herrmill

You'll have no issues communicating with Saur directly. I chat with him all the time in english on WeChat.

Regarding their product, its excellent quality. In addition to the KT, I am getting their dual transmission for a Bandai Hummel I have arriving. As you may have already guessed, they make these transmissions for DKLM.

Artemis2020

I saw the similarity, but didn’t put two and two together. That’s really cool

herrmill

Same with their Chally hulls they offer.

herrmill

Some photos of FMP's pending 1/6 Pz II Luchs. Track has already done, cast stainless lost wax process. CNC lower hull parts arrived so first hull welded up this past week & compared for size to their Pz III.

More photos to be found on their Facebook & Instagram pages

Jeff489

My Feedback: (12)

Any tips on how I could get on the list for a KT in 1/16? I have sent emails to them, and got some unhelpful tips about how supply and demand work...that essentially was a "don't call us, we'll call you" IF we decide to build some. I took the high road, and asked to be on this list, as it might have been a bad day for them. I just would really like to be on a list as you have indicated one exists.

Any help is appreciated.

RC_BobM

Thanks for the update Herrmill. Wondering if those Pz II tracks would fit the Metalbox Pz II? I've reached out to Saur on FB, not sure he'll answer. The MB Luch is really nice, but tracks are junk. I'm almost out of spare links from cracking - and I baby the thing driving it. A set of those steel tracks would be awesome!

He makes some nice models! The Luch will be awesome - is the hull steel? Looks very thin - but ok if steel.

Best regards,
Bob

herrmill

I contact with Saer mostly on WeChat which is heavily used here so forwarded a screenshot of the above posts.

The hull is welded steel so don't have any concerns.

RC_BobM

Thanks Herrmill. Hopefully these guys can fill a void that MB left, and War Slug will never get close to filling. Saer did respond back, he thinks the tracks would work on the MB PZII. Looks like he's asking $900, which is expensive - but all things considered quite reasonable for 1/6 stainless steel tracks. Since I have less than $3K into the MB Luch - that's not bad. Wish I would have waited and got one of the FMP versions. I'm sure it will be all round better than MB version.
Best regards,
Bob

Tanque

Never having seen a MB Lynx in person I don't know how they made their tracks. I'm assuming they are zinc and the alloy is failing?

This the concern I have about the dependence on Zinc alloys for many armor models: some smaller companies may not take the extra steps
to ensure they or their suppliers are using properly made alloys. Zinc pest is ugly.. Even if the parts don't fall apart on your shelf they become unsusable
by becoming too brittle. I had one set from a European supplier fall off a model due to this and I never even ran it more than a few minutes.

Jerry

herrmill

Metal Box used zinc & from all accounts I've read online, they are crap & begin failing immediately upon use.

For those considering FMP's track, understand there is slight a tolerance issue that you'll need to take into account. Not sure who's got the accuracy problem but their teeth are spaced slightly more outward than MB's The track can be used as is but the teeth will rub against wheels so you'll need to mill 2mm off the inside of the road wheels to ensure enough tolerance. Learned this from another MB Luchs owner who bought a set to replace his.

Tanque

By all accounts MB's products generally looked very good but quality was inconsistent. I read and been given first hand accounts of guys who were just
thrilled with their MB model and others who were deeply disappointed and had little to say in praise of their stuff. It's unfortunate. At that level and price point a model
has to rise above. Armortek is the standard right now by which all others in 1/6 will be judged. If FMP delivers what I see consistently their models are sure to be a winner.
I really want that Luchs in my little 1/6 collection...! I'm even warming up to their Pz III

Jerry

herrmill

It's the level of detail they strive for that impresses me. Case in point, the Continental tires for the Pz III & Luchs. He just sent me this photos of the Luchs tire on a CNC wheel for initial fit. Production will come with stamped wheels same as the original wave shape. If Saer ensures the quality is consistent to that level of detail, they'll do well.

They're doing individual commissions on the Pz III & Tiger. Same goes for the StUG - no runs planned like he's doing with the Luchs. As stated above, he's planning smaller, less expensive new projects down the road & already quoted an RTR FT-17 for under half what Warslug wanted for their static version.

RC_BobM

Hermill, great pictures! Saer did say there might be some slight tweaking to get his tracks to fit. I'm getting 10 pieces to see what needs to be done. I can do the machining required. I also have a set of the late Martin Schneider's Geisswerk PZ II Luch brass tracks which I could possibly get to fit (wheel machining required for those and new sprocket rings). Those tracks cost nearly more than the tank itself. Saer's stainless steel tracks are about 2.5X less expensive. St Steel would be the best track material IMO for these large vehicle.

The MB Luch is/was pretty nice. The aluminum machine work is nice. The tracks are zinc-alum and are nicely detailed. Something went wrong in the casting process tho, the material is very brittle and will crack, and crumble. This happens even in very light use. Also the track pins look like bent to hell nails, and were hammered in to get them to stay. The combination of lousy material for tracks and bent track pins - means lots of broken links. The MB electronics are poor as well, sound is terrible. Mine was one of the first ones they shipped - so it didn't come with any accessories or tools. Lots of room for improvement.

I'm hoping Saer and his operation can be successful.
B

lposter

I have to ask.....why invest in the production of the Luchs? Its a pretty low-number variant?

I used to wonder why the Tauchpanzer was produced as a model for the same reason so I may be missing a point or something....
p

herrmill

No idea but perhaps saw an opportunity to fill a void after MB went bust after seeing several of their Luchs. It's an interesting design & one Saer got calls for commission work so why not? As mentioned earlier, he's tired of the big cats & plans to develop smaller models after these. Am lobbying for several types so feel free to contact FMP directly if you're in the market.

There's a small shop to the south that just finished their 1/6 Pz II F that I'll post a details in a separate thread. They're only doing a short run of 10 as well.

Crius

Maybe you could recommend they do a Bren carrier In 1/6 scale?

herrmill

Armotek released their Mark II Universal Carrier just last fall so doubtful:

https://www.armortek.co.uk/product/universal-carrier

Saer sent shared some photos of the gearbox & turret. He's replicating the appliqué armor on the upper hull with plans to maintain scale thickness as much as possible.

He's getting quotes on casting the headlamp that would be as detailed to even include Bosch in the casting. Overall, pretty nice work.

Tanque

Armortek's UC kit is a nice one. I have mine, waiting to get the motion pack. They just announced that pack I believe.

I'm really buzzed for FMB Luchs, one of my favorite light tanks.... looks like a compact Tiger.... !

J

Crius

I know about the armortek Bren. Competition, man, it's the fuel of business.

Tanque

Chuck.....CHUCK.........Semovente da 75/18...........Semovente da 75/18......... Semovente da 75/1888888888888888888888888888888888!

herrmill

May as well ask for a Vickers Light Tank MK VIC. Better chance of seeing it made.

Start lobbying. Can you gather together another 9 or so interested parties?

Tanque

Perhaps in Italy???

Jerry

herrmill

FYI, failed to mention that the Luchs will come with working hatches unlike MB's version. Not sure if they've finalized all electronic details but was told sounds will be correct, working flash effects, etc.. recoil under consideration.

RC_BobM

Herrmill,
That will be interesting detail to see. The real Luch had hatches that opened down onto the operator/driver. This would have to have been uncomfortable to say the least. The turret is so far forward it covers some of the hatches, which is why they had to open down. Unless they were on some sort of track to slide sideways and then down, it must have been a death trap in real vehicle for driver and radio operator. Will be interesting to see the details FMB adds. I've ordered some steel track links for "R&D".
B

herrmill

Have not asked for details so guess we'll see whats to come.

BTW, sent you a PM on behalf of some info Saer needs to send your track samples.