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Built Review
172
MJ-1 bomb lift truck
MJ-1 weapons loader, early model, in 1/72
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by: Peter Ganchev [ PGP000 ]

Introduction
The MJ-1 weapons loader was a utility vehicle, used by USAF armorers to transport and lift up to 3000 pounds (1360 kg) of ordnance or other stores to combat aircraft. Various versions of this vehicle have served from the 1950s and well into the 2000s lifting “mud” for Skyraiders to F-117s and F-15Es. The MJ-1 is powered by a 25 hp diesel engine; torque is delivered to the rear wheels and the lifting arms through a hydraulic transmission.

Previous kits
Hasegawa has issued an MJ-1 as a part of their US weapon loading set. Despite being a bit simplified the kit delivers a decent lookalike of an early version of the vehicle.

Contents
20 parts in cream-colored resin and a small decal sheet are packed in a sturdy box. 19 parts are used – there is a spare steering wheel. There are 10 construction steps, illustrated with 3D views. The color and decaling guide shows a single paint scheme of an all-yellow vehicle.

Build Observations
Once you have the parts off the casting stubs construction will take you minimum time provided you have the references you need. The kit is well-cast, I did not notice shrinking or scratches. The two pairs of lifting arms easily accept the protruding axes of part 3, and actually swing up and down before you attach the front plate to them.
What you are not told is that the kit is a tail-sitter. Because the vehicle’s body is made of two solid chunks, and there’s a significant overhang at the rear you must have something on the lifting plate, as well as the appropriate supports for it (the kit doesn’t include any).
On my sample the light in front of the operator’s place was broken, and I replaced it with an aftermarket one from the Elf 1/72 set. Another one was inserted in the aft wall of the vehicle. I fabricate one of the levers to the right of the dashboard using a piece of wire and a drop of superglue at the top of it.
As on the MD-3 kit the wheels are a bit disappointing in terms of shape and detail. The hydraulic piping to the lifting plate is not represented in the kit. Most pictures of yellow MJ-1s feature white stripes on almost all the edges of the vehicle body. They are not included in the decal sheet, and not mentioned in the painting guide. The dashboard decal does not correspond to the raised instrument panel details on the model. You also need to remember to make hole in it for the steering wheel shaft.

Conclusions
Videoaviation.com’s MJ-1 weapons loader is easy to assemble, and will add a nice accent to any Vietnam War era airfield diorama in the scale.
SUMMARY
Highs: Overall good detail, easy construction.
Lows: Some decal and detail omissions.
Verdict: Good detail, easy assembly. Recommended.
Percentage Rating
70%
  Scale: 1:72
  Mfg. ID: 120272
  Suggested Retail: 12 Euro
  PUBLISHED: Jun 08, 2014
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 84.77%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 84.82%

Our Thanks to VideoAviation.com!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Peter Ganchev (pgp000)
FROM: GRAD SOFIYA, BULGARIA

I bought and built my first kit in 1989. Since then it's been on and off until about 4 years ago, when modelling became the main stress-relief technique. Starting with 1/72 aviation I've diversified into armor, trucks, artillery and figures, as well as a number of other scales.

Copyright ©2021 text by Peter Ganchev [ PGP000 ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



   
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