Vintage Monogram Armor Kits (1 Viewer)

[jomartvr]

Hello,
I am thinking about trying my hand at modeling a vintage Monogram armor 1:32 kit. I have not built these since childhood. Are there any particular issues about these old model kits that one has to be aware of?
Thanks
Benjamin

 

[theBaron]

I built almost all of them as a kid; I think I missed the Weasel, and maybe a GMC deuce-and-a-half. They are fun builds. They are not as detailed as today's armor kits by Dragon and others, but as Shep Paine's diorama work shows, they can be built into very good representations of their subject. Or, you can stretch your scratchbuilding muscles and super-detail them.

One thing that does come to mind is that the single-piece tracks in soft plastic are not as detailed as tracks in today's kits, using multiple pieces to produce a track that has the requisite sag, but I didn't think they looked all that bad.

I take it you'll be buying the kits re-issued today by Revell-Monogram; you might also find discounts on the same kits, on eBay or at shows. In any case, I recommend them.

Prost!
Brad

 

[binder001]

As far as "issues" with the kits, it helps to know what particular kit you are contemplating. Every model kit has some "issues" but many are specific to the kit.

One initial warning: Monogram initially issued a series of model kits in what is close to 1/35th scale (truck, jeep, halftracks, M48A2 "Patton"). In the early 1970s they issued a series of "true" 1/32 models. As these sold well Monogram went back and reboxed their older kits as 1/32 without making any changes. The Lee/Grant, Shermans, Pz IV variants, and armored cars are in proper 1/32nd scale.

 

[jomartvr]

Gentlemen,
Thanks for the comments. In particular, the one concerning the variation in the scale of the kits. I want to paint the M8 or M20 as a French FL vehicle to accompany my Hachette FFL.

Best wishes,
Benjamin

As far as "issues" with the kits, it helps to know what particular kit you are contemplating. Every model kit has some "issues" but many are specific to the kit.

One initial warning: Monogram initially issued a series of model kits in what is close to 1/35th scale (truck, jeep, halftracks, M48A2 "Patton"). In the early 1970s they issued a series of "true" 1/32 models. As these sold well Monogram went back and reboxed their older kits as 1/32 without making any changes. The Lee/Grant, Shermans, Pz IV variants, and armored cars are in proper 1/32nd scale.

 

[binder001]

The M8/M20 was one of the better kits. The main issues are that some details were simplified to make them easier to produce. For instance, the M8 comes with the interior hull floor of the M20. The M8 turret can use more interior details - that open turret shows about everything. Except for adding some of the small bits and pieces the M8 is a pretty straghtforward build. Just take your time and make sure all the panels line up, then the little beastie almost builds itself

 

[ROUGH RIDER]

For the time they were very good. I had built I think all of them American and German. As I recall no real problems putting them together. I had turned a few into Israeli
armor ,Good luck.