November 4, 2000

Book Review: Russian Motor Books Vehicles in Russia - Silver Collection,

"Armeyskiye Avtomobili" (Military Trucks).

Armeyskiye Avtomobili Number 3, ZiS/ZiL-150/164; 20 pp, Price $7.95.

Armeyskiye Avtomobili Number 4, YaAZ/KrAZ-214/255/260, 16 pp., Price $7.95.

Armeyskiye Avtomobili Number 5, GAZ-51/63, 16 pp., Price $7.95.

Armeyskiye Avtomobili Number 6, ZiS/ZiL-151/157, 16 pp., Price $7.95.

Armeyskiye Avtomobili Number 8, Ural-375/4320, 20 pp., Price $7.95.

Advantages: Probably the only source available on these vehicles for the foreseeable future.

Disadvantages: Somewhat esoteric for many modelers; more "nuts and bolts" than "Nuts and Bolts".

Rating: Highly Recommend (Hey, it's the ONLY game in town here!).

Recommendation: For Soviet/Russian soft skin fans.

For those of you familiar with the monographs published by Allied Command Productions of Canada, they hit on a winning formula to assist modelers with specific subject items: extract and clean up information from the "Dash-10" and shop manuals for a specific subject, clean up photos and diagrams, and package it in a new, easy-to-use guide for correcting or super detailing a model. Prices vary according to the depth and amount of information placed in their guides. If you've ever checked out the prices of manuals -- from $20 to $250 each, based on rarity and size -- then you can see where this is a great idea.

Now along comes a new enthusiast publisher from Russia, Russian Motor Books. The listing on the inside and outside of each of these slickly printed little pamphlets shows that they are oriented more on civilian automobiles, and have a 20-part series, Vehicles of the World, for sale and subtitled "Avtomobil'niye Voyni" (Car Wars) which covers the development of cars in the US, Europe and Asia since 1950. They also offer two other series -- Tanks in Russia, with at least one volume on the shop manual for the IS-3 heavy tank with plans and sketches, and Vehicles in Russia, which are the subject of this review.

Each booklet is similar to the format used by Allied Command Productions, but the Russians do include a short history of the vehicle in English as well as basic captions of photos for non-Russian speakers. They provide many diagrams of what the US reader would call "lube orders" and "Dash-25 Parts" manuals. A few 1/72 and 1/35 plans are also included for the modeler.

The ZiL-164 is a 4 x 2 3 metric ton truck that, as the ZiS-150, replaced the ZiS-5 series after the end of WWII. It is styled after Lend-Lease trucks and the resemblance to Studebaker and GMC trucks is obvious. There are no major commercial kits of this vehicle.

The KrAZ-214 is a heavy 12 metric tom rated 6 x 6 cargo truck used for artillery prime movers as well as specialty engineer vehicles such as the TMM-1 bridge launcher. It is still in service in the final KrAZ-260 version. There are no major commercial kits of this vehicle.

The GAZ-51/63 was a lightweight 4 x 4 2 metric ton rated cargo vehicle that came out after WWII and was designed with consideration of the Chevrolet 1 ½ ton series trucks from Lend Lease. It was widely exported and used, beginning in Korea during that war. There are no major commercial kits of this vehicle.

The ZiS/ZiL-151/157 3 ton 6 x 6 cargo vehicles were directly copied from Lead-Lease cargo trucks after the end of WWII, entering service in 1947. The main difference is that the 151 used 10 8.25 x 20.00 wheels, whereas the 157 used only 6 12.00 x 18.00 high mobility wheels and tires with adjustable tire pressure. The Italeri BM-13-16 "Katyusha" kit and its Zvezda ZiL-151 can be detailed nicely with this book, as can the SKIF kits of the BTR-152 which used an unmodified ZiL-157V or V1 chassis, as well as their smaller 1/72 ICM cousins.

The Ural-375, 375D, and 4320 are all evolved versions of the same 1960 5 metric ton 6 x 6 cargo truck design. This vehicle is still in use and for sale today, both as a cargo truck and a number of special purpose vans or the legendary BM-21 "Grad" multiple rocket launcher. This book is in invaluable for building and detailing the Omega-K/ICM kits of the Ural-4320 and the BM-21 "Grad", but unfortunately does not provide for the unique forward-mounted muffler and exhaust with guard found on all BM-21 vehicles.

While these are not what one could call "high-demand" items, they are very, very useful in providing items which are necessary to build the latter two families of models, and given the Russian and Eastern European penchant for releasing kits of interest to their fans, will eventually be nice to have for those trucks as well. They do clear up a lot, for example, the fact that the Ural-4320 DOES have twin steering linkages, the right side one employing a steering booster for use in rough terrain or muddy conditions. (I have to admit I was more than a bit skeptical of the Omega-K kit when I first saw that feature.) It also shows that the missing exhaust system on the BTR-152V should come out on the right side just above the center of the forward rear tire.

Overall, this is a nice but niche-oriented series of publications. A small number are currently available from Eastern Front Hobbies, PO Box 873, Madison, AL 35758; (256) 971-1224 at the prices listed above plus $2 for postage.

Cookie Sewell
AMPS

October 20, 2000

Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/35 ‘39-‘45 Series Kit No. 6141; Sd.Kfz. 250/5 Neu le Beob.Pz.Wg.; 396 parts (396 in light grey styrene, 1 section nylon screening); retail price $28.

Advantages: first model of this particular version; follows DML modular sprue layout.

Disadvantages: The "Busy" assembly of the running gear is not everyone's cup of tea.

Rating: Highly Recommended.

Recommendation: for all German armor fans and modelers looking for a centerpiece for a vignette or diorama.

F I R S T L O O K

DML continues to produce variations on their 250 halftrack series, and the "slash 5" is the newest member of the family. For those not familiar with German terms, few that there may be, the abbreviation listed in the instructions breaks out to "liechter Beobachtungspanzerwagen" or "light armored observation vehicle". These vehicles were used as forward observation posts at division, regiment and battalion levels in combined arms units.

They came in two versions. The Sd.Kfz. 250/5.I, which was equipped with an Fu 4, an Fu 8, and the standard Funk f (28-33 MHz) tactical radio sets, and which was designed for use in cooperation with other arms. The Fu 4 (approximately 3000-7500 kHz) was its artillery liaison set, and the 30-watt Fu 8 (1130-3000 kHz) was the division to battalion HF radio set. This vehicle had a frame antenna, like the well-known "Greif" (an Sd.Kfz. 250/3 alt).

The second version, the Sd.Kfz. 250/5.II, was equipped with an Fu 12 set and the Funk f inter-vehicular radio set. The Fu 12 was an 80-watt HF (1200-3000 kHz) set that used a single rod type antenna with a "crow's foot" set of radiators at the top. This is the version provided in the DML kit. The kit follows the past DML breakout, with sprues A, B, C, E and F from earlier kits, a G sprue with the "crow's foot" antenna in four parts, a supplemental a sprue with the Fu 12 and necessary interior bits, an f sprue with the scissors binoculars of this variant, and W, Y and Z sprues with engine parts and a driver figure. Two-piece separate link tracks are part of this set, and while very nice, these have not been well received by some modelers as they are "fiddly bits" to be sure.

Unfortunately the only reference I have for the 5.II is for an "alt" model, and there are some stowage differences between the "alt" and the "neu" versions. However, all of the key parts are present, especially the radio sets and the scissors binocular with mount and case, so it does appear relatively accurate. Decals are included for two different vehicles: one unidentified Wehrmacht unit on the eastern front in a tricolor scheme, and one from the "Wiking" SS division in an unidentified location in Panzerbraun. Note that the box art shows SS personnel in the Wehrmacht scheme, which is not right according to the directions.

Overall, a nice effort and one that should become popular with German vehicle modelers.

Cookie Sewell
AMPS

October 20, 2000

Kit Review: Archer Fine Transfers Allied Uniform Sheets:

Set FG35017, U.S. WWII Rank Patches; includes all ranks (288 items); price $7.95.

Set FG35018, U.S. Uniform Patches; U.S. Rangers, 1st and 29th Infantry Division patches (approximately 120 items); price $15.95.

Set FG35019, U.S. Armor Division uniform patches; All WWII Divisions (100 items); price $13.95.

Set FG 35020, British rank insignia patches; all enlisted ranks including Warrant Officers (198 items); price $7.95.

Set FG 35021, British 3rd Division uniform patches (approximately 210 items); price $10.95.

Advantages: Professional quality finishing touches for infantry and tank crew figures; incredible detail needs a magnifying glass to see.

Disadvantages: Transfers are of the dry/rubdown variety, not everyone's cup of tea.

Rating: Highly Recommended.

Recommendation: for all US and British modelers, especially with armor or D-Day subjects in mind.

Woody Vondracek always continues to amaze me with his ability to produce gorgeous sheets of transfers, and the five newest ones are no different than the past surprises. Each one of these sheets is dead on register, superbly printed, and incredible to believe. If you have a good magnifying glass, every item of the original patch is visible and perfectly readable.

Sheet 35017 is WWII US Army rank from PFC (E-6) to MSG (E-1) with T-5, T-4, and T-3 grades as well. Sufficient chevron sets are included for up to 144 figures, so this is a good investment.

Sheet 35018 is a D-Day sheet, with shoulder patches for the 1st and 29th Infantry Divisions at Omaha Beach, and the other markings are leadership stripes and Ranger lozenges. Also included are about 40 gas mask carrier bag markings in yellow.

Sheet 35019 is for US Armor forces. There are 10 each for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Armored Divisions, and 4 each for the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 16th and 20th.  The first 14 divisions are supplied with their postwar slogan tabs in place, so ensure that you trim these off for use on WWII figures. This provides enough patches to do at least one crew for the 7th to 20th and two crews from the 1st to 6th divisions.

Sheet 35020 covers British rank insignia, from Lance Corporal through Warrant Officer 1. Care will be needed with the warrant and specialist ranks, so once again I recommend a magnifying glass.

Sheet 32021 covers just the British 3rd Infantry Division. Included are shoulder flashes for nine subordinate units of the division, including Royal Warwickshire, Royal Norfolk, Royal Ulster Rifles, and others. All are readable with the now-standard recommendation of a glass, and very neatly done.

I don't know about you, but as I get older any sort of advantage in getting a great finish is high on my list of items to seriously consider investing in, and these sets are sure on that list. While prices may seem high, anyone who attended Woody's seminar at AMPS 2000 knows that the cost is proportional to the amount of work involved, meaning the number of colors used on a specific sheet of transfers. The stripes use two, the British 3rd set five, the US armored markings five, and the D-Day set eight. Also, these sets should last all but someone doing a 1:1 representative model of Omaha Beach several projects at the very least, and probably years in other cases.

I have used other sets, and I do have to say honestly that Woody makes the best, period.

Cookie Sewell
AMPS

October 8, 2000

Kit Review: Armoured Brigade Models 1/35 Scale Resin Upgrade Kits:

Kit No. ABM014, M3 Lee Basic Upgrade Kit; 25 parts in light tank resin; price US $21.

Kit No. ABM015, M3 Grant Basic Upgrade Kit; 17 parts in light tan resin; price US $23.

Kit No. ABM018, Late Production Sherman Suspension Set; 84 parts in light tan resin; price US $20.

Advantages: Clean, neat, accurate and easy to assemble parts to upgrade older Sherman and Lee/Grant kits.

Disadvantages: Lee/Grant parts come without directions (see text).

Rating: Highly Recommended.

Recommendation: for all fans of US M3 and M4 series tanks.

When we first started doing the "Dog Pound" series of articles in the BORESIGHT, the idea was to describe older kits and what could be done to make them more acceptable from today's standards of modeling. The very first article centered on the 25-year-old Tamiya M3 Grant tank, which is far from accurate by today's standards. I pointed out how to fix all of the kit's major problems except for its out-of-scale and thoroughly awful turret.

Armoured Brigade Models, one of the best companies going in the after-market resin business, has recently release two new kits with just this sort of problem in mind. One kit fixes the basic problems in the M3 Grant, and the other fixes up the equally bad M3 Lee.

The M3 Grant kit provides only the basic parts needed for correcting and upgrading the kit. These include a lovely new turret with gun, elevating drum, race, and hatch and two flaps for the hatch. It also includes the correct early Grant stowage bins, new view ports all around, and the driver's viewer which goes in front of the turret on the hull roof (and which all of the British Grant fans immediately belabored me for missing in the original "Dog Pound" article!) Two "coffee can" exhaust pipes and mufflers are included for those who wish to make a very early model Grant.

The M3 Lee kit provides a new turret with drum and compensator, cupola with scale two-section hatch, elevating drum, two machine gun barrels, new view ports, new low stowage bins, and a six-piece new rear end (the original kit is an M3A5 riveted tank with diesel engine, not an M3) including the original early "coffee can" exhaust pipes. It also includes a counterweight for those who wish to model a tank with the early M2 cannon (the kit provides for the later one with internal counterbalance, but that is more suitable for the longer M3 gun.)

Neither set unfortunately provides any directions. This is not so bad, as most of the parts are either a direct swap for the original kit parts or very obvious as to where and how they fit. Any modeler who wants to make an accurate M3 Grant or Lee needs to be aware that the kit's road wheels are wrong (six spoke cast versus the accurate five spoke cast wheels) and the tracks are likewise totally wrong (the connecters are attached to the center of the links rather than the ends) and all these parts need to be replaced as well.

One thing to watch for is trimming the casting nubs off from the turret race. ABM did an excellent job of casting the turrets hollow in one piece, but the results are the injection points for the resin around the lower rim of the turret. These will have to be gently cleaned out before the race is cemented in place with ACC cement. You will then have to remove most of the Tamiya turret base (the one with the keyhole in it for the turret race which comes in the kit) to accept the new turret base. Another alternative is to use the kit base as a pattern to make a blank plate, fit it to the turret, and use a suitable circle of plastic and section of strip to create a new keyhole lock (if you aren't doing an interior, that may be the best way to go!)

For those building the later M4 series, ABM now also is releasing their excellent replacement bogie sets. They cover early, mid-production and late, as well as M3 bogies (which solve the wheel problem listed above). The differences cover the return rollers, skid plates and risers. This kit comes with the late-model "upswept" return roller mounts with optional riser blocks and final model skid plates. Very complete photographic directions show step-by-step assembly.

Overall, these are great kits and are provided at very reasonable prices. Kits are now available from some select dealers, or from either Armour Brigade Models, PO Box 35163, Westgate PO, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1Z 1A2, or from Chesapeake Model Designs, PO Box 393, Monkton, Maryland 21111.

Cookie Sewell
AMPS

October 8, 2000

Kit Review: Trumpeter (Wasan Plastic Model Company) 1/35 Scale Kit MM-021/00321; Type 69-II in Iraqi Army Service; 316 parts (288 in olive drab plastic, 18 poly caps, 4 clear plastic, 2 vinyl tracks, 1 nylon screen, 1 nylon string, 1steel screw, and 1 pre-installed and wired electric drive train, plus a small tube of cement); price varies from $20-35 depending on source.

Advantages: first kit of this tank in production anywhere; more accurate in some respects than ESCI T-55 kits.

Disadvantages: odd type of plastic (NOT styrene) will make correcting errors/swapping parts difficult.

Rating: Recommended.

Recommendation: For those needing a "background" tank in an Iraqi War diorama, or anyone who wants a "runner" for the fun of it.

Thus far I have to admit that I have been disappointed with the Trumpeter kits from China, in that they are either not very accurate -- having a lot of compromises made in their design to permit motorization, or are nearly impossible to assemble with anything other than the tube cement included in the kits.   The plastic is not "world standard" styrene but some variation of ABS or similar high-impact plastic, and it makes working with the material a problem.

Having completed one of their kits (the Type 80, actually a Type 88 B or C) with much misery, I was not thinking of doing any more with them until Vern Goodrich purchased one of the Type 69-II tank kits at AMPS 2000. I recently picked this kit up to see if it was as good as the one Vern had looked in the box, and so far it is better than expected.

The Type 69 was the follow-on to the Chinese Type 59 copy of the Soviet T-54 tank. It is roughly the Chinese equivalent of a T-55 with a number of improvements made to it internally, and a choice of armaments. The Type 69-I was a Chinese-only version with a 100mm smoothbore gun, which apparently doomed it to domestic consumption only. The Type 69-III was an upgraded version, mounting a Chinese version of the British L7A1 105mm rifled gun. The Type 69-II used the Chinese version of the Soviet D-10T2S 100mm gun, and as it fired the exact same ammunition as the T-54 and T-55, was a natural export tank. It came in three versions: BW121A line tank, BW121B battalion commander's tank, and BW121C company commander's tank. The latter two had extra radios, an antenna case on the turret roof, and stowage for cables and field telephone equipment on their rear plates.

The kit provides the parts only for the A model line tank, but some study of photos of destroyed or captured tanks should yield enough info to make the B or C models. The antenna case is provided (part B32) along with mounting hole blanks in the turret roof.

Some parts are rather odd. The wheels are better done than the ESCI T-55 but then have segmented rims that are incorrect. The turret shape is surprisingly accurate with the gun offset and bulge for the gunner present, and the 100mm gun is far better than the under scale and lame attempt at the L7A1 provided in the Type 80 kit (which shares its main parts sprue with this one).

The electric drive is pre-installed and wired up in the hull, and no axle is included to replace it with a non-driven version. This can be replaced and the drive trashed to use its axle if desired. The motor did work when tested, spinning the axle at high RPM with a lot of torque, so it does appear that the little beast is "Designed to be Driven" as the commercials used to say. At least this kit uses poly caps rather than screws to attach the wheels, so it is not as difficult to "defrock" the motor drive nor turn it into a scale model. There are only two holes in the hull to fill (motor screw mount and front screw attachment hole) so it's much easier than older Tamiya kits to deal with.

Some detail parts leave much to be desired. The RPG guards, cheerily referred to in Chinese sales literature as "Boom Shields" have the correct profile of being flat and not rounded as portrayed by some after-market manufacturers. But they are too thick and not deep enough; the actual blades in the shields are about 3/16" thick and 2½ - 3" wide, and these are about .030" x 030" square or 1" square tube in scale. Careful filing and attaching segments of Evergreen strip to the backs should improve their appearance. The kit's suggested holes also seem off from the box photos; all of the bases of the "boom shield" baskets should be in line and parallel to the hull roof, which the ones on the example clearly do not do. Figure on fiddling with the rear section to get a level fit.

The kit's directions are not much help, but you do have a lot of options on how to fit this model out. Parts A16 and A17 are the early model headlight guards, which only lack a strip of non-skid steel on the top to complete them (open up the fender holes at the front edge of the hull top for using them); they're an alternative to the kit's late model parts A5. The kit also has the armored covers for the searchlights (parts A77, A78, and A29) as well as the laser range finder (parts A9 and A12).

A rather blatantly copied set of decals (swiped from the "Desert Storm" vintage DML kits) are provided with both Standard and Arabic numbers. (Iraqis only used Arabic).

Overall this kit does have possibilities, but its choice of an off-register plastic makes assembly much more difficult and clean, neat modeling a real challenge. (PS it also does not take well to ACC glues, so your choices get even more limited as time goes on!)

Cookie Sewell
AMPS

September 27, 2000

Kit Review: Heiser's Models, Inc. HO 1/87 Scale Kits:

Kit No. 2338, M4 Sherman (Mid-Production Tank with 75mm Gun Turret); 79 parts in light olive styrene; price $7.95.

Kit No. 2340, M4A3 Sherman (Early Production Tank with 75mm Gun Turret); 79 parts in light olive styrene; price $7.95.

Advantages: Best game in town in this scale; modeler gets to call the options; fine scale tools and fittings.

Disadvantages: Puts the modeler back in modeling in some cases; some glitches (see comments below).

Rating: Highly Recommended.

Recommendation: for all small-scale Shermaholics and war gamers.

For years, the only game in town for HO scale armor modeler and those modelers or war gamers who wanted "fleets" of tanks pretty much were consigned here ROCO from Salzburg, Austria. Their first kits were 1/100 scale, but later models grew into full HO scale and made things much easier, plus much nicer.

Also, ROCO's founder's boyhood friend opened Trident, a white-metal HO military kit manufacturer, which later began to produce plastic injected models as well. A few other manufacturers got into the same venue, most prominently Preiser of Germany.

A few attempts were made to produce HO kits or fully assembled models by other companies, but most either failed or were bought out by ROCO. Such was the case with the Petner Panzers T-72M kit, and the Russian Premo line is now totally marketed by ROCO. Now a new player has stepped up, Heiser's Models, Inc. of California.

The packet states that Heiser's is going to concentrate on armored vehicles of the 1930s to 1950s, which is an overlooked area in this scale. Most of the ROCO kits start in the 1943-44 time frame, and only the Premo kits of the early Soviet tanks cover the earlier era.

These two kits are essentially identical except for the upper hull of the Sherman tank being modeled. The M4 has the proper solid deck and notched rear panel, and the M4A3 the grilles and "tail" to the rear panel. However, both kits apparently have the later shallow angle rear to the turret without loader's hatch. Also the rear plate is the same for both kits, one that appears to have either an early set of M4 mufflers or round air cleaners. This is partially wrong for the M4 mid-production and totally wrong for the A3. The hull comes in six parts, a belly pan with sponsons (are you listening, Tamiya???!), hull, transmission cover, rear plate, and two ROCO-type unitary track runs. The idlers are the "straight" top type with lift blocks. Track is T51 smooth rubber type, but that is basically a fact of molding single-piece track runs without an astronomically complex mold. Heiser's has their logo on the outside of the bottom of the hull, but it is easy to clean up. The kit was apparently molded in Taiwan by a company called HSI for Heiser's.

The modeler has a choice of either the M34 or M34A1 gun mount and shield, as well as a ton of minor details. Included with the latter is a choice of either M2 .50 caliber or M1917A4 .30 caliber machine guns, "split" hatch or vision cupola, tool sets and optional layouts, one German and one US jerry cans, and lift rings, lights, etc. None of the light guards are modeled, but then again, there are no "lumps" to shave off.

While some modelers may grouse at the errors, Heiser's provides a very detailed double-sided instruction sheet and a set of plans of the version of the model into which the kit builds. They have a very nice explanation of why the kits are set up the way they are. For war gamers, the tank can be slapped together in a few minutes to serve its purpose and fragile items left off the model to make it more "playable". For modelers, the details are provided but the modeler will have to come up with the missing "bits" on his own. Case in point is the loader's hatch, which Heiser's recommends sanding very thin before installing. Heiser's also provides resin or white metal parts with their other kits, noting a resin three-piece transmission cover with the early M4A1 kit and white metal tracks with early style bogies. They also have a resin hull for the M4A2.

Overall, these are nice little kits, and considerably better than the 35-year-old ROCO M4 model. I am not sure of where to find Heiser's on a regular basis. I picked these two up in a model railroad shop sale in

Charlottesville, VA. Their address is: Heiser's Models, Inc., PO Box 6187, Lakewood, CA 90714-6187, phone/fax (562) 860-1362. A catalogue can be had for a SASE (55 cents postage in the US). Their e-mail address is: heisermodels@earthlink.net.

Cookie Sewell
AMPS

September 17, 2000

Kit Review: Eastern Express 1/35 Scale Kit No. 35132; GAZ-66 Army Truck with ZU-23-3 Antiaircraft Mounting; 246 parts (164 black styrene plastic, 69 in light grey styrene, 8 clear styrene plastic, 5 vinyl tires); price between $20-28.

Advantages: Good truck kit re-released by larger company insures wider availability; ZU-23-2 gun is a jewel in its own right.

Disadvantages: Some annoying mold sinks or incomplete plastic injection; instructions for the gun are incomplete; no markings for box top subject (see text).

Rating: Highly Recommended.

Recommendation: for all modern warriors, AA gun fans, and diorama artists.

F I R S T    L O O K

There is an ongoing movement in Russia and the former Soviet Union countries right now for their recently created model companies to consolidate. This has been true in Ukraine, where ICM is buying a number of smaller companies and now providing an "umbrella" releasing agency for them along with their own line of kits; note their new releases are now ex-Omega-K kits. The same is true of Eastern Express, a new company that has consolidated its own new kits of KV series heavy tanks with those of Scale Ltd. and now markets then under its label.

One of the new combined kits is this double kit, which combines the very nicely done GAZ-66 from Scale Ltd. which did not meet with great response when released due to the small size of the company and difficulty in finding in the US and some other markets (they seem to have been more common in the UK) and a new sprue with the very well known and popular ZU-23-2 towed AA gun mount.

The GAZ is the current light standard truck of the Russian Armed Forces, and while similar in size to the popular Unimog 1700 series and rated as a 2 metric ton vehicle, is used in much the same way as the US uses its 1 1/4 ton series trucks or the UK 110" wheelbase Land Rovers. It was developed in the mid 1960s to replace the older GAZ-63 series light cargo trucks, and combined its cab-over-engine design with a similar size chassis to create a very useful and reliable truck. While basically out of production now, it is still in widespread use in the former USSR states and many of the former Soviet client states.

The ZU-23-2 is still the most popular heavy weapon in the Russian inventory. It was developed in the 1950s as a harder-hitting ground forces support weapon based on their very powerful 23mm rounds for aviation cannon, and after a number of trials was accepted for service in 1960 as the 2A13 automatic antiaircraft cannon. This consisted of two 2A14 guns mounted in a Siamese mounting with the guns "handed" for easier feed and operation. Over the years the gun provided itself to be very good not only at tactical AA protection, but also in anti-vehicle and anti-personnel operations. They were extensively used in Afghanistan and Chechnya by the Russians as their high-angle fire and still potent ammunition made them great for sniper suppression and covering fire. Literally thousands of these guns are in use today in a total of over 50 countries.

Both kits are complete, but to the modeler's great frustration, Eastern Express "assumes" the modeler only wants to build the kit as per the box top painting! This is for a gun minus its wheels and set in the firing position. My best guess based on photos of the actual gun are: parts 49 and 54, wheels; parts 31, wheel retainers; parts 29 and 30, rotating axle mounts; 27-28 and 53-54, axle bearing/swivel mounts; parts 9 and 10, fenders; parts 7-8 and 57-58, fender mounts; part 3, folding towing lunette. With a photo of the actual gun, you can work out where these bits go; sadly Eastern Express did not do that for you from the beginning.

Happily, the only difference in the truck kit is stripping off the troop seats, which Eastern Express does show in their directions.

The truck has a nice engine, but it was spoiled on my example due to incomplete molding of some of the fine parts and a big sinkhole in the middle of the detailed part of the air filter. There are also the usual assortment of ejection pin marks and other items that are not done well by many eastern model companies, but overall the kit is nicely done. The cab tilts to show the engine, and problems like those found on the ICM Ural-4320 are avoided by having the windshield and frame molded in clear as one piece. Masking may prove tricky, but it does guarantee a good fit with the windows. The tires are hollow molded vinyl similar to those that come with the SKIF BTR-152V1 kit, and are hard to beat for a non-resin cast product.

The kit comes with a wide variety of marking and decals, including one UN set, one Russian Army, and two MVD Internal Troops , one of which is colorfully marked for Chechnya. Surprisingly, the box art takes no bones about its being an Iraqi vehicle with Iraqi gunners shooting at A-10s, but no markings are included for any non-Russian forces.

Overall, this is a little gem and should fill the bill for a lot of folks. Next year's AMPS Annual Convention theme is "Keeping the Peace", and this model fits nicely into that subject.

Cookie Sewell
AMPS

September 17, 2000

Kit Review: Fruilmodel 1/35 track sets:

No. ATL-59, Chenilette Lorraine (all versions); 230 links in white metal, two drive sprockets in white metal, and a section of fastening wire; price $27-32 (estimated).

No. ATL-60, Churchill Tank (all variants); 170 links in white metal and a section of fastening wire; prices $27-32 (estimated).

Advantages: First single-link white metal tracks for these vehicles.

Disadvantages: some models do not like the new stick and clip' wire assembly.

Rating: Highly Recommended.

Recommendation: for all modelers doing a Chenilette Lorraine/Lorraineschlepper or any Churchill.

Fruilmodel continues to roll along, and the latest news is that now each of their track sets comes in a sturdy cardboard box with a photo of the subject on the top. Prices have been kept low due to the switch of manufacture to Hungary, and thus the quality is good and the prices are reasonable.

The Lorraine set is going to be very tedious to some modelers, as the links are very, very small and the idea of fishing together over two hundred of them for two track runs will bother some modelers and those of us who tend to have either minor bouts of arthritis or cramping in our fingers. They are about the size of 1/76 scale Panther tracks (not the same, so don't try swapping them!) to give you a rough idea of size.

The Churchill set, on the other hand, will replace the older Tamiya one and finally provide a nice fluid set of tracks for that vehicle that "hang" correctly and look good. They are so nice they almost demand doing an early model to get the exposed top track run or stripping the fenders off the Mk. VII kit versions. They are "normal" size and should not be as much of a problem.

The best method I've found for these so far is to "kink" the wire just prior to insertion, and friction and tension will hold it in place once installed. All you need is a set of wire cutters, needle nose pliers, and a small drill to clear flash from the hinges to assemble. All in all, two nice efforts.

Cookie Sewell
AMPS

September 17, 2000

Kit Review: Revell AG 1/35 Scale Kit No. 03038; Tpz-1 "Fuchs" A6 ABC; 272 parts (251 in green styrene, 6 in olive drab styrene, 8 clear styrene, 6 solid black vinyl tires, 1 section steel wire); price $16-23 Advantages: First kit of the this vehicle in this scale; very nicely detailed and provides the feeling of the "heft" of the actual machine.

Disadvantages: Will take work to make into anything but the German A6 variant; odd choice of details for such a complex kit.

Rating: Recommended.

Recommendation: for modern armor fans.

F I R S T    L O O K

The German Fuchs (Fox) 6 x 6 APC has been around for a number of years, and the Bundeswehr has a number of options that it sports in service. These include the straight APC version and the "Hummel" and ELOKA electronic warfare platforms. But the best-known version outside of Germany is the ABC (Atomic-Biological-Chemical ) version, better known in the US as the M93 Fox series NBC reconnaissance vehicles.

Revell AG has now produced a kit of the current German variant, the A6, which is not the same as the other ones loaned out to its NATO partners during Desert Shield, and later purchased. The base kit is the original Fuchs ABC model and can, if desired, be painted up for the Coalition partners in the Desert. A small supplemental sprue of parts (160-163) is included in OD plastic, and this apparently upgrades the kit to the current A6 variant vice older models. Note that the US now has the XM93E1 that changed a number of sensors, and cut the crew required to operate the vehicle from four to three. It also added US pattern equipment such as smoke grenade launchers and an M60 machine gun, etc.

Ignoring the non-American centric nature of the kit (I can't blame them for that!) the model is a really nicely molded kit. It is also an "omnibus" kit with most of the main optional parts included (such as the fighting compartment hatch options which mount in the center of the roof). It has a number of operating features, such as rotating and steerable water drive propellers, and working steering on the front two axles. The tires are beefy with the correct Michelin tread pattern, but appear a bit square in profile. I am not sure how these react with the steering, as they appear too much for the rods and spindly pins used to connect the linkage.

Oddest of all is the fact that the model comes with separate front doors and an optional position armored cover, as it has no interior. Also odd are the fact that the rear doors are sealed, as is the commander's hatch, so you don't even have any options on where to place figures if desired. Likewise, all of the optional center hatches over the fighting compartment are sealed, which seems odd to go to the trouble of providing separate parts and then make them closed. I guess the answer is reflected in the very reasonable price of the kit.

Overall this is a well-done kit, but considering its lack of options, will either take a ton of work or wind up relegated to being a "background" model in dioramas.

Cookie Sewell
AMPS

July 31, 2000

Kit Review: SKIF 1:35 Scale Model Kit No. 209; BTR-152V1; 243 parts (223 in light olive styrene, 13 etched brass, 7 rubber tires); price around $25-28.

Advantages: First kit in styrene of this vehicle; includes basic interior and engine components; nicely done rubber tires.

Disadvantages: Some sinkholes and ejector pin marks; main vehicle body is in 18 parts; interior fittings for hull sides missing in several places.

Rating: Recommended.

Recommendation: For all third world and Cold War fans.

F I R S T L O O K

The Soviets were proud of the industrialization efforts that they had made prior to WWII, but when they began to see the mechanical quality of the products provided by Lend Lease from the USA and Britain, they were embarrassed to see how backward they really were. The most impressive of all of the items they received were trucks from the USA. The Jeep was in a class by itself, and the two 2 ½ ton medium trucks, the Studebaker US6 and GMC CCKW, were far in advance of the crude Soviet ZIL-5 and GAZ-AAA models, and proved to be just as rugged and reliable but with more comfort, safety, and practicability. As a result, at the end of WWII the Soviets combined the best features from these vehicles to produce the ZIL-151, which was a near clone of the GMC chassis and drive line.

The ZIL-151 chassis had the main upgrade from the small 7.00 x 20.00 tires to larger 9.00 x 20.00. Later, the truck was upgraded to produce the ZIL-157 model. The ZIL-157V1 introduced adjustable air pressure for off-road movement along with single 12.00 x 18.00 tires. This latter truck served the USSR and many of its allies for many, many years, and is still in service with some of them today.

But during the war, one thing which the Soviets did not find particularly impressive were either the US or German half-tracked APCs. Both of them tended to have problems with the German ones were mechanically finicky, and the US models tended to shed tracks. The Germans did have a ballistically better body shape and design than the vertical walled US models. Since the Soviets had used the White Scout Car with good results, and liked the driveline of the GMC, they eventually combined the three elements together, an APC like the White Scout Car with a ballistically improved body similar to the German designs, but using the GMC-based driveline of the ZIL-157 truck.

This fit into the Soviets' post-war development of motorized rifle units for accompanying tank assaults and providing better protection to their crews and dismount teams than the tanks did during the war. The first model, which was based on the ZIL-151, was accepted for service in 1950 as the BTR-152. The vehicle had a crew of two and room for 17 motorized riflemen in the rear compartment, as well as carried one 7.62mm SGM machine gun that could be fixed to one of four mounts in the rear compartment. However, as with most of the BTR-152 family, the vehicle had no overhead cover from shell fragments.

The BTR-152 was followed in 1951 by the BTR-152A model which provided a mounting for a twin 14.5mm ZPU-2 AA gun; later models in this line included the ZTPU-4 of 1955 with a quadruple 14.5mm mount, the improved BTR-152Ye model with the ZTPU-2 mount but using a BTR-152V1 chassis, and one mounting a ZU-23 twin 23mm mount. There was also a BTR-152U version with a high roof to provide for staff functions such as map boards inside the vehicle.

The BTR-152V series followed in 1955, and this version added the central tire regulation system from the ZIL-157V. It changed from the 9.00 x 20.00 dual tires over to the 12.00 x 18.00 singles of the 157 and also made some minor improvements elsewhere, such as an SGMB machine gun. It mounted a 5,000 kg winch and other essential items. The last main production model, the BTR-152V1 that began production in 1958, switched from the external tire pressure regulators of the V model to the internal ones of the ZIL-157V1. It also provided mountings for the TVN-2 driver's night vision device.

The last model of the BTR-152 to see production was the BTR-152K that added a roof; however, by that time (1959) the move was to change over to the BTR-60PK and PB and thus production of these vehicles was limited. The BTR-152 series was dropped from Russian army service in 1993, but they remain in service with many other third-world nations today.

This is the newest kit from SKIF, and it fills a blank in many modelers' wish lists. In layout and format, it seems much like the ICM kits of the Ural-4320 series vehicles. It abounds with very nice touches, such as hollow-molded vinyl tires with very tiny inscriptions on each one as to size and point of manufacture. The kit also includes a photo-etched fret that provides the light guards as two parts (frame and screen) and a blade for the two-man engineer saw carried by many Soviet-era vehicles. All of the doors are hinged for operation, which has been funky on many of the other SKIF kits, but the hinges seem close to scale so this may not be a bad item. There is an engine included as well as an interior for the dismount compartment.

Some parts, however, are not as well detailed as others. The interior of the two main hull parts (108D and 109D) are bereft of the fittings and ports for the firing ports which are molded on their exterior sides. Likewise, the driver's and commander's windshield covers have only sketchy details on the insides, and none of the "bits" needed to open or hold them open. Likewise, the armored radiator cover (102D) is shut with only a slight tilt to the louvers.

An SGMB machine gun is included and consists of nine parts, with the handle brackets being etched brass.

The model comes with only one painting option (Soviet Khaki #2, a near olive drab color) and national markings for the Soviet Army (with a Guards badge), the DDR, Czechoslovakia, and Poland. The instrument panel is a decal and requires that the panel be painted Soviet Khaki #2 first. However, these vehicles have been widely sold and used and other schemes can be found to finish it. Choices include: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria., Angola, Bulgaria, Chad, China, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, DDR, Guinea, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, DPRK, Laos, Mali, Mongolia, Mozambique, Poland, Rumania, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Yemen, Yugoslavia, North Vietnam, and Zaire. Some of these third-world schemes can be fairly inventive, but seeking them out will be an interesting task.

Overall, this is a nice kit, and SKIF has now worked its way up to about the same level of complexity and accuracy as Heller kits. While some modelers decry this, recall that this is only their seventh armor kit.

Thanks to Eastern Front Hobbies for the review sample.

Cookie Sewell
AMPS

June 20, 2000

Product Review: Third Group Decal Sets

Set 35-017, 1/35 Scale Sherman Set #1 for M4A1 (Early, Mid, and Late); markings for three M4A1 Shermans with directions included; price $5.95.

Set 35-018, 1/35 Scale Sherman Set #2 for M4 Composite Hull; markings for three M4 Composite Hull Shermans with directions included; price $5.95.

Advantages: Sharp, clean waterslide decals (printed by Microscale).

Disadvantages: M4A1 set overlaps kit offerings in DML M4A1 kit.

Rating: Highly Recommended.

Recommendation: For Shermaholics, especially those who want to do Pacific War Army M4s.

I have not used any of the decals from Third Group as all of the subjects until now were German, but these are the first two sets from this Washington Company on "my" turf.

Both sets have artwork and research by Third Group and are printed for them by Microscale, arguably the largest US waterslide transfer decal manufacturer. Printing is very sharp and clear, and sufficient decals are included on each sheet to do all three of the subjects covered. This is in comparison with other sheets which provide three sets of serials but only one set of stars, so will be much more useful to the "hoarders" out there.

Set #1 covers M4A1s, but two of the subjects are the same found in the DML M4A1 Early kit ("Weenie One" and "Eternity"). However, what Third Group does provide in their directions is a clear description of the actual vehicle as taken from photo sources, and as a result provide info on tracks, bogies, road wheels, and specific variations for the vehicle for which they provide markings.

Set # 2 covers M4 with the composite hull, all in the Pacific theater and all Army vehicles. These include the "tumbling dice" from the 775th Tank Battalion, the 763rd Tank Battalion on Anguar, and the 44th Tank Battalion in the Philippines. All are pretty straightforward.

Overall, nicely done sets and the ones on Pacific Shermans are particularly welcome. In the US these are available from Squadron Mail Order (via their web site) or from Third Group, PO Box 98545, Tacoma, WA 98498-0545.

Cookie Sewell
AMPS

June 20, 2000

Kit Review: Italeri 1/35 Scale Kit No. 372; Paladin S.P. Howitzer; 267 parts (264 in light olive drab styrene,2 silver vinyl tracks, 1 section of nylon mesh); price $27.

Advantages: The "good" Italeri made this kit; nice detailing and corrections to some past errors.

Disadvantages: Stiff tracks will not lie flat; some minor quirks.

Rating: Highly Recommended.

Recommendation: For all "gonners" and modern US fans.

F I R S T    L O O K

Before entering into the body of the review on this kit, due to the confusion caused by the path that this system has followed to get into production, a bit of history is called for.

In the late 1950s, a decision was made that the "Pentomic" weapons systems were too heavy to be easily deployable. The US Army had changed over to STRAC -- the STRategic Army Corps, which was the quick deployment heavy force for handing overseas hot spots -- but many of the weapons in STRAC units like the 2nd Armored Division were too heavy to send by air, and too bulky for shipboard use. As a result, a new family of lightweight aluminum combat and combat support vehicles took shape. The lightweight M113 series of APCs replaced the heavy M75 and M59 steel vehicles, and the new 105mm M108 and 155mm M109 replaced the 105mm M52 and 155mm M44 series of SP artillery pieces. Neither one was much lighter than the weapon it replaced, the 24-ton M108 replacing the 27-ton M52 and the similar M109 the 30-ton M44, but both vehicles could be floated with add-on pontoons and swim with track power. Also, both were NBC protected which the other two were not; they were also designed from the start to use diesel engines, as the Army was in the process of converting over from gasoline engines.

The family of weapons ran this way:

M108 - (Italeri Kit No. 238) SP 105mm howitzer, first fielded in 1962. Dropped in 1963 as the 105mm was not felt worthwhile in a large vehicle such as this, and the switch was made to the 155mm M109.

M109 - (Italeri Kit No. 235) SP 155mm howitzer with a 28-caliber barrel (artillery measures guns by bore or diameter of the inside of the barrel, and caliber, which is the number of times the diameter of the bore that the gun tube is long). Entered production in 1962, and dropped in 1967. Maximum range with normal ammunition 16,400 meters.

M109A1 -- SP 155mm howitzer with a 39-caliber barrel and an increased maximum range of 18,100 meters with conventional ammunition. Essentially a rebarreled M109. Kits went out to the field in 1972.

M109A2 -- (Italeri Kit No. 239) SP 155mm howitzer with a 39-caliber barrel and many internal changes. Differentiated from the M109A1 by a 32-round bustle and an armored cover for the panoramic sight head on the front left side of the turret. Entered production in 1978.

M109A3 -- SP 155mm howitzer with a 39-caliber barrel. An M109A1 brought up to full M109A2 standards. Converted as M109A1s were returned for depot maintenance.

M109A4 -- an M109A2 or M109A3 retrofitted with newer NBC protection and mechanical upgrades.

M109A5 -- an M109A4 upgraded to fire rocket-assisted or base bleed projectiles to a range of 30,000 meters. At one time this and the A4 were expected to mount a 53-caliber barrel, but thus far the Army has not opted for longer barrels.

M109A6  (Italeri Kit No. 372) this weapon began life as the "AHIP" or Advanced Howitzer improvement Program in 1984. A number of variations (the M109A3E2 being one) were tested and sent back for further evaluation before the M109A6 was finalized in 1992. The M109A6 is a conversion kit applied to an M109A4 or M109A5 stage 155mm howitzer. Production of conversion kits began in 1993, and kit production was reported to be complete in 1998. A total of 630 weapons were upgraded. Upon its official acceptance, the M109A6 was named "Paladin" by the US Army. (Note: Italeri also makes Kit No. 246, which combines German and prototype AHIP parts in one kit, but will not build into a Paladin.)

The Paladin is the current "ultimate" version of the 38-year-old M109 design. It is a highly automated weapons system and is capable of firing 3 rounds in 13 seconds. It is designed for "shoot and scoot" tactics, where the crew does not dismount or prepare the piece for long fires, but can be prepared for firing while buttoned up in an NBC environment, fire its mission, and prepare to move out automatically. Spades and the main gun travel lock are all operated from the interior with no crew egress needed to place them. It also uses a new design turret with blow-off bustle and Kevlar lining to protect the crew from counter battery fire. There is an Enhanced Paladin prototype with a 52-caliber barrel, but at this time US Army priorities are placed on the Crusader advanced howitzer system.

All that being said, the Paladin kit was apparently designed and built by the "Good" Italeri, as in the one which takes more care and tries not to skimp on parts (like the details on the Oshkosh or M939 truck families). The kit replaces the "C" sprue from the A2 kit with a new one of 67 parts, plus an "E" sprue with 40 more. Combined they add all of the parts needed to change the lowly M109 hull over to the new Paladin gun system.

Some parts are improved in the transition. The sight head cover for the panoramic sight (parts 130 and 131) no longer have a solid screen in them; true, you now need to get a small section of clear styrene to replace it, but it no longer means either having to fill a nasty seam or cutting the blank sides out to replace it anyway. The swing away bins on the rear sides of the bustle can be placed in normal or shipping (folded back) configuration, and the automatic travel lock can be left to operate. (Note: the "clear" arrows mean do not cement, and the solid ones mean use glue; one would think after all these years Italeri would bother to explain this on their instructions!)

The tracks are now molded in silver, but are the same stiff brutes we have had for years. At least in the US Squadron and MMD are now carrying the Skybow T-136 replacement single link styrene tracks, so replacing them is no longer catch as catch can.

One glaring error in the directions is the indication that the piece modeled is "Germany 1994". It's not, as the markings are for 1-37 FA of the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. This is a tri-color (NATO) scheme weapon, and the sand scheme is totally inappropriate for Korea. Italeri should have at least been kind enough to include a second set of markings!

Overall, this piece is a very impressive one, and a nicer effort from Italeri than some of their recent offerings. It will be nicely matched with the PzH 2000 from Revell Germany and the forthcoming 2S19 from SKIF in representing modern artillery pieces.

Cookie Sewell
AMPS

June 11, 2000

Kit Review: Revell (Revell Monogram) Authentic Kit No. 85-5621; C.S.S. Alabama; 653 parts (2 in black styrene, 20 in creme colored styrene, 41 in white styrene, 570 in dark grey styrene, 10 vacuformed off-white sails, 6

pre-formed ratlines/shrouds, 1 section coarse brass chain, 1 section fine brass chain, 1 spool black cotton thread, 1 spool tan cotton thread, paper flag sheet); retail price $65.

Advantages: Re-release of an old favorite; molds not too badly deteriorated (see text).

Disadvantages: Lots of ejector pin marks, only an approximation of the original ship.

Rating: Recommended.

Recommendation: for all fans of this old favorite who don't like paying Ebay prices for originals.

When I was 13, two of the things which were tops on my Christmas list were the two 1/96 scale Civil War ship kits released by Revell to celebrate the centennial of the US Civil War: the USS Kearsarge and its legendary opponent, the CSS Alabama. The first one was $9.98 and the second one $11.98 that made them out of the league of someone lucky enough to get $2 for mowing a lawn. But Santa was on a budget that year, and Christmas came and went without either ship gracing the spot under the tree.

Two months later, the family owned store where my father worked (as part of the family) had a fire (put out by the sprinkler system ) that ruined one section of the storage inside the building. My uncle called for family to pitch in, and so I spent five hours lugging out soggy shoes and bras from the back rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the store. My uncle was very happy with the help and as a reward for pitching in my father brought home the CSS Alabama two days later. Needless to say, I had a very happy time putting the beast together and it was always one of my favorite models, and even graced my mother's dining room table for a short while.

I noted that Revell re-released the CSS Alabama about 11 years ago, but at that time I was getting ready to retire from the Army and had no room for one. By the time I got settled, all of the re-released kits were snapped up and thus nowhere to be found.

Prices for the Alabama, and the rarer Kearsarge, were astronomical by 1999. (There is an urban legend, with probably a great deal of truth behind it, that Revell trashed the molds of the USS Kearsarge to get the CSS Alabama. They share a lot of parts and the hulls are nearly identical. However, both kits were offered at the same time in 1961, so think it was more likely a pantographed mold rather than a re-working.) Prices of $125 to $250 for either the original or the re-release were becoming common. I had to seriously think about that, after seeing an original 1961 CSS Alabama for sale for L65 ($97) at Plastic Past-Times in Poole, Dorset, six weeks ago.

Returning home, lo and behold, Revell-Monogram re-released the kit for $65. Admittedly this is a 40% jump over the 1989 re-release at $46, and 540% of the original 1961 price, but compared to Ebay, I'll take it!

Many older kits have suffered badly over the years, due to running the molds long past their amortization period. I was surprised to open the box and discover that the Alabama has fared better than most, and much of the original detail is still sharp and impressive. The model is now in a slightly modified version of the original "Frameable" box art carton with a John Steel painting, but it no longer comes in "Five Colors" of styrene. (The original came in dark grey, grey, dark brown, white, and a greenish tan for the decks.) All of the original parts are still included, along with the 20 figures that came with both the Alabama and Kearsarge kits and the vacuformed sails and pre-formed ratlines or shrouds.

There are some serious ejection pin marks, however, and some are extremely unpleasant to remove. At least one is smack in the middle of one of the deck gratings, which will make a very long and unhappy evening to remove. Modelers who have a few sailing ships under their belt may wish to replace a number of the parts with either brass or metal, such as the deck eyebolts for rigging. Likewise, the cord provided for rigging is very thick and needs finer thread for the running rigging of the ship. (Revell noted that in the rigging instructions, but I could swear that they provided it anyway in the original kit.)

Overall this is a big model when done up, it goes about 38" x 20" x 8" (965 x 500 x 200 mm) less its two plastic stands.   The use of the sails and pre-formed ratlines is a matter of taste (most ship modelers toss them upon opening the box) but for more lubberly ship builders like me they're fine, and my wife likes ships with the sails up.

One big problem with the kit that many people have pointed out is that it really isn't a true model of the Alabama. What Revell did was amortize the molds by cutting an accurate set of molds for the Kearsarge and them massaging them to look like the Alabama (hey, in 1961, who knew?). All of the pertinent features are here, but published plans show the actual vessel with more sheer (swoop at either end) and the kit, like the Kearsarge, is nearly flat. Also, the Alabama had a number of exotic features like rig that could be changed at whim to fool pursuers, as well as a retractable stack and propeller. The latter is featured on the kit (it also is a "working" feature) but not the former or the rig flexibility. (The real vessel was also recently found to have four flush toilets below decks, a first for the times.)   Also Revell's painting directions do not match contemporary sources which give quite a different picture of the famous cruiser, the actual ship being black overall with bare wood ("bright" and "drab" shades being noted) and sporting red, white and guilt trim.

But what the heck, it DOES look impressive on a mantel or a shelf where it can shine, and even at $65 in this day and age is a bargain!

Cookie Sewell
AMPS

June 11, 2000

Kit Review: ICM 1/35 Scale Figure Sets:

Kit No. 35161, "Conflict in Kosova 1999" Russian Spetsnaz VDV; 46 parts in light grey styrene; price between $5 and $8.

Kit No. 35221, "Soviet-Afghan War, 1979-1988" Mujahideen; 46 parts in light grey styrene; price between $5 and $8.

Advantages: nice, modern sets of subjects that have not been heavily covered.

Disadvantages; Muj are particularly wooden and static.

Rating: Highly Recommended.

Recommendation: to anyone doing modern Russians or Afghan war dioramas or vehicles.

For about eight years, DML ruled the roost with the best injection-molded figure sets around. They forced Tamiya to clean up its figures and start producing modern sets with correct proportions, as well as "set the bar" for many other manufacturers as well. The Russians and Ukrainians have taken note, and most of their more recent sets have been closing the gap with the Oriental manufacturers in quality.

These are two of the latest sets from ICM, who is on their way to becoming one of the dominant Eastern European manufacturers. They have purchased many smaller companies and are combining their lines with the original ICM offerings of 1/72 and 1/48 aircraft and 1/35 armor, and are now working on other areas such as figures and 1/350 ships. Their figure sets have been very good, and would seem to have used Tamiya and DML as their benchmark.

The first set is of four Russian soldiers in what could be termed "patrol" poses, which are all very well animated and reflect many of the photos seen from recent Russian combat deployments. While the box claims they are "Kosova" peacekeepers, they are more suited to use in either of the two Chechen campaigns (1994-1996 and 1999 to the present). The shoulder flashes given are for Kosova, but they are only shown on the box and without decals would be extremely difficult to copy in 1/35 scale. The troops come with an AKMS, an RPK machine gun with box magazine, an SVD rifle and what appears to be an obsolete Stechkin pistol with shoulder stock  and not the more common PM pistol. All weapons are petite in the DML manner. Facial details are good, and each man has a different headgear with one beret, one helmet, one watch cap, and one "do-rap" copy that has been quite popular in Chechnya. These figures would look great matched with any of the late model BTRs (70, 80 or BRDM) or a T-72 or T-62D tank (now reintroduced as it is easier to "fight" from in Chechen conditions).

The Mujahideen are of similar molding quality, but are very static that will really limit their usefulness. They look more like they came from the portrait artist's canvas than from real life, which is a shame. Each figure is quite different in dress, with three of the figures sporting turbans and one the little pork-pie hat preferred by Pushtuns. Weapons included are an M16 with M203 grenade launcher, a LAW or RPG-18 launcher, an AKM, the ubiquitous SVD rifle, and a Stinger missile launcher. The latter is apparently molded in the "carry" position with the cage portion of the sight folded up. It does not seem to be as well done as some of the others in DML or Tamiya kits, and should probably be replaced. The modeler could probably use the heads with other figures to create most modern resistance forces, to include Chechen mujahideen with Russian uniforms or some of the forces in the Middle East.

One minor comment. There really isn't such an animal as "Spetsnaz VDV". The Russians retained the Soviet force structure, and this includes VDV or Airborne troops, GRU SPETsNAZ, and other "power ministry" SPETsNAZ formations (i.e. MVD OMON troops). But to the average observer, the VDV and GRU troops look alike (blue berets and blue-and-white striped undershirts) and hence the term. In both Chechen wars, as well as much of the Afghan war, both the VDV and GRU SPETsNAZ used ground forces vehicles and equipment, such as the BTR-70 and BTR-80, so were again virtually indistinguishable to the casual eye.

Cookie Sewell
AMPS

April 16, 2000

Product Review: Archer Fine Transfers US Marking Sets:

AR35049 2nd and 3rd Armored Division Large Codes Sheet 1, price $9.95.

AR35050 2nd and 3rd Armored Division Large Codes Sheet 2, price $9.95.

AR35055W US Vehicle Registration Codes (White), price $6.95.

AR35065 US Bumper Codes WWII to Korea Non-Stencil type, price $6.95.

AR35066 US Bumper Codes WWII to Korea Stencil type, price $6.95.

Advantages: Best, sharpest images made, and fill a gap in US WWII armor markings.

Disadvantages: Require a bit more knowledge than wet transfers (decals) to apply.

Rating: Highly Recommended.

Recommendation: For all WWII and Korea US armor fans.

Those who did not attend the AMPS 2000 show in April 2000 missed a really fascinating and useful seminar by Woody Vondracek, who is the owner and chief employee of Archer Fine Transfers, into how these excellent markings are produced and how to use them at least three different ways.

As Woody noted in his short history of dry transfers, they were originally designed only for use by graphics artists on layouts and not designed to fit on three-dimensional objects. As a result, he uses a special layer of material that is elasticized to fit around bumps and grooves. Woody brought a short video that showed how each sheet is produced, and all of the steps involved. One sheet produced on its own takes up to 17 minutes of hands-on activity to produce to the point of letting it set for 2-3 days prior to packing.

Woody also demonstrated several good ways to use his transfers:

Dry are best for flat, easy to reach surfaces. (Note: all surfaces must be CLEAN, not necessarily smooth, for the transfers to work correctly. The transfers are then burnished onto the surface from the carrier sheet and once in place, rubbed again with the protector sheet on top of them (or any convenient piece of clean paper, such as bond paper) to get a tight adherence with the surface.

Wet/Dry are best for irregular surfaces such as Zimmermit or gratings. The transfer is attached to a sheet of decal paper (paper with adhesive but NO clear film). Once it is transferred, the markings are then soaked in water until they release from the decal paper. The marking is then floated into position and blotted with a makeup sponge. This presses it down into the grooves or notches and assures a good fit. The marking can then be further enhanced with decal setting solution such as MicroSol or Solvaset (Woody was using the Micro product).

Wet are best for long complex marking sets, such as specific vehicle numbers or serials, names, etc. The transfers are rubbed down onto a sheet of decal paper WITH clear film and then lightly coated with Micro Liquid Decal Film. The transfer is then cut from the sheet and used as a normal waterslide (decal) transfer.

Also recommended for use were: standard wooden cuticle pushers from beauty aids sections of drug stores, with a pointed tip and a flat tip; makeup sponges; a hard block for use in burnishing the transfers to other media such as decal paper; and a small paint brush for use with the wet/dry method to float the transfers into place.

For this show, Woody and his wife Jenny (who appears to be the packer, shipper, and management) had a vast selection of new markings for sale. The five sets listed above answer many of my personal wishes (and no, I had nothing to do with them!) as they cover many of my favorite subjects.

When the 2nd and 3rd Armored Divisions came ashore in Normandy, they were very difficult to tell apart at a distance as both divisions used nearly identical turret and side number codes. The codes were in yellow (recently confirmed by Steve Zaloga and others from newly discovered color photographs of the units at that time) and very prominent for the first six weeks of the campaign in France. Beginning with August 1944 many of the markings were painted out as they were found to draw the attention of German antitank gunners to the vehicles that was not a pleasant thing to do.

No one has yet encountered the regulation governing these codes, but there is a pattern that both divisions appear to have used to differentiate the regiments from one another. The 32nd (3rd) and 67th (2nd) Armored Regiments appear to have used the markings in a split fashion, with the stars used as dividers between the company code (letters) and the individual number. The 33rd (3rd) and 66th used them with a dash. The 36th and 41st Armored Infantry Regiments used them with dashes as well, or stacked with the letter above the number.

The companies all used a single letter (A to I) with some other letters used for specific vehicles and functions. The reconnaissance company used "R", the maintenance companies "M", and the battalion headquarters a digit (1, 2 or 3 followed by a dash and the vehicle's number). Regimental headquarters vehicles appear to be marked with a "P". Note: all this is based on observation, as the orders and regs are apparently no longer extant. One difference between 2AD and 3AD is that 2AD tanks used the flat plate type track links (i.e. T51 non-reversible) and 3AD used rubber chevron T48 track. This apparently was a division commander's order, as one order does exist for 2AD in which General Harmon orders all tracks in 2AD replaced with T54 type steel chevron track to provide the tanks with better traction during the fall of 1944.

The other sheets are excellently rendered markings for standard vehicles. New to the list are pre-formatted generic US registration numbers for tanks and other armored vehicles such as SP guns, halftracks, and tracked armored vehicles. Unless you need a precise match and extra digits are provided to replace some of those on the sheet they fill the bill pretty well. Both W and USA prefixes, as well as S suffixes, are also provided.

The bumper codes are also there, with generic prefixes set up make applying them easier. Researched by Kurt Laughlin, the markings are very thorough and will make life easier. Woody has also noted that after these sheets are done he will be switching to "number jungles" or mixed number rather than 0-9 runs to make setting them up on the model easier.

Overall, another great effort and one which definitely responds to need. Thanks to Woody and Jenny Vondracek for the review samples, and their time in presenting a very good seminar at AMPS 2000.

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Cookie Sewell
AMPS