A Quick Update – Aug 1, 2015It has been two months without a
Quick Update from us at the studio. We are very busy with work and had not been able to do a write up of any sort until now! We have a
MAJOR DELAY on new releases last quarter. This is due to heavy load of OEM jobs, thus slowing down our own productions. As a design studio, outside jobs has priority – nothing much we can do! To ease the problem, we are hiring more people especially for the Rubicon Models line. Hope this will improve the situation.
German Stowage Kit #1 – This kit was supposed to be released early July. To save expensive shipping cost, we've decided to put this on hold until the rest of the new releases are ready.
Various German Waterslide Decals – Same for the decals. We are putting hold on these and wait for the rest of the releases. There are a total of 7 decal sheets for our German gamers. These decals will cover Panzer Divisions (3 sets), Heavy Panzer Battalions (2 sets), SS Panzer Divisions (1 set), and divisions for the African Campaign (1 set).
M5A1 Stuart (Mid & Late Production) / M5A1 Reece – This is a 2 sprue kit that will enable you to either build a M5A1 as a mid or late production light tank or a M5A1 recon vehicle. Mould is done and is now under testing and adjustment. The kit will be available for early September release.
M8 Scott / M5A1 Stuart (Mid Production) – This is also a 2 sprue kit which will enable you to build either a M8 Scott howitzer or a M5A1 Stuart (late production) light tank. Mould is done and is now under testing and adjustment. The kit will be available for early September release.
A15 Crusader I / II / III / AA – The most important British tank of the North African Campaign, this is a 3 sprue kit which will enable you to build
SIX variants of the A15 Crusader; this include the Mk I / I CS / II / II CS / III / AA. The “CS” stands for “Combat Support” which mounted a 3 inch howitzer in the turret instead of the 2-pounder. The Crusader is also targeted for early September release. We will be posting some painted plastic for preview soon!
SdKfz 305 Opel Blitz – We will be renaming this kit to “SdKfz 305 3-ton 4x2 Cargo Truck” because of IP related concerns. It is a 2 sprue kit plus a single slide-mould part for the engine & driver compartment. The kit includes a removable canvas top with closed or open rear tarpaulin cover, optional seats and fuel cans. This kit is going to be released in early September as well.
M3 / M3A1 Half Track – This is a 2 sprue kit (with a separate one piece truck body) which enables you to build either a M3 or M3A1 Half Track vehicle. Because of the limited space on the two sprues, we are not able to include the various canvas tops for this kit. We have included other options instead, such as machine guns, rear racks, and containers. This kit is also for early September release.
M8 Greyhound / M20 Armoured Utility Car – This is going to be a 2 sprue kit. You are able to build either a M8 Greyhound or a M20 Armoured Utility Car. Standard features include optional machine gun ring and open driver hatch. Like the M5A1, it comes with a simplified interior. This kit should be ready for Q4/15 release.
M3 Half Track Expansion Kit #1 – This expansion kit will include the M21 MMC and the various canvas tops for the M3/M3A1 Half Track kit. Also included is a standalone M1 81mm mortar and portable radio. This kit should be able for Q4/15 release.
M10 / M36 Tank Destroyer – This is going to be an exciting release! This is a 3 sprue kit that will enable you to build a M10 or M36 or a 17pdr SP Achilles. The chassis can be built as an early or late M4A3 with three interchangeable turrets (M10 / 17pdr SP / M36). The M36 turret can also be used with our M4A3 kit (280012) to turn the vehicle into a M36B1!
SdKfz 251/1 Ausf C – This is a follow-up kit to our German armoured vehicle family for mid and late-war gamers. The kit is very similar to our existing Ausf D variant. It is designed to be compatible with all our SdKfz 251 Expansion Kits (except for the Stuka zu Fuss). Geared for Q4/15 releases.
SdKfz 251 Expansion Kits – This is not a single one but several kits, which include (1) 251/1 with sPzB 41, (2) 251/2 Mortar Carrier, (3) 251/3 Communications, (4) 251/7 Assault Engineer II, (5) 251/9 Stummel (Early), (6) 251/9 Stummel (Late), (7) 251/9 with Kanone 51, (
251/16 Flammpanzerwagen, and (9) 251/22 with 7.5cm PaK 40 L/46. This is an on-going project that will see releases from Q4/15 to Q1/16.
Studebaker US6 2-1/2 ton 6x6 Truck – This is the first of our US manufactured trucks, mainly used as lend-lease by her allies including Russia and Great Britain. Expansion option include the infamous BM13 Katyusha multiple rocket launcher. No release date as of yet.
On the Drawing Board – We are exploring several new production techniques that are new to us. These techniques will aid us to further improve our mould-making skills and make even better quality models! We are now working on several trucks and armoured vehicles for both Axis and Allies. We will post more info as we progress.
We have also updated our forum post on production schedule to reflect announcement based on this QUICK UPDATE. You can check it out using this link:
http://forum.rubiconmodels.com/index.php?topic=211.0That’s it for now! In the meantime, please enjoy our released kits! Buy more to keep us working!
