Model Military Int 2021-09

FREE GIFT KETTENKRAFTRAD IN ACTION History and
References
ISSUE 185
September 2021
FoR SubScRIbERS! - DETaIlS InSIDE...
ON
TRACK
Tamiya’s brand new
1:35 Kettenkraftrad
ISSUE
185
September 2021
£4.95
IRAQI
T-55
MiniArt 1:35 T-55
Polish Production
ONCE UPON A TIME

IN PROKHOROVKA Takom 1:35 Panzer III Ausf. M
INSIDE: Dragon Panzer III Ausf. J n Tamiya 1:35 M8 Greyhound
Combat Patrols n Italeri 1:72 T-55 Build Review n and more...
Contents - Issue 185 September 2021
REGULARS
p 4 NEWS
What’s new in the world of military
modelling
26 p 56 BOOKS
Military and modelling in print
p 58 SMALL SCALE
News and new releases in 1:72 and
smaller
p 65 NEXT ISSUE
What to look forward to next time
p 66 LAST POST
Amusing Models Centurion Mk. 5 Dozer
FEATURES
p 6 THINK TANK
The origins and operations of the small
German hybrid tractor, the Sd.Kfz. 2
Kettenkraftrad
p 12 PREVIEW
Dragon 1:35 Panzer III Ausf. J
6 p 14 ON TRACK
Tamiya 1:35 Kettenkraftrad by
Brett Green
p 24 PREVIEW
Tamiya 1:35 M8 Greyhound Combat
Patrols
p 26 IRAQI T-55
MiniArt 1:35 T-55 by Sam Dwyer
COVER
p 36 ONCE UPON A TIME IN FEATURE
PROKHOROVKA
Takom 1:35 Panzer III Ausf. M
p 50 SEAWOLF – AN EARLY CENTAUR

Tamiya 1:35 British Cruiser Tank
Centaur C.S. Mk.IV by John Bryce
50
Model Military International is published monthly by
Doolittle Media Ltd. Reproduction in part or whole of © Doolittle Media Ltd 2021
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 Tel: (UK) 01525 222573 Email: enquiries@doolittlemedia.com
Military International is accurate, the publishers and Address: Doolittle Media Ltd., Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane,
printers cannot accept liability for errors or omissions.
Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX, UK
ISSN 1749-8864
September 2021 - Model Military International 3
Newsline - September 2021
MMI Newsdesk, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane,
Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX, UK
Tel:01525 222573 Fax:01525 222574
Email:editor@modelmilitary.com
OZMODS NEW FIGURES

We’ve had news from OzMods about two
new figures in their large scale range:
They’re finally here! The first two new
figures (from a total of EIGHT new figures,
as well as lots of exciting accessories)
by master sculptor, Phil Walden, are now
available!
OZFIG 009 and
OZFIG 012 -
Private Military
Contractor and
AIF Thompson
Gunner (New
Guinea WWII)
respectively
- can now be
purchased from
OzMods.
These are 120
FAMOUS K2/Ys
mm resin figure kits, each priced at Aus$55
plus post. (PayPal, EFT and all Cards
accepted.)
Check them out on our website and stay
tuned for further news of the next military
G
ecko Model has sent the following There was a broad hint with the inclusion of a figure releases!
text and images for this interesting figurine of HRH The Princess Elizabeth in the www.ozmods-kits.com
forthcoming kit: Allied Drivers Set, the box art for which was
This may be a surprise to many, but shown prematurely on Gecko’s 2020 Christmas
Gecko Models will be releasing their own 1:35 Card. This allows modellers to replicate the
scale model of the iconic Austin K2/Y Heavy
Ambulance in the middle of 2021.
This model is based on original research and
famous pictures taken at the ATS Driver &
Maintenance School at Camberley, Surrey, UK in
the Spring of 1945.
2021 UK SHOWS
has no connection with the forthcoming Airfix We were surprised that nobody publicly made We have news of a couple of shows planned
K2/Y model. Research and planning for this that connection, instead linking the HRH figurine for the next couple of months:
model started a considerable time before the with another Austin product – the Austin Y/NG ASVC Wombourne Scale Model Show
unexpected announcement by Airfix. Utility or “Tilly”. 5 September 2021
Work on Gecko’s K2/Y started during 2020. 10 am – 4 pm
The Community Centre,
Gecko Models’ 1:35 scale Austin K2/Y Heavy Ambulance features: Church road,
• Accurate Trakgrip general purpose tyres Wombourne,
• Three different headlight types (with blackout masks as appropriate) South Staffs
• Optional furled and unfurled cab side curtains WV5 9EZ
• 6 stretchers (4 plus 2 folded) There will be three halls with various
• 4 folded blankets and 4 correct British Army pattern stretcher pillows traders, clubs, SIGs and an open
• Optional standard and extended exhaust pipes competition. Free parking is available a
• Optional early (w/o sling rings) and late (w/ sling rings) wheel hubs short walk from the venue.
• Optional roof ventilators Contact Neil Willis - 01902 663068 or
• Optional wing mirrors 07762 306767
• Driver figure (including rifle for RASC drivers)
• Optional high/low stretcher/seat configurations for rear bay
• Optional folded internal curtains
• Optional jerrican/2 gallon can carriers
• Optional early fabricated and late pressed steel spare wheel cover panels
There will be a number of boxings of this kit, all the colour and
marking schemes for which were completed and sent to Gecko,
coincidentally, just the day before the Airfix announcement.
These are:
1. Famous K2/Ys (includes HRH The Princess Elizabeth figure)
Option 1 - K2/Y driven by HRH The Princess Elizabeth at the ATS Driver &
Maintenance School at Camberley, Surrey, UK in the Spring of 1945 Abingdon IPMS Model Show
Option 2 – K2/Y in Ice Cold in Alex film markings (2 wheel drive version Saturday 2nd October 2021
only - another K2/Y was converted to 4 wheel drive using Austin K9 or Address: Larkmead School, Abingdon, Oxon,
CMP drive train components and used in some scenes) OX14 1BB (Sat Nav)
2. Early K2/Ys Open & closing times: 10:00 until 16:00
Four options to include a BEF example, 2 x Western Desert examples Admission prices: Adults £3, Child £2
(including a very colourful K2/Y) and an example used in Sicily Traders, competition, club displays, free
3. Late War K2/Ys parking, models for sale and refreshments.
Four options showing those used by the military and civilian services in Contact Simon Fisher - jv44sf@gmail.com
the North West Europe campaign in 1944/45 or the website at www.abingdonipms.co.uk
Thanks to Gecko Models for the information and images
www.gecko-models.com
4 Model Military International - September 2021

Think Tank - Sd.Kfz. 2 Kleines Kettenkraftrad
The Tank Museum’s
Sd.Kfz.2 Kettenkraftrad.
We explore the origins

and operations of the
small German hybrid
tractor, the Sd.Kfz. 2
Kettenkraftrad.
SD.KFZ. 2 KLEINES
KETTENKRAFTRAD
T
he Sd.Kfz.2 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug 2) A motion of the handlebars beyond that point Being a tracked vehicle, the Kettenkrad could
was a half-track motorcycle with a would engage the track brakes to help make climb up to 24° in sand and even more on hard
single front wheel, better known as turns sharper. It was also possible to run the ground.
the Kleines Kettenkraftrad HK 101 vehicle without the front wheel installed and this
or Kettenkrad for short (plural Kettenkräder; was recommended in extreme
where Ketten means "chains" or "tracks" and off-road conditions where speed
krad is the military abbreviation of the German would be kept low.
word Kraftrad, the administrative German term The Sd.Kfz.2 was designed and
for motorcycle). built by the NSU Werke AG at
The Kettenkrad started its life as a light Neckarsulm, Germany. Patented
tractor for airborne troops. The vehicle was in June 1939, it was first used in
designed to be delivered by Junkers Ju 52 the invasion of the Soviet Union
aircraft, though not by parachute. The vehicle in 1941. Later in the war, Stoewer
had the advantage of being the only gun from Stettin also produced
tractor small enough to fit inside the hold of Kettenkrads under license,
the Ju 52, and was the lightest mass-produced accounting for about 10% of the
German military vehicle to use the complex total production.
Schachtellaufwerk overlapped and interleaved The Kettenkrad came with a
road wheels used on almost all German military special trailer Sonderanhänger 1
half-tracked vehicles of World War II. (Sd.Anh.1) that could be attached
Steering the Kettenkrad was accomplished to it to improve its cargo
by turning the handlebars: Up to a certain point, capacity. The trailer carried 350
Kettenkraftrad with Sd.Anh.1 trailer, Russia 1943.
only the front wheel would steer the vehicle. kilograms.

In use with a German supply unit, north west Caucasus. The same muddy track in the north west Caucasus.
A Kettenkraftrad on the Eastern Front, 1943. The tracks gave the Kettenkraftrad useful traction in snow and mud.
IN SERVICE jet aircraft were towed to the runway, rather resumed at NSU. Around 550 Kettenkräder
Most Kettenkräder saw service on the than taxiing under their own power. were built for agricultural use, with production
Eastern Front, where they were used to lay The vehicle was also used in the North ending in 1948 (some sources say 1949). n
communication cables, pull heavy loads and African theatre and on the Western Front.
carry soldiers through the deep Russian mud. Body text adapted from Wikipedia
Later in the war, Kettenkräder were used VARIANTS https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sd.Kfz._2
as runway tugs for aircraft, especially for Only two significant sub-variations of the
the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter, and Kettenkrad were constructed. Production of Bovington museum photos courtesy of
sometimes the Arado Ar 234 jet reconnaissance- the vehicle was stopped in 1944, at which time Federico Collada.
bomber. In order to save aviation fuel, German 8,345 had been built. After the war, production

Climbing a muddy bank. The front wheel has been removed here. The Kettenkraftrad was capable of operating on tracks alone in
extreme conditions.
Trailer train in North Africa. Abandoned Kettenkraftrad in North Africa.
Under new management. The same vehicle viewed from the front. The front wheel’s mudguard is missing.

An overall dark yellow Kettenkraftrad in Italy. Note the variation of the trailer. Sd.Kfz.2 in a steep climb. Notice the horse-mounted troops to the rear.
A dusty
Kettenkraftrad.
A captured vehicle under examination. Kettenkraftrad burning in the desert.

Abandoned and captured German vehicles with a Kettenkraftrad in the middle background. The gear shift.
The engine is located on
The simple instrument cluster.
A view into the driver’s footwell. Fuel cap.

the floor directly behind the driver. Tail light, power point and trailer hitch.
Body
fittings.
Bovington’s Kettenkraftrad is in full running condition.

KIT PREVIEW Dragon 1:35 Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf J 2 in 1 inc. Initial Production • Kit No. 6954
Yay, they are back!
Graham Tetley Yay, they are back!
still feels the

love for Dragon’s
latest 1:35
scale Panzer III
re-pop.
PANZER III AUSF. J INITIAL Markings for five vehicles are provided.
D
ragon released the Ausf. barrelled machines, all from Russia. book on Operation Torch.
J in 2007 as their first Of these five, only one is given I can report that there are no
Panzer III gun tank, as a true ‘Initial’ vehicle (short surprises with this kit, and it is
Kit No. 6394. Soon barrel, plain engine deck without a typical, high quality, Panzer III
afterwards, it was followed up with the domed covers) for 2nd Panzer as only Dragon do. Construction
the Initial Version, kit 6463. They Division, Russia, 1941. I would like should pose no surprises and from
have been available on and off to have seen more marking options the many that I have built the
since then and represent the best for an Initial machine as the fit should be excellent. My only
of their marks currently available original 6463 had three options in reservation is that, as a ‘2 in 1’ kit
in plastic. the box. there will be a lot of plastic that
Now released as a ‘2 in 1’ kit, I have built that many Dragon will go to waste, plastic that you
this combines 6394 and 6463 in Panzer IIIs that I am going to try have paid for in the asking price
one box. There are some subtle and do this one blindfolded! We get of the kit. That said, for a Panzer The photo-etched set with those awful inner idler
changes between this and the a moveable suspension system as III fan like me, this kit is very wheel parts.
earlier releases in that we have the swing arms are kept level by a welcome. n
lost Sprues G (separate tools & tab on the hull sides. Leave this on
jack), J (multi-part front hull MG, the fore and rearmost roadwheel Thanks to The Hobby
now on a Sprue ‘B’) and P (clear to get the correct ride height but Company Limited for the
front headlights). There are also you can remove the rest. My only sample www.hobbyco.net
less parts on the etched fret. The complaint is that Dragon now give
rest of it though is the same and us the inner idler rim etch as three
we get two Sprue ‘B’s - which parts, not a one-piece item. These
are virtually identical apart from are extremely fiddly to get in place
different fenders and engine decks as the location is quite vague – The Standard and Initial Sprue Bs.
- plus Sprues ‘C’ & ‘K’ that give us they are (in my opinion – more
the parts for the standard or early trouble than they are worth and
versions. The Magic Tracks are can be left off if you wish.
thankfully back and whilst a plus I tend to build the front glacis,
for me, I appreciate that some will superstructure and engine deck
wish for DS Tracks in the box. then dry fit them in place with
Moulding is clean and crisp the fenders. Once in place with
with no flash on my kit at all. The no gaps, you can then tack it all
Engine deck differences.
instructions are typical Dragon down with liquid glue. Inside the
– nicely drawn but sometimes turret, we get a complete breach
cluttered – and just take your with enough detail on the hull roof,
time when working through them. cupola and vision ports to make
Different sections are provided it look busy with open hatches.
showing you the Initial and Spaced Mine will be destined as a 10th
Armour versions so with a bit of Panzer Division Mk III ‘Special’ with
study it will make sense. Markings long-barrelled main gun, spaced
are provided for five vehicles – two armour and ‘Troppen’ engine deck,
long barrelled versions from Russia only because I have just finished
Kit contents.
& North Africa and three short- reading the new ‘After the Battle’
Lovely detail on the turret roof.
Nothing missed on the hull tub.
This part still leaves me in awe.

12 Model Military International - Setember 2021
KEEP INFORMED
GET INVOLVED
THE BEST ONLINE RESOURCES FOR
AIRCRAFT & ARMOUR MODELLERS
NEW฀FoRUmS฀INcLUDING฀
MILITARY MODELLING FORUM
www.missing-lynx.com
www.hyperscale.com
REGULAR฀UPDATES฀•฀LATEST฀NEWS
THE BEST DISCUSSION FORUMS
FEATURE ARTICLE Tamiya 1:35 Sd.Kfz. 2 Kettenkraftrad (Mid-Production) • Kit No. 35377
The Editor builds

Tamiya’s brand new 1:35
Sd.Kfz. 2 Kettenkraftrad
straight from the box.
ON TRAC
Tamiya’s new box art is
similar to their original
Kettenkraftrad release.
CK T
amiya released a 1:35 scale ago in 2001. This was a well detailed
Kettenkraftrad way back in 1973. kit but it suffered from tiny two-part
This was a relatively simple kit individual link tracks. More recent releases
but it did have engine detail. The have full-length flexible DS plastic tracks. A
running gear was quite simplified with After being unavailable
the inner row of road wheels and the here in Australia
tracks moulded as a single piece for for well over 12
each side. months, Tamiya’s
dark green-lidded
Three figures were included. These
Extra Thin
are very close to the poses and Cement is finally
equipment in the new Kettenkraftrad back in stock
– a nice nod to a classic kit. The small photo-etched fret is The decal sheet is diminutive locally. This
Dragon released their own 1:35 surprisingly malleable and quite too. This supplies the three is my favourite
scale Kettenkraftrad twenty years delicate. dials for the driver. plastic cement.

B IN THE BOX designed to ensure maximum of a cover is a welcome touch. The FITTING THE ENGINE AND DRIVER’S
Enter Tamiya in 2021 with a detail while still being manageably draped fabric texture looks good. FOOTWELL
brand new 1:35 scale Kfz. 2 buildable. The middle two rows of The trailer hooks onto the towing Tamiya would have us fit the engine
Kettenkraftrad. roadwheels are moulded together point on the rear of the vehicle. and driver’s foot well sub-assembly
The kit comprises 209 parts in (three wheels each). The two outer Number plates and stowage are quite early on, in Step 6 of the
dark yellow plastic for the vehicle and two inner roadwheels are glued not included. instructions. I decided that I wanted
and the trailer, with a further 47 to the outside of the middle rows The driver figure is offered with to leave this sub-assembly separate
parts on the sprue for the figures. with the assistance of locating optional heads – one turned to the to allow easier access for painting
The basic body shell is made up rings and keys. side and one facing straight ahead and weathering the engine.
from ten parts. To this are added The tracks are link and length, – and right arms for alternative I did some test fitting and
an engine cover with two photo- with 12 individual links, two short poses. although it would be a tight
etched mesh grilles, side consoles, lengths and two longer lengths for Two walking infantry figures are squeeze, I thought that I would
muffler and rear seat. The engine the top and bottom runs. provided too, with the choice of be able to install the engine and
cover is hinged and remains Tamiya supplies tiny individual helmet or M43 field cap. A small driver’s foot well all the sub-
moveable after assembly. track pads, but this is not bad groundwork base is supplied for assemblies had been painted,
The engine is broken down into news. The track pads may be left each of the walking figures. but I would have to cut off a
just five parts but the moulded attached to one side of the sprue The quality of sculpting and protuberance from the dashboard.
detail looks great. The engine is and pressed into place in lengths of detail is very high. There’s no need The engine did eventually fit inside
part of a sub-assembly that also seven. The sprue may then be cut to replace these with resin figures. the body after painting but it
includes the driver’s footrests, the off when the glue is completely dry. required some brute force and I
transmission cover and gear shift, Front fork detail is nicely done. CONSTRUCTION was worried that I might break the
plus a saddle seat for the driver. This will remain moveable after The model was built only using the parts or be unable to align the floor
The instrument panel is simple, assembly if you are careful with parts in the box, but I did slightly with the bottom of the body.
but it does include three small the application of glue. deviate from the instructions on a In retrospect, I would
decals to represent the dials. The trailer is simple but couple of occasions. recommend that you follow the
The running gear is cleverly perfectly adequate. The inclusion instruction sequence! A
The small body of the vehicle

is broken up into seven parts.
Layers of parts – seen

here the passenger area
sidewalls and the front
mudguards - are added
Note the location of the rear
The floor and separate sides to the basic body.
plate on the rear of the floor.
have been assembled here.
The plastic jig was then used to

bend the grilles to the correct angle.
The photo-etched fret

and the supplied jig.
I got a head start by rolling the The grilles were glued

photo-etched grilles around a in place with a sparing
paint brush handle. application of super glue.

The rear of
The engine compartment hatch the vehicle.
is simply pushed into place…
…after which is may

be flipped open.
The muffler is fitted
underneath the body.
The engine goes together quickly.

I deviated from the instructions
by leaving the engine and driver’s
position out of the body at this stage
to make painting easier.
The five piece engine.
The assembled engine and

driver’s position.
Despite the small

parts count, the
engine looks great.
I was able to squeeze the

assembly into the body after
they were painted, although
some brute force was required!

B INSTALLING THE TRACK PADS

Step 12 of the instructions suggest
that you leave one side of the sprue
attachments connected to the track
pads, then glue rows of seven track
pads to the tracks. The sprue would
then be cut off after the cement
had thoroughly set.
I thought that it would be
simpler to remove and clean-up all The drive
sprockets. Assembly of the
the track pads prior to assembly. running gear is fast.
In the end, installing the
Four sets of three spoked road
individual track pads was very fast wheels are moulded together
and easy. I simply picked them up
with the tip of a hobby blade one
at a time, applied glue and pressed
them onto the track links.
Once the track pads had been
removed and cleaned up, actually
fitting them probably took less
than ten minutes per side. A I glued the six track links
that wrap around the drive
Here is one full sprockets together before These were then folded around
side of track links. installing them on the vehicle. the sprockets before the glue had
completely set.
The instructions suggest that

you leave one side of the sprue
attachments connected to the
track pads, but I thought it
was at least as fast and easy
to remove and clean-up all the
track pads prior to assembly.
I left the assembled track

Parts for the front
runs separate from the
fork and wheel.
main body, which made
painting easier.
Partially
assembled.
The front fork assembly

is test fitted on the body
but not glued in place at
this stage. A view from the rear.

Trailer and wheel components.
Tamiya supplies an optional Crisp detail.
cover for the trailer.
The vehicle and trailer

are test fitted.
Here are the separate

sub-assemblies ready
for painting.

The base colour is Tamiya’s

B PAINTING acrylic XF-88 Dark Yellow 2.
I skipped the primer coat
on this model and started
with the base camouflage
colour - Tamiya acrylic
XF-88 Dark Yellow 2.
The tracks, tyres and
rolled tarp were picked out
with Vallejo acrylics. These
were applied by brush.
A thin sprayed mix of Tamiya
XF-1 Flat Black and XF-64 Red
Brown was applied to the natural
shadow areas and in streaks,
followed by a dry-brushing with a A 50:50 mix of Vallejo Model Color 70.847 Dark
50:50 mix of Vallejo Model Color Sand and 70.951 White was used for dry-brushing.
70.847 Dark Sand and 70.951
White. A thin sprayed mix of Tamiya XF-1
Next, the model received two Flat Black and XF-64 Red Brown
coats of Future Floor polish in was applied to the natural shadow
preparation for final weathering. areas and in streaks.
Panel shading was done with
Tamiya's Dark Brown Panel Line
Access Color. It is pre-thinned
and ready to use straight from
the bottle. Tamiya even supplies a
helpful nylon brush as part of the
screw-top lid.
I simply used the lid-brush
to apply the accent over the
acrylic Future coat to recessed
panel lines, fasteners and
raised structural
features.
The model was Tyres and tracks were
now sprayed with brush-painted in a mix
Winsor & Newton of Vallejo acrylics.
Galeria Flat Varnish.
With the painting now
complete, the various sub-
The painted seats, body
assemblies were glued together.
and engine compartment.
Time to squeeze this in! The main body parts were
treated to a glossy Future coat
prior to a panel line wash with
Tamiya’s Dark Brown Panel
Line Accent Color.
Winsor & Newton

Galleria Flat Varnish
was now sprayed on all
the sub-assemblies.
After a few nervous moments I

managed to squeeze the engine
compartment and driver’s footwell
into the main body shell.
The simple instrument panel is
represented with a single decal
depicting the three dials.
A view from the rear.
The basic vehicle still with The mudflaps have yet t
some weathering to go. be painted here.
FIGURES
The three figures supplied with the
kit were newly moulded for this
2021 release.
The heads and the bodies were
drilled and mounted on toothpicks
to ease handling during painting.
The completed bodies were
primed with Tamiya’s Grey Primer
straight from the spray can. The
heads were sprayed separately with
Tamiya’s Fine White Primer to offer
a lighter base for the flesh tones. The bodies received a base coat of Tamiya A selection of Panzer Aces acrylics
I used a mix of Vallejo Panzer The three figures are a highlight. Grey Primer straight from the can. were used for the uniform colours.
Aces’ Field Grey options and their
corresponding highlight shades for
the uniforms.
The specific base colours that
I used were 334 Germ. Tkcr. I
(Feldgrau), 335 Germ. Tkcr. II
(Feldgrau), 338 Highlight Ger. I
(Feldgrau) and 339 Highlight Ger. II
(Feldgrau).
I mixed it up with different
shades on one tunic and one pair
of trousers in 334 Germ. Tkcr.
I (Feldgrau) and another tunic
in the greener 335 Germ. Tkcr.
II (Feldgrau). The colours were
applied by brush. Two coats The tunics and trousers are dry-brushed
were plenty to ensure solid even The base coat looks a bit scary! with paler shades.
coverage.
A highlight shade for each
colour was applied using the dry- The painted trio.
brush technique.
I brushed on a wash made up
from Future Floor Polish and
water in equal parts, and a small
amount of Vallejo 337 Highlight
Ger. (Black). This settled nicely
The base coat for the heads was Tamiya White Primer.
into recesses and natural shadow
areas. Any excess was soaked up
with a clean brush while the wash
was still wet.
Details such as epaulets, piping
and insignia were then picked
out with a fine brush. Following
a protective coat of Winsor &
Newton Galeria Flat Varnish,
metallic items including buttons
and belt buckles were painted with A Raw Sienna wash was applied
Vallejo Oily Steel. A over the acrylic base flesh colour.

B Painting of the heads got

underway with a sprayed base
coat of Tamiya’s acrylic XF-15 Flat
Flesh. Headgear was then painted,
followed by a wash of heavily
thinned Burnt Sienna and Raw The three figures turn this
Sienna oil paint. The ruddy mixture into an instant vignette.
flows into the low-lying areas and
crevices, making a nice start to
shading and detailing.
Fine facial details such as
mouths and eyes were carefully
brush painted with a watered-
down mix Vallejo 337 Highlight
Ger. (Black), which is actually a
dark brown shade. High areas of
the face such as the chin, brow,
nose, cheeks and ears were
painted with paler shades of flesh,
while shadow areas under the
eyebrows, under the nose and chin
received darker shades.
Finally, with the figure painting
complete, the toothpick handles
were extracted and the heads
glued to the bodies.
CONCLUSION
Tamiya has revisited a number
of its classic 1970s kits in recent
times and I am pleased to see the
Kfz. 2 Kettenkraftrad added to
the list.
This kit has no parts in common
with the 1973 offering. Detail is
excellent and I like the road wheel
and track design.
The three figures turn this into
an instant diorama.
You won’t be surprised to learn
that assembly was a pleasure too.
Oh Tamiya, you’ve done it again! n
The driver’s hands were

super-glued to the ends
of the handlebars.

“using
The model was built only
the parts in the box,
but I did slightly deviate
from the instructions on a
couple of occasions...
”
Modelspec
Tamiya 1:35 Sd.Kfz. 2 Kettenkraftrad
(Mid-Production). Kit No. 35377
Tools and Finishing Products:
• Tamiya Extra Thin Liquid Cement
• Revell Contacta Plastic Glue
• Tamiya Hobby Knife (Olfa)
• Sanding sticks
• Tweezers
Paints and Finishing Products:
Vehicle:
• Tamiya Spray Can - Grey Primer; White Primer
• Tamiya Acrylic – XF-1 Flat Black; XF-2 Flat White;
XF-64 Red Brown; XF-88 Dark Yellow 2.
• Vallejo Acrylic Paints - Various
• Future Floor Polish
• Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color – Dark Brown
• Winsor & Newton Galeria Flat Varnish
Tamiya’s Weathering Master Uniforms:
set was used to add some dirt Uniforms (all Vallejo Panzer Aces acrylics) – 333
to the tyres. Germ. Tkcr. (Black); 334 Germ. Tkcr. I (Feldgrau);
335 Germ. Tkcr. II (Feldgrau); 337 Highlight Ger.
(Black); 338 Highlight Ge. I (Feldgrau); 339 Highlight
Ge. II (Feldgrau).
When I posted this photo to
Facebook somebody suggested that
Flesh:
the guy at the back looks like Boris • Base Coat: Tamiya acrylic XF-15 Flat Flesh.
Johnson. I think they’re right! • Wash: Rowney Georgian Oil Paint 221 Burnt Sienna.
• Variations and Highlights: Vallejo Model Colour
acrylics 70815 Basic Skin Tone; 845 Sunny Skin
Tone; 919 Foundation White (mixed).
General Detailing (all Vallejo Model Colour acrylics)
– 847 Dark Sand; 70862 Black Grey; 70865 Oily Steel;
919 Foundation White; 70950 Black; 70957 Flat Red.
3 High level of detail; superb fit; includes three

figures; easy build; excellent link-and-length
tracks.
7 No number plates.
Available from
Purchased by reviewer from Hannants
www.hannants.com
Tamiya kits are distributed in the UK by The Hobby
Company Limited www.hobbyco.net
Rating

KIT PREVIEW Tamiya 1:35 US M8 Light Armoured Car ‘Greyhound’ Combat Patrol Set • Kit No. 25196
The one-piece main upper hull part.
Andy King
checks a welcome
re-packaging of
Tamiya’s 1:35
US M8 Light
Armoured Car
‘Greyhound’
Combat Patrol Set. Stowage boxes and rear hull.
SIX WHEELS KEEP ON ROLLING

U
nlike British and German includes sprue Z from Tamiya kit the second one is from the 2nd
WWII forces who used number 35229 (Allied Vehicle Armoured Division, 82nd Armoured Nice cast texture on the gun mantlet.
wheeled armoured Accessory Set) which features oil Reconnaissance Battalion, C
cars quite a bit, the M8 drums, jerry cans, various bags Company 3rd Platoon (no date
Greyhound was the only armoured and pouches and tent rolls while given), the third option is from
car used by US forces. It was sprue U is from Tamiya’s US Tank the 7th Armoured Division, 87th
first designed in 1941 to be a tank Crew Set (number 35347 and has Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron,
destroyer that would replace the two types of ammo boxes and a Mechanized A Troop, France,
M6 37mm gun motor carriage second crewman lifting one of the August 1944 and finally an M8
with prototypes submitted by said ammo boxes. Both of these of the Free French Army, 5th
Studebaker (T21), Ford (T22)and extra sprues are moulded in grey Armoured Division, 1st REC, 5th
Chrysler (T23) for evaluation. plastic. Also included is a printed Squadron, 2nd Platoon, France
By 1942 the T22 design was sheet with cut out ration cartons. 1944. All vehicles are in overall
selected but it was clear that the In the box is an optional M1919 olive drab.
37mm gun would not be effective machine gun for the turret which There are two decal sheets
All-plastic wheels and tyres – hooray!
against the frontal armour of can be used instead of the original included, one features the vehicle
German tanks so it was put into M2 .50 cal and looks to be better markings and the second is from
a reconnaissance rather than a detailed too. the Tamiya US Tank Crew set
tank destroyer role instead. After Moulding quality is very good noted above and is very useful in
design improvements and issues with little to no flash and any that it features various rank and
with contracts, production began mould-pin marks are mostly in hard unit uniform insignia and stencilling
in 1943 and ended in 1945 with to see areas however there are for the ammo boxes.
a total of 8,523 M8 and 3,791 some on the inner surfaces of both Although it has been around for
M20s built (basically an M8 with front and rear mudguards. There a while this is still a very good kit
the turret removed and .50 cal is no engine included but model and I’m looking forward to building
machine gun ring fitted). features a decent enough fighting it. Even though there are four decal
After the war most M8s and compartment and although it’s not options, considering the usage the
M20s were sold or donated to complete it serves as a good basis M8 has had during WWII, Korea, Turret halves with subtle cast texture.
other countries under the Foreign for further detail work. Thankfully Vietnam right up to the present
Military Assistance Program with the wheels are moulded on the day the marking possibilities are
France being one of the biggest sprues instead of being separate many and varied.
operators. The armoured car was vinyl ones. Highly recommended! n
still being used up until recently in Four colour and marking options
other countries too. are provided and you get an M8 Thanks to The Hobby
The Tamiya M8 first appeared from the 4th Armoured Division, Company Limited for the
around since the late 1990s and 25th Cavalry Reconnaissance sample www.hobbyco.net
has been reissued at various times Squadron Mechanised A Troop,
since then. This particular boxing Czechoslovakia, Spring 1945,
Two crew figures are supplied.
Ration cartons are included. You’ll have lots of spare markings for additional US Infantry figures.
24 Model Military International - Setember 2021 History via Wikipedia. Plenty of stowage too.
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,
on this famous range of kits. Only
This then is the world of Tamiya’s
wonderful 1:35 military vehicle kits £12.95
– we hope that you enjoy your visit! plus p&p
ALSO AVAILABLE Visit doolittlemedia.com for details
PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW ONLINE AT www.doolittlemedia.com or 01525 222573


Tamiya’s Armour Kits in 1:35 book P&P: UK; £2.00
Europe; £4.00
World-Wide airmail; £6.00
HOW TO BUILD... ARMOUR Please debit my credit/debit card for £ ....................................... Cheques payable to: Doolittle Media Ltd.
Visa Mastercard Maestro other ............................. Please be aware that all credit/debit cards are processed
through PayPal and this may appear on your bank statement
Name .....................................................................................................................
Card No. ....................................................................................................
Address................................................................................................................
Expiry date................................. Start date ........................................
...................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................... Security Number (last 3 digits on signature strip) ............................ Signature .....................................................................................
Post/zip code ................................................................................................... Issue No (if applicable) ........................................................................... Date ...............................................................................................

Please mail this form to;
Country ................................................................................................................
Doolittle Media, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX, United Kingdom
Telephone Number....................................................................................... Tel; +44(0)1525 222573 Online; www.doolittlemedia.com
(Photocopies of this form are acceptable)
www.doolittlemedia.comwww.doolittlemedia.comwww.doolittlemedia.com
FEATURE ARTICLE MiniArt 1:35 T-55 Polish Prod • Kit No. 37068
AIR
QAIQTI -T5-5
5555
IR A QIT -
Sam Dwyer
builds MiniArt’s
1:35 scale T-55
tank in a battle
weary finish.
T
he T-55 tank began its
design towards the end
of the Second World War
and would go on to be
the most produced tank in history
– with an estimated build number
reaching nearly 100,000! Everyone
aligned to the Eastern Bloc used
them at some point – Iraq being
a major user. Watching Operation
Desert Storm on TV as a teenager
really was an eye opener – and
seeing books filled with Iraqi
wrecks and wreckage really had
me keen to build an Iraqi T-55 at
some point. Iraq used the T-55
mostly within its regular armoured
divisions, the T72 was kept aside
for Republican Guard forces. Iraq
had about 2,000 T-55’s – but had
nearly another 2,000 Tyle 69
tanks, which were Chinese copies
of the T54, and look outwardly
quite similar to the T-55. When
Tamiya released their T-55,
Marcus Nichols did an incredible
job on his for TMMI, which remains
iconic to this day. I didn’t want to
copy his work, rather I wanted to
produce my own take on an Iraqi
Desert Storm T-55.
SO, TO THE KIT

MiniArt’s kit represents a Polish
built T-55, and may be built with
all of the common in-theatre
modifications made by Iraq. It
comes with individual tracks, a
decent sheet of photo-etched
parts and a big box of plastic
sprues. This was initially off
putting, but construction was I always start with the main Getting the multi-part hull
actually quite simple. A components - get these right together was very simple. Just
and the rest of the build is easy. make sure the mating surfaces
are square and free of flash.

I painted the interior with a
good coat of Tamiya XF-1 Flat
Black, so no grey plastic was
Suspension components are very detailed. Sadly these are mostly visible though the engine deck.
hidden once the wheels are on.

B CONSTRUCTION the accompanying images show fits quite well with minimal flash. motor tool. Set a slow speed, and
Predictably, construction is all the detail that MiniArt have The engine deck and hull roof taking my time, I removed most
supposed to kick off with the been able to include. I built up the plates comprise several large of the plastic on the inside of the
suspension units. I chose to ignore roadwheels, but left them off the parts, these are warp free and fit fenders. Once the parts are nearly
this and glue the main hull and hull, which will make the painting with no fuss, adding the included see through, I bent them with
turret parts together. The hull process easier. photo etch mesh to the engine pliers and tweezers. The plastic
is a multi-part affair and needs The fenders and all their details deck really completes the look. bends like sheet metal when it is
care to get it all square and true. may be built as two separate Moving to the front of the tank, this thin. It’s a simple process that
Once done though, everything assemblies and then glued straight I drilled out the spare track links you can’t rush, but is well worth it.
fits perfectly. MiniArt provides a to each hull side. The T-55, and on each fender, where the track The kit tow cables were replaced
highly detailed suspension system in fact all Soviet tanks, have an pin would go. This is a tiny detail with some leftover Eureka cable I
in the kit, as accurate as the intricate fuel system with delicate that is often overlooked but can had in my spares box. I replaced
real thing. The only real let down plumbing lines on the outside of make a real difference to realism. one fuel drum on the hull rear with
here is that its all mostly hidden their tanks. MiniArt includes all this I wanted the model to look like a stowage box and some badly
behind the large T-55 double in their kit. This is a first in this it was somewhat beaten up and stowed tarps or blankets. These
roadwheels. There’s no real need scale and really adds to the model. neglected, which was common with were made with Tamiya quick type
here to go through the whole Construction of the hull Iraqi tanks. I thinned the plastic of epoxy putty, rolled very thinly and
process of building the suspension, proceeds quite quickly. Everything the front fenders with a burr in a draped on the model. A
Once the main components are together, adding the small parts really The engine deck is a multi-part affair, but it all fits perfectly once The hull rear has a lot of location holes, ready for the characteristic
makes the detail pop. glued together. fuel drums common to all Soviet tanks.
Tyres on tanks always

cop a lot of abuse. Use
a knife blade, edge of
a chunky file and side
cutters to distress
each roadwheel tyre.
Overall view of the finished tank, ready for

paint. The MiniArt kit is brimming with detail
and captures the look of the T-55 perfectly
I left one fuel drum off, replacing it with an ammunition

box wrapped in blankets or tarps. These were made
with rolled out Tamiya epoxy putty. Straps were added
from thin strips of Tamiya tape

I tucked a spare shovel, included in the kit, into the stowage bundle on MinArt do include all the turret tie downs, in very fine plastic, I chose A second ammunition box was lashed to the turret rear with Tamiya
the right. This stowage has a very non-military look to it, very typical to replace them with wire. The trickiest part to this is getting them all tape straps.
of Iraqi tanks the same size and shape!
The canvas cover on the kit mantlet was replaced with thinly rolled
Tamiya epoxy putty, then cut and shredded to look old and worn out.
MiniArt's excellent Middle East Tank Crew were used as crew figures. I replaced the hands on the Commander to get a more natural look. String was supplied to be used as tow cables, I sourced some left over
metal tow cable from the spares box.
I wanted to depict some battle damage so the front fenders were thinned quite heavily from the underside I drilled out the spare track links to show where the track pins would go - it’s a tiny little detail but these
with a motor tool. Once thin enough you can bend these parts very easily to impart a damaged look. one percenters make a difference.
A substantial sheet of photoetch brass is supplied in the kit and it fits The T-55 turret is made up of a cast steel tub with a welded roof Damage was added to the other fender, spare tracks drilled out and
perfectly. No need for aftermarket sets with this one! section. I replicated the cast sections using Mr Surfacer stippled on tiny etch parts added as the last steps before painting. Best do these
with an old brush. The welds between sections were enhanced with last to avoid damage.
Tamiya epoxy putty.
Base coat applied. AK Real Colours RC098 Russian Modern Green is a great match for the
elusive Soviet green colour. I gave this a day or two to harden before applying a couple of light
A couple of light coats of Tamiya grey primer over coats of hairspray.
B The turret also builds up from the entire model unify all the different materials
a stack of parts, the two flat roof used in construction. The primer layer also
plates are added separately, but highlights any tiny gaps I may have missed.
fit inside the turret tub perfectly.
Once together I painted the inside
of the turret and hull parts flat
black, this will hide any grey
plastic from being seen through
hatches or engine deck grills.
The welds between the cast part
and rolled steel part of the turret
were enhanced with Tamiya quick
type putty, as the welds on the kit
parts sort of wander off and don’t
maintain a regular appearance
the whole way around the turret.
While working on the turret I also
replaced the tie down points with
tie downs made from copper wire.
This is a super quick thing to do,
the trickiest part is getting them
all uniform in shape and size. A
stowage box was added to the
turret rear for the crew to stow
their personal gear in.
The last thing added
to the model before
paint was some
crew members.
MiniArt Middle East
Tank crew were used for the
commander and loader figure, the
loader was positioned low in his
hatch, like he’s sticking his head Sand yellow was applied over the hairspray
out for some fresh air. The hands layer, AK Real Colours RC101 Egyptian Desert
on the commander were replaced Sand is a a lovely light sandy shade.
to get a better fit to the hatch rim.
Mist coats of RC101 was applied over the entire tank. Its ok if there are areas that don’t get quite the full The fun stuff - weathering. Using a brush dampened with tap water, I start scrubbing at the areas of the tank
coverage, weathering will correct this. that would get lots of wear, turret top, hull top and anywhere the crew would move about on the vehicle.

A gentle scrubbing motion weakens the hairspray layer between the green and sand colours, revealing the Thinned Burnt Umber oil paint is applied around details and where dirt and grime would accumulate.
underlying Soviet green paint. This method is super efficient and more realistic than using a fine paint Using oil paints enables you to blend the stains in with enamel thinners for a pleasing effect.
brush to apply paint chips.
BASIC CAMOUFLAGE unifies all the different materials of light misted coats of hairspray. I scrubbing the model, and hey
Iraqi T-55s were painted mostly in used on the model and stands up to don’t use any particular brand, just presto the top layer of tan slowly
a sickly tan colour, but were often the painting and weathering process something nice and cheap. Once this degrades then chips off, revealing
seen with broad bands of green well. Over this I applied AK Real is dry to the touch (maybe 5 mins), the green base coat. This really is
camouflage too. I chose to go the Colour Modern Soviet Green. This is I applied a couple of very light coats such a simple process, its harder
tan colour path, but wanted to a really good match for the colour of AK Real Colour Egyptian Tan. to type out the procedure than it
weather the tank quite heavily to used by all Eastern Bloc armour. This was sprayed over the entire is to actually do it. This method of
show it in some disrepair. model without any particular care chipping really gives the model a
A couple of light coats of Tamiya HAIRSPRAY TECHNIQUE as its about to be weathered and look of neglect, like the tank has
Grey Primer starts the painting I gave this paint a day or so to worn. Using a stiff bristled brush been in a harsh desert environment
process. This is a great product. It harden up, then applied a couple moistened with tap water, start and not been maintained. A
Give the tracks a good wash with white vinegar, this removes any grease Metal tracks can be weathered with burnishing fluid, this adds a
and oils that might have accumulated on them during manufacture or rusty dirty patina to the metal. I keep a plastic container handy
assembly. This will help with weathering. to only ever be used for this process, not for keeping food in!
Friul tracks are white metal and capture the heavy look of tank tracks
perfectly. These were assembled in two long runs, ready for weathering.
Well they were already assembled and waiting for me to use on this model.
Pour the burnishing fluid over the tracks and in a couple After 5-10 mins in the burnishing fluid, the tracks are
of moments the tracks start changing colour. It is like looking great - nice and rusty.
being back in high school science, and I get to keep my
eyebrows this time.
After a thorough rinse in tap water
I used a hair dryer to dry the
tracks, ready for more weathering.

B MARKINGS AND WEATHERING

MiniArt provides decals for two
vehicles (and about ten other
nationalities), but I chose to
keep the markings quite simple
- a yellow fume extractor on the
barrel with a white stripe was all I
wanted. This was painted on using
Tamiya acrylics. Tamiya masking
tape was used to mask up this
area. I generally like to use acrylics
when weathering. They have no
smell and they’re super easy to
use. To kick off weathering on this
tank, I applied a pin wash using
Burnt Umber oil paint thinned with
enamel thinners. This was brushed
around detail and let flow into
crevices and nooks, the beauty
of using this is the marks can be
blended away with enamel thinners
to get a pleasing effect. Granted,
the thinners stinks, even when
using ‘odourless’ but it’s a process
worth sticking with as the results
are amazing.
Acrylics are my go-to for
weathering. They are fast and easy
to use and they don’t smell. Once
the enamel pin wash was mostly
dry, I applied a series of washes
using heavily thinned Vallejo and
Life Color acrylics. It doesn’t really
matter if the enamel wash hasn’t
fully dried. It will somewhat repel
the acrylic wash, and leave a
pleasing mess where they do join.
The while point of my weathering
process was to impart as much
grime as possible onto the model.
Paint chips were hand painted
here and there, mostly around
areas that I could chip using the
hairspray method. The searchlights
and hatch rims were the main
targets here. Detail painting
was done with various Vallejo
acrylic colours, I’ve been using
Vallejo Iraqi sand for years on all
my German armour, it’s nice to AK Dry Ground was used to add sand and dirt deposits to the hull and running gear. This is an acrylic paste that can be blended and manipulated on the model
actually use it on an Iraqi tank. A with a wet brush, then allowed to dry. Here you can see I’ve already applied this to the tracks.
“ MiniArt’s kit represents a Polish built T-55, and may be built

with all of the common in-theatre modifications made by Iraq...
”
Most of the heavy weathering and accumulation of sand and dust was achieved using acrylic paint Detail painting was also carried out using acrylic paint - I finally get to use Vallejo Iraqi Sand on an actual
washes. Vallejo and Life Color paint was thinned with regular tap water and brushed over the model and Iraqi tank. This is a super versatile colour.
allowed to dry.

Iraqi tanks are notorious for not being well maintained by their crews. After the acrylic washes I applied a The fuel drum on the rear was painted up to look like a civilian drum, rather than a military one in military
series of rusty streaks using AK rust wash, this is an enamel product that you apply then blend in. colours. This was then weathered separately to make it stand out from the surrounding model.
It makes the model look suitably unkempt.
Here you can see the paint chips, fuel spills and sandy grime all combine into a messy looking tank. Fuel stains and spills were also added to the hull top fuel caps. Adding these is my favourite part of
Even the tow cable was rusted. weathering.
I used Tamiya Black Panel Line Wash to add fuel and oil stains. I brush and sometimes flick it onto the Capillary action spreads the stain around detail, just like on the real tank.
model, allowing the drips and spills to fall where they may, so they don’t look too perfectly painted on.
T-55s ran on diesel fuel, and were horrifically smoky things. The exhausts would belch black smoke and Gun smoke residue was also added to the muzzle.
oil all over the side of the tank and down onto the roadwheels below. I used an airbrush to apply this soot.

B The lower hull was also weathered

with acrylics. I applied these over
AK Terrains Dry Ground. This is an
acrylic modelling paste that replicates
sand and dirt perfectly. It can be
blended with tap water and looks great
brushed into corners and into the
wheels and tracks.
The tracks were weathered using
AK Burnishing Fluid. This is a chemical
that reacts with the white metal of
the tracks and turns them a nice dark
rusty colour. Oil stains from blown
wheel hub seals was added to each
road wheel. This is a super common
thing on most tanks, not just Iraqi
ones. The road wheels directly under
the engine exhaust copped some
additional oil staining as these T-55s
were notorious for leaking oil out of
the exhausts. Nasty!
Towards the end of the weathering
process, I added some rust staining
and chipping. You’d think that these
things wouldn’t rust in the desert –
but boy they really did! This effect
was achieved using AK’s rust wash
spattered and brushed onto the model,
then blended with enamel thinners.
Oil stains and fuel spills were done in
a similar manner – random drips and
stains blended with enamel thinners.
Final touches were exhaust staining
and gun residue on the muzzle brake,
sprayed carefully on using Tamiya
acrylics.
Careful painting of the tank crew
and remaining stowage items – fuel
drum and ammo boxes - was the final
piece of the puzzle that really set the
model off.
CONCLUSION
MiniArt did a fantastic job with their
T-55 family of tanks. I can absolutely
recommend them. They’re not for the
beginner, but they are totally worth a
go at building if you’re a fan of Soviet
armour, Iraqi armour or weathering
your tanks as if they were unloved! n
The crew were painted

with acrylic paints.

FEATURE ARTICLE Takom 1:35 Panzer III Ausf. M • Kit No. 8002

0NCE UP0N A tIME
IN PR0KH0R0VKA
Witold Socha places the new Takom 1:35
scale Panzer III Ausf. M in a scratch-built
scene with a building and figures.
T
he 1:35 scale Pz.Kpfw.
III Ausf.M is one of the
recent releases of the
Chinese company Takom.
At first sight it makes a good
overall impression so I was curious
to see if I would remain satisfied
after building it. Let’s go! A

C0nstructi0n
My first step was to assemble the running
gear. I really like the Panzer III and its
derivatives due to the fairly limited number
of wheels they’re fitted with. The wheels
supplied with the kit are fairly nicely
detailed and the road wheels even feature
‘Continental’ labels on the rubber rims.
During assembly I noticed one issue:
the bolts that help to maintain the correct
spacing of the roadwheel halves are longer
than the hubs, so one has to be careful I like how the rear of the hull had been designed. The air outlet
whilst putting the wheels together as the louver covers might be installed in an open or closed position.
The road wheels.
adhesive should only be applied onto the
bolt endings. I am not sure if this isn’t
an error, but even if it is, it will remain
unnoticeable in the finished kit.
The Ausf. M had a cylindrical engine exhaust

muffler with a sealing valve, which was one
of the modifications introduced with this
variant in order to increase its fordability. The
plastic parts didn’t form a firm joint and I had
to apply some filler and subsequently level
the joint area with fine sandpaper. As you can
see on the photo, in this build I used the new
extra thin cement from AK-Interactive for the
very first time and I must admit that this is
the first adhesive of this type from another
brand that turn out to work exactly the same
as the original extra thin cement from Tamiya,
so if for some reason (for example, recurring
problems with availability of Tamiya products)
you’re looking for an alternative, go for it! The
only difference is slightly stronger odour.
The undersides of the track guards feature a few prominent ejector pin marks. The recessed ones
could be simply treated with filler, but the raised one had to be removed using a milling bit.
Whenever possible, I try to assemble the

running gear in such a way that it can
be painted as a separate sub-assembly.
Fortunately, in the case of this kit it was
doable. The link-and-length tracks (with
built-in sag!) went together without
problems and the few ejector pin marks
were easy to deal with.
As usual, I detailed the headlight mounts with electrical wire that had been
cut from lengths of copper wire.
Another of my habits is the use of aftermarket towing cables such as those

marketed by Eureka XXL, but in this case the cables provided with the kit
looked fairly convincing. Another factor was that I intended to place some
stowage on the rear deck which would cover most of the cables anyway.

The instructions recommend to glue the upper and lower hull halves after
installing all the details, but I chose to do this earlier in order to avoid damaging
the rather fragile side skirt mounts. The fit was not great but also not terrible,
so it was enough to fill the gaps with Mr.Surfacer 500. The excess filler was
distributed and removed with cotton buds that had been dampened with
Mr.Color Thinner.
Next, I added the Schürzen mounting

The presence of side skirts would make it difficult rails, whose installation was trouble-free.
to paint the OVM tools attached to the vehicle, so Note that the front mud flaps were not
in this case I had to finish them as separate pieces. attached on purpose as in my view their
The buckles were hollowed out with a fine drill bit. lack adds some character to the vehicle.
As the hull was more or less ready, I could focus on the turret. The plastic The rear turret skirt featured a few recessed ejector pin marks One detail that caught my attention was the inclusion of hooks for
grab rails on the roof were replaced with lengths of copper wire that had that had to be filled with Tamiya Putty and sanded flush. the turret stowage bin. This is certainly a nice touch for those who
been created using the ‘Handle Bender Tool’ from RP Toolz. do not want to install the latter!
At least the turret skirt

mounts went on easily.
At this stage, the first of the two biggest failures in the

Takom’s kit had emerged. The parts that hold the mantlet are
too wide for the opening they should be fitted to and require
some serious trimming with a metal file, which may cause
that the gun won’t be movable.
The opening in the turret for the

mantlet plate was also too small and
further sanding was needed to fit the
latter within the former.

To allow for the addition of stowage on the rear deck, I recreated the
rack that can be often seen on reference photos of Panzer IIIs and
IVs, using lengths of styrene rod.
Overall, the assembly of this kit didn’t bring

many nasty surprises. Although it doesn’t
go together as well as the Panzer III from
The main content of the photo-etched sheet supplied with the kit Tamiya, it is certainly more detailed.
are the Schürzen. It was handy to prime them with Mr. Metal Primer
before their removal from the sheet.
Many sub-assemblies and details were

left separate for easier painting.
Paintw0rk
The entire model was first primed with

Vallejo 74.603 ‘German Panzer Grey
Primer’. I then added some pre-highlights
(one may call this reverse pre-shading)
with Tamiya XF-80 ‘Royal Light Grey’.
As the general appearance of the model during the weathering process

becomes darker, I applied a pale basecoat. In this case, I firstly sprayed
a darker Dunkelgelb tone (RC059 from the AK-Interactive’s Real Colors
range) and followed this with highlights added with lighter RC060. The
strongest highlights were created with a mixture of the previously used
colour and a small quantity of RC018 ‘Pale Sand’.
The other camouflage colours

also came from the Real
Colors range. I also chose to
paint some of the side skirt
panels in a different pattern,
but in the end I used only one
of them and repainted it in
yet another pattern.
Once I’d brush-painted the details

with a number of acrylic tones from
Vallejo, I sealed the entire model
with a layer of gloss varnish.
It was time for the fading process. Using

the good old oil dot filter technique,
I applied different oil colours from
Abteilung 502 over the kit surfaces…
…and blended them in a downward motion with a brush that had been
dampened with odorless turpentine, creating discoloration and streaking
effects. Afterwards, I left the kit to dry thoroughly for 24 hours and
subsequently sealed the paintwork with another layer of gloss varnish…

…which allowed for the application

of decals. Most of the markings were
sourced from the sheet supplied
with the kit (they reacted well with
Microscale decal solutions), but I
changed the turret number using
some spares from a different kit.
Next step was the pin wash, which was done using thinned ‘Lamp Black’ and ‘Vandyke Brown’ oil paints To enhance the visual effects, I used the rendering technique. However, instead of oil paints, I chose to
from the Royal Talens’ van Gogh range. employ the weathering pencils from AK-Interactive. I dipped a pencil in water and drew small dots on the
selected small surface (in this case, on the side skirt panels).
These were subsequently blended with a brush that had been dampened with water, enhancing or reducing The muffler was given a rusty finish using the acrylic colours from the Lifecolor CS10 ‘Dust and Rust’ set.
visual depth in certain areas.

The tracks were base coated with Vallejo 70.304 ‘Track Primer’, whilst for the wheel rims I used 70.862 Using the ‘wet-on-wet’ technique, I alternately applied rusty and beige enamel products (in this case,
‘Black Grey’. AK013 ‘Rust Streaks’ and AK4061 ‘Sand Yellow Deposit’) and blended them with a brush that had been
dampened with odourless turpentine. This method allows to create some interesting contrasts in the
nooks and crannies of the track links.
The tracks were then dirtied using earthy pigment tones, namely AK081 ‘Dark Earth’ and AK040 ‘Light The final touch was to add the metal effects using AK-Interactive’s ‘True Metal’ metallic paste.
Dust’ from AK-Interactive. I also glued different lengths of static grass to replicate pieces of dry grass that
got stuck to the tracks.
The stowage was sourced from a number of

different sets manufactured by PanzerArt,
Black Dog and Verlinden. These were
brush-painted with Vallejo acrylics.
I also created two rags

using Milliput epoxy putty.

Now I could focus on weathering the hull.

I firstly applied tiny quantities of very
fine soil and sand into the corners and
other areas where the dirt could deposit,
and fixed this with AK-Interactive AK118
‘Gravel & Sand Fixer’.
Next, I covered the lower hull surfaces with a layer of hairspray. This was followed by spraying a misted Afterwards, I ‘activated’ the hairspray with water. This allowed me to distribute, blend or remove the
application of Tamiya’s XF-52 ‘Flat Earth’ and XF-57 ‘Buff’ mixed in equal quantities. Tamiya paint layer in the selected areas, and create a ‘dirt base’ for further work.
To replicate dry mud, I speckled the surface with tiny quantities of AK-Interactive’s AK4061 ‘Sand Yellow I also added some oily stains using ABT160 ‘Engine Grease’ oil paint from Abteilung 502.
Deposit’ and AK4062 ‘Light Dust Deposit’ that were also mixed with the same pigment that had been used
for weathering the tracks. The speckled mixtures were subsequently distributed over the surface in a
downward motion, using a brush, in order to create some streaking effects.
The upper surfaces of the hull were also treated

with limited quantities of earthy pigments.
The smoke stains on the gun barrel were added with Vallejo 73.116 ‘Carbon
Black’ pigment.
The tank was now ready to be placed on the base.

The stowage on the rear deck in place. Turret stowage and a rag in the turret bin.
The customised touches lend

character to the vehicle.

The Base
The base was built in parallel with the tank. I decided The cottage was subsequently detailed with pieces
to place the vehicle in the middle of a small rural of balsa wood and 0.75mm HIPS sheet. As balsa
scene. I first cut a properly sized piece of styrofoam wood has a tendency to soak up the paint, I had to
and wrapped its sides with 3mm-thick green depron cover it with a priming emulsion.
foam. The basic shape of a corner of a country
cottage was made from styrodur foam.
Next, I formed the groundwork by applying a thin layer of tile adhesive. Before it Before the painting process began, I tested some slightly different
had dried, I poured sand, tiny pebbles, pieces of vegetation etc. onto it, and fixed poses of the vehicle and figures on the vignette. The figures came
the debris with a priming emulsion. Again using balsa wood, I added a damaged from an old Dragon set of German officers from the Kursk battle.
fence near the drainage ditch. The sides of the base were then puttied with an
acrylic paste and sanded flush. In order to allow for easier handling during the
painting process, I did not glue the building to the base; instead of this I inserted
three toothpicks that would act as the mounting pins.
The cottage was primed at the same time To add some visual interest, I painted
as the tank, and subsequently base coated the window and door frames in a vivid
with Tamiya colours: I used XF-63 ‘German shade of blue. I like such contrasts.
Grey’ for the roof and XF-72 ‘Brown’ for
the remaining surfaces.
The wooden walls were weathered using oils only. Each plank was painted with
a light brown shade from the top and a dark brown tone from the bottom, and
blended in the middle. I also applied some grey tones along the joints between
the planks.

The ground was base coated with the same Tamiya colours as used for the lower surfaces of the tank. The static grass was fixed with Pattex wood glue.
The pebbles were painted with Vallejo 70.992 ‘Neutral Grey’ and 70.883 ‘Silver Grey’.
More vegetation was reproduced using NOCH products and some natural components. I also poured Once the ground had dried, I poured some earthy pigment tones over it, including AK081 ‘Dark Earth’,
some fine sand here and there. Everything was then fixed with heavily diluted white glue. AK042 ‘Europe Earth’ and AK040 ‘Light Dust’ from AK-Interactive.
The door and windows were cut from pieces of balsa wood and foil sheet. The curtain were printed from All these details were subsequently attached to the base. At this stage, I also painted the side walls of
a photo and glued to pieces of black cardboard. The barrel is a resin product from Eureka XXL. the base in black.
I must admit that assembling and painting

figures is a sad necessity for me. At least, on
this occasion I tested the new 3rd generation
acrylic paints from AK-Interactive and I need
to say that I liked them.

A The final step was to attach the figures and vehicle to the base.
B The figures in place on the base.
C Figures lend a sense of scale and context to the scene.
D A broken section of fence in the foliage.
E The completed and painted building.
B C
D E

FEATURE ARTICLE Tamiya 1:35 British Cruiser Tank Centaur C.S. Mk.IV • Kit No. 35232
SEAWOLF
AN EARLY CENTAUR
John Bryce backdates, details and upgrades Tamiya’s 1:35 scale Centaur.
C
entaurs were drawn from storage could direct fire on the run in to the beaches. displaced, so this meant changing the tracks,
and issued to the RMASG with the Seawolf was one of the earlier versions of the and for this I purchased a set of Fruilmodel
intention of supplying additional fire Centaur with sloping front track guards being metal tracks. My original intention was to show
power from LCTs during the run in one of the identifying marks. “Seawolf” exists as Seawolf pulling a Porpoise sled over uneven
to the beaches in Normandy. The original idea a memorial in Hermanville-sur-Mer, in Normandy, mudflats, with complete water proofing gear,
was to have the engines removed, but this was but is actually a cobbled together tank, using but in the end I dropped that idea. So I tried to
scrapped and those that made it ashore went a Cromwell dozer hull coupled with a Cavalier depict it in the weeks before D-Day when the
on to fight for several days. turret, the work being carried out at Duxford. crew would be practising for the great event,
There has been much discussion regarding and some of the water proofing would be in
the colour of these tanks, SCC2 or SCC15. They ITEMS USED place. These items came from Accurate Armour.
were painted SCC2 when built, and as far as I’m For this build I used the excellent Tamiya kit Other items used were the track guard or
concerned, I can’t see repainting being a priority with a few modifications as it depicts the later fender set from Aber and various etched brass
at that time. The graduations painted around the version with the curved front track guards. I from Aber and Eduard. Decals would be a
turret were so that Royal Artillery observers wanted to show the tank with the road wheels mixture of kit and Peddinghaus decals.

GETTING STARTED - LOWER HULL
The point of entry for me on this build was the
lower hull. There are five pegs along the lower
edge of the hull to which the suspension arms
are attached. I removed the middle three so
that the second, third and fourth arm would
swing free. The outer parts of the hull sides
were then glued in place, trapping the swing
arms. Some details, namely the two smoke
emitters, caps for the oil fillers and convoy
light, were added to the rear hull plate, all from
etched brass. As the original intention for these
tanks was to be floating howitzers in the run in
to the beaches, I wasn’t sure whether the smoke
emitters would have been de-activated or not,
so I left off the electrical cables. I also added an The hull tub showing the stops that need removing to allow the 2nd, 3rd and 4th road wheels to swing free.
inspection hatch from card and bolt heads.
Assembly of the tracks followed and
although some people back away from these,
I find Fruilmodel tracks reasonably easy
compared to some.
When new, Cromwells/Centaurs had 125 links
per side, but that was way too many for the
model, so I ended up with 118 per side which still
gave the tracks some slack.
I decided to paint the lower hull before
proceeding any further, and after a coat of
grey auto primer, I used a mix of Tamiya paints
that Mike Starmer had come up with for SCC2.
This is as follows; XF68, XF3 and XF1 in a ratio
of 5;4;1. This was sprayed over the lower hull,
road wheels, sprockets and idlers. When dry,
the running gear was given a wash of Mig’s Dark Outer lower hull panels added, showing how the swing arms hang down.
Wash and left to dry thoroughly. Each wheel
was kept in a flat position whilst it dried so that
it wouldn’t run
and collect in
one place. The
tracks were
sprayed with a
50/50 mix of
Tamiya black
and brown,
and once dry,
a wet mix of Rear hull plate with various additions.
Mig’s European
Mud was brushed into the links. It dries fairly
quickly, and once it had, it was brushed with an
old tooth brush to expose the metal links. The
sides of the hull were weathered with various
pigments from Carrs. These were originally Fruilmodel tracks in place
meant for model railways and have a slight oily and showing the displaced
road wheels.
texture allowing them to adhere better.
Once all of this was completed, the tracks
were threaded around the wheels, idlers and
sprockets. A
The tracks look particularly impressive.
Views of the lower

hull and running gear
painted and weathered.

B UPPER HULL
The first job was to remove the front sections of
the track guards with a razor saw and clean up
with a flat file. Aber supply the complete track
Upper hull showing the
guard, but I only removed what I considered surgery to the forward
necessary. The new sections were then folded track guards…
to shape and soldered, and then super glued in
place. The joint was a bit weak so I reinforced it
with some scrap card.
Before joining the upper and lower halves of
the hull, I had to remove some of the etched
brass of the track guards as it was fouling the
lower hull. For this I used a Minicraft drill with a
grinding bit in it.
Although the original intention was to
depict the model as completely water proofed,
I decided to show it as being in the process
of, so I fixed the normal parts from the kit in …and with the track
place such as the driver’s visor, periscopes and guards removed.
hatches. I left off some of the details such as
the running lights and cables as I intended to
place camnets in those positions. The one place
that I did “water proof” on the hull was the two
engine air intakes. Accurate Armour supply
parts to do this, but I used pieces of card cut to
size and then glued the etched mesh in place.
I changed the lids on the three stowage bins.
For the two on the RHS, I used pewter cut to
size and pressed the indentations with an old
ball point pen. For the one on the left hand
side I used thin card, scored in the same way. I
fixed this one in place in the open position as I Aber track guards in place.
wanted to add some stores later.
I used the string that came with the kit for
the tow ropes as these would be more pliable
than wire ones, and fixed them in place along
with the brackets on the sides of the bins. Once
painted, they look OK. I anchored the front of
the tow ropes to one of the shackles with some
15amp fuse wire.
The rear portion of the track guards in the
kit are wrong for this early version as they
shouldn’t have the step effect, so I made new
The front upper hull join. A little putty was added to the rear hull join.
ones from 10thou card.
The Accurate Armour set for the Centaur
includes the wading trunk on the photo-etched
fret. It’s fine, but my soldering skills leave much
to be desired, so after I made a pig’s breakfast
of it I resorted to the good old standby -
plastic card. I used the one in the AA set for
the dimensions, cut out the parts and then
assembled it.
TURRET
The turret was assembled as per the kit’s
instructions, but minus the 95mm howitzer,
although I did include the breech inside as this
would be seen with the hatches open. I super Stowage boxes in place Replacement lids have been fitted.
glued the main gun from the AA set, complete
Tow ropes… …and attachment points

Replacement plain, rear track guards made from card. The deep wading trunk, made from plastic card. Deep wading trunk in place.
The box like structure

with water proofing. As the engine intakes along around the loaders hatch.
Turret with waterproofed howitzer.
the sides of the hull would have been water
proofed, there was a need for a means for air
to get to the engine. This was accomplished by
having the loaders hatch open permanently. To
do this, a box like structure was erected around
the hatch with a couple of brackets inside
to keep the hatches open. All this is
included on the AA etched sheet.
To finish the turret off, the
searchlight was detailed with etched
brackets from the Eduard set and wiring
from 10amp fuse wire. There’s
no mention of a searchlight in The repositioned
the Tamiya instructions, but searchlight and
Seawolf carried one, albeit in its cabling.
a slightly different position
to Cromwells. It was mounted
slightly further back on the
left hand side of the turret.
There’s also an extra aerial base
mounted on the LHS, just in
front of the commander’s hatch.
Finally, I used the kit supplied B set aerial base.
It’s a little on the thick side, but once mounted
in the chuck of a mini drill and run up against a
sanding stick, it doesn’t look too bad.
….AND TO FINISH OFF…

AA supplies you with the bracket that fix to the
engine deck for the release wire that attaches
to the trunking, and four etched turn buckles.
Getting this all attached was a complete pain,
but I achieved it with some copper wire and a lot
of super glue, although the wire is a bit slack.
I then turned my attention to the pioneer
tools, removing the kits attachment parts with a
sharp blade, and then fixing them in place with
the parts from the Eduard set. The finished article, complete with stowage.
As for the stowage, I chose to use poetic
licence here and took ideas from photos of
different Centaurs. Who knows? Maybe at
some stage, the Centaur that I was modelling
was loaded in this way. At the rear on the
RHS, I glued an ammo box next to where the
tow rope ends were located. I made a frame
from thin card to accommodate four jerry cans
(Italeri) and fixed them at the rear of the track
guard. On top of the engine deck I glued some
equipment which came from Value Gear with a
camnet in front. At the front I covered up the
fact that I didn't attach the two side lights or
the bolt heads for the track guard brackets with
a camouflage net on the left hand side and a
small tarp on the right. The camouflage nets are
from a company called SB Scotia or SB Models
which I believe doesn’t exist anymore.
A couple of additional items that I added
were some spare tracks to the front of
the glacis plate which were some left over
Fruilmodel links, and a length of fine chain
looped around the headlamp guards and joined
Ready for paint now.
together with a spare towing shackle. A

B PAINT AND DECALS

The first job here was to mask off the already
painted lower hull. Once this was done, the
upper hull and turret were given a coat of grey
auto primer. I usually use a mix of Tamiya paints
for the top coat, but I’d run out of one colour,
but fortunately, I had a set from Mig of British
AFV colours from 1939-1945 which contained
SCC2. A couple of coats covered very nicely.
I brushed on a coat of Daler and Rowney’s
acrylic artist’s varnish, which gives a nice glossy
surface ready for the decals.
I started with the turret as this had the most
work involved. I had actually made the work
twice as hard for myself as I had added the
four lifting lugs and the searchlight. This meant
that I had to cut holes in the clear part of the
decals to go around them. In the end, it worked
out okay and they lay on the surface without a
problem after some Microsol was applied. Painted and with decals in place.
The rest of the decals came from the
Peddinghaus set for the Centaur.
They were then sealed in with another coat of
varnish and once dry the whole thing was given
an overall brushed application of Mig’s Dark
Wash. After about 15 minutes, most of this was
removed with a wide flat brush moistened with
white spirit. Once I was happy with the effect of
the wash, the whole thing was sealed in with a
coat of Daler and Rowney’s matt varnish.
I carried out some detail painting of the
stowage, pioneer tools, jerry cans, spare tracks
and the tow ropes using, Vallejo acrylics. The
wooden handles of the tools were first painted
with a light cream and then wiped over with
some yellow ochre oil paint, removing most of
this with a dry brush.
I’m not a big fan of post shading with an
airbrush, mainly because I’m rubbish at it. To
achieve the same results, I used pigments from
Carrs, which have a slightly oily texture and A view of the completed
stick to matt surfaces quite well when applied model from the rear.
with a brush. I kept scratches and chips to the
minimum as these tanks had spent a long time
in storage, but I did add some on the jerry cans
and the bottom of the open stowage bin.
DISPLAY BASE
Before finally setting the model on a base there
were a couple of small jobs to finish off.
I painted the inner part of the searchlight
silver and fitted the lens in place, and then added
a couple of Accurate Armour radio aerials. I
wanted a figure to lean against the tank to give
it scale, so I selected one from the from the
Masterbox set for British and Commonwealth
AFV Crew, but with the head exchanged for
one from a Verlinden set for British Tankers.
A couple of useful things about this figure are
that he has a spoon in his right hand and a tin of
food in his left, and the head from the Verlinden
set has his mouth open. Put it all together and
he’s eating some cold compo. To add to this, I
made up a compo box from a sheet that I have
of various sized compo ration boxes, from a
Belgium company called Unicorn models, and
fixed it onto the left rear track guard. Using
a suitable sized length of sprue, I cut several
pieces from it and glued them inside the box and
painted them to look like compo tins.
All that remained now was to make a
suitable base. The best idea that I came up
with was for it to be positioned at the top of Ready to be added
a ramp that leads down to the water, and the to the base.
tank would be sitting at the top of the ramp,

half on the level, half on the slope. This way,
the displaced road wheels and track could be
shown to the best effect. The basic structure
was 80thou black card with the ramp painted
to look like concrete. I added a length of rope
with a mooring ring on the end and also some
pigments to dirty it up a little.
CONCLUSION
I started this build at the back end of 2016,
got part way through it and then left it alone
for nearly two years. I finished it off in 2018,
but it wasn’t until a couple of months ago that
I actually got around to making the base for it
and positioning it with the figure. This is the
fourth Cromwell/Centaur that I’ve built and I
have to say that this particular Tamiya kit is
one of my favourites. I have another two in the
stash so I haven’t run out yet. n
Modelspec
Tamiya 1:35 British Cruiser Tank Centaur C.S. Mk.IV. Kit No. 35232
Accessories Used:
The figure is from the Masterbox • Fruilmodel tracks. • Vallejo acrylic paints.
set for British and Commonwealth • Accurate Armour waterproofing • Mig weathering powders and
AFV Crew, but with the head kit. washes.
exchanged for one from a • Aber & Eduard etched brass items. • Carr’s weathering powders.
Verlinden set for British Tankers. • Tamiya & Peddinghaus decals. • Daler & Rowney gloss and matt
• Italeri jerry cans. varnish.
• Value Gear stowage. • Tools & Materials.
“ This is the fourth Cromwell/Centaur that

I’ve built and I have to say that this particular
• SB Scotia camnets.
• Tank Workshop chain.
• Unicorn Models compo boxes.
• Minicraft drill.
• RP Toolz etched brass bending
tool.
• Finishing Products. • Plasticard.
Tamiya kit is one of my favourites... • Tamiya paints. • Fuse wire.
” Available from
Tamiya kits are distributed in the UK by The Hobby Company Limited
www.hobbyco.net
The complete scene.

Book Reviews
EAST AFRICA 1940-1941 (LAND CAMPAIGN)
THE ITALIAN ARMY DEFENDS THE EMPIRE
IN THE HORN OF AFRICA
MUSSOLINI’S WAR VOL.1
BY MAREK SOBSKI
PUBLISHED BY HTTP://WOJNA-MUSSOLINIEGO.PL
SOFT COVER, 465 PAGES
ISBN 9798577669120
AVAILABLE VIA AMAZON, UK PRICE £22.38 PLUS POSTAGE
While Italy’s part in the campaign in North Africa While the British side was more able to supply
is fairly well known, its forces were also involved in fresh troops and modern equipment the Italians
another part of Africa. It had extensive possessions were hampered by having to rely almost entirely
in East Africa in the area they knew as Africa on what they had at the start of the war. Much
Orientale Italiana or AOI - literally Italian East Africa. of this was obsolete or at least obsolescent while
With its coast on the Red Sea it was a threat to ammunition and fuel were major concerns. It could
shipping through the Suez Canal which linked the be said that the outcome of the campaign was a
United Kingdom with India, Malaya, Australia and foregone conclusion but it is a credit to the Italians
New Zealand as well as to the oil fields of Iran and that the campaign lasted 18 months.
Iraq. As such it was of great strategic importance to The overall situation is described with basic details
the UK and the Axis. It was bordered by the British- of the area’s history and the equipment used
controlled areas of Sudan and Kenya with Uganda by both sides, then each part of the campaign
close by while Egypt was not far away. This made is followed. These began with Italian attacks on
attacks by either side on the other an easy matter. Sudan and Kenya as soon as war was declared, show. But it was far more than that and deserves
The campaign there lasted from June 1940 - when then the conquest of British Somaliland. From then coverage in its own right. This is the first in a
Italy declared war - to November on they were on the defensive and planned series of books on Mussolini’s forces at
1941. Most of the Italian forces steadily pushed back. Many small war which is intended to cover land, sea and
involved were locally-raised troops actions were fought, including air matters. If the remainder are up to the same
with various units from Italy itself, attacks on tanks by cavalry. standard as this they will be very useful to English-
while on the British side troops came Overall this is a balanced account speaking readers.
from the UK, all over Africa, Indian giving equal coverage to both Reviewer’s footnote - I will confess to having
Army contingents and even included sides. Useful appendices cover played a small part in the preparation of this book
Belgian, Cypriot and Palestinian equivalent ranks and biographies of as I was proof reader to the translation from Polish
forces. While it was mostly fought major Italian leaders, an extensive by Tomasz Basarabowicz and eagle-eyed readers
by infantrymen, there was some bibliography and finally - somewhat might spot that I have a one-page inclusion as
use of armoured cars and tanks strangely! - the contents. Photos and Appendix 4. But like the author I have tried to be
with support from the air and sea maps are also included. balanced in my comments.
although these are only covered as This is a campaign which is often Recommended.
part of the land fighting. overlooked or dismissed as a side Peter Brown
THE WESTERN FRONT,

A HISTORY OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR
BY NICK LLOYD
PENGUIN VIKING
ISBN 9780241347164
2021 HARDBACK, 657 PAGES
RRP £25.00
“It was an honour to have crossed swords with town populations. Western Front Entente forces
you” – words of the German victor at the Liege included Portuguese, Russians and early war
Fortress refusing the sword of the vanquished American volunteers. Britain’s Empire and Dominion
commandant in 1914, but vestiges of chivalry and French Colonial troops- Moroccans were often
vanished in the Belgian civilian atrocities, the in the fiercest fighting and highest casualties.
gas attacks, the machineguns and artillery Increasingly sophisticated artillery bombardment
bombardments. and defensive techniques, and use of combined
Written from the perspective of (particularly French) land and air warfare to achieve or prevent trench
senior commanders - Joffre, Foch, Petain, French, line breakthroughs. The new battlefield weapon,
Kitchener, Haig, Moltke, Falkenhayn, Hindenburg, the tank, used with increasing effectiveness: Mark1s
Ludendorf, Pershing and many others – some at Flers, Mark IVs at Cambrai, the Schneider CA1s at
losing sons in the fighting, some “haunted by Berry-au-Bac, St Chamonds at Malmaison, Renault
dead friends”, their sometimes difficult relations FT-17s at Soissons, Whippets at Amiens, and A7Vs
with politicians and other commanders. And, in the first tank versus tank action. The generals
the battles – Mons, Vimy, the Marne, Ypres, the made mistakes but did politicians at Versailles in
“mutual annihilation” of the Somme, Verdun, the 1919 make less? A big read and a lot packed into
devastating undermining of the Messines Ridge, it; books on other WW1 Fronts to follow.
Passchendale, Mort Homme, and the US Army at Thanks to Penguin Viking for the sample.
Argonne – and always casualty counts the size of John Ham, February 2021

GERMAN 88MM GUN VS ALLIED ARMOUR,
NORTH AFRICA 1941-43
OSPREY DUEL 109
BY DAVID GREENTREE, DAVID CAMPBELL, 2021
ISBN 9781472841155
When Rommel arrived in Tunis with his Afrika Korps targeted at long ranges. The Lend-Lease Grants, and
in March 1941, he brought Flak Regiment 33 and its particularly Shermans had more all-round capability and
88mm guns. Many more would follow. The desert could offer long range fire support. 88mm batteries
battles would pitch 88mm heavy Flak – Flak 18, 36, 37, emplaced guns facing in different directions, protected by
and briefly 41 guns - against the tank formations of the lighter FlaK and machine guns, to counter flanking tank
British 8th and 1st Armies, and later the tanks of US 1st attacks. The 88s, operating with the Panzers would often
Armoured Division. The bulky 88mm FlaK guns were inflict heavy losses on enemy tank units: Halfaya Pass, Sidi
high, difficult to conceal, awkward to use and sand Rezegh, the 3 week Battle of Gazala where British massed
clogged barrel rifling and moving parts. Relocating guns tank brigades fought panzers, antitank guns and Italian
relied on availability of Sd.Kfz. 7 or 8 halftracks. tanks, Mersa Matruh, Alam Halfa, and Alamein.
British armour effectiveness was handicapped by the By 1943 Rommel had retreated back to Tunisia but his
infantry- cruiser tank concept, mechanical unreliability guns still hit US tanks hard at Sidi Bou Sid.
(excepting the dependable M3 Honeys), and poor Recommended.
coordination with other arms on the battlefield; in early Thanks to Osprey for the sample.
battles, tanks “balaklavering” - charging the guns - were John Ham, March 2021
STORM-333, KGB AND SPETSNAZ SEIZE KABUL,

SOVIET-AFGHAN WAR 1979
OSPREY RAID 54
BY MARK GALEOTTI., 2020
ISBN 9781472841872
BMPs and BTR-60 APCs race up the hill towards the the Muslim Battalion of Spetsnaz undercover as part of
Tajbeg Palace under fire from rocket propelled grenades Amin’s protection force; KGB commandos providing VIP
and machine guns; the survivors burst through the security; and paratroops guarding Bagram airbase.
entrances lobbying grenades. Elsewhere other combat The Soviet invasion force was presented as Amin’s
teams supported by ZSU-23-4 Shilkas attack the barracks requested military aid. Ahead of the palace attack,
of palace security battalions and T-62 tanks. Meanwhile Afghan tanks had been disabled by Soviet specialists
hundreds of kilometres away Soviet tank columns had advising removal of batteries and fuel in maintenance
already crossed the Afghan border. servicing; the city telephone network was sabotaged.
Wars always begin with the politics. Afghanistan Storm-333 accomplished its mission in 43 minutes;
had experienced a coup, but new President Amin, concurrently paratroopers from Bagram seized key
though Marxist, had destabilised the country through locations in Kabul with little opposition. The raid
overzealous and unpopular reforms. Amin sought gives an interesting comparison with Western Special
Soviet military intervention to quell the uprisings, but Forces missions but bear the same hallmarks – secrecy,
also made overtures to the US. Schturm-333, tasked to surveillance, subterfuge, speed, surprise and deception.
assassinate Amin and install a more stable and reliable Recommended.
ruler would secure Russia’s southern border. Units Thanks to Osprey for the sample.
already stationed in Kabul would carry out the mission: John Ham, March 2021
SOVIET T-62 MAIN BATTLE TANK

OSPREY PUBLISHING
BY JAMES KINNEAR AND STEPHEN SEWELL,
ISBN 9781472848222
2021 HARDBACK 224 PAGES
RRP £30
In the Beijing Military Museum is a T-62 - a trophy tank, The T-62M of 1983, a major upgrade had a laser
captured in 1969 in a vicious border battle at the Ussuri rangefinder, a laser guided fired through the bore missile,
River. No longer secret, the USSR exported large numbers, turret “brow” armour, and hull side skirts. The later
the T-62 deploying on most battlefields of the last fifty T-62MV added Kontakt reactive armour as additional
years, from the wars in Afghanistan, the Arab-Israeli Wars, HEAT round defence. T-62 variants were few: the IT-1
two Gulf Wars, the less publicised conflicts in the Middle missile tank, BTS-4V engineer tank, and Impulse-2M
East, Africa, former Soviet republics, to today’s unfinished fire fighting vehicle, but many experimental test beds,
Yemeni, Afghanistan, Iraq and Syrian wars. Yet, Kartsev’s some bizarre as the Zontik umbrella anti-RPG mesh, and
Obiekt 166, the future T-62, based on the T-54 and T55, Obiekt-80 T-62 hydrofoil beach assault tank conversion.
overshadowed by rival but delayed new medium tank, The packed Appendix has data, statistics, articles on
the T-64 to-be, had an attribute. radios, ballistic tables and gunsights, and underwater
The T-62’s powerful 115mm 5-UTS Molot smoothbore driving. This comprehensive collaboration nicely
gun and high penetration APFSDS rounds could defeat combines manual illustrations, artwork, period and
expected new armament NATO tanks. In-production walkaround photo sets from private collections.
improvements included M1967 with simpler OVPT A good one, recommended.
underwater swimming system and M1972 with new Thanks to Osprey for the sample.
cast turret incorporating AA MG ring. John Ham, March 2021
A round-up of the latest news and releases in 1:72 and 1:76
BUILD REVIEW - ItaLERI 1:72 t-55a • KIt No. 7081
TINY
I
T-55
n an earlier issue of Model Military
International I did an in-box review of this kit
and was sufficiently intrigued by it to do a full
build review. The last time I built a 1:72 AFV I
visible with the engine deck hatches open. When
these had been cleaned up I glued the swing
arms and front axles with Tamiya Extra Thin
liquid cement, using a straight edge to make
Andy King can’t
resist building Italeri’s
new small scale T-55.
The engine was assembled and for the scale
looks pretty good. The only issue was the
locating pins for parts 13B were too short so
I replaced these by cutting off the kit parts,
was around 9 or 10 years old and it was the Airfix sure all five axles were straight and level. When drilling out the holes and inserting a length of
Panzer IV, lovingly brush painted with Airfix Matt satisfied I ran superglue around the joints and styrene rod. The engine was left separately for
Sand from the glass bottles they used to have. while these were setting I cleaned up the road ease of painting later.
wheels, idlers and sprockets making sure to I skipped ahead in the instructions to Step
ASSEMBLY drill out the lightening holes in the wheels as 5 and again deviated from the plan as the
Anyway, moving on and after looking through some of these were flashed over, the sprockets instructions show to join the two track halves
the instructions I decided to go a different route needed some flash removing from them too. The on the idlers and sprockets and I could see
regarding the hull sides. Before gluing them to wheels were then glued to the axles with the that being a problem. Instead I joined the
the lower hull I filled in the pin marks on the combination of Tamiya liquid glue and superglue tracks together and when set began wrapping
inside faces with superglue in case they were and left to set for a day or so. them around the running gear and aiming for
The locating pins for the flywheels either side were too short On the inner faces of the hull sides there are pin marks that may be The engine looks pretty good for the scale but with the addition
and replaced with styrene rod cut to a longer length. visible if you have the engine hatches open. These were filled with of some wiring it will improve it a lot.
superglue and when set sanded down.
When gluing axles in place I find it useful to line them up
using a straight edge.
The wheels needed the round lightening holes drilling out

as some were flashed over. Really they should be a tear
drop shape but in this scale it’s close enough for me. The
detail on the wheels is pretty good but I missed the mal-
formed hub cap on the third wheel from the front.
The hair dryer method wasn’t working so I ended up just

gently bending the track with tweezers. In the picture one The completed runs of track. These were fixed in place using Tamiya
length had broken due to me being too heavy-handed but it Extra Thin liquid glue, followed up with superglue to speed up the
The two lengths of track either side were glued together
glued back together with no problem. You will also notice dying time. The track needed some slight trimming underneath to
and when set the lightening holes in each link were
that the join is underneath a road wheel rather than on the join up properly and another reason why I put the joint here.
punched through with a fine square file as most of these
were flashed over. sprockets and idlers as shown in the instructions.
I decided to glue the hull sides at this point but not

the engine as it would help with painting later on. Also
at the rear of the left track you can see the stress
mark from where it was bent around the sprocket.
The upper hull with the

You can see on part addition of the fuel tanks
D11 the thick sprue and stowage boxes. The
gates either side fit of it is pretty good and
which made clean can be kept separate for
up difficult. ease of painting.
the joint to be underneath a road wheel. It is give Italeri credit, the splash guard on the glacis (depending on which version you are modelling)
recommended in the instructions to use a heat plate and front mudguards are commendably of either a stowage box or a grab handle on the
source such as a hair dryer to help bend the thin so full marks to them for that. Also the left side of the turret. The Commander’s hatch
tracks but after blowing most of the stuff off inside face of the large engine deck cover (part features some detail on the inside face and all
the bench and getting nowhere, I found it was 5A) has the grills moulded on to match the that is missing is the locking lever, by contrast
easier to just gently bend them with the help outside which is a nice observation. the loaders hatch is bare so I glued it shut.
of tweezers. I did manage to break a couple of The fuel tanks on the rear hull needed the The DShK anti-aircraft gun is reasonable
sections but they were easy enough to fix, in slots opening up so that they would fit on for the scale but the turret has a few issues
fact I think it actually helped at one point. With the brackets and I took the advice on the such as the gaps around the two oval shaped
the tracks in place and trimmed where they instructions about using thin copper wire (such sighting vision blocks either side of the gun
joined together under a wheel, they were glued as that found on headphone leads) to make the plus the connecting rod between the infra-red
to the running gear and left to set before fixing tow cables. For this I drilled out the ends of the search light and gun mantlet is far too short
them to the hull sides. tow cable eyes then twisted five strands of wire and needs replacing. The small searchlight has
I then went back to Step 4 and added the together before gluing them into place. Doing a sink mark in the centre and going back to
stowage boxes, fuel tanks etc to the upper hull. this makes them look far superior to anything the mantlet, it does not have the canvas cover
Tthe only thing to note here is the large sprue you would get injection moulding-wise so it is on it so if you require one then you need to
gates where the parts attach. Because of this, a very sensible suggestion plus trying to cut make one from tissue paper soaked in water
clean-up was tricky as these gates were on the tow cables off the sprue is bad enough due to and white PVA glue or sculpt one from epoxy
lips of the tool box lids and care was needed breakages in 1:35 let alone 1:72 scale. modelling clay such as Milliput. A
not to remove them. On the flip side, and to Moving onto to the turret, you have a choice

A round-up of the latest news and releases in 1:72 and 1:76
B CONCLUSION turret and the brush guard for the headlights schemes for the T-55 including those that were
With that the kit was built and my first 1:72 AFV can be made from scratch using wire and just used in Bosnia during the 1990s (and which
in nearly 50 years of modelling. Things have doing that would improve the look of the model would also get around having to add a cover
certainly moved on since my Airfix Panzer IV no end. There are only a couple of bloopers to the mantlet) so if you wanted to build a few
as I was quite impressed with the level of detail on the instructions such as part A13 which but have limited space then this kit is ideal, the
and finesse, especially those front mudguards is actually A12 and the connecting rod (part retail price is not really extortionate either.
and the general fit of parts. Obviously some A16) is mentioned as ‘optional’ which to my Highly recommended to fans of modern small
things have had to be simplified due to the scale knowledge it isn’t unless you remove the infra- scale armour. n
as it would have been impossible to include the red searchlight mounting completely (as seen
fuel lines for the fuel tanks on the right fender on some T-55s in the Middle East). Thanks to The Hobby Company Limited for the
but these, as well as the grab handles on the There are endless versions and colour review sample www.hobbyco.net
You have the choice (depending on the painting …..or a grab handle. To be fair the grab handles on the Everything had been going pretty well with the fit of The connecting rod between the gun barrel and
option) of whether to have a stowage box on the turret are not that bad but I would replace them with parts until it came to the covers either side of the searchlight is far too short and needs replacing with
turret side…. ones made from wire. mantlet for the sighting system as these were very styrene rod or brass wire.
bad and will require filling. The mantlet itself has no
canvas cover either and you will need to make one
from tissue paper soaked in water and white glue if
you require one.
The completed model. The tow

cables were made from five
strands of fine copper wire that
you would find in a broken pair of
headphones. I posed the engine
hatches open but note that it is
impossible to fit the turret with
them in place like that and I had
to trim the front turret locating
lug. The brush guard for the
headlights need replacing with
one made from wire as it is too
thick. In summary, this was a nice
little kit and with some refine-
ment it will look really good!

raft T
l C IF MODEL
de
Mo E
G MILITARY INTERNATIONAL LIMITED TIME
FRE SUBSCRIPTION OFFER

SUBSCRIBE OR RENEW FOR 24 ISSUES
AND RECEIVE A FREE GIFT WORTH £28 RRP!
We have teamed up with our friends at Model Craft so we can • Precise masking with no
offer you a special gift for subscribing with us for 24 issues. paint bleed
• Acid free
Flexible Masking Tape Set
• 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 6mm &
These making tapes are ideal for Modelling, Airbrushing, Arts, 10mm widths, 18m length
Craft, Hobby and even those smaller DIY tasks. The tape sticks,
• Comes in twin packs, so you
stays and removes cleanly. It is also U.V. protected for masking
receive 10 packs
in direct sunlight.
This flexible acid free tape is designed to follow curved lines and • 180m of masking mayhem!
contoured surfaces without creasing, tearing or paint bleed. • FREE GIFT worth over £28!
* Terms and conditions

While stocks last. Customers attempting to take out this offer after all stock is gone will be contacted before any money is taken. Subscriptions taken out with this offer will not be refunded if cancelled.
Doolittle Media Ltd., Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX, Great Britain
W. www.doolittlemedia.com E. enquiries@doolittlemedia.com T. +44 (0) 1525 222573

2 YEAR MMI SUBSCRIPTION OFFER 2 year subscription:- UK; £100, Europe; £124, Worldwide; £150
Please be aware that all credit/debit cards are processed through PayPal and this may appear on your bank statement
First name ...........................................................................................................................................

Renewal/Extension New Subscription Starting with issue No..........................
Surname...............................................................................................................................................
Please tick to
Address.................................................................................................................................................
Please debit my credit/debit card for £................................. confirm that n
Visa Mastercard Maestro Cheque you accept with the
.................................................................................................................................................................... Payable to terms and conditions
Doolittle Media Ltd.
Card number:
....................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................
nn
Maestro only
.................................................................................................................................................................... Expiry date.................... Valid from.................... CCV Code.................... Issue No...........

3 digits on the signature strip If applicable
....................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................
Signature .................................................................................Date............................................
Country...............................................................Post/zip code ..................................................
Please call our subscription line or mail this form, or a copy, to;
Telephone Number........................................................................................................................ Doolittle Media, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX, UK
Tel; +44(0)1525 222573 Email; enquiries@doolittlemedia.com Online; www.doolittlemedia.com
Email .......................................................................................................................................................
(Photocopies of this form are acceptable)
BUYERS GUIDE>>>>>>>>>
AVID READER PARABELLUM
Tel: 01299 823 330 Fax:01299 829 970 Tel: 0121 551 8878 Fax: 0121 707 1471
Unit 10, Hodfar Road, Sandy lane Ind Estate, Stourport On Severn, Worcestershire, DY13 9QB
54 Vyse Street, Hockley, Birmingham, BI8 6HR
MILITARY, AVIATION, NAVAL, MODELLING,
RAILWAYS, CAR & MOTORCYCLE BOOKS 11.00AM TO 5.30PM THURSDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY
9.30 – 4.30 MONDAY TO FRIDAY BY APPOINTMENT ONLY SPECIALISING IN AIRCRAFT, ARMOUR, VEHICLES & FIGURES IN 1/72, 1/48 & 1/35,
VALLEJO PAINTS, MAIL ORDER
WWW.BOOKWORLDWS.CO.UK 1/48 website: www.parabellum.co.uk email: sales@ parabellum.co.uk
INFO@BOOKWORLDWS.CO.UK VISA/MASTERCARD/MAESTRO MASTERCARD/VISA
MODELS FOR SALE HANNANTS MODEL SHOP

modelsforsale.com Tel: 0208 205 6697 Fax: 01502 500521
Unit 2, Hurricane Trading Estate, Grahame Park Way, Colindale, NW9 5QW
PLASTIC MODEL KITS, NEW, SECOND-HAND, AND DISCONTINUED. OPEN 10.00AM - 5.30PM, THURS & FRI OPEN UNTIL 7.00PM
BOOKS AND ACCESSORIES. NO1 IN EUROPE FOR PLASTIC KITS AND ACCESSORIES
INCLUDING THE FULL RANGE OF TAMIYA (NOT RC)
Tel: 01933 622654
email: sales@hannants.co.uk www.hannants.co.uk
sales@modelsforsale.com 1/2 mile from
Unit 3 Dean Close - RaUnDs - noRthants nn9 6BD raf museum MASTERCARD/VISA/SWITCH
ADVERTISE ON THIS PAGE!

IF YOU ARE READING THIS
THEN SO ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS.
FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION,
EMAIL RICHARD@DOOLITTLEMEDIA.COM
OR CALL 07708 028024
WEB BROWSER>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
eduard.com www.hobbyco.net italeri.com
creativemodels.co.uk tamiya.com revell.de/en
doolittlemedia.com
NEW FORU MS INCLU DING
MILITARY MODELLING FORU M
www.missing-lynx.com
www.hyperscale.com
SQUADRON BOOKS
10248 10249
CH-47 Chinook in Action UH-1 Huey in Action
More than 160 archival colour Illustrated with more than 220
photos, augmented by 48 vintage photos, 160 of which are vintage
black and white images and color, and supplemented by
numerous line drawings, present a numerous line illustrations.
clear and concise illustrated history
of this iconic helicopter.
........................................£14.99 ........................................£14.99
10241 2046
F-105 Thunderchief In Action M48A3 Patton Vietnam in Action
Nearly 200 vintage photos – more Illustrated with 109 photos, plus
than half are in original color. These color profiles and detailed line
photos are augmented with a dozen drawings.
line drawings and eight colour
profiles.
........................................£14.99 ........................................£14.99
5606 12049
Nimitz Class Aircraft Carriers LTV(4) Amtrac in Action
On Deck
Illustrated with over 225 vintage
Illustrated with more than 300 photographs plus colour profiles and
photographs, plus color profiles and over a dozen colour renderings and
detailed line drawings. detailed line drawings.
........................................£15.99 ........................................£14.99
10235 34001
Helldiver In Action USS Arizona Squadron at Sea
Illustrated with 194 photos, many Illustrated with 288 photographs,
in color. 5 detailed line drawings, 7 color
illustrations.
........................................£14.99 ........................................£16.99
10263 10206
UH-60 Black Hawk in Action F-14 Tomcat in Action
Illustrated with over 250 B/W and Contains more than 175 photos of
colour photos. which most are in full colour, line
drawings and profiles.
........................................£14.99 ........................................£14.99
THIS IS JUST A SELECTION

OF OUR RANGE AT
WWW.DOOLITTLEMEDIA.COM
Contact Details - for companies featured in MMI...
ACCURATE ARMOUR/ DARTMOOR MILITARY MODELS MDC SCHATTON BARRELS
ARMOUR DISTRIBUTION Haylis cottage, Budlake, Broadclyst Model Design Construction, Victoria Place, Industriestrasse 6, 94347 Ascha, Germany
Units 15-16 Kingston Industrial Estate, Exeter, EX5 3LJ, England Victoria Road, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3FW Fax; 09961 910 7826
Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, PA14 5DG Scotland. Tel; 01392 881271 Fax; 01773 513344
Tel; 01475 743 955 www.dartmoormilitarymodels.com orders@modeldesignconstruction.com SCHIFFER BOOKS
Fax; 01475 743746 www.modeldesignconstruction.com Schiffer Publishing, 4880 Lower Valley Rd,
www.accurate-armour.com DELUXE MATERIALS Atglen, PA, 19310 USA
www.deluxematerials.co.uk MODELING ARTISAN MORI www.schifferbooks.com
ADALBERTUS info@deluxematerials.com http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~m.a.mori/index_eng.html
Iberyjska 7/49, 02-764, Warsaw, Poland Tel; 01529 455 0340 SCHIFFER BOOKS in UK
adalbertus@adalbertus.com.pl MIG PRODUCTIONS Bushwood Books, No.6 Marksbury Avenue,
www.adalbertus.com.pl DRAGON MODELS (Creative Models in UK) Kew Gardens, Surrey TW9 4JF, UK.
(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; info@bushwodbooks.co.uk
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
www.airbrushes.com (For 1:6 Action Figures, please contact Amerang in UK) 9 Rannoch St., Battlefield, Glasgow G44 4DF, Scotland
Tel/Fax; 0141 633 1400 SDV MODEL
ALCLAD II LACQUER ECHELON FINE DETAILS milicastmodels@hotmail.com www.sdvmodel.cz
5 St Georges Close, Bacton, Norfolk, NR12 0LL Available from; wwwaccurate-armour.com & www.milicast.com
Tel; 01962 65216 http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~kriegsketten/ SIMPLE 2 TRADE
Fax; 01692 652334 MISSION MODELS No 2 Hollywood Lane, Hollywood,
FRIENDSHIP MODELS (ETCHMATE, GRABHANDLER, MICRO CHISEL) Birmingham, B47 5PP
ALPINE, ROYAL MODEL, ARTISAN 12 Delta Drive, Musselburgh, East Lothian, EH21 8HR www.etchmate.com Tel; 0121 474 3030
MORI, YOSCI; SMARTMODELLING Tel; 0131 665 0866 www.missionmodels.com www.simple2trade.com
No.7 Gordons Way, Oxted, Surrey RH8 0LN. UK Mobile; 07877166225 Tel; 818 842 1885
Tel; 01883 734746 www.friendshipmodels.com Fax; 818 842 1886 SMARTMODELLING
smartmodelling@smart7.fsworld.co.uk info@missionmodels.com, (Swash, Tasca, Gap, Yosci, Royal Model)
GREAT NORTH ROADS sales@missionmodels.com, No.7 Gordons Way, Oxted, Surrey RH8 0LN UK
AMPERSAND PUBLISHING 9a Marcombe Road, Torquay, South Devon, TQ2 6LL orders@missionmodels.com Tel; 01883 734746
(via Historex Agents in UK) Tel; 01803 400436 smartmodelling@smart7.fsworld.co.uk
235 NE 6th Avenue #4 Delray Beach, www.greatnorthroads.co.uk THE ARMORY; M&MODELS
Florida 33483-5543, USA email svfarrugia@yahoo.co.uk 9329 S. Cicero Ave, Oak Lawn, IL 60453, USA SQUADRON
Tel; 561-266 9686 http://home.earthlink.net/~mmodels/ 1115 Crowley Drive, Carrollton, TX 75006-1312 U.S.A
Fax; 561-266-9786 HANNANTS
Harbour Road, Oulton Broad, MODEL WHOLESALE UK LTD SWANN-MORTON
ARCHER Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 2LZ Tel; 01892 533036 Owlerton Green, Sheffield, S6 2BJ
(Historex in UK) Tel; 01502 517444 www.modelwholesaleuk.com Tel; +44 (0)114 234 4231
PO Box 1277 Youngsville, NC 27596-1277, USA Fax; 01502 500521 Fax; +44 (0)114 231 4966
www.archertransfers.co www.hannants.co.uk MONROE PERDU General: info@swann-morton.com
sales@hannants.co.uk Monroe Perdu Designs, 3168 Renee Court, www.craftknives.com
BADGER AIR-BRUSH COMPANY Simi Valley, CA 93065, USA
9128W Belmont Ave, Franklin Park, IL 60131 HIROBOY (Zero Paints) www.monroeperdu.com TAMIYA JAPAN
Tel; 847/678-3104 A1 Astwood Business Centre, Staverton Connection, Tamiya, Inc., 3-7 Ondawara Suruga-ku,
www.badgerairbrush.com Gloucester Road, Staverton, Cheltenham, GL51 0TF ORDNANCE MODELS Shizuoka 422-8610 JAPAN
email info@badgerairbrush.com Tel: 01684 252310 (UK office hours only) Via; www.steelmodels.com www.tamiya.com
(In the UK from www.shesto.co.uk) www.hiroboy.com
PACIFIC COAST MODELS TAMIYA UK;
BISON DECALS HISTOREX AGENTS Tel; 001 707 538 4850 THE HOBBY COMPANY LIMITED
Available from www.hannants.co.uk and Wellington House, 157 Snargate Street, info@pacmodels.com Garforth Place, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, MK5 8PG, UK
www.pdi-model-supplies.com Dover, Kent, CT17 9BZ, UK www.pacmodels.com Tel; 01908 605686 Fax; 01908 605666
Tel; 01304 206720 enquiries@hobbyco.net
BLAST MODELS Fax; 01304 204528. PANZERWRECKS www.hobbyco.net
Via AFV Modeller or www.blast-models.com www.historex-agents.co.uk PO Box 164, Heathfield, Sussex TN21 8WA, UK
sales@historex-agents.co.uk www.panzerwrecks.com TRUMPETER
BOOKWORLD WHOLESALE www.trumpeter-china.com
Unit 10 Hodfar Road, Sandy Lane Ind Est HOBBYLINK JAPAN PARAGRAFIX Pocketbond in the UK
Stourport, Worcs, DY13 9QB Sano-shi, Kurohakama-cho 162-1, 104 County Street, Suite 101, Attleboro MA 02703 USA
Tel; 01299 823330 Tochigi 327-0813, Japan Tel: +1 508.431.9800 VERLINDEN PRODUCTIONS
Fax; 01299 829970 www.hlj.com http://www.paragrafix.biz (Historex in UK)
info@bookworldws.co.uk pgms@paragrafix.biz 811 Lone Star Drive, O’Fallon, Missouri 63366, USA
HORNBY HOBBIES LTD (Airfix) www.verlinden-productions.com
CALIBRE 35 Westwood, Margate, Kent, CT9 4JX PLUS MODEL (Creative Models in UK)
Via Hannants in UK Tel; 01843 233500 Jizni 56, 370 10 C. Budejovice, Czech Republic. VALLEJO
www.hornby.com plusmodel@plusmodel.cz (Creative Models in UK)
CAMMETT www.plusmodel.cz Acrylicos Vallejo, SL Apartado 337 - 08800
(Lifecolour, Scale Caliber) HUSSAR PRODUCTIONS, CANADA Vilanova i la Geltrú, Barcelona, Spain
Unit 5 Greenfield Industrial Estate, www.airconnection.on.ca POCKETBOND Tel; (34) 93 893 60 12
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; cammettco@btinternet.com www.ianallanpublishing.com Moat Way, Barwell, Leics, LE9 8EY
www.cammett.co.uk Mail Order Dept 01455 254450 Tel; 01455 841756 VLS CORPORATION
info@pocketbond.co.uk (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 660291ukbranch@revell.de export@icm.com.ua 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 Tomsmodelworks@aol.com
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
midlandbooks@compuserve.com JUST BASES Tel/Fax; 01229 430 749 12 Prince Street, Waratah, 2298, NSW, Australia
www.classic-publications.com 21 Graham Road, Paignton TQ3 1BB sales@sbmodels.fsnet.co.uk 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 ww2prod@optusnet.com.au
(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 RICHARDSBLC@aol.com (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
info@creativemodels.co.uk Norwich Road, Ipswich, IP1 5DN office@zvezda.org.ru
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!

THE LIGHT
Next Issue
On sale 2nd September
CAR PATROL
Reference by
ISSUE No.185 September 2021,
Published 5th August 2021
Bruce Culver. Editor; Brett Green

Publisher; Alan Harman
Graphic Design; Alex Hall
Advertising; Alan Harman
Administration; Gordon Angus
MMI Website; Doolittle Media
Web Team
Distributed by;
Seymour Distribution
2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT
Tel; 020 7429 4000
Newstrade;
Select Publisher Services
3 East Avenue, Bournemouth, BH3 7BW
Tel; 01202 586848
Email; tim@selectps.com
Model Military International is published on

the first Thursday of each month by;
Doolittle Media, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane,
Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX UK
www.modelmilitary.com
Tel; +44 (0)1525 222573
Email; enquiries@doolittlemedia.com
Editorial enquiries;
Email; editor@modelmilitary.com
Advertising enquiries;
Tel; +44 (0)1525 222573
Email; alan@doolittlemedia.com
NORTHERN Subscription enquiries;

Tel; +44 (0)1525 222573
Email; enquiries@doolittlemedia.com
EXPOSURE
Tamiya’s 1:48 T-55
Reproduction in part of any text, photograph,
or illustration without written consent from
the publisher is strictly prohibited. While due
in Finnish markings care is taken to ensure the contents of
by Clayton Ockerby. Model Military International is accurate, the
publishers and printers can not accept
responsibility for errors and omissions.
Advertisements are accepted for publication

in Model Military International only on
Order online now at; www.modelmilitary.com

Doolittle Media’s standard terms of
acceptance of advertising, copies of
which are available from the advertising
department. Please write to the address
above. All advertising, circulation and
subscription enquiries should also be directed
to the UK address above.
Subscription rates are;

1 year (12 issues);
£50 UK
£62 Europe
£75 Worldwide (Airmail)
FLAKPANTHER!
Patrick Dorn’s Hobby Boss
Binders;
£8.50 plus postage
(UK £2.45, Euro £4.45, World £6.45)
For all orders, please call;
1:35 Bergepanther Ausf. D (UK) +44(0)1525 222573
or visit www.doolittlemedia.com
with 37mm Flak.
Back Issues;
Back Issues are available at the current
cover price. See the latest back issues advert
or visit www.doolittlemedia.com
The paper used in this magazine is manufactured at the
FOR YOUR SAFETY Leipa Georg Mill and is 100% recycled using de-inked
pulp. The mill conforms fully with the requirements of
both FSC and PEFC and carries the full accreditations
Don’t forget, when using solvents for their environmental policies.
such as glues, paints, thinners and cleaning
agents, always ventilate your work area
thoroughly and wear a face mask.
When using power tools, side cutters or any
tool that can suddenly break or create high-
speed airborne particles, wear approved eye
protectors with hard, clear lenses. Please
always model in safety!
The paper used on
MERKAVA IIID LIC

Mason Zhang’s Hobby Boss 1:35 Merkava IIID LIC.
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
sustainable forestry
...and much more! September 2021 - Model Military International 65

The Last Post...
AMUSING HOBBY 1:35 CENTURION MK.5 AVRE. KIT NO. 35A035
DESERT ENGINEER
Andrew Judson takes a look at the new
Amusing Hobby Centurion Mk.5 AVRE.
W
hen I heard this kit was coming I Take into account that 204 of these pieces are
must admit that I was excited. This tracks.
is the Royal Engineers vehicle as There are also twelve photo-etched parts,
used in the First Gulf War. mainly for the stowage basket, six brass
12 AVREs were deployed. None saw action on springs for the workable suspension, a piece
the front, although three were destroyed over a of thread for the tow cable, two small decal
two day period due to explosion incidents. sheets for the Gulf War variant and of course
The AVRE is modified with additional armour, a 23 page instruction manual, which includes
has the large spade fitted at front of the colour plates for three vehicles in total -
vehicle and it is fitted with a 165mm gun. BATUS, NATO and GULF.
Looking at the kit, I was immediately The parts are well moulded with very nice
impressed with the box art showing a vehicle surface details, especially the one piece slide
somewhere in the Gulf. moulded barrel with rifling. Impressive.
The parts contents are very nice with 12 This is going to build up into a very nice kit in
sprues of tan plastic parts, a bag of individual the end, and I look forward to building mine in
snap-together workable tracks, and the lower the near future.
tub for a total count of 627 parts in plastic. Purchased by reviewer. n

Model Military Int 2021-09

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Model Military Int 2021-09

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

FREE GIFT KETTENKRAFTRAD IN ACTION History and

ONCE UPON A TIME

p 50 SEAWOLF – AN EARLY CENTAUR

OZMODS NEW FIGURES

4 Model Military International - September 2021

We explore the origins

6 Model Military International - September 2021

September 2021 - Model Military International 7

Trailer train in North Africa. Abandoned Kettenkraftrad in North Africa.

8 Model Military International - September 2021

A captured vehicle under examination. Kettenkraftrad burning in the desert.

September 2021 - Model Military International 9

The engine is located on

The simple instrument cluster.

A view into the driver’s footwell. Fuel cap.

10 Model Military International - September 2021

Bovington’s Kettenkraftrad is in full running condition.

September 2021 - Model Military International 11

Graham Tetley Yay, they are back!

still feels the

Lovely detail on the turret roof.

Nothing missed on the hull tub.

This part still leaves me in awe.

The Editor builds

September 2021 - Model Military International 15

The small body of the vehicle

Layers of parts – seen

The plastic jig was then used to

The photo-etched fret

I got a head start by rolling the The grilles were glued

16 Model Military International - September 2021

…after which is may

The engine goes together quickly.

The five piece engine.

The assembled engine and

Despite the small

I was able to squeeze the

September 2021 - Model Military International 17

B INSTALLING THE TRACK PADS

The instructions suggest that

I left the assembled track

The front fork assembly

18 Model Military International - September 2021

The vehicle and trailer

Here are the separate

September 2021 - Model Military International 19

The base colour is Tamiya’s

Winsor & Newton

After a few nervous moments I

September 2021 - Model Military International 21

B Painting of the heads got

The driver’s hands were

22 Model Military International - September 2021

3 High level of detail; superb fit; includes three

September 2021 - Model Military International 23

The one-piece main upper hull part.

SIX WHEELS KEEP ON ROLLING

Two crew figures are supplied.

ALSO AVAILABLE Visit doolittlemedia.com for details

PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW ONLINE AT www.doolittlemedia.com or 01525 222573

SO, TO THE KIT

26 Model Military International - September 2021

September 2021 - Model Military International 27

Tyres on tanks always