Fran

Windsock Winter Edition 2016 (Vol. 32, n.º 4) Price tag: £7.80 Available at http://www.windsockdatafilespecials.co.uk/ Another season, another Windsock edition. Sadly, after 34 years, Ray decided to take a most deserved break, closing the periodic edition of Windsock. However is not the end of it, it just will be more sporadic editions but with more information but with no data to release. So it´s quite an honor to once again have the opportunity to review the last Windsock issue, at this format. So, the cover is an echo to the anxiety of WWI Modelers… the Upcoming WnW Camel, as you all know, not one but 5 Camels. So there`s a beautiful profile of a Belgian Camel and also a Pfalz D. III 1370/17 profile. On the first pages a few pics about IPMS USA National Convention (took place at 3-6 August 2016) and some frontline news. On the Logbooks entries my attention was caught by the 2017 Cross & Cockdale International Calendar with a Camel on the cover. Note that, despite being the same scheme version of the one made by Brett Sharman for WnW, the propeller in the WnW model is painted in full blue and the one on Cross & Cockdale calendar is not in full blue. An interesting point to study… One of my favorite parts of the latest Windscok, the Modelling Vintage Aircraft by Harry Woodman. It’s the closure article of it, and while Harry did not have the chance to see it full publish I do think that he and his family should be very very proud of his work and his teachings. This time readers gallery only have two models, WnW models of course: a Bristol F2B “Biff” and Albatros B.II both from Toshi Ocoze. Masterpieces. Following the cover profile of the Pfalz D.III, a full article of color and marking of the Pfalz D.III 1370/17, with the very good resume of it´s history and 3 different profiles of the 137017 made by only and one Ronny Bar. On the detail chapter of Helmets, hats and headgear, a full information with close-up pics of the US Air Service Soft Shell Helmets. Being the helmet one of the most used helmets and most photographed and easily recognizable helmet, it’s a great chapter not only to modellers but to sculptors. Now a full build of 1:48 Nieuport 28 by Lanve Krieg. A great article with lots of pics and tips. A very good reading of a great work. Getting even more ready for the upcoming WnW Camel, Great war Paint chapter is about … you`re right: Spowith Camel. Several fantastic pics and more the 10 new profiles by Avro Vercamer. One of those, is available in the WnW USAS Caeml box (32072), the the 41st Aero Sqn with a camel stepping trough a “V”. On the review chapter, WS tooked a long and deep look into the Copper State Model 1:48 Sopwith 5F.1 Dolphin, 1:48 Mirage Hobby Halberstadt CL. IV H.F.W. and two 148 Conversions: Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.) (for the RAF B.E.2c Roden) and the Siemens Schuckert D.IV, both from Spin and both available at Hannants. In others scales, a close look has been made to 1:24 Merit Spad S. XIII and to 1:720 Mark Models Zeppelin LZ380/LZ40 and LZ45/LZ58. In the aftermarket a look on the add ons of HGW Albatross B.II and engines from CSM in 1:48 scale. Also a brief look to some figures, from CSM and Elan 13. At the very end, a truly deserved thank you to Peter Jackson and all his hard working Wingnut Wings team in the name of all WWI scale modelling community from creating the most fantastic WWI model airplanes. Conclusion: Well, I starting to have some problem in getting words form the Windsock. It’s a must have for all WWI lovers and modelers. All this year has being prepared to receive the WnW Camel with the best information possible in these 3 issues being conclude in the winter issue. The information is very good and very well written. Very Highly Recommend. My sincere thanks to Ray Rimmel and Windsock for the opportunity and the review sample.

Su-85 Soviet Self-propelled Gun (Interior Kit) 1:35 Miniart Catalogue n.º 35187 Price tag: € 44.95 707 grey styrene parts and 10 clear parts 1 decal sheet for 2 schemes 1 photo etch fret with 88 parts The SU-85 (Samokhodnaya ustanovka 85) was a Soviet self-propelled gun used during World War II, based on the chassis of the T-34 medium tank. Earlier Soviet self-propelled guns were meant to serve as either assault guns, such as the SU-122, or as tank destroyers; the SU-85 fell into the latter category. The designation "85" signifies the bore of the vehicle's armament, the 85 mm D-5S gun. Early in World War II, Soviet tanks such as the T-34 and KV-1 had adequate firepower to defeat any of the German tanks then available. By the fall of 1942, Soviet forces began to encounter the new German Tiger tank, with armor too thick to be penetrated by the 76.2 mm guns used in the T-34 and KV tanks at a safe range.[1] The Soviet command also had reports of the Panther tank, that was in development then and possessed thicker armor than the Tiger; both represented an advance in German tank design. Although the Panther was not seen in combat until July 1943, the new generation of German vehicles meant the Red Army would need a new, more powerful main gun for their armoured formations. In May 1943, work was begun on a new anti-tank gun. Military planners directed the design bureaus of both Gen. Vasiliy Grabin and Gen. Fyodor Petrov to modify the 85mm anti-aircraft gun for use as an anti-tank weapon. Petrov's bureau developed the D-5 85mm gun. Though much too large for the T-34 or KV-1 turret, it was thought the gun could be mounted upon the chassis of the SU-122 self-propelled gun to give the weapon mobility. The version of this gun intended to be mounted upon the SU-85 was called the D-5S, with the "S" standing for self-propelled. Initially the production factory at Uralmash rejected the proposed design. Nevertheless, the administrators at Uralmash were persuaded to proceed, and the new design was put into production. The weapon was later modified to include a telescopic sight and a new ball gun mantlet. This vehicle was retitled the SU-85-II. The SU-85 was a modification of the earlier SU-122 self-propelled howitzer, essentially replacing the 122 mm M-30S howitzer of the SU-122 with a D-5T high-velocity 85 mm antitank gun. The D-5T was capable of penetrating the Tiger I from 1000 m.[2] The vehicle had a low profile and excellent mobility. Initially given an armored commander's cap on the first batch, the SU-85's observational optics were improved by the introduction of a standard commander's cupola - the same as on the T-34-76 model 1942. In addition to the already existing prismatic observation sights installed in left side and rear. On later vehicles, the same optics were added, almost allowing all-around observation. SU-85 production started in mid-1943, with the first vehicles reaching their units by August. When the up-gunned T-34-85 medium tank entered mass production in the spring of 1944, there was no point in continuing production of a tank destroyer without superior firepower,[4] so SU-85 production was stopped in late 1944 after 2,050 vehicles had been produced. It was replaced on the production lines by the SU-100 tank destroyer, armed with the more powerful 100 mm D-10S gun. There were two versions: the basic SU-85 had a fixed commander's cupola with a rotating periscope and three vision blocks; the improved SU-85M had the same casemate as the later SU-100, with a commander's cupola as used on the T-34-85. The SU-85 entered combat in August 1943. It saw active service across the Eastern Front until the end of the war. Though a capable weapon, it was found that its 85 mm weapon was not adequate to penetrate the armour of the larger German armoured fighting vehicles. It was replaced by the SU-100. The SU-85 was withdrawn from Soviet service soon after the war, and was exported to many Soviet client states in Europe and elsewhere. Some SU-85s were converted to use as command and recovery vehicles. In places such as North Korea and Vietnam, it remained in service for many years - from Wikipédia. ** Miniart for the past few year, have been developing a series of model kits with interior with great success. Even it’s a tank (so no many canopies to look into it) modellers are keen for detail and interiors, giving Miniart the beat and courage to advance with all these detail. The AM parties are having a hard time with this fashion now also follow by many others IM manufactures. This time and follow their SU-series, MiniArt launched the Su-85 with full interior. We know that it´s was release a in the middle of last year (2016) and Everything went quite smooth from MiniArt Factory to our hands excepted the fact the customs retained this little baby more than 4 months. So it´s better late than never! J The MiniArt marketing team has been making a hell of a job in the past two years especially with announcement videos of the upcoming release. Here`s the one from the Su-85 The model comes in the typical MiniArt box, with a fantastic box-art and full of plastic. The design of the box is really good, its one of my favourie, when we talk about AFV box art. On the side its several 3D renderings of the Su-85. It’s a medium box, full of plastic. 717 plastic parts (in more of 75 sprues) and 88 PE parts? Oh dear God… well for sure it´s not a weekend project. We already review the Su-122 (without interior) so the main parts are the same as in real life the both come from the same base: T-34. Here´s the sprue index: Ab (engine) B (hull) C (driver’s compartment); Ca (parts of the engine deck) Da (transmission and engine) E (engine) Ea (suspension, small parts) Eb (drive wheel) Ef (ammo, small parts for the interior); Eg (clear parts) F (Christie suspension) Fa (ammo) Fi/Fg (roadwheels) Fj (tracks) Fk (Christie suspension, external fuel tanks) H and Ha (gun, ammo racks) J (fighting compartment sides and top) Je (box on the back of the engine compartment) K (tracks). The detail is humongous and that is well seen in the pictures and the gigantic quantity of parts and sprues. All the interior details are very well reproducing alongside the fantastic engine. The engine compartment is really impressive with tons of details. Yes, there`s still place to super detail a little (for example, some wires) more but for that you really should think in left the upper hull un-glue The fighting compartment is quite busy with enhance to the driver location. Not in particular but I really like all the details on that, all the handles and pedals and seat structure. Being an area that could have an open hatch, it’s a really nice detail area. All the model kit is a detail itself. Another example are the springs. It’s an amazing detail Here´s the MiniArt renderings: The instructions are in a booklet format, being now a usually A4 format and design from MiniArt. The instructions drawings are quite clear and modeller friendly, with the parts attachment points well indicated The color guide gives colors of AMMO references. Its curious to see that in the Su-122 there was a table code with several others color references. In this case you have colour name and AMMO Mig color references and that it. Its probably a join collaboration between these two companies. A small decal sheet is provide with good colour registration and thin film carrier that will provide a very good adaption to the surface. I never found out which is MiniArt manufacture so I wonder if it is a MiniArt fabrication and if it is, is a quite good one. The two profiles colour are also from Mig, one from an unidentified unit of the Red Army, Winter 1943-44 and a “Kapitan Otacar Jaros”, 1st Czecho-slovak Armored Brigade, 1944-1945. The only low on this fantastic kit is in fact about the decals options… not option but the quantity of options. The only PE fret is packed between two cardboard sheets and contains 88 parts. Of course, here you will find some typical elements like engine meshes, straps as well as some parts for interior. The gun barrel is always a point to check. In this case, just like the T-44, its in a single piece so I don’t think that you will need a replacement. However it´s not perfect… It has no rifling on the inside. If you need it, or you scratchbuild it (I bet it won´t be an easy task) or you get an AM one. (all the plastic out of the plastic bags after the review – It’s a quite amount of plastic) Conclusion The injection moulding is top noch and the quality of the plastic is very good. MiniArt is on the op of AFV manufactures in term of quality/price. With this model you can have a good direct replica box and you can leave open, destroyed, maintenance, anything that you not need to go to AM. This one is even more complete than the last one I reviewed (the T-44) The kit is very well done and show that MiniArt know what is doing! J Very Highly Recommend My truly Thanks to Miniart for the review sample. Fran

I heard a rumor about a new mold P-51 1:32 from Revell... Then I checked online and its on their catalogue from 2017 (10/2017) a new 1:32 Mustang...

Great review! I have one and its fantastic indeed!

Yes, I know that... They change the name of his set I think but I´m not sure. I think I saw this set "in progress state" as Tram Passenger.

“German sitting civilians” (1:35 Miniatures series) MiniArt Catalogue #38006 Available from any good model shop Miniart is continually adding some interesting items to their catalogue and tis set is an example of that. Here a set a civilians Germans, all sited but in different body postures. I really don’t understand why Miniart gave the name German sitting civilians as they could only putted “Sitting Civilians” because I can´t tell the different of these faces to some French civilians for that same age and time. This set is on a typical MiniArt style box of thin cardboard with openings either end and a nice box art on the front of the box. The back of the box is where are instructions (kid of instructions) and colour profiles. The full set of 5 figures is made by 5 light grey sprues of the same size, and one small piece of paper which has some old newspapers and magazines for the use with the figures. The latest figures I reviewed from Miniart was a bit disappointed about the soft details and lots of flash (see here), that as not usual on Miniart figures. So I was quite expecting for some news figures. And just for the first look they look much better, again on the top quality. Starting with the clothes I think that are quite well reproduced with some good detaisl. Not as sharp and clear detail as resin but still, very good for plastic. The type of clothes looks adequate to the 1930/1940 and to see the accuracy of that you just need to google it. I really enjoyed the tie of both men and the details on their jacket. For the women my only fear was the reproduction of the fur of the jacket of the lady in the left side of the box (front view). Well check it, nothing to fear from as its not good as resin but is quite good indeed. The posture and body positions are quite convincing and very well reproduce making all the figures in a natural pose which is a quite hard task to do. The hands of all figures are extraordinary made and give the full bonus to these fantastic figures. Now the impossible in injection plastic: faces. Well not so impossible. I`m impressed with these faces of the civilians. Still resin heads are a extra to consider if you have the funds. In my sample, all the faces have a little mold seam on the side but is quite gentle so its easy to remove. The facial expression is quite good and I really enjoy it. For the first time, I can say that you, the have limited budget, do not need to get some hornet head for these. Their sad look, alongside the more intrigued and curious look and the attention look (maybe from Gestapo??) are very well made. The last but not the least, a little paper sheet in good color registration with maps and cover magazines. Conclusion: The figure set is quite comprehensive giving the modelers endless possibility for use in dioramas or vignettes, is the complete set is just one of the figures and all that for the price (at least in my usual store) of a resin figure. However a few limitation: the sitting position for all the figures and the winter clothes. Very well done Miniart! Very highly recommended Francisco Guedes Our thanks to MiniArt for the review samples. Available in any good model shop.

wow! Fantastic piece of work!!

ELECTRIC CART C4-32 “Mule” Plusmodel Catalogue n.º 470 Available at Plusmodel.cz at €16.20 And here we are again check some little gem from Plusmodel, one of my favourite resin company. Super quality with super originality. Now, this little fellow. While Plusmodel just call it Electric Cart, C4-32 is actually a Taylor Dunn. So checking Taylor Dunn website, here`s their history: Davis Taylor could scarcely have known where his engineering degree would take him, but his technical background and independent spirit led him to start a company that would later become a world class supplier of industrial vehicles. Mr. Taylor initially built a small electric-powered cart for personal use in his poultry supply business. After receiving inquiries from other ranchers about the little cart, he decided to build a few of the carts for friends and neighbors. He built a 30' x 60' sheet metal facility on the orange grove adjacent to his home on Ball Road, in Anaheim, California. The year was 1949, and the business was named the “Taylor Shop.” Fred Dunn joined the business in 1951, and several years later the company changed its name to Taylor-Dunn Manufacturing Company. Before long, the company began making and selling vehicles to hundreds of ranchers and nurseries from San Diego to Simi Valley. Today, over 60 years later, Taylor-Dunn produces a broad line of electric and gas powered personnel, burden, and tow vehicles which are used in industry and commerce across the United States and throughout the world. From the day we shipped our first vehicle in 1949, we have pursued a singular goal: to build tough, rugged, dependable vehicles to move personnel, equipment, and materials. It's that simple. For over sixty years, our standard and custom vehicles - burden carriers, personnel carriers, stockchasers, electric carts, tow tractors & more - have been the leading solution for customers in a broad range of industrial, commercial, and ground-support markets. Our guiding principle is to provide application-specific solutions, which are reliable, efficient, and economical. The model comes in the usual Plusmodel box with the box art being the kit itself. All the parts comes in bubble wrap to protect them all and it’s a quite effective method as until now I did not have any damage in the parts. Cracking the box, the light gray resin was no distortion or bubbles. Plusmodel casting is top noch and the quality department also does some great work as all the review samples I have got in the past years, not a single piece came in the box with bubbles or some distortion. This little gem is made with 28 resin parts, 8 PE parts (in a very small PE sheet) and a small decal sheet with two versions options. The all vehicle structure comes in one single piece with some great rendering details of the metal surface of the vehicle. The front and the bumper are in separate parts and both have great detail. And if you are thinking in turning this fellow upside down Plusmodel do not let you down with all the under details being reproduced. So you got the rear wheel axle present alongside with a full details from steering wheel system. It’s a very small vehicle and so all the other parts are quite small and delicate. The drivers place is very well detailed with the seat, steering wheel, pedals and several handles. Quite amazing in such a small model. The tires have some great engraved details. The wheel chain are very well reproduce in PE and its quite good in detail. Speaking of PE is a great set with small attachment points. The decals sheet brings us two versions: military version (in yellow) and civilian version in orange. The instruction sheet are quite easy to follow as also the subject is quite simple but with great details. Conclusion: Well another little gem from Plusmodel at a very reasonable price tag. The casting of the light gray resin is high quality and the details on the parts are top noch. Its everything in the box to make a truly fantastic model. Its has tons of potential and diorama possibilities... It maybe will look great alonside my 1:32 Hornet. VERY Highly recommended. With my sincere thanks to Plusmodel for this review sample. To purchase directly, click this link. Francisco Guedes

Champagne & Cognac Bottles with Crates Miniart 1:35 (Buildings and accessories series) MiniArt is well known manufacture that have in the past years marking a set of quality and originality. This particular set is no different as quality and originality are present. Packed in a standard cardboard box with side flip open. But don’t let you fool by the size of the box… you have inside 276 parts… yes 276 parts divided in 12 sprues for crates and 17 sprues with bottles. The crates are quite amazing in detail, as that was possible but yes... but each grade has 11 parts… so to make 6 crates you will need 66 parts. The bottles to fill the crates, you get 4 types of bottles (two dark an two green). To help to give several contents to those bottles a nice printed decal sheet with several logos of brands of champagne and cognac for the bottles and for the cranes. These are with very good registration and color pigment. The instructions for building and decals are on the back of the box and are quite straightforward. Conclusion A great set for all types of subjects in 1:35 and even 1:32 and It´s can be used all at once or in several dioramas or vignettes so it’s a great value for what you get… 276 parts to get 6 crates full of bottles! VERY Highly recommended Francisco Guedes Our thanks to MiniArt for the review samples. Available in any good model shop.

1:32 Gotha Bomber German Crew from Copper State Models Catalogue n.º F32-016 Price tag: €30.25 Cooper State Models is firmed name in World War I, being quite proficua in the release of several WWI figures (crew and pilots). They already release a Gothat Crew (our review here), now they release a Gotha Crew in action. I not a fan of action crew figures to aircfrat but its an entire personal opinion and I know that several modelers really like those style of figures. So let´s take a quick look to this new Gotha in action crew. This set came in the usual small and sturdy box wrapped in bubbles There`s no assembly instructions and no decals for any of the figures. This single set is quite simple nonetheless the 3 figures. I already had the honor to review several figures from CSM and I can say for sure that the construction of each is one of the best I ever seen in resin figures, being almost done with a little cleaning and perfect fitting. The resin is in medium/light gray like the others previous releases. All the 3 figures comes with the one piece body and legs in one very nicely cast piece and with a separate head and arms. In sum, 4 pieces with separate arms and head and one piece for torso and legs just like the previous Gotha crew. The jacket leather looks quite realistic, you just can smell the leather. Although the face is partially hidden behind the scarf and helmet, still conveys an expression of concentration. The position and body expression for all the figures are really good. This is quite important in all figures but the “in action” ones this take particularly importance as when we look to these figures you need to have/fell the sense of movement. That felling/sensation of movement its present on these figures, because they are very well sculpted. To help all that, the cloths details is at the level of all previous figures I have seen it in flesh from other reviews that I made of CSM stuff, and its top quality The main thing that is different from the previous Gotha crew, besides the body posture, was the crew helmet. The early crew set had the typical imperial German safety helmet, which is the most likely used by German bomber crews. This set, CSM decided to chance that and all the crew have lighter weight soft shells helmet. This is also accurate but not usual. The bomber crew were more use to the hard safety helmet - Cfr windsock Autumn issue- chapter helmets- pag. 14. Conclusion: Quality is really the middle name of CSM. The castings amd resin quality are top noch. Apart of that, the details are exquisite at all levels, very well done with incredible details. The facial expression and details (like eyes and mustache) are very well worked out and very convincing along with the body postures. The resin chunks are very easy to remove and the build is quite straightforward as all other CSM figures. My only reservation is a quite personal one: I don’t like in flight action crew for aircraft as I can`t sort them out in a static diorama as much as I tried. But its my personal view. Highly recommended. My sincerely thanks to Edgar from Copper State Models for the review samples. (You can buy directly here and if you do don`t forget to mention Wingnut Wing Fans and Large Scale Modeller) Fran

Beautiful piece of art!!

Hi guys In 31th December will be publish the Wingmaster n.º 115. And its a quite special issue, not only because of the fantastic builds inside but also because you can actually be the proud owner of a picture of our staff members: Jeroen and Cees! :D

wow!|!! Nice Cave Man!!!

And the first preview is already out!! From Windsock Publications

Hi guys... Its Christmas Time... So its time for WnW give us some news!!!! And what a BOOM!! 5, yes FIVE news Camel´s and a Duellist LVG is BACK!!!!! and your very own Dave Johnson builds one of the Camels Cheers Fran

Really nice!! and great review! thanks so much for sharing!

A few organizers? Good luck!! and take your time!

Amazing conversion work! and great job on the weathering!

Aviatik (Berg) D.I at War! By Paolo Varriale Centenary datafile 171 Available at http://www.windsockdatafilespecials.co.uk/ The Aviatik (berg) D.I is one of my favourite WWI fighter so I was quite lease when this datafile was release. And the time is perfect as HpH announce that their next release will be the Aviatik D.I in 1:32. With 36 pages on gloss paper of which at first glance has the typical structure and winner receipt of the previous datafiles. I really like Datafile covers and this one is no exception despite being a dramatic one. The painting of Roberto Zanella show the last victory of Oberleutnant Bela Macourek off Punta d'Ostro on the Albanian coast. The 66 wing DH4 (with crew Lt. Archibald Francis Hodgskin and Lt. Ronald Baynton Picken) plunge to the sea on 6 September 1918. As usual, on the back on the cover, 3 beautiful profiles being the 38.63 my favourite. I'm always fascinated with the beginning of all and this one, specialty being one of my favourite, is amazing. I really like all the history behind it and the way the history is told. All the Aviattik D.I are here so after the prototype, the 185-hp aircraft - series 38, 48, 84 and 201 follow by the 200-hp aircraft - series 138, 184, 92, 101, 115 (a more powerful engine developed by Austro-Daimler, made under the supervision of technical director Ferdinand Porsche) are well study and the author gives us a close view and pilots perspective. However the chance to the 160-hp Aircraft - series 238, 248,284 is very well explain and all the chance that it had implied on the aircraft frame and structure. The "fight" between engine manufacture is quite interesting. Austro-Daimler also introduce a 225-hp Aircraft - série 338,348, 384 and 315. The pictures are fantastic, with a good quality and full of history. Then my favorite chapter of all datafiles: "at the front" This chapter tells us several episodes of the war with the Aviatik D.I, pilots reports, aerial battles etc. Colours and Markings, key to colour plate and Aviatik D.I survivors are a great add to all modellers that want to tackle this suject. The drawings are, as usual great with different radiator and with different profiles. At the end more six profiles from Ronny Bar. As good as it gets. Conclusion: Windsock just did it again. What a fantastic book for historians and for modeler, with great pics with amazing quality and very inspirational. Now we have the news that the regular edition of the Datafiles and Windsock Internacional will stop for now, and if there anyone who needs a little break is with no doubt, Ray Rimmel that from the past 30 years have being made a tremendous and fantastic work in the WWI study. This datafile is no exception: Worth every penny. Very Highly recommend. My sincere thanks to Ray Rimmel and Windsock for the opportunity and the review sample.

Get your Manchester done before the Lanc...

Great review indeed! Thanks so much for sharing! Fran

Weel Rick, in another modelling life, (before WnW) I has some interessed in IJN! I folow closely the J-aircraft.com forum, that I think that is iwthout updates since 2009... There you will find seen info about it! - http://www.j-aircraft.com/faq/hinomaru_red.htm The hinomuru colour could be a FS31328 ,or the XF-7 or Gunze C385, Red (Japanese Navy Markings)... i think that any of those are correct! The Pacific weather do the rest! Fran

Ricardo, you know how to make an entrance!! Love your work and you know it! Fran

Wow!! a fantastic review of this little gem!! Thanks so much for sharing! Fran

Welcome my friend!! Fran