DAK 001 Sdkfz 2328 Radschwererpanzersphawagen (2 Viewers)

[noli-poli]

Just got my first, First Legion Sdkfz232 today. As I picked it up at the UPS store, the first thing I noticed that, it was very light...less than a pound. My thoughts started to run wild as I was driving home...maybe I got an empty box that was packed erroneously? Reaching home I opened the box and the first thing that struck me was, it was a beauty! Very detailed. Carefully taking it out of the box I was disappointed to find out that it is made of plastic (bummer)!!! I like the handiwork but at $300 and plastic? I thought they were poly-resin. I am thinking...giving it a day maybe will return it, maybe not...thinking, thinking...not a happy camper at the moment.

As for the scale, I think it is 1/31. slightly smaller than the NMA and KC version. The accompanying figure is definitely 1/32, will go well with FOV 1/32 figures. If this is a poly-resin, it will be the equivalent of Honor Bound Gold Series.

N-P

 

[FirstLegion]

Just got my first, First Legion Sdkfz232 today. As I picked it up at the UPS store, the first thing I noticed that, it was very light...less than a pound. My thoughts started to run wild as I was driving home...maybe I got an empty box that was packed erroneously? Reaching home I opened the box and the first thing that struck me was, it was a beauty! Very detailed. Carefully taking it out of the box I was disappointed to find out that it is made of plastic (bummer)!!! I like the handiwork but at $300 and plastic? I thought they were poly-resin. I am thinking...giving it a day maybe will return it, maybe not...thinking, thinking...not a happy camper at the moment.

As for the scale, I think it is 1/31. slightly smaller than the NMA and KC version. The accompanying figure is definitely 1/32, will go well with FOV 1/32 figures. If this is a poly-resin, it will be the equivalent of Honor Bound Gold Series.

N-P

Just a quick note - it is not plastic, there is no plastic whatsoever in the 232. It is 100% resin (NOT "polystone", which is basically resin with stone powder filler added to it) with copper detailing for the aerial. As an FYI, polystone is an inexpensive material, hence why many companies use it. Resin, as we've used, is much more detailed and expensive. I would advise you not to confuse "weight" with "value"!

Anyway, put it on shelf and look at it and hopefully you'll appreciate it for what it is not for what it isn't!

Best,

Matt

 

[Vezzolf]

I must disagree First Legion AFV's and figures are true 1:30th scale.....I have the Stalingrad version and it is without a doubt a fantastic TRUE 1:30 scale model; Highly detailed... extreme realism....That detail can only be achieved with resin material......Polystone AFV models by "other manufacturers" are overpriced, toy like, heavy, unrealistic and lack detail...and also they can never achieve the level of detail of First Legion AFV's with polystone material...... First Legion painting of their AFV's and soldiers is incredible...subtle shading and weathering make First Legion the closest thing to award winning 1:35 scale modeling....simply no contest......The most realistic 1:30 scale manufacturer today is FL...(Other manufacturers figures like K/C are closer to 1:28 scale and their figures are not in correct human proportion in regards to head, hand size and weapons carried by the figures.

 

[Alex]

Best materials to cast are : metal (lead and pewter base) and high quality resins. Plastics, polyston and plaster won't capture the little tiny details as well. Now I understand your feeling. You have to be happy with your purchase so return it if you are not satisfied !

Alex

 

[maddadicus]

I must disagree First Legion AFV's and figures are true 1:30th scale.....I have the Stalingrad version and it is without a doubt a fantastic TRUE 1:30 scale model; Highly detailed... extreme realism....That detail can only be achieved with resin material......Polystone AFV models by "other manufacturers" are overpriced, toy like, heavy, unrealistic and lack detail...and also they can never achieve the level of detail of First Legion AFV's with polystone material...... First Legion painting of there AFV's and soldiers is incredible...subtle shading and weathering make First legion the cloest thing to award winning 1:35 scale modeling....simply no contest......The most realistic 1:30 scale manufacturer today is FL...(Other manufacturers figures like K/C are closer to 1:28 scale and are not in human proportion in regards to head, hand size and weapons carried by the figures.

They do not try to achieve First Legion pricing either. One would expect all the extra F/L " details " to cost more. Collectors are free to choose what they want at whats it worth, to them. And plastic is plastic, no matter how much a perceived masterpiece, some might want it to be. I trust N/P's call on this one...Michael

 

[Vezzolf]

They do not try to achieve First Legion pricing either. One would expect all the extra F/L " details " to cost more. Collectors are free to choose what they want at whats it worth, to them. And plastic is plastic, no matter how much a perceived masterpiece, some might want it to be. I trust N/P's call on this one...Michael

Sorry but I disagree again....The prices for "polystone manufacturers" have been on a steady rise...and at this time have approached $289...also a recent 88mm gun with figures was $372...Increased prices for the same level of detail.....Resin materials allow for increased detail and better painting....But I do agree with you; collectors are free to buy what they want.....I do not agree with N/P's assessment of this AFV. Frank

 

[fmethorst]

Just got my first, First Legion Sdkfz232 today. As I picked it up at the UPS store, the first thing I noticed that, it was very light...less than a pound. My thoughts started to run wild as I was driving home...maybe I got an empty box that was packed erroneously? Reaching home I opened the box and the first thing that struck me was, it was a beauty! Very detailed. Carefully taking it out of the box I was disappointed to find out that it is made of plastic (bummer)!!! I like the handiwork but at $300 and plastic? I thought they were poly-resin. I am thinking...giving it a day maybe will return it, maybe not...thinking, thinking...not a happy camper at the moment.

As for the scale, I think it is 1/31. slightly smaller than the NMA and KC version. The accompanying figure is definitely 1/32, will go well with FOV 1/32 figures. If this is a poly-resin, it will be the equivalent of Honor Bound Gold Series.

N-P

I'm pretty sure they are resin, at least thats what I remember Matt telling me. I also think injection molded plastic would require steel molds that would be cost prohibitive for this small a run. Also, I don't associate weight with quality. I associate weight with increased shipping costs and greater probability of breakage.

As for scale. It should be:
Length: 5850 mm / 30 = 195 mm (excluding the Zusatzpanzer/frame and spare tire)
Width: 2200 mm / 30 = 73 mm
Height 2900 mm / 30 = 97 mm (including antenna)

It's not an easy piece to measure accurately so I haven't bothered. I wouldn't use models from other manufacturers as a reference since there is no guarantee that the other manufacturer's model is to scale.

As for figure scale, this is much more subjective but from what I have seen the figures are pretty close to 1/30. The other mainstream manufacturers figures tend to be larger 1/29 - 1/28 IMO.

The bottom line, however , is if you are unhappy you should return the piece.

 

[fmethorst]

They do not try to achieve First Legion pricing either. One would expect all the extra F/L " details " to cost more. Collectors are free to choose what they want at whats it worth, to them. And plastic is plastic, no matter how much a perceived masterpiece, some might want it to be. I trust N/P's call on this one...Michael

Aren't all the various mediums technically "plastic"? Polystone is polyurethane resin mixed with powdered stone.

 

[jazzeum]

I think collectors have this "thing" that it has to weigh more and are disappointed when it's not hefty. This notion probably only started when polystone tanks were first made. Usually you're leaving it in a diorama or in a case, generally not moving it. Therefore, it's going to look like any other AFV, regardless of the weight.

 

[Mister Dave]

They do not try to achieve First Legion pricing either. One would expect all the extra F/L " details " to cost more. Collectors are free to choose what they want at whats it worth, to them. And plastic is plastic, no matter how much a perceived masterpiece, some might want it to be. I trust N/P's call on this one...Michael

These wouldn't be disparaging remarks about First Legion's products coming from the guy who slandered me on here a while back for not loving some of another well known manufacturers wares now would they? Gotta be careful with those double standards.

 

[jbonzo1]

In the display case, they all weigh the same! This is a fantastic model but it's your decision to keep it or not.

 

[Fusilier]

N-P, this is your call. While most of us here are going to be defending FL's products, the bottom line is you had to shell out the money. As a couple guys have already said, if you don't like it, return it. You are the one who is out the cash, not any of us, despite what our opinions might be on the subject.

If you do return it, be sure to contact Matt and explain what you don't like about it. Perhaps that will help him in the future, one way or another. I bet he would be more that willing to discuss the item and it's production.

Noah

 

[Eignub]

Reading through all the posts, I have to agree, return it if you don't like it. When did the weight of an item take priority over the quality? If you like how it looks, then be satisfied. If your worried about what the ratio of the materials that its made out of are, then maybe you should've done your research.

 

[Vezzolf]

In the display case, they all weigh the same! This is a fantastic model.

Excellent Post...Well said^&grin

 

[sammy719]

Just got my first, First Legion Sdkfz232 today. As I picked it up at the UPS store, the first thing I noticed that, it was very light...less than a pound. My thoughts started to run wild as I was driving home...maybe I got an empty box that was packed erroneously? Reaching home I opened the box and the first thing that struck me was, it was a beauty! Very detailed. Carefully taking it out of the box I was disappointed to find out that it is made of plastic (bummer)!!! I like the handiwork but at $300 and plastic? I thought they were poly-resin. I am thinking...giving it a day maybe will return it, maybe not...thinking, thinking...not a happy camper at the moment.

As for the scale, I think it is 1/31. slightly smaller than the NMA and KC version. The accompanying figure is definitely 1/32, will go well with FOV 1/32 figures. If this is a poly-resin, it will be the equivalent of Honor Bound Gold Series.

N-P

Well N-P, I have 4 Stalingrad vehicles/tanks and all are made of the resin material, now I started with K&C vehicles when I got into collecting, all made of polystone which is a big difference in weight between the 2 companies, but take a close look at the detail and painting of your FL vehicle, not trying to offend anyone but I can't find any better quality on a WWII tank/vehicle out there imho of course, and no they are not in anyway plastic, so if the weight thing throws you send it back, but I suggest looking at the quality of your vehicle first...Sammy

 

[Blowtorch]

While I understand the draw of 'heft'... as you get older, and weaker, and your collection gets bigger, more expansive, and you're moving more things around in different dioramas, etc., you will appreciate lightness a bit more. No problem here with lightness.

As for scale, I could hardly notice a difference.

 

[Alex]

Weight vs value : interesting when we are talking about buying gold instead of keeping your dollars. But let's remember that dollars are more convenient to carry. I would buy anytime a FL resin aft masterfully painted instead of a more toyish polystone one. We ain't buying weight here : we re buying a detailed sculpture having a great paint job. If our little soldiers were made in gold it would be quite different :smile2:

 

[Phantom Warrior]

While I understand the draw of 'heft'... as you get older, and weaker, and your collection gets bigger, more expansive, and you're moving more things around in different dioramas, etc., you will appreciate lightness a bit more. No problem here with lightness.

As for scale, I could hardly notice a difference.
View attachment 67635

The FL model is larger because it is 1:30 while the old K&C model is 1:32.

Terry

 

[Blowtorch]

The FL model is larger because it is 1:30 while the old K&C model is 1:32.

Terry

can't be...that would be too big of a difference. The K&C is a mm or two longer in the front because the nose is shaped longer (more sloped glacis) where the FL has the more correct shorter nose due to a steeper glacis angle. The models are nearly identical in size.

 

[noli-poli]

Troops:

Sorry for creating the "firestorm." As I said it is a great piece, very detailed and a beauty!

It is just a big "change"...with a collection ($50K+ worth) of HB, TG, KC, & Figarti I got used to picking up heavy boxes. I don't know the various chemical compositions of polyresins, polystone or the like but the model sure feels and handle like plastic. I've been a plastic modeler since high school and doing the "tap" test, with your finger nails it sounds and feel like plastic.

The model now sits with the rest of my collection and it blends well with with KC AK series. I'll keep it for now and see how it will hold over time in terms of parts falling off like plastic models.

N-P