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Esci 1/72 Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind

Posted by huib on 29 Apr 2018, 11:34

Hi guys,

This is my rendition of Esci's old Wirbelwind (First issue 1980). With a few improvements it can be made in a nice model, I think.

It represents a Wirbelwind that was part of a batallion staff of a German Panzer Division during the Normandy campaign, summer 1944. Turret and hull differ in colour and camouflage pattern, as most Wirbelwinds were built on the hulls of broken down or damaged Panzer VI Ausf. G and H models that were returned to the factory for repair.

Thanks for looking!

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huib  Netherlands
 
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12 Dec 2015, 15:57


Posted by Wiking on 29 Apr 2018, 12:11

Probably one of the best build Esci Wirbelwind as base kit I have seen. Some improvements are made. And with Zimmerit.
The differ in color is well done.

Puh ! As you already mentioned an old mold. There are several shortcomings to the today`s standard.
The backdrop of this today`s standard is sadly that no more figures are included in the kits.
The standing figure (nice paint) is great detailed made by Esci. That show me what they can do in the 80ies ! Why not to the whole kit?
The sitting figure is a nice pose for it`s time. Also well paint. But a flat figure is a flat figure.

:yeah:
Well done for that aged kit.
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Wiking  Germany
 
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Posted by Graeme on 29 Apr 2018, 12:39

Very nice paintwork. The cammo pattern and textured surfaces are very convincing, no hint of plastic model.
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Graeme  Australia
 
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27 Nov 2015, 02:39

Posted by huib on 29 Apr 2018, 12:43

Thanks, Wiking and Greame!

Wiking, someone convincingly pointed out to me that these two classic Esci tanker figures that are with all their Panzer IV based kits are originating from older (1970's) Monogram 1/32 kits:

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Interesting, not? These are defenitely the same figures, but on 1/32 scale. (By the way, this is not my model, but somebody else's.)
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huib  Netherlands
 
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Posted by Wiking on 29 Apr 2018, 12:48

You learn every day something new.
Tank you huib.
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Wiking  Germany
 
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Posted by Bluefalchion on 29 Apr 2018, 14:16

Great model! Even if they added a new turret, why not just paint the whole thing in a new color?
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Bluefalchion  United States of America
 
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Posted by C M Dodson on 30 Apr 2018, 07:35

Super modelling on this classic.

I like the barrels of the guns, not just a lump of plastic. Good attention to detail.

Best wishes,

Chris
C M Dodson  United Kingdom
 
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01 May 2015, 18:48

Posted by Susofrick on 30 Apr 2018, 07:41

Great to see this oldie! Had some ESCI tanks, but never built them. Always was disapointed with the figure.
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Susofrick  Sweden
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Posted by huib on 30 Apr 2018, 11:02

Thank you very much, guys!

Bluefalchion wrote:Even if they added a new turret, why not just paint the whole thing in a new color?

They often did. But I wanted to stress the fact that it is a new cupula on and old hull.
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huib  Netherlands
 
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Posted by Erich von Manstein on 30 Apr 2018, 11:41

As others already pointed out, very good job on this rather old & tired Esci kit. :yeah:

Italeri is going to re-release that Esci Wirbelwind during this year finally.
http://bennosfiguresforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=21339&p=233114#p233114

Maybe worth mentioning that Revell will re-release the superior Wirbelwind kit from the retired Maco range this July.
http://bennosfiguresforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=21338&p=233109#p233109

That said, I have to agree that your displayed result easily ranks among the very best builds of this kit! :thumbup:
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Erich von Manstein  Aruba
 
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03 Jan 2009, 21:31


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