Tamiya 35267 - 1:35 M1046 Humve TOW Missle

Plastic model kit of the US HMMWV M1046 with TOW launcher in 1:35 scale

The TOW missile turned a light tactical vehicle into a tank destroyer — mobile, fast and able to strike from cover. Tamiya 35267 depicts the M1046: the HMMWV fitted with a TOW launcher and a winch on the front bumper.

The kit was released in 2003 and shares some sprues with Tamiya 35263. Equipment specific to this version includes the TOW launcher with its sight, a missile rack and the winch bumper. The identification panels and two figures — a driver and an operator — allow the vehicle to be depicted on a specific deployment, from Kosovo to Iraq.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with body, chassis and equipment parts
• TOW anti-tank guided missile launcher with sight
• Missile rack
• Winch bumper
• Identification panels
• Vinyl tyres
• Clear parts
• Two figures: driver and operator
• Waterslide decal sheet for four marking options: USMC (Iraq 2003), KFOR (Kosovo 1999), 3rd Infantry Division (Iraq 2003), 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (Iraq 2003)
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalogue number: 35267
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 131 mm
• Skill level: beginner

Please note: the kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model requires assembly.

Building the model:

Assembly is straightforward and suits beginners well. The body is made up of well-fitting parts, and the vinyl tyres slip onto the wheels without glue. The TOW launcher with its sight and the missile rack call for a little more care — these are worth painting before final assembly. Masking the windows before painting the body is a sensible step.

Paint colours depend on the chosen option: a desert sand tone (e.g. Tamiya XF-57 Buff or XF-59 Desert Yellow) for the Iraqi vehicles, or matt green NATO camouflage for the KFOR vehicle in Kosovo. Applying decals over a gloss coat helps to avoid decal silvering, with a matt varnish as the final finish. A wash brings out the body and launcher detail, while pigments on the wheels and chassis add dust effects.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Glue suitable for clear parts
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Wash to bring out details and recesses
• Optional: pigments for dust effects

About the vehicle – HMMWV M1046:

Since the 1980s the HMMWV has been the US Army's standard light tactical vehicle. Its wide, low body and four-wheel drive give good stability and cross-country mobility, while its modular design has spawned a whole family of specialised variants, from ambulances to armed carriers.

The M1046 is the anti-armour version, equipped with a TOW guided missile launcher and a winch on the front bumper. TOW missiles are wire-guided, with the operator keeping the target in the sight until impact. Combining the mobility of a light vehicle with firepower capable of destroying a tank made the M1046 a valuable asset for reconnaissance and motorised infantry units.

Vehicles of this type served with the Marine Corps and armored cavalry units, taking part in the KFOR mission in Kosovo and in operations in Iraq, where the identification panels on the roof and fenders became a familiar part of their appearance.

Original vehicle specifications (HMMWV M1046):

• Type: 4×4 light tactical vehicle
• M1046 features: TOW anti-tank guided missile launcher, winch
• Armament: wire-guided TOW missiles
• Operator: United States armed forces, including the Marine Corps
• Service: missions in Kosovo and operations in Iraq

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 in Shizuoka, regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. It began in the timber trade and wooden models, releasing its first plastic model kit in 1960. Two years later came a 1:35 tank kit that established the scale as the worldwide standard for military modelling. The brand is known for exceptionally precise tooling and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are equally popular with beginners and experienced modellers. The Military Miniature Series also covers a wide range of modern subjects, including the whole family of HMMWV variants. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of paints, cements, tools and brushes. The company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable names in the hobby.