1:72 AEC Mk.III British Armored Car

AEC Mk.III British Armored Car 1:72 (Zebrano)

A resin kit of the British AEC armored car in the Mk.III version in 1:72 scale for experienced modelers. The box holds gray resin castings, photo-etched brass and a sheet of waterslide decals. The combination of castings and photo-etched parts allows sharper detail than injection plastic offers at this scale, but at the same time it places higher demands on preparing and gluing the parts.

The real subject

The AEC armored cars were among the heaviest vehicles of their category in British service. They were built on a truck chassis, had thick armor and, compared with light reconnaissance cars, incomparably heavier armament. The Mk.III version received a turret with a 75 mm gun, a weapon comparable with the medium tanks of the day. The cars were used at the end of the Second World War in Western Europe, where they served as fire support for reconnaissance units.

Building and painting tips

First wash the castings in lukewarm soapy water because of the mold release residue. Cut the casting blocks off with a saw, as resin is hard and brittle and nippers shatter it. Use respiratory protection when sanding. Glue with cyanoacrylate and bend the photo-etched parts over a metal ruler. Apply a primer before painting. Build the base shade up with an airbrush and once it is dry bring out the riveting and the pressings with a dark wash, then add dust and mud pigments to the lower part of the vehicle. It is the weathering that makes most of the final impression in a small scale.

Who the model is for

• Experienced modelers with experience of resin and photo-etched parts
• Collectors of British equipment in 1:72 scale
• Builders of dioramas from the end of the war in Western Europe
• Anyone interested in heavy armored cars

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted as a resin kit. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.