British ATMP WMIK (Airborne)

Plastic model kit of a British Supacat ATMP with WMIK (Weapons Mount Installation Kit)

• 1:35 scale
• Photo-etched parts, decals, and a driver figure are included.
• Unassembled, unpainted
• Paint and glue not included

The Supacat ATMP equipped with the WMIK (Weapons Mount Installation Kit) was a weapon platform developed specifically for British airborne and air-mobile combat units. While the ATMP was originally conceived as a highly mobile transport vehicle for supplies and equipment, the WMIK system—developed by Ricardo Special Vehicles—transformed it into a light support vehicle with significant firepower. The WMIK variant was fielded in limited numbers and saw service primarily with the Royal Marines, the Parachute Regiment, and British special forces.

A defining feature of the WMIK was a reinforced roll bar with a central 360° weapon ring, typically mounting either a 12.7mm M2 Browning or, alternatively, a 40mm L134A1 grenade machine gun. The primary armament was often supplemented by one or two 7.62mm L7 General Purpose Machine Guns mounted on swiveling mounts along the vehicle's sides. This configuration allowed the crew to engage targets from almost any direction while simultaneously exploiting the vehicle's high mobility.

The six-wheeled ATMP was powered by a compact turbodiesel engine. Thanks to its permanent all-wheel drive (6×6), front-axle power steering, and independent suspension, the vehicle could traverse even difficult terrain. Despite its low curb weight, it could carry a payload of up to 1.6 tonnes while remaining air-transportable. Transporting the vehicle in the cargo hold or as an underslung load by a Boeing CH-47 Chinook was one of the system's key operational advantages.

The WMIK’s open design provided the crew with excellent all-round visibility and the ability to deploy weapons quickly, though it offered only very limited protection against gunfire and shrapnel. Consequently, the vehicle relied on speed, off-road mobility, and the element of surprise rather than heavy armor. Typical missions included armed reconnaissance, escorting supply convoys, securing helicopter landing zones, and serving as a mobile support vehicle for air-mobile infantry.

For modelers, the Supacat ATMP WMIK ranks among the British Army's most distinctive modern vehicles. Particularly characteristic features include the high weapon ring, side-mounted machine gun mounts, and roll cage, as well as extensive ancillary equipment such as radios, antennas, ammunition boxes, camouflage nets, and the crew's personal gear. When combined with figures representing the Royal Marines or the Parachute Regiment - and set in a diorama depicting a forward landing zone or rugged terrain - it creates an authentic portrayal of modern British airborne operations.