Trumpeter's 1/35 Spanish VRC-105 Centauro RCV
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Spanish VRC-105 Centauro RCV
The Centauro is an 8x8 reconnaissance antitank AFV. It has a crew of
four but is capable of carry an additional four infantry for close defense
if needed. It has a combat weight of 25 tons. Main armament is a Otobreda
105 mm gun using 105 mm NATO rounds of which 14 are ready to fire plus
26 stowed. There is also two 7.62 mm NATO standard machine guns as well
as eight smoke grenade launchers
The Kit
Looking at the kit boxart leads
me to believe that the VRC-105 must be one the most impressive modern
wheeled AFVs I have seen. I would love to see a real one in person.
The contents of the box is equally impressive. You will find
several bags containing six light gray and one clear part sprues along
with three photo-etch sprues, decal sheet, poly-cap sprue, wire, color
plate sheet and instruction booklet. The upper turret half is bagged as
well as eight hollow rubber tires. The lower and upper hulls are secured
in a cardboard compartment.
Initial inspection of the part sprues
reveals clean molding void of any noticeable flash or sink holes. Fortunately,
Trumpeter has spared most parts from having an injector pin located on
the it. Only the large parts have a noticeable injection pin(s) but they
are on the inside of those parts. Hopefully, this will not inconvenience
you during construction. The clear sprue contains glass, headlight and
periscope lenses. The turret and upper /lower hull pieces show fine surface
detail (bolts, vents, hinges, etc.) with recessed lines between armor
plates. The hatches are open for the optional crew figures if needed.
Other notable details include the halved 105mm main gun with cooling jacket,
weld seams on the mantlet, thin stowage basket rails, bolt-on armor plates,
two types of externally mounted machine guns and the suspension systems.
The hollow-molded vinyl tires have very nice detail but shallow crosshatch
pattern which makes them look somewhat worn. The three photo-etch sprues,
comprising eighteen parts, are simple but have nice 3D detail. These sprues
are sealed in some sort of cellophane covering. The multicolored decals
are nicely thin and print registering is very good. No need to
discuss the poly-caps or wire. Enough said here.
Included in all Trumpeter AFV kits is a one page color plate sheet.
This sheet includes a paint table for Mr. Hobby, Vallejo, Model Master,
Tamiya and Humbrol paints to help you determine the proper color products.
You will need this sheet for the placement of your numbered decals when
the time calls for it. The sixteen-page instruction booklet reveals
a instruction symbol table and a parts listing in spruce schematic format.
The numbers are somewhat hard to read if you are locating a part during
assembly. Too bad they didn't use a larger font for us who have stigmatism.
Get out the magnifying glass.
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Assembly starts off with lower suspension.
For an eight-wheeled vehicle it doesn't look too bad as far as number
of parts. Just the drive box, suspension arm and shock unit. There are
a few armor plates added to the lower hull during this subassembly. Next
the three-piece wheel hub and tires are mated to the suspension. I suggest
leaving them off and the tire and hub separate for painting later. The
rear panel is assembled next with the crew hatch and some wall detail.
You have the option of leaving the hatch open or closed depending on how
you want to depict your VRC-105 but since there is not interior it doesn't
make much sense. The rear panel is mated to the lower hull. Moving on,
we start detailing the upper hull with add-on armor panels, grab handles,
tool stowage, headlights, rear view mirrors, guards, tow cables and other
miscellaneous bits. You will also add some of those clear periscopes during
this subassembly. This poses some thought as to painting later without
painting these clear pieces. After
we finish the upper hull detailing the turret has its subassembly. Make
note that you are instructed to drill THIRTY specifically located holes
in the turret. Why couldn't Trumpeter just mold these holes. This will
be an inconvenience no doubt. Again, the hatches can be open or closed
if you choose to use crew figures. You will add the rest of those clear
periscopes here. Again, the painting issue comes up here as well. Other
details are added such as sighting equipment, brackets, bins, add-on armor,
stowage baskets, grenade launchers, antenna bases, etc. Of note, the two
external machine guns and the 105mm main guns are nicely detailed. Final
assembly mates the upper and lower hulls together with an added brace
on each side. The topping on this cake . . . the turret. Assembly is done
. . . now on to painting and marking.
Unfortunately, you only have one
color choice for your VRC-105 and that's overall NATO green. You do have
the choice of five markings for your AFV. Included are vehicle numbers,
two insignias, flags, vehicle names, etc. These markings are not documented
as far as which Spanish units they come from. With the Internet you could
probably find out if needed
Conclusion
Trumpeter has offered up another unique modern wheeled AFV. The molding
of the kit is quite good and on par with other manufacturers. I'm looking
forward to building this model of an impressive vehicle. I hope it builds
as good as it looks. I give this VRC-105 kit two thumbs up. I would like
to thank Stevens International
for the review kit.
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