Tankograd continues its run of Bundeswehr vehicles with this latest book on the development of the Iltis utility truck. The Iltis had a payload of 0.5 tons, and was introduced in the 1970s to replace the aging Auto-Union Munga in the many Jeep/light truck roles the Munga filled. In addition to the history and development, this book looks at the main variants.
contents
Following the usual A4 format, this glossy 64-page book has text in both German and English. After a few pages covering the Europa-Jeep project and the need for a new design, we get a book full of mostly colour photos set out two to a page, with bilingual captions. There is more text covering technical specifications, as well as 1:35 scale drawings of the standard Iltis and the Medical (ambulance) version – there is even a set of 1:35 camouflage plans.
Photo sections cover:
Pre-Production vehicles
Basic Bundeswehr variant
Radio Mission kit
Milan Anti-Tank Team Mission kit
Field Cable-Laying Team Mission kit
RASURA Battlefield Surveillance Radar
Artillery Aiming Circle Team Mission kit
SAN Medical Mission kit
Turbo-Diesel Light Truck
International Service
conclusion
As with most Tankograd titles, the images point out all the salient details of each variant, making this a great reference for anyone wanting to model the vehicle. Elite offers a resin kit. However, there are no 1:35 plastic kits that I know of. Maybe one of the plastic manufacturers will see the plans and make our day…
SUMMARY
Highs: Great photos, useful history, fine tech data.Lows: None really (unless lack of plastic kits counts?)Verdict: A must-have for Bundeswehr and SUV fans.
Our Thanks to Tankograd Publishing! This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.
About Tom Cromwell (barkingdigger) FROM: ENGLAND - EAST ANGLIA, UNITED KINGDOM
A Yank living overseas on a long-term basis, I've been building tanks since the early '70s. I relish the challenges of older kits (remember when Tamiya was "new"?...) because I love to scratch-build.
From Wiki:
"The Volkswagen Type 183, more commonly known as the Iltis (German for polecat), is a military vehicle built by Volkswagen for use by the German military. Also the Iltis was built under licence in Canada by Bombardier for 2,500 vehicles for the Canadian Forces and 2,673 vehicles for the Belgian Army. The Canadian production ran from 1984 to 1988 during which time a small number of vehicles were also delivered to Cameroon and Oman."
OK, it's Wiki, but it was a German design/development and Bombardier produced it under licence. Not exactly a 'co-production'.
Jim
And now a 1:35 scale kit in plastic for less than "sell your mother in law" prices please. This kit is quite interesting for "Cold War/Europe" modellers since basically all reforgers in the 1980s had them in huge numbers.
Actually it is an AUDI design sold under the VW label and mostly build in Ingolstadt rather than KDW-Stadt
Well basically there are only three
German
German/Sanka (Transporting wounded)
Canadian
Most differences are internal and often "not visible on the typical Revell detail level" (Don't get me wrong, I like many of their kits). Or they are in the "Rüstsatz" (Equipment package) that is fitted to the rail system in the back and/or the roll bar.
Still, a solid "basic vehicle" would be VERY useful (as would be a Munga) and if priced like their "Wolf" I'd order at least three and a roof section...
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