Britains, King and COuntry, WarTanks - Mikes Diecast Tanks and Armour

Britains PZ IV, side view	Britains PZ IV, top/oblique	Britains PZ IV, front fender
Britains PZ IV, rear fender	Britains PZ IV, front view	Britains PZ IV, rear view
	Britains Panzer IV 17460 #11	Britains Panzer IV 17460 #11
Britains Sherman 17496A	Britains Sherman 17496A

1998 Catalog Cover

1998 Catalog pg 15

W. Britain makes various collectible miniatures, notably military figurines. Britains is owned by RC2 (Racing Champions). RC2 owns multiple brands, including W. Britain, Britains, and Ertl Collectibles. From the RC2 10k: "Under the brand name of W. Britain, we sell hand painted metal military and ceremonial figures fashioned after European and American historical events and themes. The W. Britain metal figures and sets are sold primarily at collector, hobby, gift and specialty stores."

They feature several variations on the Panzer IV. The detail is very good. The tanks are VERY heavy, giving them a nice hefty "satisfying" feel.
The other tank in the W. Britain lineup is the Sherman. What makes this tank unique is the cast hull (instead of welded). The cast hull has the bulbous, rounded shape which comes from a one piece casting, as opposed sharp angles on a welded hull.

WarTanks.com (part of Onsite Diecast) makes a nice series of metal and resin tanks at 1:48. Several other models have either been manufactured or are in the planning stages.

The first model out was the King Tiger. The second release was the Merkava. Detail is fairly good, but be forewarned that the treads are molded to the vehicle (some folks don't like that...I'm OK with it). I like the overall look and feel of the Merkava over the King Tiger.

The latest releases are the Abrams tank and the T-62. The T-62 is a fine model.. The detail is good. It could use a bit of light weathering to reflect the age of the vehicle and the desert environment, but the motivated modeler can do that himself. The Abrams is also well done, although the casting could be a bit sharper near the rear of the vehicle (hatchlines, etc), but the other detail parts are well done. The Abrams has a light dusting of dirt, which really enhances the tank.
The figures are a pleasant surprise. Although I am not a 'figure' collector, but I have received enough in sets to know that you can often get 'cheesy' figures. Not so here! These are a nice heavy metal, have good detail, and are well painted.

A final note on packaging. WarTanks has gotten much more sophisticated in it's packaging. Initially, the vehicle came in a small box. The box is now much larger, with each part wrapped and padded individually. A big improvement over the original release!

Originally $99.00, these tanks now retail for $89 (as of 9/2003). The tanks are also now being carried by more dealers, including

King and Country Panzer IV, 1:35?	King and Country Panzer IV, 1:35?	King and Country Panzer IV, 1:35?	King and Country Panzer IV, 1:35?
King and Country Matilda, 8th army, 1:35?	King and Country Matilda, 8th army, 1:35?	King and Country Matilda, 8th army, 1:35?
	King and Country, Wittmans last Tiger, 1:35?	King and Country, Wittmans last Tiger, 1:35?	King and Country, Wittmans last Tiger, 1:35?
King and Country, Panzer III	King and Country, Panzer III	King and Country, Panzer III

Iwo Jima Set	King and Country LVT4 Amtrack Iwo Jima #IWJ23	King and Country LVT4 Amtrack Iwo Jima #IWJ23	King and Country LVT4 Amtrack Iwo Jima #IWJ23
King and Country LVT4 Amtrack Iwo Jima #IWJ23	King and Country Chi Ha Iwo Jima #IWJ24	King and Country Chi Ha Iwo Jima #IWJ24	King and Country Chi Ha Iwo Jima #IWJ24
King and Country Jagpanther, Waffen SS Normandy 1944 #WS59	King and Country Jagpanther, Waffen SS Normandy 1944 #WS59	King and Country Jagpanther, Waffen SS Normandy 1944 #WS59
	King and Country King Tiger Waffen SS Normandy 1944 #WS67	King and Country King Tiger Waffen SS Normandy 1944 #WS67	King and Country King Tiger Waffen SS Normandy 1944 #WS67

Produced by a British ex-pat living in Hong Kong, King and Country produces historical figures in resin for many different eras. In the last few years, King and Country has produced WWII vintage figures, including tanks.

Some of the tanks are very accurately reproduced, with good detail (as seen above). Others are a bit "artistic" or "stylized". Look at the pictures closely before you buy. Overall, though, very nicely done!

Frontline Figures also make some AFV's. Overall, however, I find them to be too "rough" and "stylized".