MiniArt 1/35 AEC Mk.II Armoured Car Kit First Look
By Dave Manter
| Date of Review | July 2013 | Manufacturer | MiniArt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | AEC Mk.II Armoured Car | Scale | 1/35 |
| Kit Number | 35155 | Primary Media | Styrene, Photo-Etch |
| Pros | Great details, full engine, detailed interior | Cons | Nothing noted |
| Skill Level | Advanced | MSRP (USD) | $52.99 |
First Look
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The AEC Armoured Car is a series of heavy armoured cars built by the Associated Equipment Company (AEC) during the Second World War. The first example was demonstrated in early 1941, and an order was placed in June of that year.
The first version carried a Valentine Mk II turret with 2 pounder gun. Vehicles of later variant designs carried heavier armament. Mk II version had a heavier turret with a 6 pounder gun, a redesigned front hull, and a 158 hp diesel engine.
Mk II and Mk III armored cars were used on continental Europe. Production of all the AEC armoured car marks ceased after 629 had been produced. The Mk II / Mk III took part in the fighting in Europe with the British and British Indian Army units. In 1944 a batch of AEC armoured cars was send to Yugoslavia for use by partisans, where they were used for more than 10 years.
After WWII, some AECs were in use by some countries up to the 1970s.
The Min Art kit of the AEC Mk.II Armoured Car consists of 531 highly detailed styrene parts molded in grey and 44 photo etch detail parts. All of the parts feature crisp detail and very little flash is present. Decals are provided for four vehicles. They are:
- 10th Indian Infantry Division, Italy, 1943
- Royal Armoured Corps, unbrigaded unit, Middle East, 1944
- Tank Proving Grounds, Kubinka, USSR, 1945
- 1st Armoured Brigade of Yugoslav People's Army, Balkans, 1944-45
The instructions are broken into a massive 78 steps! They are very well done and should be easy to follow.
Some key features of the kit are:
- 531 plastic parts
- 44 PE parts
- All New Tooling
- Up-to-date technology using sliding molds
- Fully detailed interior
- Highly detailed engine compartment
- Engine is accurately represented
- Fighting compartment is truly reproduced
- Crews vision periscopes with clear plastic parts
- Driving compartment interior is fully detailed and correctly done
- All doors and hatches can be assembled open or closed
- Slide-molded tire made by one detail in plastic
- Highly detailed drive train
This kit is typical of what MiniArt's latest kits provide. Massive amounts of detail, great fit and a new subject!
Thanks to MRC for the review sample.