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MD-3 Ground Power Unit (8058) 1:48


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MD-3 Ground Power Unit (8058)

1:48 CMK by Special Hobby

 

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Powered by a 180-hp six-cylinder engine, this unit generated 28-volt DC 1500 amp, 115/220-volt AC power (I had to look this up!), it was used to power US aircraft on the ground in the 60s and 70s.  This set from CMK arrives in a small card box and includes twelve resin parts on seven casting blocks, a small decal sheet, a fret of Photo-Etch (PE) brass, plus the instruction sheet in colour.  Casting is finely detailed and without bubbles, with sensibly placed attachment points to minimise work in removing them.

 

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Construction begins with the large monobloc bodyshell, under which the suspension parts and short steering axle mechanism are added.  The single-part wheels and tyres are fixed to the rear axle, and either side of the front steering axle, in the recess that allows them to turn under impulse from the towing bar.  A gaggle of small PE brackets and vents are added, with three large grilles on the side and two more on the rear, plus more little PE parts along the way.  The towing hook and arm are added to the front axle with two damper springs, and at either end of the starboard side (if you were sat on top facing the front) a PE hook is installed, ready for the cabling to attach to the aircraft, which you must supply yourself from 0.5mm wire in 60mm lengths.

 

Markings

The instructions show the unit painted in yellow, with a red warning around the exhaust grilles and the towing hook.  Around the edges are pale grey markers, and various stencils cover portions of the sides and top.  Some were painted green later, so check your references.

 

Conclusion

This shouldn’t take long to build, and will look great next to a suitable aircraft once you’ve beaten it up a little and weathered it suitably as befits its role and lack of care from its operators.

 

Highly recommended.

 

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Review sample courtesy of

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