I received my Normandy Miniatures 15mm M8 Greyhound/M20 Scout cars recently. I was REALLY excited to get a plastic version of this vehicle as I've always really liked the aesthetics of it….If you're not interested in reading the full review my overall verdict is that despite my excitement, I can't recommend this kit (unfortunately, as I really wanted to be able to).
My hesitation in recommending this kit is based on a few modeling mistakes and finicky parts which create a lot of work in the build process. Firstly, the main side profile shape of the body isn't entirely accurate – the rear engine deck should be sloping downward and isn't. The back deck is modeled flat. It still has the right detail just not right angle to it. Secondly, the area around the top crew compartment should be shaped differently. It's just straight sides on the model, not the angles it should have to be accurately modeled. Lastly, the rims of the tires are not accurate to what the actual models seem to have based on a lot of pictures I've reviewed. These are all things the modeler could have gotten accurate by looking at a basic three view of the vehicle unfortunately, so for me these are pretty big misses. If these don't bother you in your choice of models, it may not be as much of an issue.
The crew are pretty poorly modeled when I compare them PSC or Battlefront hard plastic 15mm models. Part of the issue is the plastic may be a bit softer, so a lot of the sharp detail is rounded off. If you find PSC infantry to have shallow detail, these may even be shallower I believe. Overall the detail on the entire model isn't as sharp edged as it could be, possibly due to the type of plastic being softer. All the details seem to be modeled, and they are far from terrible, just slightly "soft". It's most noticeable on crew and the fabric tarpaulin that is draped across the front.
From an assembly perspective, the model just doesn't go together well. Modeling the headlights, and front hatch pieces separately was the wrong path to take I feel. The headlights don't fit in the holes without some major shaving down of the pieces, and the same is true of the front hatches. Overall, they could have been modeled as part of the hull like PSC or BF would do. While having the hatches separate could result in some cool diorama pieces, for gaming it's really a nightmare to assemble multiple of these.
I would have preferred the wheels to have been done differently as it'll take a bit of work to get all six lined up and level. My recommendation would be on future kits to have the mounting stubs attached to the main body, and have the wheels drilled out with holes. Currently the wheels have the mounting stubs on the back side, and the body has slight cut outs for the stubs to sit in.
As stated, I really wanted to like this model as no other company has done it in plastic as of yet. Despite the above, there are some good things that were done well and I really liked. Firstly, the fenders and side boxes are not modeled on the hull, so you have the option of having them or not which is really nice. Secondly, the modularity of the kit to build M8s or M20s is also really nice. Those are the two things that really stand out for me with these kits.
If anyone was thinking of getting them, personally I'd wait for PSC, BF, or maybe Zvezda to possibly do these kits in plastic. I'd give them maybe a 5-6/10 if I had to rate them against some of the nicest kits I have from BF, PSC, or Zvezda.
With that being said, I'm happy I backed them in making these kits though, as another producer making plastic 15mm vehicles is a good thing! I hope they learn from this kit to make improved models in the future! I wouldn't hesitate to buy future models from them, I'd just want to look at the kits/assembly online before ordering in the future.
tackles his greatest foe - another Green Vehicle...
