This kit represents an Sd.kfz.223 Ausf.A as indicated by the four large flat hull vision port doors and the triangular wheel hub covers and is a straight re-release/boxing of the 1975 kit #35062 with the same parts, the same decal sheet and box art but with a new etched fret for the turret screens and also a slightly bigger box and price tag.

The 129 parts are quite cleanly moulded in the current light beige plastic without any noticeable flash but some of the detail is showing its age with the Jerry Cans having only two handles and a blob for the filler cap while some of the other finer details are a bit chunky by today’s standards. The wheels on the other hand have hub details and tyre tread pattern as good as any around and with the overall crisp details the kit is a testament to the quality of Tamiya kits even 28 years ago.

The hull details are basic but all the major components are there including the engine intake grills on the rear with nice engraved mesh and all the other parts such as the side storage boxes and hull vision ports as separate parts as well as the large frame antenna which is moulded in the raised position only, it wouldn’t be that much trouble to lower this if you wished?
The turret MG34 is adequate but doesn’t have any ammo supply drum or belt to go with it but it wouldn’t be hard to salvage these from elsewhere.

The two hull side doors are also separate but you will have to modify the hinges if you wanted to show these open, but as there is no interior so they are probably best left closed.
The armoured guard over the rear radiator is also a separate part allowing you to expose the radiator grills as they were in the early war campaigns.

The etched fret has the frames and screens for the turret top and is a marked improvement over the standard Tamiya mesh included with the original kit.

The instructions are again straight from the original kit with even the kit number 35062 on the pages so you just ignore the part showing the fitting of the mesh screens and there is a separate insert showing the fitting of the etched screens.

The decals as mentioned are the same as with the original kit with the usual thick carrier film with a selection of divisional markings, number plates and tac markings for the Afrika Korps 15th & 21st Tank Divisions as well as 1st & 2nd SS Tank Divisions and the Grossdeutschland Panzer Grenadier Division

Overall this is still a good basic kit with some nice details and will build into a nice model of the 223 with scope for additional detailing.
Tamiya have also releasing their "new" Sd.Kfz.222 with etched turret screens and turned metal 2cm barrel (kit No.35270), see review.

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	Toadman's Sd.Kfz.222 Photo Detail CD toadmanstankpictures.com Detailed photo walk around on the Sd.Kfz.222
	Sd.Kfz.222 & 223 Nuts & Bolts Vol.04 Soft cover 39 pages black & white. Currently out of print but excellent reference if you can find a copy.
	Panzerspähwagen Uwe Feist and Robert Johnson Ryton Publications ISBN: 1-930571-30-5 Hard Cover 150 pages
	German Light Reconnaissance Vehicles By Horst Scheibert Schiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-88740-522-3 Soft cover 48 pages black & white.
	Panzerspähwagen in Action By Jim Mesko. Squadron Signal Publications No. 2004. ISBN 0-89747-037-0 Soft cover 48 pages black & white.

Thanks to my credit card and for the review kit.