Review

A very pleasing recent release from ICM in 1/35th scale is listed as Monty’s Office caravan. This release provides the modeller with a Leyland Retriever, but the impressive aspect of this release is that the area on the rear deck is fully detailed inside and out. The model arrives in the usual fashion of a flip top cardboard tray with a separate card lid showing the artwork. Inside the parts are packaged in a single plastic bag, and an additional 3 plastic bags inside that containing clear sprues and even some photo etch. A 4th bag hidden in the middle of the sprues contains the vinyl rubber tyres, which depending on your standing a pleasing addition or a very big negative. An examination of the sprues reveals no obvious moulding issues, but there are some ejector pin marks that will require some attention. 

The chassis of this release is one of ICM’s multi-part offerings, which while providing the modeller with a very good level of detail, it does mean that when attaching the 2 sides together care will need to be taken to make sure they remain square. In addition to this nicely detailed chassis we are also provided with a nicely detailed engine and gearbox. It will benefit from some additional wiring to really make it pop. But displaying this detail once installed is not the easiest to accomplish. Another nice aspect of this release from ICM is that the front wheels can be shown your preferred orientation, but they will need to be set in that orientation. The tyres, as discussed earlier are vinyl rubber and so may or may not meet with your approval. Detail wise I am perfectly happy with what has been provided. 

The cab of the truck has very nice detail both inside and out, with the instruments provided via decals. The doors on this offering are the canvas type, and the only thing that I would have liked to have seen offered is the option of open or closed canvas doors - rather than folded open only. Interior cab detail appears to be generally pleasing, but the seating aspect I am unable to verify as interior images of the vehicle appear to be few and far between - even using your friend Google!! 

Moving to the accommodation quarters, I obviously cannot verify that they are accurately laid out. However what I shall refer to as the reception area has quite a nice period type couch or if in the UK sofa. There is storage accommodation units either side of the rear entrance. The walls of the structure are made with separate interior and exterior parts, and so no concerns about ejector pin marks there. I am very pleasing with the details present in this reception area of this vehicle, as it looks just like something I would like to have to go on fishing trips! There are some work benches also present, with separate lighting and the parts you would expect to find for a writing desk have been included. To give you some idea of the very pleasing level of detail here coat hanger hooks are included, which to my mind shows an extremely high level of thought has gone into the interior details. A separated area just behind the cab, would appear to include a sink, and items for freshening yourself up. However, I will say that I expected to see a cot of some design in this area. Careful painting of this interior will provide the modeller with a visually pleasing aspect of the model, and my final commendation for ICM in this area is that decals showing some high profile Germans are included. Exterior aspects such as storage boxes and mud guards all look to be appropriate and folded up drop down covers for the windows have not been forgotten. A water storage tank has been included to the top rear of the cab, and it is pleasing to see that this was not overlooked. For the modeller who does not wish to invest in canvas, cut out mats are included for both the office area and sanitation area. 

ICM has provided 3 finishing options for this release:

Monty’s Office Caravan, North Africa, Autumn 1942

Monty’s Office Caravan, Tripoli, Summer 1943

Monty’s Office Caravan, Germany, Spring 1945

Other than the potential complaint about the tyres, this release from ICM is possibly the most complete kit I have seen from them, and should please everyone who has an interest in such a model.