Ever productive Kiev-based ICM is back again with a new offering in its Sd.Kfz. 251 halftrack line; this time with the /18 WWII German Observation Vehicle, with crew. This highly detailed, ubiquitous subject offers two build options; one sporting an MG-34 up-front, and the other a straight reconnaissance vehicle. Included are a highly detailed radio set, a full engine and transmission, and dual, posable doors in the back reflecting the early ‘A’ model design. ICM has gone all out on this gem of a kit, even adding five, fully detailed figures to the mix.
Reviews
Box Art / Packaging
The ICM Maultiers kits are presented in a rigid and glossy box with limited details of the contents offered on the side. The artwork is pleasant and depicts the three vehicles in muddy/snowy terrain. The kit indicates that the contents are half-track cars, Wehrmacht KHD S3000/SSM and Ford V3000S/SSM in cargo and sanitary versions.
Mortons Media Group was established in the 19th century and has been producing book-length publications since the early 2000s. The company established a dedicated books division in 2019 and Mortons Books has already earned a reputation for publishing high-quality titles by authors who are true experts in their field. For the best reads on rail, aviation, nostalgia and history, look no further. This book is part of their imprint: Tempest Books addresses all aspects of aviation history are covered in authoritative detail. The aviators and aircraft of the Second World War are profiled by our titles alongside more modern fighters, bombers, reconnaissance aircraft and transports. 'Secret projects' and experimental designs are also an important part of the Tempest Books portfolio.
This latest title in the excellent ShipCraft series of ship modelling books focuses on the British WWII Town, and Colony Classes and post-War Tiger-class cruisers. Authored by well-respected British naval historian and modeler, Les Brown, this 64-page monograph features 60 b&w period photos, many color photos mainly of model, some very nice color profiles illustrating WWII camouflage schemes, and some plans.
The book follows on from Brown’s earlier volume on British 6-in cruisers from the 1930s onwards and concentrates on the later wartime classes with triple-gun turrets of the Town-, Colony-. and Tiger-class, the latter of which were laid down in wartime but not completed until well afterwards and which take the story of British big-gun cruisers to it’s end in the 1970’s. One of the ships, the famous HMS Belfast, still survives as a museum ship.
Aviation Modelling International is an aircraft modeling magazine produced by Phoenix Scale Publications, hailing from Great Britain. According to the Phoenix Scale Publications website,
Phoenix Scale Publications is a partnership of four people who have worked in the modelling and aviation press for many years and have come together to produce two brand-new, high-quality modelling titles and a new book series – for modellers, by modellers - with each partner bringing their own unique talents.
The reader gets a lot of information and inspiration within its 68 pages for the cover price £5.99 ($9.99 from Sprue Brothers Models), postage will almost double that price. There is a digital version available which drops the price down to £4.99 for a single issue, or £23.99 for an annual subscription.
The July 2024 issue of Aviation Modelling International contains the following Regulars articles:
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom is probably one of the most iconic aircraft of all time. Originally developed for the U.S. Navy, the F-4 found it’s way to the Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force. This highly capable aircraft went on to become the most produced American supersonic aircraft in history. Due to its capabilities, the F-4 also served with the air forces in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Following a long-standing dispute over the sovereignty of the Malvinas / Falkland Islands, war officially broke out 42 years ago on 2nd April 1982 when Argentine forces invaded the Islands. In response the British sent a task force to counter the invasion and fight to recapture the territory. The battle that followed was a challenge for both sides. For the British, the challenge was deploying a force so far from home with limited land platforms to supply the effort. For the Argentineans, despite occupying the Islands, only one airfield out of the three (Stanley) was paved but it still wasn't long enough to operate the fast jets from, so they had to carry out their attacks from the Argentine mainland
The authors begin the book with the following introduction,
The ebook “Building the Zoukei-Mura Ta-152H in 1/32 Scale” is a part of the Scale Modelling Guide Books from KLP Publishing in Australia. This is an impressive publication with 167 pages full of pictures and great modeling ideas. The Ta-152H model from Zoukei-Mura in 1/32 scale is the subject of this publication and was built, painted, and finished by John Kim. He backdated the H1 (Super Wing Series No. SP2) kit to the earlier H0 version. Although Zoukei-Mura released the H0 model later, John did not have access to that model at that time.
The book consists of seven chapters:
This newest release derives originally from the 2018 release (#35101) and the kit is a combination of two of last year’s releases from ICM—the Krankenwagen kit (#35113) and the Military Medical Personnel figures set (#35620). The well-crafted instruction manual starts with an extensive parts map with unneeded parts highlighted in color and there are quite a few including all the clear parts and the weapons which would not be ideal for medical folks. The kit comes in ICM’s typical box art cover that slips over the front closing hinged cardboard box. Inside are six sprues of gray styrene, a clear sprue, two vinyl tires and sets of vinyl tracks, and a decal sheet featuring two schemes.