Messages

16

General Discussions / Re: Israeli M-1 Super Sherman

« on: July 30, 2022, 09:17:25 am »

The Israel Shermans is an interesting story. I would at least start with the follow:

https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/israel/m50-51_super-sherman.php

https://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/Israel/ISherman.php

If you can, I also recommend picking up the book "IDF Shermans M-50 and M-51" by Tom Gannon. This book will be very useful for your project. More information about the book in the link below:

https://www.scalemates.com/books/idf-shermans-m-50-and-m-51-model-foto-focus-tom-gannon--125787

It would be nice once you start on your M50/M51 Super Sherman kit-bash project to share with others the progress of your model, and of course the finished result. Actually, this seems like a fun project and look the hear from you how it turns out.

Edit:
Sorry, I just realized that I misunderstood the title. I was thinking of the more famous M50 and M51 (mostly because I just watched The Chieftain videos on it), and thought that maybe you might have meant M51 and not M1, but there is an Israeli M1 Super Sherman, which is a different tank. In the 1950s, Israel purchased some Sherman tanks. These were armed with the 76.2mm M1 gun, so they were designated M1 Super Sherman to distinguish them from earlier variants equipped with 75mm guns. Many of these featured rounded cast hulls, air-cooled radial gasoline engines, and Vertical Volute Spring Suspension (VVSS). These tanks first saw action in the Suez Crisis in 1956.

In this case, I would just use the model as is without any kit-bashing. In fact, it seems like no or very little kit-bashing is needed. For those subtle differences, very few if any will ever notice them. Also, depending on how you paint your model, you can still use the model as a WW2 tank. 

17

General Discussions / Re: Do you cut or not cut?

« on: July 21, 2022, 08:36:34 pm »

Actually, I haven't really thought about removing and replacing the tools. Mostly because I don't have the extra tools like shovels and picks you would need to replace them, but I also think the molded on tools look more than good enough not to remove. I use my Rubicon Models for tabletop miniature gaming. For example, here is a pic of a couple of my Shermans.



That being said, if I were to build one for a model contest or something, I would be tempted to replace the tools if I could find the proper spare tools to replace them with.

18

General Discussions / Do you cut or not cut?

« on: July 17, 2022, 11:37:42 am »

To cut or not to cut, that is the question.

Just recently I was assembling a Rubicon Models kit. I was assembling yet another T-34 kit and I had the two following thoughts while working on it:

1) How simple and nice these T-34 kits really are. Both their T-34/76 and T34/85 kits are some of their earlier kts, and also are (in some ways) simpler to assemble with fewer parts, but yet they still have very good details and are just as nice as their newer kits.

2) How many other people actually cut the supporting connection bits between the wheels, and how many just leave it one when assembling?

What am I talking about? Have a look at parts C01 and C02 (or B15 and B16) of the T-34/76 kit. An even better example is to take a look at parts A08 and A09 from their Panzer IV Ausf F/F2/G/H kit because the support connections are much smaller.

However, I’m somewhat surprised Rubicon Models didn’t design it so that the support connections on the Panzer IV were on the inside when assembled instead on the outside where they are more noticeable. That being said, I think they learned from this, because on their Panzer III kits, they made it so that the support connections would be on the inside and therefore less noticeable.

Anyway, Rubicon Models’ idea of using these supporting connections between the wheels is actually a really good idea, and something I hope they continue to use. This gives a person a choice of an easy assembly, or if you do not want them because of looks or whatever, they are easily removed. Yes, it takes a bit of cutting and sanding/filing, but if they were individual wheel parts, you would be doing that anyway, so it’s not an issue.

I really like this feature, but now that I have said that, I always end up removing them because I like the cleaner look. Now, I have not assembled my Panzer III Ausf E… yet. Because these smaller supporting connection bits are on the inside (not the outside like on the Panzer IV kits), I might not remove them for ease of assembly. Only time will tell. I might end up removing them anyway because assembling these kits is part of the enjoyment.

Do you cut or not cut these off when you assemble your kits?

19

Showcase & Gallery / Re: Various WIP

« on: June 20, 2022, 09:12:07 am »

Looking very good.
Are they permanently attached?

20

Work In Progress / Re: Project of the Month - Dec 2021 - M3 Lee & Grant

« on: May 28, 2022, 10:35:16 am »

If and when this kit is released, I suspect most tabletop miniature gamers will get the kit to use as a standard M3 Lee or Grant. I know I will. For sure, those that have British Army miniatures will want these the most for their North African collections, but as mentioned before, the M3 medium was used all over the world by several countries. The main countries being the Americans, British, and Soviets.

There are so many uses for this kit. This kit would be a nice one to get for a conversion to a recovery vehicle (if you needed one), but a few were also used as prime movers, which would be a very easy conversion.

21

General Discussions / Re: Panzer stowage location?

« on: May 12, 2022, 09:23:08 pm »

Have a look at step "6" of the Panzer IV D/E instructions.
Except for part C09. there can be other locations for the parts to fit.

Oh, and some of that stuff fron the D/E kit should fit onto the F/F2/G/H kit, but depends if you use the schurzen.

Pretty much, you can put it where it can fit and makes sense. There was no rule to storage. Just be reasonable with it and it should look and work fine.

[edit]
I forgot to mention. Sometimes it is a good idea to take a look at combat photos (from books) and combat footage (from documentaries) to see how crews actually put stuff on their tank.

22

Official Assembly Instructions / Re: 280029 M10 / M36 Tank Destroyer

« on: March 15, 2022, 10:03:07 am »

I also wanted to use both turrets.
I'm just as stubborn as cptjake, but to lazy to convert the turret to fit, so I just used my Rubicon Models M4A3 Sherman hull. Depending on which turret to use, I can have either the M4A3 or M36B1.



Some notes to make:
1) A lot of combat photos and footage I have see show the tank without the muzzle break. Removing the muzzle break was very easy, and scratch building the collar ring wasn't that difficult. However, I even didn't bother with the fine threading at the end of the barrel in front of the collar ring.

2) The kit does not include crew. The crew figures are plastic and converted from various other figures from Rubicon Models plastic kits.

3) I used a brass pin so the HMG actually swivels. I didn't have to do that, but it was pretty easy, so why not? Also, it can be removed for easier storage and transportation to games. I use these models for tabletop gaming.

M10 and a M36:
I do have another M10 kit, and when I get around to putting that one together, I will do the same thing that cptjake did. Thanks for the good idea cptjake.

23

Work In Progress / Re: Project of the Month - Dec 2021 - M3 Lee & Grant

« on: March 08, 2022, 01:06:29 pm »

I wonder if Rubicon Models will also have a truck version of the M3 Medium tank. 



LOL
Seriously though, I also noticed that there is a growing interest in the M3 lately. Even USTAR (a Japanese company) will release a plastic M3 tank. However, that one will be 1:144 scale, and Takom's recent M3 kit is a 1:35 kit.



I think a lot of miniature gamers and some hobby modellers will be really looking forward to the new M3 Medium tank that Rubicon Models is planning to release. I predict that this new kit will be a good seller for them.

24

Official Assembly Instructions / Re: 280108 SdKfz 10 Half Track, Prime Mover

« on: February 23, 2022, 02:24:21 pm »

Another fantastic plastic model kit from Rubicon Models. That being said, I was somewhat surprised that there isn't a modeller or miniature gamer option for installing parts A26 and A27 - that is, drilling holes (or not) for these parts. Instead, if you do not want to add the breakable parts, the holes need to be filled in. No big issue, but something I noticed compared to their other kits.

This kit goes together wonderfully, but for those that have not assembled this kit yet, I recommend looking at assembling parts A18, A20, and A09 before a few of the parts from Steps 4 to 7. It's not a big issue, but for some modellers it might make it a little easier to assemble (and align).

Again, this is a very nice kit!

25

Work In Progress / Re: Project of the Month - Dec 2021 - M3 Lee & Grant

« on: January 14, 2022, 08:43:37 am »

Just a thought. When the M3 Lee/Grant kit actually does get released by Rubicon Models, I wonder how difficult it would be to use the power of plastic to make (scratch build) an M31 recovery vehicle using the base kit and Evergreen plastic sheets and strips. My guess would be that for the average modeller, it should be easy enough, and for the advanced modeller, well, I guess it would be a simple conversion.

26

Wish Lists / Re: Focusing on the more useful kits – wake up and smell the molded plastic!

« on: January 01, 2022, 11:16:25 am »

Because of this...



I had to update the list at the very start of this thread.
Because the long awaited M3 Medium tank is on its way.

Also, some of us are still hoping that the QF 6-pounder AT-Gun mentioned above will be a 57mm Gun M1 / QF 6-pounder (American/British) AT-Gun combo kit.
Similar to what RM did with their Jeep kit.

27

Decal & Painting Guides / More panting guides?

« on: December 19, 2021, 10:35:47 am »

Any new painting guides forth coming?

Good opportunity to show case some of the later kits like the Panzer IV, Panzer III, future Panzer II, Sdkfz.10, future M3 (Lee/Grant), BA-10 Heavy Armoured Car, Valentine tank, and so on. The Panzer III & IV kits alone will give you a host of painting guides. Not so much for the early Panzer IIIs & IVs, but certainly the later Panzer IIIs & IVs.

28

Work In Progress / Re: Project of the Month - Dec 2021 - M3 Lee & Grant

« on: December 11, 2021, 11:29:09 am »

The long awaited Medium Tank M3. 
Also known as the Lee and Grant.
However, it will not be available anytime soon. 

In the last paragraph in the information below, wouldn't it be better to have said that the British and Americans continued to use the M3s in combat against the Japanese in southeast Asia. Because the Americans (US Army, not US Marines) also continued to use the M3 Medium Tank (Lee) in parts of southeast Asia.

Also, over 1,300 M3s were supplied to the Soviet army (Lend-Lease). It says "nearly a thousand". I will double check this, but I'm pretty sure it was over a thousand.

29

Work In Progress / Re: Project of the Month - Dec 2021 - M3 Lee & Grant

« on: December 11, 2021, 11:10:26 am »

What!? No cast hull option?

Did the cast hull version even see combat?

30

Wish Lists / Re: Focusing on the more useful kits – wake up and smell the molded plastic!

« on: November 23, 2021, 09:05:41 am »

I wonder if RM will make an American version (The 57mm M1) with crew.
I hope they don't miss out on that this AT-Gun can probably be marketed as an American or British AT-Gun