Takom AML-60 French Light Armoured Car - 1:35 Takom

[Julien]

AML-60 French Light Armoured Car
1:35 Takom
 

 

The AML-60 was designed from the original AML-245 specification by Panhard originally being designated the AML-245B. This was the initial production variant with a rounded turret containing twin 7.62mm machine guns and a breech lading 60mm mortar. The mortar was normally loaded from inside the vehicle via its breech like normal artillery, or from outside the vehicle like a conventional mortar. It has an elevation of +80° and a depression of −15°. In the vehicle the commander acquires targets and direct the gunner sighting via a combined monocular telescope & binocular periscope.  Range of the mortar is 300m in the direct fire role, and 1700m in the indirect fire role. 3200 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 32 mortar bombs are carried. The AML60-20 would later replace the twin machine guns with a 20mm autocannon.


The Kit
This is a welcome new tool from Takom who seem to be on a mission to bring us less mainstream vehicles. The kit arrives on 4 main sprues, a small clear sprue, 5 rubber tyres, a lower hull part, and the turret. All of the parts are up to Takom's usual standard. The kit does not feature an interior. Of note are the instructions (which I dont normally mention), it seems Takom have shrunk their normal A4 instructions down to A5 to fint in the box, and this had made them harder to read. Construction starts with the lower hull. The rear of the car is attached to the hull along with additional side parts the rear frame and the main side door. The rear wheel housing and suspension components and springs are also added. Additional handles and smaller parts are also added at this stage.

 

 

The front suspension components are then built up and added to the lower hull. Followed by the wheel housing and their suspension components. The wheels can then be built up. These consist of five plastic components for each wheel in addition to the tyres. The upper hull deck can then be added to the lower hull. Tools and periscopes are added at this stage., along with a sand channel and other parts which I suspect a lot of modellers will leave off untill the end.

 

 

Next the turret is built up from the main part with the hatches, tools and other ancillary parts being added. A choice of twin machines guns & motar, or the 20mm autocannon can be added though the instruction make no note which of any of the decal options carried this, and the decal / markings guides do not show any vehicles with this armament! Once the choice of armament is in place the lower turret ring can be added, other lights and a tarp can then be added to the turret. The completed turret can then be added to the hull.

 

 

Markings
There are 4 options included with the kit, and are featured on the coloured artwork.

 

• Spanish Legion - Sahara 1970s (overall sand)
• Spanish Legion - Sahara 1970s (overall green)
• French Army - (3 colour camo)
• Portuguese Army (overall green)

Conclusion
This is welcome new tool from Takom of Armoured Car which was used by the Armies of many nations around the world. No doubt the aftermarket producers will do decals and probably a full interior at some point.

Highly recommended.

 

Review sample courtesy of
UK Distributors for

[Antoine]

Thanks Julien.

Nice to see this icon of 20th century african wars at last in 1/35 scale.

There's also a special edition for the French market with decals for five units of the French Army.

[Julien]

1 hour ago, Antoine said:

Thanks Julien.

Nice to see this icon of 20th century african wars at last in 1/35 scale.

There's also a special edition for the French market with decals for five units of the French Army.

No worries I really like these armoured cars. I have all the Heller VAB kits and the Tiger Hobbies VBLs + AMXs.

 

I must now find the Special Edition of this kit, any idea which retailers I can get one from?

 

Julien

[Antoine]

I'd get mine from Oupsmodel in France, where the service is always perfect.

They started with more than twenty of each kit (two AML, an AMX-13 and an M47, check my posts on the "what did you get" topic),

and went out of stock yesterday.

I'll ask them if they'll get more, and come back to you.