Darren Baker takes a look at the new Universal Carrier Mk 1 with Crew in 1/35th scale from Riich Model, and what a model it is.

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Great 'quick' review, I think this is a definite get.




These would be the divison patches for the figures.

Thanks Darren for your review.I have been looking at this kit but was waiting for review to decide whether to buy or do a tamiya/resicast version.Would like any info on carriers used by The Loyals regiment in Malaya/Singapore campaign mainly colours markings.My uncle Gerald Gleeson 2/20th AIF
was a carrier driver KIA 9/2/42 using carriers MK1s given to them ex The Loyals.The carrier became bogged and he was hit while trying to get back to the battalion.After this reiview
now on the buy list.

I believe that the Regimental name is likely Hastings and Prince Edward Regt this I am pretty sure of since Katie is now based at the armouries in Belleville, Ont the home of A company. The red squares were worn on the shoulders to show they belonged to the First Infantry Division and today this is still respected by a red square behind the cap badge on their Beret.

" PARATUS"

A bit of a pity (and just a small pity) is that there are no similar patches in blue. The red shoulder patches are for the Canadian 1st Inf Div. Given that there are markings for 2nd Cdn Inf Div, the blue patches would fulfil the same role for 2nd Div soldiers.

Of course, to complete the picture for Canadian troops, 3rd DIv patches were French Grey, 4th Arm'd Div were Green and 5 Arm'd Div were Maroon.

Paul

Absolutely correct: "The Hasty Ps".

That one was easy for me. I joined B Company in 1984 when it was still located in Peterborough. They have since expanded to a third company but I now live in Northern Quebec and its hard to keep up with their expansion. They are however a very proud Regiment and ensures the recruits know their history and pay respects to the past. It is very nice seeing a kit that has my Regiment's markings with it and will have to add it to my stash also.

I suppose I could have argued that there should be decals for the figures to match the vehicle finishing options, however I was more impressed they had included any options.

Hi Darren,

Thanks for the Review. This looks like an exceptional kit, with excellent detail. It should make for a challenging build but should be well worth the time and effort.

The provision of a crew is a major plus as well.

Cheers

Al

A "so much needed kit". Have always wanted to build one of these, but refused to buy the Tamiya model. Had several of these when I was young, but knowing a bit more today, never seen the point buying the kit that almost everything was poor with. This one looks the part. Thanks Darren for the review and images.

Oh, abslolutely! It was an exceptionally small nit to pick.

Lets face it, who amongst us hasn't got a small bit of blue decal or a pot of blue paint to make one for ourselves. I was more interested in passing over the information so people could make their own of the correct colours than to castigate Riich for not including something so tiny on such a magnificent model.

All of my Tamiya Carrier models are now in the "sell em cheap at the swap meet" bin.

BTW, did you guys notice the the tires on the road wheels actually have the lettering on them??? OMG! I am so getting a couple of these.

I did notice the lettering on the road wheels but I have to let Alan have things to point out during the build. The detail included in areas such as the vehicles battery is very good, and unless it is a complete pig to build I think this is going to be one of the gold standard models.

Hi Darren,

The build might be a while in coming along lol. I haven't acquired the kit yet and SWMBO is working me hard on a recently acquired allotment. Add to that a pending house move in 6/8 weeks and it doesn't look like I'll get a lot done this year.

This one looks on par with the recent Bronco kits, massive detail, and will be an interesting and detailed build but not a quick one.

With the pending move, a top to bottom paint job on the new dwelling, packing and unpacking and sorting out the allotment time will be in sport supply for a few months. The bright side is that I hope to acquire more modelling space which when I'm settled should allow me to get on with a few larger projects that I've had to shelve due to lack of space.

I'll look forward to this one when I get to it, every thing I've seen so far points to a cracking kit.

Cheers

Al

A stunning release and I agree with your comments regarding a steady hand (& add good eyesight!). I was amazed when I opened the box on mine and saw that much kit. I thoroughly recomend reading Terry Ashleys review of this on PMMS as he has identified some gaffs in the instructions that will cause grief to the casual builder.
One point I did notice (and only 1) was the Bren guns have a very pronounced step where the butt meets the reciever which is not apparent on the real weapon. This is a simple cut and re position but a pity becuase I reckon apart from that it is the best 35th bren yet.
A very welcome release
Al

Hi, ALL! AT LAST WE SEE A PROPER UNIVERSAL CARRIER!!! ALLIED STUFF!!! GIVE US MORE ALLIED STUFF!!! Love that Carden-Lloyd Suspension!!! There are definitely 3 or 4 of these puppies in my future!!!