WORLD WAR II MILITARY VEHICLE: GERMAN HORCH Kfz 15 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE FROM TAMIYA

A neat model from Tamiya, depicting the World War II Horch used by the combat forces of famed German commander, Irwin Rommel, in the sands of North Africa.

SHIZUOKA 2012 - HOT STUFF FROM TAMIYA

SMN update:

Shizuoka 2012 sees the Japanese model companies at their best, showing off a fantastic range of new and retooled products to delight us all. And leading the charge is Tamiya, with a galaxy of mouthwatering models.

ROMMEL’S ROD - THE REAL DEAL

Mr J reports
Tom Daniel’s Rommel’s Rod makes a terrific custom model, but it did start us thinking about the inspiration for it, Rommel’s actual halftrack, named the ‘Greif’. That’s German for ‘Griffin’, a mythical creature of divine power, though there’s also a hunting dog breed with a similar name, so maybe Rommel liked both.

Airfix has an elderly (but still OK) 1:32 model that you can often find with some hunting around - we turned one up on eBay Canada. To a smaller scale, but newer and more useful as a diorama accessory is the beautiful little 1:48 scale Greif in Tamiya’s Military Miniatures series, complete with a reasonably lifelike Rommel figure, and two crewmen.

It measures just 102 mm (4 in) long, yet packs in plenty of lovely detail, including a radio, machine gun, frame antenna and floorboard texture. Of course, you don’t have to build it as a Rommel special - there were dozens of design variations on the basic vehicle, so the choice is yours.

On the SMN wish-list would be a Rommel’s Rod to the same scale, so you could park them next to each other on Mat Irvine’s builder’s sand diorama - oh well, one for 2010 maybe.

The 1:48 Tamiya Greif halftrack is available in model stores and online here.

The pictures show, top to bottom:
1 Tamiya 1:48 scale kit box.
2 Greif three-view scale elevations.
3 Greif shown in a diorama setting with another Tamiya 1:48 model, the Feiseler Storch spotter plane.

Pictures courtesy Tamiya.

BATTLE OF EL ALAMEIN, 1 JULY 1942

Today marks the 67th anniversary of the start of El Alamein, the North African struggle between Axis forces under Erwin Rommel, and Allied troops commanded by Claude Auchinleck. It was an epic combat that lasted until 27 July, in which the two sides between them fielded nearly a quarter-million troops, almost 1700 tanks, and 2000-odd aircraft. Sadly, there were more than 30,000 casualties by the time hostilities ceased, with the Allies in control.

For modellers, El Alamein is a gold mine of opportunity with much equipment and militaria easily available. Among the more unusual offerings is this Corgi cast diorama to 1:32 scale, showing a British tank crew having a break. It’s available from supplier Hattons at bargain rates at the moment. Interestingly, the tank is modelled in semi-bas relief, so is best viewed from the front. Even so, the piece would make a fine shelf-top display, or a backdrop item for a special-interest collection.

Airfix has two 1:72 scale model soldier packs available, at less than £5.00 GBP each. The British 8th Army and the German Afrika Korps sets each contain 48 pieces, and also include items such as mine detectors and anti-tank guns. Don't forget to wash them thoroughly in soapy water before attempting any paintwork - it won't take well on the slippery plastic otherwise.

The Airfix sets are available from model stores and online suppliers, including Airfix itself, here.

The Corgi diorama is available from Hattons, here.