Tamiya 35266 - 1:35 Modern US Military Equipment Set

Tamiya 35266 Modern US Military Equipment Set in 1:35 scale

The gear spread around a vehicle says more about the soldiers than the vehicle itself: rucksacks dropped on the ground, sleeping bags, ration cartons, ammunition boxes, water containers. The Tamiya 35266 set supplies exactly this kind of detail as a complete package – around 25 types of modern US Army equipment in 1:35 scale.

The set contains no human figures – the only figure is a dog. The parts come from new 2003 tooling and are an ideal complement to models of modern vehicles, including the Humvee, for which identification panels are provided.

What is in the box:

• Alice packs – large and small
• A butt pack
• 40 mm and .50 cal ammunition boxes
• Binoculars
• A Fritz type helmet
• Ration cartons
• Jerry cans and water containers
• Sleeping bags, mats and duffel bags
• A camp bed
• A folded tent and a folded tarpaulin
• Identification panels for a Humvee
• A dog figure

Kit specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35266
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Type: diorama accessories – equipment and personal gear
• Tooling: 2003 (new tooling)
• Contents: around 25 types of parts

Assembly and painting required

The parts have to be removed from the sprues, cleaned up, assembled and painted. Cement, paints and modelling tools are not included in the set and must be obtained separately.

Use in a diorama:

• Stowage and cargo for modern vehicles – packs, boxes and containers loaded on a Humvee or an armoured carrier
• A camp: camp bed, sleeping bags, mats and a folded tent laid out beside the vehicle
• A supply point with ration cartons and water containers
• Identification panels spread over the bonnet or roof of a vehicle
• The dog as a narrative element in a crew vignette
• Adding gear to figures from other 1:35 sets

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters
• Hobby knife and files or sandpaper to clean up the parts
• Polystyrene cement
• Model paints and brushes; washes and dry-brushing work well on fabric and webbing
• Precision modelling tweezers

Modern US soldier equipment:

The ALICE load carrying system, introduced in the 1970s, was the backbone of American individual equipment for several decades. It comprised packs in several sizes, belts, pouches and bags attached to a common modular fitting. The distinctive PASGT helmet, adopted in the 1980s, quickly earned the nickname Fritz because its shape recalls the German helmet of the two world wars – and the name has stuck ever since.

Modern ground operations depend on efficient supply in the field: rations packed in cartons, water containers and cans, sleeping bags and mats, folding camp beds, and tents and tarpaulins pitched beside vehicles. Identification panels form a category of their own – brightly coloured sheets spread over vehicles to help friendly aircraft recognise them from the air and reduce the risk of friendly fire. All of these items in 1:35 scale make it possible to build a convincing scene of a modern halt or field base.

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya is a Japanese company based in Shizuoka, active since 1946 – first as a timber business and, from the 1960s, as a manufacturer of plastic scale models. The brand built its reputation on precise tooling, good parts fit and clear instructions, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike.

The 1:35 Military Miniature Series, to which this set belongs, covers military vehicles, figures and diorama accessories, from the Second World War through to the present day. A shared scale and consistent style make it easy to combine parts from different Tamiya sets in one scene.