In Box Review of Tamiya 1/35th Scale
German Self-propelled Howitzer “Wespe’
le FH18 auf CW II Sd.Kfz. 124 “Wespe”
Kit no. 35200-2500
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1996
I paid $37.00 for my kit years ago.
Available from one individual in the U.S.A. and 8 locations overseas on the web.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1996
I paid $37.00 for my kit years ago.
Available from one individual in the U.S.A. and 8 locations overseas on the web.
HISTORY:
The Sd.Kfz. 124 Wespe (German for "wasp"), also known as Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/2 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II (Sf.) ("Light field howitzer 18 on Panzer II chassis (self-propelled)"), is a German self-propelled gun developed and used during the Second World War. It was based on a modified Panzer II chassis.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Self-propelled artillery
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1943 - 1945
Used by: Nazi Germany
Wars: World War II
Designer: Alkett
Designed: 1942
Manufacturer: Famo-Ursus
Produced: 1943 - 1944
No. built: 676
Variants: ammunition carrier
Mass: 11 tonnes (24,250 lb)
Length: 4.81 m (15 ft 9 in)
Width: 2.28 m (7 ft 6 in)
Height: 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in)
Crew: 5 (commander, driver, three gunners)
Armor: 5 - 30 mm (.19 - 1.18 in)
Main armament: 1x 10.5 cm leFH 18/2 L/28 with 40 rounds
Engine: 6-cyl petrol Maybach HL62 TR of 140 PS (138 hp, 103 kW)
Power/weight: 12.7 PS/tonne
Suspension: leaf spring
Operational range: 220 km (137 mi)
Maximum speed: 40 km/h (25 mph)
The Sd.Kfz. 124 Wespe (German for "wasp"), also known as Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/2 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II (Sf.) ("Light field howitzer 18 on Panzer II chassis (self-propelled)"), is a German self-propelled gun developed and used during the Second World War. It was based on a modified Panzer II chassis.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Self-propelled artillery
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1943 - 1945
Used by: Nazi Germany
Wars: World War II
Designer: Alkett
Designed: 1942
Manufacturer: Famo-Ursus
Produced: 1943 - 1944
No. built: 676
Variants: ammunition carrier
Mass: 11 tonnes (24,250 lb)
Length: 4.81 m (15 ft 9 in)
Width: 2.28 m (7 ft 6 in)
Height: 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in)
Crew: 5 (commander, driver, three gunners)
Armor: 5 - 30 mm (.19 - 1.18 in)
Main armament: 1x 10.5 cm leFH 18/2 L/28 with 40 rounds
Engine: 6-cyl petrol Maybach HL62 TR of 140 PS (138 hp, 103 kW)
Power/weight: 12.7 PS/tonne
Suspension: leaf spring
Operational range: 220 km (137 mi)
Maximum speed: 40 km/h (25 mph)
THE KIT:
Tamiya is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer based in Shizuoka City, Japan. They make all manner of plastic model kit subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color illustration of a Wespe with a 3 man crew. It is in a camouflage of a base of grey with a dark-green wave pattern, The two crewmen are dressed in field-grey uniforms with cloth side caps. The tank shows no markings.
Illustration is posed against one of Tamiya’s SIGNATURE all-white backgrounds. That they use for the majority of their box arts.
The upper left corner of the box art says: Ready to assemble precision model kit. Modeling skills helpful if under 10 years of age. Cement and paint not included.
The upper right corner of the box says: Highly accurate static display model. Complete exterior detailing. Detailed 10.5cm howitzer. Realistic fighting compartment. Lifelike crew figures. Flexible plastic tracks.
One side panel of the box shows a top-view color illustration of the Wespe in the box art scheme. Followed by a paragraph, all in Japanese and color illustrations of the two crewmen. Copyright for the kit is 1996. Kit made in Japan. Over Tamiya’s street address in Shizuoka City, Japan.
Tamiya is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer based in Shizuoka City, Japan. They make all manner of plastic model kit subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color illustration of a Wespe with a 3 man crew. It is in a camouflage of a base of grey with a dark-green wave pattern, The two crewmen are dressed in field-grey uniforms with cloth side caps. The tank shows no markings.
Illustration is posed against one of Tamiya’s SIGNATURE all-white backgrounds. That they use for the majority of their box arts.
The upper left corner of the box art says: Ready to assemble precision model kit. Modeling skills helpful if under 10 years of age. Cement and paint not included.
The upper right corner of the box says: Highly accurate static display model. Complete exterior detailing. Detailed 10.5cm howitzer. Realistic fighting compartment. Lifelike crew figures. Flexible plastic tracks.
One side panel of the box shows a top-view color illustration of the Wespe in the box art scheme. Followed by a paragraph, all in Japanese and color illustrations of the two crewmen. Copyright for the kit is 1996. Kit made in Japan. Over Tamiya’s street address in Shizuoka City, Japan.
The other side panel shows a 3-view color illustration of the Wespe in the cover art scheme. Followed by a repeat of Tamiya’s address in Japan.
One end panel of the lid gives Tamiya’s street address of their European office in Germany.
The other end panel of the lid gives Tamiya’s street address of their office in Viejo, California.
One end panel of the lid gives Tamiya’s street address of their European office in Germany.
The other end panel of the lid gives Tamiya’s street address of their office in Viejo, California.
Inside the tray there are black and white photos of 17 Tamiya magazine covers and 6 of their paints.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit holds 5 tan parts trees, tan hull tub part, black vinyl tracks and decal sheet in 3 sealed clear cello bags.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that is accordion-folded into 10 pages in 7” x 10 ¼” page format.
Part-trees are alphabetized.
There are 2 identical tan letter A trees. They hold: road wheels, drive sprockets, return rollers, idler wheels, axles, spare tracks etc. (48 parts)
This kit holds 5 tan parts trees, tan hull tub part, black vinyl tracks and decal sheet in 3 sealed clear cello bags.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that is accordion-folded into 10 pages in 7” x 10 ¼” page format.
Part-trees are alphabetized.
There are 2 identical tan letter A trees. They hold: road wheels, drive sprockets, return rollers, idler wheels, axles, spare tracks etc. (48 parts)
Tan letter B tree holds: the gun barrel and it’s mount parts(34 parts)
Tan letter C tree holds: the hull top, engine air intake panels etc. (5 parts)
Tan letter D tree holds: shields, 1 figures (one is divided into head, full body, overcoat rear panel, arms. The other figure is divided into separate head, full body with just one leg attached, other leg) There are 2 pistols in holsters on this tree too. (51 parts)
The one piece lower hull is the last of the plastic parts.
The 2 vinyl tracks are next.
The decal sheet completes the kit contents.
Detail is very good.
Recommended.
Recommended.