Chris Martin
Reviews By Author
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AR-2 (43105) Special Fire Hose TruckPublished:
SummaryThe kit is an extremely well detailed version of the civilian AR-2 (43105) 6x6 in service as a special fire hose truck. The model has a complete chassis with a full engine, a well detailed cab, and a fire hose box with outstanding exterior detail. The fire hose box itself is empty. So if one wanted to display the doors open an interior would need to be fabricated. BackgroundThe following is excerpted from the instruction sheet. The special fire hose truck AR-2 (43105) is designed for mechanized laying of fire hose lines from the fire site to a water source. The vehicle is based on the off-road KAMAZ-43105 6x6 chassis. A specially prepared chassis is fitted with an all-metal body with side and rear doors. Inside, the body is divided into two… more |
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German Sd.Kfz. 173 Jagdpanther Ausf. G1Published:
SummaryThe kit builds up into a nice replica of the Jagdpanther Ausf G1. And while it has some odd points the overall look is spot on. The model is well detailed, but one must watch for option call-outs for the different vehicles. The parts layout and build sequence is simple and straight forward. BackgroundThe Jagdpanther G-1 was a dedicated tank destroyer based on the chassis of the Panther Ausf A. Armed with the formidable 88mm Pak 43 anti-tank gun, it first entered service in early 1944. Serving on both the Western and Eastern fronts, the Jagdpanther was capable of disabling any tank of the period, up to and including the heavily armed and armored Soviet IS-2. However, like many German innovations, it was too little, too late. With only 415… more |
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U.S. Army Diamond T Vehicles in World War IIPublished:
BackgroundThis Casemate Illustrated Special Series is the sixth issue in the series. Other books cover ambulances and medical vehicles of WWII, Chevrolet Trucks of WWII, U.S. Army vehicle markings 1944, and U.S. Army Signal Corps vehicles 1941-45. From Review InsertBetween 1940 and 1945, Diamond T Motor Car Company supplied just over 50,000 vehicles to the US military, and also to the Allies. Of this, just over 30,000 were heavy 4-ton 6x6 trucks of varying types: cargo, tow truck, pontoon carrier, engineer, cartographic, etc. The “Diamond” would serve in all theaters of operations, wherever its robustness and reliability were necessary to complete the mission. Due to its expertise, Diamond T also produced the famous half-track, with more than 10,000… more |
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Airmark In Profile & In Scale; Modellers Airguide #3, Lockheed S-3 VikingPublished:
BackgroundPhoenix Publications is a partnership of four people whose combined experience equals over 100 years working in both the aviation and modelling press. After so many years working for others, we have come together as equal partners in this new venture, with each partner bringing their own unique talents. This Modellers Airguide is the third issue in a current set of four. Airguide #1 covers the McDonnel F3H Demon, Airguide #2 is on the Dassault Rafale, while Airguide #4 covers the Dassault Super Etendard. What You GetThis is a soft bound edition in European A4 size (8¼ by 11 5/8 or 210 x 296 mm) with a gloss front and rear cover. At only 38 pages this is far from an exhaustive treatise on the S-3. But it does have some interesting… more |
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SPAD XIII c1 WWI French FighterPublished:
SummaryLet me start by sending sincerest sympathies to the family and friends of Valery Grygorenko the illustrator for Roden Models. I learned through my local hobby shop that he was killed in the ongoing war in Ukraine Like most Great War fighters this is a relatively uncomplicated kit. There are some issues that one needs to be careful with during construction, but nothing so complicated that an average modeler cannot overcome. One of the biggest trouble spots was with shallow or limited gluing surfaces. So have your CA cement handy for this one. BackgroundIn 1916 a new generation of German fighters threatened to win air superiority over the Western Front. The French aircraft company, Société pour l'Aviation et ses Dérives (SPAD), responded by… more |
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WWII RAF AirfieldPublished:
SummaryThis can be considered a “diorama-in-a-box” in that it contains everything one would need to create a nice airfield diorama. There are some frustrating fit issues, so I would recommend this kit to any modeler with a good dose of patience. BackgroundThe Spitfire MkVII airframe was based off of the MkV. It incorporated the improved Merlin 61 series engine. It was designed as a high-altitude interceptor and thus had a pressurized cockpit. It also had extended wing tips and the later large (pointed) rudder. The MkIX was a later variant incorporating the Merlin 66 and later engines. Armament consisted of two 20mm Hispano cannon in the inboard position and four .303 browning machine guns in the outer positions. While most had the standard round… more |
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Opel Blitz Radio TruckPublished:
SummaryThis appears to be a re-issue of an older kit. While the level of detail is okay, the details themselves are a bit soft. The parts layout and build sequence is simple and straight forward. Anyone with a kit or two experience should not have any troubles with the few issues I encountered. BackgroundThe Opel Blitz was the "working mule" of the Wehrmacht during World War II. It was deployed on all fronts in multiple variations. Thanks to the sturdy frame, robust rigid axles with leaf springs and twin back wheels the Opel Blitz could carry a payload of over 3 tons. While the most popular version was a rear-wheel-drive 4x2, a 4x4 version was operated in both Russia and North Africa. A model with the rear wheels replaced with tracks also saw action in the… more |
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Rommel’s Mammoth DAK AEC Armored Command VehiclePublished:
SummaryFollowing the release of the AEC Armoured Command Vehicle Dorchester ACV, AFV Club has “converted” the model to those captured by the German’s in North Africa in 1941. My guess is this is essentially the same kit, but with the addition of resin German radios and different decals. This thought is supported by the fact that the sprue for the exterior tools also has British radios and weapons on it. The model is extremely well detailed, but requires an extra effort when handling due to scale thin parts that are easily broken. The parts layout and build sequence is simple and straight forward. Background (Excerpted from the AFV Club description.)Before the outbreak of WWII, the British Army was planning a wheeled armored vehicle to provide the… more |