ICM 1/35 Typ 770K Touringwagen, previewed by Scott Van Aken

The Mercedes-Benz 770, also known as the Großer Mercedes (large Mercedes) was a luxury automobile built by Mercedes-Benz from 1930 to 1943. It is probably best known from archival footage of high-ranking Nazi officials before and during World War II, including Adolf Hitler and Hermann Göring.

The 770 was substantially revised in 1938, resulting in the new internal designation of W150. The all-new chassis was made with oval section tubes and was suspended from coil springs all around, with independent suspension at front and a de Dion axle at the rear.

The engine had the same basic architecture as that of the W07, but it had been tuned to produce 155 brake horsepower (116 kW) at 3000 rpm without supercharging and 230 brake horsepower (170 kW) at 3200 rpm with. The transmission now had five forward ratios with a direct fourth gear and an overdrive fifth.

In 1938 the Mercedes 770 is thought to have been the most expensive German passenger car offered for sale up to that time, though it appeared on no price list: the price was published merely as "auf Anfrage" ([available] by request)

88 W150-series cars were built before chassis production ended in 1943. The last cars were actually bodied and delivered in March 1944.

If you have seen or bought any of ICM's other staff car kits, you know just how nice and how detailed they are. The kits are not curbsides and come with not only a full engine, but a complete transmission, exhaust, and very detailed suspension. Thankfully, the ladder frame is a single piece as having the cross-members separate pieces is, to me, a bit much on a kit of this size.

Wheels are those that are several 'slices' that one glues together. This has the benefit of eliminating the usual tire seam, but make the build a bit longer. The inside and outside piece contain the inner hub and outer wheel respectively. The first ten of twenty-seven construction steps deal with the engine and chassis. We then get to the bodywork. This is in several sections with separate cowl, floor, doors, fenders, hood and so on. Those in the US who are used to one-piece bodies on cars will find this one to be quite different. The kit can be built with the side windows up or down, in which case different part number clear bits are used.

This is an open car and has no option of having the top up so a nice boot is provided. Aside from the optional up or down windows is the ability to have the hood displayed open or closed and different headlight covers with those used in operational area having the small beam slits. There are four markings options with one having no license plates. You can either paint the car gloss black, RLM 75 grey or Panzer Grey. Three of the four options have chrome bits that will need to be painted. Instructions are quite well done with colors in the Model Master paint line. There is a small decal sheet for instruments and fender flags. None of the 'units' are described with three being from 1940 and one from 1941

This adds to ICM's growing line of German staff cars. It should make for quite an impressive model as the detail is there to please just about all modelers.

Thanks to Squadron Products for the preview kit. Get yours today at your local shop.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.

KIT #:	35533
PRICE:	$51.95 SRP
MARKINGS:	Four options
REVIEWER:	Scott Van Aken
NOTES:	New tool kit