G’day all
Looking through HLJ’s pre-order list, I see Italeri are due to re-release their Elefant (@ about $AU55 for me).
I’ve read a couple of things this morning about the kit, but wanted to see what you guys think of the kit. I accept I’m going to need zimm, tracks, prob some p/e & potentially a barrel, maybe even decals but will prob need some or most of those for the Dragon or Tam kit anyway. So does that make $55 good value for this bit of plastic?
Cheers
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Given the other options available, I would not recommend an Italeri Elefant from 1980 to any model builder who cares about things like after market tracks, brass parts, a metal barrel, and zimmerit.
I suggest reading some reviews for Amusing Hobby Elefants and Ferdinands. They include most of the things you care about. Check eBay for prices. Many Chinese model shops now sell via eBay, often at crazy low shipping costs to the United States. The same crazy low shipping costs may apply to Australia.
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I agree. I would pass on an old Italeri when there are more recent options.
Now, Amusing Hobby 35A033 is a very nice kit and has a full interior, I think in AUD it would be a good bit more than the Italeri but you are comparing a kit from 1973 with very basic tooling against one from 2020 with PE, a clear roof for displaying an interior with a full load of ammo and ATAK zimmerit included. Any of the Dragon kits are better. In fact, if I hadn’t already built a Dragon I would have saved a bit longer and purchased the Amusing kit instead. I’m definitely considering their Ferdinand if no one releases something better by the time I pull the trigger.
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I agree as well, you will have to add zimmerit and change the awful tracks. Detail is soft, you need to check your references because it has mistakes here and there…
I built it several months ago just because I had it in my stash, if you want a decent accurate model and enjoy building, do not get it.
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The Italeri kit was a product of its time, but the last four decades have seen things move on a lot! They made the mistake of assuming all the track links had guide horns, and they are too stiff anyway, so you need to replace them - the HobbyBoss set is a reasonable fix. Aside from the tracks, most of the other issues with the Italeri kit stem from them measuring the preserved wreck at APG in the 1970s, so bits are missing or displaced - like the engine vents and the gunner’s periscope shield. I built it as the APG display (complete with the “ghost grey” APG paint job!), so mine makes good use of those errors, but for an operational one you need to look elsewhere. And by the time you throw all that AM stuff at it you might as well buy a better kit that has the necessary details included.
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If you need a cheap object to practice painting and weathering methods on,
then there are cheaper aternatives.
I intend to paint the one I bought decades ago all white,
a White Elephant …
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Thanks for the feedback guys. Cheers
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Get the Amusing Hobby kit. It’s light years better and worth every penny.
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What about the Dragon version?
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DS tracks: Love them or hate them.
I would go with the Amusing Hobby kit.
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I’ve got the kit in the stash with 3D tracks.
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OK!
Then you’re all set for building an Elefant 
Metal barrel could be an improvement, depends on your Barrel-Fu skills 
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Have two Dragon Premium Ferdinands. Want an Elefant from Amusing Hobby. Need a campaign for these things. Bring it on.
Book pictured above is on my want list. Really need to purchase it soon.
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My opinion is based on buying the kit this year is as follows:
Paid $10 or $15 (US) this year for an Italeri Elefant in the original box with the alternate spelling of the manufacturer’s name. I was very happy to add this kit to the stash as a collectible due to the box.
Otherwise, I wouldn’t pay $2 for the kit.
By today’s standards it’s nearly worthless unless one enjoys a 1970’s vintage nostalgia build. On occasion, I enjoy exercising my stupidity and do a vintage nostalgia kit build. Those builds can quickly turn into a masochistic misadventure when updates get involved.
However, it can be very fun taking an old kit as far as one can with today’s aftermarket and ones scratch build skilz.
I had the Dragon kit and felt it was far superior to the Italeri offering. I also have the half brother Tamiya & Amusing Hobby kits. They are far superior in my opinion to the Italeri kit.
The Italeri kit being least desirable of them all, other than for nostalgia purposes.
Building, I’d pick the Amusing Hobby kit as the others suggested.
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I personally don’t have an issue with improving older kits with modeling & aftermarket. I did the more recent rebox of the Italeri Panzer IVF/G & it was fun to do. However, your enjoyment will vary depending on the vintage of the Italeri kit. I did an Italeri Elefant decades ago, & the suspension was riddled with sink marks. Practically a total loss & DNF. I used it as a hulk to practice Zimmerit on. Newer kits seem to be better made, but less likely to get a workable deal on…
Damon.
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