In Box Review of Testors-Italeri 1/35th Scale
Harley-Davidson Motorcycles w/Riders
Kit no. 858
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1981
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1981
HISTORY:
The Harley-Davidson WLA is a Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was produced to US Army specifications in the years during and around World War II. It was based on an existing civilian model, the WL, and is of the 45 solo type, so called due to its 45-cubic-inch (740 cm3) engine displacement and single-rider design. It acquired the nickname "Liberator".
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Harley-Davidson
Production: 1940-1952
Assembly: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Class: Military motorcycle
Engine: 45.12 cu in (739.4 cc) SV Air-cooled, side-valve, 45-degree V-twin
Bore / stroke: 2.75 in × 3.8125 in (69.85 mm × 96.84 mm)
Compression ratio: 5 : 1
Power: 25 hp (19 kW) @ 4,500 rpm
Ignition type 6: V battery and coil with circuit breaker (timer)
Transmission: 3-speed hand shift
Frame type: tubular steel double cradle
Suspension: Front: springer fork
Brakes: Drums front and rear
Tires: 4.00 x 18
Wheelbase: 57.5 in (1,460 mm)
Dimensions: L: 88 in (2,200 mm), W: 41 in (1,000 mm)
Weight: 576 Pounds (dry)
Fuel capacity: 3.375 US gal (12.8 L)
Oil capacity: 1.125 US gal (4.3 L)
Fuel consumption: 35 mpg‑US (15 km/L)
The Harley-Davidson WLA is a Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was produced to US Army specifications in the years during and around World War II. It was based on an existing civilian model, the WL, and is of the 45 solo type, so called due to its 45-cubic-inch (740 cm3) engine displacement and single-rider design. It acquired the nickname "Liberator".
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Harley-Davidson
Production: 1940-1952
Assembly: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Class: Military motorcycle
Engine: 45.12 cu in (739.4 cc) SV Air-cooled, side-valve, 45-degree V-twin
Bore / stroke: 2.75 in × 3.8125 in (69.85 mm × 96.84 mm)
Compression ratio: 5 : 1
Power: 25 hp (19 kW) @ 4,500 rpm
Ignition type 6: V battery and coil with circuit breaker (timer)
Transmission: 3-speed hand shift
Frame type: tubular steel double cradle
Suspension: Front: springer fork
Brakes: Drums front and rear
Tires: 4.00 x 18
Wheelbase: 57.5 in (1,460 mm)
Dimensions: L: 88 in (2,200 mm), W: 41 in (1,000 mm)
Weight: 576 Pounds (dry)
Fuel capacity: 3.375 US gal (12.8 L)
Oil capacity: 1.125 US gal (4.3 L)
Fuel consumption: 35 mpg‑US (15 km/L)
THE KIT:
Testors and Italeri are both old prolific plastic model manufacturers. Testors is based in Rockford, IL USA and Italeri is based in Italy. They partner up on making plastic model kits in all manner of subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in an end-opening type box that has a cardboard slide-out tray that holds the parts.
The cover art is a color photo of the 2 Harley-Davidsons and their riders,, assembled and posed on a work bench.
Both motorcycles are overall olive-drab, with tan canvas saddle-bags. The riders are both dressed in khaki uniforms, with their pants bloused at the bottom into canvas gaiters. Both wear steel helmets. One man has corporal stripes on his right sleeve. However, there are no decals included in the kit for this. There are Thompson sub machine guns, that are in leather holsters on the side of the front fenders. The corporal is holding a pair of binoculars in his right hand. The two men and their bikes are facing each other.
The lower left corner of the box art says: Photo is enlarged to show detail. Actual length of the bikes, made up is 2 ½” (6.4cm).
In the center of the bottom of the box art it says: Paints, cement and hobby accessories not included. To the right there is a red and white diagonal banner that says: Parts included for two motorcycles and drivers.
At the top of the box art it says: 1/35th scale unassembled kit.
Recommended for experienced modelers ages 10 and over.
One side-panel of the box gives the history of the Harley-Davidson WLA motorcycle. Followed by a small color repeat of the photo of the corporal on his bike.
Testors and Italeri are both old prolific plastic model manufacturers. Testors is based in Rockford, IL USA and Italeri is based in Italy. They partner up on making plastic model kits in all manner of subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in an end-opening type box that has a cardboard slide-out tray that holds the parts.
The cover art is a color photo of the 2 Harley-Davidsons and their riders,, assembled and posed on a work bench.
Both motorcycles are overall olive-drab, with tan canvas saddle-bags. The riders are both dressed in khaki uniforms, with their pants bloused at the bottom into canvas gaiters. Both wear steel helmets. One man has corporal stripes on his right sleeve. However, there are no decals included in the kit for this. There are Thompson sub machine guns, that are in leather holsters on the side of the front fenders. The corporal is holding a pair of binoculars in his right hand. The two men and their bikes are facing each other.
The lower left corner of the box art says: Photo is enlarged to show detail. Actual length of the bikes, made up is 2 ½” (6.4cm).
In the center of the bottom of the box art it says: Paints, cement and hobby accessories not included. To the right there is a red and white diagonal banner that says: Parts included for two motorcycles and drivers.
At the top of the box art it says: 1/35th scale unassembled kit.
Recommended for experienced modelers ages 10 and over.
One side-panel of the box gives the history of the Harley-Davidson WLA motorcycle. Followed by a small color repeat of the photo of the corporal on his bike.
The other side-panel of the box lists items needed to build the kit.
Followed by a small color repeat of the other man on his bike.
Followed by a small color repeat of the other man on his bike.
The bottom of the box lists features of the model: This exact 1/35th scale model of the versatile Harley-Davidson includes enough parts to build 2 complete motorcycles with highly detailed engines and chassis and 2 rider figures. The front wheel can be built to steer. A thorough instruction manual provides tips on figure painting, weathering and other detailing techniques.
Four color walk-around type photos are shown of the bikes and riders made up.
Models were assembled and painted by modelers Dave Musikof and Mike Good. Printed in USA. Parts made in Italy. Copyright of the kit is 1981 and Testors street address in Rockford, IL USA is provided.
Four color walk-around type photos are shown of the bikes and riders made up.
Models were assembled and painted by modelers Dave Musikof and Mike Good. Printed in USA. Parts made in Italy. Copyright of the kit is 1981 and Testors street address in Rockford, IL USA is provided.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 2 jet-black parts trees in a single sealed clear cello bag and the instructions.
The instructions consist of an unbound booklet of 8 pages in 8 ½” x 11” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the box art, over the history and specifications of the Harley-Davidson WLA. BEFORE STARTING and PREPARATION OF PARTS instructions.
Page 2 is the parts trees illustrations. Instead of being alphabetized, they are labeled with geometric figures, a square and a circle.
Pages 3 to page 7 give a grand total of 7 assembly steps. The first 6 are for the bikes and the 7th step for the figures.
Page 8 gives figure painting instructions and weathering hints.
Trees are not alphabetized. They do, however, have part number tabs next to the parts on the trees. The trees are pretty much identical. Except one tree includes a pair of binoculars.
This kit contains 2 jet-black parts trees in a single sealed clear cello bag and the instructions.
The instructions consist of an unbound booklet of 8 pages in 8 ½” x 11” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the box art, over the history and specifications of the Harley-Davidson WLA. BEFORE STARTING and PREPARATION OF PARTS instructions.
Page 2 is the parts trees illustrations. Instead of being alphabetized, they are labeled with geometric figures, a square and a circle.
Pages 3 to page 7 give a grand total of 7 assembly steps. The first 6 are for the bikes and the 7th step for the figures.
Page 8 gives figure painting instructions and weathering hints.
Trees are not alphabetized. They do, however, have part number tabs next to the parts on the trees. The trees are pretty much identical. Except one tree includes a pair of binoculars.
Both bikes holds all their parts, canvas saddle bags, pairs of goggles and the figures (divided into separate torsos, arms and legs) also steel helmets, pistols in holsters and Thompson sub machine-guns in holsters. (52 parts on the tree with corporal figures and 50 parts on the other figures tree.
The detail is very good.
Recommended.
Recommended.