Daimler »Dingo« Mk.II Scout Car

Matchbox 1:76 Scale Vehicle Review

Small, fast and lightly armoured cars like the Daimler »Dingo« were routinely used as reconnaissance, security, escort, and command vehicles. Many Dingo Mk.II were captured by the Wehrmacht in Africa and in the course of the British-Canandian landing at Dieppe, and they were subsequently used by Wehrmacht units. At least 124 of the earlier Mk.I version were already in the Wehrmacht inventory following the 1940 campaign in France. This Matchbox model of the Daimler Dingo Mk.II has been painted Middle Bronze Green, using Humbrol No. 30 matt acrylic paint. It carries the white square tactical markings of a vehicle from divisional headquarters. The antenna mounts have been drilled open and fitted with black plastic bristles from a cheap paintbrush.

Contents

• Monty’s Leyland Retriever Caravan
• Daimler »Dingo« Mk.II Scout Car
• Decal Sheet

Evaluation

• Scale model with detailed interior and outside stowage.
• Excellent choice of subject, a very attractive and versatile model.
• Few parts, easy to assemble.
• High quality kit. Parts fit well and there is minimal flash.
• Compatible with Airfix, Fujimi, Nitto, and VAC-U-CAST.

• Approximately 5% smaller than the 1:72 scale figure standard. Compatibility is not an issue here, because the Dingo is unique in this scale and it will mix well with 1:72 scale troops and armoured vehicles.

Possible Conversions

• Dingo Mk.I with the earlier air intake
  • Panzerspähwagen Mk.I 202 (e), Wehrmacht 1940-45
• Lancia Lince copy of the Dingo Mk.I, Italian Army 1943
  • Panzerspähwagen Lince Mk.I 202 (i), Wehrmacht 1943-45
• Dingo Mk.III with canvas roof

Matchbox’s Daimler »Dingo« Scout Car is a wonderful model, nicely detailed and very easy to build. It is a well designed and very unique looking vehicle, which will make a nice addition to any armour collection. The twin-pack with Monty’s Caravan is not a good choice. The captured Italian caravan body mounted on a 3 t Leyland Retriever 6x4 chassis is a unique vehicle still on display at the Imperial War Museum, whereas the Dingo is a standard scout car used by many units. Wargamers and collectors would have been better served if a standard cargo body for the Leyland Retriever had been included as well. Conversion is an option, but it will require much more work than a simple swap of alternate kit parts.

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– Published: 1996 – Updated: 28.01.2003
© 1996-2011 by IDL Software GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany. All rights reserved.