Preview: Gecko Models 1/35th scale bikes & motorcycles from Vietnam in the 60's.

Gecko Models continues to broaden their 1/35th scale Vietnam-era range of plastic kits with a pack of two-wheelers in three famous motorbikes & a bicycle. We look at the early CAD of these kits in our preview...

Preview: Gecko Models 1/35th scale bikes & motorcycles from Vietnam in the 60s.

Gecko Models is really investing in the Vietnam War-era South-east Asian theatre. We have a new set of four three-wheelers for you in this preview...

60~70’s Southern Vietnamese Riding Vehicle Set (4 Kits In One box)

From Gecko Models

Kit No #35GM0133

1/35th scale

Gecko Models FB Page

The Subject: Bikes & Motorbikes during the Vietnam Conflict

On the streets of old Saigon in the years 1954–1975, when scooters in the South evolved rapidly, starting with the "golden Mobylette" era and the Velo Solex, to see what kinds of motorbikes the people of Saigon used to ride. Both varieties resemble little bikes, but the Mobylette is bigger and has a viscous gasoline engine. When it's "good," it can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h. The heydey of Mobylette motorcycles was during the French colonial era, when the Vietnamese had not yet broken free from the French commercial monopoly. When the First Republic was formed in 1955–1956, Mobylette motorcycles had to make room for other German automobiles like Goebel, Puch, and Sach.

When the Southern economy was liberalised in order to save foreign exchange and generate employment for the populace. Consequently, two sizable scooter builders were established in the South: VINACO, which assembled the Lambretta, and Phi-Ma Transport Company, which assembled the Vespa. The percentage of internal parts that include assembly is 10% for Vespa and 15% for Lambretta. About 4 million dong worth of machinery was imported by both companies from Italy, with a smaller amount coming from France and Germany. Vespa 50s, Vespa 150 Super, Vespa 150 Sprint, Lambretta 50 Junior, and Lambretta 150 are the scooters that are put together. Tricycles come in two varieties: the Lambro 500 and the Vespa 175cc.

At the time, Saigon's youth fell in love with the Vespa line, which became a "fashion." Although French Vespa vehicles are less expensive, they are not as high-quality as Italian models.  Honda motorcycles did not initially garner much interest from Saigon customers. However, in just a few months, Honda motorcycles swept the market, outpacing both French and German companies. 

Before 1975, motorcycles were the most common form of transportation in the South, and they still are, except for cars, which were quite popular at the time. 

The kit:

Gecko Models new 1/35 scale kit "60~70’s Southern Vietnamese Riding Vehicle (4 Kits In One box)" is a familiar kit in that it combines some of their motorcycles & the bicycle from a previous kit.

Features:

* This kit contents parts for three motorcycles & a bicycle

* Photo-etched parts & a decal sheet is included.

* This kit does not include any figures.

The single bicycle in the kit includes etched spokes.

Clear parts & etched spokes on this kit are also a feature.

The Honda replica looks very cool.

...As does the Vesper clone. These are like furniture for the streets of your Vietnam War diorama.

This kit has not been advertised by distributors yet—who are usually the first people to know of them—so there is no pricing or other information yet. We will let you know when we know more.

You can find out more about Gecko Models kits on their website