M1114 Up-armored Tactical Vehicle
Bronco Models 1:35 Scale Kit No. CB-35080
Kit Preview by Terry Ashley

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Bronco Models continue with the diverse release schedule with this new kit of the current configuration M1114 Up-armored Tactical Vehicle (Humvee is a dirty word with the greedy corporate monster lurking) and sees the standard of moulding techniques steadily advancing along with subject choices.

The kit and consists of 233 parts in light beige plastic, 13 in clear plastic and further 74 etched part plus a small decal sheet and the instruction booklet.

The standard of moulding is very high with very clean crisp mouldings and just a hint of fine flash on a few parts with the lack of visible pin marks being very evident. There is the usual fine mould seam lines easily removed and some hefty ejector pins to be dealt with but again in places that are hidden after assembly.

All the air conditioning louvres are open with fine etched mesh for inside as there is on the hood radiator opening with the main armament being a choice of nicely detailed M2 .50cal HBMG or a Mk19 Grenade Launcher as well as additional weaponry in the form of a AT4 84-mm unguided AT Weapon, M4 Carbine w/M203 Grenade Launcher and M4 Carbine plus a selection of ammo boxes for the Mk19, M2 and M4s.

The 18 page instruction booklet is worthy of comment as this too is an improvement on previous Bronco instructions. It is printed in full colour with not only the small detail painting called out in the sequences but the appropriate part is coloured according to the colour required. For example the exhaust is printed in a rust colour, the seats in a khaki , the radiator and tyres in black, the the inside of the hatches and ammo boxes in green, while the shade of colour might not be spot on it makes it very easy to see what parts need painting with paint numbers included for Hobby Color, Humbrol, Mr.Hobby and Tamiya paints.

The four marking options have full colour 6 view illustrations of the vehicles to give precise location of all the decal markings provided.

A full review will follow time permitting.

Etched parts

Wheel parts

Assembled wheels, the side wall embossing has the company names spelt "GOOD YEAP" and "WPANGLER"
to get around the corporate royalty greed we see these days.

M2 .50cal MG parts

Option A: 95th Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Brigade Option C: 924th Military Police Battalion, 977th Military Police Company

Option B: 95th Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne) Option D: 924th Military Police Battalion, 977th Military Police Company

Option B: Rear View Option D: Rear View

Click on thumbnails for larger view


Sprue detail images