Model Railroad News 03 2009

BACK in the late 1860s, the concept of shippers owning freight cars was established with petroleum tank cars, but the concept spread. Mileage allowances were granted by the railroads in return for them not having to own the cars. As the ICC and other regulatory groups stepped in to specify what they expected in a freight car's design, a triangular relationship was established. Carmakers learned to build cars that both met the needs of the shipper and follow the dictates of safe car design. Shippers learned how to load and unload cars at each end using specially designed facilities, and railroads learned how to handle privately owned cars. The covered hopper is a case in point. First, the hopper stepped away from the flat car design by creating permanent unloading hatches of varying designs in the bottom of the car. This allowed the car to be loaded rapidly on the top and unloaded just as quickly out the bottom. To help expedite this process, special facilities were constructed at each end, and railroads learned how to handle long strings of nearly identical cars tor even greater efficiency.

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Battlecolours No.01

A Diorama (with a capital "D") is one of the most enjoyable, yet challenging forms of modelling. It combines the disciplines of the figurine and vehicle modelling and joins these together with scenic elements. There are also the considerations of additional accessories and the care required to achieve an attractive and suitable base with frame. Like a long journey, it sometimes seems difficult to imagine the end, but looking back we are rewarded by the memories. I thought rhat as opposed to the traditional diorama presentation, that this time I'd "gloss over" the actual construction phases and focus more on some hints, tips and ideas, as far as diorama construction is concerned. The first "mistake" most people make when starting out on the trail of diorama building, is to think too BIG (myself included)! It's much easier to start small and build up, as well as being able to learn from your mistakes as you progress. Like the disciplines of figure and vehicle building, good tools are also required. Trying to get by with cheap tools just won't do. Cheap tools = cheap results. Use the best you can afford. There are good references for those who wish to build dioramas, the real "bible" being; "How to Build Dioramas", by Shep Paine. There are also the "Super Diorama" book by Verlinden and the Tamiya diorama book in Japanese. In addition, the "Steel Masters" magazine and the "Military Modelling Manual", from Japan, are all very interesting for the itinerant diorama builder.

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Steel Masters No.56

Pour faire face au renforcement de la résistance viet-minh et à l'augmentation de sa puissance de feu, le commandement français doit se procurer du matériel plus lourd, blindé et plus puissant. Celui-ci existe : il s'agit des LVT, ou Alligators, qui sont blindés et disposent d'excellentes qualités nautiques. Des exemplaires sont achetés aux Américains et testés à Arzew, en Algérie. L'arrivée des LVT va transformer complètement l'emploi des crabes et des groupements amphibies, car « il ne s'agit pas d'utiliser le LVT, en plus des Crabes et de l'infanterie comme un complément plus ou moins embarrassant mais de reformer, pour le combat amphibie, le trinôme : reconnaissance, char, infanterie, qui a fait ses preuves dans les groupements tactiques de la Guerre 1944-1945. Il s'agit de transformer les Crabes en véhicules de reconnaissance et d'utiliser les LVT comme porte-canons et transports d'infanterie ». Les escadrons de Crabes, en tant que tels, ont donc vécu, et pour mieux correspondre aux transformations opérées par l'apparition du LVT. chaque escadron devient le noyau d'un « Sous-Groupement Amphibie » qui, outre ses pelotons de crabes antérieurs, comprend 8 LVT et une compagnie portée.

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Detailing Scale Model Aircraft

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!

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