Messages

16

Work In Progress / Re: Opel Blitz

« on: June 13, 2015, 05:43:00 pm »

I did some more looking.  All I have are photo references.  Here are some of the better ones (a couple show the Maultier version, but it shouldn't matter).  They all show vehicles on the Eastern Front.  It looks as though Rubicon's rear flap configuration is mostly right, but it shouldn't have the 'edges' on the sides - the whole rear flap rolled up.

I'm pretty sure pinky is right about the edges, i know the L3000 had them but not the Blitz. Though the problem is that (for me) they look almost identical in a rear view picture (especially when the cab is missing in the foto)

17

Work In Progress / Re: Opel Blitz

« on: June 13, 2015, 05:21:25 pm »

In the sdkfz topic you mentioned possible ip issues, could you go with the vehicle name and type without the manufactor?
The 3t 2*4 were named by the cylinder capacity, the wheelbase and mode of drive:
so you could nsme it Blitz 3,5-36 S (early version 3.6l. 68hp motor, 3.6m fromt front to rear axis, Standard rwd) or more more common version Blitz 3,6-36 S (with a 75hp motor)

18

Work In Progress / Re: Proposed Project: SdKfz 250 Alte or Neu ??

« on: June 13, 2015, 01:08:21 pm »

I actually miscasted my vote, i wanted to vote for the new version, but i somehow did not.

While i see a bigger market for the basic version (basic meaning te unmodified alte version), i think the new version offers more interesting variants.
To be precise its mostly because of the /8, while there are drawings and some models of the old version using the stummel, i have not seen any fotos so far.

19

Work In Progress / Re: Proposed Project: Tiger II

« on: February 08, 2015, 08:41:52 pm »

I think timing is a factor as well, with warlord / italeri releasing kitsplastic kits, especially with the large kits, the kits will sell better if there is "no" alternative product. If the is one i can imagine alot people wont ghuy another one of the same type.
Not like lighter vehicles where wargamerw might buy more than one...

20

Work In Progress / Re: M5A1/M8 Stuart

« on: February 08, 2015, 08:02:44 pm »

According to other forum in the book "British and American Tanks of WWII" by P Chamberlain and C. Ellis has
info on the Stuart Kangaroo--"Late war conversion of redundant vehicles (any mark) by removal of turret and addition of seats for infantry for APC role in infantry units of armoured brigades. 1943-45 and post-war".
Page 91
I cant confirm the amount of information because i dont have this book, maybe someone can look it up.

The elevated ring seems to be the t8e1 though. The information i found on the internet implies that the kangaroo had not just the turret removed but also some part of the upper hull removed, also this might be some mix up with the artillery tractor based on the stuart.
For some pictures

See armchair general "name this tank" p.285 post by republicanguard
http://www.armchairgeneral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34055&page=285
Sixth army group forum, shots of a model
http://www.sixtharmygroup.com/portal/viewtopic.php?t=21705

Given tne amount of parts for the interior a droping the variant entirely (or adfing the recce version instead) might be worth a thought, especially with the amount of parts you mentioned.

21

Work In Progress / Re: Proposed Project: Tiger II

« on: February 04, 2015, 06:28:39 am »

I worked with similar tools before, the results can be excellent, with enough practice at least.

But with details like tools and tow cables molded on the hull you are limited in the use of those tools and the result is less good.
MY (!) opinion is:
Most people wouldn t bother using the tools (as in to much work), for alot others the result will be unsatisfactory (lacking practice).  Those who achieve good will be a fraction of the buyers and those will either buy other tools ore use more creative methods (as seen in the modeling section).
Its not really worth it...

22

Work In Progress / Re: Proposed Project: Tiger II

« on: January 16, 2015, 01:00:51 am »

No zimmerit. Using putty and some modeling tools will lead to a much better looking zimmerit and the result looks much less uniform.

I understand that a large model is a risk, but tiger i & ii are similar, how the tiger ii more risky than a tiger i, do the tiger i sell better?

23

Work In Progress / Re: Proposed Project: US Tank Destroyer

« on: January 16, 2015, 12:31:55 am »

well thats sort of hard. Maybe i'll vote for the M18 because i prefer its looks, never liked how the M10 looks, but the later one has options for other variants. If i vote for the later it will be the M10+17pdr version.

24

Wish Lists / Re: Trucks

« on: November 22, 2014, 08:42:58 am »

Which one is better in terms of tabletop use - Mercedes Benz L3000 or the Opel Blitz?  Probably same, but which is more popular?
Had not done too much research on the topic yet, still need to find more info about both!

Blitz all the way. In fact Daimler Benz was produced the Blitz under license. The L3000 wasn't a real success so the production stoped in 42, the L701 production started in 43.
With the similarities you might do a Blitz with a L701 Einheitsführerhaus ("einheits"-cab). Except that the versions were identical. Otherwise you might add tracks for a Maultier

25

Wish Lists / Re: Plastic Guns

« on: November 20, 2014, 06:37:45 am »

Hard to say, 1 per reinforced platoon (not sure if there are restrictins in the respective asrmy books). @1000 points 1-3 maybe, if the units are just the bare minimum. Personally i havent used any exept a 75mm for the us boys, nythine above that calibre doesnt have the right feeling in my opinion.

While i share the need for tanks, softskins, half tracks (even if not useful in game), i dont think i would use larger guns (an 88 at best).

26

Wish Lists / Re: Early War Armoured Cars

« on: November 18, 2014, 05:12:51 pm »

I second the Sd.Kfz. 221/222. The Hulls of the 221, 222 and 223 are almost identical, except the front fenders & the stowage, but the later seem to vary from vehicle to vehicle. Maybe there is even enough room on a sprue to squeeze in a  2.8cm Panzerbüchse 41 for the 221.

While i'd love to see a late war 234/1 & 234/2 as well, i doubt the market will be that good with the Warlord/Italeri 234/2 on the horizon. Not sure about the 234/3 & 234/4 i think they are to rare (even though cool looking) to justify a plastik kit.

edit typos

27

Wish Lists / Re: German Tanks

« on: November 18, 2014, 06:24:38 am »

edited
Well the Tiger II would have been my choice, it seems to be more a wish for 2016

What about the Tiger II? I hope it's already on the to-do list 

The Tiger II would be a challenge!  The size of the tank with two turret variant to fit into 3 or even 4 (like the Tiger I) sprues is something that we need to look into!  The Tiger II is something that we will do much later... after we had gain more experience with plastic production first!

other vehicles that come to my mind would be, for both i know of no plastic kit by other companies. But would the demand for those be enough to justify a plastic kit? Most of "the" german vehicles are covered by your release. In general i can think only of a few that might be interesting in greater numbers (Tiger 2 as mentioned, 38(t) based vehicles (see below, my personal favorites) and maybe the Jagdpanzer IV (with l48 & l70 guns) others are much to rare to really justify a plastic kit (like a Ferdinand, Hummel (& Nashorn), etc.)

1. Sd.Kfz. 138/2 - Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer (& Flammpanzer 38(t) Hetzer)
pro:
- mass produced (about 2500-3000, might not be as may as the StuG IIIG, but it was only produced during 1944-45)
- very good documentation about the vehicle
- fairly "easy" to make (maybe a 2 sprue kit?)
- some parts might be used for other kits (see below or a Panzer 38(t) when you go for early war kits)
- wargaming related: most likely a fairly cheap tank, so a gamer might field more than one or two
con:
- no variants except the flammpanzer
(- demand? can't comment on that though - personally i love the hetzer)

2. Sd.Kfz. 138 Marder III Ausf. M & Sd.Kfz.138/1 Grille (15cm Schweres Infanteriegeschuetz 33/1 auf Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausf. M)
pro:
- plenty of common parts except gun (and ammunition storage); only for version M though
- fairly good documentation
- wargamig related: dual purpose kit, it serves very different need if i could be produced in a kombi kit (artillery & AT)
(- maybe there is a possibility for a Flakpanzer 38(t) in there as well, but the supersturcture is different (gun shield) and this would increase the number of parts even further)
con:
- fair complex kit, but you might learn from the Sd.Kfz. 250
- not really a common vehicles "Marder III M" about 900-1200 built, "Grille M"about 300 built
(- demand? Certainly not as high as a Hanomag, but for a lot gamers the combination in the kit could be attractive)

All of those are vehicles id love to see (until i get a Tiger 2)