Marc K. Blackburn
Reviews By Author
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Heavy Artillery Armored Car, S.SPPublished:
HistoryFor the last several years, UM has produced a number of armored train components in 1/72 scale. It appears they are branching out and creating products of German armored train cars. The back of the box includes a short history of the vehicle, “Manufacturing of the heavy ‘S.Sp’ reconnaissance armored cars started in 1944. These cars were able to operate independently or as a train made up of similar cars. Several types of heavy armored cars existed. Artillery cars were armed with Pz. III (N) tank turret with short KwK L/24 75 mm gun. These cars had 20 mm of armor protection. Their weight (depending on armament) reached 18 tons. Maximum speed – 40 km/hr. Combat effectiveness of heavy armored car was almost equal to BP-42. ‘S.Sp’ participated in combat operations on… more |
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Mil MI-24 HIND GunshipPublished:
Osprey’s newest edition to their popular New Vanguard Series is an overview of the Mil Mi-24 gunship, popularly known by its NATO code name, Hind. Using the now-standard format for the New Vanguard series, the author explores the Hind’s development, its various variants, and a short combat history not only in the ex-Soviet Union and Russia, but the other countries who field this gunship. The Hind was different tfrom the gunships developed by the United States – they were assault helicopters that served as a flying infantry fighting vehicle. They could carry eight armed men as well as ATGMs and rockets. After a head-to-head competition between the Mil and Kamov design bureaus, Mil was selected to develop what would become the Hind. The Hind A became operational in 1972 and was… more |
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Heavy Cruisers of the Admiral Hipper and Prinz Eugen ClassPublished:
In the last several years, Kagero Publishing of Lublin, Poland has rapidly expanded, providing a host of publications for modelers. Its newest series is War Camera Photobooks. As the series suggests, it uses photographs from World War Two to illustrate, in this case, German Heavy Cruisers. With the recent release by Trumpeter of the Prinz Eugen and Admiral Hipper in 1/350 and 1/700 scales, this book is a timely release. Each ship in the class is given its own section with text in Polish and English. The text briefly covers the history and origins of the Admiral Hipper and Prinz Eugen classes and a concise summary of the construction and trials of each ship of the class. The captions and photographs provide and broad overview of the service… more |
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AFV Modeller, #53 July/August 2010Published:
The lead article of this issue, and the cover feature, focuses on a spectacular diorama by Frank Bazin, which he calls Hill 112. It’s a historical vignette of a moment in time. It depicts the British thrust of July 10, 1944 in their vain attempt to break the German hold on Caen, a month after the Allies landed in France. Bazin’s diorama captures the intensity of the immediate aftermath of the British bombardment and is what all modelers should strive for in a diorama. His article focuses on three components of the diorama - the enhancements and weathering of the Tamiya Tiger I, the exquisite scratch built figures which populate the scene, and the foliage that dominates the hill top. Jose Luis Lopez Ruiz is next with a detailed article on the 10.5 cm leFH18 auf 39H(f) self… more |
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AFV Modeller, #52 May/June 2010Published:
Issue No. 52 of AFV Modeller has the usual mix of articles and special features that this magazine is known for. However, the emphasis of most the articles in this issue seems to be on weathering. I know that weathering is in the eye of the beholder and some may not be convinced that a heavily weathered vehicle is appropriate. Nevertheless, the articles provide illustrated instructions on how to get the job done. The cover article, on the odd German vehicle known as the Minenraumer, uses the 1/35 scale RPM kit. Rather than concentrating on constructing the kit, the focus of Albert Lloret’s article is on weathering this unusual vehicle. In a step-by-step process, Mr. Lloret provides a number of techniques using masking, diluted paint, and weathering powders to produce a well… more |