VN022-VN025 US M48A3 Patton Tank and US 25th Infantry Figures! (2 Viewers)

[FirstLegion]

Without a doubt, our Vietnam range is right up there near the very top of the list of our internal favorite figure ranges. We just love the period and though it’s not Napoleon’s Europe or WWII or Romans in terms of its commercial appeal, we will continue to support the range simply because we find this period of history fascinating and the figures stunning. So this month we bring you the first vehicle for the range, the M48A3 Patton Tank with Commander along with some tank riders to go with it. This is without a doubt the finest tank we’ve ever produced. It’s also by far and away the largest tank we’ve ever produced! Just one look at the scale of the figures next to the tank gives you an idea of just how much of a beast the M48A3 is for those of you used to WWII tanks. It makes a Tiger look like a Panzer II!  To be consistent with our previous releases, we’ve done the tank as part of the 1st Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. So now the “Joes” are getting serious, bringing armor into play to take on the NVA! The tank comes complete with a tank commander and has the features listed below. In addition, available separately are tank riders sold in a set of 2 as well as individually available with scenic bases. Please note that the tank has been produced in extremely limited numbers so if you want one, please don’t hesitate to pick one up.

VN022 US 25th Infantry Division Sitting Loading Cartridge $69.95
VN023 US 25th Infantry Division Sitting Reading Playboy $74.95
VN024 US M48A3 Patton Tank and Commander - 69th Armored Regt, 25th Infantry Division $450.00
VN025 US 25th Infantry Tank Riders - Loading Catridges and Reading Playboy $129.95
Pre-Order, Ships Mid July

VN022

VN024 has the following Features:

- Commanders Turret Hatch Opens/Closes
- Second Turret Hatch Opens/Closes
- Night Spot Light (non active!)
- Full Tank Commander Figure
- Fully Traversable Turret
- Gun Barrel Raises/Lowers
- Highly detailed and realistic stowage
- 2nd HMG Mounted on Top of the Turret
- Realistic Weathering
- Stars and Bars Flag

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VN025 - Figures can be placed in a variety of positions on the tank

Best,

Matt
First Legion

 

[nysoldiers]

Looks like a winner!

Now we need an M113 APC......

 

[desk11desk12]

FINALLY an M48!!!! THANK YOU!!!

Carlos

 

[Vezzolf]

I have been considering getting into some FL US Vietnam figures to go with my Figarti Helicopter....But $450 for the tank is just too much for me....It looks very good but with the tank riders we are talking close to $600....Sorry but too much for my wallet.......Very Nice detail on the tank.

 

[katana]

The Minichamps M48 is very nice and far less expensive; plus its all metal. 1/35 scale painted metal figures are available too.

I have been considering getting into some FL US Vietnam figures to go with my Figarti Helicopter....But $450 for the tank is just too much for me....It looks very good but with the tank riders we are talking close to $600....Sorry but too much for my wallet.......Very Nice detail on the tank.

 

[FirstLegion]

The Minichamps M48 is very nice and far less expensive; plus its all metal. 1/35 scale painted metal figures are available too.

Sure, but it's 1/35th (i.e. significantly smaller), doesn't come with a crew figure, and is not nearly to the quality of our model. So its great if you're into mass produced toys, which you certainly seem to be.

 

[TomNT]

I don't collect this series but even if I did, the price of this tank is way too rich for me at $450 USD which equates to around $600 Aussie dollars. Don't get me wrong, I think this tank looks great and has exceptional detailing but I could not justify the cost even though I could afford it if I was collecting the Vietnam series.

What Katana is suggesting is no comparison as the Minichamps version is mass produced, less detailed and at a different scale although it may scale up ok as Kat has confirmed on other tanks in previous posts. But I get what he is saying about the Minichamps version being a cheaper alternative. If you are handy with the brush and the Minichamps Patton is an oversized 1/35 scale tank then perhaps you could weather it or repaint it and weather it so it can be a cheaper alternative to the FL tank. I'm sure it would never be the same in quality but it depends on how much quality you want and how much you are willing to pay.

I would be very interested to know if you could purchase a 1/30 to 1/32 scale Patton in kit form. If someone does make them, then I would also be interested to know how much the kit would be and then the cost to commission a professional modeller to put it together and paint and weather it.

These are just my thoughts and of course my opinion.

Tom

 

[katana]

The M48A3 is a popular tank in the modeling world. Monogram, Revell, Tamiya, Trumpter et. al. make 1/35 scale models at a cost of $15.00 to $56.00.

The most impressive model for display is the 1/18 scale 21st Century M48A3. Very well detailed and available on Ebay for under $100.00.

I consider the Minichamps Diecast M48A3 a precision model, not a toy as has been suggested. The detail is excellent; equivalent to many 1/35 scale plastic model kits. The suspension works and the articulated tracks are metal. The condition is pristine, but a little colored chalk powder would weather it nicely.

The FL model is excellent and very similar in detail to the Minichamps model IMO. The Minichamps model is available on Ebay for $100.00 typically.

 

[Hunter Rose]

The M48A3 is a popular tank in the modeling world. Monogram, Revell, Tamiya, Trumpter et. al. make 1/35 scale models at a cost of $15.00 to $56.00.

The most impressive model for display is the 1/18 scale 21st Century M48A3. Very well detailed and available on Ebay for under $100.00.

I consider the Minichamps Diecast M48A3 a precision model, not a toy as has been suggested. The detail is excellent; equivalent to many 1/35 scale plastic model kits. The suspension works and the articulated tracks are metal. The condition is pristine, but a little colored chalk powder would weather it nicely.

The FL model is excellent and very similar in detail to the Minichamps model IMO. The Minichamps model is available on Ebay for $100.00 typically.

Glad you're happy with your Minichamps M48, but it is a 1/35 model, so why post it here? Makes no sense since FL are 1/30 items? I could understand if it was 1/30 scale (then it would be a great alternative) but the Minichamps model is not even remotely compatible.

 

[nysoldiers]

I have the Minichamps M60 tank and while it is a nice piece it does not work well with the FL and Figarti Vietnam figures.
I splurged for the FL M60 even though I think it is quite expensive and probably the most I have ever spent on a tank.
Because I am doing a Vietnam diorama I felt this model would really enhance the realism of the scene. Now I need some
M113 APCs and then complete my scenery.

 

[marco55]

I don't collect this series but even if I did, the price of this tank is way too rich for me at $450 USD which equates to around $600 Aussie dollars. Don't get me wrong, I think this tank looks great and has exceptional detailing but I could not justify the cost even though I could afford it if I was collecting the Vietnam series.

What Katana is suggesting is no comparison as the Minichamps version is mass produced, less detailed and at a different scale although it may scale up ok as Kat has confirmed on other tanks in previous posts. But I get what he is saying about the Minichamps version being a cheaper alternative. If you are handy with the brush and the Minichamps Patton is an oversized 1/35 scale tank then perhaps you could weather it or repaint it and weather it so it can be a cheaper alternative to the FL tank. I'm sure it would never be the same in quality but it depends on how much quality you want and how much you are willing to pay.

I would be very interested to know if you could purchase a 1/30 to 1/32 scale Patton in kit form. If someone does make them, then I would also be interested to know how much the kit would be and then the cost to commission a professional modeller to put it together and paint and weather it.

These are just my thoughts and of course my opinion.

Tom

The modeling guys really know their stuff and could probably make one look better than FL's but unless you know someone who is a modeler it would probably cost in the range of FL's even though it's 1/35.There is a lot of work and time involved in doing these kits.
Mark

 

[katana]

The discussion is about low cost alternative display models of the M48A3, of which their are many in a variety of scales.

The scale was not constrained to 1/30. Custom built and painted armor of excellent quality in 1/35 scale is available from $200 to $300 typically. I agree that this discussion should be on the General Matte thread; but it evolved here.

The FL model is excellent and sets a new price level equivalent to the HB Gold Tiger I; thus prompting evaluation of competitive pieces.

Glad you're happy with your Minichamps M48, but it is a 1/35 model, so why post it here? Makes no sense since FL are 1/30 items? I could understand if it was 1/30 scale (then it would be a great alternative) but the Minichamps model is not even remotely compatible.

 

[desk11desk12]

This is such a unique among us toy soldier collectors; I've to get this FL tank when it comes out!

Heck, years ago Mark Vuncannob, Build-A-Rama painted and weather this old Minichamp M48. What do you think? Yeah, it's 1/35 scale but it's my mimi mimichamp M48 packing a BIG PUNCH!!!

Carlos

 

[desk11desk12]

BTW, my tank has USMC markings and the figures around it are FL and Figarti.

Carlos

 

[bradleyl30]

This is such a unique among us toy soldier collectors; I've to get this FL tank when it comes out!

Heck, years ago Mark Vuncannob, Build-A-Rama painted and weather this old Minichamp M48. What do you think? Yeah, it's 1/35 scale but it's my mimi mimichamp M48 packing a BIG PUNCH!!!

Carlos


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With a lot of jolly green giants around it!

Looks good, just a tad small.

 

[nysoldiers]

This is such a unique among us toy soldier collectors; I've to get this FL tank when it comes out!

Heck, years ago Mark Vuncannob, Build-A-Rama painted and weather this old Minichamp M48. What do you think? Yeah, it's 1/35 scale but it's my mimi mimichamp M48 packing a BIG PUNCH!!!

Carlos


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The re-paint looks excellent and a great diorama as well. If you are a "purist" the tank scale is small for the figures but it still works especially in the background with figures a little further away. What ever you enjoy works and who cares what others think!

 

[FirstLegion]

I for one look forward to seeing side by side photos of ours and your weathered one once you get ours. Judging by the figures, the 1/35th one is really small by comparison. It's interesting because given the size of tanks relative to figures that folks who collect WWII are used to seeing, it doesn't look too bad in the photos in terms of scale. Sort of like a Panzer III or something next to WWII figures. Until you see the size that the M48 really should be relative to the figures and then you'll realize just how big a tank it is supposed to be!

 

[katana]

The size of the M48 is about the same as a Kingtiger. The M48 is 274 inches long, 143 inches wide and 120 inches tall. The Kingtiger was 291 inches long, 148 inches wide and 120 inches tall. The weight was significantly different. M48 was 50 tons and the KT was 70 tons; both had about the same engine power of 700 HP.

A good measure of figure size compatability is the figure height relative to the height of the gun barrel; which has a fireing height of 79 inches above the ground at zero elevation or depression.
A figure standing below the barrel and clear of it would be the equivalent of a 6' 3" soldier plus 2" for the helmet and 2" for 1/2 the 90mm gun outside diameter.

Carlos excellent Diorama would be more realistic if the M48 were on a base raised to offset the thickness of the figures bases; which exagerate the scale difference. Online photos of the M48 show the heads of some crew members approach the bottom side of the gun barrel in height.

 

[uksubs]

Carlos excellent Diorama would be more realistic if the M48

Was same scale as the figures -1/30 scale it that simple end of story

 

[Gebhard]

What do you think?
Carlos


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Really a nice dio, would look a bit better if you removed the piece of black foam :wink2:. The Figures look way out of scale IMO in some of the shots, but you work with what you have. I think it will look alot better with a properly scaled M48 close to the figures, maybe you could put the smaller one in the background and really have some fire power. Nice dio. regards Gebhard