Fran

A small update: cheers

Great stuff!! I also want some of them!! Need the full list!

LOOOL!! Thanks for your words! Jeroen, thanks!

Update:

Looking forward to this one!

Wow!!! Fantastic faded Olive drab!

Very cool!

Just love the Hetzer! Cool looking tank destroyer! Looking forward to this one!

Fantastic!! Great to see LSM on print mag!

MMK future release...A great adition to any modern dio. Cheers

A great and quick review! fantastic pics and a very nice reading.

Great review! Fantastic pics!

Great work Jeroen!,

Jeroen thanks for your kind words!

great new and quite unexpected!!

Now i got a goood excuse to buy the G-10

AURORA MODEL 1:32/1:35 Military Figures Catalogue ML055/ML058/ML060 Available from Aurora Models for 20$ (free shipping worldwide) Today we are going to look to some female military figures from a great sculptor Kiyoshi Tsuda and a true gentleman. Aurora Model has extensive range of female military figures, cats and dogs. They do have some exquisite and very original military figures that will stand out in any vignette or diorama. Every single figure came in a small zip log plastic bag, with a print color picture of the figure fully paint and with japanese instructions inside. No paint color chart. Starting with the most historical and “real” of the three that we going to review today: WWII German Women Helper Corps, SS-Helferinnenkorps [three metal parts (contains lead) - catalogue #ML-055) The SS-Helferinnenkorps (SS helpers Corps) was an organization for women in the Nazi Waffen SS . Unlike women in the SS retinue , whose members only civilian employees of the SS were the SS helpers were (also called " SS Maiden ") members of the Waffen-SS and fully valid, regular members of the SS clan community . The SS-Helferinnenkorps was founded in 1942 and reported directly to the SS Main Office . It was composed exclusively of voluntarily reported women who had passed a rigorous selection process. The members were on the 1942 newly founded kingdom of school-SS in Obernai in Alsace formed and transferred to the Waffen-SS after passing the basic course. As members of the Waffen-SS wore as a visible sign of their affiliation, the SS runes on their uniform. However, the rank hierarchy within the helpers Corps did not correspond directly to the the SS Supreme Office, which could hold a woman in helpers Corps, which was the imperial officer in the SS helpers Corps , and it was since its establishment in early 1943 of the full- BDM leader , Ilse Staigeroccupied. SS helpers served mainly as a news staff and assistants throughout the German Reich and in the occupied territories, including in concentration camps and in the Reich Security Main Office (RSHA), and operated radio, telephone and telex facilities. A total of 2765 women visited the kingdom of school-SS in Obernai, of which eventually in 2375 as SS helpers members of the Waffen-SS were. [1] After World War II, the SS assistants were in the denazification often wrongly, as members of the SS retinue or as a Wehrmacht assistants viewed and therefore mostly not prosecuted as a civilian employee and not as members of the SS. – Wikipédia. It is still not known exactly how many women served the Nazis during the war. Also it is not actually known who first had the idea of a school to train the women who would become SS-Helferinnen, but Himmler always wanted to have schools to instruct women, and had previously mooted the idea of Frauenhochschulen für Weisheit und Kultur [Women’s high school for wisdom and culture]. The plans for the founding of the SS-Helferinnen school began in early 1942, on the personal initiative of the Chief of Telecommunications, Ernst Sachs. The ever-increasing territorial expansion of the Third Reich resulted in a need for personnel in the communication service, and so the Weibliches Nachrichtenkorps des SS [female communication corps of the SS] was established. These women would replace men, who would then be free to fight at the front. It was hoped these women would become a new female trained elite. The same strict racial criteria placed on those who wished to be the wife of an SS-man was applied to those who wanted to become SS-Helferinnen; for that reason, the wives, sisters and daughters of SS-men were encouraged to apply. The Weibliches Nachrichtenkorps was established in July 1918, and the women were trained to operate radios, telegraphs and telephones so that they could replace men in the communication corps. It was inspired by, according to Ursula von Gersdorff, an English project, which used female motorcyclists. In 1943, the Weibliches Nachrichtenkorps, which had been established under Himmler, changed its name to the SS-Helferinnenkorps. According to Mühlenberg, a Finnish female voluntary organisation was the model for the SS-Helferinnenkorps. ‘Lotta Svärd‘ had been established in 1921 to relieve men who could then go to the front and fight. The women helped protect their homeland and strengthened the will of the people and were willing and able to replace men in any position. This inspired the (third) Commandant of the SS-Helferinnen school, Karl Mutschler, who expanded the remit of the SS-Helferinnen to extend beyond communications tasks. It is possible that both Gersdorff and Mühlenberg are correct, but perhaps greater clarity is needed. Applicants to the SS-Helferinnen school had to be aged between 17–30 (although this was later extended to 35) and at least 1.65 m tall (later this was reduced to 1.58 m). They had to be recommended by either an SS-man, a Bund Deutsche Mädel leader (female equivalent of the Hitler Youth), or by a leader in the NS-Frauenschaft, the National Socialist Women’s Organisation. The applicants’ reasons for applying varied from professional to familial to personal to political. The selection procedure involved the completion of a detailed application form which required 15 different documents, an extensive written examination, a racial examination and a medical examination. The written exam took place at the local SS Office, and tested spelling, dictation, general knowledge and ideological knowledge. If the applicants passed these initial tests, they would receive a call-up. Sometimes it would take months between applying and being called up, either due to bureaucracy, or occasionally as a consequence of personal situations, for instance with bosses refusing to release their employees. The quickest call-up time was half a day after submitting an application; the longest was 749 days! The average age of applicants was 20 years old. The youngest applicant was 16 years old, the oldest 42 – and her application was received favourably, probably because she was Princess Ingeborg Alix, and was recommended for the position by her brother-in-law Prince Josias of Waldeck and Pyrmont, who was held in high esteem by the SS. Princess Alix went on to become a SS-Helferinnen leader. The school itself consisted of a combination of existing and new buildings. The new buildings were built by concentration camp prisoners from nearby Natzweiler-Strutthof, which was officially opened in May 1941. Once the initial building work was finished, the prisoners continued to maintain the premises. The SS-Helferinnen knew about the concentration camp and the prisoners, as they saw them daily. Some even saw them being beaten. Five SS-Helferinnen worked in the concentration camp as radio operators once they had completed their training, and in total 190 SS-Helferinnen had tasks which, at one time or another, took them to a concentration, extermination or satellite camp The basic training course which all girls undertook lasted eight weeks. Each morning the girls would rise at 6.30am (although on Sundays they were allowed a lie-in until 8am) and they would begin their day with sport, dormitory cleaning and raising the flag. Only then, at 7.30am, would they receive their breakfast and would classes begin. On one of the last days of their training the women would take an oath committing themselves to the service, and then they would begin specialised training, which lasted between six and 24 weeks. Parallel to the specialised classes, which could be radio operations or telephone operations (for example), collective classes in singing, sport, mother schooling (which involved cooking, sewing, gardening and pet care), first aid, literature and ideology took place. The SS-Helferinnen were expected to behave impeccably and were, for example, forbidden from smoking. This was driven by Himmler’s belief that all women who smoked were ideologically unreliable. If the girls did not maintain the good reputation expected of them, it was grounds for dismissal. From a sample of 2,765 women who received a call-up, 22 per cent were dismissed; 65 per cent of these were dismissed during their basic training, 9 per cent during specialised training, and 26 per cent from the positions of service. There were many specific reasons for their dismissal which Mühlenberg details; some were dismissed because of ideological differences, others due to personal reasons (sometimes girls requested their own dismissal), women left when they discovered that they were pregnant and some were dismissed for health reasons. From February 1943 the first SS-Helferinnen were sent out from the school, to positions all over the Third Reich and occupied Europe, to begin their service. In addition to replacing men, the long-term aim for the SS-Helferinnen was for them to replace all female civilian employees in the service of the Reichsführer; because the SS-Helferinnen had been trained in ideology, they were deemed more suitable and reliable. A list of the various departments the women went to: almost every main office of the Reichsführer SS. Some SS-Helferinnen were sent to the administrative offices of concentration camps. The focus of the working areas of the SS-Helferinnen was the communication corps; three-quarters of all assignments were carried out as radio, telephone, or telex operators. As the Allies closed in, the SS-Helferinnen found themselves in precarious positions. When the school was evacuated, many SS-Helferinnen had to leave their belongings behind; those women who were in the local hospital at the time were themselves left behind. Other SS-Helferinnen found themselves stuck in what became Allied territory, and these women were interned – source: http://www.history.ac.uk/reviews/review/1183 After this brief history, the Aurora SS-Helferinnenkorps figure is very well cast in white metal. The seam mold line is very smooth and subtle and easy to remove. The detail is a quite good one, with minimum cleaning up to do, mainly in the hands. However this should be made with care or you can simply break her fingers. In one hand she have a cup (with tea, coffee or water) and the entire body expression is that is calling or greeting someone. This expression is follow by the facial expression. It`s a quite well achieved figure, with a lovely corporal expression. WWII German Panzer Crew 1947 ver.9 [1:35 - three metal parts (contains lead) - catalogue #ML-058) The idea behind this figure is ”if the war was prolonged…?” And so Aurora Model presents a tank commander in 1947 perfect to be along a paper panzer. This is to be put on a open hatch, and mainly on the commander hatch. The figure is made in three pieces (body and arms) with minimum cleaning with a special attention to hands. As you can see, the hands need a careful cleaning. To attach and glue the arms to the body, you will need to do some dry fitting before applying cyano. The body expression is quite natural and suitable for a commander at the top of her tank. This one will be great on my 1:35 Maus or E-100. WWII Japan Army Zero Fighter Pilot [1:32 - two metal parts (contains lead) - catalogue #ML-060) This figure is in the concept that the previous one - ”if the war was prolonged…?” This one only have two pieces in white-metal. The figure, like the previous ones, is very well cast with very good detail on the uniform. Aurora Model in this item description said that she wearing an Zero pilot uniform at the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1940 to 1945. She has a good military posture in salute. I just put some primer on the figure to to stand the details of clothing and facial expression because he had a slight feeling that was confirmed... I do have a strange sensation that i`m looking to a manga girl. Those big eyes… This is really the only negative point that I can see (as for me) in all three figure here in review. This facial expression is much more a cartoon (manga) one rather than a normal face. That`s why this girl looks much better (and it would look awesome) next to the ZM J7W1 2nd Edition Shinden "Ah! My Goddess!" than Tamiya Zero.Conclusion Aurora Models has a wide range of female military figures that will stand out in your diorama or vignette, because a military woman in a diorama is very unusual and Aurora Models give us a lot of options (the nurses set looks fantastic). The quality cast is quite good, with a good clothing detail, good facial expressions, good posture and pose. The cleaning is quite minimal that made the figures almost paint ready. The cost for each figure is 20 $(with free world shipping) is a very very good value for your money. Highly Recommended Francisco Guedes Our thanks to Aurora Model and Kiyoshi Tsuda for shipping this out to us in such a speedy manner. To purchase this directly, click THIS link.

ooooohhh fantastic review and stuning photos! thanks Jim for the review! Cheers

Happy Birthday James!! Have a really nice day with your family! Cheers

1:35 Renault R-40 [Pz.Kpfw 40R 736(f)] Brach Model Catalogue #BM100 Available from Brach Model for 98€ The Renault R40 is the final variation of the R35. It was developed by the Atelier de Construction d’Issy-les-Moulineaux (AMX) which introduced a brand new and better suspension that consisted of 12 pairs of small road-wheels on each side mounted in pairs, vertical coil springs, and protective skirting plates. This vehicle mounted the long barreled 37mm SA38 L/33 gun in the APX-R1 turret and had an AMX crossing tail. A little bit less than 120 tanks had been built from 10th May on only and put into service with the serial number 51541 to 51658. They equipped the 40e BCC (30 R40 and 15 R35), the 48e BCC (29 R40 and 16 R35), the reconstituted 28e BCC (24 R40 and 21 R35) in beginning June and two Polish companies in France (companies "Pagézy" and "Chabowski" with 15 R40 each). The dimensions of this light tank: Weight: 12t Length: 4.02m Width: 1.87m Height: 2.13m Crew: 2 men Other technical information: -Maximum armor: 43mm (APX-R turret is cast and hull is cast armor + RHA bolted elements) -Maximum speed: 20-23 km/h (Renault engine, 4 cylinders, gasoline, 85 hp, 5880 cm3, water cooled) -Transmission : 4 forward, 1 reverse. -Autonomy : 140 km -Armament: a 37mm SA38 L/33 gun and a 7.5mm MAC1931 CMG (42 AP, 58 HE and 3000 cartridges - elevation of -16 to +20° and traverse of 5° right and 5° left but could be blocked to aim only with the turret rotation) - 37mm SA38 L/33 - in German service : 3.7cm KwK 143(f) -Theoretical rate of fire : 15 rpm -Traverse of 5° right and 5° left (could be blocked to aim only with the turret rotation) -Telescopic sight : 4x (L.767 telescopic sight, range drum up to 1400m for the APC shells and 1600m for the coaxial MG, field of view 11.25°, + reticle) -Practical AT range : 600-800m -Ammunitions : Obus de rupture Mle1938 (APC) - in German service : Pzgr 146(f), Caliber : 37x149R mm, weight of projectile : 0.700 kg, length f projectile : 103mm, V° = 705 m/s, penetration : 30mm /30° at 400m. -German tests with 3.7cm Pzgr 146(f) (source : Jentz): 100 meters = 29mm /30° 500 meters = 23mm /30° 1000 meters = 16mm /30° 1500 meters = 12mm /30° -Obus explosif Mle1938 (HE) - in German service : Sprgr 145(f) Caliber : 37x149R mm Weight of projectile : 0.670 kg (60 g explosive) Length of projectile : 110mm V° = 600 m/sEquipped with a long RSA Mle1938 fuze (Source: David Lehmann, German Documents from the National Archives, Panzertruppen) Looking at the Renault R40 (and also the R35) looks like we`re looking at an improved version of the Renaul FT, because it has their similarities, first by the arrangement of compartments (driver in the front hull, and rear mounted engine) and the unditching tail. We can look at them and say: for sure, these ones are “brothers”. There`s a review for a model kit that I was eager to put my hand on. I was lucky enough to have this opportunity to review it. Well, just enough chat and let`s go to the kit. Unboxing: The box is quite big for the relative small tank. The packaging of this kit is top notch. It`s a sturdy and well padded package. We notice that there is affection and dedication in the product and that such care with conditioning parts is because the manufacturer knows what the modeler wants and how they want. For modelers to modelers. The masters are done by Luciano Brach, a real genius and a gentleman too. The resin pieces come in various separates bags, having had the care of the big parts are not the same bags that small pieces and even inside the box are very remote and styrofoam in the middle, thus showing care in packaging, and all done to avoid any broken parts. This kit has 292 resin parts (104 are tracks links), a photo-etched sheet, a small acetate sheet (with instruments panels) and a towing cable (tread). Also have a small instructions booklet and a small sheet for three markings options (two French and one German). The resin is a light/medium grey resin, very well cast, with some very good details. In all the pieces I look for any bubble or distortion and I didn`t find any on my sample. This is an excellent example of resin art. Unlike some resin armor kits, the hull is not cast in a single piece, but similarly to a regular styrene model, with a hull top and bottom. This is a beauty, casting is superb and smooth and highly detailed. Casting blocks and some flash is present but are light and easily cleaned up. The tracks are individually cast resin links. The thing is so pretty in the box it is almost a shame to build it. The casting is very nice with no noticeable imperfections in my sample. The casting block and excess resin should be very simple to remove. In resin kits can some parts be warp or distort (although dipping in warm water and straightening will easily remedy this) but in this samples no warp in any pieces, especially in the fenders. Opening all the bags, I immediately come across the complete interior of the inner hull with the exception of the engine bay. I confess I was not expecting that this kit had much of the interior which was a real surprise and very nice. Interior The kit includes a hull interior (the lower hull is made by 3 pieces: the floor and the two sides). The hull floor and transmission are cast in one single piece, with a good attention to details, with no warp, and anti-slice floor as well. Both hull sides are also very well cast and very good surface detail and with an easy cleaning. The entire interior is well rendered and detailed. There is a separate upgrade kit for the engine (catalogue #BM079 - to get it directly from Brach Model, click here.) All the hatches are separate including the engine area. All the driver's seat is complete with seat in photogravure and resin, gearbox, turn right and turn left brakes levers, pedals and instrument panel. You will also get the two ammunitions racks with ammunition to put on it. In the end you will get a full and busy interior right from the box. Main body Being a resin kit, that`s mean that the surface detail can be very delicate. So the upper hull surface parts and the turret has a definite cast texture and fine recessed detail. Two outstanding cast resin pieces. I was quite surprise also with the fenders. A single resin piece, very well cast. These two pieces are delicate and thin with a very appropriate scale without need of a photo-etched. Despite being a single piece, both fenders show no distortion or warp which it`s a very good signal of the resin quality and the production control by Brach Model. The unditching tail (reminiscent of a close “relative” – The FT J ) is very well detail, and looks like quite simply of put it all together. Wheels and suspension: The inner and idler wheels and upper wheels have a fantastic detail and very little to clean making this operation quite more pleasant. Has we said before, the Renault R40 had 12 pairs of small road-wheels on each side mounted in pairs in each side of the hull. Regarding to this point I was a bit afraid because the alignment of all 12 wheels. However quite frankly I was very surprise and happy the clever solution. Luciano Brach decided to group the pneumatic suspension and structure, making a single piece formed by the suspension and two wheels attached. Every single one, has a locating point allowing the modeler a greater security in alignment of all wheels relative to the hull. Tracks links The kit includes link-to-link resin tracks, with quite good detail and no cleaning need. The instructions don`t mention if they intended to click together so I tried so link them. My first thought was: these resin tracks can be a quite a task. So I decided to try out. They are intended to click together, and they really click together. A delicate but simply task that in 30 seconds, I could easily in 30 seconds mount a track portion. Fantastic track links Passing now the the photoetched, there is 72 parts, since the interior to exterior detail, mainly being clamps, Renault placard, exhaust cover, etc, giving extra detail to the model. The sheet is very well achieved, appearing to be quite easy to work out, small connections points and easy bending. Instructions The instruction sheet is not a Meng ou Tamiya ones. This model is intented for experient modeller, and for that I do know that this instructions would not be a problem. There`s is no other information concerning decals or paint color guide for interior or camouflage, with no indications. With this instructions the modeler will not need to use references to find the correct location of parts, but will need to dig out their references for interior and exterior/camouflage painting guides. Decals The small sheet with three options is well registered, good colour saturation and quite thin. As we said, no color indications for the camouflage. Was quite hard to photograph the decal sheet because all the registration is in white. Conclusion Man I just love this lovelly Brach Models Renaul R40. All of the resin is beautifully cast and has no flaw. There is a little flash in some areas, but this is so thin and will be easy to remove. None of the castings suffer from seam lines, and while some items are cast on communal casting blocks, a small number are cast in a shallow mould and just have a thin membrane of resin to remove from between the parts, like the wheels sets and tracks. Looking at the limited reference I do have, and with Google being my friend, Brach Models do seem to have pretty good job of the look of the beauty. As far as accuracy goes, I have to admit I'm no expert on the Renault R40, but as far I can see, it really looks like the real thing. Pricey? This is no mass-produced TamigawaMeng kit. If you want a unique model that will stand out in any model contest or in your collection this is the one for you, or if you simply want to have a very good example of a Renault R40, just go for it, because it`s worth it. Very highly recommended Francisco Guedes Our thanks to Brach Models for shipping this out to us in such a speedy manner. To purchase this directly, click THIS link. (Full build model, courtesy from Brach Model)

Future release from Miniart. Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.B for the first time in injection!! Great news! http://miniart-models.com/index.htm?/35162.htm Cheers

Great review Ben! Cheers

If you want to do this (http://www.leadwarrior.com/Lw35205.htm) just go for the Tamiya!