November 24, 2025

Preview: Two new kits from Trumpeter in December...

Trumpeter's two kits of December – the USS Stevens & a 35th scale “ELEFANT” (with trailer). We have colours, decals & a built-up kit in our preview...


Preview: Two new kits from Trumpeter in December...

USS Stevens DD-479 
by Trumpeter
Kit No. 03722
1/200th scale
The USS Stevens (DD-479) was a Fletcher-class destroyer of the United States Navy, named in honour of Rear Admiral Thomas Holdup Stevens III. Construction began on December 30, 1941, was completed on June 24, 1942, and the ship entered service on February 1, 1943. As a pioneer in naval aviation experimentation, the Stevens underwent significant modifications: the third gun mount and second torpedo tube were removed, and a water jet catapult was installed aft of the second funnel to launch and recover seaplanes. Supporting equipment, including cranes, was added, and the aft superstructure was renovated to accommodate these changes.

The decals in the box
Following extensive testing and operational experience, the U.S. The Navy determined that destroyer-based aviation had significant limitations. The seaplanes performed poorly in rough seas, and their installation—along with the catapult—shifted the ship's centre of gravity aft, creating stability issues. Additionally, the confined space aboard destroyers imposed severe operational constraints on seaplane operations. Consequently, in late 1943, the Stevens was restored to standard Fletcher-class configuration. From 1943 to 1945, the Stevens served in the Western Pacific, providing fire support for amphibious landings and conducting patrol missions. After the war ended, the ship returned to San Pedro, California, where she was decommissioned on July 2, 1946. The Stevens remained in the Pacific Reserve Fleet until she was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register and scrapped in December 1972.

The colour scheme provided in this boxing...
Length: 573.8mm / Beam: 60.5 mm  
Total Parts: 490+
Metal  anchor chain
A total of 13 sprues , hull and deck
 - One-piece hull made from two-directional slide molds
- Deck pattern finely rendered.
- Stand and nameplate included
-  2 pieces of photo-etched frets for handrails，ladders , radar parts

The model built up by Trumpeter's in-house model builders...


FAUN SLT 50-3 “ELEFANT” with SaAnh.52t
by Trumpeter
Kit No. 01070
1/35th scale
In the 1960s, West Germany and the United States launched the MBT-70 project to develop an advanced main battle tank featuring numerous innovations. The planned weight of 50 tonnes necessitated a new tank transporter, leading to the launch of the Heavy Equipment Transporter 70 (HET-70) project in 1965. Despite prototype development, both projects were cancelled in 1970 due to cost overruns. Subsequently, Germany and the United States pursued independent development of their respective main battle tanks and transporters.

The decals in the box
The colour profiles of the kit
Masks are provided for the transparent parts also
The German Ministry of Defence commissioned FAUN to develop the tractor truck and Krupp to design the semi-trailer. Following initial testing in 1971, the combination was officially adopted in 1976 as the SLT-50-2 Elefant. Production ran until 1979, with 324 units delivered to the German army. In 2002, six transporters were exported to Poland alongside Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks. Additional exports were made to Bahrain and possibly Saudi Arabia.

Length: 646 mm / Width: 88 mm 
Total Parts: 600+
Metal Parts: Shaft
A total of 22 sprues , a cab, a frame, trailer board and tires
- Detailed multi-directional slide-moulded cab.
- Full drivetrain assembly complete with engine transmission, differential housing and suspension units.
- The main tires are hollow rubber with very good tread pattern
- photo-etched parts included

These kits will soon be on sale through Trumpeter's distributors worldwide...