Has anybody built/have this kit? I am very interested in it but I am curious as to why it is so expensive. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

I have one, as yet unbuilt.

It's expensive but it is a huge tank and a good example of Bandai's next generation molding technology.

Check Dalong for more pictures.

http://dalong.net/

Click 'ETC' at the top and then the 'M61A5' link on the left. Click 'review' on the next page for built pictures.

I have 2, one built/not painted yet. I think it's expensive because it is REALLY big. I also think that part of the cost is because it's Bandai.

It goes together pretty easy, you will need glue. There are only 2 seams to clean, on the barrels. The tracks are rubber, each track comes in 2 pieces connected by a metal pins. The PE is pretty good. There is not a huge amount of PE parts, good if you've never worked with it before. There is no interior detail, which I was disappointed with.

Thanks guys, I now am going to save my pennies to pick me up one of these. It looks like a fun build.

Just recently picked one up. For whatever reason I didn't follow the first rule of modeling acquisition when I saw one and I left the store without it.... "If you see something you like/want, you better get it then or it will not be there when you come back for it" About two AM the following moring it dawned on me that I had better go and get it or I would't be able to. So braving a severe snow storm that was hitting the area I drove the 90 minutes or so to the hobby shop where happily I found it still sitting on the shelf. I wasn't in the store a full minute and I was headed south again to school. Also grabbed another kit in the series while I was there. Looks something like a motorcycle with huge fans on either end. Looked too cool to pass up. It could be a mixed blessing that there isn't any interior detail as this would allow for the builder to really go to town with their own ideas/concepts of what it would look like. Also, if it did have an interior, think what the price would be then.....ouch. Looks to be a fun kit and I'm looking forward to getting started on mine.....don't know when that will be, but........
"Q"

If you search carefully on eBay, you can score one for under $100 delivered. There are plenty of them out there on eBay that will run you $110-125 delivered so shop carefully.

Thats the Wappa. The seated figure doesn't fit on it

I bought one of these when they first came out and it looks like a fantastic build if I ever get to it. The new issue of Military Miniatures in Review magazine (Number 48) has a 5 page review/build article on it--their first sci-fi tank review! It really looks tuff in the article build up.

That would be the one. I don't plan on having my figure seated on it. I have a shoe box full if figures and figure parts that I am going to bash together to create my own forces with. Plan on matching them up with the DUST Gunther, that heavy tank, and a few other vehicles and "suits" for a post apocolyptic diorama scene. Thanks for the heads up on the seated figure. Much appreciated. "Q"

We should do an M61A5 campaign. We haven't done a campaign here in a long time.

I am Making this kit at the moment
I have made Tamiya kits for the last 25yrs and I would say that this kit is of a Tamiya standard if not better. The figures with the kit are better than tamiya figures.

This is a great kit and I am enjoying building it.

I still say we should do a campaign.

Hi mates , I'm up for a campaign of some description relating to sci-fi , I've done gundam and have a M.a.k armoured fighting suit on order .
It might be a interesting diversion from our usual builds

I'd like to build mine in NATO-flage.

I don't have one of these kits - but I would build one for a Campaign too.

Japanese modeller's finished work as below link.

type61

He is pro-modeller.

include figure is awesome.
I think best 1/35 figure any other kits of the world.

He did a really beautiful job. Is he sure the markings are accurate for the uniforms on the figures? (a joke).