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Dear fellow Britmodellers, this is my modelling output from 2023. All photographs by Wolfgang Rabel. 1/72 Hasegawa B-26B Marauder "Big Hairy Bird" of 599th Bomb Squadron, 397th Bomb Group, built with CMK landing gear doors, Quickboost gun packs, True Details wheels and Scale Aircraft Conversions metal landing gear. 1/72 Italeri SM.82 Canguro, built from the box, with Italian Kits decals. 1/72 AZ Model Bf-109 G10 (WNF production) with photo etch from Brengun, vacu canopy from Rob Taurus, pitot tube from Master and decal markings from Eagle Cals, representing an aircraft of II./JG 52 in 1945. Another 1/72 AZ Model Bf-109 G10 (Erla production) in markings of II. Gruppo Caccia ANR, in Aviano, early 1945, built with Brengun photo-etch, Rob Taurus vacu, Master gun barrels and pitot tube and Sky Models decals. 1/72 Italeri A-26B Invader in markings of 416th Bomb Group in 1944/45, with Kitsworld decals, True Details wheels, Eduard exterior set, Scale Aircraft Conversions landing gear, Quickboost gun barrels and home-made "clamshell style" canopy doors to represent a late production aircraft. 1/72 Arma Hobby F-6C recce Mustang in markings of the French Air Force, 1945, out of the box. 1/72 Eduard Spitfire Mk.VIII built from the "Profi-Pack" in "high altitude scheme" of RAF 32. Squadron in Foggia, Italy, 1944. 1/72 Legato UC-61 Forwarder, out of the box. 1/72 Hasegawa Mosquito FB Mk.VI in markings of Sqn.Leader Robert Allan Kip of 418. Squadron in summer 1944, with metal gun barrels from Master and photo-etch from Part. 1/72 Airfix DH Mosquito photo recon version PR.XVI, built from the box in markings of 25th Bomb Group, USAAF 1944. 1/72 Kora Fw-190 A9 in markings of JG 301. 1/72 Kovozávody Prostějov La-5FN in colors of 813.GIAP (fighter regiment) in spring 1945, built from the box with pitot tube from wire. 1/72 Academy Il-2M, built from the box. 1/72 Hasegawa Ju-88 D1 in markings of the Romanian Air Force in 1944/45, with DK Decals, Eduard photo-etch (interior and exterior) and True Details wheels. 1/72 UM M32B1 Recovery Vehicle with resin tracks from OKB Grigorov, figure from Milicast, and towing cables from Eureka. 1/72 Vespid Panther G (late production) in markings of 16. Panzerdivision in Silesia, 1945, with Preiser figure. 1/72 Orange Hobby SdKfz 7 (early) with figures from Milicast and stowage from Blackdog & CMK. 1/72 Zebrano AEC Mk.III (full resin kit) decals and photo-etch antenna socket from Dan Taylor Modelworks. 1/72 IBG Centaur Mk.IV with Dan Taylor Modelworks' antenna socket and figure from White Stork Miniatures. 1/72 Trumpeter M26A1 Pershing with OKB Grigorov tracks, stowage from Blackdog and figure from Milicast. 1/72 Ceasar Miniatures Demag D7 (SdKfz 10), with stowage from Blackdog. Thank you for your interest in my work, best greetings! Roman

Land Rover Series 1 Pickup Starter Set (A55012) 1:43 Airfix Following WWII, and possibly a little bit jealous of the Americans and their Jeeps, the British armed forces decided that they needed a British designed and built Jeep-alike of their own, although they approached the design from a different angle that led to long-lived series of vehicles that went by the name of Land Rover from 1948 to 1985, many of which are still in operation, and are supported by an ownership base that verges on religious in its devotion to the type. Built initially by Rover until they were merged into British Leyland, it developed from being based on a butchered Jeep chassis to a newly-designed welded box chassis that used an aluminium alloy for body panels as steel was in short supply at the time. It had the luxury of doors, and with a hardtop available to give it a more car-like experience, better suited to our British climate. Production began with the Series I, and evolved via the Series II to the Series III in long (LWB) and short (SWB) wheelbase versions, which had many cosmetic changes as well as those under the skin. Later improvements saw stiffening of the body, strengthening of the transmission that had been a weak-spot, and optional more comfortable trim levels that broadened its appeal, although the fuel consumption was always an eye-opener, even on those vehicles that had selectable two-wheel drive. For Landy fans afford to run their motors must now involve privations elsewhere, thanks to the cost of fuel. Well over a million were sold all over the world, and some variants were license-built overseas, although they still followed the original pattern closely, so bore a striking resemblance to their progenitor. The original intent for the Land Rover was military service, and even though farmers and civilians alike took to it as well, various Land Rover variants saw military service with the British armed services, as well as those in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa amongst others, including the Forward Control that looked more like a truck, but still kept many of the Land Rover’s other design cues. Although it has been out of production for many years, there is still much love for the Landy out there, and now that Land Rover’s new owners Tata have created a modern replacement, it’s not hard to imagine how much the purists will hate its looks, as well as the price. Having seen one on the road recently, I’m with the traditionalists. It’s a bland, up-market pig (IMHO). With the Electric version coming, that price is likely to soar to near or past £100k. The Kit This is another brand-new tooling in 1:43 from Airfix’s new range that seems to expand every month of late. The legendary Land Rover pickup arrives in a small end-opening box with a header-hanger for vertical display, and as it is a starter set, it also includes four thumb-pots of acrylic paint, a small tube of plastic cement, and a #2 paintbrush with its man-made bristles protected by a clear cylindrical shroud. The kit consists of two sprues in grey styrene, following the “no outer runners” maxim for this range, while the clear sprue has runners. The small decal sheet and instruction booklet printed in colour complete the package, and if you were wondering where the painting guide was, it’s on the back of the box. We’ve come to expect excellent detail from this range, and this kit is no different, having a ton of it moulded into every part that should result in a highly detailed kerbside model of this almost legendary utility vehicle. These starter sets also hold the modeller’s hand by including locations for glue in yellow, and providing a sprue diagram at each step that points out the location to the builder, which is a time-saver whether you’re a novice or not. Construction begins with the rear bulkhead of the cab, mounting the backs of the three seats that are moulded on a carrier plate, and inserting the rear window from inside, then taking that assembly and fitting it to the floor pan, gluing it to the step between the two sections, and joining it with a stepped cab floor that has the seat bases moulded-in. The distinctive grille and wing-fronts are moulded as one, and have the light lenses, which are moulded as a single part on a carrier, pressed into the holes from behind. This again caters for the novice modeller, saving them having to fiddle about putting two small parts into correspondingly small cut-outs, doesn’t affect detail one iota, giving you the option to apply the glue to the carrier to prevent fogging the lenses, which is always nice. The bonnet has the tops of the wings moulded-in, and both vertical inner panels are moulded into another carrier to help with alignment, but to the detailer, it would be tricky to excavate to install an engine. Does anyone do that at this scale? Probably. Some of our fellow modellers are really good at their hobby, and just a little bit nuts. The grille and wing fronts are then mated to the bonnet, and the firewall is correctly detailed with right-hand-drive steering wheel and one-piece windscreen that has a groove down the centre to locate the central frame of the screen. Two dial decals are applied to recesses in the binnacle, and a third decal is applied in the shallow centre console to add a little detail to the interior, then it is joined to the rear of the bonnet and installed on the front of the floor pan. The body sides are full length, including the sides of the load bed, the doors and the outer front wings, which are joined to the floor pan after inserting the side windows from within and painting the door cards, adding the roof and tailgate to complete the Land Rover look. The model is flipped onto its back to add more of the chassis, and paint those sections that are moulded into the floor, adding a cross-member under the bed, two chassis rail sections with moulded-in leaf-springs in the rear, and the leaf-springs at the front. The two axles, their differential housings and drive-shafts are each moulded as two parts, and these sit under the centres of the leaf-springs, mating to the moulded-in transfer box. Two more cross-members are fitted between the chassis rails, then the wheels are made up from two halves each, with different hubs for the front and rear pairs, plus another two-part wheel that mounts on the bonnet to finish the build. The last step shows the application of the Land Rover badge decals and the number plates, but those are replicated on the back of the box. Markings Only one example is shown on the back of the box, and it is painted in a primer-like grey, with dark blue/grey chassis and wheel hubs. From the box you can build this: Decals are by Cartograf, which is a guarantee of good registration, sharpness and colour density, with a thin gloss carrier film cut close to the printed areas. Conclusion One of our members has already bought and built one of these, so we know it builds up well, and with careful painting and decaling, it looks great. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Dear fellow Britmodellers, here's my 2022 production line, all in 1/72 scale. Finished model photographs by Wolfgang Rabel. This was a year of many changes. I quit my job, inherited a house, and moved from the city to the countryside. Once primarily an aircraft builder, my output of small-scale AFVs has been increasing, and they are making up almost half of my total builds now! I hope you like my selection, and thanks for your interest in my works. JANUARY 1/72 Italeri IS-2, with CMK figures, Blackdog stowage, OKB Grigorov tracks and Colibri decals. 1/72 Kovozávody Prostějov Ilyushin Il-2M, with Quickboost gun barrels. 1/72 Heller Sherman M4A2 built as a British Mk.III, with figure, brushguards and antenna socket from Dan Taylor Modelworks. The antenna is a piece of stretched black sprue, the towing cable is from Eureka, and stowage is from Milicast. Markings represent a mid-production vehicle of the Junior Regiment of C-Squadron, 27th Armoured Brigade, in France, 1944. 1/72 UM SU-85M with resin tracks from OKB Grigorov, CMK resin fuel tanks and Dragon spiderwheels. 1/72 Tamiya Fw-190D with photo-etch from ResIm and markings from Eagle Cals, representing an aircraft of JG301. FEBRUARY 1/72 Dragon Panzer IV Ausf.J "Final Production", built from the box. 1/72 IBG Fw-190D, straight from the box, in markings of JG2. MARCH 1/72 Arma Hobby P-51B out of the box. APRIL 1/72 Zvezda Sherman M4A2, with stowage from Sandsmodels and BlackDog, steel towing cable from Karaya, photo-etch brushguards from Dan Taylor Modelworks and antenna from stretched sprue. 1/72 Airfix DH Mosquito B.XVI straight from the box, with slightly silvering decals. 1/72 IBG Ford Maultier with Modelltrans resin tracks. A bit out of my usual interest and scale, this is the 1/87 (HO) Trident Steyr 4K 4FA, as used by the Austrian Army. A commissoned build. MAY 1/72 Airfix P-51D Mustang, converted to Mk.IV using Freightdog conversion and markings from Xtradecal, representing an aircraft of 19. Squadron in Peterhead, 1945. 1/72 Revell Heinkel He-177 A-5, markings from Eagle Strike. 1/72 Stransky Kits Bücker Bü-181 "Panzerbücker" 1/72 Academy Ford GPA with Blackdog stowage. 1/72 Tamiya Bf-109 G6 in colorful Romanian markings, decals from "Romanian Roundels Over Czechoslovakia" (DK72088). "Tumpi-Bumpi Flostomok" was the mount of Lt. Baciu from Grupul 1 Vanatorare, in May 1945. JUNE 1/72 Dragon Heinkel He-219 A2 with photo-etch from Eduard, resin wheels from True Details and decals from AIMS, representing an aircraft of NJG3. The mottle scheme was free-handed, using my trusted Harder & Steenbeck airbrush with 0,15mm nozzle. 1/72 Kovozávody Prostějov Spitfire Mk.XI in colors of the USAAF. JULY 1/72 Airfix Hawker Tempest, straight from the box. AUGUST 1/72 Dragon SdKfz 165 Hummel, from the box. 1/72 IBG Cromwell IV with resin tracks and wheels from Tank Models, etched antenna socket from Dan Taylor Modelworks and stowage from Modelltrans. Markings represent a vehicle of the British 6th Airborne Armoured Regiment, 6th Airborne Division, operating in Normandy in summer 1944. SEPTEMBER 1/72 Hasegawa SdKfz 251, converted to a battlefield ambulance by covering the (poorly detailled) interior with Sandsmodels tarpaulin and adding Aleran Miniatures red-cross decals. 1/72 Hasegawa SdKfz 234/3, built from the box. 1/72 Finemolds Bf-109K4 with etched parts (armored headrest, seatbelts, antennas) from a Brengun set and a pitot tube from Master, markings from the box. OCTOBER Another 1/72 IBG Fw-190D, this is the "Over Czech Lands" boxing, representing an aircraft of the 211 XXX Werknummer range, identified by the late three-piece gun cowl with small round bulges in the lower rear position. Decals from Eagle Cals (#108) 1/72 Academy Dodge WC54 Ambulance with stretchers from Milicast. The red-cross decals were sprayed using a paper template. 1/72 UM SU-76M Soviet assault gun with metal barrel from RB Productions. 1/72 Zvezda Yak-9D with decals from Printscale. NOVEMBER 1/72 Dragon Sherman M4A3 with sandbag armor from Blackdog and figure from Milicast. 1/72 Dragon Sherman M4A4 dressed as "Philippsbourg" from the Free French Army 1945. I added OKB Grigorov resin tracks, Eureka towing cable, Milicast figure and stowage and Peddinghaus decals. The antenna is from stretched black sprue. 1/72 Arma Hobby Yak-1B, built from the "Expert Set" box. DECEMBER 1/72 Valom C-46D Commando in markings of "Operation Varsity", March 1945. I wish you a great holiday season and a lucky new year. Greetings from Austria, Roman

Dear fellow Britmodellers, here's my annual round-up of completed model kits. Due to external circumstances 2021 turned out to be one of my most productive years. All photographs by Wolfgang Rabel. 1/72 Special Hobby Marder II 1/72 AZ Model Bf-109 G14AS "Black 3" of JG27: 1/72 Revell SdKfz 7: 1/72 UniModel SU-100 with OKB Grigorov wheels: 1/72 Academy M3 Half Track with Blackdog stowage: 1/72 Eduard Fw-190 A8 "Black 4" of JG300: 1/72 Eduard Spitfire IXe "Soviet Air Force": 1/72 Hasegawa He-111 H-16 (with special thanks to @Sky Keg ) : 1/72 Airfix Me-262 A2: 1/72 Italeri M8 Greyhound: 1/72 Tamiya Mosquito Mk.XVII: 1/72 Eastern Express Yak-9B: 1/72 Attack Mercedes L1500: 1/72 Dragon Willys Jeep w/armored cab: 1/72 Dan Taylor Modelworks Humber Mk.II: 1/72 Special Hobby SdKfz 250: 1/72 Hasegawa Ju-88 G1: 1/72 Sabre Kits Henschel Hs-126: 1/72 Revell Sturmpanzer 38(t) Grille Ausf. M: 1/72 Kovozávody Prostějov Lavochkin La-5: 1/72 Kovozávody Prostějov Hawker Tempest Mk.V: 1/72 Dragon Sherman M4A1: 1/72 Arsenal Model Group P-63A "Soviet Air Force": 1/72 IBG Otter Scout Car: 1/72 Revell P-47D Thunderbolt: 1/72 Revell T-34/85 with OKB Grigorov wheels and Golikov Project turret: 1/72 Special Hobby A-20 Boston "Soviet Air Force": 1/72 PST ZIS-6 with M30 122mm Howitzer: 1/72 AZ Model Bf-109 G-10/R2 (recce version w/ AML camera housing): 1/72 Sword Spitfire XIVe "Polish Squadron": 1/72 Dragon T-34/85 with OKB Grigorov tracks and wheels, Golikov Project turret: Thank you for your interest, all the best for 2022. Greetings from Vienna Roman

Dear fellow Britmodellers, here's my round-up of models built in 2020. All photographs by Wolfgang Rabel. 1/72 Fine Molds Bf-109 G10 1/72 Fine Molds Bf-109 K4 1/72 Dragon P-61 1/72 Dora Wings Lysander Mk.III (SD) 1/72 Dragon Arado Ar-234 1/72 Fly Models Fiat G.50bis 1/72 Airfix B-17G 1/72 Airfix C-47 1/72 Kovozavody Prostejov Cessna UC78 1/72 IBG Scammel Pioneer SV2S Truck 1/72 Tamiya F-6D Mustang (special thanks to @Sky Keg for the decal sheet) 1/72 Hasegawa B-25J "Soviet Air Force" 1/72 Brengun Yak-1 1/72 Vespid Models A34 Comet 1/72 Revell Panther G 1/72 Hasegawa Junkers Ju-88T3 1/72 AccessGB M3 White Scout Car (w/Black Dog stowage) 1/72 Revell SdKfz 251/8 (conversion) 1/72 Heller Messerschmitt Bf-108 Taifun 1/72 Airfix Willys Jeep w/trailer 1/72 Kovozavody Prostejov Lavochkin La-5F 1/72 Hasegawa SdKfz 234/1 "Puma" Best greetings from Vienna, have a good new year! Roman

Hi everyone. This is either very stupid, or it could be a hit. What about a 1/72 Group Build? Anything goes, as long as it is in 1/72 scale. It would be nice to see a 1/72 build "win" a GB, and with this proposal it's guaranteed to happen! Any takers? Cheers Jimmy EDIT 2017-02-03 I changed the thread title to "Small Scale Group Build" because it's much more inclusive than 1/72, which is mostly aircraft. EDIT 2017-02-06 Just to make the rules clear, "small scale" in this scenario is 1:50 or smaller. Time to bring our those big (although small in scale) naval vessels! Participants 1. JimmyZ 2. TrojanThunder 3. Arniec 4. snapper_city 5. PlaStix 6. PhantomBigStu 7. milktrip 8. CliffB 9. Caerbannog 10. Grandboof 11. vppelt68 12. bootneck 13. TEMPESTMK5 14. draggie748 15. S5 modeller 16. zebra 17. TonyTiger66 18. Hockeyboy 76 19. Corsairfoxfouruncle 20.