Introduction

Motorcycle Infantrymen from Artitec is a 1/87 resin and photo-etch of set of Kradschützen (motorcycle troops). This is item 87.045.

Artitec is a company in the Netherlands that started out making high-quality model railroad models and accessories. They have been expanding into high-quality military subjects in the popular scale of 1/87 (HO for model railroading) and even make military vehicles in 1/72.

Motorcycle Infantrymen

This set consists of six Kradschützen, three drivers, three riders. Six pieces of supplies and cargo kit are included, as well as a photo-etch of weapons: 5 X Kar.98; MP 40; MG 34. Two P/E shovels are included, too.

Casting is good with no air pocks. Very thin bits of flash are on some of the figures but some of it separated when I blew on it.

Each figure is posed sitting. It looks like half are driving and half are riding, at least one is meant to be in a sidecar, and one to be riding with part of a leg meant to be hidden.

You can start assembly and painting almost immediately as there is almost no cleanup required.

Detail

A couple figures appear to be wearing the rubberized Kradschützen protective coat. The rest are dressed in bulky uniforms that can be painted as winter uniforms, or pass as Zeltbahns and loose fitting camouflage smocks. All but one of the Kradschützen wear a helmet and the other wears a M43 Einheitsmütze. Their kit includes the "Y"-strap belt, ammo pouches, canteens, gas mask canisters, bread bags, and equipment straps.

The six pieces of stores include bed rolls and clothes, a helmet, Zeltbahns, assault frame (Sturmgepäck), backpacks, and miscellaneous kit.

The p/e MG 34 even has its own bipod.

The detail is recognizable despite the small scale.

Painting and Instructions

There really is not any assembly to be accomplished aside from attaching weapons and shovels to the soldiers. Artitec created a simple yet detailed instruction sheet showing the combat kit. Some painting guidance is provided.

If your eyesight is good enough and your hands steady, one has enough cast detail to recreate camouflage and insignia. Enjoy debating what color the waffenfarbe should be; a September 1939 directive required all Kradschützen units to wear Meadow-Green (Wiesengrün). However, in practice Kraftschützenbataillone could be one color while the Kradschützen of, say the recon portion of a 1940 Panzer Division, might be different than an infantry unit. And those standards apparently changed in other orders in 1941 and 1943.

Paint brands referenced are Humbrol and Revell, eight colors.

Conclusion

Motorcycle Infantrymen are a good set of Kradschützen for 1/87 modelers. These are well sculpted if tiny figures with good detail presenting a dynamic feeling to the figures. Preparation for painting should be quick. The photo-etch fret is excellent. I appreciate the extra parts of cargo and kit.

Some of the detail seems soft when viewed under magnification and yet it is crisp for HO-1/87. While there is some light flash it should separate with normal handling.

If you want a unique and detailed motorcycle zug in your collection or diorama, I think this is an impressive kit to obtain. Recommend.

Please remember to mention to retailers and vendors that you saw this kit here - on Armorama.