Italeri producing 1/56 Tanks

[Londoncopper]

This year Italeri are producing a Sherman, Cromwell, Panther and Puma in 1/56 scale.

They are also releasing Warlord/Bolt Action plastic figures in an Italeri box, German, British, Soviet and US infantry.

I am left wondering if the vehicles are merely Warlord resin models in a new box, rather than a model kit?

Depending on price, this could be very good news for wargamers.

[Ahistorian]

Exciting news! Do you have a link?

[RedRowan]

I found it at http://www.italeri.com/news_scheda.asp?idNews=386

Page 7 on the PDF. The figures are Warlord but I am guessing the vehicles are going to be their own kits?

Steve

[Gothic Line]

 As a producer I do think these are good news because,maybe now (due to distribution) people can access 28mm products not as a niche wargaming item but rather a more and more main stream wargaming scale...maybe now we can start to see younger wargamers with 1/56 soldiers and tanks and not 20mm...

[pixelgeek]

They have photos of painted samples of the BA figures. I suspect that if they were just repackaging Warlord figs they would have photos of samples as well. Besides, Italeri doesn't sell resin do they?

[Westfalia Chris]

Looks interesting! I wonder if the vehicles could be scaled-up versions of some of their plastic kits - I seem to recall that the 1/72 Puma has a "fast-build" option with simplified suspension, but the other three... I wonder if they could be scaled-up versions of the Esci models which have been a part of the Italeri lineup for some years now. Generally, I am more inclined towards 1/48 scale vehicles for 28mm, but who knows...

[former user]

I'd rather expect downscaling from 1:35

anyway, it says that the soldiers are provided by Warlord - that might exclude the vehicles
but the reason why they are doing this - I don't get it...

[King Tiger]

This is interesting news, hopefully they won't be rip off prices like warlord.

[Londoncopper]

If they were 1/48 then surely they would say so, given that Italeri already produce 1/48 models?

I am hoping for 'quick build' type kits, rather like their 1/72 range.

Italeri have dipped their toe into wargame waters before with the 'Alzo-Zero' range, maybe they are having a second go.

Either way, when they do come out, buy them quick in case they vanish from their catalogue!

[dampfpanzerwagon]

What ever the source of the models - this must be good news.

I'll keep an eye out for the first releases.

Tony

[Westfalia Chris]

I'd rather expect downscaling from 1:35

In which case they would have to simplify the kits quite considerably - if they want to market them to a wargaming clientele, I strongly suspect they'll go for an "easy-kit" route, as evidenced by those of their 1/72nd kits that already follow that formula. Also, they might be betting on wargamers not being too picky on the level of detail, especially considering that modern 1/72nds are quite good in that area.

[former user]

this is a good argument.
I juts thought that the few 1/48 kits I built resemble more downscaled 1/35 than upscaled 1/72, but who knows nowadays
they might even do resins

[carlos marighela]

Italeri do produce in resin. The 1/72 wargaming buildings they produce are in a form of heavy duty resin. Airfix does something similar. That said I would expect them to produce vehicles in injected polystyrene, that's their main bag.

Italeri have been producing simplified wargaming kits in 1/72 for some years. They were in fact, the first cab off the rank in the current lot of 'fast build' manufacturers, before Zvezda, PSC, etc, etc. i can't see rescaling being an issue for them and I would predict anything in 1/56 is going to follow the construction pattern of their 1/72 kits, whether the vehicles are reduced 1/35 kits or new sculpts.

Why they would want to do this  I don't know. Clearly they see an opportunity to grow their market and good luck to them. The vehicles may well be cheaper than Warlord as Italeri can leverage much larger and established distribution networks. Potentially it sounds like a good deal for Warlord, whose product may also gain access to that network.

Interesting, first example I can think of where a major player has climbed into bed with a wargaming manufacturer.

[Calimero]

That looks promissing!!!

[pixelgeek]

Why they would want to do this  I don't know.

Probably see a lot of older 40K players moving into Bolt Action