Trumpeter 1/35 Mk.23 MTVR Cargo Truck
By Joe Lotz
Item No.:01011
MSRP: $85.00
The Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) was first fielded in 1998 as a replacement for the M939 with US Marine Corps and the US Navy. The MTVR is also used by Egypt and Iraq. It is also known as the 7-ton, which refers to its off-road load capacity. ON hard surface roads the cargo capacity is 14 ton. There are currently 12 variants in existence with the Mk.23 being the short cargo bed version. The MTVR is also the main prime mover for the USMC’s M777 howitzers. Over 11,000 vehicles of all versions are currently in service.
All MTVR’s are All-Wheel-Drive and come with a Central Tire Inflation System and a build-in turret station with a roof hatch.
All MTVR’s are manufactured by the Oshkosh Truck Corporation.
The Kit
The kit comes in the standard Trumpeter box. The box contains 9 light gray sprues; 1 clear sprue; 6 black rubber tires; the cabin and cabin floor; the engine hood; a PE-Fret; decal sheet and 300mm (12”) of 0.5mm (.020”) diameter brass wire. Trumpeter gives the part count on the box with 430+. As with most Trumpeter kits the instructions are clear and easy to read.
The paint and marking guide is in color and give paint options for 2 vehicles; one in 3-color NATO and the other in sand. Paint references are given for Mr. Hobby; Vallejo; Model Master; Tamiya and Humbrol.
All parts a cleanly molded with no visible flash. There appear to be no ejector marks in visible places. The detail of the parts is crisp.
The assembly follows the standard or truck models starting with the frame and chassis followed y the suspension. With the cab being next and the cargo bed last.
There are no engine, transmission or gun for the weapons station included. Neither is there a cover for the cargo bed.
When I took the sprues out of the sealed bags I did find one broken part. But it should be an easy fix.
Conclusion
I would like to thank Stevens International for this review kit.