Eduard DUKW with 105mm Howitzer photo-etched brass for the Italeri kit in 1/35-scale, 35687

by Frank De Sisto

Eduard DUKW with 105mm Howitzer photo-etched brass for the Italeri kit in 1/35-scale, 35687. Price: $29.95 USD. Contains three frets of etched brass, a film and a paper instrument panel insert and six pages of instructions.

This set is designed for the latest Italeri release of their DUKW that also includes their classic US 105mm Howitzer. So, it contains enough parts to detail two models.
The instructions begin with the DUKW, and show placement of such parts as new plywood floor plates, instrument panel and dashboard, screens rifle racks, foot pedals and fire extinguisher racks. For the outside of the driver’s compartment there are windshield wipers, intake screens and other details for the windshield. The cargo compartment gets tie-downs for the canvas cover as well as new sleeves for fitting the canvas support hoops.
Other details are provided for the forward hull and include more engine air intake screens and flaps, headlamp brush guards, mirrors and mounts, plus straps and brackets for the pioneer tools, bilge pump and boat hooks. The rear deck of the hull receives new jerry can racks and straps, tail-light brush guards and various other small fittings.
For the 105mm Howitzer, the set provides new spades for the trails as well as brackets and straps for mounting the gun cleaning rods and aiming stakes. As is to be expected from a set such as this, there are also new parts for the inner and outer gun shields as well as detail hardware for them and perforated mounting brackets. There are also new break handles for the carriage. Finally, there are details for the gun breech, recoil slide and sight box, and also a section of rifling for the gun’s bore.
Altogether this is a well-balanced set and sure to please those who wish to model either this unusual combination, or the gun or truck on its own.

Highly recommended.

Eduard products are available at retail and mail order shops and directly from the manufacturer at: www.eduard.cz. Visit their web site for images of reviewed items.