Tamiya is quite popular, with am manufacturers.

Good news for the ones who can't afford months (years ?) to go thru the beautiful Bronco kit (except wheels size and spacing according to experts). I started mine, well... some time ago ... The Tamiya offer will be much quicker to finish despite the fact that I find quite some minor flash on the wheels and fenders of the brand new Tamiya Valentine I am working on. Unexpected -and unwanted- from such a major model maker... But It worth noting -looking at these official pictures- that Tamiya is offering dedicated wheels (later type) to its Archer and not just going on with their Mk II initial offer. A very nice attention. And maybe a clue for a later version for their Valentine in a near future ? Even if the superb AFV club kits and Miniart/Bronco offers are already covering most of these evolutions (I, III, IV...X, XI...)

Also of note, the markings shown here ( 3rd Anti-Tank Regiment, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division - AOS 46) are the same as one of the four markings offered in Bronco kit... including the serial number : S279769. A nice picture of this specific Archer appears in British Tank of WW2 by David Fletcher (Concord 7028) on page 54

Tamiya is quite popular, with am manufacturers.[/quote] Tamiya and Dragon get nearly as much AM as all other manufactorers combined

Tamiya is quite popular, with am manufacturers.[/quote] Tamiya and Dragon get nearly as much AM as all other manufactorers combined [/quote] Tamiya and Dragon each have larger catalogues than any number of other makers combined except for Trumpeter. And Tamiya practically invented the freaking hobby and the need for after market. Modelkasten started making Indy link tracks for Tamiya releases back in the day. Verlinden started making resin for Tamiya, On the Mark started doing photoetch for Tamiya. Other companies have come and gone, one is even still around but really who takes Italeri seriously anymore? But Tamiya is still going strong and whether we like it or not the industry leader.

Tamiya's latest generation of kits are nice particularly if you are modeler with limited hours to devote to a model. You get a decent kit that builds generally struggle-free. I finished the Red Army Matilda recently and haven't had as good a time with my last few builds from Trumpeter, Dragon and Hobby Boss. It's a stark contrast.

No doubt Tamiya AFV kits are great to build and rewarding ... but while finishing their last Valentine Mk II, feeling is mixed. Because Tamiya is not alone with a modern offer for this tank (vs their last Somua S-35, for example). And so, if AFV Club's Valentine are time consuming -Bronco's are worst- the result is really in an other league... Maybe Tamiya could keep it simple but add a little more parts and "finesse" on some simplifications. Tasca was doing it so well ten years ago (RIP) I am sure Tamiya can handle it in a blink of an eye... as they do with some of their 1/48 tank kits, which, in my humble opinion, offer better balance between details and easiness than their last 1/35 Valentine or M10 Anyway, I am really impatient to see which way Tamiya took for this Archer and especially its deadly 17 pdr... the figures alone worth a closer examination !!

It really depends on you modelling ability. I have a fairly large stash of kits - I'm a sucker for buying things that are on offer and look interesting even if thought hadn't crossed my mind until then. I have some tiny and really complex kits, Bronco, Tristar, Hobbyboss, Riich. On paper they look fantastic, loads of metal, springs, transparencies. Tiny, tiny parts. The problem when I try one, I soon discover that I am fighting against my eyesight and my skill level. Sit down and do a Tamiya and it is enjoyable. Perhaps not as detailed but with my mediocre skills it stands a chance of being finished and will look better than a complicated kit that I have struggled with. This Archer is definitely on my list. Cheers, Nigel

has it been released yet ?