In Box Review of Revell-Italeri 1/35th Scale
German Half-track “Mule”, Opel Maultier
Kit no. H-2116
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyrjght: 1976
Out of production
I paid a mere $4.00 for my kit back in the 70’s at a local shop that went out of business
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyrjght: 1976
Out of production
I paid a mere $4.00 for my kit back in the 70’s at a local shop that went out of business
HISTORY;
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 roadwheel/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 Sd.Kfz. 4. Some of these were armed with the ten tube rocket launcher Panzerwerfer 42, and were designated Sd.Kfz. 4/1.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Medium tank
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1939–1945
Used by: Germany, Hungary, Romania, Slovak Republic, Croatia, Norway, Turkey
Wars: World War II
Designer: Daimler-Benz
Designed: 1935–1937
Manufacturer: Daimler-Benz
Unit cost: 103,163 ℛℳ (Ausf. M)
Produced: 1939–1943
No. built: 5,774 (excluding StuG III)
Mass: 23.0 tonnes (25.4 short tons)
Length: 5.56 m (18 ft 3 in)
Width: 2.90 m (9 ft 6 in)
Height: 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Crew: 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator/bow machine-gunner)
Armour: Ausf A-C: 15 mm all around, Ausf D-G: 30 mm all around, Ausf J+: 50 mm all around
Main armament: 1 × 3.7 cm KwK 36 Ausf. A-G, 1 × 5 cm KwK 38 Ausf. F-J, 1 × 5 cm KwK 39 Ausf. J¹-M, 1 × 7.5 cm KwK 37 Ausf. N
Secondary armament: 2–3 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
Engine: 12-cylinder Maybach HL120 TRM of 300 PS (296 hp, 220 kW)
Power/weight: 12 hp (9.6 kW) / tonne
Suspension: Torsion-bar suspension
Fuel capacity: 300-320 litres
Operational range: Road: 165 km (103 mi), Cross-country: 85 km (53 mi)
Maximum speed: Road: 40 km/h (25 mph),Off-road: 20 km/h (12 mph)
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 roadwheel/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 Sd.Kfz. 4. Some of these were armed with the ten tube rocket launcher Panzerwerfer 42, and were designated Sd.Kfz. 4/1.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Medium tank
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1939–1945
Used by: Germany, Hungary, Romania, Slovak Republic, Croatia, Norway, Turkey
Wars: World War II
Designer: Daimler-Benz
Designed: 1935–1937
Manufacturer: Daimler-Benz
Unit cost: 103,163 ℛℳ (Ausf. M)
Produced: 1939–1943
No. built: 5,774 (excluding StuG III)
Mass: 23.0 tonnes (25.4 short tons)
Length: 5.56 m (18 ft 3 in)
Width: 2.90 m (9 ft 6 in)
Height: 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Crew: 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator/bow machine-gunner)
Armour: Ausf A-C: 15 mm all around, Ausf D-G: 30 mm all around, Ausf J+: 50 mm all around
Main armament: 1 × 3.7 cm KwK 36 Ausf. A-G, 1 × 5 cm KwK 38 Ausf. F-J, 1 × 5 cm KwK 39 Ausf. J¹-M, 1 × 7.5 cm KwK 37 Ausf. N
Secondary armament: 2–3 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
Engine: 12-cylinder Maybach HL120 TRM of 300 PS (296 hp, 220 kW)
Power/weight: 12 hp (9.6 kW) / tonne
Suspension: Torsion-bar suspension
Fuel capacity: 300-320 litres
Operational range: Road: 165 km (103 mi), Cross-country: 85 km (53 mi)
Maximum speed: Road: 40 km/h (25 mph),Off-road: 20 km/h (12 mph)
THE KIT:
Revell is an old prolific model company based in Venice, CA. They manufacture all manner of plastic model subjects in the popular scales.
Italeri is also an old prolific model company based in Italy. They also manufacture all manner of plasti model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box
The cover art shows the Opel Maultier model built-up and sitting on a base of a gravel road. It is overall earth-yellow, with a white Afrika Korps palm-tree and swastika insignia on the side of the cargo area.
On the right of the cover art it says: Decals and paint schemes included to make one of several Mules. Over color illustrations of Mules in the box art scheme and one that was with the SS Infantry, that is overall Panzer-grey.
One side panel of the box begins with a one-paragraph history of the Opel Mule, followed by 4 color photos of the Mule made up.
The first photo is of the box art scheme. It further shows markings on the rear of the truck that is a repeat of the palm-tree and swastika in white on the left side and a white tactical insignia of a radio-equipped vehicle on the right and a white license plate, with serial no. WH-294 719 on the left rear.
The second photo is the same vehicle in the first photo. It shows the top of the hood and cab. The cab has a rolled canvas top on its roof.
The third photo shows a side of the cargo compartment of a Mule. It is overall Panzer-grey.
The fourth photo shows the bench seats in the cargo compartment of the third Mule. Followed by: For advanced modelers ages 12 to adult. To assemble this model you need plastic model cement. If you wish to paint this model kit, the following colors are recommended: flat black, flat dark-green, flat dark-grey and flat dark-brown.
Under the 4 photos it says; Decal marking included for several vehicles. Detailed under-carriage. Shovel, pennant frames & tow-hooks included. Detailed cab. Detailed Carden-Lloyd suspension for tracks. Troop benches. Followed by a repeat of the last information on the other side panel.
Revell is an old prolific model company based in Venice, CA. They manufacture all manner of plastic model subjects in the popular scales.
Italeri is also an old prolific model company based in Italy. They also manufacture all manner of plasti model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box
The cover art shows the Opel Maultier model built-up and sitting on a base of a gravel road. It is overall earth-yellow, with a white Afrika Korps palm-tree and swastika insignia on the side of the cargo area.
On the right of the cover art it says: Decals and paint schemes included to make one of several Mules. Over color illustrations of Mules in the box art scheme and one that was with the SS Infantry, that is overall Panzer-grey.
One side panel of the box begins with a one-paragraph history of the Opel Mule, followed by 4 color photos of the Mule made up.
The first photo is of the box art scheme. It further shows markings on the rear of the truck that is a repeat of the palm-tree and swastika in white on the left side and a white tactical insignia of a radio-equipped vehicle on the right and a white license plate, with serial no. WH-294 719 on the left rear.
The second photo is the same vehicle in the first photo. It shows the top of the hood and cab. The cab has a rolled canvas top on its roof.
The third photo shows a side of the cargo compartment of a Mule. It is overall Panzer-grey.
The fourth photo shows the bench seats in the cargo compartment of the third Mule. Followed by: For advanced modelers ages 12 to adult. To assemble this model you need plastic model cement. If you wish to paint this model kit, the following colors are recommended: flat black, flat dark-green, flat dark-grey and flat dark-brown.
Under the 4 photos it says; Decal marking included for several vehicles. Detailed under-carriage. Shovel, pennant frames & tow-hooks included. Detailed cab. Detailed Carden-Lloyd suspension for tracks. Troop benches. Followed by a repeat of the last information on the other side panel.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit holds 2 tan trees, 2 clear trees and the decal sheet, that are not cello bagged.
They are not alphabetized.
The instructions consist of an unbound booklet of 8 pages in 8 1/2” x 11” page format.
Page 1 begins with a one-paragraph history of the Mule, over BEFORE YOU BEGIN instructions and MODELING TIPS. Over a list of required colors, including their federal numbers.
Page 2 is the parts tree illustrations.
Page 3 through to page 7 give a grand total of 10 assembly steps.
Page 8 is a painting and marking guide.
It shows four 3-view profiles of Mules. In sand, dark-brown, dark-green and Panzer Grey.
Across the top there are illustrations of 8 tactical symbols and 4 license plate numbers.
The first 3-view is the box art subject (already described above) It was with the 5th Panzer Army Africa, May 1943.
The second 3-view is overall sand. It has a white tactical marking of a running man on the side of the cargo area and on the front of the left front fender and left rear of the back. On the right side of the rear is another white tactical marking for a radio equipped vehicle. It carries license no. WH-728242. It was with the 111th SS Army Corps., Ukraine, September 1944.
The third 3-view is overall Panzer-grey. It carries a tactical marking of a white stick-figure of a man on its side and left rear. It carries license no. SS-218047. It was with SS Div. “Das Reich”, Moscos, April 1942.
The fourth 3-view is overall dark-brown. It also carries a white tactical marking of the stick-figure of a man in the same two places as the third 3-view. It carries license plate no. WL-329560. It was with a Luftwaffe Field Division, Russia, October 1943.
This kit holds 2 tan trees, 2 clear trees and the decal sheet, that are not cello bagged.
They are not alphabetized.
The instructions consist of an unbound booklet of 8 pages in 8 1/2” x 11” page format.
Page 1 begins with a one-paragraph history of the Mule, over BEFORE YOU BEGIN instructions and MODELING TIPS. Over a list of required colors, including their federal numbers.
Page 2 is the parts tree illustrations.
Page 3 through to page 7 give a grand total of 10 assembly steps.
Page 8 is a painting and marking guide.
It shows four 3-view profiles of Mules. In sand, dark-brown, dark-green and Panzer Grey.
Across the top there are illustrations of 8 tactical symbols and 4 license plate numbers.
The first 3-view is the box art subject (already described above) It was with the 5th Panzer Army Africa, May 1943.
The second 3-view is overall sand. It has a white tactical marking of a running man on the side of the cargo area and on the front of the left front fender and left rear of the back. On the right side of the rear is another white tactical marking for a radio equipped vehicle. It carries license no. WH-728242. It was with the 111th SS Army Corps., Ukraine, September 1944.
The third 3-view is overall Panzer-grey. It carries a tactical marking of a white stick-figure of a man on its side and left rear. It carries license no. SS-218047. It was with SS Div. “Das Reich”, Moscos, April 1942.
The fourth 3-view is overall dark-brown. It also carries a white tactical marking of the stick-figure of a man in the same two places as the third 3-view. It carries license plate no. WL-329560. It was with a Luftwaffe Field Division, Russia, October 1943.
There is a slip in the kit to use to join Revell’s Master Modelers Club for a dollar.
The trees are numbered but not alphabetized.
The first tan tree holds: the cab parts, radiator, wall sections, engine, front wheel rims, leaf springs, tarp,steering wheel etc. (55 parts) One part is X'd out in the parts trees illustrations as being excess and not needed to complete the model.
The first tan tree holds: the cab parts, radiator, wall sections, engine, front wheel rims, leaf springs, tarp,steering wheel etc. (55 parts) One part is X'd out in the parts trees illustrations as being excess and not needed to complete the model.
The second tan tree holds: the frame, bogies, road wheels, cargo compartment floor and walls, axles exhaust pipe, suspension parts etc. (94 parts)
The clear tree holds the windows and light lenses (7 parts)
Next are the vinyl tires (3 parts)
Finally, the black vinyl rubber-band type treads (2 long runs & 2 short spare runs) These are the old type that have to be heat-riveted into loops and not the newer glueable type.
The decal sheet completes the kits contents.
No crew figures are included and I think there should have been at least a driver. A crew in the cargo compartment would have been nice to get too.
Recommended.
Recommended.