In Box Review of Italeri 1/35th Scale
German Opel Maultier w/Flak 38
Kit no. 380
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
Copyright of kit is 2000.
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
Copyright of kit is 2000.
HISTORY:
Maultier or Sd.Kfz. 3 (en: "Mule") is the name given to series of half-track trucks used by Germans during World War II. They were based on Opel, Mercedes-Benz, Alfa-Romeo or Ford trucks.
Soon after invading the USSR, German troops discovered that their wheeled transport vehicles were unsuitable for the sparse road network, particularly in the muddy conditions of the rasputitsa.
Only half tracks like the Sd.Kfz. 11 could haul supplies to forward units in these conditions, but removing them from their combat role for supply duties was not feasible, so it was decided to produce half-tracked versions of standard Opel, Daimler-Benz, Alfa-Romeo and Ford trucks (lorries) by removing their rear axles, truncating the prop shafts and connecting them to redundant Panzer I track assemblies.
Heavier trucks (4 tons payload) were fitted with Panzer II track assemblies.
Horstmann suspension components employed by the Panzer I was practically identical to the light tank track system used on the Universal Carrier, with the Maultier's use of them closely resembling the road wheel/suspension system used by the T16 American-produced version in its roadwheel design.
Most Maultier conversions were based on Opel Blitz model S trucks, which proved successful in service.
Although they lacked the overall mobility of purpose-built half tracks, they were cheaper and sufficiently effective. From 1943 some Maultier trucks were fitted with armored bodies, designated SdKfz 4.Some of these were armed with 10 tubed rocket launcher Panzerwerfer 42, and were designated SdKfz. 4.
The Flak 30 (Flugabwehrkanone 30) and improved Flak 38 were 20 mm anti-aircraft guns used by various German forces throughout World War II.
It was not only the primary German light anti-aircraft gun, but by far the most numerously produced German artillery piece throughout the war.
It was produced in a variety of models, notably the Flakvierling 38 which combined four Flak 38 auto cannons onto a single carriage.
These were either used by themselves or mounted on various vehicles to rapidly move them. The Maultier being one of them.
Maultier or Sd.Kfz. 3 (en: "Mule") is the name given to series of half-track trucks used by Germans during World War II. They were based on Opel, Mercedes-Benz, Alfa-Romeo or Ford trucks.
Soon after invading the USSR, German troops discovered that their wheeled transport vehicles were unsuitable for the sparse road network, particularly in the muddy conditions of the rasputitsa.
Only half tracks like the Sd.Kfz. 11 could haul supplies to forward units in these conditions, but removing them from their combat role for supply duties was not feasible, so it was decided to produce half-tracked versions of standard Opel, Daimler-Benz, Alfa-Romeo and Ford trucks (lorries) by removing their rear axles, truncating the prop shafts and connecting them to redundant Panzer I track assemblies.
Heavier trucks (4 tons payload) were fitted with Panzer II track assemblies.
Horstmann suspension components employed by the Panzer I was practically identical to the light tank track system used on the Universal Carrier, with the Maultier's use of them closely resembling the road wheel/suspension system used by the T16 American-produced version in its roadwheel design.
Most Maultier conversions were based on Opel Blitz model S trucks, which proved successful in service.
Although they lacked the overall mobility of purpose-built half tracks, they were cheaper and sufficiently effective. From 1943 some Maultier trucks were fitted with armored bodies, designated SdKfz 4.Some of these were armed with 10 tubed rocket launcher Panzerwerfer 42, and were designated SdKfz. 4.
The Flak 30 (Flugabwehrkanone 30) and improved Flak 38 were 20 mm anti-aircraft guns used by various German forces throughout World War II.
It was not only the primary German light anti-aircraft gun, but by far the most numerously produced German artillery piece throughout the war.
It was produced in a variety of models, notably the Flakvierling 38 which combined four Flak 38 auto cannons onto a single carriage.
These were either used by themselves or mounted on various vehicles to rapidly move them. The Maultier being one of them.
THE KIT:
Italeri is an old prolific model company based in Italy.
They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows the Maultier parked with it's door ajar. It is overall earth-yellow with a heavy coating of winter white-wash, a brown wood deck with it's side-walls extended and mounting a Flak 38, that is overall Panzer-gray. The license plate no. on the front bumper is WH-24621.
One side panel of the box says the model makes up to be 171 mm long (almost 7"), followed by one-paragraph histories of the truck in 8 languages, including English. Each language is marked with a color illustration of the flag of the country that speaks that language.
Italeri is an old prolific model company based in Italy.
They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows the Maultier parked with it's door ajar. It is overall earth-yellow with a heavy coating of winter white-wash, a brown wood deck with it's side-walls extended and mounting a Flak 38, that is overall Panzer-gray. The license plate no. on the front bumper is WH-24621.
One side panel of the box says the model makes up to be 171 mm long (almost 7"), followed by one-paragraph histories of the truck in 8 languages, including English. Each language is marked with a color illustration of the flag of the country that speaks that language.
The other side panel continues the histories in 4 more languages with the flag labels. The kit was made in Italy. Italeri's street and web address is provided. The copyright of the kit is given as 2000.
The kit is intended for modelers 10 and over. Model Master brand paints are suggested and the kit is not suitable for children under 3 years because of sharp parts.
The kit is intended for modelers 10 and over. Model Master brand paints are suggested and the kit is not suitable for children under 3 years because of sharp parts.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
The kit contains 2 light-tan trees, a dark-gray tree, medium-gray vinyl rubber-band type treads, 3 jet black vinyl tires, a clear tree, the decal sheet and the instructions.
The instructions consists of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 10 pages in 8 1/2" x 14" page format.
Page 1 has the history of the Maultier in 11 languages, including English.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTION about the kit in the 11 languages, over customer service coupons and a list of suggested Model Master brand paints in 6 languages, including English.
Page 3 is the parts trees illustrations.
Page 4 through the top of page 9 gives a total of 12 assembly steps.
The bottom of page 9 has a 3-view of the Mautier.
It can be left overall earth-yellow or earth-yellow with spots of field-green and military-brown, a German cross on the cab doors and license no. WH-24 621 or WH-347 625. Below this is decal application instructions in 9 languages, including English.
Page 10 has IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS KIT in 20 languages, including English.
No driver figure or gun crew figures are included in the kit.
Light-tan letter A tree holds: cab parts, wheel rims, steering wheel, leaf springs, tie rods, engine, grill etc. (54 parts) Three parts are shaded out in the parts trees illustrations as being excess and not needed to complete the model.
The kit contains 2 light-tan trees, a dark-gray tree, medium-gray vinyl rubber-band type treads, 3 jet black vinyl tires, a clear tree, the decal sheet and the instructions.
The instructions consists of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 10 pages in 8 1/2" x 14" page format.
Page 1 has the history of the Maultier in 11 languages, including English.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTION about the kit in the 11 languages, over customer service coupons and a list of suggested Model Master brand paints in 6 languages, including English.
Page 3 is the parts trees illustrations.
Page 4 through the top of page 9 gives a total of 12 assembly steps.
The bottom of page 9 has a 3-view of the Mautier.
It can be left overall earth-yellow or earth-yellow with spots of field-green and military-brown, a German cross on the cab doors and license no. WH-24 621 or WH-347 625. Below this is decal application instructions in 9 languages, including English.
Page 10 has IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS KIT in 20 languages, including English.
No driver figure or gun crew figures are included in the kit.
Light-tan letter A tree holds: cab parts, wheel rims, steering wheel, leaf springs, tie rods, engine, grill etc. (54 parts) Three parts are shaded out in the parts trees illustrations as being excess and not needed to complete the model.
Light-tan letter B tree holds: the chassis, axles, bogies, wheel rims, wood cargo deck area sections etc. (94 parts) 12 parts are excess.
Clear letter C tree holds cab windows and a light lens (5 parts)
Dark-gray letter AA tree holds the parts of the Flak 38 and it's ammo rounds (72 parts)
The tires and track are made of vinyl.
The decal sheet completes the kits contents.
Kit has great detail and is highly recommended. But figures really need to be added.