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Post by: RubiconModels
Greetings all, just to say hi to everyone on the forum. We are an old establishment with a new brand name, working on an official website now; but you can visit us at https://www.facebook.com/rubiconmodels for the moment.
We will be launching a series of 1/56 WW2 plastic vehicles for your wargaming and modeling needs, probably Q3 this year. We look forward to serving you all soon!
Here are some images of our soon-to-release Panzer III (pre-production test kit) for your review:
Panzer III with 50mm gun
Panzer III with detachable schürzen
Panzer III with 75mm howitzer
Enjoy!
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Post by: Big P
The late model Panzer III had only one stalk headlight, and sometimes that was moved to the hull, or gone altogether by the end of the production runs.
I also can't see a Notek lamp.
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Post by: RubiconModels
These images are pre-production test kit, the headlights and spare tracks are optional.
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Post by: Swastakowey
Any Japanese tanks to be made? I love the little Imperial Tanks, wouldnt mind replacing my sci fi tanks with them.
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Post by: Big P
 RubiconModels wrote:These images are pre-production test kit, the headlights and spare tracks are optional.
Don't forget the Notek lamp then.
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Post by: Sin_Un_Nombre
Holy gak man. Can you count the rivets from there?
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Post by: Big P
Well seeing as its the blackout driving light found on all WW2 German vehicles, be a bit of a mistake to leave it off wouldnt it?
You go back and play with your space marines, I shall help the man make a model thats correct and accurate and will sell to anal historical players like me.
But he does have the right number of screw holes on the turret roof.
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Post by: Sin_Un_Nombre
Big P wrote:
You go back and play with your space marines, I shall help the man make a model thats correct and accurate and will sell to anal historical players like me.
Gr8 b8 m8. I r8 8/8.
But really, nice assumption dude. Why don't you go back to being unhappy if a model doesn't have every single rivet meticulously counted and let the rest of us only here for the fun of the game alone.
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Post by: frozenwastes
Notek lamps are kind of cool. They look like little helmets. I think I might make some to add to my 15mm tanks that are missing them. 
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Post by: pgmason
Nice. I much prefer plastic kits to the resin/metal that you get most 1/56 stuff in.
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Post by: MadMaverick76
Any ideas on rough pricing for such kits? Thanks.
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Post by: Kilkrazy
They look really nice.
Although a historical player, I would often leave off details like headlights from a kit because they are a bit fiddly and liable to break in tabletop play.
That said it is nice to have the part in the kit as an option.
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Post by: St1mp0
wow, cant wait! I too would love to know the ETA of release date for certain kits and where would they be sold to.. UK for myself
thanks for any help!
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Post by: RubiconModels
MadMaverick76: If things work out on sales and distribution, we are looking at around £20 (USD34) retail.
St1mp0: We are in the process of setting up distribution channels. We hope to launch our range two to three months from now!
We have just uploaded some Panzer IV images on Facebook, check it out!
Please visit (and LIKE) our Facebook page ( www.facebook.com/rubiconmodels) for more update news!
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Post by: frozenwastes
Love the Pz IV H.
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Post by: MadMaverick76
Fantastic. Thanks for the response. I would to get these possibly stateside.
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Post by: RubiconModels
For those who don't use Facebook, here is the Panzer IV...
Here is a side-by-side view of the Panzer IV with two different guns...
Enjoy!
For more info, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rubiconmodels. Please remember to LIKE us too!
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Post by: RubiconModels
These waterslide decals are preliminary design for individual country (expect for the British). Each kit will come with one of these generic sheets, the size is 105mm x 74mm.
Please feel free to comment and make suggestions. The design is still not final, but we think we are getting there!
Enjoy!
For more info, visit our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/rubiconmodels. Please remember to LIKE us too!
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Post by: RubiconModels
This is our 3rd creation - the M4A3. This Sherman comes with 3 guns (75mm/76mm/105mm) with 3 different mantlets and 2 turret choices... Even comes with a Culin hedgerow cutter!
M4A3 prototype with 75mm gun.
M4A3 prototype with 76mm gun.
M4A3 prototype with 105mm howitzer.
A side-by-side comparison of the final painted plastic with the prototype.
M4A3 painted plastic with 76mm gun.
M4A3 painted plastic with 105 howitzer and optional turret mount machine gun and Culin hedgerow cutter.
Enjoy!
For more info, visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/rubiconmodels. Please remember to LIKE us too!
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Post by: jedi76
Wow these look great. Although that 76mm looks huge! It might even be the 17pnd barrel?
How small are these next to 1/48 infantry I wonder? That's the scale dust tactics is and these might look great next to some weird war 2!!
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Post by: RubiconModels
Here are some work-in-progress technical drawings of a T34/76:
This Soviet T34/76 is packed with different configurations that were used between 1940 and 1942.
Line drawing of the T34/76 with two turrets, two hulls, and two road-wheel sets combination. Not shown are the famous oil drums on the side...
Enjoy!
For more info, visit us at http://facebook.com/rubiconmodels. Please remember to LIKE and SHARE with your friends too!
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Post by: frozenwastes
Wow you guys are launching with a lot of kits. Can't wait!
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Post by: Paradigm
Very cool. The T-34 is one of my all-time favourite tanks, and will be cool to see.
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Post by: RubiconModels
frozenwastes: This project was started almost a year ago. We are confident and wanted to prove we are serious about this. Don't want to release one kit, wait a few months follow by another release! We would like everyone be able to get something they like at launch! 
Paradigm: Will post some T34/76 prototypes soon... stay tuned!
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Post by: MadMaverick76
These aren't coming painted correct?!?!?!? That would be crazy.
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Post by: RubiconModels
MadMaverick76: No, they are plain plastic kits that you need to assemble just like any other model kits. We had plans to sell some painted version of these tanks in the near future, but definitely not this year! Automatically Appended Next Post: These are the T34/76 Model 40/41/42 prototypes with 2 hulls, 2 turrets, 2 guns, 2 rear oil drum sets, and 2 road wheel sets; plus optional features, such as headlights, antenna, and extra oil drums.
T34/76 Model 40/41 with welded turret and rubber road wheels.
T34/76 Model 41/42 with cast turret and steel road wheels.
T34/76 Model 41/42 with optional oil drums.
The two T34/76 side-by-side... note the difference with guns and crew hatch.
T34/76 rear view... note the difference in engine access hatch.
T34 Rubber Road Wheels... note the one piece track with front road wheels, and single linked back wheels. For gamers, this simplifies assembly. For modelers, can cut off the links to make them individual again!
T34 Steel Road Wheels... note the details on these wheels! For modelers, you can carefully cut one or two road wheels off and intermix with the rubber ones to create your own unique tank!
Enjoy!
For more info, visit us at http://facebook.com/rubiconmodels. Please remember to LIKE and SHARE with your friends too!
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Post by: RubiconModels
We had spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to put all versions of the Panther into a single kit. The sheer size of the Panther had taken up a lot of valuable sprue space, forcing us to split this particular tank into two separate kits - the Panther Ausf D/A and the Panther Ausf G! More on this later…
Enjoy!
For more info, visit us at http://facebook.com/rubiconmodels. Please remember to LIKE and SHARE with your friends too!
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Post by: St1mp0
Congratulations guys these are absolutely fantastic!
I understand you'll just be focusing on the most popular style of tanks, Sherman, Panzer etc.. as these sell most. I am just curious would you have any intentions to produce lesser popular tanks. I.E the Japanese HA-GO tank?
Its my favourite tank from the Japanese lol so you'd at least have one buyer
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Post by: RubiconModels
St1mp0 wrote:I understand you'll just be focusing on the most popular style of tanks, Sherman, Panzer etc.. as these sell most. I am just curious would you have any intentions to produce lesser popular tanks. I.E the Japanese HA-GO tank? Its my favourite tank from the Japanese lol so you'd at least have one buyer
Our intention is not to just produce “popular” military vehicles, but they surely are a source of steady income to support our long term development. We do not like the idea of Kickstarters like other companies do; being that said we do need our fans & customers to buy a lot of our kits to support us to produce better products in the long run!
We have a list of “will do” military vehicles and a “might do” list. There are two Japanese tanks on the “might do” list… we will get there someday. We want to create a digital database of most WW2 military vehicles for all scales, not just 1/56.
We are also constantly reviewing the current 3D prototyping technology. Many companies had used this technology to create “masters” of tanks and armoured cars, and turned them into resin to sell. As a design studio, we do not think it is good business practice. We can easily say the quality of our current 3D prototypes are so good, we can sell them as is, but this is not our goal… we do have our company vision! Until the current 3D prototyping technology advance a little bit more, we might use it to produce limited runs of less demanding military vehicles some day!
Automatically Appended Next Post: NEW UPDATE
This is the close up view of the assembled tracks with wheels in place. A three piece smart design to ease assembly, yet highly detailed.
The three pieces disassembled for close up inspection. All the "connectors" are hidden away once assembled, so you won't see them at all!
Will show more of the completed Panther prototypes over the weekend!
Enjoy!
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Post by: Big P
Are you not doing the D?
Kursk, early type?
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Post by: RubiconModels
The D and A basically shared the same hull with minor changes. They also have a different copulas (not shown on the line drawings). Both versions (D & A) will be included in one kit.
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Post by: Big P
You might already have it, but you may want to consider the Letterbox MG flap for the D if you have the early cupola and also zimmerit for the Ausf A, as I have only seen evidence of two models serving without it. Of course, adding zim means a requirement for a plain hull for early Panthers. Might best left for people to add themselves, especially if the tools and hull detail is add on. Zim is also not easy to reproduce in plastic.
For the G will you have all exhaust options (such as the flame hiders?) or just go with one?
Good efforts so far. Sure they will be very popular with 28mm gamers, I especially like how you solved the Panther running gear option in a manner that retains detail but keeps ease of build.
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Post by: RubiconModels
Big P wrote:You might already have it, but you may want to consider the Letterbox MG flap for the D if you have the early cupola and also zimmerit for the Ausf A, as I have only seen evidence of two models serving without it. Of course, adding zim means a requirement for a plain hull for early Panthers. Might best left for people to add themselves, especially if the tools and hull detail is add on. Zim is also not easy to reproduce in plastic.
The letterbox MG flap is definitely on the D, no worries! We had put in a lot of thoughts on the zimmerit, it requires a totally different mold making approach and cost a lot more in production. We might produce a special resin edition at a later stage with the zimmerit coated version.
Big P wrote:For the G will you have all exhaust options (such as the flame hiders?) or just go with one?
Good efforts so far. Sure they will be very popular with 28mm gamers, I especially like how you solved the Panther running gear option in a manner that retains detail but keeps ease of build.
We do have a pair of flame suppressor exhaust mufflers (Flammenvernichter) from the late G. We are both gamers and modelers, we try to ease assembly and yet maintain the details on each vehicle we design and produce.
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Post by: BrookM
The Panther looks amazing, I'm sure it will blow Warlord Games recently announced plastic Panther completely out of the water!
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Post by: Big P
 BrookM wrote:The Panther looks amazing, I'm sure it will blow Warlord Games recently announced plastic Panther completely out of the water!
You might be right there.
I dont do 28mm WW2 but I might get one to detail up.
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Post by: BrookM
This is supposed to be Warlord's version:
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Post by: RubiconModels
BrookM wrote:The Panther looks amazing, I'm sure it will blow Warlord Games recently announced plastic Panther completely out of the water!
We do not target any particular company when we release our products. We are gamers ourselves and would like to contribute something back to the community; it is just a coincident that we are releasing similar product around the same time.
From the picture, Warlord Games version is a Panther A with zimmerit coating, probably a scaled down version of Italeri's 1/35 version ( http://www.italeri.com/scheda.asp?idProdotto=109). We will be posting our version of the Panther tank soon... stay tuned!
 Automatically Appended Next Post: Here are some prototype images of the Panther D/A and the Panther G...
The Panther D/A - should come with two copula choices and specific D and A features.
The Panther G - should come with multiple exhaust choices.
Some side-by-side view of the two Panthers
More images are being uploaded to our Facebook page. For more info, visit us at http://facebook.com/rubiconmodels.
Please remember to LIKE and SHARE with your friends too!
Enjoy!
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Post by: Big P
Muzzle brake looks a little big, but could be perspective.
Also im not sure the mantlet guard was a common feature on Ds and As?
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Post by: RubiconModels
Big P wrote:Muzzle brake looks a little big, but could be perspective.
Also im not sure the mantlet guard was a common feature on Ds and As?
That was a mistake when our guys put the prototype together. Was on the G and not the D or A.
Was hoping no one will notice... hahaha!!
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Post by: frozenwastes
Big P has a very good eye. I certainly didn't notice. And I probably would have put it on too
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Post by: Big P
Nah im just anal... its the reason PSC employ me to review renders...
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Post by: BrookM
RubiconModels wrote: BrookM wrote:The Panther looks amazing, I'm sure it will blow Warlord Games recently announced plastic Panther completely out of the water!
We do not target any particular company when we release our products. We are gamers ourselves and would like to contribute something back to the community; it is just a coincident that we are releasing similar product around the same time.
From the picture, Warlord Games version is a Panther A with zimmerit coating, probably a scaled down version of Italeri's 1/35 version ( http://www.italeri.com/scheda.asp?idProdotto=109). We will be posting our version of the Panther tank soon... stay tuned!
My remark wasn't meant as a slam against Warlord Games by the way, I'm all for more companies doing this sort of stuff. 
And yeah, I think you're right, it does look an awful lot like their 1:35 kit. 
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Post by: RubiconModels
There seems to be a minor issue with our Photobucket bandwidth usage. Things had now been resolved and you can see all our uploaded images as usual! Sorry for the hiccup!
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Post by: RubiconModels
Tiger I in its pure glory... at least on our drafting table! Going through all the changes and checking variations, historical data, and photo references. Unlike the Panther where we had to split the tank into two kits, we just don't have the heart to put this ICON of the Third Reich into two or three part numbers!
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Post by: RubiconModels
PLEASE be patient with US! Releasing a finished product takes a long time! From design to finish usually will take up to 3 months (usually we took less)… then followed by shipping and distribution! We are using this forum (thanks dakka) to showcase our concept, our design, and work-in-progress so that you know what we are doing! To release a quality product simply takes time! We never rush our releases. Please bear with us!
The Tiger I has finally come out of the drawing board and onto 3D prototyping, here are some images of the steel road wheels... again, we are using modular design to ease assembly but still kept all the details for everyone to appreciate!
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Post by: RubiconModels
Just a quick update on our Tiger I…
Tiger I – Early production
Tiger I – Mid production
Tiger I – Late production
With this huge 4-sprue kit, you can have the choice to build a Tiger I as an early, mid, or late production model, with 2 choices of road wheels, and 3 turret top choices. More images posted on our Facebook page http://facebook.com/rubiconmodels.
Please remember to LIKE and SHARE them with your friends too!
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Post by: RubiconModels
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Post by: Big P
You know what, I dont do 28mm, but id happily paint up a display Tiger for ya... my favorite tank since I was in one 30+ years ago.
Good looking design work, keep it up, you will do very well.
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Post by: Shotgun
Love the work. My wife would kill me if I started WWII in a different scale, but I love the models.
One suggestion, and this could be complete crap, so bounce this around first...
In the photos of the various Tiger versions, I found myself questioning what I was seeing because the the camera angle and model position changed slightly. I think I noticed it more as each photo was right next to each other, but visually it makes that mid production turret look "stretched". Could just be me and my old eyes.
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Post by: RubiconModels
Just signed off the final production sprues for the M4A3 Sherman... the molds are now all ready for commercial production run!
...the T34/76 will be next!
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Post by: Zathras
I'm planning on starting a Bolt Action USMC force and something I'd like to see in a future M3/5 Stuart kit is parts to make the Satan Flamethrower tank included. Same goes for the M4 Sherman kit with parts for the Zippo and Calliope variants, though it looks as if the M4 is ready to go without them. Also do you have any plans to make non-tank kits such as trucks, jeeps and LVT class transports?
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Post by: RubiconModels
 Zathras wrote:I'm planning on starting a Bolt Action USMC force and something I'd like to see in a future M3/5 Stuart kit is parts to make the Satan Flamethrower tank included. Same goes for the M4 Sherman kit with parts for the Zippo and Calliope variants, though it looks as if the M4 is ready to go without them. Also do you have any plans to make non-tank kits such as trucks, jeeps and LVT class transports?
We don't just do tanks, we have a long list of WW2 Military Vehicles that we wanted to produce. Of course, that depends on how successful we are after the launch in October. Please keep coming back to our Facebook page to check for product updates. I am sure some of your requests are on that list...
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Post by: RubiconModels
Fresh from the mold injection machine… our first test sprues for the T-34/76! Almost pefect, still need some fine-tuning… but getting there! Are they great?
Closeup of the two sets of T-34/76 Road Wheels
>> Please go to our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/rubiconmodels to see the rest of the images. This post is getting too crowded with images…
Enjoy!
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Post by: RubiconModels
Here are some images of the assembled trail run plastic T-34/76:
Here is a side-by-side comparison with the original painted 3D prototype:
Enjoy!
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Post by: RubiconModels
Fresh from the Mould Injection Machine... Two common Panther sprues plus one for the Panther Ausf D/A and one for the Panther Ausf G. These are our first trail run sprues, still need some fine-tuning... and soon available for commercial run!
There are two 1/56 Panther plastic kits - (1) Panther Ausf D/A with choices of two copula, two hull machine gun port, two manlet, and side skirt option. (2) Panther Ausf G with choices of two air cooler, two tail exhaust, and side skirt option.
Panther common sprue A
Panther common sprue B
Panther Ausf D/A sprue
Panther Ausf G sprue
Close up details of the Panther plastic!
Enjoy!
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Post by: BrookM
OH. WOW.
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Post by: RubiconModels
Hi everyone! Had not been posting anything here for a long while...
Just a brief update - everything is now coming together! Here are the sample print of our product boxes:
More box art pictures for the other tanks on our Facebook page. Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/rubiconmodels
Enjoy!
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Post by: BrookM
Here's hoping someone in Europe / UK will be selling them soon, I've been following this with a lot of interest to say the least!
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Post by: Azazelx
I can't wait for these. Either from the usual 10% discount & free intl' postage UK hobby websites, or if postage is reasonable, direct from HK and Rubicon themselves.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
Ah, their facebook page says they won't deal direct. So a couple of months at best to see if these can filter into the places I buy from in the UK, since local vendors tend to bump the price by ridiculous amounts for no reason (well above local taxes + shipping costs).
Also, no pricing details yet. Hopefully they're properly competitive with Warlord's plastics.
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Post by: Manchu
MSRP to be listed on the website, which Rubicon posted (yesterday) has received final approvals and will be "available soon."
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Post by: Big P
Its a shame they only have the single Panther turret on the sprue not one with pistol ports too, but you cant have everything.
Im just wondering on the Tiger running gear... the overlap sequence seems to late war?
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Post by: Manchu
Has anyone found suggested MSRP yet?
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Post by: BrookM
Not yet announced, but it will be as soon as their site goes live.
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Post by: Azazelx
Sometime next week if we're lucky.
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Post by: BrookM
So I dearly hope, I'm loving what they are showing off so far and I really hope to pick up one or two kits for my dad for Christmas.
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Post by: Azazelx
I'm just hoping that they're reasonably priced and well distributed.
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Post by: BrookM
Site is now live: http://www.rubiconmodels.com/index.php
No prices yet, though they do have some distributors lined up: http://www.rubiconmodels.com/distributors.php
OZ: War and Peace games
UK: Plastic Soldier Company
Germany: Warehouse Games
Hong Kong: Fun Atelier
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Post by: RubiconModels
Just wanted to let everyone know... our website is now live!
Here is the link: http://www.rubiconmodels.com
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Post by: AllSeeingSkink
Looking good, though in the end whether or not I'm a buyer is going to come down to pricing and availability.
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Post by: BrookM
And the prices are now also out there:
This is our official Recommended Retail Price (RRP) in British Pound (£). Because of flucations in exchange rates, we will not be listing other currencies. Please also note there are regional taxes (import/sales) that are not included.
280010 Panzer IV - Mid & Late War - £18
280011 Panzer III - Mid War - £18
280012 M4A3 Sherman - £20
280013 T-34/76 - Early & Mid War - £20
280014 Panther Ausf D & A - £20
280015 Panther Ausf G - £20
280016 Tiger I - Early, Mid & Late War - available soon!
More will be added to this list as new kits become available. Thank you!
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Post by: Azazelx
Prices look good. Now onto availability.
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Post by: rexscarlet
You have got to be kidding, why?
1/56 and 1/48 are way too close to warrant a higher cost for smaller scale?
And, little men are mounted on a base that raises their height by up to one foot in scale terms so smaller is a LOT smaller.
.
Cost compared to Tamiya, Hobby Boss, and etc. in 1/48 is very close with Interwebs discounts, but still more pricy in 1/56. And 1/48 models are MUCH better kits.
.
Here is a size comparison pic of a Sherman; http://forum.wwpd.net/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=5035
Here it is discussed in depth; http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/225210.page
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Post by: RubiconModels
There had been a lot of debate on size and we don't want to repeat that debate here... but think you had missed the POINT!
Many wargamers are not modelers, they simply don't have the patience to build a 1/48 kit with 200+ parts!
Our 1/56 kits are specially designed for gaming use, they are multi-variant and with less than 50 parts per kit (all options & variants included)!
This is basically what most gamers are looking for!
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Post by: BrookM
Just want to chime in that you don´t need a degree in rocket science for a Tamiya kit, especially not the 1:48 scale vehicle kits, those are designed with as few parts as possible in mind.
But I agree, they are not gaming pieces. I bought a pile of Tamiya tanks to use with Bolt Action, but I loathe to use them because too many people these days are clumsy oafs who like to drop things. That's why I'm looking forward to these kits myself.
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Post by: bloodydrake
any word on a US or Canadian distributor?
Plastic Soldier Company doesn't seem to be shipping to Canada anymore(last two time I tried to order direct they rejected southern Ontario as shippable location)
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Post by: rexscarlet
RubiconModels wrote:There had been a lot of debate on size and we don't want to repeat that debate here... but think you had missed the POINT!
Many wargamers are not modelers, they simply don't have the patience to build a 1/48 kit with 200+ parts!
Our 1/56 kits are specially designed for gaming use, they are multi-variant and with less than 50 parts per kit (all options & variants included)!
This is basically what most gamers are looking for!
Then why are Rubicon plastic tanks MORE MONEY? Half the cost of other high quality plastic models would justify half the detail and smaller size and Rubicon being a "Gaming" model, heck, half the cost of RESIN would justify it, but alas Rubicon prices are not less, FOR less product.
.
If modeling skills are lacking, then "players" are looking for price-point, since the models will not look as good as a pro-modeler can make them look. Right?
.
And besides, non-modeling skills in a modeling and painting hobby is a lame excuse.
.
And again, little 28mm wargaming men (with larger than normal heads and hands, cartoonish actually) are on bases, base height makes the little men taller than they should be by up to one foot in scale terms, so 1/56 (28mm) true scale armor, which is what Rubicon tanks are, is in reality to small.
.
Did I get the point yet?
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Post by: AllSeeingSkink
28mm models tend to be overpriced compared to the typical historical scales like 1/48 and 1/72.
Rubicon's prices are competitive with Warlord Games models. I'm pretty sure that's all they're trying to do.
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Post by: BrookM
 rexscarlet wrote:And again, little 28mm wargaming men (with larger than normal heads and hands, cartoonish actually) are on bases, base height makes the little men taller than they should be by up to one foot in scale terms, so 1/56 (28mm) true scale armor, which is what Rubicon tanks are, is in reality to small
Actually, Bolt Action doesn't use raised bases, but flat ones instead. Except for metals blisters and some of the older metals boxes all their stuff comes with flat bases these days.
Also, what's with all those periods? Was that post supposed to be super-intense or something?
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Post by: Paradigm
I think the prices are fine, actually. Firstly, the plastic, being a gaming model rather than a display one, is going to be presumably quite a bit thicker than the likes of the Tamiya/Airfix/Revell stuff, and probably more akin to GW plastics. Secondly, as pointed out, the prices are lower than those of their main competitor in the field.
Lastly, I don't really see how one could criticise these kits for lacking detail. The assembly is simpler, as unlike a 'model kits' you don't need to do things like glue each wheel together separately or the like, but that doesn't translate to a lack of detail on the final painted piece.
If I played Historicals, I'd be buying several of these, as it is I may grab one or two for conversions at some point.
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Post by: BrookM
The prices are the same as those of Warlord, though these offer way more in terms of variants, accessories and whatnot. Warlord's vehicle kits come with the bare minimum really.
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Post by: Azazelx
rexscarlet wrote:
Then why are Rubicon plastic tanks MORE MONEY? Half the cost of other high quality plastic models would justify half the detail and smaller size and Rubicon being a "Gaming" model, heck, half the cost of RESIN would justify it, but alas Rubicon prices are not less, FOR less product.
.
If modeling skills are lacking, then "players" are looking for price-point, since the models will not look as good as a pro-modeler can make them look. Right?
.
And besides, non-modeling skills in a modeling and painting hobby is a lame excuse.
.
And again, little 28mm wargaming men (with larger than normal heads and hands, cartoonish actually) are on bases, base height makes the little men taller than they should be by up to one foot in scale terms, so 1/56 (28mm) true scale armor, which is what Rubicon tanks are, is in reality to small.
.
Did I get the point yet?
I love it when people try to ITG what "the hobby" is "supposed" to be to other people. But really, you seem to have answered your own question. Just ignore the Rubicon stuff (which is clearly priced directly based on WLG vehicles) and go with the 1:48 scale stuff that you appear to prefer. It's ok.
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Post by: judgedoug
Wow, someone doesn't understand economies of scale.
If I spend $20,000 making a steel mold and I plan to sell one plastic kit, I need to sell that kit for 20 grand.
Tamiya will sell 10,000 kits at $25 each.
Rubicon might sell 4000 kits and so the price point needs to be higher.
I also dislike using actual scale model kits in gaming. I have been forced to for modern/near future due to the lack of Leopard 2/Leclerc/Challenger2/T80/T90 in 1/56 (so I've used 1/48 scale models). I have reglued pintle machine guns and external fuel tanks at least 20 times on those kits. I cannot stand using model kits for wargaming. I would much prefer a sturdier kit made specifically for wargames.
Also, having been to several tank museums (Aberdeen Proving Grounds - many times - before it was dismantled, AAF Tank Museum, Imperial War Museum in the UK, etc etc) and taken many pictures for reference, WW2 tanks are small. SMALL.
I have had the (dis)pleasure of having ridden inside a T34. It is so small and cramped inside, with EXPOSED shock/springs that if you start coughing incorrectly you may lose a limb. Most people who advocate for 1/48 tanks do so out of some weird delusion of how big they are... but no, they're small. Small as hell. Mobile coffins with guns. 1/56 is correct.
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Post by: judgedoug
Here's a shot of me in USCM gear standing next to a Panzer IV. Also a very small tank.
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Post by: AllSeeingSkink
 judgedoug wrote:Most people who advocate for 1/48 tanks do so out of some weird delusion of how big they are... but no, they're small. Small as hell. Mobile coffins with guns. 1/56 is correct.
1/56 with 28mm models usually looks like the crew could not physically fit in the vehicle. Like, the hatches aren't even wide enough to fit a person through them, they often look comical when you put a tank commander sticking out of the hatch because he doesn't look like he could fit down the hatch. I know they were tight, but it just looks comical to me when the hatches on the vehicles are so narrow that the commander sitting in it could dislocate their shoulders and still not fit through. I mostly prefer 1/48 after looking at historical photos and most tanks DON'T look quite so comical when someone is sitting out of the hatch. It's probably because Warlord's 28mm are hero scale and so are badly proportioned. If they were the same height but realistic proportions then 1/56 vehicles would probably look more natural.
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Post by: Big P
Shame the Panzer III N is wrong... my favourite tank.
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Post by: BrookM
Don't be a tease, if you're going to gripe, please by all means, tell us what's wrong with it!
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Post by: Big P
Didnt realise i was griping.
It has the wrong mantlet on the turret is the main thing. Its a biggie to me as it changes the look of the turret alot and in reality the short 75mm couldn't be mounted in the uparmoured mantlet due to the weight.
If doing a tank for gaming, I like it to look like the real thing.
Things like headlights are incorrect too, but that wouldn't bother me. They can be changed.
Might get one and see what Ausf you can make out of the kit and review it.
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Post by: judgedoug
Big P, I saw this on their forum which addresses that:
Porkmann: It looks good but does it really have smooth front turret armour? There we're many prominent rivets/bolts on the real thing!
Rubicon: It was on the original design, but somehow they were dropped (for some reasons) during the mold production. We did look at the drawings again, should not be too difficult to add them back... before the next batch are produced.
The release of 6 kits at the same time really spin us around... Thanks for the reminder!
Ripley: The bolts were prominent on the Panzer III L and M mounting the 50mm gun that had the added spaced armour . It was removed on the 75mm gunned N as weight saving measure . ( Encyclopedia Of German Tanks -Chamberlain , Doyle & Jentz ). An easy fix as Meng has sheets of plastic bolts and rivets , a great help to the scratch buidler , add the missing parts yourself Automatically Appended Next Post: So it looks like making an accurate N will have to wait til the next production run, but I'm fine with that personally as I'd like a J or M first
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Post by: Big P
Didnt the J series have pistol ports on the turret?
Yer, I am picky... sorry.
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Post by: Azazelx
AllSeeingSkink wrote: judgedoug wrote:Most people who advocate for 1/48 tanks do so out of some weird delusion of how big they are... but no, they're small. Small as hell. Mobile coffins with guns. 1/56 is correct.
1/56 with 28mm models usually looks like the crew could not physically fit in the vehicle. Like, the hatches aren't even wide enough to fit a person through them, they often look comical when you put a tank commander sticking out of the hatch because he doesn't look like he could fit down the hatch.
I know they were tight, but it just looks comical to me when the hatches on the vehicles are so narrow that the commander sitting in it could dislocate their shoulders and still not fit through.
I mostly prefer 1/48 after looking at historical photos and most tanks DON'T look quite so comical when someone is sitting out of the hatch.
It's probably because Warlord's 28mm are hero scale and so are badly proportioned. If they were the same height but realistic proportions then 1/56 vehicles would probably look more natural.
To me the tanks aren't so bad, but looking at WLG's jeeps and other smaller vehicles, it just looks bad/wrong/comical. I mean, we all know that Jeeps are small vehicles, but combined with the heroic scale of the figures (especially the metals...)
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Post by: Maniac_nmt
I think the 1/48 vs 1/56 comes to play due to the way figures are designed.
28mm for height clearly match 1/56 scale, but for girth more closely match 1/48 scale.
I looked at doing 1/48 scale myself, as a group I play with uses 1/48, but they don't make the tanks and quipment I wanted in 1/48, so I stuck with 1/56 (chaffees, locusts, and similar don't exist in 1/48 as far as I can tell).
Having built the 1/56 Puma and Panzer IV from Warlord (and frankly, Warlord's kits are horrible, shoddy production values and an inability to decide if they are wargame models or model models, the halftrack is not keyed or made fully wargamer, but then the directions lack any numbering/lettering like you'd get with any model company's product), these are correctly scaled for height, just not girth. I find this is also one of the problems folks tend to have with Wargames Factory, they think they look funny when they are generally more realistically proportioned than other gaming companies, which seem normal as everyone does chunky monkey.
My WGF Samurai scale well with my Perry Minis (save the swords/weapons, but that has to do with metal vs plastic), but the vikings are notably thinner than say Foundry's vikings.
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Post by: judgedoug
 Azazelx wrote:
To me the tanks aren't so bad, but looking at WLG's jeeps and other smaller vehicles, it just looks bad/wrong/comical. I mean, we all know that Jeeps are small vehicles, but combined with the heroic scale of the figures (especially the metals...)
It's totally because of heroic scale. I can't stand 1/48 stuff with 28mm figures because - due to the proportions - it looks like children - literally 8 year olds with big kid heads - are playing "war". Like, I know a Panzer IV is literally less than three feet taller than me, I've stood next to one. I know how small a T-34 is, I've been in one. They are not great big Leman Russ tanks or WW1 Mark IV's.
However, 28mm w/ 1/56 looks _less wrong_ to me. Now, Warlord's metals are definitely chunky... but for instance, Perry DAK and Desert Rats plastics are much more realistically proportioned. Of course, that just means that using 1/48 with Perry means it looks like, instead of children, it's Hobbits dressed as soldiers playing war. 1/48 is just wrong with any 28mm figures; 1/56 is much closer to reality despite chibi melon-high-elf heads on Jerries.
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Post by: RubiconModels
We could see a heated argument about scale here... may be, as a manufacturer, we might be able to give some answers (for those who are not aware of this) to why different scale miniatures " sort of fit better" with other scales vehicles than same scale vehicles - particularly with gaming pieces!
Let us start with the miniatures; take 28mm (1/56) scale as an example. Back in the old days of metal, the most easily broken away pieces are the weapons (guns, swords, and spears); to fix this, the sculptors will make the weapon thicker. And in order for the figure to hold the weapon in a more natural manner, they will make the hand larger! And to make the overall figure looks proportionally right, they enlarge the head as well. Over time, blown out of scale 28mm figures were created... and they conveniently called them "heroic scale"!
Then comes the vehicles... If you look at scale like 1/16 or 1/24 or 1/35, you don't see much of an issue with same scale models (both figures and vehicles) mixing together. As you move towards smaller scale, you started to complain... The reason behind this problem is THICKNESS! No matter what scale you are making, there is always a limit as to how "thin" you can make the side wall (or skin) of a vehicle. This is due to (1) tooling and casting and (2) integrity of the model after it was built. Because of this technical limitation, particularly with personnel transports in smaller scale, you could never get a "complete" driver (with arms and legs) seated properly in his driver's seat... there is simply no leg room at all!
Hope this could clear some issues up... but probably not all of them!
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Post by: Azazelx
Yep, I understand why. I just think it too often looks terrible. To paraphrase Doug - like children bundled into an oversized ridealong car
For me the solutions would either be:
1) Slightly oversized Jeeps and other small vehicles. Not a huge deal since we're playing in some weird no-mans-land in between 1:56 and 1:48 anyway.
or
2) Wait for plastic Jeeps and such, with plastic crew that are less comically heroically scaled - just like the WLG T-34s.
Actually, that would be great. A 2-pack of jeeps for 20 quid and a few options for crew, weapons and stowage.
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Post by: RubiconModels
Initial releases of the firs six kits are now shipped! Expected to see them on store shelves over the next two weeks!
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Post by: judgedoug
Azazelx wrote:
For me the solutions would either be:
1) Slightly oversized Jeeps and other small vehicles. Not a huge deal since we're playing in some weird no-mans-land in between 1:56 and 1:48 anyway.
or
2) Wait for plastic Jeeps and such, with plastic crew that are less comically heroically scaled - just like the WLG T-34s.
Actually, that would be great. A 2-pack of jeeps for 20 quid and a few options for crew, weapons and stowage.
I think the Universal Carriers do an well job of this.
http://us-store.warlordgames.com/collections/british-army/products/universal-carrier
Automatically Appended Next Post: RubiconModels wrote:Initial releases of the firs six kits are now shipped! Expected to see them on store shelves over the next two weeks!
And hopefully in the USA too!!! 
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Post by: BrookM
It's so tempting to order a squadron of T34's! Automatically Appended Next Post: feth it, ordered a Tiger and a Sherman, they'll make for excellent Armoured Fury additions. Here's hoping these don't take 2+ months to reach me. 
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Post by: Azazelx
I reckon three of each will do me in good stead!
...as soon as my wallet regenerates.
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Post by: Snord
I'm hoping to buy a few of these this weekend. I'm mostly interested in the Panzer III, but it seems fairly clear that the road wheels are a bit inaccurate, and there's some detail missing around the mantlet, which is disappointing. The Panther Ausf G looks good though, as does the 75mm M4A3 (although the 76mm turret looks a bit off). It'd be good to see some built and painted examples...
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Post by: Big P
Got some on the way to paint up for PSC... I will review them if there is interest.
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Post by: BrookM
Yes please!
I am especially looking forward to your stellar paint jobs on these kits.
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Post by: Azazelx
Big P wrote:Got some on the way to paint up for PSC... I will review them if there is interest.
Very much so.
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Post by: Big P
Cool.
I think I have the Panther Ausf. G and the T34 coming to paint up for the PSC display so I may just plog the build here so people can see it in stages and see how they build.
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Post by: AllSeeingSkink
That would be awesome!
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Post by: Azazelx
Seconded. Would love to see the build as well.
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Post by: Snord
I have the Panzer III, Panther G and Tiger I. The initial impression is that the Panther and Tiger are significantly better kits than the Panzer III, in terms of detail and accuracy. In addition to its road wheels being very inaccurate, the Panzer III lacks important details like the non-slip pattern on the track guards. That said, all 3 kits are very nicely cast, and much crisper looking than the Warlord plastic vehicles. I might put up some WiP photos as well, of the models that Big P isn't covering.
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Post by: BrookM
You wouldn't happen to have a Warlord Panther lying around would you?
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Post by: Big P
Tailgunner,
Shall we put all our pics in one thread to make it easy for people to reference and find?
I must admit the Panzer III has 'issues' but I'm interested to see the others. I believe PSC are sending me the Panther G and the T34 but I won't know till they arrive.
If you put up some pics of the Panzer III coule you do front, side, rear and top down profile shots? Be interested in seeing what work need to be done to make it a little more accurate.
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Post by: Snord
Big P - sounds good.
I'm building the Tiger I now. So far I think it's very good (it's their most recent kit, so they've already learnt a lot). The roadwheel overlap issue you mentioned seems ok - the early version's roadwheels appear to be correctly configured. I thought I'd only put up photos of the assembled model, rather than lots of WiP shots. But it's worth showing how well the hull goes together.
The quality of the packaging and box art for these models deserves a mention. They ooze quality. Which kind of gets me back to the problems with the Panzer III - the box art depicts the running gear accurately, so they should have got it right. It's bugging me because the Panzer III is one of my favourite Panzers...
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Post by: RubiconModels
We have just uploaded the Tiger I instruction assembly to our forum ( http://forum.rubiconmodels.com/index.php?topic=53.msg299#msg299). To view, you MUST registered as member.
The Tiger I boxes had been shipped to our distributors and will be available shortly depending on region. German players, show your prowess!
For features on our new Tiger I, you can checkout the release notes on our website: http://www.rubiconmodels.com/news.php?i=21
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Post by: RubiconModels
Here are some painted images of our Tiger I Early Production Model for the DAK, painted by our in-house painter Kent Lee!
Enjoy!
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Post by: Big P
Nice! Not a colour id associate with North African Tigers, but great work.
Sooty muzzle brake though?
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Post by: RubiconModels
Wait no more! We now have a US distributor to fill up your arsenal with our tanks!
For contact info, please read the news link on our website: http://www.rubiconmodels.com/news.php?i=22
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Post by: judgedoug
OH MY GOD yayyyy
Now who uses Golden Distribution as a distributor?!
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Post by: RubiconModels
After much discussions and feedback from various forum members (on our official forum), together with our test fitting on the 3D prototype parts, we have refined our technical drawing on the T-34/85 design. This is our final version of the T-34/85 tank!
This is the early version (1943) of the T-34/85 with D5T mantlet. Note the position of the ventilator at the rear had been moved closer to the copula; plus the front pear-shaped periscope cover had been move backward towards the copula as well. In addition, the top front armour plate had been extended to make the sloping angle of the turret looks more natural.
This is the late war version (1944) of the T-34/85 with S53 mantlet. We have added a flamethrower gun to turn this tank into an OT34/85. The flamethrower is backward compatible with our T-34/76 kit; hence all parts are interchangeable (except for the hull - turret ring is larger on the T-34/85)!
C&C are most welcome! We will send the design to factory for mould making early next week!
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Post by: RubiconModels
To coincide with our website official announcement on our Q1/2015 new releases, here are more basic info for each new item:
SdKfz 251/1 Ausf. D Standard Personnel Carrier (280018)
- Contains enough parts to build a D version (1943) of the famous personnel carrier
- Choices include standard open top or with closed or half-closed canvas top (tarp) options
- Number of Parts: 43 pieces
- Number of Sprue: 2
SdKfz 251D 3-in-1 Combo (280019)
- Contains enough parts to build one of the following variants:
- SdKfz 251/7D – Assault Engineering vehicle
- SdKfz 251/8D – Ambulance
- SdKfz 251/10D – with 37mm Pak 36 anti-tank gun
- Most options are detachable and can be reverted back into a standard carrier
- Number of Parts: 64 pieces
- Number of Sprue: 3
SdKfz 251/1 Ausf. D with “Stuka Zu Fuss” Rocket Launcher (280020)
- Contains enough parts to build a Rocket Launcher variant for the Personnel Carrier
- “Stuka Zu Fuss” is detachable and can be reverted back into a standard carrier
- Number of Parts: 70 pieces
- Number of Sprue: 3
Soviet T-34/85 Medium Tank (280021)
- Contains enough parts to build either a T-34/85 or an OT-34/85 medium tank
- Choices include two turret tops to represent either a D5T (1943) or S53 (1944) turret, with hull mounted machine gun or flame thrower option
- Number of Parts: 50 pieces
- Number of Sprue: 3
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Post by: Big P
Did the 251/5 ever get produced in the Ausf. D series?
This was the version with inflatable boats and collapsing bridge stored internally at the cost of seating and when fitted with an extra radio and a 3.7cm served as command vehicles for pioneers.
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Post by: RubiconModels
Big P wrote:Did the 251/5 ever get produced in the Ausf. D series?
This was the version with inflatable boats and collapsing bridge stored internally at the cost of seating and when fitted with an extra radio and a 3.7cm served as command vehicles for pioneers.
We did not include the extra fittings or the radio (because of sprue space), but the seats are moulded separately; hence conversions are possible. The 3.7cm AT gun with two versions of the gun shield are included.
We are also looking into doing two more combo kits which might include the following:
SdKfz 251/3D – Communication Carrier
SdKfz 251/4D – Infantry Tractor for towing guns
SdKfz 251/6D – Command version
SdKfz 251/9D – with 75mm L/24 gun
SdKfz 251/16D – Flammpanzerwagen
SdKfz 251/18D – Armoured Artillery Observation
SdKfz 251/22D – with 75mm Pak 40 anti-tank gun
SdKfz 251/23D – Reconnaissance
With the new sprues, we should be able to include the radio and ammo partitions for the 251D.
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Post by: Snord
I think Big P is questioning whether you should state that the kit includes the SdKfz 251/5 version, as the Ausf D does not seem to have been built in this variant.
Great to see your SdKfz 251 kit is nearly done - and it's a good idea offering the basic vehicle without the other options.
I'd really like to see the "Stummel" variant at some point.
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Post by: Big P
Yup... thats what I meant tailgunner. They never did a D series /5.
Make sure you have the right cut down gun shield on the 37mm and the more common D series Stummel layout.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh and the 251/23 was never built as a production vehicle.
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Post by: RubiconModels
Big P wrote:Yup... thats what I meant tailgunner. They never did a D series /5.
Make sure you have the right cut down gun shield on the 37mm and the more common D series Stummel layout.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh and the 251/23 was never built as a production vehicle.
Ah... ok! Will take note on that! Thank you both!
:thumbs up:
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Post by: RubiconModels
Finally had the time to make some extra bits and pieces to paint up a prototype. Unfortunately, we have forgotten to make a single door piece, so the storefront piece is used for all buildings you see here!
NOTE: The prototype you seen here is NOT THE FINAL version. We have just painted up a sample using some old and new resin duplicate pieces we have around the studio.
This is a standalone house setup:
This is a Town House with a new rooftop.
With this rooftop, you can line up several town houses together provided you do not have windows on the side:
By adding various different components, you can customize each building with a different look.
Here is an example with using Rooftop Gables:
Other components would mean:
1) Different windows
2) Different chimneys
3) Different doors
4) Balconies
5) Basement
When we meant " Modular" you still need to glue them together on a PER FLOOR basis.
Each floor is detachable to reveal the floor below... for obvious reasons!
Welcome to give more feedback on features you want to see!
Here is the link to our forum post on the subject: http://forum.rubiconmodels.com/index.php?topic=55.0
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Post by: bloodydrake
they look ok
I would like to see you add a surface texture to the outer walls. to give them that stucco look, or an etched brick pattern..Right now the outer walls seem to need something
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Post by: Big P
I think something that looks like a proper period house would be best like for Normandy, rather than some sort of unspecific and generic piece that doesnt look 'real'. If that makes sense...
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Post by: RubiconModels
Big P wrote:I think something that looks like a proper period house would be best like for Normandy, rather than some sort of unspecific and generic piece that doesnt look 'real'. If that makes sense...
Thanks for the suggestion. This is still a WIP project without a final "product description" tagged to it; we probably will find an appropriate name for it as we move along... We are more worried on the pricing of this product, that's because of the number of moulds and sprues involved. Still trying to get the numbers work in our favor!! Automatically Appended Next Post: bloodydrake wrote:they look ok I would like to see you add a surface texture to the outer walls. to give them that stucco look, or an etched brick pattern..Right now the outer walls seem to need something
We are more inclined to use either stucco or plaster as texture as they tiled better with wall pieces. Here are some other options for consideration:  .
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Post by: Snord
Big P wrote:I think something that looks like a proper period house would be best like for Normandy, rather than some sort of unspecific and generic piece that doesnt look 'real'. If that makes sense...
I don't agree; I think it should be possible to provide a more generic style of city building. While architectural styles obviously varied, there are enough common features to be able to do this - the houses in central Kharkov don't look that different from the houses in a large German city. But they'd need to be a bit more elaborate than these to look convincing. I also wonder if it would be preferable to have a proportion of the pieces depict battle-damaged walls etc.
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Post by: RubiconModels
We are delighted to share our excitement with you all on our latest project - StuG III Ausf G - Early / Mid / Late Production (product code 280017).
Features include:
- Choice of Early / Mid / Late production
- Option to assemble vehicle as a StuH 42 with 105mm Howitzer
- Choice of the original trapezoid-shape mantlet or the Topfblende pot mantlet (often called Saukopf "Pig's head") gun mantlet with or without coaxial mount
- Detachable Schürzen (side armour)
- Optional rear stowage rack
- Optional spare road wheels
- Optional periscope
- 3 sprues / 54 parts
The 3 versions of the StuG III Ausf G:
Option to do a StuH 42 with 105mm Howitzer Gun:
More photos of the StuG III Ausf G:
Some close up views:
Size comparison with various vehicles:
Comments and constructive feedback welcome!
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Post by: judgedoug
Just need to know when they will be available to purchase!
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Post by: RubiconModels
Happy New Year!!
The mould for our SdKfz 251/1 Ausf D is basically done! here is our smart design of the Stuka zu Fuss rack system we modeled as an add-on option:
As you can see, there is only 10 plastic parts per side... a total of 21 parts for the complete Stuka zu Fuss mount, yet highly detailed!!
This is our SdKfz 251 Ausf D first test sprues! Even though not perfect yet, we have done some trail assembly and close up inspections to further improve the quality of the various sprues.
Here is the assembled Stuka zu Fuss rack as shown on the 3D diagram above:
Here are the tracks and the canvas tops:
Enjoy!
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Post by: RubiconModels
After several modifications and refinements to our various SdKfz 251/1 Ausf D moulds, we'd finally signed off the moulds for commercial production. Three products will be release end of March:
280018 SdKfz 251/1 Ausf D with two canvas top choices
280019 SdKfz 251D 3-in-1 Combo Set #1
280020 SdKfz 251/1 Ausf D "Stuka zu Fuss"
Here are some images of the painted test plastic vehicles (1/56 plastic kit), more photos to follow later.
Some are still in painting, that includes the SdKfz 251/10 with Pak 36 (Full Shield) and the SdKfz 251/8 Ambulance…
C&C welcome!
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Post by: snurl
Very good news!
When are they available for purchase?
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Post by: RubiconModels
 snurl wrote:Very good news!
When are they available for purchase?
End of March 2015. There will be a total of 5 new item codes to be released together:
280017 StuG III Ausf G - Early / Mid / Late Production
280018 SdKfz 251/1 Ausf D with two canvas top choices
280019 SdKfz 251D 3-in-1 Combo Set #1
280020 SdKfz 251/1 Ausf D "Stuka zu Fuss"
280021 T-34/85 - Mid & Late War
Retail prices will be comparable with existing product range!
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Post by: Riquende
Could I ask after the internal dimensions of the Tiger kit (as in, how big is the hollow area)? I've got an idea for a project, and the kit might be a suitable base if it's big enough on the inside.
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Post by: RubiconModels
Here is an update on our plastic StuG III Ausf G... now painted!
Notable features of our StuG III Ausf G kit (product code 280017) includes:
- Option to build either an Early / Mid / Late production StuG III Ausf G
- Option to assemble vehicle as a StuH 42 with 105mm Howitzer
- Choice of the original trapezoid-shape mantlet or the Topfblende pot mantlet (often called Saukopf "Pig's head") gun mantlet with or without coaxial mount
- Detachable (removable) Schürzen (side armour)
- Optional rear stowage rack
- Optional spare road wheels
- Optional periscope
- 3 sprues / 54 parts
The almighty StuG III Ausf G with Saukopf gun mantlet - Late production
...and with Schürzen (side armour)
Alongside with her big brother... a Panther Ausf G!
Size comparison of the two...
Some more close-up images!
Some group images with several SdKfz 251/1 Ausf D variants...
...and finally as a StuH 42 with a 105mm howitzer!
If things go well with production, the StuG III Ausf G will be available around late March!
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Post by: judgedoug
I cannot wait for the 251/1 D and the Stug.
For the future though can you maybe put a Spoiler on most of the images, going into this thread is like an explosion of pics
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Post by: RubiconModels
judgedoug wrote:For the future though can you maybe put a Spoiler on most of the images, going into this thread is like an explosion of pics
From now onward, we will start new topic for each new product instead. No more long loading time!
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Post by: AllSeeingSkink
Personally I'd prefer if you kept it in 1 epic thread, just use spoiler tags so people can show/hide pictures as they desire. Like this....
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Post by: RubiconModels
Thanks AllSeeingSkink! Will try next time, or will edit above posts when time permits!
Thanks again!!
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Post by: RubiconModels
After much work, and working in secret about our added BONUS... The T-34/85 plastic kit is finally done! Our 1/56 T-34/85 plastic kit can be assembled into either a Model 1943 or 1944 version of the tank. It comes with 2 turret top and 2 mantlet choices with oil drums & accessories included. You also have an option to built the tank as an OT-34/85 flamethrower tank too. As an added BONUS, we have included a T-34/76 Model 1943 turret (commonly known as the Hex or Mickey Mouse turret) for those who had already brought our T-34/76 (280013) plastic kit! Product Code: 280021 Number of Parts: 50 pieces / 3 sprues Availability: Late March  Please CLICK on the <spoiler> button for more images of our T-34/85 and the hex turret... Enjoy!
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Post by: Strombones
The canvas tops for the Hanomags got me sold. Looking forward to picking up one or two when Warlord's new panzergrenadiers drop.
and maybe a Stug too... 
Keep up the good work!
edit. also I vote for stucco/ plaster for the house.
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Post by: RubiconModels
Pretty much a work in progress, some detail work still needed to be done, but the overall design are shown here!
Even though we have made quite a few other M3 variants, we have not shown them all...
For more detail images of each of the variants, please go to the following link:
http://forum.rubiconmodels.com/index.php?topic=132.30
NOT ALL will be used to produce as a plastic kit. These are prototypes for us to play around and to create the best M3 Half Track plastic kit for the masses.
We might incorporate the missing prototypes to another kit or an expansion kit later...
Please feel free to comment!
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Post by: Stonebeard
RubiconModels wrote:Pretty much a work in progress, some detail work still needed to be done, but the overall design are shown here!
Even though we have made quite a few other M3 variants, we have not shown them all...
For more detail images of each of the variants, please go to the following link:
http://forum.rubiconmodels.com/index.php?topic=132.30
NOT ALL will be used to produce as a plastic kit. These are prototypes for us to play around and to create the best M3 Half Track plastic kit for the masses.
We might incorporate the missing prototypes to another kit or an expansion kit later...
Please feel free to comment!
....
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Sums up my reaction rather well, actually.
87381
Post by: Pete Melvin
RubiconModels wrote:Pretty much a work in progress, some detail work still needed to be done, but the overall design are shown here!
Even though we have made quite a few other M3 variants, we have not shown them all...
For more detail images of each of the variants, please go to the following link:
http://forum.rubiconmodels.com/index.php?topic=132.30
NOT ALL will be used to produce as a plastic kit. These are prototypes for us to play around and to create the best M3 Half Track plastic kit for the masses.
We might incorporate the missing prototypes to another kit or an expansion kit later...
Please feel free to comment!
Woah woah woah, "not all will be used to produce a plastic kit", that has got to be one of the dumbest things I have ever read. You realise that there are a dozen companies that already produce half-tracks, most of which have a price point not a million miles from yours? You know what would differentiate yours? Having an option to build it with these uh...options. Have it as an add on sprue or something but dont shoot yourself in the foot by just producing "standard M3 half-track model #13"
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Post by: judgedoug
 Pete Melvin wrote:
Woah woah woah, "not all will be used to produce a plastic kit", that has got to be one of the dumbest things I have ever read. You realise that there are a dozen companies that already produce half-tracks, most of which have a price point not a million miles from yours? You know what would differentiate yours? Having an option to build it with these uh...options. Have it as an add on sprue or something but dont shoot yourself in the foot by just producing "standard M3 half-track model #13"
Well they did say "NOT ALL will be used to produce as a plastic kit. These are prototypes for us to play around and to create the best M3 Half Track plastic kit for the masses.
We might incorporate the missing prototypes to another kit or an expansion kit later... "
87878
Post by: RubiconModels
More work for the M5A1 Stuart / M8 Scott is being shown!
The plastic kit(s) will enable you to build:
- M5A1 mid production variant
- M5A1 late production variant
- M5A1 Recce (Kangaroo) using a mid or late production chassis
- M8 75mm HMC
For more detail photos, here is the link:
http://forum.rubiconmodels.com/index.php?topic=138.30
Please feel free to comment!
87381
Post by: Pete Melvin
judgedoug wrote: Pete Melvin wrote:
Woah woah woah, "not all will be used to produce a plastic kit", that has got to be one of the dumbest things I have ever read. You realise that there are a dozen companies that already produce half-tracks, most of which have a price point not a million miles from yours? You know what would differentiate yours? Having an option to build it with these uh...options. Have it as an add on sprue or something but dont shoot yourself in the foot by just producing "standard M3 half-track model #13"
Well they did say "NOT ALL will be used to produce as a plastic kit. These are prototypes for us to play around and to create the best M3 Half Track plastic kit for the masses.
We might incorporate the missing prototypes to another kit or an expansion kit later... "
"Might" is a long way from "will". They would be very silly not to.
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Post by: BeAfraid
Big P wrote:Didnt realise i was griping.
It has the wrong mantlet on the turret is the main thing. Its a biggie to me as it changes the look of the turret alot and in reality the short 75mm couldn't be mounted in the uparmoured mantlet due to the weight.
If doing a tank for gaming, I like it to look like the real thing.
Things like headlights are incorrect too, but that wouldn't bother me. They can be changed.
Might get one and see what Ausf you can make out of the kit and review it.
k
Le sigh!
I so understand you here.... So very, very much.
I have this thing about wanting things to look like what they are supposed to as well.
MB
8221
Post by: Zathras
RubiconModels wrote:More work for the M5A1 Stuart / M8 Scott is being shown!
The plastic kit(s) will enable you to build:
- M5A1 mid production variant
- M5A1 late production variant
- M5A1 Recce (Kangaroo) using a mid or late production chassis
- M8 75mm HMC
For more detail photos, here is the link:
http://forum.rubiconmodels.com/index.php?topic=138.30
Please feel free to comment!
Wait, no Satan flame tank variant??? Awwww, my Misguided Children are sad.
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Post by: Snord
Zathras wrote:
Wait, no Satan flame tank variant??? Awwww, my Misguided Children are sad.
Satans were converted from M3A1s that were replaced by M5A1s. It'd be a completely different kit.
87878
Post by: RubiconModels
Finally a British tank! The A15 Crusader is our first British tank to be released. Took us many months of technical drawings to come to this stage!
The A15 Crusader will be a 3-sprue plastic kit:
- Options to build SIX Crusader variants - Mk I / I CS / II / II CS / III / AA Mk II/III
- Choice of three different side armour skirts
- Removable auxiliary hull turret (field modified)
- Can be build with or without rear fuel container
- Spare road wheels and minor accessories
For more photo and in-depth discussion, please visit our forum at http://forum.rubiconmodels.com/index.php?topic=182.0
Enjoy!
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Post by: Manchu
They're beautiful!
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Post by: sing your life
A Crusader? Kit looks quite nice, but I'd have much preferred a Matilda.
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Post by: Snord
I'm pretty happy with this. The detail looks great, and it seems to be very accurate. Rubicon's simplified tracks/running gear will work well with the Crusader - there shouldn't be any real loss of detail. Maybe if this sells well, they'll do a Matilda as well.
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Post by: RubiconModels
The Opel Blitz series of 3-ton trucks proved the true backbone of German military strength in World War 2. Production began in 1937 and proceeded into 1944 to which some 70,000 2x4 Opel Blitz trucks were delivered out of German factories.
Our Opel Blitz project is a well-kept secret especially for Salute 2015. Features include:
- A 2 sprue plastic kit
- Single piece truck cabinet for ease of assembly
- Truck side boards can be assembled in open or closed position
- Detachable canvas top with rear tarpaulin in open or closed position
- 2 headlights options - standard or small blackout lights
- Optional accessories such as reflector, searchlights, spare tire, and fuel cans
Enjoy!
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Post by: sing your life
I hope you'll give us the option to swap the cab [rest seems to be the same for each nationality] to make a CCKW or GAZ sometime soon.
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Post by: Snord
 sing your life wrote:I hope you'll give us the option to swap the cab [rest seems to be the same for each nationality] to make a CCKW or GAZ sometime soon.
They're not really the same at all. The GMC CCKW had 6 wheels, for a start.
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Post by: sing your life
 Tailgunner wrote: sing your life wrote:I hope you'll give us the option to swap the cab [rest seems to be the same for each nationality] to make a CCKW or GAZ sometime soon.
They're not really the same at all. The GMC CCKW had 6 wheels, for a start.
Oh, I hadn't really noticed that.
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Post by: laffe
Coming in a bit late to the discussion, here is a comparison of Rubicon's Panzer IV with Warlord's Panzer IV.
http://figurfanatikern.blogspot.se/2015/05/rubicon-and-warlord-games-28mm-panzer.html
The short version of it is that both have their merits and faults, Rubicon's panzer is better suited for making an F or an F2, while the Warlord is better suited to a G or H, in my opinion.
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Post by: RubiconModels
3D Prototype of our M8 Greyhound and M20 Armoured Utility Car. Need some minor adjustments, but overall design is satisfactory. We have added an open driver hatch which is not shown in the prototype. Expected release date is Q3/15.
Objectives of this 1/56 M8/M20 plastic kit is as follow:
- a 2 sprue plastic kit to built either a M8 or M20 armoured car
- two MG arrangements for the M8 – rear mount or ring mount
- open front driver hatch
- external utility toolbox or land mine rack option
- simplified interior
Enjoy!
Rubicon Models
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Post by: Snord
RubiconModels wrote:3D Prototype of our M8 Greyhound and M20 Armoured Utility Car. Need some minor adjustments, but overall design is satisfactory. We have added an open driver hatch which is not shown in the prototype. Expected release date is Q3/15.
Looks like a great kit. No need to repeat the debate about pintle mounting for the .50 cal - everything else looks terrific. I'm really liking the M8 turret detail, and the fact that you've included a bazooka with the M20. I think this will be a very popular model.
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Post by: RubiconModels
Tailgunner wrote:Looks like a great kit. No need to repeat the debate about pintle mounting for the .50 cal - everything else looks terrific. I'm really liking the M8 turret detail, and the fact that you've included a bazooka with the M20. I think this will be a very popular model.
We have spend a lot of time on the M8 turret - trying to simplify it yet retaining all the main features and details! If recall from memory, the turret only 6 or 7 parts! The bazooka is a standard issue for all M20s.
We have a hard time trying to fit everything into two sprues... current part count is now 49 pieces!
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Post by: sing your life
An M10 would have been better. It and the British achilles modification were the primary Tank Destroyers for the western allies and you only really need to tool a 90mm gun turret to be able to produce both variants of the M36. The M8 does look like quite a sexy kit though.
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Post by: Strombones
Looking great guys. I just added your 251 D to my panzergrenadiers and I'm very pleased with it. You can put me down for an m8 for sure.
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Post by: Snord
 sing your life wrote:An M10 would have been better. It and the British achilles modification were the primary Tank Destroyers for the western allies and you only really need to tool a 90mm gun turret to be able to produce both variants of the M36. The M8 does look like quite a sexy kit though.
Light armour is very useful in Bolt Action. It's also a rather cool looking vehicle.
There's a discussion on Rubicon's website about their planned M10/Achilles. Including the option to build an M36 would require a different turret and some detail changes on the hull. Hopefully Rubicon can do that!
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Post by: Manchu
Beautful kits. Love the M20 especially.
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Post by: sing your life
Tailgunner wrote: Including the option to build an M36 would require a different turret and some detail changes on the hull.
IIRC the US army did not make any official changes to the M10/M4 hull when fitting the 90mm Jackson turret except for the B2 diesel version which did not see action during WW2.
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Post by: Snord
sing your life wrote:IIRC the US army did not make any official changes to the M10/M4 hull when fitting the 90mm Jackson turret except for the B2 diesel version which did not see action during WW2.
Most M36s were built on existing M10A1 hulls, which had a Ford petrol engine (the same as the M3A3). The placement of the filler caps on the engine deck was different from the M10, as was the engine access hatch (which was larger on the M10A1/M36). See the diagrams below. 1400 M36s were converted from M10A1s. When the supply of M10A1 hulls ran out, about 700 M36s were built on the basic M10 (diesel-engined) hull, and these were designated M36B2.
The M36 also had a gun travel lock rather than the simple crutch on the M10.
It will be interesting to see how Rubicon deal with these details.
2
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Post by: Avrik_Shasla
Hey Rubicon, been buying your kits for use in Warlord Games Bolt Action series, I must say, amazing kits, love the price and the plastic used.
Quick suggestion...
Can we please have American Tank Destroyers soon? M10 would be nice, or an M36.
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Post by: Col. Tartleton
Any chance of seeing crew models with accessories for these vehicles? Commanders, drivers, tank riders, dismounted tankers, etc?
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Post by: sing your life
I don't know much about plastic crew, but Warlord to have a selection of nice looking tankers for each nationality in metal.
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Post by: Col. Dash
Beautiful models. Wish they were in 1/48. I prefer my vehicles to look more in scale with 28mm hero scale BA uses.
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Post by: sing your life
Col. Dash wrote: Wish they were in 1/48. I prefer my vehicles to look more in scale with 28mm hero scale BA uses.
Er, why? There is already the nearly complete Tamiya range which are quite easy to assemble and even if there wasn't, 35mm true-scale matches up rather badly with 28mm heroic.
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Post by: judgedoug
sing your life wrote:Col. Dash wrote: Wish they were in 1/48. I prefer my vehicles to look more in scale with 28mm hero scale BA uses.
Er, why? There is already the nearly complete Tamiya range which are quite easy to assemble and even if there wasn't, 35mm true-scale matches up rather badly with 28mm heroic.
Yeah, 1/48 are WAYYY too large. WW2 tanks are TINY.
I'm 6' tall, here's me standing next to one of the last remaining PzIV's in the world (in full Aliens USCM gear)
1/48 tanks make 28mm figs look like children, which is a weird way to play miniatures wargames:
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Post by: Alpharius
You're starting to convince me to come back around to 1/56 - argh!
I'm seriously torn on what scale to use for SoTR2 gaming - the figs are 'slightly' upsized 28mm...
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Post by: Snord
This feels like a re-run of a discussion from a previous thread. Rubicon's kits are scaled to go with 28mm figures (not all of which are as exaggerated as Warlord's). If you prefer 1/48 scale, then Tamiya have that covered - but their kits are less robust and require a lot more assembly. Rubicon's kits are essentially designed for wargaming. So you've got a choice, but this thread is about Rubicon's kits.
If you look at Rubicon's site, they are looking for sculptors for figures. So they're a bit of a way off being able to provide them. I'm sure they'll solve that eventually.
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Post by: Strombones
judgedoug wrote:
1/48 tanks make 28mm figs look like children, which is a weird way to play miniatures wargames:
Yeah I agree. 1/48 with 28mm infantry always looks WAY off to me.
I've thoroughly observed a good deal of WW2 images looking for scale and I have to say that my Rubicon 1/56 measures up in all cases.
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Post by: Col. Dash
I have to disagree, theres a picture floating around somewhere which someone actually used a 1/48th scale marder III and put a warlord fig in it . He also used a WL Marder for the same thing. He then did side by sides with a pic from WW2 with a guy in the same position. It fit the 1/48th perfectly, the fig made the 1/56th look like a clown car.
Oh well to each their own. There isn't that much difference between the two, I just think it looks better in 1/48th. I have a SDkfz 222 in both scales and I still cant figure out how 2 guys can fit in the turrets of either of them. Like I said the Rubicon stuff looks great, as good as tamaya stuff. I definitely will be interested in seeing what they come up with if they do true scale 28mm guys.
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Post by: judgedoug
Oh, they'd fit - painfully. I've had the (dis)pleasure of riding inside a T-34 in the machine-gunner's position in the hull. That was painful to be in for five minutes (nevermind the exposed spring bouncing up and down for the suspension that would sever your fingers if you didn't pay attention) because it was obviously designed to give it's crew scoliosis
I agree some of the sculpts for Warlord's various ranges they bought are pretty chunky, but Perry 28's are dead on for 1/56 (which is why they sculpt for 1/56 Blitzkrieg) and many of the newer Warlord ranges such as the French are also dead on for 1/56.
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Post by: Haldir
Hi , really like your stuff and very happy with my order. Just a quick question. How come no 1/56 fighter planes? No one has done this , there might be a market for it. I'm in!!
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Post by: RubiconModels
Haldir wrote:Hi , really like your stuff and very happy with my order. Just a quick question. How come no 1/56 fighter planes? No one has done this , there might be a market for it. I'm in!!
Fighter planes in 1/56 scale are quite large compared to vehicles. We see a lot of gamers use 1/72 scale as the planes in the air should look smaller. However, we are looking into doing some 1/56 scale "grounded" aircraft in resin as we believe the market is quite limited.
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Post by: sing your life
RubiconModels wrote: We see a lot of gamers use 1/72 scale as the planes in the air should look smaller.
Not exactly, most of the BA players in my area use 1/72 since Airfix's kits in the scale are basically everywhere in the UK and planes in that scale are smaller/cheaper than the same plane in the closer [to 1/56] 1/48 which is useful when BA only has the planes on the table for a few minutes each game [hence why I personally use the even smaller 1/144]. The effect of distance on perveiced size doosen't seem to mean much when choosing scales for this ruleset.
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Post by: snurl
If you folks do any planes, please do a landed Glider.
75727
Post by: sing your life
snurl wrote:If you folks do any planes, please do a landed Glider.
You could just use any of 1/48 or 1/72 models of the Horsa already, it admittedly would be a bit too large/small compared to the figures but that wouldn't be very noticeable on the tabletop unless you really care about comparative sizes.
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Post by: judgedoug
Whew, I used a 1/72 Horsa Glider for the Pegasus Bridge scenario I ran on the D-Day anniversary. That thing is HUGE on the tabletop even at 1/72.
A 1/56 kit would be enormous and absurdly expensive!
75727
Post by: sing your life
Holy fething gak.
* gets super excited waiting for release*
10414
Post by: Big P
No muzzle brake or fume extractor on WW2 M36... some had a counter weight added at the barrel end but I think the other additions were post war.
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Post by: RubiconModels
Big P wrote:No muzzle brake or fume extractor on WW2 M36... some had a counter weight added at the barrel end but I think the other additions were post war.
As on our M36 image stated, that gun barrel together with the muzzle brake is post-war! We do have another gun barrel, which is actually longer than this version with a WW2-era muzzle brake; the same double muzzle brake like those found on the M26 Pershing late in the war.
10414
Post by: Big P
Cool!
10104
Post by: snurl
I'll be getting one. Keep them coming.
75727
Post by: sing your life
It's quite interesting you decided to include the post war style barrel. Hardly anyone seems to be playing the Korean War compared to those doing WW2 right now, though that could end up changing if Warlord decides to put some focus on the former conflict.
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Post by: Snord
I'm really looking forward to this kit. I can see myself getting at least two of them - one for the Achilles and one for the M36. It'd be nice if the ammo stowage in the turret could be included, as it's quite prominent on the real vehicle.
 sing your life wrote:It's quite interesting you decided to include the post war style barrel. Hardly anyone seems to be playing the Korean War compared to those doing WW2 right now, though that could end up changing if Warlord decides to put some focus on the former conflict.
Korean War M36s had overhead armour on the turret. With that and the post-war barrel, I think Rubicon would exceed their parts allowance.
75727
Post by: sing your life
Tailgunner wrote:
sing your life wrote:It's quite interesting you decided to include the post war style barrel. Hardly anyone seems to be playing the Korean War compared to those doing WW2 right now, though that could end up changing if Warlord decides to put some focus on the former conflict.
Korean War M36s had overhead armour on the turret. With that and the post-war barrel, I think Rubicon would exceed their parts allowance.
Only 3/4 of Korean war M36 were fitted with the extra turret armour. The rest remained open-topped during the war.
10414
Post by: Big P
Well roof covers did appear in WW2.
813TD fitted them to their M10s in September 44. In Korea they seem fairly standard. There was also the hull mounted MG too.
87878
Post by: RubiconModels
Big P wrote:Well roof covers did appear in WW2.
813TD fitted them to their M10s in September 44. In Korea they seem fairly standard. There was also the hull mounted MG too.
That's very true, Big P. We have the roof done, but due to too many parts, we have decided not to include them.
As for the hull mounted MG, we are not so sure. From references, we know Taiwanese M10 had the modification, but those were very late, post WW2!
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Post by: Alpharius
What was the reason for the various tank destroyers being 'open topped' to begin with?
EDIT:
I went and looked on Wikipedia and found this:
Based on US infantry doctrine, this was not considered a major flaw as American infantry was supposed to have carried significant support firepower when supporting the vehicles in the type of combat that made them most vulnerable. However, the open-topped turret gave excellent visibility, which was valuable for a vehicle that was tasked with finding enemy armored vehicles and other targets. The open top also made escape easier when the vehicle was hit and improved communications with accompanying infantry.
Infantry support FTW!
But it must have been tense around snipers, grenades and artillery strikes...
87878
Post by: RubiconModels
 Alpharius wrote:What was the reason for the various tank destroyers being 'open topped' to begin with?
Here is a quote from Wikipedia:
The M10's open-topped turret left the crew vulnerable to artillery and mortar fire and fragments. The crew is also exposed to long distance sniper fire and infantry close assault, such as thrown grenades, or attacks from upper story windows, especially in urban combat and wooded areas. Based on US infantry doctrine, this was not considered a major flaw as American infantry was supposed to have carried significant support firepower when supporting the vehicles in the type of combat that made them most vulnerable. However, the open-topped turret gave excellent visibility, which was valuable for a vehicle that was tasked with finding enemy armored vehicles and other targets. The open top also made escape easier when the vehicle was hit and improved communications with accompanying infantry.
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Post by: Big P
No hull MG in WW2. Post-war mod.
Reason for open top was visibility, weight, ease of breech handling, higher propellant ratio... dont for get these were seen as 'shoot & scoot' weapons.
US TD doctrine failed for fighting anything other than tanks... and some might argue they were not great for tanks either.
18045
Post by: Snord
The initial tank destroyer designs were more like German Panzerjaegers - fixed weapon mounts and minimal armoured shielding with no overhead protection. The M10 was a development from these; the open-topped turret saved weight and allowed a heavier weapon to be mounted. The M10's sloped sides were a result of feedback from US troops in the Pacific, who were critical of the vertical armour on existing US tank designs. The open top was a major liability in service, particularly when tank destroyers were employed in a fire support role. This was an increasingly common occurrence as the war progressed because tank destroyers, lacking enemy ranks to fight (especially in Italy), were often attached to infantry divisions to provide fire support. Tank destroyers in this role were very vulnerable to counter-battery fire - and mortars.
As Big P said, the tank destroyer concept was a mistake. It was compounded by infighting over armour doctrine at high levels, leading to an increase in towed anti-tank guns at the expense of armoured vehicles - until the Battle of the Bulge revealed this to be a serious error.
The 563rd Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Company of 7th Army devised armoured covers for the M10 turret, and the 813rd Tank Destroyer Battalion fitted these to about half if its M10s (not M36s). Overhead armour kits were developed for the M10 and the M36 in late 1944, but they weren't that common in service in WW2.
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Post by: Alpharius
More fun facts from the Wiki article on the M10:
In order to compensate for its deficiencies, some individual US crews improvised overhead turret armor in Normandy to protect against mortars and grenades. One M10 was photographed with an almost complete roof fitted to a raised edge which had vision slits, all manufactured out of captured German plating. In UK service, one M10 in the 86th Anti-Tank Regiment (XII Corps) in Normandy drove back out of action three separate times with the entire turret crew dead. Two turret crews had been killed by 88mm air bursts or mortars exploding in treetops, one crew were killed by a direct hit through the turret. The same driver survived each time. When this driver was placed with a new crew, his fourth, he was declared to be a 'Jonah' (bad luck) and they refused to drive with him. He was transferred to another unit and told to keep quiet about his history.
By the end of the war its armor was clearly too thin to provide protection from the newer German tanks, anti-tank guns, and infantry anti-tank weaponry. M10s in Europe were fitted with layers of sandbags or baulks of timber attached to front and side armor to detonate Panzerschreck rockets and Panzerfausts before they struck the main plate. The M10 had a very slow turret rotation speed, as the turret traverse was unpowered and the crew had to hand-crank the turret around. It took approximately two minutes to rotate a full 360 degrees. However, this slow rotation speed may have been again more a theoretical flaw than real as compared to German armored fighting vehicles, as the M10 was generally more mobile than its turreted opponents in the most common tactical situations in Europe and had far better traverse than turretless German tank destroyers with virtually no traverse and which were much less mobile. The German Panzer IV Ausf. J, produced exclusively in 1944-45 also had manual-only turret traverse, which was twice as fast as the M10, with the Tiger I having the same speed as the J's. Panthers and Tiger IIs could traverse four times as fast as the M10. It was more important that US AFVs would generally operate in greater numbers in tactical situations, and therefore had more firing angles and greater firepower in battle than their German opponents. Consequently, the Germans in the West lost more AFVs than they could afford. The Western European terrain permitted very little in the way of long distance tank engagements where the heavy German tank's high velocity guns and thick frontal armor could be used to their advantage. The lack of German AFV numbers is indicated by the fact that U.S. tank destroyers fired many more high-explosive shells than anti-tank ammunition, indicating that they were employed much like the tanks they were assigned to support.
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Post by: sing your life
Looks like being a M series TD turret crew was a pretty gakky job to me
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Post by: RubiconModels
75727
Post by: sing your life
I never really got all the community fascination with all the German 1/2 Tracks and Panzergrenadiers. By the great allied offensives fo 1944 onwards most of the Heer's had been destroyed with horse drawn wagons the standard mover for most infantry units.
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Post by: Big P
Should the 251/9 version not have the gun mounted further forward?
Though there was the other gun mount version too...
18045
Post by: Snord
 sing your life wrote:I never really got all the community fascination with all the German 1/2 Tracks and Panzergrenadiers. By the great allied offensives fo 1944 onwards most of the Heer's had been destroyed with horse drawn wagons the standard mover for most infantry units.
It's true that Panzergrenadiers and SPWs are over-represented on the tabletop. In reality, the majority of German troops were footslogging infantry (they didn't actually travel in horse-drawn wagons - their supplies did though). But those units that were mounted in SPWs were usually highly effective (probably more so in the East than the West), and could have a disproportionate effect on a battle. And German equipment has always been popular with wargamers and modellers - mostly because it just looks good.
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Post by: RubiconModels
Big P wrote:Should the 251/9 version not have the gun mounted further forward?
Though there was the other gun mount version too...
Big P, sharp eyes!! It was a photo setup error. We are using the same chassis for all the variants... had the 251/9 module placed at the wrong position!
Rest assured the design is correct!
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Post by: RubiconModels
4402
Post by: CptJake
Darn fine looking kit! Does it come with an option to have it haunted by the ghost of a confederate Cavalry officer?
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Post by: sing your life
 CptJake wrote:Darn fine looking kit! Does it come with an option to have it haunted by the ghost of a confederate Cavalry officer?
Don't know anything about Rubicon, but Warlord are currently working with Clockwork Goblin to produce a supernatural themed weird war version of BA. They'd have to be insane not to include the haunted tank in it [at least a knock-off to not annoy anyone with a bit more dedication to maintaning copyrights than sense]
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Post by: RubiconModels
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Post by: Snord
This looks great, Rubicon - and the decal sheet seems very comprehensive. Nice work - hurry up and release it so I can buy a stack of them!
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Post by: Maniac_nmt
I can hear Indy theme music looking at that thing
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Post by: leopard
Just today assembled and started painting one of the M4A3 kits, have to say impressed, especially as I didn't realise it came with a decal sheet, just as well as I forgot to order one.
The only niggle, and its a pretty slight one, is the lack of stowage and similar 'bits', but otherwise excellent kit, no trouble to assemble and the only thing even close to a mould line was on the gun barrel, dust with a file and that was gone, could probably have left it without noticing when finished though.
Don't do much 28mm gaming, this one bought for a special game so probably not going to be getting many more but they are very nicely done kits.
Thumb, or paw up from me
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Post by: Snord
leopard wrote:The only niggle, and its a pretty slight one, is the lack of stowage and similar 'bits', but otherwise excellent kit, no trouble to assemble and the only thing even close to a mould line was on the gun barrel, dust with a file and that was gone, could probably have left it without noticing when finished though.
I agree - most of the Rubicon kits go together very nicely.
I use the Tamiya 1/48 scale accessory set for stowage for my 1/56 scale vehicles. The pieces are a bit oversized, but then Warlord plastic figures aren't entirely proportional either (that said, the jerrycans are probably unusable). That set provides a good selection of soft stowage. Rubicon will be soon releasing their own 1/56 scale German stowage set, which will have correct scale jerrycans etc.
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Post by: Maniac_nmt
The one downside I found with the Sherman was the lack of a second top hatch. It would have been oh so nice to have two in the kit so that you could build out both the 76 and the 75/105.
It would have allowed swapping the turrets out without much fuss.
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Post by: judgedoug
Any idea of an MSRP on those Opel Blitz trucks?
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Post by: Snord
Judging from their other 2 sprue kits, around US$25.
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Post by: sing your life
Rubicon have suggested about £19.99 for almost all their kits around here.
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Post by: RubiconModels
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Post by: snurl
Excellence as usual.
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Post by: Azazelx
I love the look of that Crusader! My 8th Army is excited!
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Post by: sing your life
Love it, wish there was a kit of the tank as good as it in 1/35.
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Post by: RubiconModels
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Post by: CptJake
That looks a LOT nicer than the Warlord one (which I just built). The one piece body is a big plus. Trying to line up the Warlord one was a pain, especially with their poor instruction sheet.
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Post by: RubiconModels
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Post by: sing your life
Love them.
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Post by: RubiconModels
1/56 (28mm) Digital Test Sculpt
After summarizing comments and feedback from our fans, here is the 2nd version of our Digital Test Sculpt.
The size and proportion is an "in-between" Perry's and the generic wargaming figures.
We would like to create something that is (close to) anatomically correct, yet easy to paint and being able to be tough enough to handle on the gaming table.
Here is a familiar face... we certainly hope so
Our 3rd digital test sculpt with a more dynamic pose, incorporating more feedback from our fans on social media!
How about an American GI for a change?
This is still a WIP project. We will not go into production until we get our scaling and proportion up to our standard.
C&C much appreciated!
Enjoy!
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Post by: Azazelx
I scaled the image down to pretty small, and put a normal miniature next to it. Your render is probably still too truescale to work at that size. The hands were almost invisible and would be near-impossible to paint and the model was still taller than my model.
I think you'll need a series of test prints. What looks good in a render at 10x the size vs what looks good on the table in 28mm/1:56 can be quite different.
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Post by: RubiconModels
Azazelx, you are quite right. We have made some 3d prints out of the drawings and did some size comparison as well...
A comparison with a Tamiya 1/48 plastic figure sprue:
A comparison with a Perry 1/56 plastic figure sprue with our figures at 100% and 105% scale:
A comparison with a Warlord 1/56 plastic figure sprue with our figures at 100% and 105% scale:
At this point, we are still trying to find a balance between these brands in terms of scale, figure proportion, and functionality.
C&C much appreciated!
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Post by: snurl
100% looks good.
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Post by: col. krazy kenny
Nice, they look good.
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Post by: RubiconModels
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Post by: sing your life
A Hetzer? Not the most well known or desired Heer vehicle ever, but cool to have neverless.
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Post by: col. krazy kenny
How long until the USA TD are released?
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Post by: sing your life
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Post by: judgedoug
 sing your life wrote:A Hetzer? Not the most well known or desired Heer vehicle ever, but cool to have neverless.
Hetzers are awesome because a) they made like 3000 of them and b) they were alllllll over the place in '44-'45
plus they're super cute
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Post by: snurl
German troops liked the heaters because they hit hard and were themselves hard to target.
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Post by: Big P
 judgedoug wrote: sing your life wrote:A Hetzer? Not the most well known or desired Heer vehicle ever, but cool to have neverless.
Hetzers are awesome because a) they made like 3000 of them and b) they were alllllll over the place in '44-'45
plus they're super cute
Indeed, very well known to many... Even if they didnt call it a Hetzer.
Quite an iconic late war tank hunter.
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Post by: Alpharius
What did they call it?
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Post by: Snord
"Jagdpanzer 38 - Panzerjager 38 (7.5cm Pak 39(L/48) (Sd.Kfz.138/2)". "" le.Pz.Jg.38t" for short.
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Post by: Big P
Jagdpanzer 38.
The story goes that for a period of a month, the Skoda factory wrongly labelled it the 'Hetzer', which was to be the designation for the E10 in development, and once they noticed the mistake, they changed it.
Of course, post-war its been commonly called 'Hetzer', partly due to a briefing memo mentioning its name had been coined by the troops, but at the time it was never named as such in official documents and the name 'Hetzer' doesnt seem to appear to be used by the troops either. Its likely the memo was just repeating the mistake made by the Skoda factory.
But we now know it as the Hetzer or 'Baiter'.
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Post by: Zathras
Big P wrote:Jagdpanzer 38.
The story goes that for a period of a month, the Skoda factory wrongly labelled it the 'Hetzer', which was to be the designation for the E10 in development, and once they noticed the mistake, they changed it.
Of course, post-war its been commonly called 'Hetzer', partly due to a briefing memo mentioning its name had been coined by the troops, but at the time it was never named as such in official documents and the name 'Hetzer' doesnt seem to appear to be used by the troops either. Its likely the memo was just repeating the mistake made by the Skoda factory.
But we now know it as the Hetzer or 'Baiter'.
I prefer "Adorable Murder Turtle".
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Post by: Big P
I think thats what Guderian called it... 'Entzückende Mord Schildkröte'.
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Post by: RubiconModels
This is the painted TS1 plastic preview of our version of the SdKfz 251/1 Ausf C.
Together with our existing SdKfz 251/1 Ausf D (280018), these will be the base kits for our upcoming 251 Series Expansion Kits in 2016!
Enjoy!
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Post by: col. krazy kenny
Nice.
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Post by: RubiconModels
Preview of upcoming 1/56 (28mm) scale plastic kit:
1) Studebaker US6 U3 2.5t 6x6 Truck
2) Studebaker US6 with BM13 Katyusha MRL
More photos at https://www.facebook.com/rubiconmodels/
Enjoy!
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Post by: sing your life
Awesome.
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Post by: George Spiggott
Do Rubicon do a Firefly? I find myself in need of one for a Dragon Rampant project.
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Post by: Snord
No - just the M4A3. I've been nagging them to do a Firefly for a while, but without success...so far.
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Post by: sing your life
They really hope they do the British Sherman variants sometime, at least 60% of the parts are already toiled and Commonwealth player players would be all over them.
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Post by: Manchu
That Katyusha is fantastic!
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Post by: Stormrider
It's probably a good thing that I have been so patient to built my BA Vehicle collection, I have been waiting for Rubicon to make more and more vehicles I do want and little by little they're chipping away at the list.
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Post by: RubiconModels
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Post by: CptJake
When will the M8/M20s be released?
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Post by: RubiconModels
Early February to all distributors.
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Post by: CptJake
Fantastic, I've been holding off on an order while waiting for these.
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Post by: sing your life
When is the Jagdpanzer 38T being released?
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Post by: RubiconModels
Together with the M8/M20 & M10/M36, early Feb to all distributors.
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Post by: Strombones
Glad to hear the M8 is coming February. I could use one. Or three.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
Ive never seen a 253 before. What is that track looking thing running down the right side? An antenna?
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Post by: RubiconModels
 Strombones wrote:
Ive never seen a 253 before. What is that track looking thing running down the right side? An antenna?
The SdKfz 253 was a German light observation vehicle that was used by artillery forward observers to accompany tank and mechanized infantry units.
The appearance was similar to the SdKfz 250, but was fully enclosed. Demag/Wegman manufactured 285 vehicles between 1940-1941.
And yes, that was an antenna!
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Post by: Snord
I think the SdKfz 250 will be my new favourite Rubicon kit (it's currently the M5A1/M8). I'll be getting several.
Strombones - the SdKfz 253 actually went into service before the SdKfz 250, and most of them served with StuG battalions. They were used for artillery spotting and sometime for scouting. I think it's very cool that this option is included in the kit.
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Post by: sing your life
Who did the studio painting for the 253? It's surprisingly impressive looking.
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Post by: RubiconModels
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Post by: sing your life
I saw the images and immediately thought of this
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Post by: RubiconModels
Rubicon Models Q2/16 New Releases will soon be available at your local store, check them out!
Together with the new releases are 10 new waterslide decal sheets in blister pack!
All individually wrapped and sealed from scratches and moisture!
For more info, here is our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/rubiconmodels
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Post by: snurl
Another home run!
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Post by: RubiconModels
Over the past two months, we had been gradually showing you a series of 1/56 (28mm) scale SdKfz 250/251 plastic expansion sets, including:
1. SdKfz 250/1 Neu - base vehicle
2. SdKfz 250/3 & SdKfz 251/3 - standard radio vehicle
3. SdKfz 250/7 & SdKfz 251/2 - 81mm mortar carrier
4. SdKfz 250/8 & SdKfz 251/9 - with 7.5cm KwK37 L/24 Howitzer
5. SdKfz 250/9 & SdKfz 251/23D - with 2cm KwK38 L/55 Autocannon
6. SdKfz 250/11 & SdKfz 251/7 - with sPzB-41 Heavy AT Rifle
7. SdKfz 251/16 - Flammpanzerwagen
8. SdKfz 251/22D - with 7.5cm PaK40 AT Gun
We promised, we deliver (high quality but slowly)!
For more info on these kits, a link is provided below. Enjoy!
https://www.facebook.com/rubiconmodels
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Post by: Wyrmalla
Are there any plans for heavier tanks like the King Tiger as well? I have my eye on making a E-50, but I'm not sure if I'm up to the effort of sanding down a Warlord resin kit to suit (your plastics have been great for making stuff like katzchen APCs).
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Post by: RubiconModels
 Wyrmalla wrote:Are there any plans for heavier tanks like the King Tiger as well? I have my eye on making a E-50, but I'm not sure if I'm up to the effort of sanding down a Warlord resin kit to suit (your plastics have been great for making stuff like katzchen APCs).
Not at the moment, our production schedule had been focused on WW2 early and mid war right now.
We probably will do a King Tiger at a later date.
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Post by: Wyrmalla
Ah right, that's good to know. Heh, an E-50's a goal of mine, but in terms of actual wargame use perhaps a bit of a stretch (in a 1000 points game of Bolt Action one would probably be half the points).
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Post by: Zathras
RubiconModels wrote: Wyrmalla wrote:Are there any plans for heavier tanks like the King Tiger as well? I have my eye on making a E-50, but I'm not sure if I'm up to the effort of sanding down a Warlord resin kit to suit (your plastics have been great for making stuff like katzchen APCs).
Not at the moment, our production schedule had been focused on WW2 early and mid war right now.
We probably will do a King Tiger at a later date.
Hopefully we'll see a M3 Stuart as part of your schedule. My Uncle Sam's Misguided Children could use a Satan flamethrower tank.
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Post by: Wyrmalla
Pic of Rubicon's upcoming Opel Maultier:
Its the regular truck kit with an addon spure, so includes the usual benches, etc. I'll pick one up for my alt-history Eastern Front Germans.
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Post by: RubiconModels
Thanks Wyrmalla for following us on new projects!
This is an upcoming plastic sprue, when available, you can build yourself a multi-function
Fiberboard Box Body for either our current Opel Blitz or the upcoming Maultier truck!
This is a standard box design used by the Wehrmacht during WW2 on all trucks. Made of
fiberboard, it can be used as radio communication, repair workshop, ambulance, kitchen,
command post... anything you can think of!
Enjoy!
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Post by: sing your life
Have you ever thought if using vinyl belts for your model tracks? I'm sure that would be the better option for a wargame complexity level model compared to what you and Warlord are already using.
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Post by: RubiconModels
 sing your life wrote:Have you ever thought if using vinyl belts for your model tracks? I'm sure that would be the better option for a wargame complexity level model compared to what you and Warlord are already using.
Problem with vinyl belts are durability. Particularly with current raw material standard, they will only last for a few years before they started to disintegrate and break apart. For the wargame community, vehicles are build to last a lifetime...
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Post by: judgedoug
Thanks Rubicon, and I prefer the hard plastic for wargaming models, as they get moved several times during a game and treated a lot more harshly than even throwaway radio control tank kits.
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Post by: Snord
sing your life wrote:Have you ever thought if using vinyl belts for your model tracks? I'm sure that would be the better option for a wargame complexity level model compared to what you and Warlord are already using.
Er...that would be like going back several decades in time. One of the huge steps forward in smaller scale AFV kit design has been the virtual disappearance of the rubber band tracks (Dragon still uses them, but their kits are primarily intended for display). With the standard of moulding that companies like Rubicon have achieved, we get the tracks and running gear in a few pieces. It's much quicker to build, and much more robust. There's some loss of detail on the track faces, although with vehicles like the Maultier it's minimal.
The new Maultier looks great - Rubicon are really cornering the market when it comes to plastic soft-skin kits.
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Post by: Wyrmalla
Personally I'm fine with any loss of detail, as those tracks tore really easily. I also appreciate that Rubicon largely make their track assemblies out of one piece plus the road wheel details. I always hated trying to put together the individual links on Tamiya kits (though those are good for adding as stowage) and you always wound up buying ones second hand with one track facing the wrong way from the other. :(
Any ETA on when the track Opel Maultier will be out? If I could have one now I'd be using it in my next game.
Damn, I may just buy the regular Blitz and turn it into this in the meantime.
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Post by: RubiconModels
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Post by: RubiconModels
For more info, please go to our website http://www.rubiconmodels.com
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Post by: Kid_Kyoto
Oh that is very nice. Can the same kit make the half track and the truck version?
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Post by: Wyrmalla
There's enough parts on the sprue to make one box, which will fit either the Blitz, or its tracked version (the tracked version itself using a different lower chassis by looks of it, so the wheeled version's box sits a tad higher). IIRC they also said it could sit free standing if you want, though I'm not sure if the kit includes any base for it to stand on (easy enough to make from plasticard).
Though we're still waiting on that Opel Maultier kit...
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Post by: Stormonu
Any update on the jeeps? I'm dying for some Desert Rats action in my parts
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