Advantages: nicely done "slide molded" components
for "cab" and tracks, GPA at least as good as 1/35 scale one, Harley WLA a plus
Disadvantages: no clear parts for windshields, decals not quite right
Rating: Highly Recommended
Recommendation: for "Small Scalers" or aircraft modelers looking for diorama
items
This is the sixth in Academy's series of World War II ground vehicles and
provides three US items in one go: an M3A1 halftrack, a Ford GPA (or "Seep" in
some circles) and a Harley-Davidson WLA 45 motorcycle.
The halftrack comprises 66 parts of the kit and is a great improvement on the old
Airfix 1/72 and Hasegawa 1/72 kits, using "slide molding" to come up with a
one-piece "cab" assembly (hood, doors and supporting structure) as well as a
nicely done set of running gear. The tracks consist of a track run with the rear road
wheels, idlers and drivers molded in place and separate front components, which are well
done in this scale.
The chassis has the front springs and idler adjustment springs and mounts as
separate parts with the rear drive axle part of the chassis and the front axle and drive
shaft separate. As it is a later model M3A1 only the "combat" lights are
provided and not the "automotive" headlights.
The "cab" section offers optional radiator louvers (open or closed) as
well as side windows and windshield cover; the doors are fixed. Oddly enough no clear
material is provided for the windshield itself. While the model offers a choice of either
bumper roller or winch, no drive shaft is provided for the winch, and one must come from
either spares or microrod.
The body comes with a separate rear door, mine racks less mines, and twin luggage
racks for the rear; no braces are provided for the latter but can be made from stretched
sprue without difficulty. Seat backs are separate and leave stowage space behind them. An
M49 ring mount with .50 caliber M2HB and a pair of .30 caliber Brownings are also provided
for complete armament.
The GPA comprises 24 parts and is very nicely done, with a number of very tiny
detail parts to dress it up. The hull comes in three main parts - lower hull tub, front
deck, and interior/rear deck. Stub axles are "slide molded" to the lower tub
along with spring detail and only the differentials and drive shafts need to be installed
to complete the chassis detail.
Again, no clear material is provided for the windshield.
The WLA 45 consists of six parts: frame and rear wheel, front wheel with
"springer" fork and headlight, handlebars with springs, two "crash"
bars and a center stand. The spokes are as delicate as can be expected with plastic
molding, and are commendable for their fineness.
The finishing instructions are basically "paint olive drab" which is
correct, but the decals seem to once again miss the mark. Academy should realize by now
that when you have an American unit the "number-dash-letter" is just that –
e.g. 6-I for 6th Infantry (Battalion here) and 27-I for 27th Infantry (Battalion). They
present them as "6-1" and "27-1" which is wrong. Also, the 1st Armored
Division did have the 6th Armored Infantry Battalion which is correct; but the other on
the decal sheet is credited to the 5th Armored Division which is wrong as it should be the
9th Armored Division. Markings as given in the directions are accurate as far as they go.
Overall, this is a nice "gap filler" for small-scale armor fans and
will also lend itself to dioramas, e.g. US forces taking over German airfields etc.
Thanks to Bob Lewen of MRC for the review sample.
Cookie Sewell
Sprue Layout:
A 40 Halftrack chassis and running gear
B 32 Halftrack details, Harley WLA
C 24 Ford GPA
