Black Tree Design WWII Vehicles

[serenissimo]

Is there anyone familiar with BTD WWII vehicles. Just want a general impression of the quality and see if that fit the 1/48 to 1/50 scale vehicles that are out there. Thanks mucho in advance.

Rob

[Guy]

Don't! That's my advice...

The don't fit together well. There are other kits out there. I have seen them done well but that requires a lot of filling and a lot of work.

Guy

[Arken]

I'd have to concur with Guy on this one. I have a BTD StuG IV, SdKfz222 (3 of them) and 3 x Flak 88mm. Casting quality is average at best (especially considering the great resin models out there from many manufacturers) although with a bit of work they can look good. They are lead, so very heavy, and need a lot of work to pin together (the fit is generally not good in my experience). The general scale is 1:50 and the models do look good once together but the StuG took about 4-6hrs to assemble (it was about 6-7 years ago now when I was at my model making prime) to put together. If you fancy a bit of a challenge then go for it if you don't mind a bit of work.

The Flak 88mm are OK, and easy enough to put together, but not as nice as the BAM model, and they don't come with assembly instructions unless you call them up and ask.

Hope that helps, is it 1:48 - 50 scale you are after or 1:56?

Cheers,

Arken

[Arken]

Actually, I had a Sdkfz 251 halftrack from them too, see the photo. I sold it on eBay along with some Panzer grenadiers in. As you can see the fit between the top and bottom parts is not good and it would have taken a bit of work to get put the model together. Teh tracks and mudguards were a nightmare and I didn't even try to put them together (as much to do with me not having the time as anything else...)

Cheers,

Ark

[serenissimo]

Arken, Guy, my thanks to both of you for the response and advice...I will try BAM and the other usual suspects...Arken, looking for 1/50 as that fits in better with 28mm dudes (so I am told).

Rob

[Arken]

No worries, i've taken some pics of vehicles I have upstairs, I'll post one or two tomorrow to give you an idea of scales etc,
Cheers,
Arken

[Arken]

Hi Serenissimo,

Below are some of the vehicles I have. The Panther on the left is a Corgi 1:50 pre-cast. Really nice model crying out for a proper paint job (and the turret and tracks turn too) The Sherman in the centre is a Westwind 1:60, the unmade Panzer IV is S and S models, they say 1:56 scale but I think maybe a little towards the 1:60th, and the Stug on the right is a BTD lead monster at 1:50th. As you can see relative to the WW Sherman the other two (Corgi and BTD) are considerably bigger.

Personally for gaming I prefer the slightly smaller vehicles, as this moves it awy from the the GW superscale of things and allows for a game that feels a bit more in scale. The 1:50th models look a little more right next to the infantry (although remeber that the bases they are on raise them up a bit too) but either way either scale looks well I think.

BAM's models (I have only seen a Tiger 1E 'in the flesh') looks about right at 1:56 (and that's what they are advertised as on the website) their detailing and support from the company looks spot on, although I have no direct experience of this.

The Westwind Sherman is nicely cast, and around £18 I think, the Panther was £10 in a sale, the Stug was the £16.76 or whatever BTD charge. I added the shurzen side skirts myself and is a nice model, but physically heavy and took a lot of work to get there. The S and S models are nice, although the detail isn't that sharp. Shaun at S&S did me a good deal with his existing stock so maybe worth a ring if you're not to bothered about having top notch quality.

Overall I'd go for either BAM, or my personal favourtie Westwind, if you go for BAM, then make sure you get vehicles without the cast base, they look naff!

Cheers,

Arken

[Guy]

I'm a 1/56 fan as well. BAM are good but let's not forget the others out there like JTFM. i have BAM, Westwind, S&S, Chieftain, JTFM, Force of Arms and AGMN in my collection...

[brunei35]

Some of the manufactures Guy mentions can be bought from Bob at Wargames Command post as can Company B models. JTFM, AGNM and Company B all mix well with BAM and if you want to see some well painted examples have a trawl through Neil at Troop of Shrewes flikr galleries
Cheers
Tony
http://www.thewcp.co.uk/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/troop-of-shewe/sets/

[brunei35]

Should have also mentioned BEF Miniatures for early war models - again compatable with BAM and is the relaunch of Chieftain which Guy mentions above (after the rest of product range was sold off).

http://www.befminiatures.co.uk/

Excellent models

Cheers
Tony

[serenissimo]

Gentlemen, very nice and thank you for your input (and comparison photos Arken!) It looks like I have a bit of on-line window shopping to do. I do have one question, does naff = gnarley or does naff = bitchin?? Just curious.

Rob

[Guy]

BEF Miniatures! To my shame, how could I forget Crouchie!!! In my defence I was thinking late war... yes go early war and buy loads of BEF!!!

naff=poor!

Guy

[serenissimo]

Thanks Guy, I can always depend on you for my sociology lesson for the day...

Sorry I haven't been around much lately to chat, but it looks you are doing well and the new look for the site is quite bitchin (It looks fab!).

Rob

[serenissimo]

Hey, just to follow up...I picked up a JTFM Puma A/C and a BAM 250 recon HT. I'll post piccies when I get a chance. Thanks again everyone!!!

Rob

[IDGUARDNOMRE]

dont forget to try battle honours, they use to do armour as well. in my collection ive got sdkfz 251,s stugs early and late pzr 4 again late and early and some soft skin vehicles. they were bought from bh when they first came on the seen. they to needed a bit of work but not a lot, the scale would be more 1/50th hope that helps. by the way they also did tank commanders.