If you like diorama’s or if you like to detail the insides of your models as much as you do the outside then chances are adding engines to your kits is a regular event, in which case you’ve probably noticed that most after market engines are in the realms of the small resin manufacturer. So it’s always nice when you can pick up an inexpensive accessory kit like this one with which to add that little bit of extra detail to vehicle kit.
This kit from Tamiya is intended for use with their Kubelwagen kit and comes in a small open ended box containing two dark yellow sprues. It consists of an engine for the Kubelwagen, a mechanic figure, a workbench and assorted tools and accessories.
The moulding is typical Tamiya, with sharp, clean detail and no flash, just the usual very faint mould seams to remove as is normal with all plastic injection moulded kits. The level of detail is also very good.
The engine and its internal attachments are made up from eight parts and designed to go together with the partial lower engine included in the Tamiya Kubelwagen kit. It’s a very nice looking piece with a lot of very delicate detail included. Also included are the onboard tools, a handpump and a jack handle, which are atached to the inside of the boot cover.
The figure of the mechanic is dressed in the standard field uniform with the overseas cap and low boots with gaiters. The moulding is excellent with very crisp detail and an especially nice face. The quality is as good as you’ll find in a lot of resin cast figures, only missing the hobnails on the sole of his boot.
A replacement wheel is also included to represent a tyre being changed so as well as having the correct detail to show the removed nuts it also includes a new two-part brake drum assembly to go where the kit wheel would have been. A vehicle stand is also included if you want to use it rather than having the Kubelwagen held up only by the jack, which is also included.
The workbench comes with some delicately moulded legs and includes very delicate woodgrain pattern on the top. The underside detail is completely blank so it could use a little TLC to get it looking as good as the top. An extremely nice looking bench vice is included to mount onto this table if you want.
Other accessories included are a jerry can for under the Kubelwagen’s hood, a rolled up tool kit, an assortment of hand tools, a large oil can, a large anvil, and a large wooden box which again has very good looking woodgrain detail both inside and out so it can be displayed with the lid on or off. There is also a toolbox which is moulded closed with no option to position it opened up.
A painting guide for Tamiya paints is included as part of the assembly instructions.
This is a wonderful little kit that really adds a whole new dimension to the Tamiya Kubelwagen kits, and which shouldn’t be too hard to adapt to other manufacturers Kubelwagen kits. It’s just a shame that Tamiya never saw fit to include this in any of their Kubelwagen kits to start with. This definitely should be on the must-get list for anyone detailing their Kubel.
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