Guideline Publications- Military Modelcraft International- March 2026

The March issue of MMI is stacked with some more quality model builds and techniques- just in time for nicer weather and hopefully more build time at your bench! I was pleased to see some excellent pieces done by some quality modelers and also some great reference material for future projects. Editor David Grummitt opens the issue with an interesting Forum perspective on some recent social media and podcast attention to the debate between the build and the finish and the elusive notion of what it means for a model to be unique. The definitions are as numerous as the modelers with opinions it seems- so in the end, as my friend Steve says- "Build what you like, like what you build!"

This month's News at the Front includes latest releases from 3D Gizmo, ScaleX products in both 1/35 and 1/72 scale, Shanma Model Studio, Masterbox figures, Special Hobby/CMK, Tamiya, Das Werk, ICM, and a peek at some new stuff from the Nuremburg Toy Fair. After three pages of Quartermaster's Stores, we get an On the Bench article from Chris Johnson on the I Love Kit M1014 w/M204281 GLCM TEL. Chris is one of my favorite builders as he brings up the mistakes that occur in his builds- and also how he fixes them. In this case, by completely starting over with a brand new kit. I hope one day to have his patience and skills in my own work.

Another of my favorite modelers is up next-- we had to wait a while for John Steinman's "Verfallen Part Two" piece, but the wait was well worth it for the level of detail and care he takes in all he does. Articles by John are few and far between, but good things come to those who wait. He takes the Jagdtiger he had finished from Part 1 in the March 2021 issue of MMI and added a base with a heavily modified Miniart Ruined Village House, loads of aftermarket Easter eggs, and Stalingrad figures.

Sante Candia is up next with "Captured!", the cover article featuring his build of a captured Panzer II Ausf. F of Panzer-Abteilung 190 in Tunisia. Sante built up the Gecko Models 1/16 scale Panzer II and goes in depth in how he painted and weathered it.

Thomas Anderson is up next with this month's Armour in Profile article-- part 1 of a two part article on the Nashorn. The article features some excellent paint schemes and great reference photos of crew replacing the gun,  engine photos, and crew inside. Part Two will examine the record and experience of the Nashorn in combat.

John Hale is up next with "Abrams' Final Ride" featuring his build of Creighton Abrams' Thunderbolt VII. John used the Rye Field Models kit and added some extra texture to the turret and aftermarket Fruilmodel tracks to replace the kit ones damaged during painting.

"The Last Battle" features Matt Edwards' build of the Rye Field Models M551A1/M551A1 TTS Sheridan staged on a road during Operation Desert Storm. Matt scratch built the road base and used Verlinden figures to tell the story of troops warning off the Sheridan from a bomb-cratered road.

Ivan Momcha Momcilovic is up next with an abandoned late-war Marder II in "A Hunter Left Behind." Ivan built the Dragon 1/35 Sd.Kfz. 131 Panzerjäger II für PaK 40/2 Mid Production Marder II kit and added Evolution Miniatures figures and a Master Box Village Cart.

"The Door to the Somme" features Fernando Grannell's build of the Roden 1/72 Omnibus Type B 'Ole Bill'. Fernando parked his bus right next to a scratch-built trench- with the story being that the bus has brought replacements to the front- without the usual war-torn look to things.

The month's last build article belongs to Stefan Szymanki's build of Vespid Models 1/72 "KF51 Panther" and is set in a forest setting.

Words & Pictures wraps up the issue with two book reviews- one from Tank-Masters Publishing and another from Osprey Publishing.

Conclusion

David and crew have put out another quality issue for March with excellent build articles from some very talented folks. I always get a bit reenergized when I read through the issue and want to get right back to what I am building. Hopefully the weather is improving where you are-- and the warmer weather gives you the chance to get to building and painting when you can with yard work and quality family time outside.  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 builders at any level.

Thanks goes out to Guideline Publications for this review sample.

Reviewed by Michael Reeves

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