Plastic Soldier Company: 3/21 update

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**kenshin620**

After a few weeks of silence it appears PSC has their hands full with their upcoming summer releases

News from the front!

28mm Russian Heavy Weapons are very nearly upon us - 4 maxim teams (2 firing, 2 moving), 2 x 50mm mortar teams, 2 x 82mm mortar teams and 4 PTRS anti tank rifles (2 firing, 2 carried). Total of 26 figures and 8 models for £16.50. We have heeded lessons from the first 28mm set and the CAD sculpts have been sharpened up. They will be released and ready to ship next friday 24th June.

The first 15mm Sherman kit - M4A1 - will be ready on the 30th June and the M4A2 kit on the 9th of July. Both kits have options for 75mm and 76mm guns/turrets and also a 105mm barrel option for the M4A2. 2 Commander figures are included - UK and US to satisfy both sides of the pond. 5 vehicles in a box for £16.50.

All these 3 new releases are available to pre-order in the forthcoming products section below.

15mm SdKfz 251 C and D kits and 28mm version of the Russian 45mm gun are all racing along like Patton's Third Army and should be ready for release in July.

**Snord**

PMC are doing some very interesting things. Simplified wargaming AFV kits have been around for a while in 1:72 scale - Armourfast have done several kits which include 2 vehicles, and Italeri got on the bandwagon more recently with the same approach. But PMC have been more ambitious, and their kits are more sophisticated (as they have better detail, especially around the tracks) and are clearly aimed at the FoW players as well. I picked up a set of their late war British infantry in 1:72 scale; they look like the traditional soft plastic figures that are produced by many other companies, but they're hard plastic. The sculpting is generally good, even if the detail is occasionally 'soft'. On the strength of that set, I have been tempted to get some of the newly released Panzer IV kit in the same scale (I've always preferred 1:72 over 15mm). These Shermans look very good - the thought that's gone into them is obvious from features like the alternative commander figures and the inclusion of British style storage boxes. I hope they are successful - and that they are released in 1:72 scale soon.

**Hatemonger**

Wow, if the real thing looks as good as those renders, that's amazing.

I've always been completely baffled why Battlefront didn't try plastics. You'd think the market would be there, and they are the only historical company I would assume to possibly have the funds to branch out that way.

- H8

**mikhaila**

Nice stuff. I so wish I had room in my shop for more stuff...

Hmm, what's this? A signed lease for another 3400 square feet of space?

Absolutely going to get this stuff in. Lots of room for new games and miniatures.

**ancientsociety**

I did a review and assembled their 15mm T-34 kit last month and they were awesome! I wish FOW would let Finnish players take the PzIVs, and I'd be all over that kit as well.

PSC is going to give nearly every other 15mm WW2 manufacturer a run for its money over the coming year.

**BrookM**

I'd love to see comparisons of their 28mm soldiers alongside those of Bolt Action and other WWII miniature companies.

**George Spiggott**

Nice. No option to make fireflys from these kits though?

**mwnciboo**

I have bought the PSC Late German infantry and Panzer IV's. I really like them, they look less Cartoony then BF stuff and they paint up well.

I am looking forward to buying the Sk. 251 Transports. Furthermore if he does a Heavy Weapon sprue, with Mortars and heavy weapons, it will be a god send. I think he make a killing on the Sherman packs, 5 x High Quality Shermans for £16. A hell of a lot cheaper than anything else out there and most Allied players will field at least 5 of these minimum.

Some people at my FLGS like them, but say they are too light (seriously just glue in some ballast if you want them heavier!), I mean of all the complaints price, Quality etc, this one point is the easiest to rectify.

**ArbeitsSchu**

George Spiggott wrote:Nice. No option to make fireflys from these kits though?

Wrong hull type? M4 ( IC), M4 composite ( IC hybrid) and M4A4 ( VC) were the only Firefly Shermans as far as I can figure, though there appears to be (as usual) heated debate on the truth of the subject.

**fullheadofhair**

Nice to see BF getting some competition. I look forward to field a full Russian army with next to no BF mini's it.

**George Spiggott**

ArbeitsSchu wrote:
George Spiggott wrote:Nice. No option to make fireflys from these kits though?

Wrong hull type? M4 ( IC), M4 composite ( IC hybrid) and M4A4 ( VC) were the only Firefly Shermans as far as I can figure, though there appears to be (as usual) heated debate on the truth of the subject.

These appear to be IIs an IIIs.

**ArbeitsSchu**

I think the only M4a2 Fireflies were a Canadian test that never saw combat.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
M4A1 was predominantly American usage, or early desert/Italian campaign usage for the rest of the allies. Only a few units had them by D-Day. (Royal Scots Greys mostly as I recall.)

**Aramus**

I'll take a few boxes of those Shermans.

**kenshin620**

Hmmm bit of an update I think

IMPORTANT NEWS ON THE 15MM M4A1 SHERMAN!!

Historical accuracy is extremely important to us, so after a sporty 48 hours i have decided to re-organise the 15mm M4A1 Sherman kit into 2 separate kits:-

M4A1 75mm with a "small hatch" dry hull

M4A1 76mm Wet Stowage with a "large hatch" wet hull

After doing a passable impression of a blue-bottomed fly and calling in favours, this re-organisation will not delay things significantly and we are looking at a release date of 6th July for both kits. All those who have pre-ordered the M4A1 kit will be contacted to see which they would prefer.

Meanwhile the M4A2 kit has powered into the lead and we are hoping for a release date of 30th June and a first showing at the Bovington Tank Museum on 2nd/3rd July.

All these 3 new 15mm Sherman releases are available to pre-order in the upcoming products section below

**Snord**

mwnciboo wrote:Some people at my FLGS like them, but say they are too light (seriously just glue in some ballast if you want them heavier!), I mean of all the complaints price, Quality etc, this one point is the easiest to rectify.

A lot of historical gamers still cling to metal models as 'superior' or somehow less toylike. In reality, they're just fragile and easily chipped - and far less convenient to transport.

I'd guess a Firefly will appear soon - presumably as an option for a kit of the M4 or M4A4.

**BrookM**

All we need to do now is to keep on nagging about cheap 28mm versions of those tank kits.

**kenshin620**

BrookM wrote:All we need to do now is to keep on nagging about cheap 28mm versions of those tank kits.

But then we'll have people complaining they're not resin/metal

Whoops forgot to post the new images for the shermans

**BrookM**

kenshin620 wrote:
BrookM wrote:All we need to do now is to keep on nagging about cheap 28mm versions of those tank kits.

But then we'll have people complaining they're not resin/metal

Well, those people can fellate a loaded pistol for all I care then.

Seriously though, I like where these guys are going. Less parts per model, great detail, great price.

**Joyous_Oblivion**

BrookM wrote:
kenshin620 wrote:
BrookM wrote:All we need to do now is to keep on nagging about cheap 28mm versions of those tank kits.

But then we'll have people complaining they're not resin/metal
Well, those people can fellate a loaded pistol for all I care then.

Seriously though, I like where these guys are going. Less parts per model, great detail, great price.

Good detail and price for sure, but they have a tonne more parts per model...

**BrookM**

Joyous_Oblivion wrote:
BrookM wrote:
kenshin620 wrote:
BrookM wrote:All we need to do now is to keep on nagging about cheap 28mm versions of those tank kits.

But then we'll have people complaining they're not resin/metal
Well, those people can fellate a loaded pistol for all I care then.

Seriously though, I like where these guys are going. Less parts per model, great detail, great price.

Good detail and price for sure, but they have a tonne more parts per model...

More parts isn't always bad, as long as we don't stray into the territory of Dragon model kits.

**kenshin620**

It has been a while, some official announcements and such on the releases

**UPDATE 20th July 2011**

The Allied War Machine finally swings into action and the first shiny Shermans finally roll off the factory production line!!

The 15mm Sherman M4A2 kit is open and ready for business!

The M4A1 76mm Wet Stowage Sherman is starting production tomorrow, the 21st July. The M4A1 75mm kit is ready but has to wait its turn and will not be in production until the end of next week.

Apologies to everyone for the delay but the Shermans got a little congested.

The 15mm Sdkfz 251/C kit is just entering the tooling phase and should be ready end August, the D kit early September.

We are just starting work on some lovely, workmanlike Stug IIIs. To do it properly, i think we are going to do the Stug III in 2 kits - Ausf G with saurkopf, 105mm barrel etc and a C, D, E and F kit. Because there is a lot of obvious shared design work with the Panzer III, i am delighted to say that we will be doing the Panzer III straight after the Stug IIIs - again probably spread over 2 kits. Then to the Panther.........

On the figure front - 1/72nd Late German Heavy Weapons set is nearly finished as is the sculpting of the 1/72nd US GI set. Look out for these, Russian Heavy Weapons and the Late British Infantry in 15mm in the not too distant future.

Just starting design work on the 1/72nd Universal Carrier kit and also expect to see both 251 kits in 1/72nd sharpish.

Oh, and i am also working on a range of decals to compliment our vehicles - initially in 15mm.

When do i sleep?!

Will Townshend

**lord marcus**

Always interested in WW1&2 28mm's. cool stuff

**kenshin620**

Monthly update, looks like a lot of stuff will pour in the next two months for all scales and for everyone including some british

**UPDATE 19th August 2011**

The 15mm Sherman M4A1 75mm kit is open and ready for business!

Apologies again to everyone for the delay but the Shermans got a little congested.

For the 28mm crowd, we have managed to slip in a 28mm version of the Russian 45mm Gun kit - 2 guns and crews for £12.50 plus barrel options for 1942 long barrel and 76mm infantry gun. This is a whisker away and is due for release Friday 26th August - see below for pre ordering.

The 15mm Sdkfz 251/C kit should be ready early September, the D kit end of September .

October will be the month of all things III. We have the 15mm Stug III Ausf G with saurkopf, 105mm barrel etc . Because there is a lot of obvious shared design work with the Panzer III, i am delighted to say that we will be doing the first 15mm Panzer III kit straight after the Stug III G - with options for F, G and H variants.

Soon after we will be doing an early 15mm Stug III C, D, E and F kit and a Panzer III J, L, M and N with optional schurzen and maybe a Flamm barrel too.

On the figure front - 1/72nd Late German Heavy Weapons set is finished as is the sculpting of the 1/72nd US GI set and both patiently wait their turn in the tooling queue. Look out for these, Russian Heavy Weapons and the Late British Infantry in 15mm in the not too distant future.

Just starting design work on the 1/72nd Universal Carrier kit and also expect to see both 251 kits in 1/72nd sharpish. Also look out for 1/72nd M4A1 76 W, M4A1 75mm and M4A2 Shermans.

Design work on the first decal packs is nearly complete and we are hoping to release the first packs early Autumn. My ethos for decals is based around the unit where possible (German and British namely). I think it is good for the customer to purchase a decal set for a specific unit he is building. So, for example, if you are building a British Guards Armoured Division you can purchase a decal pack with all the divisional insignia, unit serial numbers, bridge classification numbers and tactical markings; or the 21st Panzer Division in North Africa pack with divisional insignia, DAK palms, balken kreuz and turret numbers. Minimum wastage!

Will Townshend

**kronk**

So, looking at the boxes in the first post, the troops are 28mm and the vehicles are 15mm?

How does that work?

Or are there also 28mm tanks?

**Kid_Kyoto**

Are they the ones who just put out plastic Japanese Infantry?

**kenshin620**

kronk wrote:So, looking at the boxes in the first post, the troops are 28mm and the vehicles are 15mm?

How does that work?

Or are there also 28mm tanks?

They produce several sets in several scales (15mm, 28mm, 1/72), theres no real rhyme or reason which scales go first for a set (the russians started out as 1/72 and 28mm while the shermans immediately went to 15mm) but the 15mm is probably their most popular since its the scale of FoW

Kid_Kyoto wrote:Are they the ones who just put out plastic Japanese Infantry?

I didnt know there were plastic japs out, whoever made them is not PSC

http://theplasticsoldiercompany.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1

**Mick A**

Kid_Kyoto wrote:Are they the ones who just put out plastic Japanese Infantry?

The Japanese infantry are by Warlord and I believe they are metal not plastic...

Mick

**kenshin620**

Mick A wrote:
Kid_Kyoto wrote:Are they the ones who just put out plastic Japanese Infantry?

The Japanese infantry are by Warlord and I believe they are metal not plastic...

Mick

Hmm yea I was about to say that I'm pretty much a plastic fanatic. If theres a company with a plastic set, chances are I know theres a set. Heck I know a company that makes 28mm plastic monoposed chinese three kingdom era characters!

**BrookM**

I'm still curious as to how the PSC's 28mm plastics hold up to the models of Warlord etc.

**mwnciboo**

Okay, I have to update my Panzer IV's (15mm) I still love them and I have magnetised them, but they did suffer their 1st breakage with a Gun barrel snapping off at the mantlett. This isn't surprising, metal would have obviously bent, but the glue sorted it out.

I would say that if you are heavy handed or clumsy don't buy these, if you are a normal human being you will have no problems and the money you save is pretty significant. I just hope he speeds up his releases I am desperate for the 251's....