1:35 U.S. Troop Carrier Halftrack – engine set

1:35 U.S. Troop Carrier Halftrack – engine set

This set from Plusmodel completes a model of the American armored half-track in 1:35 scale with the equipment of the engine bay. Nothing can be built from it on its own; a basic kit is assumed.

The American half-track as the workhorse of the front

Armored half-tracks became the symbol of American mechanized infantry. They carried squads into a firing position, served as carriers of mortars, guns and anti-aircraft weapons, and in variants for medical and command work they ran on into the 1950s with a number of armies. The characteristic front with armored shutters could be opened, so the crew had access to the power unit in the field as well, and that is exactly why the engine bay is often shown uncovered on models.

Building and painting the power unit

First try whether the parts fit between the walls of the engine tunnel of the particular kit, and fill any gaps with filler before the coat of paint. Tell the block, the accessories and the pipework apart by shade, otherwise they will merge into a uniform mass. Fine dirtying gives credibility: traces of dried oil around the cap, dust settled on the horizontal surfaces and paint worn where the mechanics reached. Leave the covers lifted so that the result is visible but does not cover the front of the vehicle.

Who the set is for

• Builders of Allied half-tracks with an interest in the machinery
• Creators of scenes with the maintenance of a vehicle behind the front line
• Modelers who want to tell their model apart from a build out of the box
• Experienced builders working with accessory sets