Man Cave Modeler

Product Reviews
Take it or leave it, the comments here are strictly my opinion,
(and you know what they say about opinions)
I do this for fun and receive no compensation from anyone I might mention on this site.
Just my 2 cents worth

Since I have these kits sitting in the "stash", I decided to put in my 2 cents worth on all of them at the same time. These three Rye Fields and the Takom kits are extremely detailed and complex kits to build. They have several Tigers that do not include interiors which are probably less involved easier builds.
Overall, these kits are for the diehard modeler interested in full interiors and extreme details.
For the more casual modeler, the level of detail and sheer number of parts can be overwhelming and/or discouraging so I'd recommend the Tamiya or Dragon versions of these formidable tanks.

With the possible exception of tracks and gun barrels,
these kits with interiors are pretty much level 5, off the deep end builds straight out of the box.

Rye Fields Armor Kits

Tiger I Pz.kpfw VI Auf. E
Eastern Front 1943

This is one of the seven versions of the Mark VI Tigers produced RFM and one of the three editions that comes with the complete interior.
I purchased this kit a couple years ago when it first came out with the intention of comparing it with Academy's Full interior Kit I enjoyed the academy kit, but this one has me intimidated.
Upon opening the box you'll find over 1800 parts on 14 Spues in the basic Panzer Tan along with two photo etch sheets and a slew of parts to make two sets of tracks. There are three different gun mantlets and two different turrets, with or without an escape hatch which are probably for the various different versions of the same kit. Same goes for the tool box, road wheels drive sprockets, all multiple versions so it appears the difference between this kit and the others is just the instruction manual and decal sets.

This specific version of RFM's Iiger tank came with an unusual Tool Box on the back of the Turret. After a little research I found that these Tanks were rushed and delivered without the box and the crews manufactured and fitted their own, filling it with scrounged equipment, If you prefer to use the classic Toolbox, there's one in the kit.

Panther, Pz.kpfw V Auf. G

This is the special edition of RFM's initial offering of the Mark V Panther. It can be built in either the 1944 or 1945 production
Like the Tiger, it's pretty intimidating when you open the rather large box.
Once opened, you'll find hundreds of parts on 12 sprues in the basic Panzer Tan along with two photo etch sheets and a slew of parts to make two sets of tracks. New to this RFM kit is clear turret and deck pieces, packed in a separate protective box within the box that allow the interior to be seen without cutting sections away or displaying the turret and hull separately.
When you examine the 52 page instructions, you come to the quick conclusion that this kit is even more detailed than the Tigers. The kit contains many small details such as the internal gears for the drive sprockets. There are hoses, cables and lengths of tubing that need to be shaped for the interior and even a recoil spring for the 75mm main gun, some of these parts you'll never see once assembled, but parts something the most ardent hobbyist will appreciate.
Another difference between this and the Tiger kits is the 75mm ammunition. In this kit, all 88 shells are individual pieces whereas in the Tiger has them molded into racks.
They're attached to the sprue at the base and with minimal mold lines so with a minimal amount of light sanding, they can be painted still on the sprue.
the decal sheet has stencil markings for the 75mm ammunition, including one to represent the primer cap.

Overall it looks like an amazing kit with multiple options that should keep even the rivet counters happy. I'm looking forward to adding it to my already overloaded display case

Sturmmorser Tiger Pz.kpfw VI
Eastern Front 1943

Coming Soon

This version of the Tiger has always intrigued me. I first saw it back in the 70's on World at War or some documentary series like that and recognized the distinctive Tiger I exhaust covers. With the availability of Rye Field's entry into this unique vehicle, I broke down and bought it. (it currently resides in "the stash")
Upon opening the box you'll find the usual large number of parts common to to the RFM and Takom Armored vehicle with full interiors.
Like some of their other offerings, the roof of the fighting compartment is molded in clear polystyrene making the interior visible without cutting sections away, and of course you can always paint it should you choose to go that route.

The tracks come in individual links held together with pins rather than than the "magic tracks" found on the

Takom Armor Kits

Coming Soon

King Tiger w/ Henschel Turret
Pz.kpfw. VI Ausf. B, Sd.Kfz.182

This is one of those kits where you open the box and say "WOW!". I dig through the box pulling out sprue after sprue molded in medium gray then come to the hull and turret and remember oh yeah, this kit is 1/35th.
They look pretty small inside the large and tightly packed box. The parts are crisp , clean and very well detailed.
This kit appears to have been designed with diorama enthusiast in mind. There are areas of the kit with detail that will be covered up by other parts unless your plan is to model this in a repair yard with On the exterior of the lower hull there appear to be bolt holes where the main drive gear housing is located (and covered over)
In an attempt to keep the interior components to scale, Takom has molded some of the parts extremely thin and almost delicate. One example are the frames on the floor of the lower Hull.

There are multiple versions of this kit available The Henschel or Porsche turret, and with or without the Zimmerit Paste used to protect the tasnk from magnetic mines.
(I chose to build the Henschel version without the paste)
This kit is Currently under construction

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Last Updated September 1, 2017