Like many World War II gamers, I started collecting troops and vehicles several years ago in the 15mm scale. Recently, I've noticed that 10mm is becoming more popular, with a number of manufacturers releasing new lines. Although I have too much time and money invested in my 15's to ever switch scales, I can definitely see the appeal of 10mm vehicles for 20th century gaming. Aside from the lower cost as compared to 15's, the smaller 10mm vehicles gain some of the advantages that the 1/285th scale has always had, in that the models at least "look" to be more in scale with the necessarily reduced ground scales and weapons ranges of our World War II rules sets.

In any case, I was pleased when Mike Demana passed along a sample pack of 10mm Tigers that he received from Perrin Miniatures at Origins. Perrin Miniatures "True 10's" range is advertised as "true 10mm = 1:160 scale = N-Scale." The vehicle packs all contain 2 vehicles and are priced at $6 a pack.

The Tigers are all metal, and are cast in the standard four-piece configuration: hull, left and right track pieces, and turret. The castings were fairly clean with only a little trimming required. Assembly was a breeze. The pieces fit together quite well, as this model has the front mudguards cast onto the track pieces. Just mount the tracks with the mudguards flush against the hull front, and the tracks are perfectly aligned. It's fairly idiot proof, even for someone with limited modeling skills like myself. The turret likewise fits well on the hull.

This model depicts an early production Tiger with the early drum style commander's cupola on the turret, although it has the mid-production hinged loader's hatch on the right rear turret side. At least some Tigers did share both features on the same turret, so this is not necessarily inaccurate. The model has the Fiefel air cleaners on the rear of the hull. Standard hatches, cables, tools and gratings are cleanly rendered, and should take drybrushing well. The model has the early rubber-rimmed roadwheels. The tracks are devoid of detail except for a simple line etched where the "links" join. Extra track sections are mounted on the hull front, and these are nicely modeled.

The one real inaccuracy on this model is where the barrel joins the turret. The gun mantlet has a squared off raised section at the base of the gun, whereas the sides should be rounded. This detail is really quite minor in itself, but it sits right next to a very distinct "bulge" at the base of the gun barrel, where there should instead be a straight cylindrical sleeve. On a model this size, it's not a huge flaw, but it is noticeable.

I compared the model's overall dimensions with those given in Squadron/Signal's Armor Number 27, Tiger in Action. Instead of using the O'Leary scale for 10mm as outlined in issue #25 of The Herald, I based my calculations on a 1/160 ratio since that is how this line is advertised. Perrin's model is fairly close to home based on my measurements. The overall length comes out at 102% of actual size at 1/160, while the width is a little narrow at 95%. This Tiger is a bit short at 89% of actual height, but it's not terribly noticeable, at least to me. Perhaps I'm just used to some of my "squashed" 15mm vehicles, but the overall model looks about right as far as its proportions are concerned.

I haven't seen Perrin's 10mm infantry figures, so I don't know how they match up with the Tiger. Also, I've not compared Perrin's model to other manufacturers' 10mm Tiger tanks. Despite the plain track links and the weird gun mantlet area, it's still a very good looking model overall. It's nicely made and the parts fit together very well, which always a plus. I would give this kit a highly unscientific and subjective grade of B-.

Mike also gave me 2 packs of Perrin's 1/160-scale armor decals. Item number DEC 1 is a sheet of standard German vehicle crosses, 66 black on white and 33 clear with white border. The crosses measure approximately 2.5mm across. Item number DEC 3 is a sheet of German turret numbers, red with white borders. A complete series of 3-digit decals provides enough numbers to do three complete panzer companies of four platoons each with five tanks per platoon, plus command and special alternative command numbers. The numbers are about 2.5mm high. The decals all look very good, appear to be in scale and are cleanly printed. The crosses are listed at $3, while the numbers sell for $6. Perrin's catalog also lists German tank numbers with black and white lettering, as well as Allied stars and Soviet insignia.

Perrin's catalog currently lists German, Russian and U.S. infantry and vehicles (and one lone British Firefly) for World War II. In addition, their "True 10s" line offers American Civil War, Franco Prussian War, and 1879 Zulu War figures. Miniatures are in packs of 24 infantry, 12 mounted figures, six guns, or two vehicles per pack at $6. Perrin also offers 100 man starter packs for $20. Their web site is www.PerrinMinis.com.

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