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In-Box Review
132
MHU-12 Munitions Trailer
MHU-12 Munitions Trailer
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by: Gino P. Quintiliani [ HEAVYARTY ]

History
The MHU-12 munitions handling trailer is used to transport items such as bombs and missiles from a storage location to a flight line for loading on a combat aircraft. It can accommodate a wide variety of munitions using various adapters, cradles and chocks. There are two hinged deck panels in the center of the trailer bed that fold open to provide access under stores for loading and unloading. The deck openings are covered by a set of doors. In the closed position the doors cover the deck openings whereby a flat main deck is available for general transport purposes. When a door set is opened, the deck opening that is uncovered provides clearance for loading and unloading of munitions items from the deck. Mounting structures can also be attached to the doors which secures the munitions items to the deck during transport. The MHU-12 is used by many Air Forces around the world.

Kit
This resin set from Video Aviation allows you to build one MHU-12 Munitions Trailer as either an early or late version. The set comes in a sturdy cardboard box with the parts enclosed in a zip-lock baggie so none are lost in transit. Included are 48 parts cast in crisp cream-colored resin. The attachment points are small and removal of the parts should not be an issue. The box also includes a three page instruction sheet with warnings and general information. The layout of the numbered parts and assembly instructions are shown in clear, colour pictures. The assembly instructions are easy to follow and each part is shown and called out with clear numbers and arrows for placement. Lastly, there is a very nice sheet of decals with markings for each version.

The set includes parts to build the trailer as either an early or late version with two complete sets of tires and different draw bars for the two versions. The additional tires and draw bars allow you to build an early MHU-12 used up through the 1980s, or a later version in current use. All of the parts are crisp and free of flash and left over resin bits. Video Aviation has captured these parts very well.

Assembly is follows a logical order by building the undercarriage first, then the deck, and finally the hinged doors and mounting brackets for the munitions. Some of the features include steerable front wheels, multi-position deck panels, and position-able brackets for holding the munitions. The two tire sets include very nicely engraved/raised lettering depicting Goodyear (early) and Carlisle (later) tires. Painting instructions and decal placement are shown well and a couple of photos of MHU-12s in action are also included. There were no issues while building the trailer. Parts placement and attachment were easy to accomplish and worry free.

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SUMMARY
Highs: The additional parts and decals are a nice option.
Lows: None noted
Verdict: A very nice representation of the MHU-12 Munitions Trailer in its two versions. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to represent a modern Air Force scene.
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: 1:32
  Mfg. ID: 141832
  Suggested Retail: euro 29,00
  Related Link: MHU-12 Munitions Trailer
  PUBLISHED: Aug 23, 2015
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.79%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 84.82%

Our Thanks to VideoAviation.com!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Gino P. Quintiliani (HeavyArty)
FROM: FLORIDA, UNITED STATES

Retired US Army Artillery Officer, currently a contractor at MacDill AFB in the Tampa, FL area. I have been modelling for the past 40+ years, really seriously on armor and large scale helos (1/32, 1/35) for the last 35 or so.

Copyright ©2021 text by Gino P. Quintiliani [ HEAVYARTY ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



   
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