Messages

1456

General Discussions / Re: Proposed Q4/15 New Releases...

« on: August 13, 2015, 02:21:08 pm »

Pinky: I'm aware that the M4A1 wasn't considered suitable for the firefly conversion, something to do with the wrong mantlet or traverse gear i think ( both?), which is why I didn't ask for an early Sherman II. It was the Sherman I exclusively that I was after, the problem with the M4A4, even with rubicons excellent work on multi variant kits, is that I think 3 turrets and 4 guns may be two much even for them to fit into one kit. I suppose the Fireflies loaders hatch/radio box could be  seperate components, dropping the parts count to only 2 turrets, but we are still looking at 4 different guns, unless the 17lbr muzzlebrake was a seperate part as well, using the 76mm M1A1 barrel, which could compromise the accuracy rubicon are striving for. Now if someone were to release aftermarket conversions at a reasonable price....

How on earth did I forget the Sherman I hybrid? Does anyone make one at the moment?

Now if you were to continue with the early/mid war theme for the we Brits and do an A11 Matilda for France/North Africa?

Yes, I see that's what you meant - sorry.  It's interesting that noone (not even British armour experts like David Fletcher) seems to know precisely why certain Sherman models were considered unsuitable for the Firefly conversion.

An M4/Sherman I would be a good basis for a kit which could also be built as a Firefly.  Realistically, that would involve 2 turrets and 2 guns, which Rubicon did comfortably with their M4A3 kit.  They might struggle to include enough parts for an early M4 as well though, as that would mean another set of tracks with M3 bogies, and a different hull (or at least a different glacis), as well as sandshields (if they were to do it properly).       

I think there's a resin Hybrid IC Firefly model in 1/56 scale.

1457

General Discussions / Re: Proposed Q4/15 New Releases...

« on: August 12, 2015, 08:43:17 am »

I second the call for an early M4 sherman, especially if it also includes parts for the Sherman 1c firefly. Not as numerous as the Vc, but I think that just adds to its charm, not to mention that the running gear and lower hull could maybe be re-used for the M3 Lee/Grant?

I'd also be very keen to have an M4A1, but unfortunately the Firefly wasn't built on the M4A1 hull, and I want a Firefly more!  So I suggested the M4A4 - even though this would mean that Rubicon had to design a new set of tracks and running gear, as the M4A4 hull was longer.

An alternative would be the late cast/rolled M4A1 "hybrid" hull, as this was also used for the Firefly conversion.  It's a good looking tank.  The hybrid M4 was also used by the US Army, and quite a few saw service in the Pacific.  But it wouldn't fill that "early Sherman" gap.  Of course, Warlord already do a mid-production M4 which is suitable for the British and the US Army.

I suspect another truck would actually sell better...

1458

General Discussions / Re: Proposed Q4/15 New Releases...

« on: August 11, 2015, 10:05:16 pm »

That's a very solid line-up of releases for Q4.  Not so keen on the Hetzer (sneakily buried at the bottom of the list), but it looks as though a lot of people want one.

It seems to me that, apart from a truck, the Americans will be quite well covered by the end of the year.  German subjects will inevitably dominate.  But the Brits and Soviets are a bit lacking (even with that very nice looking Studebaker/Katyusha in the works).

Suggestions for Q1/2016 (trying to get a good spread of subjects)

- German Panzer III Ausf F/G/H, with parts to build a command version, and optional parts for the topicalised version used by the Afrika Korps. 

- German SdKfz 231/232 8-wheeler, with parts to build the basic version, the "Funk" version with the bedstead arial, and (if possible) the SdKfz 233 "Stummel" version.

- British Humber armoured car (the Daimler is arguably better looking vehicle, but the Humber saw wider service).  With parts to build a Mk II, III and IV.

- British Sherman VC Firefly (on an M4A4 chassis, with parts to build a basic M4A4).  Maybe include some British-style stowage, like extra tracks and spare wheels, stowage boxes etc.

- Soviet SU-122/SU-85 (or, alternatively, an SU-152).  An IS-2 would be nice, but I feel that a Soviet SP gun might be more popular, and if you did the SU-122/85 you've already got the chassis done.

- maybe a French or Italian tank, like a Somua or M13/40 (perhaps with parts to build a Semovente).  I do wonder how popular French armour would be though.  Italian armour might be a better seller, but that's just a guess.  It would mean another subject covered in boltheads...

- at some point fairly soon you also need to do both a US and a British truck.  And other interesting stuff like artillery (probably best to start with anti-tank guns, since by then you'll presumably be experienced at designing figures). 

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Work In Progress / Re: German Armoured Vehicle - RESERVED...

« on: August 08, 2015, 05:16:35 pm »

Maybe this one is the Hetzer....

1460

Work In Progress / Re: Tank, Cruiser, Mk VI (A15 Crusader)

« on: August 08, 2015, 12:00:58 pm »

Let's see what Rubicon says.  I think the 2-pdr barrel looks a bit long too... 

I was going to just build a Crusader AA, but I like the look of this kit so much I was wondering about building a couple of Tunisian Crusader IIIs.

For Panther seats, how about the front seats from an SdKfz 251?  They look pretty similar.  I have some spare if you want them. 

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Work In Progress / Re: Tank, Cruiser, Mk VI (A15 Crusader)

« on: August 08, 2015, 10:32:36 am »

Ripley - we had a discussion about the barrel before, and you clarified that there were 2 different types fitted.  This is obviously the M5 barrel.  I'm not saying it's wrong, just querying whether it's a bit too long.  As you say, it's hard to find a profile photo of a Crusader III, but none of the photos seem to show the barrel overhanging the nose this much.  However, some of the drawings I've found online (like the Tamiya kit's instructions) do show a similar overhang.  I dunno - maybe it is just these photos. 

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Work In Progress / Re: Tank, Cruiser, Mk VI (A15 Crusader)

« on: August 07, 2015, 10:38:06 pm »

Everything looks great - my only query is whether the 2-pdr and 6-pdr barrels are too long.  The 6-pdr in particular doesn't seem to have protruded over the nose that far on the real tank.  But I appreciate that it might be a result of the photo distorting the dimensions.

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Work In Progress / Re: Tank, Cruiser, Mk VI (A15 Crusader)

« on: August 07, 2015, 12:09:31 am »

I'm getting the impression that the Crusader might be one of Rubicon's personal favourite tanks

That looks really good.  The level of moulded detail on this kit is really impressive.  For anyone who's not familiar with the complex pattern of bolts and other details on the Crusader, here are some photos of a real one.  Looks as though Rubicon have nailed it!

1464

Wish Lists / Re: Specific wish list for forthcoming Allied stowage set

« on: August 06, 2015, 09:43:02 am »

1/56 has become my go to scale for armour building , I've got 20 kits built and I don't even play the game ... Haven't touched a 1/35 kit in almost a year , friends are beginning to worry   

Same here, although in my case (having gone back to military modelling a while ago) it's 1/72 that's been abandoned.  I think 1/56 is a great scale, as I do tend to build wargaming models rather than pure display models.  And, as age takes its toll on my eyesight, 1/56 is much easier to work with.  The fact that companies like Rubicon can produce the tracks and running gear in so few pieces (with a high level of detail) is a major drawcard - I love AFVs, but never really enjoyed assembling the running gear.  I prefer to focus on the fun bits, like adding extra detail and stowage etc.

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Work In Progress / Re: Opel Blitz - Updated 150729 - Sample Painted

« on: August 05, 2015, 11:58:06 pm »

Awesome.  Think you've really hit a home run with this kit.

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Wish Lists / Re: Specific wish list for forthcoming Allied stowage set

« on: August 05, 2015, 11:41:31 pm »

I'm liking Rubicon's new policy of including spare wheels.

Since so many US and British tanks were festooned with spare track, the more that could be included in this set, the better.  Of course, the spare Panzer track pieces in the German stowage set will be very useful as the Allied tankers often welded looted Panzer tracks to their tanks.  And the Panzer crews returned the favour by welding T-34 tracks to theirs - especially StuGs and Panzer IVs.   

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Work In Progress / Re: M5A1 Stuart / M8 Scott - Updated with Painted Plastic

« on: August 05, 2015, 11:27:44 pm »

Looks okay now.  There actually seems to be scope for pushing the mantlet in further - I'll probably do a bit of trimming on mine.  Can't wait to build this kit - or the Recce version.

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Wish Lists / Re: Specific wish list for forthcoming Allied stowage set

« on: August 04, 2015, 11:54:05 pm »

All good ideas Pinky . But a big NO to spare T-34 wheels . The Russians  never carried spare wheels  on the T-34 tanks , ever .

Now that you mention it, I've never seen a photo of a T-34 carrying a spare wheel.  I wonder why?  Anyway, that leaves space for something else.

I wonder if the unditching log could be ditched (pun intended) it's rather easy to make one from sprue or just use a twig, and I think it would take up valuable space better used by other stuff.

I guess so, but it'd be a nice inclusion. 

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Wish Lists / Specific wish list for forthcoming Allied stowage set

« on: August 04, 2015, 02:33:42 pm »

Rubicon - some suggestions for inclusion in the following in your planned Allied stowage set (which, I hope, will include Soviet stuff):

- spare wheels and spare track for M4-type suspension
- spare wheels and spare track for T-34-type suspension
- unditching log for addition to Soviet tanks
- chunkier, more detailed .50 cal and .30 cal machine guns (preferably with a separate handgrip for the .50 cal)
- British 'blanket box' (standard issue stowage box attached to turret of Shermans and Cromwells - there were a couple of different designs)
- spare ammo boxes (including metal 6 pdr and 25 pdr boxes, and wooden crate for Soviet 76.2mm ammo)
- infantry telephone box (often attached to the rear of British and American tanks later in the war)
- fuel cans (both Allied 'jerryican' and earlier British 'flimsy')
- small oil drum (often seen on Allied tanks)
- plus the usual soft stowage

1470

Work In Progress / Re: M3/M3A1 Half-Track Personnel Carrier

« on: August 02, 2015, 07:47:20 pm »

...and here's what Track 48 did.  I reckon a couple of basic French-style serial numbers would do it.