This is a first look in the box for the newly announced GMC/Bofors. So, first the history lesson.
The US Military asked various companies to design a troop transport vehicle, and the GMC was the chosen producer. Serving almost every softskin need, the GMC CCKW353 was sold all over the world after WW2 and served in many armies. The Bofors 40mm equipped vehicle serving in France.
The review
The box is the usual top opening carton made of quite thick card, mine came from Hong Kong with no damage at all.
Contents list:
• Sprue A - Chassis parts
• Sprue B - Cab and front end
• Sprue C x2 - Suspension and wheels
• Sprue D x5 - Wheels
• Sprue E - Rear bed parts
• Sprue F - Gun and mounting
• Sprue G x2 - Accessories and ammunition
• 9 plastic collars for the wheels
• 1 sprue of clear parts
• Decal for one vehicle
• A short length of copper wire and a length of twine for the winch cable
• 1 fret of photo-etched parts
• Single A4 color sheet
• 16 page A4 instruction book
As this is only a first look in the box, I can't comment of the fit of any of the parts. All appear to be well molded in a dark olive green plastic, with no obvious mold lines or obtrusive ejection pin marks
The decals are well printed, and the colors appear to be solid; although how the white will go over OD paint remains to be seen.
Instructions are well printed and look to be clearly laid out in obvious steps. I can see that assembling sub-assemblies for ease of painting is easily possible.
Conclusion
I bought mine from Hobby Easy for about £18, but as it is not yet listed in any of the usual UK shops I don't know what the local prices will be; hence I haven't listed a price in the info box of this submission.
SUMMARY
Highs: Appears to be cleanly molded with plenty of detail. Interesting and unusual subject.Lows: No obvious lows.Verdict: Looking forward to building this!
About Dave Cox (DaveCox) FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH EAST, UNITED KINGDOM
Hi, I'm a 58 year old, who like most of us hasn't really grown up! I started modelling when I was 7, with no peers or tutors - every week my pocket money was blown on a series 1 Airfix or Revell kit which took about an hour to put together. A couple of replays of the Biggles books and another one ne...
Too true Al, and I'm looking forward to building it. Shame it was only used by the French as 'micky mouse' cammo and some formation signs would look good on this I reckon.........
Its also very welcome to those who dont build from any specific side and like interesting vehicles, A friend built this years ago, using an available conversion set, and I always liked the look of it. Now I have the chance to build it OOB. Thanks for the review Dave. Glad to see its got plastic tyres and not vinyl. This is a peeve of mines and if vinyl were included, Id have to get resin, which adds to the cost as well. Looking forward to some online builds now!!
Hi Frank and DAve,
Yes, an interesting kit, I am sure it will be popular. Not one for me though, too many British/Commonwealth subjects still to cover
BTW did the French use this in IndoChina?
Cheers
Al
This is a great release for HobbyBoss.
Just recieved one in the mail and the detail is exceptional for plastic.
Sadly to say I also had the resin coversion for the Tamiya Jimmy but never built it.
Will build both the HobbyBoss and the resin conversion together to compare quality over each other .
By doing this gives me the incentive to finish both models
Workbench photo's to follow ,like Alan,too many modelling subjects and not enough time .
Michael
Thanks for the review Dave, definitely going on the "must have" list for me
Michael: Looking forward to that comparison, will be nice to see you finish them together
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