A new rally crew & repair gear for the new AK Trabi from Mantis Miniatures.

Mantis Miniatures gives us a new rally crew & repair gear for the new AK Trabi in 35th scale. See the CADs & info in our preview....

A new rally crew & repair gear for the new AK Trabi from Mantis Miniatures.

This month from Mantis Miniatures there is a new 35th scale: we see a pair of singles or a set of two rally crews, along with some tools to effect repairs on the road. Figures were inspired by and dedicated to AK Interactive's new 35th scale "Trabi Rallye" kit that has been favourably received by modellers.

In competition, the 601 S became a symbol of grit and engineering defiance behind the Iron Curtain. Watching a rally-spec Trabant today is a sensory experience unlike any other: the air is filled with a thick cloud of blue two-stroke smoke and a frantic, chainsaw-like exhaust note that signals its approach long before it appears. Because it lacked a traditional fuel pump—relying instead on gravity-fed fuel—and used a rotary-valve engine, it required a unique driving style that kept the revs high and the brakes to a minimum. It remains a cult favourite not just for its quirkiness but because it proved that racing success is often found in simplicity, durability, and a driver's willingness to keep the throttle pinned.

Trabant 601 RS 800 – 771 cc, 65 hp, 700 kg. East Germany’s answer to a rally car, still going strong today.

Now, let's look at the figures & repair kit to go along with this model...

Rally Driver/ Pilot #1

From Mantis Miniatures

by Artur Miniszewski

Kit No #35217

1/35th scale

One figure in this kit.

3D printed in resin

Price 17€

A relaxed, and here a blonde, rally driver is seen without his helmet (supplied also in this figure) and leaning against the Trabi 601 bonnet (or hood for the yanks). This guy looks very much like a Nordic driver from the 70s or 80s, and his detailed and nicely wrinkly driver's suit really complements the rest of the figure.

Rally Driver/Pilot #2

From Mantis Miniatures

by Artur Miniszewski

Kit No #35218

1/35th scale

One figure in this kit.

3D printed in resin

Price: 17€

This 1/35th-scale figure can be used by the modeller as a navigator or as another driver – your choice. He is seen in an almost heroic and more intense pose than his comrade teammate, with him standing tall and upright with crossed arms as he looks slightly off to the side.

Rally Team '80-90s

From Mantis Miniatures

by Artur Miniszewski

Kit No #35219

1/35th scale

Two figures are in this set.

3D printed in resin

Price: 32€

These two figures are sold together as a set for a slightly cheaper price. Both were created with the AK Interactive 35th scale Trabi "Rallye" 601 S.

The figures, here in CAD form, show how they relate to each other in a scene together. Both are roughly the same age and of the same era. One could imagine them somewhere on a track or dirt road, getting their photos taken, probably in the early 80s.

Trabi Ralleye Accessories

From Mantis Miniatures

by Artur Miniszewski

Kit No #MAC68

1/35th scale

3D printed in resin

Price: 17€

Added to this set are a collection of tools and fuel to pose either in a workshop or on the road somewhere as the crew struggles to get the car back on track. Supplied is a floor jack, a tray of hand tools like spanners & screwdrivers, a rectangle fuel/oil tank and also some fog lights for your Trabi to beef it up just a little.

These are available right now from Mantis Miniatures; they will also be available soon from their distributors worldwide...