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First Look Review
148
Willys Jeep MB Follow Me
  • Ed_Jeep_Follow-Me

by: Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]

At first glance, set #28064 doesn't look overly complicated - a single etched fret containing a manageable 129 parts, plus a printed film for instrument faces. But, more than most sets, this one proves that the number of parts isn't everything, because this promises to be a surprisingly tricky little set to use. It will involve quite a few delicate modifications to the Hasegawa kit, removing a lot of the solid-moulded details to make way for etched replacements.

Things kick off with the bumper, which must be carved away to leave stumps onto which fits a new folded sheet version. The sump-guard under the chassis must be similarly carved down ready for a new perforated etched piece and the fog-lamp must whittled out of its frame and fitted into a delicate new folded bracket. The mount for the spare wheel is completely replaced - a modification that needs to be done while preserving the surrounding detail.

Other changes are more predictable. There's a nice new etched dashboard with a film backing for the instruments and a complete makeover for the Follow Me's radio rack. All the moulded detail must be carved out, leaving just an empty frame into which slot 6 new radio and equipment boxes. Each must be folded to shape and there are detailed fascias to add.

Those are the main tasks, but the whole vehicle is festooned with tiny new brackets and straps, tool clamps and neat touches like a new horn, engine fan and windscreen wipers. There are ignition leads and new radiator meshes. All in all, it's a comprehensive makeover for such a small kit - and, being a Jeep, pretty much all the additions, both inside and out, are going to be right there on show when the job's done.

Conclusion
From the above, it should hardly need stressing that this isn't a beginner's detail set. A lot of how successful the end result will be depends on how neatly you can modify the kit parts ready for the etched replacements without damaging surrounding details. In experienced hands this should produce a real little gem of a Jeep.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
SUMMARY
Highs: Very detailed - this will transform many of the heavily moulded elements of the Hasegawa kit.
Lows: It's really for experts only - some of the modifications needed on Hasegawa's kit will fox beginners.
Verdict: A great little set for experienced modellers. The finished Jeep should be a real eye-popper!
Percentage Rating
85%
  Scale: 1:48
  Mfg. ID: 28064
  Suggested Retail: $ 22.95
  PUBLISHED: Oct 14, 2007
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 88.37%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 88.59%

Our Thanks to Eduard!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Rowan Baylis (Merlin)
FROM: NO REGIONAL SELECTED, UNITED KINGDOM

I've been modelling for about 40 years, on and off. While I'm happy to build anything, my interests lie primarily in 1/48 scale aircraft. I mostly concentrate on WW2 subjects, although I'm also interested in WW1, Golden Age aviation and the early Jet Age - and have even been known to build the occas...

Copyright ©2021 text by Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



   
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  • Ed_Jeep_Follow-Me_Instructions_1
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