Kit: No. 32517
Scale: 1/48
Manufacturer: Tamiya, from Tamiya America, 1-800-826-4922, www.tamiyausa.com
Price: $15
Comments: Injection-molded, 34 parts, decals
Pros: Excellent fit, finely scribed panel lines, choice of four markings, ease of assembly
Cons: A few tiny parts are difficult to handle

Tamiya’s venture into 1/48 scale military vehicles has taken an interesting twist with the Citroën 11CV staff car. The civilian vehicle was conscripted by the French Army, and after occupation, by the German forces. It was a favorite of Luftwaffe fighter pilots, who enjoyed the Citroën’s handling and performance.

Tamiya’s kit is molded in dark-gray and clear plastic. Assembly is straightforward and trouble-free. The instructions are typical Tamiya: clear and concise.

I painted most of the parts before assembly, debating what color I’d paint the car body. Although I’d probably place the model in a diorama with a 1/48 scale German fighter, I couldn’t bring myself to paint the car with flat paint. Instead, I sprayed Tamiya dark green (XF-61) as a primer then applied several coats of Citadel Miniatures dark-green ink. This roundabout method of achieving a gloss finish has suited me well and looks great on the model.

After the chassis and body parts dried, I brushed the interior, floor, and seats with Vallejo leather red. The fenders attach to the body and form the firewall for the dashboard and steering column. Once the dashboard and steering wheel were in place, I dropped in the windshield. I had no problems with the clear parts – the fit was excellent.

I added the tires to the axles and inserted them into the chassis. The only problem encountered during the build was with part B2, the small pin-head sized hubcaps. I dropped one, and it took about an hour to find it.

I chose a pre-war French Army car, so I used the clear headlight parts instead of the military-style blackout lights. I painted the back of the lenses silver and installed them with a drop of Future floor polish as my glue. Joining the chassis to the body was a simple step, everything dropped into place and fit perfectly.

I spent less than five hours building this fun little kit, not counting drying time (or looking for that hub cap). It can be an excellent first kit for beginners, while advanced modelers will find room for additional details.

– Jeff Herne