Eric Christianson
Reviews By Author
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Sd.Kfz. 234/4 Panzerspähwagen, ’39 – ’45 SeriesPublished:
Dragon Models has released an updated version of their original (excellent) Sd.Kfz. 234/4 armored, anti-tank wheeled vehicle produced five years ago (#6221). This update replaces the eight large wheels and spare with newly engineered sandwich-style wheels that are magnificent. Each highly visible wheel is made up of eight thin disks that are assembled to produce accurate and stunning tread, with separate two-part hubs that simplify painting and weathering. The only other change is that Dragon has replaced the aluminum barrel in the original kit with a slide-molded one in the update. For fit and finish, I prefer the latter, so that’s also a welcome replacement. The eight, well-designed and engineered jerry cans from the original kit are included, sporting separate racks… more |
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Tiran 5 Israeli TankPublished:
SummaryTamiya has enhanced their venerable T-55A Main Battle Tank kit yet again with all the parts needed to convert it into an Israeli Tiran 5, which is not surprising when you consider the mileage they got out of the same kit last year when they released the T-55 Iraqi “Enigma”. One thing is for sure – the kit these new versions are based on is one of the finest armor models ever produced by Tamiya. I never get tired of building these tanks, so keep them coming! The Tiran 5 was used by the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) from the late 1960s until the mid-1980s. Constantly modified throughout its service life, many were fitted with the 105mm M68 gun. Even after it was retired from IDF service, the Tiran 5 continued to see action in various guises in a number of… more |
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Styrene Sheets 0.4mmPublished:
Plusmodel from Czechoslovakia continues to add to its list of quality aftermarket and modeling supply products, this time with a package of two 0.4mm styrene sheets. The bright white sheets of plastic measure 110x190mm (about 7.5 by 4 inches – the size of a small notepad) and the 0.4mm thickness converts to about 16 thousandths of an inch (0.016). The cards are a handy size and cut/scribe/snap easily for use in scratchbuilding and just about any other way you can think of using them. I personally find them the perfect thickness for creating support tabs for assembling those new heavy vacuform diorama bases being produced. I recommend this Plusmodel product for any modeler who needs to use styrene sheet for his hobby. I would like to thank Plusmodel for providing… more |
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Panzerfaust 60 SetPublished:
The Panzerfaust ("armor fist" or "tank fist") was a cheap, single shot, recoilless German anti-tank weapon of World War II. It consisted of a small, disposable preloaded launch tube firing a high explosive anti-tank warhead, and was operated by a single soldier. The Panzerfaust was in service from 1942 until the end of the war. The package contains five tubes molded in light grey resin, and a small decal sheet with red markings that say Achtung! Feuerstrahl! ("Attention! Fire Jet!") for each. The parts are protected in easily removable resin jackets to… more |
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Marder II Mid-Production ’39 – ’45 SeriesPublished:
Dragon Models has released the Marder II in 1/35 scale, another in an impressive line of German Marder (“Martin”) Tank Destroyer kits. Based on the venerable Pz.Kpfw. II chassis, this version of the Marder was phased out in 1943 for the Wespe self-propelled gun. The Marder name lived on, however, being coupled with the excellent Czech 38t chassis in the Marder III, which came in several different forms. The kit is cobbled together using sprues from several previous products – the chassis of the Pz.Kpfw. II, the sprues from the Pak 40 kit (sans the wheeled carriage), and a single new sprue of twelve parts needed to morph the Panzer II into a Marder. It’s essentially the same design as the Tamiya kit produced in the early eighties, although Dragon has improved on the detail quite… more |
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Sexton II 25-pdr SP TrackedPublished:
Dragon Models has released the Sexton II Self-Propelled Gun in 1/35 scale. Out of the box, the detailing looks absolutely stunning, even for Dragon. The engineering and detail of the on-board stowage, radio equipment, driver’s compartment, and surface texture is as good or better than any release I’ve seen. Their excellent 25-pdr Mark II main weapon has been pulled from a previous release, and the chassis contains all the good stuff from their equally superb Dragon Models M4. The Commonwealth makeover of the U.S M7 Priest sports over 150 new parts, including a completely reworked driver’s compartment and transmission, radio sets, ammunition lockers, etc. An engine is not provided, but everything that is exposed is brilliantly represented. The KitI’ve always thought the… more |
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Pro Photo-Etch ScissorsPublished:
Xuron has released another pair of high-quality clippers from their line of consumer products used by modelers. The extra-long, ultra-sharp tips cut through PE like butter without bending or twisting it. The ergonomically shaped handles offer superb control and stability, as well as comfort. A return spring brings the tool back to the open position after each cut. First and foremost, these are scissors, not clippers. The shearing point comes mid-way between the two blades, just like a pair of scissors. What this means is that they are excellent at cutting PE parts off the sprues, but they do not cut them flush against one edge, as Xuron’s excellent sprue cutters do with plastic. I was hoping that the company had come up with a way for me to snip off PE parts without having to… more |
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Flakpanzer IV Ausf.G Wirbelwind with ZimmeritPublished:
Dragon has released the fourth in its series of German anti-aircraft Flakpanzers, this one sporting a molded-in coat of zimmerit, an anti-magnetic layer of paste added to the glacis, hull sides, and hull front and rear plates. Based on the PzKpfw IV Ausf.G chassis, the Wirbelwind (Whirlwind) utilizes Dragon’s highly acclaimed 2cm Flakvierling 38 four-barreled main armament. The KitAs usual with Dragon kits, once you open the box and take out the contents you will find it very difficult to get everything back in. Thankfully for modelers, this is a good thing! As this is one of many PzKpfw IV-based kits produced by Dragon, many of these parts will go unused and into your spare parts box. If you’ve built Dragon’s 2cm Flakvierling 38 before, then you will already be… more |
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British Heavy Assault Tank A-39 TortoisePublished:
The relatively new Chinese company, Meng, has recently released the first-ever rendition of the British A-39 Tortoise, a behemoth ostensibly created to join battle with the German super-heavy tanks being designed at the close of World War II. The mind boggles at the specter of a platoon of (Tortai?) engaging a gaggle of MAUS monsters on the plains of Europe. Of the six vehicles completed, however, only one was sent across the channel for field testing, but it never entered combat. The KitMy first thought upon opening the box was: This is a big tank. Not a lot of parts, but what’s there is significant. Much has been said about the delicate nature of some of the parts that represent electric lines and cables. Well, they weren’t kidding. The first thing I did when I… more |
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WWII Hungarian 20L Jerry Can & 200L Fuel Drum SetPublished:
The KitThis slick new set of Hungarian fuel drums and Jerry cans comes in a small, side-opening box with instructions and painting suggestions on the back. Three identical sprues of soft yellow-tan plastic and three sheets of photo etch make up the content. Expecting a run-of-the-mill modeling experience, I was more than pleasantly surprised by the engineering and design of everything – these were made with the modeler in mind. Oil DrumsThere are enough parts to assemble six oil drums. The top and bottom of each eight-part drum is stamped with either ‘HONV’, ‘LUH’, ‘MKR’, serial numbers, and such. What makes the design great is that the two rather thick banding rings are fit into grooves cut into the side of the drum half. This allows the modeler to assemble… more |