Hobby Boss- IDF Eitan Wheeled APC

History

Eitan (Hebrew for "steadfast" or "strong") is an 8-wheeled AFV developed by the Merkava and Armoured Vehicles Directorate in the IMOD (Israeli Ministry of Defense) to replace the stalwart M113 APC that was in use for so long for the IDF. Weighing less than 35 tons, it is much lighter than the Namer APC and is considered a complement to the heavier APC- costing half as much to produce and being trackless, it can transport troops on roads without relying on tank transporters. Fitted with the Iron Fist Light Decoupled active protection system, the Eitan has a top speed of 90 km/h and can carry up to 12 soldiers including 3 crew. The Eitan can be equipped with a 30–40 mm gun and a missile firing position with 2 Spike missiles.

It has the capability to use run-flat tires and is designed with a NERA composite armour and high floor to protect from landmine and IED blast effects. The first Eitan AFV was unveiled on August 1, 2016 and serial production started in 2022. The Nahal Brigade became the first Israeli infantry unit to receive the Eitan in May 2023. The brigade first used the Eitan during the Battle of Zikim on 7 October 2023, and there were plans to use the vehicle in the subsequent invasion of the Gaza Strip.

The Kit

Inside the standard Hobby Boss heavy cardboard box we get seven main sprues in IDF gray colored styrene, a separate upper and lower hull, a clear sprue, two photoetch frets, 8 vinyl tires, some poly caps, and a small decal sheet. According to the parts map, the A1 and A2 sprues that were separate iin the box are connected on the map- and the same goes for the B1, B2, and B3 sprues...but to fit in the box all were separated. Let's get into the sprues in detail...

There are two A1 trees- and they include parts for the suspension- including one piece springs, as well as outer wheel halves, and other parts to the lower hull. A couple parts have some slide molding- looks to be part of the suspension.

Two A2 sprues contain more parts for the lower hull- including hatches and covers, more suspension bits, and the inner wheel halves...and another section of slide molding for some hull details. The suspension assembly looks to be pretty complex and ought to be interesting.

Sprue B1 was wrapped in some thin foam protection- and contains some protruding parts for the hull machine gun mounts, rails, rear door piece, hatches, and other small hull details. The hatch and extra armor has some of the anti-slip texture on it and looks to be pretty good-- I will have to research a bit more to see if it is enough, but the fact it is there is a great start! Unfortunately the main machine gun is not slide molded so the new pin drill I picked up at Armorcon will have to come to use.

Sprue B2 has parts for the cupola, some electronic parts, hatches, more extra armor, more rails, an IR panel, and mirrors.

Sprue B3 is comprised of the anti-IED underside belly armor plate, the secondary machine gun, and a couple other armor blocks.

The upper hull is all one piece and has the side skirts, and anti-slip texture on top.....

Lower Hull

The vinyl tires have some nice detail on the sides but the seam line down the middle of the treads is going to be a real pain to remove...nigh on impossible to do so without removing detail-- I don't see anything aftermarket yet, but if DEF Models comes out with them, they might be worth picking up.

Clear parts include periscopes and lights, and clear parts for the driver's hatch. The PE frets contain small bits for MG mounts, a screen for the IR panel, and wheel hub details. The decals have two large Israeli flags (there is nothing at all in the instructions about them) that could possibly be mounted to some foil to give it some realistic wrinkles- it remains to be seen how well they'll hold up to this treatment. Some small detail decals for lights and registration numbers are also there.

The instruction manual is typical of Hobby Boss kits and comprises 37 steps for the build. The separate scheme sheet provides only one scheme- with very little in the way of markings which appears accurate from the bit of Googling I have done. Paint is the standard Sinai Gray.

Conclusion

This newly tooled kit from Hobby Boss is the first of it's kind in 1/35 and looks to be a pretty straight-forward build. The suspension will be interesting and the seams on the tire treads I am not looking forward to trying to remove. IDF armor fans should welcome this kit and if it builds as well as the quality of the molds indicate, it ought to be a pleasant project. The anti-slip texture looks great and should pop with some light coats on paint.

Highly Recommended for Beginner to Advanced builders, pending full build.

Thanks goes out to Model Rectifier Corporation for this review kit.

Reviewed by Michael Reeves

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