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Miniatures Adventure => The Second World War => Topic started by: commissarmoody on January 18, 2021, 01:07:57 PM

Title: Solido Military diecast question.
Post by: commissarmoody on January 18, 2021, 01:07:57 PM
Howdy,
I am looking at the Solido Military 1/50 r35 light tank. And I am wondering how well it compares to other 28mm or 1/50 lines of miniatures. Don't want to pick them up if they are too big or small.  :D
Title: Re: Solido Military diecast question.
Post by: Westfalia Chris on January 18, 2021, 02:55:59 PM
Howdy,
I am looking at the Solido Military 1/50 r35 light tank. And I am wondering how well it compares to other 28mm or 1/50 lines of miniatures. Don't want to pick them up if they are too big or small.  :D

I've used numerous Solido items in the past, and found that the softskins and wheeled vehicles tend to work better than the tracked ones with the working metal link track. That is very toy-like and doesn't look decent, IMHO. It also depends on the make of figure - old Harlequin/BTD WW2 work nicely with the Solido trucks, Perry Minis might work at a pinch (although I'd take 1/56 vehicles for those anytime nowadays), older West Wind don't look good at all because the figures are really slight in cases (more 1/60th as were the old vehicles).
Title: Re: Solido Military diecast question.
Post by: Poiter50 on January 18, 2021, 03:22:38 PM
If the Solido is the same as the Corgi R35, then I think it is actually 1/43. I have a couple and they are as big as the Somua 35.

Howdy,
I am looking at the Solido Military 1/50 r35 light tank. And I am wondering how well it compares to other 28mm or 1/50 lines of miniatures. Don't want to pick them up if they are too big or small.  :D
Title: Re: Solido Military diecast question.
Post by: commissarmoody on January 19, 2021, 07:41:47 AM
Thanks you two. I might give one a try just to see.
Title: Re: Solido Military diecast question.
Post by: carlos marighela on January 19, 2021, 08:56:10 AM
I suspect Poitier is right. I don’t have the R-35 but it always looked a bit on the larger side of things. I may be wrong.

I have plenty of the modern stuff and that typically scales out well to 1/50. The exceptions are the choppers, Gazelle is around 1/55 and the jeeps are 1/43. Tracks and running gear are always the aesthetic Achilles heel of Solido but the models are otherwise quite well detailed and are robust.

In case you aren’t aware of them, Quarter Kit in Paris make loads of conversions and conversion bits for Solido tanks as well as their own 1/48-1/50 kits. Kits are well made, easy to build and you get excellent customer service.

https://www.promodels.eu/en/
Title: Re: Solido Military diecast question.
Post by: commissarmoody on January 21, 2021, 11:48:04 AM
Thanks, I was not aware of quarter kits.
Title: Re: Solido Military diecast question.
Post by: traveller on January 21, 2021, 02:35:24 PM
I think the Solido/Verem tanks work well with most 28mm. I rather have a too big vehicle than a too small. The bases you use  also have quite an impact on the comparison between man and machine. Here are two quich images of the Solido R35 with BTD and Artizan miniatures:

(https://i.postimg.cc/6pCbKrY8/3F1FF782-3073-4E6D-B24C-4EA96A5F1084.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QFxJkTLD)

(https://i.postimg.cc/yd8L0wBR/A50C2E22-9691-4619-80A0-1C0325658F36.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SXHLh1nQ)
Title: Re: Solido Military diecast question.
Post by: commissarmoody on January 21, 2021, 07:18:04 PM

Thanks Traveler, I think this is just what I am looking for.


I think the Solido/Verem tanks work well with most 28mm. I rather have a too big vehicle than a too small. The bases you use  also have quite an impact on the comparison between man and machine. Here are two quich images of the Solido R35 with BTD and Artizan miniatures:

(https://i.postimg.cc/6pCbKrY8/3F1FF782-3073-4E6D-B24C-4EA96A5F1084.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QFxJkTLD)

(https://i.postimg.cc/yd8L0wBR/A50C2E22-9691-4619-80A0-1C0325658F36.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SXHLh1nQ)
Title: Re: Solido Military diecast question.
Post by: traveller on January 21, 2021, 08:02:38 PM
Happy that it helps. The Soldo vehicles are great toys!
Title: Re: Solido Military diecast question.
Post by: has.been on January 21, 2021, 09:04:47 PM
I used to lust after the Solido tanks when I was about 10.
Couldn't afford them on my two shillings (10p) weekly pocket money.
Now I can afford them. Picked up a few bargains off e-bay too.
Title: Re: Solido Military diecast question.
Post by: commissarmoody on January 23, 2021, 05:03:33 AM
And I just ordered two of them.  :D
Title: Re: Solido Military diecast question.
Post by: Grumpy Gnome on February 25, 2022, 06:51:47 AM
I suspect Poitier is right. I don’t have the R-35 but it always looked a bit on the larger side of things. I may be wrong.

I have plenty of the modern stuff and that typically scales out well to 1/50. The exceptions are the choppers, Gazelle is around 1/55 and the jeeps are 1/43. Tracks and running gear are always the aesthetic Achilles heel of Solido but the models are otherwise quite well detailed and are robust.

In case you aren’t aware of them, Quarter Kit in Paris make loads of conversions and conversion bits for Solido tanks as well as their own 1/48-1/50 kits. Kits are well made, easy to build and you get excellent customer service.

https://www.promodels.eu/en/

A very helpful thread, particularly the link to Quarter Kit. We ordered some bits from them and we were very happy with the transaction.

I do find that the darker Solido tracks are not as off putting me as the brighter silver ones.

Suggestions on how best to darken the tracks are most welcome. As is, I suppose I will try an ink wash.
Title: Re: Solido Military diecast question.
Post by: Citizen Sade on February 25, 2022, 07:45:30 AM
Suggestions on how best to darken the tracks are most welcome. As is, I suppose I will try an ink wash.
Tamiya smoke might stay where you want it better.

If you do experiment, please let us know how you get on.
Title: Re: Solido Military diecast question.
Post by: carlos marighela on February 25, 2022, 08:07:41 AM
I have spray painted the tracks a dark grey in the past after priming them. Unless you are pushing them up and down making broom-broom, bang-bang sounds, the paint should stay put and where it does wear down to bare metal it just enhances the look.
Title: Re: Solido Military diecast question.
Post by: Tim Haslam on February 25, 2022, 08:25:17 AM
I’ve kept all my vehicle collection down to 1/48 and 1/50 scale.
Just out of personal preference.
Solido are great models, and you can just paint over the standard paint job to create a great model.
Yes and ink wash on the tracks can help.
Corgi models too are great, but a bit pricey these days.

What we’re looking for are models that are a bit chipped and without the original boxes, as this puts the ‘collectors’ off buying them.
Title: Re: Solido Military diecast question.
Post by: Grumpy Gnome on February 25, 2022, 08:51:49 AM
I have spray painted the tracks a dark grey in the past after priming them. Unless you are pushing them up and down making broom-broom, bang-bang sounds, the paint should stay put and where it does wear down to bare metal it just enhances the look.

The sound effects made me laugh. I just will have to restrain myself from getting too immersed while gaming.

My die cast purchases so far have been careful eBay auction hunting and the occasional online shop sale.

All the advice on here is most welcome. I realize I am late to the party yet again and going over what is for many of you “very old ground” that is still new to me.

I am also just starting to learn how to paint with an airbrush. A whole new world seems to be opening up and it is a little overwhelming.
Title: Re: Solido Military diecast question.
Post by: has.been on February 25, 2022, 09:04:10 AM
Quote
I am also just starting to learn how to paint with an airbrush. A whole new world seems to be opening up and it is a little overwhelming.

The trick is to never tell what you wanted to achieve,
just claim that what happened is what you intended
all along.  :D :D :D
Title: Re: Solido Military diecast question.
Post by: Grumpy Gnome on February 25, 2022, 12:08:32 PM
The trick is to never tell what you wanted to achieve,
just claim that what happened is what you intended
all along.  :D :D :D

Clever!
Title: Re: Solido Military diecast question.
Post by: Tim Haslam on February 26, 2022, 02:48:21 PM
That’s my whole mantra on life in general!
Title: Re: Solido Military diecast question.
Post by: FramFramson on February 26, 2022, 07:52:46 PM
But it's not proper wargaming without the broom broom bang bang sounds!  lol

I do love the silly interwar look of some of the French tanks like the R35. Nice to know there's a cheap die-cast option out there!