Military Modelcraft International Sept 2023
A NOT-SO QUICK INTRODUCTION
It’s right there on the cover: “The world’s No. 1 military modelling magazine” – and they’re right. Military Modelcraft International, published out of the UK by Guideline Publications, sets the standard for what a model magazine needs to be. Every monthly issue is loaded cover-to-cover with projects by some of the most talented names in the hobby. There is also always an in-depth article that takes a deep dive into the development and history of a specific vehicle, along with many historic photos – most that I’ve never seen before! There are also kit, book and tool reviews and hobby news from around the world.
The thing that keeps me running to my local Barnes & Noble (yup, the better ones carry it!) every month is the sheer quality of MMI. As you are about to see in this review, the photos are clear and HUGE! Also, the writers do NOT take short cuts. There is nothing worse than reading a modeler’s article to discover how they achieved a finish, only to have them say “I followed my usual weathering methods,” or even worse, “I painted this the same way I painted the Tiger 1 from my article back in June 2010.” MMI has none of that. If you see it in the article, you will walk away knowing how they did it.
Enough raving.
ANOTHER SPECTACULAR ISSUE
After the usual round of full-page ads, contents and letter from the editor, MMI gets down to business with page after page of new product news. While the scope of this section is impressive enough, MMI really gets going with an “On the Bench” section, featuring a short, full build of a new kit. This month, Chris Johnson tackles Takom’s 1/35 M103A2; David Chou builds AFV Club’s M1128 Mobile Gun System (the 2010 upgraded version) in 1/35; and Rob Riviezzo completes Rye Field Model’s 1/35 KV1 Reinforced Cast Turret 1042. David Grummit also chimes in with a quick in-box review of Das Werk’s much-anticipated 1/16 SdKfz 251 Ausf. D.
Look at that, we’re only 24 pages in and we have already seen three builds! Did I mention that this month’s issue has 100 pages? Whew, let‘s keep going.
The first full-length feature article covers Javier Redondo’s masterclass execution of Trumpeter’s ChTZ S-65 Tractor, pulling IBG Model’s Skoda 100mm wz. 14/19 Howitzer. He walks you step-by-step through the build and finishing and then turns it into a tasteful vignette.
The big gun theme continues when Steve Andreano builds Panzer Concept’s 12" Mortar Model 1890. Steve models the only 12" mortar to fire a shot in anger – based on Battery Way, Corregidor Island, May 1942. He includes a very interesting background story about this event before beginning the build.
MMI adds a quick three-page “Armour in Detail” pictorial reference with historic photos of the guns of Batteries Geary and Way. Between Steve’s amazing build and these inspirational photos, it would be easy to drop the magazine and start your own 12" mortar project. But MMI is far from done.
The main “Armour in Profile” section is next, this month starring the lovably ugly Armoured Command Vehicle A.E.C. Dorchester. Tomasz Basarabowicz takes us on a 10-page journey through the design, development and career of the British Army’s command center workhorse. The article is extremely thorough and well-researched, and includes technical characteristics. Of course, the coolest part of this section are there are no fewer than 16 enormous historic photos of the A.E.C. Dorchester in action, along with fascinating captions to let us know what to look for in the photo. This section alone is worth the price of the entire magazine!
As an added bonus, Vallejo chips in a full spread of color profiles, by master artist Sławomir Zajączkowski. The five profiles include paint reference numbers and details about where each vehicle served. Not gonna lie, I never intended to build one of these, but that Silver Grey Caunter scheme on the bottom right has changed my mind...
After experiencing the historic profile of the Dorchester, I said, “Wow, what an article! No one could do anything more interesting with the Dorchester than that!”
Glenn Bartolotti says, “Hold my beer,” and proceeds to build a 1/35 Dorchester. From scratch. From beginning to end, Glenn shows us how he brought his old-school, scratch-built masterpiece to life, and then shows off by finishing it in a jaw-dropping Caunter scheme.
Had enough yet? Well buckle up because MMI is just getting started. We are finally getting to the cover story, where Łukasz Orczyc MusiaƗek uses Meng Model’s 2018 release to build Israel’s Magach 6B Gal Batash. I won’t spoil it here, but Łukasz drops his stunningly simple formula for reproducing the challenging non-slip coating with realistic results. Of course, the build is very well done, and the heavily-weathered finish puts this one over the top. How do I know? The many GIANT photos showed me.
With our visit to modern armor out of the way, it’s back to the big guns, this time in a smaller scale. Stefan Szymanski sets out to build the 1/72 Italian 305mm howitzer by GB Modelli. I want to step in quick and point out the variety of model manufacturers and subjects that MMI displays. It’s the same thing every month – I always discover kits and projects that I never knew existed. Along with the build and finish, Stefan shows how he finished an impressive gun placement diorama and figures.
Most hobby magazines tap out after delivering this much content, but MMI isn’t most hobby magazines. This issue continues with yet another full build, this time a 1/35 Russian BMP-1 AM by Diego Bruzzone. It’s mostly an out-of-the-box build, with a few tasteful scratch-built details to take the project up a notch.
Now it’s time to get up close and personal with a master modeler, Abilio Piñeiro Grajera. If you can stop staring at the photos of his amazing work, you can read an insightful interview with Abilio and learn how he got started, his insights on the hobby and more.
The final article hit me where I live, as Ramón Segarra Guerrero builds Mirage Hobby’s C7P German Recovery Vehicle – a kit that has sat half-finished on my shelf of shame for years now. His treatment of the Panzer Grey finish is stunning.
The September issue wraps up with a book review and a preview of what’s due in the next issue.
If you haven’t figured it out, I am a HUGE Military Modelcraft International fan boy. Now that I am done with this quick-turn review, I am going to go back and give this issue the time it deserves, even if it takes all day. As always, here is a link to the Guideline Publications website www.guidelinepublications.co.uk and US customers can subscribe to MMI and pay in US dollars at www.guidelinepublicationsusa.com
Highly Recommended for any fan of military model building – or anyone who can read. Go get one today. Seriously.
Thanks goes out to Guideline Publications for this review issue.
Reviewed by Matt Deck
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