Tamiya

1/35 Sd.Kfz. 232 Schwerer Panzerspahwagen 8-Rad "Afrika-Korps"

Kit Number: 35297

Reviewed by  Andrew Birkbeck, IPMS# 27087

MSRP: $55.00 Website: www.tamiyausa.com To quote the famous N.Y. Yankee, Yogi Berra, "it’s like déjà vu all over again!" Haven’t we seen this kit before, oh, say back in the early 1970s? Why, yes………and no. This is indeed the Sd.Kfz. 232 that Tamiya released way back in 1974 (Kit #35036) but, as they have done recently with other kits from that era, they have added some new parts to update this venerable kit. The main parts of the model remain unchanged from 1974, which means a little flash and heavier seam lines on the parts and the fit isn’t to 2009 standards … surprise, surprise. However, in no way is this kit a poor one, quite the contrary, as it was always one of Tamiya’s finest from the "earlier days." Regarding the fit of parts; the fit isn’t poor, it just requires that modelers do a little more test fitting and making slight adjustments to some parts prior to gluing into position. The new sprues, "W" and "V", consist of newly- tooled replacement parts for such things as on-board tools (shovel, pick axe, etc), Notek light, headlamps, horns, stowage boxes, etc. and a much-improved co-axial turret machinegun. A two-man crew is also new and measures up to 2009 Tamiya standards. Also new for this release is a small photo-etched fret, containing vehicle lifting rings, Notek base and headlamp covers. Lastly, we get a turned aluminum barrel for the 20 mm cannon in the turret.

The kit assembles in a trouble-free way, provided you follow the above-mentioned test-fitting advice, as one has come to expect from these masters of kit engineering. The new parts, when compared with those they replace from the 1974 sprues, are much improved, not that those that haven’t been updated are junk … far from it. Following the excellent Tamiya instructions takes the modeler to the build of the very well-detailed chassis first. Such a pity that all this detail will be unseen once the vehicle’s wide fenders and wheels are attached! Unfortunately, the wheels are designed to line up with all tires pointing forward but, with a little ingenuity, one could pivot them in a turning stance. Be careful when bending the P-E parts, the lifting rings. They had a desire to snap in half when I built mine, the nickel metal having less "give" than standard brass PE parts. You have been warned. I won’t bore you to death going through each section of the instructions. Follow the instructions and you should experience a fault-free build. The markings options number four and, not surprising given the title, two of them are for Afrika Korps vehicles: A) 15th Panzer Division, North Africa 1941 in overall Sand Yellow. B) 21st Panzer Division, also North Africa 1941, again in overall Sand Yellow. C) 5th Panzer Division, Balkan Front 1941, overall Panzer Gray. And finally D) 19th Panzer Division, Kursk, Soviet Union, summer 1943 in Panzer Yellow and Panzer Green. Decals are typical Tamiya: thicker than say Cartograph, but well printed, and perfectly serviceable. And, unlike my earlier review covering the Tamiya packaging of the Italeri Opel Blitz truck in 48th scale, the Sdkfz. 232 comes with the correct depiction of the DAK swastika/palm tree symbol.

I painted the review kit as a DAK version, starting with an undercoat of Tamiya Panzer Grey, thinned with lacquer thinner (works wonderfully, adding in a little bit of Tamiya Gloss Clear to improve paint flow out of the airbrush). I then applied a series of coats of Tamiya Clear Gloss to protect the Grey. Then I applied a few coats of White Ensign Model’s Afrika Corps Sand/Grey RAL7027, followed by the Sand/Grey lightened with WEM Portland Stone in patches. Once this had dried overnight, I took some 2000 grit wet/dry sand paper, dipped the model in water, and started rubbing off the Sand/Grey paint off to reveal the grey undercoat in suitable spots. A gloss coat was then airbrushed onto the model, and the decals applied without issues, using my favorite decal setting solutions, the blue and green topped Gunze products. In conclusion, this is a great kit from yesteryear, updated in appropriate ways with suitable multi-media parts: a turned aluminum gun barrel, PE nickel parts and new injection plastic parts. Following the superb Tamiya instructions will result in a great model to be proud of. My sincere thanks to Tamiya USA for providing IPMS/USA with this review model.