What's Warlord up to?

[ripley]

I saw some German tank riders on a Stug III in the last Warlord news letter , now weather they are metal or plastic , I don't know , but it did say " coming soon " so we should find out soon enough

[Pinky]

As expected, Warlord are releasing a Panzer 38t.  The early war period is starting to get proper (plastic) attention.  Rubicon's T-26 and early Panzers will be a major addition.

[EarlyWarGamer]

But will the Warlord kit be the Pz 38(t) A or B model?  Probably not (which is unfortunate). The "A" is the only one that can make an appearance in Poland, and the "B" can join the "A" in France in 1940.  The "C" and "D" could have made it to Sealion.  But my guess is, they will release the "E" or "F" and while those can invade Russia at the start, they miss out on any action in 1939, 1940 and possibly half of 1941 as well (if it is the "F" model).

Looking forward to more details from Warlord regarding the Pz 38(t).

[Pinky]

It looks like a later type.  Probably, as you say, an Ausf E or F. 

[tyroflyer]

Thumbs down then. For me it would have to be a Pz38(t) A model to be of any interest. Manufacturers lack of interest in 1939 vehicles is such a frustration my next purchase is likely to be a WWI flying machine from Wingnut Wings! Admittedly nothing to do with war gaming.

[ultravanillasmurf]

It looks like a later type.  Probably, as you say, an Ausf E or F.

My assumption is that it is at least based on if not an upscaled PSC Panzer 38(t) hence it's companion Marder III also not being what people want.

[Pinky]

Thumbs down then. For me it would have to be a Pz38(t) A model to be of any interest. Manufacturers lack of interest in 1939 vehicles is such a frustration my next purchase is likely to be a WWI flying machine from Wingnut Wings! Admittedly nothing to do with war gaming.

I understand, but you have a very specialised area of interest.  It's not commercially attractive to produce plastic kits of vehicles which only saw service for a short period of time.  While I share your enthusiasm for the very early war period, I don't think it's realistic to expect much coverage of these vehicles outside of resin - or at least not until the more popular periods are fully covered.

It looks like a later type.  Probably, as you say, an Ausf E or F.

My assumption is that it is at least based on if not an upscaled PSC Panzer 38(t) hence it's companion Marder III also not being what people want.

I think these are Italeri, not upscaled PSC, but that's solely on the basis of small photos of the finished models.  I don't agree with the Marder III being a bad choice.  It saw pretty wide service (including North Africa), and it's a popular vehicle in other scales.

[tyroflyer]

I'd agree with your point Pinky, if these weapons were withdrawn after the campaign in Poland. A PzIV Ausf A would be a case in point. But most of the vehicles that fought for Germany in Poland continued for a long time. Certainly a lot longer than the late war wonder weapons. I suspect the issue is more about the biggest gun and heaviest armour wins. Whereas I am more interested in the historic accuracy of the period and the belief games at this level are more interesting when the infantry isn't dominated. I realise majority opinion measured by sales is going to be the winner however.

[Jimmy_P]

Yeah the Marder 3 is the early version, I think a lot of people wanted the M which is the later variant, but personally happier it's not! The weirder thing about Warlords Marder is, (at least unless you learned folks can correct me) is I'm pretty sure it's the Marder 3 139 - not the 138 Ausf H.....?

[ultravanillasmurf]

@Pinky,  my thoughts on its origin are based on the similarity to the Sherman V /VC kits.

@Jimmy_P: The Marder III M needs a different chassis, the engine is moved. It certainly looks like the Soviet armed vehicle, but the PSC kit offers both the 138 and 139.

[ripley]

Yes the BA Marder III is the SdKfz 139 , with the Russian 76.2 gun . The H had a larger upper hull / crew compartment and the 75mm Pak 40/3

[Rubicon Models]

It is very easy to identify who make these kits for Warlord (WLG).  Those with the Italeri logo are made by Italeri and licenced to WLG, whereas those with only the BA logo are PSC upscaled kits.

[Jimmy_P]

Yes the BA Marder III is the SdKfz 139 , with the Russian 76.2 gun . The H had a larger upper hull / crew compartment and the 75mm Pak 40/3

Thanks, yeah that's what I thought! Not sure what it says about WLG that the boxes etc for the model have Ausf H on them....? 

And there's no Italari logo on the Marder box, so it definitely isn't one of theirs.

[ripley]

If the 38(t) kit matches the box art , it looks like an Ausf E or F . It has less riveting on the driver's plate than a C/D but more than the Ausf G which only had 3 rivets . So its good game wise from Nov 1940 onward . I guess if you wanted to , you could remove all but  3 rivets on the driver's plate ( and the rivets on the engine covers ) and kit bash yourself a Ausf G  ( Oct 41 -June 42 ), but since the Germans still had 230 38(t) of all types still in service in Sept 44 you could make do out of the box ....but where's the fun in that 

[ultravanillasmurf]

Yes the BA Marder III is the SdKfz 139 , with the Russian 76.2 gun . The H had a larger upper hull / crew compartment and the 75mm Pak 40/3

Thanks, yeah that's what I thought! Not sure what it says about WLG that the boxes etc for the model have Ausf H on them....? 

And there's no Italari logo on the Marder box, so it definitely isn't one of theirs.

If it is derived from the PSC kit, then it is possible that the box contains components for both.