Alan McNeilly provides an in-box review of the new Resicast Conversion Set for the Tamiya 1/35 Universal Carrier. This set is designed to turn the Mk II carrier into an earlier Mk I version.

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

I noticed that the instructions with this kit are a lot better than the usual instructions you get with a lot of other resin kits. Does anyone remember those Jaguar instructions? They were a photocopy of a photocopy of a photocopied picture taken on a 1976 Polaroid. These look much better.

Hi Tapper,

If you look at any of their recent releases, you'll see that the standard of instructions sheets has taken a large leap forward. Picked up the odd error in this one as the build progressed but in general they are pretty good, easy to follow and the pics a great help. LIke all instructions you need to read them carefully and consult a few references along the way.

Al

I'm afraid I'm becoming increasingly fascinated with the Universal carrier and may have to pick up this conversion befopre the recession bites too hard besides by buying it it can only hasten the arrival of a correct plastic kit.

I'm not a fan of the Osprey Vangyard series so how would you rate the Osprey New Vanguard Universal Carrier 1936-48, the ‘Bren Gun Carrier’ Story?

There's a carrier in the National History Museum (Which is in Collins Barracks, Dublin where I was stationed in the army) but theyt don't allow photos

Hi Pat,

Depends on what you want. The Osprey Universal Carrier is an easy read and has some good general info and plates. It runs to their normal format.

For diagrams on stowage I'd recommend the Militay Vehicle Workshop Series Universal Carrier Mk I/II cost about £3.00.

Although it only arrived yesterday Nigel Watson's Universal Carrier Volume 1 looks to be a seriously good book. Photo lead it's packed with information on the Dragon, Armoured MG, Cavalry Scout, AOP, Bren, Lloyd and Universal Carriers. Written for the owners, modellers, restorers and ex-servicemen it would seem to be the bees knees on Carriers. On the front of the Mk I carrier instructions it's highlighted as 'Absolute Reading' by Graham and I have to say just having had a quick look through, there will be more of these getting build over the years lol, lol. It's not cheap, I think mine was around £30.00 from Waterstones.

If plastic model manufacturers can't see the potential in this vehicle and it's variations well .......lol, lol.

The Tamiya kit may be old but Resicast's new conversion sets have breathed a complete new lease of life into it IMHO.

Cheers and happy modelling.

Al