We have taken some time off to review the Italeri M8/M20 plastic kit. There is always something we can learn from our brethren manufacturers.
It is hard not to be bias as a studio designer, but this is probably because our design philosophy is different from the start. While Italeri’s background is from making military models, we are more miniature gaming oriented. Italeri used their expertise to downsize their 1/35 M8 and M20 military model kits into their 1/56 M8/M20 combo kit, we build ours from scratch with the gamer in mind based on up-to-date reference material.
With more books and photos available in the media, we are surprised Italeri did not double check for historical accuracy as the M8 and M20 had some subtle design differences. Here is our finding:
- Good overall design and parts layout
- Too many unnecessary small parts for the average gamer
- Tyre tread pattern is definitely wrong – should be arranged alternatively instead of parallel on both sizes of each tyre
- The M8 gun ring height is too low
- The M8 turret shape is wrong
- The M8 mantlet shape is wrong
- The undercarriage suspension design (while good for modelling) is bad for gaming – with six wheels on the table, the vehicle can be wobbly
- Significant amount of mould lines on the sprue
- No side storage bins, only mine rack or jerry can rack
- Wrong radio position inside the hull cabin
- No rivets on the fender armour
This is not an attack on Italeri, we are just reviewing the kit from a gamer and modeler point of view.
Italeri's plastic kits had always been an inspiration to us to do a better job!
If anyone think this is not appropriate, we can take this down anytime.
