Detail Sets for Italeri 1/72 M8 “Greyhound”- Wheels, Exterior, Exterior and Interior

Detail Sets for Italeri 1/72 M8 “Greyhound”- Wheels, Exterior, Exterior and Interior

Name M8 “Greyhound”- Wheels (#EXB 72022), Exterior Set, Exterior (#EXV 72080) and Interior Set (#EXV 72085)

Manufacturer ExtraTech, Czech Republic

Packing Cellophan bag in cardboard folder

Kit type Resin/photoetched accessories

Quality
Manufacturing quality is excellent as we have come to expect from ExtraTech. All resin parts are very cleanly cast without any flash. Photoetched sheets are professionally done from thin brass.

Interior and Exterior Detail Set

The deluxe version for the uncompromising modeler! For the vehicle outside it offers even more detail than the dedicated ‘Exterior Set’ such as multi-part driver and radio operator hatches, and even some new resin parts: headlights, antenna bases and engine vent covers. For the inside there is a much-needed photoetched replacement bottom for the crew compartment (the Italeri part is suited for the M-20 only), commander and loaders’ seats together with their supporting girders, a detailed gearbox cover with levers, steering wheel and dashboard (plus film!) and even a new breech for the main gun. Sixteen rounds of reserve ammunition are provided in resin.

This set is definitely not for beginners as the multitude of minuscule parts and the bending required will place heavy demands on the modelers’ skills and patience.

Some parts such as the girders could use reinforcement by plastic profiles to give a bit more ‘substance’ and I would suggets using wire for handle bars but all in all this is an amazing set – bravo Extratech!

Exterior Detail Set

Very finely etched in thin brass, providing all necessary details, especially the headlight guards (though the kit parts are amazingly fine for injected plastic). Even a new barrel handle for the 0.50 machine gun is provided and of course the holders for spare cans together with lots of other exterior detail.

Wheels

Attachment points are quite thin which is a clear advantage over the Calibre72 product; the wheels can be simply brocken off by placing pliers close to the wheel. Tread is similar to the Calibre72 product and thus realistically enough. The wheels clearly show the cooling vents around the hub and axle covers for the front wheels. Otherwise the hub detail is quite bland, but simply drilling a hole in the hub center will improve the looks considerably. Where ExtraTech goofed badly is the number of bolts on the wheel rim – they provided 24 instead of 18, doing unnnecessary work while making the wheel look like it was riveted together by a boilermaker.

Comparison with the Calibre72 wheels

In brief, the picture is mixed. Both sets are vastly superior to the Italeri parts but both have minor shortcomings regarding specific detail. Calibre72 wheels lack important characteristics such as the axle end covers on the front wheels, and the cooling vents are quite small; on the other hand the ExtraTech lug nuts look slightly oversized and there are definitely too many bolts around the wheel rim. The Calibre72 wheels are cast more sharply while the ExtraTech casting looks somewhat softer, probably due to different types of resin used.

Summarizing, I would give the ExtraTech wheels preference were it not for the inordinate amount of bolts around the rim. Reducing their number will be even more difficult than enlarging the cooling vents on Calibre72’s product.

Eventually, both sets will give you a good looking model with lots of improvements over the kit offers, but detail freaks will have a tough choice.

Should ExtraTech care to reduce the number of rim bolts I would gladly declare their product winner over the (still very nice) Calibre72 set.

Instructions Single sheet with detailed drawings. Although everything is clearly outlined and well-numbered some experience with photoetched parts is necessary to understand what is actually meant as there is no text whatsoever. Detailed reference is also indispensable to use the sets to the fullest extent.

Decals not

General impression & Note Very well made products, especially the photoetched sets are top notch. The combined Interior/Exterior Set is a singular treat; it leaves no wish unfulfilled but stops within inches of “Detail Overkill”.
Reference: various photographs, B. Vanderveen: Historic Military Vehicles Directory

Name	M8 “Greyhound”- Wheels (#EXB 72022), Exterior Set, Exterior (#EXV 72080) and Interior Set (#EXV 72085)
Manufacturer	ExtraTech, Czech Republic
Packing	Cellophan bag in cardboard folder
Kit type	Resin/photoetched accessories
Quality	Manufacturing quality is excellent as we have come to expect from ExtraTech. All resin parts are very cleanly cast without any flash. Photoetched sheets are professionally done from thin brass. Interior and Exterior Detail Set The deluxe version for the uncompromising modeler! For the vehicle outside it offers even more detail than the dedicated ‘Exterior Set’ such as multi-part driver and radio operator hatches, and even some new resin parts: headlights, antenna bases and engine vent covers. For the inside there is a much-needed photoetched replacement bottom for the crew compartment (the Italeri part is suited for the M-20 only), commander and loaders’ seats together with their supporting girders, a detailed gearbox cover with levers, steering wheel and dashboard (plus film!) and even a new breech for the main gun. Sixteen rounds of reserve ammunition are provided in resin. This set is definitely not for beginners as the multitude of minuscule parts and the bending required will place heavy demands on the modelers’ skills and patience. Some parts such as the girders could use reinforcement by plastic profiles to give a bit more ‘substance’ and I would suggets using wire for handle bars but all in all this is an amazing set – bravo Extratech! Exterior Detail Set Very finely etched in thin brass, providing all necessary details, especially the headlight guards (though the kit parts are amazingly fine for injected plastic). Even a new barrel handle for the 0.50 machine gun is provided and of course the holders for spare cans together with lots of other exterior detail. Wheels Attachment points are quite thin which is a clear advantage over the Calibre72 product; the wheels can be simply brocken off by placing pliers close to the wheel. Tread is similar to the Calibre72 product and thus realistically enough. The wheels clearly show the cooling vents around the hub and axle covers for the front wheels. Otherwise the hub detail is quite bland, but simply drilling a hole in the hub center will improve the looks considerably. Where ExtraTech goofed badly is the number of bolts on the wheel rim – they provided 24 instead of 18, doing unnnecessary work while making the wheel look like it was riveted together by a boilermaker. Comparison with the Calibre72 wheels In brief, the picture is mixed. Both sets are vastly superior to the Italeri parts but both have minor shortcomings regarding specific detail. Calibre72 wheels lack important characteristics such as the axle end covers on the front wheels, and the cooling vents are quite small; on the other hand the ExtraTech lug nuts look slightly oversized and there are definitely too many bolts around the wheel rim. The Calibre72 wheels are cast more sharply while the ExtraTech casting looks somewhat softer, probably due to different types of resin used. Summarizing, I would give the ExtraTech wheels preference were it not for the inordinate amount of bolts around the rim. Reducing their number will be even more difficult than enlarging the cooling vents on Calibre72’s product. Eventually, both sets will give you a good looking model with lots of improvements over the kit offers, but detail freaks will have a tough choice. Should ExtraTech care to reduce the number of rim bolts I would gladly declare their product winner over the (still very nice) Calibre72 set.
Instructions	Single sheet with detailed drawings. Although everything is clearly outlined and well-numbered some experience with photoetched parts is necessary to understand what is actually meant as there is no text whatsoever. Detailed reference is also indispensable to use the sets to the fullest extent.
Decals	not
General impression & Note	Very well made products, especially the photoetched sets are top notch. The combined Interior/Exterior Set is a singular treat; it leaves no wish unfulfilled but stops within inches of “Detail Overkill”. Reference: various photographs, B. Vanderveen: Historic Military Vehicles Directory