FREE GIFT BEHIND THE TRENCHES Roden 1:35 Scale Holt

75 Artillery Tractor
ISSUE 188
December 2021
FoR SubScRIbERS! - DETaIlS InSIDE...

SMALL SCALE
SOVIET
Zvezda 1:72 SU-85
ISSUE
188
December 2021

£4.95

POST Y P T I C
APO L C A L Trumpeter 1:35 Soviet
IS- 5 IS-5 Heavy Tank

RUSSIAN
ARTILLERY
TRACTORS
History & References

INSIDE: Dragon 1:35 Panther D 2-in-1 with Zimmerit n Italeri 1:35 M7 Priest
n Vespid 1:72 Maus n Book Reviews n 1:48 scale n and more...
 Contents - Issue 188 December 2021
REGULARS
p 4 NEWS
32 What’s new in the world of military
modelling

p 54 INCOMING
Accessories, model supplies and more

p 56 SMALL SCALE
News and new releases in 1:72 and
smaller

p 58 BOOKS
Military and modelling in print

p 60 1:48 SCALE
The latest news and reviews in Quarter
Inch Scale with Luke Pitt

p 65 NEXT ISSUE
What to look forward to next time

p 66 LAST POST
STOP PRESS – Tamiya 1:35 M18 Hellcat
44
FEATURES
p 6 THINK TANK
Soviet Artillery Tractors by John Ham

p 12 PREVIEW
Dragon 1:35 Panther Ausf. D 2-in-1 Kit
COVER
p 16 POST APOCALYPTIC IS-5 FEATURE
Trumpeter 1:35 Soviet IS-5 Heavy
Tank by Piotr Slominski

p 30 PREVIEW
Italeri 1:35 M7 Priest

p 32 SMALL SCALE SOVIET

Zvezda 1:72 SU-85 by Brett Green

p 44 BEHIND THE TRENCHES Part One

Roden 1:35 Scale Holt 75 Artillery
Tractor by Gary Edmundson

16

6
Model Military International is published monthly by
Doolittle Media Ltd. Reproduction in part or whole of
any text, photograph or illustration without written
permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.
While due care is taken to ensure the contents of Model
Military International is accurate, the publishers and
printers cannot accept liability for errors or omissions.
ISSN 1749-8864

© Doolittle Media Ltd 2021

Tel: (UK) 01525 222573 Email: [email protected]
Address: Doolittle Media Ltd., The Granary, Doolittle Lane,
Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX, UK

December 2021 - Model Military International 3

 Newsline - December 2021
MMI Newsdesk, The Granary, Doolittle Lane,
Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX, UK
Tel:01525 222573 Fax:01525 222574
Email:[email protected]

GECKO MODELS 1:35 M400T HUSSAR PRODUCTION 1:35

TYPE II SKID STEER LOADER PAK 40 WHEELS AND MORE
We have news of three new Hussar Productions

G
ecko Models has announced that they wheel sets in 1:35 scale plus a diorama accessory, all
will shortly release a 1:35 model of available now from their website:
the M400T Heavy Type II skid steer • HSR 35152 - PaK 40 Wheels Type 1. C$9.99
loader, referred to by some as a • HSR 35153 - PaK 40 Wheels Type 2. C$9.99
compact track loader. • HSR 35154 - PaK 40 Wheels Type 3. C$9.99
This is the tracked version of the M400W skid • HSR 35155 - Anti-Tank Tetrapods - 3 pcs. C$24.99
steer loader previously released by Gecko.
Thanks to Hussar Productions for the images and
Thanks to Gecko Models for the information information www.hussarproductions.com
and images www.gecko-models.com

BLAST MODELS NEW RELEASES

Blast Models has announced six new releases,
all available early September from Blast
Models' website:
• BL35412K - AMX-10RCR SEPAR BARKHANE
STOWAGE
• BL35413F - AMX-10RCR BARKHANE CREW
• BL35414F - AMX-10RCR BARKHANE CREW
SET 3 BUSTS
• BL35415K - AMX-10RCR SEPAR UPDATE
SET
• BL35399K - VBCI 8 DIFFERENT WHEELS
SAGGED - HELLER
• BL35398F - APO SURVIROR N2 or PMC + 2
HEADS

Thanks to Blast Models for the information

and images www.blast-models.eu

4 Model Military International - December 2021

 Think Tank - TYAGATSHI – RUSSIAN ARTILLERY TRACTORS
Stalinets S-60. Over 69,000
amanufactured between 1933-37 at
Chelyabinsk ChTZ This example is at
the UMMC / UGMK, Urals Museum
of Military Equipment Complex at
Verkhnyaya Pyshma in Ekateribug, a
private collection in the grounds of a
metallo-chemical factory.

TYAGATSHI
RUSSIAN ARTILLERY TRACTORS
John Ham outlines the background of Soviet tracked artillery
tractors and explores survivors in Russian museums.

A
lthough not unique to Russian armies, Hanomag designs and Carden-Loyd tankettes. unarmoured tractors came with open driving
fully tracked tractors have been Their usefulness made them attractive to the Red positions or manufacturers cabbed versions,
favoured as artillery prime movers, Army accepting them with no or little alteration. sometimes seen with field cab improvisations.
their wide tracks and low ground Robust, uncomplicated and slow these tractor The main manufactures were the Chelyabinsk
pressure allowing mobility in snow and mud. had considerable pulling power, period photos ChTZ, Stalingrad STZ and Kharkov KhTZ tractor
The earliest tyagatshi in the 1920s were showing them hauling heavy guns, sometimes factories and Kharkov KhPTZ Steam Locomotive
agricultural tractors heavily influenced by or near several guns and limbers, trains of supply trailers, Factory, with contributions from Gorky GAZ and
copies of imported US Caterpillar and German and recovering mud bogged vehicles. These Altai ATZ. A

6 Model Military International - December 2021

The S-60 was an almost direct copy of the US Caterpillar Sixty agricultural
tractor, the civilian heritage showing in the running gear and simple tracks.
Behind the S-60 some WW2 Allied AFVs. S-60 left side showing the open driving position, unprotected large
horizontal fuel tank and small tank above for the starter engine.
UMMC / UGMK indoor military museum behind.

December 2021 - Model Military International 7

 Think Tank - TYAGATSHI – RUSSIAN ARTILLERY TRACTORS

Komintern Artillery Tractor built at the Kharkov

Steam Locomotive Plant KhPZ based on the T-24
medium tank chassis, a military design for towing
heavy guns. (Jim Kinnear)

Kominterns on Red Square in 1937 towing 152mm

ML-20 howitzers. Unlike the older and slower
agricultural tractors the truck type cab provided
weather protection and the cargo bed could carry
gun crew and ammunition. (Jim Kinnear)

B Later tractors such as the Komintern, STZ- T-20 Komsomolets

5, Voroshilovets and Ya-12 were adapted or Armoured Light
purely military designs, faster, often larger and Artillery Tractor
with rear load beds for crew and ammunition. built at Plant No. 37
Moscow in the mid
The T-26 Light Tank also had a gun tractor
1030s for towing light
variant as the T-26T in both armoured and guns and mortars,
canvas superstructure versions. After western here a Model 1938
Soviet factories were overrun, catastrophic vehicle with a typical
equipment losses, and the factory dislocation 47mm antitank gun
due to Operation Barbarossa, manufacturing at the Museum of
Military History,
imperative was fighting machines and tanks an outstanding
with the bulk of tractor building ceasing in 1942. private collection
Tractors surviving until the end of the at Padikovo outside
Great Patriotic War were often earlier builds. Moscow. The banner
The Wehrmacht had a large number of beute is a copy of the
Reichstag 1945 flag.
tractors used in artillery haulage and rear
(Jim Kinnear)
echelon support units.
Finland used Komsomolets light tractors
captured in the Winter and Continuation Wars.
As Soviet industrial production switched
to armaments US Lend-Lease Caterpillar,
International and Allis-Chalmers crawlers and
some M5 High Speed tractors filled the artillery
haulage gap. A

T-20 Model 1938 rear view at Padidikovo showing crew seats, T-20 Model 1938 driver and machine gunner positions. A feature of Padikovo T-20 Komsomolets Model 1937 at Parola Museum Finland, a captured
Gaz engine, air intake grilles and towing pintle. restorations to running condition are a fully equipped interiors. (Jim Kinnear) in the Continuation War. It features Finnish modifications such as the
headlight and armoured cover with the insignia of Task Force Lagus. It
tows a 75K/40 antitank gun ie. German Pak 40.

8 Model Military International - December 2021

Stalinets S-65 heavy tractor at Padikovo towing typical 152mm ML-20 howitzer. On the radiator casing from top Stalinets S-65, the most manufactured tractor came in cab and open driving versions, this left side view showing
to bottom “Stalinets”, ChTZ logo, “diesel”, and covers for main and starter engine crankhandles. engine details and agricultural style running gear.

Stalinets S-65
drivers position with
simple instrument
panel and controls.
On the bonnet main
engine exhaust with
silencer (left) and
air cleaner (right).

The Stalinets S-65 was a powerful tractor. Two S-65s would be

Stalinets S-65 and ML-20 howitzer hooked together to recover a bogged KV heavy tank. This exhibit is
overhead view in one of the Padikovo a working example at the Vadim Zadorozhniy Tekhniki Museum in
museum’s exhibition halls showing the Moscow suburbs. It is missing the main engine exhaust pipe.
some display items. On ground floor
level, Great Patriotic War trucks.

STZ-3 Tractor at the UMMMC / UGMK Museum. The Stalingrad Tractor Plant originally designed a civilian STZ- The STZ-3 was built at the Stalingrad factory STZ and the Kharkov Tractor Plant KhTZ. This one has the
NATI-1TA version and separate military variant, the different looking STZ-5, but the Soviet Army adopted both Stalingrad STZ logo on the radiator surround.
versions, the civilian STZ-NATI-1TA redesignated as the STZ-3.

December 2021 - Model Military International 9

 Think Tank - TYAGATSHI – RUSSIAN ARTILLERY TRACTORS
B After WWII the Soviet Army continued
to use large numbers of artillery tractors.
Many of these were designed and produced
in the first couple of decades of the Cold
War years, larger and more powerful than
their WWII counterparts, often seen in the
Red Square parades towing medium and
heavy guns until supplanted by increased
use of self-propelled guns and rocket
artillery. The MTB-LB multipurpose APC
also had towing role for field artillery seeing
service in many of the Cold War conflicts
both by the Soviet Army and client states.
This article is not an exhaustive account
of Soviet artillery tractors but examines
Voroshilovets, largest of the WW2 Soviet artillery tractors, during
some survivors mostly in Russian museums. its production receiving several engine types including the T-34 tank
Additional information from Jim Kinnear’s S-2 Tractor was an attempt to manufacture a faster tractor than the early slow S-60 engine and possessing a winch aiding recovery tasks. This beute tractor
excellent Canfora Russian Army Parades with several developments before the S-2 using the S-65 diesel engine, unarmoured was one of many captured by the Wehrmacht, some given official
book trilogy. n cab, cargo body and T-26 type suspension. (Jim Kinnear). German designations if deemed suitable for frontline service, here
Artillerieschlepper Stalin 607(r), though almost all captures saw use in
rear area units including the Luftwaffe.
John Ham, August 2021.

McCormick International TD-14 Diesel Artillery Tractor 1940. Russia received US Lend-Lease tractors – McCormick International TD-14 Diesel Artillery Tractor from the opposite side. US Lend-Lease tractors pulled heavy
Caterpillar, International and Allis-Chalmers crawlers and M5 High Speed tractors. This survivor is at the guns and featured in Victory Parades in Moscow and other Soviet cities.
Hameenlinna Fortress Artillery Museum, Finland.

KhTZ-16 Armoured Tractor 1941. The Kharkov Tractor Plant built possibly100 of these based on the STZ-3 chassis fitted KhTZ-16 Armoured Tractor at UMMC / UGMK Museum. Many exhibits particularly those of the Great
with a 45mm tank gun and 10-25mm armour. Crew 2. Patriotic War are substantial, a few complete, rebuilds, often as runners. KhTZ-16s fought in the
defence of Kharkov.

10 Model Military International - December 2021

ZiS-30 Self Propelled Gun on T-20 Komsomolets chassis, built by Gorky Plant No. 92 in UMMC / UGMK Museum.

Na Ispug (The Frightener) 1941 at Kyiv Military Museum. A homemade attempt to manufacture extra
“tanks” at the Factory of the October Revolution in Odessa in 1941 on STZ-5 tractor chassis armed
with whatever was available. This exhibit may not be 100% accurate.

ZiS-30 Self Propelled Gun mounting

57mm ZiS-2 gun, thinly armoured and
retaining the 7.92mm MG of the T-20.

AT-P Semi-Armoured
Artillery Tractor, a small
fast tractor for medium
guns such as the 88mm
D48 manufactured at
Mytishchi Plant, Moscow
entering service in 1954.
The front gun mounting
housed a small calibre
antitank gun.

AT-P Semi-Armoured
Artillery Tractor rear view
at the Vadim Zadorozhny
Museum, Moscow showing
the open unroofed
compartment for gun crew
or ammunition. A tarpaulin
cover provided weather
protection.

APNP-1 Artillery Observation Vehicle rear view

APNP-1 Artillery Observation Vehicle based on the AT-P shows the enclosed crew compartment containing
artillery tractor at the Vadim Zadorozhny Museum was extra radio equipment.
armed with a 7.62 MG (under the canvas cover).

December 2021 - Model Military International 11

 Think Tank - TYAGATSHI – RUSSIAN ARTILLERY TRACTORS

The chunky functional looking AT-S Artillery Tractor was developed at Chelyabinsk ChTZ but manufactured at AT-S Artillery Tractor carried six in the large cab with another ten troops or cargo on the good sized load bed. It
Kurgan Machine Building Plant KMZ in the 1950s, exhibited at Hameenlinna Fortress. towed medium and heavy artillery. In Finnish service 1960 - 1980s.

ATS-59 Medium Tracked

Artillery Tractor developed by
Kurgan KMT powered by a 350
hp diesel engine displayed at
Hameenlinna.

ATS-59 Medium Tracked

Artillery Tractor served in
the Soviet Army in 1960s and
1970s, and in Finnish service
from 1965. Gun crew sat in
the cargo bed as the cab only
accommodated vehicle crew.

12 Model Military International - December 2021

 ATS-59G Medium
Tracked Artillery
Tractor at UMMC/
UGMK Museum
first produced at
Kurgan KMT then
in Poland from
the late 1960s
until 1989.

ATS-59G Medium
Tracked Artillery
Tractor carried
two crew plus
18 troops and
powered by the
same diesel
engine as the
ATS-59, seen at
HMG Military
Museum Vienna
(David Payne).

AT-T Heavy
Artillery Tractor,
a big tractor for
towing medium
and heavy guns
like the 203mm
B-4 howitzer
and rockets R12
ballistic missile.
Vadim Zadorozhny
Tekhniki Museum
exhibit.

AT-T Heavy
Artillery Tractor
built at Kharkov
KhTZ based on
the T-44 chassis
and T-54. The
same tractor
chassis was used
for engineering
and radar
vehicles like the
P-40 Long Track.

December 2021 - Model Military International 13

KIT PREVIEW Dragon 1:35 Panther D w/ Zimmerit. ‘39-’45 series. 2-in-1• Kit No. 6945

The kit decal sheet.

Andy King examines

Dragon’s 1:35 scale
Panther D with Photo-etched grilles are included.
Zimmerit anti-magnetic
paste moulded in place.

ZIMMERIT PANTHER
T
he history of the Panther done and will be hard to beat would include the original individual
has been covered doing it yourself with putty and links as well as the DS Vinyl ones Full-length flexible tracks.
numerous times in various rollers. Because it is a Panther though, that way everyone is happy.
publications so it’s not with or without Zimmerit there Four colour schemes are
worth repeating here, also the are doubles of parts such as the included and here you can work
tank, along with the Tiger I is one upper hull, turret, rear plate, lower out which had Zimmerit and which
of those perennial favourites as so front plate and gun mantlet. What didn’t from the dates shown.
many kits have been produced just I did find odd was the inclusion of The first one is from the 52nd
in 1:35 scale alone, Dragon being no two lower hulls that are identical Battalion, 39th Panzer Regiment,
exception with their first Panther and don’t feature any Zimmerit Kursk Offensive, July 1943 (no
(Ausf. F) appearing in the mid- whatsoever so further research Zimmerit), the second is a Panther
90’s. A new-tool kit was released is required as to whether the from Panzer Grenadier Division
in 2002 and was considered the Panther D had it applied in this ‘Grossdeutschland’, Karachev,
best available, being re-issued area above the road wheels. July/August 1943 (no Zimmerit)
in various guises since then. The Perhaps the presence of the side while the next two are from The Zimmerit-less turret shell.
kits used to come with all sorts skirts deemed it unnecessary but it unidentified units during 1943. You
of extra goodies such as a metal doesn’t explain the two lower hulls. can just make out in the painting
barrel, etched sheets, brass shells Another thing is the instructions guide that these have Zimmerit
but nowadays Dragon have settled make no mention of which of the applied so that will date them from
on just supplying the minimum of four options had Zimmerit applied September 1943 onward.
etched metal parts. so all you can go on is the dates Recent years have seen newer
This particular boxing is a ‘2-in- mentioned in the painting and kits of Panthers from the likes of
1’ kit meaning that two different markings section. Takom, Meng and Rye Field Models,
Subtle casting texture on the mantlet.
versions are catered for (and No interior detail is included and some of which include full interiors
no you can’t build two complete the main gun is pre-slide mould so price-wise they give the Dragon
Panthers from it). These different technology and is in two halves so Panthers a real run for their
versions are for a Panther with care will be needed during clean- money. However I feel this kit (and
or without the Zimmerit anti- up to avoid ‘flat spots’. Originally others in the re-tooled Panther
magnetic paste that was applied to Dragon used to include individual family) are still up there regardless
the tank starting September 1943, track links but in recent years of age as Dragon did WWII German
being discontinued in September started putting one piece DS vinyl armour very well, it all depends
the following year. tracks in their kits which to me what you want from a kit as some
In the box you get twelve sprues was always a retrograde step as folk can’t be bothered with full
in grey plastic, a sheet of etched these invariably have flash on them interiors while some love them.
metal, two strips of white plastic that is difficult to remove and the Personally I’m quite happy with
that are the side skirts, two lengths packaging could flatten the guide this one and will probably build it
of DS Vinyl tracks, a small length horns. Looking at the tracks in even with the vinyl tracks.
of chain for the pistol port covers this kit they do have little bits on Highly recommended! n
on the turret and a decal sheet. the edges but the holes for the Crisp road wheel detail.
As usual moulding quality is sprocket teeth seem to be flash- Many thanks to The Hobby
very good with little to no flash on free so they are useable, also they Company Limited for the review
parts and the detail is excellent. are mostly covered by the side sample www.hobbyco.net
The Zimmerit texture is very well skirts anyway. I still wish Dragon

The choice is yours!

The Zimmerit version of the rear hull plate.

History via Wikipedia and kit history Zimmerit moulding is impressive.

14 Model Military International - December 2021 via the Scalemates web site.
FEATURE ARTICLE Trumpeter 1:35 Soviet IS-5 Heavy Tank (Kit No. 09566) Meng Models 1:35 Pickup w/ZU-23-2 (Kit No. VS-004)

PO ST A P O L C A ter’s 1:35 scale

Piotr Slominski combines Trumpea unique and
IS-5 and Meng’s ZU-23-2 gun for
suitably post-apocalyptic hybrid.

I
t appears that the IS-5 designation may of Tanks’ players), using the designation
not have been actually used for the tank that is commonly used in the game was an
that is the subject of my build, but since obvious choice for the Chinese company.
the Trumpeter’s kit itself is one of the Considering this situation, I decided
many prototype or even what-if designs to place my model in a post-apocalyptic
that have been produced in kit form (mainly setting and modify it to follow this
due to their popularity amongst ‘World convention. n

16 Model Military International - December 2021

AL Y P TI C I S - 5

December 2021 - Model Military International 17

FEATURE ARTICLE Trumpeter 1:35 Soviet IS-5 Heavy Tank (Kit No. 09566) Meng Models 1:35 Pickup w/ZU-23-2 (Kit No. VS-004)

Assembly I started by assembling the

suspension. The only trouble
was the need to remove the
many moulding seams.

The wheels were also affected by this The wheels were

issue. I used Proxxon’s mini-grinder to subsequently attached
get rid of the seams. to the suspension…

…but this wasn’t the end of the

tedious clean-up process. Now I
had to deal with 176 track links…

The links were then assembled

into full track runs and glued
with Tamiya Extra Thin Cement.

The use of the latter allowed for

easy arrangement of the tracks
on the running gear as the joints
remained flexible for a while.

Once the tracks had fully cured, I removed

In accordance with my idea them from the running gear together with the
for this project, I cut off all sprockets. The tracks would be painted as
the fenders. separate pieces and added at a later stage.

Once I’d assembled the turret, I added the

cast texture by applying AK-Interactive AK897
‘Easy Cast Texture Medium’ onto the selected
areas using a brush in a tapping motion.

Afterwards, I installed the

photo-etched grilles and
copper tow cables which
were supplied with the kit.

The basic form of the tank

was now complete…

18 Model Military International - December 2021

…so I could focus on its modification.
The main part was to be a ZU-23-2 gun
mounted on a platform that would be
attached at the rear of the turret. The Of course, due to the planned
gun came from MENG’s set, although I placement of the gun I couldn’t
decided to replace the plastic barrels fit it with fenders…
with turned metal ones from MASTER.

The platform was scratch

…and also had to alter its mount. built from lengths of variously
shaped styrene rod.

I then drilled out the mounting

holes for the platform… …and subsequently
glued it to the turret.

Next, I filled the resulting gaps at the

joints with White Milliput putty…

…and left the entire

sub-assembly to cure
thoroughly.
 FEATURE ARTICLE Trumpeter 1:35 Soviet IS-5 Heavy Tank (Kit No. 09566) Meng Models 1:35 Pickup w/ZU-23-2 (Kit No. VS-004)

Afterwards, I added the

platform floor using a piece of
photo-etched mesh from Aber…

The railing was made from lengths of round styrene rod that
had been hollowed out from the top, allowing for the insertion
of lengths of copper wire. The latter were bent to form hooks…

…that would hold a length of chain from RB Model.

…and glued the gun

mount to this.

I temporarily put all the sub-

assemblies together to check the
appearance of the vehicle…
Some additional stowage including a barrel
and a hand pallet truck were sourced from
one of MiniArt’s diorama accessory sets.

…and came up with an idea to

add some side skirts. These
were created from pieces of
a soda can and lengths of
C-shaped styrene rod.

Painting

Now I could start the painting

process. I decided to paint
the tank using the colour
modulation technique. The
first step was to apply a black
primer layer that would also
help in creating the shadows.

20 Model Military International - December 2021

 The base colour was built up by This was followed by
airbrushing different green tones, subsequent application
starting with the darkest, i.e. of AK-Interactive AK031
A.MIG-931 ‘Russian Dark Base’. ‘Russian 4BO Base’…

…AK032 ‘Russian …AK033 ‘Russian 4BO High Light’…

4BO Light Base’…

...and AK034 ‘Russian 4BO Shine’

for the strongest highlights.

I also applied the basecoats

to the stowage…

The vehicle and crew were now

ready for further treatments.

…and the figures. The plastic

soldier was sourced from Takom’s
KV-5 kit, whilst the resin tank
commander came from my stash.

December 2021 - Model Military International 21

FEATURE ARTICLE Trumpeter 1:35 Soviet IS-5 Heavy Tank (Kit No. 09566) Meng Models 1:35 Pickup w/ZU-23-2 (Kit No. VS-004)

Weathering

Once I’d applied the decals, I added

some damage to the paint layer using
A.MIG-044 ‘Chipping’ and Vallejo
70.883 ‘Silver Grey’ acrylics that
was applied using a very fine brush
and a piece of sponge.

“was
The base colour
built up by
airbrushing different
green tones...
”
This was sealed with a layer
of Mr.Color C46 ‘Clear Gloss’.

Next, I applied AK-Interactive

AK045 ‘Dark Brown Wash’ into
various nooks and crannies and
around protruding details.

The excess enamel was removed

with cotton buds that had been
dampened with white spirit.

22 Model Military International - December 2021

 The barrels and other parts of the
gun were given a metallic finish
using AK461 ‘Gun Metal’ paste from
the AK-Interactive’s True Metal
range that had been applied using
the dry brushing technique.

The barrel and hand pallet truck were dirtied with

various earthy pigment tones and AK-Interactive
AK082 ‘Engine Grime’ enamel.

The rain marks and other streaking effects on the turret

were created by applying tiny dots of different AK-Interactive
enamels onto the surface and blending them in a downward
motion with a brush that had been dampened with white spirit.

Afterwards, I poured
various earthy pigment
colours onto the tracks…

Next, I airbrushed the tracks with

AK-Interactive AK083 ‘Track Wash’
that had been heavily diluted with
white spirit in order to allow the
black priming layer to show through. …and subsequently distributed and blended them together using a brush that
had been dampened with white spirit. I then left them to dry…

…and turned my attention to the lower hull.

My first step was to give a metallic finish to
the wheel rims using AK-Interactive AK086 This was followed by the application of earthy pigment tones onto the running gear and adjacent areas.
‘Dark Steel’ pigment. These were secured with Pigment Fixer from Abteilung 502.

December 2021 - Model Military International 23

FEATURE ARTICLE Trumpeter 1:35 Soviet IS-5 Heavy Tank (Kit No. 09566) Meng Models 1:35 Pickup w/ZU-23-2 (Kit No. VS-004)

…and fixed them to the kit.

As I was satisfied with the result
of the previous treatments
applied to the tracks…

…I only added the metallic sheen

with the True Metal paste…

At this stage, I also installed the side skirts and stowage.

Next, I created some rust effects.

Various stains were painted
AK013 ‘Rust Streaks’ and AK083
‘Track Wash’ whilst some rusty
discolouration around the paint
chips was reproduced with
different pigment tones.

It was time for the final weathering steps. I

firstly replicated some dried mud on the hull
by applying a layer of AK8017 ‘Muddy Ground’
acrylic paste onto the chosen surfaces and
tapping them with earthy pigments. The dust
effects on flat areas were
added with AK4061 ‘Sand
Yellow Deposit’ and AK4063
‘Brown Earth Deposit’ whose
tiny quantities were distributed with a brush
that had been dampened with white spirit, whilst
for vertical streaks I used the enamel products
from Ammo’s ‘Splashes’ range. I applied tiny
dots of the latter onto the surface and blended
them with a fine long-bristled brush.

24 Model Military International - December 2021

 The tank was now ready.

Groundwork
I then formed the ground
surface using a gas heat gun…

I still had to create the base and finish the

figures. The basic shape of the former was
made from a piece of a styrodur foam.

…and poured a mixture of potting

mix and plaster onto this.

Once I’d test-fitted

the tank to the
ground…

…I could apply a layer of priming emulsion

which helped to fix the ground mixture.

December 2021 - Model Military International 25

FEATURE ARTICLE Trumpeter 1:35 Soviet IS-5 Heavy Tank (Kit No. 09566) Meng Models 1:35 Pickup w/ZU-23-2 (Kit No. VS-004)

Finishing the Figures Afterwards, I detailed

their equipment.
As the ground required some time to fully cure, I decided
to finish the figures. Their uniforms were painted with
different green and blue acrylic tones.

I subsequently applied a filter of ‘Militarum

Green’ from the Citadel Contrast range that
had been diluted with ‘Contrast Medium’
from the same manufacturer.

Next, I painted the smallest

details such as the buckles,
buttons and epaulets…

…and created a glass effect on

The shadows were the lenses using Microscale
later enhanced by Kristal Klear. The uniform of the
applying A.MIG-1618 infantryman was dirtied with
‘PLW Deep Brown’. earthy pigment colours.

To add further visual interest to

the planned vignette, I decided to
add a wooden cart and a barrel.

The woodgrain effects were

reproduced by rubbing the
surface with ABT006 ‘Burnt
Umber’ oil from Abteilung 502.

The barrel was additionally

The cart was base coated with three acrylic colours from the AK-Interactive treated with rusty pigment
AK563 ‘Old & Weathered Wood vol.2’ set, whilst the barrel, or actually its half, colours to further enhance
was finished with different rusty tones from Ammo. the visual effect.

26 Model Military International - December 2021

 I then enclosed the base
with sidewalls made from
pieces of balsa wood.

Afterwards, I placed the barrel and cart on the ground,

retouched some chosen areas with earthy enamel products
from AK-Interactive and dyed the balsa sidewalls in black.

Once they had dried, I cut

the sidewalls flush with
the ground surface.
“inIadecided to put my model
post-apocalyptic setting
and modify it a bit...
”

The final touch was fix the

tank and figure to the base
using two-part epoxy glue.

December 2021 - Model Military International 27

FEATURE ARTICLE Trumpeter 1:35 Soviet IS-5 Heavy Tank (Kit No. 09566) Meng Models 1:35 Pickup w/ZU-23-2 (Kit No. VS-004)

Detail view of side skirts in place.

Crew figure and the gun.

28 Model Military International - December 2021

December 2021 - Model Military International 29
KIT PREVIEW Italeri 1:35 M7 Priest • Kit No. 6580

Solid dished road wheels.

Marking options.

Graham Tetley
reacquaints
himself with an Main upper hull parts.

old favourite.

HELLO OLD FRIEND!

N
ever unavailable for that the one-piece tracks will force Korean War. The decals themselves Still good after 40 years.
too long, here we have the fore and rearmost suspension are in register and of good quality.
another re-release of the units to bend upwards. The only Mine will be done as the Priest in
venerable M7 Priest that issue with the 105mm gun is that Burma, but the Korean War option
we first saw in the mid-1970s. For the barrel and is a two-part affair came a close second. You will have
many years it was the only game that will need to be smoothed no problem with the instruction as
in town but now we have versions down. Once built, it can elevate these are clear, uncluttered, and
from Academy and Dragon to & depress plus, if go easy on the not complicated at all.
compare with. It hails from Italeri’s glue, it can also rotate in its mount. So, there we have it. It is still
golden age and still builds into a You might want to add some a good sound kit that will let you
fantastic model even now. texture as well to the differential represent a late model Priest. If
Italeri’s kit has the features housing as it is baby-bottom you wish to go to town on it then Main gun and hull fittings.
of a 1944 production vehicle and smooth out of the box. there are some etched, stowage,
is dimensionally very good for The driver’s compartment track and suspension update
its vintage. The model comes is busy enough, as is the main sets out there to make this into
on 3 sprues and comprises of fighting compartment. Both are a showpiece. UK retail price is
approximately 260 parts, which missing some fine detail but around the £25 mark which still
include two lengths of vinyl tracks. there are etched sets out there if makes this good value for money
In the past, these tracks were a you need them. Some shells are and it comes recommended. n
weak point of this kit as they came provided to fill the ammo racks
in stiff vinyl that you had to melt and basic crew weapons are there Many thanks to The Hobby
and/or staple together, but for also. I never liked Italeri’s depiction Company Limited for the review
this release the tracks are in a of the .50 cal. heavy machine gun sample www.hobbyco.net
more flexible, glueable, material. as it looks too long & thin, but
Along with many kits from this era, it is still in the box and I will be
there are many ejector pin marks replacing it. Construction of the
Looking good for its age.
and some sink holes present that individual upper hull plates will
will need attention. Italeri have go a lot easier if you square off
tweaked the moulds so that we the joining surfaces. Parts are
now get solid dished roadwheels, cut at an angle to allow them
not the open spoked ones as to be ejected from the mold
originally tooled. Sherman’s came and models of this vintage tend
with various styles of roadwheels to have steeper angles to the
so anything can go, but this places part edges. You will notice this
it more late and post war. The when you try to attach the front
rear grille, Part 133b, also shows shield to the superstructure
signs of mould damage that hasn’t sides hence it is important to
been repaired, but it shouldn’t square them off. We get a figure
bee too noticeable on the finished provided, but Italeri were never
item. Detail is typical 1970’s – a good at making figures and this A bit of unrepaired mould damage.
bit chunky in places, really fine in is no exception. I used it in the
others – but it still looks good. Eighties, but have binned it ever
Construction is very since. Sorry Italeri!
straightforward but there are a Markings are included for four
few things to look out for. The vehicles, representing three
suspension is designed to be from WWII (one American, one
moveable but I recommend that French and one in British use
you glue it flat, the reason being in Burma) and one from the
The re-worked suspension parts sprue. Track pad detail.

30 Model Military International - December 2021

FEATURE ARTICLE Zvezda 1:72 SU-85 Soviet Tank Destroyer • Kit No. 5062

32 Model Military International - December 2021

SMALL SCALE
SOVIET
Brett Green tests out a selection of Deluxe
Materials modelling products and Gas
Hans’ clever resin tracks on Zvezda’s 1:72
scale SU-86 Soviet Tank Destroyer

T
he SU-85 (Samohodnaya Ustanovka 85)
was a Soviet self-propelled gun used
during World War II, based on the chassis
of the T-34 medium tank.
By the autumn of 1942, Soviet forces began
to encounter the new German Tiger tank, with
armour too thick to be penetrated by the 76.2
mm guns used in the T-34 and KV tanks at a safe
range. The Soviet command also had reports of
the Panther tank that was in development and
possessed thicker armour than the Tiger. This
new generation of German vehicles meant the Red
Army would need a new, more powerful main gun
for their armoured formations.
The SU-85 was a modification of the earlier
SU-122 self-propelled howitzer, essentially
replacing the 122 mm M-30S howitzer of the
SU-122 with a D-5T high-velocity 85 mm antitank
gun. The D-5T was capable of penetrating the
Tiger I from 1000 m.
The vehicle had a low profile and excellent
mobility. Initially given an armoured commander's
cap on the first production batch, the SU-85's
observational optics were improved by the
introduction of a standard commander's cupola.
The SU-85 entered combat in August 1943. It
saw active service across the Eastern Front until
the end of the war. Though a capable weapon, it
was found that its 85 mm weapon was not
adequate to penetrate the armour
of the most heavily armoured
German armoured fighting
vehicles. It was
replaced by
the SU-100. A

December 2021 - Model Military International 33

 FEATURE ARTICLE Zvezda 1:72 SU-85 Soviet Tank Destroyer • Kit No. 5062

B IN THE BOX handrails. Also, some of the parts

Zvezda’s 1:72 scale SU-85 Soviet are so small and fiddly that I would
Tank Destroyer comprises 74 parts not recommend this kit to an Zvezda’s artwork on top
in grey plastic and two parts in absolute beginner. of their sturdy box.
black. My only other criticism is that
The black parts are semi-flexible all the hatches are moulded shut.
track lengths – one per side. Although this makes assembly
Detail is very good with crisp easier, it would have been nice to
recessed panel lines and raised have the option of a Commander
hinges and other structural figure in the vehicle. This would
features. have lent a nice sense of scale.
This is quite an impressive kit I don’t want to seem critical of The one-piece lower
hull has swing arms and
considering not only its small scale, the kit though. Detail and fit are
transmission covers
but also its self-proclaimed Snap both really good, and the relatively moulded in place.
Fit status. small parts count makes it a fast
In reality though, you will still build too.
need glue if you want to add some Nice model and thoroughly
of the smaller fittings such as the recommended.

The semi-flexible one-piece track Markings are supplied

lengths. I did not use these. for two vehicle options.
All the other grey parts are
moulded onto a single sprue.

Each track is cast as

a single full loop.

Gas Hans has released This set is the common

several sets of T-34 waffle pattern.
tracks in 1:72 scale.

i I recently received a box of modelling products from Deluxe Materials.

This included four different super glues, various sizes of tip applicators, an ultra-thin liquid glue, acrylic glues,
putty, super glue de-bonder and a clever product called Liquid Gravity.
I took the opportunity to use several of these products on this project.
Plastic Magic is a low odour, super thin cement that should be applied sparingly and will bond in seconds. Not
only does Plastic Magic work on polystyrene plastic, but it will also bond ABS and other plastics. Handy if you
still some of Trumpeter’s earliest armour releases!
The super glue products interested me as well. Cyano is not one-size-fits-all. Different properties are required
for various modelling applications. For some jobs, you will need water-thin glue that will find its own way into all
those tiny nooks and crannies; while for others you will need a slow-setting, thick, almost structural adhesive.
I found the heavy-duty Roket Max super glue was idea for gluing the resin tracks to the plastic wheels. Its slow
setting properties gave me 10 to 20 seconds of wiggle room to make sure the resin and plastic parts were
perfectly aligned before the outer row of wheels was glued into place.
Plastic Magic is a low odour,
super thin cement that
should be applied sparingly
and will bond in seconds.

A sample of Deluxe Materials’ wide range Included in the range are four distinct super glues for different modelling
of modelling and finishing products. jobs. Associated products for debonding and more are also included.

34 Model Military International - December 2021

 The 85mm gun barrel, the
headlight and the reward-
facing horn were all hollowed
out with the tip of a hobby
blade and a fine pin vise.

CONSTRUCTION
The reason I bought this kit was
the recent arrival of a couple of
review samples from Gas Hans.
These are resin tracks cleverly
cast as one piece per side as a full
loop length. They are fabulously
detailed and I wanted to see if they
were as impressive to work with as
they looked on the bench.
The sample I used was Gas Upper hull fittings –
ready to start assembly.
Hans’ 1:72 scale T-34 Wafer Type
Tracks (waffle pattern), Item No.
T72001. tracks, the only change that I differently next time is to replace bit of extra working time to adjust
In a word, the answer is yes. The made to the kit was to hollow the hand rails with fine wire. The for a perfect fit of the resin tracks
tracks as impressive on the model out the 85mm gun barrel, the plastic parts are a bit chunky if you onto the inner row of wheels.
as they are on the bench. Cleanup headlight and the reward-facing look at them closely. I took care to assemble the
is quick and the tracks simply slip horn. The headlight lens was I also tried out a number of press-fit gun barrel and mantlet
over the inner road wheels, drive replicated by painting the inside Deluxe Materials products that without glue to ensure that they
sprocket and idler wheel before the of the housing silver and filling it arrived recently - their Plastic remained moveable after assembly,
outer wheels are glued in place. with two-part epoxy glue. I used Magic liquid glue and Roket Max but I used Deluxe’s Plastic Magic
This also makes painting easier. glue throughout too. thick super glue. The latter was liquid glue on most of the other
Apart from using the Gas Hans The only thing I would do especially helpful by giving me a parts as an insurance policy. A

The gun barrel’s ball mount is pressed into place… …followed by the mantlet and armour. With careful placement the barrel may traverse and elevate.

Taking shape.

December 2021 - Model Military International 35

FEATURE ARTICLE Zvezda 1:72 SU-85 Soviet Tank Destroyer • Kit No. 5062

The centre outer roadwheel on each side

features a locating pin on the inside top.
This locates the kit’s plastic tracks. I cut
off these locating pins because I was
using after-market Gas Hans tracks.

Inner wheels, drive sprockets

and idler wheels in place.

The inner row of wheels.

The tracks were removed from their vesting blocks

with a sharp hobby knife and cleaned up with a sanding
stick. Triangular wedges attached to the inside halves
of the guide horns were cut off at this time too.

Upper hull fittings including three-piece fuel drums.

Test fitting the resin Gas Hans

tracks to the inner row of wheels.

The upper and lower hulls

simply click together.
The tabs on the sides of
the lower hull are clicked
into the tab moulded into
the sponson covers.

36 Model Military International - December 2021

 I brushed a line of Plastic Magic liquid
glue along the joining edges of the tabs.

Basic construction only awaiting

tracks and the outer row of wheels.

The outer row of wheels were

left on the sprue for painting.

The solid plastic tow cables work well and look convincing.

The left side tow cable

loops under the rear hull.

December 2021 - Model Military International 37

 FEATURE ARTICLE Zvezda 1:72 SU-85 Soviet Tank Destroyer • Kit No. 5062

B PAINTING AND WEATHERING Tamiya’s grey primer was decanted into

At this stage the model was a glass jar and thinned with around 15%
assembled with the inner lacquer thinners.
halves of the road wheels, drive
sprockets and idler wheels in
place. The one-piece tracks and
the outer wheels of the running
gear were not glued in place yet. The overall camouflage colour is Mr
Painting and weathering Hobby Lacquer 303 Green FS34102.
techniques were basically the
same as usual, but performed with
the aid of an Optivisor at 2.5x
magnification!
I started with a primer coat. I
decanted Tamiya’s grey primer
into a glass jar and thinned it with
around 15% lacquer thinners. This
resulted in a silky smooth and This was sprayed
onto the main section
ultra-thin base coat.
of the model and the
I chose Mr Hobby Lacquer 303 loose outer wheels.
Green FS34102 as the overall
camouflage colour, representing
a faded Russian 4BO Green.
This was sprayed onto the main
section of the model and the loose
outer wheels.
For a highlighting coat I used
Gunze-Sangyo Acrylic H58 Interior
Green, thinned with isopropyl
alcohol. This was applied in streaks
and small random mottles, with a
focus on the horizontal surfaces.
This was followed by shading
the grubby recesses and natural A mix of Tamiya XF-1 Flat
shadow areas with a thin mix of Black and XF-79 Linoleum
Deck Brown was used to
Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black and XF-79
paint the tracks.
Linoleum Deck Brown. The
same thin mix
was used to
add vertical A highlighting coat of Gunze-
streaks on Sangyo Acrylic H58 Interior
the front and Green was applied in streaks
sides of the and small random mottles.
superstructure.
With the basic
green coat in
place, the tracks
were sprayed with
the same “scale
black” mix.
The vehicle
received a subtle dry-
brushing with a pale green shade.
Details such as the grousers,
spare tracks, tow cables, exhaust
pipes and tool heads were
painted with a dark
mix of Vallejo
acrylics. A 50/50
blend of Vallejo
Old Wood and New Wood was
painted onto the saw and shovel
handles using a fine brush.
Tamiya’s Dark Brown Accent
Colour was brushed onto the engine A thin dark mix was
used to add vertical
deck grilles and into panel lines. streaks on the front
The kit decals performed and sides of the
perfectly over a gloss coat. superstructure.
The vehicle and the separate
outer wheels were now given two
coats of Winsor & Newton Galeria
Flat Varnish.
The painted tracks were now
treated to a weathering coat of Details such as the grousers, spare
tracks, tow cables, exhaust pipes and
AMMO by MIG Thick Soil enamel,
tool heads were painted with a dark
Item No. A.MIG-1701. This was mix of Vallejo acrylics.
dry-brushed on with a fairly thick
old brush. A

38 Model Military International - December 2021

 Tyres were brush
painted while the
wheels were still
on the sprues.

Tamiya’s Dark Brown Accent

Colour was brushed onto the
engine deck grilles and into
panel lines.

A 50/50 blend of Vallejo Old

Wood and New Wood was
Kit decals were applied painted onto the saw and shovel
over a gloss coat. handles using a fine brush.

A weathering coat of AMMO

by MIG Thick Soil enamel
was dry-brushed on with a
fairly thick old brush.

The outer wheel halves

were weathered with a
combination of Thick Soil
and Tamiya’s Dark Brown
Accent Colour.

All the pre-painted and

weathered components
ready to come together.

December 2021 - Model Military International 39

 FEATURE ARTICLE Zvezda 1:72 SU-85 Soviet Tank Destroyer • Kit No. 5062

B A little more of the Thick Soil

enamel mix was brushed onto the
mudguards and lower hull.
The outer wheel halves were
also weathered with a combination
of Thick Soil and Tamiya’s Dark
Brown Accent Colour.
The tracks were glued using
Deluxe Materials’ thick Roket Max
super glue. This is a thick, non-
runny cyano glue that bonds in
10-20 seconds. The extra working
time is very useful for a job like
this where the resin tracks need
to line up perfectly with the inner
road wheels. The tracks were glued using Deluxe Materials’
Roket Max was also used to thick Roket Max slow setting super glue. The
secure the outer row of wheels extra working time is very useful for a job like
and the top of the wheels to the this where the resin tracks need to line up
inside of the track upper surfaces. perfectly with the inner road wheels.
Toothpicks were used to hold
the tracks in place as the slow
bonding Roket Max super glue set.
Edges of the armour plate were
highlighted with a 2B pencil, and
scratches on the hull added with a
Dark Brown Prismacolor pencil.

CONCLUSION
Although labelled as a Snap Fit kit
with no glue required, this is not
for the beginner modeller.
It is a really nice kit though –
well detailed and a fast build.
If you fancy a cool sorbet after a
heavy modelling project, this might
just be what you are looking for! n
Toothpicks were used to hold the tracks in place
as the slow bonding Roket Max super glue set.
Modelspec
Zvezda 1:72 SU-85 Soviet Tank Destroyer Kit No. 5062
Accessories Used:
Gas Hans Item No. T72001 – T-34 Wafer Type Tracks
(Waffle Pattern)
Tools and Modelling Products:
Deluxe Materials:
- Plastic Magic low odour liquid cement
- Roket Hot and Roket Max super glue
- Micro Tips & Tube applicators
Paints and Finishing Products:
A little more of the Thick Soil
Vehicle:
enamel mix was brushed onto
• Tamiya Spray Can - Grey Primer (decanted) the mudguards and lower hull.
• Mr Hobby Lacquer – 303 Green FS34102
• Gunze-Sangyo Acrylic – H58 Interior Green
• Tamiya Acrylic –XF-1 Flat Black; XF-2 Flat White;
XF-79 Linoleum Deck Brown
• Tamiya Dark Brown Panel Line Access Colour
• AMMO by MIG – A.MIG-1701 Thick Soil (enamel)
• Prismacolor Dark Brown Pencil
• Winsor & Newton Galeria Flat Varnish
• Tamiya Weathering Master A Set
Photography:
• Camera - Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera
• Lenses – Canon EF-M 22mm f2 Macro
• Lighting – Two Bowens Studio Strobes with Soft
Boxes
Edges of the armour plate
3 Good detail and fit; lovely surface textures. were highlighted with a 2B
7 Some small fiddly parts; hatches moulded shut. pencil, and scratches on
the hull added with a Dark
Purchased by the Author Brown Prismacolor pencil.

Rating

40 Model Military International - December 2021

 A little more of the Thick Soil
enamel mix was brushed onto
the mudguards and lower hull.

Detail and fit are both really good.

This really is a small model, but

detail is hardly compromised.

December 2021 - Model Military International 41

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FEATURE ARTICLE Roden 1:35 Scale Holt 75 Artillery Tractor w/BL 8-inch Howitzer • Kit No. 814

BEHIND THE
TRENCHES PART ONE - HOLT 75 ARTILLERY TRACTOR

44 Model Military International - December 2021

Gary Edmundson
I
nspiration to build a model can it, I ordered the Resicast resin kit size perspective.
come from many sources, and of the Mk.II 8 inch Howitzer which After starting a blog on a
builds and when a fellow modeller had
built Roden’s 1:35 scale Holt
looked exactly as I’d seen in photos
of the Somme battles of 1916, with
modelling forum, I was approached
by the owner of the miniature
improves Roden’s tractor, I was instantly enamoured the two recoil cylinders mounted company Model Cellar who saw I

1:35 scale Holt 75 with the look of this antique-

looking machine after viewing his
above the gun barrel.
The Holt tractor was a
was building the tractor. He had
resin miniatures of a driver and two
Artillery Tractor pictures. Although he warned me
that this kit was a daunting build, I
workhorse of the Royal Artillery
throughout the Great War, and saw
artillery troops designed to go with
the kit, but not as yet commercially
as the first immediately ordered one from my service from early in the conflict to available. Asking if I could use them
local hobby shop. the armistice in 1918. The tractor for my project, I eagerly accepted
element of a WWI The kit came with an 8 inch was employed in hauling the larger his generous offer.
diorama. Howitzer Mk.VI, but I pictured my
project depicted in the Somme area
artillery pieces around, typically
several miles behind the front
The first part of this short series
will deal with the construction
in 1916, meaning I’d need to build an lines. My diorama was to depict a and painting of Roden’s Holt 75
earlier variant of the gun. Although scenario of this taking place, with a Artillery Tractor. A
it was a fair investment to obtain few figures to give it some life and

December 2021 - Model Military International 45

 FEATURE ARTICLE Roden 1:35 Scale Holt 75 Artillery Tractor w/BL 8-inch Howitzer • Kit No. 814

B TRACTOR CONSTRUCTION
Almost all of the parts in the
Roden kit needed a fair amount of
clean-up. There was evidence of
slight mould-shift on a lot of them,
and quite a bit of flash, especially
on the track links. Starting with
the return roller assembly and
frame, the parts fit well and lined
up straight. I’d seen that the front
wheel hadn’t gone together easily
on other modeller’s builds, and so
took extra care to ensure a good fit
when putting mine together. Also,
Parts clean-up was very evident as a large task during initial assembly of the kit. The individual link track parts showed a lot of injector pin marks and flash.
the housing around this wheel has
an upper and lower half, and the
seem between them is a chasm. I
used a fair bit of Aves Fixit epoxy
putty to fill the gap, and quite an
effort to sand it smooth.
I suffered from a bit of dyslexia
when trying to orient the sections
of the final drive housing drum,
and ended up having to pull it
apart and redo it after the glue
dried. Happily there wasn’t any
serious damage, but it really Front wheel assembly with a large gap on the outer housing filled with putty. The fit of the main frame of the chassis was acceptable.
made me wonder if I should
pick a different hobby.
After test-fitting the rear
section to the frame, it
was glued in place, and the
sprockets and idlers were
added completing that sub-
assembly for painting and
weathering. It was obvious
to me that the lower
portion of the model had to
be painted and weathered
before the fenders were
added afterward.
After cleaning the The water pump on the engine
injector pin marks and needed a bit of work to allow a
proper fit.
excess flash from the
individual track links, they
were linked together to
test the fit on the running
gear. Twenty seven links
were needed for each run, and
although they snap together they
were tricky to place in position
without falling apart.
Because of the nature of
this build, several of the sub-
assemblies were best painted
and weathered separately before
combining them. Components
such as the coolant and petrol
tanks, upper platform with fenders, Test fitting all of the
transmission and driver controls, components had to be
and the upper canopy & frame done before painting
along with the running gear and and assembling the
bulk of the model.
tracks are examples.

The roof had several sink holes which were difficult The pewter sheet was cut to size, placed over the kit It took three attempts to get an acceptable roof made. With the roof mounted on the frame, rolled tarpaulins
to deal with, so a new one was fabricated from part, and corrugations embossed with the end of an were fashioned from epoxy putty.
pewter sheet. old paint brush.

46 Model Military International - December 2021

CANOPY AND FRAME cure after about an hour, I tied
The corrugated roof supplied in the pieces of string around the points
kit has a row of sink holes that are at which the strapping would have
very hard to fix. Canadian modeller been fastened. Folds were also
and friend Chris Johnson had sculpted around the putty at this
tackled this problem on his build point. References show various
by fabricating a new surface using configurations for the straps on the
0.7mm pewter sheet. By embossing tarps, some had three down the
a section of the pewter onto the sides and some had four or five. I
kit part, the lines of corrugation made impressions of three on the
were added using the rounded sides and two on the front & rear,
tip of a wooden stick. I used an and added straps made from thin
old paintbrush handle for that. To lead sheet once these had cured.
avoid the pattern of sink holes, the
sheet was slid over to one side to ENGINE CONSTRUCTION
complete the job down the centre. The four cylinder engine was The components laid out, which had to be painted separately before further assembly.
It wasn’t as straightforward as straightforward to assemble but the
I’ve described, and I needed three water pump attached to it is tricky are sitting too low, therefore the fenders. At least three of them in
attempts to make a good one. The to line up with the chassis frame. figure has been sculpted to have a my references had two boxes on
pewter has properties that it can I spent a fair bit of time trimming lower seat position. A replacement the rear left, and another on the
hold its shape and stay malleable the base of the pump and the mount for the driver’s seat is right, just behind the driver.
unlike lead or other soft metals pump body itself to get it to orient included with the resin figure. Using dimensions roughly
that would have been difficult to correctly in the small amount of Rather than correct all of the guessed at by studying the period
manage. space it had to rest in. The engine driver’s controls, I opted for the photos, I constructed some boxes
A support beam made from was left out of the mounting frame easier choice of just putting the from styrene sheet, and added a
styrene strip was added to the top so that both components could be driver as is, a touch lower than he couple of etched metal pad-locks
centre of the roof frame, with the painted separately. really should be sitting. from my spare parts box.
gap on the front face filled with The radiator assembly was test There are two small levers just To populate the left hand bin
epoxy putty. fitted at this point too. Since the in front of the steering wheel, and I resin cast some 2-gallon petrol
Photos of these tractors show blades of the cooling fan interfered I added a small impulse line using tins from a DML cooling water can
them to have their canopies with the opening at the back of .001 inch lead wire from each one, from a Vickers Gun kit. These cans
equipped with tarpaulins on each the radiator, the blades were each seen in references. These lines originally contained petrol, and
side of the support frame, typically trimmed shorter by 1.0mm. The were loosely strung down to where were used in both World Wars by
rolled up and held with straps. I radiator also will sit with the top they disappeared just behind one the British machine gunners to cool
made four tarps, two long and two slanting forward if the upper hose of the fender supports their Vickers MG barrels. I added
short, using Aves Fixit epoxy putty. is not shortened by about 2mm. handles to the top with spare
By making a fair size lump of about I ended up having to cut mine STOWAGE BOXES etched-metal strip from the spares
the size of the end of my thumb, shorter at the end of the build Many of the Holt tractors seen in box. I also added some smaller
I rolled it flat with a hobby blade since I had not cut off enough service with the Royal Artillery 1-gallon motor oil tins which were
handle onto a smooth glass pane during earlier test-fitting. had stowage boxes mounted to the resin parts from Plus Model. A
using plenty of talcum powder
to prevent it from sticking. After DRIVER’S POSITION
a decent size amount had been Since I’d been sent a resin driver
flattened out, I cut out a rectangle figure from Model Cellar, I had to
to roll up, to the appropriate size position it with the new seat stand
of the sides and front and back of and control levers. Mike Good’s
the canopy. A 2.0mm styrene rod exquisite sculpting was made to
was placed in the tarps just before fit the Roden kit, and the kit has a
they were rolled up. few dimensional errors here. The
After allowing putty to partially control levers and steering column

More boxes were made for the left side, including etched metal locks for the ones with lids.

A DML 2 gallon can served as

a master to make resin copies,
and spare etched metal strip was
used for handles.

A stowage box was made for the right side from sheet styrene. The left hand stowage box was populated with the resin
petrol and oil cans.

December 2021 - Model Military International 47

 FEATURE ARTICLE Roden 1:35 Scale Holt 75 Artillery Tractor w/BL 8-inch Howitzer • Kit No. 814

B PAINTING
The sub-assemblies of the model
were initially given a pre-shade
coat of Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black.
I chose to paint the tractor with
Tamiya XF-51 Khaki Drab after
trying to find a match to the
Vallejo 71.024 Olive Brown that
was called out for in the instruction
sheet. I worked the colour in using
diluted amounts, allowing the dark
pre-shade to show through in the
appropriate areas.
There are four decals to add
to the model, and those areas All components were pre-shaded in Flat Black before being painted in the base colours. The engine assembly was base coated in a dark grey, and the Holt label
to where they’d be placed was was picked out in red.
airbrushed with X-22 Clear Gloss.
The three serial numbers were & filling points and also added
placed in position on the fuel some streaks here and there.
and coolant tanks, and the War The final step involved adding
Department sign was placed at the a worn metal look to areas of
front of the front wheel housing. the running gear. Silver enamel
The carrier film was slightly thick, was toned down with black and
but with using Solvaset to settle raw umber oil paint, and was
them, and adding a couple of light drybrushed onto the edges of the
coats of X-22 gloss afterwards it drive sprockets, return rollers, and
helped the appearance. This also anything else that would display
protected the markings during the bare metal wear. It was important
weathering phase. Lastly, and very to keep this effect subtle and wipe
importantly, the decals were over- most of the mixture from the brush
sprayed with a very dilute mix of before applying.
the background colour XF-51 Khaki This painting process was
Drab. This tones down the harsh repeated on the other Khaki drab
difference between the pure white sub-assemblies more or less,
decal and the base colour, allowing until all the components could be
it to look more natural and adding put together and a final, overall
some scale-effect. weathering was carried out. After base-coating
The first sub-assembly to be the tractor with
weathered was the lower chassis PAINTING THE TRACKS Khaki Drab XF-51,
and running gear, before he tracks The rack links were snapped the kit decals were
applied over a gloss
were added. I gave the base colour together into their two runs, surface.
a light airbrushing of a dilute and airbrushed Tamiya XF-69
greyish brown mixed from various NATO Black. They were then
Tamiya acrylics, which actually treated to an application of
was a jar of leftover paint from earth coloured chalk mixed
previous projects. This gave the with mineral spirits, which
running gear a dirty, dusty look. was brushed from the outer
To enhance the detail and surface detail when dry. A
apply more dirt, a pin wash of raw worn metallic look to the
umber and black oil paint, thinned outer details of the tracks was
with mineral spirits was added to added by drybrushing with the
the surface, after first dampening silver enamel and oil paint mix The running gear and tracks were weathered at this
the area with mineral spirits (to referred to earlier. early stage of construction.
prevent tide marks). After this had The track runs were then To impart a worn-metal look to the tracks, they
completely dried given a day or wrapped around the running gear were dry brushed with silver enamel toned
so, I mixed up a dilute combination and the end links snapped together down with black and raw umber oil paint.
of earth-coloured pastel chalk which was a tricky task considering
powder with mineral spirits and the fragile nature of how they
dabbed it liberally in and around held together. Luckily no glue
the running gear. This can overlap was needed, which possibly could
and perhaps cover some of the have marred the painting and
previous weathering touches, but weathering achieved so far.
it does provide a layer of muck
which builds a more convincing PAINTING THE ENGINE
addition as you go. When the The engine assembly was first
pastel mix had dried, I blended airbrushed XF-1 Flat Black, and
out some of the uneven deposits, then sprayed with a dark to
and added a bit more dry pastel medium grey on the housing and
powder to help the process. cylinders. The fan belts were
For the next step, I took another painted with Vallejo 70.988 Khaki,
mix of the mineral spirits and dark and I used 70.982 Cavalry Brown
oil paint, and just applied it directly to paint the red “Holt” label on the
to spots on the running gear that left side of the engine block. The
would show deposits of oil and ignition wires were picked out in
grease like wheel hubs and service 70.871 Leather Brown. Small impulse lines were added to the levers on the steering column made with fine lead wire.

48 Model Military International - December 2021

After the details had been painted to the engine, it was added to the mounts on the chassis. The driver figure had to be fitted on his seat so that the seat mount could be properly positioned.

After the fenders were fixed in place, further weathering could then be done. Paint chips and fuel stains were added to the various components
in the open layout of the tractor.

“needed
Almost all of the parts in the Roden kit
a fair amount of clean-up...
The exhaust stack was
painted flat black and

I then gave the whole assembly

several washes of raw umber and
” coloured using various
pastel chalks

black oil paints to import an oily

dirty look to the surface. After all
that dried, I highlighted details by
drybrushing with lighter shades
of the original base colours, and
using toned-down silver enamel.
There are two fan belts on the
engine, and these were painted a
khaki colour since they appear a
light tone in photos. I’m guessing
they were of a reinforced canvas in
those days.
There is a large flywheel/clutch
just aft of the engine, and it was
painted in Flat Black. To give
this part a smooth, worn metal
appearance I rubbed on Uschi Steel
Type Metal Polishing Powder with
an old paintbrush.
The exhaust piping was painted
flat black, and the dabbed with
various brown and grey chalk
pastel powders to give a realistic
look. I also added these colours to
the area surrounding the pipe on
the roof showing discolouration
and rust due to the heat. A The upper coolant pipe had to be shortened to allow the radiator to sit perpendicular to the chassis.

December 2021 - Model Military International 49

 FEATURE ARTICLE Roden 1:35 Scale Holt 75 Artillery Tractor w/BL 8-inch Howitzer • Kit No. 814

B FINAL ASSEMBLY
Once the tracks had been installed
Modelspec
on the running gear, the rest of the Roden 1:35 Scale Holt 75 Artillery Tractor w/BL
components could be then added. 8-inch Howitzer Kit No. 814
The engine and driver’s
Tools and Materials Used:
platform were glued into place,
and since they’d been pre-painted, • Tamiya Basic Putty
the weathering process was • Walter Products 3.5x - 90x Trinocular Stereo
carried out with oil paint washes Microscope with a 144LED ring light WP-1AFZ-IFR07-5N
and pastel chalks as described • Tiger razor saw
• Evergreen styrene sheet (various thicknesses)
with the running gear. Additional
• Aves Fixit epoxy putty
washes of oil paint and pastel
• Tamiya Extra Fine Cement
chalks were run down the fender’s
• Lepage Super Glue Liquid Pro adhesive
sloped ends showing rain streaks • Harder & Steenbeck Infinity CRplus Airbrush
and rust. The petrol and coolant • 18mm Tamiya Masking Tape
tanks were glued into place, and • 36 gauge lead-free pewter sheet
weathered with further washes • Micro drill set
of dark oil paint, adding over-flow
Paints and Finishing Products:
and spill stains.
The radiator and subsequent • Tamiya Acrylic paints and thinner as listed in the
plumbing was attached, again paint callouts
taking care to align the assembly • Winsor & Newton Oil Paint Series 1 554 Raw Umber,
The roof was added as a final step, and weathered to match the rest of the model. 331 Ivory Black
vertically by shortening the upper
coolant hose. The parts had to • Vallejo Acrylic paints as listed in the paint callouts
• Testors ModelMaster enamel Silver Chrome trim
be brush-painted in place as the bottom of the stowage box CONCLUSION OF PART ONE • Rembrandt artists chalk pastels
later additions, with touches of to allow it to lower it and prevent The Roden kit was quite a lot of
• Uschi Steel polishing powder Item 4009
weathering applied to match the interference. work to bring to the stage that I
• Mineral Spirit thinner
rest of the model. Lastly, the roof assembly was happy with, but the fit was
The Model Cellar driver was glued into place, and I was generally good, and it gave me a References:
figure was positioned in his relieved to see that the hole fit model where all of the detail was • Various Internet sources of images
seat, with his head turned to perfectly over the exhaust pipe. completely visible with the open • Images Of War “Great Push The Battle of The
the right in anticipation of the Earth coloured pastel chalks design and framed roof. Somme 1916” by William Langford
eventual diorama having him in were lightly rubbed here and Adding this model to a diorama
conversation with passing cyclist there on the roof to give a dusty with the 8inch Howitzer involved 3 High level of detail; generally good fit.
troops. Because the seat height appearance, and match the look of arranging a layout that displayed 7 Plenty of clean-up required; challenging model!
had to be adjusted, I ended up the rest of the model. both models in a realistic setting
having to slice about 2.0mm from with some figures. n Rating

Final touches of weathering involved dry brushing some of the worn-metal edges with a silver enamel mixture.

50 Model Military International - December 2021

 NEXT TIME:
Straps for the roof tarps were made using thin metal from the top of a wine bottle. The second part of this project involves building the Resicast 8inch
Mk.II Howitzer, along with a couple of Master Box bicycles. Three Model
The corrugated roof of the tractor was weathered with airbrush and pastel chalks powders. Cellar Royal Artillery resin figures and two infantry troops are also
assembled and painted, and will be featured in a second part of Gary’s
series in next month’s issue of Model Military International magazine.

December 2021 - Model Military International 51

Available in the ‘HOW TO BUILD...’ series
HOW TO BUILD...
TAMIYA’S ARMOUR KITS IN 1:35
Though the modelling world is awash with an
incredible variety of military vehicle kits from a
huge number of different companies, one stands
head and shoulders above the others in terms
of originality, buildability and fun. That company
is Tamiya, who have consistently provided the
budding enthusiast with some of the finest kits
available in the scale of 1:35.
This new book brings together five detailed
features that will show what is possible from this
extensive range of kits. In so doing, it offers hints
and tips, detailed step-by-step guides and written
descriptions on all manner of techniques from
basic construction, through detailing, painting and
realistic weathering. No stone is left unturned in the
quest to inspire the modeller to complete similar
projects for themselves. It really is a one-stop-shop
for the budding military modeller!
Within its 84 pages you will five find features that
take you through the construction and painting of
the ‘Easy Eight’ Sherman, Nashorn, Elefant, Gama
Goat and Tiran 5, all expertly put together by our
renowned team of authors, Spencer Pollard, Brett
Green and Marcus Nicholls, who have
created one of the finest collections of
modelling features ever published,
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This then is the world of Tamiya’s
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www.doolittlemedia.comwww.doolittlemedia.comwww.doolittlemedia.com
 Incoming
FC MODEL TREND
1:35 SCALE - M3 STUART AUSTRALIA
ITEM NO. 35560
FC Model Trend is the brainchild of master
modeller Federico Collada.
This company produces kits, accessories and
conversions for military subjects, as well as
figures, in 3D printed material and resin.
Today I am examining one of their new
releases, an Australian M3 Stuart.
The Australian Army made a number of
local modifications to Stuarts in service in
New Guinea and the Pacific. These included
armoured turret rings, grouser racks, armour for
the engine deck and additional stowage boxes.
FC Model Trend has created a simple
conversion to depict one of these upgraded
Australian M3 Stuarts. FC MODEL TREND
The conversion comprises 21 3D printed parts. 1:35 SCALE - M51A2 MUTT FRONT PANEL
Quality of the parts is very good. In addition to 3D PRINTED - ITEM NO. 35767
the main conversion parts, two Petrol or Water FC Modeltrend has released a 3D printed
(POW) cans are included too. front panel for the Tamiya or Academy 1:35
There are some visible striations on the scale M151A2 Mutt.
stowage boxes, but these should be easy to The set comprises six grey 3D printed parts.
remove with a sanding stick and some fine These are the front panel itself, the radiator,
sandpaper. By the way, the striations look headlight housing and two headlight covers
much worse under my big studio lights and the / lenses (in solid grey material).
enlargement of my lens than they do in real life. All the parts feature a high level of detail.
Instructions are included in the form of three They are attached to the mounting plate
wartime photos and numbers indicating with multiple narrow towers. These may be
where the parts should go, but they are not clipped with a sharp blade or sprue cutters,
entirely clear. Check your references. It is also then the remaining waste material should
worth visiting Paul Handel’s excellent article be easy to clean up.
on Australian Stuarts in New Guinea, which This is a simple and worthwhile upgrade for
includes a number of useful reference photos the Tamiya or Academy 1:35 scale Mutts.
too www. http://anzacsteel.hobbyvista.com/ Recommended.
Armoured%20Vehicles/m3inactionph_1.htm Thanks to FC Model Trend for the sample
The grouser racks and smaller parts are cast www.fcmodeltrend.com
onto a block via thin strips, while the stowage Brett Green
boxes have a small amount of waste to cut off
the base of each part. A razor saw will be the
best tool for this job.
Star Decals offer some nice marking options for
Australian Stuarts in the 1942 Battle for Buna
on their sheet, Item No. 35-C 1193.
This is a simple conversion to create an
Australian Stuart in front line defence of New
Guinea.
Recommended.
Thanks to FC Model Trend for the sample
www.fcmodeltrend.com
Brett Green

FC MODEL TREND
1:35 SCALE - MODERN BRITISH AFV ANTENNAS - ITEM NO. 35856
FC Model Trend has released a set of 1:35 scale 3D printed modern British AFV antenna.
Two sets of three different styles of antenna base are included.
Also included are two sets of four flexible spring sections set at four different angles.
All 14 parts are presented on a single platform. Careful use of a razor saw will probably
be the safest way to remove the parts.
This is a useful accessory set for anyone who builds 1:35 scale military vehicles.
Recommended.
Thanks to FC Model Trend for the sample www.fcmodeltrend.com
Brett Green

54 Model Military International - December 2021

FC MODEL TREND
1:35 SCALE - HEADS WITH DH-132 HELMET - ITEM NO. 35869
The DH-132 helmet is a ballistic-resistant helmet used by U.S. military armoured vehicle crews.
It consists of an olive-coloured ballistic shell with a liner that has a set of headphones with an
adjustable microphone.
It is available in three configurations: the baseline version that has no modifications, a second
with a pair of fragmentation goggles strapped, and a third with the goggles lowered.
The helmet depicted here is the version without the goggles.
Six 1:35 scale heads are included in this set. The helmet, microphone and head are presented
as one piece each. They are made from 3D printed material.
The heads are attached via fine towers. Take extra care when clipping or cutting these off the
base strip where they are attached to the very delicate microphones.
Facial expressions are unique to each head and detail is excellent.
These will be a highly detailed upgrade for modern US AFV crew figures.
Recommended.
Thanks to FC Model Trend for the sample www.fcmodeltrend.com
Brett Green

FC MODEL TREND
1:35 SCALE - M4 SHERMAN EXPLODED BARREL
ITEM NO. 35912
This is an interesting conversion that will be suitable
for any 75mm equipped Sherman.
It couldn’t be simpler – one 3D printed part.
The exploded barrel looks very convincing. It will be a
drop fit replacement for any 75mm Sherman kit barrel.
Lots of diorama and vignette possibilities with this one!
Recommended.
Thanks to FC Model Trend for the sample
www.fcmodeltrend.com
Brett Green

FC MODEL TREND
1:35 SCALE - HOTCHKISS M1914 MACHINE GUN
ITEM NO. 35933
The Mle 1914 became the standard machine gun of the
French Army during the latter half of World War I.
The Hotchkiss machine gun, a sturdy and reliable weapon,
remained in active service with the French army until the
early 1940s.
By the end of 1918, 47,000 Hotchkiss machine guns had
already been delivered to the French army alone.
Including all international sales, the grand total of all
Hotchkiss machine guns sold by the manufacturer in various
calibres was well in excess of 100,000 units.
FC Model Trend’s Hotchkiss the gun on the deployed tripod.
Detail is gorgeous. Once again, the parts are attached to
the base via thin towers. Take care not to cut the actual
parts while clipping these off.
FC Model Trend’s Hotchkiss M1914 Machine Gun will be a
lovely little model in its own right, or a jewel in any vignette
or diorama.
Recommended.
Thanks to FC Model Trend for the sample
www.fcmodeltrend.com
Brett Green

FC MODEL TREND
1:35 SCALE - HSRAK MK.II HELMET
ITEM NO. 35871
This set supplies two 1:35 scale WWII British Tanker’s helmets from the later war period produced by 3D printing.
Separate headsets and throat mics are included too.
Detail is very good.
There are some faint striations visible on the helmet exteriors. These will be easy to smooth out with fine sandpaper.
The parts are attached by fine towers and will be easy to remove and clean up prior to use.
These will be perfect for any mid to late WWII British or Commonwealth AFV crew figure or as a standalone
accessory on or in a vehicle.
Recommended.
Thanks to FC Model Trend for the sample www.fcmodeltrend.com
Brett Green

December 2021 - Model Military International 55

 A round-up of the latest news and releases in 1:72 and 1:76
VESPID
1:72 scaLE - FLaKpaNzER VIII MaUs - Vs720005
Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus (Mouse) was a German World War II super-heavy tank
completed in late 1944. It is the heaviest fully enclosed armoured fighting vehicle
ever built. Five were ordered, but only two hulls and one turret were completed, the
turret being attached, before the testing grounds were captured by advancing Soviet
military forces.
These two prototypes underwent trials in late 1944. The complete vehicle was 10.2
metres (33 ft 6 in) long, 3.71 metres (12 ft 2 in) wide and 3.63 metres (11.9 ft) high.
Weighing 188 metric tons, the Maus's main armament was the Krupp-designed 128
mm KwK 44 L/55 gun, based on the 12.8 cm Pak 44 anti-tank field artillery piece also
used in the casemate-type Jagdtiger tank destroyer, with a coaxial 75 mm KwK 44
L/36.5 gun. The 128 mm gun was powerful enough to destroy all Allied armoured
fighting vehicles then in service, some at ranges exceeding 3,500 metres (2.2 mi).
The principal problem in the design of the Maus was developing an engine and
drivetrain that was powerful enough to adequately propel the tank, yet small enough
to fit inside it — as it was meant to use the same sort of "hybrid drive", using an
internal-combustion engine to operate an electric generator to power its tracks with
electric motor units, much as its Porsche-designed predecessors, the VK 3001 (P), VK
4501 (P), and Elefant had.
The drive train was electrical, designed to provide a maximum speed of 20 kilometres
per hour and a minimum speed of 1.5 kilometres per hour. However, during actual
field testing, the maximum speed achieved on hard surfaces was 13 kilometres per
hour with full motor field, and by weakening the motor field to a minimum, a top
speed of 22 kilometres per hour (14 mph) was achieved.
The vehicle's weight made it unable to use most bridges, instead it was intended to
ford to a depth of 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) or submerge up to a depth of 8 metres (26 ft 3
in) and use a snorkel to cross rivers.
The Maus was intended to punch holes through enemy defences in the manner
of an immense "breakthrough tank", while taking almost no damage to any
components. *
One of the earliest reference books that I bought in the 1970s dismissed the Maus
briefly as “technically interesting but tactically useless”!
Vespid Models is a new model company from China. Their two debut offerings,
released simultaneously in the middle of 2020, were a 1:72 scale Maus V2 and a
British Comet tank.
Vespid has now added a Flakpanzer VIII Maus to their line-up.
The difference between the initial Maus and this new kit is the turret.
One new sprue plus a separate turret shell accommodate the changes.
The Commander's hatch and the loading hatch in the rear of the turret are moulded
separately so you can pose them open or closed.
Moulding quality is excellent and the surface textures are just gorgeous. Detail is
outstanding too.
Surface textures comprise raised and recessed details plus beautifully rendered torch
cuts and weld beads.
The sheer size of the vehicle means that this 1:72 scale model is around the same
size as a 1:35 scale light tank, so you won’t have any problem handling tiny parts.
The majority of the parts are dedicated to the running gear. Assembly starts with
the 48 road wheels making up 24 bogie trucks. These are attached in pairs to 12
mounts, which in turn are glued to the lower hull then eventually trapped between
the hull and the massive armoured skirts.
Link and length tracks are supplied with nine individual links, four short lengths and
long straight upper and lower runs. Detail on the outer and inner surfaces of the
tracks are crisp and intricate. Without external reference, these would easily pass for
1:35 scale or even bigger.
The full run of tracks is supplied but the top run will be completely hidden by the
armoured skirts, so it is up to you whether you fit all the track parts.
Most of the hull and turret detail is moulded in place, but the crew hatches and shot
deflectors are separate parts.
Photo-etched parts are supplied for the engine deck mesh. These are fitted from the
inside of the hull.
A big fuel drum is also included, This is cleverly moulded as two cylinders, so you
won’t have any length-wise join seams to clean up.
The two 8.8 cm FLAK barrels are both supplied in turned metal.
The Flakpanzer variant is entirely hypothetical, but that means you can have some
fun with camouflage and markings. The decal sheet is in register and colours look
good. This is exactly the same decal sheet as was included in the initial Maus release
but as all markings are hypothetical, it doesn't really matter!
The Flakpanzer variant is entirely hypothetical, but that means you can have some
fun with camouflage and markings.
Vespid’s 1:72 scale Flakpanzer VIII Maus continues this company's impressive
portfolio of kits.
Detail is excellent, moulding quality is world class and surface textures would pass for
a much larger scale.
This will be welcomed by Paper Panzer fans and small scale modellers in general.
Recommended.
Thanks to Vespid Models for the sample
Brett Green

56 Model Military International - December 2021

 STAR DECALS
1:72 SCALE
COMETS IN WW2 AND COLD WAR
ITEM NO. 72-A1074 A34
STAR.DECALS.NET
Star Decals has released a new decal set
suitable for the Vespid 1:72 Comet kits
covering a range of eras. Decals are clearly
printed as usual, with detailed instructions
in colour showing the paint schemes and
marking placements.
Two of the markings are for wartime
vehicles from 11th Armoured Division,
who were the first to use this tank. One is
GAS HANS CELERITY of 3RTR - of which more later... -
1:72 SCALE - A34 COMET TRACKS - KIT NO. T72004 and the other a fairly plain subject from 2nd
Gas Hans is a new Czech company that specialises in replacement tracks for 1:72 scale kits. Fife & Forfar Yeomanry.
One of their first batch of releases is a track set for Vespid's 1:72 scale A34 Comet kits. Next chronologically is IRON DUKE II from
The tracks are packed into a small stout box. 1RTR in the immediate post-war era. For
The parts are designed in CAD, mastered by 3D printing and the final product is perfectly cast in grey resin. something different, this could be depicted
Only six resin parts are included, and four of these are spare track sections. “bulled up” for the victory parade in Berlin
The main parts are two fully assembled runs of tracks, with the castings being handed left and right. in September 1945.
The tracks are attached to their casting block by fine strips cast on to the end of each link. These look to be Comets went on to serve in BAOR, one
pretty easy to remove with either a new hobby blade or a razor saw. such is a tank from 10th Hussars with 2nd
The side that has had the surgery will be facing the inside of the model, so you won't see any of the Infantry Division in 1950.
remnants of the casting strips. Back to CELERITY. Post-war this tank went
Installation should be simplicity itself. There are no instructions supplied with the set but they really should to Hong Kong where it was renamed
not be necessary. These look like a drop fit straight onto the model. Just make sure you keep track of the CALAIS, and may be shown it was in 1949.
left and right handed parts. Later it was given a new serial number in
The tracks are cast with a subtle and convincing drape along the top run. the post-war ZR series and served with 7th
Four sets of four spare links are also included, These were frequently seen hanging on the side of the Hussars.
Comet's turret. Two other tanks are ones with 1RTR in the
Detail of the tracks is superb. late 1950s with different markings including
Don't get me wrong - the Vespid tracks are really nice but these are even better, and installation will be large cap badges.
a breeze. They will completely avoid any complications associated with wrapping the kit's individual links Some variety here, either as individual
around the drive sprockets and idler wheels, and matching up individual links and lengths. subjects or perhaps a history of one.
I think the pictures tell the story. Recommended.
Gas Hans' 1:72 scale Comet tracks are beautifully detailed and perfectly cast. Star Decals are available via their website
The drape on the upper run is subtle and convincing, clean-up will be fast and installation should be a and from hobby retailers worldwide
simple drop fit. www.star.decals.net
This is a luxurious accessory for anyone planning to build Vespid's small scale Comet kits. Peter Brown
Thanks to Gas Hans for the sample https://www.gashans.com/

December 2021 - Model Military International 57

 Book Reviews

THE BALKANS 1940-41 (2)

HITLER’S BLITZKRIEG AGAINST
TANKS OF D-DAY 1944 YUGOSLAVIA AND GREECE
ARMOR ON THE BEACHES OF OSPREY CAMPAIGN 384
BY PIER BATTESTELLI.
NORMANDY AND SOUTHERN FRANCE
OSPREY NEW VANGUARD 296
ISBN 9781472842619

BY STEVEN J ZALOGA, FELIPE RODRÍGUEZ Operation 25, the attack on Yugoslavia, was put together so
SOFT COVER - ISBN 9781472846648 - PRICE £11.99 hastily that it did not even have a codename.
EBOOK - ISBN 9781472846655 - PRICE £9.59 Operation Marita, Hitler’s invasion of Greece had been
PDF - ISBN 9781472846624 - PRICE £9.59 the primary aim, requested by Mussolini after Italy failed
in its conquest. Hitler, angered by an unexpected coup in
Much has been written about the landings while on others it did not. The successes, Yugoslavia and losing his ally, ordered the attack diverting
in northern France on 6th June 1944. Most failures and their consequences are some forces assembled in Romania and Bulgaria for Marita.
accounts include some mention of the use described, along with contemporary reports Ranged against the Yugoslav and Greek armies in the
of armoured vehicles but only in general analysing what these were. north were the German, Italian and Hungarian armies; in
terms. This new book from well-known Photos and colour plates show the vehicles the south Greek and British Expeditionary Force of British
author Steve Zaloga concentrates solely on involved, the latter of tanks on D Day while and ANZAC troops with the 1st Armoured Brigade of A10
them. a few photos show typical vehicles later. and A13 tanks opposed Axis forces. This was to be classic
It covers the use of armour on that day Detailed captions include facts such as blitzkrieg with Luftwaffe supported fast moving, daring
with details of the development of each crew names and what each tank did. Some outflanking ground attacks, despite bad weather, poor roads
type. Most are well known such as the additional details such as the modifications and extended supply lines.
Sherman DD amphibious tanks and Crab to American DD tanks and the fittings for Yugoslav Army resistance hampered by ethnic differences
mine-clearer and Churchill AVRE engineer rocket launches which were not used on and mutinies was sporadic and limited. In mountainous
vehicles and Crocodile flamethrowers. their Shermans are included. Greece, strong defence at the Metaxis Line forts was
Others are not, Sherman dozer tanks and As well as the Operation NEPTUNE side-stepped by the Wehrmacht, it becoming a battle for
conventional vehicles landed with wading landings, the less well covered Operation mountain passes, river lines and bridges. BEF commanders
equipment on the day. DRAGOON in the south of France the expecting only to delay the German advance fought
Many had encountered either official following month is also described. This a withdrawal south, fighting rearguard actions at the
opposition or production problems. There used DDs but also some oddities such as Florina / Kleidi and Thermopylae Passes and Pinios River
were barely enough DD tanks ready and mine-clearing “scarifiers” and a few AVREs. gorge. Pursued by panzer and mountain divisions and an
it was only American vehicles supplied to Part-way between giving details of the outflanking parachute drop capturing the Corinth Canal
British and Canadian forces that allowed tanks and an account of their use, this book bridge, most of the BEF was evacuated from beaches south
them to take part as planned. Americans balances both which puts them in context. of Athens. Tanks were lost in action or breakdowns.
requests for AVREs and other devices were Well worth having to add to your This intertwined campaign is well told in text, maps and
not fulfilled because not enough could be knowledge of specialised armour and those relief maps. Photos show opponent forces in typical terrain.
built in time. momentous days. Recommended.
But what was available and used is covered Recommended. Thanks to Osprey for the sample www.opsreypublishing.com
in a fair amount of detail for a book of this Thanks to Osprey Publishing for the sample
size. Each individual beach is dealt with, www.opsreypublishing.com
on some things went more or less to plan Peter Brown

58 Model Military International - December 2021

 SCORPION CVR (T)
SCORPION FV101 COMBAT VEHICLE RECONNAISSANCE
(TRACKED) IN BRITISH SERVICE 1972-2020
HAYNES OWNERS WORKSHOP MANUAL
by Simon DunSton • iSbn 9781785211959
£18.74 pluS Shipping available online from hayneS online

Following on from the highly successful six wheeled printed on high quality glossy paper with around gives a great history of its service with the British
Saladin Armoured Car in the reconnaissance role 240 high-quality images in black and white and but also touches on foreign sales. There are many
was the Scorpion Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance colour. The book has approximately ten chapters accounts of the CVR(T) in action by those that were
(Tracked) which was the lead vehicle in a family of plus appendices, forewords and an extensive there and all of these are lavishly supported by
Air Portable Tracked Light AFVs. bibliography: photos.
The Scorpion entered service in 1972 and although 1. Foreword The book goes into the major variants of the family
itself retired as a vehicle many of its family serve 2. Introduction in detail and touches on the many other proposals
on in the British Army and many others although 3. CVR (T) Story and minor variants particularly of follow-on variants
some significantly updated. The family include 4. CVR (T) Anatomy and Variants such as Stormer.
Lt APC, Recovery, Anti-Tank, Scimitar Recce, ACV, 5. CVR (T) in Service It really covers the history of its development well,
AA and Logistics Variant and were a successful 6. CVR (T) in Combat – The Falklands Conflict 1982 again supported by period photos and diagrams,
export to many nations. The CVR (T) Family served 7. CVR (T) in Combat – Operation Granby – plans etc. It is a treasure trove for the modeller in
in Cyprus during the Turkish Invasion, Falkland Kuwait 1991 particular and just a really good read.
Islands, Gulf War 1 and 2, Bosnia, Kosovo and 8. CVR (T) updates The book is aimed at a broad range of readers and
the Current Afghan conflict with the British as 9. CVR (T) in RAF Service I would equally recommend this to serious students
well as equipping many foreign militaries such as 10. CVR (T) on Peace Support Missions of the AFV/MBT, armoured warfare historians,
Iran., Belgium, Philippines, Eire, UAE, Spain, New 11. Epilogue modellers as well as former crewmen with
Zealand, Malaysia, Venezuela and others 12. Index additional recommendation for restorers.
Like a lot of British AFVs, the Scorpion has not had Simon Dunstan has written more than 500 books Do not be fooled by the novelty of it being an
many serious references written, this being just the on military history and AFVs. This is his third book Workshop Manual. This is thoroughly researched
second to my memory. Appearing as a Haynes title in Haynes’ series, which have all been excellent and high quality as are all of Simon Dunstan’s titles.
may confuse some but this is just the latest in a references at bargain prices. He is no stranger to For the price it is an absolute bargain and I would
series of high-quality reference titles on AFV from the subject of British armour and it shows in this rate this as one of the must-read titles on the CVR
this publisher more known for Car Servicing and title which has been extensively researched with (T) Family. I cannot recommend this highly enough
Repair Manuals. The reader should not think less of the acknowledgements reading like a who’s who due to the high quality of material. I will continue
these titles given the publisher and this title is an of British Armour study and operation. to add these titles to my library
excellent example of what quality publications most This title unearths many new photos of the family Highly Recommended.
of these are. in all aspects of its service life with most being Available from Haynes Online www.haynes.com
The book is 188 pages, an A4 sized hardback colour. The information is concise but not brief and Al Bowie

HUNGARIAN SOLDIER V RUSSIAN SOLDIER, EASTERN FRONT 1941

oSprey Combat 57 • by peter mujzer • iSbn 9781472845658

Hungary did not expect a war, but Soviet bombers struck even as
Germany invaded Russia. Hungary mobilised, joining Germany’s
Operation Barbarossa advancing into Ukraine. Fighting their way
out of the Carpathian Mountains troops of Hungarian VIII Corps and
the Mobile Corps faced the rifle, mountain and tank divisions of the
Soviet 12 Army, foe for much of the 1941 Campaign.
The Hungarian Mobile Corps was a complex mix of motorised
infantry riding Botund trucks, bicycle troops, horse cavalry, and light
tank units with 38M Toldi light tanks, CV33 tankettes and 39M Csaba
armoured cars and artillery and support units, an arrangement suited
to the home terrain of narrow roads and mountain passes, but less
well for rapid movement on the Ukrainian Steppe. The Mobile Corps
had little experience of open mobile warfare but the Soviet armies,
depleted and weakened by Stalin’s purges retreated before the
invading Axis onslaught, fighting stubborn rearguard actions.
As usual in this Osprey series, several battles are examined: Soviet
rearguard ambushes on a Hungarian motorised column and Toldi
light tank detachments in the early days of the campaign; the
Umman entrapment of two Soviet armies where two lone Csaba
armoured cars staunched a large breakout at Golovanesk; and a
battle for possession for Khortytsia island on the Dnepr at Zaporozh’ye.
Photos with information heavy captions show troops, weapons and vehicles.
It is good to see a book that doesn’t just focus on the apex predators of WWII.
Recommended.
Thanks to Osprey for the sample www.opsreypublishing.com
John Ham

December 2021 - Model Military International 59

 1:48 Scale – A round-up of the latest news and releases
THE CHOICE DILEMMA
I
find that picking a kit to build is the hardest part of modelling. As I the case with the two builds I have on the bench right now. I know some of
mentioned last month, Tamiya now has 100 1:48 scale kits to choose the detail but apparently not enough. It’s the little details - where the heck do
from. Sure, some of them are different versions of the same vehicle but they go? And that’s where good instructions come into play.
honestly, most modellers would be hard pressed to complete them all. This
is where choice comes into play. Until Next Time
Choice can be a hard thing. Do you go with something completely out of the Luke Pitt
box, or do you add after-market parts? Do you
modify the existing kit to make something a little
different?
There is a certain joy in making a kit directly out
of the box. Follow the instructions - and let’s
“…the more time you have, the more time
you spend doing basically nothing...
face it this is where Tamiya kits are streets ahead
of anybody else - and complete the model. For
me the pleasure is in the process.
All this comes into play when I choose a subject.
”
Sure, personal preferences come into play but
in the back of my mind I am always considering
how hard the kit will be to make.
Where I live, we have been going through
lockdown for the past few months and this has
influenced my model build time. Now some
might say that I’d have more time - and rightly
so - but in a sense, it has made my choice of
subjects a little more difficult. It may seem odd,
but the more time I have the more, the more
time I ponder on which subject to choose.
I have since learnt that the more time you
have, the more time you spend doing basically
nothing.
This current state of play has produced two
models built in tandem, which is something I
almost never do. Both are in resin, and both
have instruction sheet that are less than perfect.
This in turn has had be scratching around for
reference and in one case consulting a Tamiya
1:35 scale instruction sheet to unearth where a
particular piece should be located on the model!
A few years ago, I boldly declared that
instructions were optional. Well, I’m going to
retract that statement now because they are
important, especially if you don’t know the
subject that you are modelling very well. This is

HAULER
T-34/85 PHOTO ETCH UPDATE FOR THE TAMIYA KIT
ITEM NO. HLX48402
Hauler has always delivered what I call “easy” photo-etched updates for Tamiya kits in 1:48 scale and
this one is no exception. I use the word easy as almost all of the photo-etched pieces are usable and
generally easy to fir, unlike some etch that is over engineered and almost impossible to apply.
What we have here is three frets that cover the rear engine vents that is common to all their T-34
updates, together with a 6-piece side mudguard assembly with precise fold lines, and the distinctive
squared-off front and rear mudguards. The last fret contains the oblong toolboxes, which can be
positioned in the open position if desired, and all the little fittings in and around the hull and turret
areas that would be almost impossible to reproduce in plastic.
This set will greatly enhance the scale appearance of Tamiya’s model.
Highly Recommended.
Thanks to Hauler for the sample www.hauler.cz
Luke Pitt

60 Model Military International - December 2021

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

OVERLORD MINIATURES
WWII GERMAN FALLSCHIRMJAGER 1940 FIGURES
ITEM NOS. 48-0010 A, B, C AND D
Overlord Miniatures is a new company to me. They have
produced four German Fallschirmjager figures that are quite
good. The faces and fabric folds are delivered to a high standard.
It is one of those rare occurrences where the figures themselves
seem far better in real life than at first glance. The more I look at
them, the better they seem to get.
The various pieces of equipment for instance are done to a very
high standard. The jump gloves on some of the figures seem a
tad large in my view but would probably be hidden somewhat
when painted.
Given the high standard of these four, I am keen to see what
this manufacturer will do next.
Recommended.
Thanks to Overlord Miniatures for the samples
www.overlordminiatures.com
Luke Pitt

FC MODEL TREND THE HONOURABLE LEAD BOILER SUIT COMPANY

WWII SOVIET SOLDIER AND OFFICERS US MODERN TANK CREW
ITEM NO. 48435 ITEM NOS. US3 AND US5
FC Model Trend seem to have hit their stride with this release. The US involvement in the Middle East has been going on for well over 20 years and
Three figures are included and the 3D sculpts are first class. I have often wondered why model manufactures have not embraced it with more
The sleeping solider, for instance, captures the weary look of a releases in 1:48 scale. Figures in our beloved scale are non-existent for this conflict
man in combat. which makes diorama building almost impossible to do.
The uniform fabric folds are masterfully done as are the facial These two figures from The Honourable Lead Boiler Suit Company fill a need and are
detail. The hands on these figures are also very well done. perfect accompaniments for vehicles such as the Tamiya Hummer and Abrams. The
Some may be intimidated by all the little 3D attachment figures are cast in a yellow resin.
points on the rear of the figures themselves but they simply Recommended.
break away to leave figures of a very high standard indeed. Thanks to The Honourable Lead Boiler Suit Company for the samples
Highly Recommended. www.hlbs-redux.co.uk
Thanks to FC Model Trend for the samples Luke Pitt
www.fcmodeltrend.com
Luke Pitt

December 2021 - Model Military International 61

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ACCURATE ARMOUR/ DARTMOOR MILITARY MODELS MDC SCHATTON BARRELS
ARMOUR DISTRIBUTION Haylis cottage, Budlake, Broadclyst Model Design Construction, Victoria Place, Industriestrasse 6, 94347 Ascha, Germany
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[email protected] MIG PRODUCTIONS Bushwood Books, No.6 Marksbury Avenue,
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(The Hobby Company in UK) C/ Santiago Rusinol 7, Pral 2a, Tel; 020 8392 8585, 020 8392 9876,
THE AIRBRUSH COMPANY Ltd Dragon Models Ltd, Kong Nam Ind. Building B1-10F, 08750 Molins de Rei, Barcelona, Spain email; [email protected]
Unit 7 Marlborough Road, Lancing Business Park, 603-609 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan NT, www.migproductions.com
Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 8UF. Hong Kong Fax; (HK) 4110587 SCHUMO KITS
Tel; 08700 660 445 www.dragonmodelsltd.com MILICAST MODEL CO., www.schumo-kits.com
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Tel/Fax; 0141 633 1400 SDV MODEL
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Forest Road, Hay on Wye, Powys, HR3 5FA (Trumpeter & AFV Club in UK) Fax; (34) 93 893 11 54
Tel; 01497 822757 IAN ALLAN Bachmann Europe PLC www.acrylicosvallejo.com
Email; [email protected] www.ianallanpublishing.com Moat Way, Barwell, Leics, LE9 8EY
www.cammett.co.uk Mail Order Dept 01455 254450 Tel; 01455 841756 VLS CORPORATION
[email protected] (LSA in UK)
CARRERA REVELL UK LTD. ICM (TRAKZ, WINGZ, CUSTOM DIORAMICS, WARRIORS);
Unit 10 Old Airfield Industrial Estate Kiev 02099, Ukraine, Borispolskaya 9 building 64. PSP MODELS LTD (Mission Models in USA) Lincoln County Industrial Park, 1011 Industrial Court,
Cheddington Lane, Tring, Herts, HP23 4QR Tel/fax; (+38044) 369-54-12 Unit 19B, Applin’s Farm, Farrington, Dorset DT11 8RA. Moscow Mills, Missouri 63362, USA
Tel. 01296 [email protected] [email protected] Tel/Fax; 01747 811 817 www.modelmecca.com
www.revell.de/en www.icm.com.ua www.psp-models.com
WHITE ENSIGN MODELS
CLASSIC PUBLICATIONS ITALERI (The Hobby Company in UK) QUICKBOOST (Toms Model Works)
Midland Counties Publications, 4 Watling Drive, Via Pradazzo, 6, I-40012 Calderara Di Reno, www.quickboost.net 8532 Lamar Drive, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, USA
Sketchley Lane Industrial Estate, Hinckley, Bologna, Italy [email protected]
Leics UK. LE10 1YF Tel; 051 726037 SB MODELS www.whiteensignmodels.com
Tel; 01455 233 747, www.italeri.com UK distributor for Model Victoria and Royal Model
Fax; 01455 233 737 P.O. Box 114, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA13 0WY WWII PRODUCTIONS, AUSTRALIA
[email protected] JUST BASES Tel/Fax; 01229 430 749 12 Prince Street, Waratah, 2298, NSW, Australia
www.classic-publications.com 21 Graham Road, Paignton TQ3 1BB [email protected] Tel; +61 (0)2 4967 3205
Tel; 01803 558520 www.sbmodels.net Fax; +61 (0)2 4967 3207
CREATIVE MODELS LTD www.just-bases.co.uk [email protected]
(Mig Productions, Vallejo, Accurate Miniatures) SBLC
Unit 6-10, Honeysome Industrial Estate, Honeysome JUST KITS PO Box 794, Cheltenham GL52 3ZW ZVEZDA
Road, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire. PE16 6TG 4 High Street, Botley, Southampton, SO30 2EA [email protected] (The Hobby Company in UK)
Tel; 01354 760022 Tel; 01489 781177 Promishlennaia Str.,2, Lobnya, Moscow Region,
www.creativemodels.co.uk www.justkitsandmodels.co.uk SBX MODEL SHOP 141730 Russia
[email protected] Norwich Road, Ipswich, IP1 5DN [email protected]
Tel; 01473 464311 www.zvezda.org.ru
www.sbxmodelshop.co.uk

n Please mention ‘Model Military International’ if you make contact with any of the companies listed above - thanks!

64 Model Military International - December 2021

 Next Issue
On sale 2nd December
ISSUE No.188 December 2021,
Published 4th November 2021
Editor; Brett Green
Publisher; Alan Harman
Graphic Design; Alex Hall
Advertising; Alan Harman
Administration; Gordon Angus
MMI Website; Doolittle Media
Web Team

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BEHIND THE TRENCHES Part Two

Resicast 1:35 Mk.II 8 inch Howitzer by Gary Edmundson
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BEDFORD QL REFUELLER
Witold Socha presents IBG Models’ 1:35
Due to many influencing factors, we
cannot guarantee the appearance of the
above projects, but we’ll try our best!
© Doolittle Media 2021
this title is from
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Bedford QL Refueller
...and much more! December 2021 - Model Military International 65
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S S - S t o p p r
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p p r e S S
to

TAMIYA 1:35 M18 HELLCAT

As we start magazine layout, we have just received the exciting news that Tamiya
will release an all-new 1:35 scale M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer, Kit No. 35376.
Here is what Tamiya has to say about the kit to date:

T
he M18 Hellcat was an American and Pacific War theatres, notably besting the • Clear parts are included to recreate the
tank destroyer developed to counter German Army tanks with super performance headlight lens.
German Army tanks. It featured an and firepower based on hit-and-run tactics. The • Features the complex suspension captured
open top design turret and powerful Hellcat contributed to U.S. victory as a pioneer with ergonomic parts breakdown.
76mm gun, plus a main gun breech rotated 45 of tank destroyers. • Assembly type single pin tracks have one-
degrees around the gun barrel to save space in piece straight sections.
the turret interior. ABOUT THE MODEL • Includes one figure to depict a standing tank
It had a compact, lightweight hull, automatic This is a 1:35 scale plastic model assembly soldier.
transmission and the first torsion bar kit. Length: 192mm, width: 80mm. Exhaustive • Comes with two marking options to recreate
suspension seen on U.S. armour. Its radial studies of the actual tank enabled this precise Italian Front vehicles. n
9-cylinder engine at the hull rear was capable of recreation of the compact form equipped with
80km/h maximum speed which was the highest the powerful 76mm gun. Thanks to Tamiya for the images and
speed among tracked vehicles during WWII. The • The main gun breech, shell rack, transceiver information. We’ll have more news as it
production started in July, 1943 and the Hellcat and turning gears add the realism to the turret comes to hand.
was in service for the first time at the Italian interior. Tamiya kits are distributed in the UK by
Front in 1944. After that, this tank destroyer • The gun shield canvas cover surface texture is The Hobby Company Limited
was deployed in the North-Western European faithfully reproduced. www.hobbyco.net

66 Model Military International - December 2021