Model Art Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan

Panzer Graph! Issue 8, Spring 2007

Reviewed By  Andrew Birkbeck, IPMS# 27087

MSRP: 2100 Yen (US$18) www.modelart.jp At the risk of sounding like a broken record, boy to I wish I could read Japanese! Every time I get one of the many Japanese hobby publications to browse through, I am amazed at the high quality of each and every one of them, and this latest issue of Panzer Graph is no exception. Measuring 11.75" by 8.50", and a hefty 132 pages in length, this particular issue is devoted to "The Italian Front, 1943-45", covering Italian, German and Allied vehicles and troops: Camionetta A.S. 42 Sahariana, Pages 2 - 7, covers the building of Italeri's 1/35th AS 42 kit, together with the construction of an Italian street/apartment scene. As with all these magazines, this article comes lavishly illustrated with color photographs of the model, figures and building under construction. La Divisione Corazzata "M": Pages 10 - 15, a park gate diorama utilizing DML's 1/35th Stug III Ausf. G and Tamiya's Sdkfz. 222 armored car. T30 75mm Howitzer Motor Carriage: Pages 16 - 21, utilizing DML's M2A1 half-track and an aftermarket resin howitzer kit, together with lots of scratch built parts. Bergepanzer Tiger (P): Pages 22 - 27, DML's kit along with various figures in a roadside diorama. Churchill NA75: Pages 28 - 33, the Tamiya 1/35th kit extensively re-worked. German AB 43 armored car: Pages 38 - 47, the Tamiya/Italeri 1/35th kit detailed with the Royal Model aftermarket set. Very well illustrated with color photos of the model itself, as well as 25 color photographs of a real AB 43 from what looks to be a private collection. K5 "Leopold": Pages 48 - 55, a thorough working over of the DML kit. Fiat 626 N.L. Militare truck: Pages 56 - 60, Model Victoria's 1/35th resin kit in a simple diorama. Italian Military Uniforms: Pages 61 - 66, multiple color photographs detailing Italian tanker and soldier uniforms and personal equipment from private collections, as well as some period black and white photos. Sd.Kfz. 171 Panther Ausf. D: Pages 76 - 81, an article detailing the building of DML's 1/35th kit, using various PE and cast metal aftermarket sets, and utilizing soldering techniques for the PE. The remainder of the magazine consists of various short articles numbering two or three pages each: interviews with well known modelers (the MIG firm from Spain); an article from an ongoing series on the history of modeling in Japan, which looks fascinating from the photos included of ancient kits, paints, and modeling tools; and ending up with a couple of "how to" articles on digitally photographing models, and painting techniques. As I say, these Japanese magazines are fascinating to me, and if only I could read Japanese, or they were in English, I would subscribe in a heartbeat. Highly recommended to anyone who can read Japanese, or who loves to look at great photos of interesting models etc.

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