|
M3 General Lee
two kits in
1/72 scale
Mirage
S u m m a r y |
| Catalogue
Number: |
Mirage Series 8 - General
Lee Kit Nos. 72801 (US version) & 72806 (Kursk - Soviet and
German options) |
| Scale: |
1/72 |
| Contents and
Media: |
each kit contains123
injection moulded parts on four sprues; 3 flexible parts (tracks
and tow cable); 9 photoetched parts on one sprue; one decal
sheet with 6 options; 8 page instructions. |
| Price: |
USD$14.96 online from Squadron |
| Review
Type: |
First Look |
| Advantages: |
Subject with wide appeal;
super detail; clean mouldings; very accurate |
| Disadvantages: |
Rubber band tracks |
| Recommendation: |
Highly Recommended |
Reviewed by
Glenn Porter
Mirage's 1/72 scale M3 Lees are available
online from Squadron.com
Over the last few years I have reviewed quite a few
of Mirage's 1/72 scale armour releases and the level of detail has
always been excellent. To have a 1/72 scale kit with 123 parts (not
including link and length tracks) means lots and lots and lots of
detail. In fact, Mirage's 1/72 scale military vehicles have tended
to make other manufacturers offerings look a bit simple.
The problem has been that Mirage's subject choices
have not had a very broad appeal. Most modellers would not know what
a Vickers 6 ton tank was, let alone that it was widely exported in
the 1930s or that the Soviets copied them in great quantities and
used them extensively.
This situation has changed with Mirage's new
Lee/Grant series. I think that Mirage will find that they have to
gear up manufacturing to keep up with demand. I predict that the
next releases due, namely the FT-17, Panzer IV and Sherman, should
sell even better.
Not surprisingly, both of Mirage's 1/72 scale Lee
kits feature super detail, clean mouldings and appear to be very
accurate. Although there is no interior detail, all the hatches can
be modelled open. In fact, most of the parts on the small
photoetched brass sheet are to detail the inside of the two big hull
side doors.
Click the thumbnails
below to view larger images:
Optional long and short 75mm guns are supplied. The
counter weight (seen on vehicles with the gun stabiliser fitted) is
also included as a separate option.
Each kit has six marking options. The US boxing (kit
no. 72801) covers training, North Africa and Pacific campaigns. The
Soviet kit (72806) includes decals for vehicles used at Kursk, and
one captured by the Wehrmacht and used against Russia.
My only criticism is the rubber band tracks. No
links and length option is offered. However, the kit tracks are
nicely detailed and, according to the instructions, can be glued
using plastic or super glue.
I cannot praise these models highly enough and I am
really looking forward to building one. I go positively weak at the
knees when I imagine what the Shermans and Panzer IVs might be like!
Highly Recommended.
Thanks to
Squadron for the review sample.
Review and Images Copyright © 2004 by Glen Porter
Page Created 12 July, 2004
Last updated
12 July, 2004
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