Preview: Gecko Models British GS Truck 30CWT 4X2 Bedford OXD (metal cargo body) in 1/35th scale

The next Gecko Models release is this 1/35th scale "British GS Truck 30CWT 4X2 Bedford OXD (metal cargo body)". See more about the kit in our preview...

Preview: Gecko Models British GS Truck 30CWT 4X2 Bedford OXD (metal cargo body) in 1/35th scale

British GS Truck 30CWT 4X2 Bedford OXD (metal cargo body)

From Gecko Models

1/35th scale

Kit No #35GM0096

The kit consists of plastic injection parts & photo-etch metal.

Gecko Models Website

The Subject:

The Austin K series of lorries was a major source of transport for the British and Commonwealth nations' soldiers and equipment during World War Two.

This 3-tonne Bedford lorry is part of the equipment of the Airborne Division of the British Army during WWII.

Before the outbreak of World War Two, Austin, along with Bedford, Morris and other commercial vehicle manufacturers, was instructed by the War Office to step up production of trucks, particularly those on a four-wheel chassis. Austin’s new range in 1939, which was later named the Series I, consisted of two basic models, the K2 and the K3, with a payload of two and three tonnes.

A restored version of this lorry with the older-style workhorse of the British army for comparison.

The smaller payload, 30cwt-rated K30, was added to this range, initially with an open cab with a light canvas awning (index code YC). These open-cab models were lost by the British Expeditionary Force as they evacuated in 1940. By 1941, when this example was made, they featured a closed cab taken from the standard Austin civilian lorry of the time (index code GS). All the models had a six-cylinder overhead valve petrol engine, a four-speed transmission, hydraulic brakes, and leaf-sprung suspension.

The kit:

The new kit from Gecko Models is a continuation of the Austin lorry series in 1/35th scale. This is the WWII British Army closed-cab 30-cwt 4x2 GS truck with metal sides on the tray. Although this is a difference from the open-cab lorry Gecko released details of in April, this one has a closed cab.

There is a choice also between the cargo bay, with an open-topped version with steel sides, and a canvas-covered truck version.

The golden-coloured parts are the photoetch supplied in this kit.

The 6-cylinder overhead valve (OHV) petrol engine with a capacity of 3.5 litres only needs an ignition harness here to make it turn over.

Doors can be opened or closed. Opened, they show off the nicely detailed interior and controls of the vehicle.

A view from above, with the seats, controls and even a space for two Enfield rifles!

I hope you like Khaki! Four marking choices are here in this boxing.

The decal sheet giving you the four marking choices, the interior dial and some stencils for the cans.

With each of these kits you also get a bunch of Jerry cans and flimsies for all your refuelling needs.

The small but important photo-etch sheet included in this kit.

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