Creative Bantam 40 BRC (35212) - 1:35 Miniart

[Julien]

Bantam 40 BRC (35212)

1:35 MiniArt

 

 

The Bantam BRC 40 was the production version of a 4 wheel drive "Jeep" designed by the American Bantam Car Company. Even though Willys name is more associated with the Jeep it is Bantam produced the first vehicles.  Bantam did not have a large manufacturing base so this was contracted to Willy and later Ford as the Army contracts required 75 Jeeps a day to be produced.  The eventual Willy product was an amalgamation of their own, Bantam's, and Ford's designs. Bantam produced more than 2700 vehicles with over half their production going to the British and Soviet Armies. In the end though the US Army awarded all contracts to Willys and Ford with Bantam only producing trailers. 

 

 

 

The Kit

This is a reboxing of the original "Command Car" from 2008. There are two sprues or normal plastic, a small clear sprue, and a photo-etch sheet for the Jeep, a sprue for the figures, a sprue for equipment; and a sprue for the machine gun seen carries in the back.  Construction starts with the engine. The block is made up with the fan belts and fan being attached to the front. The radiator housing is made up, then both this and the engine are dropped into the front of the chassis. The lower engine block being moulded into the chassis. The front and rear bumpers can then be added to the chassis. Flipping the chassis over then allows the suspension, axles and driver shafts to be added. The exhaust can then be added and an under chassis protection plate added.

 

 

Moving onto the body the front grill and engine firewall are added along with various handles and fittings. Inside the cab the dash, gear selectors, pedals and seats are added in.  The body can then be attached to the chassis. The PE windcreeen can then be added either in the up or down position. The rear top rails can be added along with wheels bonnet. Front lights can be added along with some PE handles and fittings.

 

 

 

If using the machine gun then this can now be made up and added to the rear of the jeep. This is a nice little model in its own right. The wheeled trolley is first made up, then machine gun. These are placed together with a PE screen for the gun. An ammunition belt, and additional ammo cans are provided. 

 

 

5 full figures are included with the kit. A driver, two seated officer type figures, a seated soldier with a sub-machine gun; and a standing female soldier who looks to be directing traffic. The figures are well moulded and come with a variety of equipment including helmets, sub-machine guns, belt kit, entrenching tools, ammo pouches, and grenades. This set is actually Miniart 35049 Soviet Jeep Crew. It is strange the it is not mentioned on the box anywhere that this set of figures is included. 

 

 

Moulding is excellent as you'd expect from MiniArt. This will make a great model in its own right, or as part of a larger diorama. In the box you are essentially getting a Jeep Kit, machine gun kit and a set of figures. Highly recommended. 

 

 

Review sample courtesy of