| KIT #: | 89777 |
| PRICE: | 2070 yen (about $ |
| DECALS: | options |
| REVIEWER: | Scott Van Aken |
| NOTES: |
| HISTORY |
The Sd.kfz 222 is part of a family of light armored cars that started with the 221. Prototypes of this series were initially developed around 1937 and were produced until 1942. However these useful vehicles were used until the end of the war. The main difference between the 221 and the 222 was in the weapon carried. The 221 had a a seven sided open topped turret with a single 7.92mm machine gun. Later in the war, a 2.3 cm anti-tank rifle replaced the machine gun. The 222 (and subject of this kit) had a ten sided open topped turret with a 20mm anti-tank gun in addition to the machine gun.
All of these vehicles were based on a Horch/Auto Union chassis which had either a 3.5 liter, 75 hp engine (Ausf A) or later production had a 3.8 liter 81 hp engine (Ausf B). Both had the engine in the rear. The chassis had a four wheel drive, fully independent suspension. Initially, they also had four wheel steering, but this was removed later as it proved to be unnecessary. The differentials were full locking ensuring that all four wheels were able to provide traction.
The hull was welded steel plate with a door on either side. The open top was covered by a framework with steel mesh (obviously to prevent the odd hand grenade from being dropped inside). Elevation and azimuth of the turret were manually controlled via small hand wheels.
| THE KIT |
This
kit shows that one needs to do one's research when buying kits. I thought this
was a new Tamiya kit, but in reality it is a reboxed ICM kit. That is not bad as
the ICM kit is quite nice, but not quite what I expe
cted.
Tamiya did add in a couple of sprues to provide a few detail bits, though you
will only actually use a handful of these pieces.
As you might expect, the box is not exactly overflowing with parts, but what there is has been well molded. There are two major sprues, the upper and lower body halves, and a photo etched fret. Unusual for ICM is that they have not only molded the rather large wheels as one piece, but the barrel of the main armament, the 20mm cannon, has a goodly depression in the tip. This is much like Dragon's slide molded parts and is quite welcome. The main drivetrain is also molded as one part. If I had a complaint it would be that the people removing the body sections from the sprues prior to packaging were not very careful and seem to have basically torn the parts from the sprue with the resultant damage done to the part. Yeah, a minor whine, but there it is.
Other things
of note is that the outer wheel hubs are molded separately, something that will
enhance painting. The photo etch fret is superbly done and is basically the
screen cage that goes atop the turret to prevent hand grenades and other nasties
from being tossed inside. I'm sure that Tamiya would have done this when they
did their 1/35 kit had this medium been available.
Instructions are well done and as befits a kit like this, are not too complex. A nice decal sheet accompanies the kit and provides markings for four vehicles. One is in Panzer Grey from Lybia in 1941, while the second from Lybia in 1942 is in Panzer Yellow. The other two are from Russia and both are in a base of Panzer Grey with green stripes painted in a random pattern over the surface. The decal sheet is well printed and looks to be very nice. I and others have had issues with past ICM sheets, but this one looks different so should hopefully work well.
| CONCLUSIONS |
If you don't already have the ICM kit, then this one would be worth considering. It is a neat vehicle and should provide a nice addition to any 1/48 AFV collection.
March 2017
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