Military Model Scene

The Pershing II was an intermediate range nuclear missile first deployed in 1983 with a number based in West Germany, along with Tomahawk Cruise Missiles in West Germany and the UK.  There were lots of protests about them in both the UK and Germany.  They were a key element in reaching the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in May 1988, which led to the removal of both the Cruise Missiles and the Pershing II while the Soviets withdrew their equally new SS-20 systems.  By 1991 all the Pershing IIs had been withdrawn and destroyed, with the exception of a small number of disarmed examples that are now found in Museum displays.  While the US based examples they used the HEMTT tractor unit as featured in the kit, while those based in West Germany used an MAN M1001 tractor unit.

The recent Modelcollect kit has the trailer mounted Pershing II missile plus the HEMTT 8x8 tractor unit.  Tetra Models now have a set of excellent quality etched brass parts to update the kit.  Sadly , this is one that comes after I built the kit, so little choice now but to get another one and use this lovely set of etch brass detailing.  Among the host of extra detailing parts in the set for both the HEMTT tractor unit as well as the missile trailer.  The largest individual parts are the mesh walkways for the trailer and similarly on the tractor.  The quality of the etch frets is first class.  There are two long, thin etch frets, one for the HEMTT and the other for the Pershing semi-trailer.

The extra detail on the HEMTT includes a new protective plate on the front of the cab, with the large grille and cab crew steps.  Moving back from there, a finer holder for the spare wheel and the patterned mesh for the exhaust silencer, the mesh platform behind the cab and the mudguards.  A full page of detailed drawings and photos of the model clearly show where everything fits.

Similar comments apply for the trailer, with a separate page of instructions done in the same style of drawings and kit photos to show where everything goes.  With the trailer in particular these etch grilles for the walkways make such a visual difference to the solid plastic mouldings in the base kit.

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Thanks to Tetra Model Works for this example.

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Robin