IDF APC Nagmachon Conversion set

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IDF APC Nagmachon Conversion set
Scale: 1/35
Manufacturer: Legend
Price: £59.99
Material: Resin & PE

Introduction

Legend Productions of Korea, have for some time been known as a quality producer of resin figures, full kits and conversions, mostly in 1/35th scale. They've now turned their hand to conversions based around the new pair of AFV Club Centurions with this IDF Nagmachon conversion set, for which you'll of course require the AFV Club kit.

The Nagmachon was a development of the earlier Nagmashot, with the turret of the Centurion removed and the installation of a fighting compartment. With the installation of both passive and reactive armour, this provided secure infantry transport for the IDF, although being open from above it did prove vulnerable in urban environments, so a further structure was later added on top, the vehicle then being designated as 'Nagmachon Mifleset'.Although primarily a WWII modeller, over the past 18 months I've developed an interest in modelling IDF subjects, which I've put down to being sent some excellent books on the subject, along with the appearance of the vehicles themselves. I mean...look at all them fiddly bits!

For larger pictures please see the GALLERY ALBUM

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The Contents

Although it sounds expensive at £59.99, immediately on opening the box, you realise just how much resin you get fro your hard-earned cash. This isn't a small box, and it's choc full of cream coloured, sharply moulded resin, all well-protected in Ziploc bags, which themselves are wrapped in bubble wrap.

Also inside the box, is two double-sided sheets of A4 glossy paper, covered in colour photographs to aid construction, showing exactly where each of the myriad of parts is placed. There's a healthy sized photo-etched fret, along with a good length of nylon cord, copper chain, and fine brass wire.

As mentioned, the parts are cast in a cream coloured resin, the only flash I could find, being the fine, filmy sort, that actually rubs off with a finger. The main apertures in the replacement deck are covered by slightly thicker material which can be easily removed with the help of a scalpel blade. No parts were broken, and no air bubbles could be found.

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I fell slightly guilty calling this a conversion set. All you need from the AFV Club Centurion is the lower hull and running gear. Everything else is supplied in this set, and there's just so much of it...hence the uneasiness. I fell there should be some sort of classification between full kit and conversion set!

The first thing that strikes you when you open the box is the massive solid casting of the hull deck. This is one big casting! It already has the superstructure moulded in place, and there's no reason for it not to be, since it ensures a great fit. The two circular hatches on the top of the superstructure need to have flash removed, along with a hole located beneath the raised driver's structure, provided separately and a large hatch leading to the fighting compartment at the rear of the superstructure. Although the flash in the rear opening is quite thick, each area of flash is marked by actually having cross-hatching moulded into the resin, so it should be difficult to make a mistake, just make sure you don't slip with the saw! Also on the deck there is a large ribbed piece on the rear to be removed. Along with two long supports, one under each fender...again cross-hatched.

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As you can see from the photographs, I began photographing each of the pieces, but quickly realised that it would be a very tedious process, with little return. Instead, I zoomed in on some of the more interesting parts to show the exceptional detail that Legend have managed to achieve. Take a look at the IS-10 smoke grenade launchers in picture 22 for example...the textured look of the canvas covers is spot on.

Make no mistake, this is no kit for a beginner. Look closely at the instruction leaflets included, and then take a closer look in the GALLERY ALBUM and you begin to appreciate just what a complicated model this really is. It has what most modellers are interested in. Appealing looks and loads and loads of fiddly bits!

Since he vehicle is essentially open topped, we are provided with a pretty extensive fighting compartment, in the form of compartment walls that already have cable detail moulded in, something sadly lacking in a lot of injection moulded kits. What this means is that is is possible to display the vehicle without closing it up, and without using crew figures to obscure the inside. Imagine the fun you can have painting it!

The outside of the hull sports a full armour package, all supplied as separate parts, as well as radio signal jamming posts, FN MAG machine guns (4), photo-ethced brush guards for the lights, and the one thing I don't really like....a stowage basket made from the brass rod supplied! This basket was fairly standard on this vehicle, and so can't really be left off, and the only help you're going to get, are the dimensions given on one of the photographs. Soldering skills would be a positive asset, but it should be just about possible to make one using superglue, if you're very, very careful! The rear sideskirt sections can also be modelled raised or lowered. On the real vehicle they could be raised to provided protection for troops disembarking.

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Conclusion

I really, seriously just love it! I've been a bit wary of seriously complicated looking vehicles from the IDF, but after seeing all this kit has to offer, and studying the instructions....I'm convinced that if you have a couple of good builds under your belt, and you're careful and take your time, then any half-decent modeller could build this one. And lets face it....look at the unpainted one on that instruction leaflet....it's a seriously good looking mean machine!

My thanks to Ian Hanratty of Friendship Models for the review sample!

Friendship Models carries the full range of Legend Products