Editions de Barbotin

Minitracks No 9

Small Scale Military Modeling

Reviewed By Jim Pearsall, #2209

Bilingual Edition (English French)

Single issue 10.50 EURO + 3 E P & P

USA Subscription (4 issues) 50 E

US Distributor:

Stevens International

PO Box 126

Magnolia NJ 08049

Back issues from issue 1 are available at the single copy price.

72 pages, including the covers.  A4 size, full color, slick finish heavy paper.

This is a magazine that meets its mission statement.  It covers “Small Scale Military Modeling”, and does it well, from the European scene.

There are 16 articles, 3 of which combine to form a feature article.

There are the usual “how to” articles, but several other interesting features.  One of interest to me is “Le Web de Minitracks”.  Four web sites were featured.  My favorite site is www.tigerpanzer.de.  It’s all in German, but the pictures are great.

All articles are printed in French in the left column, English in the right column, with all photos and drawings dual captioned.

Most of the articles include diorama builds, which means there are multiple models, usually of different vehicles, figures and a base.  The first article is “The Armored Tricycle”, although I find the French name “Le Char du Tsar” to be entertaining alliteration.  The kit (featured on the cover, see above) is the Russian idea for a WW1 trench crossing vehicle.  Since the multimedia kit (resin/PE) is 25 cm (9.25 in) tall and 14 cm (5.5 in) wide, this is a large item.  In 1/35 it would be (OK, divide by 35, carry the 7) 51 cm (19 in) tall and 28.8 cm (11.3 in) wide.  The combination of the Tricycle with a Russo Balt armored car and 3 figures gives a real idea how big this item was.  This is somewhat a “what if”, as the prototype was badly underpowered, and guns were never fitted.

The feature article(s) are on the Ferdinand/Elefant, both of which were SdKfz184, large SP anti tank systems with the L71 88mm gun.  Since all Ferdinands which survived Kursk were converted into Elefants, the author gives a rundown of all the changes made.  (Hint:  Only Elefants had zimmerit.)

Other articles of interest:

  • Operation Iraqi Freedom:  3 LAVs, 2 HMMWVs and a single M-35 of the USMC arrive at their objective in Baghdad.
  • Open House at the Brussels Tank Museum:  The museum starts and drives all operable vehicles at their annex.  Some “lucky” visitors get to ride in a Spartan APC. 
  • A photo article on IPMS Belgium’s 35th anniversary convention.  Of course all the photos are of really well done small scale military vehicles.
  • 2004 releases in small scale armor kits.  It includes 1/72, 1/76 and 1/87, including injected, resin, PE and metal.  Of interest is Dragon’s 1/72 Ferdinand, along with Atack’s resin conversion from the Ferdinand to the Elefant. (Hint:  It includes zimmerit.)
  • The ads.  I read Finescale Modeler as much for the “new releases” column and the ads as for the “how to” articles.  For the “Braille scale” modeler, this is a treasure trove of information about what’s available, particularly since many European dealers and manufacturers of small scale armor don’t advertise much in the US.

Recommended

Information, images, and all other items placed electronically on this site
are the intellectual property of IPMS/USA ®.