Mark Aldrich
Reviews By Author
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Model Art AFV Profile, #3, Sturmgeschutz III "Long Barrel"Published:
Destroyed over 20,000 of enemy's tanks! The acclaimed AFV Profile 3rd issue is featured on Sturmgesch，tz III “Long Barrel.” Sturmgesch，tz III is the only one that was able to fight against KV, a Soviet heavy tank and T-34, a Soviet medium tank during the Soviet invasion. It also received attention as an antitank which was equipped 75†mm StuK 40 L/48 main gun, known as Sturmgesch，tz 40 Ausf，hrung F , Ausf. F/8 and Ausf. G. Another conspicuous feature of it is that it had turned out excellent tank killers who many of them were awarded Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross like Tiger I did. AFV Profile III thoroughly analyzes the… more |
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GAZ-69 Anti-Tank Vehicle 2P26 "Baby Carriage"Published:
This has got to be the best last couple of years for the Middle East Wars modeler enthusiast. Tamiya is releasing an M-1 Super Sherman (not really Super, just a Sherman used by the IDF). Dragon is releasing several useable kits for the period, one of which is a newly tooled Bison II that could be used by the Egyptian Army. A company called Meng Model has offered an injection molded import pickup truck with ZPU-1. SabingaMartin has released another book, and Bronco has released three versions of the YW series APC along with two versions of this little GAZ-69. Inside the box, we find all the good stuff. There are twelve grey styrene sprues (some are duplicates), two small decal sheets (one with data plates and the other with vehicle markings), a small photo-etched sheet, one 19-… more |
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M1078 LMTV & FMTV Detail SetPublished:
Pro Art Models released this upgrade set after the arrival of the Trumpeter LMTV (01004). With the kit’s overall sparseness in the cabin area, this is just the ticket. The box art shows the tires also but these are not included in the kit. You will need Pro Art’s 35030 (5 wheels) or 35037 (7 wheels). This set contains approximately 67 cream-colored resin parts, 50 PE parts, and a three page instruction manual. The resin is beautifully cast and bubble-free. The photo-etched parts have nice pre-grooved parts and feels quite strong, not like some of the PE I have used recently. The instruction sheet is not numbered but easily followed. Kit parts replaced by this set are some minor chassis and undercarriage items, suspension, and brake assemblies. The majority of this kit… more |
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Vehicules Combat d'Infanterie (Infantry Fighting Vehicles)Published:
With a title like this and John writing that the text was in French, I assumed this book was going to be all about French Infantry Fighting Vehicles. Yep, I was wrong! As I started thumbing through the book and scanning over the included vehicles, I realized that this was a nice collection book about Infantry Fighting Vehicles all over the world. This is very neat “recognition handbook”. A slight word of warning….This is not a definitive collection of infantry Fighting vehicles by any means. Though a great book, it needs to be more defined by the title. As I was thumbing through this 128 page hard covered book, some things became apparent. I, of course, sought out the Stryker. Ooops, none! Then I started to understand. There are no wheeled vehicles covered in this book. Only… more |
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M5 Stuart Tank Walk AroundPublished:
My oh My!!! By definition that men are visual creatures……I am men!!! I LOVE getting reference books that are FULL of pictures of vehicles. Save the reading and writing for another form of model builder. Give me a picture, obscure or basic, and I am a very happy camper. Squadron’s new series of walk arounds have not been a disappointment. They contain numerous pictures of preserved and restored vehicles. Some contain a few line drawings and color plates while come have a minimum of in actions shots as well. How can you go wrong with that? You can’t. The latest is the M5. Jim Mesko, with the help of several other picture donors does an excellent job in this tome. It is typical Squadron walk around… more |
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Realistic Sagged TyresPublished:
With Trumpeter’s release of their M-1078 Light Medium Tactical vehicle (LMTV), it was only a matter of time before the after-market companies stepped up. There are at least one full PE set, two different resin interiors/exterior sets and four different tire sets. This is understandable as many modelers (for one reason or another) do not appreciate or like the rubber/vinyl tire option. The Trumpeter tires look fine to me. However, if you have to have resin, this is a way to go! The only difference between these two sets is the number of tires included. One set (35030) contains five tires, two front, two rear and a spare and the other set (35037) contains two front, four rear and a spare. Set 35037 is being sold for the Trumpeter M-1083 that was announced but has not yet been released.… more |
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Heavy Duty Cases (Modern)Published:
Pro Art Models has been around since 2002. I first found out about them when I was looking for aftermarket items to hop-up the Italeri HEMTT (Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck). They were one of the only names in the game. They had details for the interior, exterior, the fuel pump system and tires. They now carry a highly detailed rear mounted crane. They also carry a few radio sets that are absolutely gorgeous. There are currently three US distributors of Pro Art Models: Master Modelers Marketplace in Beaverton, OR, R&J Enterprises in Quilcene, WA and Military Hobbies in Orange, CA. You can also order direct from their site. They take MasterCard, Visa and my favorite PAYPAL. This is a simple and easy to use accessory. The set contains 18 cases. You… more |
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YW-531C Armored Personnel CarrierPublished:
The YW-531C has a history dating back to the early sixties. The Chinese firm Norinco produced the first indigenous vehicle and rolled it off the assembly lines as the Type 63 in 1963. It was fraught with mechanical and technical issues that were quickly overcome. As with all base vehicles, many variants and ideas were applied to and tested on the design. In 1982 the Type 63C started rolling off the assembly lines and the export version was designated YW-531C. The vehicle has a German air cooled diesel power pack, weighs in at 12.8 tons, carries a 12.7mm machinegun for self defense and anti-aircraft and holds a 15 man crew (13 soldiers and 2 crew members). The Iraqi Army received at least 150 of these vehicles. They saw extensive use in the Gulf War. Photographic evidence is very… more |
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British Infantry, North Africa, 1941 - 1943Published:
Master Box continues to release some really nice and different figure sets. These rests are very different than other sets on the market and usually very “in action” type poses. They also make a series of dual sets. These are designed to be easily made into a combat action series of figures. On their website, this is listed as #2 which means the German figures should be #1. The only issue is that there currently is no #1 set. There is however, an Italian Infantry in Africa set #1 and this must be the set to be used in conjunction with the #2 set. The set comes with five figures. All the figures are in running and assaulting poses. You get four infantrymen and one commander figure. The two infantrymen with rifles are designed to be assembled with their bayonets attached to the… more |
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Directional Tires for SkyBow 3/4 Ton DodgePublished:
Editor's note: This is a combined product review using Formations and Celticwerks kits as described by author. Both products are noted as "Special Order" by author. Contact product manufacturers as noted. Formations parts are noted by author as $12.00 .
It’s funny how the small armor modeling world is often much interconnected. I was looking on the Missing-Lynx “Constructive Comments” site and saw Roy Chow’s, First Vice-President of AMPS (Armored Modeling Preservation Society), M3 Gun Truck. It looked different than your standard Dodge because it had these neat Deep tread directional tires. I contacted Roy and found out the tires were from Formations Models…..odd, they… more |