In Box Review of Trumpeter 1/35th Scale
German Bruckenleger IVb
Item no. 00390
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2007
Available at Sprue Bros for $46.49 or at Mega Hobby for $ 55.91 or at 1001 Hobbies for $65.99 and at Kit Linx for $51.94 and at 9 locations overseas on the web.
I got my kit as a gift from Cybermodeler back when I was on the staff there. At that time the kit cost $59.95.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2007
Available at Sprue Bros for $46.49 or at Mega Hobby for $ 55.91 or at 1001 Hobbies for $65.99 and at Kit Linx for $51.94 and at 9 locations overseas on the web.
I got my kit as a gift from Cybermodeler back when I was on the staff there. At that time the kit cost $59.95.
HISTORY:
The Panzerkampfwagen IV also became a base for special purpose vehicles. From February to May of 1940, 20 Auf C/Ds were converted by Krupp to bridge-layers – Bruckenleger IVb.
Sixteen vehicles were mounted with bridging equipment by Magnus and 4 byh Krupp. A nine-meter bridge had a 28-ton capacity . They saw service in Belgium and France in 1940 with the 1st , 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 10th Panzer Divisions.
The vehicle was found to be too heavy for the suspension and the design was canceled in 1941. In late 1940, most were converted back to regular battle tanks. In January of 1941, Krupp completed 4 newer Bruckenleger IVc bridge-layers. They saw service in 1941 in Russia with the 3rd Panzer Division.
The Panzerkampfwagen IV also became a base for special purpose vehicles. From February to May of 1940, 20 Auf C/Ds were converted by Krupp to bridge-layers – Bruckenleger IVb.
Sixteen vehicles were mounted with bridging equipment by Magnus and 4 byh Krupp. A nine-meter bridge had a 28-ton capacity . They saw service in Belgium and France in 1940 with the 1st , 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 10th Panzer Divisions.
The vehicle was found to be too heavy for the suspension and the design was canceled in 1941. In late 1940, most were converted back to regular battle tanks. In January of 1941, Krupp completed 4 newer Bruckenleger IVc bridge-layers. They saw service in 1941 in Russia with the 3rd Panzer Division.
THE KIT:
Trumpeter is an old prolific model company based in China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a jam-packed and shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color illustration of the Bruckenleger on a river bank near a destroyed stone bridge. It is overall Panzer-grey with no markings shown.
There are 2 German officers and a tank crewman standing at the side of it. The officers both wear field-grey uniforms.
The crewman wears a black Panzer uniform. One officer is pointing with his left arm. The crewman is holding a pair of binoculars.
These figures are not included in the kit.
One side panel of the box shows a side-view profile in color of a Bruckenleger that is overall Panzer-grey, with skeletal white German cross and white outline of no. 34 on the hull side.This is followed by a color photo of the brass PE frets included in the kit and PRECAUTIONS: Contains small parts suitable for age over 14. The box contains parts for construction of one scale model. Glue and paint are not included in the kit. With English instructions. Actual model may vary from the box art.
Trumpeter is an old prolific model company based in China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a jam-packed and shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color illustration of the Bruckenleger on a river bank near a destroyed stone bridge. It is overall Panzer-grey with no markings shown.
There are 2 German officers and a tank crewman standing at the side of it. The officers both wear field-grey uniforms.
The crewman wears a black Panzer uniform. One officer is pointing with his left arm. The crewman is holding a pair of binoculars.
These figures are not included in the kit.
One side panel of the box shows a side-view profile in color of a Bruckenleger that is overall Panzer-grey, with skeletal white German cross and white outline of no. 34 on the hull side.This is followed by a color photo of the brass PE frets included in the kit and PRECAUTIONS: Contains small parts suitable for age over 14. The box contains parts for construction of one scale model. Glue and paint are not included in the kit. With English instructions. Actual model may vary from the box art.
The other side panel shows 6 walk-around type color photos of the model made up. Followed by the history of the Bruckenleger in English and Chinese. Kit was made in China.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 19 medium-grey parts trees, a medium-grey hull tub and roof parts, 5 brass PE frets. Black vinyl tracks. Decal sheet, 4 metal springs, 6 metal tacks and a length of white string.
Parts are not cello-bagged.
The instructions consist of a staple-bound booklet of 28 pages in 7 ½” x 11 ½” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white side-view of the Bruckenleger in the scheme shown on the side-panel of the box with hull no. 34. Over READ BEFORE ASSEMBLY instructions, international assembly symbol explanations and decal application instructions in English and Chinese.
Page 2 is the parts-trees illustrations.
Page 3 through to page 28 gives a grand total of a whopping 42 assembly steps. Wow!! That’s a lot!!
There are no marking and painting instructions. You have to just go by the box arts.
Trees are alphabetized.
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter A trees. They hold: road wheels, return rollers, bogies etc. (60 parts ea.)
The kit holds 19 medium-grey parts trees, a medium-grey hull tub and roof parts, 5 brass PE frets. Black vinyl tracks. Decal sheet, 4 metal springs, 6 metal tacks and a length of white string.
Parts are not cello-bagged.
The instructions consist of a staple-bound booklet of 28 pages in 7 ½” x 11 ½” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white side-view of the Bruckenleger in the scheme shown on the side-panel of the box with hull no. 34. Over READ BEFORE ASSEMBLY instructions, international assembly symbol explanations and decal application instructions in English and Chinese.
Page 2 is the parts-trees illustrations.
Page 3 through to page 28 gives a grand total of a whopping 42 assembly steps. Wow!! That’s a lot!!
There are no marking and painting instructions. You have to just go by the box arts.
Trees are alphabetized.
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter A trees. They hold: road wheels, return rollers, bogies etc. (60 parts ea.)
Medium-grey letter B tree holds: final transfer covers, hull walls etc. (44 parts) This tree is co-joined to the letter D tree.
There is no letter C tree.
Medium-grey letter D tree holds: drive sprockets, idler wheels etc. (32 parts) It is co-joined to the letter B tree.
There is no letter C tree.
Medium-grey letter D tree holds: drive sprockets, idler wheels etc. (32 parts) It is co-joined to the letter B tree.
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter E trees. They hold parts of the bridge deck, side plates, launching parts, etc. (66 parts ea.)
Medium-grey letter F tree holds more bridge parts that hold the structural parts for the bridge sections, turret plate cover, the upper hull front plate, etc. (46 parts)
Medium-grey letter G tree holds even more bridge parts such as the lifting mechanism, more structural supports, etc. (27 parts)
Medium-grey letter H tree holds support arms for the bridge. (11 parts)
There is no letter I tree.
There is no letter I tree.
There are 8 identical medium-grey letter J trees. They hold individual track links (32 parts ea.)
There is no letter K tree.
There is no letter K tree.
Medium-grey letter L tree holds: the tank’s engine, transmission, drive shaft floor, hatches etc. (58 parts)
The finale plastic parts are the one piece upper and lower hull. Also in the photo are the 2 lengths of black vinyl treads.
Brass PE frets letters A, B, C, E & F all hold bridge parts such as frames, fenders, etc.
The 4 metal springs, 6 metal tacks and length of white string are next.
The decal sheet completes the kits parts.
Detail is extensive and excellent. There are no clear parts included or any figures.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.