combat Posted February 7, 2018 Share Posted February 7, 2018 Hello, I am not sure this is exactly the right section for my question, so please inform me if it should be elsewhere. I get a ridiculous amount of pleasure from making Matchbox and Revell's 1/76 armoured vehicules with figures and dioramas. I moved from 1/35 after a dabble in 1/48 and 1/16, but decided I really do enjoy the 1/76 the most. I see many varied products in 1/76 and 1/72 and would like to know what the very talented people on this amazing forum feel are some of the best, most interesting, most rewarding kits to make in these scales (only armoured vehicules, figures or dioramas). I have seen Hasegawa, Italeri, Aoshima, Pegasus, Eski, Airfix, Caesar and many more. Thanks for taking the time to read and I look forward to adding to my Matchbox / Revell collection. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Hawkins Posted February 7, 2018 Share Posted February 7, 2018 Recently I have been quite impressed with some of the kit by Plastic Soldier (1/72). Especially where one kit has 3 vehicles all of different types - Marder kit for example, has 2 different versions of the Marder II and the original 38T tank that they were based of, same with their Panzer III kits. Excellent value for money. I hope they manage to bring more kits out this year. For detail, I also like Milicast (1/76). But they are resin kits. if you visit their site, you will be amazed with the many types of vehicle modelled by them. And they are accurate. I have also recently done a few of IBG kits. A couple of Bren Carriers and some C15 trucks. They have, however, gone a bit mad on the 'parts count' competition, where they break down the model into far too many parts for the size of the kit. This makes them difficult and frustrating to build. Individual track links for a 1/72 Bren Carrier, anyone? That said, the do look good when done....Their range is also limited. I have also done Airfix, Hasegawa, Italeri, amongst others. The older kits tend to be less accurate, though. I have also looked at some of the other war gamming models, both metal and resin, with some limited success - scale accuracy does seem to be an issue though. The beauty of these kits, is that the are not so big that you struggle to store/display them Cheers Steve 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted February 7, 2018 Share Posted February 7, 2018 This is the site for you: http://henk.fox3000.com/index2.htm You'll find images of almost every 1/72 & 1/76 model ever made (including resin kits), many of them with links to reviews. Even the best kits sometimes have their issues.....Checking this site in advance of making a purchase is very worth while: http://www.onthewaymodels.com/ If you like small scale Shermans, this site is essential: http://www.172shermans.com/ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
combat Posted February 7, 2018 Author Share Posted February 7, 2018 Thanks guys, that gives me some more avenues to explore. Actually I don't know Plastic Soldier at all, so will check them out. Right now I don't want to do resin, don't mind the figures though, but I do enjoy building the kits. Yes Henk of Holland, I used to look at his Matchbox stuff all the time, it's been a while, I will have to get back to that site again. I saw some Zvesda soldiers locally and thought that they look very well moulded and have interesting postures, equipement etc.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted February 7, 2018 Share Posted February 7, 2018 I find the most rewarding builds are of subjects I have an interest in. It's no use just picking something because its got a nice box, or its a good bargain if it doesn't stimulate you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
combat Posted February 8, 2018 Author Share Posted February 8, 2018 Ratch, I agree, I think passion shows through in how people make a great kit. I am just realising more and more how little I know about this one area of modelling. My main project is building Matchbox's 1/76 range (about 30 kits or so total) but it's good to be aware of the products out there, now and of yesteryear too. I saw Italeri's Camionetta recently and thought wow, I really like their Quad tractor too ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 The Camionetta is a nice little kit, I built mine last year. You sound like me. When I started I was very much influenced by box art. Then I saw that there was no connection in my collection apart from the scale. I knew my granddad fought through North Africa (particularly against the Italians) and started restricting my purchases to this theme. As time has gone on, the more I've discovered about his service record and the hardware I've realised how little I know. Some things are easier to research than others - how I wish I'd asked him questions when he was alive. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Hawkins Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 I am doing North Africa as well. I like the idea of a Theatre, then investigating the hardware that the protagonists used. But you have to be careful. More that one time I have been caught out by box art. A Wespe or a Panther depicted by a palm tree - that does not mean they made it to North Africa! Even sweated over an Attack 'Grille' under the mistaken notion that they made it to the Desert. Doh! You can soon run out of normal injection molded kits though, by restricting yourself, they only make what they can shift quickly. Then you have to start chasing the more esoteric stuff. Anyone for a reasonably priced Indian Pattern Reconnaissance Car? Hurry up Millicast! Steve 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Hawkins Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 Actually its the Armoured Carriers, Wheeled, India Pattern, Mk IIC or Mk III...I am after.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shatters Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 9 minutes ago, Stephen Hawkins said: More that one time I have been caught out by box art. A Wespe or a Panther depicted by a palm tree - that does not mean they made it to North Africa! Steve No Wespes in North Africa??? The matchbox Wespe complete with palm tree dio was one of my childhood favourites. Please don't tell me Santa doesn't exist too. Off to cry quietly in a corner now. Phil 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 8 hours ago, Stephen Hawkins said: Armoured Carriers, Wheeled, India Pattern, Mk IIC or Mk III...I am after.... Resin territory.....Maybe Millicast. 8 hours ago, Stephen Hawkins said: A Wespe or a Panther depicted by a palm tree - that does not mean they made it to North Africa! If Panthers never made it to North Africa: Who crushed all the ambulances? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 I reckon that's Italy, Andy 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
combat Posted February 10, 2018 Author Share Posted February 10, 2018 @Sgt and the grey uniforms! Yes I am a very big sucker for box art, lol. I got quite into the T34/76 and read up a bit on that, just finished Poliakov so I did the Matchbox L.R.D.G. My grandfather was a pilot then test pilot for the RAF, spent a long time in Tripoli, but I don't do many aircraft now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted February 10, 2018 Share Posted February 10, 2018 If you are interested in converting the various 1/76 kits from Airfix & MB/Revell to broaden your collection, you should probably pop over to @Ratch's place, the ATF, they have a whole community of guys who specialise in just this area: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/airfixtributeforum/ Conversions here: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/airfixtributeforum/conversion-corner-f80/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
combat Posted February 10, 2018 Author Share Posted February 10, 2018 Thanks, lots of amazing work at ATF. Will be looking around there too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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