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April 09 2007- Finally after being able to fix my airbrush I have been able to finish the Cromwell Centurion Preview/Review.

  • Preview: Centurion Mk 5/1 from Cromwell models By Simon Barnes

Mar 11 2007 - Most of tonights Updates have been done By Rob Haelterman who has been busy updating the lists

  • Preview: Warriors German tank riders set 1 by Rob Haelterman
  • Preview: Goffy SdKfz 222 interior By Rob Haelterman
  • Preview: Trumpeter M113A3 By Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Dragon M4A3 105mm VVSS by Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Trumpeter M4A3E8 Korean War By Simon Barnes
  • Preview: UM T-34/76 Mod 1942 formed turret By Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Hat Cromwell By Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Hat StuG III By Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Hat Renault FT-17 By Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Hasegawa SdKfz 234/1 By Simon Barnes
  • Preview: ACE ML-20 By Simon Barnes
  • Preview: AB figures SS panzer crew relaxing By Simon Barnes
  • Review: UM Pz 38(t) review By Rob Haelterman

Taras Karabyn has brought to my attention a new resin Manufacturer called Armory, pictures can be found HERE

Jan 21 2007 - Just a couple for tonight,

  • Article: ISU Comparison By Stephen Brezinski
  • Review: Revell StuG IV By Rob Haelterman

Jan 15 2007 - Rob Haelterman has sent in a complete review of the Tracks and troops Sd.Kfz. 250/1 neuer Art.Also something that we have not had for a long time a gallery entry from Andy Bannister.

  • Review Tracks and troops Sd.Kfz. 250/1 neuer Art .by Rob Haelterman
  • Gallery Type 61 by Andy Bannister

 

Jan 05 2007 - I have updated the ACE Scorpion review

Jan 2007 - First one of the New Year and may I wish all my visitors a Happy and Prosperous New year. I was toying with the idea of doing a review of the year in models, but when you get to my age all the years roll into one and I can't say for certain what has happened this year and when. Let us hope that 2007 brings us a good a crop of models as 2006 did.

You will notice that I have changed the front page of the web site and now shows the Cromwell logo with a link to their web site, this is because Cromwell provide kits for review, but have no other influence on the review or site, if any other manufacturer starts to support the site in the same way, then they will also receive a logo with link to their web site.

My first Resolution for the new year was to completely finish the T-72 article and I am nearly there so look out for it in the near future. My other resolution was to do more Reviews and not just previews, this is harder, because I buy most of my models with my own money, I feel it only fair that I build the kits the way I want, which means changing it in someway or other. On the other hand any donated kit will be built out of the box without change. That said I wish to add more reviews and have a lot nearly finished where reviews can be done, so they will be added in 2007.

New for this update are: -

  • Preview ACE CVR(T) Scorpion by Simon Barnes
  • Preview Dragon Sd.Kfz 251/2 Auf C mit Granatwerfer by Simon Barnes
  • Preview Dragon Firefly Vc by Simon Barnes
  • Preview Dragon Sd.Kfz 251 mit werfrahmen by Simon Barnes
  • Preview Trumpeter Sherman M4A3 by Simon Barnes
  • Preview Trumpeter Sherman M4A3E8 by Simon Barne s
  • Preview Dragon Panzerkampfwagen VI (P) by Simon Barnes
  • Preview Dragon AAVP-7A1 RAMS/RS w/EAAK by Simon Barnes

Dec 2006 - a new preview/Review

  • Preview/Review Cromwell Achzarit By Simon Barnes

Oct 2006 - Some new previews

  • Preview UM Marder III by Simon Barnes
  • Preview UM Marder III ausf H by Simon Barnes
  • Preview UM Marder III ausf M by Simon Barnes
  • Preview UM Sd.Kfz 140/1 By Simon Barnes
  • Preview UM Hetzer by Simon Barnes
  • Preview Italeri M20 Utility by Simon Barnes
  • Preview Italeri ISU 152 By Simon Barnes
  • Preview Italeri Pz.Kpfw 1B by Simon Barnes
  • Preview Trumpeter M4A1 76(W) by Simon Barnes
  • Preview Dragon M4A3 By Simon Barnes
  • Preview Dragon M4 Normandy by Simon Barnes
  • Article Pt 2 Backdating the T-72 by Simon Barnes

Oct 2006 - OOPs forgot to add the commentry to the Italeri IS-2 Preview, now added

Oct 2006- It's been a long while since the last update, the more astute of you might have noticed that there are some preview in the kitlists that are not listed here, this is because I have just loaded the pictures up, I will announce them here when I have written something to them.

  • Preview Trumpeter IS-3M By Simon Barnes
  • Preview ACE S-10cm K18 by Simon Barnes
  • Preview ACE PAK 38 by Simon Barnes
  • Preview ACE FH 18/40 105mm by Simon Barnes
  • Preview ACE A-19 122mm By Simon Barnes
  • Preview Dragon T34/76 German Army by Simon Barnes
  • Preview Hat Sherman Firefly by Simon Barnes
  • Preview Hat PzIII Ausf G by Simon Barnes
  • Preview Hat PzIII Ausf J by Simon Barnes

July 2006- just some previews for today

  • Preview Trumpeter IS-3 by Simon Barnes
  • Preview Dragon Hummel By Simon Barnes
  • Preview UM Sd.Kfz 138/1M Bison by Simon Barnes
  • Preview UM Sd.Kfz 140 AA Vehicle by Simon Barnes
  • Preview UM BA-6 By Simon Barnes
  • Preview Italeri IS-2 By Simon Barnes

22 July 2006- It has been a while but here is the latest update, the T-72 article will be a work in progress until completion but all the main details are there for you to backdate the Revell or ACE kits.

  • Preview Cpl Overby Pz III Ausf E by Rob Haelterman
  • Preview Details 72 Steering Wheels by Thomas Braden
  • Preview Details 72 German 2.5 ton GS Trailer by Thomas Braden
  • Preview Wespe Models Mack7.5 ton Prime Mover by Thomas Braden
  • Article Backdating the T-72M by Simon Barnes

 

30 May 2006 - Today I have recieved the first entry with the templates I supplied back, Many thanks to Francisco who executed this perfectly.

  • Gallery Airfix Sd.Kfz.222 By Francisco Bexiga

29 May 2006 - I have altered the T-72 comparison article to include more information. It can be found here

27 May 2006 - Another short one

  • Preview: Revell T72M1 By Simon Barnes
  • Article: T-72 Comparison By Simon Barnes

26 May 2006 - a sort of ongoing thing !

  • Preview: ACE T-90 By Simon Barnes
  • Preview: ACE T-72 By Simon Barnes
  • Preview: ACE Cougar By Simon Barnes
  • Preview: ACE ZU-23 AA Gun By Simon Barnes

 

20 May 2006 -A quick one for tonight

  • Preview: Dragon JagdPzIV by Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Dragon M2A2 Bradley w/ERA by Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Dragon T-34 1942 by Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Dragon T-34 1944 by Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Italeri Matilda Mk2 By Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Italeri SdKfz 232 by Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Preiser Advancing grenadiers w/ MG by Rob Haelterman

 

03 May 2006- A good friend once told me that information was the death of modelling? I didn't get this until recently, I thought how can information be bad for modelling?? surely it must be a good thing?? Well here's how it works. You will notice that on the Dragon Stug IV's there is still no commentary to them, I also have reviews of the Dragon T-34's but as yet has held on to them, why? Information ! there is so much of it about, so many books telling us this is correct and that is wrong, then there are others saying that is correct and this is wrong! then there are the books that say something completely different all together! I have read that Dragons T-34 Model 42 hull is wrong ?and quoting a impressive list of references, but in the review I am writing I find it hard to say that the hull is wrong, why? I have a set of Russian drawings of 5 different hulls of which the Dragon hull is one! So does that mean that the drawings are wrong?? or the references quoted not comprehensive enough? and in between all this looking at references the amount of modelling being done is getting woefully less and less. With all this looking for references and time spent at work and my family life, I now know the meaning of my friends statement and find it sad that these days people are sometimes quick to criticize based on what they have read, written by someone who is only human and can make mistakes and miss information just like the rest of us mere mortals. What is the point of this ramble ?? I am not sure!, I suppose that it is OK to point things out that according to the references you have are wrong, but to condemn the kit is a bit much, unless you can prove comprehensively that it is wrong.The hard lesson I have learnt, is to never say never with anything Russian up to present day and up until modern times for the rest of the world, although working out the Chieftain mks and which are which comes a close Baffling second. The only other thing I have to say is that we should get back to enjoying this hobby of ours and do more modelling!, There will never be the perfect kit and it is always up to the individual as to what they want to make out of a kit.

The site has been updated but this is the first time that I have written what has been done, so if you have seen some of these before then I apologize.

  • Article: Humvee Wheels a Comparison by Doug Chaltry
  • Article: Hetzer Comparison By Stephen Brezinski
  • Preview: Pegasus E-25 by Doug Chaltry
  • Preview: Profi-Kit Panther PE by Doug Chaltry
  • Preview: Cpl Overbys Motor Pool M50 late by Doug Chaltry
  • Preview: Cpl Overbys Motor Pool M51 By Doug Chaltry
  • Gallery: Cromwell Mk IV by Alan Ray
  • Gallery: Pz III Ausf L by Brett Mahoney
  • Gallery: Beute Panzer by Pacal Hut
  • Gallery: Milk Run by Pascal Hut
  • Gallery: FlAK Bunker By Pascal Hut

30 January 2006 - First of all I must apologise for anyone that has been trying to get hold of me, events have conspired against me, I thought that it had been a bit quiet !! the good news is I still have everything that has been sent, although it was in a different place than it should have been, so i will be doing an update with the new material shortly, for those that have asked me questions I will answer them as soon as possible .

01 January 2006 - A happy new year to one and all and may your year be a good one. The first update of the year on the first day of the year, can't be bad ? just need to see if I can keep it up !. Cromwell have released their new 1/72nd kits in quick succession, lets hope that they carry on in the new year with new releases, hopefully we will see some vehicles that are not yet available in any medium !

  • Preview: Cromwell Merkava 2 B Dor Dalet by Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Cromwell Magach 6B Batash by Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Cromwell Merkava 4 by Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Cromwell Merkava 3 Dor Dalet by Simon Barnes
  • Gallery: Hunting for Provisions by Adrian Turcu
  • Gallery: Sonntags Ruhe by Pascal Hut
  • Gallery: Stampede by Pascal Hut
  • Gallery: Rooikat 105mm by Scott Wadyko

 

30 November- Aside from these updates, Doug has also updated his Planet Models PZ IV J review. I will get round to updating the kit lists shortly as well as adding a new page for the newly released Cromwell Models 1/72nd resin kits, if anybody has any info on newly released kits our out of date lists, please let me know.

  • Preview: Trumpeter AS 90 by Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Caliber 72 Greyhound wheels by Doug Chaltry
  • Preview: Caliber 72 Sherman Stamped wheels by Doug Chaltry
  • Preview: Caliber 72 Sherman Cast wheels by Doug Chaltry
  • Preview: Caliber 72 US WWII Tank Crew by Dave Showell
  • Preview: Armo Panzerbeobachtungswagon IV H by Rob Haelterman
  • Article : Valentine by Stephen Brezinski
  • Gallery : German 3-ton Vehicle w/Gas Generator by Pascal Hut
  • Gallery : UM T-80 by Brett Mahoney
  • Gallery : PST KV-1 by Brett Mahoney
  • Gallery : Iraq 1991 by Olivier Dubufresnil

31 October - Just a quick one for tonight

  • Preview: Extratech Challenger 2 Photo-etch by Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Extratech Warrior MCV Photo-etch by Simon Barnes

29 October- Just a couple of new things for today

  • Preview: ACE T-26 PE Tracks by Taras Karabin
  • Preview: ACE KV-1,2 PE Tracks by Taras Karabin
  • Preview: ACE T-72 RMsh Tracks by Taras Karabin
  • Preview: Goffy Magach 6b by Simon Barnes

21 October- Never let your wife play with your computer they always manage to mess it up!! After having to reformat my pc I can now access the net again and carry on with the updates I was doing .

  • Preview: Armo M110A2 by Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Armo ASU-85 by Simon Barnes
  • Preview: OKB Grigorov T-72 tracks by Simon Barnes
  • Preview: OKB Grigorov T-72 detail set by Simon Barnes
  • Preview: OKB Grigorov S-35 Somua tracks by Simon Barnes
  • Preview: OKB Grigorov BA-3,6,10 full track By Simon Barnes
  • Preview: OKB Grigorov T-44 Tracks for T-34 By Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Retrokit Leichte reihenwerfer auf Somua S307 by Julius Ebke
  • Gallery: Revell Cromwell Mk IV by Martin Sedlacek

07 October- New reviews and pictures for today are: -

  • Preview: Planetmodels Pz Kpfw. IV ausf J by Doug Chaltry
  • Preview: Trumpeter Strv 103C By Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Trumpeter Type 90 JGSDF by Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Trumpeter Type 74 JGSDF by Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Trumpeter Type 61 JGSDF by Simon Barnes
  • Preview: Academy U.S Ambulance and Tow Truck by Christopher Benjamin
  • Preview: MR Modelbau M8 correction and detail set by Thomas Braden
  • Preview: MR Modelbau M8,M10 Ammunition trailer by Thomas Braden
  • Preview: UM Ammunition carrier Mun Schlepper 38(t) by Rob Haelterman
  • Preview: Hasegawa Sd Kfz 234/3 by Rob Haelterman

02 September- two new ones for today

  • Comparison : BTR-60 Comparison by Simon Barnes
  • Review: CMSC Warrior MCRV by Simon Barnes

 

22 August - Slowly but surely I am getting there, If you do come across any broken links then please let me know.I have finally changed Marko Mäkinens Renault FT-17 to the right place. I have also added Rob Haeltermans AB figures reviews. I have also updated the OKB accessory list.

  • Review: AB figures Panzertruppen 1939/40 in berets
  • Review: AB figures Panzertruppen 1942/45 in winter clothing
  • Review: AB figures Sturmgeschuetz/ Sturmartillerie crews

15 August- Hopefully the whole front page is now populated and the links are working, although site-wide there are still links not working. I have added Stephen Brezinski's review of the Dragon Hornise to the page, I have also added a foot note to the Dragon M1 Preview .

  • Preview: Dragon StuG IV Late
  • Preview: Dragon Hornisse
  • Preview: Dragon HMMWV M1025
  • Preview: Dragon T-34/76 Mod.1941
  • Preview: ACE Cougar
  • Preview: Gran Gaz-39371 Vodnik
  • Preview: PDI Warrior turned brass barrel
  • Preview: PDI Warrior interior
  • Preview: CMSC Dozer Blade
  • Preview: Dragon StuG IV Early

18 July- The updates go on, dont be alarmed if you find that some of the previews don't have any text to them, I am uploading the pictures to the site first as it takes the longest, and adding the links during the upload saves on time. Once the site is officially opened the updates will be added as normal.

17 July- Although the site isn't officially opened yet, I have got the majority of the site up and running, it is now a matter of finding the 795 broken links and fixing them! I still have a few things to change and the updates to add. The delay has been with the way this server is laid out, completely different to the old on the way and my old armouredplastic web site were. Now I know where things are supposed to go, it will be a lot easier from now on.

16 July- Welcome back to the old and new "on the way" Old because I have not made a lot of changes to the site, I know that the site now belongs to me, but I don't feel the need to make great sweeping changes just to prove the fact, beside I don't really feel like it is mine, Doug designed it and made it what it is, I am just carrying on his good work.

I have removed the site supporters page, like Doug I pay for the up keep of this site out of my own pocket, the upside of this is that any reviews will be totally unbiased, based on what I think of the model, and I stress that it is my opinion only and not gospel. reviews will be based on accuracy of a kit first and foremost as personally I think that it is the most important factor, then will come ease of build and fit of parts etc in no particular order, although I do realize that these things are important for other people.

Something else that I have found in the archives of the site is the book review page, I am thinking of starting it up again. I think that books are important but it is knowing which ones to get and which contain the information or drawings that you need for your project. With that in mind I will only be reviewing books that contain information on vehicles and I have plenty of my own to be starting with.

So welcome back, I hope that I can live up to expectations and that the site remains the great site that it was.

31 May - [Doug] Welcome to my last update as webmaster of this site. I tried to make it a big one. I have prepared a Farewell Statement , for those of you who may be interested. I will still be able to be reached at for personal discussions, but from this point on, all website-related correspondence should be directed to Simon. Please refer to the Contact Information page for the proper email addresses for site submissions.

At this time, I have emptied my in-box of all remaining contributed material. A small number of them I have forwarded on to Simon, but most of them are posted below. If you had sent something to the site and it was never posted, it may have been lost in my email fiasco last week. Please contact Simon to find out if you need to resubmit it.

  • Article: Adding Grooves to ESCI Double-wide Wheels by Alan Mede
  • Article: Sd.Kfz. 234/2 "Puma" Comparative Review by Doug Chaltry
  • Construction Review: Finnish StuG IIIs by Marko Mäkinen
  • Construction Review: RPM Renault FT-17 by Marko Mäkinen
  • Construction Review: MR Models Pz. III Ausf. G by Dave Showell
  • Construction Review: Cooperativa SU-85 by Augusto Versiani
  • Construction Review: Unimodel BT-2 by Augusto Versiani
  • Painting Review: AB Figures Panzertruppen in Winter Suits by Rob Haelterman
  • Preview: AB Figures Panzertruppen 1940/43 in Side Caps by Rob Haelterman
  • Preview: AB Figures Panzertruppen 1943/45 by Rob Haelterman
  • Preview: Aber 152mm Gun Barrel by Doug Chaltry
  • Preview: ADV Modern French Infantry by Doug Chaltry
  • Preview: CPL Overby's M50 Israeli Sherman by Jorit Wintjes
  • Preview: Extratech German Tank Maintenance Team by Rob Haelterman
  • Preview: Hasegawa Sd.Kfz. 234/2 Puma by Doug Chaltry
  • Preview: Italeri Sd.Kfz. 234/2 Puma by Doug Chaltry
  • Preview: JK Resin Ferdinand Exterior by Doug Chaltry
  • Preview: Leva Cullins Hedgerow Devices by Stephen Brezinski
  • Preview: Mister Panzer Centauro Tank Destroyer by Doug Chaltry
  • Preview: MR Models Jagdtiger by Doug Chaltry
  • Preview: PART Pz Spähwagen P 204(f) Detail Set by Doug Chaltry
  • Preview: PST Tires for MAZ Tractors by Alexey Kluchko
  • Preview: RPM Pz Spähwagen P 204(f) with 5 cm KwK L/42 by Doug Chaltry
  • Preview: Warriors German Tank Riders #2 by Doug Chaltry
  • Industry News
Site Statistics:            
  • As of 31 May, this site now hosts: 94 Construction Reviews, 816 product Previews (kits, figures and accessories), 242 Manufacturer Lists, 61 Articles, and 552 Gallery entries.
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