This kit was introduced in 2016, following the successful Plastic Soldier Company 25-pounder Kickstarter campaign, for which this was originally a stretch goal. The truck's cab is similar, but not identical, to the cab of the CMP Quad artillery tractor in the 25-pounder box.
History
After the outbreak of war with Germany in 1939, the Canadian motor industry began building large numbers of trucks to British army specifications. Initially built for the Canadian army, Canadian Military Pattern (CMP) trucks were soon being acquired in large numbers by the British and other Commonwealth armies, serving in North Africa, Italy, North-West Europe and other theatres. Most were built by Ford of Canada and Chevrolet of Canada, with different engines but differing in only a few external details like the radiator mesh. The trucks were built in four sizes: 8-hundredweight (cwt), 15-cwt, 30-cwt, and 60-cwt. The 15-cwt truck was used extensively in a wide variety of roles.
This model has the No. 13 cab, which was introduced in late 1941 with the distinctive windscreens angled downwards to reduce glare and avoid reflections that could be seen by enemy aircraft. It was produced by both Chevrolet and Ford.
By the end of the war, vast numbers of trucks had been built in Canada, which built more trucks than Germany, Italy and Japan combined.
What's In The Box
As usual with Plastic Soldier Company kits, there are five sprues in a hard, grey plastic, and an instruction sheet, enabling you to build five CMP 15-cwt trucks with the No. 13 cab. The parts are cleanly moulded with minimal, barely visible, flash. There are no crew figures. No decals are included.
Unlike many Plastic Soldier Company kits there are no options, other than whether to include the canvas roof or not, and no stowage or spare parts, other than the truck's own spare wheel. If you decide to leave the canvas roof off, note that the kit does not include the metal hoops that the roof rests on, nor does it include a folded up canvas roof.
Note that the kit also doesn't include the gunner's hatch on the left of the cab that is shown on the box art. (Strangely enough, the hatch is included on the cab for the CMP Quad artillery tractor in the Plastic Soldier Company's 15mm 25-pounder box.)
Assembly
Assembly of this simple kit is straightforward. The parts all fit together neatly and some parts, like the wheels, slide on tightly without needing glue.
There are only a few points that might catch you out:
1) The cab sides. Make sure you attach the front, top and back of the cab to ensure the sides are lined up before fixing the sides.
2) The wheels. The front wheels have a slightly different, indented hub cab -- though you would hardly notice.
3) The truck sides. It's not completely obvious exactly where these go, so be careful not to put these on in slightly the wrong place or the wrong way around.
4) The canvas roof. This does not clip on neatly in the way that the roofs on the Zvezda 1/100 truck kits do, and it doesn't fit perfectly, which is a shame if you want the option of having the roof on or off. It will be loose and fall off if you don't glue it.
Don't let those minor points put you off. This is a simple kit that's both easy and pleasing to build.
Summary
This pleasing little kit fills a useful gap in the market for 15mm wargamers. Until Plastic Soldier Company introduced this kit, the only British truck available in a plastic 15mm kit was the Zvezda AEC Matador, a far larger vehicle primarily used as an artillery tractor. The ubiquity of CMP trucks in British and Commonwealth service and their extensive use is sure to make this a popular kit.
These are not only high quality, but better value than metal or resin alternatives. Highly recommended.
