Centurion Mk.5 AVRE
Gecko Models, 1/35 scale
Reviewed by Andrew Judson
Summary
Title: |
Amusing Hobby Kit No. 35A035 - Centurion Mk.5 AVRE |
Media and Contents: |
See details below. |
Scale: |
1/35 |
Price: |
TBA |
Review Type: |
FirstLook |
Advantages: |
High quality moulding; crisp surface textures; interesting subject; workable tracks; effective use of multi-media. |
Disadvantages: |
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Recommendation: |
This is going to build up into a very nice kit in the end, and I look forward to building mine in the near future. |
FirstLook
When I heard this kit was coming I must admit that I was excited. This is the Royal Engineers vehicle as used in the first Gulf War.
12 AVREs were deployed. None saw action on the front, although three were destroyed over a two day period due to explosion incidents.
The AVRE is modified with additional armour, has the large spade fitted at front of the vehicle and it is fitted with a 165mm gun.
Looking at the kit, I was immediately impressed with the box art showing a vehicle somewhere in the Gulf.
The parts contents are very nice with 12 sprues of tan plastic parts, a bag of individual snap-together workable tracks, and the lower tub for a total count of 627 parts in plastic. Take into account that 204 of these pieces are tracks.
There are also twelve photo-etched parts, mainly for the stowage basket, six brass springs for the workable suspension, a piece of thread for the tow cable, two small decal sheets for the Gulf War variant and of course a 23 page instruction manual, which includes colour plates for three vehicles in total - BATUS, NATO and GULF.
The parts are well moulded with very nice surface details, especially the one piece slide moulded barrel with rifling. Impressive.
This is going to build up into a very nice kit in the end, and I look forward to building mine in the near future.
Purchased by reviewer
Text and Images by Andrew Judson
Page Created 13 June, 2021
Page Last Updated
14 June, 2021
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