torsdag 17. mai 2012

M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)


M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)

M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)
includes five M4A3 Sherman tanks, one Tank Commander sprue, two Tank Stowage sprues, five Plastic Sherman sprues, one Decal sheet & ten Rare-earth magnets.

The M4A3 was developed as a replacement model for the M4 and M4A1. There are two major features that you can use to identify an M4A3 Sherman tank. The first is the single-piece transmission housing on the front of the tank, rather than the bolted multi-part housing on older models.

Check out the M4A3 Sherman Platoon in the online store here...
Blood, Guts, & Glory
It’s September 1944 and the Allies have stormed across France all along the front lines from Belgium to the French region of the Lorraine. Blood, Guts, & Glory covers the tanks battles in the Lorraine between September 1944 and January 1945.

Learn more about Blood, Guts, & Glory here...
Blood, Guts, & Glory
M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)The second major change in the M4A3 was its engine. This version replaced the old R-975 engine with a much more powerful Ford GAA V8 tank engine, increasing the tank’s power.

The M4A3 first saw action as replacement vehicles from August 1944 and served to the end of the war.

Designed by Evan Allen
Painted by Blake Coster
The M4A3 Sherman in Flames Of War
   Armour   
Name Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes 
Weapon Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower 
M4A3 ShermanStandard Tank641Co-ax MG, Hull MG, .50 cal AA MG,
Detroit's finest, Tank telephone.
M3 75mm gun32"/80cm 103+ Smoke, Stabiliser.
M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)
Stabilisers
A stabiliser is a device fitted to the tank’s gun that keeps it level when the tank is moving. US tanks are the first in the world to be equipped with gyrostabilisers as standard. With the assistance of the gyrostabiliser, the gunner can stay on target while the tank is moving.


A moving tank fitted with a Stabiliser can fire its main gun at its full ROF, but adds a penalty of +1 to the score needed to hit.

Before shooting, a tank can choose not to use its Stabiliser and fire at the normal rate if that would give it a better chance.
M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)
Detroit’s Finest
The Ford V8 engine improved the performance of the M4A3 series of tanks. Its power gave them a good top speed, while its robustness and reliability allowed them to take advantage of this without worrying about breaking down.


Tanks that use the Detroit’s Finest special rule have a Movement Distance of 14”/35cm on Roads or Cross-country Terrain.
M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)
Tank Telephones
By the end of 1944, most Sherman tanks working with infantry had been fitted with field telephones on the rear to allow the infantry to point out targets to the tanks.


If a Tank team with Tank Telephone and an adjacent Infantry team did not move in the Movement Step, and the Infantry team is not Pinned Down, the Infantry team can use the Eyes and Ears rule (see page 195 of the rulebook) to Reveal one Gone to Ground enemy team to that Tank team as if the Infantry team was a Recce team. If other tanks in the platoon fire, they must either have their own Infantry team pointing out the target or continue to treat the target as Gone to Ground.
M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)
Smoke
Sometimes your weapons won’t destroy the enemy quickly enough to prevent them from wreaking havoc on your own troops first. One way to protect your troops in the meanwhile is to fire smoke at the enemy to temporarily impair their vision.

Only weapons listed as having the Smoke attribute in their Arsenal may fire smoke. Some weapons can also fire Smoke Bombardments (see page 136 of the main rulebook).
M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)
The M4A3 Sherman Platoon Moves Out
M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)
The Contents of the M4A3 Sherman Platoon Box Set
Contact the customer service team at customerservice@battlefront.co.nz if you have any issues with any of the components.
M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29) 
Description of Components
a. 1x Sherman stowage sprue #1.
b. 
1x Sherman stowage sprue #2.
c. 1x US decal sheet.
d. 5x Plastic Sherman sprue.
e. 10x Rare-earth magnets.
f. 1x Hull MG sprue.
g. 1x Tank commander sprue.
h. 1x Turret appliqué armour sprue.
i. 5x Hull appliqué armour sprues.
j. 5x M4A3 resin turrets.
k. 5x M4A3 resin hulls.
The Plastic Sherman Sprue
The parts of the plastic Sherman sprue that are used when assembling the M4A3 Sherman are highlighted in green.


Right: The highlighted parts of the plastic Sherman sprue used in the construction the M4A3 Sherman.
M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)
Assembling The M4A3 Sherman
Step 1. Begin assembly by attaching the tracks to the hull of the M4A3 Sherman.

Note: Each track has a number of lugs on the back that corresponds with the recesses in the hull to aid in correct orientation.
Below: The correct alignment for the left-hand side track.Below: The correct alignment for the right-hand side track.Below: The left-hand side track attached to the hull.
M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)
Below: The right-hand side track attached to the hull.Step 2. To add the hull MG, snip off the ball mount using a pair of hobby cutters.
M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)
Step 3. Attach the hull MG to the hull.Step 4. Next, add the 75mm main gun.Step 5. Attach the commander's hatch to the top of the turret.
M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)
Step 6. Next, add the .50 cal AA MG.Step 7. With the .50 cal AA MG in place, the M4A3 Sherman is now ready for painting.
M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)
Adding a Tank Commander
Step 1. Cut the commander's hatch in half using a sharp hobby knife.Step 2. Attach the two halves of the hatch to either side of the hatch recess.
M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29) 
Step 3. Add the tank commander figure of your choice.Step 4. Finally, add the .50 cal AA MG.

Tip: You'll need to angle the .50 cal AA MG slightly so not to interfere with the tank commander.
M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)
Adding Appliqué Armour
Each piece of appliequé armour has been labelled to idicate which side of the tank it attaches.

Description: a.Turret right-hand side; b. Hull left-hand side; c. & d. Hull right-hand side.
Below: The turret appliequé armour in the current location.
M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)
Below: The left-side hull appliequé armour in the correct location.Below: The right-side hull appliequé armour in the correct location.
M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)M4A3 Sherman Platoon (UBX29)


Last Updated On Monday, January 01, 0001 by Blake at Battlefront

Panther G Platoon (GBX66)


Panther G Platoon (GBX66)

Panther G Platoon (GBX66)Panther G Platoon (GBX66)
includes five Panther G (Late) tanks, two Stowage sprues, two Tank Commander sprues, five Plastic Panther parts sprues, five Plastic Panther track sprues, one Decal sheet & ten Rare-earth magnets.

The Panther G is the latest model of the famed Panther tank. When the Germans revamped the old Panther A, they gave it a thicker, but more vertical, one-piece hull side to mate up with the superstructure of the Jagdpanther, and eliminated the driver’s direct vision slot.

Check out the Panther G Platoon in the online store here...
Blood, Guts, & Glory
It’s September 1944 and the Allies have stormed across France all along the front lines from Belgium to the French region of the Lorraine. Blood, Guts, & Glory covers the tanks battles in the Lorraine between September 1944 and January 1945.

Learn more about Blood, Guts, & Glory here...
Blood, Guts, & Glory
Panther G Platoon (GBX66)The result is slightly stronger armour, but more importantly, it is easier to manufacture.

The new model retains the very long-barrelled 7.5cm KwK42 gun of its predecessor, which a year after its introduction could still penetrate any tank in existence, penetrating 124mm (4.9”) of sloped armour at 500m.

The front armour of the Panther G matches its gun, being 80mm (3.15”) of well-sloped armour plate. This is more than enough to turn the shot of any gun less powerful than its own.

Designed by Evan Allen
Painted by Blake Coster


More photos coming soon...
The Panther G in Flames Of War
   Armour   
Name Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes 
Weapon Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower 
Panther GStandard Tank1051Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Wide tracks.
7.5cm KwK42 gun32"/80cm 143+ 
The New Plastic Panther Sprues
New PlasticsPanther G Platoon (GBX66)
The Panther G Platoon on the Move
Panther G Platoon (GBX66)
The Contents of the Panther G Platoon Box Set
Contact the customer service team at customerservice@battlefront.co.nz if you have any issues with any of the components.
Panther G Platoon (GBX66)
Description of Components
a. 10x Rare-earth magnets.
b. 1x Panther decal sheet.
c. 5x Gun cleaning kit tubes.
d. 2x Tank Commander sprues.
e.
 1x Stowage sprue #1.
f. 1x Stowage sprue #2.
g. 5x Panther G (late) resin turrets.
h. 5x Panther G (late) resin hulls.
i. 5x Plastic Panther tracks sprues.
j. 5x Pastic Panther parts sprues.
The Plastic Panther Sprues
The parts of the new plastic Panther sprues that are used when assembling the Panther G (late) are highlighted in green. The parts highlighted in red are optional and can be used to add some modelling variety.

Right: The highlighted parts of the new plastic Panther sprues used in the construction the Panther G (late).
Panther G Platoon (GBX66)
Assembling The Panther G (late)
Step 1. Begin assembly by attaching the tracks to the hull of the Panther G.

Note: Each track has an arrow the back that corresponds with the front of the track to aid in correct orientation. Make sure that sits flush with the hull.
Panther G Platoon (GBX66)Panther G Platoon (GBX66)
Below: The left-hand side track attached to the hull.Below: The right-hand side track attached to the hull.
Panther G Platoon (GBX66)Panther G Platoon (GBX66)
Step 2. Next, attach the front mud guards. 

Note:
 Make sure that the mud guard with the headlight is on the right-hand side of the hull.
Step 3. Now add the hull MG to the front glacis plate of the Panther G.
Panther G Platoon (GBX66)Panther G Platoon (GBX66)
Step 4. Next, attach the gun cleaning kit tube to the right-hand side of the hull.Step 5. Time to move onto the turret; begin by attaching the 7.5cm main gun.
Panther G Platoon (GBX66)Panther G Platoon (GBX66)
Step 6. Then its time to add the cupola.Step 7. Complete the cupola assembly by adding the hatch.
Panther G Platoon (GBX66)Panther G Platoon (GBX66)
Step 8. With the cupola in place, the Panther G is ready for painting.
Panther G Platoon (GBX66)
Adding The Extras
Tank Commander
Step 1. To add a tank commander simply attach the cupola hatch in an open position as shown below.Step 2. Next, add a tank commander to the open cupola.
Panther G Platoon (GBX66) Panther G Platoon (GBX66)
Side Skirts and Spare Track LinksThe side skirts and track links are optional and can be added or left off to add some modelling variety to the platoon. As can the stowage sprues included in the box set.
Below: The spare track links attach to the rear of the hull.Below: The side skirts attach to the side of the hull.
Panther G Platoon (GBX66)Panther G Platoon (GBX66)
Rare-Earth Magnets
Evan has created a recess for a rare-earth magnet in the hull of Panther G.
Step 1. The magnet recess complete with magnet.
Read Chris' guide to Rare Earth Magnets here...
Step 2. Simply glue a rare earth magent to the bottom of the turret and you have a safe and secure way of attaching the turret to the hull.
Panther G Platoon (GBX66)Panther G Platoon (GBX66)


Last Updated On Monday, January 01, 0001 by Blake at Battlefront