Verlinden Modeling Magazine Vol.7 No.3

The main engine for the early Sherman models M4 and M4A1 was the Wright Continental R 975. which was a nine-cylinder radial four-stroke, air-cooled petrol engine of the aircraft variety. Tamiya's latest Early M4 Sherman made a perfect base for VP to develop a full engine and compartment. The Wright R 975 engine is separately available as 1095; with the full engine compartment the stock number is 1120. The engine builds into a very nice, highly detailed replica of the real thing, it can be displayed on a stand next to the tank or can be used in workshop dioramas. The compartment contains the front firewall and sidewalls. engine shroud, exhaust, and air pipes as well as the fire extinguisher nozzles. All resin parts should be carefully removed from their casting carriers and cleaned up with sandpaper and Scotch-Brite. Parts are then test fitted into the Tamiya lower hull. Just a bit of superglue must be used on test fitting to enable the builder to disassemble parts for easy painting afterwards. Next the Tamiya kit was built according to the instructions. Lower and upper hull should be kept separate to allow engine compartment installation after painting. Extra detail parts include light guards (VP 0204). antenna mount (VP 0187). and .50 calibre machine gun (VP 0372).

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Verlinden Modeling Magazine Vol.7 No.2

By August 1944 the Chief of Development of the Ministry of Aviation - Oberst Knemayer -was asked to come up with a solution to counter Allied bombing raids, which were at that time virtually bombing the Reich out of existence. What was needed was something cheap, fast, well-armed, and deadly for ending the Allied air supremacy over Germany. A difficult demand, but Knemayer went to work. The result was the Bachem 8-349 Al "Natter". The small, easy-to-build aircraft was launched vertically from its pad straight into the incoming Allied bombers. The pilot then fired the 24 73mm rockets into the Allied formation, glided away with a speed of almost 300 km/h, and landed safely with a parachute. At least, that was the general idea. The single manned flight resulted in the death of the pilot. Due to the increasing and overwhelming bombing and strafing by Allied airplanes (who shot at everything visible), by the war's end most manufacturing, repair, and maintenance on military equipment was carried out in caves or under the cover of trees. This small 1:48 diorama shows a Natter workshop hurriedly abandoned during the Allied advance on Germany in 1945. A group of USAAF pilots and mechanics are investigating with gr^at interest their bizarre war prize.

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Verlinden Modeling Magazine Vol.7 No.1

As the Allied forces moved inland following the invasion of Normandy, U.S. and British armor faced a new obstacle provided by nature. Most fields and roads were edged with trees and hedgerows grown on earthen walls, which were extremely difficult to overcome and continually slowed the fast moving armor columns. The countryside seemed to be custom made for the German army: the hedgerows proved to be natural tank obstacles, and were perfect areas of concealment from Allied aircraft. Behind every hedgerow could be a German tank or anti-tank defensive position, completely concealed by the heavy vegetation and usually discovered too late. This diorama presents a slice of hedgerow country, showing a German Panther tank being rearmed by its crew, well concealed from detection by land and air. Two sets of VP tree and hedgerow material were used to full advantage on a base of roots. An old Nichimo Panther G was spruced up, and a selection of VP figures and accessories completed the scene.

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Verlinden Modeling Magazine Vol.6 No.1

Even after Desert Storm, Vietnam dioramas are still very popular among military modellers because of the very extensive collection of models, figures and accessories available to choose from. This scene makes full use of various items on the modelling market. It shows the classic M113 APC (Tamiya ACAV) towing an armoured trailer (VP). both stowed with ammunition and equipment. It is searching its way through a jungle trail, passing a partially overgrown Temple Ruin. The M113 is the "Old Reliable" Tamiya kit in the ACAV version built straight from the box except for the flotation cells on the front (VP) and the mesh wire over the engine air intakes. The side mud guards are omitted, since photographic research indicates not many M113's having those during the Vietnam War. The armored ammo trailer is a recent VP resin kit which is still used today in the US Army for many purposes. The M113 and trailer were both airbrushed with Humbrol No.116 Dark Green, followed by subtle overspay of No. 105 to obtain the first color shading. After drying, both colors are sealed with flat household varnish. After sufficient drying time, (48 hours), weathering was started with a thin wash of Humbrol Flat Black and Burnt Sienna oil paint.

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