ESCI/Ertl
   
The most complete release of the ESCI kits was by the Ertl company under the name ESCI/Ertl. Over 75 kits were released in this lineup, with only about a dozen earlier releases not included. As shown in the following descriptions, I ended up repeating myself with the praise of many of the kits. Until recently, ESCI set the standard for quality 1/72nd scale armor kits. The ESCI/Ertl line of kits saw the introduction of hard plastic, link and length style tracks. Many of the ESCI kits are unique. A few are not, and for those kits, I have tried to add a statement comparing them to the alternative(s). The first 14 kits on the list were never released by ESCI/Ertl, but I include their reviews here for convenience.

Beneath the first table is a second one that list the vehicle-troops combination sets.

Kit Number Kit Name Comments In-Box Previews Construction Reviews
  Fiat Ansaldo 75/18 One of ESCI's best kits. Superb detail and accuracy. Unfortunately, it is only available with vinyl tracks. Preview  
  Fiat-Ansaldo M13/40 One of ESCI's best kits. Superb detail and accuracy. Unfortunately, it is only available with vinyl tracks. Gives option to build standard M13/40, or command version of vehicle. Preview  
  German Infantry Afrika Korps Hard plastic figures. Good detail and better poses than some of the vinyl figures.    
  Japanese Soldiers Hard plastic figures. Good detail, but limited number of poses (six).    
  KV-1c Excellent kit. Surface detail is one of ESCI's best. Represents mid-series KV-1 with cast metal turret, and early-style rear hull.    
  M1A1 Abrams See Abrams Comparison Article .    
  M4A3 Sherman 75mm turret. Late style, 47 degree, wet-stowage hull. Preview  
  Matilda Mk. II Exquisitely detailed model. The chassis alone is a kit all of itself.    
  Panzer 35(T) Skoda A superb kit. Only available with vinyl tracks, which are quite poor.    
  Panzer II Represents an Ausf. F. The detail on this kit is abundant. Comes with vinyl tracks, and an Afrika Corps commander figure.    
  Red Devils British Paratroopers Hard plastic figures. Good detail and realistic poses.    
  Soviet Guards Infantry Hard plastic figures. Good detail and better poses than some of the vinyl figures.    
  US Marine Assault Group Hard plastic figures. Good detail and better poses than some of the vinyl figures.    
  Wespe Based on the Panzer II hull, this kit is also very well detailed. Preview  
8301 Leopard 1 A2 (OTO Leopard) Overall level of detail is great, but plagued with many sinkholes. Each pair of bogie wheels is represented by a single, double-wide wheel. See Leopard Review Article.    
8302 Leopard 1 A3/A4 Same kit as Leopard 1 A2 (#8301), but with new style turret and side skirts. See Leopard Review Article.    
8303 Leopard 1 A1A1 (LEO Turmverkleidung) Same kit as Leopard 1 A2 (#8301), but with applique armor for the turret, a new gun mantle, and side skirts. See Leopard Review Article.    
8304 M163 AAV M113 with a Vulcan AA gun on the roof. Same comments as below for the vehicle; the Vulcan is fairly basic. It has the right shape, but needs extra detail added to it.    
8305 M113 A1 APC Superb kit. Exterior detail is great. Limited interior detail (walls and floor). Each pair of bogie wheels is represented by a single, double-wide wheel, but with the side skirts on, it is barely noticeable.    
8306 M901 Hammer Head M113 with a TOW launcher on the roof. Same comments as above for the vehicle; the TOW launcher is fairly basic. It has the right shape, but needs extra detail added to it.    
8307 M1 Abrams Basically a good kit. Better than the Revell and Hasegawa kits in some areas, not as good in others. Each pair of bogie wheels is represented by a single, double-wide wheel. See Abrams Comparison Article .    
8308 M4A1 Sherman A major disappointment. As far as engineering and detail, this is one of ESCI's finest kits. Despite persistent rumors, its scale is mostly accurate to 1/72nd. However, the vehicle represented by this kit never existed. See Article. Preview  
8309 Panzer IV G The overall level of detail on this kit is pretty good, but I have to score it low on its accuracy. It seems to be a conglomerate of different versions of the Panzer IV. With the exception of the nice chassis on this kit, the Hasegawa Pz IV G is the superior kit. See ESCI Pz. IV Article . Preview  
8310 Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind Good model, though not as fine as the Hasegawa Wirbelwind. Turret interior has a fair amount of detail, although it could use more. Preview  
8311 Brummbar Sturmpanzer IV Completely new upper hull on the Pz IV chassis. Excellent kit. Surface detail is top notch, but schurzen are a little heavy. Preview Doug Chaltry
8312 Jagdpanther Very good level of detail. The Revell Jagdpanther is molded more cleanly, and has more optional parts, but it is 1/76th scale. Better than Dragon Jagdpanther. Preview  
8313 M4 Sherman Calliope M4A1 kit (#8308) with the Calliope rocket launcher attached. See the hull problem described above. Preview  
8314 Hummel ESCI's poorest kit. The overall dimensions of the kit are accurate, but the level of detail is low. A scratchbuilders dream kit. Preview  
8315 M60 A1 Fair kit of early version M60, with the commander's MG turret. Detail is abundant, but is a little soft. Each pair of bogie wheels is represented by a single, double-wide wheel. Preview  
8316 M60 A2 Starship Same kit as M60A1 (#8315), but with the A2 turret for the Shellilagh AT missile. Preview  
8317 M60 A3 Same kit as M60A1 (#8315), but with a new gun barrel. Preview  
8318 M60 Blazer Same kit as M60A1 (#8315), but with the reactive armor blocks and altered commander's cupola for the Israeli version. Preview  
8319 Jagdpanzer IV This is the Panzer IV/70 (V) version, with the long cannon. Detail is very good. Comes with ESCI's standard two tank crew figures, one standing and one seated. See Article.   Till Huber
8320 Panzerjager IV Sdkfz 162 This is the early L/48 version. Basically the same kit as #8319, but with short cannon and side skirts included. See Article.    
8321 British Quad Gun Tractor Excellent kit. Superb overall detail, detailed undercarriage and interior. Driver figure included (in shorts). No clear parts for the multitude of windows. Preview  
8322 M48 A2 Very good kit of an early version M48A2, with the tension idler wheel between the last road wheel and the drive sprocket. Detail is abundant, and sharper than the M60 kits. Each pair of bogie wheels is represented by a single, double-wide wheel. The instructions do not show it, but provision has been made for the extra return rollers for the Marine version of this vehicle (five vs. three).    
8323 Merkava Very detailed and accurate model. Excellent .50cal MG. Each pair of bogie wheels is represented by a single, double-wide wheel. Better than the Galaxy kit.   Doug Chaltry
8324 Panzer III M A fairly decent kit, about on par with the Panzer II/Wespe. The detail is abundant, but fairly soft. Not as nice as the Revell kit. See Comparison Article . Preview  
8325 Panzer III M/N Same kit as Pz III M (#8324), but with schurzen plates, and the short-barrelled gun for the Ausf. N. Preview  
8326 M48 A3 Same M48 kit as all the others, but with a new cupola extension, extra return rollers, and air filter boxes for placement on the rear fenders.    
8327 Panzer III Flampanzer Same kit as Pz III M (#8324), but with a fatter, shorter barrel for the flamethrower. Preview  
8328 Sturmgeschütz III G Very accurate kit, but the detail is soft. Allows the construction of either the standard StuG III G, or the StuH 42 with the 105mm howitzer. Preview Marko Mäkinen
8329 M48 A2 GA2 German version of the A2 version with a 105mm main gun and different turret details. Same comments as M48 A2C (#8336). Preview  
8330 King Tiger Very good kit. Skimped on the bogie wheels some, but with the side skirts on, it's not noticeable. One full and two half figures are included. Poor tracks. Preview Stephen Brezinski
8331 Jagdtiger Does not have the proper lengthened hull. Otherwise, same comments as the King Tiger. Preview Stephen Brezinski
8332 Churchill Mk. IV Another well made kit. Very detailed; about on par with the Hasegawa kit. Unfortunately, it is a Mk. III, not IV.    
8333 M48 A5 Late (low profile) version of the A5, with the Urdan cupola and M60 MG. Same kit as previous M48's, with same comments, and a new 105mm main gun. Preview  
8334 T-34/76 1942 Very good kit. Early style solid disk wheels. Excellent detail overall. Hull and turret dimensions are accurate. See Article. Preview  
8335 T-34/76 1943 Very good kit. Mid-style perforated steel wheels. Excellent detail overall. Turret is slightly under scale. See Article. Preview  
8336 M48 A2C Same kit as M48 A2 (#8322), but with different markings (Israeli).    
8337 M106 Mortar Carrier M113 with a 120mm mortar inside and an optional open or closed roof. Same comments as above for the vehicle; the interior is spruced up a bit with the mortar. The mortar is very well done, and includes all the parts hanging on the vehicle's exterior.    
8338 Merkava II Same kit as #8323 - Merkava, but with add-on armor for the the turret. Same comments as above; the add-on armor is very good.    
8339 Churchill AMRCR The excellent Churchill kit (#8332) with a very good mineroller on front.    
8340 T-62 MBT Nicely detailed kit, but overscale. The wheels are the major weak spot of this kit. They are the double-wide type, instead of pairs of wheels. Preview  
8341 T-62M MBT Same kit as #8340, with additional parts (side skirts, etc.) and Middle East markings.    
8342 Opel Blitz 3, 6 Ambulance Same cab and chassis as the standard Opel Blitz truck, with ambulance body. There is no interior to the ambulance body. The exterior detail on the body is simplified. Preview  
8343 Sd.Kfz. 251/7 Pioneer Vehicle Same comments as kit #8359 - Sd.Kfz.251/1. This version contains the bridging equipment for the engineer version of the vehicle. Bridging parts are well done, but the mounting brackets seem over-simplified.    
8344 Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Rocket Launcher Same comments as kit #8359 - Sd.Kfz.251/1. This version contains the rocket equipment for the nebelwerfer version of the vehicle. Rocket parts are very well done.    
8345 Sd.Kfz. 251/10 The "door knocker" version of the 251. Standard 251 hull, with a 37mm AT gun mounted at the front. Same comments as kit #8359 - Sd.Kfz.251/1.    
8346 Sd.Kfz. 251/16 Flamethrower Same comments as kit #8359 - Sd.Kfz.251/1. This version contains the launchers and interior equipment for the flamethrower version of the vehicle. The flamethrower parts are well made, but could use a little more detail.    
8347 Sd.Kfz. 251/8 Armored Ambulance Same comments as kit #8359 - Sd.Kfz.251/1. This version contains the interior equipment for the ambulance version of the vehicle. Adds a little bit of detail to the interior, but it is still a little sparse.    
8348 Sd.Kfz. 11 3-ton Halftrack The kit is shaped well, and accurate, but the detail is a little heavy. Interior detail is sparse, but chassis detail is very good. Includes Afrika Corps driver figure. Preview  
8349 Sd.Kfz. 11 3-ton Halftrack & Pak 40 Same vehicle as above (#8348) with the PAK 40 75mm AT gun from the Weapons Set (#8350).    
8350 German Weapons Set PAK 35 (37mm) and PAK 40 (75mm) AT guns are very nice. FLAK 38 (quad 20mm) AA gun could use some more, and finer, details. Crew figures are pretty good. Includes a prone MG 34 gunner and spotter.    
8351 Nebelwerfer 41 w/crew Very good little kit. Comes with two rocket launchers, fairly well detailed, and two full crews. Crews are dressed in winter parkas.    
8352 Diorama Acc. WWII A collection of sign posts, power poles, sand bags, barrels, boxes and Normandy beach obstacles.    
8353 Iwo Jima A representation of the flag-raising event on Mount Suribachi. Hard plastic figures.    
8354 British 25 Pdr gun & crew Excellent kit. Outstanding detail. Crew figures are good, and are dressed for the desert.   Doug Chaltry
8355 Opel Blitz This kit is just a little plain. The cab interior is very bare, and the chassis detail is sparse. Shape and construction are good. Preview  
8356 US Recce M3 French/Soviet The White M3A1 armored car. Excellent kit. Detail is great, both interior and exterior. Good machineguns, mediocre figures. Walls are a little thick.    
8357 U.S. Light Truck WC 51 3/4 ton Very good kit. The level of detail is splendid; the undercarriage and chassis are fully detailed, but jacked too high.    
8358 M6 Truck GMC This kit is the same as #8357 but with a 37mm AT gun mounted on the cargo bed. Same comments as above for the truck; the gun is fairly nice, but the shield is very thick.   Doug Chaltry
8359 Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Kit represents an Ausf. C. It is very accurate in shape, and the exterior detail is very well done. Interior is unfortunately sparse.    
8360 Elefant Overall level of detail is nice, but there are a couple of minor inaccuracies, and the bogie wheels are represented with single, double-wide wheels. Both Dragon and Trumpeter kits are superior. Preview  
8361 Valentine Mk. II Superbly detailed kit. The chassis is very well done, but the hard plastic tracks do not fit under the fenders without some sanding and grinding.   Doug Chaltry
8362 M12 155mm SP Another one of ESCI's finest kits. Detail is without compare. Full gun compartment detail, and an excellent early-style transmission housing. Preview  
8363 Panther A Good kit. It is better than the Revell kit in some ways, not as good in others. It has excellent surface detail, but the tracks (both vinyl and hard plastic) are poor. Minor scale problems.   Doug Chaltry
8364 Panzer IV H This is the same kit as #8309 - Panzer IV G. It is not an accurate Ausf. H, just as it is not an accurate Ausf. G either. See ESCI Pz. IV Article . Preview  
8365 Bishop Mk.I Same comments as the Valentine for the chassis and hull; the box-like turret is excellent, but some of the detail on the gun mantle is a little heavy. Preview  
8366 Opel Blitz w/Flak 38 AA This is the standard Opel Blitz truck with the quad 20mm mounted in the cargo bed. The AA gun is the same as from the Weapons Set. Preview  
8367 Modern War Accessories      
8368 Panzer IB Beautiful little kit of a tiny little tank. Excellent level of detail, accurate for its version, and a very quick build. Preview  
8369 Sd.Kfz. 250/3 Very well done. It represents the 250 Alte. The 250/3 is the command version with the antenna frame. Although the exterior detail is top-notch, the interior is pretty sparse, but it does include a good radio.    
8370 Sd.Kfz 265 Panzerbefehlswagon I Panzer IB converted to the command tank version. Again, an outstanding kit. Preview Doug Chaltry
8371 Sd.Kfz. 250/9 Comes with enclosed cabin, and 20mm turret. The turret is very good, but the anti-grenade screen is necessarily cast as solid pieces with a mesh pattern.    
8372 Panzerjager I Pak L/43 Once again, an excellent model, but like most SPG's in this scale, the gun shield is a little thick. Preview  
8373 Sd.Kfz. 250/10 Anti-Tank The "door knocker" version of the 250. Standard 250 hull, with a 37mm AT gun mounted at the front. Gun is very good, but interior is still sparse.    
8374 Marder III Beautiful kit. Note that the box art on the ESCI/Ertl box shows an early Marder, with a Soviet 76mm gun, but the kit is actually an Ausf. H, as shown on the ESCI box.   Stephen Brezinski
8375 Jagdpanzer Hetzer Like the Marder, this is an outstanding kit. The level of detail represents some of ESCI's best work. A poor commander figure is included, but that is the only negative comment for this kit.    
The following kits consist of ESCI vehicles from the above table, paired with the ESCI soft vinyl figure sets. The ESCI figures tend to be very well detailed, but with fairly flat poses.
Kit Number Kit Name
8601 M113 ACAV w/US Special Forces
8602 M1A1 Abrams w/US Infantry
8603 Panther A w/Panzergrenadiers
8604 M4A3 Sherman w/US Paratroopers
8605 M12 155mm SP w/US Soldiers
8606 Panzer IV w/Afrika Corps
8607 M60 A3 w/Modern US Soldiers
8608 M48 A3 w/US Special Forces
8609 3/4-Ton Truck w/WWII US Paratroops
8610 GMC M6 Truck w/US Infantry
8611 Opel Blitz w/Afrika Corps
8612 Opel Blitz w/Flak 38 AA w/German Infantry
8613 M3A1 Scout Car w/Russian Infantry
8614 British 25 Pdr w/Tractor & Eighth Army
8615 T-62 w/Russian Spetsnaz
8616 T-62 w/Warsaw Pact Soldiers
8617 Sd.Kfz. 251 w/German Infantry
8618 Leopard 1A1A1 w/NATO Soldiers
8619 Bishop Mk.I w/British Soldiers
8620 Valentine w/Desert Rats
8621 Elefant w/German Infantry
8622 Sd.Kfz. 251/1 w/German Paratroopers
8623 Sd.Kfz. 251 Rocket Launcher w/Paratroops
8624 Sd.Kfz. 11 w/German Paratroopers
8625 Churchill Mk IV w/Commandos
8626 T-34/76 1943 w/Russian Assault Troops
8627 M113 ACAV w/NATO Troops
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