1:35 WWII US ARMY Cal. .30 M1 Ammo Box

M1 ammunition boxes 7.62 mm 1:35 (E.T. Model)

A photo-etched set in 1:35 scale from E.T. Model, intended for building American M1 ammunition boxes for 7.62 mm ammunition belts, that is the ordinary equipment of the infantry and of vehicle crews in the Second World War period. The set is an accessory: it holds flat metal parts that are cut out, folded into the shape of a box and glued. It is not a kit of a vehicle and not a finished model.

What the set is for

Plastic boxes from ordinary kits have thick walls because of the molding process, soft edges and only suggested hinges, catches and handles. Photo-etched sheet is an order of magnitude thinner, so a finished box stands up even to a close look and to macro photography. It finds a use on the load beds of trucks, by machine gun mounts, in interiors, on fenders and above all in dioramas, where small equipment is repeated in larger numbers.

Building and painting tips

Separate the parts with a scalpel or photo-etch scissors on a hard surface, never by twisting. Make the folds along the marked score lines, ideally in a bender or between two blades, so that the edge stays sharp and straight. Degrease the metal with alcohol before gluing; the joints hold best on small drops of cyanoacrylate, and on highly stressed places the parts can also be soldered. Paint does not hold on bare metal, so always spray a base coat meant for metal and only then the covering shade. A dark wash run into the corners and light drybrushing on the edges and the handles will bring the result to life.

Who the set is for

• Modelers who build dioramas and scenes with American vehicles
• Builders of vehicles in 1:35 scale who want a convincing load
• More experienced modelers with basic practice in working with photo-etched parts
• Collectors of small accessories for infantry weapons

This is an accessory photo-etched set, not a complete model. The base kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.