Reviews of products for scale military vehicle models.

Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
OKB Grigorov
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$14.50

This product is replacement resin tracks for any 1/72 Churchill Tank kit that you want to use the Heavy Cast tracks on.

The set includes 6 light grey resin strips of track more than enough for a single tank.

The detail is excellent and vey little flash and a breeze to cut of the runners.

The tracks are easily formed using a hair dryer to apply heat then form the track on the track rollers, wheels and Sprockets.

They are a great replacement for the rubber tracks supplied with the majority of the 1/72 scale kits on the market.

I recommend these parts are a great addition to any 1/72 Churchill tank model kit.

Thanks go to OKB Grigorov for providing this set to review and IPMS USA for allowing me to review it for them.

Book Author(s)
Thomas Anderson
Review Author
Michael Reeves
Published on
Company
Casemate UK
MSRP
$24.95

The title of this book might be a bit misleading but I am not complaining. The brunt of the book is definitely on tanks from WWII, but there are extensive chapters that focus on the evolution of the tank from WWI on through the development of Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) in the post-war age. The breakdown of the book´s sections are as follows:

Review Author
Phil Peterson
Published on
Company
Airfix
Scale
1/76
MSRP
$7.99

I built a lot of Airfix armor in my youth but never had this one before. Airfix has rereleased this kit as part of their Vintage Classics series and the kit is unchanged from the original 1963 molds except for newer decals.

There are 71 parts molded in a dark green plastic but there are no clear parts. There is very little flash which is nice but there are some seam lines that will need to be cleaned up, especially if you decide to use the crew. More about them later. The color scheme is shown on the back of the box and represents a vehicle of the 6th Armoured Division probably in Italy though it is not spelled out.

The interior is pretty basic but does include seats for 6, steering wheel and a driver. The body goes together quickly, and the fit isn’t too bad with just some minor putty needed on some seams. The wheels can be built to roll if you are very careful, but I glued them for strength.

Review Author
Chris Martin
Published on
Company
AFV Club
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$79.99

Summary

Following the release of the AEC Armoured Command Vehicle Dorchester ACV, AFV Club has “converted” the model to those captured by the German’s in North Africa in 1941. My guess is this is essentially the same kit, but with the addition of resin German radios and different decals. This thought is supported by the fact that the sprue for the exterior tools also has British radios and weapons on it.

The model is extremely well detailed, but requires an extra effort when handling due to scale thin parts that are easily broken. The parts layout and build sequence is simple and straight forward.

Background (Excerpted from the AFV Club description.)

Before the outbreak of WWII, the British Army was planning a wheeled armored vehicle to provide the armored troop commander and staff an appropriate command post.

Book Author(s)
Dennis Oliver
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Pen & Sword
MSRP
$28.95

The origin of Pen and Sword Books is closely linked with its sister company, the Barnsley Chronicle; one of the UK's oldest provincial newspapers – established in 1858 – and one of the few weeklies still in private ownership. The first books published by the company were in response to public demand following a series of articles published in the newspaper. Dark Peak Aircraft Wrecks told the story of crash sites in the Dark Peak area of the Peak District National Park, and a further weekly feature on the history of two Kitchener battalions, known as the Barnsley Pals, aroused a thirst for more information. Following on from the success of Dark Peak Wrecks and Barnsley Pals books, a number of local history paperbacks were produced along with a series of battlefield guide books. Battleground Europe proved immediately successful and as more and more titles were produced the company made the decision to launch a book publishing arm of the group.

Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
Dukel Hobbies
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$140.00

The Tanque Argentino Mediano (TAM) is a 30-ton armored tracked combat vehicle with a 105 mm cannon based on the running gear and hull of the Marder Infantry Vehicle. It has been designed considering the constrains of roads, bridges and terrain of Argentina. It was designed as a joint effort of Thyssen-Henschel and TAMSE (an Argentinean company specially created to build the TAM). The hull has been adapted into a whole family of vehicles, including APC, mortar carrier and even a 155 mm SPG on an elongated hull.

Dukel Hobbies, from Buenos Aires, is a large retailer that caters to the hobbyist in Argentina. Recently they started dipping their toes into the manufacturing business, with the TAM (Tanque Argentino Mediano) in 1/35 scale and their upcoming Pucara aircraft in 1/48 scale. They also host a YouTube Channel with tutorials including a 4-part series as to how to build this kit and others (in Spanish only).

Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
AMMO by Mig Jimenez
MSRP
$41.05

“With these colours and effects, you will be able to simulate different types of dirt accumulations on the tracks and wheels of any vehicle, from dust accumulations to clumps of sticky mud, even rust and polished metal. Included in the package is a Quick Tip guide with step-by-step colour photographs showing how to apply all of the authentic effects mentioned above.

Book Author(s)
Simon and Jonathan Forty
Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
Company
Pen & Sword
MSRP
$42.95

For history buffs and modelers interested in artillery warfare during WWII, the folks at Pen and Sword have come through with an offering that provides extensive coverage of all manners of artillery. The different types of artillery, including the gun, howitzer, and mortar are covered in detail for all participants in the war as well as rockets that were used. Over 400 photographs and illustrations are contained in the book so that nearly every page contains one or more photographs or black and white drawing, all of which are well produced.

Book Author(s)
Dennis Oliver
Review Author
Will Kuhrt
Published on
Company
Pen and Sword Books Ltd
MSRP
$29.95

About the Author

Dennis Oliver is the author of over twenty books on Second World War armored vehicles including Tiger I and II Tanks, German Army and Waffen-SS, Eastern Front 1944, Panther Tanks, German Army and Waffen-SS, Normandy Campaign 1944, Jagdpanther Tank Destroyer, German Army, Western Europe 1944-1945, and Tiger I and Tiger II Tanks, German Army and Waffen-SS, and The Last Battles in the West, 1945.

Table of Contents

  • Introduction
  • The Normandy Battlefield
  • Camouflage & Markings
  • Model Showcase
  • Technical Details and Modifications

Summary

This book is another installment of the Tank Craft series which currently holds 17 titles and covers German, American, and British tanks, Tiger I and Tiger II Tanks, and German Army and Waffen-SS, and Normandy Campaign 1944.

Book Author(s)
Ian Baxter
Review Author
Will Kuhrt
Published on
Company
Pen and Sword Books Ltd
MSRP
$22.95

About the Author

Ian Baxter is a much-published author and photographic collector whose books draw an increasing following. Among his many previous titles in the Images of War series are Hitler’s Boy Soldiers, Nazi Concentration Camp Commandants, German Army on the Eastern Front – The Advance, Germany Army on the Eastern Front- The Retreat, The Crushing of Army Group (North) and the SS Waffen Division series including SS Leibstandarte Division, SS Totenkopf Division At War. He lives in Chelmsford, Essex.