Other German Vehicles
While fighting vehicles get into the history books, it is support vehicles that keep the war machine moving.
Softskin transports
Three different softskin transports here. In front is the Austrian Steyr 1500A light troop transport. 12450 units were built from 1941 to 1944 and it served it all theatres of the war.
Following behind is a three axle Einheitsdiesel cargo truck. It is a standardised template design that is manufactured by a variety of companies.
In the background is a 3 ton Opel Blitz truck. It is the most common truck in the German armed forces.
The Einheitsdiesel model is by ZV models. Several Eastern European companies make this kit. The details are lovely and the wheels can be assembled to roll smoothly. An excellent kit.
The Steyr 1500A is by AMC models. It includes a fret of photo-etch and comes with a clear windscreen. Fiddly but beautiful when assembled.
The Opel Blitz is by ESCI. A basic kit with hardly any interior details and inaccurate undercarriage details. I added the width feelers to the front mudguards and the convoy sign on the roof.
One complain about all of the above models is the lack of a driver. The combination motorcycle in the foreground is from Hasegawa.
Kubelwagen
Probably the most popular German staff car of World War II. The Kubelwagen is made by Volkswagen and shares the same chassis as the Beetle. It has a simplified bodywork for military mass production. A very common vehicle used to transport commanders in the field.
These kits are made by Hasegawa. They are quite fine but fiddly to make. The motorcycle rider is grossly deformed.
Sd Kfz 263 6-rad
The divisional radio armoured car in the early part of the war. The Blitzkrieg in France was largely coordinated by radio vehicles such as this.
This is a Matchbox 1:76 scale kit.
Sd Kfz 222 and Sd Kfz 231 8-rad
A mid-war armoured car scout section. The German army replaced all their armoured cars in the later part of the war with the 8 wheel vehicles and with half-tracks because of their better off-road capabilities.
The Sd Kfz 222 are by Fujimi. They are a lot more detailed and beautiful compared to the Airfix kits.
The Sd Kfz 231 8-rad is by Roden. A simple kit with no seperate hatches.
© 2004-2006 Michael Sng Woei Shyong. All Rights Reserved.