Hauler, a small company out of Czechoslovakia, continues to add to its list of quality aftermarket and modeling supply products; this time with a package of eight U.S. Army 75mm ammunition boxes in 1/35th scale.

The package contains a single baggie containing all the resin parts needed, mounted on backing blocks. Four of the boxes are empty with separate lids, with the other four made of solid resin. All contain fine wood grain and represent standard USA ammunition crates. Delicate ‘rope’ handles are included for all of the crates, but stencils and/or decals are not.

The resin boxes, both empty and solid types, must be separated their backing blocks of resin, and this is no simple task. Nearly the entire bottoms of the boxes are attached, and the empty boxes are fragile so it takes a while and generates a lot of resin dust. The tops can be snapped off of their delicate backing blocks, but the box handles are so small and delicate, they get lost in the process. They also have a significant amount of flash to remove. Only 9 of the 16 handles made it through to assembly, and all of the surviving ones broke when I tried to remove the flash. Suitable replacements could be made using cotton-wrapped polyester thread (found at any sewing supply store), which has a ‘wound rope’ look to it.

I finished everything by applying a primer coat of Gunze Mr. Finisher 1500 Black, followed by a coat of Tamiya XF-57 Buff, thinned 50/50 with Gunze Mr. Color Leveling Thinner. Once dry I gave each box a filter of Mig Wash Brown, followed by a light wash using Mig Dark wash.

I recommend this Hauler product for any modeler who wants to add a little realism to their work with quality after-market products, although some may have trouble with separating the boxes from the resin blocks. Once painted and weathered, however, they look right at home in any WWII diorama or American AFV.

I would like to thank the Hauler for providing this product for review, and to IPMS USA for giving me the opportunity to build it.