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Yeah, I made the mistake of not picking up a quick-build kit.

With Rubicon, it seems like you're getting a nice balance of wargamer-friendly assembly and modeller-level detail/options.

Rubicon are fun kits, my only point of annoyance as a non-rivet counter is that the insides of the tracks are blank, devoid of all detail, which is annoying, as those parts are quite visible with some kits.

 Alpharius wrote:
That IS a very good point, and might be just enough to push my away from 1/48.

Are Rubicon and Bolt Action/Warlord kits 'easy' to assemble?

I put rubicon's 251 D together in 20 minutes. Only two sprues. Pretty easy.

Rubicon models are very well thought out. The tracks alone are great, a very nice ballance between simplicity and show. The track and outer wheels come as a single piece, middle wheels [those that are part hidden behind the outer wheels] are next as a single peice where the individual wheels are connected by a small, hidden piece. The inner wheels are the same style as the middle ones. You then get the inner pieces of the drive wheels.

All in all, each track can be made from as little as 4 pieces and look great. But if you are able to put in the time and effort, the middle and inner wheels can be sepperated and the connecting pieces removed.

Personally, I don't think I'll bother. The connecting pieces seem well designed and should be easy to hide with a little thought with the paint, yet don't look like they'll even be that visible without any effort and certainly don't look like they block anything further in.

For the scale, they seem to be little gems. Nice amount of detail, good set of options, and the range of subjects is good.

Reminds me, I've got to look again. Last time I looked, their UK distributor didn't seem to have any of the trucks, and I'd live one of them for a possible diorama I have planned.

From my own personal experience Rubicon and Warlord/Italeri are roughly the same level of complexity, which equates to a fully assembled model in under 30 minutes.

However, the Warlord-only (ie, not the Warlord/Italeri coproduced) kits (T-34/85, T-34/76, Sd. Kfz 251/1 ausf C, and Panzer IV) are even simpler to assemble than Rubicon and Italeri and have more sturdy parts. Actually Warlord's Panzer IV is my favorite plastic 1/56 vehicle.

Though I am very excited by all of the upcoming Rubicon releases and I'm going to pick up their recent 251 ausf. D kits.

Really it's great how we went from no plastic Wargaming 1/56 kits about 18 months ago to now almost being spoiled for choice, and it's only getting better!

I see talented people, I see talented people everywhere

M10 / Achilles / M36 3D Prototype Preview

Objective of our 1/56 plastic kit will be as follow:

- a 3 sprue plastic kit to build either a M10 / M36 or a 17pdr SP Achilles
- a common M4A3 chassis with two transmission cover options
- three interchangeable turrets – M10 / 17pdr SP / M36
- two rear engine compartments depicting a M10 or M10A1 chassis
- simplified interior for all turrets (gun details, ammo rack, etc)
- minor detail changes for different variants (head lights, gun travel lock, etc)
- the M36 turret can be used with our M4A3 kit (280012) to become a M36B1

3D prototypes of the M10/M36 project is finally done! Quite satisfied with the initial result. Going to make some minor changes to enhance the details and assembly... Now the most difficult process - what is going to stay and what is not! Too many parts right now, some need to be omitted!


















Enjoy!

 BrookM wrote:

 Alpharius wrote:

 BrookM wrote:
Tamiya hard to assemble?

You disagree?

Tamiya is affordable, perfectly cast and designed with ease of assembly in mind. Only downside is, these aren't wargaming kits.

 Manchu wrote:
I bought an Italeri kit the other day. It was a rude awakening.

Italeri is gak quality, which is why I wasn't happy with Warlord working with them on getting more tank kits out. It's not as bad as Airfix is, but still quite a step down from Tamiya.

I suppose that's the clincher, what you want the kit for.

I put together 1/32 Stug once, a Dragon kit, that was getting on for 900 pieces I believe. But, what a kit, absolute work of art. Everything fit together completely flush with not even a fraction of a mm gap or warping of the plastic. Read an article about the designing of that kit where Dragon had sent a couple of their guys over to Czech where they had recently pulled a nearly intact stug out of some boggy ground where it had sunk, and they'd done all their measurements based on that, right down to the engine components.

So, that's what you were getting with that kit. Not a wargaming kit, but something that appeals in a different way to different people. I know there is some crossover, but obviously that kind of thing is over-kill if you just want a miniature for wargaming. Which, is why some of these new kits from Rubicon and Warlord are such a god send!

Hello, I wanted to ask if it was Rubicon's intent to produce crew upgrade kits in the future?

 Collinsas wrote:
Hello, I wanted to ask if it was Rubicon's intent to produce crew upgrade kits in the future?

The answer is a definite YES, but we do not have a time frame for it yet. Our focus is to further improve our production technique before venturing into new areas; in this case, plastic miniatures.

Had been a busy two weeks at our studio. We have three sets of mould done for the British A15 Crusader, the US M5/M8, and the US M3/M3A1. We have also started some new Q4 projects, and had several Q3/Q4 projects moved into 3D prototyping.

Based on our existing SdKfz 251/1 Ausf D plastic kit (280018), here are some SdKfz 251 Variants 3D prototypes from last weeks 3D drawings:























NOTE: These are just prototypes and are subject to modifications based on production requirements. SdKfz 251/2 Mortar Carrier prototype not yet available for display.

Comments are welcome!!

Here are some images of the painted M5A1/M8 test shot plastic sprues after test-fitting...



















For more closeup images, please go and see our M5A1/M8 photo album on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1619424098310952.1073741880.1443080675945296&type=3

Enjoy!

OMG those are so nice!

1/56 Opel Blitz (Test Shot Plastic) Painted

After test-fitting our first Test Shot for the SdKfz 305 (Opel Blitz), the quality seems to be better than expected, which had prompted us to paint one up for your preview. One more is being painted in the pipeline!




















Here is the Decal Sheet for our Opel Blitz!
Besides licence plates and tactical markings, we have included decals for an ambulance, a refueling truck, and markings for impressed civilian vehicles.




Enjoy!

Here is some of our painted test shot #2 images of the A15 Crusader tank. Expected release date is early September.


















Enjoy!

I have to say that large watermark is a bit annoying, looks almost like camo on light vehicle colors. If you need to use it, I would suggest using a smaller one that covers a quarter of the image or something.

Painted up M3 & M3A1 Half Track from our Test Shot #1 plastic...















Enjoy!

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.

I LOVE the radio! I wish I could grab 2-3 extras to add to some recon jeeps.

When will this be available?

 CptJake wrote:

When will this be available?

Early September!

When are the M8/M20, M5A1/M8 and M10 / M36 kits expected to be available?

That M3 looks fantastic. Early September, eh? Good stuff. When is the Crusader due out?

 BrookM wrote:
Rubicon are fun kits, my only point of annoyance as a non-rivet counter is that the insides of the tracks are blank, devoid of all detail, which is annoying, as those parts are quite visible with some kits.

That's my only criticism of the Rubicon Panther, otherwise it seems superior to the Bolt Action model. The way they achieve the interleaved wheels of the Panther is very effective and looks much better than the Bolt Action solid casting which lacks depth. But the tracks on the Rubicon kit are very crude and really seem a shame given the standard of rest of the model. I assume it's a result of some concessions given in Whats possible with the casting.

My Panther...

Link no worky, Howard.

Q3/15 new releases will be available in early September as follow:

280022 German Stowage Kit 1
280023 M5A1 Stuart / M5A1 Recce (mid & late production)
280024 M8 Scott / M5A1 Stuart (mid production)
280025 A15 Crusader
280026 SdKfz 305 3-ton 4x2 Cargo Truck (Opel Blitz)
280027 M3 / M3A1 Half Track

Retail pricing will be available at a later date.

I think I see crew in these models!

Will they be and add on or included in the box?

 Collinsas wrote:
I think I see crew in these models!
Will they be and add on or included in the box?

A driver and a side passenger are included in both the Opel Blitz and the M3/M3A1 Half Track kit.

I know it is probably too late, but switching out the side passenger for a gunner to man the MG in the ring mount would be better.

 Azazelx wrote:
Link no worky, Howard.

Fixed now, just hidden pics in the spoiler

 Howard A Treesong wrote:

 BrookM wrote:
Rubicon are fun kits, my only point of annoyance as a non-rivet counter is that the insides of the tracks are blank, devoid of all detail, which is annoying, as those parts are quite visible with some kits.

That's my only criticism of the Rubicon Panther, otherwise it seems superior to the Bolt Action model. The way they achieve the interleaved wheels of the Panther is very effective and looks much better than the Bolt Action solid casting which lacks depth. But the tracks on the Rubicon kit are very crude and really seem a shame given the standard of rest of the model. I assume it's a result of some concessions given in Whats possible with the casting.

My Panther...

Spoiler:

I agree, The models are terrific, with the exception of the front of the tracks, which look very toy-like. Could this be considered as a separate part on future kits?

 Mousemuffins wrote:

 Howard A Treesong wrote:

 BrookM wrote:
Rubicon are fun kits, my only point of annoyance as a non-rivet counter is that the insides of the tracks are blank, devoid of all detail, which is annoying, as those parts are quite visible with some kits.

That's my only criticism of the Rubicon Panther, otherwise it seems superior to the Bolt Action model. The way they achieve the interleaved wheels of the Panther is very effective and looks much better than the Bolt Action solid casting which lacks depth. But the tracks on the Rubicon kit are very crude and really seem a shame given the standard of rest of the model. I assume it's a result of some concessions given in Whats possible with the casting.

I agree, The models are terrific, with the exception of the front of the tracks, which look very toy-like. Could this be considered as a separate part on future kits?

This is due to the limitations with plastic injection moulds where we cannot imprint any details on the sides. Our design concept is to create highly detailed and accurate plastic models and yet easy-to-build and paint for gamers and modelers. We understand most people will put dirt on the tracks, so we opted to create one piece tracks for easy build and model integrity than having separate wheel and track pieces. As we are gaining more manufacturing experience, we are now looking into alternative ways to put some extra details onto the front tracks... probably starting from Q1/16 new projects!