1:35 LRDG Weapon Set 1

Armament of the desert patrols in 1:35 scale

An accessory set from Thunder Model aimed at the armament carried by the patrol cars of the Long Range Desert Group. The designation Weapon Set 1 suggests that this is the first part of a larger plan, and the maker later added a follow-up set to it. It is a standalone accessory for 1:35 scale, not a vehicle kit.

Who the Long Range Desert Group were

The British reconnaissance unit was formed in 1940 in Egypt and operated deep in the Libyan desert. The patrols navigated by sun compass, carried water, fuel and spare parts for many days with them and watched the opponent's movement along the coast road. The vehicles carried hand-mounted armament which the crews often adapted to their own needs, so two entirely identical bodies practically did not exist.

Building and painting

Thin barrels and the frames of the mounting brackets take careful handling, so separate them with a sharp tool and deal with any sanding by means of a fine file. The weapons look better once they get a dark base and only a hint of metallic sheen at the places of real contact with the crew. The desert setting adds fine light dust, which is laid on sparingly so that the detail does not disappear.

Who to recommend the set to

• builders of vehicles of the North African battlefield
• anyone interested in the equipment of patrol and reconnaissance vehicles
• makers of figure scenes where a weapon is part of the action
• modelers whose vehicle lacks an interesting detail

This is an accessory that is added to a vehicle, not a build in its own right.