Minitracks

Minitracks No. 8 (1st Semester 2009)
Small Scale Military Modeling Magazine

Reviewed By Howie Belkin, IPMS #16

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MSRP: 29.00 Euros for 2 Issue Subscription
80 Full Color pgs for 2 issue "new format" subscription postpaid includes photo etched square grill
Website: www.minitracks.fr

After 7 great years for Braille scale armor modelers, Minitracks tweaked their layout and content and have published 8 additional issues in their evolving format. Issue no. 8's aptly entitled editorial "Evolution", has the Minitracks Team explain that as modelers, they continue to deliver a magazine strictly for Braille Scale armor modelers (generally accepted as 1/72 thru 1/87 scales) and much, more. It's published equally in French and English (photos are in English, of course) so you won't miss a thing. If you subscribe you now get two 80 page issues per year with heavier covers than before, full color throughout, plus a bonus photo etched square grill. Previously they have issued short run decal sheets. As they continue to evolve, the editors announced that an exclusive resin kit will be made available only to subscribers.

The editors intend to increase their use of special theme (thema) issues where short articles would not possibly give the subject its due coverage. One such theme issue will be by modeler/author Emmanuel Nouaillier on his realistic Street Scenes. Emmanuel's articles have shown his mastery of turning inexpensive items into amazing, realistic scenes.

This issue continues the format of featuring historical articles with real wartime photos on a subject, followed with a model or diorama of the subject. The first subject is about WWI Schneider CA1 tanks with the kit based on a modified Retrokit 1/72 model with figures converted into Poilus.

The second model and diorama build is a unique and well executed 1/72 dockside scene with a crane and V2 rocket on its Meilerwagen, towed by an International COE, awaiting shipment to White Sands. Next is a 1/72 Italeri Sahariana AS 42 vignette with two figures converted into Italian crewmen by Patrick Lapalu. When a diorama or vignette "tells a story" it can add appreciably to its impact on its audience. I've joked that it's hard to tell if figures you're buying are truly French, German, Russian and so on because when you open the box they clam up, and refuse to speak at all. Well, Patrick intentionally configured his two crewmen in the proper Italian uniforms AND has them in an impassioned conversation expressing themselves with their hands as Italians are wont to do!

A brief report on Eurostory's 30th Terrestrial Armament Show shows and tells about some of the world's latest developments in military vehicles, including even another variation on the venerable M-113 to a futuristic Gefas 4x4 by Rheinmetal that might become part of your military before you know it. Fittingly, it follows a model article of a 1/72 scratch built sci-fi vignette of a Cougar 2A4 Anti-grav tank, guarding the last oil fields in 2098. A fine example of an excellent modeler using his imagination and enjoying his hobby.

A 1/87 (HO scale) diorama shows the Trident Panther mounted on a railroad flatcar combining the two hobbies. But the Trident Panther kit is no 6 part Roco model/toy. It consists of 80 parts, and combined with Hauler's 70 part photo etch detail set it is far from toylike! Rather than read the magazine to you, let me abbreviate the balance of this review and just whet your interest letting you know what else has been packed into this big issue on small scale modeling. A Tobrouk Pill Box diorama, an Ace 1/72 T-72, Trucks & Tracks 2009 review, an original researched article on the stunning colors on Renault R-35s, an R-35 diorama based on that research complete with a 25mm AT gun, full color photo essay of a real R-35s details, a photo essay of the 25 mm AT gun, book reviews and pages and pages of new releases.

Minitracks also maintains a first class website, and cross section of subjects readers enjoy. If your hobby shop doesn't carry some of the European manufacturer braille scale models mentioned, there are several mail order companies that have ads in Minitracks so one way or another if you want it, you can get it.

Minitracks offers a few sheets of waterslide decals in both 1/72 and 1/35 but these, and back issues of their publications, are selling fast. Small scale has always been especially popular in Europe, it has been growing bigger every year at our National, Regional and even local contests. Mike Salzano (who builds amazing small scale armor models) has been sponsoring the "Best Braille Scale Armor Award" at our annual RepLIcon Long Island, NY show and at the 2010 Region I Noreastcon in recognition of the scales growing popularity. IPMS has honored Art Gerber by naming our "Best Armor" award after him. He is best known for his Braille scale models.

I heartily recommend Minitracks. It should be at your favorite hobby shop, otherwise contact them at www.minitracks.fr, info@edbarbotin.com, Tel. : 00 (33) 02-37-49-84-76 or EDITIONS DU BARBOTIN, 20, La Deniserie, 28240 LES CORVEES LES YYS FRANCE.