Buy the Humber LRC Mk. III Africa 72977 model kit
The desert battlefields of North Africa provided an ideal environment for a wide range of armoured vehicles during the Second World War. Alongside tanks and heavier armoured cars, light reconnaissance vehicles also played an important role. One of the British vehicles in this category was the Humber Light Reconnaissance Car Mk.III, which performed well in the demanding conditions of the African battlefield thanks to its mobility and four-wheel drive.
Attack Kits has dedicated the 72977 Humber LRC Mk.III Africa model kit in 1:72 scale to this vehicle. The kit combines conventional plastic parts with accessories produced using 3D printing technology and offers two marking options for vehicles that served in the North African campaign.
Humber Light Reconnaissance Car Mk. III
The Humber LRC was developed as a light armoured vehicle for reconnaissance, liaison, and security duties. Its design drew on automotive components from the Rootes Group, while the British Army sought a fast and reliable vehicle capable of operating ahead of the main forces.
The Mk. III variant featured four-wheel drive, which gave it a significant advantage when travelling off-road. Mobility played a crucial role in the deserts of North Africa. The crew could move quickly, carry out reconnaissance missions, and relay important information to command posts.
The vehicle was powered by a 4.1-litre six-cylinder Humber petrol engine. It could reach a maximum speed of around 70 mph (110–120 km/h), depending on the configuration. The crew consisted of three men, while the armament could include a Bren machine gun and a Boys anti-tank rifle.
The vehicle’s light armour could not protect the crew against heavier anti-tank weapons. The Humber therefore did not engage enemy tanks directly. Its main strengths were its speed, manoeuvrability, and ability to gather information about enemy movements.
The Humber LRC in North Africa
British units deployed the Humber LRC during the fighting in North Africa against German and Italian forces. Reconnaissance vehicles accompanied combat units and operated in areas where the rapid gathering of information often played a crucial role in determining the success of further advances.
Humbers also took part in major operations and battles of the North African campaign, including Operation Crusader, the fighting at Gazala, and the subsequent Allied advance towards Tunisia. The Tunisian campaign provides the historical background for both marking options included in the Attack Kits 72977 kit.
The desert setting also gives modellers plenty of opportunities when finishing the model. Dust, worn paint, operational wear, and contrasting clean and dusty surfaces can all contribute to a highly convincing and atmospheric result.
Attack Kits 72977 Model Kit
The Attack Kits 72977 Humber LRC Mk.III Africa kit brings this British reconnaissance vehicle to 1:72 scale. The kit combines conventional injection-moulded plastic parts with accessories produced using 3D printing technology.
The 3D-printed parts include mainly the wheels and other exterior details. This combination of technologies preserves the advantages of a traditional plastic model kit while providing fine detail on smaller components.
The kit focuses specifically on vehicles used in the North African campaign. The box includes decals for two vehicles from the Tunisian campaign, allowing the modeller to choose between two marking options when building the model.
What Does the Kit Include?
Attack Kits has designed the kit as a combination of plastic and 3D-printed parts. The box contains:
- plastic parts for assembling the Humber LRC Mk.III,
- 3D-printed parts for the wheels and other exterior details,
- decals for two marking options featuring vehicles from the North African campaign,
- assembly instructions.
The kit comes as an unassembled and unpainted model. Paints and modelling glue are not included and must be purchased separately.
Humber LRC Mk. III: An Interesting Model for Your Collection
The Attack Kits 72977 Humber LRC Mk.III Africa 1:72 offers an interesting way to expand a Second World War vehicle collection with a less commonly modelled British reconnaissance car. Although the Humber could not match the famous tanks of the North African battlefield in size or firepower, its reconnaissance and liaison role played an important part in British operations.
The combination of plastic parts, 3D-printed accessories, and two decal options also gives modellers plenty of scope for creating a detailed representation of this small British reconnaissance vehicle.
The Attack Kits 72977 Humber LRC Mk.III Africa therefore combines an interesting subject, the distinctive atmosphere of the North African campaign, and modern modelling technology in 1:72 scale.