Airfix 1385 - 1:35 Alvis FV603 Saracen Mk.5

Plastic model kit of the Alvis FV603 Saracen Mk.5 wheeled armoured personnel carrier in 1:35 scale

Airfix 1385 recreates the British Alvis FV603 Saracen wheeled armoured personnel carrier — a six-wheeled vehicle best known for internal-security duties and urban patrols around the world. This substantial kit comprises 219 parts and leaves plenty of scope for added detailing.

The model stands out for its finely rendered, complex running gear and the characteristic hull with its small turret. The Saracen's shape and proportions are faithfully captured in the large 1:35 scale.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the hull, turret and running gear
• Finely rendered, complex suspension
• Decal sheet for 3 marking options
• Paint guide and illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalogue number: A1385
• Manufacturer: Airfix
• Assembled length: approx. 15 cm
• Number of parts: 219
• Difficulty: intermediate

Note: This kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

Because of the parts count and the complex running gear, the model is recommended for modellers with some experience. For painting, uniform military colours (e.g. bronze green shades) or internal-security schemes are typical, depending on the chosen option — the instructions suggest colours. Apply decals over a gloss coat and finish the model in a matt varnish typical of military vehicles, bringing out the detail with a wash.

Recommended tools:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes in various sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to bring out the detail

About the vehicle – Alvis FV603 Saracen:

The Alvis FV603 Saracen is a British wheeled armoured personnel carrier developed by the Alvis company of Coventry — a maker previously known for prestige cars. Work on the vehicle was accelerated in the late 1940s because of the situation in Malaya, giving it priority over the Saladin armoured car based on the same chassis.

The Saracen was operated by a crew of two and could carry ten troops in the rear compartment. The commander and wireless operator sat behind the driver, while eight soldiers sat facing each other along the sides. With good cross-country performance, the vehicle was widely used for patrols and internal-security duties in many parts of the world.

Specifications of the original (Alvis FV603 Saracen):

• Layout: 6×6 wheeled armoured personnel carrier
• Crew: 2 + 10 troops
• Powerplant: Rolls-Royce B80 eight-cylinder petrol engine
• Armament: turret with a machine gun
• Top speed: approx. 72 km/h
• Service: from the 1950s (incl. patrols and internal-security duties)

About the manufacturer – Airfix:

Airfix is one of the most recognisable British brands of plastic model kits, with a tradition reaching back to the 1950s. The brand offers a broad range of models in popular scales — aircraft, military vehicles, ships and figures — from simple kits for beginners to detailed models for advanced builders. Airfix kits are graded by skill level, which makes it easy to match a kit to a modeller's experience. Under the Vintage Classics range the brand reissues classic tooling prized by collectors. The kits are known for clear instructions and an accessible build.