Preview: IDF Power Wagon WM300 Cargo Truck w/Winch from AK Interactive in 1/35th Scale

AK Interactive continue to bring out unique modelling subjects - this one, the "Power Wagon" of the IDF from the 60's - the 80's is a much loved vehicle in two types with interesting profiles to choose from. We look at the vehicle, CADs, & sprues & features in our preview...

 Preview: IDF Power Wagon WM300 Cargo Truck w/Winch from AK Interactive in 1/35th Scale

IDF Power Wagon WM300 Cargo Truck w/Winch

From AK Interactive

1/35th Scale

Sku: AK35020

Price: $65.26 USD from Hobbylink Japan

Product Link on the AK interactive website

The subject: the IDF Power Wagon WM300 Cargo Truck w/Winch

- The WM300 is a truck operated by the Israel Defense Forces and IDF since the 1960s.

- The base is Dodge's WM300 Power Wagon, an American civilian truck produced from 1962 to 1971.

- Completely knocked down from 1966, it was produced by AIL (Automotive Industries Limited) in Nazareth, Israel.

Some of these photos capture the trucks from the decals in this set

A one-ton W300 light-duty/civilian type Power Wagon was released in 1958. This also had the styled cab and sheet metal as the D300 Medium duty one-ton trucks.

The two-ton W500 Power Wagon (only a chassis cab was built) was introduced in 1956 as the C3-HW and lasted through the 1971 model year. This was replaced in 1972 with the W600 (also cab and chassis only), which was produced until 1977 when all Dodge medium-duty models were discontinued.

- These trucks participated in combat for the first time during the 1967 Six-Day War. His success became widely known during the Yom Kippur War that broke out in 1973.

-The WM300 was used not only in Israel but also in Uganda, Kenya, and southern Lebanon, and was used in a wide range of military applications as a reliable and durable vehicle.

IDF Power Wagon WM300 Cargo Truck w/Winch

From AK Interactive

1/35th Scale

Sku: AK35020

Price: 35,95€

Product Link on the AK interactive website

The kit:

This new-tooled kit from AK Interactive reproduces the the IDF's WM300 cargo truck with several features the modeller will appreciate.

- A low parts count with around 160 parts

- Photo-etched parts to enhance details in the thinner and harder to handle plastic.

- Canvas driver & compartment covers are included - on or off - it is your choice...

- Detailed interiors

- Full chassis for underneath the vehicle, canvas is nicely replicated & room in the rear for all sorts of cargo, troops or stowage.

The sprues of the kit, these are  plastic, with transparent for the lights, mirrors and windows. The main parts of the truck are their own large sprues, with the body, hood, cab cover and canvas rear cover

Plastic wheels make a change to those rubber tyres so many are trying to fob off, even though many will still swap theirs out for resin no matter how good these may or may not be.

The smaller parts like aerials, rear view mirrors and other thin parts are all on one small sprue. Leave these until the end people!

Parts of the drivetrain, linkages, engine, driver's controls and suspension are all smartly on the same sprue - nothing worse than a sprue hunt of small parts.

The driver's cab, with front bumper/grille, front guards, side engine covers, front driver's tarp, windscreen frame are on this sprue...

The truck frame, radiator, fuel tanks, side runners, parts of the engine block & turbocharger are all on this sprue.

- Comes with decals made by Cartograf that reproduce five sets of vehicle markings

- Decals include markings for four IDF vehicles from the 1973 Yom Kippur War and one marking for a South Lebanon Army vehicle from the 1980s.

You can see more about these products on the links supplied and more of them on the AK Interactive Website