Kit Form Services (KFS) FV1801 Austin Champ 1:24

Conclusion:

I cannot stress enough that this kit is not for the casual modeller.  You need to make time to read ahead on the instructions and, test fitting or dry fitting whatever you call it, will become the byword in this build.

It is not hard, but it is a complex kit.  The instructions have been well thought out and if they say don’t glue something yet, then don’t, there will be a reason.  Add to that, if you have any problems with the build you can contact them and talk about it.  Have you ever tried contacting Tamiya et al to explain something to you?

Yes it is expensive, all the KFS kits are expensive.  £110 for a Jeep I hear you say?    Well given the subject, the quality, the accuracy the pure completeness of it and the pleasure it will bring to build and own, then I consider it a bit of a bargain.  This is not a simple ‘shake and bake’ kit, this is a modellers kit.

You get the parts to make it into the FRR version, a communications vehicle.  You don’t just leave the rear seats out and fit the radios in, you get a replacement two speed generator to replace the single speed and an extra set of batteries under the seats as well as the junction box to wire up the radio sets! Take care and you will end up with one of the finest models of its type you will find anywhere.

I will be building this soon in SMN .

Very highly recommended Graham T.
SMN Quick Summary Rating out of 5

More about KFS….

Howard Whitehead 

Kit Form Services

7 Horbling Lane

Stickney, Boston

Lincs. PE22 8DG 

01205 480766

www.kitformservices.com; email: kfs1@btinternet.com

“Where to start?…..Kit Form Services (KFS) is very much a one man outfit, operated by me a former soldier (REME recovery mechanic) & commercial vehicle mechanic. Established in 1987, the past 23 years has been pretty much solely dedicated to producing 1/24th scale model trucks for transport companies & a range of aftermarket parts & conversion kits for same.

Three years or so ago however I was tempted to return to my first love (modelling wise) & get back into military modelling. Not just as a hobby builder but as a manufacturer using some of the production experience gained on the model truck side. At 57 years old though the Mk1 eyeballs were beginning to fail & I found 1/35th not as pleasurable as it once was. So, I opted to stay with 1/24th scale for the new venture & at the same time try to do something ‘different’ in terms of subject matter.

1/35th scale is of course the main ‘universal’ scale it seems for military modelling & I saw no point in trying to compete with the likes of the Accurate Armour range. Instead I decided to aim for a 1/24th niche market with the KFS Classic British Military Vehicle range.

Range:

The initial selection would concentrate on a few cold war British subjects & then depending on interest from the hobby we would see where it took us. Initially I chose 6 subjects:

• FV622 Stalwart Mk2,
• FV623/624 Stalwart conversion
• FV603 Saracen Mk5/6,
• FV601 Saladin Mk2,
• FV701 Daimler Ferret Mk2/3,
• FV1611 Humber Pig Mk2
• FV1801 Austin Champ
• Bedford MK 4 ton GS.

As I write, all of the above are all finished, on sale & in stock now. Since that initial list we’ve also released the AEC Matador & are about to release the 5.5” howitzer to accompany it.

The next round of releases will see the 1 ton forward control Land Rover, the masters for which are now finished, & next year a 105 Light Gun to accompany it. Followed by the ‘Lightweight Air-portable Land Rover’ & a ¼ ton Sankey trailer, (as one kit) both of which are being mastered now. Then the FV432 Mk2/1 APC much later in 2012, & an AEC Militant Mk1 6×6 early in 2013. A 1/24th scale gun tank project is also under consideration.

Our master patterns are, in the main, produced by David Jane & are of the very best quality & fit possible. I make the odd additional part or tweak here & there prior to casting. Resin & white metal casting is undertaken out of house by (in our opinion) the best resin casting company in the UK, with many customers commenting on the very high quality of the castings supplied in the kits (sadly these high quality castings come at a price!). Brass etched parts & waterslide decals are designed here & then professionally produced out of house. I then bring all the loose ends together, carry out the test builds & create the instructions.

The rest is down to the expertise of the customer…..most of whom, I must admit, are far better modellers than I.

Best regards………Howard @ KFS