Well, same discussion all over the place. Has anyone actually bothered to figure out if the Miniarm kit is correct?
If both kits are of the same size we can accuse Trump of reverse engineering, at least. In my opinion it would be a copy if they somehow 3D-scanned the resin parts and based the CAD model for the plastic parts on it. Otherwise they would have to make the CAD model on their own. It is hard to say what makes a copy.

The only kit I have managed to compare with its resin predecessor is the DANA. It is possible to see some influence of the resin kit, but the plastic kit is simply way better, the original research is undeniable. I would not jump into foolish conclusions just based on the race of the designers of the kit.

Hi Arpad;

There talking about Miniman Factory; Not Miniarm
Miniarm does not make full complete kits, just conversions !
If they did you could Bet they would be really Expensive

CHEERS; MIKE.

having looked at the images HB has provided about the plastic kit, and having the Miniman factory kit on hand to compare to...I am willing to bet real money it is NOT a copy. Influenced by...maybe. Copy? No way.

Same with the upcoming 2S7 Pion. I have the Panzershop kit...if they copied THAT, no one will buy it. Not a copy either.

I know it is hard to imagine such nice things coming so easy, but honestly, this is the fruit that has come from the labor of 3D modeling and computerized parts layouts before even one set of dies gets milled for the kit. It is SO much easier, right now, to make a esoteric kit than EVER, and get the details correct. The only limit is the information you use to make the CAD drawing, the amount of effort you put into making sure the CAD drawing is correct, and if you want to make the investment in tooling the kit. This is why so many people are so pissed at DML for the M103 kit...it is almost like you have to TRY to make mistakes (or be REALLY cheap).

Showing my age, the SS-23 was the prime cause for the INF treaty that resulted is the removal of the SS-23 from their side and the Pershing from our side. All the missiles were destroyed. The destruction was witnessed by teams from the other country. INF is still in place today but 24 hour notice of inspection of sites has fallen off as new items have come on line.

Actually, the SS-20 "Pioneer" was the main cause of the INF treaty, (as well as deployment of the Pershing II to Europe), but the SS-23 was a big part of it by the end.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermediate-Range_Nuclear_Forces_Treaty

Already available at evilbay, here's one of the two sellers I saw there:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/191393765612?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I'll wait until either Luckymodel or Hobbyeasy get it, anyway...

Squadron Mail Order here in the States had ~100 last Friday and sold them all by last night at $119 each. They have also sold about 120 each of the BA-10, T-28, and T-35 in same period.

KL

You can see the instructions here if you're interested

Hisham