Afrika

I have very fond memories of the 1960’s Airfix 1/72 aircraft and military vehicle models. I remember purchasing a kit at the local post office / corner shop and taking it to school to build during an afternoon ‘ Art ‘ lesson at the age of 10. All the class brought to school different Airfix models that they wanted to build . Those were the days ! I still build Airfix models now , but tend not to build them out of the box , I can’t resist detailing and modifying them as my reference library has grown a lot since my school days. I think it would be really nice if Airfix revamped the 1/76 military vehicle range and maybe called it the ‘ New Classic’s Range ‘ . I think this would find a totally new following. Just one request. Please do a 1/76 scale Panzer 3 Ausf G model to ‘ complement ‘ the release of the 1/35 Panzer 3 .

Would like to suggest a 1/76 scale military vehicle wish list . Here's really hoping !. All to use the benefit of the latest slide moulding technology. 1. Retool of the venerable Panzer 4 F1, F2 kit 2. Panzer 3 Ausf J preferably the early version with early engine deck ( great basis for conversions ) 3. Italian M 13/40 4 Sherman retool 5. Crusader retool / rescaling . The original kit was nicely detailed but the model dimensions were very variable as to correct scaling. Although the ' Vintage Classics ' range is great to see still available , the moulds are now really showing their age and any models built from the range certainly need a lot of preparation to make anything like an acceptable model .

I still believe that 1/76 could have great potential and a bright future . The 1/72 scale market is now flooded with manufacturers. A reappraisal of what a 1/76 scale model should provide would be a good starting point. 1 Any model should have separate crew hatches, to allow crew figures to be placed if so chosen. 2 The kit should include some crew figures to man the tank . 3 Stowage items for the tank model should be included in the kit . 4 Any tank tools etc should be moulded separately if possible to make painting easier. 5 The model kit should allow for different versions of the tank to be made. 6 Road wheels, return rollers, drive sprocket and idler wheels need to be separate items , with either link and length tracks or single length tracks made out of a flexible plastic material of some sort that can easily be glued to the tanks return rollers to simulate the track saggoing or not. 7 An instruction sheet that described alternate modelling options plus a more extensive and more detailed painting guide prepared by modellers with matching transfers. 8 Include a 1/76 scale 5 view plan of the tank being modelled . I think the above would go a long way in providing a new ' standard ' for plastic AFV construction kits. This would provide a very good model both for the serious modeller and the wargamer who wants a good model , but with a bit more detail and can be customised with crew figures and stowage. What do others think ?.

I remember the Airfix 1/76 Panzer 4 fondly . When it very first came out it was probably the only Panzer 4 model available in this scale. At the time I converted quite a few to the Ausf E version to wargame battles in North Africa with a school friend doing the 8th Army. I have only recently returned to plastic scale modelling again , but have found that I am really enjoying it. My only disappointment is that there are not more 1/76 scale models of WW2 tanks available . I recently purchased a couple of 1/76 scale IBG Panzer 4 Ausf D plastic kits from their WW2 tanks range. I have been adding and correcting details, plus opening up hatches to add some crew figures. The tracks and wheels are moulded as single piece units , but are quite acceptable, and surface details are very good and in scale. These kits really show how moulding techniques have moved on from the 70's .I would certainly recommend them . It would be great if Airfix would update their 1/76 Panzer 4 to new standards . I am sure it would sell very well , especially if it included crew figures . 1/72 model tanks don't really sit very well with 1/76 scale ones. The size difference in my opinion is very noticeable . All the IBG Panzer 4 versions are to 1/76 scale so give them a go , I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how good they are !. All my references show water jerrycans on tanks , especially in Africa. It would never have been advisable to carry fuel jerrycans on a tank !.