ICM 1/35 Henschel 33 D1

Germany began to build the modern army after 1933. The important part of Wehrmacht motorization was manufacturing of three-axle 3 t trucks. The most numerous of them was Henschel 33. It was in production lines since 1934 to 1942. The modification D1 had a 6-cyl. petrol engine. All in all there were produced about 22000 Henschel 33.

Henschel 33 D1 trucks were widely used by all German arms of service in the Soviet-German front, in North Africa, Italy, France up to the end of war.

This is another impressive boxing from our friends at ICM. Molded on six tan sprues of various sizes, the quality of the detailing is right up there with the best of them. There are a few molding marks, but nothing major. The amount of detail provided is really quite impressive. This is by no means a curbside as you get a fully detailed 10.8 liter Henschel engine with its attached transmission. The chassis is also completely detailed with full suspension. Tires are plastic, which is something many of us appreciate as it lessens the strain on the plastic chassis components.

A complete cabin is included with all of the pedals and levers in the real truck as separate items. All of the instruments are provided as decals. The cab in the only place with optional bits and that is the choice of including the side curtains or not. Actually, that isn't totally correct as one can also pose the engine cover open to show off the engine detail. The clear sprue is well done and these bits will need to be added during construction and masked prior to painting.  As a bit of an aside, it would be kind of neat if these sorts of kits would show engine wiring as well, though perhaps 1/35 is a tad small for this detail. The bed is fully detailed with sides and the usual bits fitting on the side and underneath, including two spare tires. This truck carries the cargo roof hoops in front of the windscreen, which, as youcan see on the box art, looks a tad odd. Perhaps a later boxing will provide a full cargo tarp.

Markings are provided for four unidentified units during different periods of the war. In overall panzer grey are trucks from France in 1940 and Russia in 1941. In panzer yellow is a truck from Italy in 1943. Adding olive green to the panzer yellow is the box art truck in France during 1944. The small decal sheet is well printed and provides the markings needed.

I'm a huge fan of army trucks and this one adds to what is a growing collection of these types. If you like military vehicles and want something that doesn't have tracks or guns, then this is a kit you really should consider.

Kit instructions. You'd think that a truck of which 33,000 were built would have more info available, but it seems not.

July 2011

Thanks to Squadron Products for the preview kit. You can get this and other fine ICM kits at your local retailer.

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