Darren Baker takes a look at the third ¼ ton truck release from Bronco Models.

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

This is just an awesome kit that I have been waiting for. Can't wait to see it at my hobby shop.

This looks interesting for sure. Market Garden anyone?
J

It looks awesome. Great review as well. It looks to have all the mods done to the jeep to make the Airborne version.

Thanks for the review on this one also. Great stuff.

Cheers

Al

Every time I read a review and see sprue pic's of one of Bronco's Jeep kit's I'm left shaking my head in disbelief that it's 1/35 scale.
Now if some one could put that much into 1/24 scale .
I've got to get me one of those, but the question is which one decisions, decisions ?
Dave

Darren ,you mention the lack of a lube chart holder on the hood and no first aid box under the dash. These did not appear on production jeeps until September 1944,the same month that Market Garden took place,so it is highly likely that most if not all jeeps overseas at this time did not have them.Just for your info.

Thank you for correcting me on that.

Are all the decal sheets shown? Just wondering as I think only 6th airborne had the blue lettering, 1st airborne used white. I'm assuming the release date is just around the corner -this has been on my wish list for a long, long time.

I am going to attempt tp post a link to a nicely restored airborne jeep.This is not mine. I wish it was. It has good details like the rear white painted axle cover with the frame mounted light and rear cross member light switch for blackout convoy duty.Just wondering if these details are in the kit or need to be added? http://visualcollector.com/OBLI/JeepSignals.htm

Hi Paul,

Kit is out now, mine is on route.

Al

If this can be called "criticism", Bronco Jeeps have some very tiny plastic and PE parts with flimsy glueing points. When Dragon has done similar they have been accused of "over-engineering".

The axle floodlight, switch and junction box are included for the trailer, but not the jeep. However you can use the trailer parts as a pattern for the jeep's. The axle flood switch on the rear cross member of the jeep is more prominent than the trailer switch tucked under the rear so this may be the way to go. Position the kit part on the rear cross member and scratchbuild a replacement switch for the trailer

Part PA1 is a British pattern trailer socket - but is a bit oversize. The Lucas connector socket used the same standard teardrop shaped mount as the rear lights on the trailer (part PB1) Two tail lights is a post war/restored configuration and wartime trailers would have a single light on the O/S/R. You can therefore use the spare teardrop PB1 to scratchbuild an appropriately sized trailer socket.

Parts Ja20 on the back of the front seats are actually stretcher supports which are part of the ambulance conversion and should be left off.

Other things to add is a pickaxe head under the front bumper - perhaps from Bronco's British Field Accessories kit. The shaft is tied in with the shovel and axe). Purists may also want to add a tommy bar to secure the spare wheel and a dished support for the spare wheel (made from flat strip) which is secured between the chassis rails. This has two small curved metal strips attached at right angles to further support the wheel.

On the basis of my own original front wing from an airborne jeep, the correct position for the rifle clip (PA23/29) is shown in construction step 19

Have you also noticed that Bronco have provided a replacement dashboard with the repositioned Lucas horn button. The original button in the middle of the steering wheel could not be used because of the quick release mechanism needed to allow the jeep to pass under the main spar of the Horsa

Hope this helps

sk

After looking at the sprue shots again I agree with Biggles2 way over engineering compaired to Dragons.
Still going to get one and like with Dragons one will be it.
Parts Ja20 on the back of the front seats are actually stretcher supports which are part of the ambulance conversion and should be left off. Is this a clue about their next release.
Dave

An Airborne recce jeep would be an easy conversion - especially as Bronco have kindly already supplied both markings and a spare Vickers "K".

For details of gun mount - and that missing spare wheel support as well as the pickaxe mount below the bumper see here:

http://www.ww2fabrications.com/britishairborne.htm

sk

Nice review Darren.

Mine arrived early before Christmas courtesy of a contact n Taiwan, I've started the build and will get a blog started soon. I've also begun work on the 6pdr, which is proving troublesome…..

If this was a German WW2 vehicle I would go DML in almost every case, however this is an Allied vehicle and DML does not have a good track record where the Allies are conerned. If you check the reviews and builds of DML Jeep kits they get a lot of stick. I suggest you take a look at the comparison build feature written by Stefan Halter before making a decision.
A Tale of Three Jeeps

I would love to see a recce and a signals version..Anyone might have an idea to do a signals version without dipping in the resicast aftermarket?

Recce is an easy coversion - gun, bonnet with ammo frame and decals are already provided - see my post above for a link to a good picture of mount - and much else besides.

Problem with the signals version is that the LHS rear wheel arch was cut down/lowered so that the top of the radio would pass under the Horsa main spar - I think it's unlikely that a manufacturer would want to cut a new mould for this - but you never know!

Lovely kit, nice review, Squire. You've been doing a real service with your Bronco work. Thanks for all of us. I def want one of these, though I would probably end up doing a Normandy dio.

Nice kit...BUT would have liked some more Wooden butt sten guns, only one in the kit????? I know most support units did not have them however it would have been nice to get at least two (as per the figure drawings where both chest rig wearers are handling same).

Just ordered mine.

Jason i will take another look to make sure I have not missed one hiding amongst what is a lot of plastic for a small model.

Thanks again for the nice look in the box, Darren. Bronco really has done a nice job with this, and keep expanding the range. I hope it continues to other theaters. Would they ever consider doing the amphibian version?

Gidday Darren, it is the only sprue (Kc) with one attached but when you look at the drawing for construction there are two figures with the chest rigs worn and carrying the wooden sten MK.V....not a biggy but instead of two of the Commonwealth weapons sprues which has the skeleton butt sten/ radio/ vickers etc....why not give two of the new weapons sprues {Kc sprue}. I think this may be a common issue here as I just looked at the new CAD drawings for the next Airborne release jeep towing the 6pnder and the 6 man crew. The guy wearing the chest rig (for sten) and seated on the back of the jeep is carrying a Tommy gun from the Commonwealth weapons sprue......Hopefully Bronco will throw in the (Kc SPRUE) with all the Airborne kits to give us the extra option as most of the British Airborne carried the Sten (MK. V) from D-DAY onwards. Cheers mate, Jason