Plastic Invasion

Scale It! #02

Field Repair Workshop including VW 82 Walkaround

This is the second issue of a new line of modeling magazines from Plastic Invasion, based in the Czech Republic. The launch of this magazine was largely due to the success that Plastic Invasion had in publishing their book “Scale Modelling WW2 German Camouflage Uniforms” (recently favorably reviewed by AMPS). Issue #01 of Scale It! concerned itself with the painting of WWII German Field Gray uniforms.

This issue #02 of Scale It! addresses the painting of a WW2 German field repair workshop, including the construction and painting of figures, a Kubelwagen, various workshop tools and equipment, and terrain / base in 1/35 scale.

Vital Statistics

Format - softcover, portrait format

Page Count -  118 high gloss pages

Size - 8.25” x 11.5”

Photos - some historic Black & White, full color re-enactor, equipment and techniques photos.

Tables / drawings / diagrams - none

All text and photograph captions are in English.

What's between the Covers?

Above - the book’s simple table of contents. This book blends historical reference, contemporary reference photos of vehicles and equipment, and a lengthy build / painting tutorial featuring figures, various workshop equipment, terrain, plus a subject vehicle.

The book opens with several pages containing a nice discussion on the how’s, what’s and why’s of WWII German field repair workshops near front lines. This chapter includes several period images of equipment used by the workshops and vehicles used by workshop units.

The book follows up the workshops chapter with a very detailed examination of the widely used Volkswagen Type 82 Kubelwagen. This vehicle will feature prominently in the workshop build article. This chapter contains a whopping 16 pages of full color photos of what appears to be an expertly restored Type 82 Kubelwagen, and also has two pages of full color artists renderings of the vehicle.

The next chapter depicts and describes a SS workshop unit in action on the Eastern Front in 1944. This chapter has full color photos of a reenactment of a typical workshop showing mechanic dress, tools and equipment. Above, an example of the images to be examined in this chapter.

The bulk of this book, from page 47 on, concerns itself with the build of the workshop diorama itself. The above two page spread shows the range of kits, aftermarket goodies, paints and weathering materials which be used to construct the diorama. 

The star of the diorama is the broken down Kubelwagen, depicted by the still quite good Tamiya kit #35213, a new tool release in 1997. A Hauler Model photoetch set was used to dress up the Kubelwagen. 12 pages are dedicated to the build of the Kubel, with outstanding photographs clearly showing the basic build and the modifications made to the base kit.

Six pages address the building of the various workshop items such as chairs, ladder, tools and work table. Basic construction of the workshop crew members is also done on these pages (see image below). Again, very clear photographs show construction. The accessories that make up the workshop come from the excellent Miniart Field Workshop kit #35591.

The figures used in this project are the PanzerArt FI35-146 Waffen SS Tank Mechanics, modified by the author with two part epoxy putty to fabricate additional pockets, suspenders, etc. The photos show exactly how the author got the look he wanted from the figures.

With all construction done on the diorama components, he then addresses the painting of them. Each main area of this diorama is addressed separately and in good detail; the figures, the Kubelwagen, and then the workshop equipment. Seen Above - Each painting and finishing section opens with a look at the paints and other materials used for painting of the diorama components.

The final construction item covered is the diorama terrain itself. Once again, all materials used for the terrain are shown on this sections opening page, quite handy for reference. All materials used are commonly found AK Interactive products. I like the approach used in this book for clearly identifying the products used, there’s no guesswork if you’re looking to get similar results on a project of your own. 

Above - few images of the finished diorama.

Please Note - the images in this publication are FAR better, crisp and clear than the images that I took for review purposes.

Conclusions

This publication is a very nice blend of references (historical as well as contemporary images), combined with a multi-faceted construction and painting guides. I like how the main components of the diorama; the figures, the Kubelwagen, and the workshop equipment are all addressed separately, and in great detail. The painting of these components is also addressed separately, each in turn. Good approach in my opinion.

I very much like the layout used in this book (or magazine? It seems like much more than a magazine to me…), it’s logical and well thought out. The content is outstanding, text and photography both. All techniques are clearly described and illustrated. While this particular issue is focused on the WWII German field workshop, of course, most techniques covered by this issue will translate easily to other subject matter.

The publishers of Scale It! are doing some very nice work. I look forward to seeing future issues of this publication!

Highly Recommended! 

Thanks to David Doyle Books for the review copy  

Reviewed by Chuck Aleshire, AMPS Chicagoland

AMPS 2nd Vice President, Midwest Region

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