AFV Modeller Issue 140 Jan/Feb 2025

Issue 140 of AFV Modeller kicks off the year 2025 in a big way. We have 65 pages of stunning photos and 5 articles. On the cover is a stunning photo of  Antonio Martin Tello's 1/35 scale diorama "One Man Army" which is also the subject of the first article titled À la Place de l'Eglise, starting on page 2. The second article starts on page 20. It highlights Łukasz Orczyc-Musiałek's Abrams X MBT. Thirdly on page 30 we have Part 2 of Chris Meddings "Glory to the Heros" diorama. Moving on page 44 starts the fourth article of the Snow Leopard by Imad Bouantoun. Lastly the fifth article is 10 amazing pages of rare archive photos of the WWII workhorse Sd.Kfz 7 Halftrack.

Starting on page 2 is part 1 of Antonio Martin Tello's massive 1/35 scale diorama. A Panther Ausf.G, Ausf.A, and a Sd.Kfz 250/1 halftrack make up an early morning scene of German troops gathering near a church in a small town during the battle for Argentan. Each model used in the diorama has its own section explaining the kits used and the techniques used from start to finish. The first section covers the Panther Ausf.G. Second is the Ausf.A Panther. The article contains substantial information regarding the modifications made to the Panthers and their origins. The last section explains the Sdkfz 250/1 halftrack build.

Page 20 begins the 2nd article highlighting Łukasz Orczyc-Musiałek's next generation M1 Abrams-X. 

The article begins with some very interesting information about the new MBT. The following pages breakdown the model kit assembly, painting, and weathering. This is a great guide for anyone considering this model for themselves. many highly detailed photos and descriptions navigate the process from start to finish.

If you had the opportunity to read issue 139 you will remember part 1 of this article. Chris Meddings is back with part 2 of his political Ukrainian diorama. This time the T-72 B3 model is covered. The amount of work that went in to these destroyed tanks to show the interior detail is too much for words alone. Seven pages carry you through the maze of twisted metal that is needed to create the works of art seen here. 

It was tempting to take pictures of all the pages of this article. You will have to get your hands on the issue to see the rest. You won't be disappointed. 

More to come in part 3 next issue.

Who doesn't love a beautiful creature like a Snow Leopard? In article #4 on page 44, Imad Bouantoun shows us an eye opening example of a 1/35 scale Nordic Leopard 2A4 with the training system. A total of 8 pages make up the article and four of those pages go over the process of the modifications made to the Meng kit to turn it into a tank used in training in Lithuania.

 Last but certainly not least is one of my favorite articles in this issue. The Sd.Kfz 7 halftrack is a favorite of many and widely used during the war. The possibilities for modelling this vehicle are almost endless. This article by Alan Ranger publishes 10 pages of rare photos taken by service personnel in the field or training. If you're looking for inspiration for a build or how to add accurate detail to a current build, you will most likely find it in these photos. Every time I look through them I see something new. Articles like this one are priceless because they allow these photos to live forever instead of being lost to history.

The magazine concludes with the latest 1/16 scale detail upgrades researched and designed by David Parker. 

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to review this latest issue of AFV Modeller. I am honored to do so. AFV Modeller has been arriving in my mail box for years now and I have no plans to stop my subscription. I can honestly recommend this magazine to anyone interested in armor modelling. The magazine itself and material within are top quality.   

Highly Recommended for Beginner to Advanced builders.

Thanks goes out to David Doyle Publications for this review.

Reviewed by Russ Clark

Minuteman AMPS 

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