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MilMod has juste released Schopf F110 Aircraft Tug resin kits/sets. - ref. MM072-132 - Schopf F110 4x4 Aicraft Tug - Medium Type with Large tow bar & Tug Equipment (Europe) Source: https://www.aviationmegastore.com/schopf-f110-4x4-aicraft-tug---medium-type-with-large-tow-bar--tug-equipment-europe-milmod-military-models-mm072-132-aircraft-scale-modelling/product/?action=prodinfo&art=181889 - ref. MM072-133 - Schopf F110 Aicraft Tug - Medium Type with Large tow bar & Tug Equipment (Overseas) Source: https://www.aviationmegastore.com/schopf-f110-aicraft-tug---medium-type-with-large-tow-bar--tug-equipment-overseas-milmod-military-models-mm072-133-aircraft-scale-modelling/product/?action=prodinfo&art=181890 V.P.

VideoAviation has just released a 1/32nd Schopf U.S. NAVY Modern Tow Tractor Source: http://www.videoaviation.com/ground-support/132-u-s-navy-modern-tow-tractor/ Instructions: http://www.videoaviation.com/?wpdmact=process&did=NDAuaG90bGluaw== V.P.

Modern RAF/RN Tractor (181248) 1:48 VideoAviation Made by Schopf, the F59 Multitow tractor is the current weapon of choice used by the RAF and Royal Navy to move their aircraft around the airfield or deck as appropriate. Powered by a 1104D-44T Perkins diesel engine or Deutz TD2011 L04 diesel, they are four-wheel drive with front steering, and left-hand drive due to its European origin. The Kit This is a multimedia kit from our friends at VideoAviation, a follow-on from their earlier 1:72 release. It arrives in a sturdy card box with a sticker showing the contents, and inside are thirty six resin parts, a sheet of Photo-Etch (PE) brass, a pre-cut sheet of clear acetate, a short length of styrene rod, a decal sheet and the instruction sheet, which you can also download from the Further Information link below. The body part is wrapped in bubble-wrap with a chunk of dense foam preventing the doors from getting crushed during transit, which is a good plan and was taken off to show more of the detail. The resin parts are in a ziplok bag, and the rest of the more delicate acetate, PE and decals are ion their own bag, protected by the card that the acetate is stapled to. The main body is cast as a single part, with the roof and windows added as separate parts after installation of the seat backs, steering wheel with rod column and dashboard. The acetate windows are pre-cut to fit the apertures, but it is suggested that you paint the main colour before installing them to ease your way. The 24v power generator fits between the rear wheels, the roof (with box and warning flasher) slots in between the doors, and the windscreen closes up the front of the cab. PE windscreen wipers are added to the front, another being added at the rear once the rear screen is in place. The light clusters are upgraded with PE parts, and a cluster of wing mirrors are also PE parts, which would benefit from a coat of Molotow Liquid Chrome to replicate the mirrors. A multi-loop towing hook is fitted to the front and rear with its pin, the wheels and their hubs attach to the moulded-in stub axles on each corner. When the rear screen is inserted, an L-shaped mesh panel is fitted over it, and grilles over the light clusters protect them from damage. The final PE part is a short upstand on the right side of the rear deck, which makes up a stowage area. Markings If you are painting your tractor as a British machine, yellow is the only colour, but other operators tend to favour NATO green, if you are going off-piste for your markings. The decals are well-printed and include the chevrons for the bumpers, number plates and a pair of RAF and RN logos that are applied to the lower side of the doors. Conclusion The inclusion of everything you need to build the model barring the paint and glue is a big plus-point for any VideoAviation kit IMHO, and this one is no exception, even down to the detail of the crew step that has a tiny PE insert. The positioning of the pour stubs is sensible, and preparation shouldn't be too difficult, even for the novice resin user. As usual with resin, take the precaution of wearing a mask when cutting or sanding resin, as the tiny particles are harmful to your health if breathed in. Washing the parts in warm water will also improve the adhesion of paint, as there may still be some moulding release agent on the parts when you receive them. Casting is excellent, although a couple of small bubbles were present on my sample's seat backs, but as they won't be seen, clean up won't be too onerous. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Modern RAF/RN Tractor 1:72 Eduard Although it doesn't say it on the box, this kit depicts the Schopf F59 aircraft tow tractor. Schopf is a German company, formed in the late 1940s to produce vehicles for the mining industry. They soon branched out into the aviation industry, and is now a leading producer of tow tractors, loading vehicles and stair lifts. The F59 is a four-wheel drive tractor designed to for towing for civil and military aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of 70 tons. This is another resin kit from VideoAviation, an Italian firm who specialise in military aviation ground equipment for use in dioramas. I believe they started out producing 1:48 scale kits, but happily they have now decided to do the decent thing and scale down many of their subjects to the gentleman's scale. The kit arrives in a small, sturdy white box with a picture of the kit on the top. Inside there are 23 resin parts 27 photo etched parts, decals, pre-cut transparent parts and some plastic rod. This is the second Videoaviation that I've received for review, and very impressive it is too. The resin parts have been beautifully produced. Casting is extremely crisp and sharp and I couldn't find any bubbles anywhere. The casting blocks have been thoughtfully placed, so clean-up shouldn't be too onerous. The usual warnings about resin dust apply when preparing the parts ready for assembly, and I would recommend giving the parts a good clean in warm soapy water to remove any residual mould release agent. Construction should be fairly straightforward as the chassis and cab are cast in one piece. To this platform, details such as the steering wheel, seat backs and roof have to be added. The towing equipment is supplied for fitting to the rear of the tractor, while small details are covered by resin (lights) or photo etched (windscreen wipers, door mirrors) parts. I'm not usually a massive fan of plastic sheet for glazing (mainly due to my own limitations as a modeller, I admit) but the pre-cut versions supplied with this kit look to be much easier to use. The towing bar is a mini kit in itself. The bar is cast as a single, solid part to which the u-shaped axle, wheels and the towing linkage are added. The latter is a three-prong fitting with photo etched parts and a piece of the supplied styrene rod required to finish it off. The instructions tell you to paint the vehicle and the towbar in overall yellow (Humbrol 99). Decals are provided for RAF and Royal Navy versions. Conclusion This is a cracking little model that shouldn't take too long to build and paint, but which will add real interest and depth to a diorama. You could even use it for a civilian diorama, should you have access to an appropriate kit in that scale. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of