Here are a few pics of my Value Box M-26A1. This tank will eventually make it's way onto a diorama with an M4A3E8 (dragon) but that is going to have to wait a few months. This is straight out of the box, it will eventually get some extra gear but not alot.. I wanted a pretty clean tank so it looks new compaired to the E8 in the dio.. On to the pics, as always any constructive tips are appreicated.

Very nice, so this is the Korena War era Pershing?

A very well finished tank, but I wonder why they designated this kit as an A1? I see none of the upgrades and changes that the tank had to make it different from a standard M26(T26E3).









~ Jeff

Thanks for the compliments. I built this one to be the WW II version. Jeff, good eye on the A1 details. I left them off since I wanted it to be period correct for an M-26 that saw combat in late WW II. The kit has them, though I would not say this kit is anywhere near as good as the latest from dragon.

Looks nice. Good representation of a late WWII M26.

This may be a stupid question but where do you find "Value Box" models? Who carries them and how are the prices? I have never heard of this company.

Your built kit looks great. I am looking forward to seeing the pictures of the "Easy Eight".

Jeff

I believe he used/is talking about the Dragon "Orange Box" Super Value Pack boxing of their M26A1 kit. It has the M26A1, parts for either a late WWII T26E3 or a Korean War M26A1, two types of tracks (DS T80E1 for Korea; plastic indi-link T81 for WWII), Dragon's WWII US Anti-Tank Team figure set (6149), and four extra weapons sprues that include a flame thrower, a bazooka, and a bunch of different personal weapon options.



These Dragon "Orange Box" Super Value Sets are usually older kits updated with DS tracks, small PE frets, or a few updated pieces and extras like the figure kit added. They are a good deal if you are not looking for the latest, greatest release. The added pieces are usually quite good and they can come out great, as can be seen above. The price is good too, usually around $30.

Jeff, HeavyArty has it right. An orange box or value pack is an older dragon with a few bits added in. This one does have the anti tank infantry (seen here linkname ) and is not a bad deal for the money. I got this one at a local model show for $25. The tank and the figure set are not up to the latest dragon stuff but it was a fun build for both projects.

Still, a beautifully built and weathered, late WWII M26 Pershing! What jumped out at me was the lack of the M3A1 gun with bore evacuator and single-baffle muzzle brake that quickly identifies it as the A1 version.

As well as a few other things.

Nice work.









~ Jeff

Thanks again Jeff. The tracks almost forced me to make this into the Korean version... I really have not gotten those link tracks to work the way I want them to, but in the end the WW II armor guy in me made me build this one. I still plan on some extra equipment on this tank before it goes on a diorama but for now it is close enough to done for me to call it for awhile and work on something else.

OK...I was having one of my blonde moments. I have several of the Orange Box kits...and they are an even better value now since Greatmodels has all "in stock" kits on sale for 40% off. I got kit 9136 Pz. Beobachtswagen III w/ Skat Spielern for $18.55 + shipping.

These kits do build into nice representations of the actual vehicles....This kit is no exception. Nice job EASY8!

Jeff

Jeff C
Thanks! now the challenge is to get the other tank to look just as good but give it that used and abused look... That one is going to have to wait a few months though, have some stuff comming up that will pull me away from the bench for awhile... so more to follow eventually