[?]Looking at Tigerman’s group build on the Elefant. What is meant by “Braille”? I’m reminded of the Braille patch on the front of out ATM’s face at the local bank…how did the blind guy get there in the first place? The only Elefant kit I’ve been able to locate is Italiere’s in 1/35. Anyone built that one? and could they comment? I haven’t started mine yet.
Bud
Braille Scale is a nickname given to small scale armor kits. Normally the 1/72 scale and 1/76 scale kits, but is expanded to include just about any scale smaller than 1/48 scale.
There are two 1/35 scale Elefants on the market. Dragon makes a nice one and Italeri makes an older one.
In Braille Scale, we have a slightly larger selection (unusual for us). There is the old Esci Elefant that is now boxed by Italeri. Dragon produced an Elefant that had some problems and retooled it a bit and gave us an even newer one as part of the “Armor Pro” series. Trumpeter makes a very nice one as well.
That gives us four Elefant models in 1/72 scale and Fujimi makes an old one in 1/76 scale for a total of five. Add to that the Dragon and Trumpeter Ferdinand, and we have seven models to chose from.
I think the 1/144 kits should be dubbed something like “micro-braille”, and the 1/285 stuff as just impossible. But, of course, the 1/285 aren’t really kits, so guess that doesn’t matter!!)
Major Rob…Many thanks for the answer(s) to my questions. At my age (74) anything under 1:1 could be called “braille”…but I can handle 1/35 quite well. I’ve only been modelling armour for the past year, and enjoying it no end. Up 'til then it was planes, trains and ships. Retirement has given me plenty of time to play. I really only worked to support my hobbies. Thanks again,
Bud
Bill, you’d be surprised how intricate some of those 1/285 scale Micro Armor kits are. Most have separate machine guns, cupolas, turrets and other fiddly pieces.
Really, wow, I never knew that. I’ve always assumed they were just one or two piece white metal castings.
1/285 Mg+Cupola+Turrets=severe eye strain and migraine[:D]
[#ditto] Espically on the “fiddley” pieces. I might have to give a couple a try, just to see what they’re like!
I think I’ll stick with 1/35! I’ve invested too much in my "collection in the last 33 yrs. and I’m too stogy to change! But you guys who can still see to do Braille, have at it, it looks like fun! i just hope the market dosen’t switch like it did back in the seventies when there was 1/32 and 1/35.
I just keep adding more loops to my magnifier headband!
The UH-60 Blackhawks I just bought contain about 8 white metal pieces and four photo etched pieces.
I will admit that there are some vehicles like a HMMWV or M577 that are basically one piece white metal, but a lot ot them are nicely detailed.
Bud,
Here are a couple of Elefants that were at last years Gathering. Think these are both from the Dragon kit
Philip…Thanks for the pics. Like the original Isuzu Troopers, ugly but beautiful!
Bud
Yeap…[:p]
Yep, that looks small.
I have been thinking on some of those 1/144 kits. 1/285 is too small for me.
That’s the attitude. [:)] If you’d like, you’re more than welcome to get into our Group Build.
That’s inspiring. If my life turns that way I’d be ok with it.