Introduction

Resicast have recently re-released their re-tooled Ford T ambulance. The kit is a full resin kit of the vehicle as seen in 1917. This is a welcome updated version of the original kit. To complement the kit they have also released a new base under the GBS label, but that will feature in a separate review.

The kit

The kit comes packed in a small sturdy box. The parts are cast in a light grey resin and were free from any damage that I could see. The parts are packed in individual zip plastic bags and wrapped in bubble wrap for extra protection.

There were 12 individual bags of parts including a small PE fret and a set of ‘lights’ for the vehicle, plus the forward and rear chassis parts and the wooded house for the rear of the vehicle. Also included in the kit are a set of vehicle marking for the American Field Service ambulance. Two lengths of plastic rod are provided that are required in the suspension build.

Instructions come in the form of a 16 page A5 booklet. There is a parts listing on the cover page and 10 pages of build instructions. These are of good quality black and white photographs with the placement of the parts clearly identified. Pages 12, 13 and 14 show ½ page photographs of the completed kit for further reference and page 16 shows 3 original pictures of the vehicle with alternative markings and finish options. Page 16 shows the decal placement for the American Field Service vehicle. The instructions are in a logical picture build sequence and annotated in text where necessary to expand understanding further.

The kit as mastered by Gilles Sabatier & Graham Sellar and re-tooled in December 2013.

The Parts

The parts are expertly cast with an extremely high level of detail. The house body for the ambulance is highly detailed both inside and out. I counted 6 road wheels, 2 x spare tyres plus the covered wheels on the roof of the ambulance so well provided for in the wheels department. A set of 3 x open and 2 x closed stretchers are also provided for the final finish. There are canvas tilts for the drivers cab and shelter and options are provided to display the rear of the vehicle open or closed.

You can display the inside of the house body with the stretcher rail up and the seats down or stretcher rail down and seats up. The ambulance was designed to carry 3 stretchers or 4 seated wounded soldiers. Seated soldiers had to sit forward in the vehicle because of the extended body overhang. Individual pedals are provided for the drivers cab as is the break and suitable canvas covering for the cab. A number of optional items are included, a water tank, grab handle and spare tyres. Several stretcher options are included as mentioned above.

As you would expect from Resicast the quality of the parts is excellent. This kit contains the same starting handle as the other Ford kits and in those builds it was the only part I had difficulty separating from the pour plug. Making a replacement from plastic rod is easy and I would suggest you do this prior to attempting to remove the part, just in case you have a breakage. The starting handle is very fragile and if you need any clean up after removal then you might snap it.

Clean up should be minimal and the kit includes everything you should need to build a highly detailed example of the vehicle. Some research may be needed to establish other units vehicle markings, if you choose to go that route.

Normal safety precautions apply when working with resin.

Conclusion

This looks to be another really great kit and a fine representation of the vehicle. There are excellent display possibilities for this kit. This is a small vehicle to build, so you’ll need a little patience to separate the parts from the pour plugs and when dealing with the smaller parts. I’ve built both the Ford T and Draisine and they are both really enjoyable builds. As with any resin kit you need to take a little extra care when working with resin material.

As with most Resicast kits you’ll find you have been provided with an extra set or two of parts. In this case it’s an extra set of pedals and a spare rear seat as both these items are very delicate.

I’m pleased to see this vehicle continue to be offered in the Resicast range, it’s re-tooling and release are timely for this year’s 100th anniversary of the Great War.

Whether you build this as a stand-alone vehicle or as part of a larger display it should be one to enjoy and leave you with a very fine representation of this famous vehicle.

As no two vehicles were exactly alike then your finish options may vary. A little research will produce alternative options. The release of the GBS base for the kit will make a nice addition to your display.

I have enclosed some pictures of the built vehicle courtesy of the Resicast web site, in which you can see the excellent interior detail of the house body.