BIG-SCALE FINE MOLDS JEEP

SMN REPORT:

Here’s a tasty variation in big 1:20 scale kits for military modellers - it’s a Fine Molds model of a quarter-ton US Army Jeep, the original 4x4 that was jack-of-all-trades for Allied forces in World War II.

Fine Molds company Jeep

The Fine Molds kit represents the slatted grilled version, and indeed it’s based on the vehicle that bears the FM logo, as owned by the company. There are plenty of goodies included with this latest variation, including new tyres, clear components, and a nicely produced manual, with plenty of detail pix of the company vehicle.

Detail-up set

That’s not all, as there’s a beautifully-produced metal-etch set available (at extra cost) for the Jeep - though really, anyone who is going to buy the 1:20 scale kit is almost certainly going to this set, so a pity that it’s an extra-cost item. Still, the separation of kit and photo-etch does at least allow the modelmaker to make a choice, so we won’t be too harsh on Fine Molds for this.

Plenty of parts

The Fine Molds Jeep has all the sort of stuff we’d expect - wipers, detailed suspension, shovel and pick axe, grab handles - you name it, the kit seems to have it. Markings are provided for three Jeeps, including US Army and Royal Air Force models.

Will 1:20 become the new 1:32 scale?

Just one thing though - 1:20 is a slightly odd scale, as there’s not a lot out there to match it. Unless... what about a fantasy diorama, grouped with a bunch of Maschinen Krieger sci-fi troopers?! Maybe... maybe not!

The 1:20 scale Fine Molds Jeep kit is available soon, meantime there’s plenty of other Fine Molds stuff here.

GIANT JEEP - DRAGON 'DESERT RAIDER' TO 1:6 SCALE

Mat Irvine looks at a four-wheeled shelf-filler:

Are kits getting bigger, or is it just my imagination? Or is there a good reason for sheer size? Well, here is a 1:6 scale vehicle that can lay claim to commonsense, for the Dragon SAS 4x4 Desert Raider Jeep is to the same scale as many popular military figures, such as GI Joe and Action Man, and also many of Dragon’s own superbly detailed military figures. This Jeep is not the first biggie from Hong Kong-based Dragon either - others include German vehicles, the Kubelwagen, Schwimmwagen, and Pz Kpfw II AusfB tank.

What’s in the box?

The Dragon Jeep has already been made in a US Army version, this latest being a British SAS desert-equipped machine. The kit has over 370 parts, which for the size of kit is not really so many (especially when compared with truly complex kits, such as the 2500-component Dora rail gun) and because of the size, the Jeep not all that complex to build. The parts are moulded in light grey, which means applying a straightforward desert tan shade, then weathering as much as you like. As well as plastic parts, there are peel-off decals for the instruments, and a few other labels. There’s also flexible ribbon supplied, to make straps for ammo cans, and a solid metal axle for the rear wheels.

Something missing?

The complete chassis, four-wheel drive system and transfer boxes are featured, but oddly enough there’s no separate engine supplied. Luckily, this is not obvious unless you view the finished vehicle from directly underneath. A pity though, as it would be a good subject for a down and dirty spanner-and-toolkit maintenance diorama.

Still, the sheer size makes it a tempting build, and it’s certainly a kit for the to-do pile in the - hopefully - not too distant future. Keep an eye open for my build update.

Kit supplied courtesy Dragon’s UK importer and distributor, The Hobby Company.

Visit Dragon Models here.