Finally, an Axis tank model in plastic, and it isn't German!

I was aware of DOC Models' resin kits for a while now, but it came as a huge surprise when I heard they were going to make this light tank in plastic. When I saw the photos of the test shots from Milan Vins' trip to Nurnberg, I was amazed and excited. Now with one of the kits in hand, I can say that I anxiously await all of DOC Models' future releases. This is an outstanding model, with only one minor error.

First, take a look at what you get in the box. It is actually quite a complex kit for something so small, but that's a good thing, because it allows for a lot of detail to be packed into this little model. This is the first plastic kit this company has made, and it is apparent that their goal is to give modelers what they want in a kit. The hatches are open; all of them. The pioneer tools are molded as separate parts (although some of them could be better formed, the jack for example). And although the tracks are single-piece rubber bands, they are amzingly well detailed, with incredibly fine guide teeth on the links. I hope it will be easy to replicate track sag without having to resort to any magic tricks.

But here we have the only problem I have with this kit, the drive sprockets:

Can't see them? They're the ones on the left, though you wouldn't know it. There are no sprocket teeth, and no hub detail whatsoever. Granted, it should be easy enough to add a few bolts around the center hub, and also a couple of tiny teeth, but we really shouldn't have to. It seems like a lot of effort went into providing this model with outstanding details, so it is a surprise to see these wheels. Even the instruction sheet shows these wheels as they are supposed to look, with teeth and bolt detail, so it makes one wonder where the detail went.

But aside from that, this is an awesome kit. The decal sheet adds to an already excellent model, with markings for numerous possible vehicles. There are color profiles printed on the back of the box giving the painting and marking information for three Italian tanks, though with the extra markings on the decal sheet, we can make many other options. The decals look very thin, and sharply printed.

This is an excellent model, and I greatly look forward to DOC's future releases.

Thank you very much to Tracks & Troops for the providing the review sample.