1:35 US Bulldozer Special Edition

US Bulldozer 1:35 — MiniArt, Special Edition

An injection-molded plastic kit in 1:35 scale from MiniArt. The subject is an American tracked bulldozer derived from the Caterpillar D7 tractor with a blade — that is, a construction and engineer machine, not a combat vehicle. Compared with the ordinary boxing, the Special Edition release is enriched with two crew figures, jerrycans, a photo-etched sheet and a new decal sheet — so the box gives you a whole scene right away, not just the machine. MiniArt is known for richly equipped kits: a well worked-out engine compartment and chassis, clear parts, assembled track links and a cable for working the blade are all included.

The real subject

Engineer equipment is the backbone of any army — and yet it is hardly ever talked about. A bulldozer builds roads and landing strips, digs trenches and shelters, clears rubble and fills in anti-tank ditches. Without it an army does not move: it cannot get forward, cannot supply itself, cannot repair a bridge. Machines of the Caterpillar D7 family served with American engineer units and with the famous naval construction battalions and built infrastructure literally within sight of the front — from Normandy to the islands of the Pacific. Wartime demand was so great that the D7 was also built under license by another manufacturer.

Building and painting tips

The kit is detailed and richly divided — work in subassemblies. Finish and paint the engine compartment and the running gear before you close them up, or you will not get to them again. Assemble the track links dry in longer runs and let them hang into a natural sag. Glue the plastic with thin cement for polystyrene and the photo-etched parts with cyanoacrylate glue. Spray over a primer. A bulldozer is a machine that lives in the dirt: after the base color use washes into the recesses, pigments and mud effects on the blade and the sides, and polish the face of the blade with graphite or a silver pencil to the shine of worn metal. The machine can also be treated in civilian colors — it then suits subjects outside the war as well.

Who the model is for

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

• For diorama builders — a bulldozer in a scene tells a story at once: rebuilding a bridge, a breakthrough, clearing up after a bombing raid.
• For collectors of engineer and support equipment of the Second World War in 1:35 scale.
• For lovers of weathering — mud, dust and worn metal have an ideal surface on this machine.
• For those who want the machine in civilian configuration, outside the military subject.
• For more experienced modelers — it is a detailed kit with a lot of small parts.