Introduction

The Opel Kadett K38 Cabriolimousine is a very modern looking vehicle that was popular in Germany prior to the start of World War 2, it was also one of the most common cars seen in private hands prior to the war. In the years between 1937 and 1943 Opel produced 56,335 cars which at the start of World War 2 were largely requisitioned by the military to serve as personal transports by Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe officers. These cars were seen commonly serving on both the Western and Eastern Front serving throughout the war. There were a number of variants of the Opel Kadett K38 series with the open top Cabriolimousine being just one.

Review

This offering from ICM arrives in the now common flip top cardboard box and separate card lid that has become very popular with me, the result of this packaging is that I have never received a damaged model due to the failure of the external packaging except for one that was cut in half by Canada Post when being sent to a member there. Inside of this packaging is a single re-sealable bag that contains the sprues for the model; inside of this bag there are two further re-sealable plastic bags that contain the clear sprue and the tyres. There is an instruction booklet covering all aspects of the production of this model and protected inside of this booklet is a decal sheet.

A look over this latest model offering from ICM gives me the usual good vibrations I get from most of their products. The mouldings are free from flash, but there are some flow lines present on some parts; the flow lines do not look or feel to have caused any issues that will need to be remedied. There are some ejector pin marks that will need to be tackled, but these are small and shallow, the placement of them does look to have been well considered as they are not excessive in number and a lot of the placements will be hidden on the finished model.

Unlike many of the vehicles offered in model form by ICM this model does not have a chassis that needs to be assembled and so takes away the concerns that some have as regards twisted frames. We do get a very nice engine and gearbox from ICM that is made up of an unusually large number of parts for this scale. As I suspect most are aware ICM are not big on supplying photo etch for their models and this means that they have had to supply plastic parts with a high level of finesse and they manage that quite well with areas such as the fan belt showing this skill.

ICM despite not having supplied a separate chassis the detail overall is very nice on the underside of the model and I believe will meet the requirements of most modellers. The rear axle and suspension is made of separate elements that look quite good, but take care to remove the seam lines on the leaf springs without damaging the leaf detail. Make sure you have added the exhaust as instructed in the directions or life will prove difficult when trying to get the exhaust beneath the rear axle. I do have an issue when it comes to the front axle assembly and that is in fairness a personal issue; please ICM you supply fantastic soft skinned vehicles, but give us the ability to assemble the front wheels turned as well as straight. In all other respects I am really happy with the oily parts of this model. ICM has even remembered the battery for the engine compartment. One aspect that will be loved or hated in equal measure is that ICM has supplied vinyl rubber tyres for the model.

Moving onto the interior and unusually it is this area that ICM has you tackle first. The interior has been nicely done by ICM in all respects as regards detail and I particularly like that the door cards are separate pieces to the doors and so allows the hiding of ejector pin marks. I do wish that the doors had been tackled in such a way that the modeller had the option to have doors open, but such is life. The seating does have that new leather look about them and so the modeller will ideally scuff these up a little. The steering wheel and instrument cluster has had thought put into it by ICM and I am pleased to see decals for the instruments.

Moving to the exterior of the model and ICM seems to have done an excellent job of capturing the lines of the Opel Kadett K38; I am especially pleased to see the effort put into the bonnet by ICM, that work has I believe resulted in a bonnet that could easily be left in an open position if desired. This offering being a cabriole version of the vehicle ICM has provided the option of having the hood folded away of up, and looking at the plastic and the parts that are listed as not used you could easily assemble this model as the hard top version with ease.

ICM has provided four finishing options for this model and I approve of the options. The four options provided are:
Opel Kadett K38 Cabriolimousine, Germany, Summer 1939
Opel Kadett K38 Cabriolimousine, Poland, September 1939
Opel Kadett K38 Cabriolimousine, Germany, Summer 1940
Opel Kadett K38 Cabriolimousine, France, 1943

Conclusion

I am pleased to see another World War 2 soft skinned car from ICM and the Opel Kadett K38 Cabriole limousine has a lot going for it. The oily parts are well catered for and the details that are needed to provide an overturned vehicle or one undergoing repairs to its engine or such. The interior has been well catered for but it is a little on the clean/new side and so will benefit from some scratch work on areas such as the seats. My only gripe over what is provided is that the doors are not supplied without the ability to have them open. So the result is a stylish looking wartime vehicle with some nice finishing options.