Monday, July 27, 2009

FineScale Modeler 10 2003


George Schachinger's 1/35 scale diorama depicts a German unit and its vehicles on thin ice - literally — in Kirovograd, Ukraine in 1944. Retreating westward from the Soviet army, the combat unit has discovered that a critical bridge has been blown up by partisans. With the Russian forces closing in, the German commander has sent a squad to check the ice s thickness before directing his vehicles and troops over the creeks frozen surface. The diorama clearly shows that on a winter battlefield, time and temperature can be your ally or your enemy. George spent six months building his delicately detailed diorama. He began by thoroughly researching the planned scene's historical background, including Kirovograds terrain and the weather conditions tor the period he wanted to depict. Instead of pressing brand-new state-of-the-art armor kits into service, George decided to use older (and less expensive) Tamiya kits with his own scratchbuilt detail parts. The Panzer IV Ausf H wears all-new turret and side skirts fashioned from thin sheet metal, as well as Zimmerit simulated with Tamiya putty. The SdKfz 251/1 halftrack features fully stocked storage boxes and mangled sheet-metal fenders. Both vehicles have realistically applied winter camouflage - a credit to Georges painting and weathering skills.

FineScale Modeler 04 2004


The cockpit is one of the strongest focal points of any aircraft model - "the place where the pilot sits" provides an instant scale reference regardless of the models subject matter. But no matter how much eye-catching detail you add to the cockpit, a poorly painted canopy can spoil your model's appearance. Getting a good paint job on the delicately molded framework of a clear canopy is tricky, even for an experienced modeler. There's little margin for error, and correcting mistakes can be difficult. Actually, turning out razor-sharp canopies is not so much about painting as it is about masking. Mask a canopy properly, and painting that troublesome framework won't be any more difficult than painting the rest of the model. Canopies come in all shapes in sizes, and there's a variety of materials and methods available to help put the paint where you want it. Here's a look at some of the most popular techniques.

FineScale Modeler 04 1999


In late 1937, Hawker Aircraft's chief designer Sydney Camm anticipated the need for a fighter faster and larger than anything then in service with the Royal Air Force. Testing of the plane that resulted in the Typhoon, began in 1941 with production aircraft reaching squadrons in late 1942. Kngine and airframe teething problems plagued its early service life, but after design corrections to the elevator, the Typhoon became Britain's preeminent ground attack fighter of World War II. Finally, Hasegawa brings us the early "Car-door" version of the Typhoon Mk.Ib. The kit features fine recessed panel lines, excellent surface and interior detail, optional open or closed right-side entry door, and markings for two aircraft. There are enough optional parts to build any car-door Typhoon, including both open and faired cannons, external rudder horn-balance arms, flat and bulged canopy roofs, and regular and flared exhaust stubs. Unopened locating holes in the wing and the way the fuselage is molded indicate a rocket-armed bubble-canopy version to come.

FineScale Modeler 12 1990


The Yamato was the largest and most powerful battleship ever completed. She led the Japanese fleet that attacked Midway, and fought valiantly at the Battle of Leyte Gull. She was sunk in April of 1945. after taking damage from over 11 torpedoes and at least 7 bombs. Based on secret Japanese Navy plans No. 19.215-220 , this huge plastic kit is a highly detailed model of the Yamato as she looked at the time of the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The Yamato can be motorized and radio controlled with any two-channel radio. She runs at high or low speeds through the use of an ingenious reduction gear system for the four propellers. The Yamato also features a patented waterproofing system, built-in battery holders and all gears, wiring and running hardware. (Motors and batteries are not included. You'll need a Mabuchi RS540 motor for the propellers, and a Mabuchi RE260 motor for the gun and radar system.) Kit features over 600 parts made of brass, steel, metal, styrene and ABS plastic. The one-piece hull is over 4 feet long. Construction is very simple for a kit this large with so many working features. Includes its own display base.