Tamiya has recently released an inexpensive, well detailed 1/48 scale Kubelwagen Type 82.

Tamiya certainly has plenty of experience with this ubiquitous German utility vehicle. Over the years it has released two 1/35 scale kits, plus a static Desert Kublewagen in 1/16 scale and a radio controlled Type 82 too.

The new 1/48 scale kit reflects this heritage by the high quality of the parts, crisp surface features and extensive detail in this relatively small scale. However, the parts breakdown is quite different to its bigger brethren. For example, the front two doors may be positioned open but the two rear doors are fixed shut.

Mounts for the seats are cleverly moulded as vertical posts on the floor of the car. The timber floor slats are depicted by raised ribs running from front to rear. The corrugated panels are represented inside and out; and fabric detail on the seats and the furled canvas hood is very convincing. Under the vehicle, key suspension details are present, and the bottom of the engine is moulded to the lower chassis. The simple engine detail is covered by a separate sump guard, so little of this area is visible in any case. Smaller parts such as mufflers, steering wheel, instrument panel, wheels and headlights are beautifully rendered too.

That necessary evil, the ejector pin mark, makes an appearance in faint form on the inside of the doors. However, they do not seem to be in any other areas that will be seen once the model is assembled.

A single injection-moulded clear part is supplied for the windscreen. I expect that we will soon see a selection of vinyl masks to help paint this item before too long.

The only optional part is A12, a shroud on the back of the vehicle used to recirculate air from the engine compartment vent in colder climates. This part will not be required in warmer settings, although this is not mentioned in the instructions.

The only real potential for criticism is the absence of the accelerator, clutch and brake pedals.

The figures reveal that this release is aimed squarely at the model aircraft builder. There is a Luftwaffe pilot and crewman, both in standing poses, examining a map (provided on the side of the box together with some road signs). The figures are very well detailed with minimal seam cleanup required.

Decals are supplied for three Luftwaffe vehicles, with the JG 53 option including the "Pik As" Ace of Spades symbol for the front and rear of the car, plus rank insignia for the two figures.

Construction, Painting and Weathering

 

Steve built Tamiya's 1/48 scale Kubelwagen almost straight from the box. He did not bother to add the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals as it would be very difficult to see them in the forward recesses of the vehicle's cabin.

 

 

The only improvement was the filling of a few ejector pin holes on the interior sidewalls and inside the doors.

The model took less than three hours to build.

Painting, weathering, figures and the base took another four to five hours spread over a three day period. The weather varied between humid and rainy, not ideal for painting, so Steve waited for better conditions before finishing the kit.

A trophy base was used to mount the Kubelwagen and the two figures. In the absence of a Luftwaffe eagle, Steve adapted a generic German eagle for the front of the display.

 

 

Steve's Kubelwagen was painted using Tamiya acrylics, applied with the Tamiya HG airbrush.

The pictures with the aircraft behind the Kubelwagen were taken on one of my generic groundwork bases with a large photo as a backdrop. The model is Tamiya's 1/48 scale Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-9. I kept the Dora far enough back to become part of the general background, retaining the focus on the Kubelwagen.

 

 

Additional Images

 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

 

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Model and Text Copyright © 2003 by Steve Palffy
Images Copyright © 2003 by Brett Green
Page Created 12 December, 2003
Last Updated 17 March, 2004

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