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El Alamein & Command Versions
 Grant Mk.I
two kits in 1/72 scale

 

Mirage
 

S u m m a r y

Catalogue Number: Mirage Series 8 - 72804 [El Alamein] and 72805 [Command]
Scale: 1/72
Contents and Media: each kit contains121 light grey injection plastic parts, three black rubber parts [tracks and tow cable], one P.E. fret containing five parts, decals for four vehicles [1 British, 2 Australian and 1 Polish in the command kit and 4 British vehicles in the El Alamein kit] and three double sided A4 sheets with history, build instructions and colour and markings drawings. Command tank has 4 white metal parts.
Price: each USD$14.96 online from Squadron
Review Type: First Look
Advantages: Long overdue subject, heaps of detail and very accuratel; clean mouldings; very accurate
Disadvantages: Rubber band tracks that are possibly inaccurate
Recommendation: Highly Recommended

 

Reviewed by Glenn Porter


 Mirage's 1/72 scale Grant Mk.I tanks are available online from Squadron.com

 

FirstLook


These two kits are almost identical to Mirages's 1/72 scale M3 Lee kits except for the turret and other small details.

 

 

The only difference between these two Grant kits is that the more recently released Command tank has a small bag with a white metal half figure of “Monty”, a A/A 30 cal and mount.

 

 

I am told that the tread pattern on the tracks is not quite accurate for the Grant tanks, but Mirage offers a photo-etched fret to upgrade them. I’m ordinarily not overly impressed with rubber band tracks; but these are very detailed and, according to the instructions, can be glued with plastic glue.

These are very impressive kits, far above the Airfix and Hasagawa examples. All the hatches are moulded open and although Mirage make Polish and U.S. tank crews for them, they don’t do a British one. The parts count alone says they are going to be interesting builds and I’m really looking forward to putting them together.

 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

I can’t do anything but heartily recommend these two, and the Lees as well, to anyone who is into 1/72 scale allied armour.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Squadron for the review sample.

Review and Images Copyright © 2004 by Glen Porter
Page Created 15 November, 2004
Last updated 15 November, 2004

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