Wargaming

The choice

I first noticed this truck set by Airfix while picking up some paint at my local hobby shop. At first glance I had images of old Airfix models that I had built in my childhood and that have been in production for many years. Typically I only buy Airfix kits for soft skin vehicles that are not made by other manufacturers. In other words, in my armies they are generally a cheaper fill in to complete a unit. Let’s face it, an armoured division has to be mobile right? Yes but at what cost? A transport and resupply truck isn’t exactly the star of the battlefield. Last year I purchased several of the IBG Models QLDs, QLTs and other trucks made in Poland. These are great kits in huge, virtually empty boxes at a price that leaves your wallet gasping for air. With this in mind I looked at a few internet sites that have more details of the Airfix Kit and thought I would take a chance.

Note the two large IBG boxes in the back each with one vehicle versus the Airfix box with two vehicles inside.

Inside the box

The first thing you notice about the Airfix kit is the quantity of parts and level of detail. There is very little flash and the parts fit together very well. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. It only took me about 3 hours to make each of the two trucks in the kit. They were a pleasure to build without too many fiddly parts like the IBG models.

Airfix (on the left) IBG (on the right)

Summary

Although the Airfix trucks are slightly smaller, being 1/76 scale versus the IBG trucks at 1/72, the size difference it is not significant enough to outweigh the cost and detail of the Airfix versions. The size difference would be only noticeable if you mix both IBG and Airfix in the same unit. Overall the Airfix set is a welcome addition to the soft skin vehicles in 20mm and at least a viable option to the more expensive IBG trucks. Now when is someone going to come out with a Bedford MWD GS 4×2 15cwt truck in 1/72 or 1/76?