Introduction

Bronco Models have released three sets of LED search lights into their product range. These sets are I believe aimed at the scratch builders in the hobby, but will of course be useful to anyone who wishes to adds lights to suitable vehicles. The three sets looked at in this review are;
AB3568 – LED Searchlight set A Oblong
AB3569 – LED Searchlight set B Octagonal
AB3570 – LED Searchlight set C Round

Contents

Each of the sets is supplied in an end opening box. The photograph on the front of each of the boxes shows the lights fitted to the Buffalo 6x6 MPCV. On the rear of the boxes are the instructions for lights and a possible way of attaching them to a vehicle.

Review

AB3568 – LED Searchlight set A Oblong
In this set from Bronco Models you get the parts for 30 lights, but only 12 mounting brackets. The parts are cleanly moulded and have no defects that I was able to detect. The parts are supplied on three tan sprues and three clear sprues. This is I believe the easiest of the sets to utilise due to only consisting of three parts for each fitting and two if you have a use for the lights minus the bracket. As with all of these products, if you have built the line of Buffalo’s from Bronco Models you will be familiar with this product.

AB3569 – LED Searchlight set B Octagonal
This set from Bronco Models also contains 30 lights and has all of the parts needed to utilise all of the lights. Again all of the parts have been very cleanly moulded with no obvious faults. This set consists of 2 tan sprues, 2 clear sprues and two photo etched frets, all of which are packaged in separate clear plastic bags. Assembly of the lights is simplicity itself, the photo etched parts will not be as easy, this is due to the very small size of the photo etched and the complexity of the folds due to that small size. Also included with this set are 34 bolt heads moulded on the sprue for use on the back of the mounting brackets. This particular set has excellent detail on the clear lenses and which should look very effective when painted.

AB3570 – LED Searchlight set C Round
This set from Bronco Models contains all of the parts needed for 24 lights and unlike the other sets these have been slide moulded. The set consists of 2 tan sprues, 2 clear sprues and 2 photo etched frets. This is another set that will be easy to assemble, but it will require a lot of care when freeing the handle that is used for positioning the lights due to the small size, I don’t think you will improve on these by using wire instead. The lenses in this set is the high point for due to the fine detail that is moulded into them, but to be completely honest this is for me the most detailed when it comes to moulding quality. I noticed a post in a thread about these lights concerning the ability to aim the lights; cut from the sprue and unaltered the lights are fixed in a straight ahead position, but via some careful cutting the position of the light and the mounting arm can be positioned in any direction of choice.

Conclusion

These products from Bronco Models are obviously not going to have a broad appeal with modellers whose interests lay in vehicles prior to LED lights stamping their place in the world. The modern vehicle modeller however will love having this type of product available to them and so have the ability to use them when producers don’t supply them or possibly the supplied products are not of as good a quality as these; Bronco Models is one of the leaders when it comes to moulding quality. I feel the oblong lights could also be used by the diorama fan to replicate lights fitted to buildings as search lights. If you are a modern vehicle fan or enjoy engaging in scratch building modern subjects these sets are for you.