Rubicon Models

[PeteH1969]

Has any one tried any of the Rubicon Models 1:56th scale models?

 

What are they like and what is 1:56th scale used for?

 

Pete

[Wightboy]

Haven't built any but have looked at them in the box, look good.I believe they are aimed at the wargaming community so simplified compared to the likes of Tamiya, Dragon, AFV Club etc.Have a look at the Flory Models site, Phil built the Huey helicopter over the Easter weekend and was very impressed.

[Kingsman]

Yes it is a wargaming scale, 28mm IIRC.

 

The older ones are a bit more basic as they are designed for ease of assembly and durability in gameplay.  Things like solid moulded lights and lightguards, lifting rings etc.  Tracked vehicles generally come with 1-piece track runs moulded with the inner run of wheels.  But they are beginning to cottton on to the modelling side with some optional finer parts.

 

You often get a lot of optional parts in the box, which in some respects is a shame as you have a lot of waste parts left over that you cannot use and for which you have paid.  I looked in their new T-54 yesterday and it has 3 different turrets.  Their Shermans are very multi-version.  For example, their M4A2 comes with both large and small hatch upper hulls with low and high bustle turrets.  Their M4A3 76mm comes with VVSS and HVSS options.  I believe their M3 Medium can be built as any one of several Lees or Grants.

 

Some of the kits come as basleine versions and you can buy add-on kits for different versions.  The SdKfz251 half tracks, for example.  They offer crew figures, decal sets and several stowage sets.  Value Gear have started offering 1/56 stowage sets in resin and Aber do a couple of metal gun barrels.

 

However, be aware that the plastic is ABS, not styrene, so you will need an adhesive for this.  They have a Facebook page if you want to see what they're up to and some readers' models. 

 

Until recently their range has been strictly WW2, but they are now branching out into Vietnam - and some of those kits will have wider utility.  T-54, BTR-60, Centurion, M48, M113.  Their range is already very much larger than Tamiya's and Hobbyboss' 1/48 ranges and continues to expand.  Italeri also do a few 1/56 kits but they are not as good.

 

They can come up very nicely, like this Hetzer, Sd.Kfz 7 and M36.  But not with my eyesight and painting skill............

[Tim R-T-C]

 

My wife has taken to building the Rubicon tanks as diorama pieces.

 

As well as the benefits over 35th of size for storage and ease of construction for time starved modellers, there are more options and variety than 48th and much better quality and detail than many 72nd vehicle kits.

 

Most vehicles include several build choices, at least one crew figure and extensive decal sheets too (although bizarrely no paint profiles).

 

I don't know what ABS plastic is, but she builds the vehicles with Tamiya ET cement without any problems.

 

There is a good selection of diorama accessories and figures available, many figures are whitemetal at present but may be transferring to plastic soon.

 

1/56 is the same as 28mm wargaming scale, so some extra buildings and accessories are available from other suppliers, although quality can be lower as they are just aimed for tabletop gaming use.

Edited May 3, 2023 by Tim R-T-C

[John]

I've built a lot f Rubicon kits and either Tamiya or Humbrol liquid poly works fine. So does Humbrol tube cement. 

 

I also have a bottle of EMA Plastic Weld in the toolbox but I've only needed to use it once and that was probably a bit belt-and-braces.

 

John 

[matti64]

I have seen their stuff at shows and was so impressed. I already have some armour in 1/35th scale and 1/48th but seeing how large a range that Rubicon do, and how good the quality is  I am constantly tempted but their stuff. If you are looking to do Diorama work  but don't want to go down to 1/76th  as a a scale and find that 1/35th woul;d be just too big, then I think that Rubicons vehicles and figures really  are the thing to  go for.

[Kingsman]

According to Rubicon's Facebook page (see below) their plastic is indeed ABS and they recommend and sell Plastic Magic liquid solvent for it.  Which is what my local stockist told me.  But they do say that other brands, unfortunately unspecified, do work.  If it melts it, then it works!  However I am a little concerned when they suggest that their plastic is more environmentally friendly.  ABS doesn't biodegrade either.  But it is apparently more widely recycled.  However all my old sprues go in the recycling: styrene can be recycled and that's my way of lobbying my Council to do it........😁

 

I have a few Rubicons but haven't built them.  Now their T-54 is out I'm tempted to build my Mk5 Centurion as Israeli instead of Australian.