This is my first new build for 2009. I know this isn't a new kit. Its kind of new for me though as I was absent from all modelling for many years, until a year or two ago. One of the things that enticed me back was the diverse range of Braille Scale kits available. After about 10 years absence I am now trying to catch up. So many 'must haves' out there and not enough spare time and money !!
I bought this kit as I am very fond of softskins, especially the less common ones. I couldn't find much in the way of pics or reviews about this kit (Attack 72836), so ordered it online sight unseen, as one of a batch for a Christmas present for myself. Hopefully my comments may assist anyone else who may consider buying this kit.
The kit comprises about 60 parts, but some included are for the Tatra van version (Attack 72817) so the build consists of less than 50 parts, cast in light grey and black plastic. Briefly this kit goes together pretty well, a little flash on some parts, but on the whole very little trimming.
The drive train, axles, suspension, exhaust is cast as one piece - this was surprising, most manufacturers would have cast this into perhaps a dozen separate pieces, as it contains some delicate parts in the casting. I'm not complaining though - it does simplify construction, and only needed a bit of careful filing to remove flash, which took only a few minutes. The 12 cylinder engine is comprised of 3 pieces and is fairly well detailed. The wheels are very nicely cast also, in hard black plastic, rim and tyre being one piece. The cab doors and cab roof hatch are cast shut. The supplied windows are quite thick but fit quite well. I didnt put the door window glass in, opting for the 'fresh air' look. The truck tray and cab compartment fit to the chassis with no troubles or adjustments needed.
One trouble I found was the width marker poles on each front mudguard - these were not round - more of a flattened elliptical shape, and an attempt to file them resulted in instant breakage. I replaced them with lengths cut from a common household dressmaking pin, as the diameter seemed about right, and fastened the round nobs to the top with brush on super glue, and rebrushed them with generous amounts of superglue on subsequent days to get them solidly fixed.
I also think the vents and flaps on the engine compartment look a bit softly cast, which makes it hard to accentuate and highlight their shape.
The exterior rear view mirror is the sole piece of brass. I cut a small slit into the cab side to insert the bracket, held with super glue. I used a bit of bent wire to support the two spare tyres on the underside. No part existed to affix the rear numberplate to, so I cut a piece of thin cardboard from the box to make the plate, and superglued it to the rear
To paint, I mixed up a humbrol enamel to try to match the box art - basically Humbrol Matt 83 with a quantity of white added. The few B & W photos of these trucks seem to indicate they were painted a very pale yellow. (These trucks were produced and supplied to the german army from 1943 to 1945). The paint guide supplied shows a version with green sprayed lines - I roughly followed this guide using Tamiya XF 58 acrylic, Olive Drab, as it was the closest match I had on hand. After that dried I lightly sprayed a very light and thinned down version of the base coat, to dampen the contrast between the colours. I sprayed the underside and chassis with my own home mixed version of enamel pale dust /mud, and paint brushed this on the tyre treads also. The walls of the tyres were painted grey, Revell enamel 77 (Dust Grey). Winton oil paint Raw Umber diluted in turps and applied with a fine brush was used to bring out some of the detail.
This kit was a pleasure to build and I'm quite happy with it. I havent decided whether to leave the canopy off and fill the back with cargo or even build my own canopy supports and tarp, as the supplied one lacks much shape. I added two crew in the cab from the spares box. Decals as supplied with kit. Two choices of WH number plates supplied.
Anyway pics are below. With and without canopy, and with cab off. This is a large beast of a truck, made in 6.5, & 8 tonne versions - as long as a Famo, but not as wide. I've added a Famo in one shot so you can get an idea of its size.
Model built by Neil Lyall - 1/72
