Ampersand Publishing

Military Miniatures in Review (MMIR) #47

Reviewed By  Jack Bruno, IPMS #25313

MSRP: $9.95 Available from many fine hobby stores. In case you have not heard or noticed, MMiR has undergone a bit of a transformation in looks, graphics and editor. The new editor, Spud Murphy, (Pat is still with us), will continue to publish MMIR on a bi-monthly schedule, hopefully not as spotty as in the past. Another outstanding issue comes finding this tired modeler in want of need. The cover sold me from the outset and there's nothing like a build article featuring the Academy M3 Lee. This kit gets the full treatment from Legends parts with Tasca and Formations parts to boot. I dare say it's a shell of its former self but it looks bloody good with the paint job and pigments. This would be for experienced modelers who would not loose any more brain matter than necessary to fix this kit up to proper AMS standards. Truly, this is a very cool article for the boys that want more from their kits and aftermarket. Much in the same vein, is the excellent Tamiya Panzer III Ausf. N in Afrika colors similar to a kit build/review I did some months back, only this one has Legend resin stowage stuff added as well as a rear rack. I like the sandbag and rope trick for applique frontal armour and got some ideas for future desert builds. The final presentation is nice and the pigment use is well done. A very welcome surprise is here in the form of a 1/35 Modelblau Unimog S404 & 1 ton NATO Trailer Kit. It's a full resin kit and is priced out of this world, but it has me thinking because of the outstanding Croatian pattern (and shield) that is painted on this Goose. I love those red checkerboard shields! This selection would really stand out on the contest table!!! Anybody say "Where's the Russian's?" A very small Miniart T-70M Light Tank is given the MMiR treatment and is really nice. You really need some patience dealing with light tanks, especially with the addition of the FRIUL tracks as this author has done. Again, painted and weathered in several greens, the T-70 is ready for action. My personal favorite in this Issue is the Accurate Armor Humber FWD 4x4 GS FV1601, kit# K146. This 50's and 60's veteran is portrayed in a Middle East setting and the camouflage scheme, sand and black, is brought off very well. The author also gives a fine detailed account of the base work that he did which I'm going to try out some time. Look this one up if you can. I'm a Big Fan of work horse vehicles and I wish I had a gazillion bucks to spend on them. The rest of the Magazine is up to it's usual "I can't live without it " standards. 80 pages of color and for $10 US you can't go wrong. Run...Don't Walk...to get #47. Now go back in the stash and get something done because the kids are planning on selling it anyway!