Vargas Models, a prolific maker of extraordinary resin, 3-D printed, limited-run armor models is back with another unusual subject; the Christie Model T3E2/E3 tank. The Christie had a "convertible" drive, meaning the tank had removable tracks for road travel, allowing for higher speeds and better range, and reducing wear on the fragile caterpillar track systems of the 1930s. At the time, it was the fastest tank in the world. There are no return rollers for the upper track run; the tracks are supported by the road wheels. As with many track designs with center guide teeth, dual wheels were used, allowing the guide teeth to run between them.

Even with such a revolutionary design, the Christie was ultimately rejected by the US Army, and instead sold to the Soviets, where it served as the prototype to the venerable T-34, the most produced tank in WWII.

Green Stuff World is a Spanish company that supplies paints, weathering products, and scenery effects. They are among the newest hobby companies to provide IPMS/USA review samples. As such, I was eager to use and review this new product. According to the Green Stuff World website, the liquid pigment sets (Earth, Rust and Dust) were “especially designed to create weathering effects similar to those achieved through powdered pigments, but have the benefit of not needing a pigment fixer to bind them.” Instructions to use the liquid pigments are on their webpage and YouTube.

These pigments can be used both by brush and airbrush, are fast drying in a matt finish, are advertised as non-toxic water-based paints, are non-flammable and contain no latex.

Part of the Asia@War series, Eagles of Destiny Volume 2 is a detailed account of the transformation of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) with the help of the first US MDAP, and how its leadership utilized this opportunity to create a modern air force. It provides detailed coverage of the PAF's participation in the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War, based on official documentation and material from private collections that were previously not available to the public. The story of the Pakistan Air Force during this period is concluded by the coverage of the first build-up with the Chinese support, against the backdrop of US sanctions, highlighting and discussing the challenges and response.