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Hi Dave
I picked one up a couple of days ago. They are released but I gather the shops have had very limited supplies so far. My intention is to do a bit of a review once the QLR is done but a 'first glance' might be useful:
In the box you get three sprues plus a smaller fret for the upper hull in their now standard grey plastic. Also included are extensive, clear instructions which have colour painting instructions and markings for two vehicles ('113' of s.Pz Abt 503, Normandy 1944 & '314' of s.Pz Abt 503, Hungary 1945).
The detail looks crisp and clear though tools etc are moulded on which doesn't suit everyone. The prototype turret is well rendered with an open cupola and a closed loader's hatch. As it has a prototype turret, it correctly also has the turret ring protection rim which makes it slightly more complicated to convert into the production turret type.
The mud guards are moulded as part of the upper hull so there is a challenge to recreate damaged and missing panels. However, on the bright side, the upper hull sides extend to the correct depth behind the guards which is not always the way manufacturers simlify these things. The drivers' hatches are also moulded closed. The engine grills are very nicely rendered. All the other detail is pretty good. Not necessarily designed for modelmakers but it will build into an attractive kit.
There are lots of little things that can be done to individualize the model, not least the mud guards and the hatches. I must find a Fujimi Konigstiger to see whether they go together at all and can be cross kitted.
When I photograph the QLR I'll take some pics of the Tigger and post them up if nobody beats me to it.
I would encourage some sympathy with Airfix's decision to go with a German tank. Their last few releases have all been Allied: GMC, Jeep, Bedford Trucks and Cromwell (that's ignoring the dodgy Crab and Bridgelayer conversions of their outdated kits - also Allied). It can't be wrong that they are allowed to make a profit from time-to-time. There's no way they will do an OY so soon after the QLs. They do, after all, provide a number of other Allied softskins that don't take too much conversion to make dozens of different types. Indeed, this is the main attraction of 1/76 modelling as you have available a number of components with which you can make the vast majority of British Motor Transport. This is certainly not true of 1/72 kits.
There are lots of things on my Airfix wish list. Given the releases of the last couple of years, they are not longer impossible. I crave: Cruiser III or IV, any 15-cwt truck, a Humber Scout, a 2-pdr AT gun, a 3.7 inch AA gun. I'd also go for some early war German tanks though converting others is quite fun. A Lynx would be popular. Whilst we are on the subject, I occasionally yearn for Airfix and Fujimi to work together occasionally. Wouldn't it be nice if A could get rid of their elderly Tiger I and replace it with Fujimi's rather lovely modern rendition... I can dream can't I?
