Reviewer: Pablo Bauleo
IPMS: # 46363
Manufacturer: Hasegawa
Product: Isuzu Tx40 Type 97 Truck (Kit X48-15)
MSRP: I've seen prices ranging from $24 to $32 in different online stores
The Hasegawa Isuzu Tx40 Type 97 (boxing X48-15) includes a very neat truck, plus two figures, drums, aircraft chocks and a very nice toolbox. Options are few, you can model an Army or a Navy truck (minor modification on the truck grille), and the flat bed can be assembled with or without a tarp cover.
Engineering of this kit is remarkable good. There are neither sink marks nor visible ejector pins in any external surface, however there are a few ejector pins in the underneath surfaces. Regarding assembly of this kit, the fit is outstanding; there was no need to use filler at all in this kit. Make sure that you carefully follow the instructions when putting together the flat bed. There is a definite order in which you are supposed to do it and it is clearly marked in the instructions. By the way, the wooden flat bed has gorgeous engraved detail that benefits of careful painting and weathering.
Interior cub detail is reasonable for the scale, with a couple of levers, steering wheel, separate seat, and raised detail for the instruments bezels together with a decal for the instruments dials.
Tires are molded in plastic and have a tiny mold seam that needs to be sanded. The tires are molded together with the wheels hubs. I wish they would have been individual parts as to facilitate painting.
Just a heads-up for purist: The kit does not include a full engine, just an oil-pan. It looks busy and convincing enough when looking from underneath, at least to my eyes.
Clear parts are provided for the head lamp, windshield and cab cover. The parts are thin, very clear and free of any optical distortion.
Something a little bit strange is the location of the spare tire, which blocks the driver door. I couldn't find any historical picture supporting or denying this, but I just decided to build the kit without it.
Although marketed as part of the aircraft series, this kit stands for its own merits as a vehicle model. It took me about 12 hs to finish this project, with about half of it devoted to painting and weathering.
In a few words: this kit is a joy to build. Highly recommended.
I would like to thank Hasegawa for the review sample and IPMS for allowing me to review it.
