Introduction

One of the things that can make a model kit really stand out is stowage. Crews need equipment and collect souvenirs, and need a place to carry it all. Someone has to bring up spare parts and food. Legend Productions has a reputation for providing high quality resin parts to replicate stowage on almost every kit on the market. Now the venerable Skybow/AFV Club WC series gets a turn.

The Kit

This kit consists of 51 resin and 2 PE parts, some string and a small decal sheet. The resin castings are high quality with sharp detail, no blemishes or bubbles visible, all in a light gray color. The pour blocks are substantial and on some parts will require some care to remove without causing damage to the parts. The PE parts are for the Browning M2 HMG and consist of the handles on the grip and barrel. The decal sheet has two each of decals for both the K and C ration boxes and for two grenade crates. Printing is clear and legible under magnification, and the carrier film is very fine.

Construction

After removing the pour blocks the parts can be test fit and placed on the model where you want. They can be used for both the WC 51/52 kit and the WC 62 kit. Some planning is required for parts use and placement. Sandbags are included for the winch bumper and a replacement .50 cal for the kit supplied plastic gun, but as I had already constructed the kit before I received this sample I couldn't use them.

On the driver's (left) side the resin parts have a very tight fit. I couldn't get the rolled tarps for the fender to fit with the replacement spare wheel with wheel cover and had to trim the part down. It finally reached a point where I had removed the lower tarp. The two duffel bags that fit on the running board and to the side of the driver's seat are also a tight fit with the spare tyre but I was able to get them in with no trimming. The right fender has a camouflage net with a shovel and bag molded as a single casting that sits over the fender and is strapped in place.

In the bed there is a large casting that has a tarp overhang on the end of the cargo bed. This had a small seam in the overhang on the bottom that left the fit loose. I had to remove this to get it flush to the truck bed. A second casting has a tarp that sits up on the side bench portion of the bed. The tarp has sandbags on top and cover a crate and ammunition cans. A cardboard box and tool box are provided as loose stowage.

There is a small square of white paper included in the box that I used for straps on the various bags that were hung on the sides of the truck. There is a large tarp hung on the side that I had to trim on one end to get a good fit against the truck side, and used the paper to complete the straps for this around the boards.

To fit the tarp over the truck bed, use the kit supplied frames but cut them off at the base of the curved portion. If you want to add the front frame piece you will need to trim a bit on the duffel bags behind the driver's seat as they block the opening a bit.

Two jerry cans are included, with separate handles. I didn't like the fit of the handles to the cans but that is based on my limited experience with resin compared to the ease of assembly of styrene parts. They are molded with the mounting bracket in place and so can be placed where the modeler chooses. There is also a spare pick with a strap around the base, but the modeler will need to add their own strap or rope to hold it to the model.

The ration boxes measured out at .345" wide, .633" long and .244" tall, which comes out at 12.075 inches wide, 22.155 inches long and 8.54 inches tall. The grenade crates are .4665" wide, .4865" long and .1985" tall, or 16.33" wide, 16.4" tall and 7" tall in full scale. I don't have the actual dimensions of the actual items so I don't know how accurate these parts are, but as near as I can tell, they look the part. The only thing I really missed with this kit is that there are no decals for the two spare .50 cal ammo cans or for those used with the included .50 cal MG.

The nylon string is to be used as rope, either to tie the sand bags to the front bumper, or as the modeler chooses. The ends of mine were unraveled, but this wasn't a problem and I had plenty to use after the loose bit was trimmed off. There is also a handheld radio and a pair of helmets with the webbing visible on the inside.

The included .50 cal MG that I did not use is very well detailed, and comes with two different options for the ammunition can; either open and ready for use or with the lid closed. A belt of ammunition is provided as well. The sand bags for the front bumper have what looks like a board molded to the bottom for holding them in place.

Depending on how much you want to put on the kit, you can end up with some spare bags but I imagine they will quickly be put to use.

Conclusion

Overall, my opinion of this set is that it is very useful. The variety of stowage is great and fills up the back of the truck very nicely. The kit is listed online for around $27.99 US. Depending on the vendor it can be had with free shipping.