modelling world: 04/01/2013 - 05/01/2013

Monday, April 29, 2013

Air Modeller Issue 47

I was advised to make a Wingnut Wings kit because as you'll see, the Wingnut Wings kits are simply stunning! The assembly is so easy that it is quite disconcerting, the adjustments are devilishly precise and the boxes are so full there is just no room to swing a cat! From among the many possible choices from the range, I decided that the famous fighter RAF SE.5A 'Hisso' powered by a V8 Hispano Suiza was worth a go. As soon as I opened the box, I understood I was in the presence of a true gem! In spite of the very high level of details, I used a few additional tricks, especially with the dedicated Eduard photoetch set and with the flat 'aerodynamic' rigging lines chosen from in RB Production's catalogue, which are essential to recreate an exact copy of a SE.5A. Lets get deal now with the assembly: it starts with some minor work concerning the inside of the fuselage. In the first phase, I replaced the internal rigging, once the painting was done, with stretched plastic wires which bring much more depth and realism. Another enhancement was the seat cushion, which was reworked with an additional layer of two-part putty.

Air Modeller Issue 46

The Lynx helicopter was developed in the late sixties by Westland with the participation of Aerospatiale. The prototype flew for the first time in 1971. The initial customers were the Royal Navy with orders of 75 HAS 2 and the Army with a 100 AH 1 ordered. The design was an instant success and was exported to 14 countries. The Lynx is almost exclusively used in the naval role and operated by such important customers as the German, the Dutch, Norwegian, French and Danish Navy. The later has used their Airframes over the guaranteed 7000 hours and were the first to be put through an extensive overhaul,
which included the exchange of the whole airframe and a major avionic and engine update program including the addition of the new Blade design with the broad tips, the BERP (British Experimental Rotor Program) this is a development between Westland Aircraft Helicopter Division and the Royal Aircraft Establishment. This latest addition greatly improved the Helicopters lifting and manoeuvrability performance and enhanced the speed significantly. The Lynx set a speed world record for helicopters in 1986 with a specially prepared machine reaching over 400 km/h, which still stands to this day.

Air Modeller Issue 45

A composition based in a forrest or in a hangar had been done, I wanted something different but had to take into account the huge size of the aircraft at this scale. The inspriration came when I was shown one of these aircraft having crash-landed in a river in Norway ... and what caught my attention was the shallow depth of the river, the glass was not broken in the nose of the aircraft and only minimal damage was done to the wings. I did some research and found that a considerable number of these aircraft had to make forced landings in this country, some with relatively little damage, I didn't hesitate to get down to work. The diorama was to represent an aircraft operating in this area which has had a failure of its left engine and had to make a forced landing. The crew members have been able to evacuate the aircraft (one has succumbed) and they've managed to alert an Army car that was in the area with the use of distress flares. The wooden boat in the corner and the car are included for their interest and enrich the composition.

Air Modeller Issue 44

The Trumpeter has undertaken for a number of years now, a new journey into the world of larger scale aircraft kits in 1:32 and 1:24. It is fair to say that most of these models are great, but there are greater difficulties associated with their construction and their storage! I wanted to accept this challenge and to see if once the modelling work was completed, if it was possible to get close to a convincing level of realism in 1:32 scale. To do so I built the A-10 Warthog A, one of the earlier releases in the Trumpeter 1:32 range. The model is enormous, but it has many flaws, reminding me in some ways the old Tamiya kit in 1:48. As I said, the larger scale places greater demands on the modeller with details that may not be obvious in 1:72 being very obvious in 1:32. The biggest problem areas of the kit are the cockpit, and the canopy. The rest of the model can be considered reasonably accurate. Before I started building the model, I spent time in various internet searches, gaining wide variety of pictures, for the subject in question.

Air Modeller Issue 43

This series of modern twin engined aircraft included the Potez 63-11 reconnaissance version and the Potez 630, 631 and 633 fighter and bomber versions, however the variant I have chosen to build here is the Potez 63-11 reconnaissance version which has a massive, extensively glazed nose as its main identifying feature. The main parts of the kit are made from relatively soft medium grey, plastic, the engines and small details are moulded from Polyurethane resin and these are supplemented by a small photo-etched sheet, including seat belts and small surface details. Unfortunately, the instrument panel is not provided on the photoetched sheet. The surface of the kit has finely engraved recessed panel lines which seem to correspond with available drawings, but given that the plane was of all metal construction, except for the moving control surfaces, I decided to add a number of rivet lines to augment the existing surface detail.

Air Modeller Issue 42

The impulse to build this model came during a meeting with Colonel Petr Uruba in December 2007 when he was the guest of a modelling competition in Prague. This charming and modest man, a pilot with 311 Squadron, engagingly narrated his experiences from World War II and the postwar period, including the sad and shameful story after 1948. This year, the Communist coup took place and he along with other heroes, fighting for the freedom of their country in WWII, were imprisoned and sent to labour camps and prisons where shamefully, many of them did not survive the hardship. They eventually had their honour restored however not until late in life after 1989[]when Czechoslovakia returned to a democratic system. The Prague competition was one of the last chances to meet Colonel Petr Uruba as he sadly died in March 2009 at the age 92. He flew with the RAF as a bomber pilot and as Captain of Wellington Mk.1 C, registration code KX-T,L7842. This aircraft was flown on the fateful night 2nd June 1941, when owing to technical failures coupled with the inexperience of the navigator, the crew landed at Flers airport in occupied France. After they realised their mistake, they tried to take off again but failed and the crew spent the rest of the war as prisonors of war in Germany. One of his crew, Arnost Valenta, died before the end of the war, shot whilst trying to escape from the camp at Sagan in 1944. Their undamaged Wellington KX-T was evaluated by the Luftwaffe at Rechlin after an application of German national insignias and yellow on the bottom surfaces.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

AFV Modeller Issue 70

The AA MG is the Chinese copy of the Dushka, a type 54, without cooling fins along the barrel. A command variant was also employed featuring stowage tube on turret roof for extending antenna, 2 large stowage boxes attached to the rear plate to cany communication equipment, cables, and generator. I decided to depict a type commonly used in the Gulf War, lacking the smoke launcher tubes and boom shields, this particular vehicle is one of the many that found their way back to collections within the UK. Some examples have many fixtures and fittings missing; others have some parts missing but still retain many features, such as lights, AA MG cradle, rubber skirt sections and tracks etc.Many sharp blades have passed since I first started this project, over 10 years ago. Unknown to me at the time was the fact that another modeller Charlie Pritchett had also began the building of a Type 69.

AFV Modeller Issue 69

The Idea for this diorama did not come to me right away. Usually I am inspired to work after seeing archive photos or films, and sometimes after reading veteran's memoirs but with this diorama it was different. I did not have any single source of inspiration for this diorama idea. I wanted make something about the fighting in Southern sector of Eastern Front in Summer-Autumn of 1942. At this time the German offensive against the Caucasus and Stalingrad had the Red Army engaged in heavy defensive battles. After seeing many dioramas and figures I felt there were omissions. Many modellers make dioramas, but what we can see there? Typically Germans near a burned out tank, Germans briefing with pointing figures, Soviet troops walking, Americans shooting, German repairing a tank... and this is all. Are these scenes really representative? Veterans accounts rarely talk about walking and shooting solders. Usually veterans remember very cold and very hot weather, tiredness, and constant danger from air attacks and artillery fire. Between 60-80% of deaths on the Eastern front in WWII were caused by artillery fire and 56.8% of wounded Russian soldiers had splinter wounds.

AFV Modeller Issue 68

At the end of World War II German cities were being conquered by the Allied armies. The Germans made a desperate defence, fighting street by street, often with vehicles designed more for open battlefields, than for the confines of urban combat where they had to manoeuvre through narrow streets and dodging all kinds of different obstacles and abandoned vehicles. In this diorama I wanted to make one such scene where a city street a German tank section and a heavy tank unit of the SS has been ordered to defend that sector. A King Tiger has taken up position under a railway bridge on top of which there are remains of a wagon with a spotlight operating in support of an Ostwind anti-aircraft tank, now abandoned, like a nearby Stug III, which has suffered the same fate... Meanwhile, a group of officers have gathered to discuss the organisation of their defensive plans.

AFV Modeller Issue 67

Over the past years we have been pampered with an increasing number of rather hi-end injection molded plastic kits. Much of these models include unique subjects that many of us would never have dreamed of seeing ten years ago. One string of distinctive themes that has been appearing in plastic is Paper Panzers. It is great to have these subjects available to us in plastic although there sometimes are drawbacks. It seems apparent that the research and level of detail put into some topics can be lacking depending on the topic. This is understandable because some of these subjects never got past the drawing proposal stages (hence the name paper panzers). This makes their history very limited. I have built or worked with at least four kits offered by Trumpeter now and most of them have been rather good. When I started working with their E-75 I immediately noticed a few areas that needed extra detailing. The E-75 Paper Panzer was to be a possible predecessor to the German Tiger II tank.

AFV Modeller Issue 66

The Sherman Firefly was born from the need to improve the 75mm gun of the Sherman, a weapon not able to compete on equal terms with the enemy tanks of the time. The answer was the British 17 Pdr, a most powerful and accurate weapon. The new tank was named Firefly and the suffix C indicates 17 pdr gun on the specific model of Sherman IC (M4 classic and "hybrid"), Sherman VC (M4A4) The "low bustle" turret received a square hatch (on "high bustle" Firefly turrets there was an oval hatch). The radio was contained an armoured box which was moved to the rear of the turret helping to provide a counterweight for the heavy weapon. Another visible difference with the Firefly was the omission of the hull .30 cal. MG to make way for increased ammunition stowage. When I decided to start assembling the Dragon kit I wanted to build a tank called ZEMSTA II, but during the search for references my friend Mr. Luigi Manes suggested to me a photo from the beautiful book "Camouflage and Markings Of The Shermans IN NEW ZEALAND SERVICE - ITALY 1943-45 by Jeffrey Plowman". The tank in the photo is unusual in that it

AFV Modeller Issue 65

The Soviet war machine arsenal in Afghanistan consisted of many varied tanks and APC’s, many T-54’s were old
stock employing more modern capabilities from various upgrade programmes to bring them up to the standard more closer to the T-55. The model here represents a T-54 model 49m with improvements to fire control, L-2G Luna infra red searchlight, D-10T gun stabilization from a barrel counterweight, Rmsh track incorporating the sprocket which is basically the same hub as the T-54/55 which has the alternative ring of 14 teeth found on the T-72. These upgraded tanks also carried the later “starfish” wheels as opposed to the earlier spiderweb pattern. Along with the Idler wheel which is the standard T-55 pattern, earlier ones having a ring at the outer edge.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

AirForces Monthly 05/2013

UK SECRETARY of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin, announced on March 26 that a £1.6 billion contract to provide a search and rescue (SAR) helicopter service for the UK had been awarded to Bristow Helicopters Ltd. The contract follows a competition started on November 28,2011, to procure a SAR helicopter service to replace the combined capability provided by the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Maritime and Coast Guard Agency (MCA) following the collapse of the previous tender under the SAR-H programme. Operations will be introduced progressively from April 2015 with the service scheduled to be fully operational across the UK by July 2017. New helicopters provided by Bristow will replace RAF and RN SAR Sea Kings as well as helicopters operated by civilian contractors on behalf of the MCA. Services under the new contract will operate from between seven to ten years and be managed by the MCA.

AirForces Monthly 04/2013

THE NEW Year was a tense time in the United States as the country's economy teetered on the edge of the 'fiscal cliff with potentially disastrous consequences (see Shooting Ourselves in the Head, AFM January 2013). President Obama managed to achieve a brief respite and continued to fight to get Democrats and Republicans to agree on whether to employ spending cuts or tax rises to balance America's books. To recap, the Budget Control Act was passed in 2011 to make failing to find a way forward "unthinkable" because of the stringent cuts that would follow, should an agreement between the administration and the US Congress not be reached. The name given to the process is sequestration. At the moment the US is operating under a so-called 'continuing resolution', but that ends on March 27. On March 1 President Obama was obliged to sign a law introducing sequestration, which comes into effect on April 1. "It's just dumb. It's going to hurt," he said.

AirForces Monthly 03/2013

A PRECAUTIONARY suspension of flight operations for development and test Lockheed Martin F-35Bs was issued on January 18 by the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO). A similar action was also taken by US Naval Air Systems Command for all production F-35Bs operating at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona and at the production facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The decision was made as a result of an incident with an F-35B at Eglin AFB, when a propulsion 'fueldraulic' line failed on one of these aircraft. This line enables actuator movement for the F-35B's vectoring exhaust system. Ground operations with the F-35B continued while investigations were under way and flight operations by the F-35A and F-35C variants were unaffected by the decision, as they are not fitted with the fueldraulic line in question. The line that failed uses fuel, rather than traditional hydraulic fluid, to enable the actuator movement, thereby reducing weight. Officials said there had been no previous issues with the component.

AirForces Monthly 02/2013

THE US NAVY announced on December 6 that the Danish Government has signed an official letter of offer and acceptance (LOA) to buy nine Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and comprehensive logistics support for its Maritime Helicopter Replacement Programme. Valued at 4 billion Kroner ($686 million), the aircraft will be procured via the US Government's Foreign Military Sales programme. Signature of the LOA follows an announcement on November 21 by the Danish Defence Ministry that it had selected the MH-60R to meet the requirement. Denmark is the second country to buy the MH-60R following Australia's purchase of 24 in 2011. Danish deliveries will begin in 2016 and all nine will be delivered by 2018. They will be configured for anti-surface warfare operations, including defending Danish interests in the North Atlantic, executing anti-piracy operations and conducting other missions during international deployments.

AirForces Monthly 01/2013

POLICE IN Bavaria raided European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company NV (EADS) offices on November 7, 2012, as part of an investigation into whether bribes have been made during the Eurofighter jet sales process in Austria. The HQ of Cassidian and the Eurofighter GmbH office together with other premises in Switzerland and Austria were also raided Prosecutors in Vienna and Munich suspect that around the time a contract was signed with Austria for 18 Tranche 2 Block-8 Eurofighter Typhoons, in July 2003, €128m had been made available by EADS Deutschland GmbH to an Italian individual. He is alleged to have distributed the money to Austrian lobbyists and arms dealers. Investigation documents allege that a complex network of shell-companies had been set up by EADS to bribe businesses as well as civil servants and officials. A total of 18 named individuals are being investigated.

Friday, April 26, 2013

How To Build Tamiya's 1:32 Spitfire Mk.IXc

In today's hyped-up world it is common to see adjectives such as "superb", "excellent" and "superior" when describing a new product. The hobby of scale modelling is no exception. We are fortunate to live in an era that is seeing an unprecedented number of brand new kits released across a wide range of scales. Many of these releases are very good indeed. Late in 2009, however, Tamiya lifted the bar. Tamiya's 1:32 scale Supermarine Spitfire is truly a superb kit in terms of level of detail, engineering innovation, fit and presentation. In the warm afterglow of its release, many modellers have declared Tamiya's Spitfire Mk.lXc to be the best scale model kit released to date. Naturally, such a subjective assertion is very much a matter of opinion, but the three modellers in this book would not arque with this view!

AirForces Monthly Special Edition - UK Low Fly

SITUATED IN LFA17, the M6 Pass, or Lüne Gorge as it's officially known, is a flowed valley running south to north at Tebay in eastern Cumbria. In the early 2000s this valley reverberated to the sound of frontline fast jets and was one of the best places to catch them. Sighting ten to 20 aircraft a day was not unusual, and more often than not they were frontline types. In particular the valley was well used by Tornado F3s from RAF Coningsby and RAF Leeming, while Jaguars from RAF Coltishall in Norfolk were an almost daily occurrence. In fact the only aircraft to have been scarce there over the years were C-130s and F-15s, as both of these types tend to go further west into the Lake District. Today this valley has seen a reduction in traffic probably greater than any other, but Tucanos, Hawks, Tornado GR4s and Typhoons can still be observed as well as the occasional helicopter. However, expect no more than half-a-dozen movements on a good day.

Aviation News 05/2013

North Korean provocations have long been seen as merely harsh rhetoric and empty threats, but in recent weeks tensions between North and South Korea have reached an all-time high. Following North Korea's underground nuclear test on February 12, the United Nations said it would impose tougher sanctions on the country, which in turn led to North Korea threatening that it could make a pre-emptive nuclear strike on the US. Nevertheless, the UN sanctions came into force on March 7. Meanwhile, in the South, Exercise Key Resolve, the annual US and Republic of Korea Armed Forces command post exercise, began on March 14. Although largely computer-based, it did also involve US military aircraft, including B-52Hs and F-22 Raptors. Additionally, as part of Exercise Foal Eagle, two USAF B-52Hs flights were also undertaken over South Korea, the first on March 8, followed by a second on March 19, when the aircraft dropped practice bombs on targets at the Pilsung Range in Kangwon province.

Model Airplane News 07/2013

Florida Jets is an annual jet-together that has been taking place for 17 years. Promoter and Top Gun originator, Frank Tiano conceived it as a means of bringing RC enthusiasts with a penchant for jet models together for an exchange of ideas and to provide an event that is truly exciting for spectators. It has grown dramatically, and along the way, has also become a showcase for manufacturers and suppliers in this unique segment of the RC hobby. I was told by Frank that I could count on a few surprises so I was anticipating great things. I wasn't disappointed. Since the event is more of a fly-in meet rather than a contest, participants are pretty much free to fly as much as they'd like. There is no judging or scoring, just pure jetting around a nearly perfect Florida sky. The breeze was steady, but right down the runway, allowing some of the larger, heavier models to touchdown at just above walking speed.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

America In WWII 06/2013

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Sewell Avery sat stiffly at his desk inside the Chicago headquarters of the Montgomery Ward catalog company—lovingly dubbed "Monkey Ward" by its legions of customers—on April 26, 1944. He wore a dark suit and tie, his jacket buttoned tight across his chest, and his lips drawn with equal conviction. Two national guardsmen kept watch over him. Also in Avery's office was US Attorney General Francis Riddle, who had flown in from Washington to try to defuse a potentially explosive situation. The National War Labor Board had twice ordered Avery to honor pacts it had brokered between his company and the United Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union. Twice Avery had refused. He didn't believe he had any obligation to recognize a labor union as a bargaining representative for its collective membership. So 12,000 workers remained on strike—now four months and counting. "To hell with the government!" Avery barked at Biddlc. "I want none of your damned advice."

America In WWII 04/2013

The demise of Tang highlighted not just the torpedo problem, but also the inherent dangers of life as a submariner, the most obvious of which was living and working underwater in a high-pressure environment. If trapped, a submarine could quickly run out of options. The crew of USS Perch (SS-176), for instance, spent March 2, 1942, stuck at the bottom of the Java Sea as Japanese destroyers took turns dropping depth charges on her. The sub survived the teeth-jarring assault and surfaced. The next morning, Captain David Hurt ordered a test dive, which revealed nearly wrecked propulsion and electrical systems in addition to massive leaks and inoperable torpedo tubes. "So we had to resurface," Electrician's Mate Ernest Plantz said later, "and when we did, there was three Jap tin cans [destroyers] and two cruisers about three thousand, thirty-five hundred yards out ahead of us, and they started to fire.

America In WWII 02/2013

You may have heard that a picture is worth a thousand words. I thought about that old bromide as I flipped through Colors of Confinement: Rare Kodachrome Photographs of Japanese American Incarceration in World War II and glimpsed a blur of what turned out to be page 65. I flipped back to take a closer look. The photo filling the page is mostly empty, with a squat sprawl of buildings plunked down in the middle of barren ground with snow-frosted mountains stretched across the horizon beyond. Someone obviously didn't want the people here to have contact with the outside world. Many of the other photos have the same empty feel, even the close-ups of the internees mugging for the camera. The background behind their faces is distant. We glimpse beautiful country in the distance, but beautiful in a melancholy way. In fact, melancholy permeates these images. There's little obvious squalor in the camp. The internees wear decent to fine clothing. They look well fed. But even when they're smiling or celebrating— like dancing in kimonos on a traditional Japanese holiday or watching a couple of fellow internees sumo wrestle—something is missing.

Military In Scale 10/2012

The Lockheed Ventura was designed as a long-range patrol and anti-submarine aircraft to replace the same company's ageing Hudson. The first Ventura Mk.ls went to the RAF and were operated as day bombers. It soon became clear, however, that the aircraft simply couldn't survive the hostile environment over Western Europe and the type fell from favour as a straight bomber, when the more developed version, the Mk.ll (PV-1 in US Navy parlance) became available, this type being utilised as a maritime patrol aircraft. The type served with distinction in the Pacific with the US Navy, Australian and NZ Air Forces, many more served with the RAF, RCAF and SAAF, the latter going on to serve well into the postwar period in a variety of colour schemes and markings.

Military In Scale 09/2012

The kit itself is fantastic - the quality of parts is next to ideal, the detail level is outstanding and the inclusion of workable tracks and personal equipment as well as full tarp, is exactly what we want from the kit to be able to build it without aftermarket add-ons. Some parts may appear tiny for inexperienced modellers so I recommend taking extra care when removing them from sprues or painting the model (I broke the width indicators several times). As with many other kits this release from Bronco is not ideal and has dimensional issues with the instrument panel and contour of the cab's sidewalls (fixed in the recently released artillery version), plus the engine type is incorrect (NL38 TUKRM should be replaced by HL54 TUKRM if that one were to appear as an aftermarket item).

Military In Scale 08/2012

There are two boxed versions, the British Army Lynx and a naval Lynx. Within each kit there are sub-types to choose from and in due course, there will be further issues of the kit incorporating more parts to build accessories and gift sets that will include paints, etc. Within the box of Army Lynx parts there are three versions; (A) a Lynx AH-7 as on operations in Afghanistan in 2006, (B) an AH-7 in tiger markings for a Tiger's Roar meet in 2005 and (C) an AH-7 operated by the Royal Marines and based at Yeovilton in 2005. The main difference between the three is the weapons fit and the weapons ancillary equipment. Version A was also fitted with modified intakes and exhausts to cope with the sandy environment and combat conditions. One of the main cosmetic options in the kit is the choice of spread or folded rotor blades; the Army don't tend to fold their rotor blades or tail boom unless they are stuffing the aircraft into a cargo hold for transportation.

Military In Scale 07/2012

We are delighted to bring you the July issue of your favourite modelling magazine. Military In Scale. Following our launch of this the redesigned MIS, we have tried once again to build on the success of the last issue with another that is jam-packed with up-to-the minute news, reviews and some truly stellar modelling that will have you running to your bench to get cracking on one of your own projects! There are many highlights this month; from John Murphy's rendition of Tamiya's M1 'Super Sherman', through Alan Firbank's look at the massive Revell A400 and onto Alex Clark's extraordinary T-72, there is much to enjoy, much to admire and much to inspire. But of course it's not all about the modelling - oh no! This month you will also find an amazing look at the German Army's Marder and its operation in Afghanistan. Modern vehicles are very popular at the moment and so the inclusion of such an impressive feature is sure to delight modellers everywhere.

Friday, April 19, 2013

The Weathering Magazine Issue 04

The entire production run of the King Tiger only lasted a total of 14 months with the Serienturm versions only entering service in June 1944. This means that even a veteran vehicle surviving to the end of hostilities would perhaps be nine or ten months old and for the majority their combat life would be a matter of a few months at the most. When modelling the Maybach HL 230 P30 engine for my Trumpeter 1:16 scale King Tiger this was at the forefront of my vision for the look of my engine. Tempting as it is to model a chipped and corroded engine with leaking oil running down the sides and big greasy stains I just dont think this would be realistic for a relatively new high performance German engine. A leaky engine would be replaced and indeed the vehicle that I decided to model is shown in a series of photos having an engine changed within weeks of being delivered to Pz.Abt.505.

The Weathering Magazine Issue 03

Masking fluids such as those produced by popular paint manufacturers Humbrol, Winsor & Newton and Daler-Rowney for example have been around for a longtime and are basically liquid latex that dries in contact with air. Some dry to a transparent finish, while others, such as the Humbrol Maskol dry with a purple tint, which makes them easier to see when it is being used for masking clear glazing on aircraft canopies for example. For our use this is irrelevant other than the fact is does stand out in the photo a little better. Applying the masking fluid with the help of a piece of sponge or Scotch-Brite is a great way of creating controlled chipping effects on specific areas of a model and works very well when combined with hand painting tiny chips and scratches with a fine-tipped artist's paintbrush. To remove the masking fluid once the top layer of paint has dried is best done using a cotton bud that has been dipped in masking fluid and allowed to dry. It is then simply a case of rubbing the cotton bud over the paint's surface and it will quickly peal the off masking fluid to reveal a nice random chipping effect.

The Weathering Magazine Issue 02

Dust generally isn't a weathering technique associated with aircraft, but with so many of the recent conflicts taking place in hot and dry countries, such as Iraq and Afghanistan it is inevitable that all the military equipment deployed in these areas will get covered in dust, and that includes the aircraft! Having experienced these conditions first hand, I have been waiting for an opportunity to add these extreme dust effects to an aircraft of some kind and I felt a Special Forces helicopter would be the ideal canvas. So for this article I have chosen an Academy 1/48th MH-60L from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) of the United States Army, known as the 'Night Stalkers'. These were guys featured in the Black Hawk Down movie! In this article, we will be using acrylic paints and enamel washes to create a well used aircraft operating in very dusty conditions.

The Weathering Magazine Issue 01

In our first article we want to show how to create a number of rust effects that would not only be seen on a tank or armoured vehicle, but would also be seen on huge variety of vehicles, machines, and equipment made from iron or steel. To demonstrate these techniques we will be using a vk 4502 (p), pan-zerkampfwagen "tiger" p2, which was never actually put into production and is commonly known as a 'paper panzer". For us this is perfect because we can be creative with both the camouflage and weathering as this vehicle never actually existed! Our idea is to depict the vehicle after test and evaluation and the vehicle now sits abandoned and neglected in the backyard of the Porsche factory. In very little time, the condition of the paintwork would start to deteriorate and rusting would soon take place. Here we offer a comprehensive guide to creating these effects.

Military In Scale 06/2012

Cutting through misty-eyed nostalgia though the original was a pretty old kit, and Airfix have once again shrewdly chosen it for re-release as a completely new tooling. Having enjoyed their new Swordfish tremendously I was really looking forward to this new kit and that comes from someone who is always happier sticking together two pairs of wings. Before I even discuss the model it's worth noting Adam Tooby's superb artwork which for me puts Airfix's packaging up with some of the best in the field. Adam's work really does hark back to the glorious days of Roy Cross and in him, Airfix have tapped into a real talent. Long may the association continue! Inside the box there are two compact sprues of grey parts, a clear canopy sprue and a very crisply printed decal sheet. Whilst the panel lines still aren't quite as refined as some of Airfix's competitors, they're pretty good and will not be too much of a distraction once the model is completed.

Military In Scale 05/2012

The German Neubaufahrzeug series of tank prototypes were a first attempt to create a heavy tank for the Wehrmacht after Adolf Hitler had come to power. Multi-turreted, heavy and slow, they did not fit in with the Blitzkrieg tactics and therefore only five were made. These were primarily used for propaganda purposes, though three took part in the Battle of Norway in 1940. During the 1920s and 1930s, a number of countries experimented with very large, multi-turreted tanks. The British built a single example of the Vickers A1E1 Independent in 1926. This inspired the Soviet T-35, which was built in limited numbers from 1933. Development of the Neubaufahrzeug (German for 'new construction vehicle') started in 1933 when the then Reichswehr gave a contract for the development of a Grosstraktor (heavy tractor) to both Rheinmetall and Krupp. Grosstractor was a codename for the development of a heavy tank, Germany being still forbidden to develop tanks under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

Military In Scale 04/2012

Sometimes a kit comes along that just screams "build me!" When I first heard that a new pick-up was being released and in plastic to boot, I for one was excited by the idea, my imagination taking me in all sorts of directions, not least of which was the idea that I could now perhaps build a game-themed diorama. Seeing the kit on various websites only served to heighten my desire to build it and so when I finally came across one earlier this year, out came the wallet so that I could see whether or not, the excitement was justified. Meng are a new company who have entered the modelling world with two new kits of what at first appears to be a generic pick-up truck, the like of which can be seen in many of the globe s military hot-spots. Further investigation though proves that the kit is a little more specific, replicating well, a late Nineties Toyota Hilux with four-man cab. So far, so good!

Military In Scale 03/2012

Kit Form Services are a resin kit manufacturer that specialise in mail order kits that replicate in the main civilian trucks and accessories. Over the last few years they have branched out to create full kits of British Army vehicles, the Alvis Saladin seen here being one of the latest to appear. As before, the kit is cast in resin and white metal and is then further detailed with photo-etched parts that all combine with each other to create a highly detailed replica, inside and out. The majority of the parts are flawlessly cast in cream resin, with the remainder of them cast in white metal or supplied on that large photo-etched brass fret. Decals are included for three vehicles including one in all-white United Nations colours. The kit also includes a full set of detailed instructions and though I would not recommend this kit to the absolute beginner, such is the quality of the cast parts, a modeller with a little experience should find little here to trouble their growing skill base. Let's get started then!

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Military Illustrated Modeller Issue 018

We are surrounded by items produced in China. The title is such a popular expression in our everyday life that sometimes it is surprising to see any different label. We may call it Signum temporis - the sign of times. Our wonderful hobby is no exception to this worldwide tendency - more and more frequently we can buy model kits or extras designed and produced by Chinese manufacturers. The expansive policy of Hobbyboss made it omnipresent in modelling world. The models they offer are well made and present interesting topics; I always look for subjects which are original and draw attention. What is important to me is the fact that the vehicle I work on is not another ordinary green tank which is a part of any modeller's collection. An eye-catching machine in a unique camo scheme is what I am interested in and any additional possibilities of modification are undoubtedly the decisive element in choosing the model. The Chinese producer fulfils my expectations perfectly. This is why the moment I saw ZBD-05's replica announcement I knew it will be in my workshop.

Military Illustrated Modeller Issue 019

The Royal Navy will be attending Scale Model World this year with a fully operational Lynx Helicopter over the show weekend of 10-11th November. The Lynx will be flying into Telford International Centre and landing in the car park on Friday, 9th November before being wheeled inside where it will be on display all weekend, with the crew on hand to answer questions. For those of you with the new Airfix kit, you are unlikely to have a better chance to check it against the real thing! The attendance of the Lynx has been made possible by Airfix, who negotiated with the Royal Navy and are sponsoring the helicopter's attendance at the show. IPMS UK would like to thank Airfix and Marketing Manager Darrell Bürge in particular for their continuing support for the world's premier model show. Airfix has invited all IPMS members who have a completed model of the Lynx to bring it to the show and exhibit it on the special Airfix Lynx display in front of the actual aircraft.

Military Illustrated Modeller Issue 017

Trumpeter's 1:32 Vought F-8E Crusader is a delight to build due to its excellent engineering and the fit of the parts. This kit has a very complex engine fit including a complete series of etched metal compressor and turbine blade. This is totally unnecessary as the kit provides the intake trunk that ends in a solid wall way past the visible area which, from my walk around series, is fairly correct. You would actually need to stick your head in the intake to see the engine compressor face. I built the engine completely per the instructions and was amazed when a solid rendition of the turbine and afterburner ring was fitted behind the etched turbine wheel. Also, there is no provision to break the fuselage and display the engine. So for what purpose are we provided with all of this detail and construction work? When I build my F-100 Super Sabre I will not be adding all of the engine construction work - only the bare minimum required for display.

Military Illustrated Modeller Issue 016

The model club I belong invited the famous modeller Miguel Jimenez to a meeting in order to teach us his new technique 'weathering in one day' using the new AK Interactive products. We all spent the whole Sunday weathering from start to finish without stopping; this model is the result. Hobbyboss's kit of the M706 armoured patrol car was ideal for the purpose. I initially considered detailing-up the model using photo-etched parts but I decided against this option for an out of box build. Some parts needed to be replaced, such as the wheels, which were substituted with a resin aftermarket set and I also added the door handles plus some nuts from plastic card. After painting and weathering the interior I started painting the model. The main goal of this build was to try to incorporate different techniques for weathering in order to obtain a realistic finish, but in a short time. The first and very important step is to prime the model for proper paint adhesion and coverage, so I sprayed a coat of Vallejo primer.

Flying Sale Models 05/2013

Before I hand over to Tim for the construction of this particular model, perhaps you might be interested in how it came about. Years ago I spotted, on line, a rubber power plan for the Martin MO-1 and downloaded it to my computer - where the plan sat forgotten for some time. A few years ago I was asked for some more designs to suit the little GWS IPS motor units and, checking the size of the Martin's nose, it looked very promising. The fact that it also looked quick and easy to draw up clinched the deal and the plans were prepared. While drawing it, I'd really become rather fond of its ungainly charm and actually decided to build the model myself. Once completed, and at the flying field, I was very pleased that I had. It looks as if it ought to be one of those models that chugs around the sky, but actually turned out to be far more nimble than I had expected.

Flying Scale Models 04/2013

The Westland Wyvern is a very distinctive British military aircraft. Depending on your viewpoint, it is either an ugly duckling, or an overlooked design, brimming with character. I admit, I tend towards the latter. In service, the Wyvern was a disappointing and at times controversial aircraft. A child of the 1950s, it served in the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm during the Suez Crisis, but pilots always had their reservations, and there were doubts as to her structural integrity. However, there is no doubt that the Westland Wyvern was an unusual British carrier-based aircraft, prototypes of which were built with both piston and turbo-prop power plants. During front line service, there were 68 accidents, 39 aircraft were lost, and there were 13 fatalities. Initially, the Wyvern was also prone to fuel starvation on catapult launch, the high g-forces proving too much for the original fuel delivery system. One particularly lucky Wyvern pilot suffered a flame-out during a steam catapult launch at sea. The aircraft fell over the bow of the carrier, HMS Albion, and was chopped in two. The pilot, Lt. B.D. Macfarlane, successfully ejected underwater and lived to tell the tale!

Flying Scale Models 03/2013

Time was, when spark ignition engines available to aeromodellers were converted lawnmower engines and the like, in sizes that suited only really big model aircraft. It's all come a long way since then and the latest from Horizon Hobby will be particularly welcome because it is a true model aircraft engine in the style with which we are familiar. The EVOLUTION 10GX is a 10cc (0.60 cu.in) displacement unit that provides spark ignition performance for a typical 'club-field' size model aircraft which, or course, includes scale models. It features a capacitive discharge electronic ignition system that automatically controls the timing advance, to ensure that the spark arrives as just the right time throughout the rev. range. The engine features a front mounted pump carburettor that ensures a constant fuel feed with minimal risk engine 'flame-out', which supplied factory-set for ease of starting and reliability.

Cold War Aircraft Modeller Issue 1

The Griffon engine F Mk.22 delivered a top speed of 450mph and to my eye was the sportiest looking of all the Spitfire variants. Considered by many the ultimate spitfire, airframe changes introduced to cope with this increase in performance marked the end of its remarkable wartime evolution, finally giving way to the developments in jet technology. Increased tail and wing areas, shorter fuselage, bulges around the exhaust area and a bubble canopy gave the aircraft a distinctive appearance, as did the business-like five-bladed propeller, which required a lengthened undercarriage. Moulded in the now customary grey plastic, the quality of the parts is very good. The spark eroding process does leave a very slightly rough surface on the parts but a gentle rubbing with a Scotchbright cloth or an equivalent fine abrasive will smooth the parts before painting. The finesse of the engraved panel lines has always been something of a weakness with Airfix and whilst they are still not quite up to the same level of quality of some of its competitors, they are perfectly acceptable and as fine as I've ever seen in a kit from this company. Details such as the rivets around the engine panels are evident and the wing surfaces are well rendered.

Military In Scale 02/2012

During the Second World War, the US tank forces were divided on how best to tackle the problem of dealing with enemy tanks. Many thought that a purpose-built tank destroyer was the way forward. Others felt that tanks were, in fact, the best way to deal with other tanks. After many stop-gap designs came and went, the Tank Destroyer Command decided on the T70 prototype, built using a whole new. open-turreted hull design, coupled with a modified version of the M24 Chaffee light tank suspension. The resulting design was the fastest tracked vehicle fielded during the war, by any nation. However, the quick road speed of almost 60 mph was often negated by the rough terrain in which it was forced to operate. From a tactical viewpoint, the M18 'Hellcat' was a failure, since by the time it came into widespread service in mid-1944, its 76 mm gun was no better than the 76 mm gun appearing on the latest versions of the Sherman tank, and the Sherman was better protected, with heavier armour.

The Official Royal Air Force Annual Review 2013

Welcome to The Official Royal Air Force Annual Review 2013. The Royal Air Force enjoyed an exceptionally busy and successful year in 2012. Our primary focus has, as ever, remained the continued support of operations, across Afghanistan, as well as our standing commitments. We have also played key roles in Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations and in the success of the London 2012 Olympics. Following our extremely successful contribution to NATO's Operation Unified Protector over Libya, which unequivocally demonstrated the capability and value of Air Power, the Royal Air Force has continued to develop its tactics and operational ability, building on our core capabilities and acting upon lessons identified. Our Combat Air capability, embodied by the Tornado and Typhoon Forces, continues to expand and is ably complemented by our exceptional Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance suite of capabilities that, once again, proved critical to facilitating combat-winning decisions.

Military In Scale 11/2011

The term circus, as used to describe spectacular entertainment, can be dated back to the Roman Empire when such events were established where the public could go to watch recreated battle scenarios and other action-packed displays. Moving on more than 2000 years the annual War & Peace Show which this year was held over the five-day period of Wednesday 20th to Sunday 24th July at the Hop Farm in Paddock Wood in Kent has replaced the ancient Roman circus, but it still retains all the excitement to hold the attention of the crowds. The W&P Show has something for all interests, especially modellers. Indeed, the organisers recognise this fact and have established a dedicated modellers' marquee where clubs, societies and traders can exhibit displays.

Military In Scale 01/2012

The Mk.ll tanks were modernised with B, C and D series; there is some variation in the models that were produced and some of the original series tanks are still in IDF inventory for training and reserve forces. The model I've built depicts one of original Mk.ll tanks serving as a reserve vehicle. The only plastic kit option to build a Merkava Mk.ll is Academy's (rather old) kit. Although it received the kit of the year award when it was initially released, you need some aftermarket items to build a comprehensively detailed and accurate Mk.ll model. I definitely recommend replacing the rather low quality vinyl tracks; for the record I used Friul's ATL-66 metal track set. In addition, I also acquired Legend's resin Mk.ll turret (LF1058). The resin turret has some differences compared to the plastic one and the smoke launchers are also included in this sharply moulded and detailed set. Another advantage of this resin turret set is that it includes the metal ball and chains that are not included in the Academy kit and which in turn, significantly improve the looks of any Merkava.

Military In Scale 12/2011

One of the many things that annoys me on a regular basis is an untidy house and so I spend plenty of time ensuring that it is kept as tidy as possible, for as long as possible. It is therefore something of a contradiction that my workshop is (or rather was...) such an unbelievable pigsty! Not only is it a place in which I build models, I also store my library in there along with review samples and the like - in fact, I have so much material in there that what should be a twelve foot by eight foot workshop, has been whittled down to one that has a working space of no more that five by two! Something definitely had to give... A recent windfall has given me the opportunity to rethink and rebuild my workshop and turn it from a glorified shed, to a more economically designed home office more suited to my work on MIS. When we moved into our house, the shed was already in place. Well lined out with insulated walls and a large workbench running its length, the previous owner had used it as a woodworking shop and I simply moved in, planted some bookshelves and storage and hoped for the best.

Military In Scale 10/2011

Anyone who has followed the development of the hobby over the last few years cannot fail to have noticed that 1/32 has gained an incredible foothold, with a huge number of kits being released. At a time of enforced austerity, the appearance of so many large and very expensive kits seems anathema, but there they are for all to see and hopefully build. Of course, much of this is down to Trumpeter who have seen a gap in the market and then tried to fill it with as many kits as possible, often releasing kit of aircraft already available elsewhere. Though this strategy has resulted in some poor offerings, there have also been some great models too, enabling modellers to build some standout replicas. They haven't been alone of course - no sirree! Hasegawa, Hobby Boss and Revell have also released very fine kits in this scale, many featuring simplified construction that is often absent from Trumpeter's complex, highly detailed offerings. And then came Tamiya, who also wanted a piece of the pie - and then some...

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