Waffen SS Kübelwagen Crew
1/35th Figure Set No. WA35542
Review by Terry Ashley

The detail on the figures is excellent with well defined details on the uniforms and facial features with nice fabric folds and realistically posed figures with a driver figure and two others pointing towards incoming aircraft. Each figure has the usual casting blocks to be removed as well as some minor casting seams on the lower legs/boots.

The figure in the rear seat is kneeling on the seat and has a full body casting with separate arms, head and right boot with the fit of the parts being excellent due to small pins in the arms, neck and boot to ensure precise location and there was no filler needed on any of the joins.

View of figure parts and assembled figure.

The driver figure has the upper and lower body separate along with separate arms and head and also features a new steering wheel with the hands cast on to make for a good sit of the figure in the driver’s seat as you don’t have to try and match the figure’s hands to the kit steering wheel, something that can often give problems.
The steering wheel casting blocks are quite large in relation to the wheel and care will be needed as you clean up the casting, my wheel broke a couple of times while removing the excess resin so take things slowly with a sharp model knife.
This figure also has locating pins on all the joins for precise location and this helps when attaching the hands to the arms and again there was no filler or trimming needed during assembly.

View of figure parts and assembled figure.

The third figure is sitting in the passenger seat and also has the upper and lower body separate with the right arm included with the upper body with separate left arm, head and boots. You may notice that he is actually pointing with his index finger; yes that’s right he’s give the bird to the incoming aircraft which may be amusing but is not a gesture normally used by the Germans in WWII.

As with the other figures the parts have locating pins and the fit was again excellent with indentations on the lower body for the bottom of the ammo pouches to ensure the correct orientation of the body halves.

View of figure parts and assembled figure.

Conclusion:
A well detailed and nicely animated set with excellent fit of parts for easy assembly to crew any of the available Kübelwagen kits or they could also be used for other soft skin vehicles without too much trouble.

Recommended

The figure set is available in the US from VLS and in Australia from Firestorm Models.

Page created 10 October 2004