PMMS
LVT4 Detail Set
No. 1677

For Italeri 1/35 Kit

Review by Terry Ashley


Verlinden

This set is designed for the Italeri LVT-4 released recently. Consisting of 105 resin parts and 48 etched metal parts it is a fairly extensive set.

The resin parts are cast in grey/green resin to the usual quality, although I did see a few air holes on some parts which are unusual for Verlinden resin casting. The detail on some parts just doesn't seem as crisp as we usually associate with resin stuff. The periscopes are a case in point, the detail is basic with 'soft' edges and some aren't even square? There is also some minor 'overflow' of resin on some parts which needs cleaning up, but there are also some very nice parts including the forward compartment bulkheads, full gearbox and radial engine.

You also get two of the excellent .50cal MGs now included in all Verlinden allied update sets along with two 'new' castings of .30cal MG done in the same manner as the .50cals. These build into very nice replicas of the real things and include equally well detailed ammo boxes and mounts.

VerlindenThe etched metal is simply not up to the standards set by the Eduard's and Aber's of the world. An example of this are the screens, the 'gaps' in the screen are uneven in size and some not 'opened up' completely, other details such as those on the hinges are not well defined. This is a common problem with Verlinden etched stuff and leaves a lot of room for improvement.

What you get in the kit is impressive and includes a complete engine compartment with new bulkheads and a full driver's compartment with gearbox and transmission included. There are also separate top crew hatches to replace the kit hatches moulded onto the upper hull section. These feature etched metal inserts and resin doors so you can see the interior when all is put together.

The instructions come on four pages and included text as well as diagrams. You should study these carefully as some of the construction sequences are a bit confusing, some other references would be a great help in installing this detail set.

Conclusion:
In all a comprehensive set that should really be labelled "Interior detail set" as apart from the rear water jet exhausts, crew hatches and machine guns the rest is all inside the forward hull of the model.

The Resin Bits
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