Review
This offering from ICM brings together 3 of their range of 1/35th scale US military trucks. The models included are: G7117 US military truck, Studebaker US6-U3 and Studebaker US6-U5. In typical ICM style, each model is in it’s own re-sealable plastic bag, these are in a flip top cardboard tray with a separate card lid showing the artwork. The instruction booklets are loose in the box, with the decals inside them. An examination of the models reveals no serious issues as regards moulding quality, beyond some ejector pin marks that will need to be addressed.
All 3 of these models have been previously released and so their faults are well advertised. But for me, they meet all of my requirements as regards a model that looks correct generally and is identifiable for what it is. What I like about each of these releases, is that the areas of the model that are not usually covered are addressed in these releases. Providing an excellent replication of the chassis, engine and gearbox and how the power is transferred to the wheels and the suspension styles prevalent in the day. Missing, of course, are fuel and brake lines and some wire detail will need to be replicated in the engine bay - but obviously these details will be up to the modeller. The final high point in this area is one that will please most modellers, is that the tyres are injection moulded plastic and not vinyl rubber.
The cabs of the models meet my standards as regards what has to be present, but nothing beyond that is included. It is worth checking the roof and rear panels for ejector pin marks, which are sometimes hidden in these areas. Doors can be shown open or closed, but from memory the doors of the Studebaker’s are believed to be incorrectly sized. Moving backwards to the cargo beds and I feel that this is an area again that has been well addressed. It is, however, an area where ejector pin marks can sometimes be especially problematic. However, the sides and the arches tend to be well replicated and will please most modellers if not all. In the case of the fuel tanker, the length of the fuel tanks have been questioned, but again I am not going to fault it.
Studebaker US6-U5
Tjhis release has 2 finishing options, but these are nearly identical and do not indicate any specific units or areas of conflict.
Studebaker US6-U3
This offering has 4 finishing options, which are:
United States Army Corps of Engineers, 1942
Rusty Dow’s Studebaker US6-U3 (Rusty Dow was the first women to drive on a military road in Alaska), 1944
US Army in the European Theatre (Probable variant), 1944
US Army in the Far East (Probable Variant), 1945
I like that this release offers finishes that cover the war against Japan ans well as the European theatre, as those who fought against Japan tend to be forgotten as the European war had finished in May of 1945.
G7117 US Military Truck
This offers 4 finishing options:
US Army, 1941
US Army, 1942
154th Engineer Battalion, US Army, 1943
US Navy, 1940’s
This release as a whole. Is pleasing in that the Allied supporting units do not get the accolades of the combats units although they still faced death from the air aqnd when moving towards the front.