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Aeroporto Modelos 72 is to release very soon 1/72nd Fairchild F-11 Husky resin kits - ref. AP8807220 - Fairchild F-11 Husky - Float & outboard Canoe Version Source: https://www.aviationmegastore.com/fairchild-husky---wheel--float-version-aeroporto-modelos-72-ap8807220-aircraft-scale-modelling/product/?action=prodinfo&art=183439 - ref. AP8807221 - Fairchild F-11 Husky - Ski Version Source: https://www.aviationmegastore.com/fairchild-husky---ski-version-aeroporto-modelos-72-ap8807221-aircraft-scale-modelling/product/?action=prodinfo&art=183440 - ref. AP8807222 - Fairchild F-11 Husky - Float & outboard Canoe Version Source: https://www.aviationmegastore.com/fairchild-husky---float--outboard-canoe-version-aeroporto-modelos-72-ap8807222-aircraft-scale-modelling/product/?action=prodinfo&art=183441 V.P.

Meng have just announced a Husky TSV (Light). https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1794624983984151&id=195290177250981 HobbyBoss have just announced a Jackal SRV, both a 1 and a 2, and a Coyote TSV (Medium). https://m.facebook.com/TrumpeterModel/photos/a.220979711393963.1073741904.103526326472636/1034568256701767/?type=3&source=48 Long-awaited by many of us who can't afford the cash and stress of the Accurate Armour resin Jackal and Coyote. And of course you can have them in green now (although often still with sand interiors!). Personally, I love the look of the Husky. There is a recovery variant, but that's about it. No-one else uses it: there are other protected versions of the baseline Navistar MXT platform, but Husky is very different and unique. Having both Jackal 1 and 2 covers Iraq and Afghanistan. An SF MENACITY would be nice, but as the Jackal 1 was derived from it a backdate shouldn't be too stretching. There is a little-known SF version of the Coyote capable of carrying motor cycles or an ATV in the back. But I probably shouldn't have mentioned that ............... Some surplus HMT600 chassis/cabs (essentially, Coyote) are being converted into light recovery vehicles, although these will look very different with full cabs and an almost box-van appearance from the side. Stand by for incoming stowage sets from Black Dog, Legend and possibly Panzer Art. Resin wheels from any number of candidates. Potentially Accurate Armour might release correction/upgrade sets for the Jackal and Coyote, I suppose, as they did with the WMIK. Live Resin do a gorgeous H&K GMG with UK mount. They are also the only people who do the current QCB version of the M2 HMG and they have some very nice L7 GPMGs. Also, crew personal weapons in the shape of all 4 versions of the SA80 (IW, LSW, UGL, carbine), the Combat Shotgun (Benelli M4) and LMG, plus add-on sets with the right sights, downgrips, laser pointers, spare magazines etc. Accurate Armour do the Sharpshooter rifle, but their SA80s are not as good as Live's and still have the plastic handguards and SUSAT sights (which are OK for Iraq). The 2 Australian versions of the Coyote could perhaps (hopefully!) be later releases. Australian subjects are popular. I bet 6x6 Perentie LRPV or a G-Wagen SRVs would go down a storm ......... (sigh!). Whatever happened to the Bronco Suzuki ATV with Logic trailer announced years ago??? Nothing: that's what. And will Takom please release the BVs10 Viking and unarmoured BV206 ..................

Further to my Majorette VW camper ambulance project I decided to finally rejuvenate a little 1/68th scale Husky’ VW Beetle of 1969 vintage. The car was bought for 5p at a VW show about 35 years ago and was already in a fairly well battered state and it didn’t have its roof mounted luggage anymore. I decided that it had lain forlorn in the loft long enough and was in need of some TLC. After stripping it down to its component parts I decided to fill the holes in the roof rather than try to source a replacement luggage pack and to do this I simply used ‘Squadron’ Green Putty, which when dry was secured with a thin coat of super glue. I used Tamiya acrylics throughout and the glass was gently cut back with automotive T-Cut and then polished. The body colour is Copper, and the trim Chrome Silver. The interior was also painted which in hind sight was a waste of time as it can hardly be seen. Also In hind sight I suppose, the runnng boards could have been painted black and a dark wash applied over the grills etc, but it really isn’t a show car, merely a bit of fun. Anyway, like the camper van this has been a nice relaxing diversion from plastic modelling, but I won’t be doing any more of these as I really must get back to my two half finished kit projects.

Canadian AVGP Husky 1:35 Trumpeter Originally, Husky AVGP armoured recovery vehicles were designated as the "Car, Armoured, Maintenance & Recovery" or "Wheeled Maintenance & Recovery Vehicle". The Husky has a raised rear compartment to provide room for a modest workshop space. The most dramatic distinction from other AVGPs is the rooftop crane. The Husky otherwise follows the layout of the Grizzly Infantry Section Carrier complete with optional GPMG on a rotating pintle-mount in the rear position. The Husky has a crew of only two – the driver and a technician (who operated the ARV's defensive armament and the knuckle-boom hydraulic crane). The roof-mounted hoist had a 4500 kg capacity and was operated from within the armour hull. To extend its reach, the Hiab crane was also extensible to about 6.5 m. The Husky was stabilized during heavy crane using its two, swing-down hydraulic jacks pivoting from just in front of the rear wheel sets. Equipped with a Hiab 650-series crane is generally used for engine removal, but also helped with tire changes on other AVGPs. The Husky were also equipped with a hydraulic winch (with a pull of up to 8128 kg ). Originally designated to be withdrawn from service in 2015, the Huskies are undergoing a life extension program enabling them to continue to support the remaining Grizzly, and Cougar vehicles. The Model The kit comes packaged in a smaller version of the standard Trumpeter box with a depiction of the vehicle at work having removed an engine pack. Inside there are seven sprues and two hull halves in a light grey styrene, one sprue of clear styrene, along with a small etched sheet, decal sheet, six rubber tyres, a length of braided wire and a length of thicker single strand wire. The parts are very nicely moulded with no sign of flash and only a few moulding pips. Whoever the team that are designing the latest batch of military vehicles for Trumpeter is they should be commended for their work, as on dry fitting the hull sections together there was a pleasant click and no a gap to be seen all round the seam line. Parts breakdown is good, and not overly complicated, (although there are still areas which need some care and attention when fitting the parts), but still with plenty of detail out of the box. Construction begins with the wheels, each wheel comes as inner and outer hubs which, when joined together has the rubber tyres slid into the central recess. As is common these days the tyres are hollow and may sag over time. To prevent this it may be an idea to fill the lower halves with Milliput or similar that shouldn't react with the rubber. WIth the wheels completed construction moves naturally to the lower hull and the fitting of the transmission boxes. Each box is made up out of five parts onto which the drive shafts are attached before the completed assemblies are fitted into their respective hull locations. Once the rear axle support beams and other support mounts have been attached the torsion bar style suspension parts for the four rear axles can be mounted. The front axles are of a different configuration with a combined external spring shock absorber and axle per wheel. Either side of the rear hull the propeller drive units, propellers and guards are fitted, whilst at the front the large trim board is attached. just to the front of the forward pair of rear wheels a pair of what look like air accumulators are attached, one each side and using different thicknesses of brass wire the simulated airlines are assembled. The lower hull is now complete and the instructions call for the six wheels to be fitted, but should really be left off until the paintwork is complete. With the lower hull complete work can begin n the upper hull. First of all sub assemblies for items such as the headlights, floodlight, main hatches, Jerry cans and drivers windscreen are completed. These are then fitted to their respective positions along with the drivers viewing ports, towing eyes, grab handles, PE clamps and brackets, aerial bases, drivers hatch and the rotating base for the Hiab crane. These are followed by the fitment of the two smoke discharger assemblies just forward of the main hatches, the technicians hatch and viewing port, sundry handles and clamps, PE covers, and a pair of towing beams with PE straps. The engine exhaust cover is fitted next, followed by the various pioneer tools and a couple of footsteps on the rear hull sides. The M2 50 calibre machine gun breech section is in two halves, once joined the gun is fitted with the firing handles, ammunition box cradle, ammunition box and finally the pintle which is the attached to the machine gun mounting and fitted to the technicians hatch ring. Two more floodlights are fitted aft of the main hatches and the towing cable is assembled from the braided wire and two styrene end pieces and fitted to the right hand side rear. The Hiab crane is a little model in itself with the main structure made up of the various actuator rams, support beams and fittings. The retractable boom can be assembled in either extended or retracted depending the modellers preference. With the boom and jib assembled it is fitted to the rotating base on the vehicle and more brass wire is used to depict the numerous hydraulic hoses that are prominent on these cranes The rear bulkhead and its two hatches are assembled and fitted out with the rear light clusters, main towing hook and a couple of smaller eyes then fitted to the lower hull, followed by another towing beam with hook. The two completed hull halves are the joined together, and having done some dry fitting the fit is superb with no visible gaps at all. Decals The small decal sheet has identification numbers and registration numbers for two vehicles one in three colour camo and one in two colour camo. There are also a number of stencils and unit insignia. The colour charts unfortunately don't give unit information for these vehicles, but since only twenty seven have been built it shouldn't take too much detective work to find out. Conclusion This is another great little kit which, with the fit and details shouldn't take too long to put together. It'll certainly be a good kit to start if the mojo is a little depleted. As usual though it may be an idea to get a set of resin wheels once they are released just to ensure there'll be no sag over time that could possibly happen to the rubber ones. It's just a shame the the kit didn't come with an engine pack as depicted on the box art as that would have for an nice diorama when placed with a Cougar or Grizzly. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of