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In-Box Review
135
British No 19 Radio Set
British No 19 Radio Set
  • P7290072

by: Alan McNeilly [ ALANL ]

Introduction
Most British/Commonwealth model builders will be familiar with the basic No 19 Radio (wireless) Set. This set from Formations provides the detailed components for one vehicle equipped with this equipment. Formations are well known for their excellent tank conversion sets and parts sets and the quality of this kit maintains that high standard.

Review
The set comes in the standard Formation seal-able plastic bag with an A4 sheet giving a brief outline of the No 19 Set and the parts included. A detailed instruction sheet to cover installation of the equipment in all possible vehicles would be a small book, so as no build instructions are included you will have to refer to your vehicle reference when installing these parts.

The set is cast in a light cream resin that is ‘soft’ and therefore easy to work with. Detail on the parts is crisp and clear and, as far as I can tell, accurate for the equipment although I am no expert on wireless sets. There was no sign of any air bubbles on this or any of the other Formations wireless sets I’ve looked at/used.

You get both the No 19 wireless and its less known High Power Amplifier along with all the necessary parts to build a good representation of this equipment. What you get:
• 1 No 19 Wireless Set
• 2 High Power Amplifier for No 19 Set
• 3 Aerial Variometer
• 4 Crystal Calibrator
• 5 Control Unit No 1
• 6 Junction Distribution No 1
• 7 Supply Unit No 1
• 8 Base for Amplifier
• Base for Wireless Set and Supply Unit
• 10 BHM Hand Microphone
• 11 Brass Wire for the ‘plumbing’

You will need a sharp razor saw and a sharp modelling knife to remove the parts from their plugs, but this should be an easy job and the parts them selves will require only a little clean up. Care should be taken when working with resin to avoid inhaling any dust as usual.

Conclusion
I think this is an excellent set, particularly if you wish to kit out a radio truck as the addition of the High Powered Amplifier and the inclusion of 4 junction boxes and 2 Crystal Calibrator/control units allow for some serious plumbing work. The inclusion of the Brass Wire is a plus although I have found lead wire much easier to work with when building the sets.This set is also available through Kit F071b British Parts for Sherman IB and as both appear to cost the same $17.00 you might opt for the additional parts that come with this set.

Understandably it is not possible to provide layout diagrams for all the possible uses of this set however I felt a basic layout/wiring diagram on the reverse of the information/parts list would be of much use to modellers. At the very least, it would help them to identify the parts and the sequence of wiring. The only part I’m not keen on is the resin ‘flower pot’ aerial base that was common on British/Commonwealth vehicles. This requires a little clean up and it is very easy to break the fine resin supports when cleaning out the excess resin. The only thing lacking in this set are a set of headphones. However, given that replacement heads with headphones are available, this is not a major issue, but a couple of sets of headphones would give just that extra option especially for dio modellers.
SUMMARY
Highs: Allows for building a vehicle with a complete set of wireless equipment. Excellent detail and usable across a large range of British and Commonwealth vehicles.
Lows: The ‘flower pot’ aerial base is perhaps a little small and difficult to clean up without damaging the part. Lack of a wiring diagram and clear identification of the parts.
Verdict: Adds that something extra as a very useful item to have available for British/Commonwealth builders. Cleanly cast and with sharp detail.
Percentage Rating
85%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: F063
  Suggested Retail: $17.00
  PUBLISHED: Sep 12, 2008
  NATIONALITY: United Kingdom
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 88.73%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 87.50%

About Alan McNeilly (AlanL)
FROM: ENGLAND - EAST ANGLIA, UNITED KINGDOM

Greying slightly, but young at heart. I've been teaching adults off and on for most of my life. Left the services in 85 and first started modelling in about 87 for a few years. Then I had a long spell when I didn't build anything (too busy) and really just got started again during the summer of ...

Copyright ©2021 text by Alan McNeilly [ ALANL ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Good review Alan, there was a time when the only 19 set was the one in the Tamiya universal carrier. Now with this one , resicast's offering and Bronco's one we're spoiled for choice
SEP 11, 2008 - 11:16 PM
Hi Pat, Choice is a great thing lol, lol. This set is good for radio vehicle conversions in particular, as you get the No 19 high powered amp and a selection of parts that can be used for connection boxes. Also if you were detailing the inside of a Sherman/Churchill it would be most appropriate. The Resicast set is good becasuse you get a choice of sets both vehicle and infantry, so if you want a No 22 , No 19 or even a No 18 set for you vehicle then you have good choice. With 2 of each set it is possible better value, although I don't know how the euro converts to the CA $ = pounds sterling. I haven't tried the Bronco kit yet and Maple Leaf Models do a No 19 set which again I haven't tried out. I think both the Formations Set and the Resicast Set are excellent accessories, and give a good choice depending on your project. Al
SEP 11, 2008 - 11:48 PM
Hi Guys, I clicked onto this review again as it was showing up on the home page. There is a little box that folks tick or ignore about weather or not they thought the review was helpful. I always wonder about who ticks the No box and why they don't comment if they can add something. I had a similar event on the review I did of the Watch Makers Eye Glass by Modelcraft. https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/3255 I remember wondering at the time what was un-helpful about it as it's one of the cheapest and most useful tools I ever bought and again why they didn't comment as a comment might have been helpful!, Life can be strange! Al
DEC 04, 2008 - 05:09 AM
I wonder about that too, Alan. The 'no' just keeps you asking yourself.....did I miss something? Where could I have improved this? Oh well, Al, it could have been a wrong click!
DEC 04, 2008 - 03:13 PM
   
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