Introduction

Most British/Commonwealth model builders will be familiar with the basic No 19 Radio (wireless) Set. This set from Formations provides the detailed components for one vehicle equipped with this equipment. Formations are well known for their excellent tank conversion sets and parts sets and the quality of this kit maintains that high standard.

Review

The set comes in the standard Formation seal-able plastic bag with an A4 sheet giving a brief outline of the No 19 Set and the parts included. A detailed instruction sheet to cover installation of the equipment in all possible vehicles would be a small book, so as no build instructions are included you will have to refer to your vehicle reference when installing these parts.

The set is cast in a light cream resin that is ‘soft’ and therefore easy to work with. Detail on the parts is crisp and clear and, as far as I can tell, accurate for the equipment although I am no expert on wireless sets. There was no sign of any air bubbles on this or any of the other Formations wireless sets I’ve looked at/used.

You get both the No 19 wireless and its less known High Power Amplifier along with all the necessary parts to build a good representation of this equipment. What you get:
• 1 No 19 Wireless Set
• 2 High Power Amplifier for No 19 Set
• 3 Aerial Variometer
• 4 Crystal Calibrator
• 5 Control Unit No 1
• 6 Junction Distribution No 1
• 7 Supply Unit No 1
• 8 Base for Amplifier
• Base for Wireless Set and Supply Unit
• 10 BHM Hand Microphone
• 11 Brass Wire for the ‘plumbing’

You will need a sharp razor saw and a sharp modelling knife to remove the parts from their plugs, but this should be an easy job and the parts them selves will require only a little clean up. Care should be taken when working with resin to avoid inhaling any dust as usual.

Conclusion

I think this is an excellent set, particularly if you wish to kit out a radio truck as the addition of the High Powered Amplifier and the inclusion of 4 junction boxes and 2 Crystal Calibrator/control units allow for some serious plumbing work. The inclusion of the Brass Wire is a plus although I have found lead wire much easier to work with when building the sets.This set is also available through Kit F071b British Parts for Sherman IB and as both appear to cost the same $17.00 you might opt for the additional parts that come with this set.

Understandably it is not possible to provide layout diagrams for all the possible uses of this set however I felt a basic layout/wiring diagram on the reverse of the information/parts list would be of much use to modellers. At the very least, it would help them to identify the parts and the sequence of wiring. The only part I’m not keen on is the resin ‘flower pot’ aerial base that was common on British/Commonwealth vehicles. This requires a little clean up and it is very easy to break the fine resin supports when cleaning out the excess resin. The only thing lacking in this set are a set of headphones. However, given that replacement heads with headphones are available, this is not a major issue, but a couple of sets of headphones would give just that extra option especially for dio modellers.