Back to the front
Solido has just released a new range of highly-detailed military vehicles, six decades after its first. Rick Wilson signs up for a closer look.
Solido's return to military modelling, by Rick Wilson.
The Solido brand name was first established in France in the 1930s, but it was after World War II that Solido truly became a major manufacturer of diecast model vehicles. Sixty years ago, in 1961, Solido launched its 200 series - a new range of military vehicles. Fast forward to today, the popular French model producer has just launched its new range, entirely composed of military vehicles.
In 1961, Solido revolutionised the miniature model market by bringing out its new military themed range with articulated metal caterpillar tracks for its tanks, such as No 202 M-47 Patton Tank, at 1/50 scale. So now, Solido is re-opening a chapter in its book and is now making new tanks and military vehicles – comprising a collection of exclusive, detailed models from various military operations throughout the world at 1/48 scale, complemented by the integration of the Warmaster series at 1/72.The new, larger models all feature moving parts to add realism and this gives the purchaser a variety of display options.
The early Solido series came packaged in cheerful, yellow cardboard boxes, very similar to the company’s peers at the time.These were adorned with a graphical representation of the model inside.The new series has been released in much more modern window cartons, allowing easy inspection of the contents.
So here we will discover the first four 1/48 scale releases in this brand new range. Each vehicle is available in two versions (Green Camo and Desert Camo), and both of these are limited to 500 pieces, although these are not certificated.
AM GENERAL M1115 HUMVEE – GREEN CAMO – 1983
Ref : S4800101
AM GENERAL M1151 HUMVEE – DESERT CAMO – 1983
Ref: S4800102 Scale: 1/48 RRP: £32.99 each
At the end of the 1970s, the US Army wanted a new transport vehicle. Lamborghini was the first manufacturer to come forward, with the Cheetah.At this point,AM General offered its M 998. It was the latter that was chosen by the Army - the legend of the ‘Humvee’ (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle – HMMWV) was born. In 1989, the Humvee had its baptism of fire in Panama, and thirty years later, it is still in use around the world. Shown here in the M1115 version, this Expanded CapacityVehicle (ECV) has an armed turret and more space for soldiers.
The well-known look of the mighty Humvee is very well captured indeed.The main body is diecast and the detailed backbone chassis underneath is moulded in plastic.The rotating gun turret on the roof is plastic too, and well-detailed as a result.The finish is excellent, with an excellent feel to the whole model.
GENERAL DYNAMICS LAN SYSTEMS M1128 MGS STRYKER – GREEN CAMO – 2002
Ref : S4800201
GENERAL DYNAMICS LAN SYSTEMS M1128 MGS STRYKER – DESERT CAMO – 2002
Ref: S4800202 Scale: 1/48 RRP: £32.99 each The MGS Stryker is an infantry fighting vehicle equipped with a Royal Ordnance L7 105mm anti-tank gun. Designed as a light tank, it is a far more mobile vehicle and adapted to the types of combat of the postCold War era. It is used by the US and Canadian armies and it first appeared in the second Iraq War, from 2007.
Very nicely detailed in diecast, the main body incorporates the chassis too.The rotating gun turret is diecast, with some plastic detailing, and the upper part tilts vertically as well.The model rolls well on its eight sturdy, rubber clad wheels.
CHRYSLER DEFENSE M60 A1 TANK – GREEN CAMO – 1959
Ref: S4800501
CHRYSLER DEFENSE M60 A1 TANK – DESERT CAMO – 1959
Ref: S4800502 Scale: 1/48 RRP: £32.99 each The M60 is a main battle tank that entered service in 1959 and is still used today by many countries, although its replacement, the M1 Abrams, is also in service.The M60 is one of the most popular tanks
Fast forward to today, Solido has just launched its new range, entirely composed of military vehicles.
in the world, after the Sherman of course.This tank, developed by Chrysler, took part in many conflicts during the ColdWar,such as theYom KippurWar,and also participated in the Gulf and Iraq wars.The A1 version is equipped with a turret offering more space for the crew.The armour is also reinforced on the A1 and some technical elements have been improved.
Featuring plenty of detail cast into its diecast body, the underneath of the model is moulded in plastic.The main turret is diecast and rotates, whereas the smaller, secondary turret on top is plastic, but also rotates. Cage detail to the rear of the main turret is created in plastic and the nicely-detailed wheels roll on realisticallymoulded rubber tracks.
VOUGHT CORPORATION M270/A1 ROCKET LAUNCHER – GREEN CAMO – 1977
Ref: S4800601
VOUGHT CORPORATION M270/A1 ROCKET LAUNCHER – DESERT CAMO – 1977
Ref: S4800602 Scale: 1/48 RRP: £32.99 each The M270/A1 is a US military rocket launcher. Developed in the 1980s, it is still in use today. It can carry 12 rockets of 2 tons each.Very efficient, this rocket launcher is used by many armies around the world, including the French army that has about fifty. In Germany it is called the “MARS” (Mittleres Artillery Raketen System).
A good, sturdy model of mainly diecast parts, the detail is excellent, with many features cast into both the main body/chassis and the launcher rear section.This tilts up and rotates on a plastic turntable, held up by ‘hydraulic’ rams.The tracks are rubber and roll well.
Priced very competitively, this new series represents superb value and the choice of 1/48 scale pitches the range firmly at larger-scale wargamers, as well as diecast collectors. Overall, these four initial releases are an excellent start to this fabulous new range, with the next model due in the shape of the 1972 Chrysler Defense M 1 A 1 Abrams as No sS 4800301 and S 4800302. Visit
www.solido.com and contact your preferred retailer to find out more. For wholesale enquiries in the UK, contact John Ayrey Die-casts (www.ayrey.co.uk). DC