Tamiya M40 SPG 2016
Everyone has seen this box art on many sites, but to see it up close and personal, the detail is spectacular.
The image from the side of the box of the gun crew.
I have no doubts that this kit will turn up here on many an occasion, as the box art will sell even more.
Even though the "Background Information" is all in Japanese, the refference images are superb.
There are some great examples of the 155mm Ammunition available for a bigger diorama, but what is in the kit was a real surprise to me and a welcome one.
Ejection pin marks here are fortunatly on the interior of the assembled piece, but the wood grain detail speaks volumes of what detail is in this superb kit.
Really fantastic detail. But that applies to the whole kit, as you will see in the remainder of the images I have posted. 🙂
Cordite bag containers.
So much potential for the 'super detailers' who live here on Scalemates. As I will be snipping and drilling and all kinds of things with this lot too. 🙂
Tamiya will never let us down in the detail department. Nothing to hope for, as it's all there. 👍
One thing I have noticed so far is the destinct lack of mould seams.
I often hear the word "Crisp" when seeing parts on trees for the first time, and here, the 'crispness' stands out like dog's balls in the moonlight. Superb in every way.
This is impressive. The 'casting' marks from the molten metal pour are authentically represented beautifully. Even the grinding tool marks too.
The breach tooling is amazing. The 'teeth' will be able to take some 'sharpening' with steady hands and a keen eye.
The breach 'spin lock receiver' could stand some internal tooling too. Making impressions of the parts numbered 59 and inserting the reversed mouldings internally will look fantastic.
The "welds" are fantastic. so go easy on the paint department and it will 'define' beautifully.
And a gentle drilling out of the 'rubber' sight cap is in order here too, just for some 'depth' in the reality stakes. 🙂
The 'anti-slip' section looks a little 'heavy' to me, but as I research more images, I will decide if it needs any 'reduction' at all.
My thumb nail for a sense of scale.
This grill is augmented with the etched metal part provided in the kit.
The air cleaners/filters .
The 'internal' ammo bins
If you have the etched brass 'tie down cleats', these ones will look superb when replaced.
All the prisim 'fastners' are so well represented too. 🙂
With some extra careful shaving, I can imagine some fine copper wire replacing these 'handles' for sure.
This looks "To scale" compared to the other plate behind it.
These hexagonal nut recesses says to me that there is a radio control version coming.
Two of them .??? A bonus indeed.
Thanks to Cemal Deger, he advised me that the Bronco AB3565 are the right tracks for the Korean tanks as they had the "Broad foot" without the 'ducks bill' extensions.
These 'cordite bags' should not present a problem if some 'duplication' is to be done. And the load tray also has the brass rest skid on the underside (To prevent any 'sparking').
The load tray frame is exceptional. 🙂
The instruction booklet
As always. Foolproof drawings and paint call outs are all there.
Comes with the kit. But I am sure there will be some more 'after market' bits to come as the kit gains popularity.
Kommentare
23 December 2016, 02:18
Kerry COXI bought a set of Bronco tracks for a Sherman without researching what the M40 had for feet and all to no avail. 🙁
23 December 2016, 06:47
Cemal DegerNice one! Mine is on the way too. As for the tracks, T80E1's will be fine I guess 🙂 I'm going to swap those vinyl tracks with Bronco as well.
23 December 2016, 12:08
Kerry COXCemal. Did you see the track I posted (Image 69) of what is in the Kit. ?
They are the 'broadfoot' type, and I have been looking for them but to no avail. 🙁
23 December 2016, 13:13
Bart GoesaertNice kit... If Eduard just would want to re-release their set for the AFV-version
23 December 2016, 13:31
Kerry COXBart, I saw the tracks that fitted the AFV kit and they looked similar, but will have to investigate further, as I want it as close to the Korean War unit as I can get it.
23 December 2016, 15:25
Cemal DegerBronco AB3565 is the right tracks for the Korean tanks I believe. Hobbyeasy has them check it out.
23 December 2016, 20:56
Kerry COXWONDERFUL. :-O Thanks Cemal. I will do that 🙂
In the meantime. Merry Christmas to you and all my mates here on SM. 👍 🙂
Big update. BNA in Melbourne Australia has them and I have just placed my order. 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
bnamodelworld.com/.
23 December 2016, 21:32
Thomas MayerHappy Christmas to all! Especially for my good Aussie friend Kerry! I am so thankful to have such a friend!
24 December 2016, 14:28
Kerry COXThomas. From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate your good wishes and especially your friendship. 👍
All the best to you and yours my good mate.
And a merry Christmas to all my scale mates. 🙂
CHEERS. 🙂
24 December 2016, 19:20
Kerry COXHi Robert. Mate, you will thoroughly enjoy this kit. So far, not one small piece of 'flash' any where. 🙂
The detail is some of the finest I have seen, and all parts fit perfectly. 👍
28 December 2016, 02:42
Dan MHm, I hate to be the bearer of bad news. but the tracks in Bronco AB3565 are T80E1 and these were used by the Pershing, not the M40. The M40 used T66 (the prototypes in WWII during Zebra Mission and these are the tracks included in the AFV Club kit), T80 (plain, not E1, easily distinguished by the guide horn which looks like a V on E1 and like a square, empty box on plain T80, actually Tamiya includes these as vinyl). They've also used T84 which resemble T80E1 except they have rubber pads. But most of the photos of M40's in Korea show them with T80.
All in all, it's AFV Club that has a T80 track (kit AF35032) but I know nothing about how good it is. I do intend to try it for my M51 iSherman, but have to find it in a shop first 🙂
15 January 2017, 11:53
Kerry COXA BIT late mate. 🙁
I have just spent the last two weeks assembling these T80 tracks and from what I am seeing, it pleases me no end to see how perfectly these fit. But thanks for the bummer news. :-/
15 January 2017, 23:50
Dan MYes, I was afraid of that 🙁
Unfortunately I've noticed it only now and only because I was studying what kind of tracks were used by Shermans with HVSS suspensions, to see what I can use for an M51. Real sorry mate for such news, especially after 2 weeks of work, wish I would've noticed it sooner.
16 January 2017, 00:25
Kerry COXI personally don't care. :-/
I am just happy to have one of the very first M40 kits into Australia, and the 'rivet counters' will just have to suck it up, as by the time I have the diorama complete, the tracks and running gear will be basically 'concealed. 🙂
But the joy of being patient enough to actually have the tracks "WORK" after all was done is a feather in this 70 year olds cap. 👍
16 January 2017, 00:39
Robert W MartelKerry I don't know to do these emoticon thingys, But I say Thumbs Up Mate 🙂
16 January 2017, 06:31
Dan MKerry, I'm sure the diorama will be amazing and I can't wait to see pictures of it 👍
16 January 2017, 09:01
Kerry COXThank you all lads. 🙂
It will be "some where in Korea". 👍
I am thinking of a mountain top dug in gun position, of which, there were many, but even a bit of snow/mud and general 'griminess'' about it.
Sort of tired/cold/wet, 'wishing it was over' type of thing. I have some good reference images of just that scene, and I hope I can do it justice. 👍
16 January 2017, 11:19
Album info
The new release of the Tamiya M40 has been eagerly anticipated by the modelling world and mine just arrived an hour ago. so I took some images of what it looks like in the box and I hope it meets your approval.