M1917 6-Ton Light Tank or FTS

Published: February 9, 2025
Company: Vargas Scale Models

Vargas Scale Models has historically occupied a niche specializing in unusual, 3-D printed, limited-run resin armor models, mostly pre- and between World Wars. So far, this has been a winning strategy for this prolific company, fleshing out all those subjects ignored by others. This offering continues in that tradition.

The M1917 was the United States' first mass-produced tank, entering production shortly before the end of World War I. It was a license-built, near-copy of the French Renault FT17, and was intended to arm the American Expeditionary Forces in France. American manufacturers, however, failed to produce any in time to take part in the War. Of the 4,440 ordered, about 950 were eventually completed. These remained in service throughout the 1920s but did not take part in… more

Beobachtungspanzerwagen Sd.Kfz. 251/18 Ausf. A

Published: August 2, 2024
Company: ICM

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.

History

During the Second World War, the Sd.Kfz. 251 was the primary armored personnel carrier of Germany, and served as a base vehicle for many other specialized halftracks. The Sd.Kfz. 251/18 variant (Mittlerer… more

M2A4 Light Tank

Published: March 11, 2024
Company: Vargas Scale Models

I have been building 3D-printed resin kits from Vargas Models for almost two years now, and these are just getting better and better. If you are unfamiliar with this small but prolific company, Vargas Models specializes in unusual 3-D printed, limited-run armor models, and is now offering the M2A4 Light tank,the fourth variant of the M2 light tank family (formally Light Tank, M2), that served in the U.S. Army during the interwar period. A few of these vehicles went in with the Marines at Guadalcanal early in the war – it is one of these that this particular offering depicts.

The unmistakable lines of the Stuart hull are evident in the M2A4, and the lower chassis and running gear clearly point to the venerable Allied M3 light tank yet to come. The M2A4 was armed with a 37mm main… more

Nebelwerfer 41 Towed German Rocket Launcher

Published: November 3, 2023
Company: Vargas Scale Models

Vargas Scale Models has historically occupied a niche specializing in unusual, 3-D printed, limited-run armor models, mostly pre- and between World Wars. So far this has been a winning strategy for this prolific company, fleshing out all those subjects ignored by others. Lately, however, Vargas has been entering more well-trodden areas, as well as experimenting in other scales. such as 1/72nd, and even the odd 1/16th aftermarket item. One such release (in 1/35th) is a late-WWII-era German Nebelwerfer 41 towed rocket launcher; the subject of this review.

The Nebelwerfer (roughly translated as ‘smoke thrower’) was a German multiple rocket launcher that served with German Chemical Corps units, which had the responsibility for poison gas and smoke weapons that were also used to… more

M2A1 1940 Medium Tank

Published: July 26, 2023
Company: Vargas Scale Models

Vargas Models specializes in unusual 3-D printed, limited-run armor models, and is now offering the M2A1 Medium tank, the forerunner to the venerable line of early-WWII medium tanks.

The unmistakable lines of the M3 Grant/Lee hull are evident in the M2A1, and the lower chassis and running gear point straight at the M4 Sherman, the most-produced Allied tank of the war. The M2 was armed with four 30-caliber machine guns mounted in revolving sponsons bracketing the turret, two additional, fixed 30cal machine guns in the front hull, and a turret-mounted, 37mm main gun. The M2 carried an impressive 12,250 rounds of ammunition for a simple reason; at the time of its design, medium tanks in the US Army were employed not as tanks proper, but as infantry support weapons. To this end,… more

Christie T3E2 (E3) Tank

Published: July 9, 2023
Company: Vargas Scale Models

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… more

German L4500A (with) 5cm Flak 411

Published: February 11, 2023
Company: Trumpeter

Trumpeter has recently released several WWII German, truck-mounted Flak platforms based on the Mercedes Benz L4500A, including the subject of this review. As with previous releases, Trumpeter continues to stick to its roots in providing interesting and often one-of-a-kind subjects for a competitive price.

The L4500 was a heavy-duty truck built by Daimler-Benz from 1939–44 in the Mercedes-Benz plant at Gaggenau, and from 1944–45 by Saurer. The long-bed vehicle was built as both a rear-wheel-drive truck (L4500S) and as an all-wheel-drive truck (L4500A). The German Wehrmacht used the L4500 with armored cabins as Flak trucks during World War II. Due to the lack of production material, the cabin was replaced with the simplified standardized Wehrmacht cabin and the mud wings with… more

Crusader Mk.III with British Crew

Published: February 11, 2023
Company: Italeri

Modeling powerhouse Italeri has re-released an old classic; the British Crusader Mk III, this time with updated decals and an all-new figure set. The Crusader was used extensively in the North African campaign and, while ideally suited for combat in desert terrain, it’s light armor and moderate armament were not able to adequately match the German anti-tank guns and vast mine fields, causing substantial losses on allied forces.

Opening the Box

After building newer kits with hundreds of parts, photo-etch sheets, brass barrels, and multi-part track links, opening the Italeri Crusader box was breath of fresh air.

Even though my finish would be complex (due to of the amount of on-board detail and the hard-edge camouflage), the actual build would be a breeze due to… more

WWII German Mortar (s.Gr.W.34)

Published: January 24, 2023
Company: ICM

Kiev, Ukraine-based ICM is back with a new offering from its infantry support heavy-weapons line, this time with a WWII German s.Gr.W.34 8cm Mortar. This nice little one-hour build comes with a bunch of extra goodies, and will fit right into a diorama or open halftrack/truck bed. This highly detailed and diminutive subject includes a deployed mortar, three ammunition boxes with lids, four single mortar rounds, two rifles and several other pieces of personal gear.

History

The 8 cm s.Gr.W.34 was an adaptation for use in self-propelled mountings and employed conventional 8 cm 3.5 kg shells (high explosive or smoke) with percussion fuses. Its range could be extended by fitting up to three additional powder charges between the shell tailfins.

This overall design… more

Fiat 2000 Italian Heavy Tank

Published: January 23, 2023
Company: Vargas Scale Models

Vargas Models, a prolific maker of extraordinary resin, 3-D printed, limited-run armor models is back with another unusual subject; the Fiat 2000 Carro Armata or ‘heavy tank’. The Fiat 2000 was Italy’s first tank ever developed, with the first prototype displayed in mid-1917, and the final production prototype unveiled the following year.

The FIAT 2000 was a substantial vehicle, of comparable dimensions to the British Mark V tanks, and weighing 40 tons as compared to the Mark V's 28 tons, making it ‘technically’ the heaviest tank of World War I, although it never saw combat.

The layout of the FIAT 2000 differed to the other tanks then in use; the engine was separated from the crew - not placed behind the crew compartment as modern tanks, but below it. The mechanical… more