Allow me to quote from the kit history on this one. "The C7P tractor was made in Poland by the State Engineering Works from 1935. It used components from the Vickers 6T tank that was being built under license and used the same engine, body, suspension and transmission. They first entered service in 1935 and used to pull the 220mm Mark 1932 Mortars then in service. Five of these tractors were needed to pull the pieces for one mortar. Each two gun mortar battery had eleven C7P tractors. They were also to be used as recovery vehicles for light tank units and were used  in railway engineering units. Of the several hundred built, most did not survive the 1939 campaigns. Around 70 were used by the Soviets and approximately 15-20 by German forces in various miscellaneous services."

The Mirage kit comes in a relatively large box that proudly proclaims it as Modell Fan's 2001 kit of the year. As it typical with many armor kits, there are a ton of sprues. For that reason, I've not shown them as there are just too many. They are packaged as two or three sprues per bag to help keep down on damage during shipment. Inspection of the sprues shows that the parts are very well molded and detailing is very good. Not quite as crisp as one sees on Tamiya or Italeri armor kits, but very close. There is no flash on any of the parts, nor did I find any sink marks on the thicker pieces. Ejector pin marks, from what I could see, are all on the side of parts that will be covered during construction, or are easily taken care of. I applaude a company who takes care enough in engineering a kit to make sure that these things will be invisible when it is built.

Other features are a single set of flexible tracks. Purists may very well wish for individual or sectional tracks, but I'm sure that they are available in aftermarket for those who wish to add them. I'd also be surprised if Eduard or some other company doesn't have an etched brass set underway for this kit. One of the versions can be built as a recovery vehicle and comes with the appropriate booms and pulleys for this version. Since the majority of the parts are designed for the Vickers tank that Mirage produces, there are a few modifications that the builder will have to make to some parts. Those are clearly shown in the instructions.

This is not just a 'curbside' model, but has a complete interior. The instructions are very good, showing not only all of the appropriate mods needed but also some additional advice concerning assembly and gluing that will help with some tricky bits. Painting information is given where appropriate and there are also notes to guide you depending on which version you are building. Paint colors are all based on Humbrol paints as that seems to be what is most commonly available in Europe. The rest of us will have to find a conversion chart or a well-stocked hobby shop! Probably the only complaint I have about the instructions is that no where is it stated just what the differences are in the three options. One has to glean that information from a study of the instructions and what parts are used. There is a small, but well printed decal sheet by Techmod. Your choices on camouflage are an overall panzer grey German version and a Polish one in a three tone camo. Photo references for camouflage are two magazines that are unlikely to be found in a modeler's library on this side of the Atlantic. 

Overall, this is a very nicely molded kit and one that should bring a lot of interest to the modeling tables. If it is like the other Mirage kits, the price will be under $20.00, making it a bargain as well. It is one that I would recommend to those who have an interest in building something other than the usual stuff that one sees all the time.

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