MENG revised its very good 2013 Leopard kit with new parts to build a Canadian C2 Mexas with the option to fit a dozer blade.

I jumped at the opportunity to review this kit for three reasons, firstly it’s a Canadian main battle tank, it’s by MENG and last by far from least is that a fellow Canadian military specialist Anthony Sewards assisted on the kits research. He also highly recommends this kit for its accuracy which is real praise!

In the box is:

Introduction

The second volume of Panther Project follows the Restoration process of the Engine and Turret process along with its connected systems, information on Zimmerit. Some very nice Hull walk around along with interior photos, there are 440 photographs that make up this book along with some nice technical drawings of components.

Contents

Before they dive in on the restoration there are several pages on the History of the Panther tank along with the usual introduction. The rest of the book is broken up by each year on restoration 2007 2009 2013 2017 and 2018 and at the back are some references and technical drawings for the restoration process. Each chapter is broken up by what job is being done and gives the page numbers for easy reference. I'll be posting a picture of the index page as there is a lot of work going into each section.

This kit represents the final Marder series of tank destroyer, the model M, that was used in Normandy during the D-Day operations. This version of the Marder was the most produced by the Germans during World War II. Tamiya has taken their kit # 35255 Marder III M from 2002 and added some new parts and figures. Gone are the one-piece rubber band style tracks being replaced with two sprues of link and length tracks. These new tracks make up two sprues that also include new drive sprockets and a dozen 7.5cm rounds to fit into the side ammo bins. A new sprue with four new figures, helmets and headsets is included. The new instruction sheet is in booklet style, not the older Tamiya trifold style. This is nice and helps in referring to different assembly steps – just flips the pages, not the whole sheet. There are 12 pages consisting of 22 steps in the instructions. Along with this is a separate color page showing one Normandy Marder on both sides.

Additional information is available on Facebook--https://www.facebook.com/OKBGrigorov/

Background

OKB Grigorov is a scale model manufacturer based in Bulgaria. The business was established in 2003. Their main goal since then is to provide quality models and accessories with the maximum amount of details.

The product line includes several 1/72th scale armour kits along with separate photoetch sets, brass gun barrel and idlers. Also, they offer 1/72 and 1/35 resin armor accessories, 1/350 and 1/700 scale naval accessories, 1/72, 1/48, 1/35 and 1/350 resin and PE AFV sets. Also include is a line of 1/72 scale military weapons. Their product line continues to grow.

Introduction

You can’t enter a discussion of World War II tanks that made an impact on the course of the war without the T-34 coming up somewhere along the line. While it was a surprise to the Soviets to see their “allies” attacking, the grit and determination of Soviet industry did not leave the attacks unanswered. While it may not be as aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, the design of the sloped frontal armor, rough weld lines, and wide tracks to accommodate Mother Russia’s terrible winters made it more than able to be up to the task of staving off German armor. Starting out with the 76mm cannon to fight off the Panzer III’s and IV’s of the time, the advances in design allowed for a new turret to house the much more powerful 85mm long barrel gun- which was more than a match for the dreaded Tigers and Panthers.