In Box Review of Revell of Germany 1/9th Scale
German Kubelwagen Type 82
Kit no. 03073
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2004
On July 29th, 2004, I bought my kit at a local hobby shop that went out of business for $128.10.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2004
On July 29th, 2004, I bought my kit at a local hobby shop that went out of business for $128.10.
HISTORY:
Kübelwagen is a German word, contracted from Kübelsitzwagen (literally: 'bucket-seat car') – originally military slang for doorless cross-country and field-cars, fitted with bucket seats, to prevent riders from falling out of the vehicle – became a household word similar in meaning to the english "jeep".
Probably one of the most famous ww2 German vehicles, it was the axis equivalent of the "Jeep", although the production (over 50,000) which ended in 1945, which was much less than its famous allied counterpart (over 650,000). It was nevertheless the brainchild of genius engineer Ferdinand Porsche and was apparently named after its bucket seats ("Kübelsitzwagen" later contracted), rather than the open space of the vehicle which entire strength was in the chassis.
Simple, reliable, rugged, with good cross-country performances, cheap and tailored for mass-production the Volkswagen Type 86 was everything needed for a versatile standard
Kubelwagens were present in every single unit of the German Army and served on all fronts to the end of the war and beyond. Thousands found their way onto the civilian market. Many were converted to other duties and others ended in museums and made the delight of private owners around the world.
Their long postwar life was helped by the solid fan-base of the VW Beetle, which shared many parts with
Kübelwagen is a German word, contracted from Kübelsitzwagen (literally: 'bucket-seat car') – originally military slang for doorless cross-country and field-cars, fitted with bucket seats, to prevent riders from falling out of the vehicle – became a household word similar in meaning to the english "jeep".
Probably one of the most famous ww2 German vehicles, it was the axis equivalent of the "Jeep", although the production (over 50,000) which ended in 1945, which was much less than its famous allied counterpart (over 650,000). It was nevertheless the brainchild of genius engineer Ferdinand Porsche and was apparently named after its bucket seats ("Kübelsitzwagen" later contracted), rather than the open space of the vehicle which entire strength was in the chassis.
Simple, reliable, rugged, with good cross-country performances, cheap and tailored for mass-production the Volkswagen Type 86 was everything needed for a versatile standard
Kubelwagens were present in every single unit of the German Army and served on all fronts to the end of the war and beyond. Thousands found their way onto the civilian market. Many were converted to other duties and others ended in museums and made the delight of private owners around the world.
Their long postwar life was helped by the solid fan-base of the VW Beetle, which shared many parts with
THE KIT:
Revell is an old prolific model company based in Morton Grove, Ca. The have manufacturing facilities there and in Germany, where this kit was manufactured. Revell manufactures all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a large shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box that is jam-packed. It is 19 ½” x 14” x 4 ¾” in size.
The cover art shows a color illustration of a Kubelwagen that is parked on a dirt field with a Tiger tank in the background.
The Kubelwagen is overall Panzer-gray. It has a small white no. 27 on its door and front of left front fender. It has a white outline of a circle with an X on it over a white German helmet. The edges of both front fenders are white. It carries a white license plate with black serial no. WH-671377.
One side-panel of the box begins with a small color repeat of the box art, followed by one-paragraph histortories of the Kubelwagen in 4 languages and features of the kit: Unassembled plastic model kit. Paint and cement not included are needed to complete the model as shown. 1/9th scale. Length 41.6cm (16 1/3”). Pictorial-multilingual instruction sheet provides precise assembly instructions. Kit suitable for ages 13 to adult. In multiple languages, including English.
Revell is an old prolific model company based in Morton Grove, Ca. The have manufacturing facilities there and in Germany, where this kit was manufactured. Revell manufactures all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a large shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box that is jam-packed. It is 19 ½” x 14” x 4 ¾” in size.
The cover art shows a color illustration of a Kubelwagen that is parked on a dirt field with a Tiger tank in the background.
The Kubelwagen is overall Panzer-gray. It has a small white no. 27 on its door and front of left front fender. It has a white outline of a circle with an X on it over a white German helmet. The edges of both front fenders are white. It carries a white license plate with black serial no. WH-671377.
One side-panel of the box begins with a small color repeat of the box art, followed by one-paragraph histortories of the Kubelwagen in 4 languages and features of the kit: Unassembled plastic model kit. Paint and cement not included are needed to complete the model as shown. 1/9th scale. Length 41.6cm (16 1/3”). Pictorial-multilingual instruction sheet provides precise assembly instructions. Kit suitable for ages 13 to adult. In multiple languages, including English.
The other side panel gives a paint color listing of Revell’s paints, over their street address of their plant in Germany. Kit was made in Italy. Printing done in Germany.
Followed by a further listing of details of the kit: Detailed model kit with features shown in relief. Steering that turns. Moveable suspension. Complete reproduction of engine and power transmission with axles. 5 vinyl tires. Folding fabric hood. We recommend the use of a textile adhesive (not included in the kit). Hood can be fitted so that it moves. Optional MG with central mount. Doors can be built open or shut.
Followed by 4 color side-view illustrations of Kubelwagens.
1. In overall Panzer Gray, with no markings shown. With windshield, side-windows and top down and MG mounted on pedestal in back seat.
With Panzergrenadiere Div. “Grossdeutschland” Eastern Front, Mahe Charkow, March 1943.
2. In overall earth-yellow with top down.
With 2rd Panzergrenadiere Div. Empoli, Italy, July 1944.
3. In base of white with black spot pattern camouflage, with roof up.
With 6th Panzergrenadiere Div. Volokolamsk, Russia, December 1941.
4. In wave pattern camouflage of earth-yellow and dark-green bands.
With 21st Panzer Division, Normandy Nahe Caen, France, July 1944.
Followed by a further listing of details of the kit: Detailed model kit with features shown in relief. Steering that turns. Moveable suspension. Complete reproduction of engine and power transmission with axles. 5 vinyl tires. Folding fabric hood. We recommend the use of a textile adhesive (not included in the kit). Hood can be fitted so that it moves. Optional MG with central mount. Doors can be built open or shut.
Followed by 4 color side-view illustrations of Kubelwagens.
1. In overall Panzer Gray, with no markings shown. With windshield, side-windows and top down and MG mounted on pedestal in back seat.
With Panzergrenadiere Div. “Grossdeutschland” Eastern Front, Mahe Charkow, March 1943.
2. In overall earth-yellow with top down.
With 2rd Panzergrenadiere Div. Empoli, Italy, July 1944.
3. In base of white with black spot pattern camouflage, with roof up.
With 6th Panzergrenadiere Div. Volokolamsk, Russia, December 1941.
4. In wave pattern camouflage of earth-yellow and dark-green bands.
With 21st Panzer Division, Normandy Nahe Caen, France, July 1944.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 10 tan trees, a clear tree, a black vinyl tree and 5 black vinyl tires, a length of black wire and a steel rod in 5 sealed clear cello bags, a sheet of tan cloth, the decal sheet and instructions.
The tan cloth has patterns printed on it, to cut out and sew together to make the canvas roof for the Kubelwagen. Don’t sound like fun and I’m no seamstress.
I added a DECC brand large cloth Nazi swastika flag to the kit.
The kit holds 10 tan trees, a clear tree, a black vinyl tree and 5 black vinyl tires, a length of black wire and a steel rod in 5 sealed clear cello bags, a sheet of tan cloth, the decal sheet and instructions.
The tan cloth has patterns printed on it, to cut out and sew together to make the canvas roof for the Kubelwagen. Don’t sound like fun and I’m no seamstress.
I added a DECC brand large cloth Nazi swastika flag to the kit.
The instructions consist of a staple-bound booklet of 24 pages in 8” x 11 ¾” page format. 1 page is blank.
Page 1 begins with a black and white photo of the model made up with a division mark of a white diamond with a black R on it and Luftwaffe, letters WL license plate. Neither of these marks are on the kit’s decal sheet. Odd!
Below is the history of the Kubelwagen in English.
Page 2 has ATTENTION about the kit, in 18 languages, including English and 5 illustrations showing how to use model tools.
Pages 3 begins with international assembly symbol explanations, over safety precautions and information about the kit in the 18 languages.
Page 4 gives a paint color listing of Revell brand paints in the 18 languages.
Page 5 shows the parts-trees illustrations.
Page 6 through to the top of page 21 gives a whopping grand total of 124 assembly steps.
The bottom of page 21, 22 & 23 are painting and marking guides.
Page 24 is blank.
Trees are alphabetized.
Tan letter A tree holds engine parts etc. (65 parts)
Page 1 begins with a black and white photo of the model made up with a division mark of a white diamond with a black R on it and Luftwaffe, letters WL license plate. Neither of these marks are on the kit’s decal sheet. Odd!
Below is the history of the Kubelwagen in English.
Page 2 has ATTENTION about the kit, in 18 languages, including English and 5 illustrations showing how to use model tools.
Pages 3 begins with international assembly symbol explanations, over safety precautions and information about the kit in the 18 languages.
Page 4 gives a paint color listing of Revell brand paints in the 18 languages.
Page 5 shows the parts-trees illustrations.
Page 6 through to the top of page 21 gives a whopping grand total of 124 assembly steps.
The bottom of page 21, 22 & 23 are painting and marking guides.
Page 24 is blank.
Trees are alphabetized.
Tan letter A tree holds engine parts etc. (65 parts)
Tan letter B tree holds: transmission, wheel centers etc. (87 parts)
Tan letter C tree holds the floor etc. (9 parts)
Tan letter D tree holds wheel rims (10 parts)
Tan letter E tree holds: the hood, steering wheel, dashboard etc. (60 parts)
Tan letter F tree holds: side panels, doors etc. (28 parts)
Tan letter G tree holds: notek lamp, fenders etc. (12 parts)
Tan letter H tree holds: the trunk lid, window frames etc. (28 parts)
Tan letter I tree holds wall panels etc. (9 parts)
There are no letter J or K trees.
Black vinyl letter L tree holds seat cushions etc. (13 parts)
Black vinyl letter L tree holds seat cushions etc. (13 parts)
Clear letter M tree holds the windows and headlights (9 parts)
Tan letter N tree holds: gas mask canister, jerry cans, MG etc. (80 parts)
The length of tan cloth to fabricate the roof out of is next.
The 5 vinyl tires are next.
Wire, an axle rod and springs are in a cello bag together.
The decal sheet completes the kit’s contents.
There are no figures included.
Detail is excellent.
Highly recommended.
Detail is excellent.
Highly recommended.