Review
This offering from AK is the first in a series of Land Rovers from them. The model is packaged in a cardboard tray with a separate card lid. The contents inside are individually wrapped sprues except where duplication has occurred. A boxed optional canvas and tyres with a loose photo etched fret and decal sheet. An examination of the mouldings reveals no obvious concerns, but I have seen some ejector pins marks that may need to be addressed. The instruction booklet deserves a special mention as it is exceptionally thick consisting of 38 pages of a heavy gloss paper and has a similar weight to some of the soft backed books I have.
This release from AK interactive centres around a 1 piece preformed chassis; this is a short wheel base version of the Land Rover and will depict a vehicle from the 60s through to the early 80s. The suspension on the model is locked for a flat even surface, with details such as a full engine and gearbox, well defined radiator with the battery and fluid containers also being present. The modeller will need to add cabling detail, but from what I can see and looking at the early Land Rover the parts are a very good replication of the original. They have even remembered to create the anti-roll bars on the underside of the vehicle. Fuel tanks although not visible, are also well replicated on the model with the only critique I can see coming to it being the vinyl rubber tyres.
Moving to the interior, and you have a very nicely detailed fire wall between the cab and the engine bay that even allows the louvers underneath the wind-screen to be shown open or closed. From what I can see interior controls and seating positions have been accurately replicated, with particular note to the photo etched elements used for the louver controls and even having remembered the drive motors for the wind-screen wipers that sit to the rear of the wiper arms. The only thing that I can think of that should be present in the rear in some cases is the personal weapons stowage as you do not usually leave a rifle bouncing around loose.
Exterior detail on the mouldings looks to have every well replicated rivet detail and correct angles of the various panels. It does not appear that having the doors open has been considered in this release, but I am sure most modellers that have a will, will find a way. On the plus side the hood can be accurately shown open, and even the arm for supporting the hood is provided. An optional element for the model is a canvas roof, but I will be honest and say that I cannot recall having seen a Land Rover without its canvas roof unless in a hot environment or weapons systems mounted. I really must commend this instruction booklet, as it is not busy with part additions being kept low in number on each stage and the kit built over 46 stages.
AK has provided 7 finishing options for this release, which are:
16th/5th Lancers, British Army, Aden, 1965
16th/5th Lancers, British Army, Aden, 1965
45 Commando, Royal Marines, Aden, 1967
RAF Masirah, Oman, 1969
BAOR (British Army of the Rhine), Nurburgring, West Germany, 1972
UNEF Finnish Battalion, Sinai Dessert, 1973
Lebanese Forces Armed Militia, Lebanon, 1970 - 80
Conclusion
This release from AK Interactive is a very pleasing release as the Land Rover over the years has seen service with many units, many forces around the world, just about every area of the globe and so is a significant military vehicle despite being a 4X wheel drive car. Looking at this initial release, the only concern I have is the lack of weapons securing rack which I am 99% am sure should be present. In all other regards a very pleasing replication of the real vehicle that I am sure many modellers will clamber to get their hands on.
