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ICM
Product Specifications.
35512, BM-13-16N Katyusha. 1/35th-scale styrene kit containing 303 styrene parts (including six clear), four decal/markings schemes and 12 pages of instructions 30 steps.
Introduction.
The Studebaker US-6 was the other major US-produced 2.5-ton tactical truck used during the Second World War. It was exported in large numbers, notably to Stalins Soviet Union and was rarely used by the United States armed forces. This particular kit features the famed Katyusha (little Katherine) multiple launch rocket system (MLRS). The launcher consisted of eight rails attached to a turntable, which in turn was mounted in place of the standard cargo trucks load-bed. It was capable of firing 16 132mm M-132 rockets in ripple mode. A devastating weapon when properly used as an area bombardment system, modern variations of this system still serve in armies throughout the world.
Based on the previously-released Studebaker US-6 2.5-ton cargo truck, this kit now includes everything needed to create a replica of the BM13-16 MLRS. In addition, the major error that was present in the original kit has been fixed: the tires now feature the proper off-set tread details, which previously were improperly-rendered in an aligned fashion.
Wheels.
The wheel rims and tires are molded in two parts each, with the inner section consisting of the brake drum and part of the tire sidewall. The outer half contains all of the tread detail, the outer sidewall (complete with manufacturers logo and tire data) and the hubs. All of this is crisply-rendered, and now the tires have the proper tread details.
Suspension System and Drive Train.
This entire area consists of two main groups: the frame and the suspension system/drive train. Each is made up of multiple parts, all of which have some very fine detail.
The frame is composed of two main longitudinal members, connected by cross-members of varying configurations; most of the latter are composed of multiple parts for maximum detail definition. I worked carefully through these as sub sub-assemblies ensuring that all surfaces were trued using various sanding and filing media. Some superglue, used in conjunction with my Testors liquid cement did not go amiss here either. Some parts needed to be modified to fit, but in the end, everything worked out well. Regardless of the care taken, the styrene used in this kits production is rather soft, so a certain degree of non-parallelism was the result of my efforts.
A separate front bumper with mounts and separate tow hooks is then attached to the front of the frame. The edges of the bumper are commendably thin and the opening for the inertia starter crank is nicely-rendered. The rear bumperettes are also separate parts as is the tow hook. The instructions note that the bumperettes should be left off when towing a load. If this is done, there are details on the frame that indicate where they were attached; this is a nice touch.
The engine, transmission and radiator are composed, in total, of almost 20 parts. This entire assembly mounts to the frame and later in the construction process a two-part battery is installed on the compartment walls. Throw in some wiring and plumbing, and a very nicely-detailed engine and compartment will be the result. Finally, the engine manifold connects to the muffler and exhaust pipe; the latter needs its end drilled out for the proper appearance. Other items added to the frame are a multi-part fuel tank and a spare tire with mounting bracket. The three-part running boards are then added.
The drive train is based on axle cores and drive shafts that are all molded together as one unit, much as Tamiya had done with their GMC kit. This simplifies construction and aids in alignment, although as related above, the styrene is rather soft and flexible. To this unit are added spring bundles, sway braces, steering linkages, bump-stops, tie rods and various other parts.
Cab.
The cab represents the fully-enclosed pressed steel type and the kit parts capture the characteristic contours of this area of the US-6 quite well. The roof section is packed loose in the box (more on packaging, below) and has some fine seams that suggest it comes from a slide-mold; it attaches to a separate rear wall section; filler may be needed here after the joint is sanded down. The cab floor, as well as the engine compartment bulkhead, is made up of two more separate parts. Care in clean-up and alignment are the order of the day here (its all butt joints) and it should be noted that where the cab rear wall meets the floor section, some trimming of the latter was needed to ensure proper fit.
Separate wind-shield wipers are fitted to the exterior, while a pair of struts can be used to prop the clear wind-shield (which itself is nicely done and is complete with frame details) in the open position. Just in front of that, a separate air intake vent flap is provided; it too can be positioned opened or closed. Separate cab doors with some very fine details are then fitted. These are devoid of ejector pin marks on both surfaces and are dressed up by separate door handles, window hand-cranks and grab handles. Commendably clear and un-distorted styrene parts make up the side windows. The two side-view mirrors are connected to extremely fine stalks.
The cab interior features a three-part steering wheel and column, as well as separate drivers hand and foot controls, all of which are extremely delicately-rendered. Unlike the previous kit, there are no decals for the instrument panel dial faces, or for the data placards seen on the dash-board. The bench seat comes in two parts that mount onto a separate base section. The seat cushions are smooth and devoid of any texture or wrinkle detail.
The fenders are fitted to separate engine compartment side panels. The former mounts head-lamps (with clear lenses), marker lamps and black-out lamp. Separate support struts detail their front ends and a separate grill is then fitted. It has the manufacturers name plate molded in place but the word Studebaker is not present. When all this is assembled, the engine compartment hood can then be put in place. Leaving it loose will allow the engine to be viewed; it has no braces or struts for use in attaching it in an opened position. Several new parts are provided to depict the folding blast shields that protected the cab and windshield when the rockets were fired. These can be shown either deployed or folded-up.
Launcher and Rockets.
A new fender enclosure for the rear wheels is provided, upon which rests the turntable base for the launch array. To this is attached a multi-part tubular frame, traverse and elevation gear housings with their attendant hand-cranks and the gunners sight. There is also a multi-part screw-jack assembly, which was used to elevate the launcher. Each of the eight launch rails comes as a three-part assembly, with crisp perforations and guide details. The rockets are two-piece affairs with the body and one set of fins molded together. The second set is then added. They look the part and only need the tiny fuse-arming propellers at their tips to be complete. Hopefully an after-market company will consider producing an etched brass upgrade set with these items.
Molding, Fit and Engineering.
This kit is technically a rather pleasant surprise in several areas. Molded-on detail is fine and crisp, while ejector pins are notably absent in critical places; the ones that are present are under-stated and easily dealt with. It is a good idea to carefully clean and test fit all parts prior to using the glue. I noted some shrinkage on the main tubular frame for the launcher, parts H34 and H35. These will require some filler and are not a serious issue. There was a bit more flash present than one is used to seeing on Asian manufacturers kits, and there were some rough areas to be seen, notably on the new parts. Fit in general was OK, but the entire launcher assembly will need lots of care. With normal precautions, there should be no major problems; I have noted some minor areas that need attention above.
The styrene thats used is a bit soft and decidedly non-rigid. This aids in clean-up but is a detriment to proper alignment, especially in the area of the chassis frame and the launch rails. Much like the previous US-6 kit, several parts were damaged in transit due to the manufacturers poor packaging. All of the sprues are stuffed into a single bag, which resulted in the mangling of the head-lamp guards on the front grill (again!), and also the breakage of several of the pins that help attach the completed launch rail sections to each other. None of this was insurmountable in my particular case, but it could have been if the parts suffered a bit more.
Accuracy and Details.
I have no scale plans with which to compare the parts. Overall, appearance-wise, the kit seems to be correctly-proportioned and has the proper details in the proper places. Photos indicate that there were variations in the way the launcher was constructed, with the kit configuration being one of them. Post-war Polish examples had detail differences, notably a large locker mounted above the rear bumperettes. Photos also show a different rear fender configuration as well as added outrigger leveling pads.
Instructions.
These are clearly drawn and logically broken-down. There are a fair number of parts, so care must be taken to ensure they are all accounted for, prior to going on to the next step. The parts are not numbered on the sprues; this causes time to be wasted trying to identify them.
Decals and Markings Information.
Decals are provided for four Red Army vehicles. The designs are crisp and the carrier film is extremely thin and clear. Registration is outstanding especially on the various Red Army Guards insignia. No printers logo is on the small sheet, but if the modeler has ever seen a Micro-Scale or a Super-Scale water-slide decal sheet, he has an idea of the quality given here. All are finished overall on Dark Green 4BO and either feature tactical markings or variations of Guards insignia; some have white trim on the fenders or tires. Most photographs that I have come across dont really show markings to any advantage.
Conclusion.
What was a decent, if flawed kit to begin with, has evolved into a much better offering now that the tire treads have been corrected. If the manufacturer would address the packaging and its effect on the kit as delivered to the customer, all would be well. Regardless, the addition of a well-done launcher and rockets now gives this lowly, if vital, cargo truck quite a sting.
Recommended.
Frank V. De Sisto
There are two walk-around type books in print describing the basic US-6, one from Wings & Wheels, the other from Rossagraph; neither resides in my library at present. References consulted for this review included:
1. Stalin Organs; Schiffer, by M. Foedrowitz.
2. Soviet tanks and Combat Vehicles of World War Two; Arms & Armour Press, by S. Zaloga & J. Grandsen.
3. Russian Tanks 1900-1970; Galahad Books, by J. Milsom.
4. Military Journal magazine; Vol.1, No.4, July-August 1977. Article by S. Zaloga.
ICM kits are available in North America from DragonUSA. For more information, visit their web-site at: www.DragonUSAonline.com. The kit was provided by the distributor.
Reviewers note: Since May of 2005, I have been working on books for Concord Publications, a sister company to DragonUSA. The reader may wish to take this into consideration. For my part, I will attempt to maintain an objective viewpoint when writing these reviews.
