Hobby Boss 1/35 M1070 Gun Truck Kit First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | August 2022 | Manufacturer | Hobby Boss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | M1070 Gun Truck | Scale | 1/35 |
| Kit Number | 85525 | Primary Media | Styrene, Photo-Etch |
| Pros | Nice kit | Cons | See text |
| Skill Level | Experienced | MSRP (USD) | $144.99 |
First Look
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The US Army sought a truck that could haul a fully loaded M1 Abrams main battle tank in the early 1990s and Oshkosh Truck Company proposed a four-axle solution that would become the M1070 Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET). Over the years, the HET has been updated from the A0 to the A1 configuration as well as a European derivative designated as M1300. In addition to enhanced hauling capabilities, the HET has also received survivability upgrades including the Heavy Equipment Transporter Urban Survivability Kit (HUSK) which includes cab armor, energy attenuating seats, a floating floor, blast-mitigating floor mats, and a fire extinguishing system.
HobbyBoss has replicated the gun truck version of the HET in 1/35 scale. The kit is molded in tan styrene and presented on 19 parts trees plus two trees of clear parts and six frets of photo-etched parts (duplicate parts not shown). The kit also includes a set of rubber (vinyl) tires and a set of die-cut paint masks.
Among the features and options in this kit:
- Detailed chasis and suspension
- Detailed 8x8 drive train and transfer case
- Detailed cab interior
- Photo-etched armor plate outside the cab
- Two detailed winches mounted behind the cab
- Armored shell housing two gunner stations
- Armored backplates for each gunner
- M2 .50 caliber machine gun
- Grenade launcher
While there are quite a few parts in this kit, assembly looks straightforward and much of the vehicle can be assembled before applying the base coat.
The only complaints I have is with this kit:
- No engine is included, just the visible oil pan under the chasis
- The painting/decal instructions provide paint colors in Gunze, Vallejo, Model Master, Tamiya, and Humbrol, but the only example provided is wearing NATO camouflage on the basic vehicle, green side-shrouding for the gunners' shell, and rusty color for the armor plating over the cab and rest of the gunners' shell. Perhaps this was the only scheme used, but...
Aside from the minor points above, this looks like an interesting build and since I enjoy gun trucks (look here and here and here), this will be joining my gun truck collection soon! Stay tuned.
My sincere thanks to Model Rectifier Corporation for this review sample!