GTK Boxer GTFz A1 - 1:72 Revell

[Paul A H]

GTK Boxer GTFz A1

1:72 Revell

 

The Gepanzertes Transport Kraftfahrzeug (GTK) Boxer is a Dutch-German Armoured Fighting Vehicle designed and built to fulfil a number of requirements. Originally conceived of as a joint venture between France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, the partnership unravelled in the late 1990s and early 2000s, leaving the Dutch and German parties as the only remaining participants. The vehicle is larger and heavier than many other vehicles which have been designed for a similar purpose, although its eight wheels give it a long and low-slung appearance. The Boxer is a utility vehicle, designed to undertake a range of different tasks though the installation of mission-specific modules, each of which can be changed within an hour. Mission modules either developed or in development include Armoured Personnel Carrier, Infantry Fighting Vehicle, mobile artillery or mortar platform, combined missile and gun anti-aircraft system, command post, a, logistics and battle damage repair. The modern design features replaceable composite armour and protection from explosions below the vehicle. It is designed to be easy to deploy and maintain and can be carried in the new A400M transport aircraft (diorama idea no. 1!).

This brand-new kit from Revell is their first completely new small scale AFV since the excellent T-90 appeared around this time last year. The kit arrives packed into the usual black, end-opening box that Revell employ for all of their AFV and artillery kits. Inside are 119 plastic parts spread across 6 sprues of dark green plastic and a (very) small clear sprue. First impressions are extremely positive, as the mouldings look clean and crisp and as usual, Revell have packed in an impressive amount of detail for a 1:72 scale model. The high part count points towards this being a detailed and perhaps even complex kit, so lets take a look as see if thats true.

 

 

 

 

 

As is usually the case with this kind of kit, construction begins with the lower hull. The lower part of the chassis comes first, to which the angular front, rear and side parts of the hull have to be added, along with the internal bulkhead. A detailed interior is provided, and the colour for this will depend on the version you choose to build, so pay close attention to the instructions! The interior includes parts for the driver's compartment and a floor pan for the rear compartment, which follows the mission-dependent modular approach of the real thing. Each wheel features independent suspension with two coil springs per wheel and steering for the front two pairs of wheels. The overall effect is complex but highly detailed in fact not too far off its 1:35 big brother reviewed by our very own Michael way back in 2011. This theme continues through to the way that the wheels are designed. Instead of being made up of two parts like most kits, they are made up of three, with the central layer sandwiched between inner and outer faces in order to better capture the look of the tyre treads. Once the running gear has been assembled and fitted to the lower hull, the vehicle starts to take on its distinctive wedge-shaped appearance. The upper glacis plate fits in place over the driver's compartment, with a gap for the elevated hatch/vision block so not all of that internal detail will be hidden. Before construction turns to the rear compartment, many of the smaller details have to be added to the front of the vehicle. This serves to reinforce the modular approach that Revell have taken and hints at alternative versions to come.

 

 

 

 

 

The rear compartment in this case is for the A1 version, which I understand is the basic APC version used by the Bundeswehr, albeit upgraded for Afghanistan. Essentially a funny-shaped box, it is made up of six slabs onto which some of the external detail is added by way of additional moulded panels. External details include hatches, aerials, mirrors and lights, as well as tow cables. A choice of either a 12.7mm machine gun or a 40mm grenade launcher are provided, both of which are very nicely moulded. Both options fit into a small turret which includes an array of smoke launchers.

 

 

Four options are catered for on the decal sheet, although  mine seems to have gone walkabouts (not sure if this was my fault or Revell's. It could easily be mine).

• German-French Brigade, JgBtl 292, Exercise Peregrine Sword , 2012
• ISAF, German Contingent, Task Force, Mazar-e-Sharif, 2012
• ISAF, German Contingent, OP North, 2013
• Unknown unit, Germany 2014

The first three vehicles are in the three-tone sand/brown camouflage used by German forces in Afghanistan. The last vehicle is painted in the more familiar NATO green/brown/black scheme.

Conclusion

This really is a kit straight from the top-drawer. The level of detail is simply phenomenal if anything it approaches over complicated but the end results will be more than worth the effort. Highly recommended.

 

Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit or

 

 

[badger]

Just had one of these land on the doorstep. Looks a very nice kit indeed!!

[Sgt.Squarehead]

Great to see a modern wheeled vehicle that doesn't come with vinyl tyres.