The T-35 heavy tank is perhaps the ultimate expression of the land battleship concept originally explored by the British in their Vickers A1E1 “Independent” prototype. Designed to work in conjunction with the T-28, another multi-turreted vehicle, the T-35 was intended to serve as a breakthrough tank, pushing through enemy fortifications while suppressing return fire with its antitank and antipersonnel turrets. Of course, history has proven this concept obsolete at best, and virtually all of the operational versions of this massive vehicle were crippled by their poor transmissions long before encountering any opponents on the battlefield. In total, 61 of these behemoths were manufactured, only the final six in the configuration displayed in this kit. Most of these were lost during the defense of Moscow. Only one example still exists in a museum.
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The Kit
This review covers the Time Machine Mark IV (Back To The Future III) 1:25 Scale Polar Lights Model Kit #POL932. A 2015 release, this model is a continuation of the previous Time Machine version offerings. This skill level 2 kit is molded in color in about 60 pieces in gray, clear, chrome, updated brushed steel, metal axles with waterslide and sticker license plate graphics. While the kit is fairly easy to assemble the details are small and difficult to paint. You may also need to find some online sources to supplement the build with homemade decals to really make the model stand out. The completed dimensions are Length: 7”, Width: 3”, Height: 2-1/4” and it comes with a set of rail tracks for display.
Iliad Design has released a new decal sheet in its 72nd scale line devoted to early P-40s and Tomahawks. This sheet provides you with 6 airframes, 3 in American markings and 3 in British markings.
The American options include a natural metal finish, an Olive Drab over Neutral Grey and a Olive Drab/Dark Earth over Neutral Grey. All of them sport red and white stripes in the rudder.
The British options include two Olive Drab/Dark Earth over Neutral Grey, and my personal favorite, Dark Earth/Middle Stone over Azure Blue in North African campaign markings.
The decal sheet instructions do not specify for which kit they are meant to fit (Academy, Airfix, AML, Hasegawa or HobbyBoss). That shouldn’t be an issue for most of the decals, with the exception of the red and white stripes for the rudder which might need to be trimmed to fit depending on which kit you are using.
There can’t be a modeler on the planet who doesn’t know the brand name Eduard, from the Czech Republic. They launched into the business of providing Photo Etched brass detail parts decades ago, and have expanded into injection molded plastic kits, resin detail parts, cloth seat belt sets, and canopy masks, and I am sure a couple of other lines, and seem to cover every scale, and every model subject out there. This review covers two products designed to be used with the Airfix English Electric Lightning F.2A in 1/72nd scale, an extremely nice kit that has recently been released.
The Japanese Agano-class of light cruisers had a total of 4 ships on its class: Agano, Noshiro, Yahagi and Sakaw. These ships were lightly armored command vessels that operated for destroyer and submarine squadrons.
Hasegawa has released a detail set for its Agano Class in 1/350. This set includes
- Type-41 twin 15 cm guns (x2)
- Type-41 twin 15 cm guns with rangefinder (x2)
- Type-98 twin 8cm hi-angle turret
The Agano class boxing includes the standard Type-41 and Type-98, what is added is the rangefinder and some details parts for the standard turrets to model the Yahagi and Sakawa.
The overall surface detail is excellent –as you expect from Hasegawa- and the molds are completely free of flash. The cannon holes need to be drilled, but that is to be expected of plastic parts.
This detail set is a welcome addition as it allows the base Agano kit to be converted to other ships of the same class.