¹⁄72

M1114 FRAG 5 w/GPK Turret

WOW, that's an amazing model.

The model looks great, thanks for the very thorough build review Matthew. I like the braille scale Humvees from T-Molds, and with all the reviews I have found on-line, it seems the kits are mastered well. My only gripe is with the interior, which looks pretty basic, and the tires. I did notice an aftermarket set of resin tires which should help, but as far as I know there is no aftermarket update for the interior. I do wonder how much of the interior is visible on such a tiny model though... Mario

There should be an extendable platform for the gunner between the seats. And there should be a small shelf on the center dashboard holding a radio set and computer screen and keyboard.

Yes, I agree about the interior details being basic, and my comment about decals being the only thing missing should have included these points (I had them in mind... then they slipped away again) I think the gunner step is the most obvious because it would be visible directly underneath the turret ring if the hatch is open. It would probably be quite easy to scratch as I think it is basically a box with a ridged top surface, like the floor, but it would have been good if it had been added to the additional sprue with the CREW antennae. In answer to Mario's question about what is visible through the windows when all the doors are shut - not a lot, other what can be seen through the turret hatch, which is not much at all. It's a different story if you wanted to have any of the doors open. The interior door details are quite good, but as you correctly point out, the rest is quite simple. The comms / data gear that should be in the front would also have been a nice addition to the new sprue. The seats themselves are also a little basic. With all the doors shut however, it's not a big issue. Regarding the wheels, for me they are only a problem from the point of view of buildability, but I think T-Model have pretty much acknowledged this, and even themselves posted a link to an aftermarket set of resin wheels by ScissorHandz, although I'm not sure of their availability outside of Asia.

@Matthew; I'm struggling through my M1114 - If you had suggested "over-engineering" I would not disagree. I notice you did not use the concerntina-fold PE piece on the rear hood (bonnet). I found that piece impossible so I made one out of styrene strip- then discovered it is an optional part. On further M1114's I'll just discard it altogether. Don't particularly like the clear grill just for the sake of two molded-in headlight lenses. Would have preferred a solid-color grill with holes for separate clear lenses. Complicates painting with extra masking. Still, I would take this one over Revell's any day.

Perhaps an aftermarket company would tackle the lack of interior details. I tried to find more about Scissor Handz, but no luck... hopefully some of the international on-line vendors would pick up their line. Anyway, back to the subject... I really like the Termin Molds model, it looks really good and your version did it justice. I don't usually do 1/72, but the Humvee is a very interesting subject for me and I might just take my chance with the braille scale. I wonder if the company is considering making more Humvee versions; GMV and other Special Ops versions comes to mind. Mario

Great build up and love the colour choice.

Biggles, I felt that the PE enhancements, while they improve the look of the kit, do take it to another level of fiddliness, and as I recall from when building the first kit, there are a few other stressful moments, such as the steering wheel, which seemed more complicated than necessary, and certainly that is true of the wheels. That concertina piece, the Combat Identification Panel - yes, in the text I said that the same thing happened to me, I have literally no idea how to use that piece, without a special former perhaps, but note that there is a plastic one on the accessories sprue, but it is framed, so I think it's to be hung on a door. Apparently these devices have a thermal signature that is different from the vehicle, I think the ridging is to keep them cool; it is supposed to make the vehicle recognisable to any pilots considering destroying them. Definitely optional, they seem to just tie or hang in place, I think they were used at the start of the Iraq war. Also agree, clear headlamp unit makes it tricky to paint, as I pointed out, the instructions don't take account of the need to paint what is behind it, but then most kit instructions don't, I guess. I didn't get it masked 100% accurately, but found that a blob of masking fluid was a lot easier than trying to cut a circle of tape that small. Hope this feature proves of some help however, and looking forward to seeing yours done. Don't forget those joins on the rear side to upper panel. Mario, I think T-Model is planning even more variants, going by the fact that on the new sprue K there is a so far unused turret ring (8), and rear tail plate (3), and then you have already seen the CROWS II device they have designed, I wonder if that will go with the turret, and I am guessing there may also be an OGPK variant. Thanks for the comps, Alex, Dave and Peter, it is appreciated.

Excellent build and finish indeed. I love it.

Your right on saying there is different configurations of the 1114. From what I’ve seen is that it is crew dependent and they decided what they wanted to add to there own 1114. Not one was exactly the same. One had either the duke and the worlock or one had both or didn’t have either and had the bullet directional indicator.