I have started to build the Dorchester from SKP, here are few photos after spending few hours with the kit. It’s by far not finished, basically I have put together the main body, undercarriage and temporary mounted wheels. At this time I haven’t spent much time with the details, just the hinges on the roof hatches.
Unfortunately I don’t think I will be able to spend much more time on it now, I have some other project with a deadline…
Today I have picked up the package from SKP (it took only a week to have it shipped from Czech republic to Canada) and was eager to see how the content will measure against the expectations.
I haven’t before seen or built any of the SKP kits and was quite curious what the quality of this kit will be. I have only opened and inspected the content so far, so this is definitely not a review, rather a summary of first impressions.
When opening the box there is few things one will notice. There are only 3 sprues with plastic parts, but quite a number of other pieces – large photoetch fret, four bags of resin parts, another small color photoetch fret for lenses.
Casting and detail of the plastic parts is very nice and reminds me of the sharpness of resin castings. The kit does not include any interior, which may prove to be a handicap when compared to the recently announced AFV kit, which (judging from the available information) should provide interior as well. Saying this, one would assume that the kit will be an easy build with very limited number of parts – at the end, Dorchester is basically a box on wheels. This is however not true with this kit. Having a look at all the goodies – photoetch and resin parts (this is truly a multimedia kit), and having even brief look at the instructions makes it clear, that there is quite a bit of detail provided for the exterior of the vehicle.
Now here comes a model, that will make many fans of British armoured vehicles happy. SKP model from Czech Republic just announced release of ACV Dorchester plastic kit in 1/35 scale.
I might be mistaken, but I believe this is the first time this vehicle is being released in 1/35 plastic model kit. Based on the pictures released by the SKP model, marking for 4 vehicles are to be provided, including what I believe will be the most popular - vehicle of 2nd Armoured Division in Libya 1941 sporting Caunter camouflage scheme.
Sales are supposed to start on January 25 this year. I have already tried to place a preorder, so hopefully one will be coming soon my way.
SKP website, where you can order the kit is here.
UPDATE as of February 6, 2012: I have posted first impressions from this kit – you can find it here.
UPDATE as of February 12, 2012 – See my first impressions of this kit here and build pictures here.
