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14 Update and Conversion Sets for Airfix Ferret Scout Car

Scorpion Military Miniatures

Reviewed by Peter Brown

Summary

Title:	Scorpion Military Miniatures 14 Update Sets for Airfix Ferret Scout Car All available from SMM’s online shop
Review Type:	First Look
Advantages:	Interesting subjects; perfect casting; easy cleanup and prepration.
Disadvantages:	None noted.
Recommendation:	Should be very useful.

FirstRead

A Ferret Scout Car in plastic in 1/35th has long been on many Wish Lists so Airfix's recent release was welcomed. Some have found problems with it however. Scorpion Military Miniatures have released several resin update and conversion sets to help out.

SMM3564W Ferret Replacement Wheel set One area of the kit which could stand improvement is the tyres. Depicting the typical tread pattern of the real vehicle is all-but impossible in plastic so these resin items are ideal. Four main wheels are provided in the set. These need little to no cleanup and come with separate brake drums which attach directly to the kit's axles and hubs for the front. They have raised lettering on the sidewalls and no noticeable "sag" but that is the case with the real thing. A spare wheel is also included with a new carrier to replace the undersized kit item. There are also long wheel studs which can be fitted for a carrier without a wheel for a different look. Price is £8.75

SMM3564G Ferret Rear Grille This is a resin replacement for the kit’s over-scale rear hull grille priced at £3.55

SMM3564J Ferret Basic Detail Set Various areas of the kit are improved by this set, including all the hull visors, wing mirrors, two patterns of fire extinguisher and shovel in resin while the exhaust gets a new fishtail in resin plus etched brass parts for the cover. Price £8.50

SMM3564C Ferret Mk.2 (small turret) This was the first type to enter production. Unlike the later Mk 2 series it had two smaller rear turret doors which opened to the sides and some had different driver’s side visors. These are in the set along with traffic indicators and items for a Hong King Defence Force vehicle. Price £7.00

SMM3564T Ferret Mk 2/1 Turret replaces the kit turret with one with thinner turret and hatch walls which go with various kit parts such as the searchlight. Also included are a resin .30” Browning and a GPMG. This set is £7.00

SMM3564A If you want a different Mark, there is a Mk 1 conversion set. This gives a hull roof plate which fits in place of the kit's hull roof, alternative front machine gun mountings for a Bren, Browning or GPMG and a rear one for any gun. These guns are all available separately. Price £3.75

SMM3564B Should you prefer the roofed Mk 1/2 then this set has the raised section which fits on top of the hull, separate doors/hatches with hinges and handles, plate for the machine gun mount and pintles for various machine guns which are available separately. Price £7.00

SMM3564A1 Both Mk 1 and Mk 1/2 Ferrets could be seen with a Bren Gun. The set depicts an L4-series 7.62mm gun which were converted .303" guns with new barrels with flash hider, breech blocks and various fittings for the new straighter magazine. Gun, cradle and spent case catcher box are in the set. Price £3.00

SMM3564A2 An alternative armament for Ferrets Mk 1 and 1/2 is a .30" Browning M1919A4 or L3A2 as it was known in British service. The set includes a complete gun - although a separate brass barrel and cooling jacket can be found separately from SMM (SMM3562) - plus cradle and ammunition boxes with two styles of box holder. Price £3.00

SMM3564A3 GPMG Gun Pack has a superbly moulded L7-series “Jimpy”, separate pintle, ammunition box with a short length of ammo belt and the large spent case catcher seen during the First Gulf War. Price £3.00

If modelling an early Ferret a No.19 Wireless Set is available as SMM3566A for £9.55, this has all the parts moulded in one piece with a separate resin “cage” to be fitted over the front. Suitable 3D printed aerial bases are in set SMM3566A at £4.25. There are also 3D printed mountings for later radios complete with wire for the antennas, Clansman Antenna and Bases SMM3564R at £6.50 - the set itself is kit part B3 - or Larkspur ones SMM3565 for £4.35 for use with kit parts B21. Replacements for the kit sand channels in etched brass can be had as SMM3564S for £3.00 and the large stowage basket over the engine covers seen on many Ferrets as a 3D print with etched brass as SMM3564H1 for £8.55.

All can be ordered from SMM’s online shop at https://www.scorpion-miniature-models.co.uk/shop They offer a lot of improvements and options for the base kit. Moulding quality is top notch, each comes in minimalist packing with parts and instruction sheets in small zip-top bags. I look forward to using some on my kit, maybe a Gulf War Mk 1/2?

Photos are courtesy of Mike Shackleton. Complete models show Airfix kit with early Mk 2 conversion plus wheels, grilles and No 19 Antenna Bases and another kit with Mk 1/2 conversion including wheels, GPMG, Clansman Antennae and Bases, brass sand channels, replacement grill and stowage basket.
Peter Brown for Brett Green 09 Feb 2024

Text and Images by Peter Brown
Page Created 10 March. 2024
Page Last Updated 10 March, 2024