2017-10-01 Military Modelcraft International

For Modellers by Modellers
October 2017 Volume 21 Number 12

l l
UK price: £4.75
www.guidelinepublications.co.uk
THE ART OF SCRATCHBUILDING

It’s Alive and Well in MMI.
MARINE CORPS METAL II
A USMC M2
and M51
VTR.
YPG IMPROVISED AFV

TURKISH T155
FIRTINA
CORDOBA CATS
Spain’s Leopard 2E.
News, Reviews and Modelling Tips

Military & Civil Aviation – Military Weapons & Equipment – Naval Vessels
Danish Leopard Camp Borden A The Fotoflite Files : To Sail No More in

2A5DK and QRF Century of Service Volume 1: Royal Colour Part 1
B Moller W March An overview Navy Warships: 1 I Buxton Features
Photo album contain- of the history Camp Malinovskii. Hero of Merkava Siman 1 Invasion Airfields Images of War Axis S Bush Compilation of warships being broken
ing colour full-view Borden this iconic insti- the Soviet Union Merkava MK1 in IDF Then and Now Tanks of the Second images from one of up at the end of their
and walkaround tution which has been B Sokolov Traces Service M Mass W Ramsey Tells the World War M Green the largest maritime lives. This is the first of
captioned photos of a temporary posting for Malinovskii’s rise Colour photo album story of every airfield Heavily illustrated with photo collections, two special volumes
the exterior of countless thousands from corps to army containing an extensive that became opera- close-ups, walkaround showing Royal Navy, featuring the photos of
Denmark’s main battle of military men and commander and finally collection of unpub- tional by D+90 ex- photos (mainly colour) Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Tom Ferrers-Walker,
tank with over 500 women as either to the command of lished photos plus plaining the methods and colour/B&W pho- Army and Port Service who visited the UK’s
colour photos. instructor or trainee. various fronts. walk-arounds. used to construct them. tos and drawings. vessels. shipbreaking yards.
SB 134pp £23.50 SB 120pp £19.99 HB 450pp £39.95 SB 84pp £29.50 HB 224pp £34.95 SB 212pp £15.99 SB 144pp £17.99 HB 156pp £25.00
The 8th Waffen-SS French Battleships US Army Special America and the RAF100 1918-2-18 The Rolls-Royce Shadow Over the The Boat That Won
Cavalry Division of World War One Forces Team History Great War. A Library Technical Armoured Car - Its Atlantic The the War: An
Florian Geyer J Jordan This book and Insignia 1975 to of Congress Innovations Manual Substance and its Luftwaffe and the U- Illustrated History of
M Afiero Story of the traces the develop- the Present Illustrated History A top 100 of technical Place in History Boats: 1943-45 the Higgins LCVP
8th SS Cavalry Division ment of French battle- G Perkowski Chroni- M Wagner This book innovations that have Edited by E Levin R Forsyth Tells for the C Roberts The first in-
Florian Geyer, one of ships from 1890 to cles the history, training, commemorates the been used and/or Long awaited history first time the story of depth history of the
the most controversial 1922. 220 B&W pho- and operations of US U.S. involvement in the devised by the RAF of the Rolls-Royce the operations of FAGr development and em-
units in the Waffen-SS. tos, 130 line drawings. Army Special Forces. first modern war. over the past century. Armoured Car. 5 ‘Atlantik’. ployment of the LCVP.
HB 160pp £38.50 HB 328pp £40.00 HB 416pp £66.99 HB 380pp £30.00 HB 224pp £25.00 SB 288pp £20.00 HB 312pp £25.00 HB 128pp £25.00
Wartime Standard Foto File 1. Krupp Guderian. Panzer Haynes Owners British Battle Tanks Images of War The Abrams Squad The Abrams Squad
Ships N Robins Protze and Variants General K Macksey Workshop Manual British-Made Tanks Invasion of Sicily Modern Modelling Commander’s Edition
In both World Wars First in a new series, Born in Kulm, Ger- Nuclear Weapons for World War II 1943 J Diamond Magazine 21 Limited edition issue
there arose a pressing this book contains many, on 17 June Manual 1945 D Fletcher This book With victory in North Leopard Turkish in celebrating the first 20
need for merchant photos and illustrations 1888, Heinz Wilhelm onwards (all models) is the second of a Africa complete the Syria; Content in- issues with an index
tonnage both to sup- of the Krupp Protze, Guderian fought in the D Baker An insight into multi-volume history of ambitious Operation cludes: Commander’s and summary of the
plement existing ships 6-wheeled truck, used First World War. This the design, science and British tanks and it cov- HUSKY required metic- Display Unit; Diopark’s best articles including:
but, more importantly, extensively by German biography explores the strategic thinking ers the development ulous planning. Mont- Rocket Launcher truck T-72/90; T-80/64;
to replace ships that forces during WWII. man who was partly behind the nuclear and use of the Matilda, gomery’s Eighth Army build review; Remote T-55/62; Leopard;
had been sunk by Contains many responsible for the de- deterrent. This book Crusader, and Valentine and Patton’s Seventh Thermal Sight: MRAP; 4 Wheels; 8
enemy action. This new previously unpublished velopment of modern incorporates cutaway tanks, the Churchill, landed successfully Takom’s FV-432; Turk- Wheels; Artillery; A/A
book tells the remark- photos. Content tank warfare and who diagrams, images of and the Cromwell tank and although the air ish Leopard 2A4: The Systems; APC; Battles
able story of the includes Standard is considered to be the hardware and test of 1944-45. It also landing proved costly, first in Syria; Tiran 5 plus much more.
design and construc- Troop Carrier Kfz.70 father of Blitzkrieg. equipment, facilities looks at Britain’s super- valuable lessons were APC: Under 5 flags SB 72pp £9.99
tion of the many types. and much more. B&W photos section. and delivery systems. heavy tank projects. learnt by for D-Day. plus much more.
HB 177pp £25.00 SB 46pp £17.99 SB 228pp £19.99 HB 192pp £22.99 HB 280pp £25.00 SB 248pp £16.99 SB 76pp £9.99
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L1500 Wehrmacht
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Features...
Publisher
Guideline Publications
Chairman
Régis Auckland 22 1/35 Time Traveller.
Email: Ken Abrams kitbashes a USMC M2.
regisauckland@btinternet.com
Editor 30 1/35 Ground Mobility.
David Grummitt Alexander Pedan builds a Special Ops’ Humvee.
20 Warwick Road, Whitstable
CT5 1HX United Kingdom
Email: davidgrummitt942@hotmail.com 34 1/35 Libyan Land Cruiser.
Štefan Pásztor builds Meng Model’s Land Cruiser with ZU-23-2.
Assistant Editor
Moustafa Assad
Email: masss11@hotmail.com 39 MMI Armour in Profile 14 - Corboda Cats.
Stefan Degraef looks at the Spanish Army’s Leopard 2E MBT.
Group Marketing With profiles by Mark Rolfe.
and PR Director
Tom Foxon
48 1/35 T155 Firtina – Turkish SPH.
E-mail: tom@regallitho.co.uk
Mob: +44 (0) 7540 153368 Volkan Ayhan presents a lesson in scratchbuilding and conversion.
Design
Mark Smith 54 1/35 Kurdish Improvised AFV.
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www.militarymodelcraftinternational.co.uk 5
I
f you’re reading this in the UK
(and in Western Europe), then the
chances are that summer is most
definitely over. Catching up with our
contributors in southern Europe on
Facebook, it’s clear that the summer
of 2017 has been a scorcher and
modelling time has been necessarily
short. For those of us in the UK in
August we didn’t have that problem, but personally I
always find the summer, with school holidays and the
like, a challenge when it comes to making time for the
hobby. Anyway, with autumn in the air, it’s time to plan
new projects and some serious time at the bench as the
evenings draw in. Autumn is also the time for modelling
shows and I’m really excited this year to be attending
the Scale Model Challenge show in the Netherlands
in October and, of course, our own London Plastic
Modellers Show in London in December. We have a
new venue for the LPMS show this year and we have
lots more exciting things planned for the show which
we’ll announce over the coming months.
This month’s MMI really is a packed issue. It’s
a pleasure to welcome back two of our stalwart
contributors – Ken Abrams and Anthony Guarderas
– who continue the ‘Marine Corps Metal’ theme of
our March issue this year. Ken presents a conversion
based on Dragon’s M2 halftrack, while Anthony
goes for some Heavy Metal again with the M51VTR.
Alexander Pedan builds a Special Operations Ground
Mobility Vehicle, based on Academy’s venerable
Humvee and the Legend Productions’ conversion.
The modern softskin theme continues with Štefan
Pásztor and a Libyan gun truck using Meng Model’s
Pickup with ZU-23-2. Scratchbuilding is often called
the lost art of modelling, something made redundant
by today’s vast range of high-quality plastic kits.
Marian Bunc gives the lie to that with his build of an
improvised armoured car used by Kurdish forces in
the recent battles against ISIS. First-rate modelling skills
are also on display in the work of our new contributor
Volkan Ayhan who converts Academy’s K9 self-
propelled howitzer to a Turkish T155 Firtina. Our
final build this month is from MMI regular Roman
Volchenkov who builds Dragon’s late-war Panther
Ausf. G with some eye-catching and controversial
markings. Finally, this month’s Armour in Profile:
Stefan Degraef presents a photoessay on Spain’s
Leopard 2E, complemented by some of Mark Rolfe’s
superb colour profiles. Until next month, happy
modelling.
David Grummitt Editor

An in-depth look at some of the latest releases
CMK 1/35 David Grummitt
RA056
World War I figures and kits and transport the howitzer kit also allows you to choose shares the same superlatives
have seen a massive upsurge in in three parts, making it very between having the breech as its larger cousin. Highly
popularity as various centenary flexible in its deployment. closed, or open with the detailed and accurate, it
commemorations come and Because of these features, the projectile inside. The projectile should be a straightforward
go. The armies of Austria- weapon was used not only by itself was transported into the build for experienced resin kit
Hungary have been somewhat the Austro-Hungarian army on breech using a loading gear builders. They aren’t cheap at
neglected, but three recent the Russian and Italian front, made from a two-wheel cart
€105 and €77.50 respectively,
releases by Czech-firm CMK but also by the German army moving on rails. The projectile,
but are quality productions
have addressed that. Austro- which borrowed four batteries, two-wheel cart and rails are
Hungarian WWI 24cm Mörser each with two guns together also included within this kit. and highly recommended.
M.98 (ref. RA057) and Austro- with their crews, and put them The M.98 mortar was the To complement the mortars
Hungarian WWI 30.5cm rather successfully into action first modern Skoda-produced CMK have released two
Mörser (ref. RA056) are full while conquering the Belgian mortar to be introduced to the nicely sculpted resin figures.
resin kits of these important fortified positions of Namur, Austro-Hungarian army and Austro-Hungarian WWI
pieces of artillery. The 30.5cm Liege, Antwerp and Givet also the first one to be towed Artilleryman (ref. F35334)
M.11 Mörser was a large and also when the Germans by motor vehicles. It was a comes as a three-part casting
calibre howitzer developed bombarded Verdun and high quality weapon whose (body, separate left arm and
by Skoda Works between Toul fortresses in France and service was restricted only head) and looks very well
1907 and 1911. In 1912, it was Osowiec on the Eastern front. by unsuitable ammunition sculpted and cast. Austro-
finally introduced to service CMK’s M.11 Mörser has causing a low rate of fire. At
Hungarian WWI Officer (ref.
as the M.11 Mörser. The been designed using CAD 3D the beginning of the war,
F35285) is equally as good.
outbreak of World War I saw technology and a 3D printer, the Austro-Hungarian army
the Austro-Hungarian army making it a real state-of-the- operated 12 batteries with The facial characteristics in
equipped with 24 of these art resin kit. You can build it in four mortars each. In 1917 30 particular look spot on. You
high-performance weapons. Its either firing position with the mortars were still in service, can buy the kits directly from
light weight (32.9 tons) made barrel pointing upwards or in however, only a year later, the the Special Hobby (www.
this weapon unique, and it the loading position with the army had not more than two specialhobby.eu) or CMK
was also possible to dismantle barrel placed horizontally. The batteries left. The M.98 kit websites (www.cmkkits.com).
RA056 F35334 F35285

Special Hobby 1/48 David Grummitt
Two interesting releases

from Czech-based Special
Hobby (better known for their
short-run injection moulded F48331 F48332
aircraft kits): Kneeling Soldier
(on right knee), US Army
Infantry Squad 2nd Division
(ref. F48331) and Kneeling
Soldier (on left knee), US
Army Infantry Squad 2nd
Division (part 2) (ref. F48332).
Both figures represent
the modern US Army soldier
on a patrol somewhere
in Afghanistan.
The first kneeling soldier
carries a breathing apparatus
on his back and points his
SOPMOD M4 carbine forwards. The second figure kneels, like the Tamiya’s Humvee or and should be well worth
He also wears sun glasses. has a MOLLE ruck sack and their recent M1A2 Abrams. examining. You can buy the
The figure’s equipment, points his SOPMOD M4 carbine The figures have been
helmet and bulletproof vest forwards. Both suitable for any designed using CAD and kits directly from the Special
appear highly detailed. diorama with modern US AFVs 3-D printing techniques Hobby (www.specialhobby.eu).
Takom 1/35 David Grummitt
The M3 Lee, officially Medium

Tank, M3, was the mainstay became available in large
of the American tank force numbers. Despite being
when the US entered World replaced elsewhere, the British
War II in December 1941. In continued to use M3s in Takom, with some lovely
Britain, the tank was called by combat against the Japanese rivet detail and very thinly plastic tow cable and brackets
two names based on the turret in southeast Asia until 1945. moulded parts. The instruction (D21) is one that grabbed
configuration and crew size. When Takom announced sheet (much smaller than my attention. Markings are
Tanks employing US pattern the release of a series of kits usual, an A5-sized booklet) provided for four vehicles
turrets were called the ‘Lee’, based on the M3 Grant/Lee has nineteen steps and it all in the Western Desert: 1st
named after Confederate a couple of months ago it looks very straightforward. Australian Armoured Division,
general Robert E. Lee. Variants was generally welcomed Unlike the Academy kit, no 8th King’s Royal Hussars, 3
using British pattern turrets by modellers. In 1/35 scale interior is provided, but all RTR, and Monty’s personal
were known as ‘Grant’, named modellers have been ill-served the hatches can be posed command tank used during
after Union general Ulysses for this important vehicle in open. This will doubtless be 1942-43. Takom have provided
S. Grant. Design commenced the history of American tank a disappointment to some. us with the ‘go-to’ 1/35-scale
in July 1940, and the first M3s design. In 1974 Tamiya released Link-and-length tracks are M3 for the present day. The
were operational in late 1941. both the M3 Lee and Grant, included (but interestingly lack of an interior will be a
The US Army needed a medium while between 2006 and 2010 no track jig as seen in other source of discussion, but the
tank armed with a 75mm gun Academy released three Grant/ recent Takom releases) and ‘buildability’ of this model and
and, coupled with the United Lee kits. The latter initially these are nicely detailed and the quality of the moulding
Kingdom’s immediate demand had a serious dimensional devoid, thankfully, of sink should sway things in its
for 3,650 medium tanks, it problem with the suspension, holes. Both the main hull gun favour. Highly recommended.
began serial production in later corrected, but both the and smaller turret armament Our thanks to Takom’s UK
late 1940. The design was a Tamiya and Academy versions are single pieces (albeit the distributor Pocketbond (www.
compromise meant to produce fell short of what modellers end of the 75mm is a separate pocketbond.co.uk) for the
a tank as soon as possible. expect in the 21st century. part). Purists will find details review sample, it’s available
The M3 had considerable Enter Takom. I have had to refine, the single-piece from all good model shops.
firepower and good armour, the chance to examine their
but its general design and M3 Grant British Medium
shape, including a high Tank (ref. 2086) kit and first
silhouette, an archaic sponson- impressions are favourable.
mounted main gun (which The kit comes in a small,
preventing the tank from but deep, box adorned with
taking a hull-down position), Takom’s typically attractive box
riveted construction, and art. There are twelve sprues
poor off-road performance., of grey plastic, plus an upper
compromised its effectiveness. hull and lower hull tub. There
Its overall performance was is also a small clear sprue
not satisfactory and the (containing two headlights)
tank was withdrawn from and a fret of photoetch. The
combat in most theatres as detail is sharp, typical of what
soon as the M4 Sherman tank we have come to expect from

Eureka XXL 1/35 David Grummitt
E-035
E-037
E-036 E-038
Polish-firm Eureka XXL have rounds. These are a ‘must-have’ IV Stowage Set
a reputation for high-quality diorama and armour accessory (ref. E-033) and
resin armour and diorama for anyone modelling a StuG III Ausf.
accessories and brass tow theatre where the ubiquitous G Stowage
cables (with resin ends). I was ‘Kalashinikov’ has seen action. Set (ref. E-037).
E-033
pleased to receive a few of their Modern Russian Armour Both of these
a clutter of stowage on a
most recent releases which Crates (ref. E-038) contains are actually pretty generic
collection of resin bedrolls, StuG III engine deck. Again,
confirm their reputation for five crates for the 115mm
excellence. Modern Russian U-5TS/2A20 rounds used with tarpaulins and other items. high quality castings, highly
Armour Crates Type 1 (ref. the T-62 tank. Again, absolutely The former contains nine recommended. Our thanks to
E-035) and Modern Russian vital if you’re thinking of separate pieces, none of which Stefan at Eureka XXL (www.
Armour Crates Type 2 (ref. modelling a T-62 in any kind of are peculiar to the Panzer IV, eurekaxxl.com) for the review
E-036) each contain seven scenic setting. The quality of while the latter contains a samples. Eureka products are
finely detailed resin replicas the casting on all these sets is large intricately designed and available directly from the
of the wooden ammo boxes absolutely first rate. In a slightly cast piece an smaller box of manufacturer or from a variety
used to transport AK-47 different vein we have PzKpfw supplies designed to represent of good online retailers.
MiniArt 1/35 David Grummitt
The T-60 light tank was the most complete and detailed
third most-produced AFV of kits offered in plastic. Each
the Soviet Union during World offers a complete hull and
War II (after the T-34 and SU- turret interior, with driver’s
76). There have been a number station, transmission and GAZ-
of 1/35-scale kits released 202 engine. Both have over
over the past twenty years or 400 plastic parts (including
so by the likes of Maquette, individual link track links) and
Politechnika and Aeroplast almost eighty photoetched
but these have not been great. parts. Markings are provided
It is very welcome therefore for no fewer than eleven and
that MiniArt have stepped seven variants respectively,
up with a series of kits with with a mixture of Soviet and
full interiors, representing the captured German examples. As with all vehicles with this space. Overall though,
various production variants There is no doubt that this is a interiors and hatches that can a superb kit, one of the best
of this important AFV. T-60 kit for experienced modellers, be posed open, you’ll have I have seen in plastic, and
Early Series (ref. 35215) and some of the parts (such as the to think carefully about the
T-60 Plant No. 37 Early 12 photoetched wingnuts construction sequence and one which fills an important
Series (ref. 35224) are largely (PEa12) to be added to the paint and weather the model place in the collections of
the same kits, differing only engine deck) are very small, as you go along, but that, of fans of Soviet armour. Our
in the front access panels to but the moulding is very sharp course, is part of the fun and thanks to the manufacturers
the transmission and some and the assembly clearly challenge of a project like. for the review samples.
other small details, as well as thought through to make We’re planning on getting
the range of decal options assembly as straightforward one of these built up for MiniArt kits are available from
offered. It is no exaggeration to as possible. The instructions the magazine, but it’s not a good model shops (www.
say that these are among the are also commendably clear. weekend project so watch miniart-models.com).

Tetra Model Works 1/72 1/35 David Grummitt HAND PICKED
Hand
FO Rpicked
2017
for 2016
Andrew Rawlinsom
5
-
Signed-off by:
Date:
The approach of Korean-firm Tetra of Small-Scale vehicles. US M983 &
REVELL_SAM_1-3_27-07-17_VERT_65x290_aw.pdf
Model Works to photoetch and Pershing II Missile Launcher Detail
model detailing stands in contrast Up Set (ref. 72007) is designed for
to that of Eduard. Their sets are more the Model Collect kit and will really 8
03925 o F.3 ADV, 1:4
comprehensive, contain other media add another level of detail to what Tornad
beside photoetch, and have a price is already a first-class kit. Most of the
that reflects their nature. The latest 5
parts are designed to detail the hull
releases demonstrate this and are and cab and if you’re an experienced
among the best and most complete Small-Scaler who has worked with
detailing sets I have seen in this scale.
photoetch before then this set won’t
US M901 Launching Station w/MIM-
provide any problems. In the same vein
104F Patriot SAM System PAC-3
we have the Small-Scale equivalent of
Detail Up Set (ref. ME-35048) is an
the larger PAC-3 set. US HEMTT M983
extremely full set that will transform
the already detailed Trumpeter kit Tractor Launching w/ Patriot PAC-3
Launching Station Detail Up Set (ref.
4547
into a real work of art. It contains five :7 2
72008) is designed for the Aoshima/ affe’, 1
separate frets of photoetched brass, s ‘Luftw
Model Collect kit and contains four 03929 A400M Atla
four metal parts, PVC tubing for the Airbus
Job Number:
cabling, metal chain and plastic rod frets of photoetch. Tetra Model Works’
File Name:
all explained in an attractive colour sets are for modellers experienced in 5
A3 booklet. Tetra are best known for the use of photoetch but are among
their 1/35-scale sets, but they are the best in the business and will some
expanding their range to complement patience, perseverance and skill will
Model Collect and Aoshima’s range result in a stunningly detailed model.
Latest Issues
SAM
Publication:
Insert Date:
03932 rmovik , 1:48

IL-2 Sto
Available from all good model

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Eduard 1/35 David Grummitt
(left) 36359
(below) 36360
(right) 36361
(below) 36358
(centre) 36356
(bottom) 36357
This month, we have a round- to those aspects of the kit
up of some of the latest military necessarily overscale because
releases from Czech-based of the limitations of the
photoetch and kit company injection moulding process.
Eduard. Their focus these days Finally, we have a couple
is very much on the aircraft of sets designed to enhance
side of the business, but their the details and provide a few
photoetched detail sets for more options to those of you
AFV remain characterised by tackling the new Zvezda
their affordability, relative Panzer IV Ausf. H (ref. 36356).
ease of use and quality. This two-fret package includes
A number of sets deals with pretty much what you would
Tamiya’s recent Valentine: expect in terms of tool holders,
Valentine Mk. III/IV (ref. front mudguards and others
36359) deals principally with small details, but also has
replacing the plastic fenders
Zimmerit-covered turret
of the Tamiya kit and adding
Schürzen for the turret. This
some details to the turret;
will be an improvement over
Valentine Mk. III//IV Desert
the kit-supplied stuff but the
Fenders (ref. 36360) is a
inclusion of Zimmerit does limit
complete set of replacement
the choices somewhat as it was
desert fenders for vehicles
operating in North Africa; not routinely applied. If you
while Valentine Mk. III/IV want to go the whole hog on
Cannister Holders (ref. 36361) the Zimmerit you’ll also need
is a nice set of canister holders Panzer IV Ausf. H Schürzen
to really add some finesse to (ref. 36357) which includes
the rear deck of the Valentine. hull plates and their brackets.
Scammell Pioneer SV2S Our thanks to Eduard for
(ref. 36358) has various parts supplying the review samples,
to detail the cab and body their products are available
of the IBG Models’ kit. What I directly from their excellent
like about this, and Eduard’s website (www.eduard.com),
approach in general, is that where you can download
the photoetch is not used to instructions sheets and
replace the large components browse the full range, as well
but to add finesse and detail as from good model shops.

T-14 Armata
1/35 Zvezda
# 36352 February 2017
# 36353
www.eduard.com
An ever expanding
range of quality
white metal vehicles
in 1:144th scale.
WWI and WWII
period.
Models supplied as
unpainted kits.
www.arrowheadminiatures.co.uk Find us on
arrowhead-minis@hotmail.com Facebook too
A round up of the latest releases
Academy Academy AK Interactive AK Interactive

R.O.K. Army K2 ‘Black Panther’ German Tiger I Ver. Early Modern Desert Uniform Colours IDF Uniform Colours
Scale: 1/35 ‘Operation Citadel’ Ref: AK 3220 Ref: AK 3230
Ref: 13511 Scale: 1/35 SRP: £TBA SRP: £TBA
SRP: £TBA Ref: 13509
SRP: £TBA See: www.ak-interactive.com See: www.ak-interactive.com
Academy kits are distributed in the UK
by Pocketbond Academy kits are distributed in the UK
(www.pocketbond.co.uk) by Pocketbond
(www.pocketbond.co.uk)
Black Army Modells Black Army Modells Dragon Models Limited FineMolds
Hungarian Infantryman WWII Royal Hungarian Policeman WWII M67A2 Flamethrower Tank JGSDF Type 60 APC with MAT
Scale: 1/35 Scale: 1/35 Scale: 1/35 Scale: 1/35
Ref: 35-40 Ref: 35-41 Ref: 3584 Ref: FM53
SRP: £TBA SRP: £TBA SRP: £64.99 SRP: £TBA
See: www.toro-model.com See: www.toro-model.com See: www.dragon-models.com See: www.finemolds.co.jp
FineMolds Italeri Italeri Kingfisher Miniatures

JGSDF Type 60 Self-Propelled Kettenkrad Tiger 131 Combat Engineer Tractor
106mm Recoilless Gun Model C Scale: 1/9 Scale: 1/35 Scale: 1/76
Scale: 1/35 Ref: 7404 Ref: 36512 Ref: MV-20
Ref: FM61 SRP: £79.99 SRP: £TBA SRP: £25.00
SRP: £TBA
See: www.italeri.com See: www.italeri.com See: www.kingfisherminiatures.co.uk
See: www.finemolds.co.jp
LeadWarrior MacOne Master Box Metallic Details

Pz.IA mit Breda Gun – Legion Mortar Artillery – Syria Apache Attack PE Parts for Soviet Tanks IS-1,
Condor Conversion Set (for Tristar, Scale: 1/35 Scale: 1/35 IS-2, SU-100, ISU-152 & T-34
Hobby Boss & Dragon kits) Ref: MAC35001 Ref: MB35188 Scale: 1/35
Scale: 1/35 SRP: €22.00 SRP: £10.99 Ref: MD 3501
Ref: LW 35005 SRP: £TBA
SRP: £TBA See: www.maconemodels.com See: www.mbltd.info
See: www.modelsua.com
See: www.leadwarrior.com

Metallic Details Metallic Details Metallic Details Milicast

German M39 & M24 Czech Hedgehog Correction Set for T-70, T-80 Chevrolet 1533X2 30cwt Truck
Grenades in Boxes (Resin Scale: 1/72 & SU-76 (incl. Road Wheels & (LRDG) w/20mm Breda
Grenades, PE Boxes) Ref: MD 7205 2 Types of Driver’s Hatch) Scale: 1/76
Scale: 1/35 SRP: £TBA Scale: 1/35 Ref: UK109
Ref: MD 3503 Ref: MDR 3515 SRP: £24.95
See: www.modelsua.com SRP: £TBA
SRP: £TBA See: www.milicast.com
See: www.modelsua.com See: www.modelsua.com
Milicast Milicast Milicast MiniArt

Chevrolet WB 30cwt Truck (LRDG) Chevrolet CC60L/X2 3ton 4x2 Truck Ford F30 (LRDG) w/37mm T-54-3 Mod.1951 w/Interior
Scale: 1/76 (incl. Optional Full Tilt Cover) Bofors Gun Scale: 1/35
Ref: UK110 Scale: 1/76 Scale: 1/76 Ref: 37007
SRP: £20.95 Ref: UK346 Ref: UK347 SRP: £57.99
See: www.milicast.com SRP: £22.95 SRP: £23.95 See: www.miniart-models.com
See: www.milicast.com See: www.milicast.com
Meng Model MJ Miniatures MJ Miniatures MJ Miniatures

German Medium Tank Sd.Kfz.171 Luftwaffe Ace Pilot in WW2 RFC Pilot in WW1 Captain, 155th PA Vol. Inf., 1864
Panther Ausf. A Late ‘Erich Hartmann’ Scale: 1/10 Bust Scale: 1/16 Bust
Scale: 1/35 Scale: 1/9 Bust Ref: MJ10-006 Ref: MJ16-004
Ref: TS-035 Ref: MJ09-010 SRP: £TBA SRP: £TBA
SRP: £TBA SRP: £TBA
See: www.mj-miniatures.co.kr See: www.mj-miniatures.co.kr
See: www.meng-model.com See: www.mj-miniatures.co.kr
MJ Miniatures The Model Cellar The Model Cellar ModellTrans Modellbau

US Tanker in WW2 WWI German Artillery Crew Set WWI German 21cm Mörser Leopard AVLB Nederland
Scale: 1/16 (incl. 6 Projectiles & 6 Artillery Accessories Conversion for ‘Biber’
Ref: MJ16F001 Charge Canisters) (incl. 6 Projectiles & 6 Scale: 1/72
SRP: £TBA Scale: 1/35 Charge Canisters) Ref: MT72187
Ref: MC35127 Scale: 1/35 SRP: £TBA
See: www.mj-miniatures.co.kr
SRP: $54.00 Ref: MC35128
See: www.modelltrans.com
SRP: $5.00
See: www.modelcellar.com
See: www.modelcellar.com
ModelCollect ModelCollect ModelCollect ModellTrans Modellbau

German WWII Hamburg Russian BMP3 Infantry Fighting USA M983A2 HEMTT Tractor Flakpanzer 1A1 Gepard
Flakturm IV – Vehicle (w/Interior) and Soviet MAZ 7410 Tractor Scale: 1/72
Flak Towers (G-Tower) ¼ Corner Scale: 1/72 Combo (w/Interiors and Crew) Ref: MT72196
Scale: 1/72 Ref: MA72007 Scale: 1/72 SRP: £TBA
Ref: UA72111 SRP: £TBA Ref: MA72009
SRP: £TBA See: www.modelltrans.com
SRP: £TBA
See: www.modelcollect.com
See: www.modelcollect.com See: www.modelcollect.com
ModellTrans Modellbau ModellTrans Modellbau Modern Armies in Miniature Modern Armies in Miniature
T57 US Heavy Tank Conversion Merkava IIID Upgrade Set Bald Heads with five Character Heads with
for M103 (for Dragon kit) (for Hobby Boss kit) different emotions five different emotions
Ref: MT72199 Ref: MT72237 Ref: MAIM35H0074 Ref: MAIM35H0075
SRP: £TBA SRP: £TBA SRP: £TBA SRP: £TBA
See: www.modelltrans.com See: www.modelltrans.com See: See:
www.modernarmies-in-miniature.de www.modernarmies-in-miniature.de
PlusModel PlusModel Royal Model Scale75

Road Roller Detroit Diesel 3-53 Hanomag RL-20 Russian Tanker Sitting in Turret SS Tanker NCO
Ref: 467 Ref: 485 Ref: 756 Ref: SW35-002
SRP: €95.70 SRP: €72.30 SRP: €12.00 SRP: £TBA
See: www.plusmodel.cz See: www.plusmodel.cz See: www.royalmodel.eu See: www.scale75.com
Scale75 Scale75 Scale75 Tamiya

Generalmajor Colors for AFV – Utilities Colors for Uniforms (Ribbons, British Self-Propelled
Scale: 1/35 (Tyres, Tools & Tracks) Medals & Rewards) Anti-Tank Gun Archer
Ref: SW35-020 Ref: SSE-042 Ref: SSE-043 Scale: 1/35
SRP: £TBA SRP: £TBA SRP: £TBA Ref: 35356
SRP: £TBA
See: www.scale75.com See: www.scale75.com See: www.scale75.com
See: www.tamiya.com

Sovereign 2000/Wolf Sovereign 2000/Wolf Sovereign 2000/Wolf Sovereign 2000/Wolf

French Tank Man German Seaman on Leave WereWolf Berlin 1945 British Tank Man in Pixie Suit
Ref: S2KW072 Ref: S2KW073 Ref: S2KW074 Ref: S2KW075
SRP: £9.00 SRP: £9.00 SRP: £9.00 SRP: £9.00
See: www.historexagents.com See: www.historexagents.com See: www.historexagents.com See: www.historexagents.com
TAKOM TAKOM TAKOM TAKOM

King Tiger Tracks (Individual Link) Merkava Mk. I Merkava Mk. I Hybrid Maus V2 Tracks (Workable w/
Scale: 1/35 Scale: 1/35 Scale: 1/35 Sprockets) (for Dragon kit)
Ref: 2048 Ref: 2078 Ref: 2079 Scale: 1/35
SRP: £17.99 SRP: £TBA SRP: £TBA Ref: 2094
SRP: £23.99
See: www.takom-world.com See: www.takom-world.com See: www.takom-world.com
Takom kits are distributed in the UK by Takom kits are distributed in the UK by Takom kits are distributed in the UK by See: www.takom-world.com
Pocketbond (www.pocketbond.co.uk) Pocketbond (www.pocketbond.co.uk) Pocketbond (www.pocketbond.co.uk) Takom kits are distributed in the UK by
Pocketbond (www.pocketbond.co.uk)
Tiger Model Toro Model Toro Model Toro Model

Leopard II Revolution I Polish Cavalry NCO 1938-39 Polish Fighter Pilot in Polish Army 2011 in Afghanistan –
Scale: 1/35 Scale: 1/10 Bust Full Dress Uniform Rosomak Crew
Ref: 4629 Ref: 10F03 Scale: 1/32 Scale: 1/35
SRP: £TBA SRP: £TBA Ref: 32F03 Ref: 35F95
SRP: £TBA SRP: £TBA
See: www.tiger-model.com See: www.toro-model.com
See: www.toro-model.com See: www.toro-model.com
Trumpeter W^D Models WW Model Studio Zvezda

Terminal High Altitude Area Figures (x10) for LGOC Ford Tf-c Armoured Car - 1920 Russian 152mm Self-Propelled
Air Defense Interceptor B Type Bus (WD Version) Scale: 1/35 Howitzer MSTA-S
Scale: 1/35 Scale: 1/76 Ref: 3506 Scale: 1/35
Ref: 01054 Ref: WD 62 SRP: £TBA Ref: 3630
SRP: £TBA SRP: £16.50 SRP: £TBA
See: www.wwmodelstudio.com
See: www.trumpeter-china.com See: www.wdmodels.com See: www.zvezda.org.ru
Distributed in the UK by Pocketbond
(www.pocketbond.co.uk)
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TE 21
Dragon Models Limited
1/35 M2A1 conversion
Ken Abrams kitbashes a USMC M2.
T
here is a rather iconic
image of a camouflaged
Marine half-track coming
down the ramp of an LST that
many of us have seen, the
vehicle’s winch loaded with
gear and its 75mm gun looking
ominous among no less than
three mounted machine
guns. I stumbled
upon this particular photo in

publications as well as later in needed to address to replicate
life on photo sharing sites and this half-track in miniature.
modelling forums. Similarly, Because this was an M2, (or
over the years I’ve seen deep to this same reason, I have no possibly an M4 since they are
that hard to find myself in a
discussions and even debates interest in knowing. Up until the same base vehicle) the first
discussion explaining all the
as to what the vehicle was and the time I originally built this thing I concentrated on was the
what it wasn’t and I’ve seen things in the photograph still do
model, and even still to this windshield frame. In the photo,
it even modelled a few times this day. There are many things day, I haven’t seen the vehicle I could see the top rail was cut
using an old and long out of in the photo, many things that portrayed correctly in miniature. in the centre, and the divider
production resin kit, the Trakz are often missed by the viewers When Dragon had both the M2 that separated the two pieces of
75mm GMC conversion set and probably only due to a lack half-track and the M3 GMC in glass was cut down as well. This
and one of the Tamiya kits as of the same form of enthusiastic their line up, I knew it was time was done to accept the position
the base. While it is definitely interest in the subject matter to put this one to bed for once of the gun barrel, which sits in a
a much more well known fact that I have. I couldn’t tell you and for all. Or so I thought. V-shaped notch on the vehicle.
today that the vehicle in the one Sherman tank from another I studied the photo and Through this cut-up gap, I
photo isn’t an M3 at all, it isn’t for the most part and it’s due made notes of the things I could see that the machine gun
1 The M3 interior tub with gun

mount and the M2 interior tub
with the correct fuel tanks. 2 The two useable halves were dry
fitted to the M2 body sides.

M2 M2A1 conversion
1/35
support? These would have to

be imagined, since there was
no clear view of what was done.
The antenna mount - as well as
the antenna base - wasn’t the
stereotypical thing, standard to
half-tracks, and this would be
an important detail to replicate.
As far as construction steps, this
was for the most part all that
needed to be addressed since
most everything else appeared
fairly standard stuff, having said
the, the biggest hurdle would
be morphing the two Dragon
and then join them together as Sure, preparation helps a great
kits together to make this all
if they were designed to be. deal as does taking one’s time
work. Parts of the mount for
to methodically think out each
the main weapon are moulded Cut and Paste
step prior to actually taking it
into the lower tub; this wasn’t The best way to figure out how
but in order to get this
going to be a simple matter of to do something is to just do it.
done it meant putting
mounting the gun in the M2
knife to plastic. I found what I
body. I had to devise a way
thought to be a logical place
to cut both kits rear body
and cut both body tubs in half.
tubs in just the right places
It was a super clean cut and
skate rail that is mounted to

the windshield at the front was
cut back as well; not removed,
but simply torch-cut out of the
way and left in place. There
were a few other items of
interest, like the mounted thirty
calibre machine gun over the
commander’s seat, mounted
on some sort of non-standard
bracket on the windshield
frame. Another was the .50cal
machine gun mounted to the
main gun shield. Was the shield
strong enough to support
the gun on its own? Would
there have to be bracing, extra
3 A razor saw was used to remove

the seats from the M2 interior.
4 The interior tubs were fitted to
the chassis to ensure everything
was square and true for gluing.
5 Sheet styrene is used to scratch

build the stowage lockers.
in turn didn’t leave me with I chose to scratch build the

precise mating surfaces. Still, it frame, since I needed it sans
was plastic after all, and could glass, and it was a much simpler
be sanded and shaped, glued I used the basic layout from
task to use various pieces of
and puttied, and made to work the M3 GMC floor, but this
strips and shapes from the
regardless. With the chassis was (again) all guess work,
Evergreen line as well as some
already built up, all was not lost as the photo doesn’t give
bolt heads shaved from the kit.
and I used this and other parts any clues as to what the floor
With the Evergreen out,
in the kit to help me line these looks like on the real vehicle.
I continued along making
two imperfect seams together. I made other improvements
the various non-standard
The second thing I needed on the kit to the more standard
fittings and attachments like
to do was remove the seat half-track details. I remade the
the mount for the .30 cal on
cushions from the M2 part, as
this is where the crew would
the commander’s side and
the antenna base and mount
rear idler springs with wire, and
used Mr. Surfacer to give a cast 8 Antenna mount is
attached to the top of
the windscreen frame.
now be standing. I used a large texture to the right parts. I super
over the driver’s station. The
razor saw, and made quick work detailed the suspension bogies
antenna consisted of various
of the raised seat cushions. I’d
address the holes and rough
sized disks, and some fine wire
wrapped around a core of bent
with the help of references,
and made my own exhaust
bracket, since Dragon didn’t
11 Packing tissue paper, medical
gauze and Tamiya parts are used
to recreate the stowage seen in the photo.
surface left behind later. With brass wire to hold the shape
both body tubs now separated supply one. I added the missing
of the tied back antenna. The
ribs on the skate rail surfaces,
from their unwanted halves, end of the mount was made
to give it the true I-Beam cross
I cleaned up the two exterior from some styrene rod, drilled
section that the real vehicle
body sides for the M2 and held to accept the brass wire and
some stretched sprue glued to has with Evergreen strip along
them in attached to the M2
that to represent the antenna the top and bottom inside,
part with clothes pins. With
itself. The machine gun mount and along the short portions
these positioned correctly, I
over the commander’s station where the outside of the rail
could then fit the front half
was harder to see, so with some show. I added missing detail
from the M3 kit to these body
rod and flat stock, I just went to the headlight guards, and
pieces and glue it in the proper
with whatever I thought looked remade the protective grille out
position. I could also position
close. I used a kit-supplied of wire instead of using the kit
this subassembly on the chassis,
machine gun pintle to mount supplied flat photo etch. With
using that as another point of
the .50cal to the main gun the majority of the build done,
reference. By fitting the whole
shield, and strengthened it my mind began to wander to
assembly to the chassis, I made
with some bracing made from that camouflage pattern and
certain that everything lined
styrene stock. Artistic license just how I was to pull that off.
up true and square. Then, I
could glue the M2 body tub was used heavily on some of
to the sides and set the whole
thing aside to dry completely.
these details, but that’s what
comes with the territory; I 14 Blue liquid mask is seen
on the headlights of the
final assembly pre paint.
The supplied windshield in simply tried to do everything
the Dragon kits is on the clear in a logical manner and in the
sprue. The entire assembly of same way I might approach
frame and glass is one, so it the same thing in real life.
requires masking after assembly For the floor of the troop
and prior to painting. This isn’t compartment, I cut some flat
really a big deal in my opinion, sheet to size and scribed in
until it comes time to separate the panel lines that would
the glass from the frame, which represent the different stowage
is an all but impossible task. compartments in the floor.

M2 M2A1 conversion
1/35
6 With the body and chassis dry

fit together with the gun, the
windscreen can be scratch built in place.
7 The missing I-beam profile of the
skate rail can be seen addressed
here with thin styrene strips.
9 The .30cal pintle mount is

scratch built as best as could be
considering the one reference photo.
10 The added .50cal mounts
are made from styrene sheet
stock and photoetch cradles.
12 A close up of the USMC-

style radio mount shows
the bend of the spring under
13 The skate rail trolleys are
slightly modified to fit on
the new I-beam profile skate rail.
tension, this is simple thin wire
wrapped around a bent brass rod.
15 Close inspection of the rear

corner shows the open gap,
something than can creep up on you
16 Thin black thread is
used for the tie down
ropes and black coated wire is
on these kits if you aren’t careful. used for the headlight leads.
The Challenge hard edges of the shapes are a lot with different application
If I thought the build was a all too obvious. Do I attempt to methods. I can’t list off the
difficult challenge, the paint job mask this? Twice even for each colours or the order they
was easily going to be on par colour? No way, I was already were applied, but what I can
for the level of difficulty. The tempting fate with this build tell you is that it was with this
pattern was pretty tricky and as it was and didn’t want to model that I took a huge step.
while I had seen models done risk putting this project aside My modelling had become
in the past with artist’s licensing for something easier. What if rather stagnant, and I needed
applied heavily in the shapes I took a page from the figure to quell this nagging desire
and their placements, I was modeller’s way of doing things, to recreate the effects I saw in
hell bent on getting it right. Of say for instance using heavily my head that never seemed
course, this would only apply to diluted paint applied in layers. to come out on the surface. I
the one side and the hood and This method is used to apply can remember the person, the
gun shield, and the rest of the
17
paint by brush without leaving place and the conversation that Olive Drab is applied
vehicle was mine to interpret. brush marks. True, this method opened my eyes to my biggest randomly over black primer.
I painted the subassemblies in would take some time since problem; that problem was I.
olive drab, lightening the colour I’ll have to paint each shape I can recall the model on
quite a bit to facilitate the at least three times or more to an old forum thread, and a
later weathering steps. Using build up the colour enough well-known modeller friend
the photo, I drew the shapes but this hobby has never been was coaching me on working
on the surface with a sharp with pigments. I can remember
about rushing to me. I’m not
pencil. Once I had the pattern saying the same thing I still see
sure what all the fuss is about
matching the photo, I tried to people say today: ‘They just
these days, with so much focus
mimic the style on the opposing wash things out’ . Truth is, my
on convenience and speed; my
side and back in pencil as well. misunderstanding of how to
relaxation and enjoyment is
With the entire pattern drawn work with them was what was
a by-product of doing things
lightly on the vehicle, I realized washing my models out. I can
that take time. After several
how easily it would be to get remember deciding to ‘chalk
painting sessions, I had the
lost in the myriad of lines now it up’ and shelve it in response
scribbled all over the vehicle camouflage pattern looking
like I wanted it. I also had the to his long post on how he
in twisting squiggles and
shapes. I put the photo in some
editing software and used the
one and only known marking
painted on the gun shield,
thought I should precede
working with the pigments. 20 With the stowage now
painted a brown wash
is applied on the surface.
the various fittings painted A few days later I thought
invert colours function. This
and the stowage items picked that in hindsight my reply was
will basically turn the photo
out in their colours as well. rather dismissive and I wasn’t
into a negative which actually
surprised the thread pretty
accentuates the differences in
An Awakening much died right there, but a
colours better than the black
Considering I weathered few days later I went back and
and white does. Using this now
this vehicle around seven re-read his post and started
more obvious demarcation of
years ago, I can only tell you I dissecting his advice and his
the colours and placed a small
applied washes and pigments thought processes. I pulled
letter in each of the two colours
in a rather heavy-handed the model off the shelf, and
I was to use for the pattern,
leaving the areas to remain fashion, while experimenting forged on. Right off the bat,
Olive Drab without any letters at I saw a positive change after
all. And with that, I completely just a few simple steps.
simplified a very confusing task.
23
The next bit of an obstacle to Graphite is dry brushed on the
overcome was just exactly how breech to show shiny, metal
to paint this. Do I freehand wear on heavily used parts of the gun.
it with the airbrush? I
chose not to because in
the photo, the
26 Pigments are slowly applied

to damp washes to build
up texture and heavy filth.

M2 M2A1 conversion
1/35
18 Black and Red Brown are hand

brushed in thin layers to represent
the camouflage after light pencil lines were 19 This side’s pattern was
completely invented,
applied on the surface per references photo. due to lack of references.
22 Downward streaks are placed

at logical points directly
21 A Dark Green filter is helpful in
slightly unifying the camouflage. under protruding objects, not just
randomly on the slab sides.
24 More graphite is applied to the

slide underneath the main gun,
25 Decals are used on
the tombstone ammo
drums and settled down tightly
to imply constant friction and wear. with Polly S decal solution.
27 An artist’s graphite pencil

is used to apply precision
placement on the steel chain of
28 Downward streaks are
used to further enhance
the applied pigments and blend
the tracks to imply heavy wear. them into the underlying finish.
It wasn’t the easiest thing using his articles as a guide. stuck with me, it was something show, and this model was one
one can be asked to do, put This model was my first to the effect that ‘it was the only of a few I had on the display
their pride aside in front of all real test on the Missing place in the world he had ever table of the booth I was
your peers and actually allow Lynx Constructive Criticism been knee deep in mud with working. I was approached by
someone else to maybe have discussion group back then. beach sand blowing in his face.’ I Tom Laemlein, owner of Armor
some ‘better’ knowledge but I had never posted any of my tried to give some of the parts a Plate Press. He had brought
it was the one time I can look work there, and this was my dry and dusty yet dark muddy over one of his publications;
back and say that right there, first. This was the first model appearance; thicker to the tyres issue 4 of WWII Ordnance
my skillset changed. Now, that where I worked washes into and running gear and lighter Illustrated to show me a photo
model wasn’t a showstopper, pigments and built pigments on the upper surfaces, as well that he thought I might be
but I learned invaluable things into washes unlike all those as a humid jungle look to some interested in. After a bit of back
about the various painting and forum threads that say ‘always of the highest of the upper story, he laid down his book
weathering mediums and how save pigments for last’. I tried surfaces where moisture might open to page 27 where there
to use them in conjunction to create a look that portrayed settle. I cannot be held too among three other photos, was
with each other that I hadn’t all the accounts I read of accountable for the extremely this very half-track in a picture
even thought to try and some of the Pacific fighting, heavy handed washes around taken before its camouflage
attempt. I started seeking especially on the islands that the screw heads on the body; pattern was applied. The point
out this very modeller’s work my references mentioned it was as I said, about seven of view was of the opposite side
in various publications, and this vehicle landing on. One years ago, and I would have and partial front - almost the
actually experimented on particular Marine’s account definitely done some things exact opposite view. What I saw
previously finished models by differently today. However, this pleased the rivet counter in me,
is a very important part of my whilst simultaneously leaving
modelling; self-criticism. I love me a little deflated, all at the
tearing apart my most recently same time! While I was so very
completed works after I see thrilled to have been shown
them in print for the first this other viewpoint, it was too
time, usually scattered little, too late for any last minute
among my following additions. The model that I
articles body of text. thought was complete was
missing the two ‘jury rigged’
To be Continued wire jerry can racks with three
In 2011, I was jerry cans in each, seen on the
trading at a local back of the half-track as well as
the third .50cal machine gun
mounted on the opposite side
which must have been hidden
in the other view. Alas ,this can
really only mean two things;
one being that I still haven’t
set the record straight on this
vehicle just yet, and two being
that I have to revisit this build
again one day, and get it right
this time around for real.
Availability:
1/35 M2A1 Halftrack (ref.
6329) and M3 75mm Gun
Motor Carriage (ref. 6467)
are available from good
model shops.

Academy Hummer
1/35 M1025 GMV conversion
Humvee kit I ever

built, back in my
Alexander Pedan builds a Special Ops’ Humvee. childhood days.
T
Despite this being
he Ground Mobility access, winch for towing other grenade launchers, and
a fairly modest
Vehicle (GMV) is a Special vehicles (up to 4,200 lbs), and smoke grenade dischargers.
attempt, at the time
Operations version of GPS navigation system. With Early models utilised the
I was quite proud
the Humvee, its design being a range of 275 miles, the GMV M1025 chassis, some later ones
of my achievement.
based on lessons learned can operate behind enemy being based on the M1113.
It occurred to me
during Operation Desert Storm. lines with only occasional Another model, based on the
recently, that I had
While the vehicle retains the re-supply. The open flat-bed M1165, can be further improved
not re-visited the subject
basic body and chassis, it is used to store ammunition, to create an ‘up-armoured’ GMV,
with the benefit of my ‘adult’
features several modifications fuel and rations, along with by fitting specially designed
modelling skills. I have also
to improve survivability and other supplies that the mission armoured panels to key points
noticed a general lack of
operational capability: heavier requires. Most GMVs are armed around the vehicle, and an
interest in the Humvee of late
suspension, more rugged tyres, with various combinations of optional ballistic shield around
… quite surprising really. So,
the top gunner’s station.
higher ground clearance, more weapons including machine- time to redress the balance,
powerful engine, open rear guns (M2, M240 and M249), The Model with a model of the M1025
bed for improved storage and Mk.19 or Mk.47 40mm automatic I can well remember the first Special Ops vehicle. When I
1 2

Academy Hummer 1/35
M1025 GMV conversion
mentioned this idea to course, built from the box, it was too short to match the the Legend Productions’
a fellow modeller, he is immediately recognisable position of the supports, I had figures. Finding figures that fit
kindly passed on to me (despite certain inaccuracies), to tilt the rear frame forward 1/35-scale vehicles as well as
an old Academy kit of but I was planning to give slightly for correct alignment. these is always a challenge!
2-4
the M1025, and one of this a complete makeover. Rather than describing every The Legend
Legend Productions’ The first task was to study the step of the construction (in Productions’
resin conversion kits. instruction sheets of both the itself, relatively straightforward), conversions is quite extensive
Included in the parcel base kit and the conversion suffice to say that particular as you can appreciate
was a set of figures set. Having identified the parts care was required to ensure that from this rear shot.
(also from Legend). that needed to be removed everything would fit perfectly;
While these were not from the kit, I noted which of the last thing I wanted was to
strictly Special Ops these would be replaced by reach the end of the assembly,
figures, I felt it rude to either resin or photoetched and be faced with a major Availability:
discard them, so went components. Incidentally, while problem. I also found it easier
ahead and included the conversion set is suitable for to treat the model as a series of Legend Productions
them with the vehicle. both the Tamiya and Academy sub-assemblies (smaller items 1/35 Special Forces GMV
As many will be kits, it is specifically designed being mounted on toothpicks), Conversion Set (ref. LF212)
Academy 1/35 Hummer
aware, the Academy for the former. This became which would certainly make
M1025 Armoured
kit is around 25 obvious when I attempted to life easier during the Armament Carrier (ref.
years old, and attach the roof section. As this painting sequence. 1350)
consequently,
1
fairly basic The assembled
by current model: you can see
standards. Of the various media, plastic,
resin and photoetch and
5 6
Painting & Weathering around the vehicle, once the colours; not only to copy what engine hood was painted in a
Having treated each section to base coat had been applied. is seen on the originals, but also three-colour NATO scheme, and
a coat of black primer, I allowed Something I have noticed to provide visual interest to an the roof gunner’s mount overall
this to fully dry, and grouped on military vehicles, is that otherwise boring scheme. With NATO Green. Similarly, I varied
the parts according to their replacement items are often this in mind, I painted one of the the shades when painting
eventual colour. When dealing in a totally different colour, wheel hubs black, to contrast stowed equipment such as fuel/
with the wheels, my normal rather than being re-painted with the sand colour. The water carriers and
approach is to begin with the to match the vehicle. Here was ammunition boxes.
tyre, then the disc, and finally the perfect excuse to vary the With the base
touch up the rim colour using a colours established,
fine-pointed brush. I also used a the model was
brush to pick out various details given a coat of
gloss varnish. Since
no markings were
required, I was
able to proceed
immediately to
9 10

7 8
the weathering sequence. would result when handling for the machine-guns, I gave sections of the vehicle in
Typical of vehicles that operate the model. And so to the them an initial coat of dark grey, different colours – a mixture
in desert terrain, the colours hotly debated subject, ‘paint and then lightly rubbed each of sand and NATO Green.
7
would need to be subdued to chipping’. Preferring the one with gunmetal pigment to Weathering began with
replicate the effects of harsh subtle approach, I focussed impart a characteristic metallic the application of dots of
sunlight. In my opinion, oil on extreme edges, merely sheen. With everything in place, oil paints, blended in with a
paints are the best medium adding touches of green to I made a start on the crew brush moistened in thinner.
for achieving this. While some give the impression of the figures. The first task was to cut
This faded the paintwork, tying
modellers go to great lengths sand colour having been worn away the feet and portions of
the different shades together.
here, employing a variety of away by the elements. Various the backs to allow them to sit
colours, I find that simply using
a combination of black-brown
light-tone pigments were
applied to suggest dust and
correctly in the available space. I
must admit that figure painting 8 I then applied a dark
wash, which really
helped the details pop out.
and white is sufficient. Having sand settling over the vehicle’s is not my forte. Accepting this,
randomly placed tiny spots
of colour over the surfaces, I
surfaces, not forgetting areas
such as the roof and the open
I sought advice from a more
experienced painter, Eugene 9 At this point I added a coat
of overall matt varnish in
preparation for the subsequent
blended them using a brush rear bed. The pigments were Tour. He showed me how to
moistened with white spirit. then washed with white spirit, combine acrylics for the base weathering processes.
The important thing now was
to allow 12-hours drying time,
to prevent subsequent washes
and dried using blasts of air
from my airbrush. I find this
accelerated process results
painting, oils for shading, and
wiping off to reveal highlights
… all to good effect.
10 I further faded the
paintwork by the
addition of white oil paint,
from disturbing the oil paint. in a more realistic colour And with that, the model blending these streaks with
Time now to apply a series of once the pigments are dry. was complete. I was generally thinner. You can see the effects
black pin-washes to emphasise Repeating the treatment pleased with the result, even of this on the bonnet and doors.
11
panel lines and recesses, and to the wheels, I attached more so when it was awarded Set in a Middle Eastern
to re-define raised details. each one to a toothpick, and Silver at the Moson Model
environment, pigments
Having first moistened the rotated it while drying with the Show earlier this year.
were an essential part of the
surfaces with white spirit, I used
a fine-pointed brush to apply
the wash, and (after about half
airbrush. Having made a few
adjustments to the colour, I
rubbed black pigment over the
5 The model was broken
into sub-assemblies and
sprayed black, providing
weathering process. They
were added dry to areas where
an hour) removed any excess tyres before finally attaching a strong base for the dust would accumulate …
with a damp cotton bud.
A coat of matt varnish was
the wheels to the model.
Of course, a similar
subsequent paint layers and
some natural shadows. 12 And then washed
with white spirit.
applied, and again left to
completely dry, to ensure
that no tell-tale fingerprints
weathering approach would be
required for the various items
of equipment and stowage. As
6 Breaking the model into
sub-assemblies allowed
me to easily paint various
Drying them with blasts of
air from the airbrush gives
a very convincing finish.
11 12
Meng Model’s
1/35
Pickup w/ZU-23-2
Štefan Pásztor builds Meng Model’s

Land Cruiser with ZU-23-2.
T
he starting point for
this project was Meng
Model’s ‘Pickup w/
ZU-23-2’. Released in 2013,
this was the fourth kit in their
‘Velociraptor’ range, and depicts
one of the many ‘technicals’
operated by various African
imagination. This is essentially a

two-in-one kit; the modeller has
way of an 18-page manual, the option of building a pick-up/
and Middle Eastern irregular with colour references based gun combo, or the vehicle and
armies. The vehicle is the on Mr.Hobby and Vallejo paints.
widely popular Toyota Land Of course, given the variety of
Cruiser, which is shown here a set of vinyl tyres, poly-caps locally applied schemes, there is
equipped with the ZU-23-2 for the wheels, a small fret of ample scope for artistic flair and
twin-barrelled anti-aircraft photo-etched details, and a
gun. The kit itself comprises decal sheet with appropriate
over 200 injection-moulded dashboard console dials.
components (including clear Assembly instructions are by
parts for windows and lights),
Note the essential
addition of the Toyota
name plate on the rear.

Meng Model’s
Pickup w/ZU-23-2
1/35
kit-supplied tyres were

devoid of raised markings
around the side-walls, I decided
to replace these (and the
wheel hubs) with ET Model’s
‘Technical Pick-up Truck
Weighted Road Wheels’ from
ET Model (ref. ER35-031). I also
gun as separate items … plenty
replaced the plastic gun-
of diorama possibilities here.
barrels with a turned-metal pair
Construction from RB Model (ref. 35B135).
Thanks to quality moulding and Perhaps due to copyright
excellent parts-fit, assembly restrictions, the ‘Toyota’ logo is
proved to be relatively absent from the vehicle’s rear
straightforward. Also, the panel. As this is a characteristic
level of detail throughout feature, I made my own using
1
meant that the kit could be my NC Plotter software and
easily built-from-the- metallic foil. The plate attached
box; any modifications to the front bumper was simply
or replacements were cut from a piece of brass sheet.
1
really down to personal I scratchbuilt my own
preference. The main gun platform, making
change was to build a it a little more ‘homemade’
new gun platform, made than the kit version. The
from Evergreen profiles, with tread pattern comes from
embossed paper used to some embossed paper.
replicate the anti-slip metal
plate. Various weld seams
were added, these being
2 Weld seams were added
using Green Stuff epoxy
putty. Again, no need to
replicated using Green Stuff
be overly neat here.
two-part modelling putty.
Noticing that the
3 The Meng Model’s kit
nearing completion.
2
4 ET Model’s weighted
resin wheels really
improve the overall
appearance of the model.
Availability:
Meng Model’s 1/35 Pickup
w/ZU-23-2 (ref. VS-004) is
available from good model
shops. 4
Meng Model’s
1/35
Pickup w/ZU-23-2
Painting, Marking began with a series of AK applied to the lower body and
& Weathering Interactive washes; three wheels, and fixed with acrylic
With the model broken down different colours applied to thinner. All that was required
into sub-assemblies, the first specific areas. Now using was to re-assemble the model,
task was to apply a coat of various filters (a combination and add a selection of carefully
‘Mr.Finishing Surfacer 1500 – of AMMO and AK products, chosen accessories to provide
Black’ to each section. Having together with my own mixes), further interest to the cab
allowed this to fully dry, I gave I brushed these over the and rear compartment.
the vehicle’s exterior (with surfaces, allowing an hour’s
the exception of the chassis) drying-time between each Final Thoughts
a coat of diluted Tamiya X-2 layer. The next step was to Without doubt, this is one of
(Gloss White). The AA gun was apply tiny spots of oil colour to my favourite models to date.
painted using APa183 (Modern all surfaces, and (using a brush I particularly enjoyed the
Russian Green) from a Slovak moistened with thinner), draw painting aspect, but was aware 5
manufacturer, now sadly out-of- them downwards to create that the white base colour
production. The gun platform a faded appearance to the would require great care during
was treated to a series of rust paintwork. While the oils were the weathering stage … too
tones, and the vehicle interior drying, I added small amounts much, and the effect would
was painted with various Tamiya of earth and dust-tone pigment be totally ruined. However,
mixes (mainly Buff and Earth). paste under the wheel arches. the multi-coloured stripes
Returning to the exterior, I While there is some debate
and spots created a much-
airbrushed the blue and red as to the true extent of paint
needed contrast, helped also
stripes, and hand-painted the chipping on armoured vehicles,
by the presence of the rear-
distinctive ‘27’ markings (as per here was the perfect subject
mounted gun and platform.
for some serious paintwork
5
my reference photographs). Meng’s ZSU-23-2 is a lovely little kit by
And now, the trickiest aspect damage. For this purpose, I used
AMMO’s A.MIG-044 (Chipping). itself and the RB Models’ turned metal
of the painting – replicating
A piece of sponge was used barrels really add to the final appearance.
the hastily sprayed red spots
around the vehicle. The solution
was to use diluted paint, with
to replicate surface scratches,
and a fine-pointed brush for 6 The sub-assemblies with the
black primer applied.
the airbrush compressor set to
0.6 psi. Having practiced on a
larger scratches and areas of
chipped paintwork. A similar
approach was used on the gun,
7 And the White applied.
piece of plastic card, I applied

the spots, together with the
but with a medium olive colour
applied under the dark brown.
8 The gun and platform were painted
separately from the truck.
8
large ‘N’ on the bonnet. The
Arabic wording down one side
Satisfied with the appearance
so far, I moved on to the dust
9 The body stripes and numbers applied.
10
of the vehicle, was followed The red and brown spots were
effects. Having masked the
by further spots (this time applied using thinned paint and
portion of the windscreen that
brown), and I was ready to seal an airbrush – a steady hand and some
would have been cleaned by
the paintwork with a coat of courage is needed to pull this off!
the wipers, I airbrushed diluted
X-35 (Semi-Gloss Varnish). It
would appear that the images
on the doors were paper
Tamiya X-57 (Buff ) to the lower
body. The windscreen received 11 I applied Tamiya’s Semi-Gloss Clear
varnish to seal the paintwork.
posters, cut and pasted to
the panels. With this in mind,
the same treatment, followed
by a small amount of AK-4061 12 The posters were applied to doors,
and their edges damaged.
I made my own (computer-
generated designs on paper),
(Sand Yellow Deposit), brushed
over the surface, and washed
downwards using a flat brush
13 A series of AK Interactive washes
were applied to both the gun
and truck with different consistencies
and damaged the edges with and thinner. And finally, various
the help of a pair of tweezers. used to obtain different effects.
14
Síra Hobby dry A variety of filters were applied
The weathering sequence pigments were to both soften the overall
appearance of the paint finish and to
further the weather the paintwork. 11
15 They were applied with a small flat
brush to different areas at a time.
16 Oil paint dots were

applied, and then blended
downwards with moist brush.
14

Meng Model’s
Pickup w/ZU-23-2
1/35
6 7
9 10
12 13
15 16
Meng Model’s
1/35
Pickup w/ZU-23-2
17 18
19 20
17 The rear-mounted AA gun after the

paint-fading treatment, and dust 18 I added various rust tones
to the gun platform. 20 Here you can see scratches
and paint-chipping effects
For more ‘technicals’ check
out the October 2015 Military
effects were added to lower areas.
19 Earth and dust-tone pigment paste
were applied to the wheel arches,
in preparation for further dry pigments.
applied to the vehicle and gun.
21 Heavily diluted Tamiya Buff

was used to create a dusty
Modelcraft International
special issue, available
from our website www.
appearance on the vehicle. militarymodelcraft.co.uk.
22 Having looked again at the

model, I decided to add further
rust treatment to the gun platform.
23 Dust streaks were applied to the

vehicle body using AK Interactive’s
ready-mixed enamel-based products.
24 Finally, I applied dry

pigments applied to the
lower body and wheels.
21 22
23 24

ISSUE 14
A Leopard 2E on the CerroMuriano

training ground. Photos by Stefan
Degraef and Edwin Borremans.
Stefan Degraef
looks at the
Spanish Army’s
Leopard 2E MBT.
O
n 15 February 2017 the countries, boosts the alliance’s same time the Ejercito de Tierra (ER1 and EM2) and US-made
Spanish Ministerio de northeastern flank from any has initiated a new internal M48 A5E2, M60 A-1 and M60
Defensa (Ministry of possible invasion from abroad. reform to provide a more A3TTS MBT-variants. Initially,
in1984, Spain decided to
Defence) and Ejercito de Tierra This Spanish deployment of organic deployable force able to
purchase a new-’Spanish-built’
(Spanish Army) decided to send some 350 soldiers, being part respond to any threat scenario. MBT (aka Lince) to replace its
six modern Leopard 2E main of a Latvia-based multinational ‘basic’ AMX-30E’s and old M47/
battle tanks (MBT) and fifteen battalion under Canadian Leopard 2E M48 Patton-tanks. Although
Pizarro II armoured fighting leadership, not only illustrates The era of the Krauss-Maffei five companies were interested
Wegmann (KMW)-designed in developing this new tank,
vehicles to Latvia as part of Spain’s willingness to participate
Leopard 2 main battle tank in the ‘Lince’ programme was
NATO’s Enhanced Forward in NATO member-support
Spanish military service began cancelled in 1989, due to the
Presence (EFP) initiative in the operations, but also to in 1994. From the late 1980s the availability of former US Army
Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia continuously invest in a capable, Ejercito de Tierra was looking to M60 tanks, the upgrading of
and Estonia) and Poland. This deployable and credible standardise and modernise its the AMX-30 fleet and inevitable
multinational military force, Leopard 2E (also known as the existing MBT fleet, composed of predicted cost-overruns.
based in these four NATO Lepardo 2E) MBT force. At the a mix of French made AMX-30 The cancellation of the Lince
(above) Members of the Batallon (right) A view inside the turret of the
de Infanteria Carros de Combate Leopard 2E show the sophisticated
fire control and tactical display
Malaga I/10 on the training area.
equipment of contemporary MBTs.
MMI Armour in Profile
project, being a smaller and

more mobile variant than the
existing KMW-Leopard 2A4
variant, and the upgrading of
the older tanks, did not boost
the Spanish army’s fighting
capabilities and soon triggered
the quest for a more durable
and modern MBT-solution.
In spring 1994, the Spanish
Ministry of Defence launched
an ambitious procurement
and modernisation plan.
This ‘Programa Coraza 2000’
(Program Breastplate 2000)
included the purchase of
modern KMW Leopard 2A6,
Austrian-designed ASCOD
Ulan/Pizarro infantry combat
vehicles and Eurocopter
Tiger attack helicopters, all 2E were delivered to the
to be modified to specific Spanish forcing the Spanish
Spanish standards. On 9 May Army to buy in 1998 108 ex-
1995, a Memorandum of German Leopard 2A4s for only
Understanding was signed
16.9 million Euros. In addition to
between the German and
the 219 Leopard 2E MBTs (aka
Spanish governments for the
‘CC/Carro de Combate), sixteen
purchase of 308 factory-fresh
Leopard 2ER/Bufalo 2 recovery
Leopard 2E (E for Espana), being
(also known as CREC/Carros
a modified Leopard 2A6-variant.
de Recuperacion) tanks and
The 2.4 billion Euro contract
included the assembling of four Leopard 2E driver-trainers (above and this photo)
the MBTs by Spain’s Santa variants (aka CESC/Carros The mechanised
Barbara Sistemas company Escuela) were also delivered. infantry battalions
using components mainly Twenty-two MBTs, four recovery deploy the ASCOD
tanks and all four driver-training Pizarro II Armoured
made in Spain. To prepare the
2ECs were manufactured in Infantry Fighting
operational introduction of
Germany. The contract also Vehicle alongside
this new-generation of MBT,
108 ‘older’ Leopard 2A4 tanks included integrated logistical the Leopard 2E.
were lent by the Germans support, training of crew
to the Spanish for training and maintenance personnel,
purposes for a duration of maintenance of several
five years. Eventually, Spanish sub-systems and the delivery
production of the Leopard of ‘all aspect’ simulators.
2E begun in 2003 at Santa Pending the delivery of the
Barbara’s plant in Seville since new ‘Echos’, the Leopard 2A4’s
KMW was initially not willing were used by the ‘Brigada
to export its technology ‘Extramadura’ XI and the
to Santa Barbara Sistemas, ‘Guzman El Bueno X’ mechanised
which had been purchased infantry brigade based at
by General Dynamics, the Badajoz and Cerro Muriano/
designer and producer of the Cordoba. After the operational
competing M1A1 Abrams MBT. introduction of the 2E-MBTs
Eventually, only 219 Leopard by BRIMZ X and XI, all Leopard

Armour in Profile MMI
2A4-models were transferred

to Regimiento de Caballeria
Acorazado ‘Alcantara’ 10’ (10th
Armoured Cavalry Regiment),
based at Mellila, one of Spain’s
enclaves in North Africa.
Leopard 2A6 Variant

The Ejercito de Tierra’s
Leopard 2E is based on
Germany’s capable Leopard
2A6-variant, in service with
the German Heer (Army). This
2A6-MBT was developed as
a Kampfwertsteigerung/KWS
(combat potential increase) of
the existing Leopard 2A4-model
by replacing its Rheinmetall
Rh 120 L/44 by a more potent
and longer barreled Rh120
L/55 canon and to improve
the tank’s armour protection
and survivability on the ‘classic’
battlefield. Additional add-
on wedge ‘arrow-shaped’
armour was installed on the
turret’s frontal arc and roof
to make it less vulnerable to
kinetic energy penetrating
munitions (like armour piercing
sabot rounds). To give the
MBT more protection against
mines and IED’s (improvised
explosive devices) additional
belly-armour plates were also
incorporated in the design
and manufacturing process.
Armed with the potent
Rheinmetall L/55 120 mm, the
Leopard 2E and its four-man
crew (tank commander, gunner,
loader and driver) are able to
engage targets at an effective
range of some 4,000 meters. For
battlefield observation, target
identification and elimination
the tank commander uses a
turret-mounted 360° rotatable
day/night PERI-R 17A2
stabilised panoramic periscope.
The gunner, seated in front and
below the tank-commander,
uses a dual-magnification
stabilised sight with an
integrated laser-rangefinder
and thermal imaging unit. The
stabilised gun allows the tank-
commander and gunner to
individually detect, target and
attack (‘hunter-killer’) enemy
tanks and APCs (armoured
personnel carriers) while
moving over rough terrain
in all weather conditions.
A back-up telescope is also
available for the gunner. All
systems are integrated into
the Leopard Information and
Command Equipment (LINCE)
command and control system,
developed by Rheinmetall
Defense Electronics and the
Spanish Indra company. This
‘Lince’-battle management
systems also allows each tank-
commander to optimize its An internal overpressurization

battlefield situation awareness system protects the Leopard 2Es
using a multi-colour display crew from nuclear, biological
indicating the exact position and chemical (NBC) threats.
of his tank, his company’s For training purposes, all
tanks and the enemy MBTs. Leopard 2Es Regiments use
The loader, standing to a high-tech dynamic turret-
the left of his commander, simulator, designed by the
manually loads the L/55 gun Spanish INDRA-company. This
using munition stored in the simulator can be used to train
back of the turret (fifteen MBT-commanders, gunners
rounds) and left of the driver and loaders during various
in the body of the MBT (27 simple and more complicated
rounds). A blast door separates realistic tactical scenarios and
the back of the turret from operational environments. To
the crew compartment and boost the realistic value of this
when hit, this turret-section crew-training, simulated ‘iron’
will explode upwards without munition, similar in size and
endangering the crew. weight, can be handled by the
Standard munitions used loader and ‘fired’ by the gunner.
by the Leopard 2Es are the
German-made DM43 APFSDS-T Corboda’s Battalion de
kinetic energy penetration Infanteria Carros de
anti-tank sabot-round and the Combate ‘Malaga’ I/10
DM12 multipurpose anti-tank Since its introduction by the
projectile (aka MPAT). The DM43 Ejercito de Tierra, four brigades
is able to penetrate 56cm of were equipped with the new
steel armour when fired at a Leopard 2Es: Brigada Acorazada
range of two kilometres. Its ‘Guadarrama’ XII (Colmenar
ammunition manually loaded Viejo/Madrid), Brigada
by an experienced loader, a Acorazada ‘Guzman El Bueno’
Leopard 2E can fire up to nine X (CerroMuriano/Cordoba)
shots a minute, with some of and Brigada de Infanteria
its ammunition (especially Mecanizada ‘Extramadura’
the APFSDS-T kinetic energy XI (Badajoz). Each of these
penetrators) reaching velocities brigades, all belonging to
up to 1,800/second. Able to Spain’s Division ‘San Marcial’
shoot the Rheinmetall L/55 has one Regimiento de Infanteria
on a 9° downward angle and Acorzado with one Batallon de
to climb obstacles up to 1,1 Infanteria de Carros de Combate,
meters, the Leopard 2E can which are each composed off
use terrain concealment to three companies (companias)
target and attack enemy of Leopard 2E MBTs. Three
MBTs without exposing its individual platoons (Primara,
bulk to the opponent. Segunda & Tercara Seccion)
When forced to fight at very all have three MBTs in each
close range (in urban areas), Seccion, augmented by two
two 7.62mm machine guns can ‘staff’ Leopard 2Es. On paper
be used, one turret-mounted therefore each Ejercito de
and one co-axially mounted in Tierra’s Brigade can field a
the turret. Two groups of four combined force of forty-two
side-mounted 76mm Wegmann MBTs, joined by Leopard 2ER
smoke mortars on the turret can Bufalo-CREC recovery tanks.
be electrically fired to create Based at the Spanish Army’s
smokescreens within seconds. CerroMuriano barracks,
located 15km north of Cordoba
(southern Spain) and – almost
on a daily basis – using the
base’s vast training area,
Batallon de Infanteria Carros de
Combate Malaga I/10 is part of
Regimiento Acorazada ‘Cordoba’
No.10., joined by Grupo de
Cabelleria Acorazado ‘Alamansa’
II/10. This mechanised
cavalry unit operates ASCOD
(Austrian Spanish Cooperation
Development) Pizarro II VCI’s
(Vehiculos de Combate de
Infanteria) armoured infantry
fighting vehicles in support of
the Leopard 2E fighting force.
Armed with a 30mm Mauser
Mk-30/2 cannon, the new ‘Fase
II’ Pizarro is an updated version

Armour in Profile MMI
of the initial version with a If needed each BOP will be military personnel, six Leopard rotations of personnel planned
small increase in overall length supplemented by additional 2E MBTs and fifteen Pizarro II between the various MBT-
but improved armour, interior companies/battalions to armoured infantry fighting equipped BOPs. The Spanish
design, control handling and, boost their overall capabilities vehicles to the Latvian Army’s Leopard 2Es are joined by a
more importantly, new tactical (for example, a heliborne Adazi military barracks, close to company of Leopard 2A5 MBTs
displays for the VCI commander capability provided by one of the capital city of Riga. Initially of the Polish Armed Forces,
and gunner. Frequent joint FAMET/Army Aviation Units). personnel, tanks and vehicles obtained from Germany’s
operations with MBTs, Pizarro II of ‘Brigada Extramadura XI/ Heer-surplus stocks in 2013.
VCI and command vehicles and NATO Enhanced BOP XI’ were sent to Latvia, with
even M125A1 120mm heavy Forward Presence: BOPs
mortar carriers are simulated Deploy to Latvia
in the training area. For urban In reaction to Russia’s
warfare training a small annexation of Crimea and
‘concrete’ village was erected. operations in Ukraine, NATO
In 2015 the Ejercito de decided during its 2016
Tierra initiated an in-depth Summit in Warsaw (Poland) to
reorganisation transforming its deploy as ‘NATO’s Enhanced
brigades into eight ‘Brigadas Forward Presence/EFP’ four
Organicas Polivalentes/BOP’ multi-national battalion-sized
(Polyvalant Organic Brigades), landforce battlegroups to
allowing these units to Poland and the Baltic States
respond, adapt and deploy (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania).
in a more flexible manner to The Latvia-based multi-
any type of (inter)national national battlegroup, led by
humanitarian, peace-keeping Canada, will be initially a six-
or enforcement mission. In nation military force, comprised
order to be more deployable of troops from Canada, Albania,
as a unit, the Brigada ‘Guzman Italy, Poland, Slovenia and
el Bueno X’/BOP X received two Spain. The Spanish Ejercito
additional fighting companies. de Tierra deployed some 350

1/35 T155 Firtina
Conversion
T155 Firtina
Turkish SPH
Volkan Ayhan presents a lesson in
scratchbuilding and conversion.
T
he T155 Firtina (transl. produced by the Ankara-based
‘Storm’) is a Turkish company ‘MKEK’.
self-propelled howitzer,
based on the South Korean A Dilemma
K9 Thunder. Though sharing Tackling a commercially
the same 155mm gun, auto- available kit is a relatively
ammunition feed mechanism straightforward affair for
and German-designed engine, me, the main decision being
the Turkish version differs in whether to build from the
several respects: turret design, box, or make
certain chassis parts, navigation improvements/
system, and electronics systems refinements for a more
(radio and fire-control). Also, accurate model. It is a
unlike the K9, the T155 lacks different matter when
the commander’s digital I am asked to consider
panoramic sight. Under a commission project
the licence agreement with for which there is no
Samsung Techwin, the first actual kit available.
eight T155s were built in South Determined not to
Korea, the remaining 300 let this stand in my
being produced in Turkey. way, I accepted the challenge,
The T155 has a maximum and set about thinking how
firing range of 40km best to approach the subject.
(depending on the type of The first task was to find a
ammunition used). With a suitable base kit. Aware of
maximum speed of 66km/h, the T155’s origins, I realised
the vehicle has an operational that the logical choice would
range of 480km. Following be to carry out a conversion
the manufacturing transfer, of the K9 just like the real
the T155s are built at the 1st thing, specifically, Academy’s
Army Maintenance Centre ‘R.O.K. Army Self-Propelled
Command of the Turkish Howitzer K9’ (ref. 13219).
Army in Adapazarı, the gun Having received the kit, and

T155 Firtina 1/35
Conversion
armed with various reference of after-market products for

sources, I set about the task others: Leopard Workshop’s
of noting all the differences ‘Leopard 2A4 Smoke
between the two vehicles. It Launchers’ (ref. LW027C), ‘US-
was clear that the turret Style AS-1729 Aerials on MX-
would be the most 6707 Base Unit’ (ref. LW021B),
challenging aspect, so and Aber’s ‘Barrel & Fittings
it was here where I for M2HB Browning Machine
began. While certain Gun’ (ref. 35L-80). Annoyingly,
areas could be two other items that I bought
easily scratch- proved to be unsuitable:
built, I opted Orange Hobby’s ‘Turned-
to make Metal 155mm L52 Gun Barrel’
use (ref. G35-095-128), too heavy for
the mantlet; and DEF Model’s
‘US T158 Workable Track
Links’ (ref. S35001),
2mm wider than
the K9 tracks.
1/35 T155 Firtina
Conversion
Assembling the Puzzle …

Turret Walls
The main difference between
the K9 and T155 turrets is the
height, this being dictated by
the angle of the front panel.
Working out the correct shape
and dimensions took a long
time using old-school geometry
calculations (photo 1). An
important consideration would
be the thickness of styrene
sheet used for the turret walls.
In the end, I opted for 0.5mm.
While this would be relatively
easy to sand and glue together, 1
I had to be careful not to
damage the panels during
handling. The front panel was
detailed with nuts and bolts
from one of Meng Model’s sets, reference images (photo 6).
correct placement, I needed to
together with handles made cut both a circle and an ellipse Turret Details
from copper wire. The side walls in the new roof, gently sand With the mantlet attached,
are almost identical on both the edges, and add a small fillet I was ready to add details to
vehicles, though on the T155, under the cupola to match the the turret. Measurements
the left-hand side features contour. I found the easiest were taken, reference lines
a different hatch. I applied a way to sand the opening was drawn, and I began by carefully
coat of Mr.Surfacer 1200 to to glue a strip of sandpaper positioning the many rivets
the side walls. Once dry, this around a wine-bottle cork. and bolt heads. I used the
was lightly sanded for a more Once inserted into the hole, this
realistic textured appearance. smaller ones (0.8mm) from
could be rotated to remove any
Conscious that the new roof the Meng set, and attached
excess plastic (photos 3, 4 & 5)
them with Tamiya Extra Thin
(again, made from thin styrene
sheet) would be supporting Mantlet & Gun Cement. Lengths of 2mm 4
various items, I decided to The benefit of using the K9 diameter tubes were used to
add strengthening blocks to turret as a base, is that the represent the gun cleaning
the existing roof to avoid any gun installation is identical. rods. Arranged in two rows of
later mishaps (photo 2). A strip of thin plastic was three, these were mounted
added to represent the flexible in a holder, and secured with
Cupola dust-guard between the straps made from masking
Discarding the kit’s cupola, I mantlet and turret roof. The
replaced this with one from tape (photos 7 & 8).
next step was to attach the The empty stowage-straps
an M113. Compared with the smoke grenade dischargers.
K9, the T155 cupola is located on the roof were made from
Those supplied by Leopard 2.5cm x 2mm strips of foil from
further to the edge of the roof,
Workshop are well detailed, a wine bottle, each being rolled
a portion extending over the
and fitted perfectly. All that was
angled edge. To achieve the up using a pair of tweezers
required was to position them
(photo 9). Feeling that the
at the correct angles, as per my
rear-mounted stowage baskets
were somewhat over-scale
in thickness, I replaced these 7
with lengths of 0.7mm wire,
and soldered them for a more
secure fixing (photo 10).
Turret construction completed
(photos 11 & 12).
10

T155 Firtina 1/35
Conversion
2 3
5 6
8 9
11 12
1/35 T155 Firtina
Conversion
13 14 15
16 17
18 19 20
Availability:
Academy 1/35 R.O.K. Army
Self-Propelled Howitzer K9
(ref. 13219) is available from all
good model shops. Academy
kits are distributed in the UK by
Pocketbond (www.pocketbond.
co.uk).
21 22

T155 Firtina 1/35
Conversion
Hull & Chassis yellow, slightly more difficult to point is to allow each coat to chips are best replicated
Since the T155’s headlight gauge. Having experimented fully dry before continuing with a dark grey, any signs of
arrangement was different with various mixes, I settled … the result, a perfectly flat corrosion being minimal.
from the kit version, I decided for an equal ratio of XF-60 finish, without any tell-tale Like many AFV modellers,
to cast my own lamps, making (Dark Yellow) and XF-2 (Flat ‘silvering’ around the markings. I tend to use the ‘hairspray’
copies from a single master (my White), with the tiniest drop To weather the areas around technique whenever I apply
first attempt at this technique). of XF-7 (Flat Red) to add some the chassis and running gear, winter camouflage schemes.
I took advice from friends warmth to the colour. Given I simply added a combination So why not when applying
and various Internet forums the size of the model, I took of MIG Productions’ pigments dust effects? Having tried
on how to tackle this. While it the precaution of preparing (P028 – Europe Dust, and P033 this method on several of my
took some time to allow each a large quantity of the colour, – Dark Mud) to a quantity of recent pieces, I was surprised
one to completely cure, I was and stored it in a bottle to my base colour, and applied it just how quick and easy it is.
very pleased with the result make sure that I would have randomly (photo 20). With the With the hairspray applied
(photo 13). I repeated the enough to complete the task. wheels attached, it was time via the airbrush, it is simply a
Mr.Surfacer treatment over the With the entire model to view the model as a whole, case of spraying XF-55 (Deck
hull sides, and added etched- covered, I prepared a slightly and begin the main weathering Tan) (diluted with 50% water)
brass mesh to the exhaust lighter mix, and applied this to sequence. Regardless of a over the surface, allowing this
vent (photo 14). With that create subtle highlights. Had vehicle’s condition, there will be a few minutes drying-time,
the build was complete; time the model been subjected to notable shadows in recesses, and brushing downwards to
to stand back and admire my heavy weathering treatment and highlights on raised create a streaked appearance
efforts! (photos 15 & 16) at a later stage, this colour portions. In my opinion, the to the dust coat. The aim is
modulation would have best way to recreate this is via a to encourage the pigment to
Painting, Marking & been much stronger, and series of pin-washes. Of course, accumulate around lower areas.
Weathering incorporating various tones. the extent depends on how I found the method equally
Despite some initial The camouflage demarcation dirty or clean the vehicle is. In effective over the turret roof,
apprehension, lines were now added using this case, I opted for the middle but had some difficulty around
everything went Tamiya Masking Tape (photo ground … showing signs of dirt, smaller raised details (photo
according 18). Certain photographs show but still a relatively new vehicle. 21). Once again adopting
to plan the camouflage scheme as soft- And now one of the most the ‘less is more’ principle,
edged, whereas others suggest hotly debated subjects … I applied a few streaking
a hard-edged pattern. Opting ‘chipping’. As well as having effects down vertical and
with the for the latter, I proceeded with been in service for a relatively sloping surfaces. Using a dark
construction. Time the green, making sure that the short time, the T155 operates colour, I drew a series of lines,
now to consider the colour reached the very edge in open terrain. Consequently, and blended these into the
painting stage, having of the tape (photo 19). damage to paintwork tends surrounding area using a thin
thoroughly washed the As usual, I applied the to be restricted to fenders, brush moistened with thinner
various sub-assemblies decal markings with mud-flaps, and around (photo 22). All that remained
to remove traces of grease the help of Vallejo’s points of entry (hatches was to attend to any details
and dust. Leaving them to Decal Fix and and doors). Similarly, any that had either been forgotten
completely dry in a covered box, Decal Medium. surface scratches or deeper or badly painted, refine the
I then applied an overall coat previous weathering effects,
of white primer (photo 17). The and the model was complete.
And so to the camouflage process
scheme. While my paint involves a coat
collection includes the relevant of the ‘Fix’ to the
colours for German, Russian, relevant surface,
American and British vehicles, and once the decals
deciding on the correct are in place, two
combination for this subject or three coats
needed a little more thought. of the ‘Medium’
The green was not so much to seal them.
of a problem – very close to The important
XF-67 (NATO Green); the sand
1/35 Scratchbuilt Kurdish
Improvised AFV
Marian Bunc
improvises with
plastic sheet
and some good
references.
H
ardly a day goes by Hardox steel plates. With plenty several angled plates, and
without new images of reference material available, incorporating a louvred panel
appearing on the I was able to make a start with a to protect the radiator. The
Internet, relating to the present series of line drawings. Having louvres were made from strips
conflicts in Iraq and Syria. established the general shape of aluminium from a Coke
Among the various armoured from all angles, I drew each can, as were the engine-
vehicles, there seems to be panel separately to ensure that compartment hatches,
an ever-increasing number of they would fit together correctly.
improvised AFVs. These are
often simply created by adding Construction
armour plating and standard Beginning with the roof and
weapons to a construction sides, I transferred the drawings
vehicle, civilian truck or car. to 2mm plastic sheet. While
Fascinated by these hybrid this would be sturdy enough
vehicles, I decided to scratch- for my needs, I decided to add
build my own version, taking internal bracing to avoid the
my design from photographs of possibility of distortion during
a real example. Essentially, this the assembly. The most difficult
would represent an armoured section to construct was the
car, the exterior clad in sheets of front, as this was made up of

Scratchbuilt Kurdish 1/35
Improvised AFV
1 2
(leftover from an ICM T-34/76
kit). Because this was a fairly
soft plastic, I was able to texture
the seams using the rounded
end of a pair of tweezers.
Since most of the chassis
would be unseen on the
finished model, I felt it sufficient
to include just the front and
rear sections (under-frames,
exhaust unit, axles and
suspension units). Fortunately,
I had a part-built kit of a Willys
Jeep (from Bílek, ex-Italeri),
from which I was able to
reclaim the necessary parts.
3
1 Based on photographs of the vehicle,
I made a series of line drawings,
and transferred the individual panel
shapes onto 2mm plastic sheet.
2 Internal supports were added to

maintain the shape of the hull.
3 The weld seams were formed from

lengths of sprue, and textured with
the help of a pair of tweezers. Various
doors, wheel-protection panels, sections of the vehicle were made
turret front, and other details. from aluminium from a Coke can.
A further challenge was how
best to replicate the weld seams 4,5 The assembly complete. Note
the various materials used.
around the vehicle. Eventually, I
decided to use lengths of sprue 6 Visible parts of the chassis were taken
from a redundant kit of a Willys Jeep. 4
6
Improvised AFV
Painting, Marking from his Nitroline range. As spread across the surfaces.
& Weathering well as being applied directly Now using an old cut-down
Having primed the entire model from the bottle, this can be brush, I spattered the pigment
with a coat of Mr.Surfacer, diluted with a small amount mix over the lower areas. As
I applied the base coat – a of lighter fuel to add variation I progressed, I varied the mix
dark grey-brown, a mix of to the streaks. The next step ratio, sometimes adding small
various Tamiya acrylics. With was to suggest scorch marks amounts of SA02 (Fresh Mud),
this completely dry, I applied around the weld seams. First, to produce different tones and
two coats of Sira Hobby’s black oil paint was applied, density. The final touch was to
SE07 (Wearing Effect), and and feathered away from apply graphite pigment to the
followed with a red-brown the seams. Then (between weld seams, and highlight them
colour to represent an overall the black and red-brown), with the tip of a silver pencil.
layer of rust. I then used a Naples Yellow; again, blended
moist stiff-bristle brush to outwards to create a smooth Final Thoughts
remove portions of the rust, transition. Finally, various As a return to scratch-building
before adding a further coat
of SE07. Now using a slightly
watercolour pencils were used
to sharply define the edges,
after many years, this was
certainly an enjoyable project,
7
lighter rust tone, I repeated to achieve greater contrast. with a unique piece to add to
the paint-chipping process More paint chipping, my collection. Hopefully, this
to achieve a more realistic this time concentrated in will inspire those who are more
appearance. Returning to my the central areas. A lighter used to building kits, to tackle
dark grey-brown mix, I applied tone of the red-brown was something similar. My next
this around the weld seams. applied with a sponge, and subject? … quite probably, a
The vehicle in my reference speckled with a brush to give Kurdish heavily armoured truck.
7
photograph appeared to the impression of surface Having primed the model, I applied
show two types of marking: scratches. The inner portions an overall coat of dark grey-brown.
factory-applied labels on the of some of these were touched
Hardox plates; and lettering
apparently added by the crew
with my dark grey-brown to
replicate corroded metal.
8 Two coats of Sira Hobby’s SE07
(Wearing Effect) were applied, and
followed by a red-brown colour. Then
(notably ‘YPG’ – referring to An important aspect of the
using a moist brush, I removed portions of
the Kurdish militia in Syria). weathering process (particularly
this to reveal the underlying base coat.
My initial plan was to airbrush given the terrain where the
the Hardox labels with the
help of a template. However,
vehicle would be operating)
is the application of dust 9 Returning to my dark grey-brown mix,
I applied this around the weld seams. 10
realising that this may be too
difficult, I settled for a set of
decals (compliments of Joseph
effects. Having first sprayed the
lowermost areas with diluted
Tamiya XF-57 (Buff ), I applied
10 The Hardox markings were
taken from a decal set
produced by Joseph Handl.
11
Handl in the Czech Republic) a mixture of Sira Hobby’s E18 To replicate the scorch marks
… far better result. As for the (Sandy Earth Pigment) and around the weld seams, I
crew markings, these were PP209 (Light Earth Pigment applied black oil paint, and feathered
brush-painted. Although Paste), and blended this this away from the seams.
black on the original vehicle, (working downwards) with a
dark grey seemed to be a
better choice in this scale.
moist cotton bud, making sure
that the finished appearance 12 Naples Yellow was introduced
between the black and
red brown, and again blended to
The weathering process was both natural and irregular.
began with oil-colour fading Horizontal areas were treated form a smooth transition.
and streaking. By far the best
colour for rust streaks is Adam
to the same combination,
with the pigments being 13 Various watercolour pencils were
used to define the panel edges.
Wilder’s NL05 (Old Rust Effect)
14 Further paint chipping, this
time concentrated in the
central areas.
13
15 Adam Wilder’s NL05 (Old
Rust Effect) is the perfect
choice for replicating rust streaks.
16 Having mixed Burnt Sienna oil paint

with pigment, I diluted this with
lighter fuel, and applied it to certain areas
to add more variety to the rust tone.
17 Although largely
hidden, the chassis and
suspension were fully
painted and weathered.
18 The perfect
starting point for
dust effects, Tamiya XF-57
(Buff). Heavily diluted,
this was applied to lower
areas of the model.
16
Scratchbuilt Kurdish 1/35
Improvised AFV
8 9
11 12
14 15
17 18
Improvised AFV
19 20
21 22
23 24
19 I followed with a mixture of Sira

Hobby’s E18 (Sandy Earth Pigment) 22 To give the impression
of armoured glass over
the driver’s vision port, I blanked off the
23 The final touch … graphite
pigment applied to the weld
seams, with highlights added
and PP209 (Light Earth Pigment Paste),
and blended this with a moist cotton bud. inside with a plastic panel, attached a using a silver watercolour pencil.
24
piece of smoke-coloured self-adhesive The real thing: a YPG
20 Using a cut-down brush, I spattered
the pigment mix over lower
foil, and finally, clear film that had
been sprayed on the rear side with
improvised armoured
car inside the northern
areas, and added small quantities of SA02 Sira Hobby’s PC51 (Blue Periscope). Syrian city of Kobani in
(Fresh Mud) to vary the appearance. 2015 (Osman Orsal).
21 Dusting complete.

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Perfectscale
1/35 Modellbau M51 VTR
Anthony Guarderas returns with

more Marine Corps Metal.
W
hen development five ton recovery winch for heavy
started for the M103 recovery and a smaller five-ton
super heavy tank, it auxiliary winch. The front and
was apparent that there would rear stabilizing/anchor blades
need to be a counterpart vehicle, were hydraulically operated,
capable enough to be able to along with the crane in the back.
recover it. The Army worked Unlike the M88, the M51 crane
on developing both of these was able to traverse and raise
platforms during the mid 50s, while the vehicle was parked.
using similar components from Some crews loved the M51,
the M47/M48 MBT. When the while others disliked its
Army decided to step away size and weight. The M51
from further development, the had a crew of four and
US Marine Corps took it over served as a workhorse
and refined the M103. They also recovering M48s and
took over the recovery vehicle - LVTP 5s throughout
designated M51 Vehicle Tracked the Vietnam war.
Recovery (VTR). Both of these
vehicles were used in supplying The Hull
one heavy tank company to each Perfect Scale
tank battalion, starting in 1958. Modellbau (PSM)
The Army decided to go with the has been around for a
M88 VTR, while the Marines went number of years, offering
with the beefier M51 and stayed conversions and all-resin
with it right through the Vietnam kits of often obscure
war. The M51 came with a forty- subjects. Armoured

Perfectscale
M51 Modellbau M51 VTR
1/35
Recovery Vehicles - including M88A1 kit with the Legend components. Using the AFV
many from the US - seem to be Productions M88A2 conversion Club suspension arms added
their thing, as well as Leopard- (see March 2017’s MMI - Ed). strength to support the heavier
based vehicles. My decision The M51 shares tracks, weight of the resin hull.
to do the M51 was based on suspension, wheels and drive Because of its similarities
the fact that the Marines used train components with the AFV with the M88, the lower hull
this vehicle for the majority Club M88, so the assembly of assembly sequence was
the wheels and tracks would straightforward. I glued the
of its lifespan, and also that it
be the same. The PSM kit is a suspension arms into the hull
was just plain cool - not your
full kit with only the AFV club by using RTV silicone rather
average recovery vehicle! The single-link M88 tracks kit. The
M51 and M88 share numerous than superglue. Permatex
kit is resin with a small fret of UltraBlack is used in Automotive
drivetrain components, but the stainless steel photoetch, and
hulls and the way they get the industry for gaskets and sealing
comes with a comprehensive
job done is decidedly different. of mating surfaces and I used it
instruction sheet and parts
on the pins of the suspension
I previously built the M88A2 catalogue showing the
arms into the lower hull. This
ARV by combining AFV Club’s numbering. The moulding is
filled the gap that was present
clean and crisp with few air
bubbles or incomplete pours. with the play of the suspension
I did have a few issues with in the bore, and, once dry,
warping, but these parts were allowed a bit of movement
set aside to be straightened to facilitate a level lower hull
out later. I took an inventory with all wheels contacting the
of all the parts, noting the few ground. I set the lower hull
broken ones and fixed them aside to dry for a couple of
before assembly began. Taking days before commencing the
the time to go through the upper hull. Once dry, I glued
parts familiarized me with on the lifting rings and shock
the similarities between this absorbers to their proper
vehicle and the M88. I did notice positions and installed the
that some of the resin parts return rollers. The crane pivot
would need much more time point can now be glued into the
to clean up than I wanted, so lower hull along with the crew
I decided to use a donor kit of compartment dividing wall.
the M88 to supply the wheels,
sprockets, and suspension
Perfectscale
The front of the M51 hull with minimal filler.

PSM has done a good job keeping the clean
up of all the smaller bits as easy as possible.
The upper engine rear

section needed the ten
handles gluing into
place. The photoetched
handles were supplied,
but were very difficult to work
with, due to the stainless steel into place. There was no inside
All but one of the hatches on the not wanting to clean up very detail allowing you to have the
hull can be left open, but there’s no easily with a file. The engine side crew doors or numerous
interior and good luck finding inside firewall was glued into place upper hatches open, so once
pictures of such a rare vehicle. on the lower hull instead of to these parts were superglued
the top plate to assist in the into place, I made sure to
alignment of the side walls of double check that there were
the lower hull. The front upper no gaps around the joints,
3 hull compartment needed the correcting any errors with
sponson fillers (26/27) to be superglue or filler. The rear
glued in place. Unfortunately, side fenders and tool boxes
the upper crew compartment were added at this time. The
was slightly warped along very thin front side fenders are
with these sponson fillers. A moulded onto the upper hull.
gentle warming with a heat Luckily, these were straight
gun coaxed these pieces to and not damaged. The rear tool
straightness with the aid of a boxes were glued to the rear
table. The lower hull also had fenders, but I decided to delay
a slight bend that needed the gluing the tool box handles
same treatment. Once all the until later in the build. Many of
The underside of the front hull sections were true, I could now the add-on parts for the upper
showing the anchoring spade. glue the rear engine deck and hull and rear engine deck were
the front crew compartment placed at this point. Some
4 5
The boom pivot is a tricky area if you wish to plumb

The rear engine deck gets an assortment the hydraulic lines as there is very little working
of photoetch and resin handles. room to lay it all out and have the boom in place.

Perfectscale
1/35
so finding proper reference and were the correct thickness.

pictures to aid the build was The problem I had with the
mandatory. The Prime Portal brackets was that once I bent
website supplied me with all all eight into shape and glued
the pictures that I needed. One them to the boom, the pressure
part of the kit that was of the tow cable wanted to
starting to show its age force the brackets outward.
was the quality of the In re-bending these tabs back
photoetch. Reminiscent of early into position multiple times,
Dragon photoetch, the frets it weakened the bend and
were very very thin in nature broke. This happened to six
and did not take handling of the eight brackets. At this
easily. Some folds were done point, I had to remove all eight
brackets and devise an alternate
method to depict them.
Upon closer inspection of the
Prime Portal pictures, I realized
that these brackets were over
simplified and needed to have
a pin rod to hold the cable in
place. Unfortunately, this was
not an option I could depict
as I did not have something
that I could use to make this
workable as the reference
picture showed. Instead I opted
and the pieces maintained their to go through my photoetch
rigidity whereas others would stash and find some pieces that
break at the bend. This created were in a thicker gauge to be
a few problems for me for both able to bend and support the
the front and rear spades. The cables without breaking. The
decision to keep these workable tow cable ends were drilled to
pieces were very delicate and lines. All the hydraulic junction would more problems than it the proper gauge and set aside
I chose to add them at a later blocks were drilled along with was worth. The stainless steel for installation after paint. Part
point to avoid knocking them the piston for the side to allow photoetch also did not take the 85 and 84 depict the hydraulic
off when the handling of the movement of the crane. Solder superglue very well and I would hoses going into the boom
vehicle., The sheer size of the would be used later once it was periodically have parts break but these were a bit crude and
M51 was apparent at this point time to install the crane. With off with very little pressure. so I decided to replumb them.
in comparison to the M88A1 the headlight assembly drilled They would need to be cut off
hull which I had on my bench for lenses, I now glued them Heavy Lifting and the receptacles where the
at the same time. I decided with the support frames 46 and I decided for the crane that I hoses had been routed would
before gluing the headlights 47 to the front part of the hull. would drill and pin the pivot need to be drilled out. Mocking
on, that I would drill them for with stainless rod rather than up the crane on its centre
The side support arms (49/ 48)
after market lenses along with plastic rod. The boom is a nicely pivot I needed to decide how I
were carefully glued in place
the front siren. The rear wench moulded three-piece affair, but would be able to have a slightly
to add rigidity to the guards.
care must be taken when gluing workable nature of the boom
pay outs were glued to the rear The M51 is filled with ancillary
the lower pivot section to the with the upper support rods.
hull along with the support bits that blanket the working
upper boom. The join needed I chose to drill out part 97 to
for the rear crane boom. One surfaces of this recovery vehicle.
careful sanding and putty. The accept aluminium tube rather
area that I wanted to detail was Certain areas I felt were a little
lower plate (86) was glued than the plastic rod supplied
the crane pivot with hydraulic unclear in the instructions
into place and all the edges in the kit. The receptacles on
An anchor spade is also in place for filled with putty. The boom the boom were drilled for the
6 the rear of the vehicle and is made sleeve needed to be cleaned same diameter into the boom
up of almost identical parts. out to enable the rigging of with a slightly elongated hole
the boom hook. I chose to wait to enable the boom to raise and
until the model was finished lower. Drilling the hole straight
to decide how long the cables would prevent the boom from
would be. The problematic being able to move up and
photoetch would raise its ugly down or side to side. Be careful
head again in the form of the in the drilling of these holes
brackets that support the tow as the inner walls are easily
cables. I did not want to use the damaged. The boom end was
kit-supplied copper cable and slid into place but I left this
instead opted to use the RMG workable. Now that the boom
tow cable set instead (leftovers was finished except for the
from the M88A2). These cables rigging, I set it aside as a sub-
are already supplied blackened assembly for the painting pile.
Perfectscale
1/35 Modellbau M51 VTR 5
The kits comes with two tow without problem. However,
bars that are mounted to the photoetched pieces that 7
both the right and left side depict the hanger brackets
of the vehicle. These can be were difficult to bend based
made workable by drilling and on the problematic material.
pinning the collets and swing Do not glue these brackets on
point. I used brass rod to make until you have the spade in
the lifting handles for both place on the vehicle as there
tow bars. Unfortunately, if you are no positive locating points
chose to install the two bars for these brackets, the spades
in the stowed position, the PE need to be in the raised position
brackets need to be bent over to locate the tabs on the hull
the tow bar with the curves with the c-bracket on the spade.
The main boom is made up of a few parts and the
to hold it in place, but these Trying to model the spades
unsightly seam was very difficult to smooth out
brackets are oversimplified as a workable option only
due to a bit of shrinkage to the mating joins.
and are actually not correct aggravates the delicate nature
in the way that they hold the of the photoetch. Copper wire
tow bar in place. The actual was used to locate the pulley to the AFV Club .50 cal. set. I also one must only just cut the end
brackets according to Prime the spade, but the pulley itself upgraded the weapons station connector sprues in sections
Port are shown as an upper and was not installed until after with a photoetched armoured and assemble each link to itself
lower piece that acts as a clam paint. This would be the same gun shield representative of by press fitting them together
shell over each individual leg with both the spades. Spades the shields used on M113 in and assemble the appropriate
of the tow bar fastened with a were mocked up for brackets, Vietnam. I also replaced the number of track pads to the
single centre wing nut. I knew but removed for paint. My parts vice with one from the M88 kit. number of end connectors on
that that I would not be able pile was plentiful with the main I also noticed that the M51 as the sprue gate. The sprue gate
to depict this correctly so I hull and some of the ancillary supplied by PSM is devoid of can then be brought parallel
chose instead to use the same bits that still needed to be any antennae. I replaced these to the assembled links and
photoetched fret material for installed. Some of these pieces with resin items and added the end connectors carefully
the cable supports to bend were painted off the model and after them paint as well. inserted while still connected
new tow bar brackets. Each installed in the final build stage. to the sprue. Once one side
one was formed over apiece of These included the oxygen Trackhead is finished, bring the second
appropriately sized aluminium bottles and the acetylene Tracks can be a pain! But sprue with the end connectors
tube and ear marked for each bottle. The tow bars would thankfully AFV Club’s link-to- to the assembled tracks and
appropriate position on the also be installed later. I had to link tracks are some of the press these in place as well.
rear of the hull. I would need replace the main armament, the best in the business and most A single edge razor blade is
to make six brackets in total. .50cal machine gun as it had a people are familiar with these. brought right to the edge of
The fire extinguishers were damaged barrel and a couple The thing that is nice about the end connectors and cut
detailed up with the of other broken parts, using these tracks is in the sprue flush, cutting 5 to 6 in one cut.
same solder that I design; the end connectors This enables one to assemble
used for the hydraulic sprue gates are in the same sections of track clearly and
lines on the boom. The pitch as the assembled links. So easily without the painstaking
extinguishers would process of removing individual
be added along with the
spare jerry can racks after the
vehicle was finally painted.
Moving on to the
front and rear spades,
the resin parts
for the spades
went together

Perfectscale
1/35
8 9
They look good in place, but broke Some areas of the kit, like the boom pivot, are
off during the weathering process, on the crude side and require good references
seriously testing my patience … and some work to make them accurate.
end connectors and installing rear over the sprockets. Once

them one by one. The only the damage was complete with
drawback of the AFV Club tracks the Dremel tool I took the same 10
are the ever present ejector pin steel brush and burnished the
mark on inside of the track pad edges of the damage to depict
that contacts the road wheel. I a worn but smooth surface.
removed this by scraping off the A quick blast of air from the
ejector pin mark with a number airbrush cleared out all errant
16 X-acto blade. Once the run pieces of plastic. The track runs
was complete, I hit it with a were set aside for the pain
sanding stick and burnished it party that was soon to begin.
with a stiff wire brush. At this
time, I chose to depict damage The Mean Green Machine
on the rubber chevron track Just like the M88A2 I would
pads. I used a Dremel tool with need to sit down and think Checking the model sits correctly is the
a round rotary bit. I randomly about how l would tackle the crucial moment for me in the build stage.
chewed up each track pad Vietnam version of Olive Drab.
being careful not to contact Some have said that it is straight
the centereguide or the end Tamiya Olive Drab (XF-62) and
connectors. Both track runs thought that might work for 11
were done in the same manner, Army, it won’t work for the
concentrating the damage to USMC. Some of the equipment
the areas that would be seen on could be the XF-62 but the hull
the front of the vehicle and the of the VTR would certainly be a
different shade. This shade was
a very dark green, and shows
very little drab and yellow, but
more blue and black. The green
is strong in the sunlight but
still dark. I knew going in that
what l didn’t want was a paint
job that was too dark; given My trick for pre-chew Charlie tracks:
the boxy nature of the VTR that rotor bit and a nice soft brass brush.
would make it look like a black
brick! Having painted a Marine
Corp H-34 helicopter I realized Nothing beats looking at a dope
that the shade l was looking 12 brute of a machine sans paint.
for was right before
me, so l went
to my notes
and pulled the
mixes for that
along with the paint
brands. I got out all the
paints, and with the
notes in hand, began.
Perfectscale
I began by priming everything looks fake: in essence you are

13 with Tamiya AS-74 Luftwaffe creating a fake light source and
implying it rather that letting
Green. I then covered all of the
rattle can priming with Tamiya the real light do the talking and
Black Green (XF-27). I then letting shadows fall where they
gave this about 30 minutes may. I understand that some
to dry and hit it with a second would consider my painting
coat. This would serve as a style old school but really it is
dark base colour that would not, it’s more of a adaptation
let the next stages of colour of what looks real based on
take shape. I then moved to the how you can create a depth of
Modelmaster line of acrylics. colour, mixing transparency
First up was Acryl 4723 Helo with opacity. Sometimes it
Base colour applied: despite a myriad drab. I went around and sprayed looks like a solid shade of green
of different paint manufacturers, some this colour, which is dark but but looking closely you can
colours you just have to mix yourself. has a tinge of drab; this would see that this is not the case.
only serve to build up to the Ok, enough of this “my
next colours. Next up was a painting style blah blah blah”
14 heavily thinned mix of 4724 and let’s get this VTR done! I
Marine Corps Green. With this l moved on to the tracks and
started the streaking and panel painted the them in the same
fading of vertical and horizontal way as the M88A2 with the
surfaces. I did not go for the LifeColor Black set. The wheels
top to bottom fade that is the were chewed up a bit before
norm today, but more of a build paint with a few different
up of streaking. This was left to files and brushed with the
dry for a day before I switched steel brush to clean off all the
brands of paint to the Hannants’ debris. Using the black set l
Xtracrylix. I have used this paint painted up the tyres of all the
before and have really enjoyed road wheels and return rollers.
No black corners or frosty edges, just its coverage but also its semi- Once these were dry I pulled
green on top of green on top of green. gloss sheen, perfect for Cold out the circle template and
War-era vehicles. Starting with sprayed the rims with one of
XA1814 Deep Bronze Green I my base green colours. l let
started the same process as the this dry and went and hit them
15 Acryl colours, heavily thinned with another one of the green
and streaked on. I took a couple mixes. All the smaller details
of moments with the heat gun of the model were picked
to dry the paint and make sure out with appropriate colors
the colour was going in the of red and different shades
right direction. Pleased with it, of Olive Drab. The gun shield
I then went to the next colour, was sprayed with flat black as
XA1815 Mid Bronze Green. The well as the .50cal. I then went
real challenge was to make the around the VTR and painted
different shades convincing all the periscopes with various
A nice close up showing the chewed up yet interesting. The fading and stages of Sharpies starting with
tires. Some of the parts are showing the streaking gives it variety but black and ending with blue.
beautiful sheen of the Xtracrylic paint not in the same way as the Next up was to apply the
contrasting with the flat Lifecolor finish. Zenithal-light style. I personally decals which are supplied with
don’t buy into this style as it the PSM kit. These went down
The lower hull in its first stage

16 of weathering, but nothing 17
yet applied to the top hull.
I added an STP decal to the gunner’s shield

because in my mind one of the crew members
is a avid gearhead, and can’t wait to get back
to the States and start working on his ride.

Perfectscale
1/35
perfectly with MicroSet and

again, because of the semi-
gloss of the Xtracrylix, there
rear stabilizing blades got heavily chipped and worn down
wasn’t a need for a precursory
the brunt of this and it took a with steel wool, and the the vice
clear coat. Vallejo Satin Varnish the same layering technique
few applications before l was received the same treatment. I
was used to seal the decals. I of applying the oils and then
satisfied. With all of this done chose to paint the vice the same
added a couple of period decals mixing in the pigments l let
I could start the weathering blue colour as on the M88A2
from some 1/25-scale car kits the mixes start to build up. The
process proper. This was done using Acryl True Blue. This was
because one of the dudes on suspension took the brunt of
using the same oil colours I done as a funky way of showing
this VTR crew is a gear head and the weathering as l wanted a
used on the M88A2 but I took that although recovery vehicles
is just waiting to get back home filthy look and with a heavily
into account the different evolve over the years, the vices
and get back to wrenching on thinned mix from the lower
terrain, adding in some more stay the same. After everything
his ride! Just a bit of flavor and hull I started around the upper
browns, greys, and a pinch of was brought together I could
always a great way to bring hull. Some areas l let the mix
sienna rather than all sandy, go around the VTR and tie in all
life and attitude into a model pool up and settle into the
dust colors. Having studied the add-ons and make any final
without looking contrived. I cracks, but on the vertical
a few different images of adjustments. The sheer size of
now went around and put in surfaces l let the multiple
Vietnam terrain it was clear this beast was apparent sitting
all the light lenses using Grief applications start the draining
that l could go from either red side-by-side with the M88A2
and Resicast pieces. I should down the sides. I let this dry a
clay all the way to almost white (another beast). The VTR was
have used MV lenses as these few times on its own and then
sand. I chose a middle way the certainly the ‘Big Daddy’ of
are not flat but true parabolics. did a final last hit of the mix
but eliminated the stark red the Marines recovery story.
I could now start to move followed by the heat gun.
that seems to proliferate in the
around the vehicle and start With this all done I could now
hobby for Vietnam vehicles. I
the sponge chipping. Using start to bring the delicate parts
actually used a colour image
a combination of colors from on to the model. The oxygen
of a M51 that Chris Jerrett had
the LifeColor rust and black and acetylene bottles were
sent me that showed exactly a
sets I created a few different
shade of earth that would work
colours to represent worn and
perfectly for the VTR. Using
chipped edges. The front and
18
A signature shot: M51 and
Huey (Copyright SD).
Perfectscale
Conclusion having a short boom! I took would be for AFV Club to go and I think the recovery nuts
I enjoyed the PSM kit as a this into account, and went and do both the M51 VTR and out there would stand right
departure from the ordinary. for enjoying myself with the the M88A2 in plastic. I would beside me, waiting to buy
It wasn’t perfect, but few kits build as much as l could. If you welcome this wholeheartedly, them... so AFV Club get on it!
are, and a certain amount of like weird, oddball subjects,
planning must go in to the then this could be right up
build to get the most from your alley. The best thing
any kit. I knew that areas Availability
of the VTR were not spot Perfect Scale Modellbau
on dimensionally, most 1/35 M51 VTR (ref. 35016).
notably the huge boom For further details see www.
crane, but for me to try and perfect-scale.com.
scratchbuild a new one was
out of my comfort zone. Not
too many people would even
know this vehicle, let
alone call it out for

1/35 Sd.Kfz. 171 Panther G
Roman Volchenkov returns

with a late-war Panther Ausf. G.
R
ather than building on this unit is notably scarce, dismissed by certain military to distinguish the vehicles
generic examples of and often contradictory. What historians. As to the vehicles from Soviet-captured Panthers.
military vehicles, I prefer we do know is that KG Kather used, Panthers and Tiger Is There are those who suggest
to focus on specific subjects (sometimes spelt ‘Kanther’) appear to be the most likely … that the marking was applied
based on historical research. was formed in April 1945, using though there is a suggestion to disabled and captured
Aware of this interest, a friend vehicles and equipment at that the Panthers previously vehicles, though evidence
asked me to build a model of hand, quite possibly from the identified as being from this unit, from other photographs
a Panther Ausf.G, and showed Kummersdorf Training Centre. actually belonged to KG Ritter. (from a recently uncovered
me a photograph of one such While it is generally accepted Back to my reference image, Soviet tank unit album) clearly
vehicle from Kampfgruppe (KG) that a key identification feature and yes it did clearly show the discounts this. Faced with all
Kather during the final stages was the large swastika marking over-sized swastika marking. these uncertainties, in the
of World War II. Information on the turret, this too has been Evidently, these were intended end I decided to model tank
1 2 3

Sd.Kfz. 171 Panther G
1/35
result from the box. That said, it location points, installed the marked their position using
benefits from extra detailing to photoetched versions (along the kit parts as a guide (photo
produce an accurate miniature with front mud-flaps), and 4). The rear end of the model
added a series of MasterClub’s looked quite busy with all the
resin rivet heads (photo 2). resin and photoetch in place.
A characteristic feature of the Note the quality of the resin
‘312’, a Daimler-Benz factory Panther was the pair of rear- exhaust mufflers, and the brass-
vehicle with a hard-edged of this iconic vehicle. I began mounted storage boxes. Opting wire grab handle on the engine
three-colour camouflage with the basic hull construction, for the photoetched version compartment hatch (photo 5).
scheme. The starting point and quickly proceeded to the caused a few headaches; a
was one of Dragon’s excellent engine deck (photo 1). I took complex shape that required
kits, to which I added various advantage of online photo careful bending, and the
aftermarket items: a from the Aberdeen Proving addition of a separate lid. I
set of metal tracks Ground exhibit, since there had to admit defeat with the
from MasterClub, resin appeared to be various parts photoetched clasps, and
‘Flammenvernichter options not explained in the replaced these with parts from
mufflers’ from 1120 kit’s instructions. Aber’s mesh Griffon Model (photo 3).
Productions, Aber’s full screens were used to replace To help when attaching
upgrade set (including the plastic items, and resin bolts the photoetched tool and
turned-metal gun barrel), added to fix them in place. spare-track mounts, I first
and a selection of items Discarding the plastic track
from Griffon Model and guards, I filled and sanded the Availability
Alliance Model Works. Dragon Models Limited
Construction w/ Steel Road Wheels (ref.
The Dragon kit is generally 6370) is available from good
very good, and offers a decent model shops.
4 5
6 7
In addition to being the

individual-link type, the
obvious benefit of using
the MasterClub metal
tracks was that they could
be treated to Wilder’s
‘Quick Rust’ solution
to create a realistic
corroded appearance.
I find these tracks to be
by far the best choice,
as they have the correct
dimensions, and accurate
resin track-pins. I also
replaced the kit’s towing
cables with a pair from
Eureka XXL (photo 6).
Unlike the main tracks,
I treated the spare links
to AMMO/Uschi van 9). Returning to the turret, I
der Rosten’s ‘Burnishing Fluid’ added weld seams between
incorrect on cast-steel parts. the side and rear walls, along
before attaching them to the
I decided to use Aber’s with tiny resin wing-nuts
hull mounts. I installed the cupola to recreate the cast-
steel texture. An old brush turned-metal barrel for the (compliments of the Russian
barrel-cleaning rod container,
and again added clasps from was used to apply the putty, ball-mounted machine-gun, manufacturer, Tiger’s Corner)
the Griffon Model set (photo 7). and once dry, any excess was and also added a blanking where required (photo 10). I
Having attached the retaining carefully sanded away (photo plug for the opening. This was also added a bracket to each
chains to the spare tracks, I 8). Incidentally, flame-cutter attached to a length of chain, side of the turret, ready to
applied Tamiya White Putty to marks (as I have seen replicated secured with a resin bolt, and attach a pair of spare road
the turret front, mantlet and on certain models) are totally allowed to hang freely (photo wheels. Having initially chosen
15 14

1/35
8 9
a set of steel-rimmed road had been treated to the rust

wheels for the model (photo solution, this made no effect 10
11), I then learnt that these on the resin connecting pins,
particular vehicles were so these had to be touched
fitted with the rubber-tyred up with primer (photo 13).
versions. Fortunately, the When it comes to replicating
kit includes both types, chipped paintwork, I avoid
so no major problem! simply painting these areas
of damage, preferring instead
Painting, Marking to use chipping fluids or the
& Weathering ‘hairspray’ technique. In my
From the outset, I was opinion, these offer a more
somewhat apprehensive realistic appearance, the result
about painting this being a multi-layered effect of
model. While I had several bare metal, primer and base
reference images at hand, I coat. With the black primer
was not sure as to the best way completely dry, I followed
to replicate the characteristic with a colour representing the
hard-edged scheme. Having factory-applied red primer
discussed the problem with (photo 14). Again, this was 11
a friend, Alexander Wegner, allowed to dry, and I was ready
I was grateful for his offer of to apply several thin coats of
producing for me a set of pre- chipping fluid before making
cut vinyl paint masks … this a start on the camouflage
would certainly make life easier.
I began by giving the model
an overall coat of AMMO’s
A.MIG-2005 (Black Primer)
(photo 12). On reflection, colours. Using AMMO’s ‘Late
leaving the stowed tools and War German Camouflages’
equipment was probably not set (ref. A.MIG-7101), I began
the best idea; fortunately, with a light-yellow tone, and
nothing was damaged during proceeded to remove selected
the camouflage painting areas to expose the underlying
process. Although the tracks red primer (photo 15).
13 12
I scratched and removed was applied to the turret, and I 16

some of the paint using applied the swastika markings
a toothpick and the using another of Alex’s vinyl
green colour on the lower hull,
end of tweezers, and a masks. The paint I used here
having seen photographs that
small amount of warm water. was A.MIG-024 (Washable
clearly showed D-B Panthers
Note that these initial marks White Camo), as any errors
(late-1944) with this as the
represent surface scratches, could be easily corrected with
base coat on the wheels and
very difficult to replicate with a brush and water while the
(most likely) the hull.
painted marks. As for the light paint was still wet (photo 22).
And now, the moment
yellow, this was not intended Note the contrast between
of truth … time to remove
as the base colour, but the the camouflage colours,
the masks. With a few tiny
basis for the fine scratches. and the relative freshness of
imperfections (easy to correct),
A further layer of chipping the white markings; these
I was really pleased with the
fluid, and the next colour was would have been applied
result (photo 20), and was
the dark yellow (replicating long after the vehicle had
able to make a start on the
the Dunkelgelb base coat) left the factory (photo 23).
weathering. Having recently
(photo 16). Once highlighted, Moving on to the lower
invested in AMMO’s ‘Oilbrushers’
this was again treated to the portions of the model, the
range, I was keen to try these
chipping effect (though less so,
out. Of course, there are those
first step was to replicate dry 19
as I wanted to avoid a heavily mud and dirt splashes over
who already have an extensive
weathered appearance). the hull beneath the fenders.
selection of oil paints at their
Confident that Alex’s Using AMMO’s ‘Splashes’
disposal; for others (perhaps
masks would not damage the products, I flicked these across
new to the use of oils), these are
paintwork, I omitted the usual the surface from the end of an
the perfect alternative. Applied
varnishing stage. With the first old brush (photo 24). Being
directly from the container with
set of masks applied, I added enamel-based, they could
the small brush (provided),
AMMO’s ‘Camouflage Masking also be blended using thinner
they are fast-drying, and can
Putty’ (ref. A.MIG-8012) to more to recreate streaking effects
be mixed and diluted, as with
difficult areas (photo 17). (photo 25). The wheels were
any other oil paint. I began by
More chipping fluid, followed painted as per the main part of
using the dark brown colour
by a lightened version of the the vehicle (photo 26), areas
to emphasise shadows on
Rotbraun colour, and a repeat of of polished metal picked out
weld seams and corners, and
the ‘surface scratches’ treatment with metallic paint, and the
around all raised details. The
(photo 18). Once again, the tyres painted with A.MIG-033
rust colour was then used over
full-strength Rotbraun, and (Rubber & Tyres) (photo 27).
the red primer around the front
further paint chipping (this
hatch openings (photo 21). 22
time more pronounced),
A similar shading treatment
followed by the same
treatment for the final
colour, Resedagrün
(photo 19). I left this
25

1/35
17 18
20 21
23 24
26 27
A further coat of chipping on the suspension and axles. of leakage from the hubs 31), and I was ready to attach
fluid, and a final layer of dust Having removed these layers, I (photo 28). With the tracks the spare wheels to the turret
… so why, go to the trouble of managed to attach the wheels, installed, I continued with more sides. Sourced from Panzer
applying multiple coats of paint, and added oil and enamel- detailed weathering (photo Art, these are beautifully cast
if they are to be covered in dust? based filters to vary the tones to 29). The exhausts were painted in resin, and highly detailed.
Quite simply, it gives a more individual wheels. A.MIG-1408 with various rust colours, and I actually came across these
realistic appearance. The tracks (Fresh Engine Oil) was applied black airbrushed over the after I had completed the tank
were treated to similar ‘mud to the inner portions of certain openings to suggest heavy construction. Consequently, I
and dirt’ products, though more wheels, to give the impression carbon deposits (photo 30). Yet needed to modify the mounting
diluted, and with dark brown more dust and dirt effects, here brackets to match
enamel paint added to suggest using diluted enamels (photo the position of
grease stains and wet areas. the bolt holes.
Installing the wheels proved To provide visual interest, I
to be quite difficult, mainly painted each wheel differently:
because I had allowed the paint one in a fairly recent coat of
and mud effects to build up
28 29
30 31

1/35
paint; the other showing signs (photo 33). And with that
of worn winter whitewash, the model was complete.
presumably reclaimed from a
different vehicle (photo 32).
And now for the final touches:

traces of oil and grease over
the engine deck, again using
A.MIG-1408; a clear plastic
‘convoy light’, painted with
A.MIG-096 (Crystal Periscope
Green); and additional grime
and dirt streaking to the frontal
armour plate. A Soviet crew
figure was temporarily added
TO BE
to give some idea of scale
LAUNCHED AT
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A round up of the latest military titles
Title: T-60 Small Tanks and Variants white photos and colour profiles. The
(Red Machines 1) book has eight chapters covering
Author: James Kinnear and Yuri Pasholok its development, early production
Publisher: Canfora Graphic Design at Plant No. 37, its subsequent
and Publishing rearmament and modernization and
ISBN: 978-9-19823-2-561 production at Plants Nos. 264, 37
Price: €34.50 (hb) and 38, its combat history, variants
The T-60 small tank was the third most and prototypes (including armoured
numerous tank-type built in the Soviet sleds and self-propelled AA guns),
Union during the 1941-45 ‘Great Patriotic and finishing with description and
War’, with almost 6,000 produced, behind walkarounds of surviving vehicles.
only the T-34 medium tank and the SU-76 This really is the ultimate reference
self propelled gun in terms of production book on the T-60. It is as good on
output. Though often maligned in later the historical as on the technical
years as being under-armed and weakly side of things, and the authors’
armoured, the T-60 performed a crucial role collective expertise and experience
during the difficult years of 1941-42 when in working with Soviet archives is
Soviet manufacturing plants struggled evident throughout. For modellers,
to replace combat losses at the front. The the walkaround sections and
history of the T-60 is the history of a single the unsurpassed collection of
tank type, set against a background of archival images – from both Soviet
the initial months immediately following and German sources – will be
the launch of ‘Operation Barbarossa’ on invaluable in both detailing the
22 June 1941, with staggering losses of MiniArt and providing inspiration
territory, troops and equipment at the for an unusual and interesting
front and the consequent Soviet struggle finish. The publishers are also to be
to maintain production at a time when complimented on a superb production:
the main Soviet military production the hardback finish makes this a very
facilities were being evacuated on rails substantial book and the reproduction of
to the Urals and Siberia beyond. images and archival drawings is absolutely
This book, the first in a new series by first rate. Overall then, a magnificent
Canfora, is perfectly timed to coincide debut for the Red Machines series and
with the release of MiniArt’s superb new an essential addition to the shelves of
T-60 kits. Written by James Kinnear, one of anyone with an interest in Russian or
the most respected historians of the Red World War II armour. Our thanks to the
Army’s and Russia’s military hardware, and author for the review copy, it’s available
Yuri Pasholok, formerly of the Museum directly from the publisher’s website
of the Great Patriotic War, this book has and from other good bookshops.
176 pages and more than 250 black-and- David Grummitt

Title: British Tank Crewman 1939-1945 interest by German advocates of Blitzkrieg.
(Warrior 183) Despite these successes, the Experimental
Author: Neil Grant Mechanised Force was disbanded in
Publisher: Osprey Publishing the 1930s, making Britain relatively
ISBN: 978-1-47281-6-962 unprepared for World War II, both in terms
Price: £11.99 (pb) of armoured doctrine and equipment.
This month we’re going to do a bit of This new study examines the men who
a roundup of some of the new and crewed the tanks of Britain’s armoured
forthcoming releases from Osprey force during World War II, which was only
Publishing. They are such a prolific four battalions large in 1939. It looks at
publisher, it’s sometimes easy to miss the recruitment and training of the vast
the relevant releases. First up, we have a numbers of men required, their equipment,
very promising title in their Warrior Series appearance and combat experience in
on British tank crewman during World every theatre of the war as the British
War II. Great Britain had introduced the armoured division sought to catch up
tank to the world during World War I, and with the German Panzers. The format is
maintained its lead in armoured warfare the usual Warrior fare, but notable for this
with the ‘Experimental Mechanised Force’ title is Graham Turner’s superb artwork.
during the late 1920s, watched with David Grummitt
Title: M113 APC 1960-75: US, ARVN, and of transporting troops across the battlefield,
Australian Variants in Vietnam specialized versions perform a multitude
(New Vanguard 252) of other functions including command and
Author: Jamie Prenatt control, fire support, anti-tank and anti-
Publisher: Osprey Publishing aircraft defence, and casualty evacuation.
ISBN: 978-1-47281-7-464 This book examines the service record of
Price: £10.99 (pb) the M113 from its initial fielding through
Another timely release, given AFV Club’s to the end of the Vietnam War. It will also
recent release, is the latest in the New describe the many US, South Vietnamese,
Vanguard series. The M113 is the most and Australian variants of the M113 used
widely used and versatile armoured vehicle in the Vietnam War as well as information
in the world. Fielded in 1960 as a simple on tactics, unit tables of organization and
‘battlefield taxi’, over 80,000 M113s would equipment, and a selection of engagements
see service with 50 nations around the in which the M113 played a decisive role.
world and 55 years later, many thousands David Grummitt
are still in use. In addition to its original role
Title: Armies of the Greek-Italian Lieutenant General Papagos’s Greek army

War 1940-41 (Men at Arms 514) was so successful against the Italians in
Author: Pheobus Athanassiou north-west Greece that, by 22 November
Publisher: Osprey Publishing 1940, it was advancing into Italian-held
ISBN: 978-1-47281-9-178 Albania. This would eventually force
Price: £10.99 (pb) Hitler to send in German reinforcements
In October 1940 an Italian army some to support his beleaguered Italian allies,
200,000 strong invaded Greece across its delaying his invasion of the Soviet Union.
largely undefended border with Albania. Complete with contemporary photographs
Although supported by Great Britain, and full-colour uniform plates, this
at first by sea and in the air and later by latest addition to the well-established
landing British and ANZAC troops from Men at Arms Series explores the history,
North Africa, Greece bore the main brunt organization, and appearance of the
of the six-month war. Outclassed in terms armies of this oft-forgotten conflict.
of both equipment and manpower, David Grummitt
Title: Pershing vs. Tiger (Duel 80) Tiger II or ‘King Tiger’. While the Tiger I
Author: Steven J. Zaloga had been in the front lines since 1942,
Publisher: Osprey Publishing the US Pershing first entered combat in
ISBN: 978-1-47281-7-167 late February 1945, and more than 20
Price: £12.99 (pb) Pershings would see action before war’s
Steve Zaloga’s work needs no introduction end. This book examines the dramatic Tiger/
here and his latest book focuses on one
Pershing duel at Elsdorf in Germany, and
particular encounter during the final
also assesses the clashes between German
months of the War on the Western Front.
armour and the sole ‘Super Pershing’
During the final battles on World War II’s
deployed to Europe. Featuring full-colour
Western Front, the legendary German
Tiger I heavy tank clashed with the brand- artwork, carefully chosen photographs
new M26 Pershing fielded by the United and specially commissioned maps, this
States. The Tiger I had earned a formidable is the story of the first US heavy tanks in
reputation by the end of 1944, although combat with the fearsome Tiger I during
its non-sloped armour and poor mobility the last months of World War II in Europe.
meant it was being superseded by the David Grummitt
A round up of the latest military titles
Title: D-Day Beach Assault Troops the resistance they anticipated. The first
(Elite 219) assault infantry were accompanied by
Author: Gordon L. Rottman tankers, combat engineers, and other
Publisher: Osprey Publishing specialist personnel, to breach German
ISBN: 978-1-47281-9-468 obstacles, knock out defensive positions,
Price: £11.99 (pb) and to defend and prepare the beaches
Osprey have published many books relating for the follow-on waves. On some beaches
to the D-Day landings and campaign, the plans worked, on others they were
but the latest title by Gordon Rottman disrupted by bad weather, faulty timing,
concentrates on the men who were tasked or enemy fire, with consequences that
with landing and securing the beaches. varied from survivable confusion to
In the early hours of June 6, 1944, the first absolute carnage. This is an in-depth study
of over 150,000 Allied soldiers stormed of the uniforms, equipment, weapons,
five beaches in Normandy against fierce passage, landings, and tactics of US, British
German resistance. They were specially and Canadian assault units during the landings and how, with just a very few
trained and task-organized in a range of period from before H-Hour on June 6 to changes of circumstance and luck, the
different landing teams depending on dawn on June 7. What this book really outcome could have been very different.
their means of transport, their tasks, and brings home is the audacity of the D-Day David Grummitt
Title: Operation Fall Weiss: German services secret for future projects. However,
Paratroopers in the Poland Campaign 1939 on several occasions the men of Parachute
Author: Stephen Janzyk Regiment 1 were sat ready in their Ju52
Publisher: Pen and Sword Military transport planes, fully equipped and ready
ISBN: 978-1-47389-4-617 to go. Although a mass parachute jump
Price: £15.99 (hb) never occurred, many of these young
Although the fledgling German paratroop and in-experienced paratroopers would
operations in Belgium and the Netherlands go on to experience the full horrors of
in 1940, and on Crete in 1941, has attracted warfare and for some of them, the Polish
plenty of attention from historians, less Campaign would end in a ‘hero’s death’.
well-known is that the use of paratroopers Operation Fall Weiss describes the role
had been planned for the invasion of of the German paratroopers in the
Poland in 1939, in an act that began World Polish campaign, using war diaries, is a very welcome addition to the literature
War II. This has given rise to the myth that maps, contemporary documents and on the Fallschirmjäger and will certainly
Adolf Hitler wanted to keep this new, and photographs, including those from various prove interesting to students of the period.
hitherto little-known, branch of the armed private collections around the world. This David Grummitt
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he end of August saw the to edit the images before
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Some of the latest

entries to our
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Facebook page
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Oleg Lisenko’s superb Meng Model
Dustin Dias
Leopard 2A7 in Bundeswehr markings.
built MiniArt’s
U.S. Armoured
Bulldozer.
Efe Evren’s Tamiya

T-72M1, Iraqi Army,
Mosul 2017.
(below) Paul Osbourne’s magnificent
ISU-152 ‘Freight Pusher’ will
be appearing soon in MMI.
(left) Paul Webb

sent us his build
of Trumpeter’s
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For Modellers by Modellers

October 2017 Volume 21 Number 12

THE ART OF SCRATCHBUILDING

YPG IMPROVISED AFV

News, Reviews and Modelling Tips

Danish Leopard Camp Borden A The Fotoflite Files : To Sail No More in

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16 Military Modelcraft International

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18 Military Modelcraft International

Sovereign 2000/Wolf Sovereign 2000/Wolf Sovereign 2000/Wolf Sovereign 2000/Wolf

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Ken Abrams kitbashes a USMC M2.

upon this particular photo in

1 The M3 interior tub with gun

22 Military Modelcraft International

support? These would have to

skate rail that is mounted to

3 A razor saw was used to remove

5 Sheet styrene is used to scratch

in turn didn’t leave me with I chose to scratch build the