Bronco Loyd Carrier and 6 pounder

Loyd Carrier and 6 pounder anti-tank gun...

... from Bronco Models

This new combination from Bronco Models sees their excellent, and very well detailed Loyd carrier with the equally detailed 6 pounder from Riich Models. They have also included a British infantryman in relaxed pose, with battledress and a leather jerkin, leaning back with his mug of tea.

This is a logical combination of the Loyd Carrier which Bronco have previously released as a kit by itself, but now they have combined it with an equally detailed 6 pounder which is the Riich Models kit. Very similar to Bronco models in that there is a lot of detail, including small etch brass parts. A very different level of detail and work to the old Tamiya kit of the 6 pounder. Combined with all the detail in the Carrier itself, which includes small metal springs to build the suspension units. The level of detail is super, but it won't be a quick build. The chassis needs to be built up before you add the superstructure and drive train along with a well detailed engine. There are a number of etch brass details to fit during these stages, including the mesh screen for the radiator. For a couple of curved pieces, there are plastic formers to fold them over to get them just the right shape. When you add the engine cover, there is even a Bren mounting on it. Then fit the running gear (with real springs) and link-and-length track. It gives an idea of how much is involved if I say that this all takes up the first 10 pages and 18 stages in the instruction booklet. Then you go on to fit the trackguards, seats, superstructure and internal stowage such as ammo racks and crew packs etc. The other element I like is that they provide the option to leave the carrier open topped, or with the framework for a tilt cover or to fit it with the complete canvas tilt. With all this the build stages extend to a total of 41. The separate booklet for the 6 pounder adds another 15 stages to get to the completed combination.

The finish options are good, with no less than 7 alternative colour and marking options for the Loyd Carrier and just the one plain finish for the 6 pounder itself.

T278987 9th Carpathian Rifle Battalion, 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division, Italy, Summer 1943 and an overall khaki brown colour.
T240252 11th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry, 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division, France, June 1944. Another overall khaki brown colour.
T242286 1st Netherlands Reconnaissance Squadron, Netherland Independent Brigade Group 'Princess Irene Brigade', September 1944. This time in khaki brown with a blue-black counter shading pattern.
T256370 1st Netherland Independent Motorised Fighting Group 'Princess Irene Brigade', September 1944 and in an overall plain olive drab.
T29655 2nd Btn Gordon Highlanders, 15th Scottish Infantry Division, Netherlands, October 1944. This is another example in overall plain khaki brown.
T242447 2nd Netherlands Independent Motorised Fighting Group 'Princess Irene Brigade, September 1944. Colour this time is overall plain olive drab.
T256524 1st Btn East Lancashire Regiment, 53rd Infantry Division, Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, October 1944. Again, an overall plain olive drab colour scheme.