Military reviews
ON THE PULL
Suitable for most 1960s Royal Navy flight deck scenes, this Tugmaster tractor would make an ideal addition to any carrier diorama, but its complexity and detail make it equally suitable as a standalone model.
ARMOURED STARTER
Airfix has combined the two ‘basic’ runners from its newly tooled Sherman Firefly kit with three Humbrol acrylic paints, a tube of Poly Cement and a paint brush, to make a great Starter Set.
SHOOT AND SCOOT
Modern Russian armour subjects are increasingly popular with modellers, so its encouraging to see types such as the 2S35 Koalitsiya (coalition) self-propelled howitzer in 1/72 scale – courtesy of this new tooling from Zvezda.
GOLAN BATTLER
Fans of Soviet tanks will no doubt be delighted that MiniArt has included the classic T-34 among recent releases – this iteration depicts T-34/85s used by the Syrian Army during the 1960s/1970s and is one of the less-complex offerings.
WEIGHTY SCOUT
Considering the complexity and vast parts counts in some of its large-scale armour kits, Dragon’s small-scale offerings can appear refreshingly simple, as with its 1/72 Schwerer Panzerspähwagen 8-Rad (heavy armoured reconnaissance vehicle, 8-wheeled).
BELLOWING COW
Zvezda’s rocket firing Sd.Kfz.251 variant – nicknamed Heulende Kuh (bellowing cow) by German troops after the sound it made when the missiles were fired – is a recent tooling, distinct from its other Hanomags in this scale.
FIGHTING CRICKET
Having acquired several moulds from now-defunct firm Toxso, Revell has issued the former’s newly tooled (but never-released) 1/72 Sturmpanzer 38(t) Grille (cricket) Ausf.M.
MOBILE COMMAND CENTRE
Combining the recent 1/35 Sd.Kfz. 247 Ausf.B (35110) with its 2019-tooled German Command Vehicle Crew (35644) has allowed ICM to depict the type operating in its intended purpose as a portable operations centre.
TWICE THE PUNCH
IBG Models has released an excellent 1/35 rendition of Poland's 7TP tank with twin turrets... and a full interior. Chris Clifford takes a look.
TABLE-TOP ARMOUR
Want a Centurion tank kit that's 'just right'? The answer could lie in Rubicon Models' 1/56 Centurion, which provides the opportunity to build Mk.3 or Mk.5 variants.
NIPPONESE BATTLER
Small-scale armour doesn't get much better than IBG's new 1/72 Japanese Type-95 Ha-Go tank. It's brilliant value!
COLD WAR SCANDY ARMOUR
Amusing Hobby has filled a long-time gap in the Cold War armour market with its brand-new 1/35 Swedish Strv-104 Centurion variant. Read CHRIS CLIFFORD'S review here.
ALMOST TWO POUNDS OF PANZER!
CHRIS CLIFFORD is hugely impressed with MiniArt's latest 1/35 Panzer IV interior kit, which allows you to build two different variants. His out-of-box review includes 20-plus parts photos.
CAPTURED AUSTINS
World War One-era armoured cars seem all the rage, and MiniArt’s Austin vehicle is the firm’s fourth kit of this type, covering captured machines operated by German, Austro-Hungarian and Finnish forces.
MOBILE MACHINE GUNS
Armoured cars are gaining in popularity, with Hauler’s resin kit depicting the Russo-Balt Type C produced in the Russian Empire during the 1910s.
ARMOUR WITH A STING(ER)
Dragon’s reissuing of its splendid M2 Bradley series continues with the short-lived M6 Linebacker, which replaced the anti-tank missile launcher with a Stinger surface-to-air missile unit.
GUNNERY GROUP
Having been absent from Italeri’s range for 40 years, the ex-Peerless 1/35 155mm Howitzer M1 has been re-released and paired with Ukrainian firm Master Box’s same-scale US Artillery Crew figures.
HEAVY FELINE
This iteration of Dragon’s 1/35 Panther Ausf.D provides alternative upper/lower hull and turret components with or without the integrally moulded Zimmerit anti-magnetic coating, providing a ‘2-in- 1’ option that’s either/or rather than two kits.
PRIOR TO COMBAT
Consistently offering great value pairings, ICM has combined its 1/35 Model T RNAS Armoured Car (35669) with its World War One tank crew (35708) for a price increase of just 10% compared with the initial boxing.
SCOUTING FOUR-WHEELER
Here’s a veritable blast from the past in the shape of Matchbox’s 1972-vintage Humber Mk.II scout car, which has been re-boxed by Revell with new markings.
DREADED TIGER
Airfix’s re-boxing of the Academy Tiger I ‘Early Version’ might have modellers hoping it is the full-interior offering, but instead this is the basic kit (13264).
EXQUISITE TRANSPORT
There’s a terrific amount of detail on offer with Gecko Models’ new 1/35 Bedford MWD 15-cwt truck. If you're traditionally an armour modeller, this kit is an ideal, well-detailed entry point into 'soft-skin' vehicles.
VINTAGE SCENIC MILITARY
Long-in-the-tooth modellers will recognise Matchbox’s old 1/76 toolings in these new Revell First Diorama products. That’s no bad thing, says CHRIS CLIFFORD.
BUDGET TANK-HUNTER
Italeri has re-released its venerable 1/35 Panzerjäger kit and, despite its age, it’s a viable and wallet-friendly option says CHRIS CLIFFORD.
RUSSIAN BATTLE TAXI
Zvezda’s 1/72 T-15 Armata is a stunning kit for any modeller who prefers modern armour in a small scale, as CHRIS CLIFFORD discovers.
Beutepanzer Boxing
Ukraine’s ICM is adept at extending its original releases to offer something different – and that’s certainly the case with its new 1/35 Marder I on FCM 36 base. CHRIS CLIFFORD reviews this fascinating package.
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.