Rest and fight of American soldiers with motorcycles WLA 1:35 Mini Art 53068

Plastic military model kit: Rest and fight of American soldiers with WLA motorcycles 1:35 Mini Art 53068

The plastic model kit "Rest and fight of American soldiers with WLA motorcycles" in 1:35 scale from Mini Art is an excellent proposition for model-making enthusiasts and history buffs of World War II. This set allows you to recreate scenes from the lives of American soldiers, both during moments of rest and in combat actions, using the iconic Harley-Davidson WLA motorcycles.

Model characteristics:

• Scale: 1:35
• Purpose: dioramas and standalone displays

Contents of the set:

• 2 intricately detailed figures of American soldiers
• 2 Harley-Davidson WLA motorcycles with accessories
• Photo-etched elements for precise detail reproduction
• Poses of rest and combat, ideal for creating dioramas

Harley-Davidson WLA – historical background: The Harley-Davidson WLA motorcycle, also known as the "Liberator," was produced according to the requirements of the U.S. Army during World War II. It was based on the civilian WL model and featured a 45 cubic inch (740 cm³) engine and a design intended for a single rider. Production of the WLA began in 1940, and after the United States entered the war, its scale was significantly increased, reaching about 70,000 units produced.

These motorcycles were widely used by the American army for police, escort, courier tasks, and limited transport of radio equipment. Unlike German motorcycles, the WLA was rarely used as combat vehicles with sidecars. However, in Soviet service, they were often equipped with sidecars and used on the front.

Technology and construction: The WLA engine is a side-valve design, known for its reliability, although less efficient compared to overhead valve engines. Although the model designation suggested high compression, the military version used medium compression for increased reliability. The motorcycle had a "springer" type front suspension, and the rear wheel was without suspension, earning it the nickname "hard tail."

Historical significance: Many WLA motorcycles were transferred to allies under the Lend-Lease program, with the largest recipient being the Soviet Union, which received about 30,000 units. After the war, many of these motorcycles were sold as military surplus and "civilianized," contributing to the development of motorcycle culture and the popularity of Harley-Davidson in the post-war period.

Assembly and painting kit. Does not include paints or glue. Assembly requires separately sold modeling tools (including cutters, files, tweezers), paints, brushes, and plastic model glue (e.g., Tamiya Extra Thin Cement). The photo shows a professionally assembled and painted model.