Rubicon Models
Rubicon Models => Work In Progress => Topic started by: Rubicon Models on January 04, 2020, 04:17:33 pm
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Being the first "Project of the Month" for 2020, we would like to have something different, something out of the ordinary and new... the Centurion Mk 3!!
The Centurion was the primary British main battle tank of the post-Second World War period. Introduced in 1945, it is widely considered to be one of the most successful post-war tank designs, remaining in production into the 1960s, and seeing combat in the front lines into the 1980s. The chassis was also adapted for several other roles, and these have remained in service to this day.
Development of the Centurion began in 1943 with manufacture beginning in January 1945. During WW2, six prototypes arrived in Belgium less than a month after the war in Europe ended in May 1945. It first entered combat with the British Army in the Korean War in 1950, in support of the UN forces. The Centurion later served in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, where it fought against US-supplied M47 and M48 Patton tanks and it served with the Royal Australian Armoured Corps in Vietnam.
The Centurion Mk 3 is fitted with 20pdr, slightly shorter hull, 2 stowage positions for track links on the glacis, vehicle weight 49 tons.
Please note the gun travel lock had been updated since these images are created.
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/49/4d/xYrzXaXD_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/51/39/TaBwZIeZ_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/d8/7c/3zUxojUH_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/e1/47/lUhaZCip_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/9d/09/eRrlCwx6_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/89/1a/VgIlCIFU_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/4f/fa/JlSMY8DF_t.jpg)
Enjoy!
;)
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Nice.
Not sure what I would do with one (beyond "British tank! Shiny!").
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The Centurion is a wonderful tank project. Centurions fought against T-34/85 in Korea as well as other late war Soviet vehicles. This may be the first of a variety of post WWII AFVs. The T-44 became the T-54 and T-55. The M26 Pershing became the M46 Patton. Then there's the mid-east conflicts....
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The Centurion is a wonderful tank project.
I will agree, but for me (YMMV) it is the wrong scale for 28mm (except for Weird War 2, and perhaps Korea - where there is no plastic infantry).
I will get one (because), but ...
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I have been nagging Rubicon about this for ages, so I'm really pleased to see it. I think that when it comes to vehicles like this, which served beyond WW2, it's a bit of a case of 'if you build it they will come'. While there may not be a big market for post-war armour for wargaming yet, by making the kits available in plastic Rubicon are paving the way for wargames rules etc. Warlord have already moved into Korea, although their own model range is pretty crap. Maybe we'll see rules for the early Arab-Israeli wars, and Vietnam. For me, having the Centurion (and the Comet and M26) in 28mm, with simplified tracks, is an end in itself!
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Responses from Facebook on the Centurion Mk 3 had been very positive. We have decided to release the Centurion Mk 5 and Mk 5-1 drawings for additional feedback as well.
The Centurion Mk 5 had Browning machine guns fitted to coaxial and commander's cupola mounts, turret rear escape door deleted, turret roof reshaped, deletion of 2" bomb thrower in turret roof, extra stowage bin on the glacis, and the addition of guide roller in track run. The vehicle now weighed 51 tons.
The Centurion Mk 5/1 (aka FV 4011) was used by the Royal Australian Armoured Corps' (RAAC) during the Vietnam War in 1967 had increased glacis armour, two coax machine guns: one .30 Browning & one .50 caliber Browning for ranging the 84mm (20 pounder) main gun.
We have decided NOT TO pursue additional Centurion MBT variants until the Mk 3 and Mk 5 projects are completed. There are just too many variables and changes to each variant which make it impossible to focus on the project.
What do you think?
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/37/b8/aZEkGGf4_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/fc/63/dClHAZ8v_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/6f/b0/q0GUmafk_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/c0/64/AJFj3KE2_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/00/0e/OTDBjuUr_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/8a/bd/Cc7nkRlB_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/b1/b7/lkkyPPUs_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/1d/e6/KbFCYeCA_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/d3/09/aP7wjpRO_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/56/74/XixwfIWd_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/2f/b9/1ogb913b_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/29/f1/h09S7xBs_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/5b/d6/t4Eg3mH2_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/01/20/ZpIEzqko_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/2b/62/jyk7dsHL_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/cb/eb/tf4eyI98_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/c6/cc/naB1zXtu_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/f5/54/iRqDtFH3_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/a4/85/Xk5VTfiF_t.jpg)
Enjoy!
;)
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ill take 2 :-), they look great
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Nice.
Very Australian with the mixed can rack and the spare wheels.
Are you doing a transparent driver's screen?
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Wow, I did not expect to see an Aussie Centurion. I was going to suggest it, but thought it was too obscure for Rubicon to want to tackle; I thought an IDF Centurion was more likely. Anyway, I hope this sees the light of day. The Australian version had a lot of modifications - it would be quite a sophisticated kit. How will you deal with the turret stowage basket? It's potentially quite fiddly.
I suppose an M48A3 Patton is a logical next step. And maybe a T-54.
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Wow, I did not expect to see an Aussie Centurion.
Ah, you have not been watching the "Conflicts that came in from the Cold" sub-forum on Lead Adventures.
Someone complained that that all the threads on page one were about Vietnam.
Empress Miniatures (and to a lesser extent Gringos 40) have a rapidly expanding range of figures and (vehicles in 1/48-50 scale).
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Wow, I did not expect to see an Aussie Centurion.
Ah, you have not been watching the "Conflicts that came in from the Cold" sub-forum on Lead Adventures.
Someone complained that that all the threads on page one were about Vietnam.
Empress Miniatures (and to a lesser extent Gringos 40) have a rapidly expanding range of figures and (vehicles in 1/48-50 scale).
IMO Vietnam (and Aussie cent) make more sense in 1/56. I'd love a Rubicon produced Israeli Centurion, but for wargaming purposes I'd want it in 15mm or less (ideally 10mm I guess).
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Hello everypeeps,
this is my first visit to the forum & my first post & I have to say I was blown away when I came across the Centurion news, can't wait!! Any release dates yet?
cheers,
spad
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IMO Vietnam (and Aussie cent) make more sense in 1/56. I'd love a Rubicon produced Israeli Centurion, but for wargaming purposes I'd want it in 15mm or less (ideally 10mm I guess).
I would have preferred 1/50, as it suits Empress miniatures.
It is not so bad for tanks.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WsM6U_8ffc/XhtROqE-F4I/AAAAAAAAGFM/nID_hQbs728yW9Fbd4vO3WP8zV3n_AbwACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/morescale2.png)
But soft skins (and civilian cars...).
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4XZmZeadWv8/XhtROmSAKFI/AAAAAAAAGFI/MM8px1ToIpsU2_MaLKjMoImHh9DcLC12ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/morescale1.png)
Company B (I have not assembled the Kafer yet).
1/50 scale just gives vehicles just that bit more heft with respect to the Paul Hicks figures.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CDWtMy0X8ug/XcnaNwsd9jI/AAAAAAAAF5E/CF_0cbAYe_gMDJzsR7eJtuDW8ZflGD8PQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/v100-7.png)
Empress V100 with Rubicon decals.
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I think Rubicon have their "own" line of figures planned to go with their post war collection (I say "own" as perhaps this is one area where they're planning a collaborative effort)
I just hope they take a different approach than they have with their ww2 figures.
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I think Rubicon have their "own" line of figures planned to go with their post war collection (I say "own" as perhaps this is one area where they're planning a collaborative effort)
I just hope they take a different approach than they have with their ww2 figures.
As someone noted in the 2020 banner, there is a least one figure with an FN FAL.
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I had to remove the shares on Facebook and discord i did for this one. Christ the hate and backlash.
I've pretty much stopped sharing anymore and had to leave a few places
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Why?
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Why?
Reasons given was bitching about scale. To stop sharing rubicon shit and lists of negativity. So I've given up
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It’s like the 1:48 or 1:56 argument that bolt action used to have. Not sure why the 1:50 scale really became a thing.
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I think that for quite a while the only ready built , easy to find at toy / hobby store were the Solido brand of metal tanks & AFVs , I have an AMX 13 which is scaled at 1/50 . I can remember them having quite a range , back in the day , and they weren't too pricey either , probably a great fit with your 28 / 32 mm toy soldiers
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I had to remove the shares on Facebook and discord i did for this one. Christ the hate and backlash.
I've pretty much stopped sharing anymore and had to leave a few places
Just curious what FB page(s) did you share? Was a little surprised... :(
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I have heard of Solido, but they are now rather rare, at least around here.
For me, the modern range by Empress led me to the 28mm figures and 1/50 scale vehicles. Frankly they are the only game in town (or indeed on planet) bar print on demand or extremely "sloppy" companies.
Plus there are small (but growing) range of "quarter" scale kits from Tamiya that are fine as long as you do not mix the scales on the same type of vehicle.
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For late war to the Korean War, here is our 3D prototype for the British Centurion Mk 3 MBT.
We've also included some early and mid-war British tanks for size comparison too!
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/90/a3/usrYAKTo_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/04/fc/JIybTEKN_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/b3/b2/xu0kpkDG_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/0e/8b/Ip3gozeL_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/63/44/yB8Xgqdj_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/a8/22/VwmQ5fmQ_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/2b/e5/PrqrH2U7_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/8a/d1/SSb2T4Je_t.jpg)
Enjoy!
;)
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Very nice (all of them).
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IMO Vietnam (and Aussie cent) make more sense in 1/56. I'd love a Rubicon produced Israeli Centurion, but for wargaming purposes I'd want it in 15mm or less (ideally 10mm I guess).
I would have preferred 1/50, as it suits Empress miniatures.
Sure, I can see that. I meant more generally, I can see wargaming Vietnam in 28mm (with whatever scale vehicles you think suits) but aside from Vietnam, I much prefer to wargame the Cold War era in smaller scales.
Particularly if we're looking at the Six Days and Yom Kippur wars (re an Israeli centurion option) - something I'm looking at currently, I'm trying to decide between 6mm/10mm and possibly 15mm. A Rubicon centurion in 10 or 15 would make that decision easy :P
Still, it does look very nice Rubicon, I might buy a 1/56 / 28mm one for modelling/display purposes I guess, but it wouldn't have any wargaming utility - for me anyway.
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IMO Vietnam (and Aussie cent) make more sense in 1/56. I'd love a Rubicon produced Israeli Centurion, but for wargaming purposes I'd want it in 15mm or less (ideally 10mm I guess).
I would have preferred 1/50, as it suits Empress miniatures.
Sure, I can see that. I meant more generally, I can see wargaming Vietnam in 28mm (with whatever scale vehicles you think suits) but aside from Vietnam, I much prefer to wargame the Cold War era in smaller scales.
Particularly if we're looking at the Six Days and Yom Kippur wars (re an Israeli centurion option) - something I'm looking at currently, I'm trying to decide between 6mm/10mm and possibly 15mm. A Rubicon centurion in 10 or 15 would make that decision easy :P
Still, it does look very nice Rubicon, I might buy a 1/56 / 28mm one for modelling/display purposes I guess, but it wouldn't have any wargaming utility - for me anyway.
It depends on what sort of gaming you are after. I am looking forward to seeing the PSC's Battlegroup NorthAg new 10mm scale BAOR and Soviets for Twilight 2000, The Third World War etc.
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Maybe its just me, but the main gun barrel on the Valentine Mk.II look unusually thin?. Yes, I know that the tank had a QF 2-pdr (40 mm), but compared to pictures of the real thing, the model's main gun barrel just looks a bit on the thin side. Maybe its just an optical illusion.
If the barrel is spot on (but it doesn't look it), maybe for gaming purposes it would be better to beef up the gun barrel a bit?
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/8a/d1/SSb2T4Je_t.jpg)
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First day of the Lunar New Year comes something new... moving away from World War 2 into the Vietnam War era!
Showcasing our 3D prototypes of the British Centurion Mk 5 and Mk 5/1 MBT with optional dozer blade.
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/16/c8/SEKBn9Q7_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/dc/43/oUwOLe2T_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/e4/f2/QA3Lifbu_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/2d/84/jBArbbsL_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/0f/e8/gbQS234x_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/3c/16/GlpBfHUV_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/fa/3a/20dxv72D_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/cb/71/8CFaMbkn_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/56/46/gpV8WfA9_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/34/79/9qWpG6BE_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/9f/8e/EndpBvQo_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/3b/08/2nTAoFjR_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/b2/41/IZwabLIp_t.jpg)
Enjoy!
;)
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Happy New Year.
They look really good.
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The Aussie Mk5 looks fantastic. I do wonder if the turret stowage rack would look better with solid mounded mesh, as the current design looks rather heavy. Also - are the sideskirts removable? They were normally taken off Aussie Centurions as they caused mud to clog the tracks.
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love it, cant wait to get my mits on couple of them
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Five months after the initial announcement, our first plastic test shots for the 1/56 scale Centurion Mk 3 / 5 / 5-1 is here!
A total of 4 sprues using our "NEW" sprue size (1.5x our normal standard sprue). As usual, we will do a visual inspection followed by an assembly test. Not going to get released soon, but a step closer.
The Centurion is going to be our first kit out of the WW2 era into the Korean and Vietnam wars... Who knows, we might do more post-WW2 vehicles if the response is positive! What do you think?
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/76/d5/y5yVRdEP_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/5c/84/UbJECA2O_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/b3/58/bmlVcWqK_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/2e/b0/H4Cn84Dk_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/5e/97/dQS4BOq7_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/63/84/YBueAKrz_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/40/a8/KOB9CPgE_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/b5/82/Ful2RKHJ_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/a1/bb/WgMNY9SZ_t.jpg)
Enjoy!
;)
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Lovely detail!
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That looks fantastic . I guess I'll be getting some post WW2 tanks now
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Nice.
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Yes!
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I'll certainly be buying a few of these kits.
Let's hope that the T-54/55 is somewhere on the schedule! Now that I'll buy (many).
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Painted sample of the Centurion Mk 3 plastic test shot.
The attention to details is just amazing...
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/94/26/cBC9jjoY_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/f7/b8/bbSrmp7t_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/30/d7/fREr0mjp_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/cd/b0/ODoe7uzc_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/50/1f/wHTNp3yg_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/35/98/8YYX31iC_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/98/b9/Qp8Ab4Me_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/42/a7/gS3peKQs_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/27/c9/wbtjn9ni_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/6c/bb/b6uFuDEM_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/95/03/lGczOylx_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/61/a2/q8jTszW1_t.jpg)
Enjoy!
;)
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Very nice.
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This is the Centurion Mk 5 plastic test shot painted.
The "working" bulldozer blade can be equipped on all our Centurion variants.
This Mk 5 also had the optional mantlet canvas cover instead of the standard mantlet itself.
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/1e/57/IaZZvVMc_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/33/62/EmyGX0D0_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/89/1a/N8ikQKp2_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/66/9b/DbeoR3vh_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/34/c2/E76qWrku_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/75/8c/PhpvQLtm_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/2e/00/InH2z6XV_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/9b/35/RbvQuylp_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/d0/12/WAwJysJb_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/3b/7b/8XaxDNYi_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/a4/08/qdJs0qH1_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/86/3f/TTwb14UO_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/94/b1/imS5ZG6O_t.jpg)
Enjoy!
;)
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Very nice.
Is the bulldozer blade included or an extra?
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it's on sprue d/e
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The Centurion Mk 5/1 (aka FV-4011) was used by the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) in 1967 during the Vietnam War. The Mk 5/1 had increased glacis armour, two coax machine guns (one .30 Browning & one .50 calibre Browning) for ranging the 84mm (20pdr) main gun.
Our version comes with an optional turret searchlight which can be installed or stowed on the rear turret rack, mantlet with or without canvas cover, extra ammo & radio rack, and a RAAC tank crew.
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/e8/9c/8JFVvc0j_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/32/bc/VECoZQX2_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/f6/3b/X9SBG5gw_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/af/b3/gChn0b9f_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/73/18/5Z6tNhcU_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/9f/cd/j0cHqlLI_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/dd/3d/pOylSo15_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/a3/f1/w8ku7J3L_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/a7/8b/Sg2HIMLh_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/e3/d6/PbcEouAh_t.jpg)
Enjoy!
;)
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Excellent.
Just to be clear (as some one will want to mow down light vehicles with the 0.50"), the ranging machine gun is for ranging not fire support. Game wise it should give a bonus to hit at medium ranges.
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They look extremely wantable. Any chance you've decided on decal options yet & if so could we have a look at the sheet?
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I look forward to seeing the decal options.
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I notice the tow cables are 2 different lengths ( Cent 3 / Cent 5 extended hull ) . Are they in the kit as molded plastic or pieces of string/thread which we cut to size ?
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You can see the two loop end bits on Sprue A for making your own cable if you want, but the cable itself is not part of the kit.
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I was hoping after the separate cables in the JPanther kit , Rubicon might continue to include them in their newer kits . No problem though as I have lots of thread ( scale ship's cables ) to add to the tow loop.
I just noticed WWP Books has a book on the 3/5/6 Centurion . The previous books I've got from them have been very good photo / info wise , plus good ( IMO ) prices / shipping . Will be putting it on my " to buy " list
(https://i.postimg.cc/R65h8zNy/centurion-variants-3-5-6-in-detail.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/R65h8zNy)
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In post 31 you asked what we thought. I think you should stop teasing us with all this good stuff & start selling us that stuff. I think decal selection is going to be very important to the success of this post war range. Although I am a modeller and no longer a wargamer I stiil buy multiples of your kits as you provide multiple variants & have a large & varied decal selection. I'm hoping you will provide stand alone decals as well to increase the selection of schemes available.
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In post 31 you asked what we thought. I think you should stop teasing us with all this good stuff & start selling us that stuff. I think decal selection is going to be very important to the success of this post war range. Although I am a modeller and no longer a wargamer I stiil buy multiples of your kits as you provide multiple variants & have a large & varied decal selection. I'm hoping you will provide stand alone decals as well to increase the selection of schemes available.
Ah Spad, you will have to get used to Rubicon tempting you with lovely things to come and then ... well, leaving you waiting. At times it's frustrating but on balance, I prefer Rubicon's transparency about future projects to the way other firms do it.
You make a good point about decal selection and you will see from another current strand that the company is producing extra Soviet, German, and US decal sheets. Now that the T-54 is coming up as well as the Centurion there's some obvious market potential there for the firm to print and separately sell additional sheets. Arab-Israeli wars would obviously work for both Centurion and T-54, Vietnam ditto.
EC
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After much delay, we finally had some stainless steel 105mm gun barrel production samples for our Centurion Mk 5-2 in our studio. No pricing and availability yet... soon!
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/00/0f/LijICEW2_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/5e/a1/csv2c7lZ_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/6b/ca/JbrXsxec_t.jpg)
(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/8d/06/qJ3Ji0wm_t.jpg)
Enjoy!
;)
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nice job
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Looking very much forward to your post-war range!