More new kits from Bronco!

Still playing catch up this afternoon.  Here some are new kits that Bronco recently announced.

 

 

Thanks to Rubin at Bronco Models



5 new kits announced by Bronco Models!

Bronco Models has been bringing out quite a few kits recently and have now announced five more new 1/35 scale ones!  First up is kit #CB35085, British Humber Armored Car Mk. II.

This kit follows up on their earlier Humber Mk IV Armored Car.

Next is kit #CB35097, Panzerjager II fuer 7.62cm Pak (Sd.kfz.13) Marder II D.

The next kit should also be welcome by fans of WW II German armor, kit #CB35127, Schwerer Panzerspaehwagen (7.5cm) Sd.Kfz.233 (mod.1942).

With several variations of the M24 Chaffee previously announced and released, this next one should come as no surprise.  Kit #CB35139, U.S. M24 "Chaffee" Light Tank in Korean War.

The fifth and final release should come as a big surprise to all:  kit #CB35106, US GPW 1/4ton 4x4 Utility Truck (Mod.1942) w/10-cwt Trailer & Airborne Crew.

The jeep has picqued my curiosity the most of the 5 kits, especially with the "Mod.1942" designation.  Jeeps can be a real minefield with all of the changes made during their production.  I've also never seen the trailer designated as a "10-cwt", at least under U.S. designations.  I sure hope Bronco has done their reseach or they may get pretty well cut-up on this one.

**UPDATE FROM  BRONCO 13AUG12**

The GPW is 100% new tooling.

No release dates or prices have been announced.  Thanks to Rubin at Bronco Models



New updates from Bronco & Vision Models

Rubin at Bronco Models has sent in some updates regarding some previously announced products along with some new 1/35 scale items from Bronco and Vision Models.  First up, the new stuff.

Bronco kit #AB3558, WW II US Light Weapon and Equipment Set

Next up, from Vision Models is kit #VA9004, W.W.II Italian 20L Jerry Can & 200L Fuel Drum Set.

No price or release date has been set for either kit.

Four previously announced kits have received updated information posters with new details.  First up is Bronco kit #CB35109, Russian Heavy Self-Propelled Gun SU-152(KV-14).  It is now noted as being a "September 1943 Production" variant as opposed to a "Late Production" model.

The next update is for Bronco kit #CB35114, German 88mm L71 Flak 41 Anti-Aircraft Gun w/Sd.Ah.202 Trailer.  Now, the trailer parts are provided by Dragon Model Ltd (DML) in a move similar to the DML U.S. Tankers being included in the M24 Chaffee kit, #CB35069.

Bronco kit #CB35136, M1114 Up-Armored Vehicle w/XM153 CROWS II now has an updated poster showing CAD drawings of the kit details.

Rounding things off is updated artwork for Bronco kit #CB35072, M24 Chaffee (Post-War Version) Service in Asian Army Force.  This poster now has markings shown for the Taiwanese M24.  The previous incarnation of this poster had no markings for the Taiwanese tank.

No release dates or prices have been provided for any of the above kits.  Thanks again to Rubin at Bronco Models for the update.

More releases from Bronco Models!

Rubin at Bronco Models has sent in the posters for the next additions to their line of 1/35 military kits.

First up, CB35072, M24 Chaffee (Post-War Version) Service in Asian Army Force

In this kit, you get to choose from Taiwanese, South Korean, Pakistani, ARVN, or Japanese vehicles.  The poster also indicates a .50cal with flash suppressor and rubber chevron track.

Next up is kit CB35124, 8-rad Panzerfunkwagen Sd.Kfz.263 (Mod.1939).

No other details are available about this kit.

Third up is CB35135, "Pheasant" 17/25pdr Anti-Tank Gun Crew Set (Tunisia, Sicily & Italy)

This five figure crew set is for the Bronco 17/25pdr "Pheasant" kit.

To round things out is AB3557, Hungarian 20L Jerry Can & 200L Fuel Drum Set

Two previously announced kits are also updated with production posters:

CB35036 Zrinyi II SPG

and CB35111 OQF 40mm Bofors Anti-Aircraft Gun Mk.I/III

No details about release dates or prices have been announced.

Thanks to Rubin at Bronco Models for the updates.





2 more updates from Bronco Models (updated 14MAR2012)

Late last night, I received a couple of new images from Bronco Models for two new update sets. 

AB3556 Canvas Cover Limber No.27 goes with their Bishop and 25pdr kits. 

The next item is of greater significance, at least in my eyes:

CB35069SP Revised Turret for CB35069 US Light Tank M24 Chaffee (Early Prod).  This one piece update features the revised and corrected turret shell for use on their first M24 release.  Please note that the newest version, CB35068 M24 Chaffee "British" includes the corrected shell.

Prices have not yet been announced for either item.

Update 14MAR2012:   Bronco has said that the turret replacement part will be made available thru distributors.  The cost will be based on recouping packaging and materials costs.  Do Not contact Bronco for the replacement parts.  Also, every M24 kit produced after 1FEBRUARY2012 has the corrected parts in them.  Please check your kit before ordering the parts.

Thanks to Rubin at Bronco Models for the images.

Note:  I have been supplying images and measurements to Bronco since December 2011 for several upcoming projects.

New kit news from Bronco Models!

Bronco Models has just announced its list of kit releases for March 2012.  Six kits have been listed which should make both armor and ship modellers happy.

Modellers of Axis armor kits will be very happy to see this one:

 CB35036 Hungarian 40/43M "Zrinyi" II 105mm Assault Gun.  AFAIK, this is the first time a kit of this vehicle has been made available in injection moulded plastic.

Axis modellers get some anti-aircraft artillery with this one:

CB35067 German 88mm L/71 Flak 41 Anti-Aircraft Gun with crew.  Crew figures are provided by Dragon Models Ltd.(DML).

Allied modellers get some love too.  Announced in late 2011, but available this month is:

CB35068 Light Tank M-24 "Chaffee" (British Army).  This kit is based on the earlier U.S. version (kit #CB35069) but has a few changes to model a vehicle as seen in British Army use.  Plus, the problem with the turret roof that was seen on CB35069 has been rectified.  

 

A surprise release is this one:

 

CB35109 Russian Heavy Self-Propelled Gun SU-152 (KV-14) "Late Production".  I guess it's time to ditch the old Eastern Express kits when this one comes out!

Following up on their previous 40mm Bofors Canadian version is a British one:

CB35111 OQF 40mm Bofors Anti-Aircraft Gun Mk.I/III (British Version).  This kit will be very versatile for modellers.

All of the above are in 1/35 scale.

Last but not least, the ship modellers get a current U.S. vessel in 1/350 scale:

NB5026 LCS-4 U.S.S. Coronado.  I don't know much about ships or ship kits, but this one looks pretty cool.

For the record, I have submitted photos and measurements for future projects to Bronco Models for several projects during the past few months.

Thanks to Rubin at Bronco Models for the new release pics!

Bronco Models 1/35 M24 Chaffee: what's inside the box

Today, I received my copy of Bronco Models US Light Tank M-24 Chaffee (Early Prod.) w/crew (NW Europe 1944-45), kit #CB35069.  Before I proceed, disclaimer time:  while I did not assist Bronco with the M24 kit, I am currently providing them with information for several future releases.  Now, back to the show!

Inside the box are 15 parts sprues, 1 lower hull tub, 14 strips of track links, a pair of 1 piece idler wheels,

a pair of sprocket drums, a M2 .50caliber MG receiver, a plastic spring for the 75mm gun mount, 1 PE fret, string for a tow cable and a decal sheet.  Also included is a large, 26 page instruction manual.

The one piece lower hull tub is quite nicely detailed.  All access covers appear to be present.  Each torsion bar housing has a casting number molded onto it.

The upper hull is well detailed.  The fenders are not too thick while teeth are molded into the turret ring.  A driver's foul weather hood is included as well.

The lower front and rear plates are separate pieces.  Sharing that sprue are the stowage bins that will be used on the future British version of the M24.  Also included are torsion bar covers to be used on the inside of the hull.

The turret sprue features lots of nice looking parts.  The turret itself is molded in two halves.  The mantlet has a cast texture with casting numbers on it.  One quick nitpick on the mantlet is that the snaps for the cover over the co-axial machine gun are positioned incorrectly.  Take a look at your references, such a my M24 Photo Detail CD, for the correct positioning.  It's a 5 minute fix. 

Other turret parts include a 1 piece 75mm M6 barrel.  It is the earlier collared type which was initially used on the B-25H Mitchell.  Some interior details for the turret are also included such as the radio, seats, breech & main gun fire controls. 

The next two pics show additional turret interior parts.

Suspension parts include final drive housings and torsion bars.  Two extra sets of drive sprockets are also included.

The individual track links look pretty good as well.  You get 14 strips, each strip has 12 links.

The idler wheels are cast as 1 piece and have well done lightening/mud relief openings.  The drive sprocket hubs are also cast as 1 piece.

Shown above with the idlers and hubs are the M2 .50 caliber machine gun receiver and spring for the main gun mount.

Machine gun ammunition boxes and crew supplies are also included.

The PE fret and clear sprue for the vision devices.

Bronco has partnered with DML and they have provided one of their U.S. tank crew figure sets.

3 decal choices are included:  Co. D, 36th Tk Bn, 8th Arm Div, Germany March '45; 81st Recce Sq, 1st Arm Div, Italy March '45; and 37th Arm Bn, 4th Arm Div, NW Europe March '45.  I haven't looked at any references to check the accuracy of the markings.

Looking closely at the turret, there does appear to be an issue with the turret roof.  This was originally brought up on Armorama on 16DEC2011.  Bronco has lined up the roof plate weld with where the armor begins to slope downwards.  On the real deal, there is a flat piece of armor between the weld and where the armor is bent downwards.  I'm not sure how this will impact the dimensions of the rest of the turret.  I will be measuring a couple of M24 turrets during the next 2 weeks and will post the results of my findings. I have been in contact with Bronco and sent them photos of this error.  They will attempt to correct it for future kits.

In all honesty, I would never have seen this error had it not been pointed out.  I think most modellers will be the same way.

Overall, at least in the box, I think Bronco did a bang up job on the kit.  The turret roof issue may cause some grief for some modellers but I think most will be satisfied with the kit.  I know I am.

Thanks to Rubin at Bronco Models for the sample kit.