Rubicon Models

Rubicon Models => Wish Lists => Topic started by: Tracks on January 17, 2018, 01:01:32 am

Title: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: Tracks on January 17, 2018, 01:01:32 am
It looks like Rubicon Models has some new plastic kits coming out this year, but I was just thinking... which is always scary.

I would like to pitch an idea to Rubicon Models for two new plastic kits that I think would be fantastic for them.

Kit 1) SdKfz 10 Halftrack:
There is a lot of interest for the Sdkfz 10 in a plastic kit. I know I would prefer a plastic kit from Rubicon Models than one of those blocks of resin things. More importantly, with a basic plastic kit of the SdKfz 10, the gamer/modeler has more options to make variants and field modifications of this common transport vehicle.

Kit 2) American 57mm AT-Gun M1 / British QF 6-Pdr AT-Gun:
There is great potential here because the same parts sprue for the AT-Gun can be setup with the needed bits and parts to build either the American 57mm AT-Gun M1 and British QF 6-Pdr AT-Gun. They were pretty much the same except for a few little differences. Parts can even be included to make the US Airborne version of the 57mm AT-Gun M1. As for crew, well, separate American and British crews can be made on different sprues to make the different kits if needed. Similar to what Rubicon Models did with the Jeep. The Willys MB ¼ ton 4x4 Truck (Commonwealth) and the Willys MB ¼ ton 4x4 Truck (US Standard) plastic kits have the exact same sprues for the jeep, but different sprues for the riders.

I believe the two plastic kit ideas above would be a fantastic project for Rubicon Models.

That being said, my current wish is as follows:
+ SdKfz 10 Halftrack
+ Panzer 38(t) (available now! from WG)
+ Panzer II
+ M3 Medium Tank (with Lee or Grant options?)
+ US 57mm AT-Gun M1
+ US 37mm AT-Gun M3
+ German 50mm Pak 38 (available now!, Rubicon Models)
+ German 75mm Pak 40 (available now!, Rubicon models)
+ Soviet 76mm ZiS-3 AT-Gun

Edit Post: I had to update my wish list above to account for recent developments. Good to see more and more 1/56 scale (28mm) plastic kits getting on the market. What a huge difference from just a few years ago when only bad resin kits were available. If I had waited a few years before getting into 28mm WW2 gaming, I would have saved a lot of funds by skipping those terrible resin kits. I'm still shocked and happy that this scale is getting more popular among gamers and modelers alike.

(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0288/8306/products/402012032_Panzer_38_t_Zug_box_front_600.72dpi_grande.jpg?v=1516281160)
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: somtec on January 17, 2018, 05:05:51 am
i could use a couple of 6pdr kits
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: Tracks on January 17, 2018, 04:23:46 pm
i could use a couple of 6pdr kits

Speaking of British guns and vehicles, there doesn't seem to be a lot in plastic kit form. One British tank I'm surprised that is not made in 1/56 (28mm) scale plastic is the Matilda II (III & IV). Yes, I know the Matilda II is available in resin, but the Warlord Games resin Matilda II is crap. The one you can get from Blitzkrieg Miniatures is much better, but it is still resin.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: ultravanillasmurf on January 17, 2018, 05:05:13 pm
As a number of contributors have mentioned, there is a scarcity of early war vehicles for all sides in plastic (from both manufacturers).

The T26 is Rubicon's first early war tank, I have mentioned previously that I think having opposing forces vehicles is the best way to kick start a period.

I am guessing that when the Panzer IV library is complete, that a Panzer III one will follow.

I hope that the Matilda will be included in their portfolio (YMMV).

For some reason Warlord did not follow up on their Blitzkrieg Germans with BEF plastics, even though they have done the campaign books for early war and Sea Lion. Theoretically they have access to the deaths of the early Cruisers released by PSC.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: Tracks on January 17, 2018, 05:58:49 pm
For some reason Warlord did not follow up on their Blitzkrieg Germans with BEF plastics, even though they have done the campaign books for early war and Sea Lion.

I too found that strange, and I think a lot of gamers/modelers were surprised by this fact. A lot of the members in my gaming club were actually getting excited thinking that they would release more for the early war line, but were all disappointed in the end when it never materialized.

As for the T26, well, one of the great consequences of Rubicon Model's T26 model kit is that there is a potential for a lot of options other than Soviet.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: tyroflyer on January 18, 2018, 05:54:43 am
I continue to be amazed Rubicon didn't want to include Panzer IV Ausf C in their digital library. I think it reflects a relative lack of interest in early war vehicles. The point I would make yet again is the early variant didn't retire after the Polish campaign and was the most numerous variant during the invasion of France. It should therefore interest a lot of WWII gamers.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: Rubicon Models on January 18, 2018, 12:10:40 pm
I continue to be amazed Rubicon didn't want to include Panzer IV Ausf C in their digital library. I think it reflects a relative lack of interest in early war vehicles. The point I would make yet again is the early variant didn't retire after the Polish campaign and was the most numerous variant during the invasion of France. It should therefore interest a lot of WWII gamers.

When we decided what to include in the library is not based on early war or not but on the overall design of the vehicle.  There must be an overwhelming degree of common or shared parts before we can "incorporated" a variant into the project.  The Soviet T-26 is a good example as all eight variants shared the same roadwheel system and lower hull, thus we can squeeze everything into 3 sprues.  The Panzer IV (even without the Ausf C) is a whopping 6 mould project for only 3 products... rather expensive in terms of cost.

Being that said, the Ausf C is not totally impossible, might not be all plastic, but is something that we had considered doing at a later stage. Given all the ongoing projects, priority dictates what we do.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: tyroflyer on January 18, 2018, 02:45:07 pm
 I think your Panzer IV kits will sell like hot cakes and justify the cost. Nice to know the Ausf C is on the 'to do' list.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: Tracks on January 18, 2018, 03:22:25 pm

When we decided what to include in the library is not based on early war or not but on the overall design of the vehicle.  There must be an overwhelming degree of common or shared parts before we can "incorporated" a variant into the project. 

Does this mean the "Kit 2) American 57mm AT-Gun M1 / British QF 6-Pdr AT-Gun:" idea that was mentioned above is something that would greatly interest Rubicon Models? Maybe soon we will possibly see some of those fantastic digital scans? ;)

Kit #1 = US 57mm AT-Gun M1 (with Airborne version option).
Kit #2 = British QF 6-Pdr AT-Gun  (with Airborne version option).
...and of course, with all the nice features Rubicon Models is known for.
 ;D

Edit post to add airborne option for British kit because it was a good idea.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: ultravanillasmurf on January 18, 2018, 04:23:56 pm
Does this mean the "Kit 2) American 57mm AT-Gun M1 / British QF 6-Pdr AT-Gun:" idea that was mentioned above is something that would greatly interest Rubicon Models? Maybe soon we will possibly see some of those fantastic digital scans? ;)

Kit #1 = US 57mm AT-Gun M1 (with Airborne version option).
Kit #2 = British QF 6-Pdr AT-Gun
...and of course, with all the nice features Rubicon Models is known for.
 ;D
I would prefer:
Kit 1 = British QF 6 pounder AT gun with airborne option....

^__^

There are issues with existing models of the airborne version.
http://www.lead-adventure.de/index.php?topic=105710.msg1317103#msg1317103 (http://www.lead-adventure.de/index.php?topic=105710.msg1317103#msg1317103)
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: Tracks on January 21, 2018, 05:18:36 pm
I knew the Panzer 38t was coming, but today I was surprised to see it listed as being available.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: Rubicon Models on January 21, 2018, 05:59:34 pm
I knew the Panzer 38t was coming, but today I was surprised to see it listed as being available.

This is an upscaled PSC kit from 1/72 to 1/56... no comments on its quality. :-X
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: Tracks on January 21, 2018, 07:55:31 pm
I knew the Panzer 38t was coming, but today I was surprised to see it listed as being available.

This is an upscaled PSC kit from 1/72 to 1/56... no comments on its quality. :-X

I agree, and typically this is what PSC does. This includes the new Marder III kit they recently did for Warlord Games. Even though the overall detail and quality is not of Rubicon Models standards, I can tell you - because I have two Marder III plastic kits - that it is so much better than the earlier resin kit. I like the new Marder III plastic kit and think it is well wroth adding to any model and/or gaming collection.

Attention: The new Warlord Games Marder III plastic kit is actually a Sdkfz.139 Marder III. The "Ausf.H" label on the box is incorrect.



Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: EarlyWarGamer on January 22, 2018, 09:53:49 am
Whoa, wait ...

"Attention: The new Warlord Games Marder III plastic kit is actually a Sdkfz.139 Marder III. The "Ausf.H" label on the box is incorrect."

The WLG Marder III is actually the 7.62 (soviet gun) armed Marder III (Sd.Kfz 139) ... and not the 7.5 (german gun) armed Marder III (Sd.Kfz 138 (H)?

That blows me away their box is wrong.  The 139 was produced in greater numbers (344 versus 275 of the 138) and sooner (Apr 42 - Oct 42 versus Nov 42 - May 43).  It's still not "early war" so for now, a pass by me.  But I was thinking it was the 139 and not the 138.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: Pinky on January 22, 2018, 10:16:03 am
This isn't really news - there was some discussion about it here when the kit first appeared.  WG have these brain farts from time to time.  Like the initial box art for their Tiger I, which showed a strange hybrid rather than the actual kit. 

The fact that the Marder and Pzr 38t are scaled-up PSC kits does bother me, however.  The Italeri-designed kits give Rubicon a run for their money, but the scaled-up PSC kits are greatly inferior.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: elias.tibbs on January 22, 2018, 03:31:32 pm
Not unusual for warlord’s models or box art/description to be wrong. Their m4 Sherman doesn’t have an m4 Sherman on the front too.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: WeRT on January 22, 2018, 09:25:49 pm
This is an upscaled PSC kit from 1/72 to 1/56... no comments on its quality. :-X

I found somewhere, posted by someone (dunno who), similar note about Warlord Marder III.
As long as I can agree with building cannon and most part of basic superstructure the down hull and section with wheels and tracks is different. They may use SOME parts and up-scaling them but it's not FULLY up-scaled model.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: ultravanillasmurf on January 23, 2018, 02:17:49 am
This isn't really news - there was some discussion about it here when the kit first appeared.  WG have these brain farts from time to time.  Like the initial box art for their Tiger I, which showed a strange hybrid rather than the actual kit. 

The fact that the Marder and Pzr 38t are scaled-up PSC kits does bother me, however.  The Italeri-designed kits give Rubicon a run for their money, but the scaled-up PSC kits are greatly inferior.

Some discussion here: http://forum.rubiconmodels.com/index.php?topic=636.msg8144#msg8144 (http://forum.rubiconmodels.com/index.php?topic=636.msg8144#msg8144)
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: ultravanillasmurf on January 23, 2018, 02:24:40 am
@WeRT, sorry, not quite sure what you mean.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: ripley on January 23, 2018, 02:57:31 am
I don't think it's a straight up copy as the PSC kit has more options on the sprue . But I think they used various parts ( in CAD ? ) to design the 1/56 scale kit . Sort of like the Uni Carrier , even the crew figures were the same , just didn't get all the smaller scale options( Vicker MMG , flame thrower version ). Aside from the crew , the Uni isn't really a bad kit , I've built 2 . I'm waiting for a unboxing or build video of the 38 before I get one , or 3  :-[
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: ultravanillasmurf on January 23, 2018, 03:49:43 am
Same with the Sherman V/VC - two kits instead of one with options.

Just compared the instructions, identical components.

I have not seen the Marder unboxed yet.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: Tracks on January 23, 2018, 05:07:27 pm
I don't think it's a straight up copy as the PSC kit has more options on the sprue . But I think they used various parts ( in CAD ? ) to design the 1/56 scale kit . Sort of like the Uni Carrier , even the crew figures were the same , just didn't get all the smaller scale options( Vicker MMG , flame thrower version ). Aside from the crew , the Uni isn't really a bad kit , I've built 2 . I'm waiting for a unboxing or build video of the 38 before I get one , or 3  :-[

I have both the 1/56 (28mm) scale Marder III and the 15mm (1/100 scale) Panzer 38t / Marder III kits from PSC.

Yes, ripley is correct. When we are talking about "scaled-up PSC kits", we are not saying they took their 1/100 scale (15mm) molds and made 1/56 scale versions of the same exact mold. No, clearly this is not the case because if you look at the sprues - the sprues from the 1/56 Marder III and the sprues from the 15mm Panzer 38t with Marder III option - you will see some similarities of course, but you will also see that they are completely different bits and pieces. They are different kits.

When PSC made that 1/56 scale plastic Marder III kit for Warlord (WLG), they didn't just take their existing 15mm (1/100 scale) pieces and just make them bigger. That just wouldn't work well at all. However, they also didn't have to start from scratch either. What they did was to use what details and information they already had - this includes any CAD files - to make the new kit.

I like the new plastic Marder III kit because it is a good kit. Overall, I think the new plastic Marder III is well wroth adding to any model and/or gaming collection.

@EarlyWarGamer: The Sdkfz.139 is more early war than anything else, but when you say "Early War", are you only interested in the war years before December 7th, 1941?



Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: WeRT on January 23, 2018, 05:52:21 pm
@WeRT, sorry, not quite sure what you mean.

Mostly what ripley & Tracks said in his last post.   :)

When we are talking about "scaled-up PSC kits", we are not saying they took their 1/100 scale (15mm) molds and made 1/56 scale versions of the same exact mold. No, clearly this is not the case because if you look at the sprues - the sprues from the 1/56 Marder III and the sprues from the 15mm Panzer 38t with Marder III option - you will see some similarities of course, but you will also see that they are completely different bits and pieces. They are different kits.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: ultravanillasmurf on January 23, 2018, 08:15:16 pm
I do not have the PSC or the Warlord Pz38t kits so my comments are based on observation and previous experience.

I agree that the sprues are not scaled up, but as Ripley says the CAD files are reused. I assume the sprue layouts are different between the 20mm and 15mm scale versions as well.

I have just noted that the Sherman V has a few detail features not present on the PSC instructions.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: elias.tibbs on January 24, 2018, 01:41:11 am
So with upscaled it’s not a literal male the frame bigger. They’ll use the CAD files. Add some details. Change the layout of he frame and usuallybtye parts that require flying together.

It is however not designed as a 1:56 kit though, and that will cause it to differ slightly.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: Pinky on January 24, 2018, 10:17:25 am
I think the up-scaling leads to parts which are too thick, because 15mm parts are generally overscale.  The sides of the Warlord Universal Carrier are the equivalent of medium armour, and the way they placed the rivets makes it hard to hide this.  The Sherman V is similarly chunky, and while I was okay with it previously, I think I'm going to replace mine with the new Rubicon Hybrid Firefly.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: EarlyWarGamer on January 24, 2018, 11:10:11 am
"@EarlyWarGamer: The Sdkfz.139 is more early war than anything else, but when you say "Early War", are you only interested in the war years before December 7th, 1941?"

No sir, not quite.  Early war for me entails the more interesting (to me) early weapons, and a polyglot of nations, introduced roughly:

Sep 1939 = Germany, Poland, Russia
Nov 1939 = Finland
Apr 1940 = Denmark, Norway, Britain
May 1940 = Belgium, France, Britain
Sep 1940 = Italy (Africa),
Oct 1940 = Italy (Greece)
May 1941 = Handful of Nations (Crete)
Mar 1941 = Germany (Africa)
June 1941 = Germany, Russia, Finland

That is basically 10 major players, with all sorts of scenario options.

My mental image is that the early war period probably ends by mid-summer of 1942 (probably before Dieppe, but maybe not).   By that point Germany has made it through the first Russian winter.  Mid-war takes over from that point, and includes up to but not including Overlord.  Late war for me is anything from June 1944 until the end.

I don't mean to be Euro-centric, but I am pretty much the guy who buys and paints the minis, and I cannot afford to get into island hopping in the Pacific.  But Wake, Guadalcanal and Tarawa would be my go-to battles were I ever to branch out.

I have nothing against the deluxe armor from later years, and understand the attraction, but just find it more interesting gaming where armor is not all about "Big Cats", and has maybe a 50/50 chance of having rivets!
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: ripley on January 24, 2018, 11:24:13 am
I have a love for rivets as well . the 38(t) , the M13/40 and Semovente , the Lee/Grant and not to forget , the Ferdinand
(https://s9.postimg.org/w2tjism6z/25d3aba00e3dc0d2c4f74a89000ca232--army-vehicles-armored-vehicles.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/w2tjism6z/)
Just look at those rivets  ;D
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: tyroflyer on January 24, 2018, 11:50:57 am
I agree with EWG on the early war issue. It isn't a before and after Pearl Harbour thing so far as I'm concerned.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: Pinky on January 24, 2018, 12:37:23 pm
I have nothing against the deluxe armor from later years, and understand the attraction, but just find it more interesting gaming where armor is not all about "Big Cats", and has maybe a 50/50 chance of having rivets!

I largely agree with your take on what would be regarded as the "early war" period, although in your posts you've tended to focus a lot on the very early period, which is often termed the "Blitzkrieg" period i.e. basically the invasions of Poland, France and the Balkans, and Operation Barbarossa.  This is a fascinating period because arguably tactics were more important than technology - the Germans achieved the most when they had little or not technical advantages.

My particular interest is the war in the desert, so the early war vehicles I'd particularly like to see are those that saw service in North Africa. That means lots of rivets - the Italian tanks and early British cruisers, for instance. 
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: ultravanillasmurf on January 24, 2018, 05:28:19 pm
"Early War" can depend on your perspective, I was talking to a Czech, and he had a similarly jaundiced view of the Western European view of when the war started that Western Europeans have of (some) American's views.

Of course this is a bit Western-centric, you have the first Blitzkrieg with the Russians versus the Japanese, and back in Europe there is the Spanish Civil War.

There is nothing wrong with rivets.
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VvwNF7SDISc/Wk6C7n1V76I/AAAAAAAACzo/FsIkwrzQXiYZX-yqNkByg5dhkf0eR9OtACLcBGAs/s1600/psccromwell1-3.png)

Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: WeRT on January 24, 2018, 05:29:40 pm
Sep 1939 = Germany, Poland, Russia
Nov 1939 = Finland
Apr 1940 = Denmark, Norway, Britain
May 1940 = Belgium, France, Britain
Sep 1940 = Italy (Africa),
Oct 1940 = Italy (Greece)
May 1941 = Handful of Nations (Crete)
Mar 1941 = Germany (Africa)
June 1941 = Germany, Russia, Finland

You should add Japan also. It's pre WWII but can be count as a EW:

Jul - Aug 1938 = Soviet Russia, Japan -> Battle of Lake Khasan -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lake_Khasan
May-Sep 1939 = Soviet Russia, Japan -> Battles of Khalkhin Gol -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_Khalkhin_Gol

And we have 11 "major players" ;)

Edit: ultravanillasmurf already mentioned about Soviet–Japanese border conflicts. If we look at East we should mention "Second Sino-Japanese War" too.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: Tracks on January 24, 2018, 06:34:54 pm
My mental image is that the early war period probably ends by mid-summer of 1942 (probably before Dieppe, but maybe not).   

Then its strange that you think that the Sdkfz.139 Marder III is not an early war piece of equipment. However, since the Sdkfz.139 Marder III was just seeing combat at the very end of your definition of early war, I can relate and understand the restriction you placed upon yourself.

I have nothing against the deluxe armor from later years, and understand the attraction, but just find it more interesting gaming where armor is not all about "Big Cats", and has maybe a 50/50 chance of having rivets!

You and I have something in common here becasue I too find it more interesting gaming when armor is not all about "Big Cats". As for rivets, well, we all know that they are a tankers nightmare, but visually speaking, they draw interest from modelers. This is why I really hope when someone does actually release a plastic kit of the M3 Medium, they produce the version with the riveted hull instead of the cast hull.



Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: ultravanillasmurf on January 24, 2018, 07:44:04 pm
This is why I really hope when someone does actually release a plastic kit of the M3 Medium, they produce the version with the riveted hull instead of the cast hull.
This is Rubicon we are talking about, I would expect both ^__^.

Once that is in their library, I am hoping for Sentinels and Rams (multimedia) together with Sextons (plastic).
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: ripley on January 24, 2018, 11:00:42 pm
While the cast hull Lee looks cool , IRC only about 300 M3A1 cast hull Lees were made .and I don't think any were used in action , They stayed in the States as training vehicles , and  movie props in Bogart's Sahara . Can't see any market for any really .
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: elias.tibbs on January 25, 2018, 12:48:12 am
I’d also throw the Thai-Franco war and the Philippines invasion in there as well.

So 3 more nations for early war;

Thailand
Philippines
United States
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: Tracks on January 25, 2018, 12:51:09 am
... and  movie props in Bogart's Sahara.

@ripley: I'm pretty sure the M3 Medium Tank used in the movie "Sahara" (1943) had a riveted hull and not the cast type. I have to watch the movie again to be 100% sure, but I'm pretty sure it was.

Okay, I found this photo (see below) of the staring cast of "Sahara" (1943) with the tank in question. That is Humphrey Bogart standing one the 75mm gun sponson. The M3 Medium most certianly has rivets.

(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U3JSKbqNkhM/VsxGGOOEV5I/AAAAAAAAKMs/1mn0PLfU110/s1600/gKW4XWZ.jpg)

In 1995, they did a remake of the movie "Sahara" staring Jim Belushi. Both the 1943 movie and the 1995 movie had used the M3 Medium Tank with rivets. As for which movie is better? That is a completely different topic, but I think they are both good movies in there own way.

(http://www.imcdb.org/i581903.jpg)

Also in Steven Spielberg's movie "1941" (1979), you get to see a M3 Medium tank. This tanks also has rivets.

(http://pics.imcdb.org/0is523/tank22ur.1331.jpg)

But we are getting a bit off topic here, so I would like to repeat my idea to RM for two (maybe three) new plastic kits that I think would be fantastic for them.

Kit idea #1 American 57mm AT-Gun M1 and/or British QF 6-Pdr AT-Gun:
There is great potential here because the same parts sprue for the AT-Gun can be setup with the needed bits and parts to build either the American 57mm AT-Gun M1 or the British QF 6-Pdr AT-Gun. They were pretty much the same except for a few little differences. Parts can even be included to make the Airborne version of the gun. As for crew, that is easy. Separate American and British crews can be made on different sprues. This is very similar to what RM did with their Jeep kits. The Willys MB ¼ ton 4x4 Truck (Commonwealth) and the Willys MB ¼ ton 4x4 Truck (US Standard) plastic kits have the exact same sprues for the jeep, but different sprues for the riders. Fantastic idea!

Kit idea #2: SdKfz 10 Halftrack: ... and maybe kit #3, the M3 Medium Tank?
There is a lot of interest for the Sdkfz 10 in a plastic kit. I know I would prefer a plastic kit from Rubicon Models than one of those blocks of resin things. More importantly, with a basic plastic kit of the SdKfz 10, the gamer/modeler has more options to make variants and field modifications of this common transport vehicle.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: Rubicon Models on January 25, 2018, 01:09:47 am
Thank you all for the great ideas.  Right now, we have our hands full with current projects that you all know about.  We are starting some new ones as research had already been done last year.  The only project that is lagging behind is the M4A1.   The staff responsible for it had been busy with one of our OEM projects and was not able to restart the M4A1 until mid-Feb, but then it is Chinese New Year (Feb 16); therefore another week of delays...

Once the M4A1 is done, we will have the early bogie and the three-part transmission housing done.  That will be the base for any M3 and M7 projects.  No promises yet, as we might have to finish off one or two scheduled projects before the M3 or M7 ones.

We are also working on two new product range - resin vehicles & pewter figures.  This is to speed up our release schedule, and in the meantime, be able to expand our product range with more short-run items.  With the new trainees, we are assigning them to do some add-on accessory items for various plastic vehicles (under supervision, of course); and hopefully everything will come out beautifully!

Rest assured that all these new activities will not slow down our current plastic kit development.  We have also recruited a new mould maker for our studio.  The queue had improved, but now the bottleneck had moved back to within the studio... we need technical staff to write up Testshot reports so that mould makers know what to make changes to the mould.  This is a long and tedious task as every single part need to be checked against 3D drawing and the actual part, then test fit and measured for inaccuracies.  A single TS report will take up to two weeks for each mould, and each kit has an average of three moulds and up!

Hope this will give you guys something to chew on... we are always busy, but will definitely look into the wish list as always!

;)
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: H0ffmn on January 25, 2018, 02:51:12 am
 I can't wait for the M4A1 to be released. If you haven't gotten too far along into the process of mold making, please include the small hatched direct vision cast hull along with the later small hatched cast hull with the direct vision ports eliminated. It would be great to  have a choice of hulls,especially with the three piece transmission cover and the earlier M3 suspension. A plastic M7 and a M3 Lee and Grant will be a more than welcome addition to your product line (at least to me,if not more).
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: somtec on January 25, 2018, 04:35:21 am
Looking forward to the m4a1 and the future looks full of interesting stuff
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: ripley on January 25, 2018, 08:43:49 am
Tracks , if you look careful when they're getting the gizmo from the broken Lee , there is a cast hull Lee in the background . I know Lulubelle wasn't a M3A1  :D There were also two versions of the cast Lee  early with, side doors ( very like the ones on the early Ram ! ) and the hull roof hatch hinged forward , late with out side doors and the hull roof hatch folded back . I've seen some in 1/35 resin but none in plastic , pity as its one ugly , beautiful looking vehicle
(https://s9.postimg.org/i20uip9yz/M3_A1_early.gif) (https://postimg.org/image/i20uip9yz/)

(https://s9.postimg.org/hp9gcizez/M3_A1_late.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/hp9gcizez/)
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: elias.tibbs on January 25, 2018, 05:30:08 pm
I can't wait for the M4A1 to be released. If you haven't gotten too far along into the process of mold making, please include the small hatched direct vision cast hull along with the later small hatched cast hull with the direct vision ports eliminated. It would be great to  have a choice of hulls,especially with the three piece transmission cover and the earlier M3 suspension. A plastic M7 and a M3 Lee and Grant will be a more than welcome addition to your product line (at least to me,if not more).

A 75mm box set with small and large hatches and a 76mm box set with  large hatches would be awesome.
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: ultravanillasmurf on January 26, 2018, 12:02:47 am
A 75mm box set with small and large hatches and a 76mm box set with  large hatches would be awesome.
I suspect small hatch with both 75mm turrets and large hatch with 76mm turret.
http://forum.rubiconmodels.com/index.php?topic=395.msg8072#msg8072 (http://forum.rubiconmodels.com/index.php?topic=395.msg8072#msg8072)
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: elias.tibbs on January 26, 2018, 05:02:50 am
Oh, it might be a large hatch, 76mm kit with the HVSS sprue like the M4A3E8 kit
Title: Re: Two fantastic kit ideas for Rubicon Models -
Post by: stigroadie on February 25, 2018, 08:01:48 am
I'm down with the 6lb/M1 57mm AT gun. There were lots about and some variations to give Rubicon the space to give us their usual super value.
I'd go further and suggest the US 75mm pack howitzer? Used in Europe and Asia by Brits and Americans. Just remember to do the cloverleaf ammo tubes for the airborne version. Looks great behind a Jeep.
A Brit airborne trailer could fill out a sprue or be an extra?
I know the 38t chassis is getting done by Warlord but they have missed some tricks?
The Aufklärung version would extend the chassis into post Normandy, you do the turret in the 250/251 upgrade. It does need a new upper front hull.