IBG 1/72 Scammell Tank Transporter

[TeeELL]

If you wanted to build the Scammell Tank In 20mm scale (ie 1/76 or 1/72) you had but one choice, the venerable Airfix kit dating from 1962 and available to this day.



It is a model that, with a bit of work, can be turned into a reasonable representation.

HOWEVER, there is a new kid on the block! I will be doing an in box review on the new IBG Models 1/72 Scammell with TRCU 30 trailer.

[TeeELL]

The first, and most obvious difference, is the box size; it must be at least 4 times the size of the Airfix offering, despite the scale difference of just 0.2mm/ft.



Opening the box and this is what meets the eye:

[TeeELL]

The instruction sheet is an 8 page booklet printed on high quality glossy paper, featuring a blow by blow guide to construction, starting with the tractor unit, the painting details for 2 vehicles at the rear of the booklet.






Looking inside the box, it becomes clear why it is so large:




The booklet shows what to expect:

[TeeELL]

Right at the bottom of my box was the plastic bag containing the transfers, etch and the ‘glass’ for the cab.




The pile of large runners/sprues come in 2 bags



A smaller bag contains the remaining 4, smaller, runners/sprues.

[TeeELL]

Looking at the sprues individually:

Opening the packet of 4 smaller sprues reveal them to be identical and are parts for the trailer wheel sets. There are 2 sets of ‘spares’ for the axle units. Everything looks nicely detailed, there are no sink marks or ejector pin marks on any external faces and no seam line running around the center of the tyres.



The next bag opened contains parts for the tractor unit:
The rib and rivet detail is very fine. The only sink marks I can find are on the front face of the cab front, whilst minor they are in an, unfortunately, obvious place slightly above and outside the top of the bonnet.



Opening the final bag reveals the parts for the 30 ton trailer (With a few parts for the tractor unit). There appears to be no blemishes on any of the parts. In addition, I have found no ‘flash’ on any parts so it all looks great there is nothing warped either. Cleaning up looks all but unnecessary.

[TeeELL]

This looks to be a great model, time and the build will tell. The Airfix ‘gimmick’ of articulated suspension (which really has the potential to ‘show off’ the range of movement the real thing achieved) is not repeated on this model.

Every time I tink they have forgotten a detail, a check through the instructions reveal that they haven’t! Oh! The plastic - it is a medium hard, can’t really say more than that.

I have a few reference documents for this build:
A electronic copy of the’Drivers/Operators Manual’
Army Wheels in Detail



I plan to start the build this week so pop over to my Work bench window if you want to follow the construction.

[JamesPerrin]

Look forward to this as I have the Recovery version. Cries out for a muddy field diorama.

[iggie]

That looks to be a significant improvement on the old Airfix kit; that said, plastic moulding technology has come on an equally significant amount so one would hope improvements have been made!
It will be interesting to see how you get on with it Tony, and I'm sure the finished product will be excellent

[TeeELL]

No muddy fields for me James. I do 8th Army desert only WW2 armour.

[Gregers]

We import this kit at work. It does indeed look superb. I am tempted but I am trying to reduce the stash at the moment so I am trying to resist temptation. Though re-watching the film I posted on this vehicle isn't helping in that regard.

All the best

Greg

[TeeELL]

Greg,
is that the film of one recovering a tank whilst under fire?

[TeeELL]

I am hoping to start construction later today.

[TeeELL]

The inly thought I have about the ‘desert’ version is the aerial recognition sign. The ‘Cockade’ replaced the X as to whether is supplemented asper the kit? Only an aerial photograph would show.

[Gregers]

Hi Tony. It is the old one where they are showing how to ready the trailer and load the tank. I posted a link on the forum some time ago.
Will have a look for the page later.

All the best

Greg

[TeeELL]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYznU9553HM;