1:35 XM153 CROWS II

XM153 CROWS II, Remote Controlled Weapon Station 1:35 — Bronco

An accessory set of the American XM153 CROWS II remote controlled weapon station in 1:35 scale from Bronco. It is not a vehicle model, but an accessory that is fitted onto the roof of a kit that is already built. The manufacturer intends it for modern American vehicles, that is for the Humvee-series armored cars, for MRAP class vehicles and for Buffalo type vehicles.

The real subject

CROWS is a remote controlled weapon station: the weapon is held in a traversing mount assembly on the roof of the vehicle, while the gunner operates it from inside the hull through a screen and a controller. He therefore does not have to put his head out of the vehicle, which in urban fighting cuts losses dramatically. The sighting assembly contains a day camera, a thermal camera and a laser rangefinder. Depending on need, a heavy machine gun, a lighter machine gun or a grenade launcher can be fitted to the station. The second generation, that is CROWS II, spread very widely among American units.

Usage tips

• Paint the set separately and fit it onto the finished vehicle last
• You can suggest the sighting windows with gloss varnish or a drop of clear resin
• Glue the small parts with liquid cement while they are still on the sprue
• Modern equipment tends to be little dirtied, so go easy on the effects

Who the set is for

For modelers of modern American equipment in 1:35 scale whose kit is missing the station or has a simplified one, and for builders who want to add it to a vehicle that does not have it in the base box. It is an injection-molded plastic alternative to cast conversion sets.

It is an accessory set, not a vehicle model. A vehicle, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.