M8 Armoured Car for Congo Crisis

[traveller]

I need to equip my Katanga gendarmes with some armoured support. I would be grateful for any recommendations where to find a 28mm plastic or diecast version of the M8. So far I have found Warlord and Rubicon. Are there other out there? Thanks

[Poiter50]

Corgi or Solido 1/50 scale diecast is nice. Perhaps look at the XM 706 as well?

[traveller]

Thanks Poiter50,

I have seen the Solido but the detail seems a bit rudimental. Is the Corgi scale 1/50? I guess the M706 is later than the 1961-62 figthing?

[Poiter50]

I think the Solido and Corgi are the same vehicle under a different flag. Yes, the M 706 was in production in 1963, so perhaps a bit early for your intended theatre.

Thanks Poiter50,

I have seen the Solido but the detail seems a bit rudimental. Is the Corgi scale 1/50? I guess the M706 is later than the 1961-62 figthing?

[Arlequín]

Not a suggestion for models, but you may find this useful when it comes to the actual modelling;

http://www.network54.com/Forum/330333/thread/1106417747/2/Congo-Katanga+%28READ+ONLY%29

[traveller]

Not a suggestion for models, but you may find this useful when it comes to the actual modelling;

http://www.network54.com/Forum/330333/thread/1106417747/2/Congo-Katanga+%28READ+ONLY%29

Great pictures! White Scout Car and Bedfords added to the list. Thanks!

[carlos marighela]

Army Group North produce one in 1/56 resin. It comes with a base so if height is an issue.....

Warlord also produced a resin M-8, which isn't a very good kit. Avoid.

I have both the Italeri (Warlord) and Rubicon plastic kits. Both have their merits. The Italeri one gives you a version without forward hull stowage boxes and gives you the options of jerry cans or mine racks. It also allows you to pose the driver's hatch open. The Rubicon kit has a more accurate turret and better options re armament. Overall it's a much less fiddly kit and better for gamers and somewhat more acurate but it's a fairly fine distinction betwixt the two.  My advice? Look carefully at photos of the actual vehicle you want to model and choose accordingly.

One final tip. If price is an issue, don't buy the Warlord one, ie the  Italeri model boxed as a Warlord kit from a gaming outlet. Go to a model shop and buy the identical Italeri badged one. It's 2/3rds the price of the one with the Voldemort Games logo on it.

[CptJake]

One final tip. If price is an issue, don't buy the Warlord one, ie the  Italeri model boxed as a Warlord kit from a gaming outlet. Go to a model shop and buy the identical Italeri badged one. It's 2/3rds the price of the one with the Voldemort Games logo on it.

I did that for my Tiger, and saved quite a bit.

[traveller]

Thanks Carlos!

So the order is:

1. Rubicon
2. Italeri

Do both come with crew?

Second thought....I have previously found 1/56 vehicles to be a bit small compared with todays "oversized" 28mm miniatures. Could the Tamiya 1/48 plastic/resin model be an alternative? http://www.tamiya.com/english/products/32551greyhound/index.htm

[carlos marighela]

That rather depends on your own personal aesthetic. Personally I find 1/48 looks too big with most of my figures but then I tend to slimmer more proportionate ranges like Eureka, Red Star/FNG etc.  1/50 is a happy compromise. I mount my troops on washers not 2 foot plastic plinths.

I have and where necessary will use 1/48 but in general we have passed the tipping point where 1/48 is the default setting due to availability. There are now far more 1/56 options available for the average vehicle. That is quite important because you end up looking for items that match in scale and 1/48 limits that compared to 1/56.

In answer to your questions, yes, the Tamiya M-8 would work, if you are happy with 1/48. Their 1/48 kits are as good and in some cases better than their 1/35  models but they aren't gaming kits or quick builds in most cases.

Italeri provides a single driver figure with its M-8, the Rubicon one comes without crew. Rubicon are in the process of creating crew figures for their kits but no idea how far over the horizon that is. I crewed my M-8s using the Eureka Rhodesian crew. They'd probably work straight for your purposes but Ihad to do some conversions to do French crew.

[carlos marighela]

By the by, that Tamiya model isn't plastic and resin, it's injected plastic and a diecast lower hull for added heft.

[traveller]

By the by, that Tamiya model isn't plastic and resin, it's injected plastic and a diecast lower hull for added heft.

Correct, my bad. Thanks for the comments now its decision time