What’s in the bag?

As always the parts are packed in a plastic ‘envelope’ with two card sheets to avoid damage to the delicate photo-etch sheets. The instructions are over 5 pages, and are clear and concise. The colour coding is very helpful in determining which parts need to be trimmed and what PE goes where. There are pieces to enhance detail on kit parts, and there are numerous parts to replace poor or add missing kit detail. A few interior parts for the driver’s compartment are included, such as the driver vision block and a very nice instrument panel.

The kit includes tool clamps to replace the molded on clamps of the kit tools, and they are very cleverly designed in one piece, with only minimal straight forward folding required. A welcome change from some of the more ‘challenging’ multiple part offering found in other PE sets. A new shovel blade is also present, with fine surface texture. Straps and a mounting bracket are included for the jack block, but instead of removing the molded detail from kit part 67, it would be easier to use a piece of real wood. The bracket has a wingnut attached, and two small strips stick out at the folding corners which are to be folded over to replicate the hinges. Again a simple but very effective design. The convoy light can be shown with the hinged flap in either position, and has some beautiful rivet detail. Various strips with bolt/rivet detail replace or add detail around the edges of the crew compartment and hull, and add that bit of extra that comes out so well with careful weathering. A gentle dry brush of these should really bring them to live.

Most fittings inside the crew compartment are replaced with PE items, and the ammo bins can be shown open or closed. A beautiful mount for the MP40 goes in the left front corner, and is well worth the effort of putting together the three separate parts. More parts are used to enhance the gun cradle, but apart from a ring for the muzzle break no other parts are included for the gun or the gun sights. Several hooks replace the molded kit parts, again adding that little bit of ‘scale’ detail that makes the difference.
Last, but most certainly not least, I’d like to mention the radio. A complete metal replacement is provided, and the detail on the facia combined with the superb mounting bracket will add a real eye catcher to the interior. Just add some wires and a headphone to finish it off.

Conclusion

This is a superb set, with very fine detail but at the same time cleverly designed to avoid complicated, multiple part assemblies. It will greatly enhance the Wespe, and should be on your list if you are planning to build this open topped Self Propelled Gun.

Highly recommended

Many thanks to Eduard for providing this review sample.