ON THE SHELF
MILITARY KITS112 View more reviews online:www.airfi xmodelworld.com View more reviews online:www.airfi xmodelworld.com 113
TANK OR RECOVERY?
Panzerkampfwagen VI(P)/
Bergepanzer Tiger (P)
By: Dragon Item no: 6869
Price: £74.99 Web: http://www.hobbyco.netDragon has taken its Porsche-
designed VK4501 Tiger (P) and
Bergepanzer Tiger (P) kits and
combined them, providing parts for
just one model. There are 25 styrene
runners, two PE frets, pre-shaped
wire rectangles and several lengths
of chain and wire; approximately half
of which will be unused. The tank
hull has integrally moulded Zimmeritcoating (also required for the late
Bergepanzer), while that for the early
version of the recovery vehicle is
plain. Despite the masses of styrene,
no interior is supplied, but the main
gun has a full breech mechanism and
the recovery vehicle has an accurate
jib crane, which can be built in raised/
lowered configuration. Markings are
included for the single operational
Tiger (P), turret number Red 003,
which served with schwere Panzer
Abteilung 653 on the Eastern Front,
and two of the three Bergepanzers
used by the same unit.SU-85 Soviet Tank Destroyer
By: Zvezda
Item no: 3690 Price: £24.99
Web: http://www.hobbyco.netHaving recently re-vamped its
1/35 T-34, it’s no surprise Zvezda
updated its SU-85, and this newly
tooled offering provides great
value for money. It shares the
lower hull, running gear and link-
and-length track components
(supplied on eight styrene
runners) with the tank kits, while
two bespoke frames provide parts
for the base plate, upper hull and
engine deck. There aren’t anyinterior parts, but the exterior
detail is more than enough to
compensate, with finely moulded
grilles, convincing rivet/bolt heads
and accurate representations
of the pressed-steel wheels.
Similarly, the track treads are
accurate for a late-war machine,
with the correct pseudo ‘waffle’
pattern. Two overall Russian Green
vehicles with patriotic/collective
slogans are offered:- White 843 ‘Death to the German
Invaders’, 1047th Kalinkovichi SP
Arty Regt, 1st Baltic Front, 1944 - ‘Soviet Tool Maker’, 251st Guards
SP Arty Regt
Army Group ‘Center’ (Summer 1941)
By: ICM
Item no: DS3502 Price: £48.70
Web: http://www.hannants.co.ukICM's brilliantly crafted ‘combo’ set,
depicts a plausible scene during
Operation Barbarossa in 1941; while
at first glance it may seem pricey, it’s
30% cheaper than the separate kits.
There are two vehicles, a Kfz.1 staff
car plus an L3000S truck, and the
firm’s four-figure German Infantry
(1939-1942) and German Drivers sets.All are unchanged from their initial
boxings, which means two of the
truck schemes (for North African/
Italian machines) aren’t applicable.
The parts are moulded to ICM’s usual
high standards, with just the slightest
moulding seams to neaten on a few
items, and each vehicle features a
fully detailed engine, transmission
and suspension. While just the truck
and car would make this package
worthwhile, the figures add that
finishing touch and highlight the
firm’s attention to detail.INSTANT SCENE
German Staff Car Type 82E
By: RyeField Model
Item no: 5023 Price: £23.95
Web: http://www.ryefield-model.comThis kit of the military Volkswagen
Type 1 (or Beetle as it was more
popularly known) looks an absolute
gem, from the superbly appointed
interior, to the auto kit-style
presentation of the body shell. It
comes on four styrene runners
and the parts are moulded crisply,
being devoid of flash or surface
blemishes, and the detail is toRyeField’s exacting standards.
A full interior is included, plus a
convincing suspension and flat-
four-configured engine. There’s
a choice of standard or desert
‘balloon’ tyres and options to
pose the bonnet, boot and driver/
passenger doors open/closed,
plus a choice of stowage with/
without spare wheels. Three
markings options are supplied for
Wehrmacht vehicles, with overall
Dark Yellow, Panzer Grey paint or
the former with disruptive Olive-
Green camouflage.MILITARY ‘BEETLE’
PATRIOTIC ASSAULT GUN
1/351/35 1/351/35