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The YP-408 was developed to transport the infantry quickly and protected to and from the battlefield. The armored wheeled vehicle, designed and manufactured entirely in the Netherlands, started testing in 1959. The design of the vehicle is based on that of the DAF YA-328. Because a large number of parts of this 'Dikke Daf' three-ton truck were used, the vehicle was easy to integrate into the existing military supply and maintenance system.
All YPs, except for the PWAT and PWGWT, were equipped with a ring carriage on which a heavy Browning M2 .50 (12.7 mm) machine gun could be mounted. Also, all YPs had a smoke canister launcher that consists of two groups of three launch barrels mounted on the front of the vehicle.
750 YPs were built: (429 PWIs (of which 29 were converted to PWRDR -radar version- and 55 to PWAT - Armored Wheel Anti-Tank); 179 PWCOs (Armored Wheel Commando-liner version); 28 PWGWT's (Armored Wheel Wounded Transport version); 86 PWMRs (Armored Wheel Mortar version) and 28 PWVs (Armored Wheel Cargo version).
Together with the AMX PRI, the APC served with the armored infantry between 1965 and 1986. Between 1986 and 1989, the YP 408 was replaced in the Netherlands by the FMC YPR 765 armored tracked vehicle. The AMX had already been taken out of service.
In the spring of 1987, the exercise Last Wheels of 12 Armored Infantry Brigade was the last in which the Dutch army still made extensive use of the YP 408. From 30 March to 10 April 1987 Brigadier General J.W.C. van Ginkel trained with the staff of 1 Division '7 December'. For twelve days, 7,700 men, 110 Leopard 1, 210 armored vehicles (YP 408, YPR 765 and M-113) and 2,300 trucks and passenger cars were active. This exercise took place in what was then West Germany, in the area between Wildeshausen, Bassum, Syke and Diepholz. The name Last Wheels was chosen by the division leadership especially for this occasion, because this was the last time that the YP 408 participated in such a large-scale exercise for the replacement of the YP 408 by the YPR 765.
PWI
The Armored Wheel Infantry version was the basic version from which all other versions are derived, and was also the most common version. This version can accommodate one driver, one gunner, one commander and seven infantry soldiers. The PWI was armed with a heavy Browning M2 .50 machine gun. Unlike the PWI Group vehicle (PWI-GR), the sub-version PWI-PC for the Platoon Commander had an extra radio and mounting clamps for the Carl Gustav M2CG TLV and later M47 Dragon anti-tank weapons.
The Model
For many, the Van Raamsdonk series of Royal Netherlands Army models will be a well-known phenomenon by now. For those who do not, Robert-Jan van Raamsdonk has been producing army models for about two years, produced entirely of cast resin. Recently also as kits. The range varies from the DAF YA series (not all) to the Patria and Bushmaster, the latter two coming in 2024 and there are more plans. They are really worthwhile and fill a gap in the Dutch market.
Recently it was another van Raamsdonk “weekend”. A weekend where Robert-Jan himself delivers all orders throughout the country, which is incredibly appreciated! Off then to a park & ride to pick up my ordered YP408 kit. Unfortunately, I am not financially able to buy all of Robert-Jan's models, although I would like to, but the YP408 is so iconic for me that I really wanted to own and build it.
What struck me, unfortunately, immediately was that when it was handed over, the box rattled, so with loose parts. When I got home, of course, I immediately checked it and indeed, it was really disappointing, all parts were just loose in the box except for the small parts (plastic bag with staples). That was not what I expected from Robert-Jan. Although the casting resin parts are of good quality, the model also has 3D printed parts and very small parts. I know from experience that, no matter how well printed and with the best quality casting resin, 3D parts remain fragile. Too bad this could be better and should be better! Fair enough I could not discover any damage to the parts.
The basis of the model are the two hull parts. The lower and the upper part. Made from cast resin, which is sturdy and will not break easily. What immediately strikes me is that the upper deck, when seen from the back, does not connect well to the lower part, the space there is far too large. If you grab both and apply pressure to the back of the upper deck, you will be fine. The screws have to do the trick here probably. If you assume that the back of the upper deck should be exactly flush with the back of the lower part, then you will have a huge gap at the front (near the wheels) between the upper deck and lower part. (See photo). The two just do not fit well. By pressing on the nose of the upper deck, the crack disappears at the front, not on the side, but that requires a lot of force! I wonder if you can keep this tension with glue, again the screw must help, I hope. Even then you have to "fill" the side and that is not easy because you cannot really reach it well. Armed with this experience, I started to fit and measure a bit more and came across quite a few things.
For example, the three hatches do not fit properly, there is a huge gap between them and the body. If you really want to have the gaps closed, this will have to be fixed/filled. Actually, the simplest solution is to mount the hatches in an open position. In that case, you will have to tinker with the interior design or at least paint the inside black. Perhaps the simplest solution to that is to use a number of figures, for example from Sylly's Mini Models, to place in or on the hatches. By the way, all parts related to the deck and cockpit are made of cast resin. The chassis, the rims and the machine gun are 3D printed, they look solid, but it is still 3D printing so be careful with handling. The tires are made of rubber, fortunately without a seam.
I have carefully tried on some 3D parts here and there and they fit pretty well. The rims have three lugs, presumably intended to fall into the rubber wheel, you will not be able to do that, they have to be removed with the necessary caution so that they still fit neatly into the tires without gaps. The .50 machine gun is unfortunately a bit less detailed, there are better ones on the market for this and I think I will replace it when building. The bag of smaller parts is a combination of casting resin and 3D parts.
Included is a small sheet of decals to be used to build a version of the PWI. Unfortunately, this sheet is printed on a white background, so with my vision impairment I cannot read the white letters, numbers and inscriptions and have no idea what they depict and unfortunately, I cannot really finish a model with these decals. Personally, I think this is very unfortunate and perhaps a little less thought off when producing.
The model does not come with a construction manual. Robert-Jan e-mails a brief construction description (more like an extensive 3D drawing of the model) to the buyers of the model to build. That is not what I Expected. For example, the DAF YA314 that I also bought as a model had, albeit limited, a more extensive description and also in color.
Conclusion
I can only say that I am happy with the fact that there is now a 1/35 scale model of this iconic vehicle of our Royal Netherlands Army. A combination of casting resin and 3D printing makes sense given the limited use of the subject. Resin models are already at a disadvantage compared to the standard injection molded models. The processing is different anyway and because of the material, the fit leaves something to be desired.
This is the case with Robert-Jan's YP408, so the model has to be worked on and choices have to be made, such as the hatches. The model requires the necessary attention. Too bad about the brief construction description and too bad for me about the white on white of the decal set. Despite these drawbacks, with the necessary effort and skill, a beautiful and accurate model can be built that will be a worthy addition to any collection, If the PWI version is intended, but it is certainly also can be build as another version, but this will require scratch building.
PAY ATTENTION! Working with casting resin is harmful to your health. Always sand, file and saw with water. Ventilate sufficiently and wear a mask. Clean everything up as soon as possible.
Reviewer: Fred Bachofner
Check out our IPMS YP 408 walk around here...
This article was published December 2023