Here is a list of Italeri kits I might buy in the "near" future. So I need you opinions, which kit is ok and which is crap.

- Puma (202)
- Elefant (211)
- M4A1 Sherman (225)

- Demag with PAK 38 (6383)
- Crusader Mk. II (6385)

Thank you very much for your replies :-)

Wish i could help you with all of them, but I only know that the kit M4A1 Sherman (225) is well worth it. It has it's little issues, but builds into a nice representation.

Hi

I have built the M4A1 kit. As Kencelot said, there are minor problems, but it's a decent kit. The gun barrel is the main problem, and is easy to fix or replace.

I have the Puma kit. It looks nice. There is an article on Missing Links about building one. It's the only game in town...

The Crusader kits are nice. I have the II and III in box. Again, the only game in town. The II is missing sand shields as I recall.

The Demag base kit is nice. You get link and length tracks, there's decent detail, and only a few annoying ejector pin marks to deal with. I don't know about the AT gun.

I have seen the DML Elefant, and from what I've heard, you're much better off with that kit than the Italeri one.

Cheers
Andy

Yup, I've heard good things about the Crusader as well. I plan to get one in the near future...

I agree with herberta I have Italeri's:

M4A1(225) Not bad.
Elefant (211) Dragon's offering is much better, but with some TLC it builds into an OK kit.

I have all of these kits and the only one that I wouldn't buy again is the Elefant. DMLs offering is 100 times better and not much more money.

i have the Elefant (211)
its a really nice kit.
lots of detail. i have not built it yet
so get the Elefant if u like german armor like i do

I have both the Italeri and DML Elefants and in my opinion you get what you pay for! the Italeri version is considerably cheaper and has rubber band tracks and less detail,the DML kit has Indy link tracks and more detail,you pays your money and takes your choice.The only problem with the DML kit is the tracks,as you build them they take on a curve and need care to keep em straight.
HTH
Pete

Hi
I have finished the Puma and Elephant and am working on the DeMag now. The Puma is a nice build. But like any kit has it's little quirks. I found the suspension to be the toughest part. I tried like crazy but could never get all the wheels to sit at teh same level. I'd like to blame it on twisted plastic, but it's more likely my twisted head! The interior is weak, but you really canm't see much of it when it's fininshed. That being said it's a really great start for anyone wanting to throw in some scratch building. It has seperate fenders that look like they would be tough to get alighned to the body without any gaps, but they really fit well! I think the tire tread is inaccurate, but still looks pretty good.

The Elephant is on eof their older kits, but is still funb to build. The DML version is better, but the Italeri is still good!!! The drivers and machine gunners compartment is represented, but really doesn't provide much for detail. The suspension is a bit tricky as it is designed to have moving parts. The basic shape looks good and is pretty easy to build. Yoo might want to think about when you want ot add zimmerite to the body. Once you start building, it's really hard to work around alot of the detail pieces that are added. I learned this the really hard way. I had to work around, or mask off all the detail when I began applying putty to the body.

All in all fun kits and pretty well detailed. I have the Crusader still in the box and can't comment on it's construction, but it looks like another typically good build!

I hope this helps

Thank you all So if I pick any of those I won't make a mistake, that's good to hear.

I really wouldn't get the Elephant as they have kinda made a mix and match between the Elephant and the ferdinand and with the new DML kits out there why bother fighting with this old puppy!!...The rest of the kits well ...they are the only game in town and not that bad anyways...

Rick

ive built the italeri crusader mk1, which is a revised tooling of the one you mention.
its a pretty good kit, and shares most of its parts with the other crusaders they have.

as with all italeri kits some of the details is simplified, and it could definately benifit from some PE. but id say go build it!

cheers

joe