Tamiya 1/35 scale SdKfz 222

Kit: No.35286
Scale: 1/35
Manufacturer: Tamiya, from Tamiya America, 800-826-4922,
www.tamiyausa.com
Price: $36
Comments: Injection-molded, 249 parts (2 photoetched-metal, 1 metal), decals
Pros: Nice options; low part count
Cons: Sparse interior; raised detail on machine gun; poorly molded figure detail
Issue Published: February 2008

Tamiya has upgraded its SdKfz 222 kit with new figures, a metal gun barrel, and photoetched-metal grenade screens. Also included is a DKW NZ350 motorcycle and a fuel-drum set (everything for a diorama except the base). Markings are provided for three vehicles and three motorcycles.

First, I painted the chassis bottom and suspension Testors Panzer gray. (Since most of these vehicles left the factory in Panzer gray and were repainted prior to shipment, I just had an AMS - Advanced Modeler Syndrome - moment.) During assembly, I weathered the chassis bottom with CMK's light earth pastel. With relatively few parts on the suspension, wheel alignment was easier. I assembled the wheels, sanded off the seam on the inside, and painted the wheels Floquil weathered black, using a circle template to paint the body color on the rims.

The gun platform presented no problems, but I was disappointed Tamiya did not upgrade the coaxial machine gun. I scraped off the raised bumps on the barrel; you may want to look to your spares box or the aftermarket for a replacement gun. I painted the 20mm cannon barrel and coaxial machine gun Testors gun metal, and the interior Model Master Panzer gray. If you plan to use the gunner figure, now is the time to install it; this vehicle is very cramped. The interior may be sparse, but you really don't get to see much of it.

Dry-fitting the upper and lower turret halves revealed quite a gap. After gluing, I filled the gap with white glue. I used a flat-nosed pliers to bend up the grenade screens, then installed the turret and super glued the grenade screens.

I painted Model Master Afrika khakibraun 2098 overall (equivalent to RAL 7008). Weathering was done with CMK light earth pastel and a short-bristle brush to replicate the ever-present sand and dust, and gave the SdKfz markings for the 15th Panzer Division. The decals went down over a gloss coat. I sealed everything - paint, pastels, and decals - with Testors Dullcote.

My references were Standard Catalog of German Military Vehicles, by David Doyle, and Afrika Korps, by Maj. K.J. Macksey, M.C.

This kit took me 22 hours to build. My preferences would have been to see more interior detail and a replacement for the coaxial machine gun, rather than the updated figures and motorcycle. Still, it's a kit with few faults that beginners can take on and build successfully.