New IDF Sherman book from SabIngaMartin!

Dr. Robert Manasherob is well known for his works on armor of the Arab-Israeli Wars, particularly Israeli tanks.  Thi is volume 2 in his series on Israeli Sherman tanks. 

From the author:

This book is volume 2 in the “Lioness and Lion of the Line” series on Israeli Sherman tanks in IDF service and covers the M50 and M51 tanks.

Authored by Dr. Robert Manasherob, a world recognized expert on Israeli military tanks and vehicles, this book contains dozens of new and never published photos, new and accurate info and facts, results of several years of research, 1/35 scale drawings of M50 and M51 tanks, color profiles, more than 180 photos including action photos, crew photos, walk around photos, unique markings and illustrations.

Amongst the contents are the following:

■80 pages – B&W and full color

■More than 180 B&W and color photos and illustrations

■Dozens of unique and previously unpublished photos

■In-action photos

■Walk-around photos

■Crew photos

■1/35 scale line drawings

■Unique markings

■Detailed color profiles

■Tactical markings

The book can be purchased via the author's site:  SabIngaMartin Publications.

MVTF gets the SdKfz 222 Armoured Car ready!

                        

The Military Vehicle Technology Foundation will be bringing its Sd.Kfz.222 to the Silicon Valley Scale Modelers "Kick Off Classic" scale model show on Saturday, 24MARCH2012 at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA.  Special thanks to Tamiya USA for providing raffle prizes and sponsoring us for this show as we would not have been able to afford to transport the 222.   

2 more updates from Bronco Models (updated 14MAR2012)

Late last night, I received a couple of new images from Bronco Models for two new update sets. 

AB3556 Canvas Cover Limber No.27 goes with their Bishop and 25pdr kits. 

The next item is of greater significance, at least in my eyes:

CB35069SP Revised Turret for CB35069 US Light Tank M24 Chaffee (Early Prod).  This one piece update features the revised and corrected turret shell for use on their first M24 release.  Please note that the newest version, CB35068 M24 Chaffee "British" includes the corrected shell.

Prices have not yet been announced for either item.

Update 14MAR2012:   Bronco has said that the turret replacement part will be made available thru distributors.  The cost will be based on recouping packaging and materials costs.  Do Not contact Bronco for the replacement parts.  Also, every M24 kit produced after 1FEBRUARY2012 has the corrected parts in them.  Please check your kit before ordering the parts.

Thanks to Rubin at Bronco Models for the images.

Note:  I have been supplying images and measurements to Bronco since December 2011 for several upcoming projects.

New kit news from Bronco Models!

Bronco Models has just announced its list of kit releases for March 2012.  Six kits have been listed which should make both armor and ship modellers happy.

Modellers of Axis armor kits will be very happy to see this one:

 CB35036 Hungarian 40/43M "Zrinyi" II 105mm Assault Gun.  AFAIK, this is the first time a kit of this vehicle has been made available in injection moulded plastic.

Axis modellers get some anti-aircraft artillery with this one:

CB35067 German 88mm L/71 Flak 41 Anti-Aircraft Gun with crew.  Crew figures are provided by Dragon Models Ltd.(DML).

Allied modellers get some love too.  Announced in late 2011, but available this month is:

CB35068 Light Tank M-24 "Chaffee" (British Army).  This kit is based on the earlier U.S. version (kit #CB35069) but has a few changes to model a vehicle as seen in British Army use.  Plus, the problem with the turret roof that was seen on CB35069 has been rectified.  

 

A surprise release is this one:

 

CB35109 Russian Heavy Self-Propelled Gun SU-152 (KV-14) "Late Production".  I guess it's time to ditch the old Eastern Express kits when this one comes out!

Following up on their previous 40mm Bofors Canadian version is a British one:

CB35111 OQF 40mm Bofors Anti-Aircraft Gun Mk.I/III (British Version).  This kit will be very versatile for modellers.

All of the above are in 1/35 scale.

Last but not least, the ship modellers get a current U.S. vessel in 1/350 scale:

NB5026 LCS-4 U.S.S. Coronado.  I don't know much about ships or ship kits, but this one looks pretty cool.

For the record, I have submitted photos and measurements for future projects to Bronco Models for several projects during the past few months.

Thanks to Rubin at Bronco Models for the new release pics!

New stuff from SabIngaMartin Publications!

SabIngaMartin Publications is very well known for its many books on armor of the Arab-Israeli Wars such as Centurion Tanks of the IDF Shot Vol. 1 and Israeli Wild and Cruel Cats Vol. 1 just to name a few. Now, Dr. Manasherob is starting to produce figures and decals to go with his books!  

To start with is the first figure in SabIngaMartin Publications line of figures:

This Israeli Tanker is good for use from the mid-1950's through the early 1960's.  It was released in mid-January and is $15.00 + shipping.

Just announced yesterday is a set of decals that cover the tanks profiled in the Lion and Lioness of the Line Volumes 5 & 6, First and Early Shermans of the IDF:

 

This set is available in 1/72, 1/48, & 1/35 scale sets.  Please visit the SabIngaMartin Publications website for more details.

Thanks to Dr. Robert Manasherob for the product images.

Vulcan Models 1/35 British Light Tank Mk VI C in box preview

Vulcan Models 1/35 British Light Tank Mark VI C, kit #56009

This is the latest in the line of Vickers Mk VI tanks from Vulcan Models and follows last year's release of their Vickers Mk VI B. 

Molded in grey plastic, their are 6 parts sprues, plus 1 in clear plastic.  The lower hull tub is a one piece assembly. Also included are 2 photo etch frets, and various wires and springs for the suspension units.  Decals for 2 vehicles are also included. 

Below are pictures of the various sprues:

Most of the sprues are the same as the previous Mk VI B.  However, a different sprue for the 15mm and 7.92mm BESA guns is included.

Markings included are for a tank belonging to the 9th Lancers in France during 1940 and a tank from the No.1 Independant Tp, RTR, Nov 1940-27Jan42, "Malta Tanks" until Aug 1943.

 

Overall, the quality of molding looks very good.  My example has very few injector pin marks to worry about.  As I have "0" references on this vehicle, I cannot comment on the accuracy of it.  However, the driver's compartment is rather disappointing as it is just a seat and nothing else.  Hopefully, we'll get an interior set soon from somebody like Inside the Armour.  Hey Chris, are you reading this?!  Having started to work on the earlier kit along with seeing builds of it online, there are lots of delicate parts to work with so patience and care are a must.

Thanks to Leo at Vulcan Models for the sample kit.

Please note that I sent Vulcan numerous reference photos of the Military Vehicle Technology Foundation's Mark VI A back in 2008 for their use in designing some of their kits.

New book announcement: Patton Tanks by Michael Green

Author Michael Green has just announced his latest book due out in September, 2012.  Patton Tanks  from Pen and Sword Books "Images of War" series is over 175 page in length and contains more than 210 photos of various Patton tanks in action with at least 30 in color.  No price has been set yet, but it'll probably be in the same range as their other "Images of War" books.

Thanks to Michael Green for the cover image.