M151A1
Academy Kit No. 1323
1/35th Scale
In Box Review by Terry Ashley

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The kit consists of 118 parts in dark olive plastic, another 17 clear parts and 7 vinyl tyres.
The detail on the parts is excellent with many small parts needing care to remove from the sprues and attach to the model. Pin ejector marks are again almost non existent although there are a few about, but nothing that can't be easily fixed.

The main body is one large moulding which includes the side panels and front radiator grill as well as the batteries under the passenger seat. The front grill has open slats as they should be. The separate rear plate has the correct older style tail lights for the version.

A full engine is provided with all the major components included, the addition of plumbing and wiring will really enhance this. Also included is a separate radiator which can be seen through the front grill. The hood has detail included on both sides and I'm pleased to say there are no pin ejector marks on the inside. The two side hood "T" attachments are also included as separate parts.

The suspension is fairly basic but again has the major components included. The wheels are very well done with the lightening holes actually being holes and the centre lie-down lugs being separate parts. Added to the wheels are vinyl tyres which have nice tread patterns as well as clear embossing on the sidewalls.

The windscreen has the clear part in a single piece, but this does included the centre frame moulded in for the two part screen for the A1 variant. Unfortunately the boxtop art doesn't show this but shows the one piece screen of the A2 variant which is a bit misleading.

As I mentioned there are quite a few small parts included, among these are separate tow shackles on the front bumper as well a separate dog ears with the holes included on the rear tow pintle. There are also a number of alternate parts, the wiper blades are included on the windscreen moulding but they are also included as separate parts, this allows you carefully remove the moulded on wipers and position the separate ones at any angle you wish.

The two small park lights on the front fender wings are given in olive plastic as well as clear parts, as well as separate reflectors in clear plastic. A number of these parts are shown as not used on the instruction sheet but there is nothing stopping you from using them. Also on the sprues are later type reflectors obviously for different versions slatted for future release.

A very nice M60 GPMG is included with separate front support legs.

The decal sheet has markings for two M151's from Vietnam, also on the decal sheet are the main instrument dials and a few data panels for the inside of the windscreen.

In all, an excellent kit with detail everywhere for such a small vehicle. The inclusion of seven tyres means we will most probably see a trailer in a future release. This model is a must for anyone wanting to build a Vietnam era Mutt as well as anyone just wanting a nice little model.

The Sprues:

Page created 8 April 2002