Page 28 - TPM Issue9

In The Box

In The Box

US Army Skid

Steer Loader

- Plastic Model Kit Above:
The box artwork showing the skid
steer loader in a military setting.

T here are not many plastic model kits of construction or agricultural
equipment so it is always refreshing to see something new appear from
plastic model kit producers, like this US Army light type III skid steer
loader (M400W) which is modelled in 1/35 scale from Gecko
Models. Despite it being released as a military kit, the model can also be built
and painted in a civilian configuration.
The kit consists of eleven sprues containing the various parts that go into
constructing the skid steer, consisting of ten in grey plastic and one sprue of
clear parts. You also get a sheet of photo-etch parts, some flexible wire for the
hydraulic hoses and a decal sheet. On first examination of the instruction book,
the steps appear to be clear to follow and not overly complicated, so the kit
should go together fairly easily. Looking at the parts, some of them do look Above:
to be very fragile so care will be needed to cut them from the sprue without The instructions are
pictorial in nature
damaging them, particularly the fixed hydraulic lines. According to the and easy to follow
instructions, the model can be built so that the arms and bucket are functional without getting overly
but unfortunately, the 4-in-1 bucket is not functional. complicated in each
step.

Below:
The photo-etch sheet contains the cabin sides
and engine grill along with some detailing parts.

Above:
The plastic sprues hold the various parts and
there are some rather fragile looking components,
particularly for the hydraulic lines.

Above:
The decal sheet has a number of safety and
operating instruction graphics which will no
doubt enhance the realism when applied.

Right:
The tyres have an authentic
tread pattern and are crisply
moulded.
Above:
The test model from Gecko, showing the
model constructed ready for painting.
28 TPMMW Magazine - Winter 2021