1:72 Parts for towing ropes - GB

Parts for towing ropes - British vehicles, 1:72

This is not a vehicle model or a kit but an accessory. The set holds small parts for making tow cables in the British pattern, that is the end fittings and grips that on kit parts tend to be simplified or missing altogether. It goes onto a finished model where the rope is stowed on the real vehicle: on the hull, on the fenders or at the rear. The exact contents of the package and the number of pieces are stated by the manufacturer on the packaging of the set.

The real subject

A tow cable belonged to the basic equipment of armored and truck vehicles alike. It served to recover a bogged-down vehicle and to tow a damaged machine out of the fighting line. British practice differed from both American and German in the shape of the eyes, clips and grips, and it is precisely this detail that turns an otherwise inconspicuous item into a distinguishing mark of a particular army.

Building and painting tips

First wash the parts in warm water with a little dish soap so that the mold release residue comes off them. Cut the casting blocks away with a sharp knife or a fine-toothed saw, never break them off. They are glued with a super glue (cyanoacrylate), and on small areas a minimum is enough. The rope itself is usually added from thin copper wire or braided cord, unless stated otherwise. It is best to paint them before fitting them to the model: the metal in a steel shade, the rope in dark gray or brown, and finally let a dark wash run into the recesses.

Who the set is for

• Modelers who build British vehicles in the small scale and want to raise the level of detail.
• Builders of dioramas where the vehicles are seen up close.
• More experienced modelers used to working with very small parts.

The accessory comes unassembled and unpainted. The glue, the paints and the basic model are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.