AFV Modeller

Issue #47 July/August 2009

Reviewed By  Marc Blackburn, IPMS# 42892

MSRP: $15.00 Website: www.afvmodeller.com Issue 47 kicks off with a diorama by Dénes Benedek, of the rarely seen Rába Vr Hungarian gun truck. The truck and gun are scratchbuilt and are paired with a Swedish-built LK II light tank (a resin kit from MR models). The beautiful photographs show the end result of the diorama, a lively scene of the two vehicles together. André Sousa describes his diorama, Stug Garage in another feature. As the title suggests, it is a vignette of two Sturmgeschützes being serviced near the end of the war. The diorama shows off the two assault guns in various states of undress – one with its engine being removed the other with the roof of its casemate off, showing off the weapon. There’s enough information provided to replicate the end result at home. Unfortunately, the editors choose their color palette poorly and the text is barely legible against a scarlet background. The last diorama in the issue is Ramon Wilson’s Challenger from the First Gulf War. Two of the articles are follow-ups from previous issues. The first is Part II of the ‘funny war’. Part Two shows how Joaquin Gazquez built a base and figure for his Tamiya Renault Tractor. Of particular help is the step-by-step process of applying light and shadows to the figures used in the scene. This issue also continues an ongoing series on building the 1/16 Trumpeter King Tiger. This issue tackles the engine and radiators and the necessary changes needed to make the kit supplied engine accurate to a King Tiger. With reference photographs to boot, the article describes a step-by-step process. This issue also has two photo features; the first is of the annual model show at the French Tank Museum at Saumur. Unfortunately, the decision to make this a collage of models and tanks from the museums’ collection does justice to neither. The more interesting of the two articles is an in-depth photo essay by armor expert David Doyle on a flame throwing Sherman. In this case, the flame-thrower is mounted next to the main weapon. Only a small number were built at the end of the war in the Pacific and some saw action in Korea. The issue is rounded off with a roundup of new releases which, given the time this issue takes getting to the U.S., many of the kits and accessories have already hit the shelves. I would like to thank AFV Modeller for the review sample and IPMS/USA for a place to post this review for others to see and read.