The Modelling News: Preview: A new Patton & 105mm armament for your DUKW from I love Kit in June...

I Love Kit's latest releases feature the M48A3 Patton and a DUKW with 105mm gun in 35th scale. We look at the art, decals, marking choices & built test shots in our preview...

Preview: A new Patton & 105mm armament for your DUKW from I love Kit in June...

M48A3 MBT

by I Love Kit

Model no #

1/35th scale

Price: $73 USD from Hobbylink Japan

The M48 Patton is a main battle tank (MBT) that was designed in the United States. It was the third tank to be officially named after General George S. Patton, commander of the U.S. Third Army during World War II and one of the earliest American advocates for the use of tanks in battle.

Markings included in this kit

Decals included in this kit

It was a further development of the M47 Patton tank. The M48 Patton was in U.S. service until replaced by the M60 and served as the U.S. Army and Marine Corps' primary battle tank in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. It was widely used by U.S. Cold War allies, especially other NATO countries.

Here you see the test kit built up by the I love Kit staff

Model Length: 248.4mm /Width: 103.7mm

Total of 12 sprues, upper hull, lower hull and tracks

The kit consists of over 530 parts

Multi-directional slide moulded lower hull & upper hull

- 162 individual tracks links

-Photo-etched parts included

GMC DUKW-353 With 105mm Howitzer

by I Love Kit

Model no #63540

1/35th scale

Price: $69 USD from Hobbylink Japan

In 1942, the US Army, represented by the Commanding General, Service and Supply, appealed to the National Defense Research Committee to have an amphibious vehicle capable of traveling both at sea and on land. With 6-wheel drive, the first prototype is manufactured by the General Motors Company. Immediately adopted by U.S. Army, the GMC DUKW 353 moves in water using a propeller.

Markings included in this kit

Decals included in this kit

This machine can carry a large amount of equipment (up to 2,368 kg) or 25 equipped soldiers. Very used during amphibious operations, and especially during the Normandy Landing, its manoeuvrability allows the DUKW to shuttle between the transport ships and the beach or even cross rivers. Used in the Korean War, the DUKW 353 GMCs were much appreciated by American soldiers. The DUKW remained in service until the 1950s.The DUKW would be used to sometimes carry the 105mm howitzer. Usually, a DUKW with a 105 would simply be transporting it from one place to another, however, it wasn't uncommon for these transports to be used as ad hoc SPGs, despite the stress the recoil caused.

Here you see the test kit built up by the I love Kit staff