Tank Transporters

Here's a builtup review of it, including instructions on how to fix the axle being mounted backwards, plus some ref pics:
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/models/vehicles/tr00203const.htm

Here's a link which will help you with the Faun.

http://www.panzer-modell.de/referenz/in_detail/franziska/franziska.htm

The Trumpeter Faun is an impressive kit.

I've built about 160+ parts and have only gotten a good start on the lower suspension.

It is not Tamiya quality so test fitting is the order of the day. It also has more than it's share of knock-out marks. Many of which are visible on the completed kit and will need to be filled.

There is a mistake on the rear axle. Do a search for the Faun here on FSM and you will get a few hits. One of those hits is an article explaining the mistake on the rear axle. The person who wrote this article is dead on about how you have to fix this. I was too far ahead by the time I found the article and had to live with the mistake.

The kit is definitely buildable.

Go for it! You don't grow if you don't stretch!!!

Good Luck.

The Faun is nice, but y'know, I can still understand wanting to do a US or UK HET. The German stuff is cool, but they are kind of chocolate soldiers these days. (That's what the Israelis call them, as a matter of fact.) I think that explains the relative lack of interest in the big Leo 2 from Tamiya. Imagine if that thing were an M1A2. This board would be hoppin', that's for sure.

A recent issue of TMMI had a buildup article of this beast, and Larry you are quite right, the quality and sheer complexity of the kit makes the price SOMEWHAT understandable. I still think it wouldn't matter much if a hundred were knocked off that price.
bilbirk, I very strongly suggest you take a look at the Faun transporter that was released by Trumpeter. It too is a venerable beast, measuring more than half a metre when built, and is an excellent model to boot. Plus, you can get it for $100 US.

Here's a link to the Trumpeter site of the Faun. It'll show you the parts layout, contents of box, etc. If you want some more info, let me know.

http://www.trumpeter-china.com/en/menu/tank/1-35/00203.htm

Yeah the guy that scratchbuilt that did an excellent job. I already have the Famo with the trailer a Dragon Wagon and also the M26. Thats why i would like to have a Het. But the prices is too rich for me. I wish we could get Tamiya or Dragon or Trumpeter to bring one out. We need em to move our armor around

I think the prices of the AA transporters are really up there in the stratosphere, but I can understand why they are. They do very nice resin castings (and happily replace any miscast pieces), and this thing has some very big and complicated resin parts. And lots and lots of them, at that. The HET makes the FAMO + trailer look like a toy!

Scratch-built? That's a hell of a feat. I too am humbled by it.

QUOTE: can always find room for one more model, even if it is huge. I will make room if I have too, or build another shelf. I just can't justify $400+ for a model.

I just bought another shelf, so I need something to fill it with, but I completely agree with you on the price front. I think these prices are ridiculously high. And consider that those are US funds you're talking about. It's even worse for me, having to convert that to a Canadian equivalent. Suffice to say, I can pay my transportation costs to and from school for a year for the price of this kit.

Oh man, look at that thing! Scratch built! I bow to the dude who made it.

QUOTE: Originally posted by wipw All you guys are talking is money! If that's the only thing holding you up from building these beasts, I'd hate/love to see your display areas! You guys have detached buildings to show off your models?? LOL

I can always find room for one more model, even if it is huge. I will make room if I have too, or build another shelf. I just can't justify $400+ for a model.

Here is a pic of one from a recent show. If I remember correctly the description on the card said it was pretty much scratch built.

All you guys are talking is money! If that's the only thing holding you up from building these beasts, I'd hate/love to see your display areas! You guys have detached buildings to show off your models?? LOL

UK rig has a different profile on the front end and the trailer is actually longer than the US M1000 trailer.
Here it is:

Here is the US HET:


Both are way to rich for my blood too.

As Larry suggested, go for the Faun, if you want modern stuff. It's quite reasonably priced, especially for what you get, and trust me, you get a lot. I got mine when it came out. I haven't built it, as I don't quite have 4 months to dedicate to it. There's more than 800 peices in the kit, and it really looks superb. I saw a few of them built up, and they are really massive.
If you pick it up, let us know, I have a couple of good resources for the Faun online.

If you're looking for older tank transporters, there's the famo and trailer from tamiya, the dragon wagon from tamiya. By the way, also a bit more modern is the chinese tank transporter also by Trumpeter. It's an ok kit. I built that one as well. Quite a beast as well, and definitely something different.

If you're specifically looking for the HET, I'm afraid that Acurate Armour is the only way to go. I wish someone would release this kit in plastic, as AA is ridiculously expensive.

You can't link from the AA site, so I couldn't post the pic of the UK rig, but it looks the same to me

Just checked. It's $72 from greatmodels. Still a chunk of change, but it is a huge, complex model. I wonder if it's a copy of the Accurate kit of the Faun?

http://www.greatmodels.com/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=tp203

And of course, you have to put something on top of it. Heh heh.

Maybe the Faun from Trumpeter will be more in your price range? I don't know how much it costs, but Trump's stuff is usually pretty reasonable. They use slave labor and pass the savings on to you!

I'd love to do the giant HET that Accurate makes. It looks so cool. But I'm in resin truck overload right now.

They just released the British Army one too, for the Challenger 2. It's on their news page, and includes a photo.