Tamiya 35316 - 1:35 British BSA M20 Motorcycle w/ Military Police Set

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the British BSA M20 motorcycle with Military Police set

Tamiya 35316 reproduces the British BSA M20 military motorcycle together with a Military Police figure set. Produced by the Birmingham Small Arms Company, this motorcycle, valued for its reliability and ease of maintenance, was used by the British armed forces on all fronts for liaison and escort duties.

The set is designed as a ready-made genre scene: a courier on a BSA M20 motorcycle and a Military Police (MP) figure directing traffic at a crossroads. Both figures are shown in late-war uniforms, with the characteristic motorcycle helmets, riding trousers and boots.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with the BSA M20 motorcycle
• Two figures: a courier on the motorcycle and an MP directing traffic
• Figure equipment
• Decal sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35316
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled motorcycle length: 61 mm
• Skill level: beginner

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

Building the model:

Thanks to its small parts count and the excellent fit typical of Tamiya, the model is approachable even for beginners. The figures are best painted separately before being placed in the scene, and the individual parts – especially the faces and equipment – before final assembly. The set pairs perfectly with other British Tamiya vehicles and figures in 1:35 scale.

For painting the motorcycle, British olive military green is recommended, while the figures' uniforms are painted in khaki tones, complemented by the white Military Police equipment. The detail and uniform folds benefit from a wash and dry-brushing.

Tools you'll need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Polystyrene cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes of various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise detail and recesses
• Optionally: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – BSA M20 motorcycle:

The Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) was a British arms manufacturer and, at the same time, one of the world's largest motorcycle makers during WWII. The military version of the M20, put into production in the late 1930s, was powered by a single-cylinder side-valve engine.

The motorcycle was valued for its reliability and ease of maintenance, which made it well suited to harsh field conditions. The British armed forces used it on all fronts for many tasks, including liaison and convoy escort. Motorcycles also played an important role in the work of the Military Police, directing traffic and regulating the movement of troops.

Original specifications (BSA M20):

• Type: military motorcycle
• Engine: single-cylinder, side-valve
• Manufacturer: Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA)
• Role: liaison, escort, Military Police duties
• Service period: WWII, all fronts

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of the Japanese model industry. The company initially traded in timber, but from the late 1940s it produced wooden models, and in 1960 it launched its first plastic assembly kit. Two years later it introduced its iconic 1:35 scale tank, which set the worldwide standard scale for military modelling. The brand is renowned for exceptionally precise injection moulds and excellent part fit, which is why its kits are favoured by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this model belongs, comprises hundreds of items and is considered one of the most comprehensive 1:35 catalogues of military vehicles in the world. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling supplies: paints, glues, tools and brushes.