Models of whatever in plastic kits

[V M]

I had the Tamiya 1/35 scale



I was surprised to see that there are some of these in the vintage packaging for sale on eBay

[Lesley_Roberta]

Some of Tamiya's older kits remain good even by today's standards, and of course some definitely not.

I haven't done the 1/35th scale example, but I have 3 PzIII chassis kits in 48th scale and they are truly wonderful and link and length tracks rule.

[Sammy]

Wow, what a find!

The StugG is my fav WW2 German tank (more accurately, "assault gun"; it's just missing the turret, by design)...low profile, fast, and even with the 75mm gun pretty effective in numbers. Sexy too, as far as tanks go...and the mustard yellow + green "tiger stripes" are awesome!



Please post pics!

Well, that was not that much of ""WOW" find considering that 1:100 scale models are quite cheap. Its just that StugS from that particular kit are quite rare to find (You usually buy the whole kit, which includes vehicles and infantry for German and Allied side + dice+rulebook) which goes at about 45-60 GBP. Getting them split and getting exactly what You need - that is the trickiest part . As for the models - I do have a soft spot for StuGs too, for some reason - and hey, they still have that Panzer IV chassis and Panzer IV H is quite iconic for the late war.
However, my absolutely favoured WW2 model for some reason is the Sdkfz 241/1 and variations. That is truly iconic vehicle for me and I love all of its variations, especially the Pioneer version 241/7 with bridges. I also love Sdkfz 222 armoured car and I even have a couple of them painted .

[big kim]

The first army vehicle I made was the 1/76 Airfix Stug.

[Sammy]

Interesting, interesting
I see some kind of trend here, apparently . I suppose we might have another indication for "possibly-trans narrative" - like if one has even been into plastic models and if that model was StuG...

[V M]

My WW2 dioramas featured several other models depicting various battles, I also had various models of American, British, French and Russian soldiers and stuff as well as others... The StuG was just part of the big mix of things 

[Beth Andrea]

Well, that was not that much of ""WOW" find considering that 1:100 scale models are quite cheap

Haven't ever seen a 1:100 kit, but I did like the smaller scales of kits...I used to have several 1:144 models of Soviet aircraft, and a 1:72 Sherman...but those scales were difficult to locate in local shops (this would be pre-internet).

The Stug kind of resembles a sports car, when compared to the larger vehicles, especially when the crew is sitting in the hatches...or maybe it's just the "cuteness" factor of being smallish.

The Marder is also kinda cute, because it is so small...(not my kit here)

[Lesley_Roberta]

"You usually buy the whole kit, which includes vehicles and infantry for German and Allied side + dice+rulebook"

Sounds almost like a table top wargaming product actually.

[Sammy]

"You usually buy the whole kit, which includes vehicles and infantry for German and Allied side + dice+rulebook"

Sounds almost like a table top wargaming product actually.

Because it is

[Lesley_Roberta]

Explains it

Sounded a bit like the Axis and Allies minis products. A friend bought me a set with the idea we could play the game, but like so many things, he bought a few packs, and the idea never actually happened and now I have a few random painted items in a very small scale that are pre painted and over all not too bad but they look lacking in comparison to my usual shelf items.

[Sammy]

The rules system is called Flames of War and is manufactured by NZ company Battlefront, which is also making miniatures. Though there are plenty other manufacturers in this scale range, like for example, the Plastic Soldier Company, Peter Pig just to count a few. I do own Axis&Allies Marders, because they are kinda nice and cheap - Battlefront resin tanks cost about 5-6 GBP per one and it is technically not a kit - just a chunk of resin with metal tracks and turret. Their plastics now come closer to be called a kit and everything the Plastic Soldier Company makes is essentially "a kit" as well, though not as detailed as those of larger scales, made by Tamya and other big manufacturers.
Usually the PSC stuff will look like this:

[Beth Andrea]

I used to play Advanced Squad Leader, and had several tank/AFV miniatures...very detailed, solid lead (I believe they're pewter now) and fun to paint, trying to make as much effect as possible with shading, black wash, etc. They added a LOT of visual appeal to a game which was quite "heavy" in the amount of 1/2" counters...iirc, the miniatures were about 1" x 3/8" (25mm x 10mm), with rotating (and removable) turrets.



Fond memories...

[Lesley_Roberta]

ASL still have my approximately $5000 bucks worth of the stuff I liked the lead vehicles that came out for deluxe when they were experimenting with the notion of 3d items to scale of the deluxe boards.

Those Plastic Soldiers items look very good actually, I might check more into them. I'm always looking for items that are both interesting scales as well as acceptable levels of detail.

[Beth Andrea]

ASL still have my approximately $5000 bucks worth of the stuff I liked the lead vehicles that came out for deluxe when they were experimenting with the notion of 3d items to scale of the deluxe boards.

Those Plastic Soldiers items look very good actually, I might check more into them. I'm always looking for items that are both interesting scales as well as acceptable levels of detail.

Yeah, it was quite the shock when I first learned the Rule Book (and *only* the Rule Book) was $50...it was another $50 for the first actual game set, which I don't recall the name offhand...

But yeah, I had almost the whole set (except Partisan!) and even played Red Barricades a couple times...best sequence: a large German "stack" shot at a building, causing the building to collapse, which caused Morale Checks for everyone in there...everyone died, except for one Russian half-squad...they turned Beserk, crossed the street IN THE OPEN, and over the course of a couple or three turns, closed with AND DESTROYED THE ENTIRE GERMAN STACK.

I (being the German Commander) was like..."Oh. My. Gawd!"  I don't recall clearly the Soviet Commander's actual words, but there seemed to be a LOT of whooping and hollerin'....dunno why, though...

[Sammy]

Those Plastic Soldiers items look very good actually, I might check more into them. I'm always looking for items that are both interesting scales as well as acceptable levels of detail.

I can provide some feedback about these, if You settle for specific products (1:100 scale (15mm) though - never bought any of their 1:72 products, but they are essentially the same) - also if You are in the US, if would be better to use warstore, because they usually have quite a large of supply of the PSC stuff and it is cheaper then ordering directly from the PSC.

[Jamie D]

Looking at the threads and polls and it seems no one has mentioned making models yet.

I am a model maker.

I build planes tanks and ships, military miniatures aka figures, I am a model railroder as well. I have worked building architectural models in the past (office towers under construction).

I like it for the one aspect, I like to make things. I also make a lot of other things that involve creative skills, but I am going to focus on models here.

My biggest love in the Tamiya model company, as they seem to do everything great.

Anyone else like me around?

I have always wanted to build a model of the IJN Shinano - the largest ship ever sunk by a submarine, and originally laid down as the third of the Yamoto class of super-battleships.

[Keaira]

UPDATE:

So I resumed work on my truck. It's been a pain in the butt thoughout the build but I will finish it!







If you think model kits can be challenging, try scratch building with no materials. 

[Danielle Emmalee]

UPDATE:

So I resumed work on my truck. It's been a pain in the butt thoughout the build but I will finish it!

If you think model kits can be challenging, try scratch building with no materials. 

What software do you use?

[Keaira]

Lightwave and photoshop with this model. Photoshop is used to make the flame paint job on the truck, modeled in Lightwave.

[Joelene9]

  Okay, I am not feeling well.  I went to my doctor's last month and went into the hobby shop in their new location afterwards.  Guess what?  I found an A-6E Intruder model staring at me from the shelf.  I wanted one since I did electronic maintenance on those things in the early 1970's!  All I could find in the past were the 1:72 sizes.  This one is 1:48.  It is sitting on a pile of stuff needing to be put away in my livingroom as soon as I can function on my aching feet.  I'll have room on my drafting table to assemble it.  I wil try to find or make decals with my squadron insignia to put on it. 

                             

  Joelene