Alvis FV622 Stalwart Mk.2

Airfix, 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Background

The Stalwart, formally classified by the British Army as Truck, High Mobility Load Carrier (HMLC), 5 Ton, 6 x 6, Alvis Stalwart and informally known by servicemen as the Stolly, and by former RCT as the Stally, is a highly mobile amphibious military truck.

Built by Alvis Cars between 1960 and 1971, these vehicles served with the British Army from 1963 until 1993.

Stalwart Mk 2 Load Carrier

The Stalwart Mk 2 had a driver's and passenger's seat, although a third seat could be fitted to the right of the driver as a field modification. All Mk 2 have an internal hydraulic winch, which only operates through the front and is mounted below the driver. The winch type is a Morris multi-layer drum, driven by a P.T.O. mounted hydraulic pump. The winch pull is 5400;kg. The MK 2 was known as Amfibiebil 101C in Sweden, and again some were fitted with the FOCO 4000 ZXX cranes.

Whilst the Stalwart could be used for troop movement, it was more regularly used for carrying Packed fuel (over 300 Jerry cans), ammunition, or the Gloster SARO UBRE Unit Bulk Refuelling Equipment pack as alternatives to the five tonnes of cargo. The jet drive units in all the Mk 2 variants were much more efficient, giving a claimed 9 knots.

The most obvious visible difference between Mk.1 and Mk.2 variants is that the lower edges of the cab windows were now angled downwards rather than horizontal. This was to improve visibility at close range, particularly when being marshalled by a banksman standing nearby.

A total of 956 Mk.2 FV622, FV623 and FV624 Stalwarts were produced, of which the British Army purchased 932, with 24 sold to other countries. *

FirstLook

The brand new Airfix 1:35 scale Alvis FV622 Stalwart Mk.2 comprises a relatively modest 194 parts in medium green coloured plastic, 17 parts in clear plastic and decals for three marking options.

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Thumbnail panels:

This is an all-new model directly from Airfix. The kit's design, level of detail and pale green plastic are reminiscent of 2023's Airfix Ferret armoured car.

The plastic appears to be somewhere pleasingly between hard and soft. Goldilocks would approve.

Surface textures are well done with a combination of pressed metal and recessed panel lines, supplemented by a bunch of appropriately raised structural features.

The hull is supplied as a flat pack with separate sides, front, rear and top panels.

There are a number of ejector pin circles but these are mostly located in places that will be hidden once the model is built.

Detail is more than adequate.

The busy driver's cabin offers three side-by-side seats, steering wheel, gear stick, handbrake, pedals, transmission shifts, a detailed back wall and alternative radios. In a nice example of attention to detail each radio has a unique antenna mount for the cabin roof. The top cabin hatches are separate parts that may be posed open or closed.

The instrument panel is made up from a plastic part with raised bezels and a decal overlay for dial detail.

The big swimming plough on the front of the cabin may be posed stowed or open for swimming.

No engine or associated parts are provided.

Wheels are all-plastic and provided as four parts each. The tyres are split midwise and the two-piece hubs are moulded as separate parts.

Running gear is well detailed. It looks like posing the six steering wheels may be poseable.

The slatted rear deck is supplied as one main part. A stowage area at the front of the deck is covered by a separate hatch. Nice touch.

The drop sides are separate but I am not sure if they are designed to be posed dropped. It looks like it would not be difficult though.

The tarp comprises one large top part, two side parts and a centreline support structure. Sag and drape look really good.

A couple of jerry cans, a shovel, pick head and pick handle are included.

Clear parts are supplied for windows, windscreens, lights and headlight lenses.

Decals are supplied for three marking options, all any colour you want as long as it is Bronze Green and Black.

The compact decal sheet is glossy and in register.

Conclusion

This is another brand new original Airfix kit and I like it. Detail is good, the interior will be welcomed by detailers, hatches may be posed open or closed and the parts breakdown is modeller-friendly.

Airfix's new 1:35 scale Stalwart Mk.2 looks like a fast build too.

I think I will test that impression out before long!

* Background courtesy of Wikipedia

Purchased by the reviewer