Eric Christianson
Reviews By Author
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7.5cm PaK 40/4 auf RSO mit AllwetterverdeckPublished:
Dragon Models has re-released their 7.5cm PaK 40/4 auf RSO/03 ‘Smart Kit’, originally shipped in 2010. This time, however, they’ve included an all-weather canvas cover (‘Allwetterverdeck’). The kit is the fourth DML release of their RSO series, and contains their popular 75mm PaK 40 main weapon used in several of their other their kits. The exquisitely-detailed tarpaulin cover is molded is DS plastic and comes as a single, rigid part. Other new parts include the seats and a newly molded PaK pedestal/mount. The main cargo deck has been replaced with one sporting much more detail, including individual ammunition lockers (nine in all), with one locker providing an option to be modeled open or closed. The track is Dragon’s individual-link Magic Track. The acronym RSO stands for… more |
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German Heavy Generator Sd.Ah.24Published:
PlusModel, out of the Czech Republic, has released a 1/48th version of their German Heavy Generator, previously released in 1/35th. The all-resin kit contains some extra goodies to detail this unique and welcome addition to their product line. Opening the BoxThe first thing apparent when opening the box is the high quality of the resin parts. The parts are clearly labeled with part numbers and contain very little flash. What’s more, the connections to the pour stubs and resin blocks are kept to an absolute minimum, simplifying removal and making clean-up a breeze. Most of the parts can be (carefully) snapped off using just your fingers. A couple of swipes with a sanding stick and you’re ready to go. The contents of this box include:… more |
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Panzer Divisions in Battle 1939-45, Volume 2Published:
Concord Publishing, out of Hong Kong, is back again with another Armor At War series entitled Panzer Divisions In Battle 1936-45 by popular author Tom Cockle. Anyone familiar with the armor modeling literature and research will recognize this authoritative combination, and this latest release won’t disappoint. Looking across my personal bookshelf of maybe 200 titles, I can spot several of Mr. Cockle’s books and I’ve familiar with many of his articles in some of the better armor magazines such as ‘Military Modeler’, ‘Military in Scale’, ‘Military Modelcraft International’, ‘FineScale Modeler’ and ‘AFV Modeller’. If you’ve been building armor models for any length of time, you’re probably familiar with his work as well. Panzer Divisions In Battle… more |
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Sd.Kfz.2 Kettenkrad Early Production w/ InfanteriekarrenPublished:
Dragon Models has re-released their Kettenkrad kit and bundled it with a trailer called an Infanteriekarren (or ‘Infantry Vehicle’). Originally produced back in 2001, this new boxing comes with a small sheet of photo-etch in addition to the trailer. The boxtop image, instructions and contents represent the later production version with the solid armored sides, even though Dragon calls the new release the ‘Early Production’. You will have to make some small modifications, as well as carve out the plastic sides to represent the actual tubular frame of the earlier vehicle if that’s what you’re going for. The SdKfz 2, better known as the Kleines Kettenkraftrad HK 101 or Kettenkrad for short (Ketten = chain/tracks, krad = military abbreviation of the German word Kraftrad,… more |
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Military Miniatures in Review No.59Published:
Military Miniatures in Review (MMIR) is one of only about a half-dozen high-end armor-based magazines, and my favorite go-to source for finishing and weathering armor models and figures. Regular publication has been spotty in the past; otherwise I would have sprung for a subscription long ago. That said, I try to pick up every new issue, and those that I miss I can purchase (at a discount) from their website. As of right now, Ampersand does not offer MMIR in digital format, but even if it did I’m not sure I’d switch from the hardcopy version. The quality of the materials used and the sheer number of crystal-sharp images included in each issue makes these magazines stand out among their peers. Each article contains detailed information on specific paints used,… more |
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Tents, Tarps and Sherman Deck EquipmentPublished:
Value Gear out of Ireland continues to add to its list of quality aftermarket armor accessories, featuring plastic representations of tents, tarps, backpacks, crates – just about anything you might find piled high on a busy AFV, or anywhere else for that matter. Their website is intuitive and easy to navigate. The home page describes Value Gear's Goal:
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JagdPanzer IV L70 (A) Final Production - Smart KitPublished:
Dragon Models has released their (fourth? fifth?) incarnation of the German JagdPanzer IV L70 (A) self-propelled tank destroyer in 1/35th scale. The Jagdpanzer IV (Sd.Kfz. 162) was based on the Panzer IV chassis built in three main variants. As one of the casemate-style turret-less Jagdpanzer ("hunting tank") designs, it was developed against the wishes of Heinz Guderian, the inspector general of the armored corps, as a replacement for the Sturmgeschütz III (StuG III). Guderian objected to the ‘needless diversion of resources’ from Panzer IV tank production, as the Stug III and Stug IV tank destroyers were still more than adequate for their role. Officially, only the L/48-armed vehicle was named Jagdpanzer IV. The L/70-armed vehicle that this kit was modeled after was named… more |
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Eager Beaver 2.5 Ton TruckPublished:
Revell / Monogram has re-released their vintage “Eager Beaver” M-34 6x6 2.5 ton truck, the first of a long-lived family of trucks initially deployed by the United States Army, and subsequently utilized by many nations around the world. The M-34 started out in 1949 as a design by the REO Motor Car Company as a 2 1/2 ton, three-axle, all-wheel drive, off-road truck that was later nicknamed the "Deuce and a Half". The first vehicle in the family, the M-34, was quickly superseded in military usage by the M-35, the major difference being the M-35's 10-tire configuration versus the M-34's 6-tire configuration. This old kit brings back memories of bicycle trips down to Rexall Drugs with my paper route money to buy yet another plastic model – I probably had a dozen of these trucks in… more |
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15cm Sturminfanteriegeschutz 33Published:
Dragon Models has released their third incarnation of the German Sturminfanteriegeschutz 33 self-propelled heavy infantry gun in 1/35th scale. Based on the venerable Sturmgeschütz III chassis, this version of the sIG 33 mounted the improved 15cm infantry gun, offset to the right side, for which 30 rounds were carried. Fielded in 1942, the sIG 33 saw service on the Eastern front, notably in the breakout attempt at Stalingrad late in that year. Only one survived the war and is on display at the Kubinka NIIBT Research Collection in Russia. Previously released as Dragon #6042 and Cyberhobby’s #9123, this Smart Kit release has been improved upon by the inclusion of two additional photo etch sheets and their wonderful DS track. The new track replaces the individual, clip-clean-and-… more |
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Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. H Mid-Production, ‘39-‘45 Series with ZimmeritPublished:
Dragon Models offers a complete lineup of the Pz.Kpfw. IV family tree in 1/35 scale. Following on the footsteps of their (Late Production) H released four years ago, their new (Mid Production) H represents a specific vehicle in the 12th Panzer Hitlerjugend Division, fighting in the defense of Caen, June, 1944. Like the earlier release, the Mid-Production H comes with molded-on Zimmerit and one-piece DS tracks. New to this kit, however, are turret side skirts with Zimmerit as well as a brand new frontal armor plate containing the steering-brake hatches. 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. Opening the… more |