At first glance, set #28064 doesn't look overly complicated - a single etched fret containing a manageable 129 parts, plus a printed film for instrument faces. But, more than most sets, this one proves that the number of parts isn't everything, because this promises to be a surprisingly tricky little set to use. It will involve quite a few delicate modifications to the Hasegawa kit, removing a lot of the solid-moulded details to make way for etched replacements.

Things kick off with the bumper, which must be carved away to leave stumps onto which fits a new folded sheet version. The sump-guard under the chassis must be similarly carved down ready for a new perforated etched piece and the fog-lamp must whittled out of its frame and fitted into a delicate new folded bracket. The mount for the spare wheel is completely replaced - a modification that needs to be done while preserving the surrounding detail.

Other changes are more predictable. There's a nice new etched dashboard with a film backing for the instruments and a complete makeover for the Follow Me's radio rack. All the moulded detail must be carved out, leaving just an empty frame into which slot 6 new radio and equipment boxes. Each must be folded to shape and there are detailed fascias to add.

Those are the main tasks, but the whole vehicle is festooned with tiny new brackets and straps, tool clamps and neat touches like a new horn, engine fan and windscreen wipers. There are ignition leads and new radiator meshes. All in all, it's a comprehensive makeover for such a small kit - and, being a Jeep, pretty much all the additions, both inside and out, are going to be right there on show when the job's done.

Conclusion

From the above, it should hardly need stressing that this isn't a beginner's detail set. A lot of how successful the end result will be depends on how neatly you can modify the kit parts ready for the etched replacements without damaging surrounding details. In experienced hands this should produce a real little gem of a Jeep.

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