Contents

As with the new Nashorn kit, all four sprues are moulded in a very appropriate German dark yellow color. This trend will continue for all AFV Club kits of WWII German vehicles and equipment. There are very few ejector-pin marks, hidden in strategic places, but not a hint of flash anywhere. The overall quality of detail is as crisp as any Tamiya kit.

The 14 –step instructions are laid out in a systematic and thoughtful manner, with each step broken-down into sub-assemblies. Just because it’s a small kit, don’t be mislead: with it’s many photo-etched and tiny parts, this is not a kit for the beginner. Before opening the box, I was considering comparing it to the classic old Tamiya kit collecting dust in my stash –completely pointless, as this kit represents the very pinnacle of moulding technology today.

I must admit I spent a fair amount of time admiring the turned-brass gun barrels, with their intricately-machined flash suppressors. I would recommend purchasing this special edition kit, while those barrels are offered for a short time. While the only way this kit could possibly be improved, by replacing the styrene shields with metal, one would have a daunting task adding all the bracing, gussets, and other detail that make up the backsides. These removable armored shields are moulded as thin as new moulding technology will allow.

Decals:
Included are kill rings, Soviet and British kill markings, and Afrika Korps markings.

Conclusion

The number of brass PE parts included is impressive, some even used on the under-side of the base, which is very highly-detailed. A few will need to be bent to right-angles, and some beads need to be formed with a ball-point pen. Included are 20 ammunition magazines. A moving travel lock and elevating sight linkage are working features. I am very much looking forward to seeing the transportation trailer and 2cm accessory kits, soon to be available from AFV Club.