Eduard M88 Recovery Tank (35787)
by Frank De Sisto
Photo-etched brass in 1/35th-scale for AFV Club kit. Price: $29.95 USD.
AFV Club’s M88-series of tank recovery vehicles has been on the
market for well over ten years. I built the M88A1 back when it was released
and considered it one of the best (if very complex) plastic kits ever
released. Its one great failing was the way in which the head-and tail-lamp
brush guards were molded. It was virtually impossible to get them off
the sprues without mangling them beyond use. AFV Club corrected that in
later kits with photo-etched brush guards.
This set from Eduard is designed for the Vietnam-era M88. Aside from
the above-mentioned brush guards, this kit also has a parts for the partial
ACAV shields as seen fitted to some M88s while in Vietnam. The remainder
of the commander’s cupola gets complete details for the .50 cal.
M2 HMG, including all of the usual things that we come to expect from
Eduard: pintle, barrel cooling jacket, grips, carry handle, sights, gun
and ammo box cradle, ammo box and ammo belt, and small chains. There are
also new rims for the episcope blocks on the cupola.
There are new storage straps, clamps, frames and brackets for the myriad
of tools and equipment carried on the vehicle’s outside. These include
a new pioneer tool rack, track storage racks, all of the racks for the
various welding tanks and tow bars, tow cable clips and clamps, hull rear
storage racks, and the perforated basket mounted on the “A”-frame
boom. There are also loads of small bits such as tail-lamp faces, chains
for the tools, plus the fire extinguisher pull handles and housing. Finally,
there are a pair of jerry can racks, with straps and replacement rear
fender/mud flap assemblies.
The advent of this new set makes me want to build another M88. If you
have one “in the pile”, this set may be just what you need
to get started.
Highly recommended.
Product images are used by permission of Eduard. Eduard products are
available at retail and mail order shops and directly from the manufacturer
at: www.eduard.cz. Visit their web
site for additional images of reviewed items.
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