3D Breed’s new Kickstarter: this time it’s WW2 North Africa
By Paolo Paglianti
Ops, they did it again! After having explored “classic” WW2 and D-Day/Bulge scenarios, Spanish 3D Breed creators have launched a new themed Kickstarter about the North Africa theatre. And it’s so cheap, successful, and full of models every wargamer interested in World War 2 with a 3D printer should give it a look.
We already know the quality of 3D Breeds STL files, not only for WW2 models but also for “Ancient” (here is our feature about the Greeks and Persians) and “Western” ages (read about it here) so we already knew North Africa would be good. We received a small “press pack” with some miniatures and we promptly printed them (in 15mm).
Some German bikers, their motorcycles, a British jeep, and the crew. We just need Indiana Jones and some Tea. The metal miniatures are old Battlefront bikes and a German soldier, for comparing size and details.
We also printed the “backpacks” included in the press preview. These models are all 15mm.
As you can see, the level of detail is outstanding as always. The infantry is even less “bulky” than the first WW2 Kickstarter – the only drawback of the 3D Breed range, easily countered printing at 95% on the X and Y axis.
This time, the basic Kickstarter is a bit limited: a small German force with Kubelwagon (two versions), a motorcycle and its drivers, and a Panzer II.
For the British, a Stuart tank, two jeeps, and again some bikes plus drivers. A range not that useful for Flames of War and only somewhat useful for Bolt Action. However, this is just the “core set”. 3D Breed usually skyrockets to tens of thousands of Euros in few days, so much of the Kickstarter is added as goals along the way. So their utility will increase with each stretch goal unlocked
We waited a week to see if North Africa Kickstarter did the same, and we were right. After one week, it has already passed the 20,000 Euros mark, and the goals with all the German and British armies, with much of the Italian one, are already accomplished. With more than 20 days still good before the end, we can be fairly confident it will reach the 31,000 Euros mark with the full French army, the real newcomer of this Kickstarter.
Right now, the German force will have many different infantry figures (from six riflemen poses to MG34, mortars, command team and engineers) and various vehicles including Marder II, Panzer II & III, Pak 36.
The British have a similar range of infantry, armored cars, and a Valentine. We didn’t have any Italian models to test, but they include army and blackshirts, with Autoblinda (armored car), FIAT Spa 37 (a hybrid truck/jeep), and a tank (it’s still locked so we don’t know if it’s a M39 or an L6).
Actually, many vehicles are already available on 3D Breed website as they were included in the first March to Hell WW2 Kickstarter, so North Africa should be seen as an “expansion”. For example, the Italian range already includes M13/40, L6 and the Semovente, used in the North Africa theatre. The same for the British, having the 25 PDR, Valentine and Matilda.
Some samples printed and painted, from the Kickstarter page. The STL files come in 15mm and 28mm scales, but you can easily rescale for example in 1:72.
Here you can find the full list of the goals, so you know what you’re going to get. Even as an expansion, I believe 3D Breed’s North Africa at 40 Euros is an “insta buy”, considering the single tank or platoon will cost 5 or more each – actually, I already “supported” the Kickstarter!
