Messages

1711

Work In Progress / Re: Our SdKfz 251/1 Ausf. D - updated with more 3D prototypes!

« on: November 25, 2014, 12:33:58 am »

Ok, some comments, I had to register to give them :-)

If you are doing an Ausf. D you don't really need to provide both MG34 and MG42's, by the time the Ausf D was introduced all infantry used the MG42, MG34 was ONLY used on tanks and in armoured cars. Save yourself some space on the sprue, I'd rather have ammo boxes/belts/drums for the MG's than extra MG's.

Agreed, and I'd also like a few accessories like jerrycans.  As I mentioned in another thread, it'd be nice if the MG42s were reasonably robust, even if they're a bit overscale.

Basic halftrack, add 37mm to get the /10 command vehicle, replace with 28mm squeeze bore (not on all so is not essential if you can't fit it on the sprue) and add field bridges to get engineering vehicle. I think the /7 had some different internal layout to accomodate the assault engineers' heavy equipment but I don't think it's necessary.

I think these are very good suggestions.  Those options would provide the most important versions.  The engineer version actually had quite different stowage, but that could be 'overlooked' or greatly simplified.

Remember to give it the right seats in the troop compartment.  They were uncomfortable wooden slat seats, not comfy leather.

1712

Work In Progress / Re: Soviet Medium Tank T-34/85

« on: November 25, 2014, 12:28:17 am »

I would fix the ventilators, if you can.  They may be primarily wargaming models, but it's worth trying to get the smaller details right - especially if you're going to go to the trouble of making relatively similar variants like the 1943 and 1944 versions of the T-34/85. 

I would also agree with Ripley to keep the conical periscope on the 1943 turret, although it was much closer to the cupola than on your prototype.  But I wouldn't add an antenna mount to the roof of the 1943 turret - the antenna was mounted on the right hull side on all but the last vehicles produced (you might as well make the 2 versions as different as possible).

I think the cupola on the 1944 turret might be a bit far forward - it seems as though it should be almost touching the ventilators.   

One other suggestion - since these kits are going to appeal mostly to wargamers, I think you should mould the machine guns and tools a bit more overscale.  It will make them more robust, and they'll fit in better with 28mm minis. 

1713

Work In Progress / Re: Soviet Medium Tank T-34/85

« on: November 23, 2014, 01:56:24 pm »

I did some more digging, and it seems that the single ventilator probably only appeared on the prototypes.

I understand there is a limit to what you can include in the it, and it makes sense to provide the squared-off mudguards.  The vision slit that Ripley mentioned is probably rather difficult to include, given that you've provided the upper half of the turret in one piece.

Here is a photo of the 1943 version (so-called, although it was produced in early 1944) - it's the clearest one I could find that shows the position of the ventilators.

1714

Work In Progress / Re: Soviet Medium Tank T-34/85

« on: November 23, 2014, 08:32:33 am »

This is looking good!  I think the only issue is some of the detailing on the turret - the ventilation dome was further forward on the earlier version (it may be that the photo is misleading and you've captured this point).  I also think there was only one dome on the 1943 version, not the paired domes depicted, although that's pretty minor.

The 1943 version didn't have squared-off mudguards, but I don't think anyone is going to be too bothered about that either.

1715

Wish Lists / Re: SURVEY: Small Arms & Heavy Weapons - Nov 2014

« on: November 20, 2014, 10:04:56 pm »

1) Germany
2) anti-tank gun
3) 88mm Flak 36

1) Britain
2) anti-tank gun
3) 6pdr and Lloyd Carrier

1) USSR
2) anti-tank gun
3) 76mm ZIS-3

1716

Showcase & Gallery / Re: Panzer IV Ausf F2

« on: November 20, 2014, 12:17:20 am »

Looks great.  Superb weathering job.  Did you find the fit of some of the parts a bit off, or did it go together easily?

1717

General Discussions / Re: PzKpfwg III

« on: November 15, 2014, 12:40:57 pm »

Why did you modify the gun? 

1718

General Discussions / Re: Looky what I got in the mail yesterday...

« on: November 14, 2014, 10:25:35 pm »

Nice.  The 75mm version is really good.  The 76mm version less so.

1719

Wish Lists / Re: Accessories

« on: November 12, 2014, 10:10:44 pm »

I agree - accessories in this scale aren't easy to come by (compared to 1/48 scale).  There is a lot of generic stowage that would fit on any vehicle, and everyone used each other's jerrycans.

1720

Showcase & Gallery / Re: Random Product Gallery

« on: November 11, 2014, 05:50:37 pm »

The Panthers and Tiger have come up especially well.  I like the row of T-34s as well.

1721

Showcase & Gallery / Re: Panther Comparison

« on: November 11, 2014, 05:47:50 pm »

Nice work.  The Warlord plastic Ausf A looks rather good, and you've painted it well.  I'm building the Rubicon Ausf D, and it's looking good.  The only issue is the where the glacis joins the hull; it doesn't quite match up. 

1722

Wish Lists / Re: British Tanks? What British Tanks?

« on: November 11, 2014, 05:44:16 pm »

The M4A4 design would require us to start it as a completely new project, may be somewhere along the line, we will do one!

Fair enough.  How about the M4 (either the initial version or the cast/rolled hybrid)?  Then you could use your existing Sherman chassis, tracks and running gear.  All you'd need to do is an M4 hull and the Firefly turret etc.

1723

Wish Lists / Re: British Tanks? What British Tanks?

« on: November 11, 2014, 02:39:41 pm »

I agree that one or two British vehicles should be part of the range soon.  I'm assuming that you'll want to stick to the more common vehicles to start with, and you're probably going to focus on mid to late war.  That means a Sherman, Cromwell or Churchill.  It's a bit obvious, but my vote would be for an M4A4 with options parts to build a Firefly.

1724

Work In Progress / Re: WW2 Military Series Cover Art...

« on: November 11, 2014, 02:35:45 pm »

Just wanted to say that your box art is really good - well done.  I hope you can keep up this standard, as it's way better than many more established companies' box art. 

1725

Work In Progress / Re: German Panzer III Road Wheel Revisited

« on: November 11, 2014, 02:29:34 pm »

I was looking forward to the Panzer III when I saw the vehicles you were releasing, but it's a rather disappointing kit.  The roadwheels just look wrong, and there are a lot of other inaccuracies (like the mantlet).  It's a shame you can't rectify these problems, as most of your other kits are very good.  I guess I'll have to wait for you to release a StuG III, then do some kitbashing.