1:35 HMMWV M1097 A2

The heavy variant of the Humvee

The HMMWV vehicle replaced jeeps and light trucks with the American army and spread so widely that its silhouette became one of the symbols of the conflicts at the turn of the millennium. The M1097A2 form belongs to the strengthened versions: it has a more robust frame, strengthened axles and a higher payload, thanks to which it can carry bodies ranging from signals and radar ones to launchers for anti-aircraft missiles.

They were powered by a V8, the drive went to all four wheels and an unusually wide track with a low-set center of gravity gave the vehicle stability even where an ordinary off-road car would have rolled over. That is exactly why it looks so unusually wide-legged even on a modeling base.

The kit in 1:35 is assembled in the classic way, that is with glue and paints, which are not enclosed. A decal sheet for period markings is part of the package.

The scale chosen is a happy one for this vehicle. The body without a fixed roof lets you look into the crew space and the chassis with its wide suspension arms is clearly visible from the side, so it pays to give both areas some time.

A rewarding continuation of the build is setting it into a scene. The vehicle suits a desert as well as an urban setting and will take a good layer of dust and dried mud, which will do a finished piece more good than harm.

The strengthened form can also be built without a body, as a bare carrier. Such a piece will serve as the basis for a later conversion, for which it is enough to add equipment from photo-etched or resin accessories.