If you like making diorama’s or if you just like to detail the insides of your models as much as you do the outside then you are probably used to buying aftermarket engines for them, which are usually only available from small resin manufacturers. So it’s always nice when you can pick up an inexpensive accessory kit like this one which helps add that little bit of extra detail to your tank.
This kit from Tamiya comes with a basic engine as well as two mechanic figures and an assortment of accessories. It’s not a huge kit, being just two smallish dark green sprues in a small tray and lid style box but you get enough to add an engine to your Panther, late production Tiger I or Tiger II, albeit a somewhat simple one as it only contains the upper half of the engine, but it’s enough for a “through the open hatch” view.
The quality of the moulds is very good, being what we have come to expect from Tamiya with clean moulds and sharp detail. The instructions are clear and simple and assembly is very straight forward. The instructions also include a brief history of the engine.
The engine itself represents the Maybach HL230 engine with optional air cleaners to depict it as either the P45 as found in the Panther and late Tiger I models, including the Sturmtiger, or the P30 as found in the Tiger II. As mentioned above the engine is only modelled from the exhausts up and built into a “box” which represents the engine compartment and is made to fit into the Tamiya kits, with instructions for which bits to remove and/or open up for each model. The overhead pipes are included and overall once installed it makes for quite a good representation of the Maybach engine and is more than suitable for a through the hatch look.
The two figures both wear tankers coveralls and overseas caps. Unusually for a Tamiya kit this review kit contained a small ammount of flash on the figures, though another kit I have of this does not. The detail on the figures is quite good though the folds and creases in the clothes are a little understated. The faces have good expressions but the detail isn’t overly sharp or deep so going light on the paint would be a good idea so as not to obscure the facial features.
A range of accessories is also included, consisting of a wooden ladder, a fuel drum, a small tool tray with the lid moulded open, a small tool box with folded out trays ( again moulded open ), a small sledgehammer, a screwdriver, a blow torch, a tubular wrench, a small oil can, two larger oil tins, and a battery pack.
This is a great little set that is very useful for a quick, simple and cheap option for adding a little something extra to your Panther or Tiger model. The figures could use a little sharpening up and the engine isn’t as highly detailed as some of the resin aftermarket engines, nor does it include the radiators, but all that aside it still looks good once it’s in place and painted up and it has the advantage of costing less than $20 NZD. Highly recommended.
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