PMMS
Hobby Fan
M984A1 Recovery Vehicle Conversion
Hobby Fan 1/35th Kit HF007
Review by Terry Ashley

Hobby Fan

This set is designed to be used in conjunction with the Italeri M977 HEMTT (Kit No. 292). The Italeri kit parts used are the main cab, engine assembly and the chassis, the entire rear section is replaced with the resin parts.

The rear plastic kit chassis frame requires modification with the rear chassis section replaced by a resin part. There are many parts that make up the new rear recovery section, while the instructions are fairly detailed there are some areas not shown and other vague in their placement. Overall the instructions are quite good as far as resin update set instructions go but additional reference would be essential to build this kit.

There are many smaller parts along with the main assemblies and these require careful handling. Included are replacement small position lights along the top of the windscreen and the rear, these replace the poorly formed plastic parts. A bonus is the "OSHKOSH" logo for the front radiator missing from the Italeri kit.

This is not a kit for the inexperienced modeller with approx 100 resin parts. Other items that would help improve the model are replacement wheels, the Italeri wheels being rather sad. Hobby Fan do two sets of resin wheels for the HEMTT, Kit no. HF801 M977 SERIES 10-TON TIRE (EARLY TYPE) and HF802 M977 SERIES 10-TON TIRE (LATER TYPE). Tank Workshop and MR Models also produce M977 wheels as did TAC Scale Dynamics before their demise.
The Eduard etched set No.35-162 'M977 HEMTT' would also be useful.

If you are into specialised vehicles, then this is a conversion kit for you. A full build up will follow when it is finished.

Hobby Fan
Hobby Fan


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