Supacat Jackal

My next build is taking me somewhat out of my 1:35 scale WW2 comfort zone and right up to date with this  1:48 scale Supercat Jackal. I bought this together with its sister Operation Herrick Afghanistan kit, the Land Rover Patrol, after I noticed my friend’s modern AFVs were getting more interest at a recent Scale Model Show than my WW2 collection. I guess it’s a generation thing! I am also putting on a small Armed Forces Day display at the end of the month and felt perhaps I should move with the times. 

The Jackal or MWMIK (Mobility Weapon-Mounted Installation Kit) is from a family of vehicles designed and developed by Supacat Ltd at their factory just up the road from me, in Honiton, Devon, for use by the British Army and Royal Air Force Regiment. So I feel, even more a good reason to build it, if I needed one! The Airfix kit has just 3 runners and no glazing, so I'm thinking this could be a quick one! 

I read that the vehicle's height-adjustable air suspension system can be lowered onto the bump-stops to provide a stable firing platform when stationary or raised to a maximum 380 mm ground clearance allowing it to clear large obstacles. The detail Airfix have put into this kit’s suspension is really excellent, and perhaps if it were to be re-released, having the option to build lowered in the firing position would be great idea. 

The fine detailing and fit is superb. I love the opening doors and rear “whatever’s” … I guess I’ll find out what these are later … but the hinges are very delicate so I’m sure I’m going to break one off before the build it complete.

I’ve given it a bit of colour and fitted the wheels. For some reason, as the rest of the kit is wonderful, those wheels needed quite a bit of work to get them fitted, but fitted they now are. I also added some belts as I saw these quite visible in the archive photos. 

Next up will be decals, guns and a bit of dusty weathering. I’m also wondering whether to add camo netting that I’ve seen in some photos.

A little weathering, no netting and I'm now done with the Supercat Jackal.