Good video!!! The CONES are for forming the STAR-shaped antenna's used on command vehicles. Appears that this can be built into a command version of the Panzer J. Dragon used to offer those things in a lot of their kits depicting command vehicles and also provide the wire to make the antennae's. you would place the wire over the hollow opening of the larger cone and then insert the smaller cone into the larger, thus getting the correct bend on the wires.
I vote for you to build everything. Starting with that PL-01 that I absolutely love the look of. Keep as many videos as you, coming because we all need them in these rough times
Its a pity shops selling kits can't be open they would have massive sales because everyone is so bored lol and have noticed that the kits of today are far better quality than when i first started modelling 45 years ago greetings from steve in England to you and all who watch 🇬🇧💓🇺🇲👍
@@mikewood4242 just have done my friend and it might sound silly but its not just the making of the kit. But part of the deal for me was the going out in person and choosing the kits. Might just have been me though lol
@@steveholmes5207 I also enjoy going to the hobby shops and looking at all the various choices of kits on the shelves. Also enjoy talking with the shop owners and any persons that may be visiting the stores as well.
If there ever was a time when "let's get started" cheered me up, this is the that time, during these ceazy days, it really put a smile in my face! Stay safe and tell Luka Cee that we're all asking for him! Looks like a great kit! Great review as always! 👍🏻👌🏻👏🏻
Thank you for your time and effort. I love that you go through these kits with us. I have watched your Channel from the beginning and will continue watching all the time. I would like to see the instructions a little more in detail and displayed at a slower rate. Thank you.
Thanks Andy, It's really nice to see that your doing well, and hope the same for your family. Thank you for taking the time to show the kit and provide your insight. Right now I'm working on the Border Model Panzer IV F1. 3in1. I will be checking out your build video on that for sure. Thanks again.
Normally build 1/700 scale ships but I've been looking to branch out. Watched your review of this kit and ordered one from you, along with the Fruil track set. Looking forward to a new experience.
Andy i saw your review on this kid a pick it up. WOW there is a lot of parts and cant wait to see when you build this kit. It toke me 2 months to build this kit. i hope you dont have the issues i had with the PS parts. lots of very small pieces. overall it was a great kit.
Thank you Andy for these videos, they're helping me through my isolation. I was about to drive down from Fresno to visit your store, then you announced your closure. The timing wasn't right. Take care!
I got it from you the same day it arrived. It is a great kit. One thing though check your references. For instance I will build mine as "Black 11". Which had a different idler wheel and different brake inspections hatches. than those that the kit says. Luckily are the right parts also included. It is easily the best Pz IV J out there.
Good to see you again Andy! 3:54 Those parts are the helper shapes to bend the PE antenna parts I beileve. :) This kit looks really amazing. I have it in my stash. Of course, the PE mesh screens grab my attention at first. But hey, it's an RFM kit. Not as great as Tamiya but It's one of my favourite scale model company. However... those workable track links not the best IMHO. The mechanism to lock the links are very similar to the RFM Panther's track links and they were very easy to break. Eventually, I had to order metal tracks for it. On the other hand, the RFM Sherman Easy Eight has a great working track link system which is strong and hard to break. As you mentioned in one of your previous videos: the link and length tracks are the best option (after the white metal tracks of course).
So just a follow-up on my comment from 2 weeks ago. Got this kit & tracks in late last week (thanks for the quick turnaround!) and started building on Sunday night. What an amazing kit! The instructions are amazingly clear and easy to follow. The parts quality is excellent, virtually no flash, hole sizes match pin sizes, super-sharp details. And the kit itself goes together like a Swiss watch, the fit is just spot on. This is my first tank build in over 30 years (normally I build 1/700 ships) but I'll be back for some more Ryefield armor when I'm looking for a change-of-pace in the future. Looking forward to your build video on this too.
Looks like a very nice kit. The track assembly is very similar as in their Sturmtiger kit, except you don't have to attach the guide horns, two on each track, gah :D. Here in Sweden we are, as you all probably have heard, not in lockdown, those that can work from are doing that and the rest are going to work as usual. I think that people that have any of the symptoms are staying home, haven't heard anyone coughing in the stores. I kinda wish that we were in lockdown so that I could get some modelling done :D Stay safe everyone!
I prefer the BorderModel Pv 4 J. The details on this RFM Kit are nice, and if you want to build the Beobachtungswagen (observation vehicle) or you can wait a few month until RFM will release the full interior kit it‘s a good choice. But I was actually a little disappointed by some fitment issues on both hull and turret. Also on some of the smaller and small parts you need to clean up a lot for such a newly tooled kit. Both fitment and quality of the parts is better on the Border Model Kit. If I made a lot of mistakes, I‘m sorry. Englisch isn‘t my native language. Greetings from Germany. Happy modelling an stay safe guys!
This kit has been on my "wish list",( with a certain online hobby shop in USA), for sometime. But when i have been trying to order, it gets sold out. So looking for a outfit in USA to order from. Also i noticed MBK, from Germany did a review, but in German language. Thanks, great video. Stay safe all.
This time last year I was at your store and your were working on the Tamiya M10 British Achilles we forgot to do the intro just before I left. I didnt leave empty handed bought that amazing Acadmy M1A2 V2 Abrams.
Thanks Andy . It's made me pick up my Dragon p.z 4 h that's been waiting attention. Rfm do great kits and the prices are pretty good in Britain . I hope you are well. M
I was looking in the box of this I'm my hobby shop last week it looks really nice with the shurziun skirts n the star PE antenna same as tiger 1 inwent back a couple hours to get it n it was gone lol but have got him to order another! I got the ARV churchill Dappie raid version instead haha!
Thanks for the review/sprue (actually runner) tour. Can you please include expected cost information as a “ standard” portion of you4 videos. ( Yes, we also appreciate the expected availability date/status material as well) Hoping all is/stays well with you and yours.
Great video Andy!!!! I am impressed with that Panzer IV . The tracks , pins appear to be friction fit? No glue required? Anyway workable looks great! Thank you Andy your videos are always top notch and fun!!!! I appreciate it them Andy . And your effort to do them!!! Keep them coming And yeah build up the KV 1 ....weathering it ....heavy Andy it's a Russian beast I cant wait for that one!!! Cheers!!!!
Good video. I've subscribed approx. a year now, and I don't recall you mentioning Ryefield until a few months ago, or am I wrong. This is a kit I'd like to see built sooner rather than later. Heck I haven't built a kit in a long (2X) time, maybe I should buy one + paint online Take care. Adios
Hey Andy I have been working on this kit for a few weeks now and found a small problem I think you need to know about if you're going to build it the holes on the tracks on some of mine needed to be drilled out or the track pins will bend
Found the same from the Takom 1/16 Panzer I. Found I had a piece of metal the same diameter in the shed. Would slide that in the joined tracks and then chase it out with the plastic pin. Was super quick.
Can you build another diorama after one of these new kits you build? I never done a diorama before and I plan on using your older videos for guidance. Thank you!
Hi Andy. I was wondering what the big hole in the bottom of the hull was for. Escape hatch? Seems close to the side for that. Also I like it when you include the retail price in your videos. Keep 'em coming!
Hey andy, I ordered some mig products last week from your online store. Mig acrylic mud, pigments, and enamel mud. Do you sign All of the cards in the box you send, telling us thank you? I will be ordering another order soon. Do you have as anymore wingnut wings kits? And tell me about the gecko model tanks, have you built one yet?
If any one can help im not having good luck with with kits of the Sukhoi Su-9 in 1/72 scale both the cooperative and the leoman kits are bad horrible fit and vague instructions . Is A-model's kit of this aircraft any better?
Hi there Andy and your followers, your videos are very informative and helpful, last year I’ve posted here that I was a very basic very beginner, one year have past and thanks for your tips I’ve improved A lot, however I am having problems with the glues, parts of vehicles and soldiers I’ve built last year are coming off without any contact with heavy objects, they just come off for no apparent reason (that I know), if you guys can give me a helpful advise, I’ll be eternally grateful. Once again, cheers from Japan and thanks in advance and sorry for any inconvenience, Ciao! 🙇♂️
Mario Treglia. Mario, Andy’s older videos are also a goldmine of information - especially his build videos. Watch which type of adhesives are used, and how he applies them. Good luck and best wishes, David.
There is a "correction of mistakes for the parts" paper in the box, beware of that, please. and the individual track links working so well with the Tamiya 35367 35353 35340 35335.
Andy, the problem is that for many recent kits I'd love to build them but I really really don't have the inclination to spend days trying to assemble fully moving individual track links (especially those where there are two or more parts per individual link). On top of these, I have also bought after-market tracks with although they exhibit very well engineered links that are supposed to articulate, but in reality don't completely work, no matter how careful I've been. I've seen them come apart after assembly and end up glueing them together anyway. I really don't like photo-etch either, especially the very small super detail pieces theatre so easy to distort or destroy by accident. I can list a litany of good ideas and super detailed parts, which have just been too fragile for plastic holding and have damaged removing them from the sprue. I bought several Ryefield and Meng models (amongst others) that are still in my work in progress pile back in their boxes in my storage area before realising that whilst these manufacturers continue to force super detailing on me, involuntarily, I'm not going to waste anymore of my money on them. For new armour kits the choice for new models is pretty limited if you aren't concerned about super details, but want a fun and relatively relaxing build.
Hi Nick. Yes, building the more complicated kits can begin to feel like work, rather than a way to relax at home when you have some free time. For those who, like you, look for a more relaxing build, Tamiya is what you should be purchasing. The quality of the plastic is excellent, there are virtually no fit issues, the parts are free of flash or defects, and the instructions are very clear & almost completely free of errors. Also, pay attention to the tank you wish to model. Generally, early WWII tanks from all nations tended to be smaller, manufactured with multiple armour plates that were bolted or welded together, and had more external details . That means you're more likely going to have more small fiddly parts & assembly may be more complicated (This especially so German & British tanks). The bigger late-war German tank kits may be a better choice, e.g. Jagdpanther, Jagdtiger, Tiger II, Jagdpanzer IV, Elephant, and the like. Also, most WWII Soviet tanks tend to be straightforward builds, e.g. T34/76, T34/85, KV-1, SU-76, SU-85,, JS-152, etc., so look for Andy's vids about Soviet armour. I you haven't already done so, l shall encourage you to check out all of the in-box reviews & builds of Tamiya tanks that Andy has done. They'll give you an clear idea of how involved each build will be, and you can decide what kit would be best for you. ☺
@@derekbaker3279 derek. I only wish Tamiya weren't so slow at bringing out new models or have such a limited range of kits they model. I love there Panzer III (having made the L and M/N variants), but I really want an early war E model to build (I built a Dragon one which was one of their earlier ones which wasn't great imo). Tamiya also need to remodel their Shermans and T-34 range as well ! I stocked early on making the Gecko A-9 and the Bronco A-13. The individual track links for both are so small that I can't envisage the hours needed to be spent assembling the damn things. No real choice with wither of the emodels - individual track links or nothing at all.
@@nickbrough8335 I agree re: Tamiya expanding their range, updating old kits, andadding new ones. I wonder if their slow progress is a result of their military models branch being just one of many branches in the corporation. It's a relatively large & diverse range of products! BTW, the Gecko A10 variants caught my eye when they were first announced. What was your opinion of the fit, accuracy, detail, instructions, etc for theGecko model you built?
@@derekbaker3279 My initial impression is very good. I don't think there instructions are as clear as they could be (eg there is a "shelf" within the interior of the hull below the turret opening and the actual way it fits seems to run counter to the diagram). My other complaint is that the suspension coil springs are moulded with real gaps (which looks fantastic), but I found it impossible to remove hem fro the sprue without breaking the springs (although if you take the effort to ensure they break in a single piece then it isn't a big issue to fix in practice). I lack the patience to make the most of the kit, but I think it will reward a very careful modeller with a fine end product.
@@nickbrough8335 Thanks Nick. IMHO, early war/pre-El Alamein British/Commonwealth AFVs have been under-represented in plastic model kits, so it's nice that Gecko has gotten off to a satisfactory start in terms of quality. ☺
Ladas Mlynek It’s generally cheaper for a company to make one sprue of parts that cover multiple models, rather than make multiple sprue. So you’re not really paying any extra for parts you don’t use, if anything the kits would cost more otherwise.
So here we go with yet another standard Panzer IV. When will somebody take on the Panzer IV mit Hydrostatischem Antrieb? You`ve had one sitting at the U.S. Army tank museum for years. Make a kit of this please.
Hello Andy, there are some videos from your Ytb Channel uploaded to Bilibili in China, you make very good videos but it's better that if you could load the subtitle so that we could both your videos better to understand and to learn English ;-)
I believe the CONES are straw hats for the crew, they were often given to them by the Chinese paddy field workers when they invaded Nepal, nice little detail.
I don’t understand all the interest in German, Russian, and Japanese tanks. It looks like that makes up the majority of the builds I see on your channel and a lot of kits I see in hobby stores. I’m just getting re-interested in modeling and I’m surprised at the emphasis on foreign military models instead of US.
Could be the standard u.s tanks were a bit boring in comparison . If you look , there are modern kits of all the main u.s tanks from ww1 too today and many experimental vehicles also . Andy mainly reviews new kit releases and they can be from any country or era. M
Good video!!! The CONES are for forming the STAR-shaped antenna's used on command vehicles. Appears that this can be built into a command version of the Panzer J. Dragon used to offer those things in a lot of their kits depicting command vehicles and also provide the wire to make the antennae's. you would place the wire over the hollow opening of the larger cone and then insert the smaller cone into the larger, thus getting the correct bend on the wires.
Cant wait to see this built and painted!
The cones are for forming the command antennas. I also noticed Artillery command spare cupola too.Really looking forward to this one.
When is it out?
@@ndenyer I bought this model kit several months ago.
I vote for you to build everything. Starting with that PL-01 that I absolutely love the look of. Keep as many videos as you, coming because we all need them in these rough times
Looking forward to the build of this one! Always had a soft spot for panzer IIIs and IVs. And Stugs.
Its a pity shops selling kits can't be open they would have massive sales because everyone is so bored lol and have noticed that the kits of today are far better quality than when i first started modelling 45 years ago greetings from steve in England to you and all who watch 🇬🇧💓🇺🇲👍
online sales buddy
Order online and curbside pick up is what he hobby shop here is doing
@@mikewood4242 just have done my friend and it might sound silly but its not just the making of the kit. But part of the deal for me was the going out in person and choosing the kits. Might just have been me though lol
@@steveholmes5207 I also enjoy going to the hobby shops and looking at all the various choices of kits on the shelves. Also enjoy talking with the shop owners and any persons that may be visiting the stores as well.
Thanks Andy! I'm gonna use your EU shop for some of my shopping :D
But of course I'll also support my local hobbyshops as we all should!
just got the build done on this - very nice kit.
If there ever was a time when "let's get started" cheered me up, this is the that time, during these ceazy days, it really put a smile in my face! Stay safe and tell Luka Cee that we're all asking for him!
Looks like a great kit!
Great review as always! 👍🏻👌🏻👏🏻
I have have this one. Thanks Andy!
This is truly an outstanding kit. I believe you can build 3 different versions of a late J. This Ryefield kits are really coming into their own.
Those cone shapes are to bend the Star Antenna on command versions. This looks like a GREAT Kit can't wait to build one!
Thank you for your time and effort. I love that you go through these kits with us. I have watched your Channel from the beginning and will continue watching all the time. I would like to see the instructions a little more in detail and displayed at a slower rate. Thank you.
Looks like a great kit, hate the tracks though. Hope you build this soon Andy
Thanks Andy, It's really nice to see that your doing well, and hope the same for your family. Thank you for taking the time to show the kit and provide your insight. Right now I'm working on the Border Model Panzer IV F1. 3in1. I will be checking out your build video on that for sure. Thanks again.
Normally build 1/700 scale ships but I've been looking to branch out. Watched your review of this kit and ordered one from you, along with the Fruil track set. Looking forward to a new experience.
Andy i saw your review on this kid a pick it up. WOW there is a lot of parts and cant wait to see when you build this kit. It toke me 2 months to build this kit. i hope you dont have the issues i had with the PS parts. lots of very small pieces. overall it was a great kit.
Thank you Andy for these videos, they're helping me through my isolation. I was about to drive down from Fresno to visit your store, then you announced your closure. The timing wasn't right. Take care!
Nice un-boxing it looks like a nicely detailed kit thank you for sharin
I got it from you the same day it arrived. It is a great kit. One thing though check your references. For instance I will build mine as "Black 11". Which had a different idler wheel and different brake inspections hatches. than those that the kit says. Luckily are the right parts also included. It is easily the best Pz IV J out there.
RFM, sure make very detailed and beautiful kits. Thanks for sharing Andy.
Good to see you again Andy!
3:54 Those parts are the helper shapes to bend the PE antenna parts I beileve. :)
This kit looks really amazing. I have it in my stash. Of course, the PE mesh screens grab my attention at first. But hey, it's an RFM kit. Not as great as Tamiya but It's one of my favourite scale model company. However... those workable track links not the best IMHO. The mechanism to lock the links are very similar to the RFM Panther's track links and they were very easy to break. Eventually, I had to order metal tracks for it. On the other hand, the RFM Sherman Easy Eight has a great working track link system which is strong and hard to break. As you mentioned in one of your previous videos: the link and length tracks are the best option (after the white metal tracks of course).
I have this kit and you're correct. It's to help shape the antenna PE parts
Great kit, excellent instructions (they should all be this good)! Build it, PLEASE! 😁
I think that cone thing is to help you make the antenna for the Command Tank Version.. I'm not sure but I think Dragon might have used that as well.
That's what I was thinking, a jig to form the star antenna.
If that kit fits together as well as it looks it’s will be amazing. One way to find out...build it Andy.👍
I, too, would like to see some Zvezda kits reviewed and built :)
They seem to be nice kits at an affordable price...................
Zvezda is the "tamiya" of eastern europe.
So just a follow-up on my comment from 2 weeks ago. Got this kit & tracks in late last week (thanks for the quick turnaround!) and started building on Sunday night. What an amazing kit! The instructions are amazingly clear and easy to follow. The parts quality is excellent, virtually no flash, hole sizes match pin sizes, super-sharp details. And the kit itself goes together like a Swiss watch, the fit is just spot on.
This is my first tank build in over 30 years (normally I build 1/700 ships) but I'll be back for some more Ryefield armor when I'm looking for a change-of-pace in the future. Looking forward to your build video on this too.
Looks like a very nice kit. The track assembly is very similar as in their Sturmtiger kit, except you don't have to attach the guide horns, two on each track, gah :D. Here in Sweden we are, as you all probably have heard, not in lockdown, those that can work from are doing that and the rest are going to work as usual. I think that people that have any of the symptoms are staying home, haven't heard anyone coughing in the stores.
I kinda wish that we were in lockdown so that I could get some modelling done :D
Stay safe everyone!
Andy,again always looking forward to your videos and builds.Thanks!
What a fantastic looking kit and i will be getting this one for sure thanks for the video Andy fantastic Steve 🇬🇧
I prefer the BorderModel Pv 4 J. The details on this RFM Kit are nice, and if you want to build the Beobachtungswagen (observation vehicle) or you can wait a few month until RFM will release the full interior kit it‘s a good choice. But I was actually a little disappointed by some fitment issues on both hull and turret. Also on some of the smaller and small parts you need to clean up a lot for such a newly tooled kit. Both fitment and quality of the parts is better on the Border Model Kit. If I made a lot of mistakes, I‘m sorry. Englisch isn‘t my native language. Greetings from Germany. Happy modelling an stay safe guys!
Great video Andy....take care, from the modellers of Great Britain 🇬🇧✌️❤️
These reviews videos are so helpful in deciding what to buy
Hey Andy just made my first order from your website and it's the kit you just reviewed thank you
Hi Troy Stewart! Thank you so much for your support, I greatly appreciate your business.
Hi Andy, 5:38 these are jig for the Star antenna ;)
This kit has been on my "wish list",( with a certain online hobby shop in USA), for sometime. But when i have been trying to order, it gets sold out. So looking for a outfit in USA to order from. Also i noticed MBK, from Germany did a review, but in German language. Thanks, great video. Stay safe all.
This time last year I was at your store and your were working on the Tamiya M10 British Achilles we forgot to do the intro just before I left. I didnt leave empty handed bought that amazing Acadmy M1A2 V2 Abrams.
I love lots of parts but have fun
Looks like a fun build. Just ordered one from your store. Looking forward to building it.
Thanks Andy . It's made me pick up my Dragon p.z 4 h that's been waiting attention. Rfm do great kits and the prices are pretty good in Britain . I hope you are well. M
Thanks for the review of this kit!
Great video.
Thanks for the review, Andy.
But what's the retail on it
those cones are a jig for the photo etch antennas
I was looking in the box of this I'm my hobby shop last week it looks really nice with the shurziun skirts n the star PE antenna same as tiger 1 inwent back a couple hours to get it n it was gone lol but have got him to order another! I got the ARV churchill Dappie raid version instead haha!
Thanks for the review/sprue (actually runner) tour. Can you please include expected cost information as a “ standard” portion of you4 videos. ( Yes, we also appreciate the expected availability date/status material as well)
Hoping all is/stays well with you and yours.
Hopefully you will still have that one at the end of April
Andy what air compressor do you use for your air brush?
Is it possible for you to review some Zvezda?
A really nice and detailed kit if you are only a modeller.If you are a collector also you need more simplified kits!I ll stick with Tamiya!!
Great video Andy!!!!
I am impressed with that Panzer IV .
The tracks , pins appear to be friction fit?
No glue required?
Anyway workable looks great!
Thank you Andy your videos are always top notch and fun!!!!
I appreciate it them Andy .
And your effort to do them!!!
Keep them coming
And yeah build up the KV 1 ....weathering it ....heavy Andy it's a Russian beast
I cant wait for that one!!!
Cheers!!!!
4号戦車はタミヤでもキット化が遅かったなぁ？いい時代だと思います！オススメ👍
Good video. I've subscribed approx. a year now, and I don't recall you mentioning Ryefield until a few months ago, or am I wrong. This is a kit I'd like to see built sooner rather than later. Heck I haven't built a kit in a long (2X) time, maybe I should buy one + paint online Take care. Adios
great video Andy!
Hey Andy I have been working on this kit for a few weeks now and found a small problem I think you need to know about if you're going to build it the holes on the tracks on some of mine needed to be drilled out or the track pins will bend
Found the same from the Takom 1/16 Panzer I. Found I had a piece of metal the same diameter in the shed. Would slide that in the joined tracks and then chase it out with the plastic pin. Was super quick.
Are you going to build this soon? Maybe this month?
Heck, could you give a direct link to the product when you do a review? I can never find it on your site...
Can you build another diorama after one of these new kits you build? I never done a diorama before and I plan on using your older videos for guidance. Thank you!
Andy I didn't see any clear parts are there any?
Thank you, sir! Good job!
I see a few different variants of the pnzr 4 chassis in the future from rye field
Can’t wait for this!!!
Great review Andy!!!
Hi Andy. I was wondering what the big hole in the bottom of the hull was for. Escape hatch? Seems close to the side for that. Also I like it when you include the retail price in your videos. Keep 'em coming!
MARTIN Barr Maybe for making an RC version or something? Pretty certain that’s not something present on the real thing.
I Didn't Hear ANY Price,,,,
Hey andy, I ordered some mig products last week from your online store. Mig acrylic mud, pigments, and enamel mud. Do you sign All of the cards in the box you send, telling us thank you? I will be ordering another order soon. Do you have as anymore wingnut wings kits? And tell me about the gecko model tanks, have you built one yet?
Great video 👍!
Pz III J, Sold out? I can't find it on the web site.
Thank you kindly, i was thinking about buying this
If any one can help im not having good luck with with kits of the Sukhoi Su-9 in 1/72 scale both the cooperative and the leoman kits are bad horrible fit and vague instructions . Is A-model's kit of this aircraft any better?
Great show!, Curious though, what are the cone shaped parts for?, Did you find out?.
Hi there Andy and your followers, your videos are very informative and helpful, last year I’ve posted here that I was a very basic very beginner, one year have past and thanks for your tips I’ve improved A lot, however I am having problems with the glues, parts of vehicles and soldiers I’ve built last year are coming off without any contact with heavy objects, they just come off for no apparent reason (that I know), if you guys can give me a helpful advise, I’ll be eternally grateful.
Once again, cheers from Japan and thanks in advance and sorry for any inconvenience, Ciao! 🙇♂️
Mario Treglia. Mario, Andy’s older videos are also a goldmine of information - especially his build videos. Watch which type of adhesives are used, and how he applies them. Good luck and best wishes, David.
David Smithson Will do so! Thanks for the tip David!
Better than the Border kit.
Would Love to see this one built!
There is a "correction of mistakes for the parts" paper in the box, beware of that, please. and the individual track links working so well with the Tamiya 35367 35353 35340 35335.
Andy, the problem is that for many recent kits I'd love to build them but I really really don't have the inclination to spend days trying to assemble fully moving individual track links (especially those where there are two or more parts per individual link). On top of these, I have also bought after-market tracks with although they exhibit very well engineered links that are supposed to articulate, but in reality don't completely work, no matter how careful I've been. I've seen them come apart after assembly and end up glueing them together anyway. I really don't like photo-etch either, especially the very small super detail pieces theatre so easy to distort or destroy by accident. I can list a litany of good ideas and super detailed parts, which have just been too fragile for plastic holding and have damaged removing them from the sprue.
I bought several Ryefield and Meng models (amongst others) that are still in my work in progress pile back in their boxes in my storage area before realising that whilst these manufacturers continue to force super detailing on me, involuntarily, I'm not going to waste anymore of my money on them. For new armour kits the choice for new models is pretty limited if you aren't concerned about super details, but want a fun and relatively relaxing build.
Hi Nick. Yes, building the more complicated kits can begin to feel like work, rather than a way to relax at home when you have some free time. For those who, like you, look for a more relaxing build, Tamiya is what you should be purchasing. The quality of the plastic is excellent, there are virtually no fit issues, the parts are free of flash or defects, and the instructions are very clear & almost completely free of errors.
Also, pay attention to the tank you wish to model. Generally, early WWII tanks from all nations tended to be smaller, manufactured with multiple armour plates that were bolted or welded together, and had more external details . That means you're more likely going to have more small fiddly parts & assembly may be more complicated (This especially so German & British tanks). The bigger late-war German tank kits may be a better choice, e.g. Jagdpanther, Jagdtiger, Tiger II, Jagdpanzer IV, Elephant, and the like. Also, most WWII Soviet tanks tend to be straightforward builds, e.g. T34/76, T34/85, KV-1, SU-76, SU-85,, JS-152, etc., so look for Andy's vids about Soviet armour.
I you haven't already done so, l shall encourage you to check out all of the in-box reviews & builds of Tamiya tanks that Andy has done. They'll give you an clear idea of how involved each build will be, and you can decide what kit would be best for you. ☺
@@derekbaker3279 derek. I only wish Tamiya weren't so slow at bringing out new models or have such a limited range of kits they model. I love there Panzer III (having made the L and M/N variants), but I really want an early war E model to build (I built a Dragon one which was one of their earlier ones which wasn't great imo). Tamiya also need to remodel their Shermans and T-34 range as well !
I stocked early on making the Gecko A-9 and the Bronco A-13. The individual track links for both are so small that I can't envisage the hours needed to be spent assembling the damn things. No real choice with wither of the emodels - individual track links or nothing at all.
@@nickbrough8335 I agree re: Tamiya expanding their range, updating old kits, andadding new ones. I wonder if their slow progress is a result of their military models branch being just one of many branches in the corporation. It's a relatively large & diverse range of products!
BTW, the Gecko A10 variants caught my eye when they were first announced. What was your opinion of the fit, accuracy, detail, instructions, etc for theGecko model you built?
@@derekbaker3279 My initial impression is very good. I don't think there instructions are as clear as they could be (eg there is a "shelf" within the interior of the hull below the turret opening and the actual way it fits seems to run counter to the diagram). My other complaint is that the suspension coil springs are moulded with real gaps (which looks fantastic), but I found it impossible to remove hem fro the sprue without breaking the springs (although if you take the effort to ensure they break in a single piece then it isn't a big issue to fix in practice).
I lack the patience to make the most of the kit, but I think it will reward a very careful modeller with a fine end product.
@@nickbrough8335 Thanks Nick. IMHO, early war/pre-El Alamein British/Commonwealth AFVs have been under-represented in plastic model kits, so it's nice that Gecko has gotten off to a satisfactory start in terms of quality. ☺
Nice kit. Too bad it doesn't have an interior. It would be really cool.
How is it with the "spare parts"? It looks like you would have tuns of them ... And I personaly hate paying for extra parts that I cant even use.
Ladas Mlynek It’s generally cheaper for a company to make one sprue of parts that cover multiple models, rather than make multiple sprue. So you’re not really paying any extra for parts you don’t use, if anything the kits would cost more otherwise.
Looks good kit~
Andy, What is the purpose of the side screens?
I believe the screens are to detonate hollow charge rounds before they reach the hull.
Ok, that makes sense.
Is there photoetched mask for wheels painting is this kit?
no
Try first spraying the wheels with dark gray, then holding a plastic circle template against the wheel, spray the hubs.
omg i want that for my birthday
Can you the uss Iowa battleship
So here we go with yet another standard Panzer IV. When will somebody take on the Panzer IV mit Hydrostatischem Antrieb? You`ve had one sitting at the U.S. Army tank museum for years. Make a kit of this please.
It's a one off . Try scratch building it . It's only the rear end that needs changing from a standard pz.4
Hello Andy, there are some videos from your Ytb Channel uploaded to Bilibili in China, you make very good videos but it's better that if you could load the subtitle so that we could both your videos better to understand and to learn English ;-)
Nice kit but I like Tamiya’s kits
Hi Andy
I believe the CONES are straw hats for the crew, they were often given to them by the Chinese paddy field workers when they invaded Nepal, nice little detail.
the dragon 6757 is still better imo. The mesh is more realistic i think!
Pins are wrong, one side has no head, should have hole and z shape wire to lock it in place. This is why people still search for accessories. :D
I don’t understand all the interest in German, Russian, and Japanese tanks. It looks like that makes up the majority of the builds I see on your channel and a lot of kits I see in hobby stores. I’m just getting re-interested in modeling and I’m surprised at the emphasis on foreign military models instead of US.
Could be the standard u.s tanks were a bit boring in comparison . If you look , there are modern kits of all the main u.s tanks from ww1 too today and many experimental vehicles also . Andy mainly reviews new kit releases and they can be from any country or era. M
Watch you don't mislay that sprue of track pins
Who cares if you are first, it is irrelevant to the topic
First