Thursday, December 31, 2009

Wing Masters Hors Series No.01


Malgré ses succès incontestables obtenus pendant la Grande Guerre, ce n'est qu'en 1922 que l'aviation militaire devint réellement autonome et se spécialisa (notamment par le biais de la création de groupes et de régiments de chasse, de bombardement et d'observation), tandis qu'un ministère de l'Air était mis sur pied six années plus tard, en septembre 1928. A cette époque, la dénomination exacte de l'aviation française était « Forces aériennes de Terre », ce qui en dit long sur le rôle que les « terriens » voulaient lui voir jouer... La grande majorité des appareils restait en effet dédiée à l'observation (60 % sur les 1 250 disponibles), le restant étant partagé entre des missions de chasse (28 %) et de bombardement ( 1 2 %). L'infanterie était donc, encore et toujours, la reine des batailles... En 1 933, le nouveau ministre de l'Air, Pierre Cot, créa l'État Major général des Forces aériennes, l'expression « Armée de l'Air » étant alors employée pour la première fois. Trois missions essentielles lui furent attribuées : la défense aérienne du territoire, la lutte pour la maîtrise de l'air et la coopération avec les forces terrestres et navales. Ce n'est en fait qu'en juillet 1934 que l'Armée de l'Air fut réellement mise sur pied, les termes utilisés étant modifiés car jugés trop proches de ceux de l'Armée de Terre, le mot escadre remplaçant notamment celui de régiment.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Model Railroad News 01 2009


The model exhibits details galore with separately applied hand rails, coupler lift bar, train line air hose, LED-illuminated headlight and number boards, and all the steam, sand, water, electrical, and air lines visible on the prototype. Especially take note of the Alco builder's plates which, under magnification, read the construction number, 69343. and correct delivery date. October 1940. for our number 3006 sample. Also depicted appropriately are the rectangular-shaped Worthington SA feedwater heater atop the smokebox, compound air pumps behind the pilot deck shields, and see-through passenger-style pilot. Both the L3 and L4 classes were equipped with drop couplers, but MTH has provided a fixed working magnetic coupler allowing the modeler to double-head their Mohawks. MTH's intricately detailed eight-coupled driver set is shown in this photo. Rods, valves, alligator type crossheads. and guides are all made of metal, the Baker gear frames are molded in black plastic, and the scale 69-inch diameter Boxpok drivers are see-though. The brake gear actually has been replicated in full with the shoes visible and the brake beams and linkage continuing on underneath the engine. All that's missing down here are the sanding lines!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Model Railroad News 02 2009


In Europe, trains run under wire far more places than in North America. While some of that is due to the differences in operating concepts, much of it is really a matter of choice. Take the Taurus for example. Rated at 6,400 Kilowatts, this translates to 8,583 Horsepower, making it vastly more powerful than any single diesel or steam locomotive in operation right now on North American rails. The "ES" stands tor "Euro Sprinter," the 64 is for the hundreds of kilowatts of power, the "U" is for Universal (as opposed to being freight or passenger specific), and the "2" is tor the number of electric power types the machine will accept. Versions can be produced that will accept all four of the power types used in European railroading. The Universal version differs from the Freight in the shape of the nose shell. While the Freight has sharper, boxier corners, the Universal is more rounded. The two power types the U2 accepts are 15 and 25 kV AC; the other two power types used in Europe are 1.5 and 3.0 kV DC. The Taurus is clearly a flexible, all around performer. Amtrak enjoys eight thousand horsepower locomotives for its highspeed passenger trains, but the application of high horse electrics to current North American freight is quite limited. Black Mesa & Lake Powell has nine 6,000 horse units, Deseret Power Rv has three, Iowa Traction has three antiques, and that's about it tor electric freight haulers on this continent. It isn't that we can't; it's just that we don't. Variants of the Taurus have found their way around the world to Denmark, Greece, China, Korea, and Spain. If a railroad wanted to adopt electric under-wire operations, it's nice to know there is a production locomotive that is ready to go.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Steel Masters No.03


Les premiers cas d'emploi de l'hélicoptère remontent à la fin de la Seconde Guerre mondiale mais, souffrant d'une motorisation nettement insuffisante, leur rôle reste alors très marginal. En 1951, une unité américaine de Sikorsky H-19 est envoyée en Corée et s'acquitte de missions diverses comme la pose d'unités sur les arrières de l'ennemi ou l'évacuation de blessés. Très vite, ce type d'action toute nouvelle va se banaliser mais le petit nombre de machines disponibles en limitera l'emploi. A la même époque, la France mène un combat en Indochine, contre le Vietminh, sur un terrain comportant montagne, jungle dense et deltas inondés, dans un climat pénible. Quelques hélicoptères sont utilisés par nos forces, mais essentiellement pour l'évacuation des blessés. Certains officiers du corps expéditionnaire français d'Extrême-Orient pressentent alors l'avantage déterminant que fournirait l'hélicoptère dans les immenses jungles d'Indochine et envisagent une nouvelle tactique fondée sur la mobilité pour contrer la guérilla vietminh. Mais le désastre de Diên Biên Phu met un terme à la guerre avant tout début de réalisation de réels moyens héliportés. A peine l'Indochine perdue, commence en 1954 une autre guerre, en Algérie. Tirant les leçons de sa défaite en Asie, l'armée française met cette fois « le paquet » et applique les projets élaborés pour l'Indochine. A la fin de la guerre, en 1962, plus de 600 hélicoptères à cocardes tricolores assurent transport, évacuation, reconnaissance et appui-feu, ce dernier emploi, entièrement nouveau, étant systématique dans l'armée française. Ayant suivi avec intérêt les opérations héliportées menées en Algérie, les Américains étudient à leur tour la création de ces unités d'un genre nouveau. Ainsi naît la 11e division d'assaut aéromobile, mise sur pied à titre expérimental. On lui adjoindra la 10e brigade de transport aérien, nouvellement créée pour assurer le transport par hélicoptères.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

EuroModelismo - Carros en Rusia 03


En los dos anteriores volúmenes se estudiaron detalladamente las insignias de las unidades acorazadas alemanas en el Frente del Este durante el período comprendido entre 1941 y 1942. La forma de estos emblemas reglamentarios apenas cambió a lo largo de la guerra, aunque en algunos casos fueron sustituidos por variantes extraoficiales. Además, la pintura de color amarillo que se utilizaba para pintar estos motivos fue progresivamente reemplazada por pintura blanca, pues ofrecía mayor contraste sobre los nuevos colores de camuflaje. De cualquier modo y con objeto de dificultar al enemigo la identificación de las unidades, entre 1944 y 1945 la práctica de pintar emblemas sobre los blindados fue cayendo paulatinamente en desuso. Durante la ofensiva soviética del invierno de 1942 varias divisiones alemanas fueron aniquiladas total o parcialmente, quedando oficialmente disueltas. Algunas fueron reconstituidas a lo largo de 1943, manteniendo en unos casos los viejos emblemas o empleando unos nuevos en otros. A su vez, durante ese año se organizaron nuevas divisiones que fueron enviadas a Rusia, mientras que algunas veteranas fueron enviadas temporalmente al oeste para su reestructuración y descanso (junto a cada ilustración aparecen anotadas las fechas de permanencia en el Trente del Este).

Saturday, December 26, 2009

MODEL No.03


The ultimatum remains unanswered. At 11 o'clock, Britain enters the war. At 5 o'clock France joins them. Ribbentrop and Hitler are astonished. Goering said "if we lose that war, god bless us". Geobbels looks devastated. So, Occident reacted. This time, Hitler has played the game, and lost. Germany, geographically isolated, its army fighting in Poland, has nothing or nearly nothing with which to face the French army, who is supposed to be the best in the world, and the British navy, who is unrivalled on seas. 18.50, Saturday 22nd 1940. The French army is defeated, annihilated. At Rethondes, General Huntziger signed the armistice in the same carriage that was used to sign the end of the First World War, supposed to be the "last of the last". The cease fire began on the 25th at 00.35h. Since the 10th May, the start of the German offensive, 10 millions of people were thrown onto the roads, France lost the Alsace and Lorraine, a large part of its territory is occupied, its army is under captivity. All this in just under 6 weeks. How was this possible? What happened?

Friday, December 25, 2009

MODEL No.02


Un soleil de plomb, implacable, qui écrase hommes et bêtes de mars à novembre, un hiver des plus rudes avec des nuits glaciales où le froid remplace la chaleur comme principal ennemi. Des tempêtes de sable que rien ni personne ne peut prévoir et qui rendent tout déplacement impossible. Un sable qui s'infiltre partout et qui met hommes et matériel à rude épreuve. Un terrain, enfin, où les sables du Sahara rendent cette guerre semblable à une guerre navale, où les tactiques des chefs doivent se calquer sur celles des escadres, où les déplacements épuisants se font davantage au compas qu'à la carte... les affrontements brutaux ressemblent aux abordages. Le danger que représente l'Italie fasciste de Mussolini en 1940 est pris très au sérieux par les Anglais. Elle a une place privilégiée en Méditerranée, de par sa situation et son empire coloniaL Depuis 1912, elle occupe le Libye et près de 90 000 colons se sont installés en Cyrénaïque et en Tripolitaine. Une route côtière, la Via Balbia, et les ports aménagés de Tripoli, Tobrouk et Benghazi ont été aménagés. De l'Ethiopie, qu'elle occupe depuis 1935, l'Italie menace directement le Soudan, La Somalie et le Kenya. L'enjeu est évident : le canal de Suez est à La portée de l'Axe et si Mussolini coupe la « route des Indes », il isole L'Angleterre de son empire et tarit l'approvisionnement en pétrole d'Arabie Saoudite.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

MODEL No.01


Overlord. Ce mot à lui seul évoque un des tournants de la seconde guerre mondiale, rendu célèbre par le livre de Cornelius Ryan «Le jour le plus long». Le débarquement des forces alliées a regroupé sur les côtes du Cotentin, Américains, Anglais, Canadiens Polonais et Français en une formidable coalition. Initialement prévu sur les plages du Pas de Calais, au nord de la France, ce débarquement devait répondre à trois exigences majeures. Le soutien aérien devait être possible, les plages devaient pouvoir accepter un flux massif de troupes avant et après les opérations, et une infrastructure portuaire devait exister non loin de là. Cette région étant la plus défendue militairement et géographiquement, elle se prêtait mal à une exploitation rapide ultérieure de la tête de pont, en cas de réussite du débarquement. De plus, aucun port utilisable près des zones de combat n'était disponible. C'est finalement La Normandie qui sera retenue. La presqu'île du Cotentin protégeant les ports artificiels «Mulberry I et II» devant y être acheminés, Cherbourg devait devenir un objectif prioritaire, et être pris dans les deux semaines suivant le jour J. Ce port était d'une nécessité vitale pour acheminer troupes et matériels de renforts. De l'autre côté, Caen et sa région dotée de nombreux points d'atterrissage possibles. Ce sera la plus grande opération amphibie de tous les temps.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Euromodelismo 154


A estas alturas resulta un poco difícil aportar algo nuevo acerca de un avión mítico como el Catalina; concebido en un principio para realizar misiones de reconocimiento y patrulla, también desempeño muchos otros cometidos: avión de enlace y rescate marítimo, patrulla antisubmarina y bombardero nocturno, e incluso como apagafuegos. De rebote fue también estrella cinematográfica en la película de Steven Spielberg, Always, (insuperable la escena en la que John Goodman, a bordo de su Catalina, apaga el fuego declarado en el A-26 pilotado por Richard Dreyfuss). En cuanto a los méritos atesorados por los Cal he de decir que era el primer hidrocanoa en servicio al comienzo de la II Guerra Mundial: en diciembre de 1941. un Catalina norteamericano (el protagonista de este artículo) descubrió a la flota japonesa aproximándose a Midway: también fue un Catalina, pero ahora británico, el que localizó al acorazado alemán Bismark.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Euromodelismo 153


Sin embargo, y a pesar de los apabullantes éxitos iniciales del Ju 87 en los primeros meses de conflicto, pronto se demostró que los lentos y poco maniobrables Stuka eran, junto con otro factótum de la Luftwaffe, el Bf 110, extremadamente vulnerables a las miras de los cazas Hurricane y Spitfi-re del Mando de Caza de la RAF. Así y a tenor de las pérdidas sufridas durante la Batalla de Inglaterra (verano-otoño de 1940). el Alto Mando de la Luftwaffe (OKL) empezó a buscar un sustituto o el medio de mejorar al ubicuo Stuka. Amén de algunos proyectos y consideraciones, los responsables de la aviación germana pronto se fijaron en un caza que había entrado en servicio poco antes y que en los cielos del Canal de La Mancha se había mostrado superior a las versiones del Spitfire por aquel entonces operativas: el Focke-Wulf Fw 190. Con un robusto y versátil diseño, propulsado por el motor radial BMW 801D, este caza pudo ser transformado como aparato de ataque a tierra tras algunas modificaciones menores, y así, en 1943 entró en servicio con las unidades St.G. (Stukageschwader) bajo la nueva designación Fw 190F. Una de ¡as modificaciones más importantes fue la adicíón de blindaje adicional alrededor del cock-pit, de los depósitos de combustible situados bajo éste y alrededor del motor. Los cañones de 20mm fueron eliminados y se intalalaron pilones subalares paca armas en ¡as mismas estaciones que ocupaban éstos.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Euromodelismo 152


Después de la pérdida de su imperio colonial africano, Mussolini se encontraba luchando contra su orgullo al tener que verse cada vez más supeditado militarmente a las fuerzas alemanas y a la evidencia de un ejército italiano en estado calamitoso, cansado y con nulo espíritu de combate. Por su parte, los aliados empezaron atacando la pequeña y fortificada isla de Pantela-ria. situada entre Túnez y Sicilia, sometiéndola a intensos bombardeos aéreos y artilleros que finalmente causaron, para estupor de las fuerzas invasoras, que la guarnición se rindiera sin disparar un sólo tiro. Su capitulación arrastró a otras dos islas, Lampedusa y Linosa... El camino quedaba despejado. Cuando el 10 de julio de 1943 los aliados desembarcaron en Sicilia, la mayoría de las fuerzas defensoras italianas alzaron las manos y se entregaron en masa, pero los alemanes no lo iban a poner tan fácil. Con una fuerte resistencia fueron retirándose hasta las faldas del volcán Etna, aprovechando al máximo las posibilidades defensivas que ofrecía el terreno, y de allí pensaban no moverse. Pero la abrumadora superioridad aliada fue empujándolos hacia Messina. Mientras la población civil, harta de la guerra, de los alemanes y de Mussolini, recibía a los invasores con rosas y chianti, las fuerzas germanas se ponían a salvo a través del estrecho de Messina en una evacuación que se llevó a cabo con la típica eficacia y meticulosidad germana.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Euromodelismo 151


Una vez seco este plata especial, aplicamos transparencias con azul transparente y dorado de Tamiya muy diluidos, además de una capa de barniz brillante de HumbroL Mientras seca, y por separado, podemos aprovechar para decorar las toberas utilizando como base metal bruñido, al que daremos un lavado con óleo negro. Tras cuarenta y ocho horas podemos aplicar pincel seco con plata de HumbroL
En el interior de las toberas usamos beige 917 de Vallejo y dos lavados de óleo negro, dejándolo secar un mínimo de dos días, y aplicando posteriormente, desde el interior hacia el exterior, una mano de pincel seco. Estos los reservaremos hasta el final, ya que su encaje es bueno. Retomamos el fuselaje para enmascarar los paneles de los motores y aplicar el color base de la forma habitual. A partir de aquí comenzaremos una labor tediosa, pero imprescindible, pues de ella depende el acabado final. En primer lugar, tenemos que aplicar las luces, panel por panel, registro por registro, y lo mismo con las sombras. Dada la complejidad de este aparato, el proceso dura horas. Cuando esté seco, queda marcar los paneles con un portaminas, es decir, otras tantas horas. Cada tapa, remache y bisagra son importantes y no deben olvidarse, por lo que ios tres pasos deben respetarse rigurosamente.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Euromodelismo 150


Los estadounidenses, confiados al pensar que Las Ardenas son bastante tranquilas para pasar el invierno y celebrar la Navidad, se ven sorprendidos. En medio del caos provocado por la ofensiva germana, un Jeep Willys se sale de la carretera y queda atascado en un terraplén, siendo abandonado. Los alemanes, que avanzan llenos de buen humor dado el éxito inicial de la ofensiva, están encantados de encontrar regalos navideños entre el cargamento del Jeep y se divierten con ellos, sin sospechar que el destino no les será favorable y que la guerra seguirá por otros derroteros. Esta composición es muy sencilla y clásica, aunque he intentado poner de relieve cada detalle para sacar el mayor partido posible a todos lo elementos que aparecen la escena. El eje principal de la misma es una diagonal imaginaria que discurre entre las dos figuras que están abriendo los regalos navideños y los tripulantes del Jagdpanzer. Esta diagonal queda reforzada gracias a los vehículos, que simbolizan igualmente a los dos bandos en conflicto: el Jeep americano que ha sido cogido por sorpresa y el cazacarros alemán.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Military Modelcraft International 05 2007


MMI has carried news reviews from this Company in the past but here again is a brief piece on one of their newest resin conversion kits. Now IMA has gone into the business of full kits and their first tracked vehicle is a kit is of the A30 Avenger 17pdr SPG that entered limited service with the British Army just after the Second World War and was to later see service with the Danish Army. The first thing to note is the cleanliness of parts, which for a Resin is quite amazing. The overall casting is supremely well done with moulding blocks being to an absolute minimum. This is especially apparent on the road wheels that require very little in the way of cleaning- a real bonus when there are 24 to do! The rest of the kit is very much akin to having a plastic kit, only in resin with 12 Bags of parts in grey resin, single piece lower hull with individual track guards, 2 part upper hull with all hatches being separate, 3 piece open topped turret, 2 lengths of plastic tube, 2 lengths of brass rod, turned aluminium gun barrel with brass muzzle brake, etched grills and a bag of supremely cast individual track links with no casting blocks! No decals are supplied but I have not been able find anything other than photographs taken at the factory and for this vehicle Archer Fine Transfers can be used for the Census Number.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Verlinden Modeling Magazine Vol.7 No.4


The Ki-46 III (Allied nickname "Dinah") went into production by Mitsubishi in 1942 after testing and combat conditions revealed that a high-performance reconnaissance aircraft was needed. To counter the impending threat of the U.S. P-38F "Lightning" and F4U-1 "Corsair", two 1.500 hp Ha-112-II engines were utilized, with a top speed of 630 km/h at 6.000 meters and a ceiling of 10,000 meters. For the next three years, the "Dinah" was virtually untouchable over the Pacific, until Allied technology was finally able to intercept this incredibly swift airplane. In the scene depicted here, two Japanese ground crewmen pause for a snack of coconuts in the Pacific heat. The central element is Tamiya's latest offering, a beautiful rendition of the 1/48 scale "Dinah." The base was cut from marine styro-foam with a thin layer of spackle covered with sand. Testor Modern Desert Sand (#1963) was used as the base color, drybrushed with Humbrol 33 Matte White. VP's Barrels & Crates (0085). Palm Trees (0078). and Static Grass finished off the base. The model was built completely straight from the box. It is very well engineered and fits perfectly, requiring no putty.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Verlinden Modeling Magazine Vol.7 No.3


The main engine for the early Sherman models M4 and M4A1 was the Wright Continental R 975. which was a nine-cylinder radial four-stroke, air-cooled petrol engine of the aircraft variety. Tamiya's latest Early M4 Sherman made a perfect base for VP to develop a full engine and compartment. The Wright R 975 engine is separately available as 1095; with the full engine compartment the stock number is 1120. The engine builds into a very nice, highly detailed replica of the real thing, it can be displayed on a stand next to the tank or can be used in workshop dioramas. The compartment contains the front firewall and sidewalls. engine shroud, exhaust, and air pipes as well as the fire extinguisher nozzles. All resin parts should be carefully removed from their casting carriers and cleaned up with sandpaper and Scotch-Brite. Parts are then test fitted into the Tamiya lower hull. Just a bit of superglue must be used on test fitting to enable the builder to disassemble parts for easy painting afterwards. Next the Tamiya kit was built according to the instructions. Lower and upper hull should be kept separate to allow engine compartment installation after painting. Extra detail parts include light guards (VP 0204). antenna mount (VP 0187). and .50 calibre machine gun (VP 0372).

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Verlinden Modeling Magazine Vol.7 No.2


By August 1944 the Chief of Development of the Ministry of Aviation - Oberst Knemayer -was asked to come up with a solution to counter Allied bombing raids, which were at that time virtually bombing the Reich out of existence. What was needed was something cheap, fast, well-armed, and deadly for ending the Allied air supremacy over Germany. A difficult demand, but Knemayer went to work. The result was the Bachem 8-349 Al "Natter". The small, easy-to-build aircraft was launched vertically from its pad straight into the incoming Allied bombers. The pilot then fired the 24 73mm rockets into the Allied formation, glided away with a speed of almost 300 km/h, and landed safely with a parachute. At least, that was the general idea. The single manned flight resulted in the death of the pilot. Due to the increasing and overwhelming bombing and strafing by Allied airplanes (who shot at everything visible), by the war's end most manufacturing, repair, and maintenance on military equipment was carried out in caves or under the cover of trees. This small 1:48 diorama shows a Natter workshop hurriedly abandoned during the Allied advance on Germany in 1945. A group of USAAF pilots and mechanics are investigating with gr^at interest their bizarre war prize.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Verlinden Modeling Magazine Vol.7 No.1


As the Allied forces moved inland following the invasion of Normandy, U.S. and British armor faced a new obstacle provided by nature. Most fields and roads were edged with trees and hedgerows grown on earthen walls, which were extremely difficult to overcome and continually slowed the fast moving armor columns. The countryside seemed to be custom made for the German army: the hedgerows proved to be natural tank obstacles, and were perfect areas of concealment from Allied aircraft. Behind every hedgerow could be a German tank or anti-tank defensive position, completely concealed by the heavy vegetation and usually discovered too late. This diorama presents a slice of hedgerow country, showing a German Panther tank being rearmed by its crew, well concealed from detection by land and air. Two sets of VP tree and hedgerow material were used to full advantage on a base of roots. An old Nichimo Panther G was spruced up, and a selection of VP figures and accessories completed the scene.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Verlinden Modeling Magazine Vol.6 No.1


Even after Desert Storm, Vietnam dioramas are still very popular among military modellers because of the very extensive collection of models, figures and accessories available to choose from. This scene makes full use of various items on the modelling market. It shows the classic M113 APC (Tamiya ACAV) towing an armoured trailer (VP). both stowed with ammunition and equipment. It is searching its way through a jungle trail, passing a partially overgrown Temple Ruin. The M113 is the "Old Reliable" Tamiya kit in the ACAV version built straight from the box except for the flotation cells on the front (VP) and the mesh wire over the engine air intakes. The side mud guards are omitted, since photographic research indicates not many M113's having those during the Vietnam War. The armored ammo trailer is a recent VP resin kit which is still used today in the US Army for many purposes. The M113 and trailer were both airbrushed with Humbrol No.116 Dark Green, followed by subtle overspay of No. 105 to obtain the first color shading. After drying, both colors are sealed with flat household varnish. After sufficient drying time, (48 hours), weathering was started with a thin wash of Humbrol Flat Black and Burnt Sienna oil paint.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Euromodelismo - Panzer Aces No.02


La configuración básica era la habitúal en este tipo de armas, con la cámara de combate situada en la parte delantera y el compartimento del motor en la trasera. La superestructura estaba constituida por planchas de blindaje inclinadas que alcanzaban un grosor máximo de ochenta milímetros en la coraza frontal. Este blindado tenía una altura total de tan solo ciento ochenta y cinco centímetros, lo que permitía su empleo con gran éxito en emboscadas. En orden de combate el peso era de veinticuatro toneladas, y la velocidad máxima 39 km/h. En los ejemplares de producción inicial se instaló en montaje de rótula el cañón Pak 39 L/48 de 7.5 cm con un mantelete tipo Saukopf de fundición. Hasta el final de la guerra y contando todos los ejemplares de las distintas versiones, se construyeron un total de 1.531 Jagdpanzer.

Model Railroader 09 2009


iHobby is coming: The 25th annual iHobby Expo, a trade show for the hobby industry, is slated for Oct. 22-25 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, I11., just outside Chicago. The show features model railroad manufacturers and vendors, as well as those in other hobbies such as radio control, plastic models, rockets, and die-cast metal toys. The expo is often a showplace for manufacturers to debut new hobby products. Model Railroader will have a full iHobby report on our Web site and in January's News & Products. For more information, go to www.ihobbyexpo.com. Modeler operates on a larger scale: United States Army officer and model railroader Leslie Parks had no idea his experience with small-scale trains would come in handy on the ground in Iraq. But when Parks was transferred to the Area of Operations that included the headquarters of Iraqi National Railways, his superiors assigned him to get it working. Parks, a Model Railroader reader, shared his experiences in an e-mail he sent to us. "In any sound prototype-based model railroad, you must have a purpose," Parks wrote. The Iraqi railroad was one of the largest employers in the area, but since its primary customer had been the former government, not much was moving on the rails.

Model Railroader 10 2009


Dean Freytag's foundry article was published in two parts in the April and May 2009 issues. The prototype foundry, part of a small-engine plant, was fed by a pair of overhead cranes working on a craneway about a city block long. A single track ran just inside the concrete wall beneath the entire length of the craneway. That track was long enough to hold about a half-dozen 50-foot gondolas of scrap iron that were unloaded using electromagnets. The plant didn't have any visible means of moving freight cars, but I've seen similar size plants shift cars with a special electric windlass called a car puller. These devices have a cable that's hooked into one of the roping loops built into the corners of gondolas. Then the windlass can gradually pull the loaded car into position. Many manufacturing industries use a somewhat riskier practice of shoving cars with an industrial truck or forklift. The problem is how to stop the car once it's rolling. For model railroad operating purposes, I'd add a single spot with an unloading hopper under the track to receive a covered hopper of dry foundry sand at the very end of the long spur opposite the sand preparation building.

Model Railroader 11 2009


Rotary beacons were initially used in the early 1960s to make switchers more visible in large yards at night. The flashing lights helped the vardmasters in the towers keep track of the switchers. In the 1970s, the Federal Railroad Administration began studying ways to reduce grade crossing accidents by making trains more visible to motorists. Tests with oscillating headlights, rotating beacons, alternating flashing lights, ditch lights, and roof-mounted strobe lights led to the use of a triangular combination of two strobe lights with a standard headlight or a pair of roof-mounted strobe lights. More FRA testing followed in the early 1990s to identify the most effective combination of a normal headlight with various secondary lights. In 1993, a triangular configuration with alternately flashing lower lights was field tested on CalTrans, Conrail, and Norfolk Southern. At the end of the tests, the FRA report lists an accident reduction of 76.4 percent on CalTrans, 74.3 percent on Conrail, and 54.6 percent on Norfolk Southern.

Model Railroader 12 2009


Unit trains made up entirely of coal gondolas must be arranged with all of their rotary coupler ends facing the same direction for delivery to a rotary dumper. The rotary coupler ends are generally facing forward and coupled to the locomotive on loaded trains. In this manner, everything remains coupled and the dumping rotation occurs with the couplers aligned at the pivot point. Every pair of couplers must include a rotary coupler to pass through the dumper. If a car is reversed, two normal couplers will be together and the rotation will damage both cars. Even so, most of today's rotary car dumpers are sized to empty two cars at a time. Occasionally, a unit train car must be set out for repairs. It'll normally be picked up on the return trip of the car's original consist to maintain the proper car count. Since these trains often pass through a reverse loop at the dumper or the mine, occasionally cars end up facing the wrong way. However, the conductor delivering the loaded train is responsible for making sure all of its cars are oriented properly. Any odd ones are usually turned on a wye before the train leaves the yard.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

FineScale Modeler 03 1994


WITH THE GENERAL SUCCESS of the Tiger tank it might be difficult to understand why the German army wanted an even heavier weapon. Nevertheless, design work on the Porsche Type 205 "Maus" (mouse) began in the summer of 1942, and two prototypes were completed and tested. The Maus was massive. It weighed 188 tons and was fitted with a 128 mm gun - compare that to the 88 mm weapon of the Tiger! It is possible that the prototypes saw combat against the Red army; they were eventually captured by the Russians. A restored Maus is on display in the Kublinka collection, and that vehicle is the basis for this kit. The kit features excellent moldings. Everything went together without a hitch and all the parts fit perfectly. The well-illustrated instructions show each piece with the right viewing angle needed to align the parts. Decals include numerals, German crosses, and kill markings. The most difficult aspect of construction is the track. There are many three-link pieces that go together along the straight sections above and below the wheels, plus dozens of individual upper and lower link halves that go around the drive and idler wheels. When I realized that much of the track would be hidden behind the side armor skirts, I left those sections off, saving hours of work.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Verlinden Modeling Magazine Vol.4 No.3


The Tamiya Stuart is now an old kit. But in the Tamiya tradition of quality, it is still a better kit than some of their competitors' new releases. It's amazing that some people never realize that quality isn't just a nice thing, it's the only thing! The VP team thought it deserved some new versions and released 2 conversion sets for that purpose. VP set No.723 contains the M3 Hex turret, early drivers vision ports, jettisonable fuel tanks and new air cleaners. The second kit, No. 725, converts the Tamiya model into a British M3 "Honey" during the North Africa campaign. It contains the same parts as 723 except the fuel tanks but. in addition. British style stowage boxes, water cans and a photo-etched sheet of track guards, water can rack and other small details. This last conversion is the subject of this simple but effective diorama, depicting the "Honey" stranded in the desert perhaps out of fuel or by mechanical failure and being inspected by an Afrika Korps recce group. An Italeri Kubelwagen, VP Afrika Korps figures, 37mm ammo, rucksacks, bedrolls, tentpacks, various small pieces of equipment, barbed wire and a small simple base are the components of this scene. This diorama is a perfect example of the tremendous potential of a good older kit given a new lease on life when combined with new conversion kits, figures and accessories.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Super Model 2009-03


Jeżeli spojrzymy tylko na dane techniczne, to Char B1-bis powinien podczas działań przeciwko Panzerwaffe w roku 1940 być królem pól bitewnych. Doskonale uzbrojony w działo 75 mm umieszczone w kadłubie oraz działo 47 mm w obrotowej wieżyczce, jak również w dwa karabiny maszynowe, miał opancerzenie sięgające 60 mm i potężny trzystukonny silnik. Niestety nie zawsze cyfry są najlepszym wykładnikiem możliwości technicznych i tak też było i w tym przypadku. Bardzo wolny, ze skomplikowaną trakcją oraz źle zaprojektowanym uzbrojeniem, które ze względu na ciasnotę i kadłuba, i wieżyczki praktycznie było nie do użycia, a dodatkowo wciśnięty w przestarzałą koncepcję francuskich pancerniaków, w której to dowódca miał za zadanie celowanie głównym działem, nie mógł spełnić pokładanych w nim nadziei. Niewielka ilość, około 300 wozów zmontowanych w tej wersji, świadczyła też o niedużej wydolności przemysłu zbrojeniowego. Niemcy po zdobyciu dużej ilości tych czołgów po kampanii francuskiej tylko częściowo wykorzystali go jako sprzęt drugoliniowy i szkoleniowy. Na szczęście dla nas modelarzy zalety, które klasyfikują pojazdy, nie są takie same, jakimi kierują się ich użytkownicy, więc nieudane maszyny mają szansę zdobyć mimo wszystko nasze uznanie. Czy to ze względu na swoją urodę (czasami względną), czy to ze względu na swoje malowania. Char B1 bis należy właśnie do tej grupy modeli.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Steel Masters Hors-Serie No.04


On a beaucoup glosé sur la validité de l'opération « Wacht am Rhein » et sur son opportunité, en jugeant a posteriori la défaite des Allemands. D'un point de vue purement stratégique, il s'agit pourtant d'une décision parfaitement intelligente. Au mois de décembre 1944,1a pression alliée sur tous les fronts laisse peu d'espoir à Hitler, et à Guderian revenu en grâce. La guerre d'usure ne pourra durer plus longtemps avant un effondrement complet, si la Wehrmacht laisse l'initiative à ses ennemis. Le redressement de la situation aux frontières du Reich, après la débâcle de Normandie, a été en grande partie possible grâce aux difficultés de ravitaillement des Alliés. Or, la réouverture du port d'Anvers et Je renouvellement des stocks de carburant laissent présager une reprise accélérée des opérations anglo-américaines. L'offensive allemande du 16 décembre 1944 est donc lancée au moment le plus propice : les Alliés ne s'y attendent absolument pas et la Wehrmacht dispose sur le front d'attaque d'une bonne supériorité numérique. Ses effectifs en chars ont été reconstitués assez partiellement, mais suffisamment pour porter un coup sévère aux Alliés. Le principe tactique est en gros une reprise du plan de mai 1940, le but étant d'encercler en Belgique une trentaine de divisions, essentiellement britanniques. Ce choix est lui aussi très bon, les Allemands savent que la Grande-Bretagne souffre d'une très grave crise d'effectifs. La mise hors de combat d'une partie de son armée aurait des conséquences incalculables et forcerait les Alliés occidentaux à marquer une longue pause avant d'envisager la reprise des combats. Cette pause serait mise à profit pour se retourner contre les Russes et les sonner suffisamment pour les contraindre eux aussi à la défensive pour plusieurs mois. Et ensuite?

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Verlinden Modeling Magazine Vol.6 No.2


This diorama is a perfect example of what can be achieved by using only commercially available products. Not all modelers are capable of creating complicated conversions, making buildings from scratch and going into endless figure conversions. The first thing to do is to look through catalogs or in the hobby shops to determine what is available. Then check which items would fit the time and place of the diorama you want to build. Our example started with Tamiya's King Tiger as the focal point. Research determined when and where this vehicle saw service. France 1944 was chosen because of the availability of the new VP French garage ruin kit. Tank crew figures and infantry figures are selected from the VP range, again being certain they fit the time and place. Also the usual accessories such as fuel drums, jerrycans, ammo and equipment boxes. For the scenery, Trophy cobblestone sections, roof tile sheet, floor tiles, wall paper, red and gray bricks. A selection of wood strips and beams from many hobby shops were selected for making the roof and structural supports of the building.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Wing Masters No.36


On parle du Spitfire comme du plus élégant assemblage de tôle de l'histoire de l'aéronautique. Le Crusader est sans doute, lui, le plus viril. En 1964, juste avant que les F-8 de TUS Navy ne commencent à tailler des coupes sombres dans les rangs de l'aviation du Nord-vietnam, l'aéronautique française se dota du plus performant chasseur embarqué de l'époque. Jusqu'en 1999, les « Crouze » français baladèrent leurs panaches de fumée noire sur toutes les mers du monde. Prévu pour une mise à la retraite au début des années quatre-vingt, le F-8 continua à voler vingt ans de plus, au grand désespoir de ses pilotes qui rêvaient de F-18 ou de Rafale, mais à la joie immense des passionnés. Jean-Marie Gall a été pilote de Crusader et lui a consacré l'essentiel de sa carrière de marin. Passionné par cette machine inoubliable, il publia en 1997 la première édition de ce livre, bien vite épuisée. Si cette nouvelle mouture est impressionnante avec sa centaine de pages supplémentaires et ses 200 photos rajoutées, elle l'est également — et surtout peut-être — parce que Jean-Marie nous donne l'occasion d'assouvir un fantasme, devenir pilote de « Crouze » ! Étonnant non? Il s'est attaché, avec un talent remarquable, à nous décrire le plus honnêtement possible le métier de pilote de chasse embarqué, le métier de dompteur de « MiGMaster ». Les petits événements de la carrière fort longue du F-8 sous la « cocarde à hameçon », les drames, inévitables de ce métier, le vocabulaire, les procédures, les anecdotes parfois hilarantes, tout y est, et pour vous rendre un peu plus intime des « Lascars », comme si vous aviez passé quelques années à Landi-visiau.

Sky Model No.31


Così nacquero negli Stati Uniti e nell'Unione Sovietica gli intercettori, relativamente piccoli e leggeri, F-104 e Mig-21, frutti di filosofie progettuali opposte: il primo caratterizzato da soluzioni tecniche raffinatissime, il secondo dalla massima semplificazione al fine di ottenere un rapporto spinta/peso senza uguali. Senza però dimenticare il francese Mirage, che diede tanto filo da torcere alla stirpe del 21, sia nei cieli arabo-israeliani, sia in quelli africani, sia... a terra, nei mercato mondiale delle armi da guerra. Uno dei prototipi venne mostrato alla parata aerea di Tushino, nei pressi di Mosca, il 24 giugno 1956: dotato del nuovo motore RD-11, raggiunse i 2100 km/h, i 18000 metri di tangenza, impiegando 3'4" per salire a 15000 metri, il tutto con un'autonomia di 1400 km. La stirpe era nata. La migliore dimostrazione della felice impostazione del progetto, perfettamente corrispondente alle specifiche, fu l'alto potenziale di sviluppo, che si manifestò sin dall'inizio. La potenza relativamente scarsa aveva inizialmente impedito l'installazione di apparati di ricerca, limitando la possibilità d'impiego del velivolo sovietico alla caccia diurna con tempo limpido, presto gli si assicurò una pur limitata capacità di operare di notte o in condizioni metereologiche avverse.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Sky Model No.19


Nel maggio del 1945 la seconda Guerra Mondiale era terminata in Europa; lo sforzo bellico degli Alleati si era quindi concentrato nel Pacifico, dove la resistenza giapponese era più agguerrita che mai. La Marina Imperiale Giapponese, che aveva subito pesanti perdite, elaborò un piano che, se attuato, avrebbe sortito un notevole effetto psicologico, oltre che strategico. Per tare ciò disponeva di due assi nella manica: il sommergibile della classe 1-400 ed un nuovo tipo di idrovolante, il Seiran. In teoria si sarebbe dovuta inviare una flottiglia di sommergibili con idrovolanti imbarcati nel loro interno, per colpire i punti strategici degli Alleati. Una volta lanciati gli aerei, i natanti si sarebbero infatti dileguati, per poi recuperare i Seiran ad attacco finito. Obiettivo principale era il canale di Panama, un punto vitale per bloccare i rifornimenti che giungevano con regolarità dall'america: la sua distruzione avrebbe significato una ferita grave almeno come quella di Pearl Harbour. All'epoca i sommergibili 1-400 erano tra i più grandi, essendo lunghi 118 metri, con un dislocamento di 5000 tonnellate e con un raggio d'azione di 33000 miglia nautiche. Con questa autonomia sarebbero potuti arrivare a lambire le coste americane, anche se la loro capacità di stivare ben tre velivoli era la loro arma principale.

Scale Aviation Modeller International 2009 05


I can not believe it has taken so long for such an important type to be kitted in 1/32. The P-80, later F-80, was the first operational US Air Force fighter. It was the mainstay at the start of Korean war and as it was replaced by the F-86 Sabre it became a competent ground attack platform. Further development of the airframe brought the F-94 Starfire night fighter and of course one of the most important trainers of all time, the T-33. This is a typical limited-run model from Czech Model and is far removed from the huge vague lumps of plastic that I remember from my early days in modelling. The plastic has restrained engraved detail that is better than some mainstream manufacturers, and a slightly rough feel, so may need a little polishing bearing in mind the overall natural metal finish that you will need to apply later. Test fitting reveals a very good fit of parts though you may need to carry out a small amount of trimming as you assemble the model. The clear parts are really beautiful, and certainly the best I have ever seen in this type of model kit.