Model Armour

Staghound Mk.III Detail Set

(for Bronco Kit)

Manufacturer: Hauler

Scale: 1/35

Material: Photo-etch

Serial Number:  HLU35050

Price: €10.44

Introduction

Hauler of the Czech Republic has made a reputation for themselves over the last few years for producing extremely high quality 1:35^th, 1:48^th and 1:72^nd scale accessories, detail sets and full kits from a variety of materials including Resin and Photo-etch. They also produce a range of PE detail sets, in all three main armour modelling scales. This set is intended for the Bronco Staghound Mk.III kit.

Set Contents

The set consists of just one small brass photo-etched fret and a small double-sided instruction sheet.

Most of the details replaced are small, consisting of such things as tool brackets, for example the fire extinguisher brackets, jerry can pick axe and hatchet. The replacement brackets are simple, one-piece affairs in the main, sometimes differing substantially in structure from the plastic part it replaces, and offering a much more realistic and in scale appearance than the original Bronco parts. We're also offered some detail parts for the inside surfaces of the hatches, such as pull handles, and various stowage box hinges. There are two reflector housings for the rear of the vehicle, together with some smaller fixtures and fittings around the hull, such as bolted strips for the fender ends, tow rope holders, tie-downs etc.

The turret is supplied with new lifting lugs, not sure about these, as PE may be a little under-scale in terms of thickness? The largest additions from the set are the twin exhaust shields at the rear of the vehicle, these consisting of large flat rectangles with one concave end, that need to be annealed and then rolled into shape, a paintbrush ferrule is usually perfect for this. Once the correct curvature has been obtained, there's a separate topflap supplied to be fitted, and two strap brackets per shield.

Conclusion

A small set...but almost perfectly formed. These sets are absolutely ideal for the modeller that can't see himself spending weeks installing all the bells and whistles included in a large, multi-fret set from a large manufacturer, or the modeller that's just beginning to try his hand at using photo-etch. Recommended.

My thanks to Hauler for the review sample.