Tankette-60-1 is now available for download by paid up MAFVA members
REVIEW
Tankette Vol. 60/1
MAFVA is now 60 years old!
The first issue of Tankette for the New Year starts with an impressive cover photo of a model of an ISU-152 on a diorama.
Page2 has the regular ‘Members Models’ feature with a selection of excellent models, all providing ideas for your own builds.
On page 3 are the usual contact addresses, contents list and the editorial. Important notes on banking changes and how they affect MAFVA, plus the upcoming AGM are included.
Regular contributor Dick Harley continues his seminal work on the Cromwell with an article titled ‘The Cromwell File: Throw the Prong Away’. Once again, Dick lays down the correct history of the vehicle, and how it is at odds with the proliferation of kits available of a ‘one off’. Included are scale drawings and a ‘how to’, needed in order to produce an accurate model.
We then have details of the 2025 MAFVA AGM, and how members can attend this on line event.
Scratchbuild Challenge is where Editor Robin has printed a scale drawing by the late Mick Bell of the Unic P17 BU wrecker, and throws down the gauntlet to the readers to build a model. As far as I know, there are no commercial kits available, but I would be looking at resin kits that might offer a chassis running gear and cab.
Andy Lang provides us with an excellent article on building a model of an A13, specifically the one operated by Norman Plough in the Western Desert. The article starts with a potted history of the unit (2RTR), and the crew of this tank. The build log illustrates the lengths that Andy goes to achieve the level of detail he is happy with.
The Case for Books brings short reviews of six recent books, covering several different subjects.
Out in the Marketplace features a host pf new kit releases in a variety of scales and subject matter.
The prolific author David Fletcher shows us a photo of the Vickers Wheel-cum-Track with some interesting snippets of information. As always he invites further comment from the membership.
Editor Robin Buckland brings us a short piece on the ‘Rubber Bullet’ as used in Northern Ireland. Details like this help us to improve our model making.
Going back to the start of tracked vehicles, Adam Craske has penned an informative article on the Hornsby Chain Tracks. Supporting the text are photos and drawings, and information on how he built his model. An excellent article and great model!
The back cover features the flyer for the 2025 MAFVA Nationals to be held on Sunday June 15th in St Ives, Cambridgeshire. This is the major event for MAFVA members of the year, and a chance to meet fellow model makers, see their models, purchase kits, books and tools.
Another excellent issue.
Paul Middleton
MAFVA 1528