MiniArt US Motorcycle Repair Crew (35284) 1:35

[Mike]

US Motorcycle Repair Crew (35284)

1:35 MiniArt via Creative Models

 

 

During any of the mechanised wars of the 20th and 21st century, motorcycles have been an important tool for messengers, reconnaissance, and even agile light attack behind enemy lines.  During WWII the motorcycle was a more reliable vehicle than it had been in WWI, and saw extensive use by all sides.  The US Army made frequent and widespread use of them, one of which was the Harley Davidson WLA, which was the military version of the WL and appeared in 1940.  These machines required frequent maintenance to keep them running, and when they broke down, to get them back to the front line again.

 

 

The Kit

The title of the kit is slightly misleading, as it implies you're getting the crew only, when in fact you also receive a pair of the aforementioned Harley Davidson motorcycles.  The box art shows the contents, and while it is figure-sized, it is a top-opener with four sprues of grey styrene, a pair of small clear sprues, three frets of Photo-Etch (PE) brass, a decal sheet, and an instruction booklet.  Each of the large sprues contains all the parts for a motorcycle (plus the clear and PE parts), with the three figures on the next largest, and the smallest sprue holding the basic parts for the toolbox.

 

 

 

The instructions begin with the bikes, and have you bending the PE spokes around a dished jig, and some supports for the front mudguard are also bent to shape on another jig, held in place by the pins that fit into the holes on each part.  The tyres are each made from three layers to achieve the detail of the tread pattern, with the spokes fitted into the centre with the styrene hub parts added to the middle.  Then the frame and engine are constructed over several steps, incorporating the rear wheel and exhaust, and later the air box and the wide fuel tank that has dual filler caps.  Underneath, a shaped sump guard is installed with a kick-stand, plus pannier bags on the rear, twin rear lights, instrument binnacle with clear lens and a decal, front fork and wheel with a long mudguard keeping the dirt off the rider.  With the wheel in place on the front forks, the PE parts that were bent to shape earlier are added, and the Thompson-equipped scabbard with additional ammo are hung off these parts.  The handlebars and windscreen with clear top are the final parts, along with a front headlight with clear lens.  The toolboxes have a base of styrene parts, with the thinner parts such as the stays and lid made from PE.  You can build one in the open position and another in the closed pose.  The open box has the most incredibly detailed, tiny nuts, bolts and washers moulded into the compartments, which are quite a sight to behold.   There is also a set of tools supplied to be placed into the box or around the work area, some of which are PE, others styrene, and a few with styrene handles and PE blades.

 

 

The three figures have separate arms, legs, heads, caps, and one chap even has a separate hand in order to maximise detail, with various poses as seen on the front of the box.  One is sitting, another kneeling down fixing something, while the third gentleman is leaning over, probably watching someone else work, which sounds about right!

 

Markings

The decal sheet is small and has some rather neat shoulder patches for the figures, which is very nice to see.  The rest of the decals include white stars, stencils, data plates and instrument dials for the bikes, which are almost universally olive drab in military service, with colours for the engine and ancillary parts called out along the way in a variety of paint manufacturer's codes.

 

Conclusion

More typically excellent figures from MiniArt, and a pair of highly detailed motorbikes into the bargain.  Perfect for a vignette, or the backdrop of a more involved diorama.

 

Very highly recommended.

 

 

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