Reviews: May 2013

Reviews: May 2013 Our regular, monthly round-up of what's new on the hobby scene. Enjoy!

1/100 BILBAO Armoured Car Boxed Set Minairons www.minairons.eu Reviewed by Wayne Bollands The Spanish Civil War, like many of the major and minor conflicts fought during the Inter War Years between World War One and Two, was characterised by a need for ‘necessity to be the mother of invention’, as the saying goes.
This bloody and hard fought conflict may be remembered for the first use of various weapons such as Stukas and Panzer Is by the Condor Legion but required the brave Spaniards of both sides to improvise weapons to try to gain the upper hand. One such weapon is the latest offering from the Catalonia-based company Minairons, 15mm scale ‘Bilbao’ armoured cars.

The ‘Bilbao’ armoured car was originally designed as a police anti-riot vehicle but like so many vehicles, soon became pressed into military service. Armed with a 7mm Hotchkiss machine gun in a 360-degree turret, the armoured car was used with some success in urban environments and in other locations. The models received for review are cast in PUR resin, a slightly new departure for the company. The more fragile items, such as the turret MG and the front wheels, are provided in plastic. The whole vehicle goes together remarkably well, with only a minimal amount of clean-up being required. Only small amounts of superglue were needed to wed plastic to resin.

This bloody and hard fought conflict may be remembered for the first use of various weapons such as Stukas and Panzer Is by the Condor Legion but required the brave Spaniards of both sides to improvise weapons to try to gain the upper hand. One such weapon is the latest offering from the Catalonia-based company Minairons, 15mm scale ‘Bilbao’ armoured cars.

Designed by FlagsofWar.com, they are made from durable paper. These replace the usual decal sheets from the company and are offered due to the fact that very little is known about the markings of these vehicles. The model also exists in 1/72nd (20mm) scale but it is good to see a company releasing the same items in a range of scales, thereby providing gamers with options. This boxed set of four identical models for a major interwar conflict is a welcome addition to the Minairons range and is recommended to all those who plan to game within this fascinating and terrible period.

The True Story of Catch 22 by Patricia Chapman Meder Casemate 2012 www.casematepublishing.co.uk Reviewed by Neil Smith Not to open a can of worms, but Joseph Heller’s 1961 novel, Catch-22, is the greatest novel of the 20th Century. Bearing that in mind, imagine my excitement at receiving a book that purports to tell the real stories behind the characters of Catch-22. Not only that, but Meder’s The True Story of Catch-22 offers an invaluable insight into life at the sharp end of US bombing operations in the latter stages of WWII.

With the last surviving member of Heller’s inspirational comrades, George Wells, acting as her guide, Meder divided her book into three parts. The first looks at the four men behind the main characters in Heller’s novel and introduces her readers to the B-25 bomber of 340th Bomb Group and the wide variety of missions it was commissioned to conduct. Meder does an excellent job of connecting the ‘real’ warriors to their Heller counterparts and the war that brought them together. The first is Wells, then Heller himself who became Yossarian, Bill Chapman, the author’s father, and Bob Knapp who became General Dreedle and hated Heller’s book with a passion. The second section of Meder’s book consists of a montage of photographs and short stories of the rest of Heller’s characters. She follows that with a selection of twelve longer reminiscences in Part Three. In those, the reader experiences among other things; the Mount Vesuvius eruption that covered the Bomb Group’s base; trembling under a bombing run by German JU-88s; and the sense of loss when a plane did not return from its mission. Meder concludes her book with two primary sources; George Wells’s completely transcribed Mission Book, and a photo-essay on a training video in which Heller took part. The True Story of Catch-22 was obviously a labour of love for Meder. The content is a mish-mash of styles, weaving anecdotes, source material, recollections, snippets of memory, and, of course, Heller’s brilliant observations on the men he fought alongside and moulded into legendary literary characters. Anyone interested in WWII bomber operations will enjoy this book, and for wargamers who enjoy recreating air combat there is a wealth of material contained therein that will inform their understanding of what those sturdy B-25s and their incredibly brave crews did in the war and how they did it.

The D-Day Landing Beaches: The Guide by Georges Bernage Casemate 2012 www.casematepublishing.co.uk Reviewed by Neil Smith Georges Bernage’s coffee-table paperback The D-Day Landing Beaches opens a window into the 6 June 1944 allied offensive codenamed Operation Overlord. Translated into English by John Lee, Bernage’s almost notebook style of writing is packed with information that serves as not just a guide to the beaches but as a jump-off point for further reading and research. The book’s collection of contemporary and modern photographs of defences and key locations, many of them fascinating then-and-now pictures, and maps illustrate more than adequately the scope and scale of the massive airborne and seaborne assault on that fateful day. Bernage begins with Normandy under German occupation. He emphasizes the invaluable intelligence and disruptive activities of the Resistance in the run-up to D-Day.

The Atlantic Wall section immediately afterwards illustrates the complexity of the German defences along the Channel coast. However, rather than a continuous barrier, by D-Day the defences resembled a series of ‘nests’ many of which were unfinished. When Field-Marshal Erwin Rommel took command, he correctly identified the beaches as the front-line and set up a fearsome array of obstacles to the invasion. Finally, Bernage considers the troops behind the “Wall”, a third of whom came from disaffected Soviet Republics, and the tanks, many of which were obsolete. The build-up continues with an overview of planning and organization for Overlord, including an excursus on Hobart’s “Funnies”, a variety of specialized tanks designed to overcome obstacles. Bernage’s summary of Naval forces involved, including landing-craft and artificial harbours, reveals the depth of planning, but it was the available air power that decided the battle of Normandy, according to Bernage, and it is difficult to argue with that when considering the awesome fire-power that rained down on the Germans along the beaches and behind the front. Bernage gets down to the nitty-gritty of the invasion with an overview of the airborne troops so vital for disrupting German communications and movement. The author then begins his tour of the beaches, starting with Sword where the legendary Lord Lovatt accompanied by his bagpiper led the British assault. The Canadians attacked Juno Beach and fought their way out of the beachhead despite confusion and intense local opposition. The British 50th Division landed at Gold Beach and poured forward. Before moving on to the American efforts, Bernage presents the British operations in the days after the landings. The American survey begins on the exposed Omaha Beach where The Big Red One and the Blue and Gray Divisions fought valiantly against terrible odds. Bernage follows that with the famous assault on the Ponte du Hoc, then back to the beaches at Utah Beach. At Utah, US paratroopers landed to aid the landings, including the vital attack on Sainte-Mere-Eglise, while the Germans responded by flooding the low-lying ground. Bernage concludes his survey with an overview of the American sector after D-Day and a wider snapshot of that summer’s operations as the allies advanced towards Paris. Finally, Bernage presents a map of relevant museums in Normandy and the final accounting of the campaign’s human toll. This is a brief but excellent survey of the D-Day landings and a mine of information for wargamers looking for WWII inspiration. The maps and photos provide great material for ambitious wargaming projects and Bernage’s book would also make a great companion for Normandy site visits. The only quibble I had as a historian was that the author’s bibliography is disappointing with few modern works referenced.

28mm ‘Retreat from Empire’ Range Commando Miniatures www.commandominiatures.com Reviewed by Wayne Bollands The topic for review this time is four packs of figures very kindly provided by John Allen of Commando Miniatures. John has set out to cover the ‘Retreat from Empire’ period from the end of the Korean War up to the Falklands. The figures received represent British and Arabian forces from the Aden Emergency, a conflict which lasted on and off from 1962 until 1967. The four figure packs are numbered B-12, B-16, R-30 and E-19 respectively.

B-12 contains a four-man British infantry section. Three of the figures are armed with SLR’s and the fourth has a Sterling SMG. Two of the figures are in good quality firing poses, one standing and one kneeling. The third figure is in the act of throwing a grenade and has a separate SLR that fits into an open hand. The fourth figure appears to be loading his Sterling, clutching a magazine in his left hand. All the figures are in light, tropical kit and wearing bush hats. Magazine pouches and double water bottles hanging from their belts suggest that they are equipped for a short patrol or similar. They are described as ‘British Infantry Firefight’ in the official list and give the impression of a frozen moment of action during some sort of confrontation. The soldiers of B-12 look like they could do with some support and this is provided by pack B-16, a British GPMG team of two figures advancing cautiously or patrolling the area. The gunner is carrying his GPMG across the lower torso hanging from the sling around his shoulders. Crossed bandoliers of spare ammunition can be seen on the figures chest. The Number Two is sculpted in a vest, perhaps reflecting the fact that, on top of his SLR, he has to tote the remainder of the spare ammunition and other essential items in the small rucksack with side pouches that comes with the set. Both figures look suitably encumbered and even weighed down by the kit needed for their role.

Pack R-30 represents the opposition for the British forces in the Aden, notably the Red Wolves of Radfan, Southern Arabian ‘rebels / freedom fighters’ (delete as desired). Clad in Arabian dress, three of the figures have M1 Garand rifles and the fourth is kneeling whilst making ready to fire a bazooka. Turbans, curved knives, beards and long hair are all in evidence on these quite dynamic looking sculpts. One takes aim with a rifle, another masked individual leans forward to take a shot with what looks like a Webley revolver and the last one is cast open handed so that his rifle may be added as either ‘brandished aloft’ in one hand and ‘carried’ in the other whilst he exhorts his colleagues to greater activity.

The final pack, E-19, contains not figures but ‘extras’ to convert any of the British figures into SAS. There are four Bergens, two M16’s and two machetes that may be added to suitable figures. More importantly, the pack contains four bearded heads wearing peaked soft caps, allowing the gamer to create a section of motley looking special forces troopers. I can see that this and similar packs of weapons, heads, etc. within the range being of interest to those who like converting figures for a range of conflicts.

Apart from the notable exception of the Radfan Arabs, the British figures may also be used for the conflict in Indonesia during the same time period. A slightly different paint job may well be all that is required. It is quite refreshing to see a company tackling the myriad ‘Little Wars’ of the mid-twentieth century which are so often overshadowed by much larger, louder conflicts. Commando Miniatures provide figures, buildings and now vehicles that are appropriate for the Aden and Indonesian theatre. The two vehicles so far are the ubiquitous British Army Land Rover and the Ferret Mk 1. The company has plans to produce figures for other conflicts, including those involving the French such as the Algerian War of Independence 1954 – 62. John and his associates have a willingness to listen to customers and aim to provide the best possible product they can to the interested gamer. I feel that, although a somewhat niche market, the level of sculpting and devotion to creating quality ranges means that Commando Miniatures is a company worthy of support for offering something different in the wargames marketplace.

15,10 and 6mm WWII Tanks RPG Tanks / Caliver Books www.miniaturefigurines.co.uk Reviewed by Wayne Bollands Although I have happily played many games set during World War Two, I have in the past used mainly resin, metal or plastic AFV’s as part of my forces. I have been aware of the 28mm range of tanks and vehicles available from Caliver Books but it was not until recently I discovered that their RPG Tanks section has begun to produce items in other scales. Dave and Chris of Caliver very kindly allowed me to take away three blister packs worth from each of the above scales to review.

In front of me are a 15mm Cromwell IV, two Sherman M4A4’s (75mm) in 10mm and two Panzer IV’s (Ausf. B) in 6mm. To help the reader to understand the unique production process, I took the following from the Minifigs website. ‘The RPG models are manufactured using a process called selective laser sintering, or SLS. This is a process that is used in motorsport, including Formula 1, aerospace, architectural modelling and medical applications. It entails the fusing together of layers of very fine powder (in our case, nylon) into a 3D model by a computer-directed CO2 heat laser. The model is designed using computer-aided design (CAD) and the resultant 3D CAD data is then sliced into layers, which in our case are 0.12mm thick and the powder is sintered (melted) layer by layer. Additional powder is deposited on top of each solidified layer and again sintered. When the models are complete the chamber is allowed to cool and the components removed’.

So, bearing this level of technical detail in mind, what makes these miniatures different? Well, first of all, the level of detail which is evident on every model. I have come to expect a certain amount of detail on my 15mm models having routinely purchased from the top end of the market, to whit, Battlefront Miniatures. But I was unprepared for a similar level of detail on both the 10 and 6mm RPG Tanks. All of the miniatures have clearly defined tracks and other details on the running gear. The 10mm Shermans have spare track links on the front of the AFV, with shovels, open hatches, etc. On the 15mm Cromwell, the turret turns and can be removed for painting.

The 10mm Shermans also have this facility. What pleasantly surprised me is that the 6mm Panzer IV’s have the same ability. Granted, it is a while since I bought 6mm tanks but I do not remember the turrets being able to turn, or the details on the fuel tanks, turrets, etc. being this clear. Each of the miniatures has the appearance of model kits rather than being one-piece castings. Obviously, the process used is able to produce high quality versions in a range of scales. The 15mm Cromwell IV is a single pack but the 10mm Shermans and 6mm Panzer IVs come in packs of two, in a blister pack and stapled clear plastic bag respectively. They are quite robust castings, as evidenced when I clumsily dropped a Sherman on my computer desk without any discernible damage. Caliver Books are to be commended for being able to offer tanks to suit every ‘scale’ of gamer. I would happily buy some of these miniatures in the 15 and 10mm scales to supplement my current armies and would consider the 6mm AFV’s as an easy alternative to carrying so much resin and lead around. I hope that RPG Tanks continue to thrive and more items are added to all the factions in the future.

28mm American War of Independence British Infantry 1775 – 1783 Perry Miniatures Plastics www.perry-miniatures.com Reviewed by Wayne Bollands Once again, Perry Miniatures have provided a complete ‘unit in a box’ for those of us on a budget and looking to get into a new period. The figures in this box are designed to be assembled in either ‘at the charge’ or ‘at the trail’ poses.

They come with three different styles of hat and are intended to be used as troops in campaign dress rather than parade ground. This box set comes with the usual bases and painting guide that we have come to expect from a superior product. I say ‘ come to expect’ but it is worth remembering that the plastic sets from the Perry’s were industry leaders in providing this style of product in this particular scale.

Each sprue is packed to the absolute maximum with fairly multipose figures. The crispness of the detailed figures belies the fact that they are made from hard plastic. Having put together entire units of ACW troops from the original boxed sets released by the Perry’s, my favourite aspect of the experience are the optional extras one receives. Blanket rolls, cocked and un-cocked hats, Saratoga caps and a choice of poses for the arms is really useful for the gamer wanting some freedom of choice within their units. To me, this has always been the greatest thing about plastic figures, right the way back to the original Airfix World War Two multipose – the sculptor has done his or her job very well but still left me, the cack-handed gamer, with the ability to create something unique.

The main sprues show the fact that these are troops ‘on campaign’ very well due to the fact that every figure carries haversacks, cartridge boxes, water bottles, etc. Granted, the uniforms of the figures are not torn and tattered due to wear and tear but this is offset by the well-sculpted uniform detail. The fact that each miniature is either wearing gaiters or ‘American trousers’ adds to the sense that these are men who have learnt lessons or been issued with the right sort of kit for combat in dense woodlands or open fields alike. Even the command sprue maintains this image of experienced troops, with officers in simple, undress jackets to prevent being picked off by rifle-armed Americans. This command group is complimented by two casualty figures, a handy addition for those who like to model their own tokens or markers for various rule sets. The drummer figure is modelled with suitable arms and the drumsticks are poised to beat the advance. Even the standard poles have extra cords that may be added to allow for more options.

All in all, this boxed set of figures is the latest evolution of the ‘Perry-plastic style’. It provides both the beginner and the veteran gamer alike with one or more complete unit(s) for use on their tabletop battlefield. I am a huge fan of this approach to gaming in these cash-strapped times and will be using these figures in a game in the not too distant future – it’s all there for me, so I can enjoy the modelling and painting experience rather than having to indulge in further research. The fact that the Perry’s are beginning to make the foray into more recent, 20th century conflicts that I already game means that I will be able to enjoy this new, 18th century period whilst expanding the models I own into an area of World War Two I have only previously gamed in 15mm.