Military Modelcraft International  - April 2025

The April 2025 issue of MMI - Military Modeler International - is out, and it's a great issue. This issue has 100 pages of plastic tank goodness. I have to admit that in recent years I do most of my modeling-related reading online, but it is really nice to have a well-done paper magazine with such high quality content, especially the photos. The nice cover is a good indicator that there's some cool stuff inside. There's a lot here so let's get into it. 

One of the things I love about this magazine is the variety of articles. In addition to how-to articles, there is a nicely done, very thorough and in-depth research article on the Universal Carrier. There are the usual ads for new products, some brief columns on a few of those products, an editorial, and best of all (IMO) a profile/interview with a great modeler, Greg Chilar. 

Dave Grummit, the Editor, kicks off the issue with a nicely written editorial about being sort of a "late adopter" to some of the newer things in modeling, such as podcasts. As an older guy, I can relate to how much has changed, with things like podcasts, 3D printing ("additive manufacturing") etc. that are changing the fundamentals of the hobby. 

As a great followup to that editorial, the very first article concerns a printed model, the 1/72 scale Polish 7TP by Mussini Models of Milano, Italy. With a full interior, but only a handful of parts, this model is pretty impressive. 

"News At The Front" is a two-page spread of new products, including plastic kits but also some printed detail-improvement sets. Throughout the issue there are a lot of printed detail sets advertised. 

A second 1/72 model is next - an LT-40 of Czech manufacture. The LT-40 was a variant of the LT vz 38 or 38(t). This is a plastic kit from Attack Hobby Kits. No step-by-step or construction photos are provided, only the finished model. 

A single 1/16 scale model is next - the DAS WERK SdKfz-250. Rob Riviezzo does a great job describing the build of this impressive kit. 

   

Next, a very creative diorama from Imad Bouantoun. This is really worth spending some time on, with a scratchbuilt wagon that features a mix of traditional techniques combined with some printed components. There is also a scratchbuilt house wreck and custom figures. I'll be studying this model for quite a while. 

Jaffe Lam is next with a 'makeover' of an older kit he'd previously completed. He takes the dust-and-dirt weathering to a new level. This is another article I'll be studying. 

Next is an in-depth research article on the Bren and Universal carriers by Tomasz Basarabowicz. Believe it or not, the universal carrier family is the most widely-produced tracked AFV ever made. Although I am not especially interested in the vehicle in its WW2 setting, in the 1930s the predecessors from Vickers-Carden-Lloyd were among the more influential vehicles of the interwar period. There is also a two-page spread of color profiles of some oddball carriers, such as a Free French carrier in North Africa in 1943 with a dotted camouflage scheme. 

Chris Johnson then brings us a really odd beast, the Canadian postwar Badger based on the M4A2 chassis. To be clear, this is not the wartime Ram-based Badger. This is not only a high quality model but a truly striking Sherman variant. 

Matt Edwards does a fantastic job with Takom's Jagdtiger, which made it to the front cover. Next is Javier Redondo's Tamiya M551 in Vietnam. There's some well-done weathering and beaten-up aluminum components here. The stowage is impressive also. 

Saving the best for last, "At The Bench" is a profile and interview of Greg Chilar. I really enjoy learning about the guy behind the model, and those of us who've seen his work at shows know how creative and top-quality it is. His diorama/vignettes capture a scene really well, usually in a very small space indeed. He often uses really creative angles to inject drama. The Panther wreck is a great example. Lots of people build wrecked tanks. How many of us tip it on its side and pose a figure inside the turret ring? He truly takes vignettes to another level. 

Conclusion

This is a great issue, with very high production values, very good photos, and some excellent articles. There's a nice mix of how-to, a profile of a great modeler, and good quality research. Just the thing to get the modeling brain waves moving. I really enjoyed this issue and i hope you do too.  If you haven't subscribed, 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 all builders.

Thanks goes out to Guideline Publications for this review sample.

Reviewed by Dan Egan

If you liked this review, consider joining AMPS. Your annual membership
includes six copies of AMPS's magazine, Boresight,
and helps to support our ongoing reviews.

Click here for more information about joining AMPS