1:48 Land Utility Tractor Standard N with Bomb Trolley

Land Utility Tractor Standard N with a bomb trolley, 1:48, MiniArt 50003

An injection-molded plastic kit of the Standard N utility tractor with a bomb trolley in 1:48 scale, the manufacturer's part number 50003. The 1:48 scale is no accident: it is an aviation scale, so the tug with its trolley belongs on a flight line, beside an aircraft and with its ground crew, not on an armor diorama. Check the contents of the package and the schemes on the box.

The real subject

The Standard N comes from the family of widespread Fordson N tractors, so it is a British machine, not a German one as you might expect from neighboring items in the range. It was a simple and versatile machine for agriculture, industry and transport, and during the Second World War it found its way into military as well as civilian service. On airfields it towed aircraft, trolleys of ammunition and fuel tankers, so it appears in photographs taken at bomber and at fighter squadrons alike. Bomb trolleys belonged with them as an inseparable counterpart: on these a bomb was brought up under an aircraft and there it was raised into its rack.

Building and painting tips

Finish the running gear and the engine before they are covered by the bodywork. Do not paint airfield equipment as if it were new: mud effects on the wheels, oil streaks on the bodywork and edges worn by the crew all pay off. Wheels with a deep tread or steel tires deserve a dust filter.

Who the model is for

• builders of airfield scenes in 1:48 scale
• modelers who want ground crew beside an aircraft
• collectors of utility equipment outside combat vehicles

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.