MAFVA

Miniature Armoured Fighting Vehicle Association

Reviews

past issues           43/4  43/3  43/2  43/1  42/6   42/5   42/4;  42/3 

TANKETTE 43/4 

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Hot on the heels of Tankette 43/3 comes 43/4, along with lots on articles, plans and news. 
The cover photo is model of the FV3802 by Colin Rosenwould which won its class in this years Nationals. This vehicle was a prototype 25pdr SP on the Centurion hull, one of many experiments in the 1950’s.Next to the usual admin. bumph, Editor Neil graces the page with his ruminations on the 2008 Nationals at Duxford and also on recent releases. Of more importance to us is Neil’s mention of discussions and research into the possibility of expanding Tankette to A4 size. This opens up possibilities for better articles and other improvements, but needs to be gauged against cost and postage. If you have a view on this contact Neil direct on naw233@hotmail.com . 
This is followed by Tom Cole with part two of his article on the development of British Armour in the inter war period. This is a comprehensive and well illustrated article which explains why we had the variety of vehicles we did during WW2.To tie in with the article and photographs are a pair of anonymous 1/76th scale drawings of the A9 Cruiser Tank and the Infantry Tank Mark I, The Matilda I. 
The centre spread in this issue is the Skoda S. 11, LT VZ 35 (Czechoslovakia) R2 (Early) (Romania), drawn in 1/35th scale by Hubert Cance. Supporting this is text and two photographs to explain the development of this AFV, which saw service with the German Army as the PzKpfw 35(t).Andy Lang provides a review of a book on the little known Gran Chaco war between Bolivia and Paraguay. Sounds like it is worth a read. Page 11 has a 1/76th scale multi-view drawing by Mick Bell of the Canon Automoteur T13 Type III, Vickers-Carden-Lloyd. This Belgian SP gun based on the Vickers design saw action against the German Blitzkrieg in 1940, and those captured were used by the Germans later. Pages 12, 13 and the back cover carry large photos of models at the MAFVA Nationals 2008 at Duxford, quite an inspiration.
The final article for this issue is a 1/76th scale drawing of the M688 Loader-Transporter for Lance Missiles. This vehicle was part of a series of Lance vehicles and the article includes detail views of the components and locations within the vehicle. 

TANKETTE 43/3 

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Yet another Tankette has reached the world and with this one the cover photo is of the recently restored Panther at Camp Borden, Canada. 
Page two gives the usual administration information and an editorial from Neil Wharton. More photos and text on the Panther from Ed Storey follow. 
Tom Cole provides us with a potted history of inter war tank development in Great Britain. This is an interesting read which will prompt many to follow up the article with a bit more reading. Page seven sees a change of era with four photos of the Soviet PT-76 amphibious Light Tank.  The centre spread jumps back to World War One with a 1/35th multi-view scale drawing of the Whippet tank by Hubert Cance. I would like to hear how this compares with the Emhar kit.  The intrepid Spike Judd provides a book review and a survey of Museums in the Portsmouth area, useful if you are en route to France with time to kill.
 
Page 11 gives us an article by Peter Davenport about the up-armoured version of the giant French Char 2C, something I knew nothing about. All the changes are listed making a conversion possible. To compliment this is a 1/76th scale four view plan of the Char 2C by Mick Bell. This is one tank I have fancied building, but have never got round to it. The only remains of the original machines were a set of the rail transport adaptors that were in a yard at Saumur a few years back. 
We then have a 1/76th scale plan of the U.S. built M107 SP 175mm gun by John Church, complete with scrap views to aid modelling. Incidentally John was the winner of the inaugural Mick Bell Award for outstanding contributions to Tankette, as announced at the Nationals this year. 
Mike Potter provides a review of two small scale kits by Pegasus and Italeri, useful info before you part with your cash. 
The back page is a full page print of the Austrian built SK 105 Kuraissier, which if I remember correctly has seen action in Spanish Sahara in recent years.
As always Tankette can be obtained by joining MAFVA or as back issues.  Contact Gary Williams, 45 Balmoral Drive, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire CW4 7JQ or mafvahq@aol.com  or see the back issues page on this website. 

Paul Middleton 11/07/08 

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TANKETTE  Volume 43 No 2

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A new issue of Tankette is out, and the cover is adorned with a photo of a Staghound armoured car from the collection at Latrun in Israel.  Alongside the usual Association information on page two is a split editorial.  A few lines from the usually verbose editor, the rest penned by his newly installed assistant, Tom Cole.  Tom has outlined ideas to improve the magazine with the research of text to go with plans.

We then have a photopage of the Slovak M35 Lizard, the armoured 6x6 twin AA truck.  Some of these vintage looking machines have escaped the Balkans and are now in the hands of military vehicle enthusiasts.

Tom Cole surfaces again on page 4 with his maiden article, this covers the Staghound armoured car with an excellent potted history, technical details, kit survey, illustrations and a trio of plans by Hubert Cance.  In 1/76^th we have a Staghound 1 with deep wading kit,  the centrespread is a 1/35^th rendition of the Staghound III (late) with the Crusader turret, and in 1/48^th Staghound with the 75mm M8 Howitzer turret.  This is the sort of thing that will make Tankette a very useful research tool for modellers.

Moving on to modern subjects we have a 1/76^th scale drawing of the Chieftain Mk 7 A.R.R.V. (Armoured Repair & Recovery Vehicle) drawn by John Church.  As usual with such a complicated vehicle, John has provided scrap views to assist the model maker.

Going back in time to the 1930’s the next contribution is from the legacy of Mick Bell, which is a 1/76^th scale multi view drawing of the French ‘Automitrailleuse de Reconnaissance Citroen Kegresse P28’.  This fascinating vehicle is one of the French half track recce vehicles that were about before WW2, although I do not recall seeing any pressed into German service after 1940.  Fifty examples of this vehicle were built in 1933 and put into service.  I have found a photo of one in a depot in June 1940, so they were still around then.

Raymond Surlemont continues his series on wheel & track convertible tanks, covering the Christie designs and ending with the Schofield Tank designed and built in New Zealand in 1940. 

Tom Cole has a few words about a new venture for the MAFVA Nationals this June.  This is a Bring & Buy table to help members off-load their surplus kits or collect that needed item at a reasonable cost.  This is the sort of place to collect kits needed for conversions to keep the costs down. 

The back page has a large print of an M-53 Lizard, I think at Beltring.

Hopefully this is the first of many excellent issues, and the two conspirators are to be congratulated.

If you have not received your copy of 43/2, it is probably because your subscription has lapsed.  To resolve this contact Gary Williams on mafvahq@aol.com or on 01477 535373 or by writing to 45 Balmoral Drive, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, CW4 7JQ.  He can also offer back issues.

If you wish to join MAFVA, again contact Gary by the above means or see us at Duxford on Sunday 15^th June at the MAFVA Nationals.       

 Paul Middleton 1528

TANKETTE  Volume 43 No 1

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The first issue for Volume 43 has duly arrived and starts of with a very interesting photo on the cover of a Soviet T-28 multi-turret tank that has been captured by Finnish troops and will no doubt be pressed back into service by them.   In front of the monster is a winch mounted on a sled, and the Finns appear to be camouflaging it with white sheets.

Inside, Neil the editor has a ramble about the culture of gathering kits for projects and then pruning the oversize collection to make room for fresh purchases. He also discusses the cost of attending model shows and of importing kits.

The first article is by Colin Rosenwould on the Trumpeter LAV-C2 kit in 1/35^th scale.  It is good to see a modeller enjoying the hobby, finishing a kit without too many problems.

Next is a 1/76^th scale drawing of the M110, Howitzer, Heavy, self-propelled 8 inch by John Church.  This includes detail sketches and the longer barrel for the later versions as seen in the first Gulf War of 1991. 

A welcome return for contributor Raymond Surlemont of Belgium, with an article on Wheel cum Track Tanks covering 1919 -1940.  This is the first part of a series which will prove quite interesting.

As usual, Neil has given us a scale drawing for the centre spread, this time a HK.V.Toldi in 1/35^th scale. I must admit to be in the dark on this S.P. anti-tank gun, but it appears to be the Hungarian Toldi tank mounting a PaK 40 75mm gun in the manner of the German Marder series.  As far as I am aware there are only resin kits of the Toldi, so this would either be an expensive conversion or a heavy scratchbuild in either large or small scales!  Either way, an excellent model would be forthcoming as this five view drawing gives all the information one would require.

Page 10 gives us three reviews, the Criel Models Obice Skoda da 100/17 mod.14 and the Sovereign 2000 Humber Mk II armoured Car both reviewed by Lee Lacey, our man in Essex.  The third is by Chairman Spike Judd of the ICM 1/35^th scale BS-3 100mm Field Gun.

These are followed by a four photo spread of photos of the XM-800 prototype MICV located at Fort Knox.

We then have a marvellous 1/76^th scale drawing by Mick bell of the Truck, Firefighting, 5 ton, 4x4, Crash, Thorneycroft TF/B80/SUN, Royal Navy.  This would have to be a scratchbuild unless Barry Wright has it in the BW Models range.

The use of improvised armour by Brazilian rebels between the World Wars is covered in a short un-credited article, supported by four period photographs.  This would have fascinated the late John Baumann, and no doubt generated a few plans for models.

On page 14 we have a rather good (un-credited again) drawing of the Praga V35-0-1 six wheeled APC in 1/48^th scale.  Unfortunately there is no interior detail, but there are a few knocking about the UK at Military Vehicle shows and the Anti-Aircraft version is on show at Duxford.  As with all these drawings, they can be re-scaled using a photocopier to the required format.

The back cover also has a Finnish flavour with “Before and after” photos of a Vickers tank in wartime service and one on display at a museum (Parola?).

Tankette 42/6

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Finally we get the last issue of Tankette Volume 42, and Neil Wharton, the editor has done an excellent job to catch up.

The cover photo is of a Scammell Recovery in New Zealand. These WW2 breakdown trucks soldiered on in service for many years after the end of hostilities, both with the British Army and even later in Civvy Street. I believe I saw one being used in Belize in the 1970’s.
Page two has the usual official stuff (note changes of address and the changes to subscription rates!), plus an interesting editorial from Neil. His recent move has prompted him to reassess his loft insulation (stock of unmade kits) and he describes how he has used “ebay” to move some of it.
We then have a 1/76th scale drawing by John Church of the Towed Rapier Fire Unit Truck on the Bedford MK/MJ chassis. This is a detailed set of information on a complicated vehicle, with sections and sketches to illustrate the details over three pages.
Also on page five is a chart detailing available back issues. Quite a few are no longer available, so it is worthwhile contacting Gary Williams to secure any that you do not have. It is currently too expensive to have a re-run of old issues. Occasionally Gary gets returns of ancient copies which he will make available to the membership. Contact him direct for information about specific issues.

A short historical article on the Armoured Carrier, Wheeled, Indian Pattern follows, as does a review of the recent Tamiya early Stug III. Interesting to hear negatives about a Tamiya kit, although the reviewer recommends it.
This issues centre spread is a 1/35th scale drawing by Hubert Cance of the Minerva Modele 1914 Armoured Car. I believe there are resin kits of this WW1 beastie about, but it would be an interesting scratchbuild provided you could find the correct wheels.
Page ten has a two page article on Brazilian early armour, specifically the imported French FT17 and Italian CV33. Eight photographs support the text, and it would certainly be a different finish for a model.
As per usual we have an offering from the files of Mick Bell, this time the French Tracteur Caterpillar Schneider CD. This WW1 tractor was also used as the basis for an SP gun that went into German service in WW2. The running gear looks very similar to the FT17 so should be easy to scratchbuild a superstructure for it. The plan is printed in 1/48th scale, but can easily be changed to 1/35th or 1/76th on a photocopier.
Mike Gill gives us the low down on how he built his Centurion Armoured Ramp Carrier (ARK). An interesting read for those who are thinking of trying some conversion work.
Rick Lowe provides a page full of photos of armour in New Zealand at a military Vehicle Rally.
The back cover is an excellent period photo of Lanchester Armoured Cars on parade at Peshawar, India, between the World Wars.

This issue is now available direct from Gary Williams. If you are a member and have not yet received your copy, either the post office has eaten it or you need to resub! Overseas members need to allow the usual delay before arrival of the magazine. Contact Gary Williams to check on your subscription.
Gary Williams, 45 Balmoral Drive, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, CW4 7JQ, United Kingdom. mafvahq@aol.com .
 

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Tankette 42/5

The penultimate issue of volume 42 opens with a fine photo of a Scimitar CVR(T) in Gulf war markings adorned with a Union Flag. Fine inspiration for a model, for which there are many kits to base the project on.
The editorial on page two covers ye editors trip to the IPMS UK Scale Modelworld Show at Telford and reminisces on “how it was” when he started modelling last century.
Max Hundley, our A7V guru, reviews the recent releases of the German WW1 A7V kit from the Weston Toy Co. on page 3, alongside a review from Neil Wharton (Ye Ed.) of the Nuts & Bolts issue covering the German 3ton halftrack.
Page 4 has more excellent 1/76th plans from the pen of the late Mick Bell, this time the Tractor, Crawler, Size 2, Fowler Challenger 33, Mk 4. Quite an obscure subject which would need some detailed research to complete the model, although the plans are excellent.
The same could be said of the 1/35th drawings by Hubert Cance on the next page of the BMW “Rutscher” Project. It looks like one the many German late war “Paper Panzers”, in this instance a double barrelled Panzerjaeger type with Tiger/Panther resilient road wheel type suspension.
We then have two pages of photos, the first is of various T-55 Soviet tanks, the second covers the Staghound with three wartime in service photos and one of the prototype 
T-17E3 with the 75mm howitzer turret. The latter is a good subject with kits from both Italeri & Bronco out now.
Hubert Cance makes a second appearance in the centre pages with a 1/35th scale multiview drawing of the M15 “Special” GMC, that is the US SP halftrack fitted with the 40mm Bofors AA gun in a turret. This is a well timed subject as we have new kits of the US Halftrack and also the Bofors arriving in the shops or due soon. 
We then have several pages from Raymond Surlemont with part two of his history of Skoda Tank Designs. Well detailed, this makes a fascinating read.
We return to engineering plant with a 1/76th scale drawing of the Michigan Model 75A/DS Light Wheeled Tractor. Scrap views assist with the building of this complicated bit of 1960’s kit.
Page 14 gives us four photos of Bovingtons’ running Matilda 2 “Golden Miller” taken at a Tankfest show. On the facing page is a 1/48th drawing of the Valentine 17pdr SP gun, here labelled as the Archer.
The back page has an excellent full page print of the German Nashorn in the Kubinka collection, Russia..
Well done to Neil for the work in catching up with magazine a bit more , and to gary Williams and team for getting the magazine posted out so quickly.
Paul Middleton 12/07

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Tankette 42/4

Tankette 42/4 has arrived and the editor, Neil Wharton must be congratulated for over coming the variety of calamities that have befallen production of the magazine.

A house move is stressful enough, but when you have no communications with the outside world, and cannot find where the magazine material is it must be a real purgatory.  So well done Neil, lets hope you can get back up to speed shortly.

The cover photograph is of a prototype Crusader AA 1, the type with the walled turret.  Popular opinion is that the ones that went across to Europe were open turrets with “wings” on the standard Bofors gunshield.  It is good to see a large print of this photograph.

The usual admin notices and editorial follow on page two, and the sad contents of page three are obituaries for two of our leading members, Mick Bell and Jim Marshall, two faces who will both be sadly missed.

Mick is remembered with several plans in this issue, the first being a Snow Removal Unit, SP, 5ton, 6x4, Rotary, All Wheel drive, Type 54.  Typical of the oddball and peculiar but necessary vehicles that interested Mick.  This is in Micks favoured scale of 1/76^th with many detail drawings to aid the scratchbuilder.

Then comes an interesting article on the brand new Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) which is an Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle designed for the US Marine Corps. Four photographs support this article.

The centre spread of this issue is an example of a German conversion of the little French Chenillette UE. Designated the 3.7cm PaK 35/36 (sf) auf UE (F), this turned the UE into an SP anti-tank gun.  The plan is by Hubert Cance in 1/35^th scale with five views of the UE and another five of the tracked trailer.

Page 10 carries another offering by Mick Bell this time in 1/48^th of the French Char Renault D1 with six views including a longitudinal cross section of the hull.

Allan Grieve provides interesting personal recollections of his time in the army, in particular his time in Burma in tanks.  These memories are priceless and must be recorded before these old soldiers pass away.

We then have four interesting photos of the US M6 heavy tank, which did not enter service during WW2, but may have made a difference if it had.

The last plan in this issue is again by Mick Bell, this time in 1/35^th, and is of the British inter-war Vickers Armstrong Light Amphibious Tank L143.  Six views provide enough information for the scratchbuilder.

The rear cover sports a fascinating photo of M10 SP guns of 20^th Anti-Tank Regiment, 3^rd Infantry Division in Palestine , March 1946.

As always Tankette is available from the secretary:

Gary Williams, 45 Balmoral Drive , Holmes Chapel, Cheshire , CW4 7JQ , e-mail mafvahq@aol.com  

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