Model Magazine International 11-12 2002

Many, if not most modellers use airbrushes, but even if you don't, we all use paints and glues that can generate strong and often toxic fumes. If these vapours and paint dusts are allowed to build up in a work room they can affect your health, so it's important to ventilate the work area in an effective manner. Opening a window is a good start, having a cross flow of fresh air is better, but the best method to breathe easy when modelling is to have an effective extractor that actively draws away the fumes and paint overspray. Years ago at TMMI, we used an improvised system that consisted of an old domestic extractor fan. two cardboard boxes and a length of tumble dryer exhaust hosing - this did the job but the fan was not isolated from combustible vapours, so a fire could possibly have resulted, obviously making this system not such a good idea.

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FineScale Modeler 07 2002

What does it take to build a spectacular diorama? Creative construction techniques for sure, but if your subject is the brutal war in Chechnya, you'll also need equally creative destruction techniques. Incredibly realistic battle damage is just one of the elements that brings Bruce Teal's stunning Grozny diorama to life. Unable to forget the haunting images in television news reports, the visual effects designer decided to tell the Chechen conflicts story through the medium he knows best - a scratchbuilt diorama. He vividly depicts Russian soldiers hunting for a sniper hiding in a bombed-out building in Grozny. The sniper is well-camouflaged, but if you examine the photos carefully, you'll see him. Bruce began by checking drawings tor buildings similar to those in Grozny. He built the base structure from foam board and covered it with gypsum paste, which he sculpted to the final shape. When the plaster was dry, he painted it with a base coat of light gray Polly Scale acrylics.

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Model Magazine International 12 2003 - 01 2004

I'm not going to make comparisons between Skybow's version and the AFV Club offering as I haven't built the latter kit. If you do want a side by side review of the both kits, Terry Ashley's excellent Perth Military Miniatures web site give an in depth comparison of the two. The first thing you will notice when you start to build this kit is that Skybow have broken with tradition as regards the construction sequence given in the instructions. Are you ready for this? Brace yourself - they start with the turret and not the lower hull and running gear! I know this sounds outrageous behaviour, but it's true. It's just shocking if you ask me (you sarcastic old bugger, Ed) Well anyway, I did as directed and Started with the turret, as 1 find the running gear the most tedious part so I always tackle that bit later on during the construction!

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FineScale Modeler 09 2003

The compact (only 12' long) Bren gun carrier was a forerunner of modern armored personnel carriers. Officially designated the Universal Carrier, its original purpose was to cany infantry safely through small-arms fire. A light Bren machine gun was to be mounted on the vehicle to provide suppressive fire. The Universal Carrier proved too lightly armored for combat. The open fighting compartment left soldiers exposed to snipers and shrapnel from shells exploding overhead. Nevertheless, it was agile and fast for a tracked vehicle (30+ mph) and could negotiate rough terrain with ease. The majority of Universal Carriers never sported a Bren gun, but the name stuck. When France attempted to reassert control over its Indochina colony after World War II, equipment was in short supply. French forces made do with second-hand equipment from the United States and Britain, including many Bren carriers. Most were rearmed with U.S.-made Browning .30-caliber machine guns, as was the case with the subject of Boh Collignon's model.

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