Introduction

The Citroën Traction Avant, French for "front wheel drive", was designed by André Lefèbvre and Flaminio Bertoni in late 1933 / early 1934. It was the world's first front-wheel drive, welded steel monocoque production car. Along with DKWs 1930's models, the Traction successfully pioneered front-wheel drive on the European mass car market. The dark side of the CV's history goes to the WW2 period where it was used both by the French army as well as the Axis forces. This review is an in-box review of Archer Transfers dry transfers set „Citroën Instruments – set AR 35376“ in 1/35 scale.

Historical background

According to Wiki articles; initially the French army lacked enthusiasm for the Citroën Traction, believing that it offered insufficient ground-clearance for their needs. Nevertheless, by September 1939, roughly 250 had found their way into military service. With losses of cars at the frontier mounting, Citroën supplied a further 570 to the army between February and May 1940, and subsequent deliveries probably took place before military defeat intervened. During the war many of the cars were reregistered with "WH..." (Wehrmacht Heer/Army command) license plates, having been requisitioned by the German Army. These gave reliable service both in France and further afield, notably in Libya and Stalingrad. Tractions were also favoured by the Resistance, and as occupation gave way to Liberation they turned up all over France with FFI inscribed proudly on their doors. Less gloriously, the cars were known as favourites among gangsters such as the then infamous Pierrot le Fou, and his Traction gang.

The review

Archer dry transfers come in a packaging with a single transfer sheet and simple placement instructions with added (very thorough) tips for correct application of the transfers. The transfer sheet provides five separate gauge clusters (speedometer, fuel & temperature gauges), thus enabling you to update five models.

This is not a regular type of dry transfer which you just burnish onto the model. Also included is a sheet of wet media paper – which converts a dry transfer to a wet decal with no carrier film involved. Rub the transfer onto the decal paper just like on any other surface and then use it as a normal decal which allows precise placement. The application instructions give very clear description why and what, but to be more precise a video of the proper usage is shown here:Archer Fine Transfers

The placement instructions provided is more than adequate and shows clearly where the transfers are supposed to be.

No color description is provided although it’s really not necessary (it’s already provided by the kit instruction), but since this is WW2 German territory I would assume these are very well known to a wide number of modelers interested in this modeling period.

Conclusion

This is a welcome dry transfer sheet that gives you an eye-catching level of detail that most models require to reach the next level. It is simple to use, scaled exactly for the Tamiya kit, available and affordable - and as such very recommendable for all your Citroën models.

EDITORS NOTE: the reference image (found on the web) shown below, depicts an upgraded model, with custom added gauges. It is only to show the simplicity and the exactness of the main gauge cluster to the transfer design.