Academy

1/35 M50A1 Ontos

Kit Number: 13218

Reviewed by  Chuck Bush, IPMS# 42838

MSRP: $36.00 Website: Academy Available from: Model Rectifier Corp. The M50 Ontos (the Thing) was developed in the 1950's as an anti-tank vehicle. It mounted six 105mm recoilless rifles and carried a crew of 3. One drawback of the vehicle was that a crew member had to exit the vehicle to reload the guns. The M50 was used in Vietnam as a bunker buster and convoy escort. This new kit from Academy is molded in gray plastic with good surface detail and a minimum of flash. The one piece vinyl tracks have good detail on both sides. A small PE fret contains screens for the muffler and exhaust pipe, brush guards for the headlights and braces for the rear fender extensions [provided as both PE and plastic parts]. There is a small decal sheet with markings for two vehicles. Construction of the suspension went off without a hitch and is very well detailed. I have read that it sits too squat. I used Hunnicutt's Sheridan book as a reference, and while it doesn't have line drawings, the pictures seem to bear this out. The instructions have you join the tracks by melting 4 pins, but I was able to join them using Gorilla super glue. On to the upper hull, the hatches and rear doors are separate parts and the fit is fine. There is no interior, so I glued them closed. There is a pioneer tool rack for the left side, but the tools have no tie downs. A fuel can with a molded on mount and 4 spare track links with brackets go on the left side. The PE screens for the exhaust system go on easily and look really good. The gunner's cupola has a poseable hatch so you could leave it open and place the gunner figure there. There is a mount with a shield for a machine gun and a .30 cal machine gun and ammo box are provided. You also get 2 antenna mounts, but no antennas. Each of the recoilless rifles is made up of 11 parts, plus 2 part spotting rifles for the 4 top guns. I found this to be the most tedious part of the kit. At this point the instructions show part C39 installed into a notch on part C12. C39 actually installs into a notch in part C11. A Gunner figure and a Loader figure are provided, but are nothing to write home about. There are 4 shells for the main guns. You also get an accessory sprue containing 2 .50 cal and one .30 cal machine guns, as well as a fuel can and a water can. The decals are nicely done and go on well with a little Micro Sol. The instructions are well done (except for one mistake noted above) with color call outs and a parts map. I have waited a long time for an Ontos in 1:35 scale and this kit was a fun build. I recommend it for modelers with a few builds behind them. It is also a must have for a Vietnam era modeler. I would like to thank Model Rectifier Corporation and IPMS USA for the review sample.