A Quick Update – Nov 29, 2015

[Rubicon Models]

A Quick Update – Nov 29, 2015

It has been three months without a Quick Update from us at the studio (again).  Much work had been done but not much had reached commercial production stage.  This is because we are very strict on Quality Control during the mould making phase; some sprues had to go through up to 11 or 12 test shots before we could approve it for release.  Anyway, here is a summary of what we are doing…



M8 Greyhound / M20 Armoured Utility Car (280028) – To be released before Christmas, this is a 2 sprue kit.  You will be able to build either a M8 Greyhound or a M20 Armoured Utility Car.  Standard features include choice of ring mount or rear mount MG, open or close driver hatch, and side toolbox or landmine rack.

M10 / M36 Tank Destroyer (280029) – Also for Christmas, this is a 3 sprue kit.  There are up to 7 variants to choose from!  You can build either a M10, M10A1, Achilles Ic, Achilles IIc, M36, M36B2, and a M36B1 if you already own our M4A3 (280012) kit.

Jagdpanzer 38(t) “Hetzer” (280030) – Hetzers gonna hetz!  Trying to get released before Christmas, this kit will enable you to build an early, mid, or late production tank destroyer –or– as a Flammpanzer 38(t).  Comes with two road wheel sets, multiple rear idler wheels, and 3 gun mantlets.

SdKfz 250/1 Alte & SdKfz 253 – Going to be a 2 sprue kit.  It will include a full detail interior, two headlight options, and a driver.  Like the SdKfz 251 series, expansion kits are planned for near future releases.  Should be ready for Q1/16 release!

SdKfz 250 Expansion Kits – Not for immediate release, but we already have some of them on our Drawing Board.  These included (1) SdKfz 250/3 – Command variant, (2) SdKfz 250/7 – 81mm Mortar variant, (3) SdKfz 250/9 – Reconnaissance variant, (4) SdKfz 250/10 – 3.7cm PaK 36, and (5) SdKfz 250/11 – 2.8cm sPzB41.

Allied Stowage Kit 1 – Not a major project, but this one took us a lot of time to complete because of the vast number of items to choose from.  We have narrow things down to a manageable size, but still have a lot to fit onto a single sprue!  Stay tuned on this one…

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).  Should be ready for Q1/16 release!

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 limited releases for Q1/16 onward.

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.  We have run into some problem fitting all the parts onto three sprues; otherwise will be very costly to produce!  Still looking for a solution…

GMC CCKW 2.5t 6x6 Cargo Truck – Even though the project kick-started later than the Studebaker one, we are able to push this forward by a considerable amount.  Waiting to get this done before Christmas and hopefully for Q2/16 release.

SU Tank Destroyers – The SU-85 and SU-122 3D drawings are done!  We had made some major changes to the design so that both tanks will be much easier to get assembled.  Now waiting for 3D prototyping.  Hopefully a Q2/16 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.  We have put this on hold until we are able to include figures to go with the kit.  Hopefully Q2/16!

On the Drawing Board – With the recent addition of two digital sculpting workstations, we are now able to include figures incorporating into our plastic kits.  We are looking into expanding this capability into our new product range for 2016.  Stay tune for more announcement!


That’s it for now! In the meantime, please enjoy our released kits! Buy more to keep us working!

[stevepalffy]

Nice !

Any chance of Aircraft in 1:56 scale ?

[Rubicon Models]

Any chance of Aircraft in 1:56 scale ?

There are just too many "popular" aircraft in 1/48 scale.  If we were to do anything "aircraft-wise", it will be really BIG and SPECIAL!

[Yaquir]

Thanks for the update 

[ultravanillasmurf]

That is really useful to know and a refreshing change from other manufacturers.

I know Rubicon does not have to worry about forthcoming plastic kits cannibalising sales of existing models, but your open and responsive attitude to development is really good.

Now when do we get our Churchill's ^____^?

[Rubicon Models]

That is really useful to know and a refreshing change from other manufacturers.
I know Rubicon does not have to worry about forthcoming plastic kits cannibalising sales of existing models, but your open and responsive attitude to development is really good.
Now when do we get our Churchill's ^____^?

Thanks for the compliments. As for the Churchill, this is going to be sometime in 2016 with no promised dates.

Currently there are just too many open ends on various projects.  Our objective is to spend the first half of 2016 to somehow finish them all before moving to new ones... wish us luck!

[Pinky]

Thanks for the update, Rubicon!  It looks as though you're pushing well ahead of the competition!

M8 Greyhound / M20 Armoured Utility Car (280028) – To be released before Christmas, this is a 2 sprue kit.  You will be able to build either a M8 Greyhound or a M20 Armoured Utility Car.  Standard features include choice of ring mount or rear mount MG, open or close driver hatch, and side toolbox or landmine rack.

M10 / M36 Tank Destroyer (280029) – Also for Christmas, this is a 3 sprue kit.  There are up to 7 variants to choose from!  You can build either a M10, M10A1, Achilles Ic, Achilles IIc, M36, M36B2, and a M36B1 if you already own our M4A3 (280012) kit.

Can't wait for these two kits!  Especially the M10/M36.

Jagdpanzer 38(t) “Hetzer” (280030) – Hetzers gonna hetz!  Trying to get released before Christmas, this kit will enable you to build an early, mid, or late production tank destroyer –or– as a Flammpanzer 38(t).  Comes with two road wheel sets, multiple rear idler wheels, and 3 gun mantlets.

This seems to have been one of your quickest and most trouble-free designs.  And it's going to be popular, judging from all the feedback you've had.

SdKfz 250/1 Alte & SdKfz 253 – Going to be a 2 sprue kit.  It will include a full detail interior, two headlight options, and a driver.  Like the SdKfz 251 series, expansion kits are planned for near future releases.  Should be ready for Q1/16 release!

Another one that promises to be very popular.  Any chance of squeezing another variant in? 

SdKfz 250 Expansion Kits – Not for immediate release, but we already have some of them on our Drawing Board.  These included (1) SdKfz 250/3 – Command variant, (2) SdKfz 250/7 – 81mm Mortar variant, (3) SdKfz 250/9 – Reconnaissance variant, (4) SdKfz 250/10 – 3.7cm PaK 36, and (5) SdKfz 250/11 – 2.8cm sPzB41.

You seem to have the designs sorted - are these being held up because you're still working on the figures?

Allied Stowage Kit 1 – Not a major project, but this one took us a lot of time to complete because of the vast number of items to choose from.  We have narrow things down to a manageable size, but still have a lot to fit onto a single sprue!  Stay tuned on this one…

I'm hoping to see this one fairly soon.  Have you thought of just making it a US stowage set, to reduce the scope?  How about posting the revised contents for commentary? 

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).  Should be ready for Q1/16 release!

I think this one is less exciting, because Warlord already have an Ausf C out, but yours will be better.  I suspect it's the expansion kits that will really sell this kit.

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 limited releases for Q1/16 onward.

Looks like I'll have to wait a bit longer for the Stummel then.  I hope that will be included in your first upgrade set.

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.  We have run into some problem fitting all the parts onto three sprues; otherwise will be very costly to produce!  Still looking for a solution…

Maybe just stick to the basic truck?  It worked fine with the Opel Blitz.   

GMC CCKW 2.5t 6x6 Cargo Truck – Even though the project kick-started later than the Studebaker one, we are able to push this forward by a considerable amount.  Waiting to get this done before Christmas and hopefully for Q2/16 release.

Seems like another pretty trouble-free kit.  And a very useful one!

SU Tank Destroyers – The SU-85 and SU-122 3D drawings are done!  We had made some major changes to the design so that both tanks will be much easier to get assembled.  Now waiting for 3D prototyping.  Hopefully a Q2/16 release?

Another personal favourite!  The protoypes looked great.

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.  We have put this on hold until we are able to include figures to go with the kit.  Hopefully Q2/16!

Also a bit less exciting - mightn't the stowage set be more popular?