Takom SpPz 2 Luchs heavy armoured car. 1:35

[Shar2]

SpPz 2 Luchs heavy armoured car

Takom 1:35

History
The Spähpanzer Luchs is a German 8x8 amphibious reconnaissance armoured fighting vehicle in service since 1975 with the German Army, who used 408 units in their armoured reconnaissance battalions. It was developed by Daimler-Benz between 1968 and 1975, replacing the M41 and the Schützenpanzer SPz 11-2 Kurz. The all-wheel drive Luchs made by Thyssen-Henschel (now: Rheinmetall) is well armoured, has an NBC protection system and is characterized by its low-noise running. The eight large low-pressure tyres have run-flat properties. At speeds up to about 50 km/h, all four axles can be steered. As a special feature, the vehicle is equipped with a rear-facing driver with his own driving position. Up to the first combat effectiveness upgrade in 1986, the Luchs was fully amphibious and could surmount water obstacles quickly and independently using propellers at the rear and the fold back trim vane at the front.

The 20 mm Rheinmetall MK 20 Rh 202 gun in the turret is similar to the one in the Marder IFV. The upgrade to the Luchs A1 starting in 1986 included the incorporation of a thermal observation and gunnery system, which replaced the original infrared/white light night vision system mounted to the left of the turret. VHF radios have been the German SEM 25 / SEM 35 FM short range radios from LORENZ. HF long-range radio was the AN/GRC 9 with the LV 80 100 Watts RF amplifier for Morse code. This was replaced by the XK 405 100 Watts SSB HF radio made by Rohde&Schwarz in Germany and the incorporation of the new SEM 80/90 radio system gave it the designation SpPz 2 Luchs A2. The Luchs was replaced by the Fennek in Bundeswehr service.

The Model
The kit is packaged in a very attractive top opening box with an artists impression of the vehicle in action on the boxtop. Inside there are seven sprues of sandy yellow coloured styrene, the two hull halves and turret. Also included are a set of springs for the suspension, a sheet of etched details, a DS style flap, decal sheet and a pair of poly caps. Unusually, Takom have provided two complete sets of tyres, depending on whether the model is going to be built as the A1 or A2 version. The parts are very nicely moulded, with no sign of flash or imperfections, but there are loads of moulding pips which will add to the time of cleaning up the parts before use.

As with most kits of these types of vehicles most of the work is concentrated on the drive train and suspension. This kit is no exception, beginning with the fitting of the bump stops, light cluster assemblies, the eight, 2 part, shock absorber assemblies and mud flaps to the lower hull section. The four suspension arms are then fitted with their pivots and once fitted to the lower hull are fitted with the eight individual metal springs. Each of the four axles are made up of upper and lower halves, to which the lay shaft ends, spring mounts and transmission covers are attached, followed by the ball joints, steering racks, support arms and torque links. Each of the axles is slightly different, so read the instructions carefully and note which axle fits where. Between the second and third axle is a transfer box fitted, this, and these axles are connected via a drive shaft, with the first axle connected in a similar fashion to the second and the fourth to the third, followed in a similar manner by the steering connecting rods. Each of the hubs are made up of the inner hub, brake drum and an outer connecting disc, but do not attach the wheels just yet. Two headlights are then assembled from their five components, including a PE bracket which needs to be carefully bent to shape, before fitting to the hull along with their respective protective bars.

Before fitting the upper hull, (a task which I would have done first rather than at this point), a several 0.8mm holes need to be drilled out depending on which mark of vehicle is being built. With the upper hull attached the rear panel assembly is fitted. This is made up of the panel, engine grille, rear light assembly and towing eye. Seeing that this vehicle is amphibious it’s no surprise that it has a separate propulsion system, in the form of two propellers fitted. These are each made up of the two part mounting, propeller, and front boss. These are they attached to the underside rear of the hull. Turning the hull right side up the splash plate is fitted to the front glacis plate, either stowed or deployed. Depending on which version is being built ensure the correct tyres are being fitted at this point. Each tyre is slid onto the inner hub and sandwiched into place by the outer hub.

With the model sitting on its wheels the many and various hand holds, aerial mounts, pioneer tools, towing cable and drivers vision ports are fitted, along with the two drivers hatches. Details differ between the two versions, which is why different holes need opening up earlier in the build, so there’s no changing your mind half way through the build. Next to be fitted are the two rear view mirrors, port side exit hatch, fuel caps, and unidentifiable tubes on the rear decking. There is a five piece cover that surrounds these tubes tubes which is a mixture of styrene and PE and fitted aft of the turret ring.

Finally it’s onto the business end of the vehicle and the assembly of the turret. The turret ring section is fitted from the inside with the gun mount and trunnion, the assembly is then attached to the single piece upper turret section. The gunners hatch, rubberized trunnion cover, an unidentifiable box on the turrets right front, followed by the main gun. The eight smoke dischargers are attached four per side, whilst on top the commanders hatch, and training light are fitted. The A1 version has only one multipart sight fitted to the top of the turret, complete with optionally posed cover doors, whilst the A2 version has two of completely different design, one each in front of both upper hatches, the right hand one covered by a prominent cage structure. The MG42 machine gun is then fitted with the trigger handles and attached to its mounting plate, which in turn is fitted to the scarff ring. This assembly can be fitted to the left turret hatch or in its dismounted position on the rear decking. Once complete the turret is fitted to the hull, finishing off the build.

Decals
The decal sheet, which is actually quite colourful considering the markings are to be used on an armoured vehicle. They are very nicely printed in register, good opacity and with little carrier film. The writing is pin sharp and can easily be read with the naked eye. The painting instructions come on two double sided A5 sheets and have obviously been produced for use with Ammo by mig paints, using their colours on the call outs. There are two vehicles in overall NATO green and two in three colour camouflage of NATO green, NATO brown and matt black.

Conclusion
Whilst this is a magnificent and surprisingly large model it’s not that complicated, although the suspension and drive train will require some care to get positioned correctly. Dry fitting the hull sections together reveal that there may be a problem getting it aligned and gap free as the pins aren’t the most prominent seen in a kit. As mentioned above it may be best to fit the two parts together at the beginning to get it all fitting correctly, rather than trying to do it with all the suspension attached. Other than that, there isn’t much that should worry any modeller of intermediate skills and above. Highly recommended.

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