Panzer III Roco

I got a few Panzer III tanks that need some work.

Used Roco can be cheaper than the new stuff, I buy it all the time.

These were missing hatches, had damaged guns, and were missing some of the spare road wheels from the fenders.

I have built up a few spare parts and I was able to fix these three tanks.

Extra hatch from the spares bin.

Boom Crane

More T34 armored recovery vehicles.  This time with a more complex cargo space.

Shermans are from Paul Heiser in HO 1/87 scale.

The Soviets used a number of Sherman tanks and they were generally well liked.

This is a Lee / Grant armored recovery vehicle.

Most Soviet ARVs don't have the luxury of a boom crane.

Heiser Models Shermans

Here is the secret list of Paul Hesier Models Sherman tanks. The prices are tentative. Notice the numbering system has changed to permit the addition of the new tanks.

The 76mm tank gun was used by the US Army once it was realized that the Sherman with the French 75 based gun was outclassed by the German Panzer IVs and Panthers.

The US Army tended to us their tanks in the Infantry Support role and the short barrelled 75s were excellent in that role. They could even fire indirectly, like artillery.

The 76mm gun was a high velocity gun, designed as a tank killer, not as good as the Panther, the Army was behind the cure in fielding new anti-tank guns in tanks for most of WWII.

This 105mm version of the Sherman was made to provide close range artillery support to the tanks. Three per tank battalion was typical, they were very good at destroying bunkers or knocking down houses, or laying smoke. Look for all these models soon at Fidelis Models.

PHM Crusader

Paul Heiser Models has released a large number of new tank models. Here is their latest WWII Japanese tank models. Japanese tanks have been scarce in HO but PHM is working on fixing that problem.

Paul is also doing HO scale wagons, this WWII German wagon was very modern and all steel.

They were towed by horses or by vehicle. These wagons were great on roads, not so good cross country.

British Crusader tank. PHM is doing several versions of this important British tank.

These models are perfect for experienced modellers with limited resin model experience. They are easy to assemble for a resin kit. Super glues or Epoxy are both good glues for these kits. PHM are normally flash free and sturdy enough for wargaming. Check out Fidelis Models for these kits.

Hobby News

Randy at Fidelis Models tells me he has a big crop of Roco in and that it is selling off fast. If you are interested in Roco HO scale plastic military vehicles, then this could be a bargain for you. He also has a massive collection of Trident civilian HO scale trucks. No two trucks are the same. Most are police and fire department, but many are FEDEX and other civilian companies. He is offering them at a huge discount too.

Fidelis Models has been around for over 10 years, and does a great job. Randy makes his own line of resin HO scale vehicles and sells a huge selection of HO military and civilian vehicles. He tells me he has big plans for expansion in the coming months.

http://www.fidelismodels.com/mm5/

Randy has also upgraded his website to include "content." He has had several noted authors write short articles and reviews for his customers. You may what to check that out when you visit his website.

Larry Pegasus has told me that his new KV tank kits not only have two tanks per box but two different turrets per tank kit. The KV I and II tanks went through several modifications and rather than make two kits of each, he simply gives you both turrets. This is super good news because the KV turrets were also used on railway trains as mobile artillery. So you can build your tank and then scratch build and armored train with little additional work.

The sort version would be to take a gondola car, plate it over with a thick sheet of styrene, and then put a KV turret at each end. Not exactly prototypical, but it would work in a wargame. I think these turrets were also used on river monitors. I know they used T-34 turrets and I think KV turrets too, maybe someone can confirm or deny that rumor on the comments section.

HaT Industrie has announced 15 mm plastic figures. This will be a first for them in that scale and follows on the heels of their recent announcement to make 28 mm figures too. HaT is trying to be innovative despite poor economic conditions. I wish them well in these new plans.

BergePanther

In WWII the Germans fielded some very heavy tanks and assault guns. Many of them were as much as twice as heavy as American Sherman tanks.

The massive thick armor put great strain on suspensions, transmissions, and engines. Vehicles sometimes broke down due to low quality parts, or metal, the strain of road marches that were too long or just a lack of maintenance. Towing one tank with another was officially forbidden because it often caused the towing tank to die a premature death too.

At first halfracks were used as recovery vehicles but eventually they developed the BergePanther. It was a Panther tank, without a turret, but with huge winches installed in the hull. This, with the large spade in the back allow them to dig in and winch out Panthers and Tigers that were stuck in the mud, fallen in a ditch or otherwise in need of recovery. They could then tow the vehicle to a point where repairs or salvage could be made.

These three Paul Heiser resin models are quick, simple easy to build models. Trim the mild flash and then slap each track/ suspension unit on each side and you are essentially done.

All the little parts are optional. I choose to add the crane in the erected position on one of them. I added several extra track links, spare gas cans, tools, and even road wheels. Trimming the flash off the parts took a while, only because there were so many. I got these from Fidelis Models. Resin kits can be painted with any standard hobby paint used for styrene models.