Roy, I have started off trying to keep the cost down, so the initial parts were as follows:43rdRecceReg wrote:Tell me more, Michael... I like cheap, ah, but not nasty. I note the basic kit pans out at a mere 155 euros; but expect savings could be had given a smidgin of expert knowledge on which parts are roughly interchangeable from other models, or can at least which lend themselves to modification as you suggest (e.g. Panther and Tiger parts almost intersect..). I'll check your topic ref out from the annals..Roy.
- Ludwig kit with 17 pdr barrel and the metal return rollers : 200 euro
- Heng Long T34 lower : $100 euro (I have to buy a new tank but I re-use the upper)
- Spare Heng Long Leo II plastic road wheels/Pz III sprockets/ZTZ idlers: 50 euro if you have to buy them.
- Plastic PZ III tracks - 20 euro
- Low profile gearbox (I couldn't re-use the gearbox from the T34 as it is not low profile) - 50 euro
So I guess my cost on paper is 420 euro, but after my first battle day with it I realized the tank was too light. At the same time, I also acquire a new Leo II metal lower that comes with its own road wheels, so I ended up using the old metal HL Leo road wheels on the Comet.
Additional cost
- Heng Long Leo metal road wheels - 80 euro
- Heng Long Pz III metal tracks - 60 euro
- Heng Long Pz IV Late metal sprockets - 20 euro
So my final cost is just under 600 euro, but the real cost is about 500 euro since I have some spare parts lying round, and this is only because I have some spare parts anyway. It is fine as is with the plastic parts I used initially. The T34 plastic suspension arms need some trimming to get the plastic Leo wheels to fit, and when I switched to the metal road wheels it actually works without mod with the T34 metal swing arms.
I am not a rivet counter but just want to get something that looks the part and this is more than sufficient for me. Unique as hell and definitely not another one in the club.
A little bird has told me that a Great war Mk1 is in in the pipeline , for release in 2016 . . . . in 3 versions !