MiniArt’s 1/35th scale US Army Radio Set SCR-299…

The subject of this set is the SCR-299 radio set. We see them & the real thing in our preview….

Preview: MiniArt’s 1/35th scale US Army Radio Set SCR-299…

Radio Set SCR-299

From MiniArt

1/35th scale

Kit No #35455

Photo-etch included

The Subject: The SCR-299 radio set

The SCR-299 was a U.S. Signal Corps mobile military communications unit used during World War II. The SCR-299 was designed to improve long-distance communication. US Military used the SCR-197, SCR-597, but they wanted to improve durability, flexibility and range. Hallicrafters Standard HT-4 was selected in 1942 as a transmitter for SCR-299. The military later redesignated it as BC-610. During Operation TORCH on 8 November 1942, the 829th Signal Service Battalion established a radio nett for communication between Gibraltar bases and the beach-landed troops. The SCR-299 had never been used for such a purpose before.

The photos here belowere used in the conceptipn of this model kit…

Although there were initially difficulties in removing the sets from convoy ships, the SCR-299s functioned well until Army Command and Administrative Network stations were permanently installed. The SCR-299 was described by US Army military historians as “General Dwight Eisenhower’s successful reorganization of the American forces and final defeat of the Nazis at Kasserine Pass.

SCR-299 housed in K-51 panel van

A female operatior also working away at the radio in a k-51

An intersting cut away of the K-51 truck (with SRC-299 inside), K-52 trailer and gernerator.

Hallicrafters Company advertising of the period sometimes used illustrations of the shelter-mounted SCR-399 to describe the achievements of the SCR-299.

Press reporters and war correspondents often used the SCR-299 and SCR-399. The US Second Army Communications Teams and US Third Army Group Communications Teams provided them with the radio sets. In one instance, the SCR-399 was the only means to send press copies directly to London. This radio was sold in the K51 Panel Truck and the

kits. The radio, generator and other parts were carefully selected and placed on three separate sprues. They are all made of nice detail plastic and some parts have been made in photo-etch. The set includes three sprues in grey plastic:

The radio unit is on this sprue

DecalsThe Gernerator unit is included here.