Canadian Samurai
Staff Sergeant
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2007
- Messages
- 808
I just opened my Raupen Schlepper and I'm really impressed with it. Don't write this one off just because it's not some aggressive looking tank or something. I'm glad to see companies doing more vehicles off the beaten path that contributed just as much to the war effort as any panzer.
First off when you guys see the box you'll be impressed. Like some of K&C's other new vehicles, it has it's own custom box art but this one is the best I've seen, showing pictures of the model, plus some real-life photos of RSs, plus some of K&C's other new BBG line. I usually don't find K&C's packaging to be noteworthy but this one is.
Unlike the typical K&C vehicle which is ultra heavy for the size because it's a solid block of polystone, the RS is surprisingly light when picked up. The reason for this becomes obvious when one examines the cab - it's hollow with plastic "glass" windows. I haven't bought the Opel truck so this is my first K&C vehicle with this feature and it helps to bring the vehicle to life compared with the old painted-on blue windows. The driver is half inside and half leaning out the window and is well done, with the nice touch that his m-43 hat flaps are folded down around his ears to keep them warm, a realistic detail I thought was missing from some of K&C's other recent figure sets like BBG12. Another cool detail is through the window you can see the steering handles inside for operating the tracks. To "steer" left the driver would push on the left stick to turn the left tread etc.
The pointing figure that comes with the set is very well posed and painted, like all of K&C's new BBG figures. So far I have yet to get a figure from this series where I haven't been impressed with the paint job, which is far better than my usual odds of finding about 1/4-1/3rd of figures not up to par (or damaged out of the box). I like how he has an entrenching tool stuck in his belt.
As usual in the new K&C vehicles, the tracks are hollowed-out and incredibly well detailed.
The paint job on the RS is superb, with a realistic whitewash job showing the slapped-on, blue tinge commonly seen in the field. The stowage area in the back has a very nice wood grain colour, though the grains are too large scale-wise.
Probably the best thing about this vehicle is it's flexibility for diorama purposes (or, if you want to be more blunt, it's playability/fun factor). You can put on or take off the tarp cover for the stowage compartment, a great feature that again helps cut down on the piece's weight. Next you can decide whether or not to attach the trailer. It's a very cute and well appreciated accesory that could probably be hitched behind other K&C vehicles like the winter Kettenkrad from last year.
About the only negative thing I can say about this set (and assuming there's no accuracy quibbles, which I haven't researched yet), is the hitch bar coming off my trailer is slightly crooked. It's also not a large vehicle and some will find it on the expensive side if you measure value by pound of polystone per dollar rather than quality or functionality. Otherwise, for all intents and purposes, this is an almost flawless release and my favourite K&C vehicle I currently own.
First off when you guys see the box you'll be impressed. Like some of K&C's other new vehicles, it has it's own custom box art but this one is the best I've seen, showing pictures of the model, plus some real-life photos of RSs, plus some of K&C's other new BBG line. I usually don't find K&C's packaging to be noteworthy but this one is.
Unlike the typical K&C vehicle which is ultra heavy for the size because it's a solid block of polystone, the RS is surprisingly light when picked up. The reason for this becomes obvious when one examines the cab - it's hollow with plastic "glass" windows. I haven't bought the Opel truck so this is my first K&C vehicle with this feature and it helps to bring the vehicle to life compared with the old painted-on blue windows. The driver is half inside and half leaning out the window and is well done, with the nice touch that his m-43 hat flaps are folded down around his ears to keep them warm, a realistic detail I thought was missing from some of K&C's other recent figure sets like BBG12. Another cool detail is through the window you can see the steering handles inside for operating the tracks. To "steer" left the driver would push on the left stick to turn the left tread etc.
The pointing figure that comes with the set is very well posed and painted, like all of K&C's new BBG figures. So far I have yet to get a figure from this series where I haven't been impressed with the paint job, which is far better than my usual odds of finding about 1/4-1/3rd of figures not up to par (or damaged out of the box). I like how he has an entrenching tool stuck in his belt.
As usual in the new K&C vehicles, the tracks are hollowed-out and incredibly well detailed.
The paint job on the RS is superb, with a realistic whitewash job showing the slapped-on, blue tinge commonly seen in the field. The stowage area in the back has a very nice wood grain colour, though the grains are too large scale-wise.
Probably the best thing about this vehicle is it's flexibility for diorama purposes (or, if you want to be more blunt, it's playability/fun factor). You can put on or take off the tarp cover for the stowage compartment, a great feature that again helps cut down on the piece's weight. Next you can decide whether or not to attach the trailer. It's a very cute and well appreciated accesory that could probably be hitched behind other K&C vehicles like the winter Kettenkrad from last year.
About the only negative thing I can say about this set (and assuming there's no accuracy quibbles, which I haven't researched yet), is the hitch bar coming off my trailer is slightly crooked. It's also not a large vehicle and some will find it on the expensive side if you measure value by pound of polystone per dollar rather than quality or functionality. Otherwise, for all intents and purposes, this is an almost flawless release and my favourite K&C vehicle I currently own.
I have always told Andy to make a RSO Vehicle Tow a NEBELWERFER( Rocket) Artillery Gun! NOW, that NMA isn't making MARDER'S, and Pak 40's, and WESPE; Andy, should Step-Up on these Projects for us Collector's! Also, RSO for DAK soon hopefully? CIAO!
