Reviews of products for scale military vehicle models.

Book Author(s)
Ian Baxter
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Pen & Sword
MSRP
$24.95

This volume is part of the Images of War series, which I have found to be indispensable as reference material. The book provides in-depth coverage of the numerous German military self-propelled anti-tank and anti-aircraft guns used during World War II. These weapons played a crucial role in Germany's arsenal throughout the conflict.

The publication features over 200 wartime photographs, offering both modelers and historians a wealth of visually engaging material. The book traces the evolution of these weapons during World War II, including an extensive look at tank destroyers and the Marder series in the anti-tank role. For anti-aircraft operations, the book explores a variety of unique platforms and weapon systems such as the Wirbelwind.

Review Author
Bill O'Malley
Published on
Company
Agora Models
Scale
1/8
MSRP
$1,737.00

Agora Models Willis MB Jeep Engine

The SAS Jeep Engine from Agora is highly detailed and goes together easily. Parts of the engine are included in Packs 1 and 2. I counted 52 parts to the engine assembly, not including numerous screws used for construction. There will be many more parts added to the engine bay in later steps. Having all parts and screws packed separately for each step makes it easy to find the right part for each assembly step. Agora has recently switched to recyclable manila paper envelopes for the parts.

Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
Company
Reskit
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$95.90

Recently received from the folks at ResKit is this US Navy A/S32A-31A “Mule” tow tractor, short version, with exclusive markings in 1/32 scale. These tow tractors are used aboard ships as well as land bases to move aircraft as needed. Suggested aircraft to pair this vehicle with include the following: AV-8B, F-14B/D, F/A-18 C/D/E/F/G, C-2, E-2C, EA-6B, S-3B, UH-1, UH-60, CH-47, CH-53, and SH-3. Modelers with some experience with 3D printed resin kits should have no issues with adding this tow tractor to their collection.

Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
AMMO by Mig Jimenez
Scale
N/A
MSRP
$26.58

It’s not a marker…it’s not a brush…it’s the Missing Link! The ultimate solution for adding weathering effects to your models.

AMMO by Mig is proud to announce its new Missing Link Sets: Aircraft, Trains and Tanks. Per their website:

The new brush tip watercolor marker set from AMMO by Mig Jimenez represents an evolution in modeling tools. Designed for precision, versatility, and ease of use. This set of 12 transparent colors has been carefully selected to reproduce realistic effects on military vehicle models. With Missing Link Brush Tip markers, you can apply everything from filters to weathering effects on your models.

Review Author
Phil Peterson
Published on
Company
Yahu Models
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$6.99

I asked to review this as I have never used any Yahu Models products before, and I have the Airfix Chevy M6 Bomb Service truck in their USAAD Bomber supply set. Unfortunately, I found out the set, while saying 1/72nd, is actually made for the 1/35th scale ICM series of kits. The back of the package has the correct 1:35 notation.

The set is very nicely detailed with 2 small frets of photoetch. The first one has a full-color instrument panel and separate bezels to add to it. The second fret has some pre-printed placards, including for the engine bay.

Overall, this set will add a lot of extra detail, even though I think the bezels are a bit too small for my skill level, but I also think you could get away without adding them.

Other than the scale confusion, if you have the ICM kits, these will look very good.

Thanks to Yahu Models and IPMS/USA for supplying the review sample.

Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1:72
MSRP
$35.00

Upon opening the cover, there is a reinforced white inner box that does a good job of protecting the kit’s seven gray plastic sprues, and decal sheet (I recently heard on the Beyond the Box Art podcast that ICM’s boxes are designed to withstand the rigors of delivery services, and this box definitely meets that standard). The instructions span 12 pages and cover 38 steps. The downloadable instructions are also available separately online at the ICM website. Take care with small pieces (grab handles, etc) as the plastic is fragile and can break when removed from the sprue gates.

This is a former Revell M2/M3 Bradley kit (No. 03143) that was first issued in 2005 (with the hull tub dating to 2001 Kit No. 03124). The ICM boxing uses new decals and keeps it relevant for modern armor builders. The inclusion of decals for four colorful Bradleys, where only one is overall green, is nice and really highlights the M2 Bradley’s early career.

Book Author(s)
Wen Jian Chung; Illustrators: David Bocquelet
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

From the Introduction,

In battle, the artillery has always had two roles. In defence, its purpose is to destroy the impetus of the enemy’s attacks, and in attack, its task is to destroy the enemy’s will to resist. Just that. And whether you consider the medieval wars or the Napoleonic wars or the great wars that followed them, those two tasks have remained.

– General Sir Thomas Lovett Morony, KCB, OBE, Master Gunner, St James Park (1985)

The author, Wen Jian Chung continues,

Book Author(s)
Various
Review Author
Tom Dunford
Published on
Company
Kagero Publishing
MSRP
$16.00

Super Model International No. 4 is the fourth installment in Kagero's series combining ‘how to’ information with a ‘showcase gallery’ of armor models in diorama settings. The publication is sub-titled: “Polish Steel, vol.2” and includes reviews of four armor models all featuring world-class builds from Polish modelers:

  • SdKfz-234/3, Hasegawa 1:72, by Adam Juszczak
  • M3 Lee, Mirage 1:72, by Radoslaw Rzeszotarski
  • KV-2, Trumpeter, 1:35, by Robert Chmiel
  • BT-7, Tamiya, 1:35, by Tomasz Kica

There are minimal ads, excellent photography with a useful layout making it easy to navigate the 4 main articles. Each build is presented in the Author’s style so the format is varied. The first article on the SdKfz-234/3 places all the text into the individual photo captions; whereas, the following three articles include all of the written information into a comprehensive ‘body of text’ in the more customary style.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$69.99

ICM keeps adding more kits than most manufacturers and extending their line.

ICM has produced a kit of the GAZ-A which was produced from 1932 to 1936 in a joint agreement between Ford and the Soviet Union. It is a replica of the Ford Model A. The representation in this kit is one commandeered used by the Germans. The kit is made from 201 parts on nine gray sprues, one clear sprue and 5 rubber tires. The instructions have great sprue maps and show the unused parts. There is a small sheet of decals and two markings available both with German crosses.