Thanks mate. I’m truly mindful that these reviews influence peoples buying decisions. Be mindful that this was just my experience, so others may get a better outcome than I did. 🤷🏻
@@workbenchhobbies4316I also have experienced some fit problems with Takoms 1:35 scale tanks and also questionable glue adhering to the plastic, glad to know someone else experienced that problem.
It's too bad that the build was such a struggle. It looks great, though, but when a model is a labor of love, it becomes a chore and not much fun. Hopefully, you'll enjoy the painting and weathering process.
Thank you for this honest review and build up. Should I decide to get a weasel to build for my collection I now know to stay away from this one. It sounds like the ancient Revell/Monogram kit would be much easier to deal with.
Well…it looks pretty cool once it’s finished, so if you like the subject I’d encourage you to buy one. You know what you are in for now, so if you have the skill and patience to take the journey then go for it. Heck, I might be the problem here 😝😉🤷🏻
Great review...I have not built any Takom kits as yet since I don't build armor kits. But recently have been buying armor kits to add to my collection. It's great to hear an honest and objective review and not one where the reviewer is using so much foul language and personal opinions. Keep up the good work........
Not a flop at all!! Enjoying the build so much that I'm going to get another one and build a civilian version... Not experiencing the gluing problems you encountered ( I'm using Tamiya glue)... I watched your review after I purchased, which made me a bit nervous, as my kit was still in transit... Very impressed when it arrived, I checked the contents/instructions and found the details were very sharp... What I'm doing differently is I am not following the instructions step by step and building the boxy sections in sub assemblies... I find that boxy vehicles require test fitting and squaring off before committing to glue and that is what I did... As a result everything came out square and tight, test fitting and making sure the mating surfaces are clean... I noticed in your review that some of your parts still had sprue attachment plastic left, maybe that was a factor that affected your build... But your build/review scared off a quite a few modelers judging by the comments... I haven't assembled the tracks yet but I'm not at all worried about that as the running gear sits flat and true... I highly recommend this kit, definitely not for the impatient, test fitting and clean parts are the key for a clean build... This is my sixth Takom kit that I have built, from the 1/16 Japanese tankette to the 1/72 Hanomag V2 tractor and this was as fun as the as the others... I attacked this kit as if it were a highly detailed resin kit, and as I'm sure you know can be very finicky and also requires a lot of test fitting and cleaned up parts... This kit will give me confidence to finally build my resin LZ Models M29 which was very scary but not anymore as I've got a reference now as I had lost the CD instructions... Good luck to all that still want to tackle this kit...
I am so pleased to hear you have enjoyed the model. I don’t do these reviews to scare people off but understand that is a result. All I can do is share my experience as authenticity as I can. Appreciate you joining in 👍
Your reviews of the kits you build are gold, then adding in the commenters experiences, gives a well vetted idea of what one can expect generally. It takes BOTH parts to get a flushed out understanding and how different modellers attack a build and other adjustments to achieve good /great results. Keep the builds coming.@@workbenchhobbies4316
I've built Dragon Models for 30+ years, so all of this looks familiar! Your Review is great, honest. I'd seen this Kit and wondered at how well Takom had tackled it and now I know! To me, after so many Dragons, it doesn't look too bad!
Very cool model thu! Great peice for a muddy hurtgen diorama! (The weasle played a very important role moving wounded to casualty collection points in the Hurtgen forest due to the terrain there in that time of year, saved alot of lives.)
I've built quite a few Takom kits, they can be tricky sometimes. That said, I enjoy these little surprises, makes me use my skill and some thinking outside the box to overcome issues. I'm a modeler, not an assembler, that's what Tamiya kits are for..lol. Good review, well done!
So why bother with kits at all, why not just scratch build everything? When I buy a kit I expect parts to fit correctly maybe a little filler here and there, and add a little detail If needed, but I won't be buying this kit It's awful.
Awesome review of this kit!! Was excited to see this kit of the M29 Weasel. Watching this video - and experiencing some build difficulties recently on a few Takom kits, will pass this kit by. No longer interested in Takom kits. Finishing up the Takom Mammut tank and, lets just say there were some unecessary experiences there. Takoms instructions are like Dragons, Trumpetters, Hobby Boss, and a few others where there is way more guessing involved than probably should be - makes you appreciate the effort Tamiya puts in their instructions and kits. If i want a model kit of this particular vehicle, i'll build that ancient Monogram kit from 1970s that i built as a kid back then. As said before - could just be me and my experience and I just got the "off" kit.
Nice job on a frustrating kit! A friend of mine gave me one of these to build, but after watching this review, I think that it is going to remain in my stash for a while. Before Tenax went out of business I managed to purchase a box of the their glue. Every now and then I run into plastic that does not react to Tamiya glues, but the Tenax 7R welds pretty much any styrene. Thanks for the review!
Please don’t be turned off by the review if you have the kit there to build. I’d love to hear other peoples opinions. It’s possible I did something wrong 🤷🏻 Thanks for connecting here on the channel 🍀😎
Getting back to your kit, thanks for posting this build. I like your straightforward and honest assessment. This kit is definitely not the same as the Takom Grant tank. That kit goes together well and has much better design and fit. Look forward to viewing more of your videos, take care and happy modeling.
I’ve built a lot of great Takom kits, including the Grant…so I was a little surprised with the issues I had with this one. I guess we just need to assess every release on a kit by kit basis 🤷🏻 Thanks for joining in 🍻
Good review! I have found some of the same issues on a recently released I Love Kit model: excellent, crisp moldings, lots of tiny (too many?) parts, but poor instructions that kept me second-guessing. Fortunately in my case, the fit was actually good, but the kit was not a fun build - too many questions where to place parts, and in the end I just wanted it to be over. Goes to show that the quality of the instructions is key to enjoying model-building, not to mention that sometime I'd rather not have to fuss with 19 tiny parts to make up a tow-hook.
Agree on the instructions comment. Have built a few Takom kits, Dragon, Trumpeter, Hobby Boss, Italeri, and others. The instructions will dictate my attitude during construction and how far I go in the build. Most of those manufacturers leave a lot to be desired, but then just could be me as well.
Nice build. The track tensioning spring is installed upside down. Appears to be in the manual too from the quick view I saw in the video. The Weasel offered by Takom is an M29C with many features from the earlier T24 and M29C. Really a fantasy Weasel as none of them shipped from the Studebaker factory shipped as configured. If you are trying to build an accurate T24, M29 or M29C, there are lots of small changes that need to be made to make the machine historically accurate. If it makes you feel any better, rebuilding a real Weasel is about as difficult! Everything is difficult to fit, tracks are heavy and will pinch fingers and on and on! You can't even change the points in the distributor without removing the engine. Cheers!
@@workbenchhobbies4316 You inspired me to build this kit - mostly I rebuild full scale WW2 and other vehicles, but I bought this for a winter project. In this particular case, experience with the actual machine is pretty helpful.....I will report back after the build with my experience - may even try and make a video of it. Cheers and thanks again for the helpful video.
@@Portrayalpress - Fantastic - be sure to let me know how you go. It would be interesting to hear if your experience is better than mine with the actual working knowledge you have of the vehicle. Wishing you luck.
Hi Clayton! Good review on this one, warts and all. I build a lot of Takom kits, and usually they are very good, with good parts fit and detail, so this one is a surprise to me. I have concentrated on German WWII armour, and I am Just about ready to tackle some allied kits. I saw this one on line and thought it make a good kit to start on, but now I have my doubts. Thanks for the honest evaluation. Keep the content coming mate!
@@workbenchhobbies4316 Never mind mate, you only given us a warning about this particular kit, and I still have about a dozen examples of German AFV’s in the stash. I will give the Allied armour another thought in the future. All the best!
Hi Clayton from the land of the poms 😂thanks for the transparent review, this wasn’t a kit on my list of must haves, but I’ve had a few kits like this that just fight you all the way. Keep the great content coming and congrats for sticking with it 👍👏👏👏
Mate, by 5 minutes into this I would have given this model the mallet treatment ! Takom has been in this game for 10 years now and I've seen more bad reviews of their kits than I can care to count. Glad to see you give an honest view. There's a few out there ( "Let's get started.") that gloss over poor kits, as I'm sure they like the free gifts they get in return.
I have had a lot of really positive experiences with Takom, so I don’t want to taint the brand at all, but I think for me making these videos it’s important to be as transparent as possible. Thanks for your comments- so glad you enjoyed the review 🤩🍀🙏
Comprehensive, objective review, backed up with appropriate pictures/video, my compliments. Your finished product looks great. As a related aside, I believe the first model of the Weasel was done by Rogers Motor Company in 1944. It is an all wood kit in approximately 1/12 scale. It is the buoyancy version. I have built two of them, and while clearly not as detailed as the Takom kit, based on your experience, despite cutting, sanding and filling multiple wooden parts, I had a far easier time putting mine together!😁
@@workbenchhobbies4316 Yes, I still have the one I built for myself, and an additional two, original, unbuilt kits. I built the second one as a commission for a friend. As a related aside, I visited the Studebaker Museum in South Bend, Indiana this past June. They have an original Weasel on display. It is amazing how small it is.
This is interesting. The new half track they made got amazing reviews but not many build videos if any on that so far. I built it and ran into quite a few problems and fit issues, found some useless photo etch and many of the same problems you point out with this. Not quite as severe as this looks, but all the same exact kind of problems
Hey there. I haven't seen the halftrack, but will probably get my hands on one one day. In fairness to Takom, some of my favourite builds have been their kits...so I consider the Weasel as the anomaly. Interesting to hear you have had issues with that Halftrack... something to keep an eye put for in future! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. 🙏
I have the -c model. I was going crazy with the road wheels and the assembly to the hull. The instruction were terrible . I built the Monogram mode at the same time. Then used the Monogram model as my instructions. I would recommend building the Monogram kit first.
i notice takom plastic is on the soft side. it keeps melting until the cement dries. Tamiya quick cement might work. thanks for this review! you saved me $40 bucks! Almost got it!
I debated whether to put this video up because I know it effects people’s decisions and who knows…maybe I screwed up 🤷🏻…but I have to be honest with my opinions right?
In my mind, you absolutely did the right thing. And I think a lot of people will appreciate you for it. If someone really wants to build this vehicle, they’ll still buy this kit. And you didn’t ruin takom. Your review will eventually make them a better company.
I wonder how much fun and enjoyment there’s building a vehicle with hundreds of tiny little wheels. 7:34 - that looks more like test of nerves and patience. Especially when no one will ever notice all the hidden detail.
Thank you for this very helpful build video. I have this kit, but have not started it yet and your build will help me to look out for the issues. I have really wanted a modern-tool kit of the weasel and I’ll try to struggle through all of the same problems you encountered. As I watched, I constantly thought: “Is there a way I could alter the sequence of assembly at different stages to avoid at least some of the problems. No brilliant ideas yet.
Yeah, in reflection I’ve been trying to think of ways to combat some of the issues and I’m coming up short. I think the challenges with the glue compounded everything too. Sometimes you can muscle your way through construction issues…so maybe try some different glues and go with the most suitable one. Sending you luck 🍀
Great review 🏅. It makes me wish that Tamiya had released a M29, instead of Takom. I guess Monogram's 1957 tooling M29(c) hasn't been replaced for good after all.
Lol why? I’ve never had a Tamiya kit that was anything much above the quality of a Revell kit. You’ve got Dragon, AFV club, Trumpeter, Takom, RFM, so why would you want to buy a model with no quality or detail?
@@davidrossi5096 Because Tamiya puts a lot of thought into making the build process go smoothly. Their kit pieces usually have perfect fit. Also, they are not over engineered like some 1,500 piece Chinese kits are.
Excellent video! I really had no interest in this kit. But NOW that I watch how fiddly and small this kit is. I DEFINITELY won't be getting one for sure!😆 Thanks mate!
I found one of the best solvent type glues for styrenes is MEK. A pint can lasts forever. Use small dropper type medicine bottles or mecurichrome bottles, to limit the amount of fumes you're dealing with as it is VERY nasty stuff. Acetone also works, but is not as aggressive as MEK, and I have also had decent luck using lacquer thinner, although it is as bad as MEK when it comes to the fumes. Again, I ended up putting it in a small bottle and using a brush. Do not try and use any of these straight from the can.
@@workbenchhobbies4316 You'll find they, and other rather volatile chemicals make up most model cements. Xylene, Toluene, etc. But yes, if you're uncomfortable handling the base chemicals, stick to the premade solvents. It was merely a suggestion to possibly "solve" the bonding issues.(pun intended).
Excellent video, I love your clean and comprehensive way of showing the building process. what an horrendous kit, God only knows what's gotten into Takom. A lot of the running gear could have been greatly simplified without any significant loss of detail, and the plastic behaving awkwardly is just unacceptable. I really hope these issues don't apply to their new M103 as well, because I'm dying to build it.
I am a fan of most of Takoms recent release kits, so yeah…came as a bit of a surprise that this one wasn’t a little more ‘user friendly’. Appreciate your comments 🙏
Hi Clayton I’m just waiting for 2 of them to arrive 😢😮 I was pretty excited about them initially but the only reservation I have is that they are Takom kits. I’ve had a few fitting issues with some of their kits most notably the Jagdtiger. I just don’t really buy Takom kits anymore, but couldn’t resist the Weasel. I really wonder if those guys even build their own kits 1st to find out any flaws b4 they go out in the market place?? Thanks for sharing your build review mate ❤😊
Funny you say that because on many occasions through this build I’m thinking to myself…how did someone do the test build and sign off on this release?!
Have built a few Takom kits myself and have experienced some type of fitting problem always. Thought it was just me but glad to know others have experienced problems as well. Just finished Takoms Mammut tank and no matter how much dry fitting I ended up with a big gap at the back where the side plates meet the engine deck. Also, their instructions.........pretty much done with Takoms though their detail is awesome.
@@jamesbednar3108 Hi bro I’m hearing you mate! I’m over Takom, and Miniart kits especially! Too much clean up, and bullshit publicity to promote some trumped up new ‘state of the art’ kits…. I’ve got most of Miniart’s figure kits, and they are absolute crap! Great alternative poses etc but when it comes to assembling it is a nightmare!
hello there! It was so long ago I couldn't even tell you sorry. Safe to say I had a few dramas with it though! Appreciate your question.. Sorry I couldn't be more help.
With the fun and games I've had from my recent Takom armour kit i'm surprised they didn't give it a engine which you will never see again,they remember to put things like nuts and rivets in places you'll never see then miss a major part a fan belt on a engine you can see
Hey Keith. It makes you wonder if they build them before committing them to the market doesn’t it? In saying that, some of my favourite builds have been Takom kits. Which one is giving you trouble?
Done a few mainly armour Takom kits, I like the fact they do some relatively obscure vehicles ,but what's more annoying than trouble is you spend £100's ou get great internal details but no painting guide for it or parts you'll never see again but the latest was the 1/16 panzer 1V a full engine but no fan belts,eg they remembered to put fully detailed shells in boxes then have glue them shut
Yeah, maybe. The weasel is the perfect little support vehicle for a diorama, so I think 35th has its place for sure. But it wouldn’t surprise me if this makes it to 1/16 at some point. Thanks for joining in 🍻
A very interesting video. I was considering getting one of these, but after watching this and the desire to enjoy the hobby, I think I’ll skip it 😂😂 Thankyou for this post 👍👍
I've been building models for over half a century. My skillset is fair. But with this kit, I feel I will have reached my level of incompetence. It's ironic that injection molding technology has advanced to the stage that such ultra-fine, detailed micro-parts are possible - only to end up with a kit that is for all intent and purpose impossible to actually assemble; much less being able to detach these parts from their trees without damaging them, (or cleaning them up properly prior to assembly if you can successfully remove them intact.) The fact that common modeling solvents don't seem to work is the last straw . . . . Thankfully, I have a copy of the iconic Monogram Weasel in my stash. As I am "of a certain age," it has more appeal to me than this newer kit. And as I am of "a certain age," I also appreciated the pointed editorial comment from Ms. Maureen "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!!!" McCormack at 7:23! 454th like.
I really tested my incompetence level here too… thanks so much for the like. It’s greatly appreciated. And I’m please you liked the Marcia cut in. Gave me a chuckle too 😝 Thanks for connecting with me 🙏
My age puts me between Peter and Bobby. I suspect if Mr. Knight and Mr. Lookinland still build models; they'd reach for the classic Monogram kit of the Weasel as well. But this raises a much bigger issue. Do modern model kits REALLY *need* to be "this detailed;" especially if modeling is supposed to be a fun and relaxing hobby? Not every build has to be IPMS Nationals quality. And to add to the irony, I suspect most modelers who build the Weasel will put it in a diorama or at the very least a groundwork base to "show it in its element." This will necessarily involve caking the running gear in mud or snow, effectively covering all that fine detail . . . . Dare I add, "Happy Modeling?"
I'm OK with super detailed kits - its fit issues and over engineering that annoy me. Hopefully this revue can at lease help people make an informed buying decision.@@modelermark172
I think there is a difference between "super detailed kits" and ones that are "over-engineered." (You would think that a 'well-engineered' kit wouldn't have fit problems.) To me, "over-engineering" means an overabundance of fiddly parts that were produced just because the toolmakers could, but that doesn't do much to enhance the finished model. That said, I thank you for your review and build video. It did help me make an informed decision that a basic kit review would not.
Molding technologies are advancing, most due to computers, of course. CnC machine can carve EDM parts, which can in turn be used for injection molding tooling. Additionally 3D printing of metal is becoming more common, allowing tooling costs to plummet. Solid modeling software is much more robust, capable, and accessable than ever. For us modelers, its mostly win win. The detail present in these modern kits is astonishing, especially when compared to just a few decades ago. I put together the Tamiya M113 recently, and am working on an AFC club M113. The difference is night and day.
There are no unbuildable model kits. Try the ESCI 1/35 SDKfz. 10 and 75mm IG Howitzer. This one makes the Weasel look like an afternoon fun build. Like the old Indian in Joesy Wales said....Endeavor to persevere. Bill
Hi Clayton, just subbed to your channel, good on you for persisting with a kit that I would have probably binned. Great review, and at least you know what your up against if you still want to buy one.
Good Review 👍🏽!! Thank you for taking the time to review this kit. I had thought of purchasing and building this model, as a quick build..😕Absolutely NOT... I'll save my money and buy a different kit. Love Takom kits. Have built many. Currently working on their M3 Grant, or rather reworking on it. Nice kit, but what doesn't make sense is the 'working suspension with link and length track'..hmmm.🤔 Anyway, will you be painting and finishing this kit? I see you've primed it..
I love Takom kits too…and yes, I made the same mistake as you in thinking it would be a quick build! Ouch! I will paint and weather at some stage but not sure when that will be. Heading back to get this Hetzer over the line now! Appreciate your comments 🙏
Thanks for taking one for the team, Clayton! This kit is full of irony. A vehicle with a rubber band track but the kit has link and length track that just looks too rigid. Massively overcomplicated running gear structure, when it's the most likely model to be built into a diorama, up to its running boards in mud. I bet a 3d printer will make one with about 5 parts that will do a much better job.
I think you might be on to something there. Even if someone came up with the printed running gear it would save some frustration. Thanks for joining in 🍀
Hi Steven. Only see it online. Not in the flesh. Love the subject though, so hopefully add that to the stash one day. I mean kangaroo 🦘….it would be unpatriotic if me not to! 🍻
Hey Glenn. Thanks for joining in. Yes…the glue thing was very strange. Never had the issue with any of their kits previously. Generally speaking I love the new Takom kits. I kept second guessing myself thinking I was making it up or doing something wrong…but it just kept giving me issues. Hopefully it was a bad mix of the plastic and won’t affect all of them 🤞🍀
Thanks for the review, it is a disappointment that it is such a poorly offered kit. When I heard this was coming out, I already had two LZ models Weasels in the stash and decided I had better pull one out and build it. But the poor moulding on that resin caused me to spend so much time cleaning it up, removing great blobs from where there should have been no flash at all. Clearly the mold had broken down before mine was moulded, leaving me with crap for a kit. I worked for hours getting the floor attached to the tub, and then the bottom part which holds the suspension and whatever else makes the Weasel drive, and after fixing a great amount of warpage and having only put three parts together I said stop, you're wasting you time, your Takom kits will be here soon! And now seeing this, I immediately thought, here is the perfect kit for Trex Studio to come up with some parts to fix these issues. Im going to start one hoping that perhaps your review kit was a one off flop. Still, you made it look great! Im working on a Ming Jeep, Ive never built a Ming kit before, having heard that there are a lot of issues. There are some serious problems in their castings, however, working around those, one of which is that pieces of the chassis that are supposed to be flat surfaces have so many little burrs and "steps" that it is really not flat at all, and it only shows up when I went to paint the surfaces, finding so many little almost microscopic hole as well as the ones previously mentioned. Well, there is always mud and dust weathering to be had!
Thank you as always for your thoughtful comments. 100% if Trex or someone come up with upgrades it would be great, at least from a construction point of view. Good luck with the Jeep 🤞
Yeah, knowing what I know now that would have been a good idea. Takom often supply jigs with their tank kits. Would have been handy for this one too! Thanks for your comments 🙏🍺💪
I can now see why a friend that WAS building this kit threw it in the bin followed with a liberal drenching in holy water. What a sow's ear of a kit. Maybe it has been designed by Takom for people with 1/35th scale fingers. As a side note, I didn't get to ride in the 38(t) at AusArmourFest this year, the starter had crapped itself.
Well…I’m relieved I wasn’t the only one who struggled, but I’m sorry your friend had to experience that 😩. Shame about the 38(t)…unfortunately that happens a lot given the age of these things. Did you ride in anything else? I won a ride in the Hetzer and the same thing happened to me. I did however get a ride in the t34 (favourite tank) so things turned out well 💪. I’m planning on posting a video of that experience soon. Always appreciate you joining in 🙏
@@workbenchhobbies4316 Jagdpanzer 38(t), Jagdpanzer IV, Panzer IV Ausf. J, Stug IV (replacement ride for the 38(t)), Kettenkrad, Gepard and the T55. It was such a fantastic three days. Definitely be returning next year. Not my video but I'm in the Stug IV. ruclips.net/video/siydjI4xgBk/видео.html The old girl had some serious clutch issues.
I am a new subscriber. Just came upon your channel and Iike it very much. Your experience with this kit is similar to what I am going through on the new Border Models 88mm Flak 36 kit. Same issues, poor fit, vague instructions and attachment points. Figures included are good in some respects and just average in others, the faces and helmets are very bland. Frankly, the kit looks better in the box than on my workbench 🤬
Welcome to the channel. Thanks for connecting. Don’t start me on Border…I put their Leopard II back in the box and walked away from it. It was sucking the life out of me! 😩 Looking forward to seeing you here in the coming videos 🍀🙏😎
@@workbenchhobbies4316 Speaking of Border, there are a few kits that I have thought of buying; the Crusader being one of them. That idea has "cooled" greatly since working on the 88mm. Nice work on the Tamiya 48th scale Nashorn ("Rhino") 😃
What an absolute pig of a kit and its just as well you can make videos without sound. I think it would have bounced off two walls in my house easily with enough velocity. Seriously I loved the Takom Stugs and bought three of them but seeing this I will give this kit a miss. Thank you for the review and I applaud your efforts Mate. Take care Clayton.
The Stugs and Panzer 1s are probably my favourite builds of all time….but this one just didn’t cut it. Or maybe I just did something wrong 🤷🏻 And…for the record, the raw recordings do have audio. It was quite funny listening back to it through the editing process. Let’s just say it could compromise the channel if I shared it 😂😂🫣
It wasn’t really the small parts that caused me the issues. If it was to go to 1/16 I feel like they’d have to start again with the engineering of the kit. A 1/16 Weasel would be cool though…even though not my scale. Thanks for your comment 🙏
Hi again, Clayton. My general experience with Takom (and Tiger Models) is that they may not glue well because of release agent residue. Can I ask; did you wash your sprues in detergent before you started this build?
Hey. Nah, never wash sprues. I don’t even think release agents are a thing anymore…or at least not like they used to be. It the makeup of the plastic and the way it’s reacting with the cement. Even if it was release agent, it would be more about the paint rather than the glue? Thanks for joining in. Appreciated ☝️🍻
I've been saying that an M29 was needed in plastic in this scale for over a decade... When this kit finally was announced I was thoroughly stoked and bought two... I didn't really have the issues with the body but the running gear truly defeated me. The least they could have done was include a jig to help align everything... but no such aid is included. The bad part is the way they have you construct the running gear is kind of strange... adding in the bogie bottom attachment parts well before everything else which result in alignment issues. This kit is sitting in the box and the second one will wait probably until hell freezes over. How can a kit that is so highly sought after be so big a disappointment? I may give my LZ models resin and photo etch kit another go... it might be easier...
@@workbenchhobbies4316 I've built the old Monogram M29C... I ended up reworking the rudder control mechanism with photo etch brass runners and steel wire and added the rudder control cables. The rudders don't move, but it looks a darn sight more accurate than the original set up. I also left out the radio and added a bit of sheet styrene so show the floor stiffening and opened up the hole forward of the windshield and added a pully and belt which is hinted at by the shapes molded into that area. The LZ kit was fair enough... but like the Takom kit, the running gear seemed to be out of my league, being made up of brittle resin and tiny photo etched parts. I suppose one day I'll get back to it... I gave up on the takom kit's running gear after trying badly to build ONE bogie. I figured if I had to do that eight times over I'd go nuts.
@@workbenchhobbies4316 I think Takom either needs to simplify the bogies or provide some kind of jig to help build them. I had the same issue with the glue making a mess of things... I too used Tamiya Extra Thin... Time isn't the issue, the ability to keep things aligned IS.
I think it’s important for people to know what they are getting in to. When you see the subject and the box you think it’s going to be a quick build, but it’s a really fiddly complex kit
Excellent video, except for the whining. This is a tiny vehicle. If you make a model of it and want to show some detail, the parts are going to be miniscule, even at 35th scale. You turned it into a lovely build. Be Happy!
Small parts are one thing…think I even said small parts were to be expected? It was the fit and placement issues and the glue not reacting with the styrene that upset me the most. But yes, you are correct. I do have a weasel in the paint queue now. Always happy mate 😉😎🍀 Thanks for joining in
Tacom usually has good kits. This looks smaller than a 1/35 scale. I stay with 1/35 on Armor vehicles, 1/48 on aircrafts. My eyes and steadiness in my hands are not very well at my age.
Hey John. I can promise you this is 1/35 but agree with you it looks more like 1/48. Some of my favourite kits have been from Takom…this one just seemed to be more problematic than the others. Thanks for taking the time to comment 🙏
Seems like a lot of fussy assembly for detail you can't see once you're done. Looks like attention was paid to detail (which looks incredibly fine and crisp, at least on my phone screen) at the expense of part fit. A forest-for-the-trees kind of thing.
Sounds about right. From Wikipedia- The idea for the Weasel came from the work of British inventor Geoffrey Pyke in support of his proposals to attack Axis forces and industrial installations in Norway. Pyke's plan to hamper the German nuclear weapons program became Project Plough for which he proposed a fast light mechanised device that would transport small groups of commando troops of the 1st Special Service Force across snow. It would need to be air transportable, capable of being dropped by parachute and to carry arms, explosives and minimal resupply stocks.[2]
Char 2C - lots of reference photos coming out lately on line and it's a great kit (except for maybe all the wheels... so many wheels)😄 ....@@workbenchhobbies4316
Yes I agree. I am currently building Takom 1/16 Japanese type 94 tankette. Can only imagine if this is in 1/35 scale with fitting problems to compounding the difficulty
Complicated for the sake of it , tiny fiddley parts , half a dozen pieces where one would do . Modelling should be about fun and to me a model like this is a nightmare to assemble and the enjoyment ratio zero . lf this is the road companies like Takom are going down l'll stick with Tamiya and older kits and leave them well alone (.Shame Tamiya did'nt release it ).
Hey. Thanks for joining in. It does make you wonder what some of these companies are thinking doesn’t it? The successful ones find the balance between detail and buildability. In saying that I’ve built a lot of great Takom kits, so maybe we need to look at this on a kit by kit basis. 🍀
I try to be honest with the evaluation and experience. I’ve been a big Takom fan. Their Hetzer (despite a few accuracy issues) is a gorgeous kit…so certainly wasn’t expecting what I got. Im interested to see how other people go with these. Thanks for connecting 🙏
@@workbenchhobbies4316 While watching, I was thinking that I would draw and print the wheel assemblies. Later, the entire suspension with tracks. Eventually, I was drawing and printing the whole vehicle, and I changed my mind about getting it.
Tamiya to set a pretty high standard, but I have great experiences with other Takom kits. Maybe I’m the problem with this one 🤷🏻 Appreciate your input 💪
Not a bad video type bloke but you seem to get the words 'off' and 'on' completely the opposite wrong. How have you got to adulthood not knowing you've got these definitions backward. Best thing to do when you want a cuppa, turn the kettle off, eh?
Proper reviews are the product of someone building a kit and looking at it objectively, and you have done just that here Clayton - great work!
Thanks mate. I’m truly mindful that these reviews influence peoples buying decisions. Be mindful that this was just my experience, so others may get a better outcome than I did. 🤷🏻
@@workbenchhobbies4316I also have experienced some fit problems with Takoms 1:35 scale tanks and also questionable glue adhering to the plastic, glad to know someone else experienced that problem.
@@jamesbednar3108 Agreed
It's too bad that the build was such a struggle. It looks great, though, but when a model is a labor of love, it becomes a chore and not much fun. Hopefully, you'll enjoy the painting and weathering process.
I’ll be having a little break from this one I think 🫢🤔😎
Thank you for this honest review and build up. Should I decide to get a weasel to build for my collection I now know to stay away from this one. It sounds like the ancient Revell/Monogram kit would be much easier to deal with.
Well…it looks pretty cool once it’s finished, so if you like the subject I’d encourage you to buy one. You know what you are in for now, so if you have the skill and patience to take the journey then go for it. Heck, I might be the problem here 😝😉🤷🏻
Great review...I have not built any Takom kits as yet since I don't build armor kits. But recently have been buying armor kits to add to my collection. It's great to hear an honest and objective review and not one where the reviewer is using so much foul language and personal opinions. Keep up the good work........
Thank you. I try to keep the content palatable for everyone, and as honest as I can be. Thanks for checking in 🙏
This is an excellent and revealing review, so much better than looking at plastic on the sprue.
Thank you. Yes, inbox reviews just don’t cut it sometimes do they? 🤷🏻
Not a flop at all!! Enjoying the build so much that I'm going to get another one and build a civilian version... Not experiencing the gluing problems you encountered ( I'm using Tamiya glue)... I watched your review after I purchased, which made me a bit nervous, as my kit was still in transit... Very impressed when it arrived, I checked the contents/instructions and found the details were very sharp... What I'm doing differently is I am not following the instructions step by step and building the boxy sections in sub assemblies... I find that boxy vehicles require test fitting and squaring off before committing to glue and that is what I did... As a result everything came out square and tight, test fitting and making sure the mating surfaces are clean... I noticed in your review that some of your parts still had sprue attachment plastic left, maybe that was a factor that affected your build... But your build/review scared off a quite a few modelers judging by the comments... I haven't assembled the tracks yet but I'm not at all worried about that as the running gear sits flat and true... I highly recommend this kit, definitely not for the impatient, test fitting and clean parts are the key for a clean build... This is my sixth Takom kit that I have built, from the 1/16 Japanese tankette to the 1/72 Hanomag V2 tractor and this was as fun as the as the others... I attacked this kit as if it were a highly detailed resin kit, and as I'm sure you know can be very finicky and also requires a lot of test fitting and cleaned up parts... This kit will give me confidence to finally build my resin LZ Models M29 which was very scary but not anymore as I've got a reference now as I had lost the CD instructions... Good luck to all that still want to tackle this kit...
I am so pleased to hear you have enjoyed the model. I don’t do these reviews to scare people off but understand that is a result. All I can do is share my experience as authenticity as I can.
Appreciate you joining in 👍
Your reviews of the kits you build are gold, then adding in the commenters experiences, gives a well vetted idea of what one can expect generally. It takes BOTH parts to get a flushed out understanding and how different modellers attack a build and other adjustments to achieve good /great results. Keep the builds coming.@@workbenchhobbies4316
Does my heart good to see someone giving this unknown Supply and Support champion some attentions.
Yes! No denying it was an interesting, versatile vehicle 🚗
I've built Dragon Models for 30+ years, so all of this looks familiar! Your Review is great, honest. I'd seen this Kit and wondered at how well Takom had tackled it and now I know! To me, after so many Dragons, it doesn't look too bad!
😂😂 that’s gold! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your comments ☝️
To be honest, I've never had the issues with Dragon kits that I had with this weasel kit
Me neither. The few Dragon kits I’ve built I’ve really enjoyed. 🎉
Very cool model thu! Great peice for a muddy hurtgen diorama! (The weasle played a very important role moving wounded to casualty collection points in the Hurtgen forest due to the terrain there in that time of year, saved alot of lives.)
Great subject for sure. Interesting vehicle 🚗 💪
WW2Tv did a Great episode called 'Tommies in the Ardennes' they talk about the weasle shortly after the 1h 45min mark.
Cheers!
I've built quite a few Takom kits, they can be tricky sometimes. That said, I enjoy these little surprises, makes me use my skill and some thinking outside the box to overcome issues. I'm a modeler, not an assembler, that's what Tamiya kits are for..lol.
Good review, well done!
Well…sounds like this may be the kit for you! 😎🍀
So why bother with kits at all, why not just scratch build everything? When I buy a kit I expect parts to fit correctly maybe a little filler here and there, and add a little detail If needed, but I won't be buying this kit It's awful.
It was certainly a challenge 😒
Awesome review of this kit!! Was excited to see this kit of the M29 Weasel. Watching this video - and experiencing some build difficulties recently on a few Takom kits, will pass this kit by. No longer interested in Takom kits. Finishing up the Takom Mammut tank and, lets just say there were some unecessary experiences there. Takoms instructions are like Dragons, Trumpetters, Hobby Boss, and a few others where there is way more guessing involved than probably should be - makes you appreciate the effort Tamiya puts in their instructions and kits. If i want a model kit of this particular vehicle, i'll build that ancient Monogram kit from 1970s that i built as a kid back then. As said before - could just be me and my experience and I just got the "off" kit.
Appreciate your comments- glad you found the review helpful 🙏🍻
Nice job on a frustrating kit! A friend of mine gave me one of these to build, but after watching this review, I think that it is going to remain in my stash for a while. Before Tenax went out of business I managed to purchase a box of the their glue. Every now and then I run into plastic that does not react to Tamiya glues, but the Tenax 7R welds pretty much any styrene. Thanks for the review!
Please don’t be turned off by the review if you have the kit there to build. I’d love to hear other peoples opinions. It’s possible I did something wrong 🤷🏻
Thanks for connecting here on the channel 🍀😎
Getting back to your kit, thanks for posting this build. I like your straightforward and honest assessment. This kit is definitely not the same as the Takom Grant tank. That kit goes together well and has much better design and fit. Look forward to viewing more of your videos, take care and happy modeling.
I’ve built a lot of great Takom kits, including the Grant…so I was a little surprised with the issues I had with this one. I guess we just need to assess every release on a kit by kit basis 🤷🏻
Thanks for joining in 🍻
Good review! I have found some of the same issues on a recently released I Love Kit model: excellent, crisp moldings, lots of tiny (too many?) parts, but poor instructions that kept me second-guessing. Fortunately in my case, the fit was actually good, but the kit was not a fun build - too many questions where to place parts, and in the end I just wanted it to be over. Goes to show that the quality of the instructions is key to enjoying model-building, not to mention that sometime I'd rather not have to fuss with 19 tiny parts to make up a tow-hook.
Good instructions makes a world of difference doesn’t it. Thanks for joining in 🙏🍻
Agree on the instructions comment. Have built a few Takom kits, Dragon, Trumpeter, Hobby Boss, Italeri, and others. The instructions will dictate my attitude during construction and how far I go in the build. Most of those manufacturers leave a lot to be desired, but then just could be me as well.
Nice build.
The track tensioning spring is installed upside down. Appears to be in the manual too from the quick view I saw in the video.
The Weasel offered by Takom is an M29C with many features from the earlier T24 and M29C. Really a fantasy Weasel as none of them shipped from the Studebaker factory shipped as configured. If you are trying to build an accurate T24, M29 or M29C, there are lots of small changes that need to be made to make the machine historically accurate.
If it makes you feel any better, rebuilding a real Weasel is about as difficult! Everything is difficult to fit, tracks are heavy and will pinch fingers and on and on! You can't even change the points in the distributor without removing the engine.
Cheers!
Amazing insight. Thanks so much for sharing!
@@workbenchhobbies4316 You inspired me to build this kit - mostly I rebuild full scale WW2 and other vehicles, but I bought this for a winter project. In this particular case, experience with the actual machine is pretty helpful.....I will report back after the build with my experience - may even try and make a video of it. Cheers and thanks again for the helpful video.
@@Portrayalpress - Fantastic - be sure to let me know how you go. It would be interesting to hear if your experience is better than mine with the actual working knowledge you have of the vehicle. Wishing you luck.
Much appreciated - will definitely keep you posted!
@@workbenchhobbies4316
I just about added this to my latest HLJ order. Thanks for saving me from the frustration. It's too bad because the Weasel in high on my wish list.
Don’t not buy it because of me. If you love the subject you now know what to look out for? Think of it as a challenge?
Appreciate your comments 🍀
Good review. My motto is to enjoy the build. If the build has issues, and I’m frustrated….to the garbage it goes.
Hi. Thanks for your comments. I’ve binned many kits in my time 😜…I can’t do that with these review kits though. I have to see them through. 🍀
Hi Clayton! Good review on this one, warts and all. I build a lot of Takom kits, and usually they are very good, with good parts fit and detail, so this one is a surprise to me. I have concentrated on German WWII armour, and I am Just about ready to tackle some allied kits. I saw this one on line and thought it make a good kit to start on, but now I have my doubts. Thanks for the honest evaluation. Keep the content coming mate!
Hey Gary. Thanks for joining in. Sorry I wrecked your journey over to allied armour 😫😜🍀
@@workbenchhobbies4316
Never mind mate, you only given us a warning about this particular kit, and I still have about a dozen examples of German AFV’s in the stash. I will give the Allied armour another thought in the future. All the best!
Hi Clayton from the land of the poms 😂thanks for the transparent review, this wasn’t a kit on my list of must haves, but I’ve had a few kits like this that just fight you all the way. Keep the great content coming and congrats for sticking with it 👍👏👏👏
Thanks so much for joining in. Glad you’re enjoying the content. PS sorry about the Ashes 😎 🏏
😂 watching the England cricket team… 🤔 I think that’s one of the few things that eclipse the pain and frustration level over a difficult kit 😂
Mate, by 5 minutes into this I would have given this model the mallet treatment ! Takom has been in this game for 10 years now and I've seen more bad reviews of their kits than I can care to count. Glad to see you give an honest view. There's a few out there ( "Let's get started.") that gloss over poor kits, as I'm sure they like the free gifts they get in return.
I have had a lot of really positive experiences with Takom, so I don’t want to taint the brand at all, but I think for me making these videos it’s important to be as transparent as possible. Thanks for your comments- so glad you enjoyed the review 🤩🍀🙏
Comprehensive, objective review, backed up with appropriate pictures/video, my compliments. Your finished product looks great. As a related aside, I believe the first model of the Weasel was done by Rogers Motor Company in 1944. It is an all wood kit in approximately 1/12 scale. It is the buoyancy version. I have built two of them, and while clearly not as detailed as the Takom kit, based on your experience, despite cutting, sanding and filling multiple wooden parts, I had a far easier time putting mine together!😁
😂😂 that’s awesome! Do you still have them?
@@workbenchhobbies4316 Yes, I still have the one I built for myself, and an additional two, original, unbuilt kits. I built the second one as a commission for a friend. As a related aside, I visited the Studebaker Museum in South Bend, Indiana this past June. They have an original Weasel on display. It is amazing how small it is.
That’s so awesome! Thanks for sharing 🙏
@@workbenchhobbies4316 I truly enjoyed your video, so you have gained one more subscriber. I look forward to your future content.
Thank you 🙏
This is interesting. The new half track they made got amazing reviews but not many build videos if any on that so far. I built it and ran into quite a few problems and fit issues, found some useless photo etch and many of the same problems you point out with this. Not quite as severe as this looks, but all the same exact kind of problems
Hey there. I haven't seen the halftrack, but will probably get my hands on one one day. In fairness to Takom, some of my favourite builds have been their kits...so I consider the Weasel as the anomaly. Interesting to hear you have had issues with that Halftrack... something to keep an eye put for in future! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. 🙏
I have the -c model. I was going crazy with the road wheels and the assembly to the hull. The instruction were terrible . I built the Monogram mode at the same time. Then used the Monogram model as my instructions. I would recommend building the Monogram kit first.
Hey Gary. It’s not easy is it! It’s a shame because it’s such a great little vehicle. Thanks for joining in. 🙏💪🍀
i notice takom plastic is on the soft side. it keeps melting until the cement dries. Tamiya quick cement might work. thanks for this review! you saved me $40 bucks! Almost got it!
I haven't had any of these issues that I had with this kit with any other Takom kits. Some of my most favourite builds have been Takom kits.
Man what a ball buster. Thanks for the objective review.
I debated whether to put this video up because I know it effects people’s decisions and who knows…maybe I screwed up 🤷🏻…but I have to be honest with my opinions right?
In my mind, you absolutely did the right thing. And I think a lot of people will appreciate you for it. If someone really wants to build this vehicle, they’ll still buy this kit. And you didn’t ruin takom. Your review will eventually make them a better company.
Thanks for your support. Hope you have been enjoying the channel 💥
Just found your channel and have subscribed. Thank you for the information on the Weasel, both real history and the kit.
Thanks for connecting. Looking forward to hearing from you here on the page 🙏😎🍀
I wonder how much fun and enjoyment there’s building a vehicle with hundreds of tiny little wheels. 7:34 - that looks more like test of nerves and patience. Especially when no one will ever notice all the hidden detail.
The tiny wheels and bits and pieces were to be expected given the size of the vehicle…but yes…it’s a lot 🫣
Thanks for your comments 🙏
Thank you for this very helpful build video. I have this kit, but have not started it yet and your build will help me to look out for the issues. I have really wanted a modern-tool kit of the weasel and I’ll try to struggle through all of the same problems you encountered. As I watched, I constantly thought: “Is there a way I could alter the sequence of assembly at different stages to avoid at least some of the problems. No brilliant ideas yet.
Yeah, in reflection I’ve been trying to think of ways to combat some of the issues and I’m coming up short. I think the challenges with the glue compounded everything too. Sometimes you can muscle your way through construction issues…so maybe try some different glues and go with the most suitable one. Sending you luck 🍀
Great review 🏅. It makes me wish that Tamiya had released a M29, instead of Takom. I guess Monogram's 1957 tooling M29(c) hasn't been replaced for good after all.
Lol why? I’ve never had a Tamiya kit that was anything much above the quality of a Revell kit. You’ve got Dragon, AFV club, Trumpeter, Takom, RFM, so why would you want to buy a model with no quality or detail?
I applaud Takom for looking to fill a hole in the market, but it really feels like a missed opportunity doesn’t it? ☹️
@@davidrossi5096 Because Tamiya puts a lot of thought into making the build process go smoothly. Their kit pieces usually have perfect fit. Also, they are not over engineered like some 1,500 piece Chinese kits are.
You certainly know what you’re getting with a Tamiya kit 👍
Excellent video! I really had no interest in this kit. But NOW that I watch how fiddly and small this kit is. I DEFINITELY won't be getting one for sure!😆 Thanks mate!
Thanks for watching!
I remember Monogram producing one version about 45 years ago.
They sure did 👍☝️
I found one of the best solvent type glues for styrenes is MEK. A pint can lasts forever. Use small dropper type medicine bottles or mecurichrome bottles, to limit the amount of fumes you're dealing with as it is VERY nasty stuff.
Acetone also works, but is not as aggressive as MEK, and I have also had decent luck using lacquer thinner, although it is as bad as MEK when it comes to the fumes. Again, I ended up putting it in a small bottle and using a brush. Do not try and use any of these straight from the can.
It’s the ‘very nasty stuff’ that kinda turns me off that idea! 🫣😉
@@workbenchhobbies4316 You'll find they, and other rather volatile chemicals make up most model cements. Xylene, Toluene, etc.
But yes, if you're uncomfortable handling the base chemicals, stick to the premade solvents. It was merely a suggestion to possibly "solve" the bonding issues.(pun intended).
Always appreciate your input :) @@jballew2239
Excellent video, I love your clean and comprehensive way of showing the building process.
what an horrendous kit, God only knows what's gotten into Takom. A lot of the running gear could have been greatly simplified without any significant loss of detail, and the plastic behaving awkwardly is just unacceptable.
I really hope these issues don't apply to their new M103 as well, because I'm dying to build it.
I am a fan of most of Takoms recent release kits, so yeah…came as a bit of a surprise that this one wasn’t a little more ‘user friendly’. Appreciate your comments 🙏
Let’s hope this is an anomaly
Hi Clayton
I’m just waiting for 2 of them to arrive 😢😮
I was pretty excited about them initially but the only reservation I have is that they are Takom kits.
I’ve had a few fitting issues with some of their kits most notably the Jagdtiger.
I just don’t really buy Takom kits anymore, but couldn’t resist the Weasel.
I really wonder if those guys even build their own kits 1st to find out any flaws b4 they go out in the market place??
Thanks for sharing your build review mate ❤😊
Funny you say that because on many occasions through this build I’m thinking to myself…how did someone do the test build and sign off on this release?!
Have built a few Takom kits myself and have experienced some type of fitting problem always. Thought it was just me but glad to know others have experienced problems as well. Just finished Takoms Mammut tank and no matter how much dry fitting I ended up with a big gap at the back where the side plates meet the engine deck. Also, their instructions.........pretty much done with Takoms though their detail is awesome.
@@jamesbednar3108 Hi bro
I’m hearing you mate!
I’m over Takom, and Miniart kits especially!
Too much clean up, and bullshit publicity to promote some trumped up new ‘state of the art’ kits….
I’ve got most of Miniart’s figure kits, and they are absolute crap!
Great alternative poses etc but when it comes to assembling it is a nightmare!
For parts A19 and A21. Did you attach the assemblies with A21 on the outside? I cant tell from the direction diagrams.......
hello there! It was so long ago I couldn't even tell you sorry. Safe to say I had a few dramas with it though! Appreciate your question.. Sorry I couldn't be more help.
With the fun and games I've had from my recent Takom armour kit i'm surprised they didn't give it a engine which you will never see again,they remember to put things like nuts and rivets in places you'll never see then miss a major part a fan belt on a engine you can see
Hey Keith. It makes you wonder if they build them before committing them to the market doesn’t it? In saying that, some of my favourite builds have been Takom kits. Which one is giving you trouble?
Done a few mainly armour Takom kits, I like the fact they do some relatively obscure vehicles ,but what's more annoying than trouble is you spend £100's ou get great internal details but no painting guide for it or parts you'll never see again but the latest was the 1/16 panzer 1V a full engine but no fan belts,eg they remembered to put fully detailed shells in boxes then have glue them shut
Yeah. Makes you wonder what they are thinking sometimes doesn’t it.
Thanks mate.
Looks like Takom missed a chance for the perfect 1/16 scale version.
They have done a few.
Seems odd they didn’t take opportunity 🤷♂️
Yeah, maybe. The weasel is the perfect little support vehicle for a diorama, so I think 35th has its place for sure. But it wouldn’t surprise me if this makes it to 1/16 at some point. Thanks for joining in 🍻
A very interesting video. I was considering getting one of these, but after watching this and the desire to enjoy the hobby, I think I’ll skip it 😂😂
Thankyou for this post 👍👍
Maybe you could consider it as a challenge? Maybe knowing what to look out for might give you a better experience than mine? 🍀
Just as tidious as AFV Club's Weisel!
Not familiar with that one 🤔
Thanks for the head's up. I don't need a Weasel kit after all.
Well…maybe you still need a weasel…it’s just going to take a little more work than you would have hoped for 😒
I've been building models for over half a century. My skillset is fair. But with this kit, I feel I will have reached my level of incompetence.
It's ironic that injection molding technology has advanced to the stage that such ultra-fine, detailed micro-parts are possible - only to end up with a kit that is for all intent and purpose impossible to actually assemble; much less being able to detach these parts from their trees without damaging them, (or cleaning them up properly prior to assembly if you can successfully remove them intact.) The fact that common modeling solvents don't seem to work is the last straw . . . .
Thankfully, I have a copy of the iconic Monogram Weasel in my stash. As I am "of a certain age," it has more appeal to me than this newer kit.
And as I am of "a certain age," I also appreciated the pointed editorial comment from Ms. Maureen "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!!!" McCormack at 7:23!
454th like.
I really tested my incompetence level here too… thanks so much for the like. It’s greatly appreciated. And I’m please you liked the Marcia cut in. Gave me a chuckle too 😝
Thanks for connecting with me 🙏
My age puts me between Peter and Bobby. I suspect if Mr. Knight and Mr. Lookinland still build models; they'd reach for the classic Monogram kit of the Weasel as well.
But this raises a much bigger issue. Do modern model kits REALLY *need* to be "this detailed;" especially if modeling is supposed to be a fun and relaxing hobby? Not every build has to be IPMS Nationals quality. And to add to the irony, I suspect most modelers who build the Weasel will put it in a diorama or at the very least a groundwork base to "show it in its element." This will necessarily involve caking the running gear in mud or snow, effectively covering all that fine detail . . . .
Dare I add, "Happy Modeling?"
I'm OK with super detailed kits - its fit issues and over engineering that annoy me. Hopefully this revue can at lease help people make an informed buying decision.@@modelermark172
I think there is a difference between "super detailed kits" and ones that are "over-engineered." (You would think that a 'well-engineered' kit wouldn't have fit problems.) To me, "over-engineering" means an overabundance of fiddly parts that were produced just because the toolmakers could, but that doesn't do much to enhance the finished model.
That said, I thank you for your review and build video. It did help me make an informed decision that a basic kit review would not.
Molding technologies are advancing, most due to computers, of course. CnC machine can carve EDM parts, which can in turn be used for injection molding tooling. Additionally 3D printing of metal is becoming more common, allowing tooling costs to plummet. Solid modeling software is much more robust, capable, and accessable than ever. For us modelers, its mostly win win. The detail present in these modern kits is astonishing, especially when compared to just a few decades ago. I put together the Tamiya M113 recently, and am working on an AFC club M113. The difference is night and day.
For sure. The hobby is advancing in leaps and bounds…but I think sometimes the actual modelling experience can be neglected 🤷🏻
There are no unbuildable model kits. Try the ESCI 1/35 SDKfz. 10 and 75mm IG Howitzer. This one makes the Weasel look like an afternoon fun build. Like the old Indian in Joesy Wales said....Endeavor to persevere.
Bill
😎 I think I did persevere didn’t I? Thanks for joining in 💪
Hi Clayton, just subbed to your channel, good on you for persisting with a kit that I would have probably binned. Great review, and at least you know what your up against if you still want to buy one.
Thanks so much for connecting. So pleased to have you here with us 🍀
Good Review 👍🏽!!
Thank you for taking the time to review this kit. I had thought of purchasing and building this model, as a quick build..😕Absolutely NOT... I'll save my money and buy a different kit.
Love Takom kits. Have built many. Currently working on their M3 Grant, or rather reworking on it. Nice kit, but what doesn't make sense is the 'working suspension with link and length track'..hmmm.🤔
Anyway, will you be painting and finishing this kit? I see you've primed it..
I love Takom kits too…and yes, I made the same mistake as you in thinking it would be a quick build! Ouch!
I will paint and weather at some stage but not sure when that will be. Heading back to get this Hetzer over the line now!
Appreciate your comments 🙏
Thanks for taking one for the team, Clayton! This kit is full of irony. A vehicle with a rubber band track but the kit has link and length track that just looks too rigid. Massively overcomplicated running gear structure, when it's the most likely model to be built into a diorama, up to its running boards in mud. I bet a 3d printer will make one with about 5 parts that will do a much better job.
I think you might be on to something there. Even if someone came up with the printed running gear it would save some frustration. Thanks for joining in 🍀
Thank you for the review...have you had a look at the Gecko Ram Kangaroo?
Hi Steven. Only see it online. Not in the flesh. Love the subject though, so hopefully add that to the stash one day. I mean kangaroo 🦘….it would be unpatriotic if me not to! 🍻
Great review. I don’t understand why the glue doesn’t react to that plastic? Is it different than their other kit plastics?
Hey Glenn. Thanks for joining in. Yes…the glue thing was very strange. Never had the issue with any of their kits previously. Generally speaking I love the new Takom kits. I kept second guessing myself thinking I was making it up or doing something wrong…but it just kept giving me issues.
Hopefully it was a bad mix of the plastic and won’t affect all of them 🤞🍀
@@workbenchhobbies4316 👍
Now I want to build it too! :)
Well you know what you’re in for now! I’m sure with that knowledge going in you will do a better job than me. Go for it I say! 🍀
Thanks for the review, it is a disappointment that it is such a poorly offered kit. When I heard this was coming out, I already had two LZ models Weasels in the stash and decided I had better pull one out and build it. But the poor moulding on that resin caused me to spend so much time cleaning it up, removing great blobs from where there should have been no flash at all. Clearly the mold had broken down before mine was moulded, leaving me with crap for a kit. I worked for hours getting the floor attached to the tub, and then the bottom part which holds the suspension and whatever else makes the Weasel drive, and after fixing a great amount of warpage and having only put three parts together I said stop, you're wasting you time, your Takom kits will be here soon! And now seeing this, I immediately thought, here is the perfect kit for Trex Studio to come up with some parts to fix these issues. Im going to start one hoping that perhaps your review kit was a one off flop. Still, you made it look great! Im working on a Ming Jeep, Ive never built a Ming kit before, having heard that there are a lot of issues. There are some serious problems in their castings, however, working around those, one of which is that pieces of the chassis that are supposed to be flat surfaces have so many little burrs and "steps" that it is really not flat at all, and it only shows up when I went to paint the surfaces, finding so many little almost microscopic hole as well as the ones previously mentioned. Well, there is always mud and dust weathering to be had!
Thank you as always for your thoughtful comments. 100% if Trex or someone come up with upgrades it would be great, at least from a construction point of view.
Good luck with the Jeep 🤞
Definitely took some work and patience , not for beginners. I had to build a special jig for the wheels.
Yeah, knowing what I know now that would have been a good idea. Takom often supply jigs with their tank kits. Would have been handy for this one too!
Thanks for your comments 🙏🍺💪
Looks like it would be nicer in a larger scale and something you could have some fun with in a diorama.
Absolutely perfect for a diorama 👌🏼
I bought one to upscale it to a 1/6th scale scratch build version.
Oooh! That sounds exciting. Good luck with that. Ambitious project 🤞🍀🙏
Two choices Takom or Monogram. Takom I think is the better choice.
Well yes.. there is that! Thanks for taking the time to comment 💪
Does the box also contain boxes of Valium?
😂😂 that’s not a bad idea! ☝️
I can now see why a friend that WAS building this kit threw it in the bin followed with a liberal drenching in holy water. What a sow's ear of a kit. Maybe it has been designed by Takom for people with 1/35th scale fingers. As a side note, I didn't get to ride in the 38(t) at AusArmourFest this year, the starter had crapped itself.
Well…I’m relieved I wasn’t the only one who struggled, but I’m sorry your friend had to experience that 😩.
Shame about the 38(t)…unfortunately that happens a lot given the age of these things. Did you ride in anything else?
I won a ride in the Hetzer and the same thing happened to me. I did however get a ride in the t34 (favourite tank) so things turned out well 💪. I’m planning on posting a video of that experience soon.
Always appreciate you joining in 🙏
@@workbenchhobbies4316 Jagdpanzer 38(t), Jagdpanzer IV, Panzer IV Ausf. J, Stug IV (replacement ride for the 38(t)), Kettenkrad, Gepard and the T55. It was such a fantastic three days. Definitely be returning next year. Not my video but I'm in the Stug IV. ruclips.net/video/siydjI4xgBk/видео.html
The old girl had some serious clutch issues.
So good! Maybe we need to arrange a Workbench Hobbies field trip 🤔
@@workbenchhobbies4316 Count me in for that.
I am a new subscriber. Just came upon your channel and Iike it very much. Your experience with this kit is similar to what I am going through on the new Border Models 88mm Flak 36 kit. Same issues, poor fit, vague instructions and attachment points. Figures included are good in some respects and just average in others, the faces and helmets are very bland. Frankly, the kit looks better in the box than on my workbench 🤬
Welcome to the channel. Thanks for connecting. Don’t start me on Border…I put their Leopard II back in the box and walked away from it. It was sucking the life out of me! 😩
Looking forward to seeing you here in the coming videos 🍀🙏😎
@@workbenchhobbies4316 Speaking of Border, there are a few kits that I have thought of buying; the Crusader being one of them. That idea has "cooled" greatly since working on the 88mm. Nice work on the Tamiya 48th scale Nashorn ("Rhino") 😃
What an absolute pig of a kit and its just as well you can make videos without sound. I think it would have bounced off two walls in my house easily with enough velocity.
Seriously I loved the Takom Stugs and bought three of them but seeing this I will give this kit a miss.
Thank you for the review and I applaud your efforts Mate.
Take care Clayton.
The Stugs and Panzer 1s are probably my favourite builds of all time….but this one just didn’t cut it. Or maybe I just did something wrong 🤷🏻
And…for the record, the raw recordings do have audio. It was quite funny listening back to it through the editing process. Let’s just say it could compromise the channel if I shared it 😂😂🫣
Time for Tamiya to release this vehicle…limits the nightmare of a build
We can hope and wish can’t we 😁 Let’s keep our fingers crossed 🤞 Thanks for sharing your thoughts 🕺🏽🍺🙏
Do you think this kit would make out better as a 1/16 scale?
It wasn’t really the small parts that caused me the issues. If it was to go to 1/16 I feel like they’d have to start again with the engineering of the kit. A 1/16 Weasel would be cool though…even though not my scale.
Thanks for your comment 🙏
Hi again, Clayton. My general experience with Takom (and Tiger Models) is that they may not glue well because of release agent residue. Can I ask; did you wash your sprues in detergent before you started this build?
Hey. Nah, never wash sprues. I don’t even think release agents are a thing anymore…or at least not like they used to be. It the makeup of the plastic and the way it’s reacting with the cement.
Even if it was release agent, it would be more about the paint rather than the glue?
Thanks for joining in. Appreciated ☝️🍻
I've been saying that an M29 was needed in plastic in this scale for over a decade... When this kit finally was announced I was thoroughly stoked and bought two... I didn't really have the issues with the body but the running gear truly defeated me. The least they could have done was include a jig to help align everything... but no such aid is included. The bad part is the way they have you construct the running gear is kind of strange... adding in the bogie bottom attachment parts well before everything else which result in alignment issues. This kit is sitting in the box and the second one will wait probably until hell freezes over. How can a kit that is so highly sought after be so big a disappointment? I may give my LZ models resin and photo etch kit another go... it might be easier...
Hey Wayne. I too was hanging out for this kit…so I truly feel your pain. Thanks for joining in the chat 💪🙏
@@workbenchhobbies4316 I've built the old Monogram M29C... I ended up reworking the rudder control mechanism with photo etch brass runners and steel wire and added the rudder control cables. The rudders don't move, but it looks a darn sight more accurate than the original set up. I also left out the radio and added a bit of sheet styrene so show the floor stiffening and opened up the hole forward of the windshield and added a pully and belt which is hinted at by the shapes molded into that area. The LZ kit was fair enough... but like the Takom kit, the running gear seemed to be out of my league, being made up of brittle resin and tiny photo etched parts. I suppose one day I'll get back to it... I gave up on the takom kit's running gear after trying badly to build ONE bogie. I figured if I had to do that eight times over I'd go nuts.
@@waynecoulter6761 Maybe make one bogie a week... and then by the end of the holidays you might have them done ? 😬
@@workbenchhobbies4316 I think Takom either needs to simplify the bogies or provide some kind of jig to help build them. I had the same issue with the glue making a mess of things... I too used Tamiya Extra Thin... Time isn't the issue, the ability to keep things aligned IS.
@@waynecoulter6761 - as much as it sucked for you I take some comfort in the fact I wasn't the only one to suffer ! :)
Think I'll pass! I know my frustration threshold. I know it would end up in the Well of Tears! Thanks for the review!
I think it’s important for people to know what they are getting in to. When you see the subject and the box you think it’s going to be a quick build, but it’s a really fiddly complex kit
Excellent video, except for the whining. This is a tiny vehicle. If you make a model of it and want to show some detail, the parts are going to be miniscule, even at 35th scale. You turned it into a lovely build. Be Happy!
Small parts are one thing…think I even said small parts were to be expected? It was the fit and placement issues and the glue not reacting with the styrene that upset me the most.
But yes, you are correct. I do have a weasel in the paint queue now. Always happy mate 😉😎🍀
Thanks for joining in
Tacom usually has good kits. This looks smaller than a 1/35 scale. I stay with 1/35 on Armor vehicles, 1/48 on aircrafts. My eyes and steadiness in my hands are not very well at my age.
Hey John. I can promise you this is 1/35 but agree with you it looks more like 1/48. Some of my favourite kits have been from Takom…this one just seemed to be more problematic than the others. Thanks for taking the time to comment 🙏
would get 2 straight away if they made this in 1/72 scale, fidly or not.
If that happens I’ll be watching you build with interest 😄
Seems like a lot of fussy assembly for detail you can't see once you're done. Looks like attention was paid to detail (which looks incredibly fine and crisp, at least on my phone screen) at the expense of part fit. A forest-for-the-trees kind of thing.
Yeah, it’s a fine line isn’t it? It looks amazing in the box but I found it incredibly tricky to build.
Thanks for watching 🍻
So it was designed for the First Special Services Force?!
Sounds about right. From Wikipedia- The idea for the Weasel came from the work of British inventor Geoffrey Pyke in support of his proposals to attack Axis forces and industrial installations in Norway. Pyke's plan to hamper the German nuclear weapons program became Project Plough for which he proposed a fast light mechanised device that would transport small groups of commando troops of the 1st Special Service Force across snow. It would need to be air transportable, capable of being dropped by parachute and to carry arms, explosives and minimal resupply stocks.[2]
should've been a 1/16
🤔 certainly would have made the parts easier to handle 😝
Sounds like you're about ready for a Tamiya...anything Tamiya.
😂😂 next kit in the queue in a Meng kit. Any ideas? 🤔
Char 2C - lots of reference photos coming out lately on line and it's a great kit (except for maybe all the wheels... so many wheels)😄 ....@@workbenchhobbies4316
😂😂 not a bad guess and I do have that in the stash…but you’re about 90yrs too early 🤔🫢
I thought the kit figure kind of resembles you.
😂😂 I could certainly use a bit of a pick me up too! He’s much better looking than me 😝 Thanks for connecting 💪
...nice end result though 🤷♂
You make a very good point 🙏
Excellent review, and based on that, I'm giving this one a hard pass...
If you really had your heart set on a Weasel, then be brave and have a go. At least you know what to look out for 🤷🏻 Thanks for joining in 🍀
I imagine if this kit is in 1/16 scale, a lot of the problem will be lessen or disappeared all together
I think they’d really need to go back to the drawing board rather than just upscale this one.
Thanks for joining in 😎
Yes I agree. I am currently building Takom 1/16 Japanese type 94 tankette. Can only imagine if this is in 1/35 scale with fitting problems to compounding the difficulty
Sending you luck 🍀
Thx! So far, it's going well, no problems at all!@@workbenchhobbies4316
I feel the pain in your voice....lol....
😩 it came across didn’t it! I was trying so hard 😂😂
Shame it wasn't 1/16 scale, too small and fiddly in most cases.
Small and fiddly I can deal with. It was the other parts I struggled with.
Appreciate your comments 🙏
Complicated for the sake of it , tiny fiddley parts , half a dozen pieces where one would do . Modelling should be about fun and to me a model like this is a nightmare to assemble and the enjoyment ratio zero . lf this is the road companies like Takom are going down l'll stick with Tamiya and older kits and leave them well alone (.Shame Tamiya did'nt release it ).
Hey. Thanks for joining in. It does make you wonder what some of these companies are thinking doesn’t it? The successful ones find the balance between detail and buildability. In saying that I’ve built a lot of great Takom kits, so maybe we need to look at this on a kit by kit basis. 🍀
Thanks for calling out a trash model. Shame on Takom
I try to be honest with the evaluation and experience. I’ve been a big Takom fan. Their Hetzer (despite a few accuracy issues) is a gorgeous kit…so certainly wasn’t expecting what I got.
Im interested to see how other people go with these. Thanks for connecting 🙏
Not my cup of tea Clayton, I don't know why Yakom even bothered with this kit??? was there such a high demand for this??? most probably not.
I definitely think there was a hole in the market. So I appreciate they looked to fill it…just didn’t get it right unfortunately
@@workbenchhobbies4316 It reminds me of Dragons Panzer 1 kit???
Never built one. But I have to say, the Takom panzer 1s were one of my favourite kits ever
I am happy that I did not get this one.
If you love the subject there’s not a lot of options. Maybe knowing what to look out for might make your experience smoother than mine? 😎
@@workbenchhobbies4316 While watching, I was thinking that I would draw and print the wheel assemblies. Later, the entire suspension with tracks. Eventually, I was drawing and printing the whole vehicle, and I changed my mind about getting it.
Yeah…things did seem to compound didn’t they 😳
What a disappointment.
Yeah…it was a bit of a bummer 🤷🏻 Thanks for connecting here on the channel 😎
Don't buy Chinese model kits
Moronic comment.
Not sure about that one! I’ve had so many positive experiences with Takom kits. The Stugs, Panzer 1s and Hetzer have all been amazing
🫣
Not even close to Tamiya tolerances which we are now use to.
Tamiya to set a pretty high standard, but I have great experiences with other Takom kits. Maybe I’m the problem with this one 🤷🏻
Appreciate your input 💪
Not a bad video type bloke but you seem to get the words 'off' and 'on' completely the opposite wrong. How have you got to adulthood not knowing you've got these definitions backward. Best thing to do when you want a cuppa, turn the kettle off, eh?
Wha? 😳. Who suggested I was an adult?