I smell an article......

....... Smells good to me.

Good to have you back Karl!

Neet subject Karl.

BTW the smaller wheels ar called return rollers.

I don't understand the rationale behind using seperate wheel/rubber pieces...

They are designed like that to allow for the proper undercut on the inside of the roadwheel.  One-piece molded roadwheels are all incorrect since they do not show this undercut.  You can see it in the below pic, where the water and leaves are trapped at the bottom.

Also, beware, the turret ring on the kit is way off.  The cut-out section around the bottom turret edge is not present in the kit parts.  It is not clear if the turret will even rotate without this cut-out section. 

Check out more about it at a recent post at Armorama about the kit.  Disregard all the whining and compalining.  There is good info on how to fix it there.

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=256183&page=1

the doog

 this baby is REAL, not just a "World of Tanks" fantasy creation (a sad trend, in my opinion )

 

I don't know, I see it as a positive trend. World of Tanks has gotten gamers to try building model tanks. They are more concerned with replicating their in game tank than accuracy in the model kit. Therefore models that were once panned by modelers have found a second life with gamers unconcerned with accuracy buying the kits to get in game goodies or just wanting to build "their tank".

It's also opened up a fresh vein of casual modelers flowing into the hobby.

Another benefit is that companies will start creating new kits of tanks that appear in game that haven't been done to death like the Tigers and Shermans. We're getting new kits of tanks that existed in prototypes only. This gives more fuel to the modelers who like to do "what if" kits or Luft '46 type builds.

More modelers and more models; I fail to see the downside.

Interesting subject Karl, will be watching.

Surely you must have done an armour kit with top rollers before.

Rob Gronovius

 

 

the doog

 this baby is REAL, not just a "World of Tanks" fantasy creation (a sad trend, in my opinion )

 

 

 

 

I don't know, I see it as a positive trend. World of Tanks has gotten gamers to try building model tanks. They are more concerned with replicating their in game tank than accuracy in the model kit. Therefore models that were once panned by modelers have found a second life with gamers unconcerned with accuracy buying the kits to get in game goodies or just wanting to build "their tank".

It's also opened up a fresh vein of casual modelers flowing into the hobby.

Another benefit is that companies will start creating new kits of tanks that appear in game that haven't been done to death like the Tigers and Shermans. We're getting new kits of tanks that existed in prototypes only. This gives more fuel to the modelers who like to do "what if" kits or Luft '46 type builds.

More modelers and more models; I fail to see the downside.

 

I agree with Rob here.

As en example of a WOT build I did;

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/3/t/161366.aspx

Just my

Awesome!!! 

I looked at this when it first came out but was put off by the bad reviews and that same thread on Armorama. Looking forward to how you solve the issues here. 

I can see the points here about WoT but I'm just happy to see new experimental and rare AFVs that aren't German for a change. I picked up Takom's new T30/34 and T29 and they're beautiful kits, pretty darn good reviews too. 

I am in league with Rob and Gamera. Why not do all the "what ifs?" and prototypes that are non third Reich that are inspired by WOT. Especially if it creates new kits and brings in new blood. I am happy to see all these long neglected AFVs from the West coming out. 

This project looks like a real sweet one! Looks like an M48 hull with one high speed wazoo new dangled turret.

RBaer

I smell an article......

 

You may be right....

disastermaster

....... Smells good to me.

Good to have you back Karl!

 

Bish

Interesting subject Karl, will be watching.

Surely you must have done an armour kit with top rollers before.

 

PANZERJAGER

Neet subject Karl.

BTW the smaller wheels ar called return rollers.

 

lol, do you guys know that I actually had a verified brain fart? I knew what they were called but I've been building those darned Indy cars so long I plum forgot what the parts are called! Thanks for the reminders! :)

HeavyArty

I don't understand the rationale behind using seperate wheel/rubber pieces...

 

They are designed like that to allow for the proper undercut on the inside of the roadwheel.  One-piece molded roadwheels are all incorrect since they do not show this undercut.

 

HeavyArty

Also, beware, the turret ring on the kit is way off.  The cut-out section around the bottom turret edge is not present in the kit parts.  It is not clear if the turret will even rotate without this cut-out section. 

Check out more about it at a recent post at Armorama about the kit.  Disregard all the whining and compalining.  There is good info on how to fix it there.

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=256183&page=1

"Styrene abortion"--someone actually used that phrase, haha. Sheesh! Get over it!

Thanks for the heads-up and the link. I hadn't noticed that discrepancy but I do remember reading a discussion on it before when it was announced. I hadn't seen the renewed moan-fest though.

I have studied the problem and think I have a very good solution to it. Different than from what the buider on Armorama has conceived. I'll make sure to document it in detail. Thanks again!

the doog

 

Bish

Interesting subject Karl, will be watching.

Surely you must have done an armour kit with top rollers before.

 

 

 

 

 

Bish

Interesting subject Karl, will be watching.

Surely you must have done an armour kit with top rollers before.

 

 

 

 

lol, do you guys know that I actually had a verified brain fart? I knew what they were called but I've been building those darned Indy cars so long I plum forgot what the parts are called! Thanks for the reminders! :)

 

 

 O dear, you have been corrupted. Just play safe and before you get carried away, store all those bright metalic colours well out the way. Would not want any nasty accidents

Rob Gronovius

 

 

the doog

 this baby is REAL, not just a "World of Tanks" fantasy creation (a sad trend, in my opinion )

 

 

 

 

I don't know, I see it as a positive trend. World of Tanks has gotten gamers to try building model tanks. They are more concerned with replicating their in game tank than accuracy in the model kit. Therefore models that were once panned by modelers have found a second life with gamers unconcerned with accuracy buying the kits to get in game goodies or just wanting to build "their tank".

It's also opened up a fresh vein of casual modelers flowing into the hobby.

Another benefit is that companies will start creating new kits of tanks that appear in game that haven't been done to death like the Tigers and Shermans. We're getting new kits of tanks that existed in prototypes only. This gives more fuel to the modelers who like to do "what if" kits or Luft '46 type builds.

More modelers and more models; I fail to see the downside.

 

I guess what annoys me is that they're releasing these ridiculously upgunned Panthers et al with gun barrels that are 30 feet long, instead of giving us some more cool offerings like this and my long-hoped-for M55 and the various cool Cold War US stuff that we're sorely lacking. But, really, I must admit that they seem to be noticing this stuff too. Maybe we'll finally get a good M55 and some of those cool little SPGs and APCs and whatnot from that era.

More modelers is definitely a good thing. I guess that I may underestimate the appeal of these WoT models; most people I talk to aren't interested in them, but it just may be the crowd that I'm in. :)

PANZERJAGER

 

 

 

As en example of a WOT build I did;

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/3/t/161366.aspx

Just my

 

Gamera

Awesome!!! 

I looked at this when it first came out but was put off by the bad reviews and that same thread on Armorama. Looking forward to how you solve the issues here. 

I can see the points here about WoT but I'm just happy to see new experimental and rare AFVs that aren't German for a change. I picked up Takom's new T30/34 and T29 and they're beautiful kits, pretty darn good reviews too. 

 

stikpusher

I am in league with Rob and Gamera. Why not do all the "what ifs?" and prototypes that are non third Reich that are inspired by WOT. Especially if it creates new kits and brings in new blood. I am happy to see all these long neglected AFVs from the West coming out. 

This project looks like a real sweet one! Looks like an M48 hull with one high speed wazoo new dangled turret.

 

Another area you may want to address is the missing mud release holes on the rear sprockets.

"Another area you may want to address is the missing mud release holes on the rear sprockets." -- HEAVYARTY

Oh dear, THOSE again! lol, I had to do that on my old M48 that I did here too. Yup; consider it done. Thanks again, Gino. I appreciate that call out as well. :)

Looking forward to seeing what you do with this one....return rollers on the top hull, interesting.

Hello Karl!

I'll be watching, too - good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

I can understand some of the whining. Dragon is an established model manufacturing company that has done some of the best model kits of some subjects. Then they drop the ball and kick it into a pile of manure with some kits. This is one of several that have been ripped.

It is almost like they have two development teams. An A-Team that puts out kits like their Tiger, Abrams, M48A3 and many of their German armor kits.

Then there's a B-Team that can't quite get it right. They put out the M60A2, M103, Saladin, and others like it.

I am thankful for their non-panzer kits regardless of quality. I really like the MBT70 even though it has been dismissed as middling.

Thanks, Josiah and Pawel! Nice to see you guys here again!

ygmodeler4

....return rollers on the top hull, interesting. 

Thay are not really on the top hull.  They are on the upper portion of the lower hull. Because of the design of the M48 hull, which has a prominent bulged "waistline" to deflect rounds, Dragon divided the lower hull into a top and bottom section.  The return rollers are on this top section of the lower hull.

Dragon's top and bottom section of lower hull.  The triangles on the sides of the top section are where the return rollers attach, just under the fenders, like all other tanks.

Rob Gronovius

I can understand some of the whining. Dragon is an established model manufacturing company that has done some of the best model kits of some subjects. Then they drop the ball and kick it into a pile of manure with some kits. This is one of several that have been ripped.

It is almost like they have two development teams. An A-Team that puts out kits like their Tiger, Abrams, M48A3 and many of their German armor kits.

Then there's a B-Team that can't quite get it right. They put out the M60A2, M103, Saladin, and others like it.

I am thankful for their non-panzer kits regardless of quality. I really like the MBT70 even though it has been dismissed as middling.

 

The things that really irritate me are the steps-back, like the return to rubber band style tracks---especially ones that consistently don't fit; gimmicky things like "workable suspension" and the inscrutable decision by companies to make "workable tracks" but not just plain indy-link sets. I would LOVE to be able to throw a set of regular indy link tracks on this, and other, tanks without having to go through the fiddly process of assembling "workable" tracks that aren't EVER going to "work" at all. I think that if you did a quick survey, there's maybe one out of 1,000 modelers out there who actually articulate their suspension in a diorama. I just don't understand the trend.

I agree w/you Doog.  These whiners have been spoiled by the latest kits and are only assemblers.  Most of them couldn't fix the simplest problems and are not really modelers. Like you say, most of these "huge issues" are really minor and can be fixed w/some old school modeling skill.  I am happy that these new kits are coming out, even if they are not perfect.  I can fix them if I choose to.

Lol, could be worse though- if you'll excuse me for going a little off subject here Karl. 

Sitting here looking at Italeri's Chinese Type 59 in the WoT box on HobbyLink Japan- they've got it priced at 5,800 Yen or $52.25 US. I had assumed this was Trumpeter's old Type 59 that I got off Ebay for $12.00 US. Which is frankly highway robbery for Italeri. The brand new Takom Type 59/69 (contains hull and turret parts to build either tank) is only 4,800 Yen or $43.24 US. 

So a twenty year old Trumpeter kit is priced higher than a brand new Takom kit just because it says WoT on the box!?!!? 

And then I look for a review on the Italeri 'Type 59'..... And I was wrong- it's not the Trumpeter Type 59 kit. It's actually the late '80s ESCI T-55A 

Which the Chinese copied the Type 59 from, but still the details aren't right. I suppose some will sell to people unwilling to look the blasted thing up and get a review though...

So basically I can buy the brand spanking new Takom Type 59 or pay ten bucks more for a thirty year old ECSI kit of a different tank in a Type 59 box!?!?! 

PS: The Italeri kit does come with a bottle of cement, poster, and tank guide, and decals that match those in the game. Probably worth maybe five bucks??? And a coupon for 30 days premium time in the game which is worth a fair bit but would be probably cheaper to buy separtly. 

Again sorry for going off subject but gee whiz, Dragon ain't got nuttin' on Italeri here... 

I also agree, but I also see why they complain; yes the kits are better than the Renwal armor and Aurora armor I grew up with, some of the old Monogram are superior. The few 1/32 scale Airfix kits from 1976 are better. But it is 2017, not 1960, and the company has produced awesome models in the past.

They could do better; the guys who do their superb kits could probably knock these out the ball park.