M60A3 "Patton" Main Battle Tank

Published: November 26, 2017
Company: AFV Club

Background

The M60 series of tanks replaced the M48 as the main combat tank of frontline US armored combat units, first entering production in 1960. Instead of the 90mm main gun of the M48, the M60 introduced a 105mm gun. This was deemed necessary to defeat the latest Soviet T-54/55 tanks that entered service with Warsaw Pact forces in the mid to late 1950’s.

With the… more

T-54B Early Production Soviet Medium Tank

Published: November 6, 2017
Company: MiniArt

Background

The T-54B variant of the T-54 range of Soviet medium tanks was the last major variant prior to the introduction of the T-55 series. Production occurred from 1957 to 1959, and saw the introduction of a rifled barrel as the main turret armament, together with a two-plane main gun stabilization system which dramatically improved the probability of hitting the target.

… more

Soviet T-10 Heavy Tank And Variantsx

Published: July 18, 2017
Book Author(s): James Kinnear and Stephen (Cookie) Sewell
Company: Osprey Publishing

During the early 1930’s, the Soviet Union’s military embarked upon a program to produce a massive new tank force capable of defending the vast territories of the Motherland. Tank production was broken down into six “types” of vehicles: amphibious scout tanks (as there was massive amounts of waterways and marshland within the country); light tanks; infantry support tanks; fast (cavalry) tanks;… more

T-54-2 Model 1949 Soviet Medium Tank

Published: July 16, 2017
Company: MiniArt

Background

As production ramped up, it was discovered that the T-54-1 Model 1947 had a number of technical issues. This lead to relatively few vehicles being produced, and production ceasing quickly, to be replaced as the problems were sorted out with a modified variant, the Model 1949. This second variant had a different turret configuration than its predecessor, the fender mounted… more

JGSDF TYPE 10 Tank Photoetch (Tamiya kit)

Published: June 29, 2017
Company: Hauler

This photo etched brass and nickel set is designed for Tamiya’s 1/48th scale JGSDF Type 10 modern tank.

Tamiya’s line of 1/48th scale military vehicle kits are designed to be easy to assemble, in that they are brilliantly engineered for excellent fit of parts, the parts count is relatively low,… more

British Infantry Tank Mk. III Valentine Mk.II/IV

Published: June 11, 2017
Company: Tamiya

Background

During the 1930’s and the early period of the Second World War, British tank tactics involved having two types of tanks: the faster Cruiser tanks that would act as mechanized cavalry or break out vehicles, and the slower, more heavily armored Infantry tanks that would lumber into battle at a speed commensurate with supporting infantry maneuvers. Of the Infantry tanks… more

T-34/85 Running Gear Late Type

Published: February 3, 2020
Company: MiniArt

Background

For the past couple of years, MiniArt has been producing some exquisite, super detailed kits of Soviet/Red Army armored vehicles from the Second World War and immediate post-war period. The company has decided to take various components of these kits, and repackage them as “Up Grade” sets for the kits of other model companies. In the case of the set under review, MiniArt… more

T-54-1 Model 1947 Soviet Medium Tank

Published: March 10, 2020
Company: MiniArt

Background

The T-54/55 series of Soviet tanks are the most important tanks to see operation in the Cold War era, if for no other reason than sheer numbers: some estimates put total production at over 100,000 units. This series of tanks have also been used in almost every conflict of the second half of the 20^th century, large and small, beginning with the invasion of Hungary… more

M40 U.S. Self-Propelled 155mm Gun (with Aftermarket Gun Barrel)

Published: December 20, 2016
Company: Tamiya

Background

The 155mm Gun Motor Carriage M40, to give it it’s proper name, mated the M1 155mm field gun with the proven chassis of the M4 Sherman with HVSS suspension, widening and lengthening the M4A3 Sherman chassis in the process. Built by the Pressed Steel Car Company, 311 vehicles were built to replace the M12 GMC in US service. One T83 (prototype of the M40) arrived in Europe in… more

Panther Ausf. D V2 Versuchsserie

Published: December 20, 2016
Company: Dragon Models

So back in April 2016, I reviewed what was purported to be an accurate scale model of the Panther tank prototype, “Panther Ausf. D V2”, then recently released by Dragon Models as kit 6822 in their 1/35^th scale military vehicle range. The original review can be found here.

At the time I said that the model appeared accurate based on the scale plans… more