"Combat Tanks Collection" Magazine (Australia) (2 Viewers)

[The General]

Here in Oz the first edition of Combat Tanks went on sale in newsagents. (Sorry but I don't know what they call newsagents in the US or UK).

It is a fortnightly (that's 2 weeks for you Yanks) tank magazine that comes with a nicely detailed 1/72nd scale model tank with each issue.

1st issue $3.95
2nd issue $12.95
All other issues $19.95

The first issue had a grey WWII German Tiger tank. Well for under $4 I bought 4 of them.

Only problem is you can't unscrew the tank from it's base!

The 2 screws aren't flat tips (-)

Nor are they Phillips (X)

They're not even Alun star (*)

They are bloody triangle shaped! /\

Guess I'm off to the auto accessories shop just to buy some special screwdrivers!

Thank you Made in China.

 

[4th Hussar]

or file down a steel rod to fit

 

[The General]

or file down a steel rod to fit

Yeah I thought of that too.

 

[OzDigger]

I'm going to subscribe: http://tankscollection.deagostini.com.au/tanks.aspx to get the free gifts which include a Famo and trailer - if only K & C would make that set

 

[The General]

a Famo and trailer

Yes that did look very tempting to me too OzDigger.

 

[OzDigger]

Yes that did look very tempting to me too OzDigger.

Thanks for reminding me General, I forgot to send my sub in I went into my local newsagent today and bought the last tank mag/model they had, at $4.95 you can't go wrong I remember a few years back there was a similar 1/72 military vehicle magazine/model offer overseas with the Famo and trailer as a free gift. After the series ended the Famos were going for big dollars on eBay

 

[The Military Workshop]

Oz and General,
Have not seen one in the flesh yet but these look like excellent value. If you have any 1/72 Tanks from the other brands (ie Dragon, Forces of Valor, Easy Model) can you compare to see if same mould. Either they are based on a mould from a previously released brand or are created just for this series which would be an expensive way to do it.
I think these are available in UK judging by the web page. They even have a forum !
Regards
Brett

 

[Wraith]

I've been getting these on subscription and they're not bad, but from what I've seen of the Dragon 1/72 stuff, they aren't quite as detailed. I don't generally collect 1/72, so can't show any like for like. There were a few teething problems with supplier and packaging when they first started comng out, but these seem to have generaly been dealt with.

Like General, I loaded up on the Tigers - at that price, it would have been rude not to.

 

[OzDigger]

Oz and General,
Have not seen one in the flesh yet but these look like excellent value. If you have any 1/72 Tanks from the other brands (ie Dragon, Forces of Valor, Easy Model) can you compare to see if same mould. Either they are based on a mould from a previously released brand or are created just for this series which would be an expensive way to do it.
I think these are available in UK judging by the web page. They even have a forum !
Regards
Brett

I have hundreds of 1/72 diecast military vehicles and I consider Dragon to have the best detail at a reasonable price with detail exceeding even the Gold Class Honour Bound models, it's just that with 1/72 being so small the detail is harder to see.

I won't bother taking any photos until I get the tank out of the box - which will be tricky due to the weird screw heads. However looking at the Tiger in its box it isn't nearly as well detailed as a Dragon model - but it has enough detail to satisfy most collectors including me. The main attraction with the magazine series is that unlike the small number of Dragon prototypes the new magazine series will embrace a wide variety of military vehicles.

As for the forum, I think I get in enough trouble as it is

 

[The General]

I've been getting these on subscription and they're not bad, but from what I've seen of the Dragon 1/72 stuff, they aren't quite as detailed.

I bought 4 Tigers and am pleasantly surprised that they are slightly better detailed than the Dragon ones I have, including a radio antenna which is suprisingly durable.

 

[The General]

I won't bother taking any photos until I get the tank out of the box - which will be tricky due to the weird screw heads.

Looked for /\ headed screwdivers or alun keys but Bunnings, Supercheap Auto and AUTO1 didn't have them.

I ended up cutting the soft plastic base away from the tank with heavy duty cutting pliers and turning the screws with regular pliers which then enabled me to unscrew them by hand.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I have hundreds of 1/72 diecast military vehicles and I consider Dragon to have the best detail at a reasonable price with detail exceeding even the Gold Class Honour Bound models, it's just that with 1/72 being so small the detail is harder to see.

I won't bother taking any photos until I get the tank out of the box - which will be tricky due to the weird screw heads. However looking at the Tiger in its box it isn't nearly as well detailed as a Dragon model - but it has enough detail to satisfy most collectors including me. The main attraction with the magazine series is that unlike the small number of Dragon prototypes the new magazine series will embrace a wide variety of military vehicles.

As for the forum, I think I get in enough trouble as it is

The magazine looks really well done from the promotion. Have you read the first issues yet? Do not really need the models but would love to get the magazine in Canada.

Terry

 

[tullock]

There have been major problems with this collection in the UK.Apart from the quality of the tanks being atrocious,the 'special offer',ie free famo and trailer,never materialized.Huge numbers of customers,including myself,had to threaten them with legal action (through the Trading Standards Office),before the famo finally arrived.If you are a 1/72 collector stick with Dragon.

 

[OzDigger]

I applied online and received parts 2 (Challenger 1) & 3 (Sherman M4A3) on my front porch today together with the free gifts of the Famo halftrack & Trailer and a Binder - all for only AUD $11.95

So far I have to say I am VERY happy with the models and magazines and also the service from Bissett Magazine Service Pty Ltd in Australia, and you certainly can't complain about the price. The detail on the Famo is amazing with a fully detailed instrument panel and the hoops over the cargo deck are only hair thin As with the Tiger I model, the Sherman isn't quite as well detailed as the Dragon example but should satisfy most collectors.

 

[tullock]

OzDigger said

should satisfy most collectors.

Wait until you recieve the Jagdpanther.Its 'ambush' paint job is truly appalling.

 

[The General]

OzDigger said



Wait until you recieve the Jagdpanther.Its 'ambush' paint job is truly appalling.

Ha ha. So the ambush paint job is truely an ambush!