Mr. X Models 1/72 Austin Armored Car Series 3
By Matt Bittner
Introduction
The Austin series of armored cars were initially built during World War I. While the British did use them, the larger user of the cars was Russia, both during WWI as well as during the Russian Civil War. The Series 3 example of the Austin was delivered to Russia in August of 1916. It differed from the second series with a modified body at the rear, machine gun shields, bulletproof glass and no windows on the side.
The Kit
The Mr. X Models 1/72 Austin Armored Car Series 3 consists of 21 pieces of cream-colored resin, nicely cast but with some flash present (which will be easy to clean up). Once the parts are separated from their pour blocks, assembly will be easy.
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Once you have the suspension pieces trued and lined up - and have them glued into place - you can contiue assembly by adding the fenders (both front and rear) the toolbox, and other pieces for the main body.
In addition, you can glue the turrets on, followed by adding both guns. However, I would wait until the end to glue on the wheels, painting those separately.
While there are no transfers in the kit, you can either make your own, leave it plain, or purchase those from Black Lion for both British and Russian Civil War machines.
Conclusion
All in all an excellent release from Mr. X that shouldn't take too long to build. Once built it will really look great either by itself, or on some sort of base, displaying the type of environment you could find these vehicles in.
My thanks to Mr. X for the review Austin. You can purchase this kit from either Tracks & Troops or Black Lion Decals.