The Maybach HL230 P30 was used in the Sd.kfz 171 Panther, the Sd.Kfz 173 Jagdpanther, the Sd.Kfz 186 Jagdtiger and the Tiger II Sd.Kfz 182. The Maybach HL230 was a water cooled V12 engine with a displacement of 23 liters. Made of cast iron, it utilized four twin-choke Solex type 52JFF for carburetors. There were approximately 9000 HL230 units produced by Maybach, Auto Union and Damiler-Benz.
the kit
Boxed in a typical CMK kit box measuring 4.25 X 3.35” X 1.5” with a photo of the unpainted, built kit. The box contains two sealed bags and an instruction sheet. There are 22 individual pieces in this kit.
The larger of the two bags holds the larger pieces: the engine block, engine front piece, engine rear piece , oil tank, the bulkhead and two side walls of the engine compartment, the floor and the air cleaner.
The smaller bag holds 6 pour blocks with numerous smaller pieces: the exhaust pipes, various hoses, various smaller engine parts.
All the pieces are poured in light cream colored resin and are free of any bubbles or other casting flaws. The right side engine compartment piece was slightly warped (see photo) but should be relatively easy to correct.
I fit this kit to Tamiya’s German King Tiger Ardennes Front, No. 35252. A very minimum of clean up and the floor piece fit like a glove. In a mock setup (pieces just taped) it appears that there will be no fit issues with this kit to the Tamiya KT.
My only gripe is that in order to see a bare minimum of the detail this kit offers the modeler will have to cut out the engine cover from the rear deck of the Tamiya kit. If you just open the engine access door all you are able to see is the top of the air cleaners.
Conclusion
One would think that for a MSRP of $38 that CMK would supply a detailed painting guide, photos of the finished kit painted, color reference photos of the real thing or even a replacement rear deck for the host kit enabling you to expose this little gem. I have never been one to build and detail interior compartments on a model knowing that it will be closed up never to be seen. If that doesn’t bother you or you plan a major modification of the Tamiya kit then this really is a nice little kit.
SUMMARY
Highs: Beautifully cast, highly detailed. Fits into host kit with minimal effort.Lows: Final product completely hidden unless major modifications made to host kit. Only a very basic, rudimentary guide for painting provided. Verdict: A beautiful little kit that will be lost to the viewer unless major cutting is done to the host kit. If you are the type that likes to build entire interiors only to seal them up when you finish this aspect won’t bother you.
Our Thanks to CMK! This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.
About Charles Reading (CReading) FROM: CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
I live in the mountains north of Santa Cruz California. I have been building now since the early 1990's when I rediscovered modeling. Most of my kits are built with dioramas in mind. I took a "creative block" hiatis for a couple years - 2011 to 2013. I wasn't active in the modeling world. During tha...
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