I’m on the road and don’t have my camera, but I just wanted to share my impression of the new AFV Club late Tiger 1 kit which I bought yesterday.
Having already built the DML 3&1 Initial, I pretty well know what to expect with the DML late Tiger 1, and believe me the AFV Club offering ain’t even close.
First, there are no Indy links, just rubber band track, which don’t look too bad, but are lacking in the detail that one would get from indies. The next issue for me is the turret, which like Tamiya is molded in two halves, with the holes for the spare track molded in. The Turret is not asymmetrical.
Finally, I was very disappointed in the hull. The hull top plate and side plates are ONE PIECE! This simplifies construction but also detracts from the sharpness of the back deck details. The aircleaner and fuel access grille doors are molded shut. The only relief is the engine access door, which can be posed open or closed.
A turned aluminum gun tube is provided, along with (plastic) muzzle breaks (large and small). The only other photo etch are the screens for the grille doors on the back deck.
No figures or other “extras” such as ammo are provided. My over all impression is the kit is OK, but nothing to rave about. There are markings for three vehicles, two from SS pz abltng 101, and one from the 502nd.
The kit does offer "working torsion bars, which should work well in conjunction with the rubber track.
If there is enough interest in this thread, I will be able to post in box pics this weekend.
Is this a recent release from them or is it one of their older models? I ask because I just got their M3A3 Stuart kit and it looks very nice. I haven’t seen any other Stuart kits against which to compare it, but it looks much nicer than the older Tamiya kits I’ve been building to date, and about on par with the Trumpeter Sturer Emil.
It is a brand new kit, I was thinking about purchasing it, but now I wont, I dont have enough money for all that AM stuff, which is why I love DML, all the AM you can need, without the PRICE!!! [}:)]
Thanks Steve, I had considered it myself. However, I knew once I saw all the stuff they crammed into Dragon’s box, it became a nobrainer to get theirs. Of course, that is a bit of a hangup right now…Thanks for the review, apparently Perth’s site is in awe of most every new release and isn’t as unbiased as we are.
Wow, surprised to hear this. I would have expected more out of AFV. Doesn’t affect me really, as I’m still waiting for the my DML kit, but nonetheless, a disappointment to hear, especially comming from a well-established manufacturer.
What really surprises me is that they got the turret shape wrong. For years, everyone knew that the turret in the Tamiya kit was incorrect then AFV club comes out and makes the same mistake
They did make a few corrections, but I don’t believe a new turret was among them. Mostly detailing issues if I recall correctly. Check out Perth’s review.
Yes, for me the benchmark will be the DML kit. One thing that I forgot to mention was that the cupola is molded to the turret roof, it is not even a separate part. I paid around $32.00 USD, I feel a little ripped off, but I’ll get over it. I take some pics and post them on Saturday. By the way, the same HS had the AFV Flak 18, but I passed on it.
I can weigh in on the AFV 88. I have botht he DML and the AFV 88’s.
Both are outstanding. You don’t get all the figgy’s in the AFV, but I would trade that for the MUCH better instruction manual you get with AFV as opposed to the “Sheet” dml gives you. Very confusing, but I am not the shapest tool in the shed!!
Both are wonderful examples of what can be had in the art of injection molding. IMHO, the AFV is a bit crisper in details, but the DML gives more options.
I would rate them exactly even for content, but I’m pretty sure Tamiya would win out for assembly. Based on my AFV experience with the M10, I know there will be some issues.
Interesting comments, but may I ask you have another look at the turret?
If this is not asymmetrical, I am wondering what exactly is asymmetrical?
I have included an image of the DML turret roof for comparison.
Different views on a kit are very welcomed and just because someone has another opinion based on their perceptions or expectations is no reason for others to call another review biased, especially when there are clear images to support the words.
Be interested in your views once you have had time to give the kit a good look over.
WOOOPS!, Thank you very much for the correction. I definitely made an error. I bought this kit and opened the box in my car and based my observation on dry fitting the turret halves, I should have looked closer. To all, I stand corrected and again, thanks Terry for pointing out my mistake.
