Military Model Scene

Oh My Goodness!  I have been a modeller for well over 50 years and a subject that has been at the top of my personal wish list for many years has finally been released by Model Collect.  Another reason I have to congratulate them for is that the other model that had been number 1 on my personal list had for many years been the V1 launch ramp. and they did that not long ago (though it left a few details with room for improvement).  Now we have the MAN tractor unit along with the launch trailer for the infamous Cruise Missiles which were once based at Greenham Common in Berkshire and Molesworth in Cambridgeshire.  I remember the period well, as I was privileged to be allowed inside the base to view a display of the vehicles involved in a cruise missile convoy.  A convoy involved 4 of these launch vehicles along with two Command Trailers (one as a back-up of the other) plus a variety of other support vehicles and escorts.  The Command Trailer, which operated on the dual-key basis, was connected to the 4 launch units (each carrying 4 Tomahawk missiles) by fibre-optic cable, the reels of which were kept in the stowage boxes on the launch trailers.

As for the kit itself, it is excellent.  The two elements are the large MAN 8x8 tractor unit plus the semi-trailer carrying 4 Cruise Missiles (Tomahawks).  The launch tubes are included inside the trailer body, though not the missiles themselves.  The trailer builds quite easily, and you can assemble it with any of the four cover sections open, exposing the missile tubes inside.  The MAN M1014 tractor unit was used by the US military in Europe and the kit is quite straightforward to build.  The chassis with its' 8-wheel drive train is engineered so it isn't difficult to assemble.  We also have a cab with basic internal detail, though the clear glazing parts I found to be a tight fit, so do take a little care.  The rear work platform is etch brass and the 5th wheel coupling is at the back.  When connected together it makes for quite a long combination, so an impressive small scale model.  At the moment I only have it painted in a single colour, but I do plan to add an MRDC scheme.

Now, I wonder if we can expect the Command trailer to follow?...

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Robin