Introduction

For those interested in British vehicles, Resicast have brought us a very useful conversion set for the Italeri LVT 2 or LVT 4 (Landing Vehicle Tracked) amphibious vehicle. The Polsten was developed as an Anti-Aircraft weapon, by a Polish design team who escaped from Poland in the early war years. It was simpler in design than the 20mm Orelikon cannon and therefore cheaper to produce. It could mount a 60 rd drum or a 30 rd magazine, and prior to the Rhine Crossing orders were issued that they should be fitted to the LVT 4’s and LVT 2’s for added fire power during that operation.

The Polsten was extremely good at setting houses on fire, so it was a very handy weapon to dislodge enemy troops from defensive positions and give the LVTs some bite and added protection. Rate of fire was 450 rpm.

It was also used in tracked anti-aircraft vehicles and a towed version was designed for Airborne troops.

This kit was mastered by Sean Dunnage.

The Set

The set provides one complete Polsten gun and suitable parts to mount it on either a LVT 4 or LVT 2. In addition, the kit includes two box shields for the .30 cal MGs which were also mounted on some LVTs. These will be a very welcome addition for Allied modellers.

The set comes packed in a standard strong Resicast box. The Polsten Barrel is now affixed to a strong card to avoid warpage and in-transit damage. The parts are further protected in layers of bubble wrap. On the box top are several pictures of the weapon and shields, plus the product and manufacturers details.

Cast in a light grey resin the kit comprises about 50 resin parts and several parts of PE for the gun sight and frame plates. The parts are packed in 5 separate zip plastic bags with one small PE fret. The parts appear damage free.

The Gun

Included for the gun are the gun mount, recoil support, left and right recoil arms, locking dial, locking bracket, gun base, gun cradle, front and rear support frames for the LVT 4, pinion, recoil springs, sight bracket, gun cradel cover, pivot, securing plate, firing handle, hand wheel brace, chain case, hand wheel, gun, open magazine case and lid, box magazine x 2, drum magazines x 2 and magazine cases x 2.

Additional mounting parts for the LTV 2 are provided in the form of the right and left rear supports, bolt heads, rear support, tread plates left and right and an angle iron.

The Shields

Two x 30 cal MGs are provided for the box shields. Parts include box shields x 2, main pivot x 2, pintle x 2, locking pin x 2, side support x 2, ammo box x 2 and 2 x .30 cal MGs. The shields appear to have the correct structure with the addition of the small side chute being present.

PE Parts included are for the gun sight and frame plates.

Instructions

The instructions come in a 16 page style booklet. They are logically laid out with the build sequence parts clearly numbered and show where alterations are needed on the LVTs, depending on whether you wish to mount the gun on an LVT 4 or LVT 2. Also included in the instructions are 3 wartime photographs of the vehicles with the weapons mounted.

Quality and Casting

Frankly it is hard to criticise the casting and quality of the parts which are, as one would expect, beautifully done by Resicast. Comparing the weapon to the limited references I have show a highly accurate representation of the gun. The addition of suitable fixings to mount it on the LVT 4 or LVT 2 are, I am sure, going to be appreciated by modellers.

The box shields are also a great addition and are excellent with the exit chute depicted. It is my understanding that the shields will be available shortly as a separate item and will contain 4 shields, 4 x .50 cal and 2 x .30 cal guns thus allowing for ETO or PTO, should modelers require it.

Conclusion

This is a very welcome set for Allied modellers, precision casting and excellent design, the weapons will enhance any LVT your are thinking of building.

As an addition to a stand alone model or incorporated into a diorama setting this kit will add some excellent detail to enhance you model.

Clean up should be minimal, although being a weapon care should be taken with the smaller parts so that none are lost to the carpet monster. My two Mg barrels were a little warped but a bath in some hot water should straighten them out.

Normal precautions apply when working with resin.