Skunkmodel NC-2A Mobile Electric Power Plant. 1:32

[Shar2]

NC-02A Mobile Electical Power Cart

Skunkmodel Workshop 1:32

History
The NC-02A is a self contained mobile electrical power plant for use primarily on board USN aircraft carriers. The vehicle provides 115/200 volts, 400 hertz AC and 28 volt DC to provide external power to aircraft. They are generally used when maintenance checks or servicing is required on deck without the need to start the engines. They can also be used to help start an aircraft up which hasnt got an Auxiliary Power Unit, (APU) fitted.

The Model
The kit, or kits, as there are two complete models are contained within the rather flimsy end opening box with a series of pictures of a completed model in a diorama scenario. Although the box titling states it is a NC-8A Mobile Electric Power Plant, (MEPP), it is fact a NC-02A, the 8A being more generally used on shore stations and is of a completely different configuration. The four sprues of light grey styrene appear to be really quite hard and as such could be quite brittle when removing parts from the sprues. Detail is generally nicely moulded although the slotted louver grilles along the sides need to be opened up or replaced as the solid items dont look particularly good. The single piece tyres have a seam going around their circumference which will need to be removed, but since there isnt any tread on that section this should be easy with a few swipes of a sanding sponge.

The build is pretty simple, with the sides, front and rear being affixed to the chassis bed, along with the drivers position panels, plus front and rear bumpers. The roof section is fitted with the side of the drivers position, the head rest and a cross strengthened panel before being glued into position, along with the drivers seat squab. The next three sub-assemblies are built up with the steering wheel being attached to the steering column, the instrument panel is made up of four parts and an electrical box is made up of three parts. These are then fitted into the drivers compartment, along with the accelerator and brake pedals. The four axles are attached to in hull bottom inside each wheel arch, whilst each wheel is made up of a single piece hub and two tyres per corner before being fitted to the axles. Apart from painting and adding the decals that is pretty much it.

Decals
Each of the two decals sheets are the same and provide the placards, MEPP ID numbers, corner markers and bumper stripes. There are two different ID numbers for the MEPPs thus allowing both units to be used in one diorama should you wish. The decals are well printed, in good register and quite thin with little sign of carrier film.

Conclusion
These two kits will make a nice addition to any diorama or even as a display item in its own right. I would like to have seen the cable tray/reel panels to be positionable and perhaps even some electrical cable to have been provided, but I guess costs needed to be kept down and a good modeller should be able to knock up a few cables. Highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[tony.t]

Nice review.

Have two nearing final assembly and the fit is good. Just be careful cutting as the major parts have beveled edges which require filing at the appropriate angle. It makes for a nicer finish.

I wasn't happy with the twin wheel arrangement so sanded down the insides of the paired tyres and filled in the seams to make four fatter tyres, which looks more the part to me. I may be modelling a hybrid '2 and '8 but they now "look right".

Hope to see Skunk Models do more aerospace ground/deck equipment in 1/32.

Tony