Eagle Design Website (1 Viewer)

[Mark IV]

Mark, 4 Toy Soldier manufacturers make Panzer IIIs in 1/30 scale.; TCS, K&C, FL & ED. How would you rank the 4 manufacturers in terms of quality? My ranking based upon a past review of three different Panzer IIIs would be; 1. FL, 2. ED, 3. TCS, 4. K&C.

I'll just have to check on the scale issue before I respond on scale part of question as I have a feeling that the MKIII's I have from TCS and K&C might not be 1/30.

I will also state that as my K&C MKIII's are from the AK series they would rank 1st as they fit in with my Western Desert WWII collection both EA and AK. I also like the K&C style.

The TCS was modified for me to fit in with K&C and TGM Normandy/Eastern Front figure and it's a great model.

FL Panzer III's rank 1st with my 1/30 scale figures and intention of the ED is to add background numbers to the FL grey and winter also works best with the Figarti AFV.

Mark

 

[katana]

The prior review of Panzer IIIs established that the TCS Panzer III was larger and the K&C Panzer III smaller than the true 1/30 scale FL Panzer III. The ED Panzer III has the same dimensions as the FL example. The quality of the tracks and other details are superior in the FL and ED examples IMO.

 

[Mark IV]

The prior review of Panzer IIIs established that the TCS Panzer III was larger and the K&C Panzer III smaller than the true 1/30 scale FL Panzer III. The ED Panzer III has the same dimensions as the FL example. The quality of the tracks and other details are superior in the FL and ED examples IMO.

I don't follow the reviews on this forum I actually go by how the AFV's look in my own collection.

Your original question stated that only 4 manufacturer's did 1/30 scale MK III now you saying TCS is larger than 1/30 and K&C smaller than 1/30 hence my comment I wasn't responding on scale till I check.

The ED is a good model for the price and has good tracks but the finish is a little rough and it is only compatible with FL and now WP figures (We collectors in Aust can't get our hands on the WB WWII figures ) as the majority of my figures are TGM and K&C ED not compatible with them so, as I'm fortunate to have both FL MkIII's the ED is up against FL and FL leaves it for dead. ED to me is as I stated a good support piece for the FL MKIII or an excellent model to use for modifications without putting an expensive piece at risk. However if you don't have a FL ED Panzer III is the only option for a 1/30 collector.

I don't have a problem with K&C style in either figures and AFV might not having moveable hatches or clean tracks but make up for things in variety and work well with their own figures and TGM fitting in a bonus.

Mark

 

[Mark IV]

Had an opportunity to look at K&C MK III (AK019, AK050, WH021), TCS , FL Grey & Winter & ED Grey & Winter.

The TCS is larger than FL & ED as suspect it's 1/28 not 1/30

TCS and K&C WH021 are similar in size therefore this K&C version is larger than FL & ED hence compatible with K&C and TGM figures actually a very good short barrel version of a PZ Kpfw III Ausf.N

FL and AK050 are closer in scale than the ED

ED seems to be slightly larger model than FL and answers a question as to why War Park figures look better displayed against the ED Panzer III than the FL as WP figures are slightly larger than FL Stalingrad figures.

I don't have WS134 so can't comment on how it fits.

AK019 is a smaller version than FL and ED and therefore the others but it's a great stand alone model with it's two crew with gloves and considering when it was released is still a great AFV.

So after reviewing them I'd say WH021 is my No 1 pick in 1/28 followed by TCS

As K&C are the only manufacturer I choose for my western Desert WWII No 1 pick that theatre

FL No1 pick 1/30 scale but for a new collector as no FL now available ED would be No1

Mark

 

[Vezzolf]

Frank can you post a comparison photo of the FL and ED Panzer III.

I'll do that sometime today. I will have some time a late afternoon

 

[Vezzolf]

Comparison Photos:salute::

 

[Vezzolf]

As you can see the ED Panzer III is slightly larger in length but not by much & they are equal in height:salute::....FL slightly better detailed weathering

 

[katana]

Thanks for the great comparison photos Frank. Excellent work. Considering that the FL Panzer III is no longer available; the ED Panzer III is the only option in a true 1/30 scale. Perhaps given this competition from ED, FL needs to revisit its decision to discontinue their popular Panzer III. ED is certainly making a mark in Toy Soldier armor IMO.

 

[bradleyl30]

As you can see the ED Panzer III is slightly larger in length but not by much & they are equal in height:salute::....FL slightly better detailed weathering

That angle makes the difference look a lot larger than it is. Generally, you can only see the difference by lining them up exactly. In general displays or any positions approximating reality outside a parking lot the difference is not noticeable and I am usually very sensitive to that issue.

 

[Vezzolf]

Agree they are very close in size...It's hard to get a good picture to show that but the ED panzer is slightly longer

 

[Mark IV]

Agree they are very close in size...It's hard to get a good picture to show that but the ED panzer is slightly longer

Frank,

Turret size is also different hence my original statement if you have FL Panzer III the Ed will be a good background support AFV but they aren't the same

Mark

 

[TomNT]

I used to have the FL DAK Panzer III but I sold it recently. When I did have it I took some comparison pic's between it and my ED DAK Panzer III and posted them on another thread. Here's the pic's again along with my opinion of the two tanks together. In detail the FL tank is superior but I think the distance between the top of the tracks or track guards and bottom of the road wheels look different between the two tanks. What I mean by that is, that the bottom track road wheels and top track return rollers seem to be too far apart on the FL tank compared to the distance on the ED tank. So I think the two brands won't work together unless from a different angle, distance apart and if the ED tank is repainted and weathered the same as the FL tank. Even then I think they will look odd together if they are next to each other in a straight line.

Tom

 

[katana]

An objective observer looking at Franks photos could not tell which was the FL and which was the ED Panzer III IMO. The level of detail seems identical. Size variances raise the question of which company got it right? Panzer III Ausf.J dimensions are: Length Hull 5.56 meters, Width,2.90 meters, Height 2.50 meters. A 1/30 scale model should measure; Length Hull 185 mm, Width 96mm, Height 83 mm. The dimensions I have for the ED Panzer III make it slightly larger than the FL Panzer III. The differences from a true 1/30 scale are probably due to production variences or material
and process differences. The dimensions measured are based upon one sample of each model. Your milage may vary!
The ED Pz III Length Hull 188 mm. Width 103 mm. Height 81 mm.
The FL Pz III Length Hull 165 mm. Width 100 mm Height 76 mm.

 

[Vicknor]

An objective observer looking at Franks photos could not tell which was the FL and which was the ED Panzer III IMO. The level of detail seems identical. Size variances raise the question of which company got it right? Panzer III Ausf.J dimensions are: Length Hull 5.56 meters, Width,2.90 meters, Height 2.50 meters. A 1/30 scale model should measure; Length Hull 185 mm, Width 96mm, Height 83 mm. The dimensions I have for the ED Panzer III make it slightly larger than the FL Panzer III. The differences from a true 1/30 scale are probably due to production variences or material
and process differences. The dimensions measured are based upon one sample of each model. Your milage may vary!
The ED Pz III Length Hull 188 mm. Width 103 mm. Height 81 mm.
The FL Pz III Length Hull 165 mm. Width 100 mm Height 76 mm.

Objective? Hahhaah just spat out my cornflakes

 

[katana]

Great photos Tom! I really like your diorama. I don't really like the amount of slack in the track on the FL Panzer III. No Panzerwaffe would allow that to happen. I grant that the weathering is superior on the FL versus the ED Panzer III; but considering the cost differential of greater than 2:1 the comparison is quite favorable to ED IMO. The ED Panzer II and III will go great with the War Park figures.

 

[Mark IV]

Great photos Tom! I really like your diorama. I don't really like the amount of slack in the track on the FL Panzer III. No Panzerwaffe would allow that to happen. I grant that the weathering is superior on the FL versus the ED Panzer III; but considering the cost differential of greater than 2:1 the comparison is quite favorable to ED IMO. The ED Panzer II and III will go great with the War Park figures.

Actually the WP figures don't quite go that well with the FL Panzer III they do go well with the ED.

This discussion has been had on a different forum.

It's because the ED is slightly larger than FL that WP fit better.

WP figures are a little larger than Stalingrad FL figures and have a thicker base.

I'm not sure if you have any WP figures yet but when you get them you will know what I'm saying

Mark

 

[katana]

Mark what is the height of the War Park Karkov figures, top of base to top of head? I have seen Franks comparison photos and they work well with the WB figures; but the FL figures seem rather short and gaunt in comparison.

Actually the WP figures don't quite go that well with the FL Panzer III they do go well with the ED.

This discussion has been had on a different forum.

It's because the ED is slightly larger than FL that WP fit better.

WP figures are a little larger than Stalingrad FL figures and have a thicker base.

I'm not sure if you have any WP figures yet but when you get them you will know what I'm saying

Mark

 

[Mark IV]

Will get measurements when I get home

Will do from top of base to top of head/helmet/cap

Mark

 

[Vezzolf]

Personally I think that the ED Grey Panzer III matches up quite well visually with the FL Grey Panzer III and they work fairly well together IMO........For some reason they do NOT visually match up that well in the Desert AK Panzers III's... I think because the FL Desert Panzer III is weathered quite well....Very Nice FL ..... FL AK Panzer III: I like it better overall

 

[Mark IV]

Mark what is the height of the War Park Karkov figures, top of base to top of head? I have seen Franks comparison photos and they work well with the WB figures; but the FL figures seem rather short and gaunt in comparison.

60mm top of base to top of helmet

Mark