Fran

awesome! great work!!

A very good item.... just waiting to be put in a diorama!!!! Tons of options, depends only fo the modeler!

Fantastic piece of work!!!

Looks amazing!!! Thanks Jim!!

Hi Guys! i saw this one and I thought to give it a try as is in a quite nice price... http://www.squadron.com/1-32-Encore-Models-Blue-Max-Pfalz-EC32004-p/ec32004.htm But I live in Portugal.... and the shipping cost asked from Squadron for this single model kit is 55$..... Turn out that this little one is much more expensive that any WnW kits (one seat)....

soooo beautifull!!! Love it!

1:35 Conversion Set M-113A1 T50 MMK Catalogue # F3048 51 resin pieces and two photo-etched sheets. Available from MMK for € 24 When I get this conversion set sample to review, I thought to myself that it would not be to much to say or to look up. Opening the small and sturdy box, I could not be more wrong. After seeing so many resin bits and a medium size photo-etched sheet, I decided to get some online research to check up this one out… I was starting to “fall in love”… J A standard M113A1 with a Cadillac Gage T50 turret as used on the V100/V150 series of armored cars, mounting two Browning machine guns, a .30 caliber and a M2 .50 caliber machine gun. While the standard armored personnel carrier version in Australian service is also fitted with the T50 turret it initially carried only twin .30 caliber machine guns. In later service the LRV and APC versions both carried the 30/50 combination and the only difference between them was roles. LRVs were used in sabre (recon) troops of the Cavalry regiment and the recon troop of the Armoured regiment. They carried a crew of 2 or 3 (crew commander, driver and sometimes operator/observer). APCs carried a crew of 2 and dismounts, either infantry, assault troops, engineers or other troops. In practise an LRV was also perfectly capable of carrying troops, though in perhaps somewhat more cramped conditions as LRVs often carried additional stores and ammunition and had seats removed and replaced with storage lockers. For a short period of time in Vietnam the Aircraft Armaments Incorporated Model 74C Cupola/Command Station was used, but it was quickly replaced by the T50. Also used by the New Zealand Army until the M113 was replaced in 2005. The turret was first introduced into Australian service in Vietnam and was initially armed with two .30 calibre machine guns. Shortly after some vehicles had one .30 machine replaced by a .50 calibre machine gun. This 50/30 armament configuration was used until at least 2002. – copyright from several internet sites. This conversion comes in a small sturdy box, with all the resin pieces in several plastic bags. As the Springer, no instructions is given as it`s in pdf file on MMK website. You got 51 resin gray color parts, with some being for the interior. As I already said, I was quite surprise with the amount of resin on the one. The turret T50, the main pieces is with full interior details, with the seat, seatbelts, and ammo racks on the roof. The turret it shelf has all the periscopes made by photo-etched, the hatch with sharp details on both side, to give the modeler the option of left it open. With all the interior viewable, that hatch must be wide open. The interior is very complete, with inferior mesh floor, ammo box and ammunition belts to attach on the .30 and .50 guns. The two machines guns are very well cast with hollow ends. The large photo-etched parts is very comprehensive and very well detailed with nice details. You can see the floor mesh, ammunition belts, periscopes parts, ammunition rack etc. Also you get a roof crew hatch, just behind the turret that is mounted slightly forward of the normal commanders cupola. This hatch than can be open but that depends on the interior detail that the modelers puts in it. If none, closed should be the option. A fire extinguisher, radio, jerry cans with “water” marked on it, several ammunitions box, radio, and others details to enhance M-113 interior. A quite nice touch! It also comes with a large mesh to put on the rear of the M113 but in my sample didn`t have it. Really no a big problem to solve because it only a mesh with some barber wire, easy to get elsewhere. MMK doesn`t refer to which model kit this conversion is adequate but with no plastic surgery need, I believe that can be any M-113A1 model kit in 1:35. You don`t get any decal sheet so aftermarket decals should be need it. Echelon decals have two decals sheet to M-113 A1 with T50 turret being ideal to this conversion set - D356087 (Snoopy) and D356088. My Snoopy is on the way! JJ Conclusion MMK give all you need to build an Australian M113 with T-50 Turret with full interior detail. MMK always give the modeler the opportunity to have something different and original. All of the resin is beautifully cast and has no flaw and casting resin blocks can be easily removed with care. None of the castings suffer from seam lines. I really fancy the conversion set, so much that is going to my to do pile and my decals set is already on the way. Very highly recommended Francisco Guedes Our thanks to MMK for the review samples and all the support given. To purchase this directly, click THIS link.

Totally respect!

Thanks Eric for your kind words, and for the complementary info!

1:35 European Farmyard MiniArt Catalogue #35558 Available from any good model shop MiniArt is a Ukrainian manufacture that over the years has been to settle his place in the modeling, specifically in modeling armored and dioramas always with great originality and excellent quality. Miniart brought to the world of Modeling pre-organized dioramas, duly pre-thought, so very full but without curtailing the imagination of the modeler, at low cost or at lower cost than the plaster/resin buildings. The kit that we will analyze is the latest release of Diorama series, so come join the ranks of this series and further enrich the catalog of MiniArt and once again increase the options for modelers. The box is a quite large box, it a typical Miniart Box art, with all the parts being in one plastic bag. As usual, the structures (walls) of the dwelling and outbuildings are vacform. All the farm buildings are in stone and all the stones are well engraved in several sizes representing realistic the stones and their different sizes. Also in the roof, Miniart had the same care, with some very good details on giving broken edges to give a realistic look. I know quite a few modelers that vacuform puts them away but there is no reason for that because the plastic is quite stick and with care and patience, the parts will came out easily. Moreover, only the time to cut the pieces not increased in any way its difficulty. After cutting and sanding all the vacuform parts and assembling all of then, you will get three buildings that can be dispose in several aways, all together and by itself. MiniArt gives three disposition of the builings and the accessories parts that we analyses belong. For me, the best full combination is the one given on the boxart. The remaining details are in six plastic sprues. In sprue "A" have doors, window frames and shutters with sharp detail and an engraved and quite well attained wood grain. Sprue "B" is united and exclusively for the wooden wagon, a quite simple built but not simplistic model with sharp detail. The Sprue "C" (x2) is all about the fences, the table and benches. Once again simple and effective details. The Sprue "D" (x2) presents us the two big cellar doors, respective hinges and some exterior details. The instructions are very clear and with clean drawings and quite good indications about parts numbers and their attachments along the constructions. For the vacuform parts, I strongly advise the check up the tutorial on Miniart website how to wrok with vacuform. It`s an excellent tutorial. CONCLUSION: Miniart is a serious manufacture in the modelling word, being among on the top!! And concerning to these building series, they are, for me, the number one. This model allows the modeler to have a full diorama building for a quite a fair price, with very good detail, with tons of possibilities. I can thing quite a few… and I have the perfect figures for it! J Very Highly Recommend Francisco Guedes Our thanks to MiniArt for the review sample. To purchase this directly, click THIS link. If you found this review helpful and decide to purchase this product, please tell them you read about it at Large Scale Modeller!

Awesome! I really like the H version... I might give it a try!

1:35 EPS SPRINGER MMK Catalogue # F3049 Available from MMK for €39 Resin parts: 56 Two photo-etched sheets MMK is a manufacturer of the Czech Republic since 1991. MMK makes resin kits and conversions of vehicles of Central and East Europe, topics that plastic mainstream manufactures don’t covered. MMK themes are always interesting, exotic and very attractive. Today, we have to analyze and review, one of the latest model kit launched by MMK, an EPS Springer. The Springer is an all-terrain vehicle developed for the UK Army by UK-based Enhanced Protection Systems (EPS). The vehicle supports British troops in Afghanistan. The new vehicle fleet was delivered to the army in summer 2009. Designed as a light role load carriage platform, Springer is based on the US-made Tomcar all-terrain vehicle (ATV) platform. Tomcar first entered into service with Israel's defence forces as a patrol vehicle. The two-seater British version design incorporates basic armour. It can accommodate two crew members. Springer vehicles have rear cargo beds to carry loads of up to 1ton, which is high in comparison with similar ATVs. In addition to the rear cargo bed, all Springers are fitted with a load tray in front of the vehicle to carry an additional 100kg of equipment. A roof section is also available for the transportation of electronic countermeasures packages. The payload capacity has been optimised through using light armour to achieve weight reductions. All vehicles are refitted to support missions carried out by UK personnel in Afghanistan. The new vehicle ensures an uninterrupted supply of equipment to frontline troops. The Springer has been designed for rugged and desert operational conditions. The fleet can be maintained easily with few special tools. The 4 x 2 vehicle can self load a 1t pallet of supplies. Each vehicle is equipped with an 8,000lb self recovery winch and sand ladders, which act as loading ramps for cargo pellet. The Springer is fitted with weapons holders to carry light support weapons (LSW). SA80 A2 standard assault rifles are available for two crew members. The SA80 can be fitted with a SUSAT sight and a common weapon sight (CWS). Other weapons include a C7 rifle or a Minimi, a fully automatic light machine gun. The vehicle can also be fitted with a general purpose machine gun (GPMG) mount. The Springer is fitted with a 1,400cc naturally aspirated Lombardini diesel engine with the option of turbocharger and petrol variants. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) in combination with a drive chain efficiently utilises engine power. Three modes are provided on the drive train. The top mode delivers high speed and low torque while lower mode gives more torque and less speed. The middle mode delivers a combination of speed and cross-country capability. The vehicle is lightweight and helicopter transportable. (History and detail information from http://www.army-technology.com/projects/springer-all-terrain/) The box is full of resin in light gray and two photo-etched sheets. By opening the box, all the pieces are well packaged within several plastic bags, being grouped to protect the most fragile parts. Also there`s a full diagram of all pieces and their numbers, with is quite useful during the construction, because this little kit has more pieces that I could imagine. Despite being a very small model, I truly surprise with the amount of resin parts (56) and the two sheets of photo-engravings, one considerably greater dimension than the model itself. The photo-etched are even more than 100 pieces… Must admit: sounds too many parts for such a small vehicle, but it would be a little gem with so much detail. Starting with the resin bits, the biggest piece is the full body of the Springer. The main body is one single resin piece, very well cast, with some sharp details, with no distortions or bubbles. The driver and passenger floor and the side steps have anti-slip floor cast on it, and different texture. Very impressive. Huge care and attention to detail. On the back, here`s some good details, with some cast wire and the battery. This piece is quite well achieved, because on the side, we can see several details on the suspension, exhausts, oil brakes pump (I think) and several wires. In the back, also a few wires are full cast. The only low back I can see on this central piece is the resin block cast. Removing it, while no difficult, will be a slow and careful process. The rear cargo bed is also on single piece, well cast, with real amazing raised floor texture. It real look like a metal floor! It will be fantastic with some paint and a weathering job on it! Some flash has to been removed for the side crossbar and ladder, a logical casting system to protect the piece and to give a solid structure. Another single piece is the iron bars structure, that besides of no having any distruction looks like very strudy. The casting technique, as above referred, allow to make this piece perfectly cast. The only low is that the modeler should be extremely careful in removing all the flash to not destroy the piece. But then again, as I always say, a full resin model kit is no for a novice modeler. Now, one of my favourite item: the wheels. You get 5 wheels with two differents sizes: the diameter is the same, but the width are quite different, from the front tyres from the rear tyres. The front ones are more thin. The spare tire supplied is placed in rear cargo bed, is a rear tire, a larger one. The wheels are beautiful cast with almost to removing or sanding work to do with the tires being top notch with the full detail on the tire rubber surface. The detail of the tire is extraordinary and very realistic. Staying on the resin bits, also have steer wheel and direction column, hand brake, fenders, suspension, headlight etc. The front fenders are well cast but should be reduced to scale thickness gentile with a mini drill. The seats have a quite refined texture detail which is quite impressive. I really like all the resin detail, and the seats, a quite visible thing on the full open model, are very well cast, with a subtle surface detail. Passing along to the photo-etched, no surprise on these ones because they are made by Eduard. And Eduard`s photo-etched are one of the best on after-market business. Starting with the color sheet, it gives the modeler, the dashboard, and the instruments, rear lights and the headlights. These metal parts are a complement of the resin main structure on the rear and head lights, being the “transparent” ones… I really do now if they are real effective and if we can real achieved the desire result with these ones. Clear resin from the headlight and orange/red resin for the rear lights could provide a better solution. You will also get color seatbelts, and licenses plates. I have never have been quite a real fan of color etched for interiors like dashboard, just because the all interior need to be painted and if is the same color, is very very hard to get the exact color of the photo-etched. For the reason only, I don`t appreciate color photo-etch for interiors. On other hand, just love then when comes to license plates, vegetation, kitchen tools, instruments dials and panels, and these ones, are no exception, simply fantastic. The brass photo-etched has lots of small pieces and sharp details, like clamps, hinges, steering wheels inner structure, wheels rims, name vehicle tag plate, eyelets, pedals, radiator mesh, load front tray and roof support cargo bay and both doors. The photo-etched is top quality, as usual by Eduard, with very good engraved detail, like the “EPS” on the inside doors. As show above, you only get the pieces diagram and number identifications: no instructions. However, you simply can download it on MMK site in pdf, format file. The instructions are very good ones, with good indications of the pieces and their locations. Being however, a resin kit, during construction you must dryfitting all pieces, before put glue in place. No markings or decals are given. Neither any color indication. So good references are necessary, easily obtain on the internet. Conclusion: The subject is fantastic with lots of potential for a modern diorama or a simply vignette. Casting quality is first rate, with no air bubbles or pinholes that I can find on first inspection. Casting blocks are minimal in all the pieces with the exception of the full vehicle structure. The resin block below the entire piece will take some time to be remove and with some care. A mini-drill should help up the taks and the time involved. The resin flash is quite minimal so clean-up should not be too much of a chore. The two photo-etched sheets are very comprehensive with tons and tons of details, enhance the model to the top of the details. The detail of all resin pieces is excellent. The texture of rear cargo bay is one of the highlight of this little gem and a little winner that MMK present to the modeler. Very Highly recommended Francisco Guedes Our thanks to Milan and MMK for the review samples and all the support given. To purchase this directly, click THIS link. Complete model kit (copyright from MMK)

I Want THIS ONE!!!

I would love to but late hotel booking makes it quite a expensive ride....

Love Mil-24D! But I need to do in 1:35....

WOW!!! Now, that`s a review! Brillant work Jim as usual!

Just love it!! Nice work Ben!

great review Jeroen!

Dave that 's a rack! Where did you get it?

WOOOOOOOOWWWWW!

ahhhhh.... Walrus Walrus.... maybe next time...

Still, a very nice job Paulster!! I really don`t konw these models, but looks like that Brach Model R35/39 are a much better option with their full interior... the donwside: much more expensive...

1:35 Conversion Sets for Pz. Kpfw IA and Pz. Kpfw IB Brach Model Catalogue # BM102, BM103, BM107 and BM111) Available from Brach Model for € 28 to €32 Brach Model always gave the modelers, exotic models and conversions sets that enhance your model and make then a show stopper. And always at the highest quality as you can also tell for the last items release by Brach full reviewed on LSM. Today we got four of the nine new conversions sets release by Brach Model, which we will analyze with attention These four new conversion sets for Pz. I (two for Pz.Ia and two for Pz.Ib) are with no doubt, very welcome for AFV modelers, in particularly, Wehrmacht fans. 1.serie/La.S. Chassis sheet-metal turret by Krupp (To Dragon & Tristar PZ.Kpfw.IA) Catalogue # BM111 9 resin pieces This conversion set offers a new upper hull with all the details, a small decal sheet, a new metal turret with hatch (with option open or closed). The upper hull of the donor kit is completely replaced by two new pieces in resin, which Brach has no distortion, and with great and accurate detail, faithfully reproducing the surface of the fenders as well as wrapping other small details like the screws. There no interior given on the new metal turret, so I think the open option only should apply if you put a commander figure on the open hatch. The new metal turret introduces to yourself without any distortion, or strain, and with good exterior details like the hinges on several hatches. The fit between this new roasting and the upper hull looks good, not so at first glance, with no problem. The casting is as always, professional and the highest quality. Indeed the entire upper hull is transformed little by exploiting the donor kit hull, without having to do any surgery because several top guards is provided as well as front armor (hull upper front panel), all parts with the thickness of the scale, nicely without any casting flash and distortion. One small decal sheet is given with just two yellow hearts and one white circle. As hard as I try, I didn`t found anything about the version and this particularly marking. I look in everything and try hard to find but on my books (I only have two about PzI, but nothing) and googleing I simply didn`t found a clue about these markings. I have to admit I have never encountered this version anywhere. Is really disappointing to know nothing about this one, and didn`t found nothing also. The instructions doesn`t give you a clue about markings and colours… The instructions are quite simple and basic, more than enough to get this conversion on the right track. 3,7cm Pak35/36 auf Pz.Kpfw. IA (To Dragon & Tristar PZ.Kpfw.IA) Catalogue # BM102 20 resin pieces and one aluminum barrel. This one you just get a beautiful 3,7cm PAK to put on the top of your Pz.Ia. The anti-tank gun is well known of the intensive use and very well know be all modelers, so no history briefing is needed. This conversion you will get a full detail 3,7cm Pak35/36 and front armor, with some finesse details like screws and weld seam, a turn-metal barrel and the socket that adapt the 3,7cm to the upper hull of the donator kit. The PaK 35 has some crispy and small details and to get it right, the instruction have all the small pieces, clearly identified, with a small drawing of PaK35 profile with identification of parts for better tracking in construction. No colour options or markings are given. Pz. Kpfw. IB Ladungsleger + “Stuka zu Fuβ” 28cm (To Dragon PZ.Kpfw.IB) Catalogue # BM107 39 resin pieces This set brings you two famous weapons: the landunsleger and the Stuka zu Fuss. The ladungsleger (or explosives layer) is a field modification kit that was mounted on the rear deck of an Ausf B tank and used to lay explosives to defeat field fortifications. A number of vehicles were given these “kits”, with authorized use on the armored engineers company of each Pioneer Battalion - (source- deutsche Panzer – action publications - 1917-1945 by Uwe Feist, published by Aero Publishers, Inc) Also you get a Stuka zu Fuss or, the Wurfrahmen 40 ("launch frame 40") was a German World War II multiple rocket launcher. It combined a vehicle such as the SdKfz 251 halftrack, captured ex-French Renault UE Chenillette or the Pz.Kpfw.IB, with rocket artillery to form a more mobile and protected artillery piece than the towed Nebelwerfer. It was nicknamed Stuka zu Fuss ("Stuka on Foot" or "Walking Stuka") and Heulende Kuh ("Bellowing Cow"). Introduced in late 1940, the weapon system was a framework with adjustable base plates fitted over and alongside a vehicle which could hold 300 mm high explosive (HE) rockets; 280 mm HE and 320 mm incendiary rockets were also used, the rockets being fired while in their loading crates. Although spin stabilized, the rockets were not as accurate as conventional artillery and reloading was time consuming due to the rocket's weight. Rockets were ripple-fired in large numbers where feasible to quickly saturate a target. The Wurfrahmen 40 was successful in service as a support weapon for the mobile Panzer formations, particularly in urban areas. This set will precisely bring this fiel modification and the multiple launch rocket to be placed in a Pz IB, making it more different bond point. This set is the one has more resin pieces of all the four, in the total of 39 pieces. Brings the entire support structure Landun with delicate pieces with perfect casting. However the main structure, in my sample, is a little bending, nothing that hot water wouldn’t solve. The Stuka zu Fuss structure has only two boxes to house bringing explosives however gives the modeler, four explosives rockets which lets you use two of them in a small diorama or vignette. The rockets pieces are with exquisite detail, easy to remove from the resin blocks detail, with only the seam line to be rubbed easily. The side platforms that support all the rocket boxes and the explosives rockets has a thickness scale and detail in high and low relief high level, typical from Brach Model. Both structures have many, many small details that allow accurate construction. The instructions are the same as the others, being vague about the contact points as well as identification of parts and its construction, excluding only novice modelers. A simple conversion without any change in the donor kit, which allowed to give a new look to the Pz IB. 5cm Pak 38 auf Pz.Kpfw. IB (To Dragon PZ.Kpfw.IB) Catalogue # BM107 32 resin pieces and one aluminum turned barrel. Now the Last but not the Least. The 5 cm Pak 38 (L/60) (5 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 38 (L/60)) was a German anti-tank gun of 50 mm caliber. It was developed in 1938 by Rheinmetall-Borsig AG as a successor to the 37 mm PaK 36, and was in turn followed by the 75 mm Pak 40. The PaK 40 gives to the Ausf B a more powerful and respectful look. In this set, the modeler gets likewise a beautiful Pak 38, with lots and sharp details, shelve of boxes of ammunition and aluminum cannon with resin nuzzle. The nuzzle is a resin piece with crispy details and a hollow month. The armor front has scale thickness with great detail, with rivets and hinges well represented. The PaK 38 has very interesting details, and great detail, having been a part of Brach, great care in detailing this piece, which will give a new look to the Pz IB. Also one this one, no decals are given. These instructions, as this set have smaller parts, these are properly identified early on. Precisely because it is the set with a larger number of small parts and details, these instructions are a little different, bringing greater information guiding the modeler and schematic drawings well done. CONCLUSION: So Brach is not a new face on the modelling world, so their quality and originality are no news to modeler. All four conversions will give the modeler some very good modelling times because they are not complicated as they don`t require any plastic removal surgery. Parts are added to the donor kit, or simply replace the kit parts donor directly. Without having to do any surgery, allows all but the most novice modeler, to take these conversions a try. The resin parts are casting in light gray with no bubbles in any single one of them. Only one has small bending, and the rocket explosives have the seam lines that are easily removed. All the the casting blocks are easy to remove block removal, the best on the market. This, besides the themes, the originality, the quality and detail, is a strong point to Brach Model. The absence of any information plus the fact of not having found anything regarding decals BM111 is disappointing as I already said.... The remaining conversions also say nothing concerning camouflage or brands, forcing modelers to resort to their references. Brach's instructions were not made for the unwary or novice modeler but for the average or experienced modeler. Starting from this premise, the instructions, not perfect or brilliant, are sufficient. If the improvement of instruction leads to an increase in the final price, I think this is not necessary or desirable for the modeler who still manages some spectacular sets conversions at the right price. Highly recommended Francisco Guedes Our thanks to Brach Models for the review samples and all the support given. To purchase this directly, click THIS link. If you found this review helpful and decide to purchase this product, please tell them you read about it at Large Scale Modeller!

Updated! Green colour with lightened base colour to simulate a mottle finish, and break the green... Cheers

A challenge, a duel ... Modeler versus Time ... helped only tools and hands… ahhhh ... and of course the fantastic Wingnut Wings models. The moderator of WnW sub-forum in Large Scale Modeller, decided to proceed with a permanent bench in the model show "Modelscala", to be held in Montijo, Lisbon, Portugal, which will try to win the challenge which aimed: build a WnW model kit in two days. A real modelling marathon. Everyone is invited! Pling your WnW to Lisbon and join the WnW fans for a long and crazy marathon surrounded with the best model kits on earth: Wingnut Wings. Cheers Fran