Warbase is another of the lasercut wood model kit manufacturers that have sprung up in recent years, often offering versions of the more unusual vehicles not covered by the major companies. That makes them eminently suitable for lesser gamed periods such as WWI or Inter-War.
The kit consists of wood and cardboard and is very fiddly. Slender pieces of wood such as the axles break easily during the assembly process, although the finished model is robust.
The kit is 1:56 so is a little on the small side against modern 28mm figs. The Pig Iron model shown above is only an average 28mm.
It comes without assembly instructions but Warbase email pdfs to the buyer. Mine got lost for various reasons and I assembled this model without instructions - which was probably an error. Warbase emailed replacements to me within 24 hours of asking, which is excellent customer service.
I used a solvent-based cellulose primer and Citadel textured paint to add mud. The wooden sections are heavily grooved making details of the armour, door handles etc stand out against the paint.
Laser cut models are starting to approach the limit of what is possible with this material. They are great at large flat squarish geometric structures like buildings but more questionable for small weight bearing or rounded components - hence cardboard.
I recommend this kit despite some reservations because (i) it is excellent value for money, (ii) an unusual vehicle and (iii) the finished product looks good and does the job. It's just the sort of vehicle you want for the paramilitary conflicts of the interwar years. But be prepared for a modelling challenge.
Below are some images of the real thing as used in Ireland (sources from various internet pages).
RUC Lancia
A good shot showing the vehicle size against a soldier.
Being used as an IFV or patrol waggon.
Used as an armoured shield by a field gun crew bombarding a rebel-held building.
