Model Military International – September 2019

September 2019 - Model Military International 61

T

his kit was first released by ESCI in 1976.
Back then, this was way out of my
pocket money range but what pocket
money I had was being spent on those
lovely multi-coloured Matchbox kits that I had just
discovered. I came across an ESCI release when
my parents took me on holiday to Rome in 1980
and had the chance of buying this (under the
ESCI label) or some LEGO Space from a toy shop
that we found. The Lego Space won – a Space
Transporter – which I still have to this day.
I remember at the time that this kit was the
ultimate for its day, and it still holds its own 43
years later. When ESCI disappeared, the moulds
passed to Italeri and it has, over the years, been
re-released by Italeri, Dragon and Revell. No other
company has tackled the Kubelwagen in 1:9 scale
so this is the only game in town.
On opening the box my first thought was ‘Wow,
this looks like a Matchbox kit!’ because it is
moulded in three colours of plastic – sand yellow
for the main body, dark grey for the engine and
black for the seats. What we have are twelve
sprues of plastic parts, five vinyl tyres and a little
bag containing metal rods, springs and vinyl
tubing. Of those 12 sprues, one is in clear plastic
for the windows and the other in black vinyl
containing the seats and straps. Also included
is a piece of cloth marked out with patterns for
the folding tarpaulin and window covers. Parts
quality is very good in that there is little to no
flash present although several parts do suffer with
shrinkage dimples. Detail is more than adequate
but, in this scale, it is difficult to miss much. I am
not a Kubelwagen expert but, looking at photos
on the web, this is very complete. If anything
is missing or can be improved upon then this
scale is an ideal medium for scratch building and
further detailing.
The instructions are split over 124 steps, but do
not let this number put you off as many steps
cover two and three-part assemblies only. In
typical Italeri fashion, the instructions are very
clear and certainly better than most. Marking
options are there for four vehicles and the decals
themselves are clearly printed, if a little thick &
shiny so you will need your decal setting solution.
Sadly, the swastikas on the eagles (registration
plates) are just printed blobs however the data
plates and speedometer are sharply in register.
The first 22 steps in the instructions cover the
engine which has everything present, even down
to the spark plugs and vinyl tubing for the wiring.
Both the front & rear suspension is workable due

to the addition of springs in the piston parts and,

even more fun, the steering is workable too. Youi

will need to lubricate the little gears but, as these

are then sealed in a two-part assembly, lubricating

them again may be problematic.

From Step 37 onwards we put the floor pan,

seats and internal structures in place. A brief

test-fit of the floor pan, body sides, wheel arches

and bonnet reveals a good fit all-round. One

comment on the jerrycan (Step 60) is that the

lettering is raised, not embossed, although it is

not a major problem as this is hidden under the

front bonnet.

Steps 66 to 82 cover the rear suspension and

transmission then, in Step 87, we affix the

engine to the transmission as well as the engine

compartment floor, walls & roof. All of the engine

access panels can be opened and are held closed

by some very carefully glued butterfly latches.

Nice! Needless to say, but the four doors can also

be opened & closed as well.

As an option, you can add a very nice MG42. This

is competently done and is made of 22 parts and

includes the front tripod and pintle mount. Added

to this we have some crew gear in the form of

a helmet with liner and a gas mask canister. The

straps for these come on the sprue of vinyl parts.

Lastly, we are left with the folding canopy which

can be made moveable. This is where it will get

tricky as you will have to punch holes into the

cloth for the pins to go through which hold it to

the main body panels. How you attach the folded

bits together will, I think, be best sewn as using

glue will mark the cloth. This tarpaulin may be

more bother than it is worth and looking at the

example on the box it does look a bit tatty. I may

just leave this.

Aside from the tricky tarpaulin, this is a fantastic

kit that can be built by all skill levels. By virtue of

its size, there are no small or fiddly parts and you

will find the instructions a breeze.

Detail is more than adequate and certainly to a

standard that belies the kit’s age. I like the little

touches such as working suspension and steering

and for the current UK retail price of around £90

you get a box full of vintage fun and excellent

value for money. My only criticism is that ESCI

never followed it up with a Schwimmwagen!

Very highly recommend and I give it an

unreserved 9/10. ■

Thanks to The Hobby Company Limited for

the sample http://www.hobbyco.net

Graham Tetley

finds that this

big 1:9 scale

Kubelwagen still

holds its own 43

years after its

initial release.

KING KUBEL

ITALERI 1:9 KUBERLWAGEN. KIT NO. 7405

Decals are all

in register

Get your

scissors

sharpened

Just add petrol

and Vroom!

The massive

body panels...

...and equally

massive

floor pan

Closeup of

the driver’s

instrument

panel

Fancy a large

scale MG42

The goody bag

Engine parts

sprue