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Thought I would just post that a new kickstarter started this week - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1018425023/russo-finn-winter-war-28mm-scale-tanks

The kickstarter is by a company called Thomas Gunn Miniatures and it is their first foray into the wargaming arena at 1/56th scale (they normally produce 1/30th display figures, etc.).

The kickstarter offering is for 2 tanks from the 1939-40 Winter War. The first tank is a Finnish army Renault FT17 which comes with two turrets, a Kotchkiss MG version and a 37mm cannon version. The second tank is a Soviet KV-1. Paintwork for both tanks is winter camoflage. At £25 each for painted vehicles this is not bad IMO. Postage outside the UK is set at £5 per vehicle (although Tom who is running the kickstarter has said he would combine postage at £5 for more than one vehicle and will update the pledge levels soon accordingly).

The FT17 never really saw service during the Winter War but would be a great addition to the Finnish forces in 'what if' scenarios.

There is a limit of 300 of each type of tank (both Renault versions counting as one).

The material they are cast in is resin by the way, it's hidden somewhere on the KS page. £25 for a painted resin tank isn't bad, especially not in comparison to Warlord's KV-1 that goes for £22, unassembled and unpainted.

I'd love to see a prototype or print of either tank first though before committing.

@BrookM - Trust me to miss out they are made of resin!

Hehe, it was not meant as an attack or anything, just pointing it out, as the material used can mean a lot to some people out there and it was well hidden on the KS page itself.

Tom Gunn has just introduced some new pledge levels, combination purchases basically, but most important of all is now he is offering unpainted versions as well.

Now although the Renault FT17 didn't actually see active 'service' during the Winter War it has to be remembered that the unpainted versions can also be painted up for the French, and the Poles still had over 100 in service at the start of WWII.

Anyway, thought the sale of unpainted 'resin' models was a good reason for an update.

Wow, two for £35 isn't all that bad!

Do love the Renault.

I Like the idea but i just use Tamiya 1/48 scale tanks they are only slightly larger and cheaper (at least here in Japan).

argh! Must... Resist... Must... Save... Money... For... Canada Trip...............unf

It has good lines for a 40K tank, though I think it would look very small on the table - about 1" wide, though longer than a leman russ. But you can get 6 for 90 pounds unassembled.

Well the kickstarter is 1/3 the way to target, so it is looking good with just over 23 days to go.

Following corresponding with Tom at Tom Gunn Miniatures it looks like if this is a success then this will beckon in a new 1/56 producer into the market, which will be great news. The fact that they have now upped the anti by being willing to supply unpainted models definitely bodes well for them, for it should 'hopefully' increase the market for their tanks considerably.

(If this is a success I wonder what their next forray will be - it might be a case that some presently unavailable vehicle and tank types will come to market, I am sure they would welcome suggestions for such. )

Following PM correspondance with Tom Gunn I am expecting an important announcement from him today concerning this kickstarter, I will re-post the details when it is made.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Tom has just put out an 'update' - #7 - Tom has cancelled the kickstarter.

I think that this is entirely the right decision on his and his company's part to cancel the current kickstarter and come back with a new more directed one in the near future. I will be back and pledging again as soon as the new kickstarter is launched.

By the way did you read the bit about 'lowering' the costs! WOW.