This is HELLER'S rendition of the VAB
4x4 (Vehicule Amphibie Blinde) in a 1/72 injection molded kit. This armored
personnel carrier is produced by the French firm Renault and is fully amphibious
(using water jets for propulsion). Weighing only 13 tons, it is suitable
for air transport.
I assembled this one pretty much outtadabox, adding only the antenna. I deviated from the instructions in that I removed the transparent section of the front splash plate, and assembled the plate in the stowed position as seen on the box illustration (the instructions only indicate how to assemble the splashplate in the fully opened position). Also, two decals include little red dots for the rear brake lights. Just trim the red dots off those decals and paint the lights glossy red (because the decal will not settle onto the light as nicely as paint will)! The kit is a simple build, with only 39 parts, and there are no problems with the fit of them. It is similar is complexity and style to JB Models or the early Airfix kits. The box indicates four Humbrol paint numbers to use for this kit, but the instructions only indicate two, so keep that box!
Probably targeting the young novice modeller, this kit has been criticized for soft detail, lack of stowage, and inaccuracies. If you can read German, here is another review:
http://www.modellversium.de/galerie/artikel.php?id=1504
So if you want a really accurate depiction of the vehicle for dioramas, you will need to obtain detail sets and/or scratchbuild parts. But if you want a relaxing few hours for a quick little addition to your collection, I recommend this model.
This is the Saracen AC by JB Models, specifically the Mark III version equipped for desert operations. Based on the six-wheeled Saladin, the Saracen was rushed into service during the Malayan Emergency. The vehicle had a crew of three and could transport nine infantrymen, and was armed with a .30 L3A3 Mg. top road speed is 72 km/h.
The kit is uncomplicated and goes together quickly and easily. The kit can also be assembled as a Mark I or II , and painting instructions and decals for all three are provided.
The Hummer (or HMMWV, for High Mobility
Multi Purpose Wheeled Vehicle) is the successor of the famous Jeep, and
has proven itself since entering service with the US Army in the 1980s.
A civilian version is also available.
This kit depicts the command version, and is 1/72 resin made by S.S.A.&M. Co (made in the USA, available from Nat Sooy, 306 N. Green St., Tuckerton, NJ 08087). The kit is fair in quality (similar to NRC kits). Few parts, some casting imperfections, and the fit of parts (especially the canvas) left some gaps. I added windshields, lifting hooks, rear-view mirrors, a decal, figures, and the antennae. Illustrated instructions were included in the bagged kit.
JB Models produces this kit of the
British FV601 Saladin armored car. The vehicle entered service in 1959,
with production continuing until 1972. A total of 1177 were produced and
widely exported. It was armed with a 76mm main gun plus a 7.62 coaxial mg,
and could reach a top road speed of 45mph. One interesting feature is that
all six wheels are powered, allowing the car to drive even if one wheel
was lost.
The kit is a simple and straightforward model of the Saladin. Similar to the old Airfix and Matchbox kits, very good fit, not very many parts, and some detail is soft. Decals and assembly/painting instructions are included for four versions. I added the figure and antennae; otherwise the kit is out-of-the-box.
ADV Mini from France sent me this model of the Panhard VB2L long chassis armored car. This is a delicate kit with some really nice detail. I added a few extras visible in the photo; handles and tow rings on the hull front, antennae, rear view mirrors, and decals. I may still add a figure.
This vehicle has proven quite popular, and France has exported it to several countries. It recently saw service with the KFOR multinational forces in Kosovo. The configuration featured in this kit is that of a basic liason vehicle. The car has also been armed with heavy machine gun turrets, 20mm cannons, Milan or TOW ATGM launchers, Mistral air defense missiles, and 40mm Lance grenade launchers. It has also been outfitted to carry electro-optical observation equipment, and has also served as an ambulance.
DRAGON models has recently entered the 1/72 AFV model kit field, and
this is their AA7V amphibious armored personnel carrier, as operated by
the Marines in Mogadishu in 1993. The kit goes together quite easily, with
no problems concerning the fit of parts. The hull is two halves of pre-primed
metal (based on their ready-assembled metal kits), which can be screwed
together. There is an annoying seam between the two halves that needs to
be filled (I used superglue). This kit is out-of-box except for the aerials.
I finished it ready to go into the water, with the splashplate in raised
position and the propeller vents open. The kit can also be completed for
dry land operation (plate down, vents closed).
The rear ramp opens, and the top hull doors can be assembled open, but no interior detail is present (so this kit really calls out for interior scratchbuilding!). The tracks are single piece rubber that remain a bit sticky even after painting (with some paints). I soaked the tracks in paint thinner to soak out some softeners, which makes the tracks easier to paint (but they shrink a bit, so I had to stretch them to get them to fit over the wheels. Instructions are well illustrated with color paintings for two camo schemes, and decals are included (the other scheme is for a unit in Somalia). No figures included.
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