Kfz.15 Horch
Italeri Kit No. 6215
1:35th Scale
First Look Review by Terry Ashley
The kit represents the initial design of the Kfz.15 Horch built from 1937 to 1943 and was used in various configurations on all fronts throughout the war and was one of the most important medium cars of the Wehrmacht.
The kit consists of 148 parts in light grey plastic with 7 in clear plastic and 6 vinyl tyres plus a small decal sheet and the instruction sheet.
Quality of the mouldings overall are quite clean given the age of the kit with some of the moulding seams showing a little excess requiring removal but this is easily done and this kit is noticeable for the minimum of pin marks which Italeri were known for around this time. There are some of course but parts such as the doors with detail on both body sides are clear of any pin marks and those that are there are fairly shallow and easy to remove.
Many of the parts are very finely moulded which will require care when removing form the sprues and during cleanup but add considerably to the final look of the kit.
The lower chassis is in one piece with the front fenders and foot steps included with the four independently sprung suspension units made up of six parts each for very good detail definition and added to these are separate sway bars and front steering arms although the wheels aren't steerable.
There are the front and rear differentials, central transfer box, drive shafts and exhaust pipe/muffler as separate parts to finish off the well detailed undersides.
The upper body has the floor plate separate which has subtle tread plate pattern included with additional separate parts for the three driver's levels and two foot pedals as well as all grab handles on the instrument panel and doors being separate parts for good definition. The two front seats and rear seat are a little basic with solid lower frames but do have subtle texture on the separate seat cushions.
The side and rear body panels are separate parts with detail on both sides with the only pin marks being on the inside of the wheel wells where they will be hidden and a couple on the inside of the rear wall which are easy to remove. The doors as mentioned have detail on both sides and are free of pin marks and can be shown open or closed as you wish. The rear fenders are separate parts as is the windscreen framing which includes the wiper blades and inside wiper motors although the clear ‘glass' parts are a little thick, which may not be noticed on the assembled screen.
At the front is a separate firewall with the separate engine bay side panels, hood and radiator all with well defined details of intake louvers and radiator grillwork which again are very well done for the age of the kit. The front headlights have separate clear lenses or blackout covers depending on you preference as well as a fine NOTEK light with the front and rear bumper bars also being separate parts, as is the fuel filler pipe.
There are many small details parts around the body such as rear view mirrors, side width and signal indicators, rear lights and alternate pennant frames which are moulded extremely fine.
The six wheels are in solid vinyl with quite nice tread pattern and smooth sidewalls and will do the job okay.
You have the alternative of a folded canvas roof on the rear of the body or a fully extended top cover with full length clear windows included but the detail on the extended roof canvas is fairly basic with smooth sides but could be detailed by gluing tissue over the part for added texture.
There are also three nice Jerry cans with separate handles to use as required as well as two figures, one standing Officer and one seated driver but the details on these can be described as basic at best with very static poses and basic uniform details especially on the driver with these being the only items that don't stand up well to the intervening years.Decal
sheet:
The small sheet included has nicely printed markings with thin carrier
film and good colour register with number plates and unit markings for three
vehicles.
These are:
There are some update/detail sets already available for this kit such as the PlusModel Engine set (#177), the excellent Royal Models set #341 "Horch Kfz 15", Eduard etched set #35114 and Hussar Productions set #HSR35036 resin Kfz.15 Horch Wheels.
Conclusion:
Given the age of this kit it still stands up very well with many fine parts
and excellent details throughout the kit and will build into a very attractive
kit of the important early/mid war vehicle.
The kit has been available from Japanese shops as the Tamiya boxing #32403 but it is good to see this it's return to the shops worldwide.
Highly recommended
 |
German Trucks & Cars in WWII Vol.I
Personnel Cars in Wartime Reinhard Frank Schiffer Military Publications ISBN: 0887401627 Soft cover Covers the different types of trucks and cars used by Germany in WWII |
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The Medium PKW of the German Wehrmacht 1937-1945 Hans-Georg Mayer-Stein Schiffer Military Publications ISBN: 0764305700 Soft cover The medium PKW of the German Wehrmacht is described in both photographs and text |
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Cars of the Wehrmacht Reinhard Frank Schiffer Military Publications ISBN: 0887406874 Hard cover Covers the use and design of the numerous cars used by the Wehrmacht during WWII |
Page Created 21 August 2005