RossM
Well-Known Member
At the start of 2018, I wrote that this year would, after several years of not completing anything, be one where I would complete a model. I started positively with some early work on a bust. However, for several reasons, this has not progressed. A key reason has been one related to tools. Like many modellers, I have a personal preference for some of the tools I use, and this is especially pronounced in the paint brushes I use. I prefer to use sable brushes with a preference for Winsor and Newton brushes. When I moved to Australia I did bring some of my brushes, but they are in a box in a storage unit. As such, I bought some synthetic brushes hoping they would be ok. Let us say that they did not and leave it there.
Given this situation, I have decided to try and reboot my modelling endeavours for 2018. This has led me down the route of buying a kit to build rather than painting a figure. Given my current circumstances, this is probably a better choice. As such, I have just ordered the MENG Whippet tank. The period of the centenary of the First World War has seen a renewed interest in models from this conflict. In the figure modelling world, we have, for example, seen some great figures released by Tommy’s War and of course, the superlative kits from Wingnut Wings have showered aircraft modellers with glad tidings. Armour modellers have not been left out with the likes of MENG, Takom and Tamiya releasing a variety of British, French, and German armour. Indeed, both MENG and Takom have a Whippet tank in their respective ranges.
Whippet tanks preparing to retire near Albert, 28 March 1918. Whippet tanks of the 3rd Battalion were the first ever to come into action at Mailly-Maillet on 26 March 1918. (Source: © IWM (Q 9817))
Broadly speaking, the Whippet was designed as a faster counterpart to Britain’s heavier tanks that first saw action in 1916 and tanks were, of course, one of the many innovations of the First World War that changed the character of war. The Whippet was intended to help exploit breakthroughs on the Western Front. Primarily used by the British Army, several were captured by the Germans while a number were captured by the Red Army after their deployment to support White Russian forces. Some were also exported to Japan.
A captured British Whippet tank in German service, c. 1918. (Source: © IWM (Q 88140))
I picked the MENG kit for several reasons. First, it is reasonably priced at around $45 from BNA Model World. Second, the reviews I have read about MENG kits over the past few years have impressed me. Indeed, the reviews of this kit here, here, and here, gave me a good impression of this kit. Finally, the kit appears to have been developed in conjunction with The Tank Museum in the UK. I know many modelling companies make use of museums and their archives for research, but it is pleasing to see this readily acknowledge by MENG.
As of this moment, I am still waiting for the kit to arrive as well as David Fletcher’s Osprey book on the Whippet but when it does I will try to keep this blog updated with progress.
Header Image: A British Whippet tank on the road near Demuin, c. 1918 (Source: © IWM (Q 56422))
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Given this situation, I have decided to try and reboot my modelling endeavours for 2018. This has led me down the route of buying a kit to build rather than painting a figure. Given my current circumstances, this is probably a better choice. As such, I have just ordered the MENG Whippet tank. The period of the centenary of the First World War has seen a renewed interest in models from this conflict. In the figure modelling world, we have, for example, seen some great figures released by Tommy’s War and of course, the superlative kits from Wingnut Wings have showered aircraft modellers with glad tidings. Armour modellers have not been left out with the likes of MENG, Takom and Tamiya releasing a variety of British, French, and German armour. Indeed, both MENG and Takom have a Whippet tank in their respective ranges.
Broadly speaking, the Whippet was designed as a faster counterpart to Britain’s heavier tanks that first saw action in 1916 and tanks were, of course, one of the many innovations of the First World War that changed the character of war. The Whippet was intended to help exploit breakthroughs on the Western Front. Primarily used by the British Army, several were captured by the Germans while a number were captured by the Red Army after their deployment to support White Russian forces. Some were also exported to Japan.
I picked the MENG kit for several reasons. First, it is reasonably priced at around $45 from BNA Model World. Second, the reviews I have read about MENG kits over the past few years have impressed me. Indeed, the reviews of this kit here, here, and here, gave me a good impression of this kit. Finally, the kit appears to have been developed in conjunction with The Tank Museum in the UK. I know many modelling companies make use of museums and their archives for research, but it is pleasing to see this readily acknowledge by MENG.
As of this moment, I am still waiting for the kit to arrive as well as David Fletcher’s Osprey book on the Whippet but when it does I will try to keep this blog updated with progress.
Header Image: A British Whippet tank on the road near Demuin, c. 1918 (Source: © IWM (Q 56422))
Continue reading...
