PanzerWomble

I've not built that one in particular, but all of Airfix's 1/35 armour ( apart from the Cromwell) are re pops of older Academy models . I have built the Airfix M3 Grant re-popped from Academy and that was good , I also have the M36 to build and reckon that looks ok too . No reason to think the Airfix KT will not be good as well . The KT looks like it has link and length tracks which is nicer than rubber ones, and easier than individual links . I have built a few KTs , the Meng and Hobbyboss are both really good in my opinion , the Tamiya can also build into a nice model with a bit of thought. If you can pick it up cheap the Airfix is probably good value but if you are paying 30-40 Euros there is probably better ones to buy would be my observation ? Here is my panzer next to Dollinger's a few years ago ... Hals und Beinbruch !

I kid you not .... yes...... I did work for them as the global packaging buyer ... yes ....there were in circulation 3 large 48 cavity moulds for this product....... each costing £300K back in 2001 ....and yes the packaging launch completely flopped....... pardon the pun . where are these moulds now , broken up in 2002. Ooops wil; stop here..... have really gone full thread drift, missed this was on a build thread - sorry ...

Typically you test markets and fit/ packing trials etc with samples made from aluminium moulds which are much cheaper than proper steel ones. My knowledge is 10 years ago , but pilot aluminium would be £6-10K and good for 2-3000 impressions before they wear out ...full production £80-90 K...make as many as you need......so if you need to change anything with the design that is a cheap way of finding out . Cutting aluminium obviously a lot easier than tool steel . The mould last less time because they often have only basic cooling circuits. Entirely speculation on my part but looking at the pix on Dacos website can't 100% say for sure , but looking at the 3rd pic down they look to have had had cooling issues with that run as the plastic is charred black . Either that or they got carried away with the mould release ! It's all single cavity as well which suggests test shots ...although , I'm not familiar with model kit production so that maybe normal practice on low volume machines ? Disclaimer All my knowledge comes from buying packaging in relatively high volumes , not model kits

My guess - as iti is am IM kit , that the first run was on cheap alumium piloy tooling as a test, and it will take a while ( and 5000 impression) to make / justify proper tooling

Still on the ration card then huh ?

I wouldn't have had the gall to ask for one for Xmas , nor any idea what to do with it when I got it .... hairy sticks and a pile of little airfix tins in the 1970's

£130 for a 1/16 Elephant .."The Ultimate in Kits "...and new Triumph motorcycle was around £700 in 1974

FYI Sometimes building a simple jig to align it all can be helpful . Also might be worth looking at the work of Alexander Pedan for some inspiration ?, he's made some great trucks over the years, although been quiet for a while .

I find all this old look at the hobby quite fascinating . Squadron Leader Miller ......a bit of a silly arse ... The odd Centurion I've seen on a target range a coupe of years ago !

Fascinating , thank you . Love your research 👍

I can't imagine what this crazy paintscheme did to the minds of the "oh so Korrect" Feldwebels ... Reminds me of assembly ships ! Looking good 👍

It's done . Was I overwhelmed by the wonderful ATOM paints ...nope ....does the world need yet another over weathered Tiger tank...probably not , but it will sell on easily. AMMO Atom paints, MIG pigments, hand done Zimm , Precision I&S snow effect for frost ( sadly they went bust two years ago apparently ) Back something a bit more interesting .

Just can't find MRP in the UK , the places that sell them are all out of stock mostly ,.......apart from purplegreenflourescent....🥺 I've couple of bottles of Light Gull Grey I managed to snare, but thats it . Personally don't like the regular Ammo paints much , to much like trying to spray Vallejo ..rubbery ...and these ATOMS ....ok ish ....not quite the game changer I was expecting . I'll play around with what I've bought to see if I can get into the groove with them ...but yeah I was kinda underwhelmed. Anyhoo it's finished ..RFI here ..

Harvesting mighty pine branches

That's some really nice chipping there . 👍

A great finish on that one Kevin . Very authentic .

What a great choice, lovely model to make , and I'd never considered they were used in the desert. 😀

Superlative work ! This critique of Albatros as a comabt aircraft may be interesting , Greg is generally on point for research .

Thats one heck of a model, looks like a really great moulding from MENG . I did their King Tiger and Panther , both were really good well researched models , your helo looks the same

Is that an M60 under all the ERA ? Go for it Carl - this GB is certainly bringing out the interesting subjects 😀

I don't know so much about their paint , I know them more from "chemicals" like this track potion . I also tried their varnishes ( ok but nothing to write home about ) and a product called ballast freeze which is a great way of securing loose scatter , rocks etc to a diorama. The irony of MRP being widely available in the US but not in the UK is crazy given where it comes from ...but hey ho . Have a crack at the Zimm .....you can't make a proper Panther without it really ...

Lovely build Mike - do you know what's the story behind the paint scheme , was it peeling off or a deliberate effect ?

Zippergawa ....

I've the odd bottle , and they are lovely but yes, getting hold of them is a nightmare post Brexit . I'm too tight to pucker up and buy them from Cz. 🥺

Cheers Mike The product is VMS Black Track Pro 2.0 and is specifically designed to burnish pot metal tracks . It works well and quickly , and the 200ml bottle will do 2-3 sets of tracks before the results slope off and you need to buy a new bottle . I like the look it gives , it's rarely uniform , its very robust , and it a great base for further weathering .