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Back in around 1992 a company called JB Models started releasing a range of simple but rather useful kits including the Vickers Mk VI light tank, FV601 Saladin, FV 603 Saracen APC, a couple of versions of the US M113 APC, various Land Rovers and Bedford lorries. Their last kit seems to have been the 105mm Light Gun in around 2003, and then Airfix seem to have acquired the moulds. In fact they seem to have had a relationship with Airfix quite early on as they actually released a reboxing of the Airfix Scorpion/Scimitar in around 1993 according to Scalemates. I built a couple of their Light Mk VI not long after they were released, and an Airfix boxing of the M113 ACV a couple of years ago, and now I am going to have a shot at the Airfix ex JB Saladin. Originally armoured cars were intended as scouting vehicles with light armour and limited offensive capability though some users preferred small tracked vehicles which were better for cross country work, but slower and somewhat noisier which could make sneaking up on the enemy a bit difficult. Inevitably both types were "misused" against enemy tanks and strongpoints and so the armament started to become heavier, and after the end of WWII the UK started thinking about something bigger and better armed than the Humber, Daimler and US Staghounds that saw wartime service. Thus was eventually born the Saracen, somewhat delayed by priority being given to the FV 603 Saracen APC based on the same chassis, but more on that later. The Ferret was developed at about the same time as a replacement light armoured car to replace the old Daimler "Dingo". Pete

I decided that I did not have time to build another plane due to other committments, so I thought I would have a shot at this, I bought it about 10 years ago along with the Airfix Saladin and Saracen, but I never opened the box it seems, so I had a bit of a surprise just now. Clearly the one piece wheels and tracks are not normal for Airfix so I had a look on Scalemates and all was revealed. About 20 years ago I bought a couple of kits of the British Light Mk VI tank made by a British company called JB Models during the 1990's. Later, in around 2008 Airfix started selling the same kit, and it seems that they must have aquired the moulds from JB. They also aquired some others, this M113 together with the "fire support" version, the Saladin, Saracen and the LWB Land Rover with trailer. JB also made the 105mm "light gun" and a Bedford lorry and tanker. Airfix have re-boxed all of them at some point. Curiously, JB also released a Scorpion/Scimitar light tank, but it turns out that that was a re-box of the old Airfix kit! Strangely however, they do not seem to have aquired the moulds for the Landrover 1 tonne truck and Ambulance which appear to have gone to Eastern Europe. Anyway, this is clearly quite a simple kit but nicely detailed as were the Mk VI tanks from the same source, and Scalemates say that all 3 versions which decals are provided for actually served in Vietnam. However, the support version whch Airfix sold as "M113 US Fire Support Vehicle" is actually the version fitted with the turret and gun from the Saracen Armoured car, which was also used in 'Nam. but by the Australians, not the US. The only slight disappointment is the lack of stowage and clutter such as spare wheels that often was to be seen on these APC in service, but I can probably do something about that as I have some resin stuff I bought from Millicast a few years back - boxes, camo netting, roled canvas etc According to Airfix it has black rubber tyres on the wheels and just about everything else is green, but I won't be following their suggestion to use Humbrol Hu30! Besides the 3 rotating gun shields it can be built with the top doors/hatches open, and the water trim vane open or closed. Does anybody know what the interior colour was - white/cream perhaps? I would imagine that the inside of the hatches would have been the same colour as the hull though. Anyway, I will make a start on this shortly - should not take too long but I have said that many times before only to be proved wrong! I was also considering building a T-54 tank, but am not sure what markings it would have so probably won't bother. Cheers Pete