by: Nathan Phelps [ ]
This is an in-box review of a vehicle accessory set. Stuff to hang on your kits
Following Operation Iraqi Freedom earlier this year Tamiya got a few re-tooled and updated kits out on the market (the M113A2 and ODS Bradley) they have also released two new Hummer variants this year. To deck out those four vehicles they also recently released a set of goodies ranging from MRE boxes (card stock) to sleeping bags and ALICE packs to festoon your vehicles with.This is the first modern accessories set from Tamiya since the mid-to-late 1980s. What you get
The set is comprised of two identical sprues. You end up with-- 4 large ALICE Packs, 4 small ALICE packs, and 4 small/large ALICE combinations.-- 4 Fritz helmets (that are hollowed out with a quasi liner in it, but it will need a little work)-- 4 folded cots-- 4 sleeping bags in covers-- 4 butt bags-- 4 sleeping mats-- 4 generic rolled sleeping bags (??)-- 2 tent bags-- 2 large tarps-- 2 dogs-- 4 large duffel bags-- 2 sets of Binos-- 2 generic CIP panels (the box says they are for the HUMMER)-- 2 CIP panels for the hood of a Hummer-- 4 40MM Ammo boxes-- 4 Small 40MM ammo boxes-- 4 12.7MM ammo boxes-- 2 Opened 12.7MM boxes for mounting on a Ma Duce.-- 2 Plastic water tanks-- 2 old school jerry cans--20 card stock MRE containers--1 set of decals for ammo boxes Impressions
Overall there is a lot of useful stuff in this set for making any modern or OIF vehicle look very busy.Both the ALICE and newer MOLLE gear was used in OIF (according to site mebers and photos in publications). It appears the ALICE gear was more common on Army vehicles with many of the Marine vehicles hauling a lot of the MOLLE gear. But there's plenty of room for all sorts of variation out there.It would have been nice to have some MOLLE gear included with this set (DML included some new MOLLE packs in their re-issued M1A1HA), but this set is a very nice alternative to dropping twice as much on some of the resin equipment sets which recycle some of the same parts from earlier Vietnam releases (For example, Verlinden has the old-style -- Vietnam -- M-16 pouches in their new Bradley equipment).Molding is to the usual Tamiya standards-- crisp and full of life. There is a mold seam on all the packs, bags, etc. that will need to be sanded off, but that's really not a big deal. The backs of all the bags all open, so they may need to be filled depending on where they are to be mounted. This is typical of all Tamiya packs and easily fixed with some putty and a little sandpaper.The MRE's are also on a light card stock, it'll be interesting to see how they go (fold) together.
About Nathan Phelps (PorkChop) Haven't touched a flat finish in years.
Copyright ©2021 text by Nathan Phelps [ ]. All rights reserved.
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