Panda-Hobby 1/35 Husky Mk.III VMMD Kit First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | November 2016 | Manufacturer | Panda-Hobby |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Husky Mk.III VMMD | Scale | 1/35 |
| Kit Number | 35014 | Primary Media | Styrene, Photo-Etch |
| Pros | Nice details | Cons | None noted |
| Skill Level | Experienced | MSRP (USD) | $34.95 |
First Look
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The US Army procured an off-the-shelf armored mine detection vehicle with the Husky. Developed in South Africa for their own counter-terrorism forces, the US Army ordered the Husky Mk.III in 2010. These vehicles provide their operators with armored cockpits and high technology detection equipment to provide convoy protection in high threat areas. The bottom of the vehicle features a sharp V hull to deflect detonations underneath and modular construction to allow the vehicle to be restored to service within hours after an mine/bomb detonation. The Husky is powered by a Mercedes diesel engine driving a 4x4 power train which gives this vehicle some impressive capabilities.
Panda Hobby has released their Husky Mk.III kit which appears to be a simple build with some nice details. This is a smaller vehicle and the kit is not over-engineered, so construction of the basic kit will be quick and easy. Among the kit's features and options:
- Detailed suspension/drive train
- Nicely detailed hull
- Photo-etched grilles on the engine hood
- Positionable driver's hatches
- Clear armored glass (need tinting)
- Positionable mine detection antennas
- Optional CREW system
The Army's Husky vehicles come in a variety of colors as long as they're all Desert Sand. That means the base coat will be simple with time spent on bringing out the details. The box art does a nice job of illustrating the various colors of the details on this vehicle. If you go online and look at some of the photos of these vehicles in the field, you'll see some interesting variations that may be worth adding to your model. The kit does provide an optional Counter-IED Electronic Warfare (CREW) antenna for the front of the vehicle.
The decals provide a nice array of stencils and placards.
While AFV Club was first to market with their Husky Mk.III kit, this release is less than half the price. What's more like the AFV Club kit, this release has rubber (vinyl) tires so you can adapt the DEF weighted resin wheels for this kit if you prefer.
This looks like an interesting project that will make a nice addition to your modern combat vehicle collection and for your next model contest.
My sincere thanks to Panda-Hobby for the review sample.