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As the market to cover every unclaimed design hots up in the
world of 1/35th military vehicles the softskin trucks and cars of
the armies of the world are now the most popular subject going around. Revell of
Germany throws its hat in the ring with this “Ford” V3000S from WWII – let’s see
if it is the leader of the pack or "just another delivery"..
Scale: 1:35th
No. of parts: 192
Three sprues of Tan Plus clear plastic transparent sheet.
Length: 182 mm
Marking Choices: 4 - 3 choices of WWII German machines + 1 captured Russian machine.
Revell model kits
are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information
visit www.revell.eu
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There are lots of soft skin vehicles flooding the armour
market – in the last two years we have seen a proliferation of kits that leave
the much loved Tamiya “white box” kits of the past looking like feeble
attempts. Photo etched metal, resin, cutting edge tracks in ever more
scientifically advanced methods from model makers like Dragon, MiniArt, MasterBox,
AFV Club and Bronco are filing the gaps on modeller’s benches of any gaps in
the market for the remaining soft skins used in WWII.
This kit is neither packed with scientifically advanced material
or from a new name in the business. This kit is a Plastic injection moulded
truck from Revell.
Well actually technically it isn’t from Revell - Originally.
This kit was originally made by the Ukrainian kit maker ICM,
now it was well accepted and so Revell of Germany – with their extended lines
of distribution (not to mention better price points) this is a no brainer. A
kit of a German (licence produced Ford actually) truck from WWII should sell
really well. Revell seem to have some smart cookies in their “decisions”
department. This Ford trick was used by not only the Germans but also the
allies and the Russians during WWII. There are some slight differences in the windscreens
and tyres but essentially Ford was selling this truck to everyone and letting the
warring parties sort each other out. Pretty smart thinking. Just like Revell are
doing. They have brought out a kit which should appeal to all – If the
ingredients are right – let’s look at them.
First of all come the instructions - and a big thumbs up straight away - usually the mixed- saving paper it seems - instructions from Revell have a clear and linear feel to them - maybe they have been influenced by ICM here - but I don't care because these are easy to follow and not bunched up and hard to read.
First of all come the instructions - and a big thumbs up straight away - usually the mixed- saving paper it seems - instructions from Revell have a clear and linear feel to them - maybe they have been influenced by ICM here - but I don't care because these are easy to follow and not bunched up and hard to read.
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The kit is simplicity in itself. Three sprues of tan plastic
that ICM usually produces are of a good standard. Only small amounts of flash
are evident in a slight mould seam on a lot of the parts – often places that
show this up are the leaf springs and the chassis. A small bit of scalpel
shaving and you are clear of them. The prep work on this kit shouldn’t be too
long.
There is no Photo-Etch on this kit – though I am sure
aftermarket companies will produce some, and no doubt resin wheels – but this
kit doesn’t need them. The treads are fine. And apart from a slightly fiddly
construction method on step 29 -32 of assembling the wheels in two parts the outside where
people see are looking great.
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There is a sheet of clear plastic here which gives you the
windows, headlights and the distinctive German version of this truck with the
curve shape one part front windscreen.
The largest sprue contains all of the body work, Fenders are nicely rounded and the cab and bonnet look very nicely shaped. Doors all hinge open or closed but I cannot for the life of me see the hinges for the bonnet (hood) as is shown in the last step no: 65. Although cooling grates on the side of the bonnet aren’t moulded open some wreathing can make them look properly vented. The grille is lovely and looks just like the real thing
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The second largest sprue is of the engine and the chassis of the truck. A large Flathead Ford V8 is replicated in some detail to fill out that large engine bay, it should require a battery and some wiring loom to make it flood to life – that is if you want to display it open anyway! The chassis is an easy flat ladder type construction that the tray in the next sprue sits on. I was impressed by the lack of flash and clean-up needed on this sprue with such small parts all over it I was pleasantly surprised.
The interior of the cab is on this sprue as well – the pedals and dash board will all give you a decent representation of the original – this is a closed cab version so apart from a few open doors most will not see the interior so I guess there isn’t a need for super detailing here. It is however quite acceptable and simple to build the driver’s compartment.
The suspension, wheels, the bracing for the tray and the tray itself are on the next sprue. We have seen the wheels already - they are just a little odd in construction while the tyres are solid (they sure beat rubber tyres but are not weighted). The suspension is nicely moulded with only a tiny amount of excess to scrape off, whilst the wood on the body should detail and weather really well – it isn’t overstated at all with the tiniest of grain detail that those with slightly less sight than myself wouldn’t even notice – as the middle pig said “just right”
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The decal sheet is printed in Italy – usually this means by Cartograf – and the usual traits are there – in register – the whites being a lot stronger than the ICM sheet from what I remember – and the fact that there are four pretty interesting schemes on offer here.
Decal choices for four vehicles come included in the kit:
Nachschub Abt.;Div. Großdeutschland,
Russia, 1942
Flak Abt. Herman Göring, Italy, 1944
Police Division, Jugoslavia, 1944
Russian loot or "Booty" LKW, East Prussia 1945
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The captured Russian (this could even be a POST-war scheme) will always win some fans who just HAVE to be different - he he – as will the FLAK division – it is good to see a scheme for this truck that isnt an early war elephant-looking grey colour!
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Well what can I make of this? It seems that Revell have done a darn good job at choosing this as a kit hey will distribute – new markings, great and logical constructions just add to the overall simplicity of the construction and effective details of the kit.
Look at this as the Tamiya white box kit updated – and less expensive! This is a simple and effective kit with minimal or no flaws. It isn't hi-tech, and yes it isn't from a flashy name that makes you seem really cool to your mates - Then again it wont cost you the earth like a Cyberhobby Blitz model. Most of all it looks like a fun build- that's what we are in this game for isn't it?
Look at this as the Tamiya white box kit updated – and less expensive! This is a simple and effective kit with minimal or no flaws. It isn't hi-tech, and yes it isn't from a flashy name that makes you seem really cool to your mates - Then again it wont cost you the earth like a Cyberhobby Blitz model. Most of all it looks like a fun build- that's what we are in this game for isn't it?
Adam Norenberg
Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit www.revell.eu
