AWM129 | August 2021
DISPLAY CASE
EXTRA IMAGES INSIDE: This month’s reader showcase features superb work on a pair of classic maritime kits joined by a simply stunning recreation of a jet that never reached operational service - plus bonus online-exclusive entries.
CANNON-WING SPIT'
Depicted in a striking inverted position on its artwork, Airfix’s quarter-scale Spitfire Mk.Vb has been re-issued with new markings for RAF and US-operated airframes.
NEXT-GEN TRAINER
Revell’s re-boxing of Kinetic’s large-scale Hawk 100 as the RAF’s T.2 variant also serves to provide fresh markings options.
DEVILISH GUNFIGHTER
It’s a welcome return for the Platz 1/144 F-8 Crusader – once again, it’s a two-kit product and uses the same parts as the earlier F8U-2 release (see Reviews, June 2020), which is unsurprising as they are the same airframe.
ARMOURED DEFENDER
Comprising six styrene runners, a photo-etched (PE) steel fret, pre-cut mask set and two decal sheets, Eduard’s ProfiPACK edition Fw 190A-8/R2 is arguably the package of choice for recreating this anti-bomber variant in quarter-scale.
UK-DEPLOYED 'FELLAS'
Boeing’s B-52 Stratofortress is a huge aircraft, so it’s no surprise Italeri’s 1/72 depiction is similarly hefty; it comprises 12 styrene runners with separate fuselage ‘quarters’ and two-piece main wings.
OKINAWA STRAFERS
Given the dearth of 1/48 A-26 kits, it’s perhaps surprising this is the fifth iteration of ICM’s superb offering, for a gun and rocket-armed version.
JET AMPHIBIAN
There aren’t many jet-powered amphibians, so Zvezda’s newly tooled Beriev Be-200ES is a delight.
READY FOR NIGHT
ICM’s mixing of figures and aircraft kits is a great idea and that’s definitely the case with its CR.42, which has been augmented with the firm’s Luftwaffe Pilots set (32101) to create a convincing pre/post-flight scene.
MINIATURE MARVEL
Eduard’s collaboration with Platz means that the latter’s delightful 1/144-scale offerings are readily available in Europe, such as the P-47D ‘bubbletop’, which matches the original parts with new markings by Eduard for five bright and colourful schemes.
FLYING SHARK
If modellers favouring 1/72 builds felt left out when Clear Prop! released a newly tooled 1/48 XA2D-1 Skyshark, they can now rest assured as the type has just been released in 1/72 scale.
FIRST PANZER
Takom’s splendid large-scale Panzer I returns in Ausf. B configuration, with a replacement runner for the variant’s changed engine deck and new lower hull; otherwise, the remaining 36 frames and turret top are unchanged.
DESERT DIORAMA
Italeri has combined with Master Box to provide a tank and figure set depicting a British 8th Army Crusader Mk.II and supporting five-man squad.
QUARTER-SCALE SOVIET
Tamiya’s line of 1/48 tanks continues with this newly tooled T-34/85, which depicts the 1945 model with angular track guard fronts and a revised turret.
DESERT GUNNERY
Always a firm to get the most from its moulds, ICM has combined its 1/35 Model T Light Car Patrol (35663) with its same-scale Vickers machine gun (35712) to form a heavily armed version of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps vehicle.
MINIATURE ARMOUR
Modellers thinking 1/72 was small for armour may be surprised at Brengun’s exquisite 1/144 scale resin and photo-etched (PE) brass Mark IV Female tank.
AMPHIBIOUS ATTACK
While Soviet/Russian armour is popular with modellers and manufacturers, types operated by the Naval Infantry appear less so, and Revell’s re-boxing of the Toxso 1/72 kit is just the fourth offering in this scale.
DEATH'S HEAD ARMOUR
Dragon’s range of 1/35 Panzer III kits seemingly cover all sub-types, with this iteration depicting an Ausf.M.
ATOMIC AIRLINER
In the Thunderbirds pilot episode, Trapped in the Sky, International Rescue’s first-ever mission involved saving the Fireflash airliner by landing the huge machine on four elevator cars.
REUSABLE ORBITER
Revell has marked the 40th anniversary of the Space Shuttle’s first manned flight with reissues of its kit depictions of the type, including this 1/144 offering with external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters, crawler-transporter base and Spacelab unit.
SPACE PLANE ANNIVERSARY
Its not that often a kit is arguably older than its subject, but that’s the case with Revell’s big shuttle orbiter, which was first released two years prior to Columbia’s 1981 flight.
UNDERWATER RESCUE
Often ferried on missions in Thunderbird 2’s cargo pod, Thunderbird 4 was one of the team’s smallest rescue vehicles, yet a fan favourite with its bright yellow livery.
COLOSSAL CLASH
Released to commemorate 80 years since the Battle of the Denmark Strait in May 1941, Revell’s limited-edition two-kit package is a slightly strange proposition due to the use of two different scales to depict HMS Hood and Bismarck.
GADFLIES AND GRIZZLIES
Modern naval weapons systems are small compared to the parent ship, making them tiny on common modelling scales, so Takom’s 1/35 weapons range is a clever idea.
A NEW CLASS OF SHIP
Zvezda’s excellent HMS Dreadnought returns in Revell packaging and is unchanged from the initial release, with six styrene runners and a two-piece ‘seabed-type’ stand.
BUILD-AND-PLAY FUN
The variety of subjects available as beginners’ kits is incredible, even compared to just a few years ago, with Airfix’s Bugatti Chiron a prime example.
FARE TO THE FRONT
ICM regularly pairs its automotive kits with figure sets, but this example is slightly unusual, combining the firm’s 1/35 Renault Type AG taxi with a driver and three French infantrymen.
CLASSIC BUS
Having started with the VW T1 Samba and subsequently released cargo and Kombi versions, Revell has come full circle with the original T1 Microbus, recognisable via its 11-window configuration.
KATYUSHA CREW
While intended to accompany the firm’s own Katyusha multiple rocket launchers, this four-man crew is depicted in the process of loading the next batch of ready-to-fire missiles (although none are included).