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Armor/AFV
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
REVIEW
BVM M5 Early
c5flies
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California, United States
Joined: October 21, 2007
KitMaker: 3,684 posts
Armorama: 2,938 posts
Posted: Saturday, October 15, 2011 - 03:55 PM UTC
Dave Shick uncovers the M5 Early from Best Value Models and shares his findings with us.

Link to Item



If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
KurtLaughlin
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Sunday, October 16, 2011 - 04:07 AM UTC
While there hasn't been an all-plastic M5 kit before, both Formations and Tiger Model Designs have produced conversions.

There were a number of visible differences between the M5 and M5A1 hulls and M3A1 and M5 turrets. Simply plopping two pieces together as this kit does will give you a start, not an accurate M5.

Thanks for the review,
KL
warreni
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South Australia, Australia
Joined: August 14, 2007
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Posted: Sunday, October 16, 2011 - 08:55 AM UTC
I am wondering if Academy and AFV Club know about this...
KurtLaughlin
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: January 18, 2003
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Posted: Sunday, October 16, 2011 - 12:20 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I am wondering if Academy and AFV Club know about this...



???

Unless the sprues were stolen from the factories both companies sold some kits to Azimut. Probably at wholesale prices, but sold nonetheless. They may have even sold them just the desired sprues.

In any case, they both sold more product than they would have otherwise, so even if they didn't know (which I doubt) I can't see how they would care.

KL
C_JACQUEMONT
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Loire-Atlantique, France
Joined: October 09, 2004
KitMaker: 2,433 posts
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Posted: Monday, October 17, 2011 - 04:29 AM UTC
Azimut are/were official importers for AFV Club at one stage.

The other thing worth mentionning is that those kits are very limited editions, even less produced than resin kits. I'd say as low as 30 pieces and 50 to 60 pieces maximum in some rare cases.

Cheers,

Christophe
Illini
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Colorado, United States
Joined: March 27, 2003
KitMaker: 345 posts
Armorama: 247 posts
Posted: Monday, October 17, 2011 - 09:45 AM UTC

Quoted Text

The other thing worth mentionning is that those kits are very limited editions, even less produced than resin kits. I'd say as low as 30 pieces and 50 to 60 pieces maximum in some rare cases.



I had no problem finding the AFV or Academy kits in stock at a few online retailers. The AFV early edition is harder to find, that may be why BVM used the late one, and simply removed the parts that make it the later version.
AJLaFleche
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Massachusetts, United States
Joined: May 05, 2002
KitMaker: 8,074 posts
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Posted: Friday, October 28, 2011 - 02:35 AM UTC
And they also have the incorrect 1960 version of the US flag instead of teh 48 star style which means sourcing a correct one for accuracy purposes.
jimbrae
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Provincia de Lugo, Spain / Espaņa
Joined: April 23, 2003
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Posted: Saturday, October 29, 2011 - 12:46 AM UTC
Personally, and it's an excellent Review, I think you were a touch generous in the rating.

I don't, i'm afraid, see this release/reboxing as anything more than a calculated rip-off

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