Trumpeter 1/35 Aerosan NKL-26
By Eric Christianson
Trumpeter Kit # 02321
1/35 scale MSRP $35.95
230 Plastic Parts on 8 sprues
2 Small Sheets of Photo-Etch
1 small sheet of clear plastic sheet (three windows)
Markings for Single Vehicle, Russian Army WWII
Main hull packaged in separate compartment from other parts
Background
The NKL-26 was an armored aerosan introduced by the Soviet Union during the Second World War, based on the earlier NKL-6 (OSGA-6). It was made of plywood and had a ten-millimeter armor plate on the front only, and was armed with a 7.62mm DT machine gun in a ring mount. It was powered by an M-11G aircraft engine.
Each NKL-26 was operated by two crewmen. NKL-26s were organized into battalions of 30 NKL-16s with a transport company of NKL-16s - each with three companies of 10. Each company was organized as three platoons of three vehicles, and a commander’s vehicle.
Combat Aerosans often worked with ski infantry battalions, and could carry four ski troops riding outside the vehicle on its skis or towed behind.
This in-box review will soon be followed by a full build article of this kit.
The Kit
Trumpeter's NKL-26 comes in a sturdy box containing eight separately bagged sprues of light-grey plastic parts and a separated section holding the main hull. Two fragile parts, including the rear engine housing, are wrapped in foam packing to prevent damage during shipping. The parts are crisp and flash-free, and an effort has been made to restrict the ejector pin marks to areas that are not visible from the outside. The plastic is soft and sands easily. Two small photo-etch sheets are provided. The first sheet contains detail for the four skis, while the second sheet primarily focuses on the engine, engine mounts and front armor plating. There are three clear windows on the vehicle and these are addressed using cutouts from a clear plastic sheet that is included.
Markings are provided for a single vehicle. They are ‘bright Russian red’ and are meant to be used with a winter scheme. The 11-page instruction booklet is well illustrated and easy to follow. A separate glossy color Painting and Marking Guide is included and provides color schemes for a single vehicle finished in white. Color callouts are listed for Gunze Mr. Hobby, Vallejo, Model Master, Tamiya and Humbrol paints.
Looking over the sprues it appears that there are some very delicate parts that will take some care in removing from the sprues. Trumpeter’s standard thick attachment points could make this a challenge.
Painting will be tricky as well, as much of the detail is visible from the outside of the vehicle. This means that interior parts will have to be painted separately from the exterior – no build first and paint second with this kit!
Construction starts with interior details including the control panel and drivers seat, what looks like an ammunition storage box and the fuel tank. The vehicle is made of wood and the instructions would have you paint the interior khaki, however, something darker might be more appropriate. Next, this interior is covered with a beautifully-designed, single curved panel top. Once covered there are two easily masked holes that will allow the finished interior to survive the exterior application of paint, so no worries there.
The first use of photo-etch appears in Step 3 where four hinges are attached to the top of the vehicle as well as four additional brackets that are bent and fitted to the four ski struts. None of these PE parts should be any trouble – the folds are simple.
Step 4 continues with outer hull details such as pioneer tools and a spare wooden propeller that is mounted to the side of the vehicle with PE parts. There are no plastic parts included in the kit as an alternative. The transparent plastic windows are also added at this point, but I would wait until after painting to do so. The front window has a hatch that mounts over it (open or closed) but the two side windows are without any type of framing or hatch - the vehicle might look better without these clear parts added. I think I might cover these two opening with plastic painted as plywood.
The four skis are constructed and attached in the next two steps. Each ski sports fourteen PE parts and five plastic parts. Each PE part has a single, simple bend. These should build up into real gems if you go slowly. A PE armor plate is also attached in the front.
Steps 7, 8 and 9 assemble and attach the five-cylinder engine, which is a little model in itself. Each cylinder consists of several fine parts and is attached to the housing with two very thin plastic brackets. With the addition of several hoses and the air-cooler the entire engine should be pretty impressive when completed. The five-piece generator and return pulley are connected by a photo-etched belt. Since the busy-end of the engine is exposed and plainly visible, special care should be taken during construction since all eyes will focus on this part of the vehicle first.
The final steps address the machine gun and mount as well as some additional bracketing for the engine. The figure is rather rough and plain, but usable. It is made up of ten parts and is meant to be displayed firing the machine gun.
Conclusion
The NKL-26 Aerosan represents something completely different and I think it will add a lot of color to my model case. Not armor, not an airplane, not a car or a boat – it stands by itself and is bound to foster interest. With a big complicated engine strapped to the back and a pointy gun on the front it looks like something we would have all loved to ride while playing army as kids. I’d like to ride one now!
Unlike armor, where you can get away with building the entire vehicle before reaching for the airbrush, painting this vehicle will be more like painting an airplane. Each step will involve some form of paint and/or weathering, especially the engine and propeller.
On the other hand, there are not a whole lot of pieces and once you get going it should come together pretty easily. With a good finish this kit should build up into a nice and unique representation of the real vehicle.
I recommend this kit to anyone who wants to build something different, although the exposed engine will require some experience to assemble and finish.
I would like to thank Stevens International for providing this kit for review, and to Internet Modeler for giving me the opportunity to build it – stay tuned for the full-build article to follow.