Airfix Model World – July 2018

BUSY BATTLESHIP REFIT

TETRA MODEL’S upgrade
packages have an enviable
reputation, and its 1/700 HMS
Queen Elizabeth 1941 Detail-
up Set (for Trumpeter’s kit) is
the perfect example why.
While outwardly pricy at
£60, the sheer number
of components more
than compensates, as it
offers eight turned brass
gun barrels (with hollow
muzzles and separate resin
blast bags), self-adhesive
wooden decking, a length of
fine anchor chain and two
photo-etched brass frets.
The latter are crammed with
highly detailed components,
offering ship, aircraft, motor/
lifeboat and catapult fittings
(in total more than 400
items), including railings,
cable reels, cranes, davits,
ladders, octuple pom-poms,
fire direction radars and
watertight doors. This isn’t
for novice modellers, and the
finesse does mean careful
handling is mandatory...
accidentally bending parts
the wrong way may result in
them breaking, as the brass

is very thin. However, the end

result will be worth all the

effort, as this product will

transform Trumpeter’s kit into

a true miniature masterpiece.

Visit http://www.tetramodel.com and

http://www.sovereignhobbies.co.uk

for more details.

CASEMATE PUBLISHING has

released the first two titles

in a new book series titled

Men-Battles-Weapons, which

focuses on a specific military

unit for each volume.

Interestingly, there isn’t a

common time-frame, so for

those concentrating on a

single campaign, such as The

101st Airborne in Normandy

(ISBN: 978-1-61200-523-

2) there’s a huge amount

of detail. In contrast, The

2nd SS Panzer Division

Das Reich (978-1-61200-

525-6) covers its entire

period of existence (1939-

1945), necessitating a more

generalist approach, albeit

with close examination of

certain events. The author

of both, Yves Buffetaut,

has researched his subjects

thoroughly, and the result is

an engaging narrative that

appeals to a broad audience,

with plenty to attract those

with an historical interest,

as well as others concerned

with the units or events

described therein. However,

modellers will appreciate

the many black and white

photographs, supported by

colour profiles of vehicles

and equipment, offering

much to aid building

accurate replicas or creating

dioramas/vignettes. While

the accompanying captions

may lack sufficient detail for

some, otherwise these two

volumes (priced £19.99 each)

are a welcome addition to

the pantheon of literature on

the particular formations...

and a promising start to the

series. More information

is available at: http://www.

casematepublishing.co.uk

FRIENDS AND FOES IN PAPERBACK