[Paladin18]

Hi all,

Fellow forummers Tedongganas, 91ken and a couple of others had asked me earlier about Del Prado's AFVs.

According to the Mike's Tanks website, Del Prado has produced around 15 to 16 AFvs in 1:60 scale. Little is known about it apart from the fact that it was released in Japan starting in 2004.

I had come across some of these earlier in a local hobby stores. Went back yesterday and bought my very first Del Prado AFV yesterday - an M1A1 Abrams. I was rather surprised to find that the store has slashed the price by half. It was retailing for S$30 (about US$23) previously, but is now marked at S$15 (US$11.50). The packaging was all in Japanese though, so I could make no head or tail as to what was printed on the box.

Besides the affordable price, collectors who like heft would probably like Del Prado. The model is quite heavy, with both the turret and chassis made out of diecast metal. On the down side, the finishing and details are far from sharp. The workmanship is pretty bad in some areas, particularly on the body work and turret. The MG mounts also look kinda fake. But I guess I can live with it since it is not at all expensive.

I had put the Del Prado Abrams next to the HM Abrams (1:56 scale) for comaprison's sake. It's quite obvious that Hobby Master is in an entirely different class altogether, in terms of weathering, finishing, paintwork and details. Unlike the HM Abrams, the tracks on the Del Prado can't move. Anyway, I got my HM Abrams at US$11.95 from Monkey Depot. So to me, the HM Abrams carries a better value for money.

Paladin18

[Tedongganas]

Thnx for the comparison pics Paladin18. The difference is obvious HM is better. But then for S$15 a piece its kinda of look ok to me .Hmmmm did you say they are made of die cast ?? I thought its made of resin.

[Epapazian]

These do look a little crude to me but I'd buy the Japanese and Italian WW II tanks and try to fix them. Now how do I find 'em?

[Paladin18]

Originally Posted by Tedongganas

Thnx for the comparison pics Paladin18. The difference is obvious HM is better. But then for S$15 a piece its kinda of look ok to me .Hmmmm did you say they are made of die cast ?? I thought its made of resin.

That was what I originally thought as well. To my pleasant surprise after I got home and opened the box, found that it was diecast metal.

Besides the Abrams, I got hold of the T-34/76 as well. That one was a real beauty. Nice paintwork and very sharp Red Army insignia on the turret.
If only I can add the M13/40 Carro Amato, M24 Chaffee and the M4A3E8 Sherman.....the hunt continues.

[Paladin18]

Originally Posted by Epapazian

These do look a little crude to me but I'd buy the Japanese and Italian WW II tanks and try to fix them. Now how do I find 'em?

I think they are available on eBay. I saw the Japanese Type 97 Chi-Ha tank in my local hobby shop. Very nice. The Leopard 1 looks good as well.

[Tedongganas]

Originally posted by Epapazian
These do look a little crude to me but I'd buy the Japanese and Italian WW II tanks and try to fix them. Now how do I find 'em?

Try Mike's Diecast Tanks and Armour - Home he has a big collection of Deprado's AFV incl the Chi Ha and the Carro maybe he can help.

[Tedongganas]

Originally posted by Paladin 18
That was what I originally thought as well. To my pleasant surprise after I got home and opened the box, found that it was diecast metal.

Besides the Abrams, I got hold of the T-34/76 as well. That one was a real beauty. Nice paintwork and very sharp Red Army insignia on the turret.
If only I can add the M13/40 Carro Amato, M24 Chaffee and the M4A3E8 Sherman.....the hunt continues.

That's a smart purchase because Delprado is a very hard to find brand.. I've been searching for the Carro on ebay as well , so far none.

[Paladin18]

Originally Posted by Tedongganas

That's a smart purchase because Delprado is a very hard to find brand.. I've been searching for the Carro on ebay as well , so far none.

There's another Del Prado T-34/76 waiting for you at Hobby Point, all crisp with the box nicely shrunk wrap! I have asked the owner to save it for you!

[Tedongganas]

Originally posted by Paladin 18
There's another Del Prado T-34/76 waiting for you at Hobby Point, all crisp with the box nicely shrunk wrap! I have asked the owner to save it for you!

Hey thnx again. You've heard of this brand called vsTank ?? They do RC and diecast models of Tiger in 1/24 scale. I saw one RC at the Toy Room in Suntec. Not sure about the diecst model but it looks awesom !!!. Heres a pic of the model

[91ken]

Originally Posted by Paladin18

I think they are available on eBay. I saw the Japanese Type 97 Chi-Ha tank in my local hobby shop. Very nice. The Leopard 1 looks good as well.

I have the Leo I and it is definitely resin.