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Orochi M3A3 arrived
jwest21
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - 10:11 AM UTC
My Orochi M3A3 arrived today. I know a link to the sprue shots was already posted, but I'll snap some pics shortly. The upper hull has the side skirts molded with it. The back sides of the side skirts have absolutely no detail at all, not even the panel line between each skirt. No-slip is molded in and looks pretty nice. PE is limited to some exhaust grills and a PE mask for the two piece tires. So you can either paint the tire and hub separate and then assemble or assemble and then paint with the mask. Tracks look decent and come with precut pins, which is nice. Metal barrel looks good. Vodnik said that the kit itself looked simplified, compared to the Meng kit. While I do no have the Meng kit yet, I can definitely agree that there are some simplified areas. Honestly, I think an average speed builder could have this built in a few days. Pictures shortly- if you have anything specific you'd like to see, let me know.
jwest21
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - 10:27 AM UTC
PIctures:
PE:
Figure and clear parts:
PE:
Figure and clear parts:
jwest21
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - 10:29 AM UTC
Hull
Sprues:
Sprues:
jwest21
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - 10:30 AM UTC
jwest21
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - 10:31 AM UTC
Special parts:
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - 11:52 AM UTC
From the sprue shots, the TOW box ends are very simplified and lack details. Also, the step loops on the side skirts were molded on as opposed to separate pieces (even the new Academy M2A2 OIF has separate ones). The CITV looked simplified too. Can you confirm these areas? There was some speculation that the sprues were test shots and the final kit would be better.
jwest21
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - 12:37 PM UTC
Barely any details on the TOW ends. The CITV looks a little more detailed. The step loops are molded on. In all honestly, the more I look at it, the more it reminds me of an updated Tamiya Bradley/ I'll snap some pictures and upload them now
jwest21
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - 12:39 PM UTC
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - 12:59 PM UTC
Quoted Text
In all honestly, the more I look at it, the more it reminds me of an updated Tamiya Bradley.
That was my first impression as well. Thanks for confirming it for me. I'll stick with Meng's Bradleys.
jwest21
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - 01:12 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextIn all honestly, the more I look at it, the more it reminds me of an updated Tamiya Bradley.
That was my first impression as well. Thanks for confirming it for me. I'll stick with Meng's Bradleys.
I'll most likely do this as a weekend project and get the Meng kit later, myself.
leonhzy
Joined: August 12, 2013
KitMaker: 88 posts
Armorama: 87 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - 02:24 PM UTC
MENG's Bradley is better but this one come with lower price, not everyone want a very accurate and detailed kit, some of then just want a quick build. 
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - 02:34 PM UTC
Quoted Text
MENG's Bradley is better but this one come with lower price, not everyone want a very accurate and detailed kit, some of then just want a quick build.
Actually, the Meng and Orochi M3A3 kits are basically the same price. I would rather have the more accurate, more detailed kit for the price they want for them.
hugohuertas
Joined: January 26, 2007
KitMaker: 1,024 posts
Armorama: 1,013 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 11, 2014 - 01:45 AM UTC
Quoted Text
MENG's Bradley is better but this one come with lower price, not everyone want a very accurate and detailed kit, some of then just want a quick build.
Not at all
Both kits are mostly at the same price level everywhere.
I cannot see why anyone will like to pay almost the same for a worst -less detailed- offering...
But anyone can do whatever he/she likes with his/her own $$$
jwest21
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 11, 2014 - 01:55 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextMENG's Bradley is better but this one come with lower price, not everyone want a very accurate and detailed kit, some of then just want a quick build.
Not at all
Both kits are mostly at the same price level everywhere.
I cannot see why anyone will like to pay almost the same for a worst -less detailed- offering...
But anyone can do whatever he/she likes with his/her own $$$
I bought mine before the sprue shots out. I figured it would be as nice as Takom's FT-17 and St. Chamond kits.
JmeDubya
Joined: July 25, 2013
KitMaker: 124 posts
Armorama: 124 posts
Posted: Monday, October 20, 2014 - 01:08 PM UTC
Since the main reason I've been interested in this kit is that it's actually supposed to have an M3 TOW loaders hatch above the troop ramp, can you post a pic of the hatch? Thanks.
jwest21
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Monday, October 20, 2014 - 02:23 PM UTC
Do you happen to have a pic of the real thing? I am not sure I know what part you are referring to
Keef1648
Joined: January 23, 2008
KitMaker: 1,240 posts
Armorama: 1,192 posts
Posted: Tuesday, October 21, 2014 - 12:29 AM UTC
I have it 'in stock' and on my store shelf @ HobbyTown, Columbia SC along with the available update kit as well.
We shall see how long it takes to move out.
Keith.
We shall see how long it takes to move out.
Keith.
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Tuesday, October 21, 2014 - 01:16 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Since the main reason I've been interested in this kit is that it's actually supposed to have an M3 TOW loaders hatch above the troop ramp, can you post a pic of the hatch? Thanks.
Do yourself a favor and buy this one instead: http://www.meng-model.com/new.php?id=417
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Tuesday, October 21, 2014 - 01:31 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Since the main reason I've been interested in this kit is that it's actually supposed to have an M3 TOW loaders hatch above the troop ramp, can you post a pic of the hatch? Thanks.
This is the Meng TOW reload hatch and rear ramp (grafted to an Academy hull. It is much nicer than the Orochi one. As Pawel says above, bypass the Orochi kit and get the Meng M3A3.
jwest21
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Tuesday, October 21, 2014 - 02:44 AM UTC
I concur- get Meng.
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