Designed for Tamiya Kit
Review by Terry Ashley
The first of two details
sets designed for the Tamiya M5A1. The first thing that strikes me is that
Verlinden has missed a golden opportunity to correct the rear deck problem
with the Tamiya
kit. In the kit is a large casting for a rear storage box which is not a common
M5 feature, if this resin had been devoted to a new rear hull, they could have
scored some big points with modellers. That aside, lets look at what is actually
in the update set.
There are 74 finely cast resin pieces, the quality of the resin casting is blemish
free as is usual for Verlinden sets. An etched fret is also included with the
rear exhaust grills (but no hull intake grills?). The entire running gear is
replaced in resin with solid roadwheels and idler wheels plus new drive sprockets.
The drive sprockets will need care and a bit of work to remove from the carrier
and then assemble.
Periscopes for the turret and hull hatches as well as small items for the hull
front are included. A large rear storage box as mentioned and "cullen" hedgerow
cutters are provided. The new .50cal casting as well as a new .30cal casting,
the pioneer tolls, a number of .50cal and .30cal ammo boxes and three
US style 'Jerry' cans complete the resin parts.
The etched parts are for exhaust grills, light guards, .30cal mounting and a
number of small latches and equipment straps.
This set if used on it's own will give a different "feel" to the Tamiya's M5 kit.
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