"Victrix desert uniforms" Topic

In today's Victrix email update ("Victrix 2024 – What's Next?") there is an oblique mention of desert uniforms on some of the crew in the upcoming Universal Carrier kit. I believe that's the first desert uniform made for the Victrix 12mm line…?

I hope that's a good sign. I really would like to get Victrix infantry and crews in desert uniforms.

- Ix

The first desert crew is in the new SdKfz 7 and 88 kit. You get European and DAK crews. The Universal carrier kit must be the first British (8th Army) crews along with the European ones.

Count me in on wanting to see more North African kit and figs!

I would definitely welcome 12mm Afrika Korps, 8th Army and Italian infantry from Victrix.

Wait. This is 12mm so does this belong on the new 1:144 board?

(In my gaming world, 10mm is 1:160 scale.)

The 1:144 gamers already took over the 10mm WWII board. I'm just continuing the tradition.

In fairness this board is labeled: "For discussion of 10mm and 1:144 scale figures and models for WWII wargaming"

What 1/144th (or 10mm if you prefer) vehicles are needed out there? "MY" list includes the WC series US Produced trucks, SdKfz9 for tank recovery, trailers of all sorts, Jeeps, M-36 Jackson, SU-85 and 100s, to start with. Yeah, I know 3D printing is out there but all I have seen seem to be fragile to game with. The Victrix plastics are far superior in that department and someone here is bound to suggest using some different resin to use! I would much rather see some of the above in metal and not have to buy 6 at a time. Any thoughts?

I've never had one of my scale resin-printed barrels break from tabletop use yet (with lots of public-playing sessions included in my sampling/impressions here). That doesn't mean they aren't more fragile though – or maybe I 'hover' enough during my games to keep players mindful of their handling the stuff well-enough too.

Something I've noticed though with plastics/resin-prints – being lighter generally, they don't 'impact' as much when rubbed, nestled, or knocked against one another like metal minis can do. They may actually be more fragile, and don't bend like metals, but they also don't carry the same weight and affect when they get knocked around, vs. terrain pieces, or against other miniatures in-game either.

Transport mishaps – dropped trays, or a bunch of tanks ending up toppled into a box corner – well, maybe some broken resin barrels and MGs, but there won't be the paint chipping that comes with metals impacting each other either – so maybe it's a 'toss-up', but I wouldn't recommend doing that just to find out the ultimate results. :)))

Would be nice if Victrix follows Plastic Soldier Company and offers on a regular basis individual sprues of their models. I do hate when filling out a unit needing only 1 or 2 more models and then being forced to buy a box of 5 or 6.

As to your wish list Tom could add a dozen off the top of my head for 1/144th. One leading the list would be the M-8 Scott for my US armored infantry for sure. I always hate making these lists since someone always seems to come along and mention some company (in some cases a bit obscure) who does make the vehicle in plastic injection or metal in 1/144th :)

Marc, don't hate me too much, ok? ;)

link

The issue for us desiring Yanks though – GB's Royal Mail prices for getting these ones-and-twos style orders.

A reliable source for hard to find 1:144th and looks like a reasonable price what's to hate (despite my tongue in cheek comment)? As you say the only rub would be shipping. And please correct me as much as you like :)

Marc: Well these would be shipping from the USA (Toronto Kansas to be exact- truly close to being in the middle of the country.) The M-8 and M-20 are already on my radar for the same reason you mentioned. Also, I want to see some GMC WC series trucks and some trailers. After we get our 3 masters for PzKfw IIIF, G and H (North Africa bound) we already planned to do Sherman models, especially M4A4 for French and Russian use. THEN, do trucks. Including Opel Blitz, Jeeps and Kublewagons. The list is set in quicksand as the designer's input must be considered. BUT, that is what we have been looking at so far.

I was fortunate enough to jump on the 1/144th bandwagon early and snagged a number of M-8 and M-20 Armored Cars by WTM. I could probably do with a few more but still got lucky. They now go for ridiculous prices. Exciting list Tom and LOVE the fact it isnt dominated by Panthers and Tigers!

I am enjoying the roll out of the Victrix infantry sets but not sure they will play well with my existing infantry which is all MiniFig bought many years ago by a very good retailer hint hint.

Marc: Revell put out two 3-vehicle, 2 of each kits in 1/144th scale. They did an LST and included them in the kit. They also offered just the vehicles. The WWII kit (93350) includes two each of an M-4A3 75mm (w); M8 AC; and a GMC 2 1/2 ton 6x6.

The other such set is more modern (West German). From memory: M-47, Fuchs and a cargo truck. I have one somewhere in my plastic kit stash.

I found two each of the WWII kits on-line in a hobby shop in Iowa. They were 9.99 Euro in Germany- I paid $14.95 USD each plus shipping from the Iowa source.

The Sherman and M-8 was a straight forward build. The Truck gave me some problems building the truck bed which came without a canvas top.: 2 sides, floor, cab end, and tailgate/end piece. I was using Tamiya extra fine cement but will be using good old Testors orange tube cement for the next one. The thickness of Testors helps keep the parts aligned so I can move along to the next piece more quickly.

Hope this helps. What/who's Jeeps did you use for your recon? Am still looking for some in 1/144th that are not 3D printed.

I was lucky enough to snag a number of the M8 armored cars from the old World Tank Museum series #8 Battle of the Bulge but can always use a few more.

However the M8 Scott is the short 75 on the M3 tank chassis, aka the Howitzer Motor Carriage. Confusing since they are both M8

And as I remember correctly my jeeps are mini-fig so a nice selection in 1/144th would be welcome

I guess what I am most encouraged by all the new releases, as well as planned or proposed, is nary a mention of Tigers and Panthers! Seriously it is nice to see many of the numerous but under represented AFVs and support vehicles.

Going back to the original message I think a company could do fairly well doing say North Africa and then filling out one time period before embarking on another. North Africa 1940 is a far different battlefield then 1942. My fear is we get some vehicles for each period preventing some of us from truly moving forward on a particular time. For example getting some nice M4s but no Grants.

Anyway we can dream can't we? :)

Marc, this is what I've suggested also – so we're of common minds here.

This is also a planned approach – to make a package of offerings available that immediately work together, letting the buyer build towards getting scenarios onto the game table – pronto.

Really, it's the "package" that can sell the contents.

Just found my cache of 1/144th "Can Do" I bought at Wal-Mart over a decade ago. They measure up perfectly with my Victrix, Revell and some 3D printed ones I have. (Planning to do a line-up shot showing different makes and models for comparison and reference for interested folks.)

Wish I had scarfed up more trucks and halftracks back then. Like many, I gravitated towards German PzKfw IVH, Brumbars, Tiger variants, Shermans (oh-My!). Need a few M-8 (HMC) and scads of Jeeps for my Recon units. Probably have (between Victrix, Can-Do and Revell) a US Battalion on a 1:1 basis.

Appreciate the Lee/Grant comments above. Also the M-3 is missing. Who makes 1/144th British and Italian stuff for North Africa? Closest I have found are Pendraken 1:150th offerings. I have some usual suspects coming from Pit Road in Japan. Open to suggestions if you know of any other companies doing North African candidates in this scale.

Hopefully, we will have 3 models of the PzKfwIII covered soon. Hope everyone has a great weekend.