OT re: models....

[Nemo121]

I know many of the people here build models/dioramas etc. I have almost no knowledge about that kind of stuff but I've decided to treat myself to a nice display model ( requiring no assembly or painting as I'm about as artistic as a collection of dead rabbits ( well, maybe Tracey Emin might make a million for a collection of dead rabbits but I wouldn't [8D] ) ).

I'm looking for something diecast as small, light plastic models have no heft when you lift them and if it is going to be a model of a tank then I want it to have some heft to it. There's pretty much nothing that I can find in Ireland so I figure I'm going to have to order it from the UK but I have no idea of websites there or the potential downside to diecasts etc.

Here's one link I found in the UK but I find the paint pattern kind of off-putting.
http://www.creativemodels.net/product_i ... s_id/11024

The paint job I probably prefer is this one http://www.dragonmodelsusa.com/dmlusa/p ... d=DRR61022 but I can't find it available from a shop in the UK.


So, if anyone has any advice on this I'd appreciate it while it is still well in time for it ( and possible companions ) to arrive from the UK. Also, is 1:35 the way to go or is the 1:32 more common? I have no idea about this. My view for this is just to put the occasional 1:32 or 1:35 diecast tank model on top of bookshelves and suchlike in my house. So, purely for me to look at and enjoy ---- and to exasperate visitors [:D]

[Local Yokel]

The Panther carrying your preferred finish seems to be available here at Modelenium. The company has a contact address in Warwick, so it appears to meet your requirements.

The paint scheme you find off-putting is the well-known German 'ambush' scheme, intended to simulate the effect of sunlight shining through foliage. Personally, I prefer the model to which it's applied, particularly since it carries the 'chinned' mantlet introduced on late production Ausf. G Panthers to eliminate the shot trap. However, to each his own. [:)]

[Nemo121]

Yokel,
 
Aye, I actually agree with you about the actual model itself. Ideally I wanted one with the chinned mantlet BUT the reasons I like this model are:
a) The paint scheme actually reminds me very much of one of the downloaded camo schemes I used to have in CMBO and CMBB - which brings back some nice memories.
b) If the model impresses then I would plan to get the Tiger I, Tiger II and a few more Panthers/Jagdpanthers etc and that model you found has a paint scheme which would fit in well with quite a number of other models.
 
In the long run though as Soviet and German tanks are actually my "first love" I'm quite sure I'll end up getting ome of the "darker" camo schemes a la ambush and Bagration types also.
 
Quick question though.... Some sites just say these are diecast models and others say they are diecast PLUS plastic... I've seen some models in the past which were diecast and in those models it always seemed to me as though the whole chassis and turret was diecast ( thus giving heft ). Does anyone know just how much of these Dragon models is actually plastic? Obviously I can understand that some trimmings might well be plastic but I don't want to buy a "diecast" model only to find the body is really plastic. Does anyone know wht's diecast and what isn't?

[Jaroen]

Hmmm, this got me inspired.

I decided to get myself a good diecast model after getting the new job I wanted. It's now almost a year later and this topic got me going again. After checking some websites and reviews I actually found a model I liked so I just bought the: Brewster B339C, 2-VLG-V, Netherlands East Indies Army Air Corps, Batavia, Java Island, 1942 "Lt. Deibel" by Hobby Master. Very funny to actually own a model of a plane which model and unit is actually present in the game. Alas, I didn't find the specific pilot.

Why somebody might like a block of metal on his desk or bookshelves having a similiarity to an even bigger block of metal called a tank is beyond my imagination but in case you're interested I found a good site about just that:
http://www.mikes-tanks.com/ . Of course I was interested myself!  [;)]

BTW; does anyone know of a good Fokker D-XXI diecast model?

[wdolson]

Aircraft models usually come in 1/24, 1/32, 1/48, 1/72, and 1/144 scale.  1/48 is probably the most popular.  Armor mostly comes in 1/35 scale, though a few models have come out in 1/16 scale recently.  Some aircraft that would operate with armor, such as battlefield helicopters are also available in 1/35 scale.

Bill

[Local Yokel]

A quick search didn't turn up any more information about different materials used in the Dragon Armour models. I suspect that the tracks might be plastic, as I imagine there would be quite a few problems involved in diecasting these, given the high quality appearance of the finished article. I would expect the remainder of the model to be diecast, but no doubt the seller would give details of its construction.

Pity there's not an SU-152 in the range; always liked those, but not popular as a manufacturer's choice, it seems.

[Nemo121]

Aye, I've ended up just deciding on a couple of "starters". I'll start with 1 x Pz V Ausfuehrung G ( I think they mislabelled it though as it doesn't have a chin ) and also a late Tiger I... I like the paint schemes on both and I can get early models later on anyways.
 
I called up and asked about the models. It seems that they are mostly a resin with plastic for particularly detailed parts. It seems like the chassis etc would be of resin and fine detail plastic. I'm told each would weigh about 1 Kg which is reasonable.
 
http://www.modelenium.co.uk/models/PANTHER-G-WITH-ZIMMERIT-PzBrig106-NORTHERN-FRANCE-1944--DR61022.aspx
http://www.modelenium.co.uk/models/135-TIGER-I-LATE-PRODUCTION-PzAbt301-KOLN-GERMANY-1945--DR61021.aspx
 
 
In the longer term though I've checked out 1:16 Tamiya R/C models which look absolutely awesome... Expensive but, as a centerpiece, worth it... I think each comes in at around 750  dollars really unless you want something bland. With that said they look pretty amazing. Here's a link to videos of them in action http://www.tanktraxx.com/movies.php 
 
http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=56022   I'm tempted, very tempted.

[fairplay]

Hmmm,
these Tamiya thingies are not too bad...
BUT real men go for these:[&o]

http://www.mark-1-tank.co.uk/king-tiger ... igerfourth


 Although they don't have a SU 152 they offer at least a little cute IS 152: only 70kg compared to the 250 kgs of the King Tiger!
http://www.mark-1-tank.co.uk/is-152.html

[:D][:D][:D]

[Commander Stormwolf]

Currently in possession of a Scale Fokker D VIII monoplane fighter in Red-Baron Camo ~ [8D]

[Nemo121]

LOL! Can you imagine the shipping cost on a 250Kg model? OUCH !!!
 
What I find amusing in terms of the veracity of these models is that the real-life running gear problems of the German tanks vis a vis the US and Soviet tanks of the time actually organically arises in the scale models also. That's actually quite cool.
 
 
Very interesting pictures of a KT with a quasi-ambush pattern showing how well it really does work. I find the 3rd picture to be really convincing actually.
http://www.tregalic.co.uk/tanktalk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=382