TMN: Preview: MiniArt's 35th scale Kfz.1 German Troop Carrier Type 170VK

MiniArt adds to their Mercedes 170V series with this Kfz.1 German Troop Carrier Type 170VK in 1/35th scale. We look at the art, CADs, features & real thing in our preview today...

Preview: MiniArt's 35th scale Kfz.1 German Troop Carrier Type 170VK

Kfz.1 German Troop Carrier Type 170VK

From MiniArt

Kit No. #35486

1/35th scale

Product Link on the MiniArt Website

The Subject: Kfz.1 German Troop Carrier Type 170VK

The Kfz.2 German Communications Car, based on the Mercedes-Benz Type 170VK chassis, was a versatile light vehicle used extensively by the Wehrmacht during World War II. Designed for command and liaison roles, it featured a compact, open-top body with a folding canvas roof, allowing for rapid ingress and egress in field conditions. Its robust 4x2 drivetrain and reliable 1.7-litre engine made it suitable for paved roads and light off-road terrain, though it was not intended for frontline combat zones. The vehicle’s layout prioritised accessibility and visibility, with minimal armour and a utilitarian dashboard tailored for radio operations and map work.

Equipped with a FuG radio set and antenna mount, the Kfz.2 served as a mobile hub for battlefield communications, often deployed with divisional HQs or reconnaissance units. Its radio gear enabled coordination between dispersed elements, especially in fast-moving operations like Blitzkrieg advances. Operators typically worked from the rear compartment, which was fitted with storage for signal equipment, cables, and documentation. Despite its modest size, the Kfz.2 played a critical role in maintaining command cohesion across dynamic fronts, bridging gaps between armoured spearheads and rear-echelon support.

A wartime photo in good detail of the Mercedes-Benz type 170 VK

Military 170V types:

Kfz 1:

• Standard open personnel carrier based on the 170 VK chassis

• Functionally similar to the Kübelwagen

• Used for general troop transport and utility roles

Kfz. 2:

• Light radio car equipped with communications gear

• Featured antenna mounts and space for signal equipment

• Assigned to signals detachments and command units

Kfz. 3:

• Field equipment transport variant with enlarged rear compartment

• Often fitted with cable reels or specialized gear for engineering and communications support

• Used by logistics and technical support teams

Production of the Type 170VK variant began in the late 1930s, with Mercedes-Benz adapting civilian designs to meet military specifications. The Kfz.2’s understated profile and civilian lineage made it less conspicuous than larger command vehicles, a useful trait in contested areas. Post-war, surviving examples were often repurposed or restored, and today they are prized by collectors for their historical significance and elegant engineering. As a symbol of wartime mobility and communications doctrine, the Kfz.2 exemplifies the German emphasis on coordination and speed in operational planning.

Mercedes-Benz 170 VK Luftwaffe, June 1940, France

The Kit: MiniArt's 35th scale Kfz.1 German Troop Carrier Type 170VK

This kit is an adaptation of MiniArt's widely loved Mercedes 170V series in 35th scale. The fine details and smart engineering have been a part of this series people seem to like.

Kit Features:

Highly detailed model of the Kfz.1 German Troop Carrier Type 170VK

Accurate communication equipment and interior layout

A decal sheet is included for several markings.

Photo-etched parts are included to replicate the thinner and finer parts of the kit that would otherwise be harder to handle or inaccurate in plastic.