Editions de Barbotin

Minitracks N^o 14

Small Scale Military Modeling - Bilingual Edition

Reviewed By Kip Rudge, #40597

$69.95 subscription, $18 per issue postpaid

Small scale armor modeling has enjoyed a real resurgence in the U.S. during the last several years as the quality and quantity of kits and aftermarket has blossomed.  Catering to that trend is MiniTracks, a French magazine that has nothing but articles and photos featuring 1/72 and 1/76 scale military subjects.

Issue 14 contains 70 full-color pages between the covers.  The format is very similar the popular Steel Masters magazine, also French.  You get articles that feature real modelers building real small tanks.  It doesn’t appear that MiniTracks contains a review section, but you can get an idea of how things work by simply reading the articles.  This issue has a very interesting mix of build articles, historical background stories and color plates and photos.

The first article focuses on building a Revell Leclerc in Kosovo camo.  The story provides nice finished pictures plus under-construction photos and a nice selection of detail shots of a real Leclerc that will come in handy to those also building the new Tamiya 1/35 kit.  Check out the paint chipping on this nearly pristine example – food for thought.

Next up is a build of conversion of the Revell Pzkpfw III ausf. J into an H version.  Also some good tips on scenic bases in 1/72.

The second part of a two part history of 1/72 scale modeling follows.  If you’re interested in the minutiae of small scale (and who isn’t) this is the read for you.  There are exotic kits mentioned in here that have never seen this side of the Atlantic Ocean.

Then comes a nifty kit bash of several T-55 kits to cobble together a Croat tank taking part in the un-pleasantries several years ago.  This modeler, God bless his weary eyes, even plumbed the gas lines leading from the auxiliary fuel tanks.

Another T-55 story features the PST T-55 kit done up in Russian livery.  The bonus here is a four-view line drawing of the T-55 along with two very nice color plates showing a Russian and Czech vehicle.

Weathering roofs is a skill that transcends whatever scale you favor.  Several pages are devoted to painting and weathering an industrial roof.  It’s very nice stuff and is really applicable in any scale.

A quick a dirty history of the Tiger I is presented along with several pictures.  The money shot here is a very useful chart showing Tiger I units, their locations and allotments from 1942 through 1945.  Why didn’t somebody else think of that!!!  Also included are several color plates of early Tiger I and a Sturmtiger.

Keeping with the trend, the next article is a diorama build featuring Tigers and support vehicles from sPzAbt 501 in Tunisia.  Lots of figures!

The Tigerfest continues with a very nice build of the Dragon Sturmtiger.  The highlight of this piece is a nice series of step-by-step photos of the weathering process, including filters and pin washes.  Smokin’!!!!

And then comes something completely different – a Hetzer.  But the star of this vignette is a nicely converted Ford V 3000 S that was once the ESCI Opel Blitz.  I’m a sucker for the odd soft skin.

As if all that wasn’t enough, MiniTracks tosses in a very nice decal sheet featuring German markings in white in 1/72-1/76 or smaller scale.  And you thought value was dead!

Overall a very enjoyable read that features some useful info.

Thanks to MiniTracks for providing this review copy.  MiniTracks is an excellent magazine for small scale armor modelers.  The text is both in English and French which works very well, but if that makes you hesitate, remember, all the photos and drawings are in English.  MiniTracks should be at your favorite hobby shop, otherwise contact them at perso.wanadoo.fr/Minitracks or phone (33)05-56-62-27-09.

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