Military reviews
UPDATED 'CATHEDRAL'
MiniArt’s ode to the M3 tank series (nicknamed the ‘iron cathedral’) continues with the Grant Mk.II.
RUSSIAN COLOSSUS
When it comes to anticipating market requirements, Tamiya inevitably hits the nail on the head by combining ease of assembly and low parts count with the maximum of detail, as evidenced by its newly tooled KV-1.
MOVEABLE MISSILES
Dragon’s recent 1/35 set combining three Mobile Interceptor Missile-23 (MIM-23) Hawks and the associated M192 anti-aircraft missile launcher comprises eight styrene runners – although this includes two sets of three duplicated frames.
MULTI-TURRETED TERROR
It’s great to see less well-known subjects, such as the Soviet T-28 multi-turret tank, covered by manufacturers in 1/72.
POTENT PAIRING
Mounting an anti-tank gun on an established chassis was commonplace during World War Two, and Airfix’s 1/35 Jagdpanzer 38(t) depicts such a combination of the Czech LT vz. 38 tank – Panzer 38(t) in German service – with a PaK 39 L/48 weapon.
IT'S A JEEP!
Dragon has repackaged its 1/4-ton 4x4 truck (the Jeep name is omitted from the title for licensing reasons) with extra parts to depict an Israeli-modified machine.
DIFFERENT TRACKS
Italian resin specialist WIP3D has released a gorgeous 3D-printed 1/72 Italian Mod.42 armoured railway truck (also available as 35010 in 1/35).
SOVIET DISPLAY
Re-releasing vintage kits is very much in vogue, and Revell has reissued Matchbox’s 1970s-era 1/76 T-34/76 tank, complete with a diorama base for displaying the completed model.
COMMAND AND CREW
Another version of ICM’s 1/35 ZiL-131 KShM has arrived, this time paired with the firm’s Soviet Drivers 1979-91 figures (available separately as 35641).
'PLANE PULLING
Planet Models’ complex yet highly accurate aircraft tug is just the thing for a modern Luftwaffe aircraft diorama.
WARTIME WRECKER
Fans of 1/72 scale military modelling now have their own newly tooled Scammell Pioneer and IBG’s release packs in detail commonly associated with a 1/35 kit.
TIGER BY THE TOE
Although intended for wargamers, this Forces of Valor 1/72 Sd.Kfz.182 ‘King’ Tiger tank is similarly suitable as a beginner’s modelling project courtesy of the pre-coloured styrene and large attachment points – the latter meaning sections can be assembled without glue.
HUNTING IN THE SNOW
Italeri has updated its 1/35 Jagdpanther kit with new vinyl two-piece tracks and teamed with MiniArt, which provides a set of five crew figures (35021 – designed originally for a Panzer IV).
DESERT TIN LIZZIE
The latest ICM 1/35 Model T offering combines its splendid military Light Car Patrol (LCP) vehicle (35663) with a pair of ANZAC crew from its 1917-1919 set (35707) at a great value price.
NINE TONS IN TOTAL
ICM’s latest Diorama Series combination package offers superb value for money by combining its 1/35 Ford V3000S (35411), Mercedes-Benz L3000S (35420) and KHD S3000 (35451) for less than the price of two of these kits bought individually.
EARLY-WAR ARTILLERY
First to Fight specialises in 1/72 kits of soldiers and equipment used by German and Polish forces at the start of World War Two, such as the latter’s 75mm armata wz. 1897 guns – ex-French Canon de 75 modèle 1897s.
KURSK COMBATANT
Having already released Ausf.H and Ausf.E versions of Germany’s ubiquitous Panzer IV tank, Zvezda has now addressed the Ausf.G, providing two new runners for the differences in the track guards, drive sprockets, schürzen plate/ support configuration and hull/ turret armour plating.
AIRBORNE ARMOUR
Vickers’ Light Tank Mk.VII hasn’t been the most popular subject – Hauler’s 1/72 offering being just the eighth kit of the type.
KEEP ON TRUCKIN'
This is ICM’s fourth Liberty truck release, and the second to include figures – as usual, this package works out cheaper than the individual kits.
WHEELED SCOUT
Tamiya’s lovely M8 Greyhound returns after a gap of more than 20 years, along with a bevy of extras for its ‘Combat Patrol Set’.
OFFICIALDOM ON WHEELS
Revell’s WOT 6 is a direct re-box of ICM’s splendid kit, with the sole change being a new decal sheet.
CLASH OF THE TITANS
ICM has combined its Pz.Kpfw. VI Ausf.B (35363) and T-34/85 (35367) in a Battle of Berlin combo that’s less than 75% of the combined cost of the separate kits.
QUICK-FIRE ARTILLERY
French artillery seems to attract less attention than other nation’s subjects, so this Mle 1897 from IBG will be popular among military kit aficionados.
MANNED FLAK COMBO
This neat little set from Dragon combines the firm’s 2cm FlaK 38 (6288) with its superb crew figures (6368) to provide arguably the best diorama package currently available for this type of anti-aircraft gun.
FOLDED-CANVAS CARRIER
Efforts to standardise the motorised sections of the German Wehrmacht resulted in the Leichter Gelände Einheits Personen-Kraftwagen (Light All-Terrain Personnel Carrier), replicated in 1/35 scale by this ICM offering.
CAPTURED RECOVERY
MiniArt’s lovely T-60 returns in the guise of a German captured machine with a field modification to convert it into a pioneer/ recovery vehicle.
GENERAL'S FIELD GUN
Here’s an ideal introduction to model kits and Napoleonic-era history in a single package, with MisterCraft’s re-boxed Směr 1/18 wheeled artillery piece.
SIMPLE STANDARD
The ubiquity of the Sherman tank during World War Two makes it a popular subject with small-scale armour modellers and wargamers alike, and this 1/72 Forces of Valor kit is ideal for both purposes thanks to its easy construction, large locating pins and pre-coloured Olive Drab styrene.
WIRELESS 'ON THE DOUBLE'
ICM has sprung another ‘combo’ product on modellers as part of its Diorama Series, this time focusing on German radio trucks.
AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT
Here’s a return for Airfix’s 1/76 Landing Craft, Mechanised Mk.III (LCM3) and M4A2 Sherman tank combined offering – a pairing first released in 1966.