5th February 2025
An early update today as we are off to Coventry’s CBS Arena to watch the City vs Leeds game, later this evening.
Highlight of the day so far (fingers crossed that it’s an early high and that Cov get a result against the league leaders…) is the arrival of the Academy Panzer I that I discussed over the weekend. Having been rather taken by it in Hobbycraft, I was keen to see if my initial thoughts were indeed reinforced by a longer look at the kit and its contents. With the kit to hand, I can say with some certainty that they were in fact, correct.
Of course many of you will be aware that Tamiya have already released an Ausf.B variant of the diminutive Panzer I, as indeed have they a motorcycle and sidecar combo in the form of the KS600. Both appeared around the same time as separate packages, both being bought for my collection at the end of last year. Needless to say, they’re lovely kits as you might expect, but being separate packages they do rather add up in cost should you choose to build both, retailing together in the UK for around £50 give or take.
You can imagine then my delight at seeing the Academy Panzer I, a kit that contains not only the tank but also a motorcycle and sidecar (in this case a Zundapp) three figures, photo-etch and decals (a portion of which decorate said soldier figures) for – in my case – £25. Bargain!
So how do they compare?
Well, they are remarkably similar, both in terms of accuracy and detail. Assembled and painted I really don’t think there will be much to set them apart, both being extremely delicate little models of these famous early-war machines. Choice, will I am sure come, down to budget and personal preference. Some will choose the Tamiya items over the Academy package as a result of either brand-allegiance or the desire to have that slightly unusual bike. Others will go for Academy’s offering because of its low retail price and seeing everything one box. Examining them together, despite my obvious love for all things Tamiya, I really do think I would have gone for the Academy kit because despite the lower cost, there is simply no falloff in quality: it really is that good in my opinion.
Only time will tell if these impressions are born out when construction and painting begins in earnest. I plan to building both, so I will bring you more details later in the year.
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Away from all things Second World War, the rest of today has involved painting my new model in its camouflage. As usual with such things, I’d reached a degree of inertia that was born of self-doubt, feeling that I simply couldn’t achieve what I wanted to and that this would be a model that I had problems with. None of that proved to be the case. In fact, I even chose to use that old-fashioned nonsense preshading (joke!) to help liven up the finish and had a whale of a time applying the upper layers of colour. Honestly, I’d forgotten how relaxing that particular technique was and how, so long as you are subtle and don’t leave two much of the shading shining through, the results can be very pleasing.
As it stands I now have a painted airframe surrounded by lots of primed but as of yet, not fully-finished parts. One thing I found necessary this morning was to create holds for some of the parts, where none seemed to be naturally placed. I like to mount little pieces on cocktail sticks, holes often being present that facilitate this approach. Not so with this kit, a number having to be drilled in places I hope will be invisible when everything is joined together. Not ideal, but I’m sure it will all work out in the end. Fingers crossed…
So, it’s off to the football we go. Have a wonderful rest of the day and I will see you legends, tomorrow.
DAY’S MUSIC CHOICES
Before singing off, I’ve had day of soft rock classics, none of which I’d listened to before! Here is the list for today…
Steely Dan: Aja
Jethro Tull: Thick As A Brick
Dooby Brothers: Minute By Minute
That certainly resonated with me Spencer, my work area is invariably a tip and also working on one kit at…
With respect, disappointment is when you get beaten when a victory was on the cards. It’s known as supporting Brentford…
Ah… where the magic happens! Looking really great Spence; mine is overdue a good looking at.
As I am setting up a modeling emporium in the new house, I’d be interested in what you added or…
Happy New Year to the Pollard family and all who read this site. May it be enjoyable, profitable, and blessed.…
SPENCER POLLARD'S KIT BOX 
I must admit, Academy have certainly improved their kits these days as I have the 1/35 Panzer II and the moulding and detail is very good.
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I am planning on building some early WWII kits myself…particularly French 1940.
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I have an Academy 35T that I have been a bit yes-no about and am interested to see how it goes together!
Jethro Tull, now there’s a blast from the past!!
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Don’t forget Kate Bush either 😉
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Aja a classic Steely Dan album. When time allows go onto YouTube. There you will find a vid where Walter Becker and Donald Fagen talk about The making of Aja. Very enjoyable to watch.
Nic diary entry Spencer.
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Aja- who don’t dig the Dan?
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Jethro Tull!!
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the Academy kits.
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