PK-43 Russian Field Kitchen

Maquette

Catalogue No. MQ-35003
Scale 1-35
Cost 5.95 USD
Availability In release
Rating 0 (zero)
Media Injection molded polystyrene plastic.
Reviewed by Saul Garcia
Review Type Construction
Date May 26, 2003

In a rather flimsy box, there are three sprues in light gray plastic and two olive colored wheels from the ICM 45mm gun kit.  The plastic shows some flash and crude detailing as would be expected of a short run kit.

After cleanup, I checked the fit and, with some strong liquid glue, I should be able to build this in two nights.

However, after starting the model, I realized that many parts had warps in them so they are not square.  since they are simply flat parts, I could easily replace them with sheet styrene but, why should I have to?  

As for accuracy, the only reference I have is the box cover.  Guess what?  The cover shows many details not in the kit and, worst of all, the body of the stove does not match that shown on the cover by any means.  Is the kit wrong?  I do not know.

My idea was to put it in the back of a truck as seen from overhead in Prague during the uprising.  The Russian Liberation Army used it along with a motley mix of vehicles.

I'll still build it but am suspect when the kit does not match the cover art.

One thing to realize upon building this kit is that the plastic is VERY soft and pieces chip oput easily.  One must go easy with files and knives.  This also applies to solvent adhesives.

I found myself cutting more and more parts from sheet styrene to replace the box structure of the stove.  My detailing was better so I only used some parts which I sanded the backs off (where the body panels were located).  

Do not try ot shave it off since the brittleness of the plastic caused it to break into unusable items.  The wheels were replaced with a set from an Italeri's ZiS-3 antitank gun which are better detailed.

The kit is buildable.  However, I am not sure if the prototype exists.  Not recommended, zero stars, until more references are found which prove the existence of this variant.  If this happens, it will get a half star.

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Review by Saul Garcia, © May 26, 2003
Last updated Oct 26, 2004
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