I know I'm late to the party on this one, but damn I want this kit! does anyone know what the release date is? and where can I pre order one?

It's already out in HK http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/cazaa2yccqwgibu2fm0r.html Some pics you may have missed http://www.academy.co.kr/eng/1p/1p_plaview.asp?pView=PLA0000003&pCode=887&pScale=SCALE00001 Hisham

I've just finished mine, will send some pics later this week. It's a cheap kit, no PE parts and vinyl tracks. It's easy to build, but I'm a little disappointed by the tracks. Once finished, you don't see much of them so I decided to use them. The machine guns could be a little more detailed too. The decals are very good.

I'd really like to see some of the finished photo's! This kit is on my radar!

I'm waiting on mine now, ordered from Internet Hobbies (I know, probably not the brightest thing I ever did but I've had good service from them in the past) and have a spot on the bench cleared for it. All things considered, it's a reasonable replica and a heck of a deal, considering what a new Tamiya or Meng kit currently cost.

IMHO this is exactly what we need - more kits that newer modelers (and even older ones with fading eyesight) need. No PE? No problem? Legend's conversion has all you need. Tracks not to your liking? Again, no problem! The "You get what you pay for" crowd will always buy replacement tracks anyway. In talking on the phone with Raymond Chung two weeks ago, this is indeed the direction he wants to take his company, and even stated it in a post a fee days ago. Less complicated kits don't necessarily mean lesser quality. They DO mean less cost to produce, and less build time, allowing us to tackle those stashes. By the way, if decide to get this kit, even though I have the Legend conversion, I'll still do it on the Esci hull

I like that philosophy. I build (note the word "build", not "buy") a lot of Academy kits, and buy Academy and others. I tend to buy kits that I actually build, on the whole. I like the building process, and while I have a couple of very complex by my standards kits, I get more enjoyment from building kits that are not as complex, while still being reasonably detailed and accurate. If I want to add tracks (usually do) or aftermarket and/or scratch enhancements, I'll do so, and enjoy myself. My only real beef with Academy is that I truly wish they'd use something like Dragon's DS material for their tracks. I have a couple of the Esci kits in the stash for hulls too. It's an easy bash.

I'd really like to see some of the finished photo's! This kit is on my radar! [/quote]

Robert, never has a truer word be spoken (wrote) I have the same attitude, get a cheap kit and add what you wish and I'm glad there is no PE in here, as my eyesight is not that of a 25 year old any more . Just one thing, does any one know when it is going to hit the market? Paul