Build Review of Bronco 1/35th Scale
German Light Staff Car “Stabswagen” Model 1937 (Cabriolet)
Kit no. CB35047
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2009
MSRP: $44.95 when I got this kit as a gift on 6-18-10. It is available at Mega Hobby for $31.49 and at 8 locations overseas on the web.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2009
MSRP: $44.95 when I got this kit as a gift on 6-18-10. It is available at Mega Hobby for $31.49 and at 8 locations overseas on the web.
HISTORY:
In 1935, German car manufacturer Opel debuted a new, small family car at the Berlin Motor Show. In honor of the 1936 Olympic Games, which were being held in Berlin, the car was named the Olympia. Manufactured in both a Saloon [coupe] and Cabriolet [convertible], the car featured an all steel unitized body and was powered initially by a 1.3 litre engine. In 1937, the 1.3 litre engine was upgraded to a 1.5 litre overhead valve version. This car became known as the OL 38 model. From its initial production until production ceased in 1940, Opel produced over 168,000 Olympias.
In 1935, German car manufacturer Opel debuted a new, small family car at the Berlin Motor Show. In honor of the 1936 Olympic Games, which were being held in Berlin, the car was named the Olympia. Manufactured in both a Saloon [coupe] and Cabriolet [convertible], the car featured an all steel unitized body and was powered initially by a 1.3 litre engine. In 1937, the 1.3 litre engine was upgraded to a 1.5 litre overhead valve version. This car became known as the OL 38 model. From its initial production until production ceased in 1940, Opel produced over 168,000 Olympias.
THE KIT:
Bronco is an old prolific model company, based in Hong Kong, China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows the car posed against an all-white background. Similar to how Tamiya brand also does the majority of their box arts.
The car is overall German gray. It has a white license plate on its left front and rear fender, with black serial no. IT over 116627 and a small white WH on the front of the right front and rear fender.
One corner of the box art has a CAUTION NOTE, that says: Detailed scale model kit for adult collectors. Not a toy. For ages 14 and over. The box contains parts to make one model kit. Contains functional sharp edges and points. Actual model may vary from images on the box.
One side-panel of the box shows color illustrations of a rectangle that has black, red and yellow horizontal bars across it. Kit includes high quality decals. The brass PE fret in the kit is shown. Followed by: Suitable for ages 14 to adult. In 10 languages, including English. Please keep all relevant information for future use.
Bronco’s street address in Hong Kong, China and their web address are provided.
The kit’s copyright date is 2009.
Bronco is an old prolific model company, based in Hong Kong, China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows the car posed against an all-white background. Similar to how Tamiya brand also does the majority of their box arts.
The car is overall German gray. It has a white license plate on its left front and rear fender, with black serial no. IT over 116627 and a small white WH on the front of the right front and rear fender.
One corner of the box art has a CAUTION NOTE, that says: Detailed scale model kit for adult collectors. Not a toy. For ages 14 and over. The box contains parts to make one model kit. Contains functional sharp edges and points. Actual model may vary from images on the box.
One side-panel of the box shows color illustrations of a rectangle that has black, red and yellow horizontal bars across it. Kit includes high quality decals. The brass PE fret in the kit is shown. Followed by: Suitable for ages 14 to adult. In 10 languages, including English. Please keep all relevant information for future use.
Bronco’s street address in Hong Kong, China and their web address are provided.
The kit’s copyright date is 2009.
The other side panel shows 4 color profiles of the car in overall olive-drab, with a white star on the sides of the front doors and atop the hood. It has a white license plate with black serial no. 5461276 on it on the front and rear left fenders.
It was a captured car, used by the U.S. Army, Western Germany, 1945.
This is followed by a WARNING: Not suitable for children under 3 years. Contains functional sharp edges and points. Keep out of reach of children.
It was a captured car, used by the U.S. Army, Western Germany, 1945.
This is followed by a WARNING: Not suitable for children under 3 years. Contains functional sharp edges and points. Keep out of reach of children.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 13 tan parts trees, 1 clear tree and a brass PE fret in cello bags.
The instruction consists of a staple-bound booklet of 12 pages printed on slick-coated paper in 8 ½” x 11” page format.
This kit contains 13 tan parts trees, 1 clear tree and a brass PE fret in cello bags.
The instruction consists of a staple-bound booklet of 12 pages printed on slick-coated paper in 8 ½” x 11” page format.
Page 1 begins with a color repeat of the box art, over a one-paragraph history of the car in English, German and Chinese.
Page 2 begins with decal application instructions, over international assembly symbol explanations, a suggested paint color listing of Gunze Sangyo, Hobby Color, Humbrol and Tamiya brands of hobby paints and a READ BEFORE ASSEMBLY instructions, in multiple languages, including English.
Page 3 through to page 9 gives a grand total of 11 assembly steps.
Pages 10, 11 & 12 are painting and marking guides.
Page 10 shows a 4-view of the cover art subject (already described above). It was with an unknown unit, German Army, Italy 1943-1944.
Page 11 shows another 4-view of the car. It is in a base of German gray, with a camouflage of wide yellow bands. It has a white license plate with black serial no. IS-60354 on the left front and rear fenders and white WH over OT in the right front and rear fenders. It was with an unknown Division, North-West Europe, 1944.
Page 12 shows a repeat of the 4 view, that is described above on the side panel. It is the car captured by the U.S. Army.
Page 2 begins with decal application instructions, over international assembly symbol explanations, a suggested paint color listing of Gunze Sangyo, Hobby Color, Humbrol and Tamiya brands of hobby paints and a READ BEFORE ASSEMBLY instructions, in multiple languages, including English.
Page 3 through to page 9 gives a grand total of 11 assembly steps.
Pages 10, 11 & 12 are painting and marking guides.
Page 10 shows a 4-view of the cover art subject (already described above). It was with an unknown unit, German Army, Italy 1943-1944.
Page 11 shows another 4-view of the car. It is in a base of German gray, with a camouflage of wide yellow bands. It has a white license plate with black serial no. IS-60354 on the left front and rear fenders and white WH over OT in the right front and rear fenders. It was with an unknown Division, North-West Europe, 1944.
Page 12 shows a repeat of the 4 view, that is described above on the side panel. It is the car captured by the U.S. Army.
There is also a sheet that list the kit part trees and the number of trees on them. The trees are alphabetized.
Tan letter A tree holds: the bottom, seats, doors, steering wheel, fenders, dashboard etc. (34 parts) 1 part is shaded out. Meaning it is surplus and not needed to complete the model.
Tan letter B tree holds: leaf springs, axles, exhaust pipe, shovel in carrying case, pistol in holster etc. (40 parts)
There are 5 identical tan letter C trees. They hold tires. (6 parts per tree)
Letter D is the clear tree. It holds windows and headlight lenses. (14 parts) 1 part is shaded out as excess.
Lettering jumps to the tan letter H tree. It is the car's top half. (1 part)
Tan letter H1 is the canvas roof part (1 part)
Tan letter H2 is the alternate folded roof and is glued to the model (1 part)
Lettering jumps again to the tan letter K tree. It holds jerry cans (8 parts)
Tan letter Kd tree holds a machine gun and it’s bipod (11 parts) 2 parts are excess.
Tan letter Ke tree holds a sub-machine gun and it’ ammo case (2 parts)
Letter P is the brass PE fret. It holds: parts of the jerry cans, license plates etc. (18 parts)
There were loose parts in the box such as the shovel, Notek light, etc. (7 parts).
The kit decal sheet.
I have partially assembled the kit body and chassis as well as the door.
There are no figures included in the kit and I feel there should have been. At least a driver.
Otherwise highly recommended.
Otherwise highly recommended.