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Armor/AFV: Allied - WWII
Armor and ground forces of the Allied forces during World War II.
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Academy M-12 and M-18 Hellcat kits?
Big-John
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Ohio, United States
Joined: August 12, 2010
KitMaker: 731 posts
Armorama: 711 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 09, 2010 - 05:38 AM UTC
Are the Academy kits of the M-12 and M-18 hellcats any good or should I stay away from them.

They seem like important pieces of equipment one should have in the kit stash.
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 09, 2010 - 06:14 AM UTC
The M12 is a pretty nice kit. It has a full driver's compartment as well. I think it went together well and I had no issues w/its construction. I haven't built the M18 kit, but I suspect it is pretty good. Later Academy kits are quite good and I recommend them.
SSGToms
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Connecticut, United States
Joined: April 02, 2005
KitMaker: 3,608 posts
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Posted: Thursday, September 09, 2010 - 06:24 AM UTC
They are both GREAT kits and a good value. Go get 'em.
Belt_Fed
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: February 02, 2008
KitMaker: 1,388 posts
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Posted: Thursday, September 09, 2010 - 06:27 AM UTC
Hmmm how does the Academy M-18 fair against the AFV Club M-18?
Big-John
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Ohio, United States
Joined: August 12, 2010
KitMaker: 731 posts
Armorama: 711 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 09, 2010 - 06:35 AM UTC
Thanks guys, I did some searching and found the M 18 has an inaccurate rear hull and screens, but Verlinden has a correction for it. I will add both kits to my wish list. Along with some Tasca Shermans!!
SSGToms
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Connecticut, United States
Joined: April 02, 2005
KitMaker: 3,608 posts
Armorama: 3,092 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 09, 2010 - 06:45 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hmmm how does the Academy M-18 fair against the AFV Club M-18?

They both have their good and bad spots and in comparison reviews come out equal.
barkingdigger
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
ARMORAMA
#013
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England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: June 20, 2008
KitMaker: 3,981 posts
Armorama: 3,403 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 09, 2010 - 06:48 AM UTC
John,

The M12 is a fine kit, but for the M18 I'd go with the AFV Club version. (Indeed, that's exactly what I did...) You might want to look at this: AFV M18 review

Tom
Big-John
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Ohio, United States
Joined: August 12, 2010
KitMaker: 731 posts
Armorama: 711 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 09, 2010 - 05:25 PM UTC
Tom,

Thanks for the link, looks like it's AFV club for the M 18
vonHengest
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Texas, United States
Joined: June 29, 2010
KitMaker: 5,854 posts
Armorama: 4,817 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 09, 2010 - 07:44 PM UTC
Yes, go for the AFV M-18 and grab some AM for the interior and you'll be set
GeraldOwens
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Florida, United States
Joined: March 30, 2006
KitMaker: 3,736 posts
Armorama: 3,697 posts
Posted: Friday, September 10, 2010 - 02:24 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Are the Academy kits of the M-12 and M-18 hellcats any good or should I stay away from them.

They seem like important pieces of equipment one should have in the kit stash.

The Academy M12 is a very decent kit. However, the M18 is a mass of errors, though it assembles easily enough for those who are not fussy. The AFV Club M18 is somewhat better, but what we really need is a newly tooled kit (and new M10 and M36 kits as well). American tank destroyers have been very poorly served in 1/35th scale.
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