Opel manufactured the Blitz for 57 years before retiring it in 1987. Known as a reliable commercial vehicle, the Blitz was used in many roles, including military, delivery, and even fire service.
The Italeri 1/24 scale Opel Blitz fire truck plastic model kit seems to replicate the 3-ton heavy-duty chassis produced from 1937 to 1943. The body and badging markings date this particular vehicle to about 1937-38. I was happy to see all parts and glass separately bagged in the kit with minimal flash and most ejector-pin marks relegated to hidden areas.
Starting with the Opel’s 11-piece ladder-style chassis, I noticed a slight warp that I corrected with a little heat from my hair dryer and some tape during construction. The four-piece rear end was then installed along with the six-part, steerable front axle.
Following the assembly instructions, I built and installed the convincing 10-piece, 75 horsepower, 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine, only for it to be hidden under the non-opening bonnet. The cooling system, exhaust, and the wheels and tires go in at the same time as the chassis here. The tires are made from a nice vinyl rubber that stretches over the wheels and replicates the appearance of the full-scale truck beautifully.
The functional interior attaches to the floor pan and the back wall of the body with no issues. Almost everything has a positive connector. The multipart cab went together with no issues; all its parts fit together cleanly and easily. The assembled cab mates to the rear cab wall and interior floor pan, which also includes the inner fender wells.
The four-part tank fits together soundly. Take your time installing the rear fender brackets, as they were the only parts that did not have positive attachment points. The firefighting equipment, toolboxes, ladders, and the like all fit well and look the part. I drilled and pinned the headlights just to make sure I didn’t accidentally knock them off.
Make sure to line up the power take-off driveshaft when placing the pump subassembly. After more boxes and hoses and the high-intensity spotlight, you’ll attach the rear-mounted hose reel assembly. No worries, though, because the attachment points locate the reel exactly where it belongs.
There are two different sets of decals for this kit: the blue and white markings (as seen on the box art), and the more traditional gold markings found on firetrucks around the world. I chose the gold markings to show the other option available.
Overall, the Italeri 1/24 scale Opel Blitz fire truck plastic model kit was an incredibly satisfying build. The flash cleanup was easy; all the parts fit and went together well with very minimal — if any — alignment issues. The clear plastic glass fit precisely, and the model feels solid when assembled. I highly recommend this kit to most seasoned builders or even a novice builder who has patience and is willing to take their time to test-fit and follow the instructions. It’s a well-engineered kit and a joy to assemble!