Tamiya Pink Panther Update Set - 1:35 legend Productions

[Mike]

Pink Panther Update Set (for Tamiya)
1:35 Legend Productions

Tamiya's SAS Pink Panther Land Rover kit has recently been re-released, which should please a lot of folks, and Legend have also re-released their excellent resin update set that improves both the basic kit, and adds the stowage that was typical of these highly personalised and heavily loaded vehicles, which sometimes had to stay out in the desert for extended periods.

The set arrives in a small cardboard box, with a picture of the stet installed on the top side. Inside is a large bag of resin, which also contains another bag, to reduce breakages during transport/handling. Additionally, a separate bag containing a Photo-Etched (PE) fret of brass, a length of brass rod, some flexible brass wire, a short length of chain, and a length of braided string/rope. Pouring the contents of the resin bags onto the desk gives a good sense of the sheer quantity of parts included, and you'll be spending plenty of time removing all the casting blocks, which are generally on the mating surfaces, which simplifies the task somewhat. Remember to protect your lungs from the fine dust by wearing a mask, and if using something less than a respirator, do it outside, weather permitting.

The instruction sheet is quite small compared to the part count, but it is printed on full-colour glossy paper using photographs to show where everything goes, which should make progress pretty easy. The front end of the Tamiya kit is showing its age, and as such the Legend PE is put to good use here. The radiator grille it removed from the fender part, and is replaced by a more realistic PE part, to which a pair of resin headlights, a Land Rover badge and army style number plate reading 10 FG 67 are added. The front smoke dischargers are mounted on the bumper, and these are replaced by PE mounts and resin tubes with grenades in situ. A new shackle for the front spare wheel is also added, and a short length of the supplied wire is inserted through the shaft to hold everything together. In the cab, two posable searchlights, extinguisher, map holder, compass and a pair of new resin crew seats are added, together with radio gear and stowage between the seats. In the rear, another pair of searchlights are installed on resin mounts, compass, stowage, water/fuel cans, the crew's webbing belts, bedrolls and PE racks in which to keep the cylindrical containers supplied with the set. Smoke dischargers are mounted on the rear of the vehicle, and the tail gate is posed open and festooned with stowage, being held horizontal by the retaining chain that is supplied in the set.

The two weapons mounts supplied in the kit are given detailed resin GPMG machine guns atop new resin mounts, with resin ammunition cans attached to the mounts. The rear feed is enclosed in a feed-chute, while the front is exposed, and a trio of lengths of link are included to place between the breech and box. Any spare could be heat deformed to drape over the vehicle, or used to decorate the tops of open boxes if you have access to some PE ammo boxes of the correct type.

On the bonnet/hood, the tripod for the range-finder is given realistic PE tie-downs, a mounting plate for another spare wheel (unused), a large tarpaulin, and two dust-proof holsters for weapons stowage, with more equipment lashed to the upper surface. Additional jerry cans are carried outboard of the driver and passenger "doors", which are replaced by resin items in their brackets.


Conclusion
What a comprehensive set! The sheer volume of parts will give you all the detail you need for the chassis, with perhaps only a set of replacement wheels needed to give the ultimate detail. Resin casting is first rate, the casting blocks are sensibly placed, and there are no bubbles evident on my review samples. A must have for anyone serious about creating a super-detailed model of this iconic Landy.

Very highly recommended.

Available soon in the UK


Review sample courtesy of

[Antoine]

Look at Hussar for the wheels.

[68 SQUADRON]

ME GONNA GET ME ONE OF THESE ME THINKS