Eduard has put together a bunch of German Radios in 1/35 scale which are very detailed, right down to the tiniest handles and each radio can be made to sit alone as is or have straps supplied to each unit so that it can be attached to a figure to make the figure appear to be actually carrying the radio. Small headphones which attach to each radio by a wire (which you will have to supply) add even more realism. Eduard has painted them in such a way as to depict them as being “well handled”. The detail is so precise and clear which meets their usual standards. There are nine radios all together (some are doubles) and each one is better than the next. Everything is included to make different variations on each one, so the variations are limitless.
Short History
In the interwar years the Germans experimented with large, multi-turreted Medium tanks. The Neubau-Fahrzeug is the result of those experiments. Beginning in 1934, Rheinmetall-Borsig produced five vehicles, two prototypes and three ‘production’ vehicles. The prototypes were used for training and the production models eventually took part in the Norwegian campaign where one was destroyed.
What’s in the box
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.
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. For the difference in cost, I would suggest getting the seven wheel set. That way, regardless of which one you build, you will have all the tires you need or some extras.
When people discuss World War II armor certain tanks come to mind for the main combatants. For the United States it would be the Sherman tank, for the Soviet Union it would be the T-34 tank and for Germany the Tiger tank would come to symbolize that country’s armor might. The fame of the Tiger tank far exceeded the number produced or fielded. Certainly, for the average GI Joe the Tiger tank invoked a feeling of trepidation, so much that any German tank they met became the dreaded Tiger tank.
Zenith Press has produced a book that is a fine collection of articles written by experts of the Tank Museum at Bovington.
Covering the Tiger tank in general this book also covers in detail the restoration and return to operation of the Tiger tank “131” that resides at the Tank Museum. We have ten chapters of information to process so let’s begin.
“Die Erzählung des Schwarzen Ritters”, translated as The Story of the Black Knights, is a popular comic book series set in WWII. The series follows Oberleutnant Ernst von Bauer and his 8th Tank Company known as the Black Knights. The series begins in the fall of 1943 on the Eastern Front, and follows the unit through the end of the war as they change vehicles several times (the unit uses Panthers, Panzer IVs, StuG IIIs, and even Jadgpanzers). The Panther A enters the story early on, after the unit loses their Panzer IV’s in a battle with the Soviets. By luck, they find several Panther A’s and fight back, repelling the “Reds”.
Dragon’s 1/72 scale line of Armor Pro models has become the standard by which all 1/72 armor kits are gauged. Dragon’s detail in such a small scale, including photo-etched detail, is what makes modelers flock to the local hobby shops to get the latest in the Armor Pro series.
Dragon’s newest addition to this series is the Sd.Kfz 222 Leichte Panzerspahwagen. Dragon has released this little WWII German Armored scout car in a 1+1 pack, similar to their 1/72 Humvee series. The box contains two complete kits, photo-etched parts, decals, and a single instruction sheet with color paint guides. The molding is clean with crisp detail and Dragon has done their best to hide injector marks and sprue attachment points.
History and Performance
The Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, by Chamberlain, Doyle and Jentz, show that 319 Sd. Kfz. 7/1 fitted with quad 2 cm FV38 were produced until October 1944, and 123 Sd. Kfz. 7/2 fitted with 3.7 cm FlaK 36 were produced until February 1945. This review addresses the latter vehicle. These vehicles were issued to FlaK units of the Luftwaffe.
I scoured many of the personal library references and found very few images of these vehicles. Nonetheless, this looks like a very interesting build.
The Kit:
Krupp’s Kfz.70 light truck was a workhorse for the German army throughout WW II. Initial production started in 1933 and continued through 1942 with a run of around 7000 units. It was often employed towing light artillery, particularly the PaK 35/36, 3.7cm anti-tank weapon. Dragon has released a kit of this ubiquitous vehicle in 1/72 scale and it’s a little gem. Molded in light gray plastic, the kit features highly detailed parts for both the truck and the towed cannon. The wood grain simulation on the side panels of the truck is noteworthy. Dragon provides decals for three versions, all from unknown units on the Eastern Front circa 1943. One is in winter camouflage. The instructions are typical for Dragon with exploded views showing eleven steps to complete the truck and two steps for the cannon. The last page is a painting and decal guide with color references keyed to Gunze Sangyo paints.
The Build:
This was one of my first Bronco Models kit and not a big armor fan I admit that and so I did not quite know what to expect. The box arrived and it was a pleasant surprise. The box was pretty sturdy and its contents were well packed. The contents consisted of nine individual wrapped grey sprues, one small reseal able bag containing one sheet of photo etch, two small springs (for the seat), ten springs for the suspension (8 needed and 2 to offer to the carpet monster if need be), and the sheet of decals. The instructions are in a twelve page booklet with exploded views and a short history on this vehicle on the cover page. The Instructions show four marking options, Option 1: Unknown Unit, Italian Front, 1942, German Grey. Option 2: SS Unknown Unit, Russian Front, 1942, Dark Yellow with Red Brown and Dark Green lines. Option 3: SS Unknown Unit, Gun Fire Exercise, Germany, 1942, German Grey.
