Having delighted modellers with its 1/35 kits of Toyota Land Cruiser variants, it’s more than apt that Spain’s AK Interactive has now opted for the classic Land Rover Series IIA.
Labelled as Land Rover 88, AK Interactive’s new tooling refers to the short-wheel base version (88in between the wheel centres) – compared to long-wheel base examples (also known as Land Rover 109) – and AK’s third boxing (AK35014) portrays a Land Rover 88 Series IIA Crane-Tow Truck. This sub-type featured an A-frame jib mounted on the open-topped cargo bed. Despite the model’s small size when complete, there are 11 styrene runners, including a frame for the transparencies plus a small photo-etched (PE) brass fret and five hollow rubber tyres. Colours are matched to the firm’s 3rd Gen acrylic and Real Color lacquer paint products throughout.
This means there’s a high parts count (even with a number of pieces being unused in this boxing) and on opening the impressive instructions it’s easy to see why, with a fully detailed chassis, transmission and suspension assembled over the first six stages. Attention then shifts to the engine compartment, starting with a three-piece radiator unit before delving into a superb miniature of the type’s four-cylinder …
