1:35 Leyland “Retriever” canvas cover

Bed canvas for the Leyland Retriever 1:35 (PANZER ART)

A resin accessory from the Polish maker PANZER ART in 1:35 scale. The casting replaces the canvas covering of the load area of the British truck and deals with exactly what tends to be the weak point of injection molded kits: the soft sag of the canvas over the hoop frame, the pull of the ropes, the stitched hems and the folds in the corners. Thanks to a casting in one piece, gluing a canvas together from several flat plastic parts is avoided.

The real subject

The Leyland Retriever was a British heavy truck with off-road ability, committed during the Second World War in supply and support service and also as a chassis for purpose-built bodies. Trucks of this type ran both with an open bed and with a canvas stretched over a hoop frame; the covered form is the typical look of a convoy on the march.

Building and painting tips

Wash the casting in lukewarm water with dish soap first and let it dry thoroughly, as otherwise the paint will not adhere. Cut the casting block off with a saw, level the rest with a file and sand wet with your airways protected. Glue with super glue, as plastic cement does not work on resin. Apply a primer before painting, which will also reveal small bubbles to be filled. Keep the canvas matte: brighten the base on the taut faces, put a darker wash into the folds and finally go over the edges with a dry brush. A deposit of dust on the top face and mud at the lower hem give the bed convincing wear.

Who the accessory is for

• Builders of British support vehicles in 1:35 scale
• Modelers who want realistic sag of the canvas instead of a plastic substitute
• Makers of dioramas with a supply convoy
• Modelers with experience in resin

The accessory is supplied unassembled and unpainted, as a resin casting. The base model, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.