Introduction
The ATMP in this offering from Gecko Models, in 1/35th scale is a great accompaniment to the British Armies Royal Artillery. Within the British armed forces, this vehicle has a presence and provides all terrain support, plus it's also amphibious and so is a go anywhere vehicle. No protection is provided for the troops using it, but this a support vehicle rather than an assault vehicle. The vehicle can handle a payload of up to 1600 kg and can also be used to tow the British light gun. This offering is provided with 40 105mm ammunition boxes.
Review
This offering from Gecko Models, arrives in a cardboard tray with flip top lid and an additional card lid with artwork. Inside the various components and sprues are supplied in a mix of zip lock and sealed plastic bags, plus of course the instruction booklet. An examination of the parts reveals very nice crisp mouldings that are very clean with the exception of the figure. I have to praise Gecko Models for their packaging as despite the box looking as if it was delivered by plane without landing the crush damage has not affected the model parts.
This particular vehicle is quite a simple design, the hull of the vehicle as a flat bottomed boat appearance, but I appreciate the effort put in to getting the angles and limited detail present. Part of the reason I appreciate this effort is looking for reference is hard work, as I was only able to find very little information regarding this vehicle. The controls for the vehicle are akin to a quad bike, but something that is a little odd, is that the handle grips are at different heights, which I would imagine makes this an odd feeling vehicle to steer. Gecko Models released a photo etch tread pattern set for this model in the initial release and I am very pleased to now have this supplied with the model. Something I found of note is that there are some pieces that need to be removed with a sharp blade or chisel and holes drilled which makes me wonder how many variants of this model Gecko has in the works. The crew area of the model is limited to two seats, an over shoulder harness and a roll cage to protect the occupants.
The wheels of the model have been very well tackled and you can see from their size and tread how with the physical floating attributes of the hull provide the drive for the vehicle. The tread pattern of the tyres has been slide moulded, the front and rear faces are applied via separate parts, and finally a rudimentary axle is included so that the modeller can leave the model so the wheels rotate, should they wish. A shovel and axe are provided for storage on the vehicle with photo etch clamps provided for both except the blade of the shovel.
A single figure is included for the model. This figure has the option of two heads, with and without eye protection. The only issue I can see with the figure, is that the helmet straps look a little on the heavy side where they extend out from the head. Depending on how you feel about this, you can always thin or replace them, the figure also has excess flash which is a shame. The figure is in a seated position and is driving the vehicle. This is an attribute that I greatly approve of, as it is something that I was not expecting to find. Personal weapon wise, we have a number of options: you get a Glock 17 and sig 226 automatic pistols, these are provided both in and out of their holsters and so provide some nice spares. Rifle wise, you have three L85A2 rifles with two designs of sight and one of these has an under slung grenade launcher. Photo etch is also provided for the weapons slings. Gecko Models has provided in the instructions images for the multi terrain pattern camouflage and the dessert disruptive pattern material depending on what you wish to represent. Finishing wise you are left with the standard all green or sand coloured vehicles, but I am sure if you look around alternative options are available.
The major difference in this release from previous offerings is that it is delivering a pallet of light gun ammunition, and this is as follows. You get a good representation of a wooden pallet, and forty ammunition boxes moulded as one part. A particularly nice touch with the ammunition boxes and a sign that Gecko does its best to cover all the bases, you get decals that are applied to the boxes and cover the various warnings and data labels on them.
Conclusion
This release is a nice offering of the ATMP as you could add whatever you wish to the model should the ammunition not be your desired finish. A very minor critique is that we have covered the figure provided with the kit, where as the art work clearly indicates a civilian worker or special forces operating the vehicle. On the high side I like that Gecko models goes the distance and covers all the bases when it comes to the finish; you get a very full set of decals, photo etch that includes slings for the weapons and a figure in the set, but where is the light gun?
