Trumpeter 1/35
JGSDF Type 82 NBC Detection Vehicle

Background

The Type 82 NBC detection vehicle entered service with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) in 1982. This specially designed vehicle provides its crew ample protection against Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical agents while they reconnoiter potential hot spots looking for danger. Should any of these hazards be encountered on the battlefield, it can mark the perimeter of the danger zone to warn troops to bypass the affected area. Its 6x6 drive train gives the vehicle good off-road mobility so that a wide variety of terrain can be scouted.

The Kit

This release from Trumpeter is one of several recent kits clearly aimed at the Japanese market. The Type 82 NBC vehicle has not been released previously in 1/35 scale. You can see in the first photo that the hull is of contemporary design - there is no provision for motorization. Instead, the underside of the hull is detailed with access plates.

On opening the box, you first notice how well-packaged this kit is with cardboard cutouts holding the hull parts safely in place. The four olive green parts trees provide the wheels, suspension, and the various hull parts.

The two light grey parts trees provide two vehicle crewmen for posing in open hatches, plus three additional soldiers dismounted.

A fret of photo-etched parts is also included which provide photo-etched mud flaps and vent grilles.

Assembly appears to be straightforward, though you'll be spending a while (seven steps) assembling the suspension as this kit is quite detailed.

For some reason, the periscope transparencies were done with cut acetate parts. While there is no problems using these parts, you might elect to leave these off so they won't be painted. Instead, you can use something like Microscale Crystal Clear to create the transparencies once the painting and weathering is complete.

A driver's compartment is provided to give the viewer something to see when looking through the windshield. An compartment wall blocks off the driver's compartment from the rear of the vehicle which eliminates the need to scratchbuild an operators compartment as none is provided in the kit.

Among the interesting details in this kit, on the rear of the vehicle (and typical of most NBC scouts) are a warning flag dispenser and a robotic arm to pick up items of interest from the safety of the inside of the vehicle.

Conclusion

This is another interesting release from Trumpeter. While not the cup of tea for the WW2 Panzer modeler, most modelers of contemporary combat vehicles will enjoy the unique size and look of this modern Japanese reconnaissance vehicle.

My sincere thanks to Stevens International for this review sample!