|
AFV Modeller |
|
AFV Modeller Magazine #16 |
|
Reviewed By Chad Richmond, #10346 |
|
|
|
MSRP $15.00 USD It seems hard to believe that this magazine is in its third year. When I discovered it at the Chicago Nationals, I bought all of the back issues, and haven’t missed a single issue. Though pricey, it is a really good modeling manual that is always chock full of good articles, both on modeling techniques and finished models. Issue 16 is devoted entirely to the German Panther tank. Included in the issue are articles on painting the late war polka dot camouflage pattern, the restoration of a Panther Ausf. A by Kevin Wheatcroft, the recreation of Panther Ausf. G 001, from photos of the abandoned tank, a great build article on Panther Ausf. G 308, a Befehls-Panther G from Belgium, December 1944, a 19 photo portfolio of Panthers of the Ardennes offensive, and another build article on a Panther G captured by the Russians. Lastly, the issue included the normal “Keeping Track’ portion which is a preview of new releases in armor models and accessories. Every issue of AFV magazine has provided me with some type of information that I have been able to carry on in my modeling, and this issue is no exception. Numerous color formulas were given using Tamiya paints, which are the primary paints I use for armor. Utilizing the Tamiya Early Panther G, Manus Gallagher models a Panther from the Ardennes in December 1944. He makes some major modifications and substitutions to the tank utilizing not only commercially available photo etched parts and some Modelkasten fasteners, nut the aluminum from a toothpaste tube as well. He reworked fenders and storage bins to realistically reproduce day to day wear and tear on a piece of armor. The procedures for painting the polka dot ambush camouflage pattern were totally different than I would have imagined, but very sensible and easy. Pictures of actually Panthers with this camouflage pattern are included in the article. My favorite article was the creation of an unusual diorama featuring Panther 308 going down about a 60 degree slope. The model was based upon pictures of the captured tank. This particular tank had earlier been “126” and is well documented by Bovington, as it was one of the captured tanks evaluated by the Allies. David Parker takes us through a step by step procedure of the re-creation of “308” utilizing a lot of photo etch, sheet pewter, brass chain and a lot of Milliput putty for the zimmerit. He goes in to great detail on the painting and weathering techniques he uses to make this a really fantastic model. If you are a Panther fanatic, this issue is for you. If you are a novice armor modeler, as I am, you’ll pick up a lot of modeling and painting tips. For those of us here in the U.S., AFV Modeler Magazine is available through Wise Owl Worldwide Publications. I have also purchased copied from VLS. My thanks to The Friary Press in Dorchester England for the review copy and to John Noack for allowing me to review the issue. |
|
Information, images, and all
other items placed electronically on this site |
