Mud Effects Solution Set

Published: February 13, 2021
Company: AMMO by Mig Jimenez

Introduction

The company website states:

“This set includes the base colors and products essential for imitating the accumulation and weathering effects produced by mud”.

“With this set, you will be able to replicate different types of effects including dry mud, wet mud, and mud splashes. These sets are the perfect solution for casual modelers and those experienced enthusiasts looking for the most realistic painting options in one convenient box.

Each reference in the series contains the essential products you require to create the most common effects used in scale modelling. Among the versatile items included are Oilbrushers, Pigments, Washes, Filters, and the products necessary to obtain hyper realistic results on your models.… more

Model T 1913 Speedster with American Sport Car Drivers

Published: February 12, 2021
Company: ICM

Introduction

Appearing on the market August 2020 is ICM’s rebox of their Model T 1913 Speedster introduced in 2018 with updated parts and the addition of a sprue containing two sports car drivers. Known for their detail, this Ukrainian based plastic model kit manufacturer has been producing highly detailed kits since 2003 with exports to several markets including North America.

History of the Model T “Speedster”

First introduced in 1908 at the Piquette Avenue plant in Detroit, Michigan and continuing until May 26, 1927. Ford produced over 15 million cars during this period. It had a 22 hp, four-cylinder engine, weighed in at 1200 pounds with a base price of $850. Touring, Runabout, and Town Car were the only versions of the Model T built in 1913. So, did… more

Krupp Protze Lorry

Published: January 27, 2021
Book Author(s): Alan Ranger
Company: Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books

Camera On 22 Krupp Protze Lorry, is number 22 in the “Camera On” series published by MMPBooks/Stratus. The author, Alan Ranger, has written several books in this series with subjects such as “Sd. Kfz.7 Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 7T Vol.2”, “German Horse Power”, and “The Einheits-Diesel WW2 German Trucks” and numerous others relating to WWII.

This A4 format paperback has 80 pages with period photographs from the author’s personal collection not the propaganda ones generally seen. Most are previously unseen and taken by ordinary German soldiers. The book starts with a brief forward and a short history of the Krupp Protze Lorry on two and one-half pages. The author provides in his abridged history of the Krupp Protze Lorry several facts including the number of units produced, and a… more

US Soldier versus German Soldier, Salerno, Anzio, and Omaha Beach, 1943-44

Published: November 5, 2020
Book Author(s): Chris McNab
Company: Osprey Publishing

“US Soldier versus German Soldier, Salerno, Anzio, and Omaha Beach, 1943-44”, published May 2020, became number 48 in Osprey’s Combat Series. Osprey’s Combat Series, first published in 2013, describe in detail history’s adversaries pitted against each other using analysis, photographs, maps, and commissioned color plates. Chris McNab, author, and editor has written numerous books for Osprey and more than a hundred books, magazines and newspapers on military history and military technology. Steve Noon has illustrated over 50 books for Osprey.

This 80-page, 7.3 x 9.8-inch, book consists of an introduction, 6 chapters, bibliography and index containing 20 color photographs, maps, and illustrations and 45 b/w images.

Introduction

The author’s goal as he… more

Camera On 17 Sd.Kfz. 7 Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 8T Vol. 2

Published: September 20, 2020
Book Author(s): Alan Ranger
Company: Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books

Camera On 17 Sd. Kfz. 7 Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 8T Vol. 2, is number 17 in the “Camera On” series published by MMPBooks/Stratus and is a follow up to volume 1. The author, Alan Ranger, has written several books in this series with subjects such as “German Horse Power”, “The Einheits-Diesel WW2 German Trucks to “No 22 Krupp Proze Lorry”.

This A4 format paperback has 80 pages with 140 plus photographs from the author’s personal collection. Most are previously unseen and taken by ordinary German soldiers. The book is comprised of an introduction, a short history of the Sd. Kfz.7 on two pages and the remainder of the book covering a few of the various sub-types.… more

Hitler’s Anti-Tank Weapons 1939-1945

Published: September 9, 2020
Book Author(s): Hans Seidler
Company: Pen & Sword

Pen & Sword Books are not new to the plastic modeling industry. The UK based publishing company has been around since 1990 churning out titles covering subjects from military, aviation, maritime and other areas of history.

With over 228 books in the “Images of War Series”, Hitler’s Anti-Tank Weapons 1939-1945 is their latest addition published in May 2020. The author Hans Seidler has written other books in the series including, Hitler’s Tank Killers - Sturmgeschutz at War 1939-1945, Luftwaffe Flak Divisions and Hitler’s Boy Soldiers. This 9.5 x 7.5-inch paperback has 128 pages with 250 black and white illustrations. The book is comprised of an Introduction, five chapters with three appendices. Each chapter starts with 1-2 pages of introduction followed by several black and… more

BMW R75 Escaping from the Falaise Pocket

Published: May 17, 2020
Book Author(s): Robert Doepp
Company: AFV Modeller

The Book

Robert Doepp and AFV Modeller Publications capture for its readers a comprehensive detailed construction of a BMW R75 in 1:9^th scale. Inspiration for this 112-page softbound book, “BMW R75 Escaping from the Falaise Pocket” comes from a rare black and white WWII image found in, Pallud, Jean-Paul. Ruckmarsch! The German Retreat from Normandy: Then and Now. Battle of Britain Internat., 2007. The German wartime image depicts a crew of 4 German paratroopers retreating on a BMW R75 with a sidecar attached.

Before this undertaking, several model magazines have showcased Robert Doepp’s work including Tamiya Model Magazine, Model Time, Dioramag and Steel Art. As well as being a contributor to… more

Tru-Color Weathering Pigments

Published: November 27, 2018
Company: Tru-Color Paint

Introduction

These Matte acrylic solvent-based sprayable paints are designed to be sprayed right from the bottle without the need for thinning. When researching the chemistry of Tru-Color Paints, I found on their website the following description:

Tru-Color Paint is a solvent based paint with an acrylic polymer used as the binding agent which adheres very well to plastic or metal models, when those models are properly prepared. The pigments and/or dyes used to produce the correct colors are very finely ground so that they do not clog air-brushes.

These paints have a small amount of acetone as the solvent, but Tru-Color does not recommend thinning with acetone as additional acetone may interfere with the drying process thus leading… more

M60A2 Patton Early Type

Published: February 3, 2020
Company: AFV Club

Introduction

Without giving a lengthy history of the M60 Patton the following is a short summary of the M60A2. The M60A2 nicknamed the “Starship” grew out of the development of the M60A1 with a CVWS (Combat Vehicle Weapons System) turret firing a 152mm conventional round. Planning began in the late 1950s. These were initially named the M60A1E2 then later standardized to the designation M60A2. Production was ended in 1975 with a total production run of 526 vehicles.

In the advertising literature AFV Club states this new kit features:

• Highly detailed driving compartment interior.
• Chassis and suspension system are replicated according to research of real vehicle.
• 152mm barrel with fume extractor.
• T142 Tracks included.
… more

M-67 Flamethrower Tank

Published: October 31, 2017
Company: Dragon Models

Introduction

Dragon’s product website states that “Building further on the success of its line-up of 1/35 scale kits of the famous M48 Patton medium tank, Dragon has produced the interesting M67 flamethrower used by the US military. Nicknamed the “Zippo”, it was originally based on an M48A1 tank hull, with the usual 90mm gun replaced with an M6 flame gun connected to an M7A1-6 fuel and pressure unit. The 48-ton M67 was disguised somewhat with its flame gun hidden inside a dummy gun tube. The first M67 was completed in 1955 and a total of 109 units were manufactured for US Marine Corps and US Army service. They were fielded until 1974, which meant they saw combat in Vietnam”.

Let me preface my review by stating that as modelers we do not always follow… more