Informations
This vehicle is not
well know for modellers so here first I would like to present a bit this
construction. so first a bunch of information.
Chubby was the first
name of this vehicle but it was changed for Husky. The full name designation is
Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector (VMMD). It is a wheeled landmine detection and
route clearance system produced by DCD Protected Mobility. In the 1970s the
original developed destination was the South African Army – Husky I was the
original and Husky II and III are upgraded versions of the basic variant. The
latest VMMD variant, Husky 2G, is a two-seat vehicle accommodating a driver and
a sensor operator.
The vehicle has a length of 7.34m, width of 2.53m, and an overall height of 3.54m. The operating weight is 8,350kg. The VMMD’s engine is capable of generating a maximum power of 201hp and move the vehicle at a maximum speed of 72km/h and can reach a speed of 50km/h in just 16 seconds. The vehicle has a maximum range of 400km, and a range of 200km when attached with Mine Detonation Trailer.
The Husky VMMD
incorporates a V-shaped hull offering optimum protection against blasts - the
vehicle is designed to withstand high detonation and can be brought to
operating conditions within two hours after an explosion. The cabin is fitted
with a bullet-proof glass window and a single hatch is provided on the top.
The Husky VMMD is
capable of detecting both metal and non-metal buried explosives (landmines and
improvised explosive devices IEDs) but can also be customised to detect
user-defined threats. This vehicle can clear a path of three meters at a
maximum speed of 50km/h. It can run over pressure-fused anti-vehicle landmines
without exploding them. The height of the sensor installed on the Husky can be
controlled automatically to adjust in various terrains. The Husky is also
attached with the MDT set to detonate any left out mines.
The vehicle can be also
equipped with NIITEK's VISOR™ 2500 Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), with four
panelled 3.2m array at the front. The GPR detects the mines and explosives by
using hydraulically-controlled deploy and retract modes.
The international
marketing and field support of the vehicle is provided by Critical Solutions
International who are also responsible for marketing in US. The Husky VMMD
vehicles are operational within a number of countries across the globe. A lot
of them are served in Afghanistan as a part of US Army units.
Beginning
Truly speaking this kit
was not in my particular plans for builds ever but the friend of mine asked me
to build this one as a part of some big project he is involved to. After fast
googling I decided to take this job and start wtih this kit as soon as possible
which means that it needed to wait about 2 month for its turn. In first glance
I stated it was the ugliest military kit/vehicle I have ever seen but after
days of building flown I started to like this monster. With perfect Tankograd
monography book with super pictures the building was easier. But to be honest, not all of the details were clearly shown. I
did my best to make them but this is still a mystery if I did it correct. I had
free hand in finishing and adding some equipment so it was my favourite way of
building models – total artistic freedom!
