Technical BJ44 Landcruiser
Dushka Version
1:35 #MP 35-138
Review by Terry Ashley
This has been one of the most wanted kits for some time for modern vehicle modellers and Mig Productions have come to the rescue with three full resin kit versions all based on the BJ44, one with an enclosed cab and 12.7mm Dushka MG (Set MP 35-138), one with open cab and the .50cal MG (Set MP 35-139) and a transport version that can also be finished as a civilian or Croatian Policija version (Set MP 35-140).
We will look here at the first kit (MP 35-138) with the closed cab and 12.7mm Dushka MG with the other two being similar with only minor variations for the different configurations.
The kit consists of 63 parts cast in light cream resin which are cleanly cast
with just the usual casting blocks which in some cases requires care to remove
and some thin resin film from the smaller parts all of which is easy to deal
with.
The parts are labelled “L”, “R” on appropriate parts
as well as the suspension labelled “RR” for the rear right part
and “FL” for the front left part and so on for easy identification.
The detail on the parts is very well done with many having good crisp details which includes detailed suspension and interior details although there is no clear sheet for the windows so you will need to find this yourself.
The body is broken into five main parts with the rear tray panel, rear tray with chassis details included on the bottom, the central chassis with the inside cab floor included and the front engine bay/body section which includes the bottom of the engine and has a separate upper hood and front grill/head light panel.
When removing the casting block from the rear tray (part 3) you must take
care as it doesn’t just cut off straight like other parts but has a stepped
section for locating the rear tray section, see image.
The suspension is made up of separate parts for the axles, leaf springs and
drive shafts with the front leaf springs including the shock absorbers. There
are locating pins on the leaf springs and corresponding holes on the chassis
frame for precise location of the suspension parts and this does make assembling
the suspension very straightforward. The exhaust pipe is included in the front
body and central chassis castings but there is a separate pipe and muffler
for under the rear tray section.
The wheels have nice tread pattern and have a slight weighted effect on the tyres while at the front is the bumper with winch, separate side fenders and the rear bumper with step and taillight assemblies and separate spare tyre mounting bracket.
On the interior are the instrument panel with LHD setup and separate steering wheel, gear levers and two seats with the driver’s foot pedals included in the lower chassis casting.
The cab for this version has the rear panel and the two side panels with doors included so if you want to show the doors open some nifty cutting would be required. The roof is a separate part as is the windscreen with separate wipers and side rear view mirrors that require you to make the mirror posts from thin wire and as mentioned the clear ‘glass’ will have to be sourced elsewhere.
The Dushka MG is nicely detailed with separate ammo box and has a separate two part mounting post with the lower section having the typical support brackets and separate top mount that does require care when cleaning out the excess resin as the “U” section is quite thin at the sides.
Additional gear for the rear tray is a couple of jerry cans, additional ammo boxes and an AK-47 to make the rear look used.
The instructions are in the form of the usual small colour photos of the numbered parts layout and assembly sequences but these are quite small and not the clearest in some areas and would be easier to follow if the images were larger, for example there are two small resin parts with the rear suspension (parts #7) but I couldn’t work out where they go and the steering wheel doesn’t seem to have a steering column and so it’s unclear how this is attached to the instrument panel.
No markings or painting guide are included but this area is really up to the individual as there was certainly no “standard” and you can use a considerable amount of artistic licence here.
Conclusion:
A nicely detailed kit with clean well cast parts that just require the usual
cleanup and will build into a nice model of a typical “Technical” as
seen in many regional conflicts.
Highly recommended.
Click for Construction Feature.
Page created 7 January 2005