Saturday, January 19, 2013

Military Illustrated Modeller Issue 002

Welcome to Military Illustrated Modeller No.2, AFV Edition (to save page-space, from now on I will refer to it simply as MiM-AFV!) Echoing Brett's words last issue, I am delighted to be at the joint-helm of this new publication; 'my' AFV edition will come out six times per year, alternating monthly with the six issues of Brett's Aircraft Edition. We have invested extensively in MiM-AFV and Aircraft and the luxury of high-grade paper will really let the photos of models shine. Of course, it's not just the paper that makes the models look good - the builds have to be top-notch to start with and I feel quite privileged to have some serious modelling talent on board. Angus Creighton, Pat Johnston, Stan Spooner, Eelke Warrink and Marcel Jussen have all joined us for this first AFV edition with some really varied subject matter, and I think you'll agree that their work is inspirational. Angus brings us his amazing build of Dragon's Sd.Kfz.7/1 Flakvierling and his unique and influential style is instantly recognisable; it's great to have him back in our pages. Pat's 1:48 armour-model work needs no introduction. He has taken Tamiya's recent quarter-inch scale Jagdtiger and given it a twist by finishing it in a factory red-oxide primer, very cool. Stan is TMMI's USA Consultant Editor and he's a pretty damn good modeller too. He has built DES Kits' 1:35 resin Laffly armoured-car to an amazingly high standard and it's certainly something a little different.

Greg Cihlar's Fabulous Military Dioramas


Greg wanted to build Tamiya's M8 "Greyhound" using all of the VP update sets for it. so he needed a scene that would show-off all of those details in a natural configuration. Since a combat scene would require that the vehicle be closed-up for action, it was decided to depict an abandoned vehicle. For scale perspective, as well as augmenting the theme of an abandoned vehicle, three German figures were added to better display this piece. The base is a 9'' x 9'' piece of 5/8" plywood built-up with styrofoam and Cell-U-Clay. Small dried roots, rocks, and fine sand were applied to a coat of diluted white glue. After dry, the base was base-coated with brown-black and highlighted with light brown and tan, followed by dry brushing with Model Master armor sand. The M8 was built according to the Tamiya instructions and all five VP update sets. The assembled kit was broken down into two parts because the interior needed to be accessible for detailing and painting. The interior was base-coated with an off-white, then washed with raw umber and black oils. Dry-brushing was also done in oils. After the upper hull was glued down and the hatches masked, the entire vehicle was airbrushed with a mixture of Polly Scale olive drab and flat black. A cloud pattern was applied with the same color lightened with white in successive layers. Raw umber and black oils were used for a wash, followed by dry brushing with Model Master faded olive drab and white oils.

Detailing Scale Model Aircraft.pdf


This is the most comprehensive book on detailing model aircraft ever written. It documents with step-by-step detail and hundreds of closeup photographs how to turn an average model into a detailed masterpiece. Dozens of simple techniques will teach you how to add detail to cockpits; scratchbuild interiors, seats, and seat frames; and add interior details such as piping, switches, and dials. You'll learn how to modify and improve kit-supplied parts; detail engines and intake and exhaust ports; how to add detail to wheel wells and landing gear; how to remove, modify, and reattach control surfaces, hatches, and access panels; and add rigging and control cables to biplanes. An entire chapter is devoted to tips and techniques on everything from seam removal to masking clear parts and applying and weathering decals. Whether your modeling tastes are propeller-driven aircraft from the First or Second World War or the sleek jet fighters of today, this book is for you!

Airfix Modelling 2011

The Fairey Swordfish, the legendary 'Stringbag', was a Torpedo, Spotter, Reconnaissance biplane dive-bomber which went into service with the Fleet Air Arm pre-war in 1936. Initially, Swordfish operated from the large fleet carriers. Later Swordfish operated from escort carriers, and were very effective against U-boats. The nickname Stringbag indicated the versatility of the Swordfish, which could carry an unlikely combination of loads, but also referred to its jungle of bracing wires, which belonged to a past age. The Swordfish remained operational until the end of the war, gaining the distinction of being the last biplane to see active service.