Cheap "futuristic" 1/43 armoured vehicles

[Predatorpt]

I can't take any credit for this, I found it somewhere (it was on a AT-43 ONI thread, on another forum) but I need to share it with you guys.

Heller relaunched these simple toy scale models called Kit Clac:






Original Source: http://kitbox.free.fr/ouvreboite/OB1205_P/

They are cheap and easy to build (with some real nice details - like the back hatch opening and latching) and convert. According to some sites, they are 1/43 and size up great with most 28mm figures (and with my ONI vehicles).

The current Heller catalogue only has these 2 versions (missile launcher and AA) but many years ago, Airfix sold them under a different name and had a tank version:


Original source: http://www.vintage-airfix.com/airfix/battle-zoneairfix-junior/commando-force-gladiator-p-1167.html

They also sold the missile launcher version:


http://www.vintage-airfix.com/airfix/battle-zoneairfix-junior/shadow-fighters-eclipse-p-1166.html

My main problem is buying them, because my Ebay sources seem to have dried up. But I guess our members in the UK or France should be more lucky in finding  some. I'll try and take some pictures of them with some miniatures during this week.

[Predatorpt]

And another pic of the tank version from Heller (this version seems to be out of production):



http://dinky-toys-forum.fr-bb.com/t5208-heller-143

[Elwood P Dowd]

Nice to see them back . These were popular in the Nineties as you could get 5 or 6 for the price of a Rhino ..    They do fit 28mm's rather well too .

You can still find the Airfix version on ebay from time to time for next to nothing .

It's supposed to be this ,   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VBC-90  . Its not a good likeness though .

Although the AA gun and Exocet launcher never left the drawing board.

[Sangennaru]

Looking on Evilbay i've found much more versions of those! Mainly civilian vehicles:



If they really scale well with 28mm, that could be a cheap and interesting option!

[Predatorpt]

Looking on Evilbay i've found much more versions of those! Mainly civilian vehicles:



If they really scale well with 28mm, that could be a cheap and interesting option!

I can't say for sure if the civilian vehicles fit, I only bought the VBC-90s 

[leonmallett]

Anyone know of a UK stockist for the Heller VBC 90's?

[Predatorpt]

Anyone know of a UK stockist for the Heller VBC 90's?

I'm working on finding one - but he usually sells the Airfix versions. 

[Elwood P Dowd]

If I remember correctly The Airfix junior Gladiator (tank) and Eclipse (Missile launcher) had helicopter, missile boat and light aircraft companions in roughly the same scale (1/48ish).

The Vans , Landrovers, and motorbikes are way too big .

They are meant for young kids really , so what they lack in finesse , the gain in robustness ..

 

[leonmallett]

I'm working on finding one - but he usually sells the Airfix versions. 

Either sounds useful to my purposes, so if you find a supplier, do tell! 

[Klingsor]

I bought quite a few of these in their Airfix Junior guise as The Dungeon in Belfast seemed to carry them quite often though that was few years ago now. I had guessed they originally came from Heller as there seemed to be of French prototypes and the figures that came with them had FA-MAS rifles so it is nice to see I was correct.

The plastic they are moulded from is a bit odd and is resistant to some types of glue, any suggestions on what to use would be very welcome.

A very slow project is to make some as futuristic APCs to accompany some Pig Iron militia armed with remote weapon mounts from Old Crow. At one point I did a list of possibly variants which was surprisingly long but shows that a good and useful chassis can serve a lot of different roles. One version I did want to make was one with a large remote gun on top like the LAV-25 based M1128 Mobile Gun System but this faltered as I could never get the gun right.

[Predatorpt]

If I remember correctly The Airfix junior Gladiator (tank) and Eclipse (Missile launcher) had helicopter, missile boat and light aircraft companions in roughly the same scale (1/48ish).

The Vans , Landrovers, and motorbikes are way too big .

They are meant for young kids really , so what they lack in finesse , the gain in robustness ..

 

Hmmm...I'll have to investigate that. The other Airfix Junior kits usually pop-up on Ebay...

Either sounds useful to my purposes, so if you find a supplier, do tell! 

Will do

I bought quite a few of these in their Airfix Junior guise as The Dungeon in Belfast seemed to carry them quite often though that was few years ago now. I had guessed they originally came from Heller as there seemed to be of French prototypes and the figures that came with them had FA-MAS rifles so it is nice to see I was correct.

The plastic they are moulded from is a bit odd and is resistant to some types of glue, any suggestions on what to use would be very welcome.

A very slow project is to make some as futuristic APCs to accompany some Pig Iron militia armed with remote weapon mounts from Old Crow. At one point I did a list of possibly variants which was surprisingly long but shows that a good and useful chassis can serve a lot of different roles. One version I did want to make was one with a large remote gun on top like the LAV-25 based M1128 Mobile Gun System but this faltered as I could never get the gun right.

I never had to glue anything on them, but I'll let you know when I do it - I'll try and use some Revell glue. That idea of yours - the variants with Old Crow turrets sounds good. What ones did you have in mind? I've got a couple of turrets that I want to try

As for the Mobile Gun System, but I'll try a Oni tank turret  I'll try and take some pictures tomorrow

[fastolfrus]

Just had a quick look on ebay, no sign of the armoured stuff when I searched, but there was a seaplane that looks like it might be good for pulp games, also a helicopter with floats

[mcfonz]

I'd be tempted to get a couple and stick Old Crow turrets on them to sci fi them up.

[Predatorpt]

I'd be tempted to get a couple and stick Old Crow turrets on them to sci fi them up.

I've just tried that and the turrets look damm good on the vehicles. Unfortunately I can't take pictures just now, maybe later today.

[mcfonz]

The VBC90 one looks fine, just thinking about the other two which look a bit dated or toyish compared to that one. Especially the first which looks like a WW2 Sherman turret.