Black Dog is a new Czech company offering resin conversion sets and accessories in 1/48, an area of growing interest to many and one that not many AM suppliers have stepped into just yet. Their first offerings are very welcome by those of us that enjoy building this scale. This particular set provides some welcome stowage options and is designed to fit the Tamiya 1/48 Schwimmwagen kit # 32506.
Review
The accessory set consists of fifteen pieces nicely cast in a light grey colored resin even though the website says sixteen, but I haven't been able to figure out what is missing. The fifteen pieces are modular and consist of the following:
Covered spare tire Covered windscreen Panzerfaust Kar 98, apparently has a muzzle cover of some type MP-40 MG-34 Ammo drum for MG34 Jerry can 5 handles for jerry cans Large pack Large piece of mixed stowage
The pieces come packaged in a zip-lock bag wrapped in bubble wrap inside a sturdy cardboard box. Even with this precaution my sample had some damage to the jerry can handles but, luckily, two of the five handles were okay. Care must also be taken with the MP-40, the piece is very delicate and the barrel is easily broken if not careful.
Again in regards to the level of casting detail, it is amazing what has been achieved in this scale. In particular, the large piece that fills up the back seat looks more like a collection of separate parts than one casting. The pile consists of bedrolls, ammo boxes, a pair of boots, packs, mess gear, etc. The casting is very crisp and clean, sink-marks and bubbles are non-existent, and what little flash there is can be very easily removed with a sharp knife blade. The casting blocks are also very easily removed and, on some pieces, a few passes with a knife is all that is needed and they snap off without any damage to the pieces.
Conclusion
Overall, I would have to say that this set is very definitely worth the money for those looking for this type of detail in 1/48. I am looking forward to more of their very high quality products and the amount of detail on the 1/48 stuff would be impressive on 1/35 never mind quarter-scale.
SUMMARY
Highs: Well detailed and clean castings. Lows: Some easily broken pieces.Verdict: Very impressive. A great addition to the Tamiya kit.
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Hi
Nice rendition but I think not an entirely accurate representation.
If I'm correct between the two rear seats of the Schwimmy is a large vent which allows air into the engine compartment, this is important for two reasons.
Firstly the engine is air cooled and secondly because its amphibious it can't have it like the Kubelwagen, the engine must be contained within a water tight compartment. Put all that stowage as shown and you block this and cause the engine to overheat and seize.
If my memory serves me correct they (Blackdog) made a similar mistake on a recent release of stowage on a Panzer. They had stuff depicted rammed down between the turret and the additional armour plates which is fine except it was all the way round thus completely blocking the crew turret hatches and their means of entry/escape from the tank.
Alan
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