In Box Review of Tamiya 1/35th Scale
Sd.Kfz. 222 Leichter Panzerspahwagen 4/4
Afrika-Korps Armored Car
Kit no. 35286-2800
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: $42.99
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: $42.99
HISTORY:
The past WWI Versailles Treaty severely limited the number and type of military vehicles Germany was permitted to possess. No tanks of an kind were allowed, and only a small number of older armored cars could be used for border patrol and police work.
Starting in 1920, the Sd.Kfz. 3 armored personnel carrier served with police and military units, but possessed poor cross-country performance due to its solid rubber tires. In the late 1920’s, the Armaments Ministry called for a new armored carrier that could meet a series of demanding requirements. However, development was brought to a premature end by the worldwide financial collapse in 1929.
These budgetary and treaty-imposed limitations led to Germany’s development of simulated fighting vehicles for use in training exercises. The earliest of these “paper panzers” was simply a dummy tank body mounted on a car chassis. In 1930 came a standardized design for a mock armored car, which featured an aluminum or thin steel body on an Adler Standard 6 car chassis. The use of such dummy vehicles helped the German army develop doctrines of mechanization and armored warfare during the interwar period. These ideas would gain even more momentum when re-armament began in earnest under Hitler.
Produced from 1932 to 1934, the Kfz. 13 was one of the first 4-wheeled armored cars developed by the expanding German army. Based on the Adler Standard 6 chassis, with lightly armored open-top body, the Kfz. 13 was armed with a single MG 13 machine gun. A command version designated Kfz. 14 replaced the machine gun with radio apparatus. Both versions served with cavalry and reconnaissance detachments.
After 1936, the German army adopted a number or standard chassis designations to serve as the basis for all new wheeled vehicle designs. Among them was the Standard Chassis No. 1 for Heavy Passenger Cars, which was designed by Auto Union. This chassis was used as the basis for the Sd.Kfz. 221, which was intended to replace the Kfz. 13/14. This light armored car featured a 3,517 cc displacement, rear-mounted, 75 hp, V8-108 gasoline engine. It had 4-wheel independent suspension and could switch between 2-wheel and 4-wheel steering. Protected by sloped armor plates, the Sd.Kfz. 221 featured a turret armed with a single 7.92mm M34 machine gun. Carrying a crew of 2, it had outstanding cross-country performance and speed of 80 km/h on roads and 40 km/h off road.
The Sd.Kfz. 221 was eventually replaced by the Sd.Kfz. 222 which featured a 20 mm KwK 30 L/55 auto cannon mounted coaxially with the MG 34. The addition of a gunner brought the crew to 3, and a wireless radio apparatus was installed. Later versions were given the improved 20 mm KwK 38 cannon, hydraulic brakes and increased engine displacement. Serving with reconnaissance battalions of Panzer divisions, the Sd.Kfz. 222 made an important contribution to the success of the Blitzkrieg in Europe.
It also performed with distinction in the North Africa theatre, and is regarded as one of the most representative German armored cars of the period. Approximately 1,000 models were built until the end of production in June of 1943. The Sd.Kfz. 222 was gradually displaced in the reconnaissance role by half-tracks like the Sd.Kfz. 250/9 DEMAG, but remained in service until the end of the war. A communications car variant, armed with the MG 34 and featuring a large frame antenna was designated the Sd.Kfz. 223. The Sd.Kfz. 221/2/3 served as the eyes of the Panzer divisions in such disparate locations as Norway, the western coast of France, North African deserts and the outskirts of Moscow.
The fist Sd.Kfz. 221 cars were deployed to armored car squadrons in the reconnaissance battalions of armored divisions. At the outbreak of war in September 1939, 12 motorized reconnaissance battalions and 2 motorized reconnaissance regiments were attached to the Wehrmacht’s 6 armored divisions, 4 light divisions and 4 motorized iinfantry divisions. In general, the battalions consisted of 1 or 2 armored reconnaissance squadrons, 1 motorcycle scout squadron and 1 heavy squadron. The armored recon squadrons employed Sd.Kfz. 231/2 and Sd.Kfz. 221/2/3 cars, with 4 Sd.Kfz. 222’s assigned to the unit.
In 1942, recon battalions attached to Panzer divisions were merged with the division’s separate motorcycle battalion and named motorcycle rifle battalions. To these battalions were added 2nd Company (armored recon) equipped with Sd.Kfz.250 series cars,
and 3rd Company (motorized recon) equipped with Kubelwagens, for a total of 5 companies, with the term “squadron” replaced by “Company”.
German armored units enjoyed extremely high mobility, as they employed 4, 6 and 8-wheeled vehicles capable of speeds of 70 to 85 km/h. Armored cars were capable o9f gaining intelligence that was difficult to obtain from the air, while radio cars could transmit the data field headquarters. The 20 mm cannon enabled them to threaten and engage the enemy, and indeed they performed more of a combat function in North Africa, where lack of cover made it difficult to engage in reconnaissance.
The first German combat unit to arrive in North Africa, in February 1941, was 3rd Recon Battalion of 4th Light Division (later re-named 21st Panzer Division). Next to arrive, in April, was 33rd Recon Battalion of the 15th Panzer Division. In August 1941, 580th Mixed Recon Company was formed and attached to 90th Africa Division. The company contained an armored car section which employed 6 Sd.Kfz.222’s and 2 Sd.Kfz. 223’s. In May 1942, the company was enlarged into 580th Motorized Recon Batallion. 164th Armored Recon Company, which arrived in Egypt in July, was soon re-named 220th Armored Recon Company.
Allied offensives in North Africa pushed Panzer Army Afrika back up to Tunisia by November 1942. The various armored recon battalions of the Panzer Army Afrika were not reformed as motorcycle rifle battalions, and therefore used tactical markings designed for recon units. However, the subsequently dispatched 10th Panzer Division was affected by the changes of 1942. Therefore the armored cars of the 10th Motorized Rifle Battalion used motorcycle markings.
In spring of 1943, the armored recon battalions were reorganized and re-named, 3rd Armored Recon Battalion. 21st Panzer Division was moved to 90th Afrika Division and re-named 90th Armored Recon Battalion. 580th Recon Battalion was moved from 90th to 21st Division and became 21st Armored Recon Battalion. 33rdArmored Recon Battalion was re-named 15th Armored Recon Battalion, and 10th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion became 10th Armored Recon Battalion. In short, battalion numbers were unified with division numbers.
The 5th Panzer Army was formed to defend Tunisia, and was assigned 190th Armored Recon Battalion. 334th Infantry Division and 999th Afrika Division were also dispatched to Tunisia, but the former did not bring any armored car companies.
999th Armored Recon Battalion was instead sent to Greece, where it formed part of the Rhodes Sturmdivision. Elements including armored recon battalions were taken from the Paratroop Panzer Division “Herman Goering” and sent to reinforce Tunisia, meaning that some armored cars in North Africa had Luftwaffe identification numbers. After the surrender of the Afrika Korps in May 1943, some units which had escaped capture were reformed in Europe a the Armored Reconnaissance Demonstration Battalion, and continued serving until the end of the war.
THE KIT:
Tamiya is an old prolific model company based in Japan. They make all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a Sd.Kfz. 222 and a DKW NZ350 solo motorcycle posed against an all-white background.
The 222 is in overall dark-yellow (dunkle-gelb) as is the motorcycle also. The license number on the 222 is WH603348 (included on the kits decal sheet). It has narrow German crosses on top of the engine hood and on the rear most side panel of the hull. The yellow division symbol for the 21st Division is seen on the right front fender and a white tactical symbol for a recon unit is on the left fender.
The motorcycle has the license no. WH-172835 on it. The driver is seated on it and pointing with his right arm. He is carrying on a conversation with the 2 crew members of the 222 who are looking out of the turret hatch.
The box arts says that the kit is highly accurate, its length is 134 mm when completed, it has an authentically reproduced square hull and open topped turret, sharply detailed tool case, Notek light and the DKW NZ350 motorcycle, it includes the commander, radio operator and motorcycle rider figures, there are alternate body parts for the motorcycle rider figure, the kit includes PE parts and an aluminum gun barrel.
What is not mentioned here is that there is a bonus tree in the kit of Jerry cans and fuel drums.
One side panel of the box has a color 3-view of a Sd.Kfz. 222 in overall dark-yellow (dunkle-gelb), with narrow German crosses in the same positions as the box art subject, a white tactical symbol for a recon unit on the right fender and a yellow 15th Panzer Division symbol on the side of the hood. It has the license no WH-607148 (this marking on the kits decal sheet also). Next to this 3-view is a paragraph in Japanese only.The copyright date of the kit Is 2007 and it was made in the Philippines. Tamiya’s web address is provided here.
The other side panel has 2 color photos of the model made up, followed by another paragraph in Japanese and photo of the PE fret and turned aluminum barrel in the kit. Tamiya’s street address in Japan is provided.
The past WWI Versailles Treaty severely limited the number and type of military vehicles Germany was permitted to possess. No tanks of an kind were allowed, and only a small number of older armored cars could be used for border patrol and police work.
Starting in 1920, the Sd.Kfz. 3 armored personnel carrier served with police and military units, but possessed poor cross-country performance due to its solid rubber tires. In the late 1920’s, the Armaments Ministry called for a new armored carrier that could meet a series of demanding requirements. However, development was brought to a premature end by the worldwide financial collapse in 1929.
These budgetary and treaty-imposed limitations led to Germany’s development of simulated fighting vehicles for use in training exercises. The earliest of these “paper panzers” was simply a dummy tank body mounted on a car chassis. In 1930 came a standardized design for a mock armored car, which featured an aluminum or thin steel body on an Adler Standard 6 car chassis. The use of such dummy vehicles helped the German army develop doctrines of mechanization and armored warfare during the interwar period. These ideas would gain even more momentum when re-armament began in earnest under Hitler.
Produced from 1932 to 1934, the Kfz. 13 was one of the first 4-wheeled armored cars developed by the expanding German army. Based on the Adler Standard 6 chassis, with lightly armored open-top body, the Kfz. 13 was armed with a single MG 13 machine gun. A command version designated Kfz. 14 replaced the machine gun with radio apparatus. Both versions served with cavalry and reconnaissance detachments.
After 1936, the German army adopted a number or standard chassis designations to serve as the basis for all new wheeled vehicle designs. Among them was the Standard Chassis No. 1 for Heavy Passenger Cars, which was designed by Auto Union. This chassis was used as the basis for the Sd.Kfz. 221, which was intended to replace the Kfz. 13/14. This light armored car featured a 3,517 cc displacement, rear-mounted, 75 hp, V8-108 gasoline engine. It had 4-wheel independent suspension and could switch between 2-wheel and 4-wheel steering. Protected by sloped armor plates, the Sd.Kfz. 221 featured a turret armed with a single 7.92mm M34 machine gun. Carrying a crew of 2, it had outstanding cross-country performance and speed of 80 km/h on roads and 40 km/h off road.
The Sd.Kfz. 221 was eventually replaced by the Sd.Kfz. 222 which featured a 20 mm KwK 30 L/55 auto cannon mounted coaxially with the MG 34. The addition of a gunner brought the crew to 3, and a wireless radio apparatus was installed. Later versions were given the improved 20 mm KwK 38 cannon, hydraulic brakes and increased engine displacement. Serving with reconnaissance battalions of Panzer divisions, the Sd.Kfz. 222 made an important contribution to the success of the Blitzkrieg in Europe.
It also performed with distinction in the North Africa theatre, and is regarded as one of the most representative German armored cars of the period. Approximately 1,000 models were built until the end of production in June of 1943. The Sd.Kfz. 222 was gradually displaced in the reconnaissance role by half-tracks like the Sd.Kfz. 250/9 DEMAG, but remained in service until the end of the war. A communications car variant, armed with the MG 34 and featuring a large frame antenna was designated the Sd.Kfz. 223. The Sd.Kfz. 221/2/3 served as the eyes of the Panzer divisions in such disparate locations as Norway, the western coast of France, North African deserts and the outskirts of Moscow.
The fist Sd.Kfz. 221 cars were deployed to armored car squadrons in the reconnaissance battalions of armored divisions. At the outbreak of war in September 1939, 12 motorized reconnaissance battalions and 2 motorized reconnaissance regiments were attached to the Wehrmacht’s 6 armored divisions, 4 light divisions and 4 motorized iinfantry divisions. In general, the battalions consisted of 1 or 2 armored reconnaissance squadrons, 1 motorcycle scout squadron and 1 heavy squadron. The armored recon squadrons employed Sd.Kfz. 231/2 and Sd.Kfz. 221/2/3 cars, with 4 Sd.Kfz. 222’s assigned to the unit.
In 1942, recon battalions attached to Panzer divisions were merged with the division’s separate motorcycle battalion and named motorcycle rifle battalions. To these battalions were added 2nd Company (armored recon) equipped with Sd.Kfz.250 series cars,
and 3rd Company (motorized recon) equipped with Kubelwagens, for a total of 5 companies, with the term “squadron” replaced by “Company”.
German armored units enjoyed extremely high mobility, as they employed 4, 6 and 8-wheeled vehicles capable of speeds of 70 to 85 km/h. Armored cars were capable o9f gaining intelligence that was difficult to obtain from the air, while radio cars could transmit the data field headquarters. The 20 mm cannon enabled them to threaten and engage the enemy, and indeed they performed more of a combat function in North Africa, where lack of cover made it difficult to engage in reconnaissance.
The first German combat unit to arrive in North Africa, in February 1941, was 3rd Recon Battalion of 4th Light Division (later re-named 21st Panzer Division). Next to arrive, in April, was 33rd Recon Battalion of the 15th Panzer Division. In August 1941, 580th Mixed Recon Company was formed and attached to 90th Africa Division. The company contained an armored car section which employed 6 Sd.Kfz.222’s and 2 Sd.Kfz. 223’s. In May 1942, the company was enlarged into 580th Motorized Recon Batallion. 164th Armored Recon Company, which arrived in Egypt in July, was soon re-named 220th Armored Recon Company.
Allied offensives in North Africa pushed Panzer Army Afrika back up to Tunisia by November 1942. The various armored recon battalions of the Panzer Army Afrika were not reformed as motorcycle rifle battalions, and therefore used tactical markings designed for recon units. However, the subsequently dispatched 10th Panzer Division was affected by the changes of 1942. Therefore the armored cars of the 10th Motorized Rifle Battalion used motorcycle markings.
In spring of 1943, the armored recon battalions were reorganized and re-named, 3rd Armored Recon Battalion. 21st Panzer Division was moved to 90th Afrika Division and re-named 90th Armored Recon Battalion. 580th Recon Battalion was moved from 90th to 21st Division and became 21st Armored Recon Battalion. 33rdArmored Recon Battalion was re-named 15th Armored Recon Battalion, and 10th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion became 10th Armored Recon Battalion. In short, battalion numbers were unified with division numbers.
The 5th Panzer Army was formed to defend Tunisia, and was assigned 190th Armored Recon Battalion. 334th Infantry Division and 999th Afrika Division were also dispatched to Tunisia, but the former did not bring any armored car companies.
999th Armored Recon Battalion was instead sent to Greece, where it formed part of the Rhodes Sturmdivision. Elements including armored recon battalions were taken from the Paratroop Panzer Division “Herman Goering” and sent to reinforce Tunisia, meaning that some armored cars in North Africa had Luftwaffe identification numbers. After the surrender of the Afrika Korps in May 1943, some units which had escaped capture were reformed in Europe a the Armored Reconnaissance Demonstration Battalion, and continued serving until the end of the war.
THE KIT:
Tamiya is an old prolific model company based in Japan. They make all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a Sd.Kfz. 222 and a DKW NZ350 solo motorcycle posed against an all-white background.
The 222 is in overall dark-yellow (dunkle-gelb) as is the motorcycle also. The license number on the 222 is WH603348 (included on the kits decal sheet). It has narrow German crosses on top of the engine hood and on the rear most side panel of the hull. The yellow division symbol for the 21st Division is seen on the right front fender and a white tactical symbol for a recon unit is on the left fender.
The motorcycle has the license no. WH-172835 on it. The driver is seated on it and pointing with his right arm. He is carrying on a conversation with the 2 crew members of the 222 who are looking out of the turret hatch.
The box arts says that the kit is highly accurate, its length is 134 mm when completed, it has an authentically reproduced square hull and open topped turret, sharply detailed tool case, Notek light and the DKW NZ350 motorcycle, it includes the commander, radio operator and motorcycle rider figures, there are alternate body parts for the motorcycle rider figure, the kit includes PE parts and an aluminum gun barrel.
What is not mentioned here is that there is a bonus tree in the kit of Jerry cans and fuel drums.
One side panel of the box has a color 3-view of a Sd.Kfz. 222 in overall dark-yellow (dunkle-gelb), with narrow German crosses in the same positions as the box art subject, a white tactical symbol for a recon unit on the right fender and a yellow 15th Panzer Division symbol on the side of the hood. It has the license no WH-607148 (this marking on the kits decal sheet also). Next to this 3-view is a paragraph in Japanese only.The copyright date of the kit Is 2007 and it was made in the Philippines. Tamiya’s web address is provided here.
The other side panel has 2 color photos of the model made up, followed by another paragraph in Japanese and photo of the PE fret and turned aluminum barrel in the kit. Tamiya’s street address in Japan is provided.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 6 light tan parts trees in 5 stapled-shut cello bags, a loose light tan hull tub and hull roof part, a light gray parts tree, the decal sheet in another stapled cello bag with a tissue to protect it’s face, a length of braided white string and a stapled cello bag that is taped to the lid of the box that holds the steel PE fret and turned aluminum barrel in it.
The instructions complete the kit’s contents. It consists of a staple-bound booklet of 16 pages in 8” x 11” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the box art, followed by the history of the Sd.Kfz. 222 in Japanese. At the bottom of the page there is a black and white line-drawing of a 6-wheeled Sd.Kfz. 232/6 with banister radio aerial.
Page 2 has the balance of the history in Japanese at the top, followed by the Armored Reconnaissance Batalions order-of-battle information in Japanese and English.
Page 3 has the history in English and German.
Page 4 continues the rest of the history in German at the top, followed by the history in French.
Page 5 begins with READ BEFORE ASSEMBLY instructions in the 4 languages, CAUTIONS, a Tamiya brand paint listing, recommended tools to use and the first assembly step.
Page 6 to 13 give a grand total of 17 assembly steps.
Steps 1 to 14 are for the armored car.In step 8 assembly and painting of one of the 222’s crewmen is included. In step 13 you add 2 parts no. C3 to the ends of the braided white string to make the tow cable. In step 14 you opt to mount either part no. X6 (a storage box) or part no. A9 (smoke discharger bottles) to the nose of the armored car.
Step 15 is for assembly of the bonus jerry cans and fuel drums.
Step 16 is for assembly of the motorcycle. There are 2 field maps here that you can cut out to use in your diorama.
Step 17 is assembly and painting of the other 2 figures. The bottom of the page has general painting and marking instructions in the 4 languages.
Page 14 has a 5-view of a Sd.Kfz. 222 of the 1st Squadron, 33rd Recon. Battalion, 15th Panzer Division, North Africa, June 1941. This is the one shown as a 3-view on the side panel, already described above.
At the bottom of the page is a 2-view of a Sd.Kfz. 222 with the 1st Company, 3rd Recon Battalion, 21st Panzer Division, North Africa, 1942. This is the box art subject, already described above.
At the top of page 15 there are 3 more views of the box art subject, followed by a 3-view of a 222 in overall dark-yellow, with narrow German crosses positioned the same as the other 2 schemes. It’s license no. is WH 1286614, It is with the 999th Armored Recon Battalion, Rhodes Greece, 1943. It has the white word “KONIGSBERG” outlined in black on the sides of the hull.
All three schemes have black tire pressure stencils on their fenders.
Page 16 continues with 3 more views of the 999th vehicle. Beneath these views is an explanation about the 999th in Japanese and English, followed by a mention of Tamiya’s Model magazine in Japanese, decal application instructions in the 4 languages and an after-market service card in Japanese and English.
There are no parts trees illustrations in the instructions. However, the trees themselves are alphabetized and parts are numbered.
Tamiya first released the Sd.Kfz. 222 as kit no 35051 in 1975. It had a section of plastic screen for the turret that you had to cut sections out of using a pattern in the instructions.
The kit was re-released again in 2003 as kit no. 35270 with the aluminum barrel and PE turret screen, jerry cans and fuel drums.
This kit, no. 35270 came out in 2007. It has the aluminum barrel, PE screens, jerry cans and fuel drums. It includes now their kit no. 35243 of the DKW NZ350 motorcycle “German Motorcycle Orderly Set” and 3 new Afrika Korps figures for an instant diorama setting. Neat!
Molding quality is quite good overall, but some parts do show their age with prominent mold seams. The wheels have nice hub and tread detail.
Griffin Model markets a 2 cm KwK metal gun barrel, set no. LB35006, which is the correct length for a KwK38 and has excellent details on the flash suppressor, with correct 6 holes. Adlers Nest brand has a metal barrel of the MG 34 machine gun barrel.
There are 2 light tan trees designated as letter A.
The larger of these trees holds: turret parts, smoke discharger canisters, mounted jerry cans in racks, fenders, head lights, one seated crew figure (divided into separate lower body, torso, arms and field cap) etc. (32 parts)
The smaller of these trees holds: the main gun parts, gun operator’s seats, canvas covered spare tire etc. (18 parts)
This kit contains 6 light tan parts trees in 5 stapled-shut cello bags, a loose light tan hull tub and hull roof part, a light gray parts tree, the decal sheet in another stapled cello bag with a tissue to protect it’s face, a length of braided white string and a stapled cello bag that is taped to the lid of the box that holds the steel PE fret and turned aluminum barrel in it.
The instructions complete the kit’s contents. It consists of a staple-bound booklet of 16 pages in 8” x 11” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the box art, followed by the history of the Sd.Kfz. 222 in Japanese. At the bottom of the page there is a black and white line-drawing of a 6-wheeled Sd.Kfz. 232/6 with banister radio aerial.
Page 2 has the balance of the history in Japanese at the top, followed by the Armored Reconnaissance Batalions order-of-battle information in Japanese and English.
Page 3 has the history in English and German.
Page 4 continues the rest of the history in German at the top, followed by the history in French.
Page 5 begins with READ BEFORE ASSEMBLY instructions in the 4 languages, CAUTIONS, a Tamiya brand paint listing, recommended tools to use and the first assembly step.
Page 6 to 13 give a grand total of 17 assembly steps.
Steps 1 to 14 are for the armored car.In step 8 assembly and painting of one of the 222’s crewmen is included. In step 13 you add 2 parts no. C3 to the ends of the braided white string to make the tow cable. In step 14 you opt to mount either part no. X6 (a storage box) or part no. A9 (smoke discharger bottles) to the nose of the armored car.
Step 15 is for assembly of the bonus jerry cans and fuel drums.
Step 16 is for assembly of the motorcycle. There are 2 field maps here that you can cut out to use in your diorama.
Step 17 is assembly and painting of the other 2 figures. The bottom of the page has general painting and marking instructions in the 4 languages.
Page 14 has a 5-view of a Sd.Kfz. 222 of the 1st Squadron, 33rd Recon. Battalion, 15th Panzer Division, North Africa, June 1941. This is the one shown as a 3-view on the side panel, already described above.
At the bottom of the page is a 2-view of a Sd.Kfz. 222 with the 1st Company, 3rd Recon Battalion, 21st Panzer Division, North Africa, 1942. This is the box art subject, already described above.
At the top of page 15 there are 3 more views of the box art subject, followed by a 3-view of a 222 in overall dark-yellow, with narrow German crosses positioned the same as the other 2 schemes. It’s license no. is WH 1286614, It is with the 999th Armored Recon Battalion, Rhodes Greece, 1943. It has the white word “KONIGSBERG” outlined in black on the sides of the hull.
All three schemes have black tire pressure stencils on their fenders.
Page 16 continues with 3 more views of the 999th vehicle. Beneath these views is an explanation about the 999th in Japanese and English, followed by a mention of Tamiya’s Model magazine in Japanese, decal application instructions in the 4 languages and an after-market service card in Japanese and English.
There are no parts trees illustrations in the instructions. However, the trees themselves are alphabetized and parts are numbered.
Tamiya first released the Sd.Kfz. 222 as kit no 35051 in 1975. It had a section of plastic screen for the turret that you had to cut sections out of using a pattern in the instructions.
The kit was re-released again in 2003 as kit no. 35270 with the aluminum barrel and PE turret screen, jerry cans and fuel drums.
This kit, no. 35270 came out in 2007. It has the aluminum barrel, PE screens, jerry cans and fuel drums. It includes now their kit no. 35243 of the DKW NZ350 motorcycle “German Motorcycle Orderly Set” and 3 new Afrika Korps figures for an instant diorama setting. Neat!
Molding quality is quite good overall, but some parts do show their age with prominent mold seams. The wheels have nice hub and tread detail.
Griffin Model markets a 2 cm KwK metal gun barrel, set no. LB35006, which is the correct length for a KwK38 and has excellent details on the flash suppressor, with correct 6 holes. Adlers Nest brand has a metal barrel of the MG 34 machine gun barrel.
There are 2 light tan trees designated as letter A.
The larger of these trees holds: turret parts, smoke discharger canisters, mounted jerry cans in racks, fenders, head lights, one seated crew figure (divided into separate lower body, torso, arms and field cap) etc. (32 parts)
The smaller of these trees holds: the main gun parts, gun operator’s seats, canvas covered spare tire etc. (18 parts)
Light tan letter B tree holds: mud flaps, jack, hatch doors, shovel, tow hooks, fenders, license plates, storage lockers etc. (38 parts)
Light tan letter C tree holds: frame members, wheel mount plates, front bumper, grill, grill armor plate cover, drive shaft, tow hooks, tow cable ends, fire extinguisher, mud flaps, tie rods etc. (29 parts)
Lettering now jumps to the light tan letter X parts tree. It holds: 3 figures (divided into separate heads, full torso on one, upper and lower body halves on 2, separate arms, a pistol holster, Notek lamp, storage box, binoculars and goggles etc. (29 parts)
Tan letter Y tree holds all the parts for the DKW NZ350 motorcycle (21 parts)
Light gray letter Z parts tree holds: 8 jerry cans with separate handles and spouts, 3 fuel drums with 2 spigots (49 parts)
The loose hull tub and hull roof parts in light tan are next.
Final parts are the braided white string to use for a tow cable, the steel PE screens for the turret and the turned aluminum barrel.
The decal sheet includes 2 alternate license numbers for the motorcycle and it’s speedometer dial and manufacturer’s logo that goes on the sides of it’s fuel tank.
This is one neat kit. Only the turret has interior detail. There is none for the rest of the interior. So, the separate entry door on the side of the hull should be glued shut as there is nothing in there to see.
Recommended to modelers of average modeling skills.
I got a bargain on my kit by using a 40% off coupon off the internet for Hobby Lobby. That store continuously has this coupon on their web site at times.
Nice to get a bargain once in a while.
Recommended to modelers of average modeling skills.
I got a bargain on my kit by using a 40% off coupon off the internet for Hobby Lobby. That store continuously has this coupon on their web site at times.
Nice to get a bargain once in a while.