Hi folks got a question for you all has anybody built models from the following kit builders before and if so are they any good I am having a time getting russian armored cars. thanks kit makers follow
Eastern express from Russia
Alan Ltd from Russia
Maquette from Russia
ICM from Ukraine
Modelcraft from England

Good question Sgtreef, I am also interested in the answer since the particular kits those companies put out are of unique pieces that, in general, have not found a home in styrene and look interesting to build. But I too do not want to spend a ridiculous amount of time putting together a 'Bad' model...

Anyone?

Tread.

I have built or tried to build models by all of the above companies in the past. Overall I think that the Maquette kits represent some of the best quality kits in terms of building and overall detail. In particular, the 38t series has nice detail and overall accuracy. The T-34/85 from Maquette builds into a nice looking model but some have complained about the overall dimensions of the kit (It's certainly no worse than the dimensions the the T-34 series from Tamiya). However, be aware that some have said that the Maquette kits do not build well including the Panzer I with howitzer. The T-122 is a nice kit.. The t-26 is very, very nice also.

The Alan and ICM kits are both very nice. Actually, they have released kits of the same vehicles recently including a Panzer IID. These are both nice models with strengths and weakenesses... but nothing that should make the average modeler through them back in the box. I especially enjoyed the ICM Luchs, though it takes a little work to make it really shine.. out of the box it is a very nice build. From Alan I have worked on the Panzer I F and liked it so far, and the Panzer II D is a nice kit.

Modelcraft - stay away from unless you truly enjoy building the old Nitto, Otaki, Tamiya kits repackaged into a box with fairly boring art work. They do not make original kits as far as I can tell... they just re-issue old kits.

Later,
Tim









The ICM and Alan kits

Many thanks for the report tankshack. Appreciate the input. What I was really looking for is a report on the Russian or Soviet models that are available (not to step on your toes sgtreef )
Been thinking about building them but don't want to buy a plastic 'brick'

Tread.

Be ware of re-boxers Tread. The Marquette kits can show up in other manufacturer's boxes. I have a Marquette Bishop and Valentine Mk. III but they are in an RPM and Shanghai-Dragon box respectively. Of course these are both very nice kits, on par with Italeri kits. The kits are identical save for the turret. Alan kits are nice too as are ICM. ICM kits sometimes come with a sticky tar-like substance used as a mold release (it is a yellowish color). It takes a cleaner like Formula 409 or Simple Green to cut the stuff off without damaging the plastic.
The Alan kits I have are Bison II, Wespe, and the Marder II D. The ICM kits are Luchs and Panzer II D, which has the same parts as the Alan Marder II D hull.
Modelcraft is a straight reboxer like Tim says.

thanks for the replies. Also Italeri kits are prone to parts not fitting real well either at least the modern ones. On Maquette I just got their SU-152 which appears to be pretty good okay will order up some russian armored cars. The only thing I like about tamiya is one piece hulls the SU-152 hull was totally warped but heck after gluing came together pretty good but is a little small as to upper figthing structure. Nothing fits like Tamiya.
:)

There is a big bunch of reviews on my site for these companies. Email me and I shall grant you access to my dev. machine. (I'd post them here but I didn't write them and it's a pain in the neck to contact everyone for permisson... you know how it goes).

That's because Italeri reboxes Zvezda, ancient Max Peerless, and recently Esci (M60) as well as their own. There was a time in the 80s where they did some superb kits, Leopard 1A4, M-47 Patton, M-24, Willys Jeep, but then some of the later kits were not as good. Go figure.

As far as Tamiya fit, they are the best. Shape is not always spot on though.

Tread,
The Eastern Express kits are the best Russian WW II kits from the companies that you mention.

In particular, the KV-14 and the KV-1 series are very nice. I have start a KV-14 and found that the fit of the parts was very good. The details are all there, however, I replaced the tracks with ModelKasten and the barrel with the VERY nice one from Modelpoint. The rear deck needs a bit of attention. The engine screens are molded on and are a bit tricky to scratchbuild. Some rivet counters have complained about the road wheels... and there is a new set available from Artisan Mori... not to expensive( less than $20) I will not replace the road wheels on my kit. This one is probably the best one.... and the most fun to build... the kit goes right together... out of the box, I'd estimate hours tops to build the whole thing.

The KV-1s series is nice and they have nearly every variant covered. Remember this is not the same tank that Tamiya modeled. The

For all of the Eastern Express kits, the only minus I would say is the tracks. The east european companies seem to have a hard time making usable tracks. Eastern Express is no different. The details are not present, the material the tracks are made from is a bit too stiff... I have a friend that got them on.. but it took abit of work... maybe softening them up with some warm water?

The other Eastern Express kits that I have are the -
BT-7 series - I can't remember the exact variants but, in general, I thought that the kits looked very nice.

BA-6 - very frustrating kit... after all this time, a model of this wonderful and important vehicle was released and well, they forgot to put the RIVETS on it... I'm not talking about one or two in the wrong place... I mean it has no rivets at all!. This thing should have rivets on all seams and to do it justice you have to break out the punch and die nd get to work... The spare tire is also missing. Other than the missing details, it builds into a very nice model.

Be wary of the "half track/truck" model... it is a rebox of an old, bad impossible to build kit by Fort.

I think that sums up the Eastern Express kits....
Later,
Tim
www.tankshack.com

I have purchesed kits from all of them very good on parts No flash seems like they will go together good. And yes found all my kits.
Thanks

Yes you are right back in the 80's they did have good kits now all copied. I got me three stalin organs from Zvezda one was italeri kit you could see where they sanded off the name on sprue. But the other two kits are theirs changed the sprue and put their name on it. Strange indeed What branch are you in What Mos are you in.
I was 62B20.latter

I originally enlisted in the National Guard as a CEV crewman (12F)
I was trained and served as an M1 Abrams armor officer in the Regular Army, but did serve as a platoon leader in an M60A3TTS platoon until we got M1A1s.
I branch transferred to Ordnance branch after about 10 years (MOS 91B5K).
I currently run a maintenance training site (MOS producing school) and we train 45B/E/K/T, 52C/D, 62B, 63B/D/E/H/J/T/W as well as ASI H8 (Recovery Specialists)
I've spent the last 15 yrs on active duty and have 19 yrs total service.

Good to you Trooper and keep on kickin Butt on you know who. As an ex New Yorker you can get my drift. And my hope goes out to all our Troops.
God Speed.