Gino Quintiliani reviews E.T. Model''s PE update set for the Trumpeter M1078 LMTV.



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Thanks!

Thanks for working it up and posting it Bill.

I used this kit on my LMTV build and its not the greatest.
It could just be me (or indeed, my particular etch set) but some of the folds broke apart after only a little working. They didn't seem to be as strong as some etch sets or as flexible as Eduards. Some building of the etch parts was extremely tricky and the placement of some parts not entirely sensible. The tie-down assembly for the spare wheel was the worst in my opinion. I would advise the use of kabuki tape instead.

The good parts were the dashboard dials (there is an accetate set of dials and an etched cover) that, when painted, looks excellent. The mud-guards also build up very nicely (the kit parts have ejector pin marks on both sides and need to be filled and sanded). The Stewart and Stevenson badge, as Bill mentions, is also pretty good and gives the front a nice finish.

However, the two boxes in the cab, I found, aren't all that accurate. In photos of the interior of the vehicle these boxes are simple items and in pictures of the interior of the vehicle they are often left open to reveal a black square mesh inside. (There is also a similar sized box with mesh attached to the roof of the cab behind the driver position.)

Basically, I would just say, take care when using this etch set as it is pretty tricky.

(Thanks to Bill for his review.)

Thank you, Karl, but it was Gino's review, I just edited it.

PE thickness varies enormously from manufacturer to manufacturer. While I can't comment in specific on this set or Karl's work, but I can say that several steps will help with PE:

1.) Heat the PE over a flame such as a gas grill lighter or a medium gas stove until it turns red (but be careful not to hold it there as it will melt). This will make the PE easier to bend.

2.) Make sure you have a etch folding tool. It really makes the job easier and avoids over-bending the items.

My Etch mate definetly helped with some of the more tricky bends. There are a couple of very long bits to bend (toward the rear under the load bed) and they are tricky even with an etch mate to keep the fold nice and even.
I think a soldering gun would have helped in some parts.

Apologies to Gino- thanks for your review.

Thanks, Karl, for the "hands-on" explanations. It's always good to get feedback on how a kit or upgrade handles in the field. It would take us months to review everything if we had to do full or even partial builds, so your input is valued.

Thanks for the first-hand build knowledge Karl. No problem on mis-crediting the review either. I do have one clarification though. You say,




That is not totally correct. The original versions of the truck came with just the closed storage boxes as in the PE set and kit. Through experience in the field, the crews asked for more storage that was easier to get to. The new boxes with a mesh cover were the result. Many of the unmodified trucks are still in the force with just the closed storage boxes still, so either way is correct. It just depends on the specific truck you are modeling as to the inside storage layout.

I am building this kit right now and I have the pro art models update set, but wouldn't mind have this PE set for some of the detail in resin is not that great so I thought this might help.

I tried to find this on the internet and was wondering where I can find this and buy it.

Happy Modeling
Tom

What about HobbyEasy ?
http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/46567.html

HTH

Frenchy