Military in Scale 09 2005

Throughout the Second World War the German armaments industry produced a stream of many innovative designs in armoured fighting vehicles. These ranged from highly advanced self-propelled guns, to tanks and armoured personnel carriers. However, despite all their manufacturing skills, the German war machine could not keep pace with demand and was in danger of running out of steam as the army found itself increasingly short of armoured vehicles as the war dragged on. Things were going against them due to Allied air attacks which disrupted output and delivery to the Front as the rail network was destroyed. In addition to this there were the incredibly large losses of tanks on the Russian front in the wake of such engagements as Kursk which was fought between 5 and 13 July in 1943. At this one engagement the German army sustained the loss of almost 3,000 tanks and nearly 200 self-propelled guns. It was becoming clear tanks could not be replaced at the same rate at which they were being lost, which, in turn, meant that a reserve force could not be built.

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Military in Scale 12 2004

During WWII the Russians were very quick to notice the advantages of the German StuG series of assault guns. From a production point of view they were cheaper and simpler to build, and in the field they could be armed with larger calibre weapons than the gun tanks whose chassis they used. The major disadvantage was the limited traverse and elevation of the main armament and the need to manoeuvre the whole vehicle to counter any threat from the sides or rear. As the war progressed the Germans were forced to use StuGs in place of tanks for a variety of tasks; by contrast, with numerical supremacy of machines and men. the Russians had the luxury of using assault guns in their intended support role behind the tank led spearhead, accompanied by lank riding infantry offering protection to the flanks and rear. Based on the highly successful T34 chassis, the SU 100. armed with the 100 mm D10s. was developed to replace the SU85. which mounted the 85 mm D5-S-85. when this became the regular armament on the T34/85. A larger calibre gun was also necessary to counter the heavily armoured German Tiger when used in the antitank role.

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Military in Scale 01 2005

This work contains a detailed look at the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet by Carrier Air Wings operating in the period leading up and during the 2003 Iraq War. This is the is first of three books on the Hornet, covering US Navy, US Marine and RAAF Stingers' in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Author Tony Holmes has sensibly broken down the subject area in order to cover as much territory as possible. With around 250 Hornets being deployed, the book sets the scene with a quick review of Operation Southern Watch and the road to war, and reviews tactics and weapons to be employed. Chapter 2 is titled 'Shock and Awe' and covers strike missions conducted by Hornets in the first days of OIF and the author has been able to draw on many first hand accounts of the F/A-18Fs work during the conflict. The bread and butter Hornet operations in OIF was providing close air support (CAS) to the advancing Marines and US Army V Corps units and in Chapter 3. 'Shaping the Battlefield' the book deals with how tasking came from the troops in the field, via ground or airborne Forward Air Controllers to the waiting tactical jets. Once more first hand accounts are provided by aircrew, with explanations of Kill Boxes and FAC processes are provided to put a pilots story into context. This chapter also extensively deals with the second major 'friendly fire' incident of the air war, when Lt. Nathan White was shot down and killed by a Patriot SAM near Karbala.

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Military in Scale 02 2005

For the first time in living memory, we decided not to take table space at this year's show. For a number of reasons and the attraction of actually being able to enjoy the event, we left the stand at HQ. We ask readers who would normally renew subscriptions, etc. to apply to the office in the usual way. It was good to have the time to talk to people and take a longer look at the outstanding work on the club tables and in the competition. Again, the show was blessed by good weather during the vital parts of the weekend for the participants - setting up and taking down. There is nothing worse than carrying valuable modelling work from cars to tables in wet and windy weather. As last year, the show occupied the same two halls at Telford's International Centre, with a third hall set aside for taking a break and refreshments. Also, as last year, not an inch of space was left unoccupied by many of the usual participants and a few welcome, new faces.

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