posters. When you look at original posters, the paper. they often appear damaged on their edges, or torn. Now that the paper is very thin, it will be very easy Photo 7. The posters cut out of the sheet. A to reproduce such effects using a sharpened needle Euro one-cent coin is included here to give some or a very fine blade. www.militarymodelling.com 43 Diorama
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Photo 10. Another pleasing and realistic effect is to 11 superimpose older posters with newer ones. Before finally gluing them down try several arrangements to arrive at the most convincing appearance. Note some of them are slightly lopsided, which will add much more variation and authenticity to the final result.
Photo 11. For perfect gluing I use varnish-glue, which is more dedicated to scrapbooking work, but The poster is is perfect for our purposes. Recently, Addonparts put on the wall included varnish glue to its catalogue (item 10-0002) making it now easier for modellers to order it. A using very fine large No.4 brush is suitable for applying this varnish.
point tweezers. Photo 12. A small drop of glue is poured onto the middle of the poster, then carefully applied all over the surface with a brush ensuring all areas are covered.
Photo 13. If necessary, the small piece of paper can ‘‘ be wiped on a paper towel to remove any excess varnish.
Photo 14. The poster is put on the wall using very fine point tweezers. Before it’s completely dry, ” the poster is finally ‘strengthened’, as would be done with a full-size poster, by brushing it down with a clean and dry No.4 brush. This will add an indisputably realistic look to this part of the wall.
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Photo 15. Various boards or wooden buildings can be Photo 16. I recently tried some new effects in a enhanced with different types of poster adapted by larger scale, like posters that had been torn away varying the colours and age for added authenticity. from the wall leaving fragments still pasted down on some areas. MM
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ABOVE LEFT: The Italeri Village Fountain contains just seven parts, in sand coloured plastic. The box-top photo constitutes your assembly instructions! ABOVE RIGHT: The breakdown of the parts means that no surgery is required when turning the fountain into a statue. Just leaving off the top section will provide the flat top needed for the chosen figure to stand on.
ABOVE LEFT: So that the two models were not identical, I changed the details on the front of the statue, replacing the Italeri lion head with a bronze plaque, and a new mount for the water pipe – both being oddments from the spares box. ABOVE RIGHT: The standard fountain straight from the box, painted in various shades of grey. Weathering mainly involves some dry-brushing. Simple Statues Paul Brent Adams offers a very simple model that can easily be the focal point for a small diorama or vignette.
ome modellers love to do everything in war memorial. All that is needed is a suitable figure, the most complicated and time-consuming male or female, in either military or civilian dress. A Sway possible, while I have always preferred mounted figure would clearly require a much larger to keep things simple. My models may not be base, but the Italeri fountain is just the right size for masterpieces, but they are always fun to build – and a single foot figure. The scale of the figure is not that surely is the point of a hobby. important, as real statues do vary. All that matters Italeri have long produced a range of 1:35 is that the chosen figure looks at home atop the scale diorama accessories, among which is an fountain. A visit to your local library should turn up extremely nice Village Fountain. It is a very simple some books on statues and memorials to give you kit, comprising just seven parts, moulded in sand some ideas and help with the painting. coloured plastic (although I seem to remember it I assembled one of the kits straight from the box. was previously coloured dark green?). Like most There are no assembly instructions, just a photo of This pair of regal gentlemen came from Italeri kits, this one goes in and out of production, so the finished model on the box top. However, with a Lord of the Rings ruined castle kit, it pays to pick up a few whenever they are available, just seven parts, it is not too hard to figure out how though similar medieval figures can be found in many chess sets. The base as you may not see it again for several years. everything goes together! of each figure is painted to match the I recently bought a couple of these very The other kit was also assembled, but I left off fountain, while the figures are weathered bronze – actually dark brown. reasonably in a kit sale. Clearly, I did not need two the upper section and the ball that sits on top. The identical fountains, so I decided to turn one into a front, where the spout comes out, features the statue. This can commemorate anyone you want; face of a lion. You could use this for the statue, a local dignitary, hero, ancient king or it might be a but I wanted to change it slightly, so that it was
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not too similar to the basic fountain. Omitting the front panel, I replaced it with a small rectangle of cardboard to represent a bronze plaque, and a new mounting for the spout. This was actually a circular manhole cover from the Italeri 1:72 scale Urban Accessories set (item 6146), with a hole drilled in the centre for the spout. Very simple, but it does make the model slightly different to the standard version, and uses up some leftover parts. The next job was to hunt around the spares box, and come up with a suitable figure. This proved harder than I thought, as I did not have many figures that were suitable. However, I did obtain a very nice ruined castle kit recently – the Ruins of Osgiliath by Citadel – from a Games Workshop wargaming shop. This was part of their ‘Lord of the Rings’ range and, aside from the castle, it came with two rather large medieval looking figures. Both are well-detailed, one-piece mouldings in dark grey plastic, and sport suitably magnificent beards. Either of these would be suitable for a statue, and they fitted nicely. Some chess sets may also yield suitable figures, ABOVE LEFT: Dark brown is a much better choice for a weathered bronze statue than bronze paint, especially the King, Queen and Bishop. A model which is far too bright for an object that may have been exposed to the elements for decades or even centuries. ABOVE CENTRE: The figures were a perfect fit atop the Italeri fountain, and roughly double railway shop may also have some suitable civilian its height. Neither required any modification. ABOVE RIGHT: This was a very simple project, but it figures. The statue can be either bronze, or carved shows that modelling does not need to be complicated and expensive – it was also fun! stone. Bronze statues are in fact, not actually bronze! Once exposed to the elements they tend to discolour to either a dark brown or black.
Painting The stonework was painted overall dark grey (an old tin of Humbrol Equipment Grey MC20) streaked with RLM 02 (a WW2 Luftwaffe grey/green) and then dry-brushed with a much lighter grey, such as Humbrol Light Grey 64. A final light wash of mid- brown was applied for a slightly dusty look. The bronze statue gets an overall coat of dark brown and for this I used an old tin of Humbrol Brown Bess 170; this excellent colour is no longer made, but any matt dark brown would do just as well. When this is dry, and it needs to be thoroughly dry, it is given a heavy wash of diluted light brown. The lower section of the figure is painted as grey stone, to match the fountain it stands on. Italeri have also produced a very similar, but not identical, fountain in their 1:72 scale Urban Accessories set. Actually, you get two fountains, plus fencing, street lamps (of three different styles), park benches and various other items per box. Each fountain comprises just five parts, in light grey plastic, and you even get assembly instructions on ABOVE LEFT: The figures are a little over 1:35 scale, but as real statues vary in size such variations the back of the box! These could be used to produce are not important. Just choose something that looks right. The inscription on the bronze plaque reads King Kong 1933 – as you might guess I also like old horror movies! ABOVE RIGHT: A medieval King similar statues for small scale dioramas, again using stands in a village square, looking out over his subjects. At his feet can be anything from a Napoleonic any suitable figures you have to hand. MM cavalryman, to a WW2 Jeep, or a diecast sports car.
The fountain in the 1:72 scale Urban Accessories set is even simpler than its big brother – containing just five parts in light grey plastic. Strangely, the 1:35 and 1:72 scale models are not identical.
ABOVE: The completed 1:72 scale Italeri fountain. All it needs now is a suitable figure from the spares box.
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Jolly Green Giant!
A single track link from the Dragon 1:6 scale (Part 3 continued from kit gives an idea of its size when placed next to one of the author’s 1:72 scale Sherman models. MM Vol.45 No.1)
Rob Henden concludes his challenging mega build project of Dragon’s 1:6 scale M4A3 Sherman 105mm Howitzer Tank.
he entire model was painted using the aerosols as previously mentioned, and as Tdetails were added, revised or improved, some of the Olive Drab base colour was decanted into the airbrush to ‘blow in’ these details. Painting a 1:6 scale model doesn’t require the same techniques to emphasise the details as a smaller scale one does as natural daylight does a lot of this for you. Despite this some smaller details, such as
48 Military Modelling Vol.45 No.2 2015 AFV
ABOVE: The lower hull was primed using automotive Brick Red car primer to give the Olive Drab a better ‘key’ to the pale grey plastic.
RIGHT: The highlights, details and textures were improved using LifeColor’s Olive Drab set; I look forward to using these on a smaller scale vehicle in the future. the bolt heads, still benefitted from a dry-brushing using LifeColor’s acrylic ‘U.S. Army AFV Olive Drab’ (three colour Contrast & Saturation Set), ‘Ground Colour UA 256’ and ‘Flashed Shade UA 255’. The darkest pot, ‘Deep Shade UA257’, proved too close to the base enamel colour and so wasn’t used. The natural wood of the pioneer tools were painted by applying a base colour of ‘Warm UA716’ from LifeColor’s Weathered Wood acrylic set then streaking lines of ‘Warm Dark Shade UA713’ over the top, using water on an old brush to create the wood grain. The light colour was applied and set aside to dry properly, and then the darker colour is used to paint lines like wood grain. Before this dries though, tease the surface using a brush with the hairs separated with a little water to diffuse the harshness of the lines, then the result should look quite realistic.
ABOVE: All steel parts were airbrushed using Humbrol ABOVE: The wooden parts were all Metalcote Polished Steel, with a light overspray with rust painted using LifeColor’s Weathered colours. When polished the rust colour remained in the recesses. Wood acrylic paint set. The details of the shovel were later painted in Olive BELOW: The shovel was sprayed with hairspray then Olive Drab. Leather securing straps were cut Drab acrylic. When dry it was dabbed with masking tape to from thin leather with brass buckles get a distressed and chipped effect. from a photo-etched set intended for 37 pattern British webbing on 12” action figures.
LEFT: A missing feature was the strengthening piece on the front mudguard; this was added using a piece of plastic card. The full-sized piece was very often used to support a wooden plank to increase stowage on the front of the tank.
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Markings The instructions provide only one suggestion which was a tank of the 31st Armoured Regiment in Normandy 1944. The kit has no decals for numbers or other markings other than some Allied stars. With this in mind I decided to start adding the star decals first. I chose to use the kit decals as they had no carrier film which would result in looking as though they were painted on if applied properly. However, despite my best efforts with Microscale liquids etc., the decals refused to stick to the very matt surface and so were removed. Some gloss varnish, or Future floor polish, may have solved this The base enamel paint benefitted from the use of LifeColor’s Olive Drab set. problem, but I found a better option was to hand cut some masks from Ultra-Mask film and spray the stars using matt white paint. The star on the hull front has a circle around it and I struggled for a long time to get the decal to conform to the cast texture. Finally, a compass with a scalpel fitted helped me to cut a film mask to spray the circle. This led to a very rewarding result as it now had the cast texture which could be weathered with washes etc. After much deliberation I opted to make some ‘fictional’ markings for the numbers and divisional marks etc. Maybe later I could base the model on a more specific Sherman from better references; e.g. the ‘USA’ number on the side needed to start with ‘30’ which designates a tank, but the rest of the number is purely imaginary! All of the numbers etc., were made using a Graphtec Craft Robo Cutter. This involved downloading a free type font from an Internet site, and then this was used to type the relevant text into the cutter’s software, which then cut masks from Ultra Mask adhesive film. The result is well worth the effort as the text is painted directly onto the tank and can be weathered as per the full-size original, with no decal carrier film problems either. Weathering was fairly restrained, and various earth shades were sprayed from below the tank to drift upwards as the muddy road spray would have. Finishing Building a model of this size is a demanding task in its own right, and by its nature the crew and all of its clutter is another story. There is no limit to it in the same way that a collector may adorn a preserved military vehicle with jerrycans, ammunition cases, camouflage nets, tools, personal kit and other weapons etc. With this and time limits in mind, I have not as yet given the Sherman as much clutter as I intend to, the jerrycan, camouflage net and rope being just a start. Even the ‘K’ rations crates add a little interest, and these were made from balsawood, scaled up from Tamiya’s 1:16 scale versions. I simply measured the box sides and multiplied them by 16, then dividing the answer by six to get 1:6 scale measurements. The realistic markings on them were again made using the Craft Robo Cutter. A .50 cal. Browning will be added later to enhance the effect, and this is available as a separate Dragon kit, though a suitable mount will need to be adapted, or scratchbuilt, to mount it to the turret. This will add a really nice touch, and the tripod can also be added to the tank’s stowage too! As an avid collector of Dragon ‘Action type The Allied stars on the decal sheet were used as a guide to cut stencils from ‘Ultra Mask’ masking film figures’ in recent years, I was unsure that I had supplied by The Airbrush Company. The kit decals didn’t stick to the very matt finish paint, but the white paint can be more convincingly weathered and leaves no ‘silvering’. Placing the circle was quite tricky an appropriate figure to crew the Sherman, but on the complex curves, and cast texture, but the masking film worked very well. thankfully I found the very one I needed in the
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ABOVE: Two ‘K ration’ wooden crates were scaled up from measurements taken from Tamiya’s 1:16 scale version. Balsawood was used with sprayed on stencilling from a Graphtec Craft Robo.
RIGHT: A piece of woodstained balsa was added to demonstrate the effect, with sandbags and ‘K’ rations. Note that the crescent moon logo was not added at this stage.
BELOW: What’s for dinner, Sherman anyone? The sheer size of this ‘Monster’ meant building it wherever I could; the conservatory, dining room table, and the living room floor included! My studio was too small for the both of us!
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loft! Simply named ‘Mac’ he represents an Army Staff Sergeant of the 3rd Armoured Division, North West Europe and he has all of the appropriate uniform and equipment to look quite at home in the Sherman’s cupola, including a jerrycan to stow on the rear deck. This figure’s head was repainted using acrylics in the airbrush to improve realism. (A second figure was sourced by the author just in time for the completed Sherman’s final photography session, Ed).
Conclusion There is no doubt that the completed Sherman is an impressive sight, its size alone is enough to grab anyone’s attention. After that it’s really down to how much time and effort is lavished upon it whether it will command any more attention. The kit is like a blank canvas and even built “straight from the box” I would imagine would look impressive, but with a little imagination who knows what could be achieved? I had quite a few issues with parts missing, extra parts not required, parts not labelled in the instructions, and other assorted ‘Red Herrings’ along the way. However, the main problem for me was ‘those tracks’; the colour of the plastic was the worst choice possible, and the means of fixing them together was certainly optimistic from Dragon’s point of view. I spent nearly as much time fixing the track
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problems than the actual build of the kit, and that the tracks. The kind help of Slater’s Plastikard for could have been different with a little extra thought supplying their superb plastic moulded letters from the design team. and numerals to detail the cast parts of the tank Having criticised these elements, the price for including the suspension. The Airbrush Company a massive model of this size is really attractive at for the LifeColor paint sets and their continued under £500, compared to the alternative which help and support. Finally, to my girlfriend Karen for would be one of a variety of radio controlled models helping with the tracks and lugging stuff to the local which would cost several thousands of pounds, common to photograph the finished model, and also even excluding the internal workings! to the Editor for being supportive, understanding Dragon Models 1:6 scale M4A3 (105) Howitzer Tank kit is item No 75046. The size was very difficult to work with in a small and patient. www.dragon-models.com (average?) modelling area, and it has really got to be a passion to build something in this size. I gradually spilled out of my studio into the conservatory and Availability the living room table, and even the living room floor Dragon’s 1:6 scale M4A3 (105) Howitzer Tank is for some work, and it was only really possible to imported into the UK by The Hobby Company, photograph outdoors to get the whole thing in! Milton Keynes MK5 8PG and retails at £475. There is no doubt The project was pretty hard, but I still look forward to winter evenings ‘tinkering’ with details that the completed and, as I mentioned before, it’s a blank canvas, and Dedicated to… Sherman is an so much can be done, even interior detail for the Finally on a sad note, during this project my mother brave amongst us! Betty Joy Henden was in hospital for several impressive sight, months fighting a battle against failing kidneys, and unfortunately she passed away in March 2014. She its size alone is Acknowledgements often asked how the project was coming along and I would like to thank everyone who helped to I would show her photos, but sadly she never saw enough to grab complete this project. It would not have been it finished. I would therefore like to dedicate this anyone’s attention. possible without the help of Matthew at Albion article to her as she always encouraged me and ‘‘ Alloys in supplying the brass rods for repairing was also my best critic. MM www.militarymodelling.com ”53 AFV reviews
ABOVE LEFT: Among the latest from Bronco Models, this PzKpfw 35(t) Small Scale Scene Command version. ABOVE RIGHT: A very detailed model of the 6pdr from Riich Models. Robin Buckland’s monthly column for military vehicle modellers.
e continue to see a (this one in either Male or is essentially the same kit they painting guide). This one also has steady stream of new Female configuration). I’ve been released a couple of months ago, individual link plastic tracks and Wreleases in the shops, pleased to see these and there and comes with interior detailing equally good external detailing. and more to come during the are set to be some more WW1 for the fighting compartment The main feature that is different year. Among them all I seem tanks released in 2015. and turret, along with the engine is the addition of the large and to have been drawn towards a compartment bulkhead. Lots of distinctive bar aerial that is number of recent 1:35 scale kits detail in here so plenty to build fitted over the rear engine deck. of artillery pieces. In addition to Bronco and paint (see John Prigent’s Originally a Czech machine, the 8” howitzer from Resicast Now in production is the second excellent blog on our website captured in 1939 and then used which I mentioned last time, I variation on the PzKpfw 35(t), of no less than four different in Poland, France and the early have also been building their one of the latest batch of PzKpfw 35(t) kits, including the stages of the Russian campaign 1:35 scale British 6” howitzer in releases from Bronco Models. It Bronco one for tips and a useful by the German Army. A total of its WW1 format (in WW2 they just 20 were converted to these fitted pneumatic tyres), along command vehicles. with a smaller 1:72 scale Italian Recently completed, a 1:76 scale Two colour and marking 149mm gun. Then under the Italian 149mm gun from SHQ. schemes are suggested, both heading of ‘in-progress’ I find for overall panzer grey machines. myself with the Dragon 1:35 One is for an example of the scale leFh18, Bronco’s British 1st Light Division in Poland in Airborne 75mm Pack howitzer 1939, and this features the large and the US 57mm anti-tank all-white crosses which proved gun from Riich Models. There to be such a good aiming point just seem to have been a good for enemy anti-tank gunners, number of towed artillery pieces while the second is a 6th Panzer released in recent months and Division machine in France in this is interesting to see. 1940, now with a black centre At the same time we have added to tone down the national seen new kits of WW1 tanks of cross marking. Thanks to course, with the British Mk.IV Bronco Models for our sample, from both Tamiya and Takom Hannants are the UK importers.
Riich Models Alongside the US 57mm version of this we looked at last month, Riich Models also have the
Not finished yet, but this is Dragon’s leFH18 coming together.
The Resicast 1:35 scale British 6” howitzer is among Robin’s recent builds.
54 A built example of the Spz Luchs AFV reviews in 1:35 scale from Revell.
British Ordnance QF Mk.IV version of the 6pdr which is now on sale. The Mk.IV differed from earlier versions by having a slightly longer L/50 barrel rather than the L/43 of the earlier version, and had a muzzle brake. With the double-layer shield it makes for the distinctive look of the weapon which served throughout the war and beyond. The kit is very cleanly moulded well, just be careful not to stab it with lots of detail, a very different into your fingers! kit to old Tamiya offering. It There are four colour and includes a turned aluminium another large 8-wheel layout the externals. Separate tools to marking options provided or. barrel and vinyl tyres as well. machine. It was notable for having be fitted. These have clamps First is a plain drab early A1 Etched parts add finer detail driver positions at both front and moulded in place though you variant from 1980/85 with 4. Pz and you do of course have the back so it could easily be driven could choose to replace these Aufkl Btl 2; next a camouflaged option of making it in towed or in either direction, and with full with etched-metal alternatives A2 example from BrigSpZg firing positions, though no crew 8-wheel steering as well. I hadn’t if you want to upgrade this 12 in 1990: third is another figures are included in the kit. seen one for real until I visited the sort of detail, or for simplicity camouflaged A2 from Pz Aufkl The lower part of the front shield collection at Fort Benning, Georgia sake, just use them as they are. KP 120 in Macedonia in 1999; can be assembled folded up or last year, where they have one in The hatches on the turret are and finally another camouflaged down, depending on your chosen need of a bit of TLC, but actually a separate parts, so these can be A2 from the Multinational KFOR configuration, while etch parts large vehicle, so much bigger than fitted open or closed, so you can forces in Kosovo in 2000, so form the holders for a number of their WW2 predecessors. add suitable crew figures if you not a bad selection. Overall an fittings. The main shield is in two The model has a lot of detail have some. Other options here interesting model and one that parts, with suitable spacers. The in the suspension and running are fittings for either Early of would be an important part breechblock can be assembled gear, along with black vinyl Late variants depending on your of the story if you wanted a so it moves open/closed while tyres. It gives an idea when you choice for the finishing selection, collection of 8-wheel armoured a couple of ammunition boxes consider the first 24 stages in and a beacon light that would cars that have been in service in and rounds are also included. the assembly sequence deal be fitted when on the road in the German Army right through If you want more, then Riich with all the fitting of the axles peacetime. It does also have the to the present day, as they do already do a separate set of and drivetrain under the hull. fitting for the propellers which have the Fennek in their range ammunition boxes and rounds as Upper hull and turret are neatly were used for its amphibious as well. Revell model kits are an accessory kit. A fair number of done with nicely done detail. capability. Taped to the front of available from all good toy and small parts so take care with the No interior detailing, but there the instructions is a length of model retailers. For further build, and you will end up with a is still plenty to do just with wire to make the whip aerials as information visit www.revell.de/ very well detailed model of the en or facebook.com/Revell 6pdr. The suggested finish is the one colour British dark green, while transfers are included Zvezda for the ammunition rounds and The SS-25 Topol is one of the boxes as well. It will of course go biggest 1:72 scale models well with the Universal Carriers around, and once built will be also in the Riich range, and an impressive beast. A design equally with the Loyd carrier that from the Cold War era, the is due this year from Bronco. My SS-25 is an ICBM that went thanks to Riich Models for our into service back in 1985, and example of this new model. though in reduced numbers, is still in service with Russian Strategic Missile troops to Revell this day. The TEL (Transporter During WW2 Germany made Erector Launcher) is a huge extensive use of their series of 7-axle machine, and the missile 8-wheel armoured cars. In the Boxart and illustrations for the huge 1:72 scale SS-25 ICBM from Zvezda. is carried in an equally large mid-1970s they introduced the container. Accompanied by Sparpanzer Luchs, with just over specialist support vehicles to get 400 going into service. At first accurate position information, they were fully amphibious, with the vehicle has various levelling propellers fitted and a swim vane devices to get the whole thing at the front. This only changed level and accurately positioned as later upgrades increased the prior to firing. weights. Armed with a turret The kit itself is in a box more mounted 20mm gun, the same usually associated with Zvezda’s as that fitted to their Marder 1 IFV 1:35 scale kits, and the back of (Infantry Fighting Vehicle). It is only the box has a number of images in recent years that it has been of the assembled model. You replaced by the newer Fennek, have the option of building it www.militarymodelling.com 55 AFV reviews
either in travel configuration, Dragon or with the missile raised into The late production Tiger 1 with the firing position and all the zimmerit has been available before (huge) jacks down to support the from Dragon, but now they have whole TEL for firing. The chassis added a set of ‘Tiger Aces’ crew is made up from sides and figures, which is a new set in 1:72 crossmembers so just take care scale, reduced in size from the to ensure everything is square. ones they did earlier in 1:35 scale. This is as big as the chassis on This reduction in size for small a 1:35 scale truck kit, indeed scale enthusiasts works really well, bigger than some. Then you and these are good-looking figures have all the suspension units ModellTrans Modellbau make this resin model of the IDF Sherman ‘Ambutank’ in this smaller scale. Add them for the 14 wheel stations on the in 1:72 scale. to the moulded zimmerit finish seven axles. As well as the cab, on the hull of the Tiger and this there are various compartments makes for a fine combination. As is along each side housing usual with their small scale range, generators etc., and these are tracks are one-piece mouldings in all nicely detailed panels. The DS Styrene which actually works missile container is big, and rather well in this scale, along with it has a stout cradle which it the later all-steel roadwheels. The fits into. Clear plastic parts are exhaust shields are in pre-formed provided for the cab glazing and brass. Not a difficult assembly job even the wing mirrors. A lot of and overall a neat combination of parts for a small scale model, so tank and figures. Our thanks to plenty to keep you busy during Dragon Models for our sample. UK the build process. importers are The Hobby Company. With everything to be painted dark green, except the chassis and wheel hubs which are all The Plastic black, it is an imposing model Soldier Company that will definitely stand out The latest addition to their range in any small scale vehicle of 15mm (1:100) scale models, collection, in whichever position aimed primarily at wargamers, you decide to pose the missile. features the Lloyd Carrier and The Zvezda range is imported to the 6pdr anti-tank gun. It follows the UK by The Hobby Company, on from their release of this in who kindly provided our sample. compartment at the back for use hatches for the commander’s the larger 20mm (1:72) scale a as an armoured ambulance. position, so you can fit a figure in few months ago. You get four The kit is cast in polyurethane there if you choose to. Other than copies of the sprue in the box, ModellTrans resin and with the suspension the running gear, the rest of the which will produce four Lloyd Modellbau units cast as single units but assembly task is limited to a few Carriers and four 6pdr anti-tank An M4 HVSS ‘Ambutank’ of the looking very good. The hull is parts so not a difficult model. The guns, plus some crew figures. IDF is one of the ModellTrans nicely detailed and then you have only assembly guide are some The carrier itself is easy to make range which caught my eye, the running gear to add and track photos of the assembled model. up and looks really good, with though apparently it has been to fit. The sprockets and idlers The quality of the resin castings the full tilt also being included. available for a little while now. have the sections of track moulded is good, no blemishes on our Fit of parts is good and assembly It is an Israeli IDF conversion around them, so you just have the example, just be careful removing is quick and easy. For the 6pdr on the HVSS version and the straighter lengths to fit in place the casting feed blocks prior to you have a choice of towed or M4 Sherman, moving the one the running gear is in place on fitting everything together. My in-action configurations; with engine forward and creating a the hull. Good to see the separate thanks to ModellTrans Modellbau the trails together for towing for our sample. For more details or spread for a gun in action. or to order from them, see With the crew figures, for each their website at http://www. one, you have the seated crew modelltrans.de/home/ for the carrier (four figures for
BELOW: Box art for the Plastic Soldier Company 15mm scale Lloyd Carriers.
A new late production Tiger 1 in 1:72 scale now with crew figures.
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ABOVE: Useful set of French AFV camouflage colours from AK Interactive. BELOW: Colour modulation set of brown for WW1 British tanks, new from AK Interactive.
ABOVE: With two fixing liquids and four powders, this is the set for wet Algaes from Lifecolor. BELOW: For dry growth, Lifecolor also do this Lichen and Moss set, also with two fixing liquids and four powders.
each one) or the crew in action modellers, with a number of around the gun, and another four recent releases which cover figures for each gun. A couple related subjects most generally of spare ammunition boxes and associated with the defences on one with the lid open and rounds the Home Front. inside to set beside a gun in This resin kit is one of them, action. Assembly instructions are a Barr and Stroud UB 10 18ft included and they go together Height and Range Finder, used well. No transfers are included on static AA sites in the UK, but they do make these in 15mm often accompanying the well AFVs of WW1. The colours uniform Khaki, Again with a base scale as a separate series. With known British 3.7” AA gun. they include here are what they colour plus shadow and highlight the four complete combinations It is neatly cast and comes describe as Milky Coffee, French shades. Naturally you could mix and the figures included in the with a clear set of assembly Artillery Grey, French Brown your own, but a set like this does box, I reckon that these offer instructions, along with and then two shades of French make it even easier to get them good value for money. background historical notes. In Green. With models such as the right. For more details of AK The scale is popular for the UK they were often crewed St Chamond and the Renault Interactive, see their website at gamers these days and this is by members of the ATS, which FT-17 available in 1:35 scale http://ak-interactive.com/v2/ another good addition to their was one of the few roles that these days, not allowing for all There are two similar sets range. These are also good for that women were able to do in a the small scale models available recently released by Lifecolor, modellers who want to make combat role, though they didn’t on the market, this deserves with this one for ‘Algae’ featuring a diorama on a base that can crew the guns themselves. to be popular. The paints brush four coloured powders and take in a wider scene in a more There is no crew in with the set, on nicely, having had a go to try two coloured Fixer liquids. It is manageable size than you could though there is one available them out, and with a little thinner designed for those areas of wet do with larger scale models. separately for a suitable ATS will go well through an airbrush. algae (rather than the dryer lichens For more details or to order, crew. This is a simple enough An added bonus of course is that and mosses of their associated see their website at www. model, and one which tackles these colours will work for WW2 Combo set). The fixers include a theplasticsoldiercompany. an interesting subject that we equipment as well. very dark ‘Dirty green’ fixer, along co.uk/ seldom see covered in model Next, and ideal then for the with the lighter gloss ‘yellow form, in whatever scale. To recent WW1 Mk.IV tank kits by green’ alternative. The four colours order, or for more information, Tamiya and Takom, come three cover a very pale ‘Luxuriant Accessories see their website at www. modulation colours for Khaki Green’, down to a medium ‘Full- While I think we often see dantaylormodelworks.com/ Brown. With a Khaki Brown blown green’ and an even darker models of German Flak guns Among a number of recent Base, Shadow and Highlight green ‘Blight Plant’. The range of and their associated equipment, releases from AK Interactive shades these are good for colours is ideal for the edges of a I don’t think we see as much are a number of new sets of brushing, and with a little thinner dock, or perhaps round the hull of on British AA, or Ack-Ack acrylic paints. There are three to added, for use in an airbrush. a boat, and with the final colour equipment. Well Dan Taylor mention together this time as Lastly we come to another for the upper areas with a yellow Modelworks has addressed they are all WW1 related. Firstly variation on British Khaki, as their ochre colour for ‘Dried Plant’. Each that in some way for small scale a set of five colours for French third set is for British Infantry colour will work well blended into www.militarymodelling.com 57 AFV reviews
LEFT: New British subjects in the range from Archer Fine Transfers.
featuring Convoy and Heavy Vehicle markings. Not only the red warning triangles, and yellow ‘Long Vehicle’ and ‘Wide Load’ signs, but also a couple of those large boards carried on the front of the Box art image for the new 1:48 Tank Transporters when they scale Albion Refueller from Airfix. operated in West Germany. Just the sort of thing to look good on the front of a model Antar perhaps. A simple set in itself, but very striking on a dark green Transfers model. It is available direct Three recent releases in the range from Kingfisher Miniatures, the next, and mixing them can get of Archer Fine Transfers water- 9 Plaza Court, Eriswell Road, additional effects of course and slide transfers cover 1:35 scale Worthing, West Sussex BN11 colour variation. British Markings for WW2. The first 3GZ. Their website is www. The second set features features UK Army Group, Army kingfisherminiatures.co.uk Airfix are to produce the Bedford Lichens and Mosses, effectively and Corps unit signs (AR77029). and you can email them at MWD in 1:48 scale. dryer plant growths (their other A colourful sheet, it includes 21st [email protected] set is for Algae which is a damp/ Army Group in NW Europe, along A recent addition to the wet alternative). There are two with some Corps that were active range of small scale transfers ‘Fixer’ liquids, a Gloss Lime and in Italy as well. To go with these from Dan Taylor Modelworks a darker Gloss ‘Muddy’ fixer. are two different sets of AOS (Arm will work for both 1:72 and They come along with four of Service) signs, again for Army 1:76 scale models, and feature different shades of ‘Powder’, Group, Army and Corps level units. enough for eight models of which is a larger grain than the One (AR77033) has the green or the inter-war period British pigments we are already familiar green/blue background with white Vickers Medium Mk.II. It was with. Four different colours for numbers, for Recce Regiments, outdated by the start of WW2, these powders, a pale ‘Sprout Infantry, HQ and Support Groups, though some were used for The new German Wagon Green’, a mid-green for the ‘Lush while the other (AR77035) has the training, and a couple sent to announced by Riich Models. Plant’, a dark green for ‘Rotten blue backgrounds associated with the Middle East where they Plant’ and an orange colour for the Royal Engineer units attached did see action. Dan’s set has ‘Fall Season’. Each will work well to British Armoured Divisions. Each number plates and tactical on its own but they can also be set has a very good quality set of markings for eight tanks, and mixed/blended together to get transfers, along with a full set of are designed to go primarily additional effects. background notes explaining what with the 1:76 scale resin Simple to paint on the fixer, is what, and when and where they model from Milicast, one then sprinkle on the powder. (I’d were used. I may be biased, but which was originally mastered do this over a sheet of paper) good to see some more British by Dan. Printing is nice and Then shake off the excess, which subjects being covered. Thanks crisp on good-quality, well can then be recovered and put to Archers for our samples, and printed transfer paper, printed Box art image for the new 1:35 scale back in the bottle, or re-applied as Archer Fine Transfers are available by Fantasy Printshop. Nice to Versuchsflakwagen fur 8.8cm FlaK 37 necessary. I found it nice and easy via their website at www. see some markings for the auf Sonderfahrgestell from Bronco. to use and the end result quick and archertransfers.com Vickers Medium, and Dan also effective. The other advantage is One of the larger small scale provides background notes on News that it works well with pretty much models which always remain the markings, vehicle colours Well, we are into the new any scale. Lifecolor products are popular is a tank transporter and etc. To order or for more year, and that usually means available in the UK via the importer, load. Very handy then is a recent information, see their website at eagerly waiting to hear what The Airbrush Company Ltd at set of transfers in the range www.dantaylormodelworks. will appear to tempt us during www.Airbrushes.com from Kingfisher Miniatures, com/ MM the rest of the year. A couple of new 1:48 scale vehicles have already been announced by Airfix, along with some equally welcome new model aircraft. They are set to release 1:48 scale models of both an Albion AM463 3-point Refueller and a Bedford MWD. Other news includes a release due soon of a German horse-drawn wagon, the HF.7 Stahlfeldwagen in 1:35 scale from Riich Models, while Bronco are set to do the Versuchsflakwagen fur 8.8cm ABOVE: Small scale Convoy Markings, a recent set of transfers from Kingfisher Miniatures. RIGHT: Small scale FlaK 37 auf Sonderfahrgestell. markings for the Vickers Medium Mk.II
58 Military Modelling Vol.45 No.2 2015 AFV reviews
The huge 2S7M due in 1:35 scale by Trumpeter.
Trumpeter 1:35 scale T-62 Mod 1960.
HMS Dreadnought in 1:350 scale by Trumpeter.
T-72B/B1 with Kontakt 1 reactive armour by Trumpeter in 1:35 scale.
USS Colorado BB-45 in 1:700 scale by Trumpeter.
Box art for the new Trumpeter 1:35 scale BRDM-2 NBC variant.
Merit are to release the soft top cab variation on their M19 Tank Transporter in 1:35 scale.
GAZ-39371 Vodnik due from Trumpeter in 1:35 scale.
In 1:48 scale, this US Elco PT boat will be a big model.
Soviet D-74 122mm field gun due from Trumpeter. In 1:350 scale Merit will also be releasing the USS Yorktown.
Importers Pocketbond have told include variants of both T-62 and along with two warship kits. combination, a 1:48 scale Elco PT us of some new arrivals due into T-72, the NBC version of the At the same time from Merit boat plus a 1:350 scale aircraft them in February including eight BRDM2, Vodnik MPV, 122mm Models a soft-top cab on the carrier, the USS Yorktown. Plenty new kits from Trumpeter which Field gun and the huge SP 2S7, Diamond T M19 tank transporter to keep us going!
www.militarymodelling.com 59 MAFVA
The MAFVA column News and views from the Miniature Armoured Fighting Vehicle Association John Ham provides a review of some of the WW1 Commemoration Events held in 2014.
here can be very few people in Western we will have the centenaries of the first use of the Europe who will be unaware that 2014 tank in the Somme fighting of 1916, and the first Twas the centenary of the Great War, with recorded tank vs. tank action in 1917. numerous military and cultural commemoration This month’s MAFVA column is a review of some events to mark the occasion. The global conflict of the WW1 related events and models seen at involved over 100 nations and caused over 37 shows over the last year. Particular highlights were million military and civilian casualties. For those the WW1 Commemoration Day at Bovington’s Tank of us interested in military vehicles, WW1 saw Museum, and the Tracks to Trenches weekend at the invention and use of tanks and increasing the Apedale Valley Light Railway, Stoke on Trent. TOP: A 100-years of history apart mechanisation of the principal combatant armies. This is a working narrow gauge railway with WW1 seen at Bovington – the Megatron The first operational use of fighting vehicles, in a locomotives and rolling stock, and the event day Challenger of the Armoured Trials Development Unit with all the form that we would recognise, was in 1914, by the was supported by military vehicles, infantry and latest mod cons, contrasts with the unarmoured Belgian Minerva machine gun cars; cavalry re-enactment groups, and model layouts. Warhorse movie reproduction Mk.IV tank. All photos, unless otherwise development of armoured cars by the Royal Naval John Ham credited, by the author. Air Service followed. Over the next three years [email protected] MM
ABOVE LEFT: Where it all began, Little Willie at the Tank Museum and the subject of the MAFVA logo. ABOVE RIGHT: A handsomely restored Matchless Motorcycle and Vickers Machine Gun Sidecar Combo exhibited by WW1 re-enactors at the Bovington WW1 Day. Part of a Russian order in 1917, it was embargoed and used by the British Army as a result of Russian political instability. The Heavy Section Machine Gun Corps of WW1 evolved into the Tank Corps.
60 Military Modelling Vol.45 No.2 2015 MAFVA
ABOVE LEFT: The Mk.IV Tank in Ashford town centre. This is the only UK survivor of the Presentation Tanks that, after WW1, were gifted to towns and cities that were notable war effort fund-raisers. A short diversion into Ashford from the M20 en route to the On Track show in February will enable viewing. The rear has been re-built, but this view may be useful in conjunction with recent Mk.IV kit releases. ABOVE RIGHT: Renault FT-17 runner seen at Saumur Musée des Blindés on a Cambs MAFVA trip, and forerunner of contemporary tank design with a gun turret surmounting the hull and tracks. Bill Hanna has a gite in the outskirts of Saumur, who also offers discounts to MAFVA members (www.lechapy.com)
ABOVE: This scratchbuilt 1:76 scale Holt Tractor by Graham Cobb was voted ‘Best of Show’ at the London MAFVA Open Day in October. ABOVE: Beds MAFVA and Chilterns club member Barry Wood with his WW1 commemorative model display at Tracks to Trenches.
ABOVE: A trio of trucks (left to right, AEC, Dennis, Hallford) seen at the MAFVA Nationals, IWM Duxford.
ABOVE: Foden Type W Compound Steam Lorry at Tracks to Trenches. Using an older technology before the widespread availability of reliable internal combustion powered transport, this vehicle was originally built as a tractor in 1917, but converted to a 5-ton wagon and shipped to France.
RIGHT: Sound Mirrors on the coast near Folkestone, the On Track show venue. Before the invention of radar, sound mirrors were used to detect approaching enemy aircraft, but became obsolete as aircraft became faster. These are post-WW1, but there are a few survivors on the North-East Coast erected in 1916 for early detection of the Zeppelin bombing raids. (Photo: Trevor Claringbold, Kudos Media) www.militarymodelling.com Books
chassis but not integrated into it. It proved successful in action, but On Parade still too light for hard use and had insufficient room for ammunition stowage. Meanwhile Alkett had Books, magazines and DVDs reviewed been working on mounting new, lighter, version of the 15cm s.I.G. The Editor welcomes publications for review. Unless on the Panzer IV chassis. This a prior arrangement has been made with the Editor Panzer Tracts No.8- became the Sturmpanzer. review samples WILL NOT be returned. 1 Sturmpanzer – An initial series of 60 was Sturminfanteriegeschütz produced on rebuilt Panzer IVs All samples intended for review in ‘On Parade’ should 33, Sturmpanzer and by May 1943 and further orders be sent direct to the Editor at the address listed under Munitionspanzer development were placed. Production halted ‘Editorial’ on the contents page. and production from 1942 to for a time while new steel-tyred 1945 by Hilary Louis Doyle, roadwheels were designed to Lukas Friedli and Thomas L. take the vehicle’s weight, which Jentz. Published by Panzer had produced great wear on their Tracts, P.O. Box 312, Boyds, MD original rubber tyres, but resumed Duke’s war machine and the 20841, USA. Available in the UK by late 1943 and continued conduct of war in the early from Bookworld Wholesale, Unit right up to March 1945 with a 18th century, is of particular 10 Hodfar Road, Sandy Lane redesigned superstructure on later interest and value. Despite Industrial Estate, Stourport-on- Sturmpanzers. All of this, together the difficulties of coalition Severn, Worcestershire DY13 with the use of rebuilt early Panzer warfare, Marlborough as 9QB. Price £28.99. IV chassis, gave a wide range of Queen Anne’s Captain- www.panzertracts.com features and fittings so perhaps General, commanded [email protected] it isn’t surprising that the true troops from Great Britain, www.bookworldws.co.uk division into four Ausführungs has Holland, Prussia, Hanover, The Sturmpanzer (often wrongly failed to be widely understood. Denmark and a number of called Brummbär) is a favourite A Munitionspanzer version was smaller German states. His modelling subject for many of us, also produced, with an armoured leadership and interest in and this book is the best possible rotatable hatch in place of the gun improvements in weaponry reference for modellers. As always tank’s turret and no casemate and tactics enabled his with Panzer Tracts, it uses only superstructure. army to achieve German archive material so is All of these vehicles are clearly unprecedented success. free of Allied Intelligence’s usual described in this Panzer Tracts Marlborough’s War Machine The author’s work looks mistakes and misconceptions and shown in good photos, and 1702-1711 by James Falkner. at the performance of the based on inadequate information. Hilary Doyle’s 1:35 scale multi- Pen & Sword Books Ltd, army, plus the political Just for a start, the book makes it view plans are excellent. First 47 Church Street, Barnsley, background to the campaigns, clear that there was no such thing we get two pages of s.I.G. 33 South Yorkshire S70 2AS. the financing of the war, as as a division into ‘early’ and ‘late’ plans, showing both the ‘original’ ISBN 978-1-84884-821-4. well as examining the way Sturmpanzers – there were actually and ‘wider’ suspensions of the Price £25. in which the troops were no fewer than four Ausführungs. tanks used for that conversion. [email protected] administered, paid and fed. After an introduction the Then there are no fewer than www.pen-and-sword.co.uk He also demonstrates how book begins with a look at the 17-pages of Sturmpanzer plans Blenheim, Ramillies, Marlborough’s victories in the Sturmpanzer’s origins in the covering all four Ausführungs, the Oudenarde and Malplaquet; War of Spanish Succession search for a way of carrying the Befehlspanzer command versions, much has been written established Great Britain as 15cm s.I.G. in a self-propelled and the Munitionspanzer. about the victories of the a major military power, laying and armoured vehicle. It was After the technical descriptions 1st Duke of Marlborough’s the foundation for the growing Germany’s standard heavy infantry of the various vehicles there’s a Anglo-Dutch army over the reputation of the British gun, but so heavy and short-ranged chapter about their use by all of forces of Louis XIV of France army in the 18th century and that its towed version couldn’t the Sturmpanzer units, including during the War of Spanish beyond. The author, having meet the needs of fast-moving their combat service and followed Succession (1701-1714). written a number of books on mechanised units. The first attempt by a table of issue dates and the Less attention, perhaps, has the period, knows his subject at a self-propelled version saw it unit each one went to. Next is a been focussed on the men and this certainly shows in this mounted on Panzer I chassis and chapter of reports of interrogations and the organisation that his latest contribution to the used in the French campaign. But of Sturmpanzer crewmen, and made these achievements history of the British army in the Panzer I wasn’t up to the job so finally a short one about the possible – the commanders, the early 18th century. Seven a widened and lengthened Panzer Munitionspanzer version. the soldiers, the army maps and 33 illustrations, all in II chassis was tried. Twelve of This book gives Sturmpanzer structure and administration, monochrome, support the text, these were built and used in North and s.I.G. 33 modellers the tactics, training, logistics, which is rounded off by two Africa, but the Panzer II suspension everything they could ask for to engineering, weapons and appendices – Timeline for the and drivetrain were inadequate for improve, detail and modify any of finally, the finance of war. War of Spanish Succession, the gun’s weight. the available kits. There are even This new title, providing as and Marlborough’s Regiments, It was therefore decided to use photos of the front and sides of it does, an account of the followed by extensive text the Panzer III chassis, and the the casemate interior to delights composition and operation of notes, a bibliography and s.I.G. 33 appeared in late 1942. those who want to fit out the Marlborough’s army, as well finally and index. This was a ‘quick fix’ solution interiors of their models. Very as offering an insight into the Stuart Asquith with an armoured box placed highly recommended. on top of a normal Panzer III John Prigent
62 Military Modelling Vol.45 No.2 2015 Books
qualified as ‘Super Heavy’ but One offshoot of the German the only ones to come from projects finally saw some sort of Panzerwrecks 18 – German that war were Germany’s service as a heavy tank destroyer Armour 1944-45 by Lee GrossKampf-Wagen – better when the 128mm gun intended Archer and William Auerbach. known as the K-Wagen – for them was mated to a King Published by Panzerwrecks. which was built just before Tiger chassis to produce the Available in the UK from the Armistice then scrapped Jagdtiger. Not many were built Panzerwrecks, PO Box 164, and France’s Char de Rupture and they made little impression Heathfield, Sussex TN21 8WA. the Char 2C which was on the battlefield. Two British ISBN 978-1-908032-10-2. intended for use in 1919 but and American projects for Price £16.99. arrived too late. A few were heavy AFVs were more like [email protected] built and might have been self-propelled guns. Tortoise www.panzerwrecks.com used in 1940 had they been mounted a converted 3.7” AA The latest release in the series more mechanically sound. In gun in a huge casting on tracks of Panzerwrecks books is the UK a heavy tank known while the American T28 - later without one particular theme, as TOG was begun in 1939 T95 and even later T28 again just this time being a collection of Super-Heavy Tanks of World and developed over several to confuse everyone - was so big varied yet interesting sets War II by Kenneth W. Estes. years but came to nothing for that it was designed to be partially of photos. Osprey New Vanguard various reasons. dismantled for transport. Both One of the opening topics No.216. Published by Osprey Meanwhile Germany were built in small numbers and covers the Jagdpanther, Publishing, Oxford. ISBN 978- embarked on several projects. tested before being abandoned. and shows some interesting 1-78200-383-0. Price £9.99. The mega tank Maus was A selection of black and white modifications to add extra www.ospreypublishing.com finally completed in time to be photos illustrate the different protection to the engine deck Tanks tend to be big and heavy destroyed before it could be vehicles built with drawings for by at least one unit. A couple of but some designs have been used with enough surviving those which did not get that far. ambush scenes are included, bigger and heavier than others. parts for one to be cobbled Colour plates show complete where some of the vehicles Generally they have been together as a war trophy by the vehicles including some ‘what- have come to a somewhat unsuccessful although the idea Red Army. An alternative design if’ ideas such as a Char 2C in catastrophic end, while there has lingered for a long time. The known as E100 was scrapped action in 1940 and a complete is of course the inclusion of various designs of such tanks before it was even finished. E100 in 1945. assorted Panther and Tigers developed up to the end of Japan’s O-I might have been Overall an interesting study (both I and II). Some particularly WW2 are all described here. impressive had it managed to of an idea which might have good photos of the steel Some of the early ‘Landship’ get off the drawing board while looked good but which proved roadwheels fitted to a Panther concepts from the early years the Soviet projects were also to be of little or less use. are included. Then for those of the Great War would have never built. Peter Brown with the Dragon kit, there is an excellent selection of photos which all feature the 8t Zugkraftwagen (SdKfz 7) fitted Panzerjäger 38(t) Hetzer of 1:16 scale 3-quarter views, with the wooden cargo body, & G-13 Vol.1 by Mariusz and with the standard scale in various states of destruction Motyka, Hubert Michalski, plans (both sides, top, front and and abandonment. As most Mike Koenig and Stefan back) in 1:48 scale. They include of the content is late-war, it is Draminski. Published by both the early and late versions, interesting to see the inclusion Kagero Books. Available in the Flammpanzer 38, the 38 of a number of early-war the UK from Casemate UK Starr and the s.I.G. 33/2 auf vehicles (such as a Panzer I Ltd, 10 Hythe Bridge Street, Jagdpanzer 38 and the later G13. Ausf A among others) still found Oxford OX1 2EW. Section 3 involves a good on the battlefields even late in ISBN 978-83-64596-13-1. selection of very detailed the war. Add some repossessed Price £16.99. photos, both inside and out, French armour, back in Allied casemate-uk@ of a preserve G13 held in a hands after use by the German casematepublishers.co.uk collection in the USA. Finally, forces, and a number of FlaK www.casematepublishing. section 4 involves the excellent vehicles such as the SdKfz 10/5 co.uk 3D computer generated images and there is another interesting Number 14 in the Photosniper of cutaway vehicles, and and varied range of equipment 3D series from Kagero covers detailed elements of the interior, seen in this latest title in the the Panzerjäger variant of the including seating, stowage, series. Almost all are full-page PzKpfw 38(t), the agile little factory was heavily bombed, radios and instrument panels images, along with well- Hetzer, and is just the first of and it was easier than building among other things. For anyone informed captioning. a planned 2-volume set. This a more complex turreted tank. fitting the interior to a model of So in conclusion, another one divides neatly into four Approved by Hitler himself, a Hetzer, the detail and colour addition to this Panzerwrecks basic sections. these went on to be produced guidance you can get from this series which I am sure will The first is the history of in large numbers by the end of is excellent. prove equally as popular as the the early development of the the war, well over 2,000. An So volume 1 is a really good rest of them. Lee Archer and Hetzer, how it was seen as a interesting story, and illustrated start, we just have to wait and the team do an excellent job quick solution to getting new with archive photos. see what other goodies will be in finding these good-quality vehicles back up to the required Second there come a number included in volume 2. photos with each new release. production levels after the of sets of scale drawings. A mix Robin Buckland Robin Buckland www.militarymodelling.com 63 Books
Trackstory No.14 – Panhard 178 German hands. After the end by Pascal Danjou. Published by of WW2 it went on to serve Editions du Barbotin. French units as far afield as ISBN 978-2-917661-15-4. Indo-China, fitted with the Number 14 in their Trackstory later FL2 turret. It is illustrated series of small format throughout with some excellent paperbacks from Editions du archive photos, most of which Barbotin is a new edition of have not been seen before. their title on the Panhard 178 Modellers, especially those armoured car. Text throughout, who enjoyed Steve Zaloga’s including the photo captions, is build of the old Dragon kit in last in both French and English. month’s issue, will be interested The Panhard 178 was a very in the 26 good-quality colour successful armoured car and, new up-gunned turrets. profiles along with details of after the defeat of France in This neat little book tells the specific unit markings as well. All 1940, the German Army took development history of the this and it’s priced at just 16.50 them on and used them with type, as well as the service Euros, so good value for money. a few modifications, including history in both French and Robin Buckland Waterloo – Myth and Reality by Gareth Glover. Pen & Sword Books Ltd, 47 Church Japanese base being taken in protection fitted to them as well Street, Barnsley, South mid-1944. This well illustrated as earlier and later versions. Yorkshire S70 2AS. and informative book relates During the 1973 Yom Kippur ISBN 978-178159-356-1. the story of this operation and War many Israeli tanks had been Price £25. presents the reader with a knocked out by hollow-charge anti- [email protected] concise, readable summary. In tank missiles and rockets such as www.pen-and-sword.co.uk keeping with other works in the the Soviet-supplied SAGGER and More has probably been written Images of War series, this title RPG-7. Their warheads produced about the 1815 Waterloo features many rare monochrome a jet of very hot and very fast gas campaign than any other in photos from wartime archives. which burned through armour history, but the combination Stuart Asquith plate causing injuries, damage and of national bias, possibly wilful worse to crews and equipment. distortion and basic error has The ultimate response to this led to the traditional accepted was a completely new type of version being significantly composite armour used in later incorrect. Oft repeated claims generations of tanks but that have slowly become facts and was not easy to add to existing with the 200th Anniversary Images of War – Stilwell vehicles. They were to be fitted of the battles soon to be and the Chindits, The Allied with what is known as ‘Explosive commemorated, the author of Campaign in Northern Burma Reactive Armour’ or ERA, the this new title decided it is time 1943-1944, Rare Photographs type fitted to Israeli tanks being these myths were challenged from Wartime Archives by developed in Israel and often and finally dismissed. Jon Diamond. Pen & Sword known as ‘Blazer’. As a result, experienced Books Ltd, 47 Church Street, This involved fitting metal author Mr. Glover offers a radical Barnsley, South Yorkshire S70 boxes containing explosive around re-assessment of the history 2AS. ISBN 178383198-7. a vehicle. When the jet from a of the Waterloo campaign, Price £16.99. hollow-charge warhead touches dispelling the myths and [email protected] the explosive it detonates and misunderstandings associated www.pen-and-sword.co.uk blows the outer face of the box with the battle and presents This title covers the events of outwards. Feeding more metal for the first time extracts 1943-1944 that led to the Allied Centurion Tanks of the IDF into the jet as well as the explosive from newly discovered first- victory over the Japanese in Volume 7 - Shot Kal Gimel force itself reduces the effect hand accounts, based on his northern Burma on the Chinese by Dr. Robert Manasherob. on the armour behind. While it extensive research in British border. American General Published by SabIngaMartin has drawbacks it can be fitted and continental archives over Joseph Stilwell was ordered to Publications. ISBN 978-0- to existing tanks. On the SHOT a 10-year period. In doing so train several Chinese divisions in 9916235-2-5. KAL as Centurions were known he provides a very readable India and together with Merrill’s www.sabingamartin.com in IDF service, these blocks were and balanced account of the Marauders – an American jungle The Israeli army upgraded its added to the hull front, mantlet campaign while challenging the fighting volunteer unit – advance Centurion tanks several times. and forward slope of the turret. claims and myths, supporting to seize the important Japanese Fitting new American-designed The existing stowage boxes on his views with clear evidence. base at Myitkyina. Brigadier Orde automotive parts, improved the turret sides and above the This is fascinating stuff and Wingate and his brigade (known cupola with more protection trackguards helped protect those the author’s work will surely as the Chindits) had penetrated for the commander plus areas but additional blocks were be a most useful addition to Japanese lines and a subsequent hydraulic turret traverse and gun placed to protect those parts of the the Waterloo – and indeed, Chindit operation went ahead to stabilisation systems resulted in turret side not covered by them. Napoleonic – bookshelf. coincide with General Stilwell’s the Gimel or ‘Mark C’. However, Although these blocks were Recommended. advance. The operation was these changes were not as standard items the actual design Stuart Asquith successful and led to the obvious as the additional armour did vary because of the basic
64 Military Modelling Vol.45 No.2 2015 Books
tank. The IDF designated early- model Centurions as ‘Mk.3’ and One-Hour Wargames – addressed both these problems ‘Mk.5’ based on the position of Practical Tabletop Battles for and offers the possibility of the loader’s periscope. Some those with Limited Time and playing a game in around also had extra armour plates Space by Neil Thomas. Pen & an hour on a normal dining on the glacis so alternative Sword Books Ltd, 47 Church room table. His book contains designs for the hull front and Street, Barnsley, South eight sets of simple rules for turret roof were produced to Yorkshire S70 2AS. ISBN various periods from ancients fit the two types. Other detail 1473822904. Price £12.99. to WW2 and 30 scenarios changes were also introduced [email protected] that can be played out on a such as stowage bins and www.pen-and-sword.co.uk 3ft x 3ft battlefield. Further, spare track moved, modified Generally speaking, one of the rules require only a small headlights and new exhaust the biggest problems facing number of figures, so this really outlet covers. Early conversions wargamers is finding the time is a great way to get back to were often seen in training with to actually play a game. Most some planned or impromptu fittings for the blocks but not commercially available rule sets wargaming. Quite simply, this the blocks themselves but they require a fair amount of time to another important consideration is a well thought out, most were widely used during the set up and then play through is that of the required playing inspiring book – all credit to the operations in Lebanon in 1982. to a conclusion and for many space, which usually constrains author for an excellent addition The full story is described in wargamers this can result in their the opportunities for a game. to the wargaming library. this book but modellers will be figures being only rarely used. In his new book, experienced Highly recommended. more interested in the photos. Apart from the time aspect, wargamer Neil Thomas has Stuart Asquith These include mostly black and white images of the SHOT KAL with ERA in training and action without and with the blocks fitted with a separate series of After an introduction with vehicles for V2 units. The final detailed colour close-up views extra information about the chapter is about the special showing tanks again in both basic unarmoured vehicle, armour kits produced for fitting states with the emphasis on supplementing what’s in by Flak units to their tractors the Gimel fittings as well as the Panzer Tracts 22-4 and giving and rangefinder carriers. extra armour. full production figures, it All of these are of course Scale drawings illustrate actually begins with the special accompanied by a fine selection the different styles of hull and armoured tractor for the 8.8cm of photos, together with 1:35 turret blocks and there are ‘bunkerknackers’ that were scale multi-view plans (which three sets of five-view 1:35 converted from FlaK 18 anti- are all together in the book’s scale plans covering three aircraft guns, with 10-pages centre, not split between the variations of tanks. Colour and about these and the guns they chapters). Twenty-one pages of markings schemes get their own towed. Next come the anti- plans, in fact, nearly a quarter of section with both basic written aircraft versions, first those the book! For the Bunkerknacker descriptions and colour plates with the 2cm Flakvierling. Here there are not just plans of the show cover different tanks with is everything you could ask armoured tractor but also of the a mixture of side and partial for about the changes to the 8.8cm gun, both in towed and views showing markings. As Panzer Tracts No.22- vehicle during production and ground action positions. The usual these are based on the 5 Gepanzerter 8t the variants of the 4-barreled Flakvierling carrier has plans photos elsewhere in the book Zugkraftwagen & Sfl. Flak FlaK gun. for three different versions, as which themselves have very (Sd.Kfz.7) by Thomas L. Jentz, For the sake of completeness built in 1940, 1942, and 1944, informative captions. Hilary Louis Doyle and Lukas there’s a page about the and the 3.7cm carrier is shown In short, this book gives Friedli. Published by Panzer unarmoured carrier for a 5cm by plans of those built in 1942, modellers all they need to create Tracts, P.O. Box 312, Boyds, FlaK 41, which was cancelled 1943, 1944, and 1945 – the early models of one or more variations MD 20841, USA. Available with only 60 guns built because versions of both had unarmoured of these tanks. Coverage is little in the UK from Bookworld it was too heavy, and then bodies but were officially classed short of amazing and all sections Wholesale, Unit 10 Hodfar a long chapter about the as armoured because of their complement each other to Road, Sandy Lane Industrial armoured carrier for the 3.7cm armour gunshields. The final produce an excellent reference Estate, Stourport-on-Severn, FlaK 36, 37 and 43. Again, five-view plan deals with the V2 resource. Both on its own and Worcestershire DY13 9QB. full details are given about control vehicle. together with earlier and promise Price £28.99. changes during production If you are interested in the books on Israeli Centurions it is a www.panzertracts.com – did you know there was kits or conversions available first-rate addition to your library. [email protected] more than one type of lower for the Flak carriers or the My copy was generously sent www.bookworldws.co.uk carriage for the gun? After Bunkerknacker gun and its for review by the author, copies This is a Panzer Tracts book that that there’s a chapter about tractor, or want to scratchbuild can be bought through his I’ve been looking forward to the special-bodied (though any of the other versions, this website priced at US $40 plus reading – in fact I pre-ordered unarmoured) carriers for Flak book is absolutely essential postage. Ordering details are on it some time ago – and it didn’t units’ rangefinders and fire for all those little details of the the site, payment using PayPal is disappoint me! It covers all control predictors to complete different versions as well as to accepted. It is also available from the armoured versions of the the coverage of Flak vehicles, check the accuracy of the kits. several UK dealers so check your 8-tonne half-track, not just the followed by one about the very Highly recommended! favourite supplier if you prefer. self-propelled FlaK types. odd-looking armoured control John Prigent Peter Brown www.militarymodelling.com 65 Books
Stuart Asquith’s round up of Confederate, a versatility that can T-26 Light Tank: Backbone of British Paratrooper 1940-45 some of the recent releases accommodate their preferences the Red Army (New Vanguard (Warrior 174) by Rebecca from Osprey. and figure collections without 218) by Steven Zaloga. Skinner. ISBN 978-1-4728-0512-6. www.ospreypublishing.com sacrificing either playability or ISBN 978-1-4728-0625-3. Price £11.99. historical accuracy. Featuring Price £9.99. Winston Churchill called for The Knights of the Round full colour maps and photos of The T-26 was arguably one of the the formation of Britain’s 5,000 Table (Myths and Legends 13) wargame figures ‘in action’ this is best tanks of the 1930s, as well as strong airborne force in June by Daniel Mersey. a superb publication for the Civil being the most produced, with the 1940. From these beginnings ISBN 978-1-4728-0616-1. War wargamer and/or buff alike. Soviet Union building more T-26s The Parachute Regiment has Price £11.99. Well done Osprey! than all the tanks built by France become one of the most This latest series title collects and Germany combined. In the formidable units of the British the most interesting, exciting World War I Battlefield Spanish Civil War, the machine so army. This new title, written and important tales of the Artillery Tactics (Elite 199) impressed the Nationalists that by the former curator of the Knights of the Round Table and by Dale Clarke. they preferred to use captured regimental museum, looks explains their place in the greater ISBN 978-1-78200-590-2. T-26s rather than their own types. at the training, weapons and Arthurian tradition as well as Price £11.99. The T-26 also saw action in Finland equipment used by these elite their impact and relevance on At the outbreak of the Great and the Soviet-Japanese border troops. This is the story of the modern storytelling. The knights War European armies were clashes and on the eve of the formation, development and battled magic and monsters, equipped and trained for mobile 1941 German invasion, it formed combat performance of the men rescued damsels in distress and warfare, with the artillery the backbone of the Red Army’s who were at the forefront of the fought to keep the peace in King supporting the infantry and tank force. This is the first detailed fight against Nazi Germany, from Arthur’s Britain. Such tales as cavalry in a manner arguably work in English and charts the their baptism of fire atOperation Lancelot’s rescue of Guinevere, unchanged from the days of full history of the T-26, from its Biting (the Bruneval raid) in Yvain’s encounter with a dragon Napoleonic warfare. A year origins as a license built version of February 1942, through to D-Day and Gawain’s contest with the later the stalemate of trench the Vickers six ton tank, through and Operation Market Garden. fearsome Green Knight have warfare presented wholly the numerous developments and served as the basis for many fairy different challenges on a refinements that made it one of Fall Gelb 1940 (2): Airborne tales and much modern fantasy. previously unimaginable scale. the 1930’s best tanks. However, assault on the Low Countries This book is a nice collection ‘Industrial age’ artillery became the T-26 was finally outclassed (Campaign 265) by Douglas of tales concerning the original now massed to quite literally when it faced the Wehrmacht’s Dildy. ISBN 978-1-4728-0274-3. knights in shining armour. shape, or rather re-shape, armoured onslaught, suffering Price £14.99. the battlefield, but even the catastrophic losses in the process. In the wake of the Polish Across a Deadly Field – The War devastating firepower unleashed surrender, Hitler’s attention in the East by John Hill. in 1916 proved unable to The Spanish Civil War 1936-39 turned to defeating the ISBN 978-1-4728-0261-3. break the deadlock. The key (2): Republican Forces French army and its allies. The Price £25. to eventual success was the (Men-at-Arms 498) by Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe The beautifully produced The development of techniques for Alejandro de Quesada. attacked Belgium, Holland and War in the East, a supplement locating targets and delivering ISBN 978-1-78200-785-2. northern France in another for John Hill’s Across a Deadly the complex, co-ordinated Price £9.99. devastating and successful Field, provides players with the barrages that gave the infantry The Spanish Civil War, sparked by blitzkrieg, relying on speed, resources to re-create the battles, a fighting chance to reach Franco’s military uprising in July feints and manoeuvre as much both great and small, of the and take the enemy trench 1936, was the major European as being the superior force. eastern theatre of the American lines. By 1918 new methods prelude to WW2. This book This book charts the progress Civil War. The wargamer can of intelligence gathering, explains the structure of the of an unprecedented ‘lightning step into the shoes (boots?) of communications, command and loyalist Republican forces, including war’ which saw the first ever Robert E. Lee and drive towards control, as well as combined the militias from which the Popular airborne assault carried out at Washington with the Army of arms operations had been Army was formed; its units and strategic level and the largest Northern Virginia or take command brought close to perfection, formations, both Spanish and clash of armour to date. The of the Army of the Potomac and but these techniques had been foreign volunteers; its weapons text includes sections on the attempt to capture Richmond. learned at a terrible cost. This as well as the tank and air support opposing commanders, plans With scenarios, including an new title tells the story of provided by the Soviet Union. and forces, with extensive optional extensive mini-campaign technical, tactical and doctrinal The text includes a chronology, orders of battle for German, for the first day of Gettysburg (1st evolution, explaining the representative orders of battle and Allied and neutral forces at 10th July 1863) and special rules aiming advances in the employment unit combat histories. (The Spanish May 1940. (Note: Fall Gelb 1940 to enhance game play, this book of artillery during the Great War Civil War (1): Nationalist Forces is (1): Panzer breakthrough in the offers players, whether Union or 1914-1918. Men-at-Arms 495.) West is Campaign 264.)
66 Military Modelling Vol.45 No.2 2015 New Year Special Try any title for £1* Have you made a New Year’s Resolution yet? This year, why not make it to spend time on a hobby you’ll really enjoy? To help you out with this you can try any of our magazines below for just £1 with no obligation to continue! You could even treat someone else…
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series of vehicles that were is not a bit of an interior in numbered in the FV600 series. either the hull or turret, so the Atten-Shun! The armoured car member of latter will need figures or some the family, the Saladin, was work to fill the openings if the FV601 and used the same 6 x hatches are left open. The Product Review Column 6 chassis to all of its relations. The very beefy suspension It was a compact vehicle with is nicely done so that the parts The Editor welcomes product samples for review. a Rolls-Royce V-8 engine and are ‘ganged’ together – four Unless a prior arrangement has been made with the sufficient fuel for a road range shock absorber/spring unit at Editor review samples WILL NOT be returned. of 400 kilometres, armed with a each corner and three per side 76mm short gun and two .30” in the centre. The mudguard/ All product samples intended for review in ‘Atten-Shun!’ machine guns, one coaxial and fender units are built up from should be sent direct to the Editor at the address listed one free mount on the turret. elements and components but under ‘Editorial’ on the contents page. Protected by 16mm armour the stowage bins are sealed. and able to fire either HESH, The turret hatches may be HE or HEAT ammunition, it was permitted to operate if the a very capable machine when modeller so desires but as introduced in 1958. noted there is no interior in Over its 14-year production the turret nor is there any run 1,177 Saladins were built and interior face to the hatches. wound up in the armies of some The latter is surprising in this 36 countries, with their most day and age and I am sure recent usage being in 2009. some enterprising after-market Some probably last remember company will address that with them as part of the Kuwaiti a detail set for this kit. defence forces in 1990 valiantly The smoke projectors all are trying to fight off Iraqi T-72 tanks provided as separate parts and as seen on their TV screens. each cluster consists of some The vehicle has always been nine parts. The only etched-brass popular with modellers but not part in the kit is the grille screen model companies. The only two for the rear vents in the hull. styrene kits of this vehicle up Six different finishing options until now have been a very bad are provided: B Sqn 1 RTR and ancient one from Tamiya Cyprus 1975 (black/green with (sized for a motor package and number plates); ‘British Army’ not scale per se) a 1:76 scale one (black/green with code 31 and from JB Models, later marketed number plates); Queen’s Royal by Airfix, plus an HO one from Irish Hussars, Brunei 1963 ROCO. Resin kits have been (black/green with code 31, around for several years, but this crossed scimitars and number kit (item 3554) is the first new plates); A Sqn Queen’s Own mould version of a Saladin to hit Hussars, 1966 (green overall, the market. unit insignia, number plates); Dragon at least asked two B Sqn 3 RTR Sharjah, Persian highly knowledgeable people Gulf 1968 (sand/green, unit about the Saladin: Ken Jones, insignia, number plates); B Sqn previous editor of MM, and 3 RTR Sharjah, Persian Gulf Peter Brown, a past editor 1968 (sand/green – different of the Track-Link. The result scheme, unit insignia, number matches all of my references for plates). A small but very busy the vehicle, and as noted above Cartograf sheet is provided for is very petite compared to the the markings. Tamiya kit of years gone by. Overall this is a nicely done It come with a two-piece kit, but for the cost a few hull (upper and lower) so that more details would have been in theory an FV603 Saracen or appreciated. FV620 Stalwart could also be Cookie Sewell coming behind it as they all Price £49.99 share the same drive line and Dragon Models Ltd., Kong Nam components. The model uses Industrial Building, 10/F, B1, Dragon’s successful wheel 603-609 Castle Peak Road, Dragon Models Ltd scout cars, reconnaissance cars, system of a DS plastic tyre Tsuen Wan, New Territories, British Armoured Car Saladin and security vehicles of varying with no mould lines to speak Hong Kong. Tel: 2493 0215. Mk.2 in 1:35 scale mobility and firepower. After the of and a styrene backing plate Fax: 2411 0587. The British Army, more so than war they took their time finding and rear section, which gives [email protected] many others, has preferred suitable replacements for the the best overall representation www.dragon-models.com wheeled vehicles for many WW2 vehicles. of the tyres and wheels. UK distributors, The Hobby missions and used a plethora of The big winner here was While most of the hatches are Company, Milton Keynes them in WW2 – armoured cars, Alvis, who designed a complete separate components, there MK5 8PG.
70 Military Modelling Vol.45 No.2 2015 Product reviews
wearing a traditional Afghan Pakol depicts a civilian in a natural on his head and a Perahan tunban. pose the figure will be easy to The perahan is a loose fitting top paint. There have been only and the trousers are likely to be a few civilian figures so this a tunbun which are loose fitting may prove popular as there trousers. He is also wearing a have been quite a number of jacket which is open and on his suitable models that it could feet he is wearing sandals. accompany. As the figure is The figure arrives in a small wearing traditional Afghan garb Ziploc bag and is made up of the figure is not limited to a four pieces, a head, body, left particular time frame so can arm and the left foot. Each part depict pretty much any era. has a pour plug that will need to Highly recommended, for all be removed, though luckily they figure modellers especially those are in relatively unobtrusive with an interest in modelling places and should therefore vehicles that have appeared in Wilder leg curled under his left leg. be easy to remove and clean Afghanistan. The head could Resting Afghan Man figure The figure has been produced up. Assembly will be easy as be changed for a younger head in 1:35 scale in association with a Russian the left arm is keyed to ensure but please be aware that the Wilder is a relatively new company based in Moscow called that it will fit correctly, the head majority of Afghan makes do manufacturer although the DN Order. The figure arrives in and the foot sit naturally in sport a beard, and the clothing is name behind this brand is not. very small cardboard box that the collar and trouser leg. Dry accurate for the region. Adam Wilder is known in the will protect the figure in transit. fitting will ensure that the foot Brian O’Donoghue modelling world for some of The box has a wraparound label sits correctly when the foot is Price £14.99 his stunning models featuring which features two photos of positioned. The sculpting is very The Airbrush Company, realistic weathering. the completed figure that can be fine and the modeller will need 79 Marlborough Road (East), This is Wilder’s first figure used as a guide. to ensure that this fine detail is Lancing Business Park, Lancing, (item HDF-RS-3502) and depicts The figure is sculpted as an not lost under a layer of paint. West Sussex BN15 8UF. an Afghan male sat on the floor, older male complete with a This is a simple figure and [email protected] or a flat surface, with his right trimmed beard. He is depicted as is a welcome release as it www.airbrushes.com
Each set products three different widths of hand grab presses – 3mm, 4mm and 5mm. These are handy for armour models as the first two match up well for tie-downs or footman’s loops in many vehicles, and the latter one is about right for most hatch lift handles. All the modeller has to do is insert the wire and press down on the tool to create a perfect bent grab. The tools all come with six wire slots but only the first three are of the same overall depth (about 2.5mm). The last three are reduced with the last one being about 1mm deep. The kit also shows how to make locking levers out of the results by trimming one end off close to the top. Overall, until now you had to use a jig, locking press, locking Master Tools bender such as a ‘Grab Handler’ Handrail Jigs or everyone’s old favourite, There are a number of things all needle nosed (flat jawed) pliers. modellers hate to deal with and This eliminates it but with the with the age of ‘super-detailing’ one fact that the largest size is (usually adding details the only 0.15”/0.4mm so heavy wire manufacturer left out) or resin or tools it is usually a royal pain tools to press out identical hand will have to be done the old- kits one of the biggest pains is trying to make several of them grabs with little effort (item fashioned way. adding lift handles, hand grabs, the exact same size. 09921). There are three provided Cookie Sewell or hand holds. They usually have Master Tools from China (a in the set for two different sizes Price £5.99 to be made from bent wire or subsidiary of Trumpeter) now of wire - 0.3mm (0.010”) and UK distributors Pocketbond, styrene rod and even with a jig offers this nice new set of six 0.4mm (0.015”). PO Box 80, Welwyn, AL6 0ND. www.militarymodelling.com 71 Product reviews
Meng Models you would need to depict that Panzerhaubitz 2000 German rack as being empty. If you are Self-Propelled Howitzer feeling really lazy and don’t want in 1:35 scale to build the full track runs, you Of all the new group of model can always glue the suspension kit manufacturers to appear arms in a neutral position, then in the last few years, Meng only make enough track to be Models of Hong Kong has visible for the area not covered probably had the greatest by the trackguards. impact. Their releases have With the hull complete, been to a very high standard, we can attend to the rather and have included some imposing gun turret. Again this is very interesting and often beautifully moulded, but because unexpected subjects. The of the limitations of slide- latest offering from Meng’s moulding Meng have supplied ‘Tyrannosaurus’ range is the the angled plates as separate Panzerhaubitz 2000, the German parts to maintain accuracy. These Army’s Self-Propelled Howitzer panels look flawless, but there’s system. This 55-ton battlewagon a possibility that the filler pot utilizes components from both may need a visit as Meng have Leopard I and II MBTs, and is put the sprue attachment points equipped with a 155mm L/52 right on the bevel joints. This howitzer and a 7.62mm Mg3 requires careful sanding if a neat, machine gun for close defence even joint is to be achieved. For and anti-aircraft duties. The the main gun Meng has given us main armament is serviced by an aluminium barrel (packaged a horseshoe-shaped 60 round in its own slimline cardboard magazine, with a shell-picker box), around which are fitted that selects the round and rams plastic detail parts and a choice it into the breech. The gun is of a beautifully moulded muzzle capable of engaging targets brake or the muzzle cover for at up to 30km with standard road marches. The texture projectiles and up to 40km with of the cover and the flexible rocket-assisted ordnance. gaitering around the mantlet is Until now the PzH2000 well rendered and will respond was available in 1:72 and 1:35 nicely to careful painting. The fit scales from Revell, but Meng of the muzzle parts on the end have moved the goal posts a of the barrel is a little sloppy, but considerable distance with this once painted suggests these release (item TS-012). The space could be easy to swap as the inside the well-presented (and capable of supporting the weight assembled carefully, however mood takes you. The muzzle rather large) box is dominated of the finished model. The lower there’s no interior detail so cover has been seen in a variety by the three main mouldings for hull tub is well buttressed for some after-market figures will of hi-viz and reflective finishes, the upper and lower hull halves, strength, and only requires the be useful. Several handles and and will certainly brighten up and the large turret shell. Also addition of the firewall and the securing bars are supplied in the appearance of the finished nestling inside are 11 sprues in rear panel to make for a robust etched-brass, but Meng have model. The protective hinged dark green plastic, plus one in assembly. Before attaching moulded some handles solid, shield that fits over the top of the clear. A separate box contains a the rear hull plate some nation- specifically the ones on the howitzer mount is supplied as plethora of track components, specific detailing is required, so side stowage boxes. This is a a single etched-brass part. This and no I’m not going to count the decision of how you want the little perplexing as Meng have may be an issue if you wish to them! Two frets of etched- model to be finished needs to be supplied plastic handles for some move the main barrel up to full brass components, two sizes made early on. At various points of the other lockers. elevation frequently. This may of poly caps and some cord for in the construction process any Before the hull parts are sound a minor point, but these fabricating tow cables round out necessary modifications are joined there is the question guns are at their most impressive the parts count. called up, depending on which of the workable tracks, these when displayed at full elevation The well-presented instruction version you choose. consist of upper and lower and easiest to store with them booklet deals with assembly in Construction now centres on halves with connecting bars. fully depressed. A full build will 23 stages, with a few options the beautifully slide-moulded Thankfully Meng provide a tidy shed more light on this. to consider during construction upper hull, with its superbly little assembly jig on the ‘J’ sprue A few detail choices are depending on whether you rendered anti-slip panels. Meng to make this job bearable. This available for the German, Greek want to build German, Dutch, would have you attach the OVM sprue also provides some of the or Dutch options, including either or Greek vehicles. Assembly tools at this point, but I suspect alternate snow and ice cleats for the German Mg3 or Belgian FN starts with the running gear, that most will leave this until the tracks should the mood take Mag machine guns. Surprisingly with all but the return rollers much later in the build as I feel you. It should be noted that the with so much slide-moulding being secured with poly caps. this is just asking for trouble. rack containing these cleats is going on, it’s a little surprising The torsion bars can be left The driver’s hatch and gun already moulded to the top of the to find Mg muzzles that need operable if desired, and look travel clamp are workable when hull, so if you were being picky drilling out, but at least the
72 Military Modelling Vol.45 No.2 2015 Product reviews
modeller still has some old- massive travel lock, as the school modelling to do! At this M103A2 used the M48 style stage the different stowage travel lock at the rear edge racks – using a combination of the engine deck this is no of plastic frames and etched longer a problem. The etched- mesh – are added. The kit brass parts have been deleted provides three different types from this kit so are no longer of antenna mount, depending an option. It does come with on which nationality of vehicle the same AN/VVS-2 searchlight is being modelled, but don’t used in the M48A3 kit. confuse these parts with the A good deal of the antenna mounts on the ‘C’ suspension parts come from sprue. All the upper hatches the M48A3 Mod B kit (item are workable, although again 3544) and provide their more with no interior detail some accurate roadwheels with the suitable figures will be needed separate tyre/rim and backing to justify this. I think figures plate. Tracks are DS Plastic with are always desirable, if for no a good three-link connection other reason than to give a Dragon Models Ltd heat shield that went under section so getting a good fit feeling of just what a large AFV M103A2 Heavy Tank the turret bustle to protect the should be relatively easy. these are. Lights, periscopes, in 1:35 scale commander from being ‘slow The kit comes with the and the prominent rear flashing After the US put the massive cooked’ by the exhaust. The machine gun sprue from beacon are all moulded in M103 series heavy tanks into gun barrel was some 16mm the M2 Half-track kit and clear plastic and will add a nice service, changes in ammunition too short, and the engine deck provides for a very nice M2HB break up of the camouflage. and other events such as did not fit properly into the installation, which is good as Five decal options are the rise of anti-tank guided area where it was supposed the mount on the M103 series available; three German, a missiles soon meant that sheer to fit; this also prevented it cupola is quite prominent. The Dutch and a Greek. The decals penetration capability by brute from easily being swapped to travel mounts for the machine include registration plates and force (e.g. bigger guns) was the similar Dragon M48A3 kits gun (e.g. once removed from the distinctive crosshatched becoming obsolete. As a result, to convert them back to M48/ the cupola and stowed for hi-visibility panels seen on the US Army soon retired their M48A1 configurations. movement in order to lower German and Dutch PzHs on M103/M103A1 tanks when the After measuring the the height of the tank) are still manoeuvres. The camouflage M60 series began to be fielded. components, this new ‘Black missing. And, as many people schemes are applied to a strict The Marine Corps, as always Label’ model (item 3546) is have asked, the gunner’s pattern, so studying the colour on the short end of purchasing not too bad as far as it goes. hatch is moulded shut; there plates is highly recommended. and development, was offered What you get in the kit is a are no options. I feel rather churlish to the remaining M103 series good model of an M103A2 Finishing instructions are say this, but I was a little tanks but with the same tank without any in-service provided for two ‘Unidentified’ disappointed that Meng didn’t upgrades to their drivelines that modifications they sported. tanks in USMC green: both are supply the mirror stickers that the US Army was doing with its There is no mantlet cover from Guantanamo, Cuba, in they included in their BMPT M48 series tanks; a new AVDS- (here with the use of the 1970 (apparently yellow 012 and Terminator kit. But when 1790 series diesel engine, new M48-style accordion-style yellow D24 with what looks like looking at a kit this complete, rear hull and exhaust system, shroud and a much tighter fit); a 1st Tank Battalion shield on it becomes hard to find things and other internal changes. The however, as the exhaust on the air cleaners). A small sheet to complain about Marines accepted the tanks and the A2 was routed out the rear of Cartograf decals is provided. All in all this looks to be also added one thing they had gratings, the thermal shield Overall this can be built into another stunning release from used faithfully since WW2; an that was a mandatory fitting a reasonably good model of Meng, although only a full external telephone box at the under the turret bustle on the M103A2 if the gun barrel build will confirm this. If you left rear of the tank. the M103 and M103A1 is not is replaced and a mantlet cover have yet to try a Meng kit, this Eventually the Marines needed so is not provided. added. It is a shame that Dragon would be an excellent start as converted and received 206 The kit assembles in normal did not pay attention to the the finished model will look M103A2 tanks, but even by fashion (e.g. starting with the negative comments received by impressive amongst any AFV then they were considered suspension). While the drivers the earlier M103A1 kit and fix collection. reserve tanks. They served (C16) do not have the mud them before this release. Simon Hammerton there for a number of uses clean-out holes this is an error Cookie Sewell Price £36 and were eventually retired as by the time of the M103A2 Price £49.99 Meng Model, Rui Ye for use as either scrap or they did have them. The Dragon Models Ltd., Kong International Co., Limited, Flat/ range targets. engine deck and hull rear are Nam Industrial Building, 10/F, Rm. A30, 9/F., Silvercorp Int’l Dragon released the first separate, and in this case they B1, 603-609 Castle Peak Road, Tower, 707-713 Nathan Rd., 1:35 scale styrene kit of the are used with the M48 style Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Mongkok, Hong Kong. Tel: M103A1 in January 2014, fenders with external ‘side Hong Kong. Tel: 2493 0215. +852 9666 9759521-1. but unfortunately it was loader’ air cleaners on them Fax: 2411 0587. www.meng-model.com hurried in its development and new fender braces. The [email protected] Available in the UK from MJR and presented modellers telephone box (part I3) is also www.dragon-models.com Models & Hobbies with a number of errors and provided for Marine tanks. UK distributors, The Hobby www.mjrmodelsandhobbies. mistakes. It omitted a canvas While the M103A1 had Company, Milton Keynes co.uk mantlet cover and the large muddled directions for its MK5 8PG.
www.militarymodelling.com 73 Product reviews
about this being a copy, it isn’t. It’s any position to say that because again will make the piece look similar, you get more of the figure, I haven’t cleaned the model slightly different. but it’s in a smaller scale is all. up and removed the casting One change I would make So, presentation – a little bit blocks. I can test the fit where is to swap the position of the of harking back to the 1990s they don’t foul a joint, but the right hand. Shift it through where a black and white photo mould-maker in this case has 180 degrees and the hold on of an assembled kit is given taken the logical course and put the spear becomes a lot more on the box art. I’m never sure the casting vents and mould forceful, not to mention the which I prefer on box art – okay blocks on or very near to the strength of the arm would be if it’s a uniform clad figure, joints between components increased and thus land a heavier then colour is very helpful, but – it’s logical because you, the blow in real life. Give it a try on anything up to say the 17th modeller, don’t have to chance and see how much force you’d century, there’s a fair allowance destroying detail that would be get behind a stabbing motion for creativity or choice of colour hard to re-sculpt when cleaning over the top of a shield with the scheme for the prospective the unwanted resin away. hand position as it is. I’m not artist. Giving a black and white Therefore, my best guess is that saying it’s wrong, but a strong shot of the model therefore is parts should fit okay, but with bloke would hold the spear shaft stepping away from pushing any kit possessing this many differently if he really wanted to the artist in any given direction, components, I’d be fairly sure do more than tickle someone. and will offer the chance of that one or two joints at least And in fairness a stabbing researching possibilities for how would probably require a wipe action rather than the over-arm the finished piece will appear. of filler here or there. Also with thrusting pose just looks meaner. The packaging is sturdy, with the way that the figure has been And just one further idea for a foam and plastic bags keeping sculpted, I’d suggest painting change in weaponry – shift the MJ Miniatures everything safe from harm as it in sub-assemblies, either that hand through 90 degrees with the 9th Century Viking Warrior the components travel to you. or you’ll have to learn to paint thumb pointing towards the body resin bust in 1:10 scale None of the parts in the example around corners. and give him a nice big axe… now Initially I thought that I’d not I got to look at were deformed All the above having been that’d look proper threatening! seen any models from this or broken. The resin used is a said, this looks a lot nicer ‘in the Again, these are just ideas company, but having looked this pale grey and it looks like it’ll flesh’ than it does on the box. to toss around if you want piece up on Historex’s website be easy enough to work when The parts are all finely detailed, something just slightly different. I realize that I’m mistaken. I’ve removing the casting over-pour the sculpting looks good, and I would shift the hand position seen a few very nice releases blocks. The detail has transferred the expression on that face is if you’re going to use the spear, from MJ, it’s simply that this kit well, and that fine mail shirt is convincing enough that it won’t and as you get all the pieces is taking them into a completely perfectly cast on the example I take much work to get a rather separated from one another, it different era from what they’ve was supplied with. angry looking individual as a shouldn’t cause any problems to previously produced. Mould lines seem to be almost finished piece. do that. More of a half figure than a non-existent, in fact casting was I’m betting that someone adds Otherwise a very nice model bust, this piece is quite a complex very clean and apart from those some legs to him – a relatively kit, reasonably priced too for offering, numbering 15 parts mould blocks and some test-fitting logical use of putty, and there what is within the box. in total, there’s going to be an I suspect that there’s very little to are options for different shield The kit (item MJDG 12-001) is amount of test fitting and gluing do before priming and painting can designs within the painting available from Historex Agents, involved. Initially it reminds me take place. sphere. Added to that it’d be Wellington House, 157 Snargate very much of the Andrea Viking It’s sometimes difficult to easy to change the shape of the Street, Dover, Kent CT17 9BZ. bust, mainly because of the make the above assumption shield or fabricate a new one, [email protected] snarling countenance, but he’s – certainly I’m wary of saying plus changing the weapon to www.historexagents.com charging in the opposite direction, “This kit’ll fit together mighty a double-edged sword (whilst Adrian Hopwood so before anyone gets any ideas fine!” simply because I’m not in emptying the sword sheath) Price £31.75
74 Military Modelling Vol.45 No.2 2015 Product reviews
Victrix Ltd of Epeiros and the 1st and 2nd Punic Wars. The figures could Figure sets in 28mm scale also be used as Carthaginian allies and, with a few minor Rome’s Legions of the conversions, as other Oscan Republic (I) tribes such as the Samnites. The box provides sufficient All these excellent, well parts to assemble 36 Roman detailed, figures – highly Republican legionaries wearing recommended by this reviewer mail, 18 light infantry, plus – require assembly (they fit command figures (item together very well) and painting VXA007). These are suitable and are moulded in hard, light to for the wars with Pyrrhos mid grey, plastic. of Epeiros c281-275BC, the The front of each sturdy and 1st (264-241BC) and 2nd crammed full box provides full (218-201BC) Punic Wars colour illustrations of some of against Carthage and the the troop types – useful as a Macedonian Wars against painting guide, while the rear King Phillip V and King Persus. gives useful assembly advice, The versatile figures could as well as showing some also be used against Gauls, unpainted, assembled, figures. Italians, Numidians, Seleucids and Spanish. The legionaries Shield Transfers can be assembled as hastati To accompany boxes of (who formed the first rank of Republican Roman figures, a Roman battle formation), Victrix Ltd stock sheets of shield principes (the second rank) transfers by Little Big Men both armed with the pilum, or Studios. There are 17 different some as triari (the third rank) sheets suitable for Republican with a longer spear. There are legionary shields, plus two also three centurions, three each for velites and Italian allied standard bearers and options to legionaries. Each sheet offers 16 make up to three musicians. As full colour repeated one design noted, 18 light infantry are also shield transfers with instructions included which can be made as on how to apply them to the velites after 211BC, or lightly shields. The transfers look very armed skirmishers of an earlier good, adding a nice finishing period, equipped with javelins, touch to the assembled and but lacking shields and helmets. painted figures, and at £4 a sheet, a reasonably priced item. Rome’s Legions of the Stuart Asquith Republic II Price £29.95 per box Here there are 36 legionaries Victrix Ltd, 84 Greenside, again, this time depicted in Kendal, Cumbria LA9 5DT. square pectoral armour (item Tel: 01539 724415. VXA008). The figures are [email protected] useful to take on a number of www.victrixlimited.com enemies of Rome alongside the figures from the above- mentioned selection. They can also be formed as hastati, princeps or triari as required, with the supplied 18 light infantrymen in support. The box provides for some 60 figures in all, including command.
Rome’s Italian Allied Legions This well filled box (item VXA009) contains sufficient parts to assemble 60 figures of Republican Roman Italian allied legionaries in mixed armour styles and velites (light infantry) of the early Republic, again suitable for the wars with Pyrrhos
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80 Military Modelling Vol.45 No.2 2015 Classifi eds
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82 Military Modelling Vol.45 No.2 2015