Rubicon Models

Rubicon Models => Work In Progress => Topic started by: Rubicon Models on January 10, 2019, 05:15:29 pm

Title: RESIN Project - Italian Tank Crew 190620
Post by: Rubicon Models on January 10, 2019, 05:15:29 pm
Our first 2019 resin project!  What is it?

(https://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Misc%20Images/M13-40%20190110-00_zps0bocslk1.jpg)

Enjoy!
;)
Title: Re: RESIN Project - A new start... 2019
Post by: ripley on January 10, 2019, 08:40:02 pm
I was going to say an Italian M13-40 , but then I noticed the track guard over the rear idler wheel , that makes it a M14-41
Title: Re: RESIN Project - A new start... 2019
Post by: H0ffmn on January 10, 2019, 11:18:37 pm
I was hoping that Rubicon would release this kit in plastic instead of resin :(
Title: Re: RESIN Project - A new start... 2019
Post by: ripley on January 11, 2019, 02:24:05 am
I was hoping it would be plastic as well . With careful planing , you could get both a 13-40 & 14-41 ( different engine deck grills , fenders , tool stowage ) , as well with a new upper hul and a variety of barrels ( short / long 75mm , 105mm IRC ) , you would have a Semovente SPG . Plus a extra hatch cover or two and a change of the hull mount MG , you've got either  command tank / SPG .
Title: Re: RESIN Project - A new start... 2019
Post by: ultravanillasmurf on January 11, 2019, 02:42:49 am
Good luck with this.

It is not something that interests me (if Perry compatible plastic infantry was available there might be a bit more interest).
Title: Re: RESIN Project - A new start... 2019
Post by: Tracks on January 11, 2019, 02:54:11 am
I too would have preferred that they release the kit in plastic instead of resin. And as ripley mentioned, maybe with some careful planning they could incorporate options for different types/versions. Something Rubicon Models is known for (as well as quality) when it comes to plastic kits.
Title: Re: RESIN Project - A new start... 2019
Post by: ripley on January 11, 2019, 08:11:48 am
IRC , some Warlord dude on their site  has been hinting plastic Italians and a vehicle or two ( Autoblinda AB 41  ,  M14-41 ? ) in the near future . Might be a reason for Rubicon  not to produce one at this time
Title: Re: RESIN Project - M13-40 3D Drawings 190111
Post by: Rubicon Models on January 11, 2019, 11:47:55 am
Our first Italian tank as most of you had suspected... the Carro Armato M13-40.

The Question: Why resin and not plastic?

Not that we don't want to, but our mould making queue is now so long, it will take over a year to make this happen.  We have already put in extra design efforts so that we can turn this resin kit into a plastic version anytime we wanted.  Once the queue reaches a reasonable waiting period, we will try to put the M13-40 into the queue.  For now, it had to be resin.

Many variants can be made based on the M13-40 lower chassis and we are aware of what we can do for this kit as possible variants.  For now, we are just focusing on each individual tank variant to save production cost and lower the retail price of each tank.  When (and when) we switch to plastic, it will be multi-variant as usual.

These are still preliminary design... still a work in progress!


(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Italian%20Tanks/M13-40%20190110-01_zpsx2wwuhhh.jpg)

(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Italian%20Tanks/M13-40%20190110-02_zps5amyedaz.jpg)

(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Italian%20Tanks/M13-40%20190110-03_zpsegthfb7x.jpg)

(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Italian%20Tanks/M13-40%20190110-04_zps0kfjxuoc.jpg)

(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Italian%20Tanks/M13-40%20190110-05_zpsj82dh727.jpg)

Enjoy!
;)
Title: Re: RESIN Project - M13-40 3D Drawings 190111
Post by: Tracks on January 11, 2019, 07:41:26 pm
Not that we don't want to, but our mould making queue is now so long, it will take over a year to make this happen.  We have already put in extra design efforts so that we can turn this resin kit into a plastic version anytime we wanted. Once the queue reaches a reasonable waiting period, we will try to put the M13-40 into the queue.  For now, it had to be resin.

To be completely honest with you (Rubicon Models), I am just going to wait until this kit is released in plastic. Power to the Plastic!  ;D

I stopped buying resin kits a long time ago. Those crappy Warlord resin kits gave me an everlasting bad impression. I even think good resin kits are not that great when compared to a good plastic kit. There is so much to be said about the power of plastic.

I should also point out that Warlord has hinted several times that they will be soon releasing some 1:56 (28mm) Italian vehicles in resin. I'm not interested in resin stuff, but I mention this here because maybe its not a good time for you (Rubicon Models) to invest time and funds into making this project in resin. Yes, you did say that the "mould making queue" is very long, and this is the reason for resin, but maybe it would be better to focus on something else instead.

Just my $0.02 worth of advise.
Title: Re: RESIN Project - M13-40 3D Drawings 190111
Post by: ripley on January 11, 2019, 10:39:09 pm
Most resin kits I have seen are hit and miss on crisp detail , probably because companies  are trying to get as many kits out of the mold , so they are well past their renewal date.  You can't attempt to fix it like a poorly molded plastic kit , your  stuck with a piece of resin  crap .   For example , 3 of my friends have the Warlord resin Type 97 tank , 2 are blobs of resin and misshapen metal and one looks fantastic , even the curved metal radio antenna is perfect . .The Rubicon resin kits are very well detailed , of course Rubicon's molds aren't years old .   But my real pet peeve with resin is that it can't be converted / kit bashed as easy as plastic , I haven't built a kit out of the box in years . Hopefully a plastic M13-40 kit does come in the future . As I have about a dozen 1/56 tank kits and  6 or 7 planes / boats of various scales  in my pile of  stuff to build , I'm can keep busy while I'm waiting . That being said , I'm thinking of getting one of Rubicon's French tanks , as you do get a choice of optional parts  ( turret , gun ) for a little personal detailing
Title: Re: RESIN Project - M13-40 3D Drawings 190111
Post by: Captain Blood on January 11, 2019, 11:20:18 pm
I like it.
My experience with the Rubicon resin models is that they bear about as much resemblance to ‘normal’ wargames resin AFVs as a silk purse to a sow’s ear. It’s like an entirely different and infinitely superior material, and a whole different quality of crispness and cleanliness in the casting.
No, they don’t lend themselves to conversion with other plastic kits for the advanced modeller, but one of the things that I’ve often wondered over the last year or two, is what proportion of Rubicon’s customer base are sophisticated modellers and diorama builders, and what proportion just want extremely beautifully made scale models to put on the wargames table?
I appreciate the stated Rubicon strategy is to appeal to both ends of the market, but I certainly don’t think you’ll find many wargamers turning their nose up at this product, which, whilst resin not plastic, will be streets ahead in quality of any other 1/56 scale model of this tank, for rapid deployment to the tabletop...  :)
Title: Re: RESIN Project - M13-40 3D Drawings 190111
Post by: Pinky on January 12, 2019, 12:27:50 am
I agree 100% with Tracks.  While I’m sure it will be a high quality resin model, I have as much interest in resin vehicles as I do in metal figures.  Also - Warlord have just released the same vehicle in resin, so it’s not well timed.
Title: Re: RESIN Project - M13-40 3D Drawings 190111
Post by: mrdeane on January 12, 2019, 01:20:38 am
 :) i hope this is going to hit this summer, in quarter 2! Smeagle needs this!
Title: Re: RESIN Project - M13-40 3D Drawings 190111
Post by: EarlyWarGamer on January 12, 2019, 01:26:04 am
When I got into WWII gaming, most of what was out there were resin kits. I got some. Not wild about them, but they work. I much prefer plastic, and will hold off getting anything in resin if there is a plastic version in a pipeline somewhere. Nearly all of my "early war" needs are resin however, so I have been forced to go the resin route.

The Italians were my first army actually. As such, I have just about everything already, and in resin (either Warlord or Blitzkrieg).

I will gladly replace resin with plastic. But I will not replace one resin vehicle for another resin. Therefore, while this kit may be a huge improvement over the resin kit I already have, it will not be gracing my table. If it ever comes out in plastic, I will be one of the first people to place an order for it. I doubt it will ever be released in plastic however. Resin sales will be limited, and thus the implied demand for a plastic kit will likely not justify the cost. Which is too bad, but I understand this is a business.

But it does my heart good to see an Italian tank on the horizon!
Title: Re: RESIN Project - M13-40 3D Prototype 190112
Post by: Rubicon Models on January 12, 2019, 12:34:06 pm
This is the 3D prototype of the M13/40, still some minor things to update but the overall model is done!

(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Italian%20Tanks/M13-40%20Prototype%20190110-01_zpshkg8nf9x.jpg)

(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Italian%20Tanks/M13-40%20Prototype%20190110-02_zpsenmsyqk1.jpg)

(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Italian%20Tanks/M13-40%20Prototype%20190110-03_zpsvssu9l5j.jpg)

(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Italian%20Tanks/M13-40%20Prototype%20190110-04_zpsnxcjonet.jpg)

(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Italian%20Tanks/M13-40%20Prototype%20190110-05_zpscs5ci93l.jpg)

Enjoy!
;)
Title: Re: RESIN Project - M13-40 3D Prototype 190112
Post by: ripley on January 12, 2019, 12:58:02 pm
Looks good . I assume your going to add the  tools on the engine cover  , the  jack and spare wheels as separate parts ?
Title: Re: RESIN Project - M13-40 3D Prototype 190112
Post by: Captain Blood on January 12, 2019, 05:37:34 pm
Looks sharp as anything. This might finally tempt me into adding a small Italian contingent to my WW2 desert war collection...
Title: Re: RESIN Project - M13-40 3D Prototype 190112
Post by: ultravanillasmurf on January 14, 2019, 03:24:23 am
Nice, and as you mention in the blurb they ended up being used in "if it moves we use it" stage of the North African campaign.

Tempting.

Depends on the number of carriers I will get....
Title: Re: RESIN Project - M13-40 3D Prototype 190112
Post by: elias.tibbs on January 15, 2019, 01:33:10 am
Rubicon resin vs resin you’re used to are two totally different things.

Most people think that Rubicon resins are plastic.
Title: Re: RESIN Project - M13-40 3D Prototype 190112
Post by: ultravanillasmurf on January 15, 2019, 03:47:19 pm
Rubicon resin vs resin you’re used to are two totally different things.

Most people think that Rubicon resins are plastic.
I agree they are excellent.

There are photographs of the Waffentrager here:http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2018/04/salute-2018-rubicon-models-part-one.html (http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2018/04/salute-2018-rubicon-models-part-one.html)
Title: Re: RESIN Project - M13-40 Command Tank drawings 190213
Post by: Rubicon Models on February 13, 2019, 07:13:04 pm
This is the M13/40 Command Tank 3d drawings...

(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Italian%20Tanks/M13-40%20Command%20190213-1_zpslguwxcln.jpg)

(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Italian%20Tanks/M13-40%20Command%20190213-2_zps3y9xbvvf.jpg)

(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Italian%20Tanks/M13-40%20Command%20190213-3_zpsovke9vyf.jpg)

(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Italian%20Tanks/M13-40%20Command%20190213-4_zpsp5bejuol.jpg)

Enjoy!
;)
Title: Re: RESIN Project - M13-40 Command Tank drawings 190213
Post by: ultravanillasmurf on February 14, 2019, 01:53:05 am
By the way, it says resin and pewter kit, what bits would be pewter (I am guessing guns and barrels).
Title: Re: RESIN Project - Various Italian Prototypes Painted 190319
Post by: Rubicon Models on March 19, 2019, 05:23:17 pm
Various Italian prototypes painted...

(https://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Italian%20Tanks/Italian%20Tanks%20190319-2_zps3iqraejw.jpg)

Enjoy!
;)
Title: Re: RESIN Project - Various Italian Prototypes Painted 190319
Post by: Tracks on March 19, 2019, 06:37:13 pm
Good job RM, they look nice.
I can't wait to see when these tanks get released in plastic kit form.
Title: Re: RESIN Project - Various Italian Prototypes Painted 190319
Post by: ripley on March 19, 2019, 08:12:01 pm
They will be out in plastic Tracks , but it's Italeri who's releasing them that way
Title: Re: RESIN Project - Various Italian Prototypes Painted 190319
Post by: elias.tibbs on March 20, 2019, 01:47:07 am
Their resin tanks are so nice. I cannot stress this.

I had some people looking at my French tanks at the weekend and were wondering where I got plastic French R35 and H35 from.

Unless you’re planning of hacking them apart to kitbash, why do they need to be plastic?
Title: Re: RESIN Project - Various Italian Prototypes Painted 190319
Post by: ripley on March 20, 2019, 03:36:07 am
As you said , plastic  to kit bash
Title: Re: RESIN Project - Various Italian Prototypes Painted 190319
Post by: ultravanillasmurf on March 20, 2019, 04:24:35 am
Very tempting.
Title: Re: RESIN Project - Various Italian Prototypes Painted 190319
Post by: Tracks on March 20, 2019, 10:25:52 am
They will be out in plastic Tracks , but it's Italeri who's releasing them that way

And I worry that this is will cancel RM's original plans to eventually release theirs in plastic.

Quote
Unless you’re planning of hacking them apart to kitbash, why do they need to be plastic?

So many reasons to favor plastic. Kitbashing is just one of them.
Title: Re: RESIN Project - Various Italian Prototypes Painted 190319
Post by: Pinky on March 20, 2019, 11:48:15 am
Unless you’re planning of hacking them apart to kitbash, why do they need to be plastic?

On that basis, why should Rubicon do any of their kits in plastic?

I'll be waiting for the Warlord plastic kit. 
Title: Re: RESIN Project - Italian Tank Crew 190620
Post by: Rubicon Models on June 20, 2019, 01:17:58 pm
Some Italian tank crew prototypes painted for studio references...


(https://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Italian%20Tanks/Italian%20Tank%20Crew%20190619-1_zpsp4y4plpp.jpg)

(https://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Italian%20Tanks/Italian%20Tank%20Crew%20190619-2_zpsoasqbk30.jpg)

(https://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Italian%20Tanks/Italian%20Tank%20Crew%20190619-3_zpso0qqsyal.jpg)

Enjoy!
;)
Title: Re: RESIN Project - Italian Tank Crew 190620
Post by: ripley on June 21, 2019, 09:42:55 am
Nice looking resin crew . A little boring in their poses maybe , but nice  . Any chance of a 4 man plastic blister pack like your Russians or Germans ? While resin / metal figures look good , if I have multiples of a vehicle , I like to have a variety of crew figures , which your blisters allows me to build . While  I would probably  purchase one set of resin /metal crew figures ,   I would most definitely  purchase 3 or 4 blister packs of plastic figures that  I could build how ever I wanted in my own unique way  .
Title: Re: RESIN Project - Italian Tank Crew 190620
Post by: ultravanillasmurf on June 21, 2019, 02:49:05 pm
Nice crew.

Can we assume they are multi-part, following on from the resin now - plastic later nature of this project?