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This section has none of the newest releases for some time.

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General Discussions / A Gentleman's War
« on: September 05, 2022, 09:36:00 am »
The new BA starter set called "A Gentleman's War" is going to have two plastic armored cars. One will be the SdKfz 222 and the other a Humber II/IV. When I heard these were going to be plastic, my first thought was, "Fantastic, they made a smart deal with Rubicon models." But now after I read this article in the latest Wargames Illustrated, it mentions that the armored cars will be from Italeri? News to me, and I can't imagine a better SdKfz 222 model kit better than what Rubicon Models already has.

Has anyone picked up A Gentleman's War yet? What do you think?

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General Discussions / Do you cut or not cut?
« on: July 17, 2022, 11:37:42 am »
To cut or not to cut, that is the question.

Just recently I was assembling a Rubicon Models kit. I was assembling yet another T-34 kit and I had the two following thoughts while working on it:

1) How simple and nice these T-34 kits really are. Both their T-34/76 and T34/85 kits are some of their earlier kts, and also are (in some ways) simpler to assemble with fewer parts, but yet they still have very good details and are just as nice as their newer kits.

2) How many other people actually cut the supporting connection bits between the wheels, and how many just leave it one when assembling?

What am I talking about? Have a look at parts C01 and C02 (or B15 and B16) of the T-34/76 kit. An even better example is to take a look at parts A08 and A09 from their Panzer IV Ausf F/F2/G/H kit because the support connections are much smaller.

However, I’m somewhat surprised Rubicon Models didn’t design it so that the support connections on the Panzer IV were on the inside when assembled instead on the outside where they are more noticeable. That being said, I think they learned from this, because on their Panzer III kits, they made it so that the support connections would be on the inside and therefore less noticeable.

Anyway, Rubicon Models’ idea of using these supporting connections between the wheels is actually a really good idea, and something I hope they continue to use. This gives a person a choice of an easy assembly, or if you do not want them because of looks or whatever, they are easily removed. Yes, it takes a bit of cutting and sanding/filing, but if they were individual wheel parts, you would be doing that anyway, so it’s not an issue.

I really like this feature, but now that I have said that, I always end up removing them because I like the cleaner look. Now, I have not assembled my Panzer III Ausf E… yet. Because these smaller supporting connection bits are on the inside (not the outside like on the Panzer IV kits), I might not remove them for ease of assembly. Only time will tell. I might end up removing them anyway because assembling these kits is part of the enjoyment.

Do you cut or not cut these off when you assemble your kits?

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Decal & Painting Guides / More panting guides?
« on: December 19, 2021, 10:35:47 am »
Any new painting guides forth coming?

Good opportunity to show case some of the later kits like the Panzer IV, Panzer III, future Panzer II, Sdkfz.10, future M3 (Lee/Grant), BA-10 Heavy Armoured Car, Valentine tank, and so on. The Panzer III & IV kits alone will give you a host of painting guides. Not so much for the early Panzer IIIs & IVs, but certainly the later Panzer IIIs & IVs.


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Wish Lists / M3 Medium Tank - AKA Lee/Grant
« on: December 14, 2020, 08:46:59 am »
Question: What do you call a person who doesn’t believe in Santa Claus?  :-\
Answer: A rebel without a Claus.  :D

For Christmas, I asked Santa for a brand new shinny Rubicon Models M3 Medium tank (Lee/Grant) plastic model kit.
However, I am a rebel without a Claus.


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Rubicon Models offer 28mm American, British, German, and Soviet infantry figures for the modeller and/or gamer. They even have HMG/MMG teams for the American and Germans - none for the British or Soviets. However, something I noticed is that there are no LMGs (MG34 or MG42 with bi-pods) teams for the German infantry. Also, there are no BARs for the US infantry, or LMGs (DP-28 for example) for the Soviet infantry. There only seems to be one LMG in the whole mix, and that is the Bren LMG (Item# 284059) for the British infantry, so the British can at least have LMG teams even if they can't have MMG teams.

I also notice that there are no SMGs either (MP40 and Thompson SMGs for example) for the American and German infantry.  The British get what looks like a couple of Sten SMGs, and it seems that the Soviet infantry get no rifles and a lot of PPSh SMGs. What, no Mosin–Nagant rifles, really?

Are these obvious oversights on Rubicon Models' part? Or are these items of no interest to modellers and/or gamers?

Because the 28mm infantry figures are made of pewter and not plastic, that just makes it that much harder to convert a few to make LMG teams. Provided you can find some LMGs or BARs so you can convert a few figures to look like they are carrying LMGs or BARs.





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Now that Rubicon Models has some great Panzer IV kits and soon to have some great Panzer III kits, do you think they will be adding a StuG III, StuH, StuG IV, Jagdpanzer IV, Panzer IV/70(V), Panzer IV/70 (A), or even a Hornisse/Nashorn plastic model kit?

Other than a novelty item, I see no real reason for a 1:56 scale Hornisse/Nashorn, but there might be something to say about a 1:56 scale StuG III, StuH, StuG IV, Jagdpanzer IV, Panzer IV/70(V) or /70 (A). 

That being said, there is absolutely no reason for a StuG III Ausf.G plastic model kit becasue both Rubicon Models and Italeri already offer very good kits of this tank with the option to build the StuH 42, so when it comes to a StuG III, maybe only an early version like an Ausf A to E. With Rubicon Models' extensive line of Panzer III plastic model kits, would it be easy for them to use the bits to make an early StuG III Ausf.A to E plastic model kit/kits?

Now I can see an interest in the gaming community for a StuG III Ausf.A to E, but what about a StuG IV? Is there even a need for one on the gaming table? I can maybe see a need for something like a Jagdpanzer IV, Panzer IV/70(V) or /70 (A), and not just as a novelty item. However, compared to the StuG III Ausf.G kit we already have, how popular would something like a Jagdpanzer IV, Panzer IV/70(V) or /70 (A) be to the average miniature gamer that uses 1:56 scale models?



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General Discussions / Updating the Official Assembly Instructions
« on: April 27, 2020, 08:38:54 am »
@Rubicon Models: When are you going to update the Official Assembly Instructions?

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General Discussions / Using your Rubicon Models
« on: April 01, 2020, 10:21:31 am »
What do you do with your Rubicon Models after they are assembled and painted?

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General Discussions / Antennas
« on: December 04, 2019, 10:51:41 am »
What do people use for antennas?

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General Discussions / The visual appeal of 1:56 (28mm) scale figures.
« on: August 19, 2019, 11:51:38 am »
Looks are in the eye of the beholder. That being said, Rubicon Models is trying to please both modellers and gamers alike, but the simple fact is that 1:56 (28mm) scale is going to be predominately a gaming scale. As a result, Rubicon Models should keep this in mind. I strongly believe that if their figures were closer in appearance (look and style) to Perry Miniatures, this would be better for all at this scale.

Plastic model companies usually make figures with more anatomically correct proportions while wargame companies almost always make figures that tend to have oversized heads, hands, weapons, and other features because sculptors like to put emphasis on those parts of the wargame figure. Also, in the case of weapons and other features, added strength and durability for use on the gaming table.

When it comes to their figures, Rubicon Models is trying to be too anatomically correct. Actually, you would think that this is a good thing, but I wished they were closer in look and style to the Perry Miniatures. Perry Miniatures are for gaming, and as a result the Perry brothers mix in a good blend of anatomically correctness with some exaggerated detail and proportions that make them look good on the gaming table and/or dioramas. Used for gaming or modelling, Perry figures just work. They do a far better job at this than most other companies including Warlord Games, whose figures tend to be very much "heroic" – very much over exaggerated proportions for their scale.



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For me, just a bit of venting here because sometimes gamers (and at times model companies) can’t see the bigger picture - even when it’s obvious, and this astonishes me at times. Not to point fingers, but there is this unhappy gamer, and he is angry because no one has released a plastic kit of the T-35 in 1:56 scale. Would a 1:56 scale plastic kit of the T-35 be neat? Yes, certainly, but there are so many other more important and useful plastic kits that gamers would like to see long before hoping for a T-35 Soviet Heavy Tank!

These days we should count ourselves fortunate when it comes to 28mm (1:56) scale plastic gaming miniatures/models. Not so long ago – just a few short years really – the only vehicles available for gaming at this scale were either metal or resin with metal bits. More importantly, most of these were a joke (visually ugly and disproportioned), but we didn’t have much of a choice at that time. Yes, some of the newer resin stuff is looking better, but compared to a good plastic model kit (and sometimes even a mediocre one as well) they are still inferior in several ways.

That being said, there are still a few common items that gamers would really like to see released in plastic. What I mean by “common items” are things that would see a lot of use on the typical gaming table for games like Bolt Action, Chain of Command, Battleground WW2, Operation Squad, and several other skirmish level games, and players use 28mm (1:56) scale miniatures/models. Before I want to see a T-35 or even an M26 Pershing, I would very much like to see – and I hope I’m not alone here - the following 1:56 (28mm) scale plastic kits:

= List updated April, 2019 =
= List updated October, 2020 =
= List updated November, 2021 =
= List updated January, 2022 =
= List updated October, 2022 = probably last time

American vehicles and equipment in plastic:
Plastic AT-Guns  - these would be popular. – a 37mm is available and a 75mm is coming soon!
M3 Medium (Lee) – best if it can be a Lee & Grant kit - coming soon?!

British vehicles and equipment in plastic:
Plastic AT-Guns  - these would be popular – a 25pdr/17pdr kit is available
M3 Medium (Grant) – best if it can be a Lee & Grant kit - coming soon?!
British Armored Car – one of the most common types.
Note: a Humber Mk II/IV is already available.**
British Truck – RM is releasing a Bedford Truck – available
Valentine Tank – for those that need them. – available Valentine - II/III/IV/V/IIICS/IX/X/XI
** Sadly, this is not a Rubicon Models kit, but still a very good plastic model kit from Warlord Games.

French vehicles and equipment in plastic:
Plastic AT-Guns
Renault R35/39/40 or Hotchkiss H35/38/39 – more Renaults were built.
AMD Panhard armored car.
French Truck  - one of the most common types.

German vehicles and equipment in plastic:
SdKfz 10 half-trackavailable and a SdKfx 10/4.
Note: before the SdKfz 10, Rubicon Models also released a Krupp Protze. Product Code: 280082
SdKfz 231 8-Rad armored car.
Note: There is a very nice SdKfz 222 kit kit from Rubicon Models. Product Code: 280062
Panzer II Ausf A/B/C/Favailable
Panzer III (early to late) – available
StuG III Ausf A-E – not as numerous as mid to late war versions, but useful for those early war scenarios.
Note: Rubicon Models has already released a very nice kit of the StuG III Ausf G. Product Code: 280017

Soviet vehicles and equipment in plastic:
Plastic AT-Guns  - these would be popular.
BA-64 – one of the most produced Soviet armored cars.
Note: There are very nice kits of the BA-3/BA-6 and Ba-10 from Rubicon Models.
BT-5/7 - coming soon!
T-60/70
SU-76

Italian vehicles and equipment in plastic:
Several things since there isn’t much available.
Carro Armato M13/40 & Semovente Commando M40  – available
Semovente da 75/18 SPG  – available
Very nice plastic model kits.

Japanese vehicles and equipment in plastic:
Several things since there isn’t much available.

Now, there are going to be those (because there always is) that will say, “I really want to see the M7 Priest in plastic.” Or maybe a T-35 Heavy Tank, a Brummbar, a Ferdinand, an ISU-152, an M26 Pershing (available), a 152mm ML20 how, a Borgward, a 155mm Long Tom, an M12 GMC, a Char C2, a Sturmtiger, a Sexton, a Staghound, a GPA 'Seep', a DUKW, and so on, but to be blunt and hopefully obvious about it all, I think the items listed above would be far more useful to the average or typical gamer that collects and uses 28mm (1:56) scale miniatures to play such games like Bolt Action, Chain of Command, Battleground WW2, or Operation Squad. Something like a 155mm heavy howitzer for example would be unlikely to see much use (if ever) in your typical skirmish level game. So instead of a 155mm heavy howitzer or a Brummbar, wouldn’t it be so much useful and better to have that M3 Medium Lee/Grant (coming soon?) or that SdKfz 10 half-track (available) that we all have been waiting for?

After the model companies have already released all the more common and useful kits, than maybe exploring the need for something like a T-35 or M7 Priest can be explored.

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General Discussions / Thailand and Rubicon Models' plastic kits.
« on: February 20, 2019, 06:27:11 pm »
Hello fellow Rubicon Models fans. I have to report some bad news. As of last January, 2019, my primary source for getting Rubicon Models is no longer an option. I only recently learned of this situation when I did a follow up on an order I placed sometime ago, and it never arrived.

I live in Thailand and I do not know of any local stores/retailers that stocks/carries kits from Rubicon Models, so I will not be getting any new kits anytime soon.

Yes, online mail order is an option, but usually the shipping costs (especially if shipped from the US or UK) is as high or higher than the cost of the model kits themselves. The shipping costs from online sites which are closer to Thailand like Mr. Hobby in Japan, Fun Atelier in Hong Kong, and War and Peace Games in Australia isn't much better either.

In short, no more Rubicon Models for me until I can find a new source. Or when I travel to countries that have hobby/game/model stores that happen to have Rubicon Models kits that I want.

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General Discussions / Katyusha Kit-Bash Idea & The New T-26 Light Tank
« on: November 18, 2018, 10:26:20 pm »
I got some new toys yesterday  :)

This new Rubicon order from my supplier arrived so much faster than normal that it was alarming and delightful at the same time.



T-26
Now obviously I haven't started assembly the new T-26 yet, but the new Rubicon Models T-26 kit looks really good. I am going to have to order more!

Kit-Bashing
But the main reason for placing the order was because I wanted another GAZ and BM-13 kit for a possible kit-bash idea I have. While I was reading "Katyusha: Russian Multiple Rocket Launchers 1941–Present" from Osprey Publishing, I wrote down some information from page 12 where it mentions that a few GAZ-AAA trucks were used to make Katyushas because of a shortage of ZIS-6 trucks. So, I'm going to explore the idea of putting the "Katyusha" on a GAZ-AAA truck. Don't worry. The BM-13 kit will not be wasted because the kit allows you to build a BM-13 "Katyusha" or a regular Studabaker US6 truck - you gotta' love Rubicon kits! - so I plan to build the Studabaker US6 and see if I can get the "Katyusha" bits to fit onto the GAZ-AAA truck.

Has anyone else tried this kit-bash idea yet? If so, do you have any build tips to share?

I'm still trying to find good detailed wartime photos of the GAZ-AAA with the multiple rocket launchers.

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General Discussions / My SdKfz 222s have arrived!
« on: October 09, 2018, 01:48:09 am »
I finally got my hands on a few Rubicon Models SdKfz 222 kits! Yes, I know they were released sometime ago, but Rubicon Models kits (especially new releases) can take a while at times fro me to get. Especially if my source is closed for a month.



Anyway, I just got these and I have not started to assemble them yet, but soon. I notice that 222 kit is not listed in the "Official Assembly Instructions" section, so I will need to make any notes here about assembly... if needed.

I'm pretty sure others have already received their 222 kits, and most likely have already assembled and painted them. And since no one has made any mention of any issues (big or small) with these 222 kits, I'm guessing there are none to note.

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