Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Pendraken Releases, Requests and Photos! => Previous Years' Releases => New Releases! => 2018 Releases => Topic started by: Leon on 07 March 2018, 11:06:06 PM

Title: New WWII releases!
Post by: Leon on 07 March 2018, 11:06:06 PM
Hot on the heels of the Belgians we've got another batch of WWII releases!  First up for the Brits we've got a handful of figures in the later war Mk III 'turtle' helmet and a couple more Shermans.  For the Germans, we've got Becker's conversion of the French P107 halftrack, designated U304(f).  And bringing up the rear we've added the model 1943 version of the T-34, complete with the oft-requested 'Mickey Mouse' turret!

WWII

British
Infantry - https://pendraken.co.uk/world-war-ii/british/infantry/
BRF56    Riflemen in Mk III 'turtle' helmet  £1.75
BRF57    Sten in Mk III 'turtle' helmet  £1.75
BRF58    Officer Mk III 'turtle' helmet  £1.75

Vehicles - https://pendraken.co.uk/world-war-ii/british/vehicles/
BRV31    M4A2 Sherman, mid-war, 75mm  £3.20
BRV32    M4A2 Sherman, mid-war, 75mm, turret back box  £3.20

German
Vehicles - https://pendraken.co.uk/world-war-ii/german/vehicles/
GRV110    U304(f), Becker's halftrack  £2.95

Soviet
Vehicles - https://pendraken.co.uk/world-war-ii/soviet/vehicles/
SVV39    T-34/76 D, model 1943  £2.95


And the pics:

BRF56 - Riflemen in Mk III 'turtle' helmet
(https://pendraken.co.uk/_img/products/4215/BRF56.JPG)


BRV31 - M4A2 Sherman, mid-war, 75mm
(https://pendraken.co.uk/_img/products/2306/BRV31.JPG)


GRV110 - U304(f), Becker's halftrack
(https://pendraken.co.uk/_img/products/4214/GRV110.JPG)


SVV39 - T-34/76 D, model 1943
(https://pendraken.co.uk/_img/products/4213/SVV39.JPG)

We'll have these with us at the upcoming WMMS show, as well as Salute of course, so pop by and have a look!

8)
Title: Re: New WWII releases!
Post by: Techno on 08 March 2018, 06:12:35 AM
Very nice, indeed.

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: New WWII releases!
Post by: Steve J on 08 March 2018, 06:55:52 AM
Yet more temptation comes my way!
Title: Re: New WWII releases!
Post by: fsn on 08 March 2018, 07:34:48 AM
Dammit! I'm just getting meself geared up for someting in the swish swish clip clop era, and along comes some bang bang brmmm brmmm tempation!  :-\

Buuuuttt ... the two rifleman poses are ice skater and firing.  :(

Truly the Dark Lord toys with poor Nobby.
Title: Re: New WWII releases!
Post by: Orcs on 08 March 2018, 10:04:02 AM
Quote from: fsn on 08 March 2018, 07:34:48 AM
Buuuuttt ... the two rifleman poses are ice skater and firing.  :(

Truly the Dark Lord toys with poor Nobby.

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YFg1eozZ364/Wpq_MH812nI/AAAAAAAAbtc/NtqqyA4AVAIOdYjapJt8twhalaA0sAO0QCLcBGAs/s640/kjBhMOC.jpg)

Please explain whets wrong with an Ice Skater pose ?
Title: Re: New WWII releases!
Post by: Dr Dave on 09 March 2018, 10:27:06 AM
...and still no Morris CDSW to pull the Bofors?  :P

What DO people use? How far can you manhandle a Bofors by prolong?  ;)

Why not make one, and then put it in the bag WITH the British Bofors and bump the price up?
Title: Re: New WWII releases!
Post by: Ithoriel on 09 March 2018, 11:11:51 AM
Quote from: Dr Dave on 09 March 2018, 10:27:06 AM
Why not make one, and then put it in the bag WITH the British Bofors and bump the price up?

Please don't. All sorts of reasons I might want one without the other.
Title: Re: New WWII releases!
Post by: Dr Dave on 09 March 2018, 02:41:32 PM
Quote from: Ithoriel on 09 March 2018, 11:11:51 AM
Please don't. All sorts of reasons I might want one without the other.

Really? The CDSW tractor only pulled the Bofors, and for the British the Bofors was (really) only pulled by the CDSW. From memory there's a really late Bedford tractor - and no one makes that either. I can't see how a WW2 British army can have one without the other?
Title: Re: New WWII releases!
Post by: kabrank on 09 March 2018, 03:10:00 PM
Actually I may just want a Bofors to emplace without a tow vehicle or possibly convert for ship use etc.

Of course a separate tow vehicle would be nice!
Title: Re: New WWII releases!
Post by: kabrank on 09 March 2018, 03:13:27 PM
I note the T34 1943 [D/Hex turret] is the very late model with couploa.

Is one available with the basic two hatch turret [from which the Mickey Mouse "ears" name derives]?
Title: Re: New WWII releases!
Post by: Leon on 09 March 2018, 04:37:35 PM
Quote from: kabrank on 09 March 2018, 03:13:27 PM
I note the T34 1943 [D/Hex turret] is the very late model with couploa.

Is one available with the basic two hatch turret [from which the Mickey Mouse "ears" name derives]?

Not currently, we asked the designer for the Mickey Mouse turret and this one arrived.  I noticed the different cupola myself but it seems to be the only difference between the two (and still was referred to as Mickey Mouse) so we've not asked for any conversions to remove the cupola at this point.
Title: Re: New WWII releases!
Post by: kabrank on 09 March 2018, 05:11:33 PM
Hi Leon

OK but classical Mickey Mouse would really be the earlier version as it earned the name because of its look with the two forward opening turret hatches open and looking like Mickeys ears

Title: Re: New WWII releases!
Post by: fsn on 09 March 2018, 05:52:55 PM
My first thought was "will there be a Bren Gunner in a turtle helmet?", but the I was reminded of the Fable of the Potato Scones as told during Pendrakenmas 2017:

I know of a man who used to visit the same cafe every lunchtime. It was close to the place he worked and served good food at reasonable prices. The waitress had eyes like Anne Hathaway and an attraction to décolletage. She smiled readily and was always prompt. It was, thought the man, a little haven of peace in his busy day. He felt at home in that cafe, and for an hour he could just let the cares of day take second place.

Well, one Monday, the man woke up with a strong appetite for potato scones. The desire was so strong that he skipped breakfast, unable to face cornflakes or toast. Throughout that morning's busy work, the man was thinking about potato scones. He looked at a pie chart and imagined it as a circular tattie scone, dripping in butter and slightly salted. With a nice cup of tea. At his desk, he googled potato scones and indulged in a few moments imagining them falling softly apart in his mouth. Instead of flirting with Sandra whilst making tea, he just imagined her covered in potato scones.  

At lunchtime, the man virtually ran to the cafe and ordered potato scones, and was terribly disappointed to find that they were not on the menu. Disconsolate, he moodily ate a salmon and soft cheese bagel.

The next day, the man's craving for potato scones had not disappeared. If anything it had grown. He wondered if he could mash up some crisps for the same effect, or even butter some microwave chips, but he knew that these would be just pale imitations of proper tattie scones.

By lunchtime, he was literally salivating at the thought of the starchy goodness. His howl of despair to be told again that potato scones were not on the menu brought stares from the other customers, and not a little tea was slopped into saucers in surprise.  

The hunt for potato scones continued. The man searched all the local supermarkets for potato scones. He tried making them from scratch himself, but the results were disappointing – dry and tasteless. His eyes took a haunted look, he developed a nervous tic and he found himself replying "potato scone" to whatever question he was asked. People were beginning to notice.

Friday morning came and the man was a wreck. He hadn't eaten properly for days, and even his tea consumption was down because he didn't want to drink tea without the accompanying salty butteryness of a potato scone. Friday lunchtime, he skulked into the cafe. As he opened the door, his nose twitched. Was it? Could it be? And it was. The waitress stood ready with a tray containing a teapot and a large plate of fresh potato scones.

The man collapsed into the chair and with trembling hands buttered and salted a potato scone. It was if Milady herself had blessed his tongue. For long moments he just sat and ate slowly, the potato, the salt, the butter combining in an ecstasy of taste. The scones brought the man back to his senses, the madness left him. He looked up to the waitress.

"Will you marry me, Anne?" He asked. She laughed a delicate laugh, and her cheeks coloured slightly.

"Thank you very much for your kind offer." She managed a graceful curtsey. "But firstly, my name is Jane, and secondly, I'm married to Elizabeth, who works the kitchen."

"Three way?" Asked the man.


Now, isn't this just like Pendrakenmas? We each conceive of a desire for some product or range and when we find we cannot find it in the Pendraken catalogue, it becomes a bit of an obsession. We do the research, and buy the books, and try other manufacturer's offerings, but they're never as good as the munificence of the Dark Lord. So we beseech his Saturnine Majesty to grant our request, and for some time it seems as if he is oblivious to our desires. However if we are patient, or we keep whinging on at him, he will eventually grant our wish.

And then what?

We always want more and have to push it.


Title: Re: New WWII releases!
Post by: Ithoriel on 09 March 2018, 09:59:28 PM
Quote from: kabrank on 09 March 2018, 05:11:33 PM
Hi Leon

OK but classical Mickey Mouse would really be the earlier version as it earned the name because of its look with the two forward opening turret hatches open and looking like Mickeys ears

Yep, the model is a T-34 Model 1943 alright but it's the T-34/76E rather than the true "Mickey Mouse" which is  the T-34/76D. So historically acurate and perfectly useable but not for Kursk as it comes in in autumn 1943.

I'm using German Intelligence designations rather than Russian ones as people tend to be more familiar with them.
Title: Re: New WWII releases!
Post by: Leon on 09 March 2018, 11:25:57 PM
We'll pop it back to the designer and ask him to pop the cupola off and add a hatch for us.
Title: Re: New WWII releases!
Post by: Heedless Horseman on 10 March 2018, 02:16:32 AM
LOVE the look of the T34 (D?). Great for 1944/45. Sadly, I already have hordes of Takara and conversions or would have gone for a lot.  :(  It has a nice, 'weighty' T34 tank feel to it!.
The 'Mickey Mouse' 1943 (C?) with twin round hatches was more appropriate for Kursk, so, another model would be a winner for many. :)

Not so sure about the M4A2 with large hatch configuration in British service, though hope others with better knowledge will show otherwise. Think NZ may have had these as did USMC in the Pacific. I prefer the small hatch model (BRV16/17) already issued, (although gun a trifle short looking and turret bin looks a bit large). I am swapping track pieces with the cast hull M4A1 with sand skirts for more 'Italy' vehicles...just need a little filing for a fit...although yet another Sherman with rear section of skirts removed, (possibly relocated on top of engine deck...and a 'scoop' under rear hull), would have been more accurate. Turret loader's hatches may be an issue with this...BUT...with Shermans, I am getting a bit 'do what you want to get the 'look'...rather than accuracy.
I chanced upon this site...(Have not looked in depth!)...'rivet counters' beware!!!  ;)
http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minutia/manufacturer/m4a4/m4a4_variants.html
Title: Re: New WWII releases!
Post by: Ithoriel on 10 March 2018, 12:17:15 PM
T-34 "Mickey Mouse" - hatches shut and "ears" up!!

(http://panzermania.com/Galerie/T-34%2076%20Mickey%20Mouse/slides/3.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/taSTI4b.jpg)
Title: Re: New WWII releases!
Post by: Dr Dave on 16 March 2018, 11:27:25 AM
Besides my banging on about the Morris CDSW, is there a Loyd carrier planned to tow the 6pdr ATG?
Title: Re: New WWII releases!
Post by: Leon on 16 March 2018, 05:27:19 PM
Quote from: Dr Dave on 16 March 2018, 11:27:25 AM
Besides my banging on about the Morris CDSW, is there a Loyd carrier planned to tow the 6pdr ATG?

There's no other vehicles planned at the moment, we've got some revamped Sdkfz 251's and a new Panzer IV model, but nothing scheduled after that.  It'll probably be early 2019 when we sit down and work out what to tick off next.