Kinetic Model Kits have just sent us the Box-Art of what will be the company''s second, 1/35th Scale (Styrene) model.



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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

I guess I was hoping their second release would be another modern "wheeled" vehicle used in Iraq or Afghanistan... but a newly tooled and nicely detailed M109 will be good, also

Glad to see them continuing with more AFV's!

Hisham

Wow, I didn't see that one coming! Should be a useful release. Although the Italeri kit is old though its still a reasonable kit. I'd like to see Kinetic do something to really set this apart-how about a styrene interior!?

I agree.. an interior, even if it's just a basic one, would really make this kit a winner.

Hisham

Hi there,

judging from the box-art, it`s more an M109 A3 than an A2. Anyway with proper tooling and some plastic tracks, this one might be a winner. Perhaps we can hope for an M992 soon?

Looking forward to get one.

Hans-Hermann

Could that even be justified as a seperate upgrade? There's a lot of space inside and M109, perhaps they could consider this?

I have just built the Italeri Paladin version got Eduards detail set and AFV tracks set and then this comes along.

Having said that, this look like the Israeli version. So I will still be interested in this model. I believe this is the same company who produce 1/48 scale aircraft kits which I understand are made to a high standard, so we should expect a good model.

Cookie

Any news on anticipated release date. New year possible without saying which new year.

Cookie

This is a surprise. An interior would be great. Hopefully they will do the whole M108/109 series.

Fantastic news!

Cheers,
/E

Perhaps we can hope for an M108 soon?

I wonder if decals for this version will be included



Frenchy

Lots of users, lots of paint schemes, combat history, a great subject to be re-tooled!

I just noticed on Luckymodel's email that this kit is due out May 10th. Anyone see any sprue shots yet?

Ummm...yes, actually I have test sprues in my hands right now.

Sorry I can't post any pics but for those looking for an improvement over the Italeri M109 kits you won't be disappointed.

This new kit should have great potential for an interior and should lend itself easily to versions used beyond the U.S. borders.

Sounds good. Does it include an interior in the kit?

Not a full interior according to the test sprues.

Sounds great. Keep us posted.

/E

any reviews yet on this one?

Here's a couple:

Cybermodeler

Missing-lynx

So can I ask "When's the Maxxpro coming?" yet?

OK so one review gives it 5 out of 5 for accuracy.
What gives? no mention of the error in the spacing on the rear road wheel or the error in the turret above the side cab doors.

I wouldn't put much merit to the 5 Star review....5 Stars were given to pretty much everything...even the decals that the reviewer states were not included in the review kit.

It appears there are two schools of thought for reviews of recent...take a detailed approach to the quality of the kit and the accuracy....or simply rate the kit for the "enjoyment of building".

I think if modellers are going to spend their hard earned cash they want the naked plastic truth in a review...good, bad, and ugly without sugar coating and tip toeing around issues.

Part of the issue is a reviewer without in depth knowledge of a particular vehicle tends to stick to the cookie cutter "to me it looks like the vehicle" statement.

This is a hobby of enjoyment for most, who enjoy the building of models, not concerned with 100% accuracy. If the model resembles the vehicle fairly well, and it goes together well, then it is a decent kit. And if it is a decent kit, those who wish for 100% accuracy can complete the work with what ever modifications are required.

People giving models bad reviews scare away the average modeller who would just like the enjoy the thrill of building a model. Models should be judged on their merit, not the number of rivets. Just like modelling competitions, they are judged on the appearance of the model, not the accuracy.

I commend those modellers that go for 100% accuracy, but the MAJORITY of modellers are just looking for a great kit to build.

I agree with that building should be for the enjoyment of the hobby but the degree to which each modeller invests time and effort is up to them and that should not be looked down upon. Different modellers have different skill levels, free time, and funds to put into a project.

However, a review should be objective and not subjective. There are pros and cons to both a detailed review or a review that covers a subject with a broad stroke. At least with a detailed review the reader is not left guessing when seeing posts that point out inaccuracies that are not included in a review.

As I am involved in coordinating a fantastic model show on an annual basis and I usually attend at least three or four other shows per year. I get to talk to and listen to lots of modellers of all ages and all skill levels. The reoccuring theme is that they want the honest truth about a kit during a review as they are the ones spending the money and don't want to be disappointed when they open the box. A model producer should not be rewarded for having avoidable errors in their kit.

I am not sure which model contests you have been to but accuracy is ALWAYS a factor in judging an entry.

I have had the fortune to sit down and chat at length with the owner of Kinetic Models and get a good understanding of what level of detailing will be put into current and future Kinetic Models armour kits. It comes down to economics...a really detailed kit with lots of parts will take a modeller longer to build...therefore that modeller is not buying more kits on a regular basis. If a kit is designed with an average amount of detail then the turn around for building and finishing a kit is quicker. This means a modeller will buy more kits. That in turn means more business for the model producer.

I think Kinetic's business philosophy is a good one that will appeal to the majority of "intermediate" level modellers. But, that does not mean a review of a kit should not cover both the strong and weak points.

In the end a modeller should not just look at one review if they are serious about buying a kit. You have to bear in mind that a reviewer may not have as much reference material or information as another reviewer about the actual vehicle. I don't think any reviewer writes a review with the intent of misleading a modeller but when there are errors that other have identified that are not pointed out in a review the reader may question the accuracy of a review.