Dragon 7439 Long Range Desert Group

 

The Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) was a highly effective unit that roved far behind enemy lines in North Africa during WWII. It gathered intelligence, performed reconnaissance and conducted attacks from mid-1940 through to April 1943. Yet the elite unit never exceeded 350 men in strength at any one time. To successfully negotiate the desert sands, the LRDG used vehicles such as the Willys Jeep and other stripped-down trucks. Perhaps the vehicle most readily associated with the LRDG is the two-wheel-drive patrol car. It entered service in March 1942 and it became an LRDG mainstay. The sturdy Canadian-manufactured vehicles carried sand channels, jerry cans, a sun compass, sometimes a wireless, improved radiator cooling system and low-pressure desert tires. They were fitted with weapons such as Lewis guns, Vickers medium machine guns and the Vickers K.

Dragon has produced an all-new 1/72 scale plastic model of a typical-looking vehicle operating with the famous LRDG. The model utilizes brand new toolings, with the chassis made as a single piece. Upon this chassis is assembled a slide-molded front body that has integral fenders and front grill. This single component accurately depicts the well-known front end of this truck type. The rear body is also made as a one-piece component for easy assembly and accurate alignment. The extra-large10.50 x 20 sand tires are crisply detailed, and the appropriate tread pattern is finely replicated. This is an exciting 1/72 model kit from Dragon, and the truck would make a perfect centerpiece of a dynamic diorama set in North Africa.

 

Reviews:

 

LRDG Patrol Car

Manufacturer: Dragon Models

Scale: 1/72

Material: Styrene

Serial Number: 7439

Price: TBA

Introduction

The Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) was a reconnaissance and raiding unit of the British Army during WWII. Between December 1940 and April 1943, the vehicles of the LRDG operated constantly behind German lines, and as a result of the need for covert transport, the distances involved and the environment, the vehicles they used were usually stripped of all non-essentials and specially adapted for the task. This model represents a Chevrolet 30 cwt truck.

Kit Contents

The kit consists of just three sprues of light grey styrene, a small decal sheet and four sides of A5-sized instructions.

The parts are cleanly moulded, with extremely sharp detail. No flash to speak of and no unsightly ejector pin marks were there shouldn't be.

It appears to be a very simple little model, albeit highly detailed. For example, the chassis is supplied as a separate part, onto which components are fixed that represent a full drive train such as front and rear axles, and drive shaft. There is a representation of the engine moulded as part of the chassis, so that from beneath it looks as if a full engine is present. There's even a full length exhaust supplied! The four wheels are exceptionally well detailed - the tread pattern hasn't been overdone, and there's just a small mould seam to take care of on each wheel.

The front of the vehicle is moulded as a single part, including the front fenders and cab floor. Various components such as steering wheel, bench seat, dashboard, gear levers etc are then fitted to this. Knowing there is just the bottom of the engine moulded integrally with the chassis, it might come as a surprise to learn that there is a tiny separate radiator included in the kit, which is fixed into place on the upturned hood. Since the radiator front is moulded open, this makes sense; otherwise a gap would have just been visible on the finished model. The rear wall of the driver's cab is a separate part too, which allows for easier painting.

The load bed of the vehicle is almost moulded as one part too, with various parts fitting to it before it is fixed to the chassis. The Lewis gun and pedestal mount is supplied as a single part, which at this scale is acceptable...just. There's also a spare wheel, wooden crate and flimsy for the back, all of which are fitted to pre-determined locating points. For the outside of the vehicle there are sand channels supplied for the left side, the radio compartment on the right hand side being moulded closed.

Markings-wise there are two vehicles catered fro in the kit, a sand yellow one of T Patrol - 'TE AROHA' from Libya in 1943, and a pink and grey vehicle - 'ROTOWHERO', again in Libya in 1943. Full decals are supplied for each.

Conclusion

A cracking little model, well engineered and well detailed. Should be an absolute pleasure to build. Makes me want to build on anyway. As with its larger brother from a different manufacturer, I'm still a little mystified as to why they don't absolutely load these kits down with various stowage items...the real ones were never seen without being completely loaded down. In this scale it may prove a little difficult finding alternatives too. Still...well worth having a go at! Recommended.