Introduction

This is the Master Box kit of 2 U.S. paratroopers with a civilian family driving a German staff car for a picnic. The standard end opening box with a color artist rendition on the front and figure build with painting guide on the back.

Contents

This box is really stuffed to the point of bulging. Inside are 2 plastic bags containing the figures in one and the German staff car in the other. The rubber tires, clear parts and decals are in a separate plastic bag to safe guard them. Also there is a 12 page instruction booklet with 39 building steps. The staff car consist of some 240 parts on 4 gray sprues, of which 21 parts are not used. The figures are on 1 sprue by themselves. No flash was present and an unused bumper was broken. The right fender by the rear bottom was damaged .It looks as if a pin was pushed through it. A very easy fix but for my purpose I will leave it, manufactured battle damage.

Review

The figures represented are 2 U.S. paratroopers standing one an officer who is holding a map pointing to a spot in question. The other is standing guard with a 45 Thompson in his right hand resting on his hip. Typical breakdown of a head, torso, 2 arms and 2 legs compose each one. They wear the paratrooper uniforms, re-enforced trousers, jump boots and field jacket. The combat gear for the officer is a web belt which has a holstered 45, ammo pouch, a canteen, a helmet and what looks like a bandage pouch. He is holding a foldable map case but no map is provided. The trooper standing guard is equipped with 45 cal. Thompson sub M.G. and ammo pouch for it. Also a canteen, bayonet, helmet and what looks like a 45 ammo pouch and a small square pouch which I have no idea what it is for. It seems to me that figures are under equipped for anything but a check point. You will have to hit up your spare parts bin to fill them out. Creases are pretty well defined, straps, buckles and buttons are noticeable. There are slightly raised patches for the guarding figure indicating the rank of Sgt and airborne patches.

The civilians; the man comes in the 6 usual parts plus a nicely rendered slouched hat. A nice moustache adorns his face He is clothed in trousers and shoes and a long sleeved shirt with the arms rolled up and a sleeveless button up sweater over it. He is standing and pointing to a place on the map. The woman comes in 6 parts also. She is dressed in a long skirt with what looks like a blouse with its sleeves rolled up, folded collar and buttons down the front. Some kind of hosiery and shoes complete her dress. She is sitting with a picnic basket on her lap and is reaching for a child. The child is in an excited stance and seems to be taking off across the back seat to see the soldiers. He comes in 5 parts which are very nicely done He actually looks like a child and not a 1/48th scale figure. He is dressed in shorts and a button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. braces hold up his shorts and knee high socks rolled at the top while he has on shoes also.

The staff car is the Wehrmacts Ausfuhrung 170 VK. This is the main part of this kit and looks like it will build into a jewel of a vehicle. With all the parts which include things like the window crank and interior door handles, foot pedals, complete engine and chassis ect. There are 6 variants of assembly to display this staff car. It is a small vehicle and measures out at about 4 inches long.