Messages

241

General Discussions / Q4 New Releases - Which Models?

« on: October 23, 2017, 12:05:54 am »

We are nearly 3 weeks into Q4 and I am just wondering when we find out which models have been chosen to represent the Rubicon Offerings for the last quarter of the year?

242

Wish Lists / Re: SdKfz 10 Halftrack

« on: October 12, 2017, 07:19:26 am »

I have been looking for this very thing in 1/56 and have not yet stumbled upon the single resin kit you mentioned. Who makes it?

This vehicle is far more interesting to me than the ever-present Sd.Kfz 7. Yes, those 88's need to be towed by something, but how often do those show up in games anyway?  And when they do, are they usually parked way in the back along a table edge (given their range).  Do we need to have their transport handy?  It's not likely to be hitched up to the gun to move and reposition the thing, is it?

Whereas the Sd.Kfz 10 towed all sorts of early and mid-war weaponry, and would be far more likely to show up on a tabletop, probably actually towing the weapon itself.

What was the standard tow for the Pak 36 37mm ATG?  Yep, The Sd.Kfz 10
Didd it tow the Pak 38 50mm ATG? Yes indeed.  And the ammo trailers as well.
How about the 20mm Flak 38 AA? Yes
Nebelwerfer 41? Yepper
Maybe the LeIG 18 75mm Artillery piece.

Not to mention the 10/1, 10/2, 10/3, 10/4 and 10/5 variants.

So yes, three cheers for the Sd.Kfz 10!!!

243

Work In Progress / Re: Neucraft Resin - PzKpfw 38H 735(f) 170906

« on: September 27, 2017, 12:10:48 am »

I also hope Rubicon will explore more early war stuff in plastic!

244

Work In Progress / Re: T-26 Soviet Light Infantry Tank - More Line Drawings 170524

« on: September 26, 2017, 10:46:41 am »

This is exactly the sort of kit that attracts and excites me.  Although I would only ever need "one" on the gaming table at a time (I play mostly infantry games, with one or two vehicles in support), I love to have options, and just based on the diagrams above, I can easily see my getting three kits.  One to assemble as the twin-turret, one for the single turret, and one for the later models with the sloped armor.  Not sure I could justify getting a fourth kit, so as to play around with a command tank version.  But I might.

And this is one of those tanks available in HUGE numbers in the early war years.  As my form name suggests, I prefer early war, so around 1943 I start to lose interest.  But this beauty will definitely be part of my soviet forces when it becomes available.

245

Work In Progress / Re: LVT Project - Quick Summary 170824

« on: September 13, 2017, 11:30:58 am »

Fascinated by this series of vehicles some time ago, I conducted a lot of research, and compiled some handy reference notes.  This helped me put makes, models and production into perspective, and gave me a hand when trying to determine which LVTs could make an appearance in which battles (Pacific theater only).  So for those who like such information ... here you go!

LVT Summary

LVT-1
Built: 1,225 (72 1941, 851 1942, 302 1943)
540 USMC, 485 US Army, 200 Allies
First used on Guadalcanal (Aug 1942) but only to ferry supplies
Also used on Bougainville (Nov 1943), Tarawa (Nov 1943) and New Britain (Dec 1943)

LVT-2
Built: 2,962 (1540 1943, 1422 1944)
1355 USMC, 1507 US Army, 100 Allies
First used on Tarawa (Nov 1943)
Also used on New Britain (Dec 1943), Kwajalein (Feb 1944), Eniwetok (Feb 1944), Saipan (Jun 1944),
Guam (Jul 1944), Tinian (Jul 1944), Peleliu (Sep 1944), Iwo Jima (Feb 1945) and Okinawa (Apr 1945)

LVT-3
Built: 2,964 (1 1943, 733 1944, 2230 1945)
All assigned to USMC
First (and only) use on Okinawa (Apr 1945)

LVT-4
Built: 8,351 (11 1943, 4980 1944, 3360 1945)
1765 USMC, 6086 US Army, 500 Allies
First use on Saipan (Jun 1944)
Also used on Guam (Jul 1944), Tinian (Jul 1944), Peleliu (Sep 1944), Philippines (Oct 1944),
Iwo Jima (Feb 1945) and Okinawa (Apr 1945)

LVT (A)-1
Built: 510 (3 1942, 288 1944, 219 1945)
182 USMC, 328 US Army
First used on Kwajalein (Feb 1944).
Also used on Eniwetok (Feb 1944), Saipan (Jun 1944), Guam (Jul 1944), Tinian (Jul 1944),
Peleliu (Sep 1944) and Okinawa (Apr 1945)

LVT (A)-2
Built: 450 (200 1943, 250 1944)
All assigned to US Army
First used on New Britain (Dec 1943).
Also used on Kwajalein (Feb 1944), Iwo Jima (Feb 1945) and Okinawa (Apr 1945)

In addition to the 450 built as LVT (A)-2, over 1,000 of the LVT-2s listed above (those built starting in March 1944) were assembled using the armoured cab specifications, giving them an appearance very similar to the LVT (A)-2 ... but these LVTs were not given the official LVT (A)-2 designation.

LVT (A)-4
Built: 1,890 (1489 1944, 401 1945)
533 USMC, 1307 US Army, 50 Allies
First used on Saipan (Jun 1944).
Also used on Guam (Jul 1944), Tinian (Jul 1944), Peleliu (Sep 1944), Iwo Jima (Feb 1945), and
Okinawa (Apr 1945)

So as far as LVT usage in the Pacific is concerned, the LVT-1 and LVT-2 "own" the Pacific theater for all of 1942 and all of 1943, and a good portion of 1944 and 1945 battles (in 12 listed above).  Some of the 1944 and 1945 battles involved converted LVT-2s which became LVT (A)-2s in all but name.  The LVT-4 comes into service in battles from mid-1944 onward (in 7 listed above).

LVT (A) usage is spread about more evenly. LVT (A)-1 appears in 6 major landings in 1944, and 1 in 1945.  The LVT (A)-2 only appears in 1 late 1943 landing, 1 1944 landing, and 2 in 1945.  Keep in mind some of the LVT-2 battles listed above featured vehicles converted into LVT (A)-2s in all but name.  The LVT (A)-4 saw action in 4 landings in 1944, and 2 in 1945.

Hope this information proves useful!

246

General Discussions / Re: What's Warlord up to?

« on: August 21, 2017, 03:31:43 am »

I will very likely get the Warlord Opel/Maultier, as it works out cheaper, and comes with a squad of passengers.  Debating getting just one to start, or getting three and being done. Wondering if the kits are designed so the rear wheels can be removed, and the tracks put in their place (magnets perhaps) so that I have the ability to mix as needed depending on the scenario.

I actually tried to get a Rubicon Opel a few months back, and if that order had worked out, I would be getting two more from Rubicon. But the item was back-ordered, then they said they had it, but not the other stuff, and asked me to wait 3 more weeks. I waited 7, and never heard back from them, so just cancelled the order. Very frustrating. I won't deal with that company again.

I prefer working in plastic, and hope Rubicon continue to release vehicles suitable for early war. Unfortunately for them, I just acquired an Sd.Kfz 7, so their upcoming model will not be on my purchase list. I do hope they eventually work that into the Sd.Kfz 10 as that was the main hauler for so many early war bits and bobs.  And nobody else has a 10, in plastic or resin.

247

Work In Progress / Re: Production Schedule - Updated 170521

« on: August 16, 2017, 10:11:06 am »

When do we get a preliminary list of what is in 3Q2017?  We are now half way through the third quarter!

248

General Discussions / Re: A Half Year in Review @RM - 170611

« on: June 25, 2017, 03:07:04 am »

I don't see why Rubicon would go larger and enter the 1/35 scale market, when there are loads of kits already out there in that scale for modellers.  Tamiya pretty much owns that scale, with other manufacturers contributing models as well.  Also don't see why Rubicon would go smaller and enter the 1/72 market. Lots of kits already available in that scale, and the competition would he fierce to carve out any sort of market share.

Whereas 1/48 and 1/56 are the two competing scales for many 28-32mm figure wargamers, and other than Warlord, there is nobody else trying plastics.  Seems to me that Rubicon's best shot at financial success is to stay in the two scales they currently run with, and continue to expand those lines.

I can see Rubicon branching into other wars, just not other scales.

249

Work In Progress / Re: T-26 Soviet Light Infantry Tank - More Line Drawings 170524

« on: June 24, 2017, 06:25:37 am »

Very excited at the prospect of a plastic, multi-model version T-26 kit. I am planning out an early war soviet force at the moment, and any plans to add to the variety of available models suitable for 1941-1942 is wonderful news. I think most prefer to game the late war with all the heavy hitters, but I find the early war stuff more interesting.  Glad to see Rubicon is not only interested in the mid to late war vehicles.

I understand there is no ETA for this kit, so I can only wait and wonder. But hopefully when it becomes a reality, sales will be good enough to encourage other early war goodies!