Tamiya 1/48 British 2 Ton 4 x 2 Ambulance. (K2)

A good look at this brand new kit from Tamiya. .....
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[@davidkennedy7743]

Thanks Nigel for another honest and unbiased review of what looks like a poor effort from Tamiya . I only build 1/35th scale armour and Tamiya are now miles behind RFM Meng and Trumpeter who’s kits in the last few years have become very detailed. Keep making these brilliant videos you have no idea how much us amateur modellers appreciate all the help and guidance cheers

[@NigelsModellingBench]

You're welcome David. As you say, it's no good blindly thinking "I'm the best" while all the competition around you are improving..

[@hueyJoe135]

I've got one in the stash. Thanks for the heads up. Keep up the great work son

[@MrDeadhead1952]

I don't understand why Tamiya don't call the Ambulance a K2 which was the official designation so they are no copyright implications. If anyone wants see extensive shots of a K2 in action I would suggest they get hold of 'Ice Cold in Alex' a film from the sixties about a K" ambulance being driven through North Africa and dodging Germans in World War 2.

[@ianthomson9363]

Nigel, you are right- early K2s had the round vents, and according to the blurb in the Gecko kit (written by Simon King), the RAF only used K2s after the war, so putting one next to, say, a Lancaster with wounded on board wouldn't be correct. A bit of a shame, as that would be what this kit is made for! Quite frankly I'm shocked that Tamiya have produced such a shoddy kit- I think Airfix have overtaken them as my favourite manufacturer, I'm part way through the new Gannet and it's been faultless so far. A word on colour: I don't know for certain but I'm guessing that the photo of Princess Elizabeth standing next to a K2 is more likely to have been in monochrome and colourised afterwards, so it's an unreliable reference for colour. In fact, all colours in photographs are dependent upon lighting conditions and processing, so are slightly suspect..

[@keithwarrington8358]

Just a note to say that Accurate Armour website still open, I have just ordered some items, the K2 ambulance is still available but may still have the problem with the tyre tread being the wrong way, I do not think they corrected it.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Thank you Keith.

[@johnkelly2098]

An interesting review, Nige, not at all a typical Tamiya release. Slightly disappointing. To be a bit controversial, I have the Gecko ambulance and both Airfix & Gecko versions of the similar truck. The more I look at photos of the real things, the more I think the Gecko grilles are correct and this little fella's does too.

[@MrJstone00]

definitely seems a massive step down from their aircraft kits recently, their 1/48 line of armour/soft skins seems to be lagging behind while the aircraft releases are consistently leading the industry. Just finished up their 1/48 M8, good fit but very simplified.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

It could be that I have a bad example?

[@MrJstone00]

@@NigelsModellingBench I’d be surprised, Tamiya seem pretty consistent with release quality. Seems like this is just a not great kit. Very good video though, thanks for the work you put in producing these!

[@peteedwards7157]

Is it actually Tamiya or is it a reboxing. There are 1970s tamiya kits that have less pins in them.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Its a new tool Pete???

[@brendongunnell1299]

That's R545 before customs, tax, import duty etc. here in SA Mate...and like you say, just NOT Tamiya quality😩

[@taffy94]

Disappointing. I’m new to the game so no kind of fanboy of any manufacturer, but from what I’ve heard about Tamiya I’d have expected fewer issues. Could it be a poor one off, or bad batch, at least as far as the sink marks? I shall look at other reviews when they come up and see what they show. Thanks for the honest review.

[@ModelkitStuff]

Well that surprised me Nige like you say James does loads of them he has never mentioned issues on this scale what a shame. I belive Accurate Armour are still trading, quite frankly at £62 its worth the extra £40 for the resin one!

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Hi Jason.. someone told me AA had shut up shop?? I mean it's only some additional work with filler, but filler and Tamiya are not usually associated??

[@dcanmore]

yes, Accurate Armour are still trading.@@NigelsModellingBench

[@andrekamsteeg4567]

All "normal" 48 vehicles have 32500 added to the number in the series: 105 is 32605, Crusader is 41 so 32541, Airfield Fuel Truck is 79, 32579 and Churchill is 94 so 32594.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Thanks for the info... but, I have a Hummer, 89790??

[@andrekamsteeg4567]

@@NigelsModellingBench Wasn't the Hummer first released with the F-117 and later as a special on its own? I've got the jeep that was originally part of an American figure set and that's number 89755.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Ah, OK, yeah I guess.. the Hummer is a white box, as is the Jeep I have...89755. thank you.

[@johnmaddox7432]

​@@NigelsModellingBenchI think Tamiya has farmed this out to the Philippines.

[@MOS6510Models]

Its incredible really..the gap between model companies is closing. Can i even say that tamiya are more focused on the RC market and leaving the static models behind?

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Could be??

[@Marley-k2i]

Tamiya seems to be resting on their laurels Nige! For a 23 kit, that was atrocious! With the rise of other companies big and small like Gaspatch, there’re setting the new standard. They might want to get their s**t together soon before their patrons look at the rear view mirror! Thanks for the review!👍🏾

[@JohnCScaleModeling]

Nigel, with you fixing so many irregularities, I’m sure to learn a great deal. I’ll definitely be paying attention to this build. This may be a good kit to build before I tackle the 1/35 Airfix k2. Thanks for the review. Do you have an idea when you might start this build series?

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Maybe a live Xmas build?

[@lesvenus3788]

A spot on review Nige. I wonder if this was a duel project with Italeri? It seems more them than Tamiya?

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Good call!!

[@lesthiele4921]

Hi Nigel, it looks to be a great little kit, and I assume geing Tamiya it will be a basically hassle free build, note certain I will get it as I have the Airfix kit to build, best regards from a Kiwi living in Australia

[@stug2282]

7/10, your too kind and I’m a Tamiya fan. I think it was designed on a Friday afternoon.

[@steve1315]

Oh my gosh ,has the king lost his crown lets hope it's just a bad day at the royal court.

[@TheEdmond30]

got to say. I started my copy of this kit yesterday. not massively impressed. i mean it all fits but theres not really much to it

[@darkwood777]

Thanks. I'll still build it. The issues that bothered you seem minor compared to things I've dealt with in the past.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Agreed, I was/am shocked to see the little issues on a brand new Tamiya kit. Compare this to the F-35 kits!!

[@seantighe3077]

Scc15 came in April 1944. Before that SCC2 was the standard. Before that it was KG3. At no point did the British universally adopt US Olive drab. Vehicles made in the USA were left in olive drab unless theatre demands required a repaint. Modified or rebuilt vehicles would get Scc15. So you would get a troop of 75mm Shermans in US Olive Drab but the Firefly in Scc15. Scc15 is greener than US olive drab, it actually had green pigment in the mix, us olive drab did not.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Thank you. I have definitely read somewhere that at a point everything was painted No9. Obviously an incorrect document then? I have never seen a K2 in SCC2? Could they have gone from KG3 to SCC15?

[@seantighe3077]

@@NigelsModellingBench unlikely to go from KG3 to Scc15 but the early vehicles with round vents could have started life in KG3. ‘B’ tier vehicles were not high priority for repaints. K2 certainly got SCC2 as their basic factory paint. It was the standard for vehicles produced between 1941/2 and April 1944.

[@toboldlygosmodelworks1973]

tbh, tamiya played it very safe their recent 1/48th scale kits- simplistic to say the least.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

I hope you get some subs from my link below the vid James?

[@KeithFletcher-po4wy]

Dear Nigel, I agree that Tamiya should do a better job of on there kit. But not all project managers are not created equal. Next I thought I tell you about two of my next three projects the first Tamiya's A34 Comet yes I broke down and bought one. So, far the only problem I have found is the breather screens need to be replaced also there are small electrical cables that need replacement. I also offer the 2017 Takom reconnaissance Keep with armor plate and Ma duce. Next you made a comment on the Gannet video that you couldn't figure out the aircraft's lineage. So I'll give you a hint, saying your eyes at the Gannet and say the phrase Grumman TBF Avenger. From what I've read the Fleet Air Arm fell in love with the Avenger. Yours with Merry Xmas thoughts. K

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Good shout Keith, but the Avenger is just a little bit prettier lol.

[@KeithFletcher-po4wy]

De nada, frendo.

[@ThePhosphater]

I have one on order so looks like it will be a fun build.

[@markgordon2260]

I really enjoy making the Tamiya 1/48 MM series as a break between my more complex aircraft. They are simple (although the personnel can be complex), quick, and my 8 yo grandson uses them for vignettes/dioramas, and I will get him to start making them - they are good starter kits. They go well with my 1/48 aircraft, and the 1/48 HobbyBoss LCM.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Yes, they are great kits, but I have compared this to my 1/48 Tamiya Jeep, Hummer and Personnel car and it is nowhere close.

[@markgordon2260]

Yep - noted - am watching the the review as I am writing. I have the Hummer and Jeep as well, and they are very nice.@@NigelsModellingBench

[@markfranks1329]

Bit minuscule for you, Nige. You're definitely a, '1/24th C-5 Galaxy, kinda guy!'😂

[@NigelsModellingBench]

24th??? No, 1/16 more like lol.

[@markfranks1329]

@@NigelsModellingBench Yeah, just like John Conner in T2 when he sees Arnie picking up the mini-gun, 'Yep, that's you!' 😄

[@jeremywitt1940]

I think you're being hyper-critical here. I have this kit and so checked the areas you mentioned. You go on about the ejector pin marks like they are huge holes or towers like some old '60s kit, but in truth they're barely there and are mostly the difference in surface finish of the pin and the mould. A light scrape with a small curved scalpel and they' ll be gone. The "sink marks" you mention on the body are ghosting through the mould and again are mostly texture changes that will disappear under a coat of primer. And don't forget most of the bodies of these vehicles is canvas so if there is any variation it's fine!

[@NigelsModellingBench]

You are obviously entitled to your opinion on my review, but I don't consider I'm being over critical. I try to stay on track and review all kits with no partiality, and to be honest, I was expecting this kit to be gorgeous. The ejector pin marks, (if that's what they are), in my roof are so deep they almost come through. I admit the marks in the step are slight but they are recessed so will need to be filled, if they were raised, they could, as you say be scraped away. Fact is, they shouldn't be there at all. The sink marks in my kit, especially rear doors, are not ghosting, they are deep sink marks.

[@jeremywitt1940]

I re-watched your video to compare your kit to mine. They're identical, as you'd expect from a mass-production product. I stand by my comments.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Well, if your kit is identical to mine you have sink marks in the cab roof adjacent to the ribs on the inside, not ghosting as you mentioned previously. You will also have sink marks in the bottoms of the rear doors. Again, not ghosting as they can be felt. Admittedly, under a coat of matt paint and with some weathering, they may be excused for the canvas, but I was expecting better from Tamiya, especially when compared to their 1/48 aircraft products of late.

[@ianmaw1585]

I thought it too late to mention when you built your Airfix kit, But vehicles with split rims should have the outer row of wheel nuts painted red. It seems almost everyone forgets this minor detail, but It does make a difference on the finished model.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

I believe that was a post war feature Ian?

[@ianmaw1585]

I don't know when it started, probably soon after an unknowing driver tried to change a tire by himself. But, it was common practice early on, and if you look closely at the famous photo of our young princess standing in front of her ambulance, you can see it was already being done. Don't worry. it's subtle, but once you notice it, you can't unsee it.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Oh, OK, thanks then.. consider me one of the unseen!!

[@411maintainer]

I am currently building a 1/35 scale rodan kit ambulance. The difference in grills could just be a difference of where there were built.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

I'm sure the flatter grille as in the Gecko kit is late/post war?

[@danreed7889]

Tamiya kits bore me.

[@markfranks1329]

Don't build them, then. Simples!😂