Reviews : Tamiya British Universal Carrier

The ominous title, forced reconnaissance, sets the mood for this inexpensive kit. Decently crafted soldiers, especially the machine gunner, look pensive and on guard. All are hunkered down, somewhat exposed in the mildly armored carrier. It's easy to imagine them not so alone, but instead supported by infantry and tank. This is where the kit would shine, as a key ingredient to interesting dioramas. How's the build? The model goes together well, with a few tight-fitting connections here and there. Small ammo boxes, Jerry cans and assorted containers fill the carrier with detail. You have a choice of desert decals and soldiers, or three European versions. So there is flexibility here. What's the bottom line? Tamiya does well replicating this overlooked workhorse of the British military. The kit is affordable. Yes, it is an older Tamiya, but a good one. In the making of dioramas with other kits, or as a fun stand alone project that is a nice change from tanks and jeeps, this model fills the bill. All told, an unexciting, but high value item. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

I use to consider this a go-to or a rainy day build kit. Ive built six of them in a variety of uses. It goes together great and can be built as a variety of vehicles. I actually have two almost done, being used as late war Soviet Lend-Lease carriers. My only concern, which is a relatively new one, rests with the tracks. The two under construction and a prior build all suffered from track breakage within days of being fitted. The issue is the tracks are tight...and the glueable tracks melt with even a minimal application of liquid cement. If you are using the side skirts this can be hidden under neath. I'd still recommend the kit, just a little caution on the tracks.

Great little kit, relatively small but nonetheless good to build. Tamiya has this 'Force Reconnaissance' and a 'Fire Support' version out there; pretty much same vehicle different figures. This kit has N.Europe and a Tunisia version of figures to make it different. Agreed tracks are a little tight, narrow so aligning the wheels is critical; that and the drive wheel is static so don't expect moving tracks. Nonetheless a good fun build at a lower price tag and as others suggest, great for dioramas.

The Universal Carrier was among my first Tamiya kits back in the '70s when it was released and it is still a favorite of mine. I modified mine some what by adding on detailing parts and placing a 6lb Anti tank gun in tow through some home built ruins of mine in the early stages. Both kits are oldies but rank right up there with the best. I would highly recommend either kit and certainly paired up to anyone.

Typical of Tamiya, this kit packs a lot of detail into a very smooth build. I found no overflash and all the parts came of the sprues nicely. The fit of the parts was perfect, and left no visible seems after painting. The result is a picture perfect reproduction of this iconic infantry/armor support vehicle used by the British during World War II.

this is a well detailed little armored personnel carrier.. I will be using this for a 40K Imperial Guard Troop Transport.. should work very well for my WWII themed army.

Great little kit a lot of extra detail and accessories. Highly recommend this kit to everybody Greek kit to build