Kit, MiniArt 35067, Dingo Mk.Ib British Scout Car with Crew

MINIART


Product Specifications.

35067, Dingo Mk.Ib British Scout Car with Crew. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing 220 styrene parts (including 28 for figures), one photo-etched brass fret, three decal/markings schemes and six pages of instructions in 43 steps, plus two-sided full color painting and markings guide.


Introduction.

British reconnaissance doctrine called for the use of both compact lightly-armed scout cars and larger, more heavily-armed armored cars. Information was to be gathered and reported quietly and combat was to be avoided. Two manufacturers, Humber and Daimler, eventually produced large numbers of the small scout cars. The Humber was recently kitted in styrene by two different manufacturers, Bronco and SKP, while the Daimler has been available for decades from Tamiya. The Tamiya offering is long-overdue to be replaced by a modern, state-of-the-art kit. MiniArt has answered the call with a series of kits of the Diamler scout car; this particular release depicts the Mark Ib.


Wheels.

These are provided as conventional hard styrene parts, which are cast from a multi-directional slide mold. The use of this method enabled the parts to be pulled from their mold with the peculiarly-British wiggle tread pattern intact and accurately molded. MiniArt has done good work here since there is virtually no bothersome seam to remove and there is no damage from the sprue gates. The tires are finished with manufacturers logo and other lettering on the outer sidewall. An inner hub is then added to complete the assembly.


Suspension System and Drive Train.

This consists of drive shafts that run from the side panels of the chassis/body frame out past the suspension arms, to the wheels. Separate swing arms and coil springs form the main parts of the suspension system; these are fitted to the frame, along with other detail parts. Separate steering linkage parts are provided, which are characteristic of the early scout cars four-wheel steering system. All four units can be depicted as being steered, but in the case of this kit that would be incorrect. Due to problems with the overly-complex steering arrangement, which apparently vexed drivers during training, the system on the Mk.Ib was de-coupled internally. So, dont have the rear wheels being steered, but do leave the linkages in place.


Hull and Superstructure.

The hull belly plate and the superstructure/chassis frame is a multi-piece assembly, with separate front and rear plates. To the latter is fitted a two part wedge-shaped engine air cooling louver unit. Small details such as lift hooks and towing eyes are then fitted. Working forward, there is a delicately-rendered engine deck lid that features separate, multi-part etched brass tie-downs. The rear fenders are each one-piece affairs to which a pair of multi-part etched brass and styrene POL flimsies and their attached racks are fitted. Separate fender-mounted stowage bins, with separate lids complete the main parts, while each rear facet gets a small reflector or tail-lamp. These in turn mount onto two separate engine compartment side panels.

The main superstructure sides are each one large piece, with openings where appropriate for the separate vision ports and doors. Each lid is detailed inside and out and can be posed opened or closed. Further forward is the superstructure front plate and the remainder of the front end. The separate fenders mount head-lamps and a horn; one side also features a shovel, while the other mounts a vehicle jack. This is topped off with a three-part stowage bin that includes etched brass details, which gets mounted to tabs in the fronts of the fenders. The two-part folding roof covers are given and are complete with molded-on head pads and a multi-part rest for when the lids are opened; the latter is fitted on the rear face of the superstructure.


Interior.

MiniArt has paid a great deal of attention to the kits crew compartment interior, with nearly everything seen on the prototype provided in the box; a large, five-part fuel tank dominates. Stowage includes ammo racks for the included Bren gun, various boxes, racks, a pair of Lee-Enfield rifles and some small bins. A No.19 radio set is not provided, but this is not necessarily in-accurate, since not all scout cars were used in the reconnaissance role. However, having the option in the box, along with the proper antennae mounts would not have gone amiss. Beautifully-detailed multi-part seats are provided for the observer and the driver, while separate shift levers, steering wheel and column, foot pedals and an instrument panel finish out the area.


Figures.

MiniArt has included parts for three styrene figures: a driver and an observer, as well as a separate standing figure. These are nicely-molded, and well-animated, but are not as detailed as current conventionally-molded figures from Asian manufacturers. They are in desert gear with the two crewmen wearing short pants and berets. The standing figure represents an officer peering through binoculars; he wears an officers cap, long pants and a pull-over. He carries a water bottle and a map case, while all three figures are armed with holstered revolvers.


Molding, Fit and Engineering.

The molding on this kit is very well-done, with very crisp detailing throughout. The fine weld beads are especially noteworthy. Ejector pins are minimal and the use of separate ejector nodes on the smaller parts is most welcome. A dry-run indicates that fit of the body panels is quite good. However, the modeler must ensure that all parts have been properly cleaned and that their edges are dressed with the sanding medium of choice. Since there are a large number of separate panels, care will be needed in properly aligning the parts because a mistake early on will be multiplied as progress is made.


Accuracy and Details.

Overall accuracy appears to be very good, according to photos and drawings in the cited references. In general, details are delicately and rather exquisitely-rendered. The main omission is in not providing a No.19 radio and the usually-seen pair of antennae mounts.


Instructions.

These are clearly drawn, but the pages are all very crowded; some steps are placed on the page so as to appear out of sequence. The modeler must use the basic tactic of closely scrutinizing the instructions prior to applying glue. The colors and markings leaflet is a separate full color item that depicts all three included schemes, each in multiple views; in addition the assembly and painting instructions for the figures are on that page, also in full color.


Decals and Markings Information.

Water-slide decals are provided by Begemot. These are of fine quality and feature crisp, perfectly-registered designs, with thin, matte film, cut close to the edges. Color saturation is fine and markings for the following three vehicles are provided:

F47483, 1st Field Squadron, Royal Engineers, 7th Armoured Division, Libya, 1942.
F19370, 5th Battalion, 4th Armoured Brigade, 7th Armoured Division, Libya, 1942.
Hunter, Calgary Regiment, 1st Canadian Army Tank Brigade, Dieppe, France, 19 August 1942.

According to information provided to me by Peter Brown, Hunter and F47483 are both Mark IIs, so those markings are not appropriate for what is given in the box. F19370s markings are fine but are incomplete since there should be a number 67 on the AoS sign. Overall, MiniArt could have paid more attention in this regard as this is the only feature included in the box that is a let-down in the accuracy department. At any rate, thanks, Peter!


Conclusion.

This is a fine kit and a worthy replacement for the venerable Tamiya offering. Although the markings are rather poorly-researched and there is no option for fitting a radio, this kit should please all but the most jaded fan of this uniquely-British scout car.


Highly recommended.


Frank V. De Sisto


References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to:

1. The British Reconnaissance Corps in World War II; Osprey Elite 152, by R. Doherty & R. Chapman.
2. Armoured Cars: Guy, Diamler, Humber and A.E.C.; AFV Weapons Profile 21, by B.T. White & M. Lee.
3. British Tank Markings and Names; Squadron 6021, by B.T. White.
4. British Military Markings, 1939-1945; Cannon Publications, by P. Hodges & M. Taylor.
5. www.warwheels.net.
6. Internet correspondence with Peter Brown.


MiniArt kits are available in North America from DragonUSA at: www.dragonusaonline.com.


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