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Armor/AFV: Modern Armor
Modern armor in general.
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SkyBow's M41 Walker Bulldog
BlackThor_06
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Metro Manila, Philippines
Joined: August 12, 2003
KitMaker: 200 posts
Armorama: 114 posts
Posted: Monday, January 17, 2005 - 07:50 AM UTC
Hi.

I'm thinking of acquiring the 1:35 M41 Walker Bulldog by Skybow, but I'm put off by its high price.

Are there any comprehensive reviews for this kit? All I've found are for the AFV Club offering but the kit isn't available here.

Feedbacks for those who built the Skybow kit are needed as well.

Thanks!


BT6
Vodnik
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Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Monday, January 17, 2005 - 08:01 AM UTC
Randy,

I can't say much about Skybow kit, but I heard that in many areas it is better than AFV Club kit. I don't know how expensive is Skybow's M41 in your country, but Accurate Armour currently have clearout sale of Skybow kits and you can get M41 from them for just 8.51 UK pounds. Even with shipping costs to Philippines it may still be attractive option!

http://www.accurate-armour.com/ShowProduct.cfm?CFID=2978685&CFTOKEN=86434142&manufacturer=28&category=0&product=1114&cat=50&subcat=2

Pawel
DaveCox
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: January 11, 2003
KitMaker: 4,307 posts
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Posted: Monday, January 17, 2005 - 09:35 AM UTC
When Skybow stopped producing 1/35 scale kits, AFV Club took over the moulds, so the AFV Club M41 IS the Skybow offering.
Excellent kit, plenty of fine detail and no build problems that I can remember.
cfbush2000
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North Dakota, United States
Joined: December 01, 2001
KitMaker: 1,796 posts
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Posted: Monday, January 17, 2005 - 09:40 AM UTC

Quoted Text

When Skybow stopped producing 1/35 scale kits, AFV Club took over the moulds, so the AFV Club M41 IS the Skybow offering.
Excellent kit, plenty of fine detail and no build problems that I can remember.


Dave,
I could be wrong, but I think I read that AFV Club already had thier own M41 in circulation when they bought the Skybow molds and would not be releasing the skybow kit for that reason. I believe the AFV kit is lacking the gun mantlette cover.
Chuck
Vodnik
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Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
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Posted: Monday, January 17, 2005 - 09:44 AM UTC

Quoted Text

When Skybow stopped producing 1/35 scale kits, AFV Club took over the moulds, so the AFV Club M41 IS the Skybow offering.


This is not true! Actually M41 is the only Skybow's kit that will never be released by AFV Club. The reason is that AFV had their own M41 kit! They released it at about the same time as Skybow's one appeared on the market and they competed directly. Generally the Skybow kits is supposedly more accurate, although some parts are better in AFV Club offering. But AFV Club will not stop making their own Walker Bulldog, so Skybow's molds will probably be never used again...

But of course what you wrote is true for all other Skybow/AFV Club kits, like M109 tracks, M38A1 and Beeps.

Pawel
DaveCox
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: January 11, 2003
KitMaker: 4,307 posts
Armorama: 2,130 posts
Posted: Monday, January 17, 2005 - 09:47 AM UTC
I stand corrected - I understood that the Skybow and Tamiya kits were the only ones around, and when AFV Club took over Skybows moulds I put 2 & 2 together - obviously making 5 instead of 4!
My appologies.
jepot
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Drenthe, Netherlands
Joined: December 01, 2003
KitMaker: 37 posts
Armorama: 9 posts
Posted: Monday, January 17, 2005 - 11:08 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi.

I'm thinking of acquiring the 1:35 M41 Walker Bulldog by Skybow, but I'm put off by its high price.

Are there any comprehensive reviews for this kit? All I've found are for the AFV Club offering but the kit isn't available here.

Feedbacks for those who built the Skybow kit are needed as well.

Thanks!


BT6


Hello Randy!

AFAIK, the Skybow kit was available at Lils Makati, about slightly less than 1k; im not quite sure now if its still availalble; i have never seen an AFV club M41 in the shelves here in the Philippines. Also, there are 2 known variants of the M41 by AFV, and if you intend to make one exactly like what is displayed in the AFP and Army musuem, you have to try to get ahold of the JGSDF type AFV M41. The Tamiya kit although cheap ( about Php 500+ or roughly $9) is not as good as the AFV or Skybow versions.

BlackThor_06
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Metro Manila, Philippines
Joined: August 12, 2003
KitMaker: 200 posts
Armorama: 114 posts
Posted: Monday, January 17, 2005 - 02:08 PM UTC
[quote]
Quoted Text


AFAIK, the Skybow kit was available at Lils Makati, about slightly less than 1k; im not quite sure now if its still availalble...


That is the kit I'm considering. If it only didnt cost about P850 Php I would have bought it.

I already have the Tamiya kit, but I thinking of also having the 'ulitmate' kit of this tank.

I do appreciate the comments gents. Maybe I'll do get it.


BT6
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Monday, January 17, 2005 - 03:59 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I stand corrected - I understood that the Skybow and Tamiya kits were the only ones around, and when AFV Club took over Skybows moulds I put 2 & 2 together - obviously making 5 instead of 4!
My appologies.
I believe it was AFV Club's release of their M41 that beat Skybow to the punch and helped seal Skybow's fate. I have both kits and while I think they are both outstanding models of the Walker Bulldog, I would rate Skybow's as superior. Too bad it was not widely released and is a rare kit today.

Skybow showed promise with their first armored vehicle. I am glad their softskins live on in AFV Club boxes.
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