Bushmaster - Dragon 1/72 - Showcase
As a proud Aussie modeller, I knew I’d have to build the little 72nd scale Bushmaster at some point or another. I’ve got the old Showcase Models kit in the stash in 1/35 but I never seem to get to making a start on that one. Don’t get me wrong, I love the subject and I love the Australian connection to the vehicle…I just never seem to get around to it.
But everything was about to change with my experience with the Bushmaster.
With the announcement that the new Dragon kit was about to hit the shores of Australia, local model paint manufacturer SMS (The Scale Modellers Supply) announced the release of a paint set specifically designed for use with the Bushmaster. More than that SMS pledged to sell the first batch of the kit and paint set through their online store and donate the proceeds to Beyond Blue…an Australia charity looking after the mental health of the community.
How could I say no? A subject I loved with the proceeds going to an amazing cause! Bring it on.
A Brief History
Interestingly the Bushmaster is the first vehicle since the Sentinel tank (from WWII) to be completely manufactured in Australia. Its main design requirement was to be optimised for operations in the harsh desert environment of Northern Australia with the capability of carrying 9 soldiers, their equipment and supplies for a period of 3 days.
The hull of the vehicle has a prominent V shape to it. The main purpose of that design is to combat against landmines, with the shape deflecting the blast away from the vehicle and its crew. Its armour provides protection against small arms fire up to a 7.65mm round and offers protection against 81mm mortar fragments and claymore mines.
The troop-carrying version (the one Dragon has produced) includes a gun mount ring that can mount either a 5.56mm or 7.62mm machine gun. The two rear hatches each have a mounting point for a 7.62mm machine gun, so when open and manned the vehicle offers some serious firepower.
The Bushmaster was designed to be air transportable in the Hercules and Globemaster III. It has a road cruise speed of 100km/h and operational range of up to 800km.
The Bushmaster has proven itself in combat and at the time this article was written is in service with not only the Australian Army and Air Force, but also with the Royal Netherlands Army, British Army, Japan Ground Self Defence Force, Fiji Infantry Regiment, Jamaica Defence Force and the New Zealand Army.
FULL BUILD AND PAINT review available in MMI Magazine - Issue 190
Paint Mask set for camouflage wheel cover available in store.