Small Scale Military Headquarters

It takes quite a while to get used to the different models of M4. Remember the first variation is the engine. Only the M4A1 was identified by its hull. The M4 had a welded hull and the M4A1 had a cast hull (rounded corners), both had a radial engine. M4A2 had two GMC diesels, the M4A3 had a big V8 f...

you missed a concept, "convertability". I have bought several Shermans from 21C and FoV for conversion or parts sources. Same for Jeeps. Rather than worrying about how the importer has them painted, I modify and repaint my own.

These items would be GREAT for detailing diorams and other displays. I can't understand why Unimax hasn't offered them here.

1) about the best 1/32nd casualties seem to come from Marx. For the GIs they had the fellow being hit (helmet flying off and pistol sliding out of hand), the wounded man crawling to cover, the soldier cattying a wounded buddy, and the stretcher team with patient. The Germans had the dead machingunne...

My suggestions for 1/32nd scale. I like US Stuff, but I tried to emphasize equiment with lots of repaint possibilities; 1) the M10 3" Gun Motor Carriage ("tank destroyer") - this is not only long overdue but offers LOTS of repaint and customizing possibilities. The early M10s came into use in North ...

The 3/4 tonner is closer to, or at, 1/43rd scale. I put it next to a 1/48th M4A3 and the truck was as big as the Sherman.

1) according to reports that I read Audie Murphy was one either an M10 or M36 TD during his Medal of Honor action. THere was one story about a writer accompanying Murphy to the Holzwihr area in the 60's. During Murphy's description of the incident they uncovered a burned out M36 in the underbrush. 2...

First, no Allied tankers ran over their own troops on purpose. It probably happened by accident. A tank a VERY noisy and in WW2 Normandy tank-infantry tactics were poor. The US had to learn the hard way, but originally there was NO way for a ground trooper to talk to a closed-up tank except to climb...

Yes, in all my years of being a "tank nut" this was the first time I actually touched a King Tiger! Very impressive beast (but I still like my Shermans)

Gary

just came back from a quick visit to the Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor at Ft. Knox, KY, which is by the way, a GREAT place to visit if you like tanks! Anyway, they have a well-stocked gift shop with a whole bunch of 21C stuff in 1:18 and 1:32 scales, including a bunch that I haven't seen on the...

Just got a chance to visit the Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor at Ft. Knox, KY for the first time in a long time (about 27 years!). Great place for any "tank nut". Anyway, as well as lots of armor, they have a gift shop stocked with a number of 21C and FoV items. They had a batch of M5A1 light ta...

How can you be sorry for too many K&C questions- there's no such thing! I'm just happy to see some others get the K&C addiction. You start with a vehicle then a figure set, then it's all over for you.

Andy and company have been busy! What a nice new selection of goodies! Gotta have the DUKW. Those new items are almost enough to make me start collecting Brits also! Anybody want to buy spare body parts that I'm not using? The money will be used to finance future K&C collection.

IMHO the real problem extends to a lot of imported goods besides toys, the importers bring in lots of finished products but few (if any spare parts). It's so much easier to transport a complete item than spare parts, but then the importer doesn't want to "ruin" a saleable item by stealing its parts ...

I have bought a number of GI vehicles. The quality has changed over the years. The first DDay jeep was cool with lots of molded on stowage and the fugures seated nicely, the first Sherman was an M4A1 with 76mm gun and the late HVSS suspension (for the nit pickers that tank is not recorded as seeing ...

On the good news - the tank FoV is calling an M4A3 is an M4A1 in the sample photos. Matchbox/CDC modelled the late hull M4A3, which allowed them to use the same hull for 75mm, 76mm, and 105mm weapons. All of these came into use in ETO in the fall of 1944 and other theaters later. The new FoV appaers...

I not only am a "US freak" but the M7 served very widely and in numerous colors. If they are smart they would do an early M7 that used M3 "Lee" hull components. Those things came early and stayed late. An early Priest can be done as; A British vehicle at El Alamein, a US vehicle in North Africa (US ...

First it depends on the vehicle. All the Nazi tanks had steel alloy tracks, but the 21C Sherman is modeled with T48 rubber chevron tracks, and the US haltracks had rubber tracks, so they weather much differently. Grimy black, with some lighter highlights. I paint the end connectors in a multi-shade ...

I guess that I cheated... I had the M24 apart for some redetailing and put the driver/bow gunner in the locations before reassenble.

Another approach is to trim the lower parts of the figure(s) with a sharp knife and insert them. You really can't see into the hatches very far.

Yes K&C is "real" collecting with all the joys and sorrows. One thing about K&C - Andy works hard to not only put out a classy product, but also takes pains to keep the "collecting value" high. Items are retired, dealers have to maintain a price structure, etc. They really are a nice series of milit...

I agree that for Nazi stuff you want Tamiya and/or Dragon. For US stuff a lot of Tamiya stuff has LOUSY research, and their idea of production is to keep re-releasing 1970's vintage kits. The more recent figures from Tamiya are good, Dragon offers more variety and their newer figures are as good as ...

Personally looking forward to the M3A1 haltrack and the Grant in 1/32nd, the M4A1 (It's not an A3 unless they change between display toysand production versions!) and US infantry in 1/72nd. A lot of really good stuff. I hope it all comes in.

1) No paint. Valiant sells unpainted castings, so if you don't paint your own figures, you can get them from ONTC.

2) Further info ONTC, Valiant Miniatures and MTSC are under the same ownership flag. That explains a lot!

Ran into an interesting piece of trivia by accident. I was looking at the new releases from the Squadron Shop's site. I looked under Valiant Miniatures 54mm unpainted pewter soldiers to see what was new. Well there's a bunch of new GI's and some new Krauts. Go to the Valiant Miniatures site at www.v...

Every few months we get a new batch of great figures from King and Country. This batch includes the newest - the re-issue of the Battle of the Bulge series. K&C had done a series of Ardennes themed figures years ago. These are hard to find items now, and being earlier figures the detail was not near...