ICM Model T RNAS Armoured Car w/WWI British Tank Crew (35670) 1:35 - ICM Via Hannants

[Mike]

Model T RNAS Armoured Car w/WWI British Tank Crew (35670)

1:35 ICM via Hannants Ltd

 

 

WWI was the first war to feature mechanisation of infantry mobility with truck and tanks new to the battlefield. As the first truly mass-produced car, it was not long before the Model T was pressed into use, and eventually turned into an armoured car. In 1915, Commander Oliver Locker-Lampson was tasked with taking an expeditionary force to fight on the Eastern Front through Russia and Persia.  After a huge gale wrecked the first batch of Lanchester cars, nine specially modified 'Model X Ford' Armoured Cars were developed by Chief Petty Officer L Gutteridge and shipped out to replace the damaged ones.  At least half a dozen of them reached the squadron and were used as light recce cars in the summer of 1916 around the Caucuses and Romanian lines.

 

The Kit

The kit arrives in the usual ICM top-opening box with the captive flap on the lower tray and artwork depicting the contents on the lid.  There is one common sprue in grey and another in clear from their other Model T kits, but a complete new body shell for the armoured car has been tooled, and a sprue added for the Vickers machine gun (we've seen this before too).  This boxing has also been augmented  by the addition of a WWI tank crew that was released separately earlier, who are equally at home standing outside an armoured car as a tank.  In total there are four sprues in grey styrene, one in clear, plus three instruction sheet/booklets relating to the vehicle, the crew and the gun.

 

 

 

 

 

Construction begins with trimming all the axles shorter to suit the chassis according to the initial diagram, then the front axle has the radiator attached and is glued on to the main floor pan. The engine is then made up from nine individual parts and added in behind the radiator from below.  The exhaust is completed and attached to the underfloor along with the rear axle and its prop shaft.  Protective side plates fitted under the floor to the outside of the chassis with a wider section covering the engine against incoming rounds. A pair of bracing struts form a triangle with the rear axle, then the chassis is flipped over.  The spoked wheels are covered by flat armoured hubcaps on the outer face and have the tyres moulded-in, with one for each corner as you’d expect.  The cab floor has a single plank moulded-in, with a shaped rear portion and an optional additional five planks that can be fitted in front for “ultimate” comfort.  The pedal box comprises an angled trapezoid into which the three pedals fit on the right side, as this is a British vehicle.

 

The body can now be glued to the back and sides surrounding the radiator with armoured panels, and the steering column is fixed to the steering box with controls fitted between it and the wheel.  A pack of ammo boxes and a protective panel are slotted into the space to the left of the wheel, then the left door and sliding hatch is fitted offset onto the floor around the steering column and boxed in at the rear by the back panel, which also has a sliding hatch.  The roof with bifold fittings moulded-in and bonnet panels are next, plus the windscreen with its visor and the lower panel for frontal protection, followed by the remains of the steering mechanism and anti-roll mechanism underneath.  There’s a lot of lights on this little car, which is the sole reason they kept the clear sprue in this boxing for the lenses, starting with the headlights, then adding two wing lights and a one of the same design at the rear, plus handles for the side door and engine cowling, the latter fixed on both sides.  A spare tyre is fixed to the roof on four moulded-in brackets, then the Vickers MG is built up on its tripod with an armoured splash guard and attachment ring on the jacket, which is inserted into the open rear of the car to finish the vehicle build.

 

 

The figure set depicts the British crews and arrives in a slightly oversized figure shaped box with a top opening lid and captive inner flap.  Inside is a single grey styrene sprue and a glossy instruction sheet with a sprue diagram on one side and painting and build instructions on the other.  The sprue contains parts for four figures, all of which have separate arms, torso, legs and heads, with map case, revolver holster and gas mask bags as additional parts.  The theme of the set has them looking at a map for perhaps an upcoming engagement with one crew member hunkered down pointing at a map with a stick, an officer stood with a stick looking down at the map whilst holding a map case.  The other two figures are both stood upright with their heads bowed as if viewing the map, one with his battle bowler on his head and arms behind his back, the other with it in his hands in front of him.  The kneeling man also has his helmet in his hand, while the officer has a cap that is made of two parts to obtain the correct shape.  The officer is also wearing putties above his boots, and the bare-headed standing figure is wearing spats, while the remaining figures have their trousers loose over their boots.

 

 

Painting instructions are given around the drawings, using a letter code that corresponds with a chart of Revell and Tamiya paints on the opposite side that also has the colour names if you don't use those brands.  Sculpting of the figures is excellent as you would expect from ICM, and the parts breakdown is sensible, with a view to improving detail whilst minimising any filler, breaking along seams or belts where possible.

 

Markings

There’s only one markings option in the box, but then it’s a niche use armoured car, so that’s hardly surprising.  The scheme is brown over grey camo, or vice versa (you decide), with white-walled tyres for the ultimate in camouflage.

 

 

 

The decal sheet is tiny with only a couple of white stencils and two roundels with inverted colours to those you might normally expect.

 

Conclusion

A welcome reboxing for those of us that want some figures with our vehicles, and it’ll look great as a diorama if you have the time and skillset.

 

Highly recommended.

Available in the UK from importers H G Hannants Ltd.

 

Review sample courtesy of