From: Ground Zero Games <jon@g...>
Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2008 17:23:37 +0000
Subject: [GZG] [OFFICIAL] First new release of 2008!
Hi all, and hope everyone is having a good 2008 so far! :-) Now that January is out of the way and the first shows of the year are rapidly approaching, we're getting back to some new releases again..... and since the 15mm range got a bit sidelined by the load of new FT ships before Xmas, we're happy to announce that the first new item of this year is the long-awaited PHALANX II HEAVY WHEELED APC in 15mm scale. We're calling this the "Phalanx II" because we've done the same thing with it as we did with the Wombat II HAPC - the new 15mm version is very similar to the original 25mm resin one, but is not an exact scale-down; while the overall shape and general arrangement are the same, there are some detail changes. The assembled model measures approx. 83mm long, 44mm wide across wheels ( maximum hull width at turret mounts is 40mm) and stands 27mm high to hull top, 30mm over turrets. The Phalanx II is designed as a heavy APC for the transport of both regular and power-armoured infantry (the various entry/exit hatches are large enough to permit access by PA troops). It has a six-wheel high-mobility suspension that makes it very agile even in bad terrain, making it a very effective option in situations where the high costs of more advanced tech (eg: grav mobility) are not justified. The basic APC variant mounts two small remote turrets for anti-personnel and light anti-vehicle defence, the two turret hardpoints also being capable of taking other weapon options such as anti-vehicle missile mounts and light air defence systems. Various other variants of the base vehicle are in service including a mobile command post and a number of fire-support and MRL artillery carriers. This is a hefty model, weighing in at around 200g of metal, and comes as a 20-piece kit - six wheels, six wheel backs, three axles, two remote turrets, main hull top and bottom and finally the hull top plate. Despite the large part count, it goes together very quickly and easily - the one I've just assembled for display and photos took me less than 20 minutes including clean-up time - and all parts (especially the suspension) are designed to be as strong as possible to stand up to in-game handling even if the finished vehicle is not based. If you DO decide to base it, which is often a good idea especially with wheeled models, the wheelbase will fit very nicely onto one of the plastic 50x65mm bases which are readily available from a well-known manufacturer of WW2 miniatures. Price is £9.00 each, or a platoon box of 3 vehicles for £25.00 with FREE accessories and extra options. For our US customers, at current exchange rates and with the VAT deduction, this works out at around US$15.00 each or US$42.00 for the 3-vehicle pack. The model is now in production and we will have a limited stock of them at HAMMERHEAD at Newark next Sunday (10th Feb), and then at CAVALIER in Tonbridge on the 24th; they will be up on the webstore (with pics!) to mail-order within a few days. More soon! :-)