Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Verlinden Modeling Magazine Vol.5 No.3


Just imagine, you are an American tanker, serving in Germany during the 70s or 80s. It's an extremely hot day and your commanding officer gets the bright idea to initiate a CBR (chemical-bacteriological-radiation) exercize. The M60A1 is hotter than an oven, the protective clothing and mask weighs a ton. You are in this situation for hours trying to perform your assigned tasks under these circumstances. Your vehicle is assigned a hiding position in the hedgerows next to a small river, and guess what? You look outside and see a couple of teenagers frolicking in the cool water having a great time. Then the radio cracks. "Move out fast to your alternate position". That is the scenario for this diorama. The centerpiece of the scene is the Tamiya M60A1 updated with the VP set (No. 320). The camouflage pattern was airbrushed with green-brown-light sand and black. After the traditional "wash" the green and brown was drybrushed with lighter shades of the same basic colors. Figures are VP U.S. Tank Crew CBR dress. Kitbags. rucksacks, ammo boxes, in a word, the usual selection of gear stowed on exercises, was painted and affixed to the diorama.

Military in Scale 02 2003


History suggests that there will always be a last minute scramble to enhance capabilities in the last days before an operation is launched. Who can forget the frantic race to field an expeditionary force to retake the Falkland Islands. Even as the British task force steamed south equipment was being purchased off the shelf and flown out to meet the ships at Ascension Island. One of the most dramatic upgrades was the fitting of SNEB free flight rockets to Army and Royal Marine Gazelle recce Helicopters, this was earned out at sea. All 3 services earned out numerous mods to their respective Heli fleets, the absence of this equipment prior to the balloon going up can be attributed to various factors. Economy as always is a prime variable in defence procurement, witness the current comparison between the cost of the Army's Apache buy and the cost of new hospitals! The other age-old variable is of course, the unexpected; who foresaw the need to field a UK division to liberate Kuwait? Yet again we will have to wait for the 'desertisation' of the Challenger regiments as the cost cutters ruled out another deployment!