1:72 Universal Carrier I Mk.I

Universal Carrier I Mk.I (1:72, IBG Models)

An injection-molded plastic kit of the British Universal Carrier I Mk.I light tracked carrier in 1:72 scale from the Polish maker IBG Models. This is the basic form without heavy anti-tank armament. The model is supplied as a set of fine parts to be glued and painted; IBG has worked this family of vehicles up into a whole range of variants, so the individual kits differ from one another in their equipment and crew.

The real subject

The Universal Carrier (nicknamed the Bren Carrier after the Bren machine gun) was a small, lightly armored tracked carrier with an open hull compartment. It was produced from the middle of the nineteen thirties and became one of the most widespread vehicles of its class — it served the British Commonwealth and, under the Lend-Lease program, Polish units and the Red Army as well. It was used to carry infantry sections, to tow light weapons, as a signals and supply vehicle and as a carrier for machine guns and mortars. The open hull did expose the crew to fire, but it allowed them to mount and dismount quickly.

Building and painting tips

Give attention to the running gear and the tracks; finish and paint the interior of the open hull before you build the armor plates around it, because it stays permanently in view. Paint over a primer in British khaki (SCC). Bring out the panel grooves and the rivets with a dark wash, weather the running gear and the lower plates heavily with pigments (mud, dust) and only suggest it on the upper surfaces.

Who the model is for

• For collectors of British and Allied equipment of the Second World War in 1:72.
• For modelers who like open vehicles with a visible interior.
• For makers of dioramas with infantry.
• For more experienced builders, because of the small running gear parts.

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