Monday, July 22

Preview: MiniArt's 1/35th scale US Army Radio Set SCR-299...

The only place you were able to get this SCR-299 radio set up was from expensive & hard-to-find resin kits. MiniArt takes it upon themselves again to provide the full set-up with a table, wiring drums, generator, R/T equipment, etc in this latest set of accessories. We see them & the real thing in our preview....

Preview: MiniArt's 1/35th scale US Army Radio Set SCR-299...

Radio Set SCR-299
From MiniArt Models
1/35th scale
Kit No #35455
Photo-etch included
The Subject: The SCR-299 radio set
The SCR-299 was a U.S. Signal Corps mobile military communications unit used during World War II. It was created to facilitate long-distance communications. The SCR-197 and SCR-597 transmitters were used by the US Military, and they were looking for enhancements in terms of durability, flexibility, and range. The Hallicrafters Standard HT-4, later designated as the BC-610 by the military, was chosen in 1942 to serve as the transmitter for the SCR-299. During Operation TORCH, on November 8, 1942, companies of the 829th Signal Service Battalion set up a radio nett to exchange communications between bases in Gibraltar and beach-landed forces. This was the first time the SCR-299 was utilised for this purpose. 

The photos here below were used in the conceptipn of this model kit...
Although there were initially difficulties in removing the sets from convoy ships, the SCR-299s functioned well until Army Command and Administrative Network stations were permanently installed. The SCR-299 was described by US Army military historians as "General Dwight Eisenhower's successful reorganization of the American forces and final defeat of the Nazis at Kasserine Pass.

SCR-299 housed in K-51 panel van
A female operatior also working away at the radio in a k-51
The range of the SCR-299 exceeded original specifications, sometime establishing contact over 2,300 miles (3,700 km).
Throughout the North African campaign, the SCR-299 facilitated dependable communications with England. On D-Day in Normandy, it also connected two airborne divisions to Britain. Additionally, the Allied invasion of Italy and the assault of Sicily both made use of the SCR-299.

An intersting cut away of the K-51 truck (with SRC-299 inside), K-52 trailer and gernerator.
Hallicrafters Company advertising of the period sometimes used illustrations of the shelter-mounted SCR-399 to describe the achievements of the SCR-299.
Press reporters and war correspondents often used the SCR-299 and SCR-399. US Second Army and US Third Army Group Communications Teams gave them access to the sets, and in one case the SCR-399 became the only way to get press copy directly to London.

A version still in use today

The Kit:
This kit features the detailed model of the Radio Set SCR-299, an iconic communication equipment used during WWII. We have already seen this radio sold as a part of the K-51 panel truck and also the K51 truck and K52 trailer. These parts for the radio and generator were cherrypicked onto three sprues in nice detailed plastic (no superglue) and a few parts in photo-etch (OK you might need some superglue for them, but not much). This plastic set gives you alll the detail of earlier resin sets, but with an easy build and decals for stencils & waring placards fo the machiner. Very nice indeed.

The set includes three sprues in grey plastic:

The radio unit is on this sprue
The transmitter unit is included here.
Most of the form work around the radio and bench and the seats with fabric moulded in.
Photo-Etched Parts are included for added realism and fine details.
Decals are included: Authentic decals for detailed markings & data stencils for the machines.

You can see more about this kit on the MiniArt Website...